Mar., 1909 OBSERVATIONS ON SOME BIRDS BOUND IN SOUTHERN MEXICO 
61 
I camped for some weeks during February and March in one of the large bar- 
rancas, at an altitude of 6500 feet. This barranca was deep and narrow near the 
site of my tent, and it would be several hours after the sun rose before it reached 
this spot. 
Arising at daybreak, I would make haste to complete my ablutions, at a nearby 
pool, so as to avoid the chill that was very noticeable at that hour. Tittle life was 
in evidence so early, but one species of bird there was that always preceded me at 
that pool — the White-eared Hummingbird (. Basilinna leucotis) . Here I would 
find it bathing or else feeding on the nectar of pink-flowered Begonias, that grew 
with ferns in profusion thereabouts. How distinct the white superciliary line ap- 
peared in the dim light ! Often they lit on a fern frond within five feet of me, 
searching the plant most thoroly while perched thus. Later, as the day advanced, 
they could be found the length of the barranca, feeding from the lowly Cuphea to 
the great Fuchsia arborescens . 
Bell Warblers ( Basileuterus belli), I found favored the vicinity of that particu- 
lar pool, where a large quantity of brush debris had accumulated. To attempt to 
uncover one by beating the brush was always unsuccessful as they act much like a 
Yellowthroat under the circumstances. However, keeping quiet a few minutes will 
reassure them, and emerging, they sound their clarion notes: wren-like chips, most 
barbarously tuned when chasing their own kind; intensely quarrelsome birds, in 
what I took to be the breeding season; never resorting to high bushes or trees, 
when under my observation. Duges Warbler (B. rufifrons dugesi) looks like a 
twin brother of the Bell Warbler but is blessed with a quieter nature and more con- 
fiding disposition. Rarely found within the zone of B. belli , preferring more open 
situations from 6000 feet altitude down, it was the only common Warbler about the 
city during the months of my visit. 
Several miles out from town, was a most barren piece of ground, that lacked 
every sort of vegetation, except that within a small depression there grew .a forlorn 
little cedar by the side of a huge rock. Here, a Duges Warbler dwelt contentedly — 
without kin — in fact all feathered creatures but he, seemed to shun the spot. The 
bright chestnut-colored head, and clearly defined yellow and white underparts al- 
lowed of sure identification. 
There was only one place where I met a Yellowthroat ( Geoth/ypis trichas , var.?), 
that spot an irrigated meadow near town. One end was kept very wet, and here 
the grass grew rank and lush. But I did not secure the bird and the variety re- 
mains in doubt. Forms resembling the Yellowthroat, I did obtain there, and found 
to be Rio Grande Yellowthroats ( Geoth/ypis po/iocepha/a) . Their numbers were 
quite limited. 
The submerged end of the meadow was grazed upon by cattle, and these in 
turn, attended by numerous Groove-billed Anis ( Crotophaga sulcirostris) . These 
Anis spent their time hunting over the animals’ hide, and in the long grass, perhaps 
for ambitionless ticks. I think I might call them the thinest species in existence ! 
The Ani’s movements remind one of long-tailed Grackles, and they have the same 
manner of spreading the tail. 
I do not know if the Morelos sun ever shines on our robin of the north, but 
it can claim a relative in Planesticus trislis, called Gray-breasted Robin in ordinary 
venacular, I believe. Do tropical conditions account for his superior voice? Any- 
way they have an advantage over our robin in singing. The song is of a different 
pitch — finer wrought and better strung. Why this southerner should be named 
tristis — “sad” — I cannot explain. Sing very late in the day it surely does, but the 
song has no melancholy suggestion. In fact, it is a most pleasant diversion in a 
