312 BIEDS OF WESTERN AND 



was much injured ; it proved to be very interesting as a bird hitherto unknown to me. Doubtless it will 

 prove to be a new species in the oraithology of the country. 



"Another specimen, a fine adult male, was shot by my son in April, 1867, in the mangroves that border the 

 estero near Mazatlan ; it is now in my cabinet. I examined the stomachs of both birds, in which I found 

 small crabs and diminutive mollusca only. Dui-ing the months of April and May I have, when encamped 

 near the mangi-oves, heard this bird's chattering or cackling notes at different hours of the night. I had fre- 

 quently heard them long before I was able to see one, and that only in the silent hours of a moonlight night. 

 It is a constant resident of Western Mexico, and does not appear to migrate." 



I was much surprised to find this species from a locaUty so far north, and where it is 

 stated to be resident. Mr. Sclater (P. Z. S., 1868, p. 449) records a specimen from Belize, 

 Honduras. 



From its habits it would appear to be seldom obtained, Col. Grayson procuring but two, 

 and considering it an undescribed species ; the specimen from Mazatlan does not differ from 

 the type which came from Venezuela. 



265. Porzana Carolina (Linn.). 

 Mazatlan, Grayson. 



"A few seen, and specimens procured in March, 1868 ; found in marsh grass at Mazatlan." 



266. Porphyria martinica (Linn.). 

 Kio de Coahuana, Xantus. 



267. Gallinula galeata Licht. 

 Mazatlan, Tepic, Grayson. 



" Common in the winter months, arrives in November in considerable numbers. I found it breeding near 

 Tepic, in a lagoon, in which were several pairs, together with grebes and some other water-fowl ;■ this was in 

 May and June." 



268. Fulica americana Gm. 

 Colima, Xantus ; Mazatlan, Grayson. 



" Very abundant from October to May. A few breed here in summer." 



Fam. Paeeid^. 



269. Parra gymnostoma Wagl. 



" " Finsch, Abh. nat. Ver. zu Bremen, 1870, p. 363. 



Mazatlan, Grayson j ManzanUla Bay, Zacatula River, Rio de Coahuana, Xantus. 



" Quite abundant in all lagoons where water plants cover the surface of the water, upon which they walk. 

 A constant resident, and well distributed throughout the tierra caliente. 



"I found the nest of this bird about the middle of June, in a lagoon near Tepic ; it was placed upon the 

 prostrate branch of a tree, just touching the water, in rather an exposed position, as there seemed to be no 

 attempt at concealment. The nest is large and well formed, of coarse grass and water-moss, deep and 

 rounded ; the eggs, three in number, were fresh, of an oval form, with reddish blotches at the larger end, the 

 shell very thin." 



