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Plate LXV. (Fig. 2.) 



PYRGISOMA KIENERI. 



(KIENEE'S GEOUND-MNCH). 



Pyrgisoma Meneri 



Bp. Consp. i. p. 486. 

 Sclat. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 325. 

 Puscum, pileo et capitis lateribus rufis : plumis auricularibus dorso eoncoloribus, harum autem apicibus castaneis, 

 Ions albescentibus, fronte et genis fuscescenti-nigris : subtus album, hypochondriis dorso coucoloribus, macula pectorali 

 mdistincta nigra ; crisso rufescente ; rostro nigricanti-eorneo, pedibus pallide corylinis : long, tota 73, alee 33, caudal 

 2-9, tarsi TO. 



Sab. in Mexico Occident. (?) 



The figure we now give of the Pyrgisoma Meneri of Bonaparte, which by the kind 

 permission of the authorities of the Jardin des Plantes of Paris has been taken from the type- 

 specimen belonging to that institution, will, we think, convince Ornithologists that this bird 

 is perfectly distinct from P. cabanisi with which, as already stated, it has been frequently 

 confounded. In general plumage, in fact, it is much more like P. rubricatum, figured on the 

 preceding plate, but is distinguishable from that species by its larger size, stouter bill, and much 

 stronger feet and tarsi. P. rubricatum also differs in possessing a white eye-ring, which is 

 wanting in the present species, and in having the summit of the head brown like the back 

 instead of bright rufous. It was no doubt the much stronger conformation of this species that 

 induced Prince Bonaparte subsequently to remove it from Pyrgisoma and to associate it with 

 the Brown Pipilos (P. fuscus, &c.) as a separate genus Kieneria* It is, in fact, rather difficult 

 to decide whether to arrange Pyrgisoma Meneri with the other Pyrgisomas or with these Pipilos. 

 Upon the whole, we prefer to adopt the former course, as it would be unnatural to dissociate it 

 from P. rubricatum, with which it so closely agrees in plumage. But P. rubricatum is certainly 

 a typical species of Pyrgisoma, as is allowed by all writers upon the group. 



It is unfortunate that we are unable to give the exact habitat of P. Meneri. The type- 

 specimen, which as far as we know is unique, is marked as having been procured in May 

 1843, during the expedition of the " Danaide" by M. Jaures, but no locality is attached 

 to the label. It was, however, in all probability obtained on some part of the western coast 

 of Mexico. 



The five species of Pyrgisoma known to us may be arranged as follows : — 



Sect. a. Species pileo castaneo, gutture albo. 

 a', pectore immaculato. 

 1. Pyrgisoma biarcuatum. 



Pyrgita biarcuata, Prev. Voy. Venus, Ois. t. 6. 



Pyrgisoma biarcuatum, Bp. Consp. p. 486; Scl. & Salv. Ibis, 1859, pp. 5, 18 ; P. Z. S. 1868, y 325 



Sab. Guatemala. J 



h'.plaga pectorali nigra. 

 Pyrgisoma cabanisi, nobis, (t. lxv. fig. 1.) 



Sab. Costa Rica. 



3. Pyrgisoma rubricatum. (t. lxiv, fig 1.) 



Sab. Mexico, Plains of Colima (Xanthus) ; Atlisco (JBoucard). 



4. Pyrgisoma kieneri. (t. lxv. fig. 2.) 

 Sab. Western Mexico (?). 



K ^ ^ ect - b- Pileo medio cinereo, lateraliter niqro : gutture toto niaro. 



5. Pyrgisoma leucote. (t. lxiv. fig. 2.) 



Sab. Costa Eica (Soffmann, Garmiol) j Guatemala (Salvin). 



D E ™ E) 1863. * COmpt ^^ Xl P - 35a (1855) - 



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