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HARVARD    UNIVERSITY 

Library  of  the 

Museum  of 

Comparative  Zoology 


Bulletin  of  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zotflogy 

AT  HARVARD  COLLEGE. 

Vol.  LXVIII.    No.  1. 


REVISION  OF  THE  NEARCTIC  MYRMELEONIDAE. 


By  Nathan  Banks. 


With  Four  Plates. 


CAMBRIDGE,  MASS.,  U.  S.  A.: 
PRINTED  FOR  THE  MUSEUM. 
May,  1927. 


No.  1. —  Revision  of  the  Nearctic  Myrmeleonidae. 
By  Nathan  Banks. 

The  Myrmeleonidae  or  ant-lion  flies  are  generally  recognized  among 
the  Neuroptera  by  their  slender,  rather  densely  veined  wings,  the  long 
body,  and  short,  elavate  antennae.  The  habits  of  the  larvae  of  certain 
forms  (particularly  Myrmeleon)  in  digging  pits  to  entrap  wandering 
insects  has  given  them  their  common  and  scientific  names. 

The  Nearctic  Myrmeleonidae  are  chiefly  a  northward  extension  of  the 
Neotropical  fauna,  thus  Texas,  New  Mexico,  and  Arizona  are  the  most 
favored  states.  Several  of  the  genera  as  Brachynemurus,  Hesperoleon, 
Austroleon,  Glenurus,  and  Psammoleon  are  common  in  Central  and 
South  America,  but  do  not  occur  in  the  Old  World.  The  genus  Myr- 
meleon occurs  in  all  the  continents,  and  is  everywhere  fairly  common. 
Dendroleon  does  not  occur  south  of  the  United  States,  but  is  repre- 
sented in  Europe  and  Asia,  in  the  latter  country  with  numerous  species. 
It  is  more  common  in  the  eastern  than  the  western  states.  Hesperoleon 
has  but  one  or  two  species  in  the  eastern  states,  but  many  in  the 
western  states. 

The  family,  originally  of  but  one  genus,  has  undergone  many 
changes,  until  now  there  are  four  subfamilies  and  nearly  a  dozen  tribes. 
One  of  the  subfamilies,  the  Palparinae,  does  not  occur  in  America, 
and  several  tribes  do  not  occur  in  the  United  States.  The  forking  of 
the  third  anal  vein  I  do  not  consider  of  tribal  value;  although  usually 
quite  constant  there  are  species  it  would  separate  that  are  otherwise 
closely  related,  and  in  some  species  there  are  specimens  with  this  vein 
forked  in  one  wing  and  simple  in  the  opposite  wing.  The  absence  of 
the  small  cross-veins  in  the  apical  field  is  also  too  inconstant  to  be  even 
of  generic  value;  specimens  in  which  these  are  absent  in  only  one  wing 
are  not  unusual,  and  a  fair  series  of  any  species  will  show  variation  in 
their  number.  Likewise  the  absence  of  spurs  is  not  of  tribal  importance. 
The  various  genera  lacking  spurs  show  by  their  venation  affinity  to 
various  tribes. 

The  origin  of  the  radial  sector  in  relation  to  the  cubital  fork  I  still 
consider  of  great  importance,  but  for  the  Nearctic  forms  it  is  best  used 
in  connection  with  the  course  of  the  basal  part  of  the  second  anal  vein 
as  indicated  in  the  following  tables.  The  character  I  used  as  of  prime 
importance  for  African  Myrmeleons,  whether  there  is  one  (or  two) 
cross-veins  before  the  radial  sector  in  the  hind-wing  or  four  (or  more), 
cannot  be  used  on  American  Myrmeleons,  for  in  the  group  of  Brachy- 


4  bulletin:  museum  of  compaeative  zoology. 

nemurus,  which  usually  has  two  or  three  such  veins,  there  is  sometimes 
only  one  and  sometimes  four  or  even  five.  It  is  necessary  therefore  to 
have  recourse  to  the  characters  of  the  second  anal  vein.  Once  outside 
of  the  subfamily  Dendroleoninae  the  number  of  cross-veins  before 
the  radial  sector  is  as  useful  in  American  JVTyrmeleons  as  in  those 
of  the  Old  World. 

The  characters  used  in  the  classification  of  genera  are  mostly  taken 
from  the  venation  and  legs.  The  palpi,  antennae,  pronotum,  and 
abdomen  are  used  to  a  less  extent.  The  species  are  largely  based  on 
coloration,  color  and  length  of  hair,  length  of  spurs,  minor  venational 
points,  and  the  male  appendages.  Most  of  the  characters  used  are 
readily  understood,  being  similar  to  those  in  other  insects.  There  is 
in  many  species  the  appearance  of  a  line  through  the  middle  of  the 
wing  toward  the  tip.  This  is  produced  by  the  bending  of  the  branches 
of  the  radial  sector;  it  has  been  termed  (by  Tilly ard  and  Petersen)  the 
Banksian  or  anterior  Banksian  line.  A  similar  line  in  the  cubital  area 
is  called  the  posterior  Banksian  line  or  intercubital  line.  In  many  of 
the  Nearctic  species  these  lines  are  hardly  as  useful  as  in  Old  World 
species.  The  small  cross-veins  in  the  apical  field  have  been  called 
gradate  veins;  they  are  of  little  value.  Toward  the  outer  part  of  the 
wing  the  median  and  cubital  veins  are  connected  rather  more  than  in 
the  rest  of  their  courses,  this  is  the  rhegma,  and  there  is  frequently  a 
dark  spot  on  it,  or  a  line  up  from  it. 

One  Nearctic  species  was  described  by  DeGeer,  one  by  Drury,  a 
few  by  Burmeister,  Rambur,  and  Thomas  Say.  Hagen  in  1861  in  his 
Synopsis  of  North  American  Neuroptera,  gave  the  first  good  account, 
describing  twenty-five  species,  and  later  he  added  ten  more.  In  recent 
years  Mr.  R.  P.  Currie  and  the  writer  have  described  several  new  spe- 
cies, while  Navas  has  added  four  names,  and  McClendon  one.  One 
new  genus,  two  new  species,  and  a  new  variety  are  included  in  this 
account,  a  total  of  sixty-nine  species,  two  varieties,  and  nineteen 
genera. 

Doubtless  a  few  more  will  be  found  in  the  West  and  in  southern 
Texas.  There  are  several  species  known  from  but  one  specimen.  The 
genera,  I  think,  have  been  divided  enough,  possibly  it  would  be  better 
to  sink  under  Brachynemurus  several  of  the  related  genera.  Two  of 
the  species  {delicatulus  and  barberi)  I  have  not  seen  for  some  years  and 
the  original  descriptions  are  given,  supplemented  by  notes  and  drawings 
made  ten  years  ago,  together  with  some  notes  kindly  furnished  by 
Mr.  S.  A.  Rohwer. 

Navas  has  published  two  genera  and  four  species  as  new  from  the 
United  States.    Neleon  is  a  new  genus  for  Myrmeleon  immaculatus 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.  5 

DeGeer.  This  species  is  very  close  to  the  type  of  the  genus  in  so  many 
structural  characters  that  if  the  genus  is  to  be  divided  it  surely  will  go 
with  the  genotype.  The  number  of  gradiform  veinlets  in  the  apical 
field  is  variable  in  this  as  well  as  in  most,  if  not  all,  species  of  the 
family;  the  development  of  the  plicate  lines  shows  a  gradation  in  the 
various  species  so  that  limitation  is  not  possible.  Mastega  is  a  new 
genus;  and  M.  texanus,  a  new  species,  is  evidently  a  Cryptoleon.  It 
is  true  that  in  C.  nebuloswn  (the  genotype)  there  are  nearly  *al ways 
numerous  costal  cross-veins  connected,  but  the  number  is  variable; 
but  in  C,  signatum  there  are  usually  only  very  few  costals  connected, 
and  frequently  none.  With  any  sort  of  a  series  this  character  is  too 
variable  for  generic  importance  here;  in  some  genera  the  character  is 
much  more  constant.  As  to  the  species  texanus,  it  agrees  generally 
with  C.  signatum,  but  is  said  to  have  the  abdomen  "fusco  pilosum." 
This  would  ally  it  to  C.  nebulosum.  I  have  seen  no  specimen  of  either 
species  from  Texas,  and  it  is  possible  that  texanus  is  a  good  species. 
The  type  is  in  the  Vienna  Museum. 

Hesperoleon  placidus  is  from  New  Jersey.  This  is  a  dark,  strongly- 
marked  specimen  of  H.  ahdoviinalis  in  which  the  pronotal  stripes  are 
extended  forward.  I  have  several  such  specimens  from  the  east,  and 
they  grade  into  the  normal  form. 

Hesperoleon  nivatensis  is  from  Nevada.  By  the  infuscated  mid-  and 
hind-femora  and  the  long  male  appendages  this  is  H.  singularis  Currie. 
The  amount  of  infuscation  in  the  femora  is  variable,  but  they  are  not 
dotted. 

Psammoleon  serpentinus  agrees  with  P.  sinuatus  Currie,  but  this 
serpentine  line  is  not  constant  in  this  species  nor  peculiar  to  it. 

Synopsis  of  the  subfamilies. 

1.  In  the  fore-wings  the  second  anal  vein  runs  in  a  fairly  even  curve  (Plate  2, 

fig.  41),  and  is  connected  to  the  third  anal  by  a  short  cross-vein,  or  united 
to  it  for  a  short  distance  (Plate  2,  fig.  40) ;  the  radial  sector  usually  arises 
before  the  cubital  fork;  in  hind-wings  rarely  four  veins  before  the  origin 

of  the  radial  sector Dendroleoninae. 

In  the  fore-wings  the  second  anal  vein  runs  up  to  and  close  beside  the  first 
anal  (Plate  2,  fig.  39, 45),  then  at  an  angle  turns  down  and  unites  with  the 
third  anal  for  a  distance;  abdomen  shorter  than  wings 2 

2.  In  the  hind-wings  but  one  (or  rarely  two)  cross-veins  before  origin  of  the 

■  radial  sector,  latter  point  before  the  cubital  fork Macronemurinae. 

In  the  hind-wings  four  (or  more)  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  latter 
usually  beyond  fork  of  cubitus;  antennae  well  separated  at  base. 

Myrmeleoninae. 


D  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Dendroleoninae. 

Of  Nearctic  forms  this  is  the  most  primitive  group,  the  venational 
characters  being  far  less  constant  than  in  the  two  other  subfamilies. 
The  group  is  principally  American,  only  a  few  forms  are  known  in 
Europe  and  Asia,  and  possibly  in  South  Africa,  while  several  striking 
forms  of  the  typical  tribe  occur  in  Australia. 

There  are  two  tribes  separable  as  follows :  — 

1.     In  the  fore-wings  the  cubital  vein  shows  at  base  a  distinct  fork  running  out 
a  short  distance  and  then  uniting  with  first  anal  (Plate  2,  fig.  41);  legs 

very  slender,  basal  tarsal  joint  equal  next  two Dendroleonini. 

In  the  fore-wings  the  cubital  vein  has  no  distinct  fork  at  base,  sometimes  a 
faint  trace;  legs  much  less  slender,  basal  tarsal  joint  rarely  equal  to  next 
two  joints  united Brachynemurini. 


Dendroleonini. 
The  Dendroleonini  has  but  one,  the  typical,  Nearctic  genus. 

Dendroleon  Brauer. 
Reise  freg.  Novara.  Zool.  theil.,  1866,  2.  Neur.,  p.  42. 

Antennae  rather  long;  pronotum  longer  than  broad;  legs  very  slender, 
femora  cylindrical,  tibia  about  as  long  as  femur,  basitarsus  as  long  as 
fifth  joint,  spurs  very  long,  but  little  curved,  equal  to  more  than  two 
joints.  Wings  moderately  broad,  with  large  spots,  a  single  costal 
series,  in  both  wings  the  radial  sector  arises  before  the  cubital  fork, 
in  hind-wing  one  cross-vein  before  radial  sector,  the  first  anal  in 
hind-wing  runs  parallel  to  the  hind-margin  and  into  cubital  fork,  in 
fore-wing  the  second  anal  runs  free  of  both  first  and  third  anals  and 
connected  to  each  by  one  or  more  cross-veins,  basal  fork  of  cubitus 
distinct.  Banksian  line  fairly  complete  in  both  wings,  no  intercubital 
line;  abdomen  not  as  long  as  hind-wings.  In  the  type  and  in  Nearctic 
species  in  the  hind-wing  the  third  anal  is  separate  from  second,  forked 
near  tip,  and  there  is  a  fourth  anal  closely  parallel  to  hind-margin; 
in  the  exotic  species  the  third  is  united  to  second  at  base,  and  the 
fourth  is  absent. 

Type. —  D.  'pantherinum  (Fabricius).     Europe. 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.  / 

Dendroleon  obsoletum  Say. 
Plate  4,  fig.  101. 

Formicaleo  obsoletus  Say,  Journ.  Acad.  nat.  sci.  Phil.,  1839,  8,  p.  44;  Ed.  Lee, 
2,  p.  413. 

Dull  yellowish  gray  or  sordid.  Interantennal  mark  brown,  not 
much  below  nor  above  antennae  vertex  hardly  darkened,  sometimes  a 
yellowish  band  below.  Pronotum  usually  unmarked,  sometimes 
median  or  lateral  short,  faint  lines ;  rest  of  notum  black  in  middle,  pale 
on  sides;  pleura  dark  below,  pale  above;  front-  and  mid-legs  largely 
black,  hind-femora  black,  pale  at  base,  and  a  band  before  tip,  tibia 
pale,  a  black  line  below,  and  base  and  tip  dark;  tarsi  partly  pale,  spines 
slender,  black,  the  front-tibiae  are  sometimes  pale  beneath  near  tip; 
abdomen  black,  sometimes  showing  pale  spots  in  middle  of  some  seg- 
ments, hairs  black,  some  white  intermixed,  not  very  long.  Veins  white 
and  brown  interrupted,  often  in  streaks,  spot  at  base  of  stigma,  one 
behind,  and  one  beyond,  a  long  mark  at  rhegma,  often  broken  into 
several  long  spots,  an  irregular  mark  at  end  of  anal,  often  broken,  and 
one  beyond,  and  one  before  on  the  hind-margin,  one  at  origin  of  radial 
sector,  and  two  or  three  smaller  spots  beyond,  usually  several  small 
spots  along  cubitus;  hind-wings  with  mostly  pale  venation,  some  dark 
streaks,  a  large  spot,  larger  than  any  in  the  fore-wing,  over  the  last 
cross-veinlet  from  radial  sector  to  radius  before  stigma,  another  more 
irregular  near  tip,  and  three  or  four  small  spots  behind  these,  two 
of  which  are  on  the  hind-margin. 

In  the  fore-wings  many  of  the  costals  are  forked,  about  four  cross- 
veins  before  radial  sector,  about  eleven  branches  of  radial  sector, 
apical  field  with  a  few  cross-veins,  anal  vein  with  about  ten  branches ; 
in  hind-wings  one  cross-vein  before  radial  sector,  radial  sector  about 
ten  branched,  anal  vein  with  eight  branches. 

Length  fore-wing  25  to  31  mm.,  width  7  to  8.8  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  25  to  31  mm.,  width  5  to  7  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  and  cf  15  to  17  mm. 

Speciviens  examined. —  N.  H.:  Durham.  Mass.:  Sherborn;  July 
Tyngsboro.  Conn.:  New  Milford.  N.  Y.:  Ithaca,  August.  Md. 
Travilah,  July.  Va.:  Falls  Church,  July.  N.  C.  (Morrison).  111. 
Galena.  Mich.:  Huron  Co.  Also  Raleigh,  N.  C.  (N.  C.  state  coll.) 
Yaphank,  N.  Y.  (Davis  coll.).  Florida  (Slosson  coll.). 


8  bulletin:  museum  of  compahative  zoology. 

Dendeoleon  speciosum  Banks. 
Plate  2,  fig.  41. 
Trans.  Amer.  ent.  soc,  1906,  32,  p.  7. 

This  species  may  be  compared  to  D.  obsoletum.  The  interantennal 
mark  is  rather  more  prominent,  the  vertex  darker,  and  with  a  white 
band  in  front;  the  median  and  lateral  lines  on  pronotum  are  distinct; 
the  front-part  of  the  mesonotum  is  mostly  pale  in  the  middle;  front- 
and  mid-tibia  mostly  pale,  and  front-femora  often  pale  below,  the  mid- 
femora  with  broad  pale  preapical  band,  hind-legs  more  pale,  usually 
no  line  under  tibia. 

The  spots  on  the  wings  are  smaller  and  more  numerous,  beyond  the 
much  broken  streak  from  the  rhegma  there  are  many  spots  on  the  fork 
which  tend  to  make  a  row;  the  spot  on  hind-margin  beyond  the  long 
curved  mark  at  end  of  anal  is  also  elongate  (much  longer  than  in 
obsoletum)  and  points  to  the  tip  of  the  anal  mark.  There  is  more  dark 
in  the  venation,  and  many  veinlets  are  more  or  less  bordered.  In  the 
hind-wings  the  spots  are  also  smaller  and  more  numerous,  and  the 
venation  largely  dark  (in  D.  obsoletum  mostly  pale),  and  many  small 
clouds  on  forks  toward  margin. 

In  the  fore-wing  the  costal  area  is  more  narrow,  and  the  costals  a 
little  less  numerous,  so  that  these  cells  are  not  nearly  as  narrow  as  in 
D.  obsoletum.  The  species  is  a  little  smaller  than  obsoletum. 

Length  fore-wing  22  to  29  mm.,  width  5.5  to  8  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  22  to  29  mm.,  width  4  to  6.5  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  and  cf  12  to  15  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  Colo. :  Boulder,  July.  (Type).  N.  M. :  Jemez 
Mts.,  July.   Ariz. :  Palmerlee.   Calif .:  Modoc  Co.,  July. 

Brachynemurini. 

1.  In  the  hind-wing  the  first  anal  runs  parallel  to  the  cubital  fork  for  some 

distance,  and  connected  thereto  by  several  cross- veins;  Banksian  lines 

usually  evident 2 

In  the  hind-wing  the  first  anal  bends  down  to  margin  near  the  forking  of  the 
cubitus,  not  running  parallel  to  the  cubital  fork,  and  not  connected 
thereto  but  once  or  twice;  Banksian  lines  hardly  distinct 7 

2.  No  spurs Cryptoleon. 

Spurs  present 3 

3.  Costal  area  of  fore-wing  with  two  or  three  series  of  cells  for  about  half-way 

or  more 4 

Costal  area  of  fore-wing  with  but  one  series  of  cells,  except  sometimes  near 
the  stigma 5 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.  9 

4.  Cross- veins  before  radial  sector  in  the  fore-wing  mostly  connected;  in  our 

species  three  series  of  costal  cells Calinemurus. 

Few  if  any  cross-veins  before  radial  sector  connected;  two  series  of  costal 
cells;  front-coxae  with  macrochaetae Brachynemurus. 

5.  Labial  palpi  elongated,  very  much  longer  than  the  front-tarsi;  spurs  equal 

two  tarsal  joints;  antennae  rather  widely  separated Scotoleon. 

Labial  palpi  not  longer  than  front-tarsi 6 

6.  Front-femur  with  a  row  of  curved  white  bristles  above  as  well  as  several 

on  the  front-coxa Netroneurus. 

Front-femur  without  such  bristles,  sometimes  one  or  two  on  the  front-coxa. 

Hesperoleon. 

7.  No  spurs,  basal  tarsal  joint  longer  than  the  fifth Maracandula. 

Spurs  present 8 

8.  Front-coxa  with  several  curved  white  bristles  as  well  as  a  row  on  front- 

femur  above,  second  and  third  anal  veins  of  front-wings  usually  united 

at  a  point 9 

Front-coxa  and  front-femur  without  the  comb  of  white  macrochaetae;  in 
fore-wing  the  cubitus  often  has  its  first  cross- vein  obhque  as  though  it 
was  a  cubital  fork Clathroneuria. 

9.  Legs  very  slender,  front-tibia  equal  to  front-femur;  mesonotum  with  en- 

larged bristles   above;   abdomen  shorter  than   hind- wings;   antennae 

elongate;  second  and  third  anals  in  fore-wing  forked Chaetoleon. 

Legs  not  especially  slender,  front-tibia  a  little  shorter  than  front-femur; 
mesonotum  with  only  simple  bristles  above;  abdomen  about  equal  to  or 
longer  than  hind- wings;  antennae  very  short Austroleon. 

Cryptoleon  Banks. 
Can.  ent.,  1901,  33,  p.  330. 

Last  joint  of  labial  palpi  not  distinctly  swollen;  antennae  rather 
short,  not  strongly  clavate;  the  pronotum  rather  broader  than  long  in 
the  middle;  basal  tarsal  joint  nearly  as  long  as  the  next  two  united,  no 
spurs;  abdomen  of  male  much  longer  than  in  female.  Costal  area  of 
wings  either  one-  or  two-celled,  showing  much  variation,  Banksian  line 
in  fore-wing  either  faint  or  distinct,  intercubital  not  definite;  radial 
sector  much  before  cubital  fork,  second  anal  running  in  even  curve, 
connected  to  the  third  by  a  cross-vein,  second  usually  simple,  third 
forked.  In  hind-wings  the  radial  sector  usually  before  cubital  fork,  two 
cross-veins  before  it;  first  anal  runs  out  parallel  to  the  cubital  fork  for 
some  distance  and  connected  thereto  by  several  cross-veins,  second 
and  third  anals  usually  both  forked. 

Type. —  C.  nebulosum  {conspersus  (Rambur)  (Olivier). 

The  three  Nearctic  species  are  distinguished  in  the  following  table: 


10  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

1.  Front-wings  with  costal  area  largely  biareolate,  usually  partly  in  hind- 

wings;  pronotum  with  median  pale  mark  only  in  front;  wings  heavily 
marked,  usually  some  dark  between  subcosta  and  radius;  hair  on  abdo- 
men mostly  black nebuloswn. 

Front- wings  with  costal  area  mostly  uniareolate;  hind-wings  always  so; 
pronotum  with  a  pale  median  stripe  throughout;  wings  very  hghtly 
marked,  no  dark  between  subcosta  and  radius;  hair  on  abdomen  mostly 
white 2 

2.  Front-femora  dark  on  outer  sides;  wings  very  slender,  median  vein  largely 

white;  western henshawi. 

Front-femora  mostly  pale,  dotted  with  dark;  wings  broader,  median  vein 
largely  dark;  eastern signatum. 

Cryptoleon  nebulosum  (Olivier). 
Plate  3,  fig.  49,  56. 
Myrmeleon  nebulosum  Olivier,  Encycl.  meth.,  1811,  8,  p.  127. 

Interantennal  mark  somewhat  above  and  below  antennae,  often 
including  a  pale  median  dot  between  antennae;  vertex  dark  brown  or 
black;  palpi  marked  with  brown;  pronotum  dark,  three  pale  spots  in 
front-part,  the  median  one  linear  and  behind  on  each  side  is  a  pale 
streak;  rest  of  notum  mostly  black,  a  few  pale  spots,  scutelli  pale  each 
side  behind;  pleura  also  dark;  legs  pale,  femora  and  tibiae  heavily 
dotted,  latter  with  dark  tips,  tips  of  tarsal  joints  black,  bristles  on  legs 
mostly  black,  but  front-  and  mid-femora  with  some  white  bristles; 
hair  on  pleura  white;  abdomen  black,  middle  and  tip  of  some  segments 
pale,  much  more  so  in  the  male,  hair  long  black,  but  some  at  base 
white.  Wings  heavily  marked,  the  veins  and  cross-veins  mostly  dark 
and  often  bordered  with  dark;  dark  streaks  between  the  subcosta  and 
radius,  large  spot  at  base  of  stigma,  several  above  the  cubitus,  one  at 
rhegma  extending  obliquely  outward,  and  one  at  end  of  the  anal  vein ; 
many  smaller  spots,  and  the  marginal  forkings  dark.  Hind-wings 
much  less  marked,  but  the  venation  is  largely  dark,  the  marginal 
forkings,  outer  gradates,  rhegma,  and  several  radial  cross-veins  more 
or  less  margined  with  dark.  Fore-wings  with  costal  area  almost 
wholly  biareolate,  three  or  four  cross-veins  before  the  radial  sector, 
outer  two  or  three  often  connected,  ten  or  eleven  branches  of  radial 
sector,  several  cubitals  connected,  Banksian  line  fairly  distinct.  In 
hind-wings  the  costal  area  often  partly  biareolate,  but  sometimes  only 
a  few  are  even  forked.  Venation  of  both  pairs  with  very  long  hairs. 
Male  abdomen  much  longer  and  more  slender  than  in  the  female,  the 


banks:  revision  or  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.         11 

last  segment  about  twice  as  long  as  high,  appendages  fully  one  half  of 
the  last  segment. 

Length  fore-wing  22  to  27  mm.,  width  6.5  to  7.8  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  21  to  25  mm.,  width  5  to  6.8  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9   18  to  20  mm.,  cf  25  to  27  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  N.  C. :  Southern  Pines,  May.  N.  J. :  Laha- 
way,  July.  Ga.:  Millen,  July;  Savannah.  Fla.:  Auburndale.  Ohio: 
Columbus.  Mich.:  Ludington;  Port  Huron,  Berrien  Co.,  July;  Huron 
Co.,  July.  Ontario:  Hamilton,  Giants  Tomb,  July.  Also  Upper  Wis- 
consin River,  Lakehurst,  N.J.  (Davis  coll.).  St.  Simon's  Island,  Ga. 
(Cornell  univ.). 

• 

Cryptoleon  signatum  (Hagen). 
Plate  3,  fig.  50. 

Maracanda  signata  Hagen,  Can.  ent.,  1887,  19,  p.  215. 

Interantennal  mark  usually  broken,  showing  spots  below  antennae 
and  a  band  above,  vertex  dark  in  middle,  sometimes  with  a  pale  median 
line;  palpi  mostly  pale,  last  joint  of  labial  palpi  with  an  outer  scar; 
pronotum  with  two  broad  dark  stripes  near  middle,  each  containing  a 
pale  spot  in  front;  rest  of  notum  dark,  much  streaked  with  pale,  the 
scutelli  largely  pale;  pleura  dark,  much  marked  with  pale,  the  hair 
white;  legs  pale,  femora  and  tibiae  rather  finely  dotted  with  dark, 
tarsi  dark  on  tips  of  the  joints,  femoral  bristles  partly  white;  abdomen 
black,  in  male  much  marked  with  pale  above,  hair  almost  wholly  white, 
in  male  some  on  the  basal  segments  above  dark.  Wings  only  lightly 
marked,  although  venation  is  mostly  dark,  only  a  few  cross-veins  or 
forks  slightly  margined  with  dark,  sometimes  a  small  spot  at  base  of 
stigma,  at  rhegma,  and  at  end  of  anal,  no  dark  between  subcosta  and 
radius.  Hind-wings  less  marked,  usually  dark  dot  at  rhegma  and 
stigma,  the  venation  mostly  dark.  Fore-wings  with  the  costal  series 
normally  wholly  uniareolate,  but  in  various  specimens  a  few  cells  near 
middle  may  be  crossed,  usually  three- cross-veins  before  radial  sector, 
sometimes  two  are  connected,  eight  to  ten  branches  of  the  radial 
sector,  often  a  few  cubitals  connected,  but  sometimes  all  free,  often  a 
few  cross-veins  in  the  anal  area,  hairs  on  venation  less  numerous  and 
shorter  than  in  C.  nebulosum.  Abdomen  of  male  elongate  and  slender, 
last  segment  not  twice  as  long  as  high,  appendages  more  than  one  half 
of  last  segment. 

Length  fore-wing  20  to  23  mm.,  width  5.2  to  6  mm. 


12  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Length  hind-wing  19  to  22  mm.,  width  4  to  5  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9   15  to  16  mm.,  cf  20  to  22  mm. 

Speciviens  examined. —  White  Fish  Point,  Lake  Superior  (Type). 
Mich.:  Ludington,  Berrien  Co.,  July;  Huron  Co.,  July.  Ohio:  San- 
dusky; Columbus.  111.:  Havana.  N.  Y. :  Roekaway  Beach,  Staten 
Island,  August.  R.  I.:  Weekapaug,  July.  Also  Illinois  (Amer.  mus. 
nat.  hist.). 

Cryptoleon  henshawi  Hagen. 

Plate  2,  fig.  29.  Plate  3,  fig.  55. 

Maracanda  henshawi  Hagen,  Can.  ent.,  1887,  19,  p.  216. 

• 

The  species  agrees  very  closely  with  signatum;  the  dark  of  the  vertex 
is  broken  up  by  several  pale  spots,  the  pronotal  marks  are  the  same, 
the  rest  of  thorax  and  pleura  also  about  the  same,  the  legs  are  pale  and 
dotted,  but  the  front-femora  are  wholly  brown  on  the  outer  sides;  the 
abdomen  (male  only  known)  is  streaked  with  pale  above  as  in  signatum, 
the  hair  is  mostly  white,  with  some  dark  above  toward  base.  The  wings 
are  plainly  more  slender  than  in  signatum,  the  fore-wings  more  heavily 
marked,  spots  on  several  of  the  radial  cross-veins,  in  front  of  cubitus, 
as  well  as  at  stigma,  at  end  of  anal  and  a  distinct  oblique  line  from 
rhegma  over  gradates  to  near  the  tip,  the  venation  is  mostly  dark, 
but  the  median  vein  in  both  pairs  is  mostly  pale.  In  the  hind-wings  the 
markings  are  less  distinct,  but  more  than  in  signatum.  Structurally  it 
is  similar  to  signatum,  the  costal  area  wholly  one-celled,  and  in  fact 
only  a  few  veins  near  stigma  forked,  there  are  eight  branches  to  radial 
sector,  in  the  apical  field  very  few  cross- veins. 

Length  fore-wing  19  mm.,  width  4.6  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  17  mm.,  width  3.7  mm. 

Length  abdomen  cf  23  mm. 

Specimen  examined. —  Ore.:  Umatilla,  June  (Type). 

Hesperoleon  Banks. 

Ent.  news,  1913,  24,  p.  64. 

Antennae  usually  less  than  the  diameter  of  the  basal  joints  apart; 
labial  palpi  not  longer  than  front-tarsi.  Legs  moderately  short,  basal 
tarsal  joint  rarely  equal  to  next  two  united,  always  much  shorter  than 
apical  joint;  spurs  variable  in  length,  less  than  one  to  more  than  two 
joints  long.  Abdomen  of  male  longer  than  in  female  and  much  longer 
than  the  wings.    Fore-wings  with  one  series  of  costal  cells,  except 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.  13 

sometimes  toward  the  stigma,  Banksian  and  intercubital  lines  usually 
fairly  distinct,  radial  sector  arises  before  cubital  fork,  first  anal  runs 
parallel  to  cubital  fork  for  some  distance,  and  connected  thereto  by 
less  than  nine  cross-veins,  second  anal  usually  not  forked,  third  usu- 
ally forked. 

Hind-wings  with  two  to  four  cross-veins  before  radial  sector  (rarely 
with  but  one),  second  anal  usually  forked;  first  anal  runs  parallel  to  the 
cubital  fork  for  some  distance;  Banksian  line  usually  fairly  definite, 
but  intercubital  indistinct  or  absent;  the  radial  sector  Httle,  if  any, 
before  forking  of  cubitus. 

Type. —  H.  ferox,  Walker. 

In  the  species  assigned  to  this  genus  there  is  quite  a  wide  variation; 
certain  forms  have  the  hind-margin  of  hind-wings  near  base  concave, 
but  in  abdoniinalis  it  is  hardly  so,  connecting  the  two  series.  In  several, 
as  viaculosus,  tenuis,  coquillettei,  and  abdominalis,  the  spurs  are  equal 
to  two  tarsal  joints,  but  some  abdominalis  hardly  so,  while  in  hlandus 
they  are  fully  one  and  one  half  joints,  and  in  others  grade  down  to  less 
than  one  joint.  These  forms  with  the  long  spurs  have  the  median  vein 
unmarked,  and  all,  except  maculosus,  has  the  hind-margin  of  hind- 
wing  concave.  In  viaculosus,  and  also  in  yavapai  there  is  but  one  cross- 
vein  before  the  radial  sector  in  hind-wing,  however  these  two  forms 
are  so  different  in  spurs  and  other  structures  they  should  not  be 
united  against  the  other  species.  H.  irregularis  is  the  most  distinct 
structurally,  besides  the  irregular  venation,  the  hind-wing  is  very 
narrow  at  base,  the  second  anal  not  forked,  and  the  antennae  closer 
together  than  in  other  species;  however  in  maculosus  the  second  anal 
is  also  simple,  and  there  is  variation  in  space  between  antennae.  The 
groups  may  be  tabulated  as  follows :  — 

1.  But  one  cross- vein  before  radial  sector  in  hind-wing.  .  maculosus,  yavapai. 

2.  Hind-wing  with  second  anal  not  forked;  antennae  very  close  together. 

irregularis. 

3.  Spurs  equal  to  two  tarsal  joints abdominalis,  coquilletti,  tenuis. 

4.  Hind-margin  of  hind-wings  toward  base  concave hlandus,  papago. 

5.  Costal  cross- veins  spotted  at  each  end;  often  a  double  costal  series  near 

stigma versutus,  mexicanus. 

6.  Abdomen  banded  with  pale sackeni. 

7.  All  the  other  species. 

In  H.  coquilletti,  maculosus,  and  yavapai  there  is  but  one  cross-vein 
between  the  second  and  third  anal  in  the  fore-wings,  in  the  other 
species  there  are  normally  two  such  cross-veins,  but  in  H.  papago, 
about  half  the  specimens  have  one,  and  half  two. 


14  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

The  Nearctic  species,  twenty-five  in  number,  are  tabulated  below. 
Some  of  the  characters  used  may  prove  to  be  more  variable  with  more 
material. 

1.  Abdomen  banded  with  large  pale  spots 2 

Abdomen  hardly  if  at  all  banded,  marks,  when  present,  lineate 3 

2.  Second  and  third  segments  pale  at  tip  as  well  as  in  middle;  second  and 

third  anals  of  fore-wing  connected  twice sackeni. 

Second  and  third  segments  broadly  pale  in  middle  only;  second  and  third 
anals  of  fore- wings  connected  but  once yavapai. 

3.  Labrum  black;  pronotum  yellow,  with  narrow  median  stripes,  and  short 

side  stripes;  femora  not  dotted nigrilabris. 

Labrum  pale 4 

4.  Pronotum  with  broad,  soUd,  median  brown  (or  pink-brown)  stripe;  wings 

heavily  dotted;  hind-margin  of  hind-wings  near  base  concave,  irregularis. 

Pronotum  with  median  stripe  divided  by  pale  hne  at  least  in  front,  and 

more  or  less  distinct  lateral  stripes 5 

5.  Median  vein  pale  (rarely  marked);  both  scutelli  with  median  dark  line 

or  spot;  hind-spurs  equal  to  two  joints 6 

Median  vein  marked  with  dark  and  pale;  at  least  mesoscutellum  with  two 
or  more  spots  or  streaks,  else  spurs  not  equal  to  two  joints 9 

6.  Median  stripes  of  pronotum  distinct,  united  behind,  divergent  in  front .  .  7 
Median  stripes  not  visible  behind  furrow,  only  more  or  less  distinct  in 

front 8 

7.  Wings  practically  without  spots;  hind-margin  of  hind-wings  near  base 

concave coquilletti. 

Wings  heavily  spotted;  hind-margin  of  hind-wings  near  base  convex. 

maculosus. 

8.  Fore- wings  with  the  spots  arranged  largely  in  two  longitudinal  areas,  with 

space  between  largely  unmarked tenuis. 

Fore-wings  with  dots  scattered  fairly  evenly  over  whole  wing .  abdomincdis. 

9.  Hind-margin  of  hind-wing  near  base  concave;  femora  dotted;  costal  cross- 

veins  without  large  spot  at  outer  ends;  hair  of  abdomen  long 10 

Hind-margin  of  hind-wing  near  base,  straight  or  convex,  not  plainly 
concave 11 

10.  Median  pronotal  stripes  united  behind;  hairs  on  wing  unusually  long; 

hind-spurs  hardly  equal  basal  joint papago. 

Median  pronotal  stripes  separate;  hair  of  wings  normal;  hind-spurs  equal 
one  and  one  half  joints blandus. 

11.  Wings  heavily  spotted,  the  costal  cross- veins  spotted  at  each  end 12 

Wings  less  marked,  costal  cross- veins  not  spotted  at  each  end 13 

12.  Clypeus  black,  or  with  two  spots versutus. 

Clypeus  pale,  unspotted mexicanus. 

13.  ScuteUi  with  no  more  than  median  dark  line;  pronotum  with  median 

stripes  absent  or  faint;  vertex  scarcely  marked pallidus. 

At  least  mesoscutellum  with  double  mark 14 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.  15 

14.  Labial  palpi  about  as  long  as  the  front- tarsus;  lateral  stripes  partly  united 

to  the  median  pair,  tibia  dotted niger. 

Labial  palpi  plainly  a  little  shorter  than  the  front-tarsus 15 

15.  Lateral  and  median  stripes  united  into  a  very  broad  stripe  each  side 

which  contains  a  pale  spot  in  front,  and  on  outer  sides  a  shorter  dark 

stripe;  no  pale  between  bases  of  antennae brunneus. 

Lateral  stripes  more  separated  from  the  median  pair,  and  no  distinct 
outer  dark  stripe  toward  margin  of  pronotum 16 

16.  Mesoscutellum  with  five  black  spots;  front-femora  and    tibiae  almost 

wholly  pale ;  hair  of  the  abdomen  very  short minuscultis. 

Mesoscutellum  with  two  black  stripes  or  a  double  mark 17 

17.  Coxae  of  front-legs  with  one  or  two  white  macrochaetae,  four  pronotal 

stripes  separate;  hind-femora  usually  dotted;  usually  three  cross- veins 

before  radial  sector  in  hind-wings hubbardi. 

Front-coxae  without  macrochaetae,  only  fine  hairs 18 

18.  Femora  dotted,  sometimes  on  the  hind-femora  dense  and  connected,  but 

evidently  dotted 19 

At  least  hind-femora  not  dotted,  but  more  or  less  evenly  infuscated ....  21 

19.  Median  stripes  of  pronotum  united  behind;  hair  on  male  abdomen  long; 

male  appendages  long douglasi. 

Median  stripes  separated;  hair  on  male  abdomen  short  as  in  female ...  .20 

20.  Male  appendages  equal  to  last  segment  of  abdomen;  rather  larger. 

carrizonus. 
Male  appendages  not  one  half  of  last  segment,  rather  smaller. .  .  .texanus.^ 

21.  Vertex  with  but  one  row  of  four  dots;  interantennal  mark  does  not  reac' 

up  to  vertex;  body  very  pale;  male  appendages  short,  .quadripundatus. 

Vertex  with  two  rows  of  marks,  or  interantennal  mark  reaches  up  on 

vertex  over  first  row.  .  .''. 22 

22.  Male  appendages  much  longer  than  the  height  of  last  segment 23 

Male  appendages  not  longer  than  height  of  last  segment 24 

23.  Male  appendages  about  half  as  long  as  last  segment;  spines  on  hind- 

femora  black assirnilis. 

Male  appendages  nearly  equal  to  last  segment;  spines  on  hind-femora 
white singularis. 

24.  Male  appendages  not  equal  to  one  half  of  last  segment;  femoral  spines 

mostly  black ferox. 

Male  appendages  equal  one  half  of  last  segment;  femoral  spines  mostly 
white ." iniermedius. 

Hesperoleon  ferox  Walker. 
Plate  1,  fig.  17.  Plate  3,  fig.  71. 
Myrmeleon  ferox  Walker,  Cat.  Neur.  Brit,  mus.,  1853,  pt.  2,  p.  332. 

Interantennal  mark  with  little  if  any  extension  below,  above  often 
reaching  first  vertex  row,  but  typically  separate  from  it,  the  latter  a 


16  bulletin:  museum  of  compaeative  zoology. 

continuous  band,  second  vertex  row  of  two  submedian  spots  with 
lateral  extensions,  and  often  an  extension  each  side  behind;  last  joint 
of  labial  palpi  moderately  swollen,  partly  black.  Pronotum  with  four 
lines,  usually  connected  at  tips  and  sometimes  in  the  middle,  the 
median  pair  of  lines  rather  narrowly  separated.  Rest  of  notum 
marked  as  in  allied  forms,  mesoscutellum  with  two  streaks,  meta- 
scutellum  with  a  double  mark;  pleura  mostly  dark;  femora,  especially 
hind-pair,  more  or  less  blackened,  tibia  sometimes  with  a  dark  line 
below,  spines  black.  Abdomen  with  a  pale  stripe  each  side  above,  often 
not  as  broad  as  in  related  species,  and  sometimes  scarcely  noticeable  in 
the  female,  hair  very  short  in  both  sexes,  mostly  white,  some  black 
along  the  dorsal  line.  Wings  with  mostly  dark  veins,  but  little  mar- 
gined, a  spot  at  base  of  pale  stigma,  one  at  rhegma,  several  along 
cubitus,  sometimes  forming  short  streaks,  sometimes  an  oblique  line 
out  from  rhegma,  anal  spot  usually  very  faint,  the  median  vein  white 
in  long  stretches,  radius  not  dark  at  end  of  every  cross-vein;  hind- 
wings  much  less  marked. 

Vertex  high,  rather  less  so  in  male;  pronotum  broader  than  long  in 
middle;  hind-spurs  but  little  longer  than  basitarsus;  in  fore-wings 
three  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  in  hind-wings  two,  about  ten 
branches  to  radial  sector;  a  few  cubital  cross-veins  connected;  in  hind- 
wing  the  cubital  fork  is  usually  equal  to  or  a  little  before  radial  sector, 
but  not  much  difference,  hind-margin  near  base  convex,  first  anal  with 
five  to  seven  branches,  first  long,  oblique,  over  six  times  as  long  as  the 
cubital  cross-vein  above  it.  Abdomen  of  male  much  longer  than  wings, 
last  segment  about  twice  as  long  as  high,  appendages  very  short, 
divergent,  not  half  as  long  as  in  allied  species. 

Length  fore-wing  28  to  34  mm.,  width  7.8  to  9  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  26  to  31  mm.,  width  5.8  to  7.5  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  23  to  27  mm.,  cf  30  to  37  mm. 

Common  in  far  west.  Brachynemurus  percgrinus  Hagen  is  a  synonym 
of  this  species,  I  have  examined  both  types. 

Specimens  examined. —  Calif. :  Havilah  (Type  of  peregrinus) ;  San 
Bernardino,  July;  Sierra  Nevada  Mts.,  July;  Coronado,  July;  San 
Francisco.  Ore.:  Umatilla,  June.  Wash.:  Camp  Umatilla;  Yakima; 
Ainsworth.  Nev.:  Humboldt  River;  Reno;  Verdi,  July;  Ormsby  Co. 
Ariz. :  Thumb  Butte;  Jerome;  Palmerlee;  Prescott;  Graham  Mts.,  June; 
Tucson.  Utah :  Vinyard,  June;  Beaver  Valley,  August;  Belle vue,  June. 
N.  M.:  Jemez  Mts.,  July;  Albuquerque.  Also  Beaver  Valley,  Utah 
(Brooklyn  mus.);  California,  Oregon  (Amer.  mus.  nat.  hist.).  Nogales, 
Arizona  (Cornell  univ.),  Las  Cruces,  New  Mexico  (N.  M.  agric.  coll.). 


banks:  eevision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.  17 

Hesperoleon  assimilis  (Banks). 
Plate  1,  fig.  19.   Plate  3,  fig.  65. 
Brachtjnemurus  assimilis  Banks,  Proc.  Ent.  soc.  Wash.,  1903,  5,  p.  174,  pi.  3, 
fig.  1. 

Interantennal  mark  not  extending  much  below  antennae,  above 
usually  reaching  first  vertex  row,  sometimes  with  a  median  pale  spot, 
second  vertex  row  of  two  spots  laterally  extended;  last  joint  of  labial 
palpi  moderately  swollen  and  partly  brown.  Pronotum  with  four  lines, 
all  reaching  the  front-margin,  and  there  connected,  and  sometimes 
connected  in  middle,  so  that  there  is  a  pale  streak  or  two  spots  each 
side.  Rest  of  notum  marked  as  usual,  two  streaks  on  the  scutelli; 
pleura  largely  dark;  femora  more  or  less  embrowned,  not  dotted, 
spines  black,  some  on  femora  are  white.  Abdomen  pale  each  side 
above  on  basal  two  thirds,  leaving  a  narrow  black  line,  hair  moderately 
long  at  least  in  the  male,  mostly  white,  but  some  black  along  median 
line.  Wings  with  large  dark  mark  at  base  of  the  pale  stigma,  small 
spot  at  rhegma,  and  several  small  ones  along  the  cubitus,  veins  mostly 
dark,  but  not  bordered,  median  vein  mostly  dark,  radius  dark  at  end 
of  nearly  every  cross-vein;  hind-wings  scarcely  marked. 

Vertex  in  female  much  elevated,  in  male  much  less  so;  pronotum  a 
little  broader  than  long  in  the  middle,  not  narrowed  in  front;  hind- 
spurs  equal  about  one  and  one  half  joints;  male  abdomen  much  longer 
than  the  wings,  last  segment  fully  three  times  as  long  as  high,  append- 
ages long,  slender,  subparallel,  not  much  curved,  equal  to  about  one 
half  of  last  segment.  In  fore-wing  three  cross-veins  before  radial 
sector,  in  hind-wings  two;  radial  sector  with  about  ten  branches; 
several  cubital  cross-veins  connected;  in  hind-wings  cubital  fork  is 
usually  a  little  before  the  radial  sector;  hind-margin  toward  base  con- 
vex, first  anal  with  about  six  branches,  the  first  fully  six  times  longer 
than  a  cubital  cross- vein. 

Length  fore-wing  30  mm.,  width  6  to  8  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  26  mm.,  width  5  to  7  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  24  mm.,  cf  32  to  39  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  Calif .:  Tehama,  August.    (Type).     Oregon. 

Hesperoleon  singularis  (Currie). 
Plate  3,  fig.  62,  73.   Plate  4,  fig.  78. 
Brachynemurus  singularis  Currie,  Proc.  Ent.  soc.  Wash.,  1903,  5,  p.  284. 

Interantennal  mark  with  a  slight  median  extension,  first  vertex  row 
of  an  elongate  spot  each  side,  usually  without  median  mark,  second 


18  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

vertex  row  of  four  usually  connected  spots.  Last  joint  of  labial  palpi 
not  much  swollen,  brown.  Pronotuni  with  four  separated  brown 
stripes,  the  outer  ones  hardly  reach  in  front  of  the  furrow;  rest  of 
notum  with  large  brown  spots,  often  divided,  two  on  mesoscutellum,  a 
median  one  on  metascutellum ;  pleura  much  marked  with  brown; 
femora  (at  least  hind)  more  or  less  embrowned,  also  with  a  few  small 
spots;  tibiae  scarcely  marked.  Abdomen  with  pale  stripe  each  side 
above  reaching  one  half-way  to  end  in  male.  Wings  with  dark  spot 
before  the  pale  stigma,  at  rhegma,  and  several  along  cubitus;  many 
cross-veins  dark,  median  interrupted  with  dark,  but  largely  pale; 
radius  dark  at  end  of  each  cross-vein;  hind-wings  scarcely  marked. 
Hair  on  female  abdomen  white,  that  of  male  partly  black,  not  very 
short,  femoral  spines  mostly  white,  tibial  black. 

Vertex  of  female  considerably  elevated,  in  male  less  so;  pronotum 
broader  than  long  in  the  middle;  hind-tibia  longer  than  hind-femur, 
hind-spurs  scarcely  more  than  the  basitarsus,  which  is  rather  long. 
Last  segment  male  abdomen  fully  twice  as  long  as  high,  the  append- 
ages as  long  as  segment,  much  curved.  In  fore-wing  three  cross-veins 
before  radial  sector,  two  in  hind-wings;  radial  sector  usually  with  ten 
branches.  In  hind-wing  hind-margin  nearly  straight  or  slightly  convex, 
first  anal  with  about  five  branches,  first  oblique  and  fully  five  times  as 
long  as  a  cubital  cross-vein. 

Length  fore-wing  22  to  23  mm.,  width  5.5  to  6  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  19  to  20  mm.,  width  5  to  5.5  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  16  mm.,  c^  20  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  Ariz.:  Florence,  October;  Colorado  River. 
Also  from  Utah  (Brooklyn  mus.),  Currie  described  it  from  Phoenix, 
Ariz. 

Hesperoleon  intermedius  (Currie). 

Plate  4,  fig.  76,  88. 

Brachynemurus  intermedius  Currie,  Proc.  Ent.  soc.  Wash.,  1903,  5,  p.  283. 

Interantennal  mark  small,  sometimes  extending  upward  to  the  first 
vertex  row,  rarely  with  an  extension  below,  second  vertex  row  of  two 
transverse  marks;  last  joint  of  labial  palpi  much  enlarged,  partly 
brown.  Pronotum  with  four  straight  complete  stripes,  connected  in 
front.  Rest  of  notum  with  streaks  and  spots,  mesoscutellum  with  two 
streaks,  metascutellum  with  a  basal  double  mark;  pleura  largely  dark; 
femora  not  dotted,  but  faintly  embrowned,  especially  on  hind-legs, 
sometimes  a  line  below   on  hind-tibia.     Abdomen  with  two  large 


banks:   revision   of  the   NEARCTIC   MYRMELEONIDAE.  19 

streaks  above,  reaching  about  to  tip,  at  least  in  male,  hair  short,  white. 
Wings  with  dark  spot  at  base  of  pale  stigma,  a  spot  a  rhegma  with 
faint  line  extending  obliquely  outward,  one  or  two  marks  along  cubitus, 
and  faint  mark  at  end  of  anal  vein,  median  vein  mostly  pale,  but  some 
dark  marks,  radius  brown  at  end  of  each  cross-vein.  Vertex  of  female 
much  elevated,  in  male  less  so;  pronotum  broader  than  long  in  middle; 
hind-spurs  but  little  longer  than  basal  joint,  spines  mostly  black; 
abdomen  of  male  a  little  longer  than  wings,  last  segment  a  little  more 
than  twice  as  long  as  high,  the  appendages  very  short,  divergent.  In 
fore-wings  three  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  in  hind-wings  two; 
about  eight  branches  to  radial  sector;  several  cubitals  connected;  in 
hind-wings  cubital  fork  a  little  before  radial  sector;  hind-margin  of 
hind-wings  near  base  convex,  first  anal  vein  with  about  four  branches, 
first  five  times  as  long  as  a  cubital  cross-vein  above  it. 

Length  fore-wing  21  to  24  mm.,  width  5.5  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  19  to  22  mm.,  width  5  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  18  mm.,  (^  25  mm. 

Syecimen^  examined. —  Ariz. :  Phoenix,  April.  Calif:  Death  Valley, 
Mono  Co.,  April. 

Described  by  Currie  from  Phoenix  and  Wickenburg,  Ariz. 


Hesperoleon  carrizonus  (Hagen). 
Plate  1,  fig.  20.   Plate  3,  fig.  61. 
Brachynemurus  carrizonus  Hagen,  Can.  ent.,  1888,  20,  p.  93. 

Interantennal  mark  with  median  extension  below,  above  usually 
separated  from  the  first  vertex  row  which  is  a  continuous  line,  second 
vertex  row  of  two  large  submedian  spots  with  lateral  extensions,  rarely 
reaching  eyes;  last  joint  of  labial  palpi  much  swollen,  mostly  black. 
Pronotum  with  four  stripes,  subequal  in  width,  and  all  reach  the  front, 
usually  not  connected.  Rest  of  notum  spotted  as  usual,  mesoscutellum 
with  two  stripes,  metascutellum  with  a  large  double  mark;  pleura  about 
one  half  dark;  femora  much  dotted,  tibiae  less  so,  spines  black,  some 
white  on  front-  and  mid-femora.  Abdomen  with  pale  stripe  each  side 
above,  leaving  a  fairly  broad  median  line,  in  the  female  the  pale  less 
apparent,  hair  very  short  in  both  sexes,  mostly  white,  but  a  few  black 
ones  intermixed.  Wings  with  veins  mostly  dark,  but  not  margined, 
spot  at  base  of  pale  stigma,  a  small  one  at  rhegma,  and  other  small 
ones  along  cubitus,  end  of  anal  vein  scarcely  marked,  median  vein 


20  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

mostly  white,  dark  at  ends  of  a  few  cross-veins,  radius  dark  at  end  of 
nearly  all  cross-veins. 

Vertex  of  female  much  elevated,  in  male  not  much  less  so;  pronotum 
broader  than  long  in  the  middle;  hind-spurs  little  longer  than  basal 
joint.  In  fore-wings  three  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  in  hind- 
wings  two;  radial  sector  with  about  ten  branches;  in  hind-wings  radial 
sector  and  cubital  fork  are  often  equal  or  nearly  so;  hind-margin  near 
base  convex,  first  anal  with  about  four  branches,  first  more  than  four 
times  as  long  as  cubital  cross-vein  above  it;  in  fore-wings  a  few  cubital 
cross-veins  connected;  male  abdomen  a  little  longer  than  wings,  last 
segment  not  twice  as  long  as  high,  the  appendages  fully  equal  last 
segment,  slender,  upcurved,  and  toward  each  other. 

Length  fore-wing  23  to  27  mm.,  width  6.5  to  7  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  21  to  24  mm.,  width  5  to  5.5  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  19  to  21  mm.,  d^  24  to  26  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  Tex.:  Carrizo  Springs  (Type);  Rio  Frio, 
May;  Amarillo;  Brownsville,  May;  San  Antonio;  Sabinal,  May. 
N.  M. :  Mesilla,  July.   Ariz. :  Phoenix,  August. 

Hesperoleon  douglasi,  sp.  nov. 
Plate  1,  fig.  16.   Plate  3,  fig.  63. 

Interantennal  mark  not  extending  much  below  the  antennae,  above 
usually  not  reaching  the  first  vertex  row,  latter  rather  broad,  con- 
tinuous, second  vertex  row  of  two  large  subraedian  spots  with  lateral 
extensions;  last  joint  of  labial  palpi  moderately  swollen,  partly  brown. 
Pronotum  with  four  stripes,  the  median  pair  united  behind,  divergent 
in  front,  the  lateral  stripes  usually  not  connected  to  median  ones, 
sometimes  not  reaching  in  front  of  furrow.  Rest  of  notum  spotted 
as  usual,  two  stripes  on  the  mesoscutellum  and  a  double  mark  on  the 
metascutellum;  pleura  largely  dark;  legs  dotted,  most  prominent  on 
femora,  spines  mostly  black,  some  femoral  ones  white.  Abdomen 
with  pale  stripe  each  side  above,  lea\'ing  a  rather  broad  median  dark 
stripe,  pale  less  extensive  in  female,  the  hair  is  mostly  white,  in  female 
it  is  short  and  appressed  as  in  H.  carrizofius,  in  male  long,  more  erect, 
three  to  five  times  as  long  as  in  male  of  H.  carrizonus.  Wings  as  in 
//.  carrizonus  and  allies,  small  mark  near  stigma,  at  rhegma  and  several 
along  cubitus,  and  one  at  end  of  anal  vein,  venation  largely  dark. 

