336 FEINGILLID^. 



{Carmiol^), San Jose 2, Turrialba^ {v. Frantzius); Panama, Chitra, Boquete de 

 Chitra, Calovevora, Calobre {Arc^^). 



This very distinct species is now a well-known bird, being not uncommon in Costa 

 Kica and the adjoining parts of the State of Panama. It was first described by 

 Prof. Baird in a paper published by Mr, Lawrence in 1867 1, and soon afterwards Count 

 Salvadori gave a figure of it on a plate accompanying a short paper on Costa-Eica birds ^, 



Dr. von Frantzius tells us ^ that P. tibialis is found on the east side of Costa Kica, 

 where it frequents the maize-fields. It is a good songster, its notes resembling those 

 of the European Bullfinch [Pyrrhula vulgaris). 



Prof. Baird compares it with P. chrysogaster, but it has no near relationship with 

 that species, nor, indeed, with any other member of the genus. Its black tail without 

 terminal white spots (except in immature individuals), its black wings with only a 

 white speculum, and its black tibiae are all characteristic features shared with no other 

 species. The sexes are alike in colour, as apparently is the case in P. aureiventris and 

 its immediate allies. In P. chrysogaster and P. chrysopeplus the sexes differ consi- 

 derably in the colour of their plumage. 



HEDYMELES. 



Hedymeles, Cabanis, Mus. Hein, i. p. 152 (1851) ; Baird, Brew., & Ridgway, N. Am. B. ii. p. 69. 

 Zamelodia, Couesj Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, v. p. 9 (vice Hedymeles) ; Key N. Am. B. ed. 2, p. 388. 

 Habia, Stejneger, Auk, i. p. 366 (ex Reichenbach). 



Two species constitute this genus, both of them inhabitants of North America, and 

 one of them, H. ludovicianus, a migratory bird reaching Ecuador in winter ; the other, 

 H. melanocephalus, a more sedentary species, whose range does not pass the southern 

 frontier of Mexico. 



The females of these two species are very similar in their streaked plumage, light 

 superciliary stripe, and median stripe on the crown of the head. The males have their 

 wings and tails similarly marked with white, and both have the under wing-coverts 

 brightly coloured, one with rose and the other with yellow. In other respects their 

 coloration diff'ers widely. 



The bill is similar in both birds, being large and swollen, the mandible rather deeper 

 than the maxilla, which has the commissure angulated. The nostrils are open, and the 

 prenasal feathers short and thickly set, the rictal bristles being short and strong. The 

 tarsi are short and stout, as are also the feet and claws. The wings are rather long, the 

 second, third, and fourth primaries nearly equal and longest, the first being longer than 

 the fifth. The tail is moderately long and slightly forked. 



1. Hedymeles ludovicianus. 



Loxia ludoviciana, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 306 '. 



Guiraca ludoviciana, Sw. PHI. Mag. n. ser. i. p. 438'; Bp. P. Z. S. 1837, p. 116°; Consp. Av. i. 



