350 FEINGILLID^. 



the forehead. The tomia of the maxilla is gradually curved and not abruptly angular 

 as in Guiraca, Oryzohoms, &c. ; there is a distinct notch near the end ; the nostrils 

 are at the extremity of the nasal fossa, open, round, and surrounded above and behind 

 by membrane ; the rictal bristles are long and strong. The tarsi are slender, and so 

 also are the toes and claws. The wings are short and rounded ; the first primary 

 =the secondaries, third and fourth longest, second=fifth. The tail is rather long and 

 slightly rounded. 



Prof. Cabanis considers the position of Amaurospiza to be near Volatinia and 

 CyaMspiza. 



1. Amanrospiza concolor. 



Amaurospiza concolor, Cab. J. f. Om. 1861, p. 3'; Frantz. J. f. Om. 1869, p. 301 ' ; Salv. Ibis, 1869, 

 p. 313'. 



Csrulesoenti-nigra unioolor ; loris, alis caudaque nigris ; rostro nigricante plumbeo, mandibula vix pallidiore. 

 Long, tota 4-0, alaB 2-3, caudse 2-1, tarsi 0-65= dig. med. cum ungue. (Descr. exempl. (cJ?) ex 

 Paraiso Station, Panama. Mus. nostr.) 



Edb. Costa Rica {v. Frantzius ^ ^) ; Panama, Chiriqui {Arce), Paraiso Station 

 [Hughes ^). 



We know very little of this peculiar bird, which was first described by Prof. Cabanis 

 from a specimen obtained by v. Frantzius in Costa Eica, whence, however, we have 

 never seen an example. The two in our possession are : — one from Chiriqui and the 

 other from the Panama Eailway. 



SPERMOPHILA. 



Spermophila, Swainson, Zool. Journ. iii. p. 348 (1827) ; Scl. Ibis, 1871, p. 1; Coues, Key N. Am. 

 B. ed. 2, p. 392. 



Twenty-four species were known to Mr. Sclater when compiling his Monograph of 

 this genus, and to them he added a list of eleven others which have been described, 

 but which he was not able to identify. If, therefore, we put the number of species in 

 Spermophila at thirty, we shall more probably be under than over the mark. Of these, 

 seven or eight occur within our region ; three of these are from Mexico and Guatemala, 

 the rest from Costa Eica and Panama. Four species are peculiar to our region, and 

 three just enter it in the State of Panama and have a wide southern range. 



The bill in SpermopMla {8. moreleti) is short and stout, though less so than in 

 Oryzohorus ; the culmen is rounded, and follows the same curve as the top of the head ; 

 the nostrils are exposed, and at the distal end of the nasal fossa ; the tomia of the 

 maxilla is abruptly bent towards the commissure, the outer portion slightly curved 

 towards the tip. The legs are feeble, and the toes short. The wings are much rounded, 

 the second primary slightly shorter than the third, fourth, and fifth, which are nearly 

 equal. The tail is rather long, and slightly rounded at the end. 