Vertex  of  female  high,  of  male  moderately  high;  pronotum  broader 
than  long  in  middle,  not  narrowed  in  front;  hind-spurs  not  longer  than 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.  21 

basitarsus.  In  fore-wings  three  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  in 
hind-wings  two;  radial  sector  with  about  eleven  branches;  several 
cubital  cross-veins  connected;  in  hind-wing  but  little  difference  be- 
tween cubital  fork  and  radial  sector,  hind-margin  near  base  is  convex, 
first  anal  with  about  five  branches,  first  very  oblique,  six  times  as  long 
as  cubital  cross-vein  a;bove  it.  Abdomen  of  male  longer  than  wings, 
somewhat  longer  than  in  //.  carrizonus,  last  segment  little  if  any  longer 
than  high,  appendages  very  long,  longer  than  last  segment,  slender, 
upcurved. 

Length  fore-wing  25  to  30  mm.,  width  7  to  8.4  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  22  to  26  mm.,  width  6  to  7  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  22  to  25  mm.,  d"  27  to  31  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  Calif.:  Coronado;  Pasadena.  Utah:  St. 
George.   Ariz. :  Nogales  (Type. —  M.  C.  Z.  15,745),  Phoenix;  Florence. 

Formerly  considered  H.  carrizonus,  but  much  longer  hair  of  male 
abdomen,  united  median  stripes,  and  minor  differences  separate  it. 


Hesperoleon  quadripunctatus  Currie. 
Plate  4,  fig.  77,  96. 
Brachynemurus  quadri-pundatus  Currie,  Can.  ent.,  1898,  30,  p.  136. 

Interantennal  mark  small,  barely  extending  below  antennae,  includ- 
ing a  pale  median  spot;  first  vertex  row  absent,  second  of  four  well- 
separated  spots;  last  joint  of  labial  palpi  moderately  swollen,  partly 
brown ;  pronotum  with  four  well-separated  brown  lines,  the  outer  ones 
sometimes  nearly  connected  to  inner  pair  at  anterior  end,  sometimes 
these  lines  are  much  reduced  and  nothing  shows  in  front  of  the  furrow; 
rest  of  notum  with  elongate  marks,  two  on  mesoscutellum,  and  a  double 
mark  on  metascutellum ;  pleura  with  brown  streaks;  femora  and 
usually  tibiae  unmarked.  Abdomen  with  pale  stripe  each  side  on  basal 
part,  not  always  distinct  in  the  female,  in  male  sometimes  reaching 
the  tip:  hair  on  abdomen  very  short,  white.  Wings  with  dark  spot  at 
base  of  pale  stigma,  at  rhegma,  and  sometimes  along  the  cubitus; 
median  vein  interrupted  with  dark  a  few  times,  radius  usually  dark  at 
each  cross-vein;  hind-wings  unmarked.  Vertex  not  much  elevated; 
pronotum  broader  than  long  in  middle;  spines  on  femora  mostly  white, 
on  tibia  black,  short,  few  being  twice  the  width  of  joint;  hind-spurs 
but  little  more  than  basitarsus;  last  segment  of  abdomen  about  twice 
as  long  as  high,   appendages  very  short  divergent.     In  fore-wings 


22  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

usually  tliree  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  in  hind-wings  two, 
about  nine  to  eleven  branches  to  radial  sector;  in  hind-wing  cubital 
fork  before  radial  sector;  hind-margin  of  hind-wings  convex  toward 
base,  first  anal  vein  with  about  four  to  six  branches,  first  long,  oblique, 
six  times  as  long  as  cubital  cross-vein  above  it. 

Length  fore-wing  22  to  27  mm.,  width  6  to  7.5  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  20  to  25  mm.,  width  5  to  6  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  18  to  19  mm.,  cf  26  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  Calif:  Indio,  July;  Lancaster,  July,  August. 
Ariz.:  Phoenix,  August. 

Currie  described  a  female  from  San  Bernardino  Co.,  California  and 
a  long  series  from  Phoenix,  Ariz. 

Hesperoleon  texanus  Banks. 
Plate  1,  fig.  11.   Plate  4,  fig.  98. 

Brachynemurus  texanus  Banks,  Proc.  Ent.  soc.  Wash.,  1903,  5,  p.  175,  pi.  3, 
fig.  3. 
Interantennal  mark  small,  sometimes  with  median  projection  below, 
and  sometimes  enclosing  a  pale  spot  between  antennae;  first  vertex 
row  usually  a  continuous  line^  from  eye  to  eye,  second  row  more 
broken,  the  middle  spots  sometimes  more  prominent;  last  joint  labial 
palpi  moderately  swollen;  mostly  dark.  Pronotum  with  four  lines, 
submedian  pair  rather  close  to  each  other,  sometimes  broken  at  the 
furrow,  laterals  more  separated,  sometimes  not  reaching  forward  of 
furrow,  sometimes  more  developed  and  connected  at  tips  to  submedian. 
Rest  of  notum  streaked  with  dark,  scutelli  with  two  streaks  or  a  double 
spot,  mesoscutellum  often  with  three  spots  behind;  pleura  mostly 
dark;  femora  heavily  dotted,  tibiae  less  so,  spines  black.  Abdomen 
with  pale  stripe  each  side  above,  fainter  in  females,  in  some  males  so 
broad  as  to  extinguish  the  median  dark  line.  Wings  with  white  stigma, 
dark  mark  at  base,  one  at  rhegma,  one  at  end  of  anal  vein,  and  usually 
several  along  the  cubitus,  median  vein  and  radius  largely  dark,  but  not 
at  every  cross-vein.  Hair  of  abdomen  short,  mostly  white,  but  some 
black  intermixed.  Vertex  only  moderately  elevated  in  female;  pro- 
notum hardly  as  broad  as  long  in  middle,  not  narrowed  in  front; 
hind-spurs  a  little  longer  than  basitarsus;  in  fore-wing  three  cross-veins 
before  radial  sector,  in  hind-wing  two;  in  hind-wing  cubital  fork  usu- 
ally before  radial  sector,  usually  a  few  cubitals  connected,  in  liind-wing 
the  hind-margin  toward  base  is  convex,  first  anal  with  about  five 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.         23 

branches,  the  first  very  obhque  and  fully  six  times  as  long  as  the 
cubital  cross-vein  above  it.  Male  abdomen  but  little  longer  than 
wings,  last  segment  about  three  times  as  long  as  high,  the  appendages 
very  short  and  divergent. 

Length  fore-wing  18  to  20  mm.,  width  4.5  to  5.5  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  16  to  18  mm.,  width  4  to  5  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  15  to  18  mm.,  cf  25  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  Tex.:  Laredo  (Type).  Kans:  Morton  Co. 
N.  M. :  Albuquerque.  Ariz. :  Tempe;  Phoenix,  July.  Also  Ogden,  Utah. 
Arizona  (Amer.  mus.  nat.  hist.).  Douglas,  Arizona.  Clark  Co.,  Kansas 
(Snow  coll.). 

Hesperoleon  pallidus  (Banks). 
Plate  3,  fig.  51,  66.  * 

Brachynemurvs  pallidus  Banks,  Ent.  news,  1899,  10,  p.  171. 

Interantennal  mark  very  small,  and  often  broken  or  indistinct,  some- 
times a  median  extension  below;  vertex  rows  faint,  or  absent,  usually 
two  submedian  spots  of  second  row  show,  and  sometimes  the  first 
row  connected  to  interantennal  mark;  last  joint  of  labial  palpi  not 
much  swollen,  partly  brown;  pronotum  little  marked,  the  lateral 
stripes  almost  broken,  a  dark  spot  behind  and  one  at  the  furrow,  some- 
times the  median  lines  show  faintly  in  posterior  part;  rest  of  notum 
pale,  mostly  unmarked,  sometimes  a  stripe  over  wing-base,  scutelli 
with  faint  median  line ;  pleura  largely  pale ;  femora  and  tibiae  sparsely 
dotted  if  at  all,  spines  black.  Abdomen  mostly  pale  on  base,  a  median 
dark  line  above,  hair  in  female  mostly  white,  rather  long,  in  male 
mostly  black.  Wings  very  faintly  marked,  stigma  white,  cross-veins 
and  the  connections  mostly  dark,  but  not  margined;  median  vein 
marked,  but  not  at  every  cross-vein,  radius  usually  marked  at  each 
cross-vein.  Vertex  in  female  considerably  elevated,  less  so  in  male; 
pronotum  hardly  as  broad  as  long  in  middle,  not  narrowed  in  front; 
hind-spurs  barely  longer  than  basitarsus;  last  segment  male  abdomen 
but  little  longer  than  high,  appendages  fully  as  long,  curved.  In  fore- 
wings  three  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  in  hind-wings  two;  radial 
sector  with  five  to  seven  branches;  few  if  any  cubitals  connected;  in  the 
hind-wings  the  radial  sector  is  sometimes  equal  to  or  even  a  trifle 
before  cubital  fork;  hind-margin  faintly  convex,  first  anal  vein  with 
about  five  branches,  oblique,  the  first  fully  four  times  longer  than 
cubital  cross-vein  above  it. 

Length  fore-wing  19  to  21  mm.,  width  4.5  to  5  mm. 


24  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Length  hind-wing  16  to  18  mm.,  width  3.5  to  4  mm. 
Length  abdomen  9  15  mm.,  cf  20  mm. 

Sixx-imens  examined. —  Ariz.:  Phoenix,  August  (Type);  Florence, 
October;  Prescott,  August;  Catahna  Mts.,  August. 

Hesperoleon  minusculus  (Banks). 
Plate  1,  fig.  7.   Plate  3,  fig.  54,  67. 
Brachynemurus  minusculus  Banks,  Trans.  Amer.  ent.  soc,  1899,  25,  p.  203. 

Interantennal  mark  brown,  emarginate  below  and  with  a  short 
median  extension,  sometimes  showing  a  faint  pale  spot  between  an- 
tennae; first  vertex  row  of  a  long  mark  each  side  and  one  or  two  smaller 
in  the  middle,  second  row  not  as  distinct,  but  usually  the  middle  spots 
indicated;  last  joi#it  of  labial  palpi  much  enlarged,  black.  Pronotum 
with  four  black  lines,  the  lateral  rather  remote  from  the  middle  pair, 
and  usually  stop  at  the  furrow.  Rest  of  notum  spotted  with  black, 
mesoscutellum  with  five  spots  or  dots,  the  metascutellum  with  a  large 
double  mark;  pleura  largely  dark;  front-legs  usually  unmarked,  but 
mid-  and  hind-femora  may  be  dark  on  outer  sides,  spines  mostly  black. 
Abdomen  with  a  pale  streak  each  side  above,  reaching  to  tip  in  some 
specimens;  hair  very  short  in  both  sexes,  white.  Wings  with  dark  spot 
at  base  of  stigma,  one  at  rhegma  and  sometimes  oblique  line  outward, 
and  more  or  less  along  cubitus ;  median  vein  dark  only  at  a  few  cross- 
veins,  radius  not  dark  at  every  cross-vein;  hind-wings  not  marked. 

Vertex  moderately  elevated  in  the  female,  less  so  in  the  male;  pro- 
notum much  broader  than  long  in  middle;  hind-spurs  but  little  longer 
than  basal  joint  of  tarsus;  male  abdomen  a  little  longer  than  wings, 
the  last  segment  about  three  times  as  long  as  high,  the  appendages 
very  short,  divergent.  In  fore-wings  three  cross-veins  before  radial 
sector,  in  hind-wings  two;  about  nine  branches  to  radial  sector;  a  few 
cubital  cross-veins  connected;  in  fore-wing  radial  sector  before  cubital 
fork  as  usual,  in  hind-wing  cubital  fork  before  radial  sector,  however 
not  much  difference  in  either  wing;  in  hind-wing  the  hind-margin  is 
convex,  first  anal  with  four  to  five  branches,  unequal,  the  first  very 
oblique,  fully  five  times  as  long  as  cubital  cross-vein  above  it. 

Length  fore-wing  19  mm.,  width  5  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  17  mm.,  width  4  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9   14  mm.,  cf  20  mm. 

Speciinens  examined. —  Calif. :  Lancaster,  July.  N.  M. :  Mesilla, 
September;  Las  Cruces. 

Currie  records  it  from  Winslow,  Ariz. 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.         25 

Hesperoleon  brunneus  (Currie). 
Plate  1,  fig.  14.   Plate  4,  fig.  97. 
Brachynemurtbs  brunneus  Currie,  Can.  ent.,  1898,  30,  p.  273. 

Interantennal  mark  large,  usually  with  a  median  extension  below, 
above  usually  extending  up  to  and  uniting  with  the  first  vertex  row, 
sometimes  a  couple  of  pale  spots  before  the  row,  second  vertex  row  of 
two  long  spots,  usually  connected,  a  median  spot  behind ;  last  joint  of 
labial  palpi  not  much  swollen,  partly  brown.  Pronotum  with  a  sub- 
median  pair  of  broad  stripes  (really  four  stripes  united),  each  stripe 
with  a  pale  spot  in  front-part,  laterally  there  is  often  a  brown  stripe 
reaching  to  furrow.  Rest  of  notum  with  dark  occupying  most  of 
surface,  two  spots  and  sometimes  a  median  line  on  mesoscutellum, 
metascutellum  mostly  black;  pleura  largely  dark,  some  sutures  pale; 
femora  dotted,  hind-femora  largely  black,  tibiae  also  dotted,  spines 
black.  Abdomen  dark,  in  male  with  pale  line  each  side  above  on  basal 
part,  hair  rather  long,  largely  black,  in  female  much  more  white  on 
venter.  Wings  with  dark  spot  at  base  of  the  pale  stigma,  line  up  from 
rhegma,  several  spots  along  cubitus,  and  one  at  end  of  anal;  some 
cross-veins  margined,  median  largely  or  wholly  dark,  radius  not  dark 
at  end  of  every  cross-vein. 

Vertex  slightly  swollen ;  pronotum  as  broad  as  long  in  middle,  some- 
what narrowed  in  front;  hind-spurs  scarcely  longer  than  basitarsus. 
In  fore-wings  three  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  two  in  hind-wings, 
some  cubital  cross-veins  connected,  about  ten  branches  to  radial 
sector;  in  hind-wing  radial  sector  usually  before  cubital  fork,  hind- 
margin  near  base  slightly  convex,  about  six  to  ten  branches  to  first 
anal  vein,  but  none  very  long,  first  more  than  three  times  longer  than 
cubital  cross-vein  above  it.  Abdomen  of  male  much  longer  than  wings, 
last  segment  about  three  times  as  long  as  high,  appendages  short, 
about  as  long  as  height  of  segment. 

Length  fore-wing  24  to  28  mm.,  width  6  to  7  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  22  to  26  mm.,  width  5  to  6  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  20  to  21  mm.,  cT  33  to  35  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  Calif.:  Claremont;  Dunsmuir  (Cotype); 
Pasadena,  June;  Mt.  Wilson,  June;  Modoc  Co.,  July;  San  Gabriel  Mts., 
July;  San  Jacinto  Mts.,  July;  Sawmill  Canyon,  Kern  Co.,  June.  Nev. : 
Reno;  Verdi,  July.  Utah:  Eureka,  July;  Stockton,  July.  Ariz.: 
Palmerlee,  July.  Colo.:  Estes  Park,  August  (Type  centralis);  South 
Park;  Golden.   B.  Col.:  Peachlands,  July.   Also  Beaver  Valley,  Utah 


26  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

(Brooklyn  mus.),  Las  Cruces,  N.  M.  (N.  M.  agric.  coll.),  Nogales, 
Arizona  (Cornell  univ.), 

Currie  records  it  from  Yellowstone  National  Park,  Sage  Creek, 
Wyoming,  Dunsmuir  and  Los  Angeles  Co.,  California. 

HeSPEROLEON  NIGER  CuFfie. 
Plate  1,  fig.  G.   Plate  3,  fig.  59. 
Brachynemurvs  niger  Currie,  Can.  ent.,  1898,  30,  p.  134. 

Interantennal  mark  of  moderate  size  above  and  below  antennae, 
first  and  second  vertex  rows  are  continuous  lines  from  eye  to  eye; 
last  joint  labial  palpi  partly  dark.  Pronotum  with  the  four  stripes 
broad  and  but  narrowly  separated,  in  front  the  laterals  connected  to 
the  median;  mesonotum  mostly  dark  with  two  rows  of  pale  spots, 
mesoscutellum  with  two  dark  streaks,  metascutellum  with  a  large 
spot  nearly  covering  it;  pleura  mostly  dark;  femora  mostly  dark, 
tibiae  much  spotted,  tarsi  largely  black;  abdomen  lineate  with  pale 
on  base,  hair  rather  short,  largely  white. 

Wings  heavily  marked,  large  spot  at  base  of  the  stigma,  spot  on  last 
connecting  cross-vein  to  radius,  line  up  from  rhegma,  basal  part  of 
cubitus  almost  continuous  streak,  and  beyond  another  streak,  a  short 
mark  up  from  end  of  the  anal  vein,  most  of  the  forks  distinctl}^  marked ; 
venation  largely  dark,  the  pale  spaces  comparatively  few  and  short; 
hind-wing  with  spot  at  base  of  stigma. 

Vertex  moderately  well  elevated;  labial  palpi  elongated,  basal  joint 
as  long  as  the  apical,  latter  much  swollen,  neither  as  long  as  in  Scoto- 
leon  longipalpis;  pronotum  about  as  broad  as  long  in  the  middle,  not 
narrowed  in  front;  hind-spurs  scarcely  longer  than  basitarsus,  no  coxal 
macrochaetae;  leg-spines  mostly  black,  some  on  front-  and  mid- 
femora  white;  in  fore-wing  radial  sector  before  cubital  fork,  in  hind- 
wing  the  cubital  fork  a  trifle  before  radial  sector;  in  fore-wing  three 
cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  in  hind-wing  two;  about  ten  branches 
to  radial  sector;  hind-margin  of  hind-wing  near  base  convex,  first  anal 
with  about  eight  branches,.the  first  fully  six  times  as  long  as  a  cubital 
cross-vein. 

Length  fore-wing  26  mm.,  width  7  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  24  mm.,  width  6.3  mm. 

Male  unknown. 

The  only  specimen  I  have  seen  is  from  Prescott,  Arizona.  Currie 
described  it  from  Ft.  Grant,  and  later  recorded  it  from  Camp  Creek, 
and  Prescott. 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.         27 

Hesperoleon  nigrilabris  (Hagen). 
Plate  1,  fig.  9.   Plate  3,  fig.  52. 
Brachynemurus  nigrilabris  Hagen,  Can.  ent.,  1888,  20,  p.  72. 

Labrum  black;  interantennal  mark  large,  deep  black,  extending  broadly 
below  antennae,  and  often  reaching  up  to  first  vertex  row,  however 
usually  a  pale  spot  or  line  before  vertex  row,  latter  broad,  continuous, 
second  vertex  row  of  two  large  spots  near  middle,  connected  in  front 
to  first  row,  and  often  with  extensions  behind  as  well  as  laterally;  last 
joint  of  palpi  moderately  swollen,  blackish.  Pronotum  with  four  lines, 
the  median  pair  united  behind,  slightly  separated  in  front,  laterals  not 
reaching  in  front  of  furrow,  slightly  oblique.  Rest  of  notum  mostly 
black  on  sides  and  pale  in  middle,  the  mesoscutellum  with  two  streaks, 
metascutellum  with  a  double  spot;  pleura  mostly  dark;  femora  often 
darkened  above  near  tips,  til)ia  of  front  pair  sometimes  much  darkened, 
mid-tibia  with  subbasal  and  apical  bands,  hind-tibia  with  apical  band 
and  line  below,  spines  black.  Abdomen  black,  usually  little  if  any  trace 
of  the  pale  streaks,  hair  fairly  long,  white  above  and  below.  Wings 
with  large  white  stigma,  veins  partly  dark,  but  rarely  margined,  median 
almost  wholly  white,  radius  dark  at  ends  of  cross-veins,  sometimes  a 
faint  cloud  near  stigma  and  at  rhegma.  Vertex  much  elevated,  some- 
what less  so  in  the  male;  pronotum  about  as  broad  as  long  in  the 
middle;  hind-spurs  little  longer  than  basal  joint;  in  fore-wings  three  or 
four  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  in  hind-wings  two  or  three;  radial 
sector  with  about  ten  branches,  only  a  few  if  any  cubital  cross-veins 
connected;  in  fore-wing  radial  sector  only  a  little  before  cubital  fork, 
in  hind-wings  the  radial  sector  usually  a  little  beyond  cubital  fork; 
hind-margin  of  hind-wings  near  base  convex,  first  anal  with  five  or 
six  branches,  the  first  five  times  as  long  as  a  cubital  cross-vein.  Male 
abdomen  much  longer  than  the  wings,  last  segment  two  and  one  half  to 
three  times  as  long  as  high,  appendages  about  as  long  as  segment  is 
high. 

Length  fore-wing  26  to  29  mm.,  width  7.5  to  9  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  22  to  26  mm.,  width  6  to  7  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  20  to  24  mm.,  d^  28  to  36  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  Colo.:  Manitou  (Type);  Garden  of  Gods, 
July;  Berkeley,  June;  Colorado  Springs;  Golden;  Boulder,  July; 
Ft.  Collins,  June;  Denver,  July;  Clear  Creek.  S.  Dak.:  Custer  Co. 
Kans.:  Seward  Co.  Utah:  Ogden,  August;  Farmington,  July;  Vin- 
yard,  July;  Stockton,  June.    N.  M.:  Albuquerque,  July;  Las  Vegas; 


28  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Tularosa,  August;  Mesilla  Park,  September.  Ariz.:  Phoenix;  Palmer- 
lee,  August;  Prescott,  June,  September.  Nev. :  Franktown.  Also 
Nebraska.  In  other  collections  Beaver  Valley,  Utah  (Brooklyn  mus.), 
La  Cueva,  Organ  Mts.,  St.  Augustine,  Las  Cruces,  New  Mexico 
(N.  M.  agric.  coll.),  Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico,  Nogalcs,  Oracle,  Catalina 
Mts.,  Arizona  (Cornell  univ.). 

Hespekoleon  blandus  (Hagen). 
Plate  4,  fig.  75,  84. 
Myrmeleon  blandus,  Hagen,  Synop.,  1861,  p.  235. 

Interantennal  mark  goes  but  little  below  the  antennae,  sometimes 
with  short  median  extension,  above  usually  reaching  and  including  the 
first  vertex  row,  second  vertex  row  of  two  submedian  spots  with  more 
or  less  distinct  lateral  extensions;  last  joint  of  labial  palpi  scarcely 
enlarged,  partly  brown.  Pronotum  with  four  stripes,  the  median  pair 
well  separated,  the  lateral  shorter,  rather  oblique  and  arising  from  the 
base  of  the  median  pair;  sometimes  the  laterals  reach  forward  to 
front,  almost  completely  uniting  with  the  median  pair.  Rest  of  notum 
with  large  spots,  two  dark  streaks  on  the  mesoscutellum,  a  median 
spot,  narrowed  behind  on  metascutellum;  pleura  largely  dark;  front- 
femora  and  tibiae  usually  unmarked,  other  femora  dotted,  tibiae  less 
so,  spines  black.  Abdomen  pale  on  base  above,  with  a  narrow,  median, 
dark  line;  hair  long,  largely  black.  Wings  scarcely  marked,  stigma 
yellowish,  no  large  spots,  the  cross-veins  partly  and  other  \eins  at  con- 
nections and  the  forks  dark,  but  not  margined;  hind-wings  still  less 
marked.  Vertex  much  elevated  in  female,  less  in  male;  pronotum  much 
broader  than  long  in  middle,  scarcely  narrowed  in  front;  hind-spurs 
about  equal  one  and  one  half  joints;  male  abdomen  longer  than  wings, 
last  segment  about  three  or  four  times  as  long  as  high;  the  appendages 
slender,  curved,  one  half  of  the  last  segment;  in  fore-wing  usually 
three  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  in  hind-wings  two;  radial  sector 
with  about  nine  branches;  few  if  any  of  cubitals  connected;  in  fore-wing 
radial  sector  before  the  cubital  fork,  in  hind-wing  about  equal;  hind- 
margin  of  hind-wings  near  base  concave,  first  anal  with  about  six  to 
eight  branches,  all  short,  and  subequal,  first  about  three  times  a  cubital 
cross-vein. 

Length  fore-wing  20  to  22  mm.,  width  4.5  to  5.2  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  18  to  20  mm.,  width  3.8  to  4  mm. 

Length  of  abdomen  9  19  to  20  mm.,  cf  25  mm 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.         29 

Specimens  examined. —  N.  M. :  Pecos  River  (Type)  ;  Ft.  Wingate, 
May;  Albuquerque,  July.  Colo.:  South  Park;  Trinidad,  June.  Wyo. : 
Bridger  Basin.  Utah:Provo.  Ne v. :  Verdi,  July,  yl/^o  Colorado  (Cor- 
nell univ.). 

Hesperoleon  papago  (Carrie). 
Plate  1,  fig.  1. 
Brachynemurus  papago  Currie,  Can.  ent.,  1899,  31,  p.  361. 

Interantennal  mark  with  median  extension  usually  to  clypeus,  and 
often  lateral  extensions  down  by  the  eyes.  First  vertex  row  of  three 
linear  spots,  second  row  of  five,  more  or  less  connected;  last  joint  of 
labial  palpi  brown,  not  strongly  swollen.  Pronotum  with  four  stripes, 
the  medium  pair  united  in  posterior  half,  divergent  in  front,  the  lateral 
bowed  outward  in  anterior  part,  the  lower  posterior  sides  often  with 
one  or  two  brown  spots.  Rest  of  notum  with  many  brown  spots, 
mostly  linear,  a  pale  median  line,  two  marks  on  the  scutelli;  pleura 
with  brown  spots  and  streaks,  but  upper  part  largely  pale;  thorax  with 
many  white  and  some  black  bristles.  Femora  and  tibiae  much  dotted, 
sometimes  the  dots  confluent.  Abdomen  brown,  with  a  pale  line  each 
side  above  on  basal  part;  dorsal  hair  rather  long,  mostly  black,  some 
white  intermixed,  mostly  black  below.  Wings  with  white  stigma,  dark 
spot  at  base,  a  spot  behind,  several  along  the  cubitus,  and  obliquely  up 
from  end  of  anal.  Median  vein  marked;  radius  with  long  streaks  of 
pale  and  dark,  not  marked  at  every  cross-vein;  hind-wings  hardly 
marked. 

Vertex  in  both  sexes  but  little  swollen;  pronotum  fully  as  broad  as 
long  in  middle;  hind-tibia  longer  than  femur,  basitarsus  about  equal 
two  joints,  hind-spurs  hardly  equal  basal  joint;  male  abdomen  longer 
than  hind-wings,  appendages  very  short,  not  one  half  of  short  last 
segment.  All  hairs  on  wing-veins  very  long,  in  fore-wing  three  cross- 
veins  before  radial  sector,  in  hind-wings  two  cross-veins;  eight  to  ten 
branches  of  radial  sector;  several  cubital  cross-veins  and  usually  a 
few  anals  connected;  in  hind-wing  radial  sector  is  usually  before 
cubital  fork;  near  base  hind-margin  concave,  first  anal  with  about  six 
branches,  all  rather  short,  subequal. 

Length  fore-wing  22  to  26  mm.,  width  5.5  to  7  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  20  to  23.5  mm.,  width  5  to  6  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  22  mm.,  cf  26  to  27  mm. 

Specimens   examined, —  Calif.:   San   Gabriel   Mts.,   July;    Laguna 


30  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Beach;  Clareinont;  Stanford  Univ.  Utah:  Coal  Creek,  Iron  Co.,  June; 

Hurricane,  June,  August;  Bellevue,  June;  Provo.   Tex.:  San  Antonio. 

Currie  described  it  from  Madera  Canyon,  Santa  Rita  Mts.,  Arizona. 

Hespeeoleon  hubbakdi  (Currie). 
Plate  1,  fig.  13.   Plate  4,  fig.  90. 
Brachynemurus  hubbardi  Currie,  Can.  ent.,  1898,  30,  p.  241. 

Interantennal  mark  emarginate  below,  above  extending  up  to.  and 
including  the  first  vertex  row,  sometimes  a  minute  pale  spot  between 
bases  of  antennae,  second  vertex  row  of  a  couple  of  submedian  marks, 
laterally  unmarked  or  faint.  Last  joint  labial  palpi  not  very  large, 
partly  brown.  Pronotum  witli  four  well-separated  brown  lines,  some- 
times the  laterals  are  heavier,  and  sometimes  these  or  all  are  inter- 
rupted at  the  furrow,  or  in  small  specimens  all  may  be  faint,  especially 
in  front;  rest  of  notum  with  elongate  marks,  two  on  each  scutellum; 
pleura  mostly  brown,  with  many  pale  spots;  femora  and  tibiae  more 
or  less  dotted,  the  spines  black,  except  some  on  front-  and  mid- 
femora;  abdomen  above  on  basal  part  largely  pale,  with  a  median  dark 
line,  dorsal  hair  mostly  black,  ventral  white,  all  fairly  long;  front-coxae 
with  one  or  two  white  macrochaetae,  wings  with  small  spot  near  the 
stigma,  latter  white,  elsewhere  unmarked;  veins  much  interrupted 
with  brown,  median  vein  partly  dark,  radius  marked  at  end  of  cross- 
veins;  hind-wings  unmarked. 

Vertex  but  little  swollen;  pronotum  about  as  broad  as  long;  hind- 
spurs  a  little  longer  than  basitarsus;  last  segment  of  male  abdomen 
about  four  times  as  long  as  high,  appendages  long,  slender,  bent  beyond 
middle,  about  equal  one  half  of  last  segment.  In  fore-wings  three  or 
four  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  in  hind-wings  also  three  or  four, 
rarely  but  two;  in  hind-wing  the  radial  sector  and  cubital  fork  are  about 
equal,  radial  sector  with  about  ten  branches;  few  if  any  cubitals  con- 
nected; hind-margin  of  hind-wing  slightly  convex,  first  anal  with  about 
seven  to  ten  branches,  first  more  than  three  times  longer  than  cubital 
cross-vein  above  it. 

Length  fore-wing  20  to  28  mm.,  width  5  to  7.5  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  18  to  25  mm.,  width  4.5  to  6  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9   19  to  22  mm.,  cf  33  to  38  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  Ariz.:  Phoenix,  August;  Oracle,  August; 
Reef;  Nogales,  July;  Thumb  Butte,  July;  Palmerlee,  July;  Huachuca 
Mts.,    August.     N.  M.:    Albuquerque.     Ivans.:   Morton    Co.     Tex.: 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.         31 

Carrizo  Springs.  Also  from  Tucson,  Arizona  (Amer.  mus.  nat.  hist.), 
Nogales,  Oracle,  and  Huachuca  ISIts.,  Arizona  (Cornell  univ.),  Mesilla, 
La  Cueva,  Organ  Mts.,  New  Mexico  (N.  Mex.  agric.  coll.),  Huachuca 
Mts.,  Arizona  (Brooklyn  mus.). 

Described  by  Currie  from  Ft.  Grant,  Arizona.  Brachyneviurus 
cockerelli  Banks  (Ent.  news,  1902,  13,  p.  86)  is  a  synonym. 

Hesperoleon  hubbardi  nubeculipennis  (Currie). 

Brachynemurus  hubbardi  nvbeculipennis  Currie,  Proc.  Ent.  soc.  Wash.,  1903, 
5,  p.  277. 

In  this  variety  there  is  a  distinct  mark  on  the  rhegma,  usually  also 
marks  along  the  cubitus,  and  more  on  forks  of  veins;  the  species  is  not 
as  yellow  as  typical  hvbbardi;  and  the  pronotal  stripes  are  rather  more 
heavy;  the  male  appendages  are  the  same. 

Specimens  exanmied. —  N.  M. :  Jemez  Mts.,  July,  August.  Utah: 
Bellevue,  June;  Parowan  Canyon,  Iron  Co.,  July. 

Currie  described  it  from  Phoenix  and  Prescott,  Arizona. 

In  some  small  specimens  from  Phoenix,  the  wings  are  fairly  well- 
marked,  and  the  insect  scarcely  yellow.  In  two  from  Carrizo  Springs, 
Tex.  the  pronotal  stripes  are  nearly  absent. 

In  two  males  (Boulder,  Colo.,  and  Seward  Co.,  Kans.)  the  coloration 
is  as  in  typical  hubbardi  but  the  male  appendages  are  much  shorter, 
hardly  longer  than  the  height  of  the  last  segment.  These  merit  a 
varietal  name  as  much  as  the  nubeculipc7inis  and  I  propose  Hesperoleon 
hubbardi  var.  curtus,  var.  nov.  (Plate  4,  fig.  95).  The  male  appendages 
do  not  bend  downward  as  in  the  other  forms,  and  are  much  shorter, 
otherwise  I  cannot  find  differences. 

Hesperoleon  versutus  (Walker). 
Plate  1,  fig.  23.  Plate  4,  fig.  85. 
Myrmeleon  versutus  Walker,  Cat.  Neur.  Brit,  mus.,  1853,  pt.  2,  p.  331. 

Interantennal  mark  large,  shining  deep  black,  extending  down  on 
face,  with  the  clypeus  or  two  spots  thereon  black,  usually  leaving  a 
pale  spot  on  lower  face;  upward  the  mark  extends  over  vertex,  leaving 
a  pale  spot  each  side  near  eyes,  in  some  specimens  it  does  not  reach  the 
second  vertex  row  of  spots;  last  joint  of  labial  palpi  scarcely  swollen, 
partly  black.  The  pronotum  shows  the  usual  four  stripes,  often  well 
separated,  but  sometimes  united  more  or  less  and  enclosing  a  pale 


32  bulletin:  museum  of  compabative  zoology. 

stripe  or  two  spots  each  side.  Rest  of  notum  marked  with  dark,  the 
seutelU  with  two  streaks ;  pleura  mostly  dark  brown ;  femora  and  tibiae 
more  or  less  dotted,  rarely  embrowned;  abdomen  in  male  with  two  pale 
streaks  each  side  above  on  basal  two  thirds  or  more,  the  upper  streak 
much  the  broader,  the  dark  median  line  sometimes  evanescent;  female 
with  one  pale  hne  above  each  side  on  basal  part,  sometimes  "indistinct; 
hair  on  abdomen  mostly  black,  fairly'  long,  ^^'ings  heavily  marked  with 
small  brown  spots,  subequal  in  size;  stigma  yellow,  no  line  from  rhegma 
nor  up  from  anal  vein.  Practically  every  fork  and  e\ery  cross-vein  is 
brown  and  more  or  less  bordered,  the  costal  cross- veins  with  spots  at 
each  end;  hind-wings  less  heavily  marked. 

Vertex  moderately  elevated  in  both  sexes;  pronotum  as  broad  or 
broader  than  long  in  middle;  hind-spurs  equal  one  and  one  half  joints, 
femoral  and  tibial  spines  black.  The  male  abdomen  is  but  little  longer 
than  the  hind-wings,  the  last  segment  less  than  three  times  as  long  as 
broad,  and  the  appendages  about  two  thirds  of  joint.  In  fore-wings 
three  or  four  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  in  hind-wing  two  to  four; 
about  ten  branches  to  radial  sector;  usually  a  few  cubital  cross-veins 
connected;  in  hind-wings  the  cubital  fork  is  usually  a  little  before 
radial  sector;  in  the  costal  area  of  fore-wings  there  are  several  cross- 
veins  connected,  but  not  the  series  of  typical  Brachynemurus;  hind- 
margin  of  hind-wings  a  little  convex,  first  anal  with  about  six  or  seven 
branches,  first  fully  three  times  longer  than  cubital  cross-vein  above  it. 

Length  fore-wing  21  to  22  mm.,  width  5.5  to  7  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  19  to  20  mm.,  width  4.5  to  6  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9   17  mm.,  cf  25  mm. 

Specimens  exaviined.—  N.M.:  Pecos;  Sapello  Canyon.  Arizona 
(Morrison). 

Hesperoleon  mexicanus  (Banks). 

Plate  4,  fig.  87. 

Brachynemurus  mexicanus  Banks,  Proc.  Cal.  acad.  sci.,  1895,  ser.  2,  5,  p.  520. 

Very  similar  to  //.  versutus.  Literantennal  mark  is  emarginate  just 
below  antennae,  and  does  not  extend  down  on  face,  nor  is  there  black 
on  clypeus,  upward  the  mark  sometimes  reaches  the  second  vertex  row, 
sometimes  the  second  row  represented  by  two  transverse  spots.  The 
rest  of  markings  is  the  same  as  in  H.  versutus,  the  structure  is  also 
nearly  the  same  in  the  female,  but  in  the  male  the  vertex  is  less  swollen 
than  in  versutus  and  the  male  abdomen  is  very  much  longer  than  the 
wings,  all  the  segments  being  lengthened,  the  last  one  three  to  four 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.         33 

times  as  long  as  higli,  and  the  appendages  two  thirds  as  long  as  the 
segment. 

Length  fore-wing  23  to  28  mm.,  width  6.5  to  7  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  20  to  25  mm.,  width  5.5  to  6  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  17  mm.,  cf  37  to  39  mm. 

Specimens  exaviined. — -Ariz. :  Garcia;  Palmerlee,  September,  October, 

Hesperoleon  sackeni  (Hagen). 
Plate  1,  fig,  12.   Plate  3,  fig.  48. 
Brachynemurus  sackeni  Hagen,  Can.  ent.,  1888,  20,  p.  94. 

Interantennal  mark  small,  emarginate  below  in  front,  the  lower  part 
often  as  two  spots,  sometimes  a  pale  spot  between  antennae;  first 
vertex  row  a  transverse  line;  second  row  a  few  spots  near  middle,  not 
on  sides  toward  eyes,  in  middle  connected  to  first  row,  and  two  exten- 
sions behind;  often  the  spots  are  more  or  less  indistinct.  Last  joint  of 
labial  palpi  moderately  swollen,  partly  brown.  Pronotum  with  four 
lines,  the  middle  pair  close  together,  and  sometimes  united  in  front 
where  they  are  less  broad;  the  lateral  lines  rarely  reach  in  front  of 
furrow;  in  many  cases  the  marks  run  together,  and  there  is  another 
lateral  stripe,  but  the  fine  median  pale  line  remains.  Rest  of  notum 
with  brown  spots;  mesoscutellum  always  largely  pale,  two  dark  spots 
behind,  and  sometimes  two  streaks  in  front;  metascutellum  pale,  with 
more  or  less  trgice  of  dark  median  line.  Pleura  largely  dark;  femora  and 
tibiae  dotted,  spines  black,  some  on  front-  and  mid-femora  white. 
The  abdomen  is  banded,  the  second  segment  with  pale  spot  at  base, 
middle  and  tip,  the  third,  fourth,  and  fifth  segments  at  middle  and  tip; 
in  the  male  the  pale  is  more  extensive,  but  not  connected  to  form  a 
stripe.  Wings  with  the  cross-veins  dark  and  usually  slightly  margined 
so  that  there  are  many  small  spots,  but  none  prominent;  three  or  four 
rather  larger,  one  at  stigma,  one  at  rhegma,  one  at  end  of  anal  vein,  and 
one  on  cubitus  half-way  between  the  last  two;  median  and  cubital 
veins  about  half  dark,  but  neither  dark  at  end  of  every  cross-vein; 
there  is  sometimes  a  reddish  tinge  to  the  pale  of  the  veins.  Hair  of 
abdomen  long,  mostly  black,  but  some  white  intermixed. 

Vertex  considerably  elevated,  less  so  in  male;  pronotum  but  little 
broader  than  long  in  the  middle;  hind-spurs  little  longer  than  the  basi- 
tarsus;  in  fore-wing  usually  three  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  in 
hind-wings  two;  radial  sector  with  about  nine  branches;  cubitals  have 
few  connected ;  in  hind-wing  the  cubital  fork  is  usually  before  radial 


34  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

sector,  but  not  much  diflFerence;  abdomen  slender,  longer  than  wings, 
last  segment  in  male  very  short,  hardl}-  one  half  of  preceding  segment, 
the  appendages  very  long,  curved,  about  twice  as  long  as  last  segment. 
In  hind-wing  the  hind-margin  is  convex,  first  anal  vein  with  about  four 
branches,  first  five  times  as  long  as  a  cubital  cross-vein. 

Length  fore-wing  16  to  27  mm.,  width  5  to  8  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  14  to  24  mm.,  width  4  to  7  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9   14  to  22  mm.,  d^  20  to  28  mm. 

Very  common  in  the  West, 

Specimens  examined. —  Calif. :  Walters  Station;  San  Diego;  Johannes- 
burg; Laguna  Beach;  Havilah.  Ariz.:  Wenden,  June;  Congress;  Hot 
Springs;  Prescott.  Nev. :  Verdi,  July;  Reno.  Utah :  Zion's  Canyon ;  St. 
George,  June;  Coal  Creek,  Iron  Co.  N.  M. :  Ft.  Wingate,  June;  Jemez 
Mts.,  June;  Pecos,  June.  Colo.:  South  Park;  Golden,  July.  Tex.: 
Brown  wood;  Kerrville,  April;  Dallas  (Type);  Phantom  Lake,  Davis 
Mts.,  June.  Also  from  Beaver  Valley,  Utah  (Brooklyn  mus.).  Las 
Cruces,  New  Mexico  (N.  M.  agric.  coll.),  Nogales,  Oracle,  Arizona 
(Cornell  univ.). 

It  was  described  from  Texas  and  California. 

Hesperoleon  y^avapai  (Currie). 
Plate  1,  fig.  3.   Plate  4,  fig.  82,  91. 
Brachynemurus  yavapai  Currie,  Proc.  Ent.  soc.  Wash.,  1903,  5,  p.  281. 

Interantennal  mark  with  a  median  extension  below,  first  vertex  row 
of  three  brown  spots,  second  row  of  three  connected  spots  and  con- 
nected to  middle  one  of  first  row  (in  Type  with  posterior  third  and 
longitudinal  furrow  dark) ;  last  joint  of  labial  palpi  black,  moderately 
swollen.  Pronotum  with  three  dark  stripes,  the  lateral  ones  ending  at 
furrow  (in  Type  all  united  behind  and  to  posterior  marginal  spot  into 
one  large  five-pointed  mark) ;  rest  of  notum  mostly  dark,  seutelli  pale 
with  faint  median  line;  pleura  more  or  less  brown;  legs  pale,  scarcely 
marked,  tarsi  paler  than  usual  (in  Type  the  tibiae  banded  with  brown, 
tips  of  femora  and  tarsal  joints  also  dark).  Abdomen  with  a  large  pale 
band  across  middle  of  dorsal  segments,  ventral  segments  pale,  but  with 
dark  before  tip,  hair  very  short,  black  and  white  intermixed.  Fore- 
wings  with  nearly  all  cross-veins  margined  with  brown;  stigma  white, 
not  large,  with  black  spot  at  inner  side,  radial  sector  dark  at  end  of 
each  cross-vein;  median  vein  dark,  marked  with  pale;  hind-wings 
scarcely  marked,  two  or  three  small  clouds  in  upper  tip. 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.         35 

Vertex  (in  male)  but  little  elevated ;  pronotum  broader  than  long  in 
middle;  hind-spurs  barely  equal  basitarsus;  male  abdomen  short,  not 
equal  to  hind-wing,  appendages  as  long  as  last  two  segments.  In  fore- 
wings  the  cubital  fork  is  before  the  radial  sector  (unusual  in  genus) ;  a 
few  cubital  cross-veins  connected,  but  no  anals;  three  or  four  cross- 
veins  before  radial  sector,  latter  with  seven  or  eight  branches.  In  the 
hind-wings  the  hind-margin  is  convex,  first  anal  with  about  four 
branches,  first  long,  oblique,  fully  four  times  the  length  of  a  cubital 
cross-vein;  but  one  or  two  cross-veins  before  radial  sector.  In  both 
wings  the  cells  between  medius  and  cubitus  are  very  long,  especially 
so  in  the  hind-wings. 

Length  fore-wing  18  mm.,  width  4.5  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  16  mm.,  width  4  mm. 

Length  abdomen  cf  15  mm. 

S'pecimen  examined. —  Utah:  Hurricane,  June. 

Currie's  description  is  based  on  a  female  from  Hot  Springs,  Arizona. 

I  have  before  me  only  a  male,  which  differs  considerably  from  the 
female  Type  in  the  marks  of  vertex,  pronotum,  and  legs ;  but  doubtless 
they  belong  together. 

Hesperoleon  maculosus  (Banks). 
Plate  1,  fig.  8.   Plate  3,  fig.  60. 
Brachynemurus  maculosus  Banks,  Ent.  news,  1899,  10,  p.  170. 

Interantennal  mark  small,  not  below  antennae  and  not  much  above; 
first  vertex  row  broken  in  middle  and  here  connected  back  to  the  two 
submedian  spots  which  form  the  second  row;  last  joint  of  labial  palpi 
small,  mostly  pale.  Pronotum  with  four  lines,  the  middle  pair  united 
on  posterior  part,  in  front  of  furrow  as  two  spots,  laterals  distinct,  well 
separated,  and  reaching  only  to  furrow.  Rest  of  notum  mostly  pale, 
scutelli  with  median  elongate  spot;  pleura  mostly  dark;  femora  and 
tibia  unmarked,  spines  black.  Abdomen  with  pale  stripe  each  side  on 
base,  hair  mostly  white.  Wings  with  many  rather  large  spots,  larger 
than  in  H.  ahdominalis,  mostly  on  connections  of  cross-veins  and  at 
forks,  median  wholly  pale,  cross-veins  more  widely  separated  than  in 
H.  ahdominalis;  hind-wings  with  some  spots  along  subcosta  and  radius, 
and  at  ends  of  cross-veins. 

Vertex  much  elevated;  pronotum  much  broader  than  long  in  middle; 
hind-spurs  fully  equal  to  two  joints;  in  fore-wings  three  cross-veins 
before  radius,  in  hind-wings  but  one,  radial  sector  with  seven  branches, 


36  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

no  cubitals  connected,  in  fore-wing  radial  sector  a  little  before  cubital 
fork,  in  hind-wings  the  cubital  fork  a  trifle  before  radial  sector,  in  the 
hind-wing  the  radial  sector  arises  much  before  that  point  in  the  fore- 
wing  (unusual  in  the  genus),  hind-margin  of  hind-wings  near  base 
slightly  convex,  first  anal  with  three  branches,  first  much  oblique, 
about  fi\e  times  as  long  as  a  cubital  cross-vein.   Male  unknown. 

Length  fore-wing  17  mm.,  width  4.5  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  15  mm.,  width  4  mm. 

The  single  Type  specimen  from  Tehama,  California,  August,  is  the 
only  one  seen. 

Hespekoleon  irregulakis  Currle. 
Plate  1,  fig.  4.   Plate  4,  fig.  94. 
Brachynemurus  irregularis  Currie,  Proc.  Ent.  soc.  Wash.,  1906,  7,  p.  186. 

Interantennal  mark  brown,  emarginate  below,  with  a  median  pro- 
jection, above  reaching  up  and  including  both  vertex  rows,  or  the 
vertex  rows  separate,  a  median  brown  spot  behind ;  last  joint  of  labial 
palpi  scarcely  swollen,  partly  brown;  pronotum  with  a  broad  brown 
median  stripe,  much  broader  behind,  and  narrowed  at  furrow.  Rest  of 
notum  mostly  pale  brown,  with  a  few  pale  streaks  or  spots,  scutelli 
mostly  brown,  a  black  dot  on  middle  of  hind-margin;  pleura  mostly 
brown;  femora  and  tibiae  dotted,  spines  black.  Abdomen  yellowish 
brown,  with  long  black  hair  above  and  below.  Wings  much  marked 
with  small  brown  clouds,  but  no  larger  spots  nor  streaks;  stigma  yel- 
lowish, the  cross-veins  mostly  margined  and  the  forks  marked  with 
brown,  the  median  vein  mostly  dark,  and  radius  dark  at  end  of  every 
cross-vein,  a  row  of  brown  spots  between  the  subcosta  and  radius; 
hind-wings  less  marked.  Vertex  considerably  swollen;  pronotum 
broader  than  long  in  middle,  but  little  narrowed  in  front;  hind-spurs 
not  reaching  tip  of  basitarsus;  in  both  wings  the  radial  sector  arises 
before  cubital  fork;  in  fore-wing  three  or  four  cross-veins  before  radial 
sector,  in  hind-wings  two  or  three;  radial  sector  with  eight  or  nine 
branches;  several  cubitals  connected,  and  several  cross-veins  before 
radial  sector  connected;  costal  hairs  and  others  very  long;  hind-margin 
of  hind-wing  near  base  concave,  first  anal  vein  with  about  ten  branches, 
all  short  and  subequal,  first  hardly  twice  length  of  cubital  cross-vein 
above  it. 

Male  unknown. 

Length  of  fore-wing  21  mm.,  width  5  to  7  mm. 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.         37 

Length  of  hind-wing  20  mm.,  width  4  mm. 
Length  of  abdomen  9  23  mm. 

The  only  specimen  examined  is  from  Havana,  lUinois.  Currie  de- 
scribed it  from  Columbus,  Texas  and  Havana,  Illinois. 


Hesperoleon  coquilletti  (Currie). 
Plate  1,  fig.  2.   Plate  4,  fig.  86,  89. 
Brachynemurus  coquilletti  Currie,  Can.  ent.,  1898,  30,  p.  93. 

Interantennal  mark  extending  barely  below  the  antennae,  often  with 
a  median  extension  below,  upward  it  reaches  and  includes  the  first 
vertex  row  and  often  the  second;  last  joint  of  labial  palpi  but  little 
swollen,  part  brown.  Pronotum  with  median  stripes  united  behind, 
forked  in  front,  and  lateral  stripes  to  the  furrow,  where  they  are  some- 
times connected  to  the  median.  Rest  of  notum  mostly  black,  the  an- 
terior lobe  with  two  pale  spots;  scutelli  pale,  each  with  a  median  spot, 
narrowed  behind.  Pleura  mostly  black;  femora  and  tibiae  pale,  rarely 
marked,  spines  black.  Abdomen  in  male  with  a  broad  pale  stripe  each 
side  above,  in  female  less  noticeable,  hair  long,  white.  Wings  with 
yellowish  white  stigma,  few  marks,  one  at  stigma,  another  at  rhegma, 
both  small,  smaller  marks  along  radius  and  cubitus  and  at  forks  behind ; 
median  vein  white,  marked  only  toward  tip. 

Vertex  strongly  swollen  in  female,  less  so  in  male;  pronotum  as  broad 
as  long  in  the  middle,  not  narrowed  in  front;  hind-spurs  fully  equal  to 
two  joints;  abdomen  of  male  a  little  longer  than  the  wings,  last  segment 
about  twice  as  long  as  high,  appendages  very  short,  divergent.  In  fore- 
wing  two  or  three  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  in  hind-wings  two; 
radial  sector  with  about  seven  to  ten  branches;  cubitals  rarely  con- 
nected ;  in  fore-wing  second  anal  simple  and  usually  connected  but  once 
to  first  anal;  in  hind-wing  cubital  fork  about  equal  to  radial  sector;  in 
hind-wings  the  hind-margin  is  slightly  concave,  first  anal  with  three 
branches,  first  oblique,  and  fully  three  times  as  long  as  cubital  cross- 
vein  above  it. 

Length  fore-wing  17  to  22  mm.,  width  4.5  to  6  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  15  to  19  mm.,  width  4  to  5  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  16  to  20  mm.,  cf  26  to  28  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  N.  M. :  Jemez  Mts.;  Mesilla,  July;  Albu- 
querque, July.  Ariz.:  Phoenix,  September.  Tex.:  Brownsville,  May. 
Utah:  Vinyard,  June;  St.  George,  June;    Bellevue,    June.    Wash.: 


38  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Pacoima,  July.    Calif.:  Coronado,  July.    Also  Hamilton  Co.,  Kansas 
(Snow  coll.). 

Described  by  Currie  from  San  Simon,  Arizona,  and  San  Bernardino 

County,  California. 

In  most  specimens  the  last  radial  cross-vein  before  stigma  is  more 
oblique  than  usual,  and  so  connected  as  to  appear  as  a  separate  radial 
sector. 

Hesperoleon  abdominalis  (Say). 
Plate  1,  fig.  5,  18.   Plate  3,  fig.  53,  64. 

Myrmeleon  abdominalis  Say,  Godman's  west,  quart,  rept.,  1823,  2,  p.  163; 
Ed.  Lee,  1,  p.  173. 

Interantennal  mark  usually  with  a  median  extension  below,  above 
usually  reaching  to  first  vertex  row,  second  vertex  row  of  a  pair  of  sub- 
median  spots,  little  more.  Last  joint  labial  palpi  scarcely  swollen, 
mostly  pale.  Pronotum  without  median  lines  in  main  part,  but  in  front 
of  the  groove  there  is  usually  a  trace  of  two  spots,  sometimes  very  dis- 
tinct, lateral  stripes  very  distinct,  reaching  only  to  the  groove.  Rest 
of  notum  largely  pale,  in  the  juvencvs  form  clear  yellow,  the  mesonotal 
lobe  more  or  less  spotted,  and  brown  stripes  over  bases  of  wings, 
scutelli  with  a  narrow  median  spot  or  line;  pleura  mostly  pale  to  mostly 
dark;  femora  pale  to  finely  dotted,  tibiae  less  marked,  spines  black. 
Abdomen  with  broad  pale  stripe  each  side  above,  in  the  juvencvs  form 
this  extends  more  to  the  tip,  in  the  males  the  apical  segment  sometimes 
shows  a  transverse  middle  and  basal  spot.  Wings  hyaline  to  yellowish, 
with  many  small  brown  spots,  mostly  at  ends  of  the  cross-veins  and  on 
the  forks  of  marginal  vein,  median  vein  normally  pale,  unmarked, 
radius  dark  at  each  cross-vein,  stigma  yellow.  Hair  of  abdomen  mostly 
black,  but  more  white  below. 

Vertex  high  in  both  sexes,  but  more  so  in  the  female;  pronotum  about 
as  broad  as  long  in  the  middle;  hind-spurs  equal  to  about  two  joints; 
male  abdomen  much  longer  than  the  wings,  last  segment  from  two  and 
a  half  to  three  and  a  half  times  as  long  as  high,  the  appendages  slender, 
upcurved,  usually  about  one  half  to  two  thirds  of  last  segment.  In 
fore-wings  two  to  four  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  in  hind-wings  two 
or  three;  about  ten  radial  branches;  usually  several  cubitals  crossed; 
hind-margin  of  hind-wings  near  base  scarcely  concave  but  sometimes 
slightly  so,  first  anal  vein  with  six  to  nine  branches,  all  short,  subequal, 
the  first  more  than  three  times  longer  than  the  cubital  cross-vein 
above  it. 


banks:  revision  of  the  ne arctic  myrmeleonidae.         39 

There  are  two  forms  which,  by  themselves,  look  like  separate  species 
and  were  so  named  by  Hagen.  One  in  the  south  and  southwest, 
juvencus,  is  rather  smaller,  much  more  yellow,  the  lateral  marks  on 
pronotum  are  very  definite,  and  the  two  submedian  spots  in  front 
faint  or  absent.  In  the  female  the  hair  of  abdomen  is  almost  wholly 
white.  In  the  male  the  abdomen  is  rather  shorter,  the  last  segment 
distinctly  shorter  (although  somewhat  variable  in  both  series)  and  the 
male  appendages  more  than  one  half  of  the  last  segment. 

Some  specimens  from  the  northeastern  states  {salvus  Hagen)  are 
much  darker,  the  pronotal  stripes  rather  indefinite,  the  median  area 
dark  or  spotted,  the  median  vein  mostly  dark,  and  usually  a  greater 
number  of  branches  to  first  anal;  but  it  grades  into  the  normal  form. 

