PHCENICOTHRAUPIS. 301 



This Mexican and Guatemalan species is closely allied to PJicenicothraujns ruhica 

 of South-eastern Brazil, and can only be distinguished from it by the tail being of almost 

 the same tint as the back, in the abdomen being the same colour as the breast, and in 

 the throat being clearer red. The ranges of the two birds, however, seem to be 

 separated by a very wide interval, the intermediate space being occupied by P. 

 vinacea and other species. 



Until quite recently it was supposed that only one variable species of Phomico- 

 thraupis was found in Mexico and Guatemala ; but Count von Berlepsch, with his usual 

 discrimination, has shown that two species have been confounded under the name 

 P. rubicoides. The second, described below as P. sahini, is, in fact, the northern 

 representative of P. fusdcauda, and is more remotely allied to P. rubicoides than would 

 appear at first sight. In arranging the references given above, we have endeavoured to 

 assign them to each of these species ; but it may hereafter turn out, in a few instances, 

 where specimens are no longer accessible, that some we now believe to belong to P. 

 rubicoides are really referable to P. salvini. 



Phcenicothraupis rubicoides is a common species in Southern Mexico, whence it was 

 originally described ^. It is, according to Sumichrast, an inhabitant of the hot region, 

 seldom reaching an elevation of between 3000 and 4000 feet ^^. In Guatemala we found 

 it in similar situations, but as high as about 4500 feet, between the volcanoes of Agua 

 and Fuego. But it is essentially a denizen of the hot tropical forests, where it is to be 

 met with in the lower underwood. In the neighbourhood of Choctum it is especially 

 common and in the vast forests of that district. Here, however, it lives with P. salvini, 

 which, again, has a more northern range in the direction of Yucatan and British 

 Honduras. 



2. Phcemcothraupis vinacea. 



Phcenicothraupis vinacea, Lawr. Pr. Ac. Phil. 1867, p. 94 ' ; Ann. Lye. N. Y. ix. p. 99 ' ; v. 



Frantzius, J. f. Orn. 1869, p. 399 ' ; Salv. P. Z. S. 1870, p. 187*. 

 Phcenicothraupis rubica ?, Salv. P. Z. S. 1867, p. 139 (see Vieillot) \ 



P. ruhicoidi persimilis sed supra paulo obscurior, subtus quoque obscurior, gula et abdomine fere concoloribus. 

 $ paulo magis olivascens quam femina P. rubicoidis, crista vertieali forsau paUidiore. (Descr. maris ex 

 Calovevora et feminaB Santa Fe, Panama. Mus. nostr.) 



Hob. Costa Rica^, Guaitil, Grecia (Carmiol^); Pajtama, Volcan de Chiriqui^, Calove- 

 vora S and Santa Fe ^ (ArcS), Panama (M'Leannan i). 



The first specimens we obtained of this bird were doubtfully referred to Phcenico- 

 thraupis rubica, to which they have in some respects a closer resemblance than to 

 P. rubicoides^. The back is, however, rather darker than that of P. rubica, and the 

 tail is of the same colour as the back instead of being lighter red. The colour of the 

 under plumage is decidedly darker, especially that of the abdomen, and the throat is 

 not paler, as in P. rubicoides. 



