1871.] 281 [Grayson. 



is purse-shaped and about twelve or thirteen inches in length with 

 the entrance near the top, is composed of a long, narrow grass or the 

 fibres of maguey leaves, which are very strong and elastic, and lined 

 with silk cotton ; it is firmly and well woven together, and would be 

 difficult to pull apart ; it differs a little in form from those found in 

 the vicinity of Mazatlan. 



"Few birds surpass the oriole in discovering the hiding places of 

 the various kinds of insects and their larvse, upon which it feeds. 

 With its exceedingly sharp bill it searches and probes every crevice 

 in the bark and leaves of trees, and with unceasing industry ; the 

 number it destroys in one day alone must be very great. Thus we 

 here see beauty and elegance combined with utility, in the place as- 

 signed to this species in the great economy of nature, in checking 

 the accumulation of the insect kind. During my stay upon the Is- 

 lands, I often saw them clinging about decaying logs or branches, 

 sometimes with their heads downwards, busily engaged in piercing 

 the rotten wood in search of wood worms or borers and white ants ; 

 it also feeds upon various kinds of fruit, Pitahaya (Pitajaice cactus) 

 they are very partial to. In the Islands of the Tres Marias these 

 birds become excessively fat, finding there an abundance of food, 

 with nothing to molest them in their peaceful green island home." 



TANAGRIDiE. 



34. Pyranga bidentata Swain. "Tres Marias Tanager; 

 Burion." 



" I found this species abundant in the Islands, where it is a con- 

 stant resident. I have nothing especial to note of its habits." 



VIREONIML 



35. Vireo hypochryseus Scl. " Tres Marias Vireo." 



" This species is quite common in the Marias, where I found it in 

 all parts of the woods, from time to time uttering its cheerful little 

 song." 



FKINGILLIDiE. 



36. Cardinalis virginianus (Linn.). "Cardinal Grosbeak; 

 Cardinal." 