Length  fore-wing  21  to  27  mm.,  width  5  to  7  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  20  to  25  mm.,  width  4.5  to  5.5.  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  19  to  25  mm.,  cf  25  to  33  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  Ontario:  Go  Home  Bay,  July.  Manitoba: 
Treesbank,  July.  Mass.:  West  Chop,  August;  Lexington;  Springfield, 
July.  Conn.:  New  Haven,  July.  N.  Y. :  Rochelle;  Sea  Cliff,  August. 
N.  J. :  River  Edge,  Sandy  Hook.  Md. :  Bay  Ridge.  D.  C. :  Washington 
(Type  of  salvvs).  Va.:  Falls  Church,  June;  Virginia  Beach,  August; 
Cape  Henry,  July.  N.  C:  Southern  Pines,  May.  Ga.:  Millen,  July; 
Albany,  September.  Tex.:  Dallas;  Waco;  Pecos  River  (Type  oi  juven- 
cus). Kans. :  Onaga.  Nebr. :  Cambridge;  Indianola.  N.  Dak.:  Devils 
Lake,  July.  Colo. :  Ft.  Collins;  Clear  Creek;  Denver;  Boulder.  N.  M. : 
Las  Cruces;  Zuni.  Utah:  Provo;  Vinyard,  June;  Salt  Lake,  August; 
Eureka.  Ore.:  Ashland.  Wash.:  Seattle;  Camp  Umatilla,  July. 
Calif.:  Gazelle,  September;  Tehachapi,  August;  Lathrop,  August. 
Also  Milton,  Massachusetts,  Staten  Island  and  Long  Island,  New  York 
(Davis),  Egg  Island,  Lakehurst,  New  Jersey  (Brooklyn  mus.),  Raleigh, 
North  Carolina  (N.  C.  state  coll.),  Albany,  Atlanta,  Georgia  (Cornell 
univ.),  St.  Anthony  Park,  Minnesota  (Minn,  state  coll.),  Clark  Co  , 
Kansas  (Snow  coll.),  Oregon,  Ontario  (Amer.  mus.  nat.  hist.). 

Hesperoleon  tenuis  (Banks). 
Plate  1,  fig.  10. 
Brachynemurus  tenuis  Banks,  Trans.  Amer.  ent.  soc,  1899,  25,  p.  204. 

Interantennal  mark  not  much  below  antennae,  sometimes  a  median 
line  below,  above  often  connected  to  the  first  vertex  row,  but  sometimes 
with  pale  between,  second  vertex  row  of  two  rather<*mall  submedian 


40  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

spots;  last  joint  of  labial  palpi  slender,  partly  dark.  Pronotum  without 
median  stripes,  sometimes  faintly  indicated  in  front  of  the  furrow, 
lateral  marks  distinct,  but  reach  only  to  furrow.  Rest  of  notinn  largely 
pale,  scutelli  with  median  line,  spots  over  base  of  wings  usually  broken ; 
pleura  pale,  with  a  brown  stripe  above  middle  and  the  lower  side  brown; 
femora  somewhat  dotted,  tibiae  less  so,  spines  black,  some  on  front- 
and  mid-femora  white.  Abdomen  largely  pale  on  basal  part,  with  dark 
median  line  above,  sometimes  absent,  hair  long,  white,  in  male  mostly 
black.  Wings  with  dots,  but  mostly  in  two  longitudinal  areas,  median 
pale,  many  cross-veins  also  pale;  most  noticeable  spots  are  a  series 
along  radius,  and  a  series  (twenty  or  more)  rather  larger  ones  along  the 
cubitus,  the  forks  are  more  or  less  dark,  the  stigma  whitish;  hind-wings 
with  fainter  dots  along  radius  and  the  cubitus  largely  dark. 

Vertex  much  elevated;  pronotum  about  as  broad  as  long  in  the 
middle,  narrowed  in  front;  hind  spurs  fully  equal  to  two  joints.  Before 
radial  sector  in  fore-wings  two  to  five  cross-veins,  in  hind-wings  two 
or  three;  usually  several  cubitals  connected;  in  hind-wings  cubital 
fork  equal  to  radial  sector;  the  hind-margin  near  base  slightly  concave, 
first  anal  with  about  six  branches,  short  and  subequal,  first  about 
three  times  as  long  as  a  cubital  cross-vein. 

Length  fore-wing  22  to  24  mm.,  width  6  to  6.5  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  20  to  22  mm.,  width  5  to  5.5  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  18  mm.,  cf  28  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  N.  M.:  Mesilla,  June,  July.  Also  Douglas, 
Arizona  (Snow  coll.). 

ScoTOLEON  Banks. 
Ent.  news,  1913,  24,  p.  64. 

Similar  in  most  respects  to  Hesperoleon,  but  the  labial  palpi  are 
greatly  elongated;  the  legs  fairly  stout,  fifth  tarsal  joint  longer  than 
basal,  spurs  equal  to  two  joints;  abdomen  of  male  but  little  longer  than 
of  female.  Costal  area  of  wings  simple,  Banksian  and  intercubital  lines 
fairly  distinct;  second  anal  of  fore-wing  runs  in  a  nearly  even  curve  or 
bends  slightly  to  touch  the  third,  connected  twice  to  third,  the  second 
usually  simple,  the  third  forked ;  radial  sector  in  fore-wing  much  before 
the  cubital  fork,  in  hind-wing  often  beyond  the  fork,  in  hind-wing 
usually  two  cross-veins  before  radial  sector;  the  first  anal  runs  parallel 
to  cubital  fork  for  some  distance;  second  and  third  anals  usually  both 
forked. 

Type. —  S.  lo^ipalpis  Hagen. 


banks:  revision  of  the  ne arctic  myrmeleonidae.         41 

ScOTOLEON  LONGiPAi.Pis  (Hagen). 
Plate  3,  fig.  68.   Plate  4,  fig.  92. 
Brachynemurus  longipalpis  Hagen,  Can.  ent.,  1888,  20,  p.  95. 

Interantennal  mark  typically  of  only  a  median  spot  below  antennae, 
but  the  United  States  specimens  have  a  spot  below  each  antenna, 
usually  united  to  form  a  band;  first  vertex  row  of  three  usually  sepa- 
rated spots,  second  row  of  four  more  or  less  connected  spots;  pronotum 
with  four  stripes,  the  laterals  usually  end  at  furrow  in  a  deep  black 
spot,  the  submedian  pair  usually  show  more  or  less  definitely  in  front 
of  furrow;  rest  of  notum  spotted,  largely  dark  in  front,  mesoscutellum 
with  two  streaks,  metascutellum  with  a  large  dark  spot;  pleura  mostly 
dark;  femora  sometimes  more  or  less  infuscated,  but  often  pale  and 
dotted  with  dark,  the  hind-femora  usually  dark  toward  tip,  tibiae 
usually  but  little  marked.  Abdomen  more  or  less  narrowly  lineate  on 
basal  part,  hair  moderately  short,  mostly  white,  but  some  black  above, 
especially  in  the  male.  Wings  with  distinct  dark  mark  at  base  of 
stigma,  and  a  dark,  jagged  streak  (often  broken  into  two  or  three 
sections)  or  a  row  of  spots  along  cubitus;  sometimes  a  definite  mark  at 
rhegma,  and  at  end  of  the  anal.  Venation  dark,  much  broken  with 
pale,  sometimes  many  small  marks  on  cross-veins. 

Vertex  moderately  elevated;  pronotum  scarcely  as  broad  as  long  in 
middle,  hardly  narrowed  in  front;  labial  palpi  greatly  elongated,  three 
times  as  long  as  maxillary  palpi ;  hind-spurs  almost  equal  to  two  joints, 
spines  of  legs  black;  no  macrochaetae  on  front  coxae;  male  abdomen 
elongate,  last  segment  but  little  shorter  than  the  preceding,  hardly 
three  times  as  long  as  high,  the  appendages  pale,  divergent,  and  very 
short.  In  fore-wings  the  radial  sector  arises  before  the  cubital  fork,  in 
the  hind-wings  usually  the  opposite;  in  fore-wings  three  cross-veins 
before  radial  sector,  in  hind-wings  two;  radial  sector  eight  to  ten 
branches;  hind-margin  of  hind-wings  near  base  convex,  the  first  anal 
with  six  to  eight  branches,  first  few  long  and  very  oblique,  five  or  six 
times  as  long  as  a  cubital  cross-vein. 

Length  fore-wing  19.5  to  26  mm.,  width  5.5  to  7.5  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  17  to  23  mm.,  width  4.5  to  6.5  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  17  to  22.5  mm.,  cf  25  to  30  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  Calif.:  San  Bernardino;  Salt  Well  Valley, 
Kern  Co.;  Claremont.  Nev.:  Humboldt  Station,  July  (Type);  Reno. 
Ariz.:  Nogales,  July;  Phoenix,  August;  Yuma;  Hot  Springs,  July. 
N.  M.:  Mesilla,  July;  Albuquerque.    Utah:  Bellevue.    Tex.:  Davis 


42  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Mts.,  June;  Marfa,  June.    Also  Nogales,  Oracle,  Arizona  (Cornell 
univ.),  Utah  (Brooklyn  mus.). 

There  were  eight  types,  six  from  Cape  St.  Lucas,  Baja  California, 
and  two  from  Humboldt  Station,  Nevada.  The  Baja  specimens  (which 
should  be  types  in  case  of  division)  have  no  marks  below  antennae,  but 
a  definite  median  spot  below.  In  all  the  United  States  specimens  the 
median  mark  is  at  best  barely  indicated  by  a  line,  but  there  is  a  band 
(or  two  spots)  below  antennae.  Sometimes  these  spots  are  almost 
absent  (Arizona)  but  the  median  spot  is  also  absent.  The  Baja  speci- 
mens have  the  hind-tibia  simply  dotted;  in  most  of  the  United  States 
specimens  the  hind-tibiae  are  dark  over  part  or  all  of  the  apical  half. 
In  some  San  Bernardino  specimens  however  the  hind-tibiae  are  dotted. 
In  some  Arizona  specimens  the  dark  along  cubitus  is  continuous.  There 
is  some  variation  in  the  length  of  the  labial  palpi;  the  Baja  specimens 
have  the  enlarged  part  of  last  joint  fully  as  long  as  the  stem,  while  in 
some  of  the  United  States  specimens  the  stem  is  plainly  longer. 

Netroneurus,  gen.  no  v. 

Second  anal  of  fore-wing  runs  in  even  curve,  not  bent  toward  first 
anal;  the  radial  sector  before  cubital  fork  in  fore-wings,  and  may  be 
also  in  hind-wings,  about  two  cross-veins  before  radial  sector  in  hind- 
wings;  the  first  anal  in  hind-wings  runs  for  some  distance  parallel  to 
cubital  fork;  front-coxae  with  several  curved  macrochaetae,  and  a 
series  of  similar  bristles  above  on  front-femur;  spurs  about  as  long  or 
little  longer  than  basal  joint. 

Type. —  N.  carolinus  Banks. 

The  two  species  may  be  separated  as  follows :  — 

1.  Abdomen  ( 9 )  longer  than  wings;  hind-femora  dotted  all  over;  cubitals 

connected;  larger,  eastern  species carolinus. 

2.  Abdomen  (  9  )  shorter  than  wings;  hind-femora  with  dots  forming  a  band 

near  tip;  few  of  any  cubitals  connected;  smaller,  western  species;  wings 
more  spotted pulchellus. 

Netroneurus  carolinus  Banks. 
Plate  1,  fig.  21.   Plate  3,  fig.  74. 
Brachynemurus  carolinus  Banks,  Trans.  Amer.  ent.  soc,  1911,  37,  p.  349. 

Interantennal  mark  with  a  median  line  down  to  clypeus,  where  there 
is  a  transverse  mark,  upward  it  extends  but  a  little,  usually  not  reach- 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.         43 

ing  the  first  vertex  row,  the  latter  of  two  long  curved  lines,  second 
vertex  row  of  large,  not  very  definite  submedian  spots;  last  joint  of 
labial  palpi  but  little  swollen,  partly  pale.  Pronotum  with  indistinct 
marks;  a  median  line,  in  front  of  it  two  spots;  a  narrow  lateral  stripe 
reaching  to  furrow,  and  outside  this  several  more  or  less  distinct  marks. 
Rest  of  notum  much  marked,  mesoscutellum  with  two  streaks,  and 
two  shining  black  spots  at  base,  metascutellum  with  a  large  spot;  spots 
over  base  of  wing  much  broken;  pleura  mostly  dark;  femora  much 
dotted,  tibiae  hardly  less  so.  Abdomen  with  two  or  three  basal  seg- 
ments usually  pale,  dark  at  tip,  beyond  dark;  hair  long,  mostly  black. 

Vertex  much  elevated;  pronotum  about  as  long  in  middle  as  broad, 
narrowed  in  front;  front-coxae  with  some  long  curved  white  macro- 
chaetae;  and  a  crest  of  similar  macrochaetae  above  on  front-femora, 
most  of  other  leg  spines  black;  hind-spurs  equal  about  one  and  one  half 
joints.  Abdomen  of  female  longer  than  wings,  that  of  male  much 
longer,  last  segment  nearly  five  times  as  long  as  high;  appendages  long 
slender,  little  curved,  not  one  half  as  long  as  the  last  segment.  Wings 
but  little  marked,  venation  interrupted  with  dark;  in  fore-wings  three 
cross-veins  before  radial  sector  (sometimes  all  connected),  in  hind- 
wings  two  cross-veins;  several  cubitals  connected;  in  hind-wings  the 
radial  sector  is  usually  much  before  the  cubital  fork;  hind-margin 
toward  base  faintly  concave,  first  anal  with  eight  to  ten  branches, 
short  and  subequal,  the  first  not  three  times  as  long  as  a  cubital 
cross- vein. 

Length  fore-wing  20  to  22  mm.,  width  4.8  to  5.9  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  19  to  20.5  mm.,  width  3.8  to  4.7  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  20  to  22  mm.,  cf  31  to  32  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  N.  C:  Southern  Pines,  June  (Type).  Ga.: 
Millen,  July.   Fla. :  Gotha,  April. 

Netroneurus  pulchellus  Banks. 
Plate  2,  fig.  25. 
Brachynemurus  pulchellus  Banks,  Trans.  Amer.  ent.  soc,  1911,  37,  p.  348. 

Interantennal  mark  covering  most  of  face  below  and  upward  to  first 
vertex  row,  second  vertex  row  a  narrow  transverse  line,  with  a  curved 
mark  each  side  behind ;  last  joint  of  labial  palpi  much  swollen,  mostly 
dark.  Pronotum  with  the  usual  four  lines,  the  middle  pair  well  sepa- 
rated throughout,  the  laterals  connected,  except  at  tip  to  the  median, 
thus  forming  a  broad  stripe  each  side  with  a  pale  spot  in  front,  outside 


44  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

of  these  stripes  there  is  a  streak  in  front  and  a  dot  behind.  Rest  of 
notum  mostly  dark,  mesoscutelhim  with  two  streaks  and  an  elongate 
median  spot  behind,  metascutellum  mostly  dark;  brown  over  base  of 
wings  with  two  pale  dots;  pleura  largely  dark,  sutures  marked  with 
pale;  femora  dotted,  hind  pair  with  band  before  tip;  front-  and  mid- 
tibiae  with  mark  near  base  and  toward  tip,  hind-tibiae  with  elongate 
spots  below.  Abdomen  dark,  last  segments  with  small  median  and 
apical  pale  spots.  Wings  with  veins  largely  dark,  but  white  in  streaks 
and  some  cross-veins  wholly  white,  stigma  with  large  dark  spot  at  base, 
short  oblique  stripe  up  from  rhegma  and  at  end  of  anal,  several  along 
cubitus,  and  some  radial  cross-veins  margined.  Hair  of  abdomen  white. 

Vertex  of  female  but  little  elevated;  pronotum  not  as  broad  as  long 
in  middle;  front-coxae  with  large  curved  macrochaetae,  also  similar 
white  macrochaetae  above  on  front-femora,  spines  largely  white,  but 
some  black;  hind-tibae  longer  than  hind-femora,  hind-spurs  barely  if 
any  longer  than  basal  joint.  Abdomen  of  female  shorter  than  wings, 
male  unknown.  In  fore-wings  three  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  in 
hind-wings  two;  no  cubitals  connected;  in  hind-wing  radial  sector 
about  equal  cubital  fork;  hind-margin  near  base  hardly  concave,  first 
anal  with  four  or  five  branches,  all  short  and  subequal,  first  hardly 
three  times  as  long  as  a  cubital  cross-vein. 

Length  fore-wing  13.5  mm.,  width  3.6  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  12  mm.,  width  2.7  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  12  mm. 

Only  specimen  seen  is  the  Type  from  Brown,  California,  October. 


Beachynemurus  Hagen. 

Can.  ent.,  1888,  20,  p.  34. 

Last  joint  of  labial  palpi  but  little  swollen;  antennae  moderately 
long,  clavate;  pronotum  usually  broader  than  long;  legs  rather  slender, 
fifth  tarsal  joint  the  longest,  spurs  usually  equal  to  two  tarsal  joints; 
abdomen  of  male  much  longer  than  in  the  female,  longer  than  the 
wings.  Fore-wings  with  costal  area  two-celled  for  at  least  one  half-way ; 
radial  sector  before  cubital  fork;  second  anal  runs  in  even  curve,  con- 
nected twice  to  the  third,  both  second  and  third  usually  forked;  the 
Banksian  and  intercubital  lines  fairly  distinct.  In  hind-wings  usually 
two  cross-veins  before  the  radial  sector,  this  usually  before  cubital 
fork;  the  first  anal  runs  for  some  distance  parallel  to  the  cubital  fork, 
and  connected  thereto  by  several  cross-veins;  Banksian  and  inter- 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.         45 

cubital  lines  rather  less  distinct  than  in  fore-wings;  second  and  third 
anal  both  forked. 

Type.^ —  B.  longicaudus  Burmeister. 

The  Nearctic  species  four  in  number  are  easily  separated  as  follows : — 

1.  Vertex  elevated  angularly  each  side,  concave  in  middle;  anterior  lobe  of 

mesonotum  conically  elevated  each  side;  pronotum  broader  than  long; 
antennae  short;  spines  on  legs  very  short;  spurs  not  equal  to  basi tarsus. 

tuberculatus. 

Vertex  evenly  convexly  elevated;  pronotum  as  long  or  longer  than  broad; 

antennae  elongate;  spines  long;  spurs  longer  than  basitarsus 2 

2.  Pronotum  with  a  continuous  pale  median  stripe;  two  dark  spots  on  clypeus; 

hair  on  abdomen  with  much  white  intermixed;  western  species. 

elongatus. 

Pronotum  with  pale  stripe  only  on  anterior  part  if  at  all;  hair  on  abdomen 

mostly  dark;  eastern  species 3 

3.  At  least  six  of  radial  cross-vems  with  large  dark  clouds  as  broad  as  high, 

also  large  spots  at  rhegma,  end  of  anal  and  along  the  cubitus,  and  at 

rhegma  in  the  hind-wings ramburi. 

The  spots  on  radial  cross-veins  are  much  smaller,  not  half  as  wide  as  high, 
nor  any  large  spots  elsewhere longicaudus. 


Brachynemurus  longicaudus  Burmeister. 
Plate  2,  fig.  28.   Plate  3,  fig.  70. 
Myrmeleon  longicaudus  Burm.,  Handb.  ent.,  1839,  2,  p.  994. 

Interantennal  mark,  often  not  very  dark,  extending  obliquely  below 
antennae  and  sometimes  with  a  median  line  below,  above  sometimes 
reaching  first  vertex  row,  usually  not,  vertex  mostly  dark,  the  rows 
more  or  less  run  together.  Last  joint  of  labial  palpi  but  little  swollen, 
partly  brown.  Pronotum  with  marks  often  indistinct,  usually  a  very 
broad  median  stripe,  with  pale  spots  in  front  of  furrow;  laterally  the 
pronotum  has  a  dark  streak  often  merging  with  the  brown.  Rest  of 
notum  largely  brown,  with  pale,  more  or  less  indistinct  spots,  scutelli 
largely  dark;  pleura  mostly  dark;  femora  dotted,  tibiae  less  so,  all  with 
long  hair  and  spines,  the  latter  mostly  black,  but  some  white  especially 
on  front-femora;  front-coxae  with  several  macrochaetae.  Abdomen 
mostly  dark,  but  with  more  or  less  definite  pale  stripe  each  side  above 
on  basal  part,  in  male  sometimes  entire  basal  segments  pale,  hair  long, 
black.  Wings  but  little  marked,  spots  at  rhegma  and  along  cubitus, 
and  at  end  of  anal  sometimes  more  distinct;  venation  mostly  dark. 


46  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Vertex  moderately  elevated,  emarginate  in  middle,  rather  concave 
between  the  two  vertex  rows;  pronotum  longer  than  broad;  sides  of 
anterior  lobe  of  mesonotum  roundedly  humped;  spurs  nearly  equal 
two  tarsal  joints,  front-tarsus  longer  than  front-tibia.  Abdomen  of 
male  exceedingly  long,  slender,  last  segment  fully  four  times  as  long 
as  high,  appendages  short,  divergent,  hardly  as  long  as  height  of  seg- 
ment. 

Wings  rather  broad ;  two  series  of  costal  cells  more  than  one  half-way 
to  base;  in  both  wings  radial  sector  before  cubital  fork,  but  not  much 
so  in  hind-wings;  in  fore-wings  three  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  in 
hind-wings  two;  nine  or  ten  branches  to  radial  sector;  several  cubitals 
connected;  hind-margin  of  hind-wings  slightly  concave,  first  anal  vein 
with  eight  to  ten  branches,  short  and  subequal,  first  not  three  times  as 
long  as  a  cubital  cross-vein;  hairs  of  wing  rather  long  and  very 
numerous. 

Length  fore-wing  21  to  23  mm.,  width  4.9  to  6  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  20  to  22  mm.,  width  4.2  to  5.2  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  22  to  23  mm.,  cf  35  to  36  mm. 

S-pecimens  examined. —  N.  J.:  Lakehurst.  N.  C:  Southern  Pines, 
June.  Ga.:  Millen,  July;  St.  Simon's  Isl.,  September.  Fla. :  Ormond; 
Cedar  Keys;  Crescent  City;  Gotha,  July.  Also  St.  Simon's  Island, 
Georgia  (Cornell  univ.)  Beaufort,  North  Carolina  (N.  Car.  state  coll.), 
Florida  (Brooklyn  mus.). 

Brachynemiirus  ramburi  Banks. 
Plate  3,  fig.  58. 
Brachynemurus  ramburi  Banks,  Cat.  Neurop.,  1907,  p.  31. 

Interantennal  mark  hardly  below  antennae,  sometimes  a  median 
extension,  and  a  mark  across  at  base  of  clypeus,  above  the  mark 
usually  extends  over  vertex,  sometimes  the  vertex  spots  are  more 
separated,  usually  some  pale  each  side  near  eye,  behind  is  an  oval 
brown  spot.  Last  joint  of  labial  palpi  but  little  swollen,  mostly  brown. 
Pronotum  largely  brown,  obscurely  marked,  three  pale  spots  in  front, 
sometimes  one  each  side  near  middle.  Rest  of  notum  mostly  dark; 
the  scutelli  pale,  with  a  median  dark  line;  pleura  mostly  dark;  femora 
spotted,  tibia  less  so,  spines  mostly  black,  some  white  ones  on  front- 
femora,  front-coxae  with  several  white  macrochaetae.  Abdomen 
mostly  dark,  some  of  basal  segments  sometimes  largely  pale,  with 
dark  tips,  most  noticeable  in  male;  hair  black.  Wings  heavily  spotted, 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae,         47 

about  twelve  or  fourteen  large  spots,  one  each  side  of  stigma,  about 
six  just  above  radial  sector,  one  at  rhegma,  usually  two  others  along 
cubitus,  and  one  at  end  of  anal.  Venation  mostly  dark,  but  more 
white  in  places  than  in  B.  longicaudus,  many  cross-veins  narrowly 
margined  and  small  spots  at  forks;  in  hind-wings  the  cross-veins  slightly 
margined,  and  the  rhegma  usually  marked. 

Vertex  moderately  high;  pronotum  longer  than  broad;  front-spurs 
more  than  two  joints,  hind-spurs  nearly  two  joints;  the  anterior  lobe 
of  mesonotum  is  hardly  as  plainly  humped  as  in  longicaudus;  male 
abdomen  very  long  (as  in  longicaudus),  last  segment  about  three  to 
three  and  one  half  times  longer  than  high,  the  appendages  equal  height 
of  segment,  rather  longer  than  in  longicaudus. 

Wings  fairly  broad;  double  costal  series  reaching  more  than  one 
half-way  to  base;  before  radial  sector  in  fore-wings  three  cross-veins, 
in  hind-wings,  two;  about  nine  branches  to  radial  sector,  usually  a 
few  cubitals  connected;  in  both  wings  radial  sector  before  cubital 
fork,  but  little  so  in  hind-wings;  hind-margin  of  hind-wings  faintly 
concave,  first  anal  with  eight  to  ten  branches,  short  and  subequal,  the 
first  not  three  times  as  long  as  cubital  cross-vein  above;  hair  on  wings 
rather  long  and  abundant.  Structurally  very  similar  to  B.  longicaudus. 

Length  fore-wing  21  to  24  mm.,  width  5  to  6.5  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  20  to  22  mm.,  width  4.5  to  5.2  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  23  to  25  mm.,  cT  35  to  37  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  N.  C:  Southern  Pines,  May.  Ga.:  Millen, 
July.   Fla. :  Gotha,  April,   ^/so  Chester,  Georgia  (Cornell  univ.). 

Brachynemurus  elongatus  Banks. 
Plate  1,  fig.  15.   Plate  3,  fig.  57. 

Brachynemurus  elongatus  Banks,  Trans.  Amer.  ent.  soc,  1904,  30,  p.  105,  pi.  1, 
fig.  10. 
Interantennal  mark  extending  obliquely  below  antennae  on  each 
side,  above  not  reaching  up  on  vertex,  often  with  a  pale  dot  between 
the  antennae,  two  dark  spots  on  the  clypeus,  first  vertex  row  a  con- 
tinuous line,  second  vertex  row  of  several  more  or  less  connected  spots, 
and  behind  in  middle  is  an  oval  brown  spot.  Last  joint  of  labial 
palpi  but  little  swollen.  Pronotum  with  four  stripes,  the  median  pair 
well  separated,  the  laterals  united  near  middle  and  at  tip,  thus  leaving 
two  pale  spots  each  side,  laterally  there  is  another  stripe.  Rest  of 
notum  much  spotted,  mesoscutellum  with  two  streaks,  metascutellum 


48  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

with  a  large  double  mark;  pleura  mostly  dark;  femora  much  dotted, 
tibiae  also  much  marked,  but  hind-tibia  mostly  below,  spines  long 
mostly  black,  but  some  long  white  ones  on  femora,  front-coxae  with 
several  macrochaetae.  Abdomen  above  often  all  dark,  in  some  with  a 
few  pale  spots  and  streaks  above  on  basal  part,  in  male  with  a  long  pale 
stripe  each  side  above,  hair  fairly  long,  mostly  black,  but  some  white 
intermixed.  Venation  mostly  dark,  interrupted  with  pale,  radius  with 
long  streaks  of  pale,  a  large  black  spot  at  base  of  stigma,  a  line  up  from 
rhegma,  less  distinct  at  end  of  anal,  and  several  marks  along  cubitus, 
marginal  forks  also  dark,  median  vein  mostly  dark. 
Ii_.  Vertex  high,  but  evenly  convexly  elevated;  pronotum  not  as  broad 
as  long  in  the  middle;  front-spurs  equal  two  joints,  hind-spurs  longer 
than  basal  joint.  Male  abdomen  very  much  longer  than  wings,  last 
segment  five  times  as  long  as  high,  appendages  short,  divaricate. 
Wings  moderately  narrow;  costal  series  double  for  usually  one  half-way, 
in  fore-wings  three  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  in  hind-wings  two, 
eight  to  ten  branches  of  radial  sector,  usually  a  few  cubitals  connected, 
in  both  wings  radial  sector  before  cubital  fork,  in  the  hind-pair  but 
slightly  so;  hind-margin  of  hind-wings  scarcely  concave,  first  anal  with 
about  ten  branches,  none  long,  but  first  three  or  four  times  as  long  as 
a  cubital  cross-vein,  rather  longer  than  usual  in  the  genus ;  hair  on  wing, 
especially  costal  hair,  short. 

Length  fore-wing  23  to  25  mm.,  width  6  to  G.5  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  20  to  22  mm.,  width  5  to  5.5  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  20  to  21  mm.,  cf  36  mm. 

S-pecimens  examined. —  N.  M. :  Mesilla  (Type)  ;  Las  Vegas,  July. 
Ariz.:  Prescott.  Colo. :  Golden;  South  Park;  Platte  Canyon;  Berkeley. 
Utah:  St.  George,  June. 

Brachynemurus  tuberculatus  Banks. 
Plate  3,  fig.  69,  72. 
Brachynemurus  tuberculatus  Banks,  Can.  ent.,  1899,  31,  p.  70. 

Interantennal  mark  large,  extending  across  below  antennae  and 
with  a  median  line  below,  upward  it  connects  with  the  dark  of  the 
vertex.  Back  of  each  vertex  tubercle  is  a  pale  area,  and  in  middle 
behind  a  velvety  black  spot  crossed  by  a  faint  median  line.  Pronotum 
with  the  stripes  more  or  less  united  to  form  one  broad  stripe,  with  two 
pale  spots  in  front;  laterally  there  is  a  dark  streak.  Rest  of  notum 
mostly  dark,  a  few  pale  spots,  scutelli  mostly  black,  the  mesoscutellum 


'banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.         49 

with  faint  median  line;  pleura  largely  dark;  femora  becoming  black 
toward  tip,  tibia  with  dark  marks  before  middle  and  near  tip,  spines 
mostly  black,  all  very  short,  none  on  femora  as  long  as  width  of  joint, 
front-coxa  with  one  white  macrochaeta.  Abdomen  dark,  with  a  small 
pale  spot  near  middle  and  sometimes  one  each  side  near  tip  of  several 
segments,  hair  fairly  long,  mostly  dark,  but  much  white  intermixed. 
Wings  little  marked;  venation  mostly  dark,  interrupted  with  pale, 
many  cross-veins  with  dark  dot  in  middle,  median  vein  mostly  dark, 
dark  spot  at  base  of  stigma,  a  line  up  from  rhegma,  and  less  distinctly 
at  end  of  anal. 

Vertex  much  elevated,  each  side  back  of  the  antennae  in  a  cone, 
between  them  the  ridge  is  concave;  pronotum  broader  than  long  in 
middle;  each  lateral  corner  of  anterior  lobe  of  the  mesonotum  elevated 
conically  and  the  tip  with  a  group  of  stiff  short  bristles;  spurs  short, 
not  equal  to  basitarsus.  Abdomen  of  female  shorter  than  hind-wings; 
in  male  but  little  longer,  last  segment  scarcely  as  long  as  high,  append- 
ages slender,  more  than  twice  as  long  as  last  segment,  down-curved, 
much  divergent  at  base,  below  with  spines,  outside  with  fine  hair. 

Wings'  rather  narrow;  in  fore-wings  three  cross-veins  before  radial 
sector,  in  hind-wings  two;  about  eight  branches  to  radial  sector;  the 
crossed  costals  reach  more  than  one  half-way  to  base;  in  both  wings 
the  radial  sector  arises  before  cubital  fork,  but  less  so  in  the  hind-wings ; 
hind-margin  of  hind-wings  near  base  slightly  concave,  the  first  anal 
with  six  to  eight  branches,  short  and  subequal,  the  first  about  twice  as 
long  as  a  cubital  cross-vein. 

Length  fore-wing  14.5  to  21  mm.,  width  3.3  to  5  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  14  to  19  mm.,  width  2.9  to  4  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  15  to  16  mm.,  cf  16  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  N.  M.:  Mesilla  (Type).  Ariz.:  Santa  Rita 
Mts.,  July. 

Calinemurus  Banks. 

Can.  ent.,  1899,  31,  p.  70. 

Last  joint  of  labial  palpi  much  swollen;  antennae  moderately  long, 
clavate;  pronotum  fully  as  long  as  broad;  legs  rather  slender,  the 
hind-tibia  longer  than  the  femur,  basal  tarsal  joint  much  shorter  than 
the  fifth,  spurs  as  long  as  basal  joint  or  more;  abdomen  of  female 
scarcely  as  long  as  wings,  in  male  longer.  Fore-wing  with  costal  area 
two-celled  most  of  way,  sometimes  partly  three-celled,  in  hind-wings 
sometimes  two-celled  for  a  short  distance  near  stigma;  radial  sector 


50  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

before  cubital  fork  in  both  wings;  Banksian  line  distinct,  intercubital 
line  rather  less  so;  four  to  six  cross-veins  before  radial  sector  in  fore- 
wing,  two  to  four  in  hind-wing,  usually  several  are  connected;  in  fore- 
wing  the  second  anal  runs  in  even  curve,  but  usually  touches  the  third 
at  one  point,  two  or  three  cross-veins  to  third,  both  second  and  third 
usually  forked;  in  hind-wings  the  first  anal  runs  parallel  to  cubital  fork, 
and  is  connected  thereto  several  times;  the  second  anal  forked,  the 
third  usually  simple;  much  of  the  venation  in  both  wings  is  irregular. 
Type.- —  C.  californicus  Banks.    Mexico. 

Calinemurus  fuscus  Banks. 
Plate  4,  fig.  100. 
Calinemurus  fiiscus  Banks,  Trans.  Amer.  ent.  soc,  190G,  32,  p.  6. 

Interantennal  mark  large,  extending  much  below  antennae  and 
straight  across,  first  vertex  row  a  nearly  continuous  line,  second  more 
broken;  last  joint  labial  palpi  slightly  swollen,  partly  brown;  antennae 
brown.  Pronotum  almost  wholly  dull  brown,  a  median  pale  line,  and 
one  or  two  lines  on  the  sides;  rest  of  notum  mostly  dark,  with  some  pale 
spots,  mesoscutellum  with  a  pair  of  pale  submedian  spots,  and  lateral 
corners  pale,  metascutellum  mostly  dark;  pleura  almost  wholly  dark; 
femora  and  tibiae  heavily  dotted,  the  spots  sometimes  confluent,  spines 
mostly  black,  some  white  ones,  a  row  of  white  ones  above  on  front- 
femur,  and  a  series  of  white  macrochaetae  on  front-coxae.  Abdomen 
with  basal  segments  slightly  lineate  above  pale,  densely  long-haired, 
almost  wholly  dark.  Venation  mostly  dark,  and  often  sightly  bordered 
with  dark,  larger  dark  spots  at  base  of  stigma,  up  from  rhegma,  several 
along  cubitus,  and  one  at  end  of  anal;  space  between  radius  and  sub- 
costa  fumose. 

Vertex  moderately  elevated;  pronotum  hardly  broader  than  long  in 
middle,  not  narrowed  in  front;  front  spurs  about  one  and  one  half 
joints,  hind-spurs  little  longer  than  basitarsus;  abdomen  of  male  a 
little  longer  than  hind-wings,  last  segment  hardly  twice  as  long  as  high, 
the  appendages  long,  upcur\ed,  rather  longer  than  last  segment. 
Wings  long  and  slender;  venation  very  dense;  in  fore-wings  three  series 
of  costal  cells  for  most  of  distance,  in  hind-wings  two  series  for  two 
thirds  of  distance;  in  both  wings  radial  sector  much  before  cubital 
fork,  in  fore-wings  five  to  eight  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  several 
connected,  in  hind-wings  two  or  three,  partly  connected;  about  thir- 
teen branches  to  radial  sector;  cubital  cross-veins  mostly  connected; 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.         51 

in  hind-wings  the  hind-margin  near  base  is  hardly  concave,  the  first 
anal  vein  with  about  ten  or  eleven  branches,  the  first  about  four  times 
as  long  as  a  cubital  cross-vein;  hairs  on  veins  rather  short,  but  very 
numerous. 

Length  fore-wing  28  mm.,  width  6.8  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  25.5  mm.,  width  5.5  mm. 

Length  abdomen  cf  27  mm. 

Ariz.:  Nogales,  July  (Type). 

Clathroneuria  Banks. 
Ent.  news,  1913,  24,  p.  64. 

Last  joint  of  labial  palpi  much  swollen;  antennae  moderately  short, 
rather  strongly  clavate;  pronotum  broader  than  long;  legs  fairly  stout, 
fifth  tarsal  joint  much  longer  than  first,  spurs  equal  to  two  joints. 
Abdomen  in  both  sexes  longer  than  the  wings,  in  male  much  longer 
than  in  female.  Costal  area  of  wings  simple;  radial  sector  in  fore-wings 
before  the  cubital  fork,  in  hind-wings  usually  so;  second  anal  of  fore- 
wing  runs  in  even  curve,  connected  but  once  to  the  third,  the  second 
usually  simple,  the  third  usually  forked.  In  hind-wing  two  cross-veins 
before  radial  sector;  first  anal  bends  down  to  the  margin  near  cubital 
fork,  usually  both  the  second  and  third  anals  forked. 

Type. —  C.  schwarzi  Currie. 

The  two  species  may  be  separated  as  follows :  — 

1.     Pronotum  with  median  as  well  as  lateral  stripes  or  marks;  abdomen  with 

pale  at  base  and  apex  of  segment schwarzi. 

Pronotum  with  only  the  lateral  marks;  abdomen  with  pale  only  at  tips 
of  segments delicatulus. 

Clathroneuria  schwarzi  (Currie). 
Plate  4,  fig.  79,  99. 
Brachynemurus  schwarzi  Currie,  Proc.  Ent.  soc.  Wash.,  1903,  6,  p.  280. 

Interantennal  mark  of  moderate  size,  rather  emarginate  below,  first 
vertex  row  of  three  brown  spots,  second  row  of  four  spots,  in  middle 
behind  is  a  brown  spot;  last  joint  of  labial  palpi  not  much  swollen, 
mostly  pale;  antennae  pale,  dark  near  tip.  Pronotum  with  four  or  six 
brown  stripes,  the  submedian  pair  broad,  reaching  to  front,  and  close 
together,  sometimes  almost  united  in  part,  lateral  stripes  end  at  fur- 
row, and  outside  usually  another,  shorter  stripe;  rest  of  notum  much 


52  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

marked  with  brown;  a  double  stripe  on  mesoscutellum,  and  double 
spot  on  the  metascutellum;  pleura  spotted,  but  about  half  pale;  femora 
mostly  dotted,  tibiae  with  subbasal  and  preapical  dark  marks,  spines 
rather  long,  many  black,  but  some  white  ones;  abdomen  banded  with 
pale  at  base,  middle,  and  apex  of  segments,  sometimes  apical  part  is 
darker,  hair  quite  long,  largely  black,  but  white  in  patches.  Wings 
with  pale  venation,  the  cross-veins  and  connections  nearly  all  dark 
brown,  and  often  faintly  bordered,  no  large  dark  marks,  stigma  white. 

Vertex  considerably  elevated;  antennae  short,  strongly  clavate; 
pronotum  about  as  long  in  middle  as  broad,  but  little  narrowed  in 
front;  front-spurs  equal  three  joints,  hind-spurs  equal  two  joints; 
abdomen  in  female  as  long  as  hind-wings,  in  male  very  much  longer, 
last  segment  about  four  times  as  long  as  high,  appendages  moderately 
long,  fully  one  half  as  long  as  last  segment,  curved  near  base  and  out- 
wardly near  tip. 

In  both  wings  the  radial  sector  arises  a  little  before  cubital  fork ;  in 
fore-wings  three  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  in  hind-wings  two; 
about  eight  branches  to  radial  sector;  several  cubitals  connected;  last 
radial  cross-vein  very  oblique;  hind-margin  of  hind-wings  slightly 
concave,  first  anal  vein  with  about  four,  short,  subequal  branches; 
hairs  on  veins  rather  long. 

Length  fore-wing  21  to  26  mm.,  width  5  to  7.5  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  18.5  to  23  mm.,  with  4.5  to  6.5  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  22  to  24,  d"  30  to  39  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  Calif.:  San  Gabriel  Mts.,  September.  Ariz.: 
Palmerlee.  Utah:  Eureka,  July;  Stockton,  August.  N.  M. :  La  Luz, 
August;  Jemez  Mts.,  July. 

Currie  described  it  from  Flagstaff  and  Williams,  i\.rizona. 


Clathroneuria  delicatulus  (Currie). 
Plate  2,  fig.  30. 
Brachynemurus  delicatulus  Currie,  Proc.  Ent.  soc.  Wash.,  1903,  5,  p.  279. 

Interantennal  mark  with  a  short  median  extension  below,  a  yellow 
spot  just  above  the  antennae;  vertex  dark,  a  pair  of  pale  spots  at  middle 
of  hind-border,  and  less  distinct  spots  on  sides  and  front.  Antennae 
dark,  basal  joint  pale;  palpi  dark;  pronotum  pale,  a  pair  of  dark  stripes, 
broad  and  approximate  behind,  narrowed  and  widely  separate  in  front, 
and  end  in  the  furrow;  rest  of  notum  dark,  spotted  with  pale;  pleura 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.         53 

with  yellowish  spots;  legs  pale,  unmarked,  with  black  and  some  white 
spines.  Abdomen  dark,  a  pale  line  each  side,  and  tips  of  the  segments 
pale.  Wings  not  marked,  except  dark  at  base  of  stigma;  venation  pale 
and  dark.  Spurs  equal  four  joints;  male  abdomen  longer  than  wings, 
appendages  very  short;  wings  slightly  falcate  at  tip;  second  and  third 
anals  of  fore-wings  not  forked,  connected  once;  hind-wing  with  hind- 
margin  concave  near  base,  first  anal  with  two  or  three  short  branches. 

Length  cf  18  mm.,  expanse  33  mm.,  width  fore-wing  4.3  mm.  ^ 

Phoenix,  Arizona,  May. 

Austroleon  Banks. 

Journ.  N.  Y.  ent.  soc,  1909,  17,  p.  3. 

Last  joint  of  labial  palpi  swollen;  antennae  very  short,  clavate;  pro- 
notum  a  little  longer  than  broad,  or  broader  than  long;  legs  rather 
stout,  basal  tarsal  joint  much  shorter  than  the  apical,  spurs  equal  to 
one  or  more  joints,  front-coxae  and  front-femora  above  with  a  comb  of 
long  curved  white  bristles.  Abdomen  shorter  than  wings,  in  male 
longer.  Wings  rather  narrow,  acute  at  tips,  costal  area  simple,  radial 
sector  usually  before  cubital  fork  in  both  pairs,  second  anal  in  fore-wing 
runs  in  a  nearly  even  curve,  with  one  short  cross-vein  to  the  third  or 
touching  the  third;  second  anal  forked,  third  usually  forked.  In  hind- 
wing  both  second  and  third  anals  are  forked,  the  first  anal  bends  down . 
to  margin  near  cubital  fork.  Before  radial  sector  in  fore-wing  three 
cross-veins,  in  hind-wing  two ;  Banksian  and  intercubital  lines  faint  or 
absent. 

Type. —  A.  dispar  Banks.    South  America. 

Three  Nearctic  species  are  referable  to  this  genus  which  is  better 
represented  in  South  America. 

1.  Three  shining  black  spots  on  the  mesoscutellum;  abdomen  somewhat  trans- 

versely banded  with  pale;  wings  broad,  spots  between  radius  and  sub- 

costa tripunctatus. 

Not  three  shining  spots  on  scutellum;  the  abdomen  more  lineate;  wings 
narrow,  less  spotted,  no  marks  between  radius  and  subcosta 2 

2.  Pronotum  pale  through  a  broad  middle  area,  dark  on  sides;  front-spurs 

equal  to  three  tarsal  joints dorsalis. 

Pronotum  dark,  with  three  pale  lines;  labial  palpi  about  twice  as  long  as 
maxillary  palpi;  front-spurs  equal  to  four  tarsal  joints barberi. 


Description  mostly  from  Currie. 


54  bulletin:  museum  of  compakative  zoology. 

AusTEOLEON  DORSALis  (Banks). 
Plate  1,  fig.  22.   Plate  4,  fig.  83. 
Brachynemurus  dorsalis  Banks,  Journ.  N.  Y.  ent.  soc,  1903,  11,  p.  240. 

Interantennal  mark  a  little  above  and  below  antennae,  usually  in- 
clufHng  a  pale  transverse  spot  just  above  antennae;  vertex  wholly 
dark,  rarely  showing  distinction  into  two  rows;  palpi  pale.  Pronotum 
with  a  broad  pale  median  area,  dark  on  the  sides;  rest  of  notiun  mostly 
dull  black,  the  scutelli  usually  with  large  median  mark,  pleura  much 
spotted  with  dull  black;  femur  of  front-pair  mostly  dark  above,  others 
dotted,  and  with  large  spot  toward  tip,  tibiae  with  subbasal  and  apical 
mark,  hind-tibiae  somewhat  lineate  below.  Abdomen  lineate  with 
pale,  especially  with  the  male  on  basal  part,  but  toward  tip  with  pale 
median  spot  on  segments  above.  Wings  scarcely  marked,  a  faint  spot 
at  rhegma  and  at  end  of  anal;  veins  pale,  interrupted  with  dark,  cross- 
veins  usually  more  or  less  dark.  Hair  of  abdomen  white;  spines  on  legs 
mostly  white. 

Vertex  considerably  elevated;  antennae  short,  strongly  clavate; 
pronotum  longer  than  broad,  rather  narrowed  in  front;  legs  short, 
front-femora  plainly  longer  than  tibiae;  a  row  of  bristles  on  femur 
above  and  several  bristles  on  front-coxae;  hind-spurs  equal  two  joints; 
male  abdomen  much  longer  than  hind-wings,  last  segment  six  or  more 
times  as  long  as  high,  appendages  pale,  short,  divergent,  about  as  long 
as  height  of  segment.  In  both  wings  the  radial  sector  before  cubital 
fork;  in  fore-wings  three  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  in  hind-wings 
two;  about  seven  branches  of  radial  sector;  last  connecting  veinlet 
between  radius  and  radial  sector  is  heavier  and  more  oblique  than  the 
others  so  that  it  appears  like  an  extra  radial  sector;  hind-margin  of 
hind-wing  near  base  concave,  first  anal  with  about  fi\e  branches,  all 
short  and  subequal. 

Length  fore-wing  17  to  20  mm.,  width  4  to  5  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  15  to  18  mm.,  width  3  to  4  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  IS  to  20  mm.,  cT  25  to  28  mm. 

Spccimms  examined. —  Tex.:  Laredo  (Type);  Mercedes,  July;  Dallas; 
Brownsville,  May;  Sabinal,  September;  Hondo. 

The  Brachynemurus  currici  of  McClendon  grades  into  dorsalis. 


banks:  revision  of  the  nEarctic  myrmeleqnidae.         55 

AusTROLEON  BARBERi  (Currie). 
Plate  2,  fig.  24. 
Brachynemurus  barheri  Currie,  Proc.  Ent.  soc.  Wash.,  1903,  5,  p.  282. 

Interantennal  mark  small,  a  median  extension  to  clypeus.  Vertex 
dark,  a  band  in  front  pale,  vertex  rows  shining  fuscous.  Antennae  dark, 
with  narrow,  pale  annulations.  Labial  palpi  about  twice  as  long  as 
maxillary,  dark  brown.  Pronotum  dark,  with  three  pale  lines,  one 
median  and  two  lateral  ending  in  the  furrow ;  rest  of  notum  dark,  with 
a  few  pale  spots.  Legs  with  femora  mostly  dark,  and  dark  bands  on 
tibiae,  spines  black,  but  many  white  ones,  those  on  front-femora  above 
long  and  white.  Abdomen  with  indistinct  pale  spots  on  middle  of 
segments.  Wings  with  few  dark  spots,  mostly  along  cubitus,  a  dark 
spot  at  base  of  whitish  stigma,  and  an  oblique  streak  up  from  rhegma. 
Pronotum  longer  than  broad ;  spurs  as  long  as  first  four  tarsal  joints  in 
front-legs,  as  long  as  first  three  in  other  legs.  Wings  shorter  than 
abdomen,  narrow;  in  fore-wings  the  second  anal  is  not  forked,  is  con- 
nected but  once  to  the  third  anal  which  is  forked. 

Length  9  23  mm.,  expanse  38  mm.,  width  fore-wing  4.3  mm., 
Hot  Springs,  Arizona,  June  (Barber  and  Schwarz).' 

Austroleon  tripunctatus  (Banks). 
Hesperoleon  trij)unctatus  Banks,  Can.  ent.,  1922,  54,  p.  60. 

Interantennal  mark  rather  large  above  and  below  antennae,  but  not 
reaching  up  on  the  vertex,  first  vertex  row  a  continuous  line,  second  of 
several  spots,  the  largest  lateral,  and  a  median  spot  behind;  labial 
palpi  with  tip  much  swollen  and  partly  dark;  pronotum  with  four  spots 
in  front,  a  long  median  mark  behind  and  lateral  stripes,  the  long  median 
mark  more  or  less  divided;  rest  of  notum  with  large  dark  spots,  tip  of 
mesoscutellum  with  three  shining  black  spots,  one  on  the  metascutel- 
lum,  bristles  on  thorax  large,  some  white;  pleura  largely  dark;  the 
femora  and  tibiae  much  dotted,  long  spines  on  legs  mostly  white, 
front-coxae  with  white  macrochaetae,  and  a  row  of  similar  ones  above 
on  femur;  abdomen  with  rather  irregular  pale  marks  at  base  and 
middle  of  segments,  hair  mostly  black,  but  white  on  pale  areas.  Wings 
much  spotted  with  small  marks,  some  between  subcosta  and  radius, 
larger  at  rhegma  and  end  of  anal;  many  cross-veins  wholly  dark;  veins 
white,  with  dark  streaks. 

Vertex  moderately  elevated;  antennae  rather  short,  strongly  capi- 
tate; pronotum  a  little  longer  than  broad,  hardly  narrowed  in  front; 

1  Description  mostly  from  Currie. 


56  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

legs  rather  short,  femur  of  front-pair  rather  longer  than  tibia,  hind- 
spurs  al)out  equal  to  one  and  one  half  joints;  abdomen  nearly  as  long 
as  hind-wings.  In  both  wings  the  radial  sector  arises  much  before  the 
cubital  fork;  in  fore-wings  three  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  in 
hind-wings  but  one;  seven  branches  to  radial  sector;  hind-margin  of 
hind-wings  near  base  concave,  first  anal  with  five  or  six  branches,  all 
short,  subequal;  hair  on  wings  rather  long. 

Length  fore-wing  22  to  25  mm.,  width  6  to  7.5  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  20  to  23  mm.,  width  5.5  to  6.5  mm. 

Length  abdomen  cf  23  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  Ariz.:  Palmerlee,  June,  July  (Types). 

At  first  the  species  looks  much  like  II esjwrolcon  sackeni;  it  is  rather 
abnormal  for  Austroleon,  and  may  yet  form  a  new  genus. 

Chaetoleon  Banks. 
Bull.  M.  C.  Z.,  1920,  64,  p.  328. 

Last  joint  of  labial  palpi  swollen;  antennae  long,  with  almost  capi- 
tate tip;  pronotum  longer  than  broad.  Legs  very  slender,  the  front- 
tibia  is  equal  to  front-femur,  latter  with  a  crest  of  long  white  bristles, 
and  also  comb  on  front-coxae,  spurs  about  equal  to  two  joints;  meso- 
notum  with  some  enlarged,  fusiform  bristles  above.  Abdomen  shorter 
than  hind-wings.  Wings  rather  narrow,  acute  at  tips;  in  fore-wings 
the  costal  area  simple;  radial  sector  before  cubital  fork  in  both  pairs; 
second  anal  runs  in  even  curve,  and  then  unites  with  the  third  anal  for 
short  distance;  both  the  second  and  third  anals  forked.  In  hind-wings 
the  first  anal  bends  down  to  margin  near  forking  of  cubitus;  before  the 
radial  sector  in  fore-wing  three  cross-veins,  in  hind-wings  two;  Banksian 
and  intercubital  lines  faint  or  absent. 

Type. —  C.  jnimilis  (Burmeister). 

The  two  closely  related  species  can  be  separated  as  below :  — 

1 .     Pronotum  black,  except  anterior  lateral  angles,  rest  of  notum  mostly  black ; 

fore-wings  rather  heavily  marked pumilus. 

Pronotum  much  marked  with  pale,  as  also  the  rest  of  the  notum;  wings 
less  marked pxisilliis. 

Chaetoleon  pumilis  (Burmeister). 

Plate  2,  fig.  40. 

Myrmeleon  ■pumilus  Burm.,  Handb.  ent.,  1839,  2,  p.  995. 

Interantennal  mark  large,  much  below  antennae,  and  extending  up 
to  first  vertex  row  and  often  to  the  second,  usually'  a  pale  spot  each  side 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.         57 

below  the  first  vertex  row;  palpi  mostly  pale;  antennae  annulate,  tip 
dark;  pronotum  largely  dark,  usually  only  anterior  corners  pale;  rest 
of  notum  almost  wholly  dark,  sometimes  a  pale  spot  above  fore-wing; 
large  heavy  enlarged  spines  on  mesonotum ;  pleura  mostly  dark;  femora 
largely  dark,  tibiae  with  subbasal  and  apical  dark  bands,  spines  long, 
partly  white;  abdomen  with  pale  spot  in  middle  of  segments,  or  at 
least  the  basal  ones.  Wings  with  about  a  dozen  fairly  large  spots, 
several  between  subcosta  and  radius,  and  continued  on  the  cross-veins 
behind,  one  at  rhegma,  three  others  along  cubitus,  and  one  at  end  of 
anal,  a  few  other  smaller  marks,  mostly  at  forks  of  veins. 

Vertex  moderately  elevated ;  pronotum  longer  than  broad ;  legs  very 
slender;  tibiae  fully  equal  to  femora,  and  much  longer  than  tarsi, 
hind-spurs  equal  to  two  joints,  a  comb  of  white  bristles  on  front-coxae, 
and  above  on  front-femur;  abdomen  of  male  short,  not  as  long  as  hind- 
wings,  the  short,  pale  appendages  sometimes  apparent;  hair  of  abdo- 
men mostly  white.  In  both  wings  the  radial  sector  arises  before  cubital 
fork;  in  fore-wing  three  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  in  hind-wing 
but  two;  about  six  branches  to  radial  sector;  hind-wing  with  the  hind- 
margin  near  base  concave,  the  first  anal  with  four  to  six  branches,  all 
short  and  subequal;  hairs  on  wing  rather  long. 

Length  fore-wing  15.5  to  17.5  mm.,  width  4  to  4.5  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  15  to  16.5  mm.,  width  3  to  3.5  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9   12.5  to  15  mm.,  cf  14  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  South  Carolinia  (Type).  N.  C:  Southern 
Pines,  May,  June.  Ga. :  Millen,  July.  Fla. :  La,ke  Worth,  yl /so  Florida 
(Brooklyn  mus.). 

Chaetoleon  pusillus  (Currie). 
Plate  2,  fig.  27. 
Brachynemurus  pusillus  Currie,  Can.  ent.,  1899,  31,  p.  363. 

Interantennal  mark  a  little  below  and  above  antennae;  first  vertex 
row  a  continuous  line;  second  close  to  it  of  a  lateral  spot  and  a  median 
connection,  and  a  median  spot  be-hind;  palpi  mostly  pale;  antennae 
pale,  ringed  with  dark  and  darker  at  tip;  pronotum  with  four  spots  in 
front,  the  submedian  pair  larger  and  nearly  touching,  behind  them  a 
long  median  spot,  sometimes  with  median  pale  line,  several  lateral 
spots;  rest  of  notum  much  spotted,  the  scutelli  with  large  median  spot, 
sometimes  small  lateral  ones;  pleura  much  spotted;  front-femora 
mostly  dark  above,  other  femora  with  preapical  band,  all  tibiae 
with  subbasal  and  apical  bands.    Abdomen  with  pale  irregular  spots 


58  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

on  middle  and  tip  of  several  segments;  thorax  with  many  long  mostly 
white  bristles,  some  on  the  mesonotum  black  and  much  thickened; 
hair  on  the  abdomen  white,  moderately  long.  Wings  with  several 
spots  between  subcosta  and  radius,  one  at  base  of  stigma,  elongate 
one  at  rhegma,  and  several  above  cubitus,  and  one  at  end  of  anal, 
small  marks  on  forks  and  on  some  cross-^•eins,  ^•eins  mostly  white  with 
long  streaks  of  dark. 

