96 University of California Publications in Geology [Vol. 9 



in the form and the distribution of the warty excrescences of the head 

 and neck, and in the character of the erectile appendages of the fore- 

 head, the more highly graduated tail and more rounded retrices, the 

 absence of beard in the male and presence of rudimentary spurs in 

 the female are all characters which entitle ocelletus to generic dis- 

 tinction, and I would suggest, therefore, that it be placed in a new 

 genus for which I propose the name Agriocharis." 6 



The superficial characters of the ocellated turkey are such as to 

 give it the local Spanish name of "Pavo de Yucatan." The ocellated 

 feathers in certain portions of the tail constitute a character com- 

 parable to, though not identical with the similar appearance in Pavo — 

 a character which is hard to attribute to convergent evolution. This 

 superficial resemblance, combining with those seen in the skeletons, 

 indicates a close relationship between the New and the Old world 

 phasianids. The fossil species from the asphalt is, in the combination 

 of its osteologieal characters, intermediate between the Yucatan and 

 the oriental birds, which are separated at present by subfamily dis- 

 tinction. It would seem imperative therefore to establish generic dis- 

 tinction for the Pleistocene bird. For this genus the name Parapavo 

 is proposed. In a study of the phylogeny of the Phasianidae, a most 

 logical place to search for intermediates between phasianines and 

 meleagrines would be the Pacific Coast of North America. This search 

 has been rewarded, and furthermore Chapman's conclusion that the 

 of a former much wider range finds support in the occurrence at 

 Rancho La Brea of its Pleistocene relative, Parapavo calif ornicus. 



6 The writer is indebted to Dr. C. W. Kichmond for a note on the priority of 



AgriocMris over Eumeleagris, a name proposed by Dr. Coues. 



Transmitted August 15, 1915. 