Vertex  moderately  elevated;  pronotum  longer  than  broad;  legs  very 
slender,  femur  not  longer  than  tibiae,  hind-tibia  much  longer  than 
tarsus,  hind-spurs  about  equal  to  two  joints;  spines  long,  mostly  white, 
front-coxae  with  curved  macrochaetae  and  a  row  of  similar  ones  above 
on  front-femur.  In  both  wings  the  radial  sector  arises  much  before 
cubital  fork;  in  fore-wings  three  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  in 
hind-wings  two;  about  six  branches  to  radial  sector;  hind-margin  of 
hind-wings  near  base  slightly  concave,  the  first  anal  with  five  branches, 
short  and  subequal;  hair  on  wings  rather  long.  Abdomen  of  male  no 
longer  than  female,  much  shorter  than  hind-wings,  appendages  not 
projecting. 

Length  fore-wing  14  to  18  mm.,  width  3.5  to  5.5  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  13  to  16.5  mm.,  width  2.9  to  4  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  12  to  15  mm.,  d*  14  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  N.  M. :  Mesilla  Park;  Las  Cruces.  Utah: 
Parowan  Canyon;  Coal  Creek,  Iron  Co.,  June;  Eureka,  July.  Also 
Santa  Rita  Mts.,  Arizona  (Snow  coll.).  Currie  described  it  from  Ft. 
Grant,  and  Madera  Canyon,  Santa  Rita  Mts.,  Arizona. 

Maracandula  Currie, 
Proc.  Ent.  soc.  Wash.,  1901,  4,  p.  436. 

Last  joint  of  labial  palpi  but  little  swollen;  antennae  short,  capitate; 
pronotum  rather  longer  than  broad;  legs  slender,  basal  tarsal  joint 
longer  than  the  fifth,  claws  small,  spurs  absent;  abdomen  short  in  both 
sexes,  and  shorter  than  wings.  Wings  rather  short  and  broad;  costal 
area  simple;  radial  sector  in  both  pairs  before  the  cubital  fork;  neither 
Banksian  nor  intercubital  lines;  second  anal  runs  in  even  curve  and  is 
connected  twice  to  the  third  anal.  In  hind-wing  one  to  three  cross- 
veins  before  radial  sector,  and  the  first  anal  l)cnds  down  to  the  margin 
near  cubital  fork,  usually  both  second  and  third  anals  are  forked. 

Type. —  M.  pygmaea  (Hagen).   Mexico. 

The  generic  characters  were  drawn  from  hellula;  when  pygmaea  is 
better  known  a  new  genus  may  be  required.    Most  of  the  characters 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.         59 

apply  to  that  species,  but  the  apical  tarsal  joint  is  longer  than  the 
basal,  and  there  are  four  cross-veins  before  the  radial  sector  in  hind- 
wing. 

Maracandula  bellula  Banks. 
Trans.  Amer.  ent.  soc,  1906,  32,  p.  7, 

Face  pale,  a  brown  interantennal  mark,  emarginate  below  antennae, 
and  extending  above  a  short  distance  (sometimes  faint);  vertex  with 
two  rounded  dark  spots;  palpi  pale;  antennae  brown,  a  pale  band  of 
about  three  joints  beyond  middle;  pronotum  pale,  and  oblique  brown 
spot  on  each  outer  side  in  front,  sometimes  traces  of  median  spots, 
and  a  large  brown  spot  behind  in  middle  (sometimes  all  spots  are  faint), 
hair  almost  wholly  white;  rest  of  notum  pale  to  brown,  more  or  less 
obscurely  spotted  with  brown,  hair  white,  except  some  dark  on  the 
anterior  lobes;  pleura  more  or  less  brown,  with  several  pale  spots, 
hair  white;  legs  pale,  the  femora  streaked  or  dark  at  tip,  tibiae  dark 
at  tip  and  often  near  base,  middle  tarsal  joints  dark.  Abdomen  dull 
black,  segments  with  pale  spots  on  base  above,  basal  segments  largely 
pale,  hair  below  white,  above  white  on  pale  areas,  rest  dark.  Wings 
with  small  brown  spots,  base  of  stigma  black,  several  brown  spots 
between  the  subcosta  and  radius  and  extended  back  on  cross-veins, 
several  along  upper  edge  of  cubitus,  at  rhegma,  and  at  end  of  anal 
vein,  marginal  forks  scarcely  clouded,  and  sometimes  faintly  along 
hind-margin  at  ends  of  veins.  Hind-wings  scarcely  spotted,  but  a 
cloud  at  rhegma,  and  one  at  stigma;  venation  in  both  wings  brown  and 
white  alternating. 

Pronotum  little  longer  than  broad;  vertex  much  elevated,  bilobed; 
legs  slender,  basal  tarsal  joint  elongate.  Wings  broad,  especially 
toward  tip;  four  to  six  cross-veins  before  radial  sector  in  fore-wing, 
one  to  three  in  hind-wing,  some  often  connected;  cubitals  not  crossed; 
radial  sector  with  five  branches;  hind-margin  of  both  wings  concave 
at  base;  in  fore-wing  about  seven  to  ten  short  subequal  branches  to  the 
first  anal  vein,  in  hind-wing  about  four  such  branches;  venation  with 
many  rather  long  curved  hairs. 

Length  fore-wing  15  to  20  mm.,  width  4.8  to  6.2  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  13  to  18  mm.,  width  3.1  to  4.2  mm. 

Length  abdomen  $   10  to  14  mm.,  cf  13  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  Calif.:  Three  Rivers,  San  Jacinto  Mts. 
Utah:  Coal  Creek,  Iron  Co.;  Eureka,  August;  St.  George,  June.  Ariz.: 
Reef,  June;  Palmerlee,  June,  July.  Also  Santa  Rita  Mts.,  Arizona 
(Snow  coll.).     Phoenix,  Arizona  (Adams  coll.). 


60  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 


Macronemurinae. 

This  subfamily  is  represented  by  four  very  distinct  genera  grouped 
in  two  tribes.  In  the  tropics  there  are  several  other  tribes  and  a  great 
number  of  species.   The  Nearctic  genera  are  tabulated  as  follows:  — 

1.  Legs  very  slender,  femora  cylindric,  front-femur  iihout  twice  as  long  as 

front-coxae  and  longer  tlian  height  of  thorax;  pronotum  usually  longer 

than  broad {Glenurini)  2 

Legs  not  especially  slender,  femora  somewhat  thickened,  front-femur  less 
than  twice  as  long  as  front-coxae,  nor  longer  than  height  of  the  thorax; 
pronotum  usually  broader  than  long (Macronemurini)  3 

2.  Hind-wings  with  large  dark  spot  near  tip;  broadest  at  or  beyond  rhegma. 

Glenurits. 
Hind-wings  without  large  spot,  broadest  rather  before  the  rhegma. 

Eremoleon. 

3.  Fore-wing  with  two  series  of  costal  cells  for  part  way;  venation  dense  and 

irregular    Puren. 

Fore-wing  with  but  one  series  of  costal  cells;  venation  open  and  regular. 

Psa7nmoleon. 

Psammoleon  Banks. 
Can.  ent.,  1899,  31,  p.  69. 

Labial  palpi  with  last  joint  swollen;  antennae  moderately  long,  not 
much  separated  at  base;  pronotum  rarely  longer  than  broad;  abdomen 
short  in  both  sexes,  and  much  shorter  than  the  wings.  Legs  moderately 
stout,  hind-tibia  shorter  than  or  equal  to  hind-femur,  basal  joint  of 
tarsus  short  or  elongate,  spurs  equal  to  two  or  three  joints  in  front-legs, 
and  to  one  and  one  half  to  two  and  one  half  joints  in  the  hind-legs. 
Wings  moderately  broad  to  narrow,  the  costal  area  simple,  radial 
sector  much  beyond  the  cubital  fork  in  fore-wings,  in  hind-wing  radial 
sector  near  base,  one  cross-vein  before  it.  In  fore-wing  the  second  anal 
is  united  to  third  for  a  long  distance;  no  distinct  Banksian  line;  in 
hind-wing  the  second  anal  is  forked,  and  the  third  anal  is  connected 
at  tip  to  a  short  vein  close  to  the  hind-margin,  and  almost  united  to  it. 
The  fore-wings  show  more  or  less  distinctly  a  dark  line  or  spot  at  end 
of  anal,  and  a  similar  mark  up  from  rhegma. 

Type. —  P.  ingeniosus  (Walker).    South  America. 

Five  species  are  known  from  southern  parts  of  the  Nearctic  region 
and  may  be  separated  as  follows:  — 

1.  Tarsi  black,  hind-femora,  as  well  as  others,  mostly  black;  basal  tarsal  joint 
elongate,  spurs  also  elongate,  but  little  curved,  hind-spurs  not  equal  to 
two  tarsal  joints,  last  ventral  segment  of  male  with  black  hair 2 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.  61 

Tarsi  mostly  pale  on  basal  and  apical  joints,  hind-  and  mid-femora  at  least 
mostly  pale,  and  dotted  with  dark,  spurs  curved,  hind-spurs  equal  to  or 
longer  than  two  joints,  basal  tarsal  joint  less  elongate,  last  ventral  seg- 
ment of  male  with  white  hair  as  rest  of  venter 3 

2.  Abdomen  wholly  black,  not  spotted;  pronotum  about  as  long  in  middle  as 

broad,  male  appendages  with  a  projection  at  lower  corner,  hind-tibia 

equal  hind-femur connexus. 

Abdomen  with  two  elongate  pale  spots  on  each  segment  above;  pronotum 
much  broader  than  long  in  middle,  male  appendages  without  projection 
at  lower  tip bistidus. 

3.  Abdomen  with  two  elongate  spots  on  each  segment  above;  hind-spurs  equal 

to  two  joints;  cubital  area  of  hind- wing  narrow,  with  but  one  series  of 
cross-veins,  superior  appendages  of  male  extended  below,  but  no  pro- 
jection behind minor 

Abdomen  with  two  rounded  spots  on  some  of  the  segments,  scarcely  marked 
toward  tip;  hind-spurs  equal  to  two  and  one  half  joints;  cubital  area  of 
hind-wings  broad,  with  two  or  three  series  of  cross-veins,  male  superior 
appendages  with  a  distinct  projection  behind  at  lower  tip 4 

4.  Fore-wings  with  two  dark  nearly  parallel  streaks guitipes. 

Fore-wings  with  the  two  streaks  connected  to  make  a  sinuous  line .  sinuatiis. 


Psammoleon  bistictus  (Hagen). 
Plate  2,  fig.  33. 
Myrmeleon  bistidus  Hagen,  Synop.,  1861,  p.  235. 

Interantennal  mark  extending  considerably  below  antennae,  above 
the  surface  is  sericeous  and  on  the  vertex  also,  the  vertex  scars  are 
black;  last  joint  of  labial  palpi  mostly  black;  antennae  scarcely  annu- 
late; pronotum  dull  black,  sericeous,  with  pale  median  line,  and 
broader  pale  streak  on  each  side;  rest  of  notum  dull  black,  with  a  num- 
ber of  pale  spots,  mostly  through  the  middle  area;  pleura  dark,  with  a 
few  pale  spots,  hair  white;  legs  largely  black,  front-femur  pale  in  front, 
mid-  and  hind-femora  with  pale  band  or  spot  beyond  middle,  tibiae 
pale  at  base,  and  a  pale  spot  or  streak  on  outer  side,  tarsi  almost  wholly 
black,  femora  and  tibiae  with  white  hair  and  many  black  bristles. 
Abdomen  dull  black,  sericeous,  each  dorsal  segment  with  a  long  pale 
streak  each  side,  sometimes  divided  into  two  spots;  hair  white,  but  in 
male  that  of  last  ventral  is  black.  Wings  not  heavily  marked,  the 
usual  two  oblique  lines  from  anal  and  from  rhegma,  latter  pointing  to 
apex  of  wing;  a  dark  spot  at  base  of  stigma,  some  marginal  forks 
clouded,  otherwise  not  marked,  venation  dark  and  pale  in  streaks; 


62  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

hind-wings  unmarked,  except  at  stigma,  the  median  and  first  anal  vein 
wholly  pale. 

Pronotum  plainly  broader  than  long  in  middle;  basal  joint  of  tarsi 
elongate,  spurs  elongate,  scarcely  curved,  the  hind-spurs  about  equal 
one  and  one  half  joints,  front-spurs  equal  to  two  joints.  Fore-wings 
with  costals  simple,  seven  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  ten  branches 
to  this  sector;  in  hind-wings  the  cubital  area  is  fairly  broad  with  two  or 
three  series  of  cross-veins.  The  superior  male  appendages  are  not 
produced  behind  at  lower  corners. 

Length  fore-wing  29  mm.,  width  7  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  27  mm.,  width  5.7  mm. 

Length  abdomen  17  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  Fla. :  Dry  Tortugas,  June. 

Described  from  Cuba,  where  it  is  not  uncommon. 


Psammoleon  minor,  sp.  nov. 
Plate  2,  fig.  32,  42. 

Interantennal  mark  extending  straight  across  below  antennae,  above 
is  a  pale  area  before  the  vertex  rows,  which  are  black;  palpi  pale;  an- 
tennae plainly  annulate,  base  pale;  pronotum  dull  black,  a  median 
pale  line,  and  lateral  spots  fairly  distinct;  rest  of  notum  dull  black, 
with  several  pale  spots,  a  pair  on  the  mesoscutcllum,  and  the  middle 
tips  of  both  scutelli  also  pale;  pleura  with  much  pale,  hair  white;  legs 
pale,  femora  and  tibiae  rather  sparsely  dotted,  both  dark  at  tips,  tips 
of  tarsal  joints  dark,  femora  with  many  black  and  some  white  bristles 
and  appressed  white  hair.  Abdomen  dull  black,  much  marked  with 
pale,  venter  mostly  pale,  above  each  segment  has  the  tip  and  an 
elongate  spot  each  side  pale,  some  apical  segments  with  a  median  spot, 
hair  white  above  and  below  in  both  sexes,  bristles  around  genitalia 
black.  Wings  with  the  venation  interruptedly  pale  and  dark  in  streaks, 
dark  spot  at  base  of  stigma,  near  end  of  anal,  and  a  short  streak  up 
from  rhegma,  a  few  apical  vcinlets  margined;  hind-wings  scarcely 
marked,  faint  dot  at  stigma,  rhegma,  and  one  apical  cross-vein. 

Pronotum  a  little  broader  than  long  in  middle;  tarsi  with  basal 
joint  somewhat  elongate,  more  so  than  in  guftipes  the  spurs  also  elon- 
gate and  not  much  curved,  the  hind-spurs  just  about  equal  to  two 
joints.  Wings  slender,  scarcely  any  costals  before  stigma  forked,  six 
cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  latter  with  nine  or  ten  branches;  in 
hind-wings  the  cubital  area  is  very  narrow,  and  has  but  one  series  of 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.         63 

cross-veins.  Superior  appendages  of  the  male  have  no  projection  be- 
hind, but  are  rather  lobed  below. 

Length  fore-wing  22  mm.,  width  5  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  2L5  mm.,  width  4  mm. 

Length  abdomen  12  mm. 

Type.— M.  C.  Z.  15,746.  &,  9  .  Fla.:  Dry  Tortugas,  Loggerhead 
Key,  June  (J.  McClendon,  and  H.  L.  Clark). 

PsAMMOLEON  GUTTIPES  Banks. 
Plate  2,  fig.  38,  43. 
Psammoleon  guttipes  Banks,  Psyche,  1906, 13,  p.  99. 

A  black  band  below  antennae,  above  brown  up  to  and  on  vertex, 
usually  leaving  the  vertex  scars  showing  pale,  but  sometimes  they  are 
covered  by  dark  velvety  brown;  palpi  mostly  pale;  antennae  narrowly 
annulate,  base  pale;  pronotum  dull  brown,  a  faint  pale  median  line  and 
sometimes  one  or  two  spots  on  each  side;  rest  of  notum  dull  brown, 
slightly  sericeous,  a  few  pale  spots,  often  a  pair  in  front  of  the  meta- 
scutellum;  pleura  dark,  with  a  few  pale  spots,  hair  long,  white;  legs 
pale,  femur  and  tibia  much  dotted,  front  femur  sometimes  dark  above, 
tibia  dark  at  tip,  basal  and  apical  tarsal  joints  mostly  pale,  femora  and 
tibiae  with  many  black  bristles  and  hairs,  and  some  more  appressed 
white  hair,  less  noticeable;  abdomen  dull  black,  a  pale  spot  above  on 
each  side  near  middle  of  se\'eral  segments  shows  more  or  less  distinctly, 
sometimes  united,  hair  short,  mostly  white.  Wings  but  little  marked, 
but  there  are  two  subparallel  streaks  or  lines  in  front-wings,  one  up 
from  the  end  of  anal,  the  other  from  the  rhegma,  the  latter  so  directed 
that  it  would  end  on  costa  long  before  apex  of  wing,  usually  some  apical 
cross-veins  and  forkings  are  marked,  and  several  radial  cross-veins 
margined;  venation  dark  and  pale  in  streaks;  hind-wings  scarcely 
marked,  a  few  cross-veins  margined,  a  dot  at  rhegma,  and  outer 
marginal  forks  marked.  Pronotum  much  broader  than  long;  legs  rather 
stout,  hind-tibia  not  quite  as  long  as  hind-femora,  basal  tarsal  joint 
short,  hardly  equal  to  next  two  together;  spurs  stout,  strongly  curved, 
in  front-legs  fully  equal  to  three  joints,  in  hind-legs  about  two  and  one 
half  joints.  The  costal  area  of  fore-wings  is  fairly  broad,  about  seven 
cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  latter  with  about  eleven  or  twelve 
branches;  in  hind-wings  the  cubital  area  is  quite  broad  with  two  or 
three  series  of  cross-veins.  The  superior  appendages  of  the  male  have 
a  projection  at  the  lower  tips. 


64  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Length  fore-wings  29  to  31  mm.,  width  6  to  7.5  mm. 

Length  hind-wings  28  to  30.5  mm.,  width  5  to  6  mm. 

Length  of  abdomen  19  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  N.  C:  Tryon  (Type);  Southern  Pines,  June. 
Ga. :  Millen.  Florida.  La. :  Shreveport.  Tex. :  Travis  Co. ;  San  Antonio ; 
Dalhis,  August.  Also  Lakehurst,  New  Jersey  (Davis  coll.),  Browns- 
ville, Texas  (Brooklyn  mus.),  Spring  Creek,  Georgia  (Cornell  univ.). 

Psammoleon  sinuatus  Currie. 
Plate  2,  fig.  34. 
Psammoleon  sinuatus  Currie,  Proc.  Ent.  soc.  Wash.,  1903,  6,  p.  275. 

This  in  general  agrees  with  P.  guttipcs  and  was  described  as  a  variety 
of  that  species.  It  is  a  western  form  of  that  species.  The  interantennal 
mark  usually  does  not  extend  under  tlie  antennae,  the  vertex  scars  are 
marked  deep  black,  the  lateral  marks  of  pronotum  are  usually  more 
distinct,  the  legs  and  the  abdomen  are  marked  the  same.  The  fore- 
wings  have  the  two  oblique  lines,  normally  connected  so  that  it  makes 
a  sinuous  or  serpentine  mark,  the  outer  part  of  this  mark  points  toward 
the  apex  of  the  wing  (thus  differing  from  guttipes).  In  the  hind-wing 
the  rhegma  is  usually  well  marked,  and  the  veins  behind  it  to  the 
margin  are  bordered  with  dark.  The  rest  of  the  wings  is  not  as  much 
spotted  as  in  guttipes.  Structurally  it  is  about  the  same  as  guttipes,  but 
the  superior  appendages  of  the  male  have  not  such  a  long,  but  more 
acute  projection  at  the  lower  tip. 

Length  fore-wing  29  to  35  mm.,  width  6.5  to  9  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  28  to  34  mm.,  width  5  to  7  mm. 

Length  abdomen  20  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  N.  M. :  Jemez  Mts.,  August.  Ariz.:  Pal- 
merlee,  July.  Utah:  Coal  Creek,  Iron  Co.,  June. 

Currie  described  it  from  the  Santa  Rita  Mts.,  Arizona,  and  recorded 
it  from  Bear  Creek  Canyon,  Colorado. 

Psammoleon  connexus  (Banks). 
Plate  2,  fig.  35,  44. 

Purm  connexus  Banks,  Bull.  M.  C.  Z.,  1920,  64,  p.  329. 

Interantennal  mark  deep  black,  extending  somewhat  below  an- 
ennae,  above  dull  black  to  sericeous  on  vertex,  the  vertex  scars  deep 
lack;  last  joint  of  labial  palpi  mostly  black;  antennae  very  narrowly 


banks:  revision  of  the  ne arctic  myrmeleonidae.         65 

annulate;  pronotum  dark,  a  median  pale  line,  and  a  streak  or  two  pale 
spots  on  each  side;  rest  of  notum  dark,  a  few  pale  spots  and  streaks, 
usually  two  on  the  mesoscutellum ;  pleura  largely  dark,  hair  white; 
legs  mostly  dark,  femora  pale  within  or  beneath,  and  some  pale  on 
tibiae  behind,  tarsi  almost  wholly  black,  femora  and  tibiae  heavily 
clothed  with  long  white  hair,  very  noticeable,  some  black  bristles 
below.  Abdomen  dull  black,  not  spotted,  hair  very  short,  white  but 
the  last  two  ventral  segments  have  dense  black  hair.  Wings  with 
venation  mostly  dark,  pale  in  spots  and  patches;  a  dark  spot  at  base  of 
stigma,  a  short  streak  at  end  of  anal,  a  longer  one  up  from  rhegma 
(in  the  Type  these  are  connected  in  a  sinuous  line),  the  outer  line  points 
toward  the  apex  of  the  wing,  apical  forks  often  marked,  the  radial 
cross-veins  not  margined,  but  often  some  veins  behind  the  radial 
sector  are  margined  to  make  a  streak,  and  the  cubitus  is  sometimes 
margined  from  rhegma  toward  base;  hind-wings  less  marked,  but 
sometimes  the  cubitus  is  margined  toward  the  rhegma.  Pronotum 
rather  longer  than  in  the  other  species,  nearly  as  long  in  middle  as 
broad;  legs  with  basal  tarsal  joint  elongate,  and  so  are  the  spurs,  so 
that  they  are  little  curved  except  near  tip,  and  the  hind-spurs  are  only 
equal  to  one  and  one  half  joints.  In  the  fore-wings  there  are  usually 
a  few  costals  before  the  stigma  forked;  six  or  seven  cross-veins  before 
radial  sector,  the  latter  with  about  nine  or  ten  branches;  in  the  hind- 
wings  the  cubital  area  usually  has  two  series  of  cross-veins,  at  least  for 
part  way.  The  superior  appendages  of  the  male  have  a  rather  short, 
sharp  projection  at  the  lower  tips,  not  as  long  as  in  guttipes. 

The  Type  specimen  has  a  remarkable  venational  peculiarity ;  instead 
of  the  short  oblique  cross-vein  representing  the  median  fork,  there  is  a 
very  long  branch,  occupying  the  space  of  about  three  cells  and  ending 
just  before  the  fork  of  cubitus. 

Length  fore-wing  25  to  30.5  mm.,  width  5.7  to  7  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  24.5  to  29.5  mm.,  width  4.5  to  5.5  mm. 

Length  abdomen  19  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  Calif.:  San  Jacinto  Mts.,  June  (Type). 
Ariz.:  Palmerlee,  July.   Tex.:  Austiij. 

Puren  Navas. 
Revis.  Chil.,  1911,  15,  p.  125. 

Last  joint  of  labial  palpi  swollen;  antennae  rather  long,  but  little 
separated  at  base,  pronotum  scarcely  broader  than  long;  the  abdomen 
much  shorter  than  the  wings;  legs  rather  short,  femora  somewhat 


66  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

thickened,  spurs  elongate,  but  little  curved,  equal  to  two  joints  in 
front-tarsi,  and  little  more  than  one  in  hind-tarsi,  hind-tibia  rather 
shorter  than  hind-femur.  Wings  of  moderate  width,  in  fore-wing  the 
second  anal  is  united  to  third  for  a  long  distance,  basal  cubital  fork 
distinct,  costal  area  broad,  partly  two-celled,  radial  sector  much  beyond 
the  cubital  fork,  in  fore-wing  the  Banksian  line  is  fairly  distinct;  in 
hind-wings  the  first  anal  runs  parallel  to  cubital  fork  for  a  very  short 
distance. 

Type. —  P.  bcllator  Navas.    Chile. 

I  have  not  seen  the  genotype,  the  species  I  have  placed  here  differs 
from  Psammoleon  only  in  partly  double  costal  area,  and  denser  vena- 
tion; in  tarsal  and  spur  characters  it  agrees  closely  with  Psammoleon 
connexns  and  P.  histidus. 

PuREN  INSCRIPTUS  (Hagen). 
Plate  4,  fig.  80,  93. 
Myrmeleon  inscriptiLS  Hagen,  Synop.,  1861,  p.  230. 

Interantennal  mark  extending  a  little  under  the  antennae,  above 
less  black  up  to  the  vertex  which  is  sericeous,  the  vertex  scars  black; 
last  joint  of  labial  palpi  black;  antennae  narrowly  annulate;  pronotum 
dull  black,  with  a  pale  median  line,  and  each  side  with  a  pale  rounded 
spot  in  the  front -part  and  a  longer  streak  in  the  hind-part;  rest  of 
notum  dull  black,  sericeous,  with  some  pale  spots  mostly  in  middle 
area;  pleura  partly  dark,  with  much  pale  below,  hair  white;  legs  mostly 
black,  front-femur  pale  at  base  and  within,  hind-tibia  pale  at  base 
behind,  hair  largely  white,  but  some  black  especially  on  tibiae;  abdo- 
men dull  black,  the  apical  margin  of  segments  above  pale,  hair  short, 
white.  Fore-wings  heavily  marked,  two  oblique  lines,  one  up  from  end 
of  anal,  the  other  from  rhegma,  and  pointing  toward  apex  of  wing, 
sometimes  the  two  lines  faintly  c(mnected;  a  large  spot  at  base  of 
stigma,  and  extended  behind  over  last  radial  cross- vein;  longitudinal 
veins  mostly  black,  but  marked  with  pale  in  streaks,  cross-veins  almost 
wholly  black,  and  nearly  all  are  slightly  margined.  There  are  about 
four  patches  of  white  veins,  just  behind  the  radius  and  over  the  radial 
sector.  Hind-wings  much  less  marked,  a  spot  at  stigma,  venation 
mostly  dark,  but  few  veins  margined  except  the  outer  forks,  median 
vein  wholly  pale. 

Pronotum  about  as  long  in  middle  as  broad;  tarsi  with  basal  joint 
elongated,  equal  to  next  two  joints  or  more;  spurs  elongate,  scarcely 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.         67 

curved,  front  ones  equal  to  two  joints,  hind  spurs  scarcely  longer  than 
basal  joint.  Costal  area  of  fore-wings  fairly  broad,  many  of  the  costal 
veins  forked,  and  about  one  third  to  one  half  of  them  crossed,  mostly 
near  the  middle  of  length;  seven  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  one 
or  two  crossed,  about  twelve  branches  of  radial  sector,  several  costals 
crossed;  cubital  area  of  hind-wings  fairly  broad,  two  or  three  series  of 
cross-veins;  all  venation  dense  and  irregular.  The  male  superior  ap- 
pendages have  a  projection  at  lower  tip. 

Length  of  fore-wing  28  to  31  mm.,  width  6  to  7.5  mm. 

Length  of  hind-wing  26  to  29  mm.,  width  5  to  6  mm. 

Length  of  abdomen  20  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  N.  M. :  Pecos  River  (Type);  Las  Vegas. 
Utah:  St.  George,  May. 

Glenurus  Hagen. 
Stett.  ent.  zeit.,  1866,  27,  p.  372. 

Last  joint  of  labial  palpi  swollen;  antennae  long  and  slender,  less 
than  diameter  of  basal  joint  apart;  pronotum  longer  than  broad; 
legs  very  slender,  basal  tarsal  joint  elongate,  sometimes  equal  to  the 
fifth;  spurs  elongate,  little  curved,  equal  to  two  joints;  abdomen  much 
shorter  than  wings.  Wings  very  broad  toward  tip,  and  the  hind-pair 
at  least  with  large  spots,  costal  area  simple,  radial  sector  in  fore-wings 
beyond  the  cubital  fork,  but  before  end  of  anal  vein,  first  branch  of 
radial  sector  beyond  end  of  anal,  basal  cubital  fork  distinct,  no  Bank- 
sian  nor  intercubital  line;  in  hind-wing  the  second  anal  forked,  the 
first  anal  bends  down  to  margin  near  cubital  fork,  no  short  vein 
parallel  to  hind-margin  at  base  and  connected  to  third  anal. 

Type. —  G.  gratus  (Say). 

In  a  South  American  species  (incalis)  there  is  the  beginning  of  a 
Banksian  line  close  to  the  median  and  curving  upwards,  as  in  the 
African  genus,  Cymothales. 

The  two  Nearctic  species  belong  to  two  different  sections  of  the 
genus  and  may  be  separated  as  follo^vs :  — 

1.   Extreme  tips  of  wings  dark;  fore-wing  with  large  clear  space  near  apex  rosy; 
hind-wings  with  the  large  dark  spot  leaving  two  clear  spaces;  legs  dark; 

first  anal  in  hind-wings  ends  beyond  tlie  cubital  fork gratus. 

Extreme  tip  of  wings  pale;  fore-wings  with  the  space  beyond  large  spot 
broken  by  many  small  spots;  hind- wings  with  the  large  dark  spot  leaving 
three  clear  spaces;  legs  mostly  pale;  first  anal  in  hind-wings  ends  before 
cubital  fork snowi. 


68  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology, 

Glenurus  gratus  (Say). 

Plate  2,  fig.  45. 

fFormicaleo  grata  Say,  Journ.  Acad.  nat.  sci.  Phil.,  1839,  8,  p.  45.     Ed.  Lee,  2, 
p.  413. 

Face  black,  the  lip  and  a  band  below  antennae  pale;  vertex  dark,  a 
pale  line  in  front  and  one  behind;  palpi  and  antennae  dark;  pronotum 
black,  a  pale  median  line  which  is  widened  in  front,  near  middle,  and 
behind;  rest  of  notum  black,  with  pale  mecHan  line  more  or  less  com- 
plete, mesoscutellum  with  two  pale  spots;  pleura  black  with  scattered 
white  hair;  legs  reddish  brown,  hind-tibia  behind  and  the  tarsi  pale, 
hair  and  bristles  black,  front-tibia  at  tip  beneath  with  yellowish  hair. 
Abdomen  black,  tips  of  the  segments  sometimes  narrowly  pale  above, 
hair  fine  short  and  black.  Wings  with  a  large  compound  dark  spot 
just  before  tip  in  both  pairs,  this  spot  is  made  up  of  three  large  spots, 
closely  united  in  hind-wings,  less  so  in  front-pair.  In  fore-wings  be- 
yond the  spot  the  wing  is  whitish  with  a  rosy  tint,  the  extreme  apex 
dark,  and  dark  clouds  along  outer  hind-margin;  at  end  of  anal  a  rather 
large  spot,  a  number  of  smaller  spots  along  cubitus,  and  dark  streaks 
between  subcosta  and  radius,  venation  mostly  dark,  but  many  longi- 
tudinal veins  are  white  in  spots.  In  hind-wing  beyond  the  large 
trilobed  spot  the  wing  is  also  pale,  with  less  distinct  rosy  tint,  the 
extreme  tip  also  black,  the  large  spot  reaches  the  hind-margin  in  two 
places,  and  in  the  pale  apical  part  there  is  a  small  dark  spot,  almost 
connected  to  the  large  trilobed  spot,  venation  almost  wholly  dark. 
Basal  tarsal  joint  about  as  long  as  apical,  spurs  equal  two  joints; 
wings  broad  toward  tips  which  are  almost  rounded;  fore-wings  with 
about  ten  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  about  eleven  branches  to 
radial  sector,  sometimes  a  few  cubitals  are  crossed.  In  hind-wings  the 
cubital  area  is  broad,  with  four  to  five  series  of  cross-veins,  the  first 
anal  running  parallel  to  cubital  fork  for  a  short  distance,  and  usually 
connected  once  or  twice  to  it. 

Length  fore-wing  34  to  47  mm.,  width  9  to  15  mm. 

Length  hintl-wing  33  to  45  mm.,  width  8.4  to  13  mm. 

Length  abdomen  9  and  c^  24  to  25  nnn. 

Spcciincns  (wumincd. —  Ohio:  Cincinnati.  Ky. :  Bee  Spring,  Cumber- 
land Gap.   Tenn.:  liedboiling  Springs.   Fla. :  Lake  Worth. 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.         69 

Glenurus  snowi  Banks. 
Ent.  news,  1907,  18,  p.  100. 

Face  black,  pale  on  side  under  each  eye,  vertex  pale,  the  vertex 
scars  black;  palpi  and  antennae  dark  brown;  pronotum  black,  with 
pale  median  line;  rest  of  notum  also  black,  and  wdth  an  incomplete 
pale  median  line,  hind-edge  of  the  niesoscutellum  pale;  pleura  black, 
hair  white;  legs  pale,  femora  darkened  above  and  near  tip,  tibiae  dark 
near  base  and  at  tip,  tarsal  joints  less  distinctly  dark  at  tip,  hairs  and 
bristles  mostly  black,  but  front-tibiae  at  tip  beneath  with  yellowish 
hair.  Abdomen  dull  black,  some  segments  narrowdy  pale  above  at  tips, 
hair  on  venter  white,  but  that  on  last  segment  dark,  above  with  white 
hair  near  base.  Fore-wings  with  a  large  dark  spot  near  tip  broken  up 
into  many  small,  mostly  confluent,  rounded  spots,  the  space  beyond 
pale,  but  with  some  small  spots,  a  large  spot  at  end  of  anal,  two  or 
three  along  margin  beyond  it,  and  several  before  it,  a  number  between 
median  and  cubitus,  the  space  between  subcosta  and  radius  dark  and 
extending  behind  in  several  places,  elsewhere  (mostly  in  apical  part) 
are  numerous  small  dots  at  connection  of  veins;  venation  largely  dark, 
but  white  in  places.  Hind-wing  with  a  very  large,  rather  four-lobed 
dark  spot  near  tip,  leaving  a  space  on  costal  margin,  the  tip,  and  a 
space  on  hind  margin  pale;  dark  streaks  between  subcosta  and  radius; 
venation  partly  dark  and  pale.  Legs  hardly  as  long  as  in  G.  grains,  the 
basal  tarsal  joint  not  as  long  as  apical,  the  spurs  equal  two  joints.  The 
wings  are  less  broad  toward  tip  than  in  G.  gratus,  the  apex  almost 
acute;  seven  cross-veins  before  radial  sector  in  fore-wing,  ten  branches 
to  radial  sector;  in  hind-wings  the  cubital  area  is  broad,  with  three  or 
four  series  of  cross-veins;  the  first  anal  bends  down  before  cubital  fork. 

Length  fore-wing  35  mm.,  width  10  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  33.5  mm.,  width  8.6  mm. 

Length  abdomen  19  mm. 

Specimen  examined. —  Ariz.:  Baboquivari  Mts.  (Type), 

There  is  a  second  specimen  in  the  Snow  collection. 

Eremoleon  Banks. 
Trans.  Amer.  ent.  soc,  1901,  27,  p.  365. 

Last  joint  of  labial  palpi  but  little  swollen;  antennae  rather  long  and 
slender,  not  the  diameter  of  basal  joint  apart;  pronotum  longer  than 
broad;  legs  very  long  and  slender,  hind-tibia  longer  than  hind-femur. 


70  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

basal  tarsal  joint  shorter  or  hardly  eciiial  to  apical;  spurs  about  eciual 
to  two  joints  or  more;  abdomen  shorter  than  wings.  Wings  moderately 
broad,  broadest  before  rhegnia;  costal  area  simple;  radial  sector 
plainly  beyond  the  cubital  fork,  about  opposite  end  of  anal  vein; 
second  anal  united  to  tiie  third  for  a  short  distance,  sometimes  both 
forked;  no  Banksian  line.  In  hind-wing  but  one  cross-vein  before 
radial  sector,  second  anal  forked,  third  connected  at  tip  to  a  short  vein 
parallel  to  margin  of  wing,  first  anal  bends  down  at  cul)ital  fork. 

Type. —  E.  vuiccr  (Hagen). 

Differs  from  Glemu'us  greatly  in  appearance,  but  structurally  very 
similar,  the  wings  are  broader  toward  iniddle,  while  in  Glenurus  they 
are  broader  toward  tip;  the  venation,  especially  toward  apex,  is  nuich 
less  dense  than  in  Glenurus,  but  the  absence  of  large  spots  readily 
separates  it. 

The  two  Nearctic  species  are  separated  in  the  following  table:  — 

1.     Fore-wings  at  base  with  a  prominent  black  spot,  no  distinct  spot  at  end  of 
anal,  cross-veins  almost  entirely  dark,  femora  plainly  dotted,  .^ligribasis. 
Fore-wings  without  prominent  black  spot  at  base,  a  distinct  mark  at  end  of 
anal,  many  cross-veins  entirely  pale,  femora  scarcely  if  at  all  dotted. 

macer. 

Eremoleon  macer  Hagen. 

Plate  2,  fig.  31.39. 

Myrmeleon  macer  Hagen,  .Synop.,  1861,  p.  236. 

Face  pale,  interantennal  mark  black,  extending  below  but  scarcely 
above  antennae;  A'ertex  gray,  \ertex  scars  of  first  row  brown  or  black, 
others  scarcely  marked;  palpi  and  antennae  pale,  tip  of  latter  brown; 
pronotum  pale,  scarcely  marked  with  dark,  sometimes  a  paler  median 
stripe,  a  dark  dot  each  side  on  the  furrow;  rest  of  notum  pale,  traces  of 
dark  spots,  and  a  paler  median  line;  pleura  pale;  legs  pale,  femora  mi- 
marked  except  dark  at  tips,  tibiae  dark  at  tips  and  spotted  on  outer 
side,  tarsi  pale,  tip  of  last  joint  dark,  bristles  and  hairs  black,  or  yellow- 
ish. Abdomen  dull  brown,  segments  with  large  pale  spot  above,  larger 
on  basal  segments,  venter  mostly  pale,  hairs  white.  Wings  but  little 
marked,  a  brown  spot  at  base  of  stigma,  one  at  rhegma,  and  one  at 
end  of  anal,  several  radial  cross-veins  faintly  margined  with  brown, 
also  some  faint  clouds  along  the  cubitus,  and  a  few  elsewhere,  none 
very  definite;  venation  mostly  pale,  but  with  brown  streaks;  hind- 
wings  unmarked,  but  the  pale  venation  is  broken  with  dark.  In  fore- 
wing  nine  or  ten  cross-veins  before  radial  sector,  none  connected. 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.         71 

about  six  branches  of  radial  sector,  no  cubitals  crossed;  hind-wings 
with  cubital  area  fairly  broad  with  about  three  series  of  cross-veins. 

Spurs  slender,  scarcely  curved  except  at  tip,  front  spurs  equal  about 
two  and  one  half  joints,  hind-spurs  equal  about  two  joints;  in  front- 
tarsus  the  basal  joint  is  about  two  thirds  of  the  last,  in  hind-tarsus  the 
basal  joint  about  equal  to  last. 

Length  fore-wing  28  mm.,  width  8.5  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  27  mm.,  width  7  mm. 

Length  abdomen  18  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  Ariz.:  Garcia;  Palmerlee.  Also  Mexico 
(Type). 

It  has  been  redescribed  by  Navas  as  Scgura  vitreus,  Mexico. 

Eremoleon  nigribasis  Banks. 
Plate  2,  fig.  26. 
Eremoleon  nigribasis  Banks,  Bull.  M.  C.  Z.,  1920,  64,  p.  329. 

Face  below  yellowish,  above  more  gray  and  also  on  vertex,  almost 
no  trace  of  interantennal  mark,  a  few  irregular  spots  on  vertex;  palpi 
and  antennae  pale,  latter  dark  at  tip.  Pronotum  reddish  gray,  traces 
of  marks  each  side  near  middle,  and  a  dark  streak  on  each  side;  rest 
of  notum  reddish  gray,  with  many  small  dark  spots  or  streaks;  pleura' 
pale,  with  two  broken  dark  stripes ;  legs  pale,  femora  and  tibiae  dotted 
with  brown,  latter  dark  at  tips,  bristles  black;  abdomen  reddish  gray, 
each  segment  with  a  large  black  spot  above,  usually  near  tip,  hair 
short,  white. 

Wings  with  no  large  marks,  brown  spot  at  base  of  stigma,  at  rhegma, 
and  a  prominent  black  spot  at  base;  longitudinal  veins  pale,  marked 
with  brown,  cross-veins  almost  wholly  dark,  in  many  cases  very 
narrowly  margined;  hind-wings  unmarked  except  faint  spot  at  rhegma, 
veins  pale,  with  few  dark  spots.  In  fore-wings  six  cross-veins  before 
radial  sector,  none  crossed,  about  eight  branches  of  radial  sector,  no 
cubitals  crossed ;  in  hind-wings  cubital  area  fairly  broad,  with  two  or 
three  series  of  cross-veins.  Spurs  more  curved  than  in  macer,  front- 
spurs  equal  nearly  two  and  one  half  joints,  hind-spurs  almost  equal 
two  joints;  basal  joint  of  front-tarsus  but  little  more  than  one  half  of 
the  apical,  basal  joint  of  hind-tarsus  about  two  thirds  of  apical. 

Length  fore-wing  24  to  27  mm.,  width  6.3  to  7.5  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  22  to  25  mm.,  width  5  to  6  mm. 

Length  abdomen  14  to  15  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  Utah:  St.  George,  June  (Types). 


72  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 


M'illMELEONINAE. 

This,  the  most  specialized  subfamily,  is  readily  separable  into  two 
tribes,  each  of  which  is  found  in  all  the  regions  of  the  world. 

1.  Claws  much  curved  or  bent;  thorax  above  and  on  pleura,  as  well  as  the 
legs  with  very  long,  mostly  white  hair,  hair  on  legs  much  longer  than  the 
black  bristles;  the  sense-hair  at  base  beneath  of  femur  as  long  as  femur; 
body  rather  stout;  basal  tarsal  joint  as  broad  as  long.  . .  .Acanihaclisini. 
Claws  scarcely  curved,  rarely  longer  than  the  basal  joint;  hair  on  thorax 
and  legs  short,  that  on  legs  much  shorter  than  the  black  bristles;  the 
sense-hair  at  base  of  femur  beneath  (when  present)  never  as  long  as  the 
femur;  body  rather  slender;  basal  tarsal  joint  much  longer  than  broad. 

Myrmeleonini. 

Myrmeleonini. 

Of  this  the  typical  group  only,  the  typical  genus,  Myrmeleon,  occurs 
in  the  Nearctic  fauna. 

Myrmeleon  Linne. 
Syst.  nat.,  1767,  ed.  12, 1,  pt.  2,  p.  913. 

Second  anal  vein  of  fore-wing  as  given  for  subfamily;  in  hind-wing 
at  least  four  or  five  cross-veins  before  radial  sector;  antennae  widely 
separated  at  base;  radial  sector  in  both  pairs  beyond  cubital  fork,  but 
sometimes  not  so  much  so  in  fore-wings;  a  single  series  of  costal  cells; 
Banksian  line  indistinct  or  absent;  intercubital  line  usually  distinct; 
apical  field  with  some  cross-veins;  in  fore-wing  the  cubitus  shows  at 
base  a  branch  which  runs  parallel  to  the  first  anal  for  a  short  distance, 
and  is  connected  to  cubitus  by  one  cross-vein.  In  hind-wing  the  third 
anal  at  base  runs  close  to  the  second  and  typically  (forviicarius  and  im- 
viaculafus)  is  forked,  but  in  most  Nearctic  species  it  is  simple.  Legs 
short;  fifth  tarsal  joint  plainly  longer  than  first;  the  spurs  about  equal 
to  the  first  joint. 

The  abdomen  of  male  is  not  longer  than  in  female;  in  both  sexes  the 
last  segment  is  very  short,  and  in  the  male  the  next  to  last  segment  is 
shorter  than  in  the  female. 

Type. —  M.  forvncarivs  Linne.   Europe. 

There  are  six  good  and  one  doubtful  Nearctic  species. 

1.  Cross-veins  between  radius  and  radial  sector  reduced  in  number  so  that 
some  of  these  cells  are  very  much  longer  than  the  normal  cells  behind 
them;  first  anal  vein  ends  nearly  as  far  out  as  origin  of  radial  sector, 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.         73 

three  connections  between  this  anal  and  the  cubital  fork;  second  anal 
usually  connected  to  first  branch  of  first  anal;  third  anal  vein  of  hind- 
wings  forked ;  large  species immaculatus. 

Cross-veins  between  radius  and  radial  sector  normal,  the  cells  about  same 
size  as  other  cells  near  by;  third  anal  of  hind-wings  simple 2 

2.  Wings  with  veins  unmarked;  a  yellow  stripe  through  bases  of  wings;  pro- 

notum  with  a  broad  median  dark  stripe,  sides  broadly  pale;  legs  reddish, 

mostly  unmarked;  upper  half  of  clypeus  black texanus. 

Wings  more  or  less  dotted  or  spotted  on  the  veins;  pronotum  more  dark 
than  pale 3 

3.  Radial  sector  almost  as  far  basad  as  the  cubital  fork;  three  or  four  connec- 

tions between  anal  and  cubital  fork;  no  black  on  the  clypeus;  lateral 
margin  of  pronotum  at  least  partly  dark;  tarsi  partly  pale;  a  pale  spot  on 

each  lateral  lobe  of  the  metanotum mobilis. 

Radial  sector  much  beyond  cubital  fork;  usually  black  marks  on  the  cly- 
peus   4 

4.  A  fairly  broad  stripe  of  clear  yellow  along  outer  margin  of  pronotum  back 

through  bases  of  the  wings,  so  that  the  upper  edges  of  pleura  are  yellow; 
tarsi  almost  wholly  black ;  three  or  four  connections  from  anal  to  cubital 

fork heriocles. 

No  such  yellow  stripe;  the  posterior  corners  of  pronotum  dark  or  at  least 
dark  in  front  of  base  of  fore-wings;  usually  but  two  cross- veins  between 
anal  and  cubital  fork 5 

5.  No  dark  on  clypeus;  posterior  part  of  mesonotum  pale diversus. 

Clypeus  with  dark ;  mesonotum  all  dark 6 

6.  Vertex  all  dark;  tarsi  mostly  dark;  usually  two  rows  of  gradates  in  the 

apical  area;  last  joint  of  labial  palpi  not  greatly  swollen,  and  with  rather 

long  point crudelis. 

Vertex  spotted  with  pale;  tarsi  marked  with  pale;  usually  but  one  row  of 
gradates  in  the  apical  area;  last  joint  of  labial  palpi  greatly  swollen  and 
with  short  point rusticus. 

A  natural  grouping  of  the  Nearctic  species  would  be  as  follows:  — 

a.     Pronotum  about  twice  as  broad  as  long;  usually  three  or  four  connections 
between  first  anal  vein  and  cubital  fork,  large  species. 

b.     Some  hair  on  pronotum  black immaculatus  and  mobilis. 

bb.     All  hair  on  pronotum  white;  more  than  four  cross- veins  before 

radial  sector  in  hind-wing heriocles. 

aa.     Pronotum  but  little  broader  than  long  in  the  middle;  smaller  species; 
usually  but  two  connections  between  first  anal  vein  and  cubital  fork. 

c.     Vertex  wholly  dark crudelis  and  texanus. 

cc.    Vertex  maculate rusticus  and  diversus. 


74  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Myrmeleon  immaculatus  DeGeer. 
Plate  2,  fig.  36. 
Myrmeleon  immaculatus  DeGeer,  Mem.,  1773,  3,  p.  364,  pi.  27,  fig.  8. 

Face  shining  chirk  brown  or  blackish,  sides  near  eyes  and  the  clypeus 
pale  yellowish,  above  the  antennae  dull  blackish;  vertex  dark,  with  the 
transverse  spots  shining;  pronotum  dull  black,  the  lateral  anterior 
corners  pale,  two  pale  spots  in  front-part,  and  behind  two  farther  apart 
and  more  indistinct;  rest  of  the  notuni  black,  the  margins  narrowly 
pale;  the  pleura  black;  legs  pale,  femora  and  til)iae  more  or  less  dotted, 
and  dark  at  tips,  the  tibiae  also  dark  near  base,  and  on  under  side, 
tarsi  mostly  dark,  but  pale  on  bases  of  first  and  fifth  joints,  bristles 
black.  Abdomen  dark,  sometimes  pale  spots  at  bases  of  segments 
above,  hair  mostly  white,  but  in  the  female  the  last  segment  and  tips 
of  others  above  with  short  black  hair. 

Wings  unmarked,  stigma  pale,  venation  with  many  dark  spots  and 
streaks. 

Last  joint  of  labial  palpi  moderately  enlarged;  a  shallow,  rounded 
impression  in  middle  of  face  below  antennae;  pronotum  twice  as  broad 
as  long.  In  the  fore-wing  the  cross-veins  between  radius  and  radial 
sector  are  reduced  in  number  so  that  some  of  these  cells  are  elongated; 
in  middle  of  wing  is  a  faint  beginning  of  the  Banksian  line;  the  inter- 
cu})ital  line  (in  middle  part)  as  near  (or  almost  so)  to  hind  margin  as 
to  the  cubitus;  the  radial  sector  much  beyond  cubital  fork,  about 
opposite  the  end  of  the  first  anal  vein,  about  eight  cross-veins  before  it; 
the  second  anal  is  connected  to  the  first  branch  of  the  first  anal  vein; 
three  or  four  connections  l)etween  first  anal  and  cubital  fork;  scattered 
cross-veins  in  apical  fichl.  In  hind-wing  the  intercubital  much  nearer 
cubitus  than  to  margin;  the  anal  tends  to  run  into  the  cubital  fork; 
the  third  anal  vein  is  forked. 

In  the  variety  orcidcntnlis,  there  are  (hirk  marks  between  subcosta 
and  radius,  and  these  may  be  extended  I)ack  over  .some  of  the  radial 
cross-veins.  However  not  all  western  specimens  are  thus  marked,  and 
sometimes  eastern  specimens  are  marked. 

Length  fore-wing  22  to  86  mm.,  width  5.S  to  8  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  20  to  34  mm.,  width  5  to  6.8  mm. 

Length  abdomen  18  to  22  mm. 

Occurs  practically  all  over  the  Ignited  States  reaching  into  Canada 
in  various  places;  more  common  in  Southwest  than  elsewhere.  Speci- 
mens examined  are  from  the  following  states:  —  N.  H.,  N.  Y.,  Md., 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.  75 

Mich.,  Va.,  N.  C,  Colo.,  N.  M.,  x\riz.,  Utah,  Nev.,  Wash.,  Ore.  and 
Cahf.  Also  from  B.  Col.,  and  have  seen  specimens  from  Pa.,  Wyo., 
N.  J.,  Okla.,  Ohio,  and  Fla. 

Recorded  by  Currie  from  Illinois  and  Louisiana. 

Myrmeleon  mobilis  Hagen. 
Can.  ent.,  1888,  20,  p.  204. 

Marks  of  face  and  vertex  very  much  as  in  immaculatus,  the  clypeus 
unmarked,  pronotum  with  more  pale,  the  pale  spots  larger  and  more 
or  less  connected,  metanotum  with  two  pale  spots  above,  pleura  some- 
what spotted  with  pale,  legs  less  dotted  than  in  immaculatus,  femora 
with  apical  marks,  tibia  with  subbasal  and  apical  spots,  and  the  tarsi 
more  pale,  bristles  black.  Abdomen  brown,  with  white  hair,  under-side 
of  last  segments  of  female  with  short  black  hair,  at  least  in  apical  part. 
Wings  unmarked,  stigma  pale,  veins  marked  as  in  ivimaculatns;  the 
cells  between  radius  and  radial  sector  numerous  and  fairly  short ;  inter- 
cubital  line  distinct,  much  nearer  to  cubitus  than  to  margin.  Radial 
sector  farther  basad  than  in  immaculatus,  only  a  little  beyond  the 
cubital  fork,  about  seven  cross-veins  before  it;  second  anal  usually 
connected  to  first  branch  of  the  first  anal;  three  or  four  connections 
between  first  anal  and  the  cubital  fork;  about  eleven  branches  to 
radial  sector;  scattered  cross-veins  in  apical  field.  In  hind-wing  the 
intercubital  line  is  distinct,  with  only  one  row  of  cells  between  it  and 
the  cubitus;  third  anal  vein  not  forked.  Face,  pronotum,  and  legs  as  in 
im,maculatu^.  The  measurements  are  similar  to  those  of  M.  ivmiacu- 
latvs. 

The  type  is  from  Savannah,  Ga.  (Winthem  coll.). 

Hagen  received  several  specimens  from  Alabama,  and  I  have  one 
from  Bainbridge,  Ga.,  September. 

Though  generally  confused  with  immaculatus,  the  numerous  cross- 
veins  between  radius  and  radial  sector,  and  the  simple  third  anal  vein 
in  hind-wings,  as  well  as  color-marks,  will  separate  it. 

Myrmeleon  heriocles  Banks. 
Proc.  Acad.  nat.  sci.  Phil.,  1914,  p.  619. 

Face  rich  dark  brown;  clypeus  pale,  with  two  dark  spots,  last  joint 
of  labial  palpi  black,  above  antennae  and  the  vertex  dark  brown,  but 
vertex  usually  a  little  paler  than  face ;  basal  joints  of  antennae  more  or 
less  pale,  rest  black;  pronotum  dark,  lateral  margins  pale,  three  spots 


76  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology, 

in  front,  the  lateral  ones  connected  to  pale  margin,  and  two  less  dis- 
tinct behind;  rest  of  notum  and  the  pleura  dark,  the  yellow  of  the  sides 
of  pronotum  is  continued  back  through  the  bases  of  the  wing,  so  that 
the  upper  edge  of  pleura  is  yellow  and  also  the  connecting  parts  at  base 
of  the  wings;  hair  on  thorax  white.  Femora  more  or  less  infuscate  in 
the  middle,  pale  at  ends,  under-side  and  tips  of  ti})iae  dark,  and  tarsi 
almost  wholly  black,  bristles  black.  Abdomen  dull  blackish,  with 
white  hair,  in  the  female  the  last  two  segments  with  short  black  hair. 
Wings  unmarked,  stigma  pale;  venation  dotted  with  dark,  with  longer 
spots  on  main  veins.  No  broad  impression  on  face;  pronotum  about 
twice  as  broad  as  long.  Wings  with  radial  sector  much  beyond  the 
cubital  fork,  about  ten  cross-veins  before  it,  in  hind-wings  from  five  to 
eight  veins  before  radial  sector;  the  intercubital  line  distinct,  much 
nearer  to  cubitus  than  margin;  three  or  four  connections  between  the 
first  anal  and  the  cubital  fork;  second  anal  often  connected  to  the  first 
branch  of  the  first  anal;  about  eleven  branches  of  the  radial  sector, 
scattered  cross-veins  in  apical  field;  in  hind-wing  the  third  anal  is  not 
forked. 

Length  fore-wing  31  to  36  mm.,  width  7.3  to  8.6  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  29  to  34  mm.,  width  6  to  7  mm. 

Length  abdomen  22  to  23  mm. 

Sj)ccimc7is  examined. —  N.  C:  Southern  Pines,  May  (Type).  Fla.: 
Crescent  City.    N.  J.:  Lakehurst  (Brooklyn  mus.). 

Myrmeleon  TEXAN  us  Banks. 
Plate  4,  fig.  8L 
Myrmeleon  iexanum  Banks,  Ent.  news,  1900, 11,  p.  596. 

Face  reddislj  brown,  extending  down  on  upper  part  of  clypeus,  rest 
of  clypeus  and  sides  of  face  near  eyes  pale  yellow,  above  antennae  dull 
reddish,  vertex  more  shining  reddish;  last  joint  of  labial  palpi  pale. 
Pronotum  pale  yellow,  with  a  median  l^rown  stripe,  about  twice  as 
broad  behind  as  in  front;  rest  of  notum  and  the  pleura  a  dull  reddish 
brown ;  base  of  wings  yellowish ;  all  hair  on  thorax  white.  Legs  reddish ; 
the  tibiae  more  yellow  on  upper  sides;  bristles  black;  abdomen  dull 
brown,  with  white  hair,  in  the  female  the  last  segments  with  short 
black  hair. 

Venation  of  wings  pale  yellowish,  unmarked.  Last  joint  of  labial 
palpi  but  little  swollen;  pronotum  but  little  broader  than  long  in  the 
middle.    In  both  wings  the  radial  sector  is  beyond  the  end  of  anal,  in 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.         77 

fore-wings  about  ten,  and  in  hind-wings  four  cross-veins  before  radial 
sector;  about  twelve  branches  to  radial  sector;  intercubital  line  dis- 
tinct, two  or  three  cells  from  the  cubitus;  in  hind-wing  the  intercubital 
line  less  distinct,  irregular;  in  fore-wing  two  or  three  connections  from 
first  anal  to  cubital  fork;  second  anal  not  connected  to  first  branch  of 
first  anal;  scattered  cross-veins  in  apical  field;  in  hind-wings  the  third 
anal  not  forked.  In  all  of  the  few  specimens  seen  the  fork  of  the  median 
in  the  fore-wings  ends  before  the  cubital  fork  (rarely  so  in  any  other 
species). 

Length  fore-wing  27  mm.,  width  7  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  25  mm.,  width  5.3  mm. 

Length  abdomen  20  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  Tex.:  Galveston,  June  (Type);  Austin. 

Myrmeleon  crudelis  Walker. 
Plate  2,  fig.  37. 
Myrmeleon  crudelis  Walker,  Cat.  Neur.  Brit,  mus.,  1853,  pt.  2,  p.  388. 

Face  shining  brown  or  blackish;  clypeus  with  two  dark  spots;  vertex 
more  or  less  reddish  brown.  Pronotum  narrowly  pale  on  the  sides,  and 
more  or  less  in  front  and  each  side  near  middle,  but  quite  variable, 
always  dark  in  middle  and  a  dark  stripe  each  side  to  the  furrow,  but 
these  not  sharply  defined  and  sometimes  confluent  into  one  large  dark 
middle  area;  clothed  with  white  hair;  rest  of  notum  dark,  scutelli 
narrowly  bordered  behind  with  pale;  pleura  dark,  with  two  or  three 
small  pale  spots.  Femora  broadly  dark  toward  tip,  tibiae  near  base, 
beneath,  and  at  tip,  tarsi  almost  wholly  dark,  bristles  black.  Abdo- 
men dull  brown,  tips  of  several  segments  above  pale,  hair  white,  in 
female  last  ventral  with  black  hair.  Venation  pale,  mostly  dotted, 
but  some  of  the  principal  veins  with  larger  spots  or  streaks.  Last 
joint  of  labial  palpi  moderately  swollen;  pronotum  as  long  in  middle 
as  broad.  In  fore-wings  about  seven  cross-veins  before  radial  sector, 
four  in  hind-wings;  ten  to  eleven  branches  of  the  radial  sector;  in  fore- 
wings  first  anal  is  connected  to  cubital  fork  two  (sometimes  three) 
times;  second  anal  rarely  connected  to  first  branch  of  first  anal;  scat- 
tered cross-veins  in  apical  field,  intercubital  line  much  nearer  to  cubitus 
than  to  margin;  in  hind-wings  the  third  anal  vein  is  not  forked;  the 
intercubital  line  not  distinct,  broken  by  cells;  in  both  wings  the  radial 
sector  is  much  beyond  the  cubital  fork. 

Length  fore-wing  22  to  29  mm.,  width  4.9  to  7  mm. 


78  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Length  hiiul-wing  20  to  27  mm.,  width  4.2  to  5.8  mm. 

Length  iihdomen  16  to  20  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  Va.:  Cape  Henry,  July;  Virginia  Beach. 
N.  C:  Southern  Pines,  May.  Ga. :  Millen,  July.  Fla. :  St.  Augustine; 
Biscayne  Bay;  Crescent  City;  Capron;  Enterprise;  and  Lee  Co.  Tex.: 
Brazos  Co.;  Laredo;  San  Antonio;  Brownsville.  Also  Lakehurst, 
New  Jersey  (Davis  coll.),  Beaufort,  Raleigh,  North  Carolina  (N.  Car. 
state  coll.),  Sandy  Hook,  New  York,  Florida  (Amer.  mus.  nat.  hist.); 
St.  Simon's  Island,  (Georgia  (Cornell  univ.),  Brownsville,  Texas 
(Brooklyn  mus.,  Snow  coll.),  Riverton,  New  Jersey  (Johnson). 


Myrmeleon  rusticus  Hagen. 
Synop.,  1861,  p.  233. 

Face  shining  dark  brown  or  black,  the  clypeus  with  two  large  dark 
spots;  vertex  reddish  brown  or  black  on  the  vertex  rows;  between  with 
yellow  spots,  thus  a  yellow  spot  each  side  by  eye,  which  normally  is 
connected  to  a  yellow  spot  between  the  inner  and  outer  dark  spots  of 
first  vertex  row  (but  absent  in  the  Type)  ;  two  gray  spots  behind  near 
middle,  and  a  yellowish  spot  each  side  on  the  occiput.  Pronotum  with 
the  lateral  margin  pale,  a  median  spot  in  front,  one  each  side,  and  a 
pair  behind,  sometimes  these  spots  are  connected;  rest  of  notum  dark, 
usually  a  pale  median  spot  on  the  base  of  metanotum;  pleura  dark, 
with  a  few  pale  spots;  hair  of  thorax  white.  Femora  usually  dark 
only  near  the  tip,  tibiae  near  base  and  at  tip,  often  (especially  in  hind- 
tibia)  with  a  streak  below;  tarsi  mostly  pale;  bristles  black.  Abdomen 
brown  or  black,  tips  of  some  of  the  segments  usually  pale  above;  hair 
white,  in  the  female  that  on  the  last  ventral  black.  Wings  with  pale 
venation,  dotted  with  dark,  spotted  on  the  larger  veins,  in  more  fully 
colored  specimens  than  the  Type  some  of  the  cross-veins  are  largely 
or  wholly  dark.  Structure  similar  to  M.  crudclis,  but  the  last  joint 
of  the  labial  palpi  is  more  enlarged;  the  pronotum  is  broader,  being 
plainly  broader  than  long  in  the  middle.  Wings  also  similar  to  M. 
crudelis,  but  in  the  apical  field  there  is  a  single  series  of  gradate  cross- 
veins. 

Length  fore-wing  25  to  29  mm.,  width  6  to  7.4  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  23  to  27  mm.,  width  5.2  to  G.2  mm. 

Length  abdomen  18  to  19  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  Tex.:  Pecos  River  (Type).  N.  M. :  Mesilla, 
June.    Ariz.:  Nogales,  June;  Phoenix,  September.    Utah:  St.  George, 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.         79 

June;  Lion's  Canyon,  June;  Coal  Creek,  Iron  Co.,  June.    Calif.:  Clare- 
niont;  Coronado  Beach. 

The  type  of  rusticus  is  rather  larger  and  not  as  fully  colored  as  the 
forms  I  described  as  distans  and  agriope.  The  red-brown  of  rusticus 
is  black  in  the  latter  forms.   However  I  consider  them  all  one  species. 

Myrmeleon  diversus  Hagen. 
6th  rept.  U.  S.  G.  S.  territ.,  1873,  p.  729. 

The  single  type  from  the  Yellowstone  agrees  in  general  with  M. 
rusticus,  but  is  rather  smaller,  with  the  wings  faintly  marked.  The 
vertex  spots  are  the  same  as  in  rusticus,  but  the  large  spot  on  face  does 
not  reach  the  clypeus,  and  there  is  no  dark  on  clypeus.  The  pronotum 
is  almost  wholly  pale,  with  a  dark  stripe  on  each  side;  the  posterior 
part  of  the  mesonotum  is  pale,  and  there  are  pale  spots  on  the  sides  of 
the  anterior  lobe,  and  the  metascutellum  is  also  partly  pale.  The  last 
joint  of  the  labial  palpi  is  as  in  M.  rusticus.  Probably  it  is  but  an 
aberrant  specimen  of  that  species. 

Length  fore-wing  24  mm.,  width  6  mm. 

The  length  hind-wing  22  mm.,  width  5.2  mm. 

Length  abdomen  18  mm. 

Acanthaclisini. 

Three  genera  are  separated  as  follows :  — 

1.  Fore-wings  with  but  one  series  of  costal  cells;  apical  field  scarcely  widened 

beyond  the  stigma;  last  joint  of  labial  palpi  scarcely  pedicellate;  the 

spurs  bent  at  an  angle  (Plate  2,  fig.  46) Paranthaclisis. 

Fore-wings  with  two  series  of  costal  cells  for  most  of  the  length ;  apical  field 
plainly  widened  beyond  stigma;  last  joint  of  labial  palpi  long  pedicellate; 
spurs  simply  curved,  not  bent  at  angle  (Plate  2,  fig.  47) 2 

2.  Hind-wings  with  a  distinct  Banksian  line Heoclisis. 

Hind-wings  without  a  Banksian  line Vella. 

Paranthaclisis  Banks. 
Ent.  news.,  1907,  18,  p.  275. 

Antennae  fully  diameter  of  basal  joint  apart ;  spurs  strongly  bent  at 
an  angle,  and  before  the  angle  swollen  on  inner  side,  equal  to  three 
tarsal  joints;  last  joint  of  labial  palpi  not  pedicellate;  pronotum  much 
broader  than  long,  and  much  broader  behind  than  in  front;  abdomen 


80  BULLETIN:   MUSEUM   OF   COMPARATIVE   ZOOLOGY. 

much  shorter  than  wings;  wings  fairly  l)roa(l,  costal  area  simple,  and 
beyond  the  stigma  the  area  is  but  little  widened,  Banksian  and  inter- 
cubital  lines  fairly  distinct  in  both  pairs;  cross-veins  before  radial 
sector  rarely  crossed;  in  fore-wings  the  third  anal  is  usually  forked,  the 
second  usually  not  forked  but  connected  to  first  branch  of  the  first  anal. 

Type. —  P.  congener  (Hagen). 

Two  species  are  readily  separated  as  follows:  — 

1 .  Many  cross- veins  slightly  margined  with  dark,  so  the  wings  appear  spotted ; 
vertex  spots  dull  black;  several  abdominal  segments  marked  with 
pale   at    tip;    male   appendages   rather    longer   than     height  of   last 

segment congener. 

Cross-veins  not  margined;  spots  of  vertex  shining  black;  abdominal  seg- 
ments at  most  faintly  pale  margined;  male  appendages  rather  shorter 
than  the  height  of  last  segment hageni. 

Paranthaclisis  congener  (Hagen). 
Acanlhaclisis  congener  Hagen,  Synop.,  1861,  p.  224. 

Face  yellowish;  palpi  pale;  lower  part  of  antennae  pale,  then  annu- 
late, and  tip  dark;  vertex  with  large  spot  each  side  and  median  stripe 
dull  black;  pronotum  dull  black,  four  pale  spots  in  front,  the  laterals 
more  or  less  continued  behind,  two  broad  pale  spots  on  the  posterior 
border,  and  usually  a  minute  pale  dot  in  the  middle  of  the  black;  rest 
of  notum  black,  much  spotted  with  pale,  anterior  lobe  pale  each  side, 
mesoscutellum  with  pale  spot  each  side  behind ;  pleura  mostly  dark,  a 
few  pale  spots;  femora  and  much  of  tibiae  dark  above,  latter  usually 
pale  at  base  and  tip,  tarsi  mostly  dark,  except  last  joint,  sometimes 
legs  largely  or  wholly  pale;  hair  on  pleura  and  legs  almost  wholly  white, 
some  bristles  on  legs  black;  the  metanotum  has  hair  all  white,  but 
meso-  and  pronotum  with  much  black  hair  through  middle,  white  on 
sides.  Abdomen  dull  black,  two  or  three  segments  near  tip  with  pale 
spot  abo\e ;  hair  short,  white,  but  in  female  the  last  few  segments  with 
much  black  hair. 

The  longitudinal  veins  of  the  wings  with  dark  streaks,  many  cross- 
veins  wholly  dark  and  more  or  less  margined  with  l)rown,  so  that  the 
whole  wing  appears  rather  evenly  spotted;  hind-wings  mostly  un- 
marked, the  veins  being  partly  dark.  About  seven  cross-veins  before 
radial  sector  in  the  fore-wing,  about  six  in  hind-wing;  nine  branches  to 
radial  sector;  usually  a  few  cubitals  connected;  apical  field  with  one 
row  of  cross-veins.  Male  appendages  fully  as  long  as  height  of  the  last 
segment;  in  the  female  the  lower  appendages  are  pale. 

Length  fore-wing  32  to  37  mm.,  width  9  to  11  mm. 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.         81 

Length  hind-wing  30  to  35  mm.,  width  7.5  to  9  mm. 

Length  abdomen  25  to  27  mm. 

Speciviens  examined. —  Cahf. :  San  Bernardino,  July.  Ariz.:  Jerome, 
June;  Verde  River.  Utah:  Hurricane;  Ore.  Wash.:  Ainsworth,  July; 
Yakima  River,  July.  Also  Arizona  (x\mer.  mus.  nat.  hist.),  Nogales, 
Arizona  (Cornell  univ.).  Las  Cruces,  New  Mexico  (N.  M.  agric.  coll.). 

Paranthaclisis  hageni  (Banks). 
Acanthaclisis  hageni  Banks,  Ent.  news,  1899,  10,  p.  170. 

Face  and  palpi  yellowish;  antennae  rather  faintly  annulate,  tip 
dark;  vertex  with  the  spots  deep  shining  black,  with  white  hair  be- 
tween them;  pronotum  black,  with  four  pale  spots  in  front,  the  inner 
pair  more  separated  than  in  congener,  each  side  behind  with  a  large 
pale  spot,  and  two  on  the  posterior  border;  rest  of  notum  spotted 
much  as  in  congener;  pleura  dark,  scarcely  spotted;  femora  mostly 
brownish,  often  darker  above,  tibiae  also  brownish,  more  evenly 
colored  than  in  congener,  tarsi  black,  hair  on  pleura  and  legs  white, 
that  on  hind-legs  less  prominent,  and  with  many  black  bristles ;  notum 
with  white  hair  on  the  metanotum,  that  on  middle  area  of  pro-  and 
mesonotum  with  much  black  hair  mixed  with  the  white.  Abdomen 
black,  unmarked,  with  very  short  white  hair,  in  the  female  the  last 
segments  with  mostly  black  hair.  Venation  of  wings  interruptedly 
black  and  whitish,  many  cross-veins  wholly  black,  but  not  margined ; 
about  eight  cross-veins  before  radial  sector  in  the  fore-wings,  in  hind- 
wings  about  six,  about  ten  branches  to  the  radial  sector,  usually  two 
or  three  cubitals  connected,  one  row  of  cross-veins  in  apical  field. 
Male  appendages  parallel,  shorter  than  height  of  the  last  segment;  in 
female  the  lower  appendages  are  black. 

Length  fore-wing  35  to  37  mm.,  width  9  to  10  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  32  to  35  mm.,  width  8  to  8.5  mm. 

Length  abdomen  22  to  24  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  Ariz.:  Phoenix  (Type);  Safford.  N.  M. : 
Albuquerque,  August.  Tex.:  Pecos,  July.  Also  Kansas  (Snow  coll.), 
Santa  Fe  and  Albuquerque,  New  Mexico  (Cornell  univ.),  Mesilla,  New 
Mexico  (N.  Mex.  agric.  coll.),  Brownsville,  Texas  (Brooklyn  mus.). 

Hegclisis  Navas. 

Mem.  Pont.  acad.  Rom.  nuovi  Lincei,  1923,  ser.  2,  6,  p.  12. 

Antennae  almost  diameter  of  basal  joint  apart;  last  joint  of  labial 
palpi  long  pedicellate;  spurs  curved,  about  equal  to  three  tarsal  joints; 
pronotum  about  as  long  in  middle  as  broad  in  front,  but  broader 


82  bulletin:  museum  of  compakative  zoology. 

behind;  abdomen  in  both  sexes  much  shorter  than  wings.  Fore-wings 
with  double  costal  series  to  near  base,  at  least  to  origin  of  radial  sector; 
beyond  the  stigma  the  area  is  much  widened;  the  Banksian  and  inter- 
cubital  lines  distinct  in  both  pairs;  second  anal  vein  not  forked,  but 
connected  to  first  branch  of  the  first  anal  vein,  third  anal  forked. 
Usually  some  cubitals  and  some  cross-veins  before  the  radial  sector 
in  fore-wings  are  crossed. 

Type. —  Il.fundata  (Walker).   x\ustralia. 

Acanthuclms  americana  cannot  remain  in  the  typical  genus  if  the 
group  is  divided  into  several  genera,  as  is  now  generally  accepted;  it 
agrees  well  in  with  Heoclisis  which  occurs  in  Asia  and  Australia. 

Hegclisis  AMERICANA  (Drury). 
Plate  2,  fig.  47. 
Myrmeleon  americanum  Drury,  Ins.,  1770, 1,  p.  Ill,  pi.  46,  fig.  4. 

Face  yellowisli;  last  joint  of  labial  palpi  mostly  black;  antennae 
scarcely  annulate;  front  and  vertex  black,  latter  partly  shining,  a  pair 
of  faint  pale  submedian  lines  behind;  pronotum  gray,  a  basal  median 
black  stripe,  and  the  lateral  margins  black;  rest  of  notum  black,  with 
some  gray  areas,  especially  each  side  of  mesoscutellum ;  pleura  mostly 
gray,  with  black,  and  pale  spots;  femora  brownish,  tibia  also,  but 
banded  with  pale,  tarsi  black;  long  hair  on  legs,  pleura,  and  metanotum 
white,  on  pronotum  and  mesonotum  with  black  hair  medially.  Abdo- 
men black,  unmarked,  white  hair  near  base,  black  toward  tip.  Vena- 
tion black  and  pale  in  patches,  the  radius  and  subcosta  with  many 
dark  spots,  and  the  space  between  largely  black,  space  between  medius 
and  cubitus  also  mostly  dark,  beyond  the  rhegma  two  dark  sj)ots  and  a 
streak  in  the  apex  of  wing,  another  about  middle  near  hind-margin, 
and  a  spot  at  end  of  anal  vein;  some  of  the  marginal  forks  are  clouded; 
the  cross-vein  often  wholly  dark,  but  not  margined;  hind-wings  with 
spot  at  rhegma,  and  the  veins  partly  black. 

Last  joint  of  labial  palpi  long,  pedicellate;  antennae  shorter  than 
head  and  thorax,  not  very  strongly  clavate;  abdomen  much  shorter 
than  wings,  male  appendages  longer  than  height  of  last  segment, 
subparallel. 

Fore-wings  with  double  costal  series  to  origin  of  radial  sector;  apical 
field  with  one  row  of  cross-veins,  about  eleven  cross-veins  before  radial 
sector  in  fore-wings,  seven  in  hind-wings,  ten  branches  to  radial  sector, 
usually  some  cubitals  crossed,  along  the  Banksian  line  are  some  hyaline 
dots  on  the  cross-veins. 


banks:  revision  of  the  nearctic  myrmeleonidae.         83 

Length  fore-wing  52  to  60  mm.,  width  13  to  16  mm. 

Length  hind-wing  49  to  57  mm.,  width  11  to  13.5  mm. 

Length  abdomen  32  mm. 

Specimens  examined. —  N.  C:  Newbern;  Beaufort,  September; 
Southern  Pines,  July,  August.  Ga.:  Millen.  Also  Virginia,  Norfolk 
(Chittenden).  Florida  (x\cad.  nat.  sci.  Phil.). 

Vella  Navas. 
Broteria,  1913,  11,  p.  46. 

Antennae  diameter  of  basal  joint  apart;  last  joint  of  labial  palpi 
long  pedicellate;  spurs  curved,  about  equal  to  three  tarsal  joints; 
pronotum  broader  than  long,  narrowed  in  front;  abdomen  of  both 
sexes  much  shorter  than  the  wings.  Fore-wings  with  a  double  series  of 
costal  cells  for  usually  more  than  one  half-way  to  base;  apical  field 
much  broadened  beyond  stigma;  the  Banksian  and  intercubital  lines 
distinct  in  fore-wings,  in  hind-wings  no  sign  of  the  Banksian  line,  the 
intercubital  distinct;  in  fore-wings  the  second  anal  vein  usually  not 
forked,  the  third  forked,  the  second  connected  to  first  branch  of  first 
anal.  Usually  some  cubitals  and  some  cross-veins  before  radial  sector 
crossed. 

Type. —  V.fallax  (Rambur). 

Our  three  forms  are  closely  related  and  may  prove  with  more  ma- 
terial to  be  but  one  variable  species ;  they  are  separated  as  below :  • — 

1.  Pronotum  with  a  median  dark  stripe,  and  the  lateral  margin  dark,  pale 

between ;  the  abdomen  mostly  pale 2 

Pronotum  with  median  and  marginal  stripes  and  also  one  each  side  be- 
tween them;  abdomen  mostly  dark;  space  between  the  radius  and  sub- 
costa  mostly  dark hesperus. 

2.  The  mesoscutellum  largely  dark;  venation  very  dense;  space  between  sub- 

costa  and  radius  little  if  any  marked;  male  appendages  shorter.  .  .fallax. 

The  mesoscutellum  pale  with  middle  stripe;  venation  more  open;  space 

between  the  subcosta  and  radius  heavily  marked;  male  appendages 

longer    texana. 

Of  V.  texana  I  have  seen  only  the  types,  of  hesperus  only  the  three 
original  specimens,  and  of  fallax  several  from  Mexico,  but  only  one 
specimen  from  the  United  States.  V.  texana  is  the  most  heavily  spotted, 
while  hesperus  has  more  evenly  dark  front-wings,  fallax  more  faintly 
and  irregularly  marked.  In  texana  and  hesperus  the  space  between 
the  subcosta  and  radius  is  mostly  dark,  in  fallax  pale,  rarely  a  few  faint 
marks.    In  texana  and  fallax  the  pronotum  has  a  dark  median  stripe 


84  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

containing  a  pale  line  in  front,  and  the  side-margins  dark;  in  hesperus 
there  is  besides  a  dark  stripe  on  each  side  between  the  two.  The  abdo- 
men of  hesperus  is  mostly  black,  with  narrow  pale  stripes;  in  fallax  and 
texana  it  is  mostly  pale,  with  narrow  dark  stripes.  The  male  append- 
ages of  texana  and  hesperus  are  a  little  longer  than  in  fallax,  V.  fallax 
is  more  densely  veined  than  the  others. 

In  all  the  face  is  yellowish,  the  palpi  pale,  the  last  joint  of  labial 
palpi  scarcely  darkened,  the  vertex  dull  black,  the  notum  of  thorax 
black,  with  gray  streaks  and  spots,  the  femora  darkened  above,  the 
tibiae  dark  near  base  and  at  tip. 

The  fore-wings  have  a  double  series  of  costal  cells  rather  more  than 
one  half-way  to  base,  there  are  usually  more  than  ten  cross-veins  before 
the  radial  sector,  often  several  crossed,  about  nine  branches  to  radial 
sector,  the  apical  field  with  two  rows  of  cross-veins;  some  of  the  cubitals 
connected;  the  subcosta  and  radius  closely  dotted  with  black;  in  hind- 
wings  seven  cross-veins  before  radial  sector. 

Vella  texana  (Hagen). 
Acanthaclisis  texana  Hagen,  Can.  ent.,  1887,  19,  p.  147. 

Length  fore-wing  55  mm.,  width  14  nun. 

Length  hind-wing  53  mm.,  width  10  mm. 

Length  abdomen  34  mm. 

The  type  and  others  examined  are  from  Carrizo  Springs,  Texas. 

Vella  fallax  (Rambur). 
Myrmeleon  fallax  Rambur,  Hist.  ins.  N^vr.,  1842,  p.  385. 

The  only  specimen  from  the  United  States  is  from  Phoenix,  Arizona, 
it  is  smaller  than  Mexican  specimens. 
Length  fore-wing  48  mm.,  width  11  mm. 
Length  hind-wing  45  mm.,  width  8  mm. 
Length  abdomen  30  mm. 

Vella  hesperus  (Banks). 
Acanthaclisis  hespera  Banks,  Proc.  Acad.  nat.  sci.  Phil.,  1914,  p.  618. 

Measurements  about  as  in  texanus. 

The  types  are  from  Jemez  Mts.,  N.  Mex.  Another  from  Nogales, 
Arizona,  July  (Cornell  univ.). 


EXPLANATION  OF  PLATES. 


PLATE  1. 


Banks. —  Revision  of  the  Nearctic  Myrmeleonidae. 


Fig. 

1. 

Fig. 

2. 

Fig. 

3. 

Fig. 

4. 

Fig. 

5. 

Fig. 

6. 

Fig. 

7. 

Fig. 

8. 

Fig. 

9. 

Fig. 

10. 

Fig. 

11. 

Fig. 

12. 

Fig. 

13. 

Fig. 

14. 

Fig. 

15. 

Fig. 

16. 

Fig. 

17. 

Fig. 

18. 

Fig. 

19. 

Fig. 

20. 

Fig. 

21. 

Fig. 

22. 

Fig. 

23. 

PLATE  1. 

Hesperoleon  papago,  vertex  and  pronotum. 
Hesperoleon  coquilletti,  vertex  and  pronotum. 
Hesperoleon  yavapai,  vertex  and  pronotum. 
Hesperoleon  irregularis,  vertex  and  pronotum. 
Hesperoleon  abdominalis,  vertex  and  pronotum. 
Hesperoleon  niger,  vertex  and  pronotum. 
Hesperoleon  minusculus,  vertex  and  pronotum. 
Hesperoleon  maculosus,  vertex  and  pronotum. 
Hesperoleon  nigrilabris,  vertex  and  pronotum. 
Hesperoleon  tenuis,  vertex  and  pronotum. 
Hesperoleon  texanus,  vertex  and  pronotum. 
Hesperoleon  sackeni,  vertex  and  pronotum. 
Hesperoleon  hubbardi,  vertex  and  pronotum. 
Hesperoleon  brunncus,  vertex  and  pronotum  variations. 
Brachynemurus  elongatus,  i)ronotum. 
Hesperoleon  douglasi,  pronotum. 
Hesperoleon  ferox,  pronotum. 
Hesperoleon  abdominalis,  pronotum. 
Hesperoleon  assimilis,  pronotum. 
Hesperoleon  carrizonus,  pronotum. 
Netroncurus  carolinus,  pronotum. 
Austroleon  dorsalis,  vertex  and  pronotum. 
Hesperoleon  versutus,  vertex  and  pronotum. 


BULL.  MUS.  COMP.  ZOOL. 


Banks.    Myrmeleonidae.    Plate  1 


HeLIOTiPE    CO.    BOSTON 


PLATE  2. 


Banks. —  Revision  of  the  Nearctic  Myrmeleonidae. 


PLATE  2. 

Fig.  24.  Austroloon  barberi,  vertex  and  pronotum. 

Fig.  25.  Netroneunis  pulchellus,  vertex  and  pronotum. 

Fig.  26.  Eremoleon  nigribasis,  vertex  and  pronotum. 

Fig.  27.  Chaetoleon  pusillus,  vertex  and  pronotum. 

Fig.  28.  Brachynemurus  longicaudus,  vertex  and  pronotum. 

Fig.  29.  Cryptoleon  henshawi,  vertex  and  pronotum. 

Fig.  30.  Clathroneuria  delicatulus,  vertex  and  pronotum. 

Fig.  31.  Eremoleon  maoer,  vertex  and  pronotum. 

Fig.  32.  Psammoleon  minor,  male  appendages. 

Fig.  33.  Psammoleon  bistictus,  male  appendages. 

Fig.  34.  Psammoleon  sinuatus,  male  appendages. 

Fig.  35.  Psammoleon  connexus,  male  appendages. 

Fig.  36.  Myrmeleon  immaculatus,  anal  area  of  hind-wings. 

Fig.  37.  Myrmeleon  crudelis,  anal  area  of  hind-wings. 

Fig.  38.  Psammoleon  guttipcs,  male  appendages. 

Fig.  39.  Eremoleon  macer,  anal  area  of  fore-wing. 

Fig.  40.  Chaetoleon  pumilis,  anal  area  of  fore-wing. 

Fig.  41.  Dendroleon  speciosum,  anal  area  of  fore-wing. 

Fig.  42.  Psammoleon  minor,  spurs. 

Fig.  43.  Psammoleon  guttipes,  spurs. 

Fig.  44.  Psammoleon  connexus,  spurs. 

Fig.  45.  Glenurus  gratus,  anal  area  of  fore-wing. 

Fig.  46.  Paranthaclisis,  spurs  and  labial  palpus. 

Fig.  47.  Heoclisis  americana,  spurs  and  labial  palpus. 


BULL.  MUS.  COMP.  ZOOL. 


Banks.    Myrmeleonidae.    Plate  2 


HELIOTYPE   CO.   BOSTON 


PLATE  3. 


Banks. —  Revision  of  the  Nearctic  Myrmeleonidae. 


PLATE  3. 

Fig.  48.  Hesperoleon  sackeni,  tip  abdomen,  male. 

Fig.  49.  Cryptoleon  nebulosum,  tip  abdomen,  male. 

P'ig.  50.  Cryptoleon  signatum,  tip  abdomen,  male. 

Fig.  51.  Hesperoleon  pallidus,  tip  abdomen,  male. 

Fig.  52.  Hesperoleon  nigrilabris,  tip  abdomen,  male. 

Fig.  53.  Hesperoleon  abdominalis,  tip  abdomen,  male. 

Fig.  54.  Hesperoleon  minusculus,  tip  abdomen,  male. 

Fig.  55.  Cryptoleon  henshawi,  tip  abdomen,  male. 

Fig.  56.  Crjrptoleon  nebulosum,  labial  palpus. 

Pig.  57.  Brachynemurus  elongatus,  tip  abdomen,  male. 

Fig.  58.  Brachynemurus  ramburi,  tip  abdomen,  male. 

Fig.  59.  Hesperoleon  niger,  labial  palpus. 

Fig.  60.  Hesperoleon  maculosus,  hind  tarsus. 

Fig.  61.  Hesperoleon  carrizonus,  tip  abdomen,  male. 

P"ig.  62,  Hesperoleon  singularis,  tip  abdomen,  male. 

Fig.  63.  Hesperoleon  douglasi,  tip  abdomen,  male. 

Fig.  64.  Hesperoleon  abdominalis,  tip  abdomen,  male. 

Fig.  65.  Hesperoleon  assimilis,  tip  abdomen,  male. 

P'ig.  66.  Hesperoleon  pallidus,  front  of  head. 

Fig.  67.  Hesperoleon  minusculus,  hind  tarsus. 

Fig.  68.  Scotoleon  longipalpis,  labial  palpus. 

P'ig.  69.  Brachynemurus  tuberculatus,  tip  abdomen,  male. 

Fig.  70.  Brachynemurus  longicaudus,  tip  abdomen,  male. 

Fig.  71.  Hesperoleon  ferox,  tip  abdomen,  male. 

Fig.  72.  Brachynemurus  tuberculatus,  front  of  head. 

Fig.  73.  Hesperoleon  singularis,  front  of  head. 

Fig.  74.  Netroneurus  carolinus,  front  of  head. 


BULL.  MUS.  COMP.  ZOOL. 


Banks.    Myrmeleonidae.    Plate  3 


49 


50 


HELIOTYPE  CO.  BOSTON 


PLATE  4. 


Banks. —  Revision  of  the  Nearctic  Myrmeleonidae. 


Fig. 

75. 

Fig. 

76. 

Fig. 

77. 

Fig. 

78. 

Fig. 

79. 

Fig. 

80. 

Fig. 

81. 

Fig. 

82. 

Fig. 

83. 

Fig. 

84. 

Fig. 

85. 

Fig. 

86. 

Fig. 

87. 

Fig. 

88. 

Fig. 

89. 

Fig. 

90. 

Fig. 

91. 

Fig. 

92. 

Fig. 

93. 

Fig. 

94. 

Fig. 

95. 

Fig. 

96. 

Fig. 

97. 

Fig. 

98. 

Fig. 

99. 

Fig. 

100. 

Fig. 

101. 

PLATE  4. 

Hesperoleon  blandus,  pronotum. 
Hesperoleon  intermedius,  pronotum. 
Hesperoleon  quadripunctatus,  pronotum. 
Hesperoleon  singularis,  pronotum. 
Clathroneuria  schwarzi,  pronotum. 
Puren  inscriptus,  pronotum. 
Myrmeleon  texanus,  pronotum. 
Hesperoleon  yavapai,  hind-wing,  apical  area. 
Austroleon  dorsalis,  male  abdomen,  tip. 
Hesperoleon  blandus,  male  abdomen,  tip. 
Hesperoleon  versutus,  male  abdomen,  tip. 
Hesperoleon  coquilletti,  front  tarsus. 
Hesperoleon  mexicanus,  male  abdomen,  tip. 
Hesperoleon  intermedius,  male  abdomen,  tip. 
Hesperoleon  coquilletti,  male  abdomen,  tip. 
Hesperoleon  hubbardi,  male  abdomen,  tip. 
Hesperoleon  yavapai,  male  abdomen,  tip. 
Scotoleon  longipalpis,  male  abdomen,  tip. 
Puren  inscriptus,  hind  tarsus. 
Hesperoleon  irregularis,  front  tarsus. 
Hesperoleon  hubbardi  curtus,  male  abdomen,  tip. 
Hesperoleon  quadripunctatus,  male  abdomen,  tip. 
Hesperoleon  brunneus,  male  abdomen,  tip. 
Hesperoleon  texanus,  male  abdomen,  tip. 
Clathroneuria  schwarzi,  male  abdomen,  tip. 
Calinemurus  fuscus,  male  abdomen,  tip. 
Dendroleon  obsoletum,  hind  tibia  and  tarsus. 


BULL.  MUS.  COMP.  ZOOL. 


Banks.    Myrmeleonidae.    Plate  4 


^^gLIOTYPg  CO.   BOSTON 


Bulletin  of  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoolo8:y 

AT  HARVARD  COLLEGE. 

Vol.  LXVIII.    No.  2. 


THE  DISTRIBUTION  AND  RELATIONSHIPS 
OF  THE  TRINUCLEIDAE. 


By  Henry  C.  Stetson. 


With  One  Plate. 


CAMBRIDGE,  MASS.,  U.  S.  A.: 

PRINTED  FOR  THE  MUSEUM. 

July,  1927. 


No.  2. —  The  Distribution  and  Relationships  of  the  Trinucleidae. 

By  Henry  C.  Stetson. 

This  study  is  an  attempt  to  trace  the  migrations  of  the  members  of 
a  family  of  trilobites  from  the  time  of  their  first  appearance  to  extinc- 
tion. Such  an  attempt  involves  the  assembling  of  a  list  of  the  species, 
with  their  geological  and  geographical  distribution,  and  the  correlation 
of  the  strata  in  which  they  occur  in  various  countries.  Furthermore, 
it  was  necessary  to  ascertain  which  characteristics  are  primitive  and 
which  specialized  in  the  family,  and  the  relationships  of  the  species  to 
one  another.  This  involved  a  study  of  the  ontogeny  and  phylogeny. 
I  have  applied  Raymond's  generic  criteria  to  all  known  species,  and 
have  indicated  such  modifications  as  it  seems  necessary  to  make  in  the 
existing  scheme.  Starting  with  the  most  primitive  forms,  I  have  tried 
to  trace  the  hypothetical  lines  of  evolution,  with  especial  reference  to 
places  of  origin  and  migration. 

To  Dr.  Raymond's  constant  advice  and  criticism  this  paper  is 
largely  due.  I  wish  to  thank  Dr.  F.  R.  C.  Reed  for  his  kindness  in 
allocating  some  of  the  British  species  to  their  proper  horizons. 

The  Trinucleidae  were  grouped  by  Raymond  (35)  in  three  genera, 
Trinucleus,  Cryptolithus,  and  Tretaspis.  In  addition  to  the  charac- 
teristics noted  by  him,  I  have  paid  especial  attention  to  the  structure 
of  the  brim,  this  proving  to  be  a  feature  of  great  importance  in  working 
out  the  phylogeny. 

Tretaspis  has  a  flask-shaped  glabella,  deep  glabellar  furrows,  and 
simple  eyes,  which  persist  to  the  adult  stage.  The  brim  is  marked  by 
concentric  rows  of  pits.  Tretaspis  scticornis  (Hisinger)  is  the  type. 
Trinucleus  has  a  similar  flask-shaped  glabella,  bearing  furrows.  It  is 
distinguished  by  a  much  more  simple  type  of  brim,  with  radial  fur- 
rows. It  lacks  eyes  and  eye-lines.  The  type  is  Trinucleus  fimbriatvs 
Murchison.  Cryptolithus  has  a  large  glabella,  not  constricted  at  its 
posterior  end,  and  with  the  glabellar  furrows  shown  by  very  faint 
grooves  or  spots.  The  wide  brim  has  numerous  concentric  rows  of 
small  pits.  The  type  is  Cryptolithus  tessellatus  Green.  Reed's  (47,  p. 
118)  three  groups,  distinguished  by  the  ornamentation  in  the  genal 
areas,  correspond  in  the  main  with  Raymond's,  although  based  on 
different  characteristics.  His  Group  I  is  the  equivalent  of  Trinucleus, 
Group  II  of  Tretaspis,  and  Group  III  of  Cryptolithus.  However,  Reed 


88  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

only  applied  this  classification  to  a  few  English  species,  and  it  is  im- 
possible to  tell  from  figures  alone,  whether  or  not  it  would  hold  for 
other  species  in  other  countries. 


LIST  OF  THE  SPECIES  OF  THE  TRINUCLEIDAE,  WITH 
THEIR  GEOLOGIC  RAxNGES. 

Arenig. 

England: —  Trinucleus  murchisoni  Salter,  from  the  Shelve  Region 
of  Shropshire. 

Wales: — Trinucleus  viurckisoni  Salter,  from  Montgomeryshire; 
Trinuclcus  gihhsii  Salter,  Trinucleus  scdgwicki  Salter,  and  Tri- 
nucleus etheridgi  Hicks,  from  St.  David's  Head,  Pembrokeshire. 

Llandeilo. 

England:  —  Cryptolithus  lloydii  (Murchison),  from  the  mining  dis- 
trict of  Shropshire;  Cryptolithus  favus  (Salter)  from  Meadow- 
town. 

Wales:  —  Cryptolithus  lloydii  (Murchison)  from  Carmarthenshire; 
Cryptolithus  favus  and  Trinucleus  fimbriatus  Murchison,  from 
Builth. 

Scotland: —  Tretaspis  subradiata  (Reed)  from  the  Balclatchie  beds 
of  the  Girvan  District. 

Ireland:  —  Cryptolithus  thersitcs  (Salter)  from  Tramore,  Trinuclcus 
fimbriatus  Murchison,  from  Wexford,  Tyrone,  and  Wicklow,  and 
Trinucleus  hibernicus  Reed  from  Tramore. 

Bala  or  Caradoc. 

England:  —  Cryptolithus  caractaci  (Murchison)  from  Onney  River, 
Shropshire,  and  Cheney  Longville;  Cryptolithus  nicholsoni  (Reed) 
from  the  Dufton  Shales  near  Melmerby,  Cumberland. 

Wales:  —  Cryptolithus  caractaci  (Murchison)  from  the  Sholeshook 
limestone,  Pembrokeshire;  Cryptolithus  interniedius  (Wade),  and 
Cryptolithus  arcuatus  (Smith)  from  Trilobite  Dingle,  Mont- 
gomeryshire; Cryptolithus  yibbifrons  (McCoy)  Caradoc  sandstone; 
Tretaspis  radiata  (Murchison)  from  Welshpool,  and  the  Caradoc 
and  Meifod  Hills. 


stetson:  trinucleidae.  89 

Scotland  :  —  Trimwlcus  alhidus  Reed  from  the  Whitehouse  Group, 
Girvan  District. 

Ireland:  —  Cryptolithus  elongatus  (Portlock)  from  Tyrone  and  Pom- 
eroy;  Cryptolithus  caractaci  (Murchison)  from  Wexford,  Tyrone, 
and  Waterford;  Trinucleus  latus  Portlock  from  Tyrone;  and 
Tretaspis  portrainensis  (Reed)  from  Dublin  County. 

ASHGILLIAN. 

England  :  —  Tretaspis  seticornis  (Hisinger)  from  the  Coniston  lime- 
stone. 

Scotland  :  —  Tretaspis  seticornis  and  Tretaspis  bucklandi  (Barrande) 
from  the  Drummock  Group,  Girvan  District. 

Ireland  :  —  Tretaspis  seticornis  from  Pomeroy,  Chair  of  Kildair, 
Wexford,  Tyrone ;  Cryptolithus  portlocki  (Salter)  from  Tyrone  and 
Pomeroy;  Cryptolithus  arcualus  (Smith)  from  Pomeroy. 

Arenig. 
France:  —  Cryptolithus  primitivus  (Born)  from  Montagues  Noires. 

Llandeilo.   Schistes  a  Calymenes. 

France:  —  Cryptolithus  hureaid  (Oehlert)  from  the  top  of  the  ardoises 
d'Angers  at  Andouille,  and  also  from  the  Valley  of  the  Laize  in 
the  lower  part  of  the  Gres  de  May,  with  Synhomalonotus  tristani; 
Cryptolithus  grenieri  (Bergeron)  Schistes  d'Ecalgrain,  Manche, 
where  it  is  associated  with  the  group  of  Synhomalonotus  tristani 
(Oehlert  30,  p.  307);  Cryptolithus  goldfussi  (Barrande)  from  the 
Gres  de  Bas  Pont  near  Vitre,  at  the  top  of  the  Gres  de  May. 

Bala.   Sandstones  of  Riadan. 

France :  —  Cryptolithus  pongerardi  (Rouault)  from  Ille-et-Vilaine  in 
the  Gres  de  Bas  Pont  {i.e.,  top  of  the  Gres  de  May),  as  far  as  the 
schistes  ardoisiers  superieurs  de  Riadan  and  of  Renaze;  Crypto- 
lithus goldfussi  from  the  same  horizon,  and  Cryptolithus  ornatus 
(Sternberg)  associated  with  it;  Cryptolithus  seunesi  (Kerforne) 
from  May  sur  Orne. 


90  bulletin:   museum    of   COMP.^JlATIVE   ZOOLOGY. 

ASHGILLIAN. 

France:  —  Trctaspis  seticornis  (Hisinger)  from  the  Ardennes. 

D  1  7 
BoHEML\: — Tninucleoides  rcussi  (Barrande);   Trinucleus  praecede7is 
Kloucek. 

D2 

Bohemia:  —  Cryptolithus  goldfussi  (Barrande);  Cryptolitkus  alfrcdi 
(Zelizko). 

D3 

Bohemia:  —  Cryptolithus  goldfussi  (Barrande). 

D4 

Bohemia:  —  Cryptolithus  ornatus  (Sternberg);  Cryptolithus  goldfussi 
(Barrande). 

D5 
Bohemia:  —  Cryptolithus  goldfussi   (Barrande);  Cryptolithus  ornatus 
(Sternberg);  Cryptolithus  ultinms  (Barrande);  Trctaspis  bucklandi 
(Barrande). 

Lower  Dicellograptus  Zone. 

Saveden: —  Trinucleus  cosdnorrhinus  Angelin;  FogelsUng  in  Scania, 
Trinucleus  efflorcscens  Hackling  from  Jeintland. 

Lower  Chasmops  Zone. 

Sweden: —  Trctaspis  carinata  (Angelin)  and  Trctaspis  ccrioides  (An- 
gelin) from  Kinnekulle,  Vastergotland. 

Norway: — Trctaspis  wahlcnburgi  (Rouaiilt)  and  Trinucleus  buccu- 
Icntcs  Angelin  from  the  Oslo  District;  Trinucleus  foveolatus 
Angelin  from  the  Ogygia  shale,  50  miles  north  of  Oslo. 

Trinucleus  Shale. 

Sweden:  —  Trctaspis  affinis  (Angelin)  from  Dalecarlia;  Trctaspis  ccri- 
oides (Angelin)  from  Kinnekulle,  Vastergotland;  Trctaspis  buck- 
landi (Barrande)  from  Scania;  Trctaspis  cliptifrons  (Olin)  from 
Scania;  Trctaspis  wahlcnburgi  (Rouault)  from  Mosseburg,  Bil- 
lingen,  and  Alleberg  in  Vastergotland;  Tretasjyis  scticoruisiWhm- 
ger,  from  Draggabro,  Furndal;  Trcstuspis  latilimba  (Linnarsson) 
from  Scania. 


stetson:  trinucleidae.  .     91 

Norway: — Tretaspis  seticornis   (Hisinger)  from  the  Oslo  District. 
Denmark:  —  Tretaspis  ivahlcnburgi  (Rouault)  and  Tretaspis  hucklandi 

(Barrande)  from  Bornholm. 
Esthonia: — Tretaspis  seticornis  (Hisinger)  from  Lyckholm  strata, 

western  Esthonia. 

Ordovician  Superieue. 

Portugal:  —  Cryptolithus  pongerardi  (Rouaidt) ;  Cryptolithus  goldfussi 
(Barrande)  from  Bussaco;  Cryptolithus  hureaui  (Oehlert)  from 
Bussaco  and  Tagus  Basin;  Cryptolithus  seunesi  (Kerforne)  from 
Tagus  Basin. 

NOEMANSKILL. 

U.  S.  A. :  —  Trinudeus  diademata  (Ruedemann)  and  Tretaspis  reticu- 
lata Ruedemann  from  Rysedorph  Hill,  near  Albany,  N.  Y. ;  Tri- 
i}uclcus  acerrulosus  Raymond  from  the  Athens  of  central  Virginia 
and  eastern  Tennessee. 

Trenton. 

U.  S.  A. :  —  Cryptolithus  tessellatus  Green,  40  to  80  feet  above  the  base 
of  the  Trenton  at  Quebec,  Montreal,  Champlain  Valley,  Saratoga, 
and  in  the  Mohawk  Valley,  Amsterdam  to  Trenton  Falls;  150  feet 
above  the  base  of  the  Trenton  at  Martinsburg,  N.  Y. ;  50  feet 
above  the  base  of  the  Trenton  in  northwestern  New  Jersey  and 
northeastern  Pennsylvania;  at  the  base  of  the  Trenton  at  Belle- 
fonte.  Pa.,  and  for  40  miles  south;  125  feet  above  the  base  of  the 
Trenton  in  Catawba  Valley,  Va.,  and  continues  at  same  horizon 
southward  along  the  line  of  strike  to  about  50  miles  north  of 
Knoxville,  Tenn. ;  25  feet  above  the  base  of  the  Trenton  in  central 
Kentucky  near  Frankfort;  Viola  limestone  of  Oklahoma;  top  of 
the  Trenton  in  Kentucky  on  the  Ohio  River  in  the  vicinity  of 
Cincinnati,  at  Bellefonte,  Pa.,  and  the  Appalachian  Valley  from 
Chambersburg,  Pa.  to  Staunton,  Va.;  Cryptolithus  bellulus 
(Ulrich)  from  the  Eden  of  the  Cincinnati  District,  and  the  Mo- 
hawk Valley  in  New  York. 

Lorraine. 

U.  S.  A. :  —  Cryptolithus  lorrainensis   (Ruedemann)   west  of  Adiron- 
dacks  of  New  York. 


92  bulletin:  museum  of  compakative  zoology. 

Correlation. 

In  correlating  I  have  taken  English  series  as  a  basis.  Only  those 
strata  containing  the  Trinucleidae  are  considered. 

The  identification  of  the  Arenig  in  France  and  Bohemia  is  at  best 
complicated.  Pocta  (32,  p.  137),  having  studied  the  Ordovician  of  the 
west  of  France  with  Oehlert,  says  that  it  is  impossible  to  correlate 
directly  between  France  and  Bohemia.  The  lowest  stage  in  Bohemia, 
Dl,  is  divided  into  three  parts  a,  j3,  and  7.  Dl  /3  at  Rokycan  contains 
the  Euloma-Niobe  fauna  which  is  lowest  Arenig  (Holub,  19).  Dl  /3  is 
therefore  older  than  the  Arenig  Trinucleus  horizons  of  Wales,  and  older 
than  the  horizon  of  Cryptolithus  primitiims  of  the  Montagues  Noires. 
The  crux  of  the  situation  is  whether  Dl  7  is  upper  Arenig  or  lower 
Llandeilo.  Until  more  work  is  done,  the  question  rests  on  a  rather 
unsatisfactory  basis.  Dl  7  comes  directly  above  /3  so  that  from  its 
position  it  might  be  judged  to  be  Arenig.  Brogger  (8)  lists  from  it 
the  typical  Arenig  trilobites : — Asaphellus,  Megalaspis,  and  Platypeltis. 
With  them  occur  Bidymograptxis  geininus,  and  Cryptograjitus  tricornis, 
which  are  supposedly  guide  fossils  to  the  lower  Llandeilo.  He  is  of  the 
opinion  that  the  trilobites  are  more  to  be  relied  on.  Freeh  (11,  p.  112- 
115)  likewise  puts  it  in  the  Arenig.  I  find  the  same  situation  in  France, 
where  the  lowest  beds  of  the  Calymene  schists  (slates  of  Angers)  con- 
tain Didymograpius  murcMsoni,  D.  nanus,  D.  cuodus,  and  D.furcillatus, 
most  of  which  are  Arenig,  but,  nevertheless,  have  D.  vinrchisoni  associ- 
ated with  them  (Barrois  4,  p.  75-191).  This  horizon  is  the  equivalent 
of  Dl  7,  and  they  must  be  either  both  Arenig  or  both  Llandeilo.  In  the 
Calymene  schists,  Synhomalonotiis  arago  characterizes  the  base  and 
S.  tristani  the  summit  (Haug,  15,  p.  63G),  and  it  is  with  the  latter  that 
Cryptolithus  burcaui  and  C.  grenieri  are  associated.  Whatever  the  age 
of  the  bottom  of  the  Calymene  schists  may  be,  there  is  no  doubt  but 
that  the  top  is  Llandeilo.  The  consensus  of  opinion  seems  to  be  that 
Dl  7  is  Arenig  and  is  so  considered  here. 

Another  Arenig  species  that  has  caused  uncertainty  is  Cryptolithus 
primitivus,  from  the  Montagues  Noires.  Born  (7)  states  that  it  occurs 
with  Phyllograptus  which  should  put  it  definitely  in  the  Arenig.  But 
the  trilobites  with  it  are  the  Llandeilo  species,  Dcdmauitrs  socialis, 
Ogygia  glabrata,  and  Synhomalonotus  arago.  However,  as  Phyllograptus 
is  so  good  a  guide  fossil,  I  have  accepted  it  as  Arenig. 

There  seems  to  be  no  difficulty  with  the  Llandeilo.  Freeh  (11,  p. 
112-115)  says  it  corresponds  with  D2  in  Bohemia.  In  Scandinavia  it 
corresponds  with  the  lower  Dicellograptus  zone,  and  with  the  Norman- 


stetson:  trinucleidae.  93 

skill  in  the  United  States  (Raymond,  37).  I  have  already  taken  up  the 
case  of  France. 

The  Bala  according  to  Freeh  (11,  p.  112-115)  corresponds  with  D3 
and  D4  in  Bohemia.  It  is  in  D4  that  Cryptolitlms  ornatus  first  appears 
associated  with  C.  goldfussi;  C.  goldfussi  first  occurs  in  Bohemia  in 
D2,  and  in  France  in  the  sandstones  of  Bas  Pont  {i.e.,  at  the  top  of 
the  Gres  de  May)  (Haug,  15,  p.  636).  In  the  latter  case  C.  goldfussi 
continues  up  to  the  upper  slaty  shales  of  Riadan  where  C.  ornatus  is 
associated  with  it  (Oehlert,  30,  p.  310).  Therefore,  D4  is  probably  the 
equivalent  of  this  latter  horizon.  Furthermore,  C.  pongerardi  occurs 
in  the  sandstones  of  Riadan  which  is  just  above  the  Gres  de  May 
(Haug,  15,  p.  636),  and  which  in  many  cases  terminates  the  upper 
Ordovician  (Oehlert,  30,  p.  310).  Geikie  (12,  p.  972)  considers  this 
Bala.  The  Bala  is  also  the  equivalent  of  the  Chasmops  beds  in  Scandi- 
navia, and  of  the  Trenton  in  the  United  States  (Raymond,  37). 

Except  in  the  United  States,  the  Ashgillian  is  characterized  by 
Tretaspis  scticornis.  It  is  probably  the  equivalent  of  D5  in  Bohemia, 
and  of  the  Trinucleus  shale  in  Scandinavia.  In  France  there  is  but  one 
occurrence  of  T.  seticornis,  in  the  Ardennes.  Elsewhere  the  Ashgillian 
seems  to  be  lacking. 

In  Portugal,  I  have  taken  Delgado's  Ordovicien  superieur  to  be  the 
equivalent  of  the  Bala.  There  is  no  evidence  from  other  fossils  asso- 
ciated with  the  Trinucleidae  that  it  can  be  the  equivalent  of  the 
Ashgillian.  Therefore,  as  Cryptolithus  pongerardi  and  C.  seunesi  occur 
in  France  in  what  is  the  equivalent  of  the  Bala,  this  also  is  probably 
Bala.  Crypiolithus  goldfussi  occurs  in  the  equivalent  of  the  Llandeilo, 
as  well  as  the  Bala,  but  on  this  basis  C.  bureaui  would  occur  in  France 
at  a  lower  horizon  than  in  Portugal. 

Ontogeny. 

As  the  ontogeny  of  only  two  species  of  Cryptolithus  has  been  studied, 
very  little  information  can  be  derived  from  this  source.  The  young  of 
Cryptolithus  tessellatus  described  by  Beecher  show  the  "eye-lines." 
In  the  specimen  figured  (Beecher,  5,  pi.  3,  fig.  1),  the  brim  is  narrow 
with  only  two  rows  of  pits.  A  more  complete  series  of  specimens  shows 
the  ontogeny  of  Cryptolithus  ornatus  from  Bohemia.  The  specimens 
range  from  the  brimless  forms,  through  those  with  a  narrow  brim 
bearing  a  single  row  of  pits,  to  individuals  with  the  brim  fully  devel- 
oped. As  the  young  get  larger,  the  brim  grows,  and  successive  rows  of 
pits  appear.  Eyes  and  eye-lines  are  lacking  in  C.  ornatvs  at  all  stages. 


94  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

I  liave  h;i<l  opportunity  to  study  many  young  of  tliis  species  from 
specimens  in  the  ]\I.  C.  Z.  and  was  able  to  assemble  such  a  series  as 
Barrande  (2,  pi.  30)  figured. 

From  their  first  appearance,  the  Trinucleidae  are  a  highly  specialized 
family.  The  later  species  differ  from  the  earlier  only  in  the  form  of  the 
brim,  this  being  the  one  feature  that  shows  any  progressive  modifica- 
tion. All  four  genera  seem  to  point  to  a  Cambrian  ancestral  type  with 
a  narrow  brim,  either  unornamented,  or  with  a  single  row  of  small  pits. 
The  glabella  possibly  was  constricted  at  the  neck  and  carried  furrows, 
although  the  youngest  forms  figured  by  Barrande  show  no  trace  of 
these  features.  It  may  not  have  been  as  prominent  as  is  the  case  with 
later  forms.  Simple  eyes  may  or  may  not  have  been  present.  The 
earlier  species  show  no  trace  of  "eye-spots."  In  attempting  to  trace 
the  line  of  descent  the  Arenig  species  are  of  course  the  most  important. 
Unfortunately  this  horizon  is  the  most  poorly  represented,  which  adds 
a  considerable  degree  of  uncertainty  to  the  transition  into  theLlandeilo. 

The  four  British  species  of  Trinucleus  that  appear  in  the  Arenig  do 
not  bear  out  the  ontogeny  to  any  marked  extent.  The  brim  is  wide  in 
T.  sedgwicki  and  T.  gibbsi  (Plate,  fig.  2,  3)  and  bears  at  least  four  rows 
of  pits  set  in  faint  radial  furrows.  In  T.  dhcridgi  and  T.  murchisoni 
(Plate,  fig.  1)  it  is  narrow,  but  can  scarcely  be  called  simple,  bearing  as 
it  does  deep  radial  furrows,  bifurcating  in  front.  All  that  can  be  in- 
ferred from  ontogeny  at  the  most  is  that  the  hypothetical  ancestor  of 
this  family  was  a  form  with  a  narrow  brim,  unornamented,  or  bearing 
a  single  row  of  pits,  that  the  head-shield  and  pygidium  would  be  equal 
in  size,  and  the  glabella  unsegmented.  Trinucleus,  on  the  whole,  is 
more  primitive  than  either  Cryptolithus  or  Tretaspis  in  that  the  l)rim 
is  relatively  smaller  and  less  specialized.  Geologically  it  was  the  first 
to  appear  and  the  first  to  become  extinct.  In  discussing  known  trilo- 
bites  as  hypothetical  ancestors,  certainly  Eodiscus  conforms  with  the 
hypothetical  ancestor  suggested  by  the  ontogeny  better  than  any  other 
form.  It  has  the  head-shield  and  pygidium  of  equal  size,  the  brim  is 
narrow  and  bears  a  single  row  of  furrows  or  pits,  and  the  glabella  is  un- 
furrowed.  Orometopus  on  the  other  hand  has  none  of  the  charac- 
teristics of  the  young  stages,  and  its  supposed  ancestral  position  seems 
to  be  inferred  merely  from  a  general  resemblance  in  shape  to  the  adult 
Trinucleid. 

Phylogeny. 

The  oldest  members  of  the  family,  the  four  British  speciea^of  Tri- 
nucleus from  the  Arenig,  fall  into  two  natural  groups  as  described 


stetson:  trinucleidae.  95 

above,  using  the  brim  as  a  basis  of  subdivision.  Trhuwlcus  pracccdens 
from  Dl  7  in  Bohemia  is  not  figured,  but  as  nearly  as  I  can  make  out 
from  the  description,  it  is  much  Hke  T.  murchisoni.  As  one  ascends 
higher  in  the  stratigraphic  series,  it  becomes  increasingly  apparent 
that  the  nature  of  the  brim  is  an  important  means  of  holding  like  spe- 
cies together. 

Starting  from  one  of  the  two  distinct  types  of  Trinucleus  in  the 
Arenig,  a  possible  line  of  descent  of  Cryptolithus  can  be  seen.  In 
Cryptolithus  the  brim  is  wide,  bearing  numerous  rows  of  pits,  arranged 
concentrically,  although  in  some  species  it  is  possible  to  trace  a  radial 
arrangement  as  well.  This  is  most  marked  directly  in  front  of  the 
glabella.  Cryptolithus  caractaci,  typical  C.  favus,  C.  alfredi,  C.  goldfussi, 
C.  grenieri,  C.  hurcaui,  C.  thersites,  and  C.  lloydi  are  the  probable  descend- 
ants in  the  Llandeilo  of  the  gibbsii-sedgwicki  division  of  Trinucleus.  A 
loss  of  glabellar  furrows  in  these  two  species,  the  addition  of  one  or 
more  rows  of  pits,  and  the  slight  disturbance  of  their  radial  arrange- 
ment would  give  the  typical  Cryptolithus  brim.  This  line  continues 
unbroken  into  the  Bala,  being  represented  by  Cryptolithus  discors,  C. 
intermedins,  C.  heUulus,  C.  pongerardi,  C.  goldfmsi,  C.  ornatus,  C. 
seunesi,  C.  tesscUatus,  C.  nicholsoni,  C.  elongatus,  and  C.  gihhifrotu, 
and  so  into  the  Ashgillian,  ending  with  C.  ultimus.  In  certain  of  these 
species,  notably  C.  intermedius,  C.  lloydi,  and  C.  nicholsoni,  traces  of 
the  radial  arrangement  of  pits  are  still  visible,  and  undoubtedly  an 
examination  of  the  actual  specimens  would  reveal  others  showing  it. 

Another  major  line  of  evolution  is  that  of  Tretaspis,  characterized 
by  T.  seticornis  or  its  variety  T.  bucklandi  (Plate,  fig.  6).  The  brim  has 
an  outer  and  inner  portion,  the  former  usually  consisting  of  one  or  two 
rows  of  large  pits  sunk  in  short,  radial  furrows.  The  inner  portion 
bears  several  rows  of  smaller  pits,  more  or  less  radially  arranged  on  the 
anterior  part  of  the  brim,  becoming  very  irregular  at  the  genal  angles. 
The  glabella  is  markedly  flask-shaped,  and  bears  strong  furrows. 
Eye-spots  and  a  median  pustule  are  present.  Tretaspis  occurs  in  the 
Llandeilo  of  Scotland  (7".  subradiata),  but  in  a  form  so  divergent  from 
the  type,  i.e.,  T.  seticornis,  that  it  cannot  be  considered  as  a  direct 
ancestor  of  the  Bala  species.  Tretaspis  subradiata  differs  from  the  type 
in  having  an  extraordinarily  wide  inner  brim,  bearing  numerous  fine  pits 
arranged  in  distinct  radial  rows.  It  resembles  very  closely  T.  radiatus 
of  the  Bala  of  Wales  and  was  probably  ancestral  to  this  species.  A 
species  of  Tretaspis,  T.  reticulata  (Plate,  fig.  7),  occurs  in  the  equivalent 
of  the  Llandeilo  in  the  Ignited  States,  namely,  the  Normanskill.  This 
species  conforms  to  the  type,  but  could  scarcely  be  considered  an- 


96  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

cestral  to  the  European  forms.  For  the  ancestor  both  of  tlie  European 
and  North  American  species  we  shouhl  expect  a  sdicorms-\ike  form  in 
the  lower  Lhmdeilo  or  upper  Arenig.  This  hypothetical  species  yet 
remains  to  be  discovered.  In  the  Bala  we  have  Trdaspis  ccrioidcs,  T. 
icahlcnhcrgei,  T.  portraincnsis,  and  T.  radiahia,  and  in  the  Ashgillian 
T.  .s'ctiroriiis,  T.  ccrioidcs,  T.  affinis,  T.  hucldaudi,  T.  clliptifrons  and  T. 
wahlcnhcrgci  in  good  succession.  Tlieir  line  of  descent  cannot  be 
traced  back  of  the  Llandeilo  with  any  degree  of  certainty.  The  en- 
larged section  of  the  brim  of  Trinuclcus  scdgwicki,  as  figured  by  Salter 
(Plate,  fig.  2),  seems  to  show  a  tendency  towards  differentiation  into 
an  inner  and  outer  brim.  On  the  other  hand,  the  second  group  of 
Arenig  Trinucleii  bears  pits  at  the  bottom  of  their  bifurcating  ratiial 
furrows.  As  Professor  Raymond  recently  suggested,  partial  elimina- 
tion of  these  furrows  would  leave  the  pits  in  the  arms  of  the  "Y" 
offset  from  the  main  line,  which  might  conceivably  be  the  start  of  a 
differentiation  between  the  inner  and  outer  brim.  Triiiuclc^is  cthcridgi 
carries  on  the  underside  of  the  brim  long  ridges  with  intercalated 
shorter  ones,  which  show  at  least  a  tendency  toward  this  differentiation. 

Trinucleus  is  represented  in  the  Llandeilo  by  T.  fimhriatus  as  the 
type  (Plate,  fig.  5).  The  brim  is  relatively  narrow,  and  strongly  fur- 
rowed radially,  the  furrows  usually  bearing  pits  at  the  l)ottom.  They 
become  obliterated  toward  the  genal  angles,  and  their  place  is  taken 
by  very  narrow,  V-shaped  furrows  bearing  pits  at  the  bottom.  The 
glabella  is  flask-shaped,  and  strongly  furrowed.  Eye-spots  are  lacking. 
Trinucleus  diademata  (Plate,  fig.  9),  T.  acerimlosu.s,  and  T.  cfflorcsccns 
belong  to  this  group.  In  T.  cfflorcsccns,  and  in  T.  alhidus  of  the  Bala, 
the  radial  grooves  become  much  less  marked  and  tlie  pits  more  promi- 
nent. The  glabellar  furrows  are  faint.  This  is  especially  true  of  7'. 
cfflorcsccns  where  there  is  a  concentric  arrangement  of  pits  as  well 
(Plate,  fig.  4). 

In  the  Bala  the  brim  undergoes  some  modification  in  that  the  radial 
grooves  extend  to  the  genal  angles,  eliminating  tlie  small  V-shaped 
fiu'rows.  Trinuclcus  hihcrnicus  and  T.  alhidus  are  the  representatives 
of  this  group. 

Returning  to  the  Arenig  for  the  ancestors  of  this  line,  the  ethcridgi- 
murchisoni  group,  witli  their  deeply  furrowed  brim,  seem  the  most 
likely.  As  I  have  said  before,  two  or  three  furrows  on  the  anterior  part 
of  the  brim  bifurcate,  but  it  is  easier  to  conceive  of  these  becoming 
modified  into  straight  ones,  than  that  the  descendants  of  T.  gihhsi  and 
T.  scdgwicki  should  develop  deep  furrows,  once  having  lost  them. 

Raymond's  three  genera,  Cryptolithus,  Trinucleus,  and  Tretaspis, 


stetson:  trinucleidae.  97 

have  thus  come  down  in  three  fairly  distinct  lines  of  descent.  There 
are  two  side  branches  that  do  not  fit  well  in  any  one  of  these  groups, 
and  for  one  of  them  at  least  it  is  necessary  to  make  a  new  genus.  For 
this  first  group  I  propose  the  name  of  Botrioides  and  include  in  it 
Trinucleus  coscinorrkinus  of  the  Llandeilo  as  the  type,  and  T.  buccu- 
lentes  and  T.  fovcolatus  (Plate,  fig.  10-12)  of  the  Bala.  All  these  are 
Scandinavian  forms.  Trinucleus  coscinorrhinus  is  from  Sweden,  the 
other  two  from  Norway.  This  group  combines  the  characteristics  of 
Trinucleus  and  Tretaspis.  It  differs  from  the  former  to  which  it  is  most 
closely  allied,  by  the  presence  of  lateral  ocelli  and  a  median  pustule, 
and  from  the  latter,  by  the  extreme  narrowness  of  the  brim  which 
carries  either  a  single  row  of  large  pits,  or  short  radial  furrows.  One  of 
the  most  distinctive  characteristics  is  the  exaggerated  appearance  of 
the  glabella,"  which  is  round  and  bulbous,  and  overhangs  the  brim  at 
the  anterior  end.  The  neck  of  the  glabella  is  narrow  and  constricted, 
as  in  Tretaspis  seticornis,  and  is  marked  by  strong  furrows.  It  is  not 
easy  to  see  how  this  genus  can  be  derived  from  any  of  the  known 
Arenig  forms,  and  therefore  it  must  be  referred  back  to  the  hypothetical 
common  ancestor  in  the  Upper  Cambrian.  Botrioides  coscinorrhinus 
and  B.  foveolatus  are  more  nearly  like  this  ancestor  than  are  any 
of  the  other  described  species,  including  those  from  the  Arenig,  and 
therefore  they  must  be  regarded  as  the  culmination  of  an  early  off- 
shoot from  the  common  stock.  It  is  possible  that  Trinucleus  hibernicus 
also  belongs  in  this  group.  From  an  examination  of  specimens  in  the 
Sedgewick  Museum,  Cambridge,  it  appears  that  the  brim  is  fairly 
narrow,  with  three  pits  at  the  bottoms  of  the  radial  furrows,  the 
glabella  is  flask-shaped  and  furrowed.  Eye-spots  and  a  median  pustule 
are  present,  and  one  well-preserved  specimen  carries  the  so-called  "  eye- 
line."  These  genal  caeca,  in  this,  and  in  other  members  of  the  family, 
are  not  eye-lines,  as  Raymond  (39,  p.  84,  fig.  25)  has  shown. 

Tretaspis  carinata  and  T.  latilimba  (Plate,  fig.  8)  from  Sweden 
have  the  generic  characteristics  of  Raymond's  classification.  The  brim, 
however,  differs  from  the  type  {i.e.,  T.  seticornis).  It  is  wide,  bearing 
four  or  five  concentric  rows  of  large  pits,  but  there  is  no  differentiation 
into  an  outer  and  inner  border.  Whether  they  should  be  placed  in 
another  genus  is  a  matter  of  opinion. 

No  mention  has  yet  been  made  of  the  x^renig  species  from  the 
Montagues  Noires  called  by  Born  Trinucleus  primitivus.  Under 
Raymond's  division  of  genera,  this  would  be  a  Cryptolithus,  but  it  is  so 
unlike  any  other  Cryptolithus,  and  the  evidence  concerning  it  so 
scanty,  that  I  have  not  been  able  to  place  it.   x\ccording  to  Born  the 


98  bulletin:  museum  of  compaeative  zoology. 

brim  is  dotted  with  numerous  small  pits,  which  are  absolutely  irregular 
in  their  arrangement.  No  Cryptolithus  yet  known  has  the  pits  scat- 
tered in  this  fashion,  since  they  follow  neither  a  radial  nor  a  concentric 
pattern.  There  are  no  glabellar  furrows  or  eye-spots.  As  to  Trinucleus 
praeccdcfis  Kloucek,  from  Bohemia,  owing  to  the  brevity  of  the  descrip- 
tion it  is  impossible  to  state  in  which  genus  it  belongs,  or  what  its  place 
would  be  in  the  line  of  evolution. 

Professor  Raymond  (38,  p.  204)  has  considered  Trinucleus  reussi 
Barrande  the  oldest  and  most  primitive  member  of  the  family,  and 
has  made  for  it  a  new  genus,  Trinucleoides.  It  does  not  seem  to  me 
that  this  species  belongs  in  the  family  at  all,  and  therefore  I  have 
omitted  it.  From  an  examination  of  specimens  in  the  M.  C.  Z.,  it  be- 
comes apparent  that  the  species  bears  a  much  closer  resemblance  to 
Dionide,  notably  D.  speciosa  Corda,  and  1).  formosn  Barr.  The  brim 
of  Trinucleoides  reussi  is  narrow,  and  l)ears  two  concentric  rows  of  very 
small  pits,  there  being  no  trace  of  radial  arrangement.  We  have  the 
same  type  of  brim  in  Dionide,  with  the  addition  of  one  or  two  rows 
of  pits.  Furthermore,  the  lateral  lobes  of  the  glabella  are  well  defined, 
and  are  of  the  same  shape,  and  in  the  same  position,  as  in  Dionide. 

GEOGRAPHICAL  DISTRIBUTION  OF  SPECIES. 

The  Arenig  contains  five  species  of  Trinucleus,  four  in  Great  Britain 
and  one  in  Bohemia.  I  have  not  included  the  possible  Cryptolithus  in 
France.  Neither  have  I  included  Trinucleoides'  reussi.  Both  these 
species  have  been  discussed  (p.  97).  Bohemia  has  usually  been  con- 
sidered the  center  of  origin  and  distribution  of  this  family,  but  it  soon 
becomes  apparent  that  Great  Britain  is  the  more  important  source, 
which  position  it  holds  throughout  the  Ordovician. 

The  Llandeilo  contains  four  species  of  Trinucleus,  two  in  England, 
and  two  in  the  United  States;  seven  Cryptolitlii,  three  in  (ireat  Britain, 
four  in  France  and  Bohemia.  Tretaspis  appears  for  the  first 
time,  once  in  Scotland,  and  once  in  the  United  States.  There  also 
occur  in  Scandinavia  two  species,  Trinucleus  coscinorrhinus,  and 
T.  efflorescens  for  which  I  have  made  the  genus  Botrioides. 

The  Bala  is  the  period  in  which  Cryptolithus  became  dominant. 
There  are  fourteen  distinct  species  in  all,  six  in  the  British  Isles,  five 
in  Bohemia,  France,  and  Portugal,  one  in  NorMi'ay,  and  two  in  the 
United  States.  There  are  two  species  of  Trinucleus,  one  in  Ireland, 
and  one  in  Scotland,  and  five  Tretaspi,  one  in  Wales,  one  in  Ireland, 
one  in  Norway,  and  two  in  Sweden.   The  Cryptolithi  of  Portugal  are 


stetson:  trinucleidae.  99 

the  same  as  those  of  France,  and  the  Bohemian  species  also  occur  in 
France.  The  distribution  of  C  goldfmsi  is  widespread,  occurring  in  all 
three  countries,  Bohemia,  France,  and  Portugal.  In  the  United  States, 
Cryptolithus,  although  only  represented  by  two  species,  has  a  remark- 
able distribution,  occin-ring  at  many  places  from  Quebec,  up  the  St. 
Lawrence  Valley,  through  New  York,  Pennsylvania,  and  Virginia, 
and  ending  with  Oklahoma. 

The  Ashgillian  sees  the  dominance  of  Tretaspis,  the  wane  of  Crypto- 
lithus and  the  extinction  of  Trinucleus.  It  is  particularly  characterized 
by  the  remarkable  spread  of  Tretaspis  seticornis  or  its  variety,  T.  huck- 
llandi,  which  occurs  in  England,  Scotland,  Ireland,  France,  Bohemia, 
Esthonia,  Denmark,  Norway,  and  Sweden.  Besides  this,  five  other 
species  of  Tretaspis  occur  in  the  Scandinavian  region.  Two  Crypto- 
lithi  occur  in  Ireland,  one  in  Spain,  three  in  Bohemia,  and  one  in  the 
United  States. 

It  should  be  noted  that  the  remarkable  spread  of  Cryptolithus  tessel- 
latus  in  North  America  finds  its  parallel  in  the  wide  distribution  of 
Tretaspis  seticornis  in  the  Ashgillian  of  Europe.  Except  for  these  two 
instances,  the  distribution  of  the  family  has  been  along  the  lines  of 
great  variety  of  species  each  with  a  small  geographical  range.  Variety 
of  species  should  indicate  diverse  environmental  conditions.  Wide 
distribution  of  the  same  species  should  indicate  uniform  environment 
over  a  wide  area.  On  this  basis  the  Trenton  seas  of  eastern  North 
America,  and  the  Ashgillian  seas  of  Europe,  were  probably  shallow  and 
open,  having  uniform  environmental  conditions.  The  seas  of  the  other 
periods  were  probably  deeply  embayed,  each  estuary  having  its  own 
particular  conditions  of  temperature,  salinity,  and  sedimentation,  con- 
trolled in  part  by  localized  currents,  and  in  part  by  the  position  and 
size  of  the  rivers  entering  each  estuary.  In  such  a  sea  the  animals  would 
respond  to  the  particular  conditions  in  which  they  happen  to  find  them- 
selves, resulting  in  a  great  variety  of  species. 

The  apparently  sporadic  occurrences  of  trinucleids  in  Boli^'ia, 
Trinucleus  boliviensis  Lake,  and  Cryptolithus  kruegeri  (Hoek),  and  in 
China,  Tretaspis  richthofeni  (Kayser),  are  cases  of  unexplained  dis- 
tribution. Doubtless  with  further  field-work,  more  species  would  be 
uncovered. 

From  the  foregoing,  it  is  obvious  that  the  British  Isles  stand  out  as  a 
more  important  distributing  center  than  the  Bohemian  Basin.  The 
French,  Spanish,  and  Bohemian  Cryptolithi,  with  one  or  two  excep- 
tions, are  characterized  by  the  same  species,  so  a  free  interchange 
must  be  assumed  for  these  areas  during  Bala  time.  On  the  other  hand, 


100  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

not  a  single  one  of  these  species  finds  its  way  to  the  British  Isles,  nor 
does  a  British  species  appear  on  the  continent.  Furthermore,  until  the 
Ashgillian,  not  a  single  Tretaspis,  and  only  one  Trinucleus,  is  known 
from  France,  Spain,  or  Bohemia.  Tretaspis  is  preeminently  a  northern 
genus,  attaining  its  dominance  in  Scandinavia.  One  species,  T.  scti- 
cornis,  became  (p.  99)  very  widespread,  which  must  indicate  a  free 
interchange  between  the  epicontinental  seas  of  the  late  Ordovician.  It 
is  also  interesting  to  note  that  no  species  of  Cryptolithus  has  yet  been 
foimd  in  Scotland,  and  only  one  in  Norway.  This  appears  to  be  almost 
exclusively  a  southern  genus. 

Neither  Trinucleus  nor  Tretaspis  was  significant  in  the  United 
States,  the  former  being  restricted  to  two  species,  each  with  a  single 
occurrence  in  the  Normanskill,  and  the  latter  to  one  species  and  one 
occurrence.  The  extraordinary  spread  of  Cryptolithus  in  the  United 
States  during  the  Trenton,  is  not  easily  explained.  Furthermore  its 
distribution  is  confined  to  a  relatively  narrow  northeast-southwest 
band  along  the  eastern  side  of  the  present  continent.  There  seems  to 
have  been  little  penetration  of  the  interior  seas.  It  may  be  that  un- 
favorable temperature  conditions  prevented  the  spread  of  the  Trinu- 
cleidae  into  these  shallow  seas.  That  the  water  was  warm  is  indicated 
by  the  presence  of  such  corals  as  Columnaria,  and  Tetradium.  In  this 
connection  it  is  interesting  to  note  that  in  the  Hull  formation  of 
Ontario,  the  equivalent  of  the  Glens  Falls  formation  of  New  York, 
(Raymond  40,  p.  585),  there  are  found  Columnaria  and  Tetradium  but 
no  Trinucleidae,  although  the  latter  are  abundant  in  the  Glens  Falls. 
In  the  Logana  of  Central  Kentucky,  these  corals  and  some  Crypto- 
lithi  do  occur  together,  but  the  latter  are  very  scarce,  showing  that  they 
could  make  little  headway  to  the  westward,  into  these  warmer  seas. 

The  migration  route  of  the  family  into  North  America  is  a  question 
very  difficult  to  solve  at  present.  Raymond  (39,  p.  101)  has  shown 
that  their  physical  form  is  that  of  a  bottom  habitus.  The  broad  head 
shield  may  have  served  as  a  snowshoe-like  contrivance,  preventing 
the  animal  from  sinking  in  the  mud.  Not  being  swimmers,  they  must 
have  inhabited  shallow  seas,  except  in  their  younger  free  swimming  or 
floating  stages.  If  the  shallow  border  of  the  Arctic  Ocean  was  the 
route  of  migration,  it  seems  strange  that  Cryptolithus  occurs  only  once 
in  Scandinavia  and  not  at  all  in  Scotland.  In  addition,  there  is  but  a 
single  species  with  one  occurrence,  in  the  United  States,  of  Tretaspis, 
that  typically  northern  genus.  Schuchert  found  none  of  the  Trinu- 
cleidae in  the  Ordovician  of  Baffinland.  Dr  Gustave  Troedsson,  in  a 
recent  letter  to  Professor  Raymond,  states  that  he  found  none  in  the 


stetson:  trinucleidae.  101 

Ordovician  material  that  Dr.  Koch  has  recently  brought  back  from 
northern  Greenland.  Similarly  no  Trinucleidae  have  been  found  in 
the  now  rather  well-known  faunas  of  Llandeilo  age  from  Newfoundland, 
and  so  far,  T^renton  faunas  have  not  been  found  on  that  island.  All  the 
evidence,  therefore,  seems  to  be  against  the  Arctic  as  a  route  of  migra- 
tion for  members  of  this  family. 

Distribution  of  the  protaspi  by  currents  in  the  northern  Atlantic 
seems,  at  present,  to  be  the  only  plausible  theory  as  to  their  spread. 
The  courses  of  the  currents  that  swept  them  into  the  interior  sea,  be- 
hind Appalachia,  are,  of  course,  impossible  to  trace.  Shallow  seas 
must  have  existed  somewhere  along  the  route  to  provide  breeding 
grounds  for  the  successive  generations.  What  the  intermediate  stop- 
ping places  were,  between  Europe  and  America  is,  for  the  present, 
unknown. 

In  conclusion  I  will  briefly  summarize  the  most  salient  facts  of  the 
distribution  of  this  family:  —  first,  the  British  Isles,  and  not  the 
Bohemian  Basin,  as  is  commonly  thought,  stands  out  as  the  more 
important  center  of  origin;  second,  Tretaspis  appears  to  be  almost  ex- 
clusively a  northern  and  Cryptolithus  a  southern  form,  and  lastly,  the 
weight  of  evidence  is  against  the  Arctic  seas  as  a  route  of  migration  of 
the  family  into  North  America. 


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46.  Lower  Palaeozoic  trilobites  of  Girvan.  Supplement.  Palaeon- 
togr. soc,  1914. 

47.  Notes  on  the  genus  Trinucleus.  Part  1.  Geol.  mag.,  1912,  new 
ser.  dec.  5,  9,  p.  346-353,  pi.  18.  Part  2.  p.  385-394,  pi.  19.  Part  3. 
1914,  new  ser.  dec  6,  1,  p.  349-353,  pi.  18,  19.  Part  4.  1916,  new  ser. 
dec  6,  3,  p.  118-123,  169-176. 

48.  RouAULT,  Marie.    Extrait  du  memoire  sur  les  trilobites  du  department 

d'llle-et-Vilaine.    Bull.  Soc.   geol.    France,  1847,  ser.  2,  4,  p.  309- 
319,  325-328,  pi.  3. 

49.  RuEDEMANN,    RtJDOLF.     Trenton    conglomerate    of    Rysedorph    Hill, 

Rensselaer  co.  N.  Y.  and  its  fauna.  Bull.  49,  N.  Y.  state  mus.,  1901, 
p.  3-114,  pi.  a,  b,  1-7. 

50.  The  Utica  and  Lorraine  formations  of  New  York.Pt.  1.  Bull.  258, 
N.  Y.  state  mus.,  1925,  175  pp.,  7  pis. 

51.  Salter,  J.  W.    Notes  on  the  trilobites.    Quart,  journ.  Geol.  soc.    London, 

1853,  9,  p.  158-160,  pi.  7. 


104  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

52.  Salter,  J.  W.     Figures  and  descriptions  illustrative  of  British  organic 

remains.  Dec.  7.  Mem.  Geol.  surv.  Gt.  Britain  and  Ireland.  London. 
1853. 

53.  [Fossils  from  North  Wales].    ]\Iem.  Geol.  surv.  Great  Britain, 
1866,  3,  p.  239-363,  372-381,  pi.  1-26. 

54.  A  catalogue  of  the  Cambrian  and  Silurian  fossils  in  the  geo- 
logical museum  of  the  University  of  Cambridge.    Cambridge.    1873. 

55.  Schmidt,  Friedrich.    Revision  der  Ostbaltischen  Silurischen  trilobiten. 

Mem.  Acad.  imp.  sci.  St.  Petersburg,  1907.  20,  no.  8,  104  pp.,  3  pis. 

56.  SwiNNERTON.  H.  H.   Suggestions  for  a  revised  classification  of  trilobites. 

Geol.  mag.,  1915,  dec.  6,  2,  p.  487-496,  538-545. 

57.  The  facial  suture  of  trilobites.    Geol.  mag.,  1919,  dec.  6,  6,  p. 
103-110. 

58.  Troedsson,  G.  T.   Om  SkSnes  brachiopodskiffer.   Lunds  univ.  §,rsskrift, 

1918,  n.f.  afd.  2,  15,  nr.  3,  110  pp.,  2  pis. 

59.  Tromelin,  Gaston  de  et   Lebesconte,  Paul.    Observations   sur  les 

terrains  primaires  du  nord  du  department  d'lUe-et-Vilaine  et  de 
quelques  autres  parties  du  massif  Breton.  Bull.  Soc.  gdol.  France, 
1876,  ser.  3,  4,  p.  583-623. 

60.  Ulrich,  E.  O.    Descriptions  of  some  new  species  of  fossils,  from  the 

Cincinnati  group.  Journ.  Cine.  soc.  nat.  hist.,  1878,  1,  p.  92-100, 
pi.  4. 

61.  Ordovician    "hypoparian"    genera    of    trilobites.     (Abstract). 
Bull.  Geol.  soc.  Amer.,  1922,  33,  p.  205-206. 

Verneuil,  Edouard  de  et  Barrande,  Joachim.  Description  des  fos- 
siles  trouves  dans  les  terrains  Silurien  et  Devonien  d'Almaden, 
d'une  partie  de  la  Sierra  Morena  et  des  montagnes  de  Tolede.  Bull. 
Soc.  geol.  France,  1855,  ser.  2,  12,  p.  964-1025,  pi.  23-29. 
Wade,  Arthur.  The  Llandovery  and  associated  rocks  of  north-eastern 
Montgomeryshire.  Quart,  journ.  Geol.  soc.  London,  1911,  67,  p. 
415-459,  pi.  33-36. 
64.  Zelizko,  J.  V.  Geologisch-palaeontologische  verhaltnisse  der  nachsten 
uragebung  von  Rozmital  in  Bohmen.  Bull,  intern.  Acad.  sci.  Boheme, 
1906,  11,  14  pp.,  2  pis. 


62 


63 


EXPLANATION  OF  PLATE. 


Stetson. —  Trinucleidae. 


F.g. 

1 

Fig. 

2, 

Fig. 

3, 

Fig. 

4, 

Fig. 

5, 

Fig. 

6 

PLATE. 

Trinucleus  murchisoni  Salter  (From  Salter).  Shropshire  and  ^^'ales. 
The  bifurcating  furrows  are  not  clearly  shown. 

Trinucleus  sedgivicki  Salter  (From  Salter).  Note  the  differentiation 
of  the  rows  of  pits  of  the  brim. 

Trirnicleus  gibbsii  Salter  (From  Salter).  Wales.  The  diagonal  "eye- 
lines"  are  not  present  on  the  specimen. 

Trinude^is  efflorescens  (Hadding)  (From  Hadding).  Sweden.  Note 
the  tendency  towards  a  second  row  of  pits  and  the  concentric  type 
of  brim.   A  Trinucleus  approaching  the  Cryptolithus  type. 

Trinucleus  fimbriaius  Murchison  (From  Reed).  Wales.  The  radiat- 
ing rows  of  pits  are  really  at  the  bottom  of  shallow  furrows. 

Tretaspis  bucklandi  (Barrande)  (From  Olin).  Note  the  differentia- 
tion of  the  pits  of  the  brim  into  inner  and  outer  rows.  Eye-spots 
probably  were  present. 
Fig.  7.  Tretaspis  reticulata  Ruedemann  (From  Ruedemann).  Rysedorph 
Hill,  New  York.  An  American  type  of  Tretaspis.  The  inner  rows 
of  pits  are  more  nearly  the  size  of  the  outer  than  in  most  of  the 
European  forms. 

Tretaspis  latUimha  (Linnarsson)  (From  Linnarsson).  Scania.  A 
European  Tretaspis  resembling  strongly  the  American. 

Trinucleus  diademata  (Ruedemann)  (From  Ruedemann).  Ryse- 
dorph Hill,  New  York.  An  American  type  of  Trinucleus.  The 
radiating  furrows  of  the  brim  are  more  strongly  marked  than  in 
T.  fimbriatus. 

Botrioides  foveolatv^  (Angelin)  (From  Angelin).  Near  Oslo.  Note  the 
simple,  narrow  brim.  A  very  primitive  form. 

Botrioides  bucculentes  (Angelin)  (From  Angelin).   Near  Oslo.   Figure 
somewhat  distorted.    Note  the  bulbous,  bottle-necked  glabella 
with  deep  furrows  and  the  narrow  brim. 
Fig.  12.     Botrioides    coscinorrhinus    (Angelin)    (From    Hadding).     Southern 
Sweden.  Note  the  simple,  narrow  brim.  A  very  primitive  form. 


Fig. 

8 

Fig. 

9 

Fig. 

10 

Fig. 

11, 

BULL.  MUS.  COMP.  ZOOL. 


Stetson.    Trinucleidae. 


^^^ 


10 


11 


12 


"'""^"^^"^'^' 


0.   BOSTON 


Bulletin  of  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology 

AT    HARVARD    COLLEGE. 

Vol.  LXVIII.  No.  3. 


DESCRIPTIONS  OF  NEW  SOUTH  AMERICAN  FRESH-WATER 
FISHES  COLLECTED  BY  DR.  CARL  TERNETZ. 


By  George  S.  Myers. 


CAMBRIDGE,  MASS.,  U.  S.  A.: 

PRINTED  FOR  THE  MUSEUM 

July,  1927. 


No.   3. —  Descripiions  of  New  South  American  Fresh-Water  Fishes 
collected  by  Dr.  Carl  Ternetz} 

By  George  S.  Myers. 

The  present  report  is  concerned  with  the  description  of  some  new 
species  obtained  for  Indiana  University  by  Dr.  Carl  Ternetz  in  the 
Rio  Tocantins  and  its  headwaters,  the  Lower  Amazon  as  far  as  the 
mouth  of  the  Rio  Negro,  the  Rio  Negro  to  the  entrance  of  the  Cassi- 
quiare,  the  Cassiquiare,  and  the  Orinoco  from  Bifurcation  to  Caicara. 
Dr.  Ternetz  started  in  the  headwaters  of  the  Tocantins  in  September, 
1923,  and  ended  his  collecting  at  Caicara  in  May,  1925.  The  result  is  a 
magnificent  series  of  fishes,  most  of  them  from  waters  hitherto  unex- 
plored systematically  by  an  ichthyologist. 

The  collection  is  so  vast  that  any  attempt  at  an  estimate  of  its  rich- 
ness is  impossible.  The  forms  treated  are  merely  some  of  the  smaller 
species  noticed  as  being  of  especial  interest.  The  percentage  of  novelties 
will  undoubtedly  be  greatly  augmented  when  the  bulk  of  the  collection 
is  examined,  especially  as  practically  all  of  the  larger  fishes  are  as  yet 
unstudied.  In  the  Pygidiidae  only  is  the  report  at  all  complete.^ 

In  the  absence  of  Dr.  Eigenmann  from  the  University,  he  very  kindly 
allowed  me  to  describe  some  of  the  new  species  and  authorized  an 
agreement  as  to  the  publication  of  my  results  whereby  a  series  of  the 
new  species  was  given  to  the  M.  C.  Z? 

A  remarkable  new  form  is  the  Gnathodolus  hidens,  with  mouthparts 
unique  among  fishes;  scarcely  less  interesting  are  the  finless  pygidiid 
Glanapteryx  and  the  crenuchine  characin  Elachocharax.  A  few  species 
collected  in  Peru  by  Dr.  W.  R.  Allen,  in  Bolivia  by  Dr.  N.  E.  Pearson, 
and  at  Rio  de  Janeiro  by  Mr.  R.  Brocca  are  included. 

In  the  descriptions  I  have  taken  the  scale-counts  from  the  upper  end 
of  the  gill-opening  to  the  approximate  end  of  the  hypural  bone,  this 
being  designated  as  "  caudal  base,"  and  from  the  base  of  the  first  dorsal 
ray  to  the  pelvic  fins. 

1  Contributions  from  the  Zoological  Laboratory  of  Indiana  University,  No.  217. 

2  Dr.  E.  W.  Gudger  has  a  paper  in  preparation  on  the  parasitic  Pygidiidae,  partially  based  on 
the  present  collection. 

3  Dr.  Eigenmann  died  at  Coronado,  California,  24  April,  1927. 


108  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

ANOSTOMATIDAE. 

Gnathodolus,  gen.  nov. 
yvados,  jaw,  and  66Xoj,  a  trap. 

Genotype. —  Gnathodolus  hidens  Myers. 

Anostomatinae.  Form  heavy,  compressed.  Snout  deep,  elliptical  in 
cross-section,  truncate.  Mouth-opening  vertical  or  even  inclining 
somewhat  backward,  narrow  and  elongate.  Lower  jaw  rod-like,  fold- 
ing upward  to  close  the  mouth-slit.  The  jaw  extends  up  beyond  the  top 
of  the  snout  in  adult  specimens,  and  bears  at  its  tip  two  large,  hooked, 
projecting  teeth,  sickle-shaped  at  the  tip.  The  dentition  of  the  upper 
jaw  consists  of  three  or  four  spear-shaped  teeth  on  each  side,  dhected 
outward  and  nearly  imbedded  in  the  flesh.  Gill-membranes  united, 
confluent  with  the  isthmus.  Lateral  line  complete. 

Gnathodolus  bidens,  sp.  nov. 

Head  3^  in  body-length.  Depth  Sf.  Eye  4  in  head,  \\  in  snout,  2 
in  interorbital.  Dorsal  11^.  Anal  10^.  Scales  5-31-5,  about  12  pre- 
dorsal. 

Eyes  bulging,  with  a  strong  adipose  lid,  particularly  anteriorly.  The 
eyes  project  more  anteriorly  than  posteriorly  and  thus  point  a  little 
backward.  The  fish  apparently  cannot  see  forward.  Margins  of  mouth- 
opening  and  of  lower  jaw  thickly  papillose.  Dorsal  originating  an  eye- 
diameter  nearer  to  snout-tip  than  to  caudal  base.  Pelvics  inserted 
under  third  dorsal  ray.  Pectorals  not  to  pelvics.  Pelvics  distant  from 
anal.  Adipose  fin  over  posterior  part  of  anal  base.  Caudal  forked, 
asymmetrical,  the  upper  lobe  longer  with  the  appearance  of  a  piece 
having  been  bitten  from  its  inner  portion.  Lower  lol^e  shorter,  thick, 
and  rounded.  This  is  the  formation  in  the  Type  and  as  it  is  duplicated 
in  the  one  Paratype  (from  a  different  locality)  that  has  an  unbroken 
caudal,  it  seems  to  be  natural.  There  are,  however,  traces  of  some 
slight  regeneration  along  the  whole  caudal  edge  in  both  specimens,  but 
the  agreement  in  caudal  form  of  the  two  perfect  specimens  could 
hardly  be  a  coincidence. 

Scales  large,  hard,  similar  to  those  of  Leporinus  friderici  Cockerell, 
(Ann.  Carnegie  mus.,  1914,  9,  pi.  26,  fig.  3),  but  longer;  little  exposed, 
most  of  the  exposed  surface  being  formed  by  a  wide  soft  apical  border; 
both  soft  and  hard  apical  margins  evenly  rounded;  a  few  nuclear  polyg- 
onal areas  giving  rise  to  five  or  six  apical  radii,  two  upper  and  two 


MYERS:    SOUTH   AMERICAN    FRESH-WATER   FISHES.  109 

lower  antipodal  radii,  and  three  or  four  basal  radii.  Basal  notch  as  in 
Leporinus.  Circuli  faint,  becoming  obsolete  or  absent  on  the  exposed 
sector  of  the  scale. 

Coloration  dull  brownish.  Midpredorsal  area  blackish.  Six  to  eight 
diffuse  dark  cross-bars  from  midline  of  back,  becoming  indistinct  and 
fading  before  reaching  the  lateral  line.  A  large  diffuse  black  spot  on 
middle  of  sides  below  posterior  part  of  dorsal  base  and  a  similar  smaller 
one  opposite  the  anal.  Scales  with  indistinct  light  basal  areas,  these 
forming  faint  lateral  stripes.  Suborbital  area  tinged  with  violet. 

Type. —  17,670  I.  U.  134  mm.  Venezuela:  Rio  Cassiquiare,  Chemoni 
(near  Bifurcation).  13  March,  1925.  Carl  Ternetz. 

Paratypes.—  17,671  T.  U.  31,566  M.  C.  Z.  90,103  mm.  Venezuela: 
Laga  Tama-Tama,  Bifurcation.   24  March,  1925.   Carl  Ternetz. 


CURIMATIDAE. 

Curimatus  multilineatus,  sp.  nov. 

Head  3f  in  body-length.  Depth  3|.  Eye  2f  in  head,  equal  to  inter- 
orbital,  a  little  longer  than  snout.  Least  depth  of  caudal  peduncle  2|  in 
head.   Dorsal  11.   Anal  9i   Scales  4-3 l-4i 

Ventral  profile  slightly  more  arched  than  the  dorsal.  Dorsal  profile 
somewhat  arched  on  head,  with  a  slight  break  in  the  symmetry  at 
nape.   Greatest  depth  at  dorsal  origin. 

Dorsal  fin  originating  an  eye-diameter  nearer  to  snout-tip  than  to 
caudal  base.  Pelvics  originating  under  middle  of  dorsal  base.  Pectorals 
not  nearly  reaching  pelvics.  Pelvics  not  nearly  to  anal.  Adipose  large, 
over  posterior  part  of  anal  base.  Anal  rays  not  reaching  caudal.  De- 
pressed dorsal  rays  not  reaching  vertical  of  anal  fin-origin. 

A  dark  line  from  under  jaw  around  snout  to  eye.  Narrow  dark 
brown  longitudinal  lines  between  the  scale-rows.  Iris  dark  interiorly, 
light  exteriorly.   Fins  slightly  dusky. 

Type.—  17,672  I.  U.  55  mm.  Brazil:  Rio  Negro,  Bucury.  7  Febru- 
ary, 1925.   Carl  Ternetz. 

Bucury  is  evidently  above  Sao  Gabriel,  since  Dr.  Ternetz  collected 
at  that  place  on  February  1,  on  his  way  up-river. 

Differs  from  all  known  species  in  its  striking  coloration.  Perhaps 
nearest  C.  microcephalus. 


110  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

HEMIODONTIDAE. 

Hemiodus  ternetzi,  sp.  nov. 

Head  4f  to  4f  in  body-length.  Depth  4f .  Eye  3  in  head.  Scales 
11-63-6.   Dorsal  9.  Anal  9. 

Dorsal  fin-origin  slightly  more  than  a  snout-length  nearer  to  snout- 
tip  then  to  caudal  base.  Pelvics  inserted  under  the  fifth  dorsal  ray. 
Pectorals  nearly  their  own  length  short  of  reaching  pelvics. 

Brown  on  back,  the  scales  basally  dark  with  a  light  border.  Sides 
silvery.  A  conspicuous  dark  lateral  band  from  eye  to  caudal  base, 
expanded  into  a  spot  above  the  pectoral  tips  and  again  above  the  last 
half  of  the  appressed  pelvics.  Lower  caudal  lobe  dark,  the  upper  light, 
the  darker  lateral  band  turning  downward  at  caudal  base  and  running 
out  through  the  middle  of  the  lower  lobe. 

Type. — 17,691  I.  U.  100  mm.  Brazil:  Jausinho  Brook,  into  the 
Tocantins,  Goyaz.  22  February,  1924.  Carl  Ternetz. 

Paratypes.—  17,692  I.  U.  31,567  M.  C.  Z.  85-88  mm.  Brazil: 
Jausinho  Brook,  into  the  Tocantins,  Goyaz.  22  February,  1924.  Carl 
Ternetz. 

Named  for  Dr.  Carl  Ternetz,  who,  through  his  personal  effort,  has 
brought  together  for  Indiana  University  one  of  the  finest  collections  of 
South  American  fresh-water  fishes  in  existence. 


CHARACIDAE. 

COPEINA  COMPTA,  sp.  UOV. 

Head  4|  to  4f  in  body-length.  Depth  5|.  Scales  26  to  caudal  base, 
16  rows  around  body  before  pelvics,  17  predorsal.  Eye  equal  to  snout, 
3^  in  head.   Dorsal  10.   Anal  11. 

Dorsal  originating  1|  times  as  far  from  head  as  from  caudal  base. 
Anal  inserted  under  about  the  fourth  dorsal  ray.  In  the  adult  male  the 
fins  are  greatly  prolonged;  the  produced  middle  rays  of  the  dorsal 
reach  the  caudal;  the  pelvic  rays  reach  the  end  of  the  anal  base;  the 
elongate  pointed  upper  caudal  lobe  is  If  times  as  long  as  the  head. 
The  male  pectorals  are  longer,  but  in  neither  sex  do  they  reach  the 
pelvics.  The  caudal  base  as  well  as  the  caudal  shows  a  heterocercal 
tendency. 

Coloration  dark.  A  dark  band  around  the  chin  through  the  eye  and 
across  the  opercle,  becoming  diffuse  posteriorly.    Back  brownish.    A 


MYERS:   SOUTH   AMERICAN    FRESH-WATER   FISHES.  Ill 

wide  dark  lateral  band  down  the  side,  its  upper  edge  well  defined  and 
continuous  with  the  head-streak,  its  lower  border  fading  gradually  into 
the  dull  yellow  of  the  venter.  On  the  middle  of  the  second  to  the  sixth 
dorsal  rays  there  is  a  black  blotch,  above  a  basal  whitish  one.  The 
elongate  dorsal  and  caudal  rays  of  the  male  are  slightly  black  tipped. 

Type. —  17,693  I.  U.  &  71  mm.  Brazil:  Creek  above  Sao  Gabriel 
Rapids,  Rio  Negro.  January,  1925.  Carl  Ternetz. 

Paratypes.—  17,694  I.  U.  31,568  M.  C.Z.  cT  9  juv.  65-71  mm. 
Brazil :  Creek  above  Sao  Gabriel  Rapids,  Rio  Negro.  28-30  January, 
1925.    Carl  Ternetz. 

This  species  represents  the  acme  of  gracefulness  reached  by  chara- 
cins  of  the  Pyrrhulininae.  I  have  compared  it  with  a  single  male  C. 
amoldi  from  the  lower  Amazon,  received  from  Mr.  Arthur  Rachow 
of  Hamburg,  and  with  many  specimens  of  C.  callolepis  collected  by  Dr. 
Ternetz  at  various  localities  on  the  Lower  Amazon.  The  latter  is  the 
only  closely -related  species.  Copeina  amoldi  is  much  deeper,  and  both 
differ  from  C.  compta  in  the  scale-count,  fin-positions,  and  coloration; 
C.  carsevennensis  differs  much  in  the  fin-positions. 

I  take  this  opportunity  to  point  out  the  similarity  of  Pyrrhulina 
obermiilleri  Myers  (Copeia,  1926,  no.  156,  p.  150.  Iquitos)  to  P. 
lugubris  Eigenmann  (Mem.  Carnegie  mus.,  1922,  9,  p.  231,  pi.  21,  fig.  1. 
Meta  Basin),  with  which  by  an  oversight  I  neglected  to  compare  it. 
The  former  will  probably  rank  as  a  brilliantly -colored  subspecies  of  the 
latter.  Both  are  well  distinguished  from  P.  hrevis  by  the  narrow 
elongate  and  almost  straight  strongly-toothed  maxillary.  In  P.  hrevis 
it  is  short  and  curved. 

The  shape  of  the  maxillary  is  important  in  the  distinction  of  the 
species  of  Pyrrhulininae.  In  Copeina  argyrops  and  C.  guttata  it  is  short, 
almost  round,  and  toothless.  In  Copeina  callolepis  and  C.  compta  the 
maxillary  of  the  male  is  of  a  peculiar  shaped  having  a  triple  curve,  and 
it  is  toothed.  In  C.  amoldi  and  C.  metae  it  is  toothed,  somewhat  elon- 
gate, and  a  little  curved,  like  that  of  Pyrrhulina  hrevis.  That  of  Guiana 
specimens  of  P.  semifasciata  is  similar,  but  in  Guiana  P.  filamentosa  the 
maxillary  is  toothless,  although  similar  in  shape.  The  maxillary  of  P. 
rachoviana,  due  to  the  short  heavy  head,  is  nearly  vertical ;  it  is  tooth- 
less. 

Pyrrhulina  rachoviana  Myers  (Blatt.  aquar.  terrar.,  1926,  37,  p.  441) 
is  very  similar  to  Steindachner's  figure  of  the  male  of  his  P.  hrevis 
(Sitzb.  K.  akad.  wiss.,  Wien,  1875,  72,  pi.  1,  fig.  3),  but  P.  rachoviana 
has  a  shorter  head  and  the  pectorals  do  not  reach  the  pelvics,  the 
latter  being  larger  in  P.  hrevis.  The  dorsal  spot  of  P.  rachoviana  is  more 


112  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

streak-like,  and  is  confined  to  the  anterior  rays.  I  hereby  restrict  the 
name  P.  brevis  to  Steindachner's  "female"  (loc.  cit.,  fig.  4)  which  is 
probably  specifically  different  from  the  "male."  I  do  not  know  the 
form  Regan  had  (Ann.  mag.  nat.  hist.,  1912,  ser.  8,  10,  p.  392). 

Atopomesus,  gen.  nov. 
aroiros,  peculiar,  and  nkcros,  middle. 

Genotype. —  Atopomesus  pachyodus  Myers. 

Cheirodontinae.  Teeth  extremely  massive  and  heavy,  somewhat 
laterally  compressed,  but  the  major  ones  arising  to  an  unexpanded, 
rounded  crest  which  is  compressed  anteroposteriorly,  this  forming  a 
rather  blunt,  rounded,  transverse,  cutting  crown  without  any  cusps  or 
notches  whatever.  The  three  front-teeth  on  each  side  of  the  dentary 
are  especially  massive,  each  with  an  inner,  oblique  flat  area.  They 
grade  downward  in  size  toward  the  sides,  the  fifth  to  the  eighth  tooth 
of  each  side  of  the  dentary  with  a  falcate  inner  crown  rather  than  a 
flat  surface,  this  being  formed  by  a  single  inner  cusp.  Following  these 
at  the  side  are  two  abruptly  smaller  conical  teeth.  Premaxillary  teeth 
in  a  single  series,  seven  on  each  side,  grading  from  the  central  massive 
ones  to  smaller  ones  at  the  side,  all  directed  obliquely  backward,  the 
tips  and  extreme  inner  bases  of  the  teeth  tinged  with  brown.  Maxillary 
with  six  small  conical  or  slightly  notched  teeth  crowded  to  its  upper  end. 

Mouth  inferior,  the  lower  teeth  fitting  up  inside  the  retrorse  upper 
ones.  The  flat  areas  of  the  mandibular  dentition  cannot,  then,  be 
grinding  surfaces.  The  upper  teeth  are  slightly  visible  from  below  when 
the  mouth  is  closed,  but  are  in  no  way  exposed  like  those  of  Henochilus 
and  Psalidodon,  with  which  I  at  first  thought  this  genus  was  related. 

A  series  of  large  scales  on  each  side  of  the  preventral  region  over- 
lapping at  the  midline,  as  in  Phenacogaster.  Accessory  caudal  rays 
prominent. 

Atopomesus  pachyodus,  sp.  nov. 

General  appearance  of  a  slender  Creagrutus  or  Phenacogaster. 

Head  3f  in  body-length.  Depth  4.  Dorsal  10.  Anal  22.  Scales 
4-32-3,  predorsal  9,  fully  scaled.  Eye  2f  in  head,  much  greater  than 
interorbital,  the  orbit  horizontally  oval. 

Dorsal  origin  half  an  orbit-diameter  nearer  to  snout-tip  than  to 
caudal  base,  the  fin  high  and  pointed.  Anal  origin  under  last  few  dorsal 
rays,  its  margin  falcate,  the  anterior  few  rays  long.  Pelvics  originating 


MYERS:   SOUTH   AMERICAN   FRESH-WATER   FISHES.  113 

very  slightly  in  advance  of  vertical  of  dorsal  origin,  a  little  overlapping 
the  anal  fin-origin.  Pectorals  reaching  pelvics.  Adipose  well  developed, 
over  posterior  anal  rays.  Scales  cycloid,  lateral  line  complete.  Caudal 
naked,  the  lobes  pointed,  the  upper  slightly  the  longer.  Accessory 
caudal  rays  well  developed,  the  upper  ones  especially  prominent. 

Great  suborbital  leaving  a  wide  naked  area  below  and  a  narrow  one 
behind.   Postorbitals  two,  the  upper  narrow  and  elongate. 

Pale  yellowish,  a  silvery  lateral  streak.  Scales  of  the  back  dark  edged. 
Chromatophores  gathered  into  the  lateral  streak  posteriorly,  many  at 
the  caudal  base,  but  no  distinct  caudal  spot. 

Type.—  17,673  I.  U.  43  mm.  Brazil:  Cucuhy,  Rio  Negro,  on  the 
Colombian  Border.  14  February,  1925.  Carl  Ternetz. 

Unique  in  the  massive  retrorse  dentition. 

Othonocheirodus,  gen.  nov. 

odofT}  a  napkin  or  veil,  xe'Pi  hand,  and  68uu,  tooth,  i.e.  the  veiled  hand-shaped 
teeth. 

Genotype. —  Othonocheirodus  eigemnanni  Myers. 

Cheirodontinae.  Closely  allied  to  Monotocheirodon.  Both  these 
genera  differ  trenchantly  from  Holoshesthes,  Odontostilbe,  and  Cheiro- 
don  in  the  severely  horizontal  gape  and  the  uncovered  and  lipless  teeth 
of  the  upper  jaw.  In  the  others  the  gape  is  oblique  and  the  premaxillary 
teeth  are  hidden  wholly  or  partially  by  the  normal  upper  lip. 

To  the  definition  of  Monotocheirodon  should  be  added  the  following 
characters:  —  gape  horizontal;  teeth  of  both  the  upper  and  lower  jaws 
uncovered,  lipless.^  Horizontal  extent  of  the  maxillary  great,  with 
six  or  seven  teeth ;  its  vertical  extent,  at  the  curve,  small,  scarcely  ex- 
tending down  below  the  line  of  the  base  of  the  mandibular  teeth,  its 
end  not  rounded  or  free.   Caudal  lobes  unequal,  the  upper  longer.^ 

Othonocheirodus  may  be  described  as  follows :  —  adipose  present ; 
lateral  line  complete;  predorsal  area  scaled;  caudal  naked;  suborbital 
in  contact  with  the  preopercle  below;  caudal  lobes  equal;  accessory 
caudal  rays  apparently  normal.  Teeth  5-pointed,  similar  in  both  jaws, 
contracted  at  the  base,  expanded  at  the  tips.  Gape  horizontal,  the 
horizontal  extent  of  the  maxillary  small,  with  two  teeth,  its  vertical 
extent  long,  extending  far  below  the  line  of  the  bases  of  the  mandibular 
teeth,  its  end  large,  rounded,  and  free.  Premaxillary  with  four  similar 
teeth  on  each  side,  in  a  single,  not  angulated  series,  continuous  pos- 

1  These  characteristics  are  not  shown  in  Pearson's  figure  of  Monolocheirodon pearscni  Eigen- 
mann,  Indiana  univ.  studies,  1924  (1925),  no.  64,  pi.  11. 


114  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

teriorly  with  the  two  maxillary  teeth.  Mandible  with  six  similar  5- 
pointed  teeth  on  each  side,  grading  down  slightly  in  size  posteriorly. 
Upper  jaw  lipless.  Under  jaw  with  a  thin  deep  lip  which  rises  to  cover 
not  only  the  mandibular  teeth  but  also  part  or  all  of  the  premaxillary 
teeth. 

Othonocheirodus  eigenmanni,  sp.  nov. 

Head  4|  in  body-length.  Depth  3^.  Eye  3|,  a  little  less  than  inter- 
orbital,  equal  to  snout.  Scales  mostly  lost,  apparently  4-34  to  36-3. 
Dorsal  9.   Anal  14. 

Body  fairly  deep,  compressed,  more  so  than  in  Monotocheirodon. 
Snout  very  blunt.  Dorsal  originating  more  than  an  orbit-diameter 
nearer  to  caudal  base  than  to  snout-tip.  Anal  inserted  on  vertical  of 
end  of  dorsal  base.  Pectorals  not  reaching  pelvics  by  three  or  four 
scales.  Pelvics  not  quite  to  anal  fin.  Adipose  inserted  behind  vertical 
of  end  of  anal  base. 

Brownish;  a  conspicuous  black  humeral  blotch;  a  dark  lateral  band, 
faint  anteriorly,  ending  at  caudal  base. 

Type.— 17,674  I.  U.  47  mm.  Peru:  Rio  Cayumba.  1918.  W.  R. 
Allen. 

Paratypes.— 17,675  I.  U.  31,569  M.  C.  Z.  36-45  mm.  Peru:  Rio 
Cayumba.   1918.   W.  R.  Allen. 

Named  for  Dr.  Carl  H.  Eigenmann,  who  has  contributed  more  than 
anyone  else  to  our  knowledge  of  the  fresh-water  fishes  of  South  America. 

Elachocharax,  gen.  nov. 
iXaxvs,  insignificant,  and  Charax,  a  genus  of  characins. 

Genotype. —  Elachocharax  pulcher  Myers. 

Crenuchinae.  Mouth  small,  with  scarcely  any  gape,  the  maxillary 
reaching  vertical  of  anterior  border  of  eye.  Adipose  present.  Dorsal 
long,  with  18  rays.  Body  not  notably  deep  but  much  compressed,  the 
head  especially  narrow  and  the  snout  pointed.  Armature  of  the  cheeks 
very  weak.  Frontal  fontanel  present. 

Crenuchus  has  very  wide  jaws,  a  long  gape,  and  an  adipose  fin. 
Poecilocharax,  which  has  much  narrower  jaws  than  Crenuchus,  still 
has  a  large  gape  and  long  maxillary,  while  it  possesses  no  adipose. 
Poecilocharax  is  certainly  not  closely  related  to  Crenuchus,  and 
Elachocharax  is  even  more  divergent.  The  latter,  and  possibly  Poecilo- 
charax also,  will  eventually  be  removed  from  Crenuchus  and  placed 
near  Characidium. 


MYERS:   SOUTH   AMERICAN    FRESH-WATER   FISHES.  115 

Elachocharax  pulcher,  sp.  nov. 

Head  equal  to  ^epth,  3|  in  length  to  caudal  base.  Dorsal  18.  Anal  8. 
Lateral  line  incomplete,  5  or  6  scales  with  pores.  Scales  25  lateral,  6 
transverse  between  dorsal  and  pelvics. 

The  long  pectorals  reach  the  distant  pelvics.  Pelvics  reach  to  anal 
fin.  Predorsal  and  pre  ventral  areas  rounded,  normally  scaled.  Caudal 
not  deeply  forked. 

Scales  truncate  basally,  with  many  lateral  striae  (circuli)  above  and 
below,  somewhat  similar  to  those  of  Poecilocharax,  but  striae  deeper 
and  more  evident.  The  scales  of  Crenuchus  are  similar  in  shape,  but 
the  striae  are  more  inclined  to  be  concentric  than  merely  lateral  above 
and  below. 

Coloration  very  dark.  The  scale-borders,  where  each  row  touches 
the  row  above  and  below  it,  are  dark,  forming  zig-zag  lines  between  the 
series.  The  body  is  crossed  by  eight  diffuse  wide  dark  bands,  the  first 
behind  the  pectoral  axil,  the  last  at  the  tail-root.  The  two  in  the  anal 
region  are  extended  out  across  that  fin.  The  one  at  the  tail-root  has  two 
small  spots  in  it,  which  project  out  on  the  fin,  the  entire  bar  being  fol- 
lowed by  a  colorless  area.  After  this  follow  some  faint  caudal  bands. 
The  dorsal,  whose  margin  is  straight  and  the  rays  subequal,  has  two 
lengthwise  lines  near  its  base.  The  eye  is  crossed  by  two  lines,  one 
horizontal  from  the  chin,  another  vertical  from  the  occiput. 

Type. —  17,676  I.  U.  21  mm.  Venezuela:  Cano  deQuiribana,  near 
Caicara.  May,  1925.  Carl  Ternetz. 

Paratype. —  17,677  I.  U.  22  mm.  Venezuela:  Caiio  de  Quiribana, 
near  Caicara.  May,  1925.   Carl  Ternetz. 

A  pretty  little  species,  suggestive  of  the  North  American  Elassoma. 

Hyphessobrycon  balbus,  sp.  nov. 

Head  3|  in  body-length.  Depth  2|  (young)  to  2t  (adult).  Dorsal  11. 
Anal  19  to  21.  Scales  5-31  to  34-4|.  Lateral  line  stuttering,  complete 
on  a  few  specimens,  usually  developed  on  12  to  20  scales. 

Dorsal  origin  in  middle  of  body-length,  slightly  behind  vertical  of 
origin  of  pelvics,  which  are  reached  by  the  pectorals.  Pelvics  reaching 
not  quite  to  anal  fin.  Adipose  over  end  of  anal.  Body  deep  and  much 
compressed. 

Cheeks  entirely  covered  by  the  great  suborbital.  Five  5-pointed 
teeth  in  the  inner  series  of  the  premaxillary  on  each  side.  Four  smaller 
teeth  in  the  outer  row.   One  wide  tooth  at  upper  limit  of  maxillary. 


116  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Exposed  surfaces  of  scales  very  deep  and  narrow,  with  few  radial 
striae,  little  diverging.  Scales  over  front  of  anal  somewhat  irregular 
and  deflected  towards  the  fin. 

Dull,  dark  brownish,  the  scales  prominently  bordered  with  dark.  A 
long  vertical  dark  humeral  bar  with  the  suggestion  of  another  a  little 
way  behind  it.  A  faint  dark  lateral  streak  down  posterior  part  of 
sides,  ending  in  a  slightly  darker  area  at  caudal  base.  A  dark  line  to 
the  tips  of  the  central  caudal  rays.  Dorsal  and  anal  with  dusky  tips. 

Type. —  17,678a  I.  U.  47  mm.  Brazil:  Planaltina,  Lagoa  Ferve- 
deira,  Goyaz.   14  September,  1923.  Carl  Ternetz. 

Paratypes.— 17,678  I.  U.  31,570  M.  C.  Z.  23-60  mm.  Brazil: 
Planaltina,  Lagoa  Fervedeira,  Goyaz.  14  September,  1923.  Carl 
Ternetz. 

Differing  markedly  from  the  other  species  in  the  genus  in  the  stutter- 
ing lateral  line,  the  peculiar  dusky  color,  the  great  depth,  and  numerous 
other  characters.  It  is  not  related  to  any  species  of  Astyanax,  in  which 
genus  the  specimens  with  a  complete  lateral  line  might  be  wrongly 
placed. 

Creagrutus  atrisignum,  sp.  nov. 

Head  4  in  body-length.  Depth  3^.  Eye  3  in  head,  slightly  less  than 
interorbital.  Depth  of  caudal  peduncle  2  in  head.  Dorsal  9|.  Anal  12. 
Scales  4^-35-3. 

Dorsal  origin  an  eye-diameter  nearer  to  snout-tip  than  to  caudal 
base,  over  insertion  of  pelvics.  Pectorals  not  reaching  pelvics  by  two 
scales.  Pelvics  almost  reach  anal  fin.  Anal  origin  far  behind  dorsal 
base,  slightly  anterior  to  vertical  of  tips  of  appressed  last  dorsal  ray. 

Great  suborbital  nearly  or  wholly  as  wide  as  eye-diameter,  touching 
lower  limb  of  preopercle  but  not  ankylosed  with  it,  leaving  a  consider- 
able naked  area  at  the  angle  and  behind.  Premaxillary  dentition  re- 
sembling that  of  C.  beni.  Two  maxillary  teeth. 

Yellowish,  scales  of  the  back  with  dark  bases.  A  narrow  silvery 
lateral  band,  faint  anteriorly,  ending  in  a  small  caudal  spot  entirely 
within  the  band  (sometimes  very  faint)  and  extending  outward  to  the 
end  of  the  middle  caudal  rays.  A  dark  horizontal  humeral  bar  entirely 
within  the  lateral  band,  and  another  small  fainter  brown  spot  (some- 
times nearly  absent)  above  and  forward  of  it.  Dorsal  fin  deeply  flushed 
with  black,  pale  basally.   Caudal  and  anal  dusky. 

Type. —  17,679  I.  U.  60  mm.  Brazil:  Upper  Rio  Maranhao  (Upper 
Tocantins),  Goyaz.   11  October,  1923.   Carl  Ternetz. 


MYERS:    SOUTH    AMERICAN   FRESH-WATER    FISHES.  117 

Paratypes.—  17,6S0  I.  U.  31,571  M.  C.  Z.  59-67  mm.  Brazil: 
Corrego  do  Monjolo,  tributary  of  the  Rio  Maranhao.  30  September, 
1923.  Carl  Ternetz. 

The  black  dorsal  and  pleasing  colors  well  mark  this  distinctive 
species. 

Creagrutus  phasma,  sp.  nov. 

Head  4^  in  body-length,  equal  to  depth.  Eye  3  in  head,  slightly 
greater  than  interorbital.  Depth  of  caudal  peduncle  2|  in  head. 

Dorsal  originating  somewhat  more  than  an  eye-diameter  nearer  to 
snout  tip  than  to  caudal  base,  directly  over  insertion  of  pelvics.  Pec- 
torals not  reaching  pelvics  by  one  or  two  scales.  Pelvics  not  reaching 
anal  by  three  scales.  Anal  inserted  far  behind  dorsal,  under  tips  of  de- 
pressed last  dorsal  rays.  Adipose  inserted  over  base  of  last  anal  ray. 

Great  suborbital  nearly  as  wide  as  eye;  touching,  but  not  ankylosed 
to,  lower  limb  of  preopercle,  leaving  a  narrow  naked  border  behind. 
Premaxillary  dentition  exactly  as  figured  by  Eigenmann  (Mem. 
M.  C.  Z.,  43,  pi.  35,  fig.  4)  for  C.  pcrvanvs. 

Yellowish,  the  scales  of  the  back  with  a  dark  border  inside  a  lighter 
one.  A  large,  conspicuous,  vertical,  dark  humeral  crescent  (sometimes 
faint)  over  a  deep  black  humeral  spot  entirely  within  the  lateral  band. 
A  diffuse  silvery  band  over  a  plumbeous  one,  wide  anteriorly-,  narrow 
and  more  plainly  defined  posteriorly.  The  band  ends  at  caudal  base, 
then  continues  out  to  the  tips  of  the  central  rays  as  a  black  line.  A 
yellow  spot  at  the  base  of  upper  and  lower  caudal  rays,  continued  out 
strongly,  forming  a  border  for  the  dark  streak.  Caudal  slightly  dusky 
above  and  below  the  yellow  spots.  First  rays  of  pelvics  and  anal  milky 
white.   Fins  otherwise  hyaline. 

Types. —  17,681  I.  U.  61,  65  mm.  Venezuela:  mouth  of  the  Cura- 
muni,  Rio  Cassiquiare.   7  March,  1925.   Carl  Ternetz. 

A  veritable  ghost  of  the  following  genus,  with  which  it  was  taken. 

Creagrudite,  gen.  nov. 

KpeaypevTos,  tearing  off  the  flesh,  hence  Creagrutus,  and  Sit-tj,  having  the  force  of 

born  of. 

Genotype. —  Creagrudite  maxiUaris  Myers. 

Tetragonopterinae.  A  specialized  Creagrutus.  Premaxillary  teeth  in 
a  triple  series  in  the  young,  formed  of  an  inner  series  of  large  tricuspid 
teeth,  four  on  each  side,  and  a  double  outer  series  of  three  small  teeth 


118  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

on  each  side,  the  first  and  third  set  out  to  form  the  first  series  and  the 
second  one  set  back  to  form  the  second  series.  There  are  thus  but  two 
teeth,  one  on  a  side,  in  the  second  series.  With  age,  this  second  tooth 
migrates  forward  and  takes  its  place  between  the  first  and  third  tooth, 
so  that  in  the  adult  there  are  but  two  series  of  premaxillary  teeth. 

The  body-form  is  elongate  and  very  little  compressed,  the  head  and 
jaws  being  particularly  lengthened,  so  that  the  fish  has  a  very  char- 
acteristic physiognomy,  resembling,  but  very  distinct  from  Creagrutus. 
The  snout  is  as  long  as  the  very  large  eye,  and  the  widened  postorbitals 
nearly  equal  it.  The  gape  is  very  great.  There  is  a  considerable  re- 
semblance of  the  mouth  to  that  of  Bramocharax  and  of  Scissor.  The 
relationship  may  be  in  this  direction. 

The  lengthened  maxillary  sweeps  backward  and  downward  in  a  great 
concave  curve,  its  horizontal  extent  nearly  twice  the  vertical.  The 
maxillary  is  fully  toothed  to  Dear  its  end,  with  twelve  strong  backward 
pointing  tricuspid  teeth. 

There  are  two  large  tricuspid  teeth  on  each  side  of  the  mandible, 
these  grading  into  a  series  of  nine  strong  retrorse  tricuspid  teeth.  The 
snout  is  pointed  so  that  all  of  the  tooth-series  are  rather  acutely  angled 
in  the  middle  and  thence  extend  almost  straight  posteriorly. 

The  cheeks  are  fully  armed  with  the  exception  of  a  narrow  border 
along  the  vertical  limb  of  the  preopercle.  The  preventral  and  pre- 
dorsal  squamation  is  normal,  the  caudal  is  naked,  and  the  lateral  line 
complete. 

This  genus  differs  from  Creagrutus  in  the  dentition,  in  the  long 
snout,  and  peculiar  maxillary,  in  the  elongated,  uncompressed  form, 
and  in  other  characters.  In  Dr.  Eigenmann's  synopsis  in  the  American 
Characidae,  it  would  fall  in  Hemibrycon,  from  which  it  differs  in  the 
whole  habitus,  dentition,  maxillary,  and  long  snout. 

Creagrudite  maxillaris,  sp.  nov. 

Head  3f  in  body-length.  Depth  5.  Eye  3-5^  in  head-length,  somewhat 
greater  than  interorbital.  Dorsal  10.  Anal  10|  to  12|.  Scales  4-41  to 
42-3. 

Body  long,  spindle-shaped,  little  compressed,  greatest  thickness  1| 
in  depth.  Eye  large,  equal  to  the  long  snout.  Jaws  about  equal,  the 
lower  slightly  included.  Dorsal  origin  half  an  orbit-diameter  nearer 
snout-tip  than  caudal  base,  slightly  anterior  to  pelvic  insertion  in 
adults,  over  or  slightly  posterior  to  pelvics  in  younger  specimens.  Anal 
inserted  under  tip  of  depressed  last  dorsal  ray.  Pectoral  tips  half  length 


MYERS:    SOUTH   AMERICAN    FRESH-WATER   FISHES.  119 

of  fin  from  pelvics.  Pelvics  not  reaching  anal  by  three  or  four  scales. 
Adipose  inserted  above  last  anal  rays.  Caudal  Well  forked.  Anal 
margin  falcate,  dorsal  edge  emarginate. 

Yellowish,  the  scales  of  the  back  with  a  dark  border  inside  a  light  one. 
A  conspicuous  vertical  black  humeral  crescent.  A  diffuse  silvery  band, 
more  sharply  defined  posteriorly,  superimposed  on  a  darkish  band, 
ending  abruptly  at  caudal  base,  discontinued  for  a  short  interval,  and 
then  continued  to  the  tips  of  the  central  rays.  A  yellow  spot  at  the  base 
of  the  upper  and  lower  caudal  rays,  continued  faintly  out  to  form  a  pale 
border  to  the  caudal  bar.  Beyond  the  spots,  the  caudal  is  shaded 
duskily.  First  pelvic  and  anal  rays  milky  white;  fins  otherwise  hyaline. 

Type. —  17,682  I.  U.  95  mm.  Brazil:  Sandbank  on  the  Colombian 
border,  Rio  Negro,  Cucuhy.   14  February,  1925.  Carl  Ternetz. 

Par ATYPES.— 17,683  l!  U.  31,572  M.  C.  Z.  92,33  mm.  Brazil: 
Sandbank  on  the  Colombian  border,  Rio  Negro,  Cucuhy.  14  February, 
1925.  Carl  Ternetz. 

Paratypes. —  17,684  I.  U.  49,  58  mm.  Mouth  of  the  Curamuni, 
Rio  Cassiquiare.   7  March,  1925.   Carl  Ternetz. 

Crcagrutus  melanzonus  Eigenmann,  from  the  Upper  Essequibo  and 
Potaro  Rivers  in  British  Guiana,  seems  to  be  based  on  young  speci- 
mens of  this  genus,  and  may  stand  as  Creagrudite  melanzona  (Eigen- 
mann). They  differ  from  young  C.  viaxillaris  in  the  scale-count  and 
in  the  presence  of  two  teeth  in  the  second  premaxillary  series  on  each 
side. 

Carnegiella  marthae,  sp.  riov. 

Head  3f  in  body-length.  Depth  2.  Dorsal  10.  Anal  22  or  23.  Scales 
26. 

Lower  profile  of  the  disc  extending  downward  and  backward  rather 
steeply  and  with  but  a  slight  curve,  the  lower  portion  somewhat  trun- 
cated. Maxillary  with  a  single  tooth.  Nine  premaxillary  teeth  on  each 
side  in  a  single  series.  Lateral  line  incomplete.  No  adipose. 

A  dark  line  from  above  the  first  third  of  the  pectoral  to  the  caudal 
base,  bounded  above  by  a  wider  light  line  and  below  by  a  narrower  one. 
Back  above  this  darkly  mottled,  the  scale-edges  darker.  A  dark  band 
around  lower  jaw  to  eye  and  another  a  little  lower  down.  Two  dark 
lines  backward  from  eye  across  opercle,  and  another  following  the  curve 
of  the  suborbital.  Entire  lower  edge  of  body,  from  caudal  to  chin, 
bounded  by  a  narrow  dark  line,  this  forking  on  the  breast,  one  branch 
on  each  side,  leaving  a  narrow  median  light  V-shaped  area  below  chin. 


120  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

This  dark  outline  is  bordered  interiorly,  from  caudal  to  the  beginning 
of  the  front  profile  of  the  breast,  with  a  wider  light  area.  Breast  with  a 
series  of  six  fine  curved  dark  lines,  with  wider  interspaces,  starting 
anteriorly  and  curving  backward  and  upward,  parallel  with  the  lower 
edge  of  the  opercle,  somewhat  converging,  and  ending  above  and 
behind  the  pectoral  insertion.  The  sides  are  finely  mottled  with  dark 
and  this  causes  the  lines  to  become  obsolete  on  the  middle  of  the  sides 
in  most  specimens.  The  lower  ones  of  the  six  are  nearly  always  inter- 
rupted. At  the  point  where  the  truncated  lower  profile  starts  upward 
towards  the  caudal,  the  light  inner  margin  is  curved  inward,  with  an 
upper  heavy  border  of  crowded  chromatophores,  forming  an  incipient 
light  spot.  Pectorals  mottled  with  dusky.  Scales  bluish  burnished 
silvery.  These  are  the  typical  colors.  They  are  varied  somewhat  on 
most  of  the  specimens  by  slight  differences  in  mottling. 

Type. —  17,685  I.  U.  29.5  mm.  Venezuela:  Caiio  de  Quiribana,  near 
Caicara.   May,  1925.    Carl  Ternetz. 

Paratypes.—  17,686  I.  U.  31,573  M.  C.  Z.  27-32  mm.  Venezuela: 
Cano  de  Quiribana,  near  Caicara.  May,  1925.  Carl  Ternetz. 

Paratypes. —  17,687  I.  U.  30,  31  mm.  Venezuela:  Cano  de  Quiri- 
bana, opposite  Pan  de  Azucar.   7  May,  1925.  Carl  Ternetz. 

Paratype. —  17,688  I.  U.  29  mm.  Venezuela:  Creek  into  Laguna 
San  Raphael,  Caicara.   23  April,  1925.   Carl  Ternetz. 

This  pretty  and  distinctive  little  flying  fish  is  one  of  the  most  unex- 
pected novelties  obtained  by  Dr.  Ternetz.  It  differs  trenchantly  from 
the  onl}^  other  species  of  the  genus,  C.  strigata,  in  the  low  scale  and  anal 
ray  counts,  in  the  truncated  lower  profile  of  the  disc,  and  in  the  simi- 
larly patterned,  but  quite  distinct  coloration ;  C.  marthae  entirely  lacks 
the  bold  wavy  cross-bands  of  C.  strigata  and  is  considerably  smaller. 
An  average  adult  C.  strigata  from  Iquitos  measures  40  mm.;  T  have 
compared  it  with  C.  strigata  from  Belem,  Para  (Ternetz),  Iquitos 
(Allen),  and  Tumatumari,  British  Guiana  (Eigenmann);  C.  marthae 
apparently  replaces  C.  strigata  in  the  Orinoco,  but  why  the  latter  should 
occur  in  the  Essequibo  and  the  Maraiion  and  not  in  the  Orinoco,  when 
the  latter  is  openly  connected  with  the  Amazon  system  through  the 
Cassiquiare,  is  an  interesting  question.  Dr.  Ternetz  does  not  appear  to 
have  obtained  any  Gasteropelecinae  in  the  Upper  Rio  Negro  or  Upper 
Orinoco. 


MYERS:   SOUTH   AMERICAN    FRESH-WATER   FISHES.  121 

LoNCHOGENYS,  gen.  nov. 
X67X'7,  lance,  and  yeuvs,  cheek. 

Genotype. —  Lonchogenys  ilisha  Myers. 

Characinae.  Allied  to  Acanthocharax,  Heterocharax,  and  Xipho- 
charax. 

Lateral  line  complete.  Anal  origin  beneath  the  dorsal  fin.  Scales 
large,  cycloid.  A  strong  acute  point  on  the  angle  of  the  interopercle. 
Mandibular  teeth  in  two  series.  Tooth-bearing  margin  of  the  mandible 
trilobed,  the  central  lobe  with  a  large  and  a  small  canine  on  each  side 
of  it  in  the  inner  series,  the  side  lobes  each  with  three  large  retrorse 
canines  at  their  highest  point,  these  being  in  the  outer  series.  Upper 
jaw  scalloped  to  receive  the  central  lobe,  the  depression  with  two  ca- 
nines and  a  few  smaller  teeth  at  each  side  of  it.  Set  in  front  of  these 
canines  is  an  even  row  of  small  teeth,  forming  two  premaxillary  series 
at  this  portion  of  the  jaw.  Maxillary-premaxillary  junction  a  right 
angle,  the  maxillary  immediately  curving  down  and  sweeping  back- 
ward. Maxillary  fully  toothed,  without  a  canine,  the  upper  teeth  en- 
larged and  grading  downward. 

Head  much  less  heavy  and  gape  considerably  less  than  in  Acantho- 
charax. Nape  emarginate,  not  angulated.  Snout  broadened,  as  in 
Heterocharax  and  Xiphocharax.  Cleithrum  not  notched.  Opercle 
with  a  deep  notch  in  its  upper  border,  deeper  than  that  of  Hetero- 
charax, and  corresponding  to  a  slight  emargination  in  the  other  two 
genera. 

This  genus  is  far  removed  from  Acanthocharax,  much  nearer  Xipho- 
charax, and  closest  to  Heterocharax.  The  four  genera  may  be  arranged 
as  follows : — 

a.  Genera  of  Characinae  with  the  interopercle  drawn  out  into  a  sharp 
point  or  spine. 
b.  Maxillary-premaxillary  junction  very  obtusely  angled,  the 
maxillary  oblique;  a  small  canine  at  the  upper  end  of  the 
toothed  maxillary;  snout  not  broadened;  nape  angulated; 
scales  small;  cleithrum  notched;  opercle  entire;  cheeks  mostly 
naked;  interopercle  with  a  sharp  spine. 

AcantJwcharax  Eigenmann. 
bb.     Maxillary-premaxillary  junction  nearly  a  right  angle ;  the  maxil- 
lary wdth  the  upper  teeth  enlarged,  but  no  canine;  snout 
broadened;  nape  emarginate  but  not  angled. 


122  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

c.     Cheeks  naked;  cleithrum  notched;  opercle  entire;  scales  very 
small;  maxillary  vertical;  interopercle  with  a  sharp  point 

but  not  a  spine Xiphocharax  Fowler. 

cc.     Cheeks  fully  armed;  cleithrum  not  notched;  opercle  notched; 
scales  large;  maxillary  oblique. 
d.     Ramus  of  mandible  trilobed;  premaxillary  teeth  partly 
in  two  series;  interopercle  with  an  acute  point;  scales 

squared  basally  with  a  notch Lonchogcnys  Myers. 

dd.  Ramus  of  mandible  not  lobed ;  premaxillary  teeth  strictly 
in  a  single  series;  interopercle  with  a  sharp  spine;  scales 
deep,  oval,  basally  entire Hetcrocharax  Eigenmann. 

LONCHOGENYS  ILISHA,  sp.  nOV. 

Head  ^  in  body-length.  Depth  2f .  Eye  2^  in  head,  much  longer 
than  snout.  Dorsal  11.  Anal  35  to  38.  Scales  6-34  to  35-4. 

Nape  slightly  emarginate,  not  angulated.  Dorsal  originating  very 
slightly  nearer  to  caudal  base  than  to  snout-tip.  Pelvics  half  an  orbit- 
diameter  anterior  to  vertical  of  dorsal  origin.  Pectorals  not  quite  to 
pelvics,  which  scarcely  reach  anal.  Adipose  above  end  of  anal.  First 
few  anal  rays  prolonged,  giving  a  falcate  margin  to  the  first  part  of  the 
fin.  Dorsal  high  and  pointed.  Caudal  well  forked,  lobes  pointed. 
Occipital  process  long  and  pointed.  Maxillary  reaches  nearly  to  below 
center  of  pupil.  Predorsal  line  compressed,  possibly  nearly  naked,  but 
with  scattered  irregular  scales;  this  hard  to  determine  precisely  be- 
cause of  the  black  predorsal  line.  Scales  at  side  of  predorsal  line, 
particularly  anteriorly,  becoming  very  oblique.  Anal  with  a  basal 
sheath  of  scales,  more  numerous  forward.  Caudal  scaled.  Great  sub- 
orbital covering  all  but  a  very  narrow  line  of  the  cheeks. 

The  scales  are  most  remarkably  different  from  those  of  Acantho- 
charax  {cf.  Cockerel!,  Ann.  Carnegie  mus.,  1914,  9,  p.  Ill)  and  of 
Hetcrocharax,  with  both  of  which  I  have  directly  compared  them. 
The  scales  of  Hetcrocharax  are  exactly  like  those  of  Acanthocharax 
except  that  they  are  less  deep.  The  scales  of  Lonchogenys  are  rounded 
apically,  more  or  less  square  basally,  not  exceptionally  deep,  and  of 
course  much  larger  than  those  of  Acanthocharax.  The  nucleus  is  far 
basad,  and  the  basal  border  is  notched  twice  medially  and  once  below, 
the  circuli  following  the  indentations.  There  are  two  widely  separated 
strong  apical  radii,  delimiting  the  apical  sector  of  the  scale,  this  area 
lacking  circuli.  Between  these  radii  are  several  fine,  irregular,  connected 
radii,  few  reaching  the  margin.    The  circuli  of  the  basal  portion  run 


MYERS:    SOUTH   AMERICAN    FRESH-WATER   FISHES.  123 

around  and  go  off  the  scale  parallel  to  the  two  strong  delimiting  apical 
radii. 

Coloration  brilHant  silvery;  a  plumbeous  lateral  band.  Fins  hyaline, 
slightly  dark  tipped.  Midline  of  back,  occiput,  upper  iris,  and  tips  of 
jaws  black.  Scales  dark  edged  on  back.  A  dusky  line  along  anal  base. 
A  few  chromatophores  gathered  into  faint  lateral  scale-lines  below. 

Type. —  17,696a  I.  U.  67  mm.  Brazil:  Sandbank  on  the  Colombian 
border,  Rio  Negro,  Cucuhy.   14  February,  1925.   Carl  Ternetz. 

Paratypes.— 17,696  I.  U.  31,574  M.  C.  Z.  67-74  mm.  Brazil: 
Sandbank  on  the  Colombian  border,  Rio  Negro,  Cucuhy.  14  Febru- 
ary, 1925.   Carl  Ternetz. 

There  are  many  specimens  from  other  localities.  It  is  a  common 
species  in  the  Upper  Rio  Negro.  That  this  species  passes  through  the 
Cassiquiare  to  the  Orinoco' is  shown  by  a  single  specimen  of  77  mm. 
from  Laga  Tama-Tama,  Bifurcation,  Upper  Orinoco. 

A  replica  in  miniature  of  the  clupeid  genus  Ilisha. 


PIMELODIDAE. 

Brachyrhamdia,  gen.  nov. 
^paxvs,  short,  and  Rhamdia,  a  genus  of  Pimelodidae. 

Genotype. —  Brachyrhamdia  imitator  Myers. 

Pimelodinae.   x\llied  to  Pimelodella. 

Body  rather  compact;  somewhat  compressed  and  deep.  Occipital 
process  forming  a  bridge  with  the  dorsal  plate.  Dorsal  and  pectoral 
spines  pungent,  those  of  the  latter  with  thorns  along  the  basal  half 
of  the  posterior  edge.  Humeral  process  spine-like.  Fontanel  not  con- 
tinued behind  eyes,  without  a  bridge.  Eyes  with  free  orbital  rims. 
Barbels  normal.  Caudal  deeply  forked.  Head  entirely  covered  with 
skin. 

Brachyrhamdia  imitator,  sp.  nov. 

Head  3^  in  body-length.  Depth  3^.  Eye  3|  in  head,  circular.  Dorsal 
I,  6.   Anal  9. 

Body  in  general  shape  like  Corydoras,  the  head  deep  and  the  skull 
arched.  Maxillary  barbel  lying  in  a  groove  below  eye,  long,  reaching 
tip  of  anal  rays.  Outer  mental  barbel  nearly  reaching  tip  of  pectoral 
spine.  Inner  mental  barbel  shorter.  Premaxillary  teeth  in  a  band, 
without  backward  projecting  angles.    Pectoral  spines  very  slightly 


124  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

longer  than  dorsal  spine,  the  latter  smooth,  the  former  with  eight 
strong  thorns  along  the  basal  half  of  the  posterior  margin.  Dorsal 
origin  1^  times  as  far  from  caudal  base  as  from  snout-tip.  Pelvies  in- 
serted on  vertical  of  next  to  last  dorsal  ray.  Adipose  fin  high,  the 
length  of  its  base  slightly  less  than  length  of  dorsal  spine. 

Dull  brownish  yellow,  light  on  belly.  Posterior  sides  finely  mottled. 
A  black  masque-like  zone  from  occiput  down  over  eyes  and  across 
cheek.  Another  wide  black  zone  from  dorsal  origin  to  humeral  process, 
this  running  up  and  involving  the  spine  and  first  ray  of  dorsal. 

Type. —  17,695  I.  U.  50  mm.  Venezuela:  Caiio  de  Quiribana,  near 
Caicara.    May,  1925.    Carl  Ternetz. 

Taken  with,  and  very  similar  in  color  and  form  to  Corydoras  me- 
lanistins  Regan. 

DORADIDAE. 

Orinocodoras,  gen.  nov. 

Orinoco  and  Doras,  the  typical  genus  of  the  family. 

Genotype. —  Orinocodoras  eigenmanni  Myers. 

Allied  to  Platydoras  and  Lithodoras.  Width  at  cleithrum  greater 
than  head-length.  Adipose  fin  continued  forward  very  slightly  into  a 
keel,  fairly  high;  without  the  keel  it  is  as  long  as  anal  base.  Dorsal 
spine  strongly  serrate  in  front  and  behind,  the  posterior  serrae  longer. 
Preorbital  bones  not  serrate.  Caudal  peduncle  entirely  covered  above 
and  below  with  laminate  plates.  Lateral  scutes  very  narrow,  as  wide 
as  eye,  leaving  the  greater  part  of  the  sides  naked;  one  in  feeble  con- 
tact with  the  dorsal  plate.  Swim-bladder  double,  without  diverticula, 
the  posterior  part  small  and  heart-shaped.  Barbels  simple.  Differs 
from  Lithodoras  in  the  armored  peduncle  and  more  numerous  scutes, 
and  from  Platydoras  in  the  narrow  scutes. 

Orinocodoras  eigenmanni,  sp.  nov. 

Head  3J  in  body-length  to  last  scute.  Eye  6|  in  head.  Dorsal  I,  5. 
Anal,  11.  Lateral  scutes  29,  very  even,  those  on  the  peduncle  very 
slightly  larger  than  the  others.  Dorsal  spine  nearly  reaches  beginning 
of  adipose  keel.  Pectoral  spines  reaching  pelvies.  Coracoid  process 
covered  with  skin.  Fontanel  continued  as  a  groove  to  the  dorsal  fin. 
Mouth  terminal.  Teeth  in  a  band,  none  enlarged.  Maxillary  barbel 
reaching  to  cleithrum.   Mental  barbels  four,  short.    Eye  just  anterior 


MYERS:   SOUTH  AMERICAN   FRESH-WATER   FISHES.  125 

to  middle  of  head.  Profile  from  dorsal  to  snout-tip  an  almost  unin- 
terrupted curve.  Caudal  forked. 

Blackish;  a  white  line  down  the  row  of  scutes,  continued  faintly 
forward  to  eye.  Dorsal  lightish  mottled,  the  first  soft  ray  and  its 
membrane  black.  Caudal  mottled  lightish,  with  two  longitudinal 
black  bands,  these  continuing  the  black  of  the  sides  above  and  below 
the  white  scutes.  Underside  of  head  and  coracoid  process  white,  rest 
of  underside  darkly  mottled. 

Type. —  17,689  I.  U.  89  mm.  Venezuela:  Cano  de  Quiribana,  near 
Caicara.   13  May,  1925.   Carl  Ternetz. 

Paratypes.— 17,690  I.  U.  31,575  M.  C.  Z.  74-81  mm.  Venezuela: 
Cano  de  Quiribana,  near  Caicara.  Carl  Ternetz. 

Named  for  Dr.  Carl  H.  Eigenmann,  who  recently  placed  the  classifi- 
cation of  the  Doradidae  on  a  firm  foundation. 


ASPREDINIDAE. 

Bunocephalus  salathei,  sp.  nov. 

Depth  of  head  2|  in  its  width,  which  is  half  again  greater  than  its 
length.  Upper  jaw  slightly  longer  than  lower.  Cranial  ridges  promi- 
nent, interorbital  deeply  concave,  half  as  wide  as  corresponding  width 
of  head.  Maxillary  barbels  reach  almost  to  end  of  coracoid  processes. 
Pectoral  spine  slightly  curved,  with  strong  serrations  on  both  sides,  not 
reaching  pelvic  fin-origin  by  more  than  half  head-length.  Coracoid 
processes  parallel  or  slightly  divergent,  half  as  long  as  their  distance 
apart,  reaching  as  far  back  as  middle  of  pectoral  spine.  Dorsal  4,  its 
origin  If  times  as  far  from  caudal  base  as  from  snout  tip.  Anal  7|. 
Caudal  peduncle  little  or  not  at  all  compressed,  very  slender,  its  length 
4f  in  length  to  caudal  base.  Skin  finely  tubercular. 

Upper  half  of  head  and  body  light  grayish  tan,  lower  half  blackish 
brown.  Dorsal  fin  dark  with  a  lightish  border.  Venter  light.  Two  of 
the  paratypes  show  traces  of  five  dark  cross-bands,  near  the  end  of  the 
pectoral  spines,  at  the  dorsal  fin,  above  the  anal  origin,  above  its  end, 
and  at  the  caudal  base. 

Type.— 31,583  M.  C.  Z.  48  mm.  Brazil:  Morro  Ajudo,  "about 
100  km.  from  Rio  de  Janeiro."  Brocca  and  Salathe. 

Paratypes.— 101  Coll  G.  S.  M.  26-33  mm.  Brazil:  Morro  Ajudo, 
"  about  100  km.  from  Rio  de  Janeiro."   Brocca  and  Salathe. 

Allied  to  B.  doriae  Blgr.  differing  in  the  anterior  dorsal,  uncom- 
pressed peduncle,  shorter  dorsal,  and  in  color. 


126  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

CALLICHTHYIDAE. 

CoRYDORAS  potaroensis,  sp.  nov. 

Corydoras  pundatus  Eigenmann   (in  part  7iec  Bloch)  Mem.  Carnegie  mus., 
1912,  6,  p.  220,  pi.  24,  fig.  3.   Creek  below  Potaro  Landing  and  Erukin. 

In  his  account  of  C.  jpnndatus,  Eigenmann  apparently  included 
specimens  of  two  distinct  species,  neither  of  them  the  true  C.  punctatus 
of  Bloch.  Bloch's  figure  represents  a  fairly  elongate  Corydoras  with  a 
distinct  black  spot  on  the  upper  part  of  the  anterior  dorsal  rays,  with 
but  few  small  dots  on  the  sides,  with  no  trace  of  a  black  band  across 
the  head  and  eyes,  and  with  rows  of  dots  on  the  caudal.  It  would  fall 
in  the  group  vim.  of  Mrs.  Ellis's  synopsis  (Ann.  Carnegie  mus.,  1913,  8, 
p.  398).  Regan,  whose  paper  (Ann.  mag.  nat.  hist.,  1912,  ser.  8,  10, 
p.  209-220)  appeared  almost  simultaneously  with  Eigenmann's,  recog- 
nized that  the  one  Guiana  species  he  had  was  different  from  C.  punc- 
tatus, and  named  it  C.  melanistius.  I  identify  the  more  common  species 
of  Eigenmann's  collections  with  C  inelanistius,  while  the  other  I  de- 
scribe as  new;  C.  melanistius  is  a  very  deep  species  (the  depth  2^  to  2|). 
Measuring  in  a  horizontal  plane  (not  over  the  curve  of  the  back),  the 
dorsal  origin  is  midway  between  the  vertical  of  the  snout-tip  and  the 
tip  of  the  adipose  spine.  The  spine  and  first  three  dorsal  rays  and  their 
membranes  are  black,  this  color  extending  down  in  a  large  patch  on  the 
upper  part  of  the  sides.  A  dark  band  (though  never  so  dark  as  the 
dorsal  spot)  extends  from  the  nape  down  through  the  eye  onto  the  sub- 
orbital and  opercle.  Sides  covered  with  many  small  dark  spots,  those 
above  the  lateral  line  of  scute-junctures  slightly  larger  and  more  dis- 
posed in  lateral  rows  than  those  below.  Fins  pale,  faded,  but  with 
indications  in  some  specimens  (Konawaruk)  of  vertical  rows  of  spots 
on  the  caudal  and  anal.  I  have  specimens  from  Kumaka,  Malali, 
Konawaruk,  and  mud-flats  on  the  Demerara  below  Wismar.  All  these 
are  much  paler  in  coloration  than  specimens  from  Cano  de  Quiribana, 
near  Caicara,  Orinoco,  possibly  due  to  fading,  but  more  probably 
partly  due  to  a  really  lighter  color  of  the  Guiana  fishes.  The  Orinoco 
specimens  have  the  caudal  with  bold  rows  of  spots. 

The  new  species,  represented  by  Eigenmann's  figure  and  his  speci- 
mens from  Erukin  and  Potaro  Landing,  is  more  elongate.  Depth  2^  to  3. 
Measuring  in  a  horizontal  plane,  the  dorsal  origin  is  midway  between 
the  vertical  of  the  snout-tip  and  the  base  of  the  adipose  spine.  There  is 
a  masque-like  black  zone  over  the  eyes  as  in  C.  melanistius,  but  the 
dorsal  coloration  differs  widely.  The  entire  dorsal  fin,  with  its  rays  and 


MYERS:   SOUTH   AMERICAN   FRESH-WATER   FISHES.  127 

membranes,  is  black,  paling  toward  the  margin,  but  this  color  does  not 
extend  on  the  dorsal  region  of  the  body.  There  are  no  spots  on  the  body  or 
fins,  the  only  markings  being  faint  lines  running  parallel  to  the  vertical 
plate-sutures. 

Types.—  11,984  I.  U.  31,576  M.  C.  Z.  43-46  mm.  Br.  Guiana:  Creek 
below  Potaro  Landing.   C.  H.  Eigenmann. 


LORICARIIDAE. 

Otothyris,  gen.  nov. 
oii%,  uTos,  ear,  and  Oupis,  lattice. 

Genotype. —  Otothyris  canaliferus  Myers. 

Hypoptopomatinae.  Allied  to  Otocinclus,  but  the  cranium  sculp- 
tured is  a  most  remarkable  manner.  Eye  set  high  in  head,  without  the 
projecting  tongue  of  iris  to  the  center  of  the  pupil  seen  in  Otocinclus. 

Supraoccipital  with  two  low  spinescent  keels  at  the  summit,  one  on 
each  side,  parallel,  diverging  anteriorly  and  posteriorly.  Out  of  the 
posterior  trough  of  these  rises  a  third  median  spinescent  keel,  higher 
than  the  other  two  and  rising  to  the  posterior  tip  of  the  supraoccipital, 
where  it  ends.  The  temporals  are  perforate,  pierced  by  three  or  four 
large  openings  (sometimes  confluent  into  one),  these  extending  upward 
into  a  passageway  which  opens  externally  above  into  two  small  holes. 
The  sutures  of  the  bones  are  so  obscured  that  I  shall  not  attempt  to 
difterentiate  them  further.  A  keel  starts  on  each  side  of  the  snout  and 
extends  in  a  concave  curve  upward  to,  and  encircling,  the  eye,  thence 
extends  backward  and  upward  above  the  perforations  described,  end- 
ing in  a  pointed  backward  projection  of  what  likely  is  the  epiotic. 
Occasionally  there  is  one  perforation  above  this  keel,  this  at  its  angle 
with  the  posterior  border  of  the  circumorbicular  ridge,  and  extending 
downward  into  the  same  passageway  as  the  others.  Below  the  poste- 
riorly projecting  point  of  the  lateral  cephalic  keels  is  a  cavernous  bone- 
surrounded  opening  into  a  large  chamber  at  the  side  of  the  anterior 
vertebrae.  This  apparently  does  not  connect  with  the  passageway  of 
the  perforations,  agreeing  in  this  with  specimens  of  Otocinclus  affinis 
Steindachner  from  Rio  de  Janeiro.  Thus  it  apparently  differs  from  the 
structure  in  0.  vestitus  as  described  by  Cope,  although  he  may  have 
been  mistaken  in  that  all  of  the  perforations  enter  the  large  cavity. 

The  bony  arched  roof  of  the  chamber  on  each  side,  between  the 
lateral  and  supraoccipital  keels,  bears  four  very  weak  longitudinal 


128  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology, 

keels.  There  is  a  short  double  keel  originating  at  the  snout-tip  and 
fading  between  the  great  bone-rimmed  nasal  depressions. 

The  adipose  fin  and  its  spine  are  absent.  There  are  three  large  plates 
on  the  preventral  area,  one  at  each  side  anteriorly  and  one  posteriorly 
between  the  pelvics.  The  rest  of  the  breast  is  naked  save  occasionally 
for  one  or  two  rudimentary  accessory  plates.  Lower  transverse  area  of 
clavicles  and  coracoids  exposed,  rough. 

This  genus  differs  from  Otocinclus  in  the  rugose  and  much  keeled 
upper  surface  of  the  head,  and  in  the  reduced  number  and  peculiar 
structure  of  the  temporal  perforations  and  their  canals. 

Otothyris  canaliferus,  sp.  nov. 

Dorsal  1, 4.  Anal  I,  5.  Lateral  plates  2L 

Summit  of  postdorsal  region  depressed,  with  a  row  of  spines  along 
each  side.  A  median  series  of  scutes  down  the  side.  Postanal  region 
depressed,  flanked  on  each  side  by  a  row  of  spines,  with  another  double 
row  down  its  center.  Dorsal  originating  very  slightly  posterior  to 
vertical  of  origin  of  pelvics.  Pectoral  spines  extending  nearly  to  end 
of  pelvics.   Caudal  injured,  possibly  truncate  in  life. 

Ornately  mottled,  a  diffuse  brown  band  over  back  at  dorsal  origin 
and  another  at  its  end.  Caudal  peduncle  encircled  by  a  diffuse  band. 
A  lateral  brown  area  down  the  sides.  A  conspicuous  rounded  dark 
brown  spot  occupying  the  center  of  the  caudal  fin. 

Types.— 87  Coll.  G.  S.  M.  31,577  M.  C.  Z.  30  mm.  Brazil:  hills 
vicinity  Rio  de  Janeiro.  1924.  R.  Brocca. 

I  cannot  identify  this  species  with  any  described  from  southeastern 
Brazil,  though  there  is  a  possibility  that  it  will  prove  identical  with  one 
of  Ribeiro's  species  of  Otocinclus. 


PYGIDIIDAE. 
Glanapteryx,  gen.  nov. 
yXavis,  the  catfish  of  Aristotle;  o,  privative,  without;  and  -n-repv^,  wing  or  fin. 

Genotype. —  Glanapteryx  anguilla  Myers. 

Pygidiinae.  Body  eel-shaped,  wholly  finless  excepting  for  small  rudi- 
mentary pectoral  and  pelvic  flaps  and  a  caudal  fringe.  No  mental 
barbels.  Nasal,  rostral,  and  maxillary  pairs  of  barbels  present.  Cheeks 
without  spines.  Teeth  small,  apparently  conical,  in  both  jaws. 


MYERS:    SOUTH    AMERICAN    FRESH-WATER   FISHES.  129 

Glanapteryx  anguilla,  sp.  nov. 

Body  cylindrical  anteriorly,  compressed  and  slightly  deeper  in  the 
caudal  region.  Eyes  small  and  imbedded  in  the  skin,  about  thrice  one's 
diameter  apart,  far  forward  in  the  head  near  the  nasal  barbels.  Head 
small  and  flattened,  its  length  equal  to  depth  of  anterior  part  of  body, 
which  is  contained  about  fifteen  times  in  the  body-length.  Nasal 
barbels  reaching  end  of  head,  rostral  and  maxillary  barbels  slightly 
longer. 

No  traces  of  dorsal  or  anal  fins  are  visible.  The  pectorals  are  reduced 
to  useless  inconspicuous  fleshy  flaps.  The  caudal  fin,  with  its  many 
accessory  rays,  is  present  as  a  narrow  fringe  around  the  paudal  end  of 
the  body,  rounded-acuminate  at  the  tip.  What  may  be  flap-like  rem- 
nants of  the  pelvic  fins  are  present  at  each  side  of  the  anus.  A  dissec- 
tion to  ascertain  this  has  not  been  made  as  the  Type  is  uniciue.  The 
caudal  region,  from  vent  to  caudal  tip,  is  contained  3f  times  in  the 
total  length  of  the  fish. 

Uniform  dark  brown,  lighter  beneath. 

Type. —  17,700  I.  U.  42  mm.  Brazil:  rock-pools  below  Sao  Gabriel 
Rapids,  Rio  Negro.    1  February,  1925.    Carl  Ternetz. 

This  unique  specimen  was  in  a  vial  full  of  young  Synhranchus 
marmoratus,  and  it  was  not  until  I  noticed  one  of  the  supposed  Syn- 
hranchus to  have  barbels  that  this  peculiar  species  was  discovered. 
It  is  undoubtedly  a  burrowing  type  and  is  quite  the  most  remarkable 
form  of  the  subfamily  so  far  discovered. 

OCHMACANTHUS  ALTERNUS,  Sp.  nOV. 

Head  5|  in  body-length.  Depth  5|.  Dorsal  8.  Anal  8.  Pectoral  6. 
Eye  4|  in  head,  longer  than  snout,  less  than  interorbital. 

Maxillary  barbels  to  interopercular  spines;  lower  barbels  much 
shorter,  with  a  membranous  flap  below.  Width  of  head  equal  to  length 
with  opercular  spines.  Ten  or  eleven  interopercular  spines.  About  ten 
opercular  spines.  Teeth  small,  in  minute  series.  A  prominent  pectoral 
pore.  Pelvics  inserted  midway  between  head  and  caudal  base.  i\nal 
fin-origin  but  slightly  behind  that  of  dorsal.  Caudal  rounded-truncate, 
with  many  accessory  rays,  not  tadpole-like. 

Markings  very  variable,  typically  a  double  or  triple  series  of  large, 
irregular,  alternating  blotches  with  narrow  interspaces,  the  spots  usu- 
ally partially  coalescing  forward  on  the  back.  Some  specimens  have 
the  pattern  broken  up  into  comparatively  fine  mottling,  but  all  show  a 


130  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

trace  of  the  typical  pattern.  Caudal  mottled,  in  some  with  a  trace  of  a 
dark  median  streak  to  the  tip.  Venter  pale,  unmarked. 

Types.— 17,697  I. U.  31,578  M.  C.  Z.  34-40  mm.  Venezuela :  Cano 
de  Quiribana,  near  Caicara.  May,  1925.  Carl  Ternetz. 

A  larger  headed,  more  compact  species  than  0.  Orinoco,  well  dis- 
tinguished by  its  bold  dark  pattern. 

Ochmacanthus  ORINOCO,  sp.  nov. 

Head  6  in  body-length.  Depth  6|.  Dorsal  8.  Anal  7.  Pectoral  5. 
Eye  4  in  head,  equal  to  snout  and  interorbital. 

Maxillary  barbels  reaching  middle  of  interopercular  spine-patch, 
lower  barbels  much  shorter,  with  a  membranous  flap  below.  Head 
flattened,  its  width  equal  to  its  length  with  opercular  spines.  Ten 
large  spines  in  interopercular  patch,  ten  or  twelve  in  the  opercular 
patch.  Teeth  of  premaxillary  very  small,  in  fine  series  as  in  Stego- 
philus.  A  prominent  pectoral  pore.  Pelvics  inserted  midway  between 
caudal  base  and  front  of  interopercular  spine-patch.  Anal  origin  under 
last  part  of  dorsal  base.  Caudal  rounded,  with  many  accessory  rays, 
not  tadpole-like. 

Back  mottled.  A  single  series  of  oblong  dark  patches  of  unequal 
length  down  the  middle  of  the  sides  to  caudal  base. 

Type.—  17,698  I.  U.  46  mm.  Venezuela:  Playa  Matepalma,  Orin- 
oco. 2  April,  1925.    Carl  Ternetz. 

Stegophilus  septentrionalis,  sp.  nov. 

Head  5|-  in  body-length.  Depth  6f .  Dorsal  8.  Anal  6.  Pectoral  7. 
Eye  equal  to  snout  and  interorbital,  4  in  head. 

Maxillary  barbels  reaching  the  interopercular  spines,  lower  barbel 
much  shorter;  an  attached  membranous  flap  below  the  lower  barbel. 
Head  flat  below,  its  width  equal  to  head  without  the  opercular  spines. 
Ten  or  eleven  long  sharp  hooks  in  two  irregular  series  on  the  inter- 
opercle.  About  twelve  shorter  hooks  irregularly  arranged  at  tip  of 
opercle.  Teeth  in  several  minute,  even  series  in  the  premaxillaries, 
less  numerous  than  in  Haemomaster;  two  series  on  the  lips.  Pelvic 
fins  inserted  midway  between  caudal  base  and  pectoral  tips.  Anal 
inserted  under  end  of  dorsal  base.  One  or  two  prominent  accessory 
dorsal  and  anal  rays.  Caudal  emarginate. 

Whitish;  a  series  of  oblong  dark  blotches  down  the  middle  of  the 
side,  these  becoming  obsolete  forward.    An  indefinite  series  of  small, 


MYERS:    SOUTH    AMERICAN    FRESH-WATER    FISHES.  131 

diflFuse  streaks  above  the  side  series  anteriorly,  and  another  on  midhne 
of  back.  A  small  black  spot  on  base  of  central  caudal  rays,  continued 
outward  as  a  straight  black  line  to  the  end  of  the  central  rays.  Upper 
and  lower  caudal  tips  mottled. 

Type. —  17,699  I.  U.  44  mm.  Venezuela:  Santa  Barbara,  Orinoco. 
4  April,  1925.    Carl  Ternetz. 

Very  close  to  the  only  other  known  species  of  the  genus,  S.  insidiosus 
Reinhardt,  from  southeastern  Brazil  apparently  differing  only  in  one 
anal  ray,  the  emarginate  caudal,  and  the  distinctive  color. 

Haemomaster,  gen.  no  v. 
aipioi,  blood,  and  naoTtip,  seeker. 

Genotype. —  Haemomaster  venezuelae  Myers. 

Stegophilinae.  Accessory  caudal  rays  fairly  numerous,  but  not  con- 
spicuous. Gill-membranes  united,  confluent  with  the  isthmus.  Opercle 
with  five  spines.  Caudal  very  slightly  emarginate.  Pelvic  fins  inserted 
nearly  twice  as  far  from  snout-tip  as  from  caudal  base.  Eyes  large, 
staring,  far  apart  and  lateral,  not  superior  and  close  together  as  in  re- 
lated genera.   Colorless  except  for  a  caudal  stripe. 

In  the  synopsis  of  genera  in  Eigenmann's  review  of  the  family,  this 
genus  would  fall  in  Stegophilus,  but  the  wide-set,  staring,  lateral  eyes 
are  seen  in  no  other  member  of  the  subfamily.  It  cannot  well  be  Pleuro- 
physus  Ribeiro. 

Haemomaster  venezuelae,  sp.  nov. 

Head  7|  in  body-length.  Depth  6f  to  1\.  Dorsal  7.  Anal  5.  Eye 
3|  in  head,  2  in  interorbital. 

Teeth  of  upper  jaw  imbedded  in  soft  flesh  and  very  difficult  to  see 
except  in  dry  specimens.  The  tooth-bearing  area  is  very  wide  and 
extends  to  the  sides  of  the  mouth.  The  teeth  are  extremely  fine  and  are 
disposed  in  many  even  series,  the  outer  one  along  the  lip.  As  many  as 
fifteen  of  these  series  can  be  counted.  In  the  middle  there  is  a  patch  of 
enlarged  retro rse  teeth.  In  the  mandible  the  teeth  are  similar,  in  ex- 
tremely fine  rows,  less  numerous  than  in  the  upper  jaw,  and  there  ap- 
pears to  be  no  enlarged  central  patch.  The  outer  series  is  along  the  lip. 

A  very  short  maxillary  barbel,  scarcely  reaching  hind  border  of  eye. 
Interopercular  spines  five,  four  large  and  one  very  small  one  above. 
Opercular  spines  six,  four  large  ones  in  the  second  series,  two  smaller 
in  the  first.    Dorsal  inserted  above  middle  of  appressed  pelvics.   Anal 


132  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

inserted  below  end  of  dorsal  base.  Pelvics  nearly  twice  as  far  from 
snout-tip  as  from  caudal  base.  Head  very  flat,  body  compressed  pos- 
teriorly. 

Body  colorless.  Eyes  dark.  A  dark  line  from  middle  of  sides  below 
dorsal,  growing  black  at  caudal  base,  where  it  widens  slightly,  and  ex- 
tending out  to  the  tips  of  the  central  caudal  rays.  Occiput  dark. 

Type. —  17,705  I.  U.  61  mm.  Venezuela:  Playa  Matepalma,  Orin- 
oco. 2  April,  1925.   Carl  Ternetz. 

Paratypes. —  17,706  I.  U.  49,  58  mm.  Venezuela:  Santa  Barbara, 
Orinoco.  4  April,  1925.   Carl  Ternetz. 

Paratypes.— 17,707  I.U.  31,579  M.  C.  Z.  55-66  mm.  Venezuela: 
Playa  Tama-Tama,  Bifurcation,  Orinoco.  14-16  March,  1925.  Carl 
Ternetz. 

Urinophilus  diabolicus,  sp.  nov. 

Head  6f  in  body-length.  Depth  8|.  Dorsal  7.  Anal  8.  All  rays  vis- 
ible counted.  Pectoral  7.  Eye  6  in  head  with  opercular  spines,  just 
anterior  to  middle  of  head-length. 

Maxillary  barbel  extending  not  quite  to  tip  of  interopercular  spines, 
lower  barbel  rudimentary.  Interopercle  with  a  single  greatly  enlarged 
spine  and  a  very  few  (one  or  two)  tiny  complementary  ones.  Opercular 
patch  of  spines  rudimentary,  hidden  beneath  the  skin  and  not  project- 
ing. Five  premaxillary  teeth  in  a  convex  semicircle,  the  central  one 
largest.  Mandibles  widely  separated,  each  with  a  patch  of  small  teeth. 
Pelvic  fin-origin  midway  between  pectoral  tip  and  caudal  tip.  Anal 
origin  beneath  middle  of  dorsal.  Dorsal  origin  twice  as  far  from  inter- 
opercular spine-patch  as  from  caudal  base.  Caudal  peduncle  slender, 
with  supplementary  rays  inconspicuous.  Caudal  truncate  or  slightly 
emarginate. 

Brownish,  with  fine  darker  brown  chromatophores  on  back. 

T\-pe.—  17,701  I.  U.  48  mm.  Peru:  Iquitos.  September,  1920.  W.  R. 
Allen. 

Dr.  Allen  found  this  specimen  (called  "Carnero"  in  Peru)  halfway 
buried  in  the  belly  of  a  large  river  catfish,  "Doncella"  {Pseiidoplafys- 
toma).  It  had  burrowed  directly  through  the  body-wall  and  was  dis- 
tended with  blood. 

This  species  is  much  less  elongate  than  U.  sanguineus  (Eigenmann) 
and  U.  erythrurus  Eigenmann. 


MYERS:   SOUTH   AMERICAN   FRESH-WATER   FISHES.  133 

CYPRINODONTIDAE. 

RiVULUS  BENIENSIS,  Sp.  nOV. 

Rivulus  strigatus  Pearson,  {nee  Regan)  Indiana  univ.  studies,  1925,  no.  64, 
p.  51. 
Allied  to  R.  strigatus.  Scales  34  or  35.  Dorsal  7.  Anal  11  or  12. 
Anal  ending  below  middle  of  dorsal.  Depth  4|.  Male  with  dark  brown 
longitudinal  lines  between  the  scale-rows  and  no  caudal  ocellus.  The 
light  interspaces  were  red  in  life.  Fins  darkish,  a  basal  line  on  anal  fin. 
Female  with  traces  of  the  lateral  dark  lines,  but  this  developed  into  a 
regularly  mottled  pattern  which  forms  more  or  less  well-defined  squar- 
ish light  areas  on  the  lower  posterior  part  of  the  sides.  A  very  irregular 
dark  streak  from  vmder  jaw,  through  eye,  to  above  pectoral.  Fins 
speckled,  anal  dark  edged.  A  very  large  black  caudal  ocellus  in  the 
female. 

RiVULUS  BENIENSIS  BENIENSIS,  Subsp.  nOV. 

Head  4  in  body-length.  Dorsal  fin  originating  twice  as  far  from 
vertical  limb  of  preopercle  as  from  caudal  base. 

Types.—  17,259  I.  U.  31,580  M.  C.  Z.  24-40  mm.  Bolivia:  Ivon, 
Rio  Beni.  February,  1922.  N.  E.  Pearson. 

Rivulus  beniensis  lacustris,  subsp.  nov. 

Head  4|  to  4f  in  body-length.  Dorsal  fin  originating  twice  as  far 
from  middle  of  pectoral  as  from  caudal  base. 

Types.— 17,258  I. U.  31,581  M.  C.  Z.  30-42  mm.  Bolivia:  Lagoons 
along  shores  of  Lake  Rogoagua.  November,  1921.  N.  E.  Pearson. 

Rivulus  strigatus  lacks  a  caudal  ocellus  in  both  male  and  female  and 
the  pattern  consists  of  opposed  oblique  bars  of  dark  red  and  blue 
meeting  at  the  midline  of  the  sides,  less  bright  in  the  female.  Living 
individuals  of  R.  strigatus  are  very  different  from  R.  beniejisis. 

ELEOTRIDIDAE. 

Microphilypnus,  gen.  nov. 

fiiKpos,  small,  and  Philypnus.  ' 

Genotype. —  Microphilypnus  ternetzi  Myers. 

Eleotridinae.  Gill-openings  extending  forward  to  below  hind  border 
or  center  of  pupil.    Isthmus  moderately  narrow.   Vomerine  teeth  ap- 


134  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

parently  absent.  Skull  without  ridges  posteriorly,  slightly  ridged  or 
irregular  anterior  to  orbits.  Interorbital  very  narrow.  Head  and  snout 
more  or  less  elongate.  Lower  jaw  projecting.  Scales  large.  Opercles 
and  occiput  scaled.   Cheeks  and  breast  naked.   Size  minute. 

Distinguished  from  Philypnus  by  the  minute  size,  large  scales,  and 
unridged  skull.  These  are  the  first  small  river  gobies  to  be  reported 
from  the  interior  of  South  America. 


MiCROPHILYPNUS  TERNETZI,  sp.  nOV. 

Head  3|  in  body-length.  Depth  5f .  Eye  3t  in  head.  Dorsals  V,  8. 
Anal  7.   Scales  29  lateral,  7  between  dorsal  and  anal. 

Gill-openings  extending  to  opposite  hind  border  of  pupil.  Snout 
rather  short,  shorter  than  eye.  Lower  jaw  not  extremely  prognathous. 
Maxillary  extending  backward  to  beneath  anterior  border  of  pupil. 
Scales  ctenoid.  Lateral  line  absent.  Tongue  emarginate  or  notched  at 
tip.  No  bony  point  on  end  of  lower  limb  of  preopercle,  below  eye.  No 
ridge  before  eye. 

Scales  dark  edged,  some  with  a  spot  on  the  posterior  margin.  Head 
and  opercles  dark  spotted.  A  dark  line  midventrally,  from  isthmus  to 
caudal,  expanding  at  intervals  into  small  elongate  spots. 

Types.— 17,702  LU.  31,582M.  C.  Z.  14-20  mm.  Venezuela:  Caiio 
de  Quiribana,  near  Caicara.  May,  1925.   Carl  Ternetz. 

In  a  20  mm.  female,  numerous,  large,  yellow  ova  can  be  seen  through 
the  abdominal  wall.  This  species  vies  with  Eviota  and  Mistichthys  as 
the  smallest  known  vertebrate. 


MiCROPHILYPNUS  AMAZONICUS,  Sp.  nOV. 

Head  3|  in  body-length.  Depth  6.  Eye  3  in  head.  Dorsals  VI,  8. 
Anal  8.  Scales  about  27  lateral,^  6  or  6|  between  dorsal  and  anal. 

Gill-openings  extending  to  opposite  hind-border  of  pupil.  Snout 
rather  short,  shorter  than  the  eye.  Eye  very  large,  elongate-oval. 
Lower  jaw  not  extremely  prognathous.  Maxillary  extending  back- 
ward to  beneath  anterior  border  of  pupil.  Scales  ctenoid.  Lateral  line 
absent.  Tongue  large,  shallowly  but  widely  bifid  at  the  end.  A  bony 
point  on  end  of  lower  limb  of  preopercle,  below  eye.  Anterior  border  of 
orbit  raised  into  a  high  bony  ridge. 

Yellowish;  a  series  of  dark  spots  down  the  middle  of  the  side,  one  on 

'  Approximate  number.   Actual  number  possibly  less.   Scales  mostly  lost. 


MYERS:    SOUTH   AMERICAN    FRESH-WATER   FISHES.  135 

every  third  scale.  Fins  spotted.  A  line  downward  from  eye  to  edge  of 
under  jaw. 

Type. —  17,703  I.U.  24  mm.  Brazil:  Igarape  do  Mai  Joana,  Man- 
aos.    12  December,  1924.   Carl  Ternetz. 

This  species  and  the  next  are  probably  not  congeneric  with  M. 
ternetzi  or  with  each  other,  but  I  hesitate  to  erect  new  genera  on  the 
poor  material  available. 

MiCROPHILYPNUS  MACROSTOMA,  sp.  nOV. 

Head  3f  in  body-length.  Depth  5.  Eye  3j  in  head.  Dorsals  V,  10. 
Anal  10.   Scales  24  lateral,  5  between  dorsal  and  anal. 

Gill-openings  extending  forward  almost  to  opposite  end  of  maxillary. 
Head  elongate,  low,  very  pointed,  snout  long  but  shorter  than  the  large 
eye.  Lower  jaw  extremely  prognathous,  the  lower  dentition  exposed. 
Maxillary  extending  backward  to  beneath  center  of  pupil.  Scales 
ctenoid.  Lateral  line  present  in  the  form  of  pits  or  elongate  indenta- 
tions. Tongue  large,  squared  or  slightly  emarginate  at  the  end.  A 
bony  point  on  end  of  lower  limb  of  preopercle,  below  eye.  Anterior 
border  of  eye  with  a  ridge  which  is  raised  into  a  blunt  excrescence  at 
one  point. 

Yellowish,  faintly  speckled. 

Type.—  17,704  I.  U.  20  mm.  Brazil:  Igarape  do  Mai  Joana,  Man- 
aos.  23  December,  1924.   Carl  Ternetz. 

Very  probably  the  type  of  a  distinct  genus. 


Bulletin  of  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology 
AT   HARVARD   COLLEGE. 
Vol.  LXVIII.   No.  4. 


NOTES  ON  SOME  ARGENTINA  BIRDS. 


By  Herbert  Friedmann. 


CAMBRIDGE,  MASS.,  U.  S.  A.: 

PRINTED  FOR  THE   MUSEUM. 

September,  1927. 


No.  4. —  Notes  on  some  Argentina  Birds. 
By  Hekbert  Friedmann. 

Introduction. 

In  early  August  1923,  under  a  grant  from  the  National  Research 
Council,  I  sailed  from  New  York  for  Argentina  to  make  an  intensive 
study  of  the  life-histories  of  the  three  species  of  cowbirds  known  to 
occur  in  that  country.  The  work  involved  kept  me  in  the  field  for  ap- 
proximately half  a  year,  during  which  time  several  sections  of  the 
country  were  visited.  While  the  cowbirds  were  the  main  object  of  the 
expedition  other  birds  were  studied  and  collected  whenever  time  per- 
mitted. This  report  deals  with  the  latter  part  of  the  results  of  the  trip. 
The  work  on  the  cowbirds  forms  a  separate  report. 

Itinerary. —  In  the  morning  of  August  11,  1923  I  left  New  York  on 
the  Lamport  and  Holt  steamer  Vestris  and  two  days  later  stopped  at 
Bermuda  for  a  few  hours.  On  August  26  the  highlands  of  Cape  Frio 
appeared  through  the  mists  at  dawn  and  about  noon  the  boat  was 
docked  in  the  harbor  of  Rio  de  Janeiro.  The  next  afternoon  anchor 
was  raised,  to  be  lowered  again  on  August  30  at  Montevideo,  where  a 
stop  was  made  for  the  day,  proceeding  that  night  to  Buenos  Aires. 

Buenos  Aires  was  my  headquarters  for  the  duration  of  my  stay  in 
Argentina  and  to  this  city  I  returned  for  reoutfitting  after  each  trip 
into  the  different  sections  of  the  country.  In  Buenos  Aires  Dr.  Roberto 
Dabbene,  the  Curator  of  Birds  in  the  Museo  Nacional,  very  kindly  gave 
me  access  to  the  splendid  collections  under  his  care  and  helped  me 
greatly  with  advice  as  to  the  most  likely  places  to  visit  for  my  work, 
and  with  letters  of  introduction  to  resident  naturalists  in  the  parts 
visited.  The  success  of  the  expedition  is  in  no  small  measure  due  to  his 
friendly  interest  in  it.  From  September  1  to  20  I  was  in  or  around 
Buenos  Aires  outfitting  for  my  first  excursion  into  the  interior,  but 
managed  to  make  a  few  short  side  trips  during  this  time.  Two  trips  to 
La  Plata  City,  Berisso,  and  Ensenada  took  up  a  week,  while  the  others 
were  one-day  trips.  On  the  morning  of  September  20  I  left  by  the 
Central  Argentine  Railway  for  Tucuman  City  in  the  northwest  part 
of  Argentina.  Arriving  there  the  following  morning  after  a  very  com- 
fortable and  interesting  journey  I  made  the  acquaintance  of  three 
resident  naturalists.  Dr.  Lillo,  Sefior  Schreiter,  and  Senor  Venturi. 


140  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

The  last-named  invited  me  to  join  him  on  the  next  day  on  a  short  trip 
into  the  eastern  foothills  of  the  Andes  at  San  Pablo  and  the  Rio  Lules. 
It  was  on  this  trip  that  I  got  my  first  real  impressions  of  many  Argen- 
tine birds  and,  incidentally,  my  last  of  a  few  species  that  I  never  saw 
elsewhere.  On  the  morning  of  September  23  I  left  Venturi  and  went 
by  the  Central  Cordoba  Railway  to  Concepcion,  province  of  Tucuman. 
Concepcion  was  my  base  from  this  time  until  December  23,  just  three 
months  to  a  day.  Here  I  was  fortunate  in  obtaining  the  services  of  a 
peon  stable-boy  of  Mr.  Shipton's,  one  Pedro  Carrero  by  name,  who  had 
assisted  Mr.  Shipton's  collector,  Juan  Mogenson,  and  who  knew  the 
birds  fairly  well  in  an  unscientific  way.  My  work  was  further  aided  by 
Mr.  Shipton  who  kindly  gave  me  the  use  of  horses  and  a  two-wheeled 
buggy  and  also  placed  at  my  disposal  a  small  brick  hut.  During  the 
three  months  spent  in  this  vicinity  work  was  confined  for  the  sake  of 
exactness  to  a  relatively  small  area  between  the  Rio  de  Gastone  and 
the  sugar  cane  fields  at  La  Corona,  a  plant  of  the  Azucarera  Argentina 
Company.  A  few  side  trips  were  made  as  follows :  —  Alpachirri,  Oc- 
tober 27;  Iltico,  November  20;  and  Monteagudo,  November  25.  The 
country  around  Concepcion  is  fairly  flat,  although  only  a  few  miles  to 
the  west  rise  the  eastern  Andes,  culminating  in  the  towering  peak  of 
Aconquija,  over  20,000  feet  in  height.  Where  not  under  cultivation 
(sugar  cane)  the  country  is  of  an  open  savanna  type  abundantly  dotted 
with  Acacia  trees  and  intersected,  here  and  there,  by  small  rivulets. 
The  only  sizeable  stream  in  the  near  vicinity  is  the  Rio  de  Gastone, 
about  a  hundred  and  fifty  feet  wide  and  shallow  enough  to  cross  in  a 
buggy  with  the  greatest  of  ease.  The  banks  are  sandy  and  devoid  of 
vegetation,  but  this  barren  stretch  is  quite  narrow,  and  arboreal  vege- 
tation is  visible  on  both  sides  of  the  stream.  There  are  several  small 
marshy  areas  draining  into  the  Rio  de  Gastone  and  on  the  edges  of 
these  marshes  are  dense  thorny  tangles  and  some  real  forest,  forming 
a  varied  type  of  collecting  ground.  At  Alpachirri  and  at  the  Rio  Lules 
real  subtropical  forests  are  present  in  small,  but  truly  magnificent 
patches,  containing  many  very  tall  trees  and  great  quantities  of  epi- 
phytes and  hanging  vines. 

On  December  23  I  left  Concepcion  by  the  Central  Cordoba  Railway 
for  Buenos  Aires,  arriving  there  on  Christmas  morning.  A  week  was 
spent  in  reoutfitting  and  in  studying  certain  birds  at  the  National 
Museum  and  on  January  1  I  left  by  Parana  River  steamer  for  Santa 
Elena,  Entre  Rios,  whither  I  went  on  invitation  from  the  officers  of  the 
Bovril  Company,  Ltd.  About  noon  on  January  3  the  boat  landed  at 
the  little  pier  at  Santa  Elena  and  I  was  met  by  Mr.  C.  H.  Smyth  and 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  141 

Mr.  A.  Philip  of  the  Bovril  Company.  For  seven  weeks,  from  January  3 
to  February  23,  I  remained  at  Santa  Elena  almost  constantly,  and 
worked  under  ideal  conditions,  the  Bovril  Company's  officers  having 
put  at  my  disposal  not  only  horses  and  peon  assistants  but  even  their 
two  gasoline  launches,  and  the  Director,  Mr.  D.  M.  Frederick,  insisted 
on  my  accepting  his  hospitality.  To  these  gentlemen  I  am  greatly 
indebted  for  a  wonderfully  pleasant  and  productive  seven  weeks.  Mr. 
Smyth  later  sent  me  specimens  of  eggs  that  I  required,  and  both  he 
and  Mr.  Phihp  gave  me  much  interesting  and  valuable  information, 
still  further  increasing  my  indebtedness. 

The  country  around  Santa  Elena  is  sandy  and  very  broken  and 
rugged,  being  merely  a  succession  of  barrancas  overgrown  with  thorny 
bushes  and  dotted  here  and  there  with  Acacia  trees,  while  the  monot- 
ony of  the  horizon  is  relieved  by  clumps  of  Eucalyptus  trees  wherever 
there  are  houses,  chiefly  ranchos.  In  the  river  Parana,  just  opposite  to 
Santa  Elena,  is  a  long  chain  of  islands,  largely  marshy  in  nature,  but 
containing  some  fine  patches  of  moist  forest.  These  islands,  recorded 
in  this  paper  as  the  Bo\Til  Islands  or  the  Santa  Elena  Islands,  are  in  the 
province  of  Santa  Fe  and  were  visited  many  times.  One  of  them  in 
particular,  known  as  Deniz  Island,  was  particularly  rich  in  storks, 
herons,  ibises,  etc.  Several  trips  were  made  to  the  Bovril  Company's 
ranches,  or  as  they  are  always  called  in  Argentina,  estancias,  in  eastern 
Santa  Fe  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river.  This  part  of  the  country  is  a 
vast  flat  marsh  with  a  few,  but  extensive,  dry  patches  of  higher  land. 
Going  across  this  level  area  on  horseback  from  the  Saladero  M.  Cabal 
on  the  bank  of  the  river  as  far  as  La  Noria,  a  good  day's  ride  away, 
netted  me  many  species  not  met  with  elsewhere. 

On  February  23  I  left  once  more  for  Buenos  Aires,  my  work  on  the 
cowbirds  practically  completed,  I  arrived  in  the  Capital  two  days  later 
and  the  next  day  wrote  to  the  manager  of  the  late  Ernest  Gibson's 
ranch  for  permission  to  conclude  my  field-studies  in  the  same  locality 
where  the  first  careful  work  on  the  cowbirds  had  been  done  some  fifty 
odd  years  before  by  Gibson.  In  the  meantime  the  period  of  the  Carni- 
val intervened  and  as  it  was  observed  for  a  longer  period  by  the  Ameri- 
can consulate  than  by  the  Argentine  people  themselves,  my  mail  was 
considerably  delayed.  The  most  vexatious  delay  was  with  an  invita- 
tion from  Dr.  Frank  M.  Chapman  to  join  him  on  a  trip  to  Chascomus. 
I  received  this  note  the  day  he  returned  to  Buenos  Aires  from  Chas- 
comus, although  the  letter  had  been  left  at  the  consulate  a  week  pre- 
viously. Finally  on  March  8 1  left  by  the  Southern  Railway  for  Dolores 
and  thence  by  stage  to  General  Lavalle  and  to  the  Gibson  estancia 


142  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Los  Yngleses  at  iVjo.  Here  I  remained  until  the  twelfth  when  I  left 
by  coach  and  train  for  Buenos  Aires  where  I  arrived  on  March  14. 
Three  days  later  I  sailed  for  New  York  on  the  S.  S.  Vesteis.  On  the 
way  north  stops  were  made  at  Santos,  Rio  de  Janeiro,  Trinidad,  and 
Barbadoes.  On  the  eighth  of  April  I  was  once  more  in  New  York, 

Annotated  List  of  the  Birds. 

The  collection  on  which  this  report  is  based  is  in  the  M.  C.  Z.  and 
the  systematic  work  was  done  there.  I  am  greatly  indebted  to  Mr. 
Outram  Bangs  and  to  Mr.  James  L.  Peters  for  their  unvarying  kind- 
ness and  for  much  advice  and  assistance. 


RHEIDAE. 

Rhea  Americana  (Linne). 

The  Rhea  was  observed  in  partial  captivity  in  several  places :  Santa 
Elena,  Entre  Rios;  near  Cordoba  City,  Cordoba;  San  Pablo,  Tucuman; 
and  La  Noria,  Santa  Fe.  One  was  seen  from  a  train-window  on  the 
Central  Argentine  Railway  early  in  the  morning  on  September  20  in 
the  southeastern  part  of  the  province  of  Santiago  del  Estero  and, 
judging  by  the  country  surrounding,  was  probably  a  wild  bird.  Li 
settled  districts  the  Rhea  is  largely  only  a  memory  now,  except  on 
some  of  the  huge  holdings  of  some  of  the  meat  packing  companies. 

TINAMIDAE. 

NoTHURA  maculosa  MACULOSA  (Temminck). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,889.    Ad.    9.    Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.   8  January, 
1924. 

This  specimen  has  the  tips  of  the  feathers  of  the  crown,  back,  scapu- 
lars, and  interscapulars  more  grayish  and  less  rufescent  than  in  two 
specimens  from  Concepcion  del  Uruguay,  Entre  Rios,  in  M.  C.  Z. 
This  difference,  however,  may  be  seasonal  as  the  Santa  Elena  bird  is  a 
summer  specimen  in  fresh  plumage  while  the  two  from  Concepcion  del 
Uruguay  are  autumn  birds.  Nevertheless  it  would  be  well  for  some 
one  with  ample  material  to  compare  maculosa  and  nigrogidtafa  with 
regard  to  season  as  well  as  age.  Wetmore  (Bull.  133,  U.  S.  N.  M.,  1926, 
p.  33)  writes  that  an  old  skin  from  Corrientes  (north  of  Entre  Rios) 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  143 

taken  in  late  spring  or  early  summer  is  somewhat  different  from  both 
maculosa  and  nigroguttata.  It  would  not  be  at  all  surprising  for  a 
sedentary  species  like  the  present  to  break  up  into  a  large  number  of 
races,  but  it  would  be  of  great  interest  biologically  if  these  racial 
differences  were  found  to  have  begun  as  seasonal  ones  and  were  per- 
petuated all  the  year  round  in  localities  where  seasonal  changes  were 
ecologically  less  marked. 

This  little  tinamou  was  observed  very  frequently  around  Santa 
Elena,  Entre  Rios,  during  January  and  February.  It  occurs  in  open 
grassy  country  and  hides  in  the  grass  rather  than  under  bushes  or 
shrubs.  I  noticed  this  particularly  one  day  in  a  grassy  field  edged  with 
thorny  bushes.  The  birds,  of  which  several  were  flushed,  never  seemed 
to  consider  the  bushes  as  a  possible  means  of  concealment.  Individuals 
were  not  infrequently  noted  on  the  golf  course  on  the  Bovril  Com- 
pany's estate  and  one  was  killed  by  a  driven  ball  while  I  was  there. 
This  tinamou  runs  like  a  quail  {Colinus  virginianus),  giving  a  sweet, 
somewhat  melancholy  whistle  as  it  runs.  The  flight  is  extremely  rapid, 
but  uneven,  short  periods  of  gliding  with  arched  wings  held  motionless 
alternating  with  series  of  rapid  wing-beats.  When  a  bird  rises  close  by 
the  whirring  noise  is  much  louder  than  that  made  by  a  quail. 

The  bird  collected  was  in  breeding  condition,  the  ovary  being  much 
enlarged.  The  stomach  contained  many  small  seeds,  and  some  finely 
comminuted  vegetable  matter. 

SPHENISCIDAE. 

Spheniscus  magellanicus  (Forster). 

The  first  penguins  were  seen  from  the  steamer  when  off  the  coast  of 
Uruguay  on  August  29.  Five  birds  were  then  noted  swimming  around 
the  ship.  They  sat  very  low  in  the  water,  and  whenever  a  wave  of  any 
size  came  their  way  they  invariably  dived  through  it  instead  of  riding 
it.  The  next  day,  on  the  La  Plata  River,  several  scattered  groups  and 
some  single  birds  were  observed. 

COLYMBIDAE. 

Aechmophorus  major  (Boddaert). 

This  grebe  was  first  noticed  on  August  30  off  the  mouth  of  the  La 
Plata  River  when  two  in  non-breeding  plumage  were  seen  near  the 
steamer.  The  next  dav  in  the  harbor  of  Buenos  Aires  a  flock  of  twentv 


144  bulletin:  museum  or  comparative  zoology. 

was  watched  near  the  Lamport  and  Holt  Company's  dock  in  the  north 
basin.  Some  were  in  full  breeding  plumage.  Inasmuch  as  no  specimens 
could  be  collected  the  identification  rests  chiefly  on  size,  although  a 
careful  examination  of  specimens  a  few  days  later  in  the  National 
Museum  in  Buenos  Aires  confirmed  my  identification. 

This  species  seemed  to  sit  higher  in  the  water  than  do  most  grebes. 
Like  the  other  members  of  the  family  they  proved  to  be  expert  divers, 
diving  without  effort,  or  any  apparent  plunging. 

DIOMEDEIDAE. 
DioMEDiA  melanophris  Temminck. 

From  southern  Brazil  south  to  the  mouth  of  the  La  Plata,  August  26 
to  30,  the  Black-browed  Albatross  was  a  constant  and  common  fol- 
lower of  the  steamer,  often  coming  very  close  to  pick  up  bits  of  garbage 
thrown  overboard.  When  settling  on  the  water  they  raise  the  wings 
and  hold  them  vertically,  until  satisfied  of  their  position  on  the  waves, 
when  they  fold  them,  looking  very  much  like  great  gulls. 

A  mixed  company  of  albatrosses,  shearwaters,  and  petrels  illustrates 
very  clearly  the  ecological  value  of  size.  The  large  albatrosses  feed  on 
the  large  morsels,  the  shearwaters  on  smaller  bits,  while  the  petrels 
take  what  the  others  leave  and  even  glean  a  certain  amount  of  the  oily 
exudation  of  the  garbage  from  the  surface  of  the  water.  In  this  way 
nothing  goes  to  waste  for  the  larger  birds  would  probably  not  heed  the 
minute  bits  that  interest  the  petrels.  Of  all  the  hundreds  of  these  vari- 
ous birds  that  I  watched  feeding  around  the  steamer  none  were  ob- 
served to  fight  with  individuals  of  other  species  over  bits  of  food. 


PROCELLARIIDAE. 

PuFFiNUS  GRISEUS  (Gmelin). 
M.  C.  Z.  96,938.  Ad.  9 .  Uruguay:  10  miles  off  Cape  Polonio.  30  August,  1923. 

The  single  specimen  collected  flew  on  board  the  steamer  and  was 
caught  by  one  of  the  stewards.  The  bird  was  very  fat  and  in  excellent 
condition.  All  the  way  from  Rio  de  Janeiro  southward  to  Buenos  Aires 
these  birds  were  very  common,  there  being  almost  always  anywhere 
from  ten  to  a  hundred  of  them  around  the  ship.  They  sit  rather  high 
in  the  water  and  when  rising  they  run  with  pattering  feet  for  the  first 
few  wing-beats  as  though  it  were  difficult  to  launch  themselves  into 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  145 

flight.  Although  other  seabirds,  particularly  Daption  capensis,  were 
common  in  the  same  place,  the  shearwaters  kept  in  groups  by  them- 
selves. The  one  collected  vomited  a  yellowish  oil  when  captured  and 
bit  my  fingers  savagely. 

Procellaria  aequinoctialis  aequinoctialis  Linne. 

These  dusky  birds  were  seen  around  the  steamer  in  numbers  from 
Brazil  southward  to  Montevideo,  August  25  to  30.  They  were  fond  of 
flying  in  circles  around  the  boat,  beating  their  wings  only  a  few^  times 
and  then  sailing  along  with  speed  and  grace.  The  yellowish  color  in  the 
bill  stands  out  in  life  against  the  otherwise  uniform  dusky  aspect  of  the 
birds. 

On  August  25,  when  about  thirty  miles  off  the  coast  of  Espirito 
Santo,  one  of  these  birds  flew  by  the  steamer,  never  rising  more  than  a 
few  feet  from  the  water.  It  flew  with  long,  easy  wing-beats.  Four  days 
later,  when  off  the  coast  of  Rio  Grande  du  Sol,  there  were  about  a 
hundred  of  them  around  the  boat.  That  day  we  struck  a  heavy  storm 
from  the  south  which  drove  many  subantarctic  birds  northwards  and 
by  the  next  morning  the  number  of  Procellarias  had  increased  to  sev- 
eral hundred. 

Daption  capensis  (Linne). 

Cape  Pigeons,  as  these  handsomely  marked  petrels  are  wrongly 
called,  were  first  noted  on  August  25  when  about  thirty  miles  off  the 
coast  of  Espirito  Santo  and  some  thirty  miles  from  the  Abrolhos 
Islands,  when  three  birds  appeared  early  in  the  morning  and  followed 
the  steamer  all  day.  That  afternoon  two  more  flew  by.  At  6  p.m. 
there  were  seven  of  them  around  the  boat.  None  were  noted  for  the 
next  four  days,  but  on  August  29  when  off  the  coast  of  Rio  Grande 
du  Sol  ten  were  seen,  and  the  next  day,  off  the  coast  of  Uruguay,  about 
a  hundred  were  observed  following  the  steamer. 

In  flight  the  following  marks  stand  out  very  distinctly :  —  tlie  black 
heads  and  throats,  white  breasts  and  bellies,  black  wings  with  large 
white  marks,  the  white  and  black  vermiculated  backs,  black  bills  and 
feet.  Few  birds  are  more  strikingly  marked  and  my  first  impression  of 
them  was  recorded  in  my  field-book  as  "Flying  Dominoes."  They  are 
to  be  ranked  among  the  handsomest  of  all  sea-birds  and  I  doubt  if  any 
other  bird  ever  gave  me  quite  the  thrill  that  the  first  Daption  did. 

They  fly  exceedingly  gracefully,  turning  and  wheeling  sharply 
merely  by  inclining  the  body  without  flapping  the  wings.    They  fly 


146  bulletin:  musexjm  of  comparative  zoology. 

with  alternate  periods  of  flapping  and  soaring.  When  soaring  on 
motionless  wings,  the  wings  are  held  in  a  strictly  horizontal  plane,  not 
even  slightly  bent  downwards  as  in  most  birds.  Several  times  indi- 
viduals were  seen  to  plunge  after  food  in  a  manner  reminiscent  of  terns. 
They  often  rest  on  the  water  and  were  frequently  seen  riding  the  waves. 
When  on  the  water  they  sit  very  high  with  the  neck  erect.  No  notes 
were  heard  from  any  bird. 

Individuals  are  often  caught  with  baited  diamond-shaped  pieces  of 
tin  or  other  bright  metal  thrown  out  on  a  string  like  a  fish-hook,  but 
although  T  tried  this  method  no  success  attended  my  efforts. 

OCEANITES  sp. 

On  August  30  a  small  petrel,  called  by  the  sailors  Motlier  Carey's 
Chicken,  flew  on  board  the  steamer  and  was  caught  by  one  of  the  crew. 
Knowing  the  bird's  fate  if  given  to  me,  and  influenced  by  their  super- 
stitious belief  that  to  kill  it  would  be  to  invite  bad  luck,  they  showed 
it  to  me  and  then  let  it  go.  It  looked  like  the  common  Wilson's  Petrel, 
Oceanites  oceanicus,  but  I  had  a  very  imperfect  view  of  it  through  the 
fingers  of  the  hands  that  held  it. 

Wilson's  Petrels  accompanied  the  boat  out  of  New  York  harbor 
on  August  11  and  were  common  all  the  way  to  Bermuda,  August  13, 
after  which  no  more  were  seen. 

PHAETHONTIDAE. 

Phaethon  lepturus  catesbyi  Brandt. 

When  about  fifteen  miles  northwest  of  Bermuda,  August  13,  a 
\  ellow-billed  Tropic-bird  flew  around  the  steamer  several  times.  Its 
flight  seemed  more  like  that  of  a  gull  than  of  a  tern,  but  easily  dis- 
tinguished from  that  of  either.  It  was  more  graceful  and  much  swifter 
than  that  of  a  gull,  yet  the  manner  of  flapping  the  wings  was  very 
larine.  The  wings  did  not  have  the  angular  bend  so  characteristic  of 
terns.  Four  more  birds  were  seen  during  the  day  around  Bermuda. 

SULIDAE. 

SuLA  SULA  (Linne). 

Boobies  were  first  noted  off  Cape  Frio,  Brazil,  on  August  26.  On 
August  27  and  28  they  were  very  common  in  the  harbor  of  Rio  de 
Janeiro.   They  flew  rather  low  over  the  water  and  on  many  occasions 


FKIEDMANN:   notes   on   some   ARGENTINA  BIRDS.  147 

I  saw  seven  or  eight  strung  out  in  single  file,  giving  the  appearance  at  a 
distance  of  a  flock  of  ducks,  except  that  the  wing-beat  was  gull-like. 
When  resting  on  the  waves  boobies  sat  very  low  so  that  only  a  small 
part  of  the  body  showed  above  the  water,  agreeing  in  this  respect  with 
their  relatives  the  cormorants. 


PHALACROCORACIDAE. 
Phalacrocorax  vigua  vigua  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,930.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Santa  Elena  Island,  Santa  Fe.  13  January, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,931.  Ad.  cf.  Argentina:  Santa  Elena  Island,  Santa  Fe.  12  January, 

1924. 

The  Vigua  Cormorant  was  very  common  along  the  Rio  Parana,  both 
on  the  Entre  Rios  side  and  on  the  Santa  Fe  shore,  during  my  stay  there 
in  January  and  February.  In  the  second  week  of  March  I  saw  a  small 
group  on  the  marshes  of  the  Ajo  River,  Buenos  Aires.  One  was  seen 
near  Ensenada,  Buenos  Aires,  on  September  10,  and  they  were  always 
to  be  found  in  the  harbor  of  Buenos  Aires  City.  A  small  flock  was  noted 
from  the  steamer  near  Montevideo  on  the  morning  of  March  18  and 
was  the  last  South  American  species  observed.  Cormorants,  doubtless 
of  this  species,  were  noted  in  the  harbor  of  Rio  de  Janeiro  on  the  trip 
south  on  August  2.5,  192.3,  but  not  on  the  return  voyage  in  1924. 

Single  birds  were  frequently  noted,  but  most  of  the  birds  were  in 
flocks  of  from  five  to  fifty,  averaging  about  ten  or  twelve.  In  flight 
they  resembled  the  Mexican  Cormorant,  except  that  they  usually  flew 
low  over  the  water,  all  the  members  of  a  flock  beating  their  wings  in 
unison.  The  Mexican  Cormorant  (P.  v.  mexicanKs)  may  also  have 
this  habit,  but  I  never  saw  them  fly  this  way  and  I  have  watched  many 
of  them  in  the  lower  gulf  region  of  Texas.  In  the  marshes  of  the  Santa 
Elena  Islands  in  the  Parana  almost  every  dead  tree  either  supported 
one  or  more  of  these  birds,  or  showed  by  a  liberal  spattering  of  excre- 
ment that  it  had  been  resorted  to  by  the  Viguas.  There  must  have  been 
thousands  of  them  there,  but  well  scattered  over  the  place. 

Both  specimens  collected  had  the  gonads  slightly  enlarged  and  both 
had  been  feeding  on  small  fish. 

The  iris  in  life  is  light,  bright  emerald-green. 


148  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

ANHINGIDAE. 

Anhinga  anhinga  (Linne). 

Water-turkeys  were  not  uncommon  on  the  Parana  at  Santa  Elena 
during  January  and  February.  They  mingled  with  the  previous  species 
and  were  never  seen  to  fight  with  them.  Locally  this  bird  was  known 
as  Vigua  Vibora  or  Snake  Cormorant.  I  was  told  that  a  large  full- 
grown  Anhinga  had  been  caught  and  eaten  by  a  Caiman  not  long 
before  my  arrival.  When  swimming  these  birds  sit  very  low  in  the 
water,  sometimes  almost  entirely  submerged  save  for  the  head  and 
neck. 

FREGATIDAE. 

Fregata  aquila  (Linne). 

Frigate-birds  were  common  in  the  harbor  of  Rio  de  Janeiro  late  in 
August.  Most  of  them  were  seen  soaring  high  overhead,  but  not  a  few 
were  observed  low  over  the  water.  When  soaring  the  long  tail-feathers 
are  held  parallel,  but  when  wheeling  or  turning  these  feathers  separate 
like  the  blades  of  a  pair  of  scissors.  While  most  of  the  Frigate-birds 
were  soaring  on  motionless  pinions  a  few  were  seen  flying  with  regular, 
slow  wing-beats.  One  bird  was  sailing  over  a  small  flock  of  Dominican 
gulls  {Lams  dominicanus)  when  one  of  the  latter  caught  a  fish;  in- 
stantly the  Frigate-bird  closed  its  wings  and  shot  down  at  the  gull  on 
the  surface  of  the  water  and  seized  the  fish  as  soon  as  it  was  dropped 
by  the  gull.  On  two  occasions  I  saw  Frigate-birds  actually  hit  the 
water  in  these  headlong  plunges.  This  species  was  not  noted  south  of 
Rio  de  Janeiro.  About  a  quarter*  of  the  individuals  seen  were  adult 
males  with  solid  black  bodies,  the  rest  being  females  or  young  with 
whitish  abdomens  and  breasts,  and,  in  the  case  of  the  young,  whitish 
heads. 

ARDEIDAE. 

Nycticorax  nycticorax  naevius  (Boddaert). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,934.   Im.  cf.   Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.    17  January, 
1924. 

I  have  not  seen  sufficient  comparative  material  to  form  an  opinion 
on  the  distinctness  of  the  Argentine  Night  Heron.  The  form  tayvzu- 
guira  is  said  to  be  characterized  by  the  whiter  belly  and  chin,  but 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  149 

Hartert,  and,  more  recently,  Wetmore  (Bull.  133,  U.  S.  N.  M.,  1926, 
p.  55)  have  considered  it  a  synonym  of  naevius.  I  therefore  follow  them 
until  more  material  is  available.  The  only  comparative  material  in  the 
M.  C.  Z.  is  an  immature  bird  collected  by  Barrows  at  Concepcion  del 
Uruguay.  The  Santa  Fe  bird  is  lighter  in  general  coloration,  and  much 
less  streaked  on  the  underparts. 

Night  Herons  were  very  common  in  the  islands  in  the  Parana,  oppo- 
site Santa  Elena.  Their  habits  seemed  exactly  like  those  of  the  North 
American  bird. 

The  local  names  were  Pajaro  Bobo,  Hoco,  and  Bruja. 


BUTORIDES  STRIATUS  CYANURUS  (VieiUot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,932.  Ad.  o"".  Argentina:  Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucuman.  11  December, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,933.   Ad.  o".  Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.    10  February, 

1924. 

The  specimen  from  Tucuman  has  the  brown  throat  and  chest- 
markings  considerably  darker  than  the  bird  from  Santa  Fe.  In  Tucu- 
man this  species  was  fairly  common  in  the  marshy  parts  of  the  Rio  de 
Gastone,  but  was  not  seen  elsewhere  in  that  province.  In  the  Bovril 
Islands  the  birds  were  positively  abundant.  Their  habits  seemed  no 
different  from  those  of  the  Green  Heron  of  the  eastern  United  States. 

Both  birds  collected  were  in  breeding  condition  and  both  had  been 
feeding  on  fish. 

Gasmerodius  albus  egretta  (Gmelin). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,935.  Ad.  9  .   Argentina:  La  Noria,  Santa  Fe.  21  January,  1924. 

This  egret  was  obser\'ed  at  the  following  places :  —  Alto  Boa  Vista 
(near  Rio  de  Janeiro),  Brazil,  August  27;  Berisso,  Buenos  Aires,  Sep- 
tember 6;  Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucuman,  on  and  off  during  October,  No- 
vember and  December;  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe,  January  and  Febru- 
ary; San  Joaquin,  La  Noria,  and  Saladero  M.  Cabal,  Santa  Fe,  January 
18  to  23. 

In  the  extensive  marshes  and  wet  meadows  of  eastern  Santa  Fe 
these  white  herons  were  very  common,  often  a  hundred  or  more  being 
in  sight  at  a  time.  They  were  usually  feeding  in  loose  flock-formations 
or  singly,  never  in  compact  masses  like  some  of  the  ibises.  At  La  Noria 
a  few  were  noted  with  some  cattle,  but  I  doubt  if  this  species  has  de- 


150  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 


veloped  any  such  relation  with  quadrupeds  as  have  the  African  cattle 
egrets,  Bubulcus  ibis.  The  general  habits  were  the  same  as  in  the  North 
American  birds. 
The  local  name  for  this  species  was  Garza  Blanca  or  White  Heron. 

Ardea  cocoi  Linne. 

The  Cocoi  Heron  was  fairly  common  in  the  Bovril  Islands  in  the 
Parana  during  my  visit  in  January  and  February,  but  no  specimens 
were  collected.  It  seems  to  take  the  place  of  the  Ardca  herodias  of 
North  America  in  Argentina,  and  acts  and  looks  very  much  like  it. 
Although  most  of  the  birds  observed  were  single  individuals,  a  flock  of 
six  was  seen  one  daj^  flying  over  at  noon. 

This  species  was  called  Garza  Mora  in  Entre  Rios  and  Sante  Fe. 

IxoBRYCHUs  mvoLUCRis  (Vieillot). 

On  January  19  while  going  up  the  Caraya,  a  stream  in  the  Bovril 
Islands,  one  of  these  little  bitterns  was  flushed  from  the  reeds  and  flew 
off  a  little  way  when  it  dropped  back  into  the  cover  of  the  marsh.  A 
little  later  another  popped  out,  and  with  legs  dangling  awkwardly  in  the 
air,  laboriously  flapped  away  and  disappeared  in  the  reeds;  in  all,  seven 
of  them  were  seen,  but  it  was  impossible  to  collect  any  on  account  of 
the  depth  of  the  water  which  made  wading  out  of  the  question  and  the 
density  of  the  reeds  which  prohibited  the  passage  of  a  rowboat.  The 
birds  reminded  me  greatly  of  the  Least  Bittern  of  the  eastern  United 
States  {I.vohrychus  exilis),  but  seemed  somewhat  more  rufous. 


CICONIIDAE. 

Mycteria  AMERICANA  Linne. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,937.  Ad.  d".  Argentina:  La  Noria,  Santa  Fe.  21  January,  1924. 

Wood  ibises  were  noted  at  the  following  places:  —  one  immature 
bird  on  the  Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucuman,  September  30;  common  on  the 
Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe,  during  January  and  February;  common  at 
San  Joaquin,  and  La  Noria,  Santa  Fe,  January  20  to  23;  two  on  the  Ajo 
River,  Lavalle,  Buenos  Aires,  March  10.  In  Santa  Fe  these  birds  were 
seen  in  company  with  egrets,  maguari  storks,  and  ibises,  while  on  the 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  151 

Ajo  they  were  feeding  with  some  Roseate  Spoonbills.  They  were  very 
wary  and  difficult  to  approach.  The  single  specimen  collected  was  shot 
as  it  flew  over  me. 

The  local  names  were  Dorotea,  Ciguena,  and  Tuyuyu. 

EuxENURA  GALATEA  (Molina). 
M.  C.  Z.  96,936.  Ad.  9  .  Argentina:  La  Noria,  Santa  Fe.  21  January,  1924. 

The  Maguari  Stork  was  very  common  in  the  Bovril  Islands  in  the 
Parana  and  in  eastern  Santa  Fe  (Saladero  M.  Cabal,  San  Joaquin, 
and  La  Noria).  Several  hundred  were  seen  during  two  days  at  La  Noria 
and  San  Joaquin,  together  with  great  hordes  of  other  wading  birds, 
egrets,  wood  ibises,  glossy  ibises,  screamers,  cocoi  herons,  and  limpkins. 
A  Maguari  in  flight  is  a  very  impressive  bird,  a  massive  bulk  of  con- 
trasting black  and  white  reheved  at  either  end  by  a  streak  of  red,  the 
bill  and  feet  being  bright  brick-red.  At  San  Joaquin  the  marshes  were 
literally  dotted  white  with  these  great  storks,  but  the  birds  were  ex- 
tremely shy.  Only  once  did  I  see  them  perching  on  trees;  in  this  case 
about  twenty-five  of  them  were  clustered  on  a  lone  spreading,  flat- 
topped  tree  making  a  sight  not  soon  forgotten. 

When  captured  young  these  birds  soon  become  tame  and  several 
semicaptive  birds  were  seen  in  parts  of  Santa  Fe.  They  clap  their  bills 
with  a  loud  clatter  and  in  this  way  give  notice  of  any  new  or  suspicious 
arrival.  In  other  ways  too  they  seem  quite  capable  of  acting  as  watch- 
dogs. 

The  specimen  collected  was  no  longer  in  breeding  condition,  and  had 
apparently  finished  breeding  at  least  a  month  before. 

On  September  12  at  Berisso,  Buenos  Aires,  three  Maguaris  were  seen 
soaring  high  overhead.  After  a  little  while  they  began  to  flap  their 
wings  with  a  slow  and  steady  rhythm  and  disappeared  southward. 
Whether  the  birds  were  migrants  or  not  it  was  impossible  to  tell. 

THRESKIORNITHID  AE . 

Phimosus  infuscatus  (Lichtenstein). 

M.C.Z.  96,926.  Ad.  d".  Agentina:  Deniz [island  (Bovril  Islands),  Santa  Fe. 
4  January,  1924. 

This  species  was  not  nearly  as  common  as  the  next,  but  was  not  rare 
in  the  islands  in  the  Parana  opposite  Santa  Elena.  On  January  4  a 
flock  of  seven  was  seen  feeding  on  the  edge  of  a  little  pond.  The  birds 


152  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

stayed  close  together,  but  when  I  shot  one  the  others  flew  off  in  two 
groups,  four  birds  going  one  way  and  two  another.  The  stomach  of  the 
bird  collected  contained  some  finely  comminuted  vegetable  matter 
and  a  few  pieces  of  gravel.  In  its  general  habits  this  species  was  similar 
to  the  next. 

Plegadis  guaeauna  (Linne). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,927.  Ad.  cf.  Argentina:  Saladero  M.  Cabal,  Santa  Fe.  20  January, 
1924. 

The  White-faced  Glossy  Ibis  was  noted  sparingly  along  the  Rio  de 
Gastone,  Tucuman,  in  November.  In  January  and  February  it  was 
very  abundant  in  the  Bovril  Islands  in  the  Parana  and  in  eastern  Santa 
Fe  where  countless  thousands  were  observed.  Single  flocks  of  from 
800  to  1,000  birds  were  often  seen  flying  overhead  at  La  Noria  on 
January  21.  In  two  days  at  this  place  and  at  San  Joaquin  over  1.5,000 
were  noted.  The  flocks  when  feeding  always  broke  up  into  little  groups 
of  from  two  to  twenty  birds.  At  Lavalle,  Buenos  Aires,  in  March  a 
flock  of  nine  was  seen  on  the  Ajo  River. 


PLATALEIDAE. 

Ajaia  ajaja  (Linne). 

Roseate  Spoonbills  were  noted  sparingly  in  Tucuman  (Rio  de 
Gastone)  in  November,  and  on  the  Ajo  River,  Buenos  Aires,  in  March. 
In  the  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe,  they  were  not  uncommon,  but  very 
wary.  Mr.  Paul  Haimes,  an  American  resident  in  Concepcion,  Tucu- 
man, told  me  that  in  the  extreme  southern  part  of  that  province  he  had 
seen  great  flocks  of  these  birds,  containing  many  hundreds  of  indi- 
viduals. In  a  little  muddy  tributary  of  the  Ajo  River  I  saw  three 
spoonbills  feeding  on  the  shore.  They  fed  with  a  sidewise  motion  of  the 
head  as  though  trying  to  strain  the  mud  through  the  lateral  lammellae 
of  their  bills.  A  little  guttural  croak  was  heard  from  one  of  the  birds. 

PHOENICOPTERIDAE. 

Phoenicopterus  chilensis  Molina. 

The  Flamingo  was  noted  but  once  —  three  birds  on  the  shore  of  the 
Ajo  River  near  Lavalle,  Buenos  Aires,  March  10.  They  flew  off  while 
I  was  still  some  distance  away. 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  153 

ANHIMIDAE. 
Chauna  torquata  (Oken), 
Ad.  c?.   La  Noria,  Santa  Fe.  January  22,  1924.     Coll.  Cornell  univ. 

Crested  Screamers  were  found  in  Tucuman,  Santa  Fe,  Entre  Rios, 
and  Buenos  Aires.  Near  Concepcion,  Tucuman,  a  pair  of  these  great 
birds  were  seen  flying  high  overhead  on  October  24.  As  they  flew  they 
called  chaha,  chaha,  with  the  accent  on  the  second  syllable,  the  notes, 
mellowed  by  distance,  were,  nevertheless,  quite  clear.  These  were 
the  only  ones  seen  during  three  months  of  field-work  in  that  region, 
so  they  must  be  locally  scarce.  In  the  large  islands  in  the  Parana  oppo- 
site Santa  Elena,  and  in  eastern  Santa  Fe  (Saladero  M.  Cabal,  San 
Joaquin,  and  La  Noria)  many  pairs  were  observed  during  January 
and  February.  At  Lavalle,  Buenos  Aires,  and  the  near  by  Gibson 
estancia  Los  Yngleses,  in  March,  I  found  screamers  congregated  in 
large  flocks,  feeding  on  the  uplands  among  the  sheep  as  wild  geese  often 
do.  The  largest  single  flock  seen  must  have  contained  at  least  three 
hundred  birds. 

In  the  marshes  of  eastern  Santa  Fe  screamers  were  extremely  wary 
and  it  was  only  after  a  long  and  tedious  hunt  that  I  was  able  to  pro- 
cure a  specimen.  As  soon  as  I  came  in  sight  of  a  pair,  the  birds  would 
get  restless,  begin  calling  loudly,  and  long  before  I  got  within  range 
would  fly  off.  They  were  invariably  in  pairs,  but  when  flying  would 
separate  temporarily  and  join  again  on  landing.  To  look  at  one  of 
these  heavy,  massive  birds  it  would  seem  that  flight  would  be  difficult 
for  them,  but  such  is  not  the  case.  They  are  magnificent  flyers  and 
soar  in  upward-pointing  spirals  until,  with  all  their  huge  bulk,  they 
become  mere  animated  dusky  flecks  in  the  bright  sky.  However,  they 
seem  to  have  a  little  trouble  in  rising.  I  once  saw  a  pair  standing  in  a 
wet  meadow  near  a  little  pond,  and  as  I  came  near  them  they  raised 
their  wings,  slowly  beat  them  forward  and  backward  a  couple  of  times, 
and  then  rose  from  the  ground.  As  regards  the  wing-beat,  their  flight 
always  seemed  more  heron-like  than  anserine,  although  their  affinities 
are  with  the  latter  group.  A  few  times  I  saw  screamers  perch  on  trees, 
but  most  of  them  were  observed  on  the  ground.  They  always  stood 
with  necks  erect,  and  heads  held  high  as  though  constantly  surveying 
the  surrounding  expanse  of  marsh.  The  light  cheeks,  the  black  collar, 
and  the  crest  were  conspicuous  at  a  distance. 

At  Lavalle,  Buenos  Aires,  in  March,  screamers  were  in  large  flocks, 
but  whenever  a  flock  took  to  flight  it  broke  up  more  or  less  into  pairs. 
The  birds  were  much  less  timid  here  than  in  the  Bovril  Islands. 


154  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

In  skinning  the  bird  collecterl  I  found,  as  others  have  previously  re- 
corded, the  skin  completely  underlaid  with  small  air-sacs,  which,  when 
pressed,  produced  a  distinct  crackling  sound.  The  intestinal  caeca  are 
peculiar,  being  stout  and  with  many  short,  blind,  pouch-like  sacculae. 

Screamers  are  often  caught  when  young,  and  are  domesticated  as 
guardians  of  the  poultry-yards  by  the  peons.  Armed  with  two  very 
formidable  pairs  of  spurs  on  the  wings  and  with  a  voice  that  has  the 
carrying  power  to  reach  both  the  intruder  and  the  master  at  the  same 
time,  these  birds  are  well  adapted  to  this  artificial  duty.  At  the  Sala- 
dero  M.  Cabal  there  was  a  half-grown  one  which  had  the  spurs  still 
poorly  developed  and  which  still  had  the  piping  voice  of  immaturity. 

The  common  name  for  this  bird  all  over  Argentina  is  Chaja. 

ANATIDAE. 

Cygnus  melancoriphus  (Molina). 

The  Black-necked  Swan  was  a  rare  bird  in  my  experience.  Only  a 
single  specimen  was  seen.  On  March  10  in  a  little  marshy  tributary 
of  the  Ajo  River,  Buenos  Aires,  one  was  feeding  in  the  shallow  water. 
It  tipped  as  its  head  went  under,  groping  for  food  along  the  bottom 
just  as  with  our  tame  mute  swans  in  park  lakes.  As  I  approached 
the  bird  flew  off.  In  rising  from  the  water  it  made  a  great  rushing 
sound  as  the  wings  beat  the  air,  and  the  feet  slapped  the  surface  of 
the  water.  In  the  air  it  formed  a  very  pleasing  picture,  the  dark  neck 
showing  distinctly  black  against  the  rest  of  the  body,  which  was 
sparkling  white. 

Cairina  moschata  (Linne). 

Muscovy  ducks  were  seen  in  small  numbers  on  the  Caraya  during 
January  and  February.  I  never  saw  more  than  three  together  and 
usually  met  with  single  birds. 

The  local  name  is  Pato  Real. 

Dendrocygna  bicolor  bicolor  (Vieillot). 

The  Fulvous  Tree-duck  was  fairly  common  in  the  Bovril  Islands, 
where  they  were  seen  on  and  off  during  January  and  February.  The 
largest  flock  seen  contained  eight  birds. 

The  local  name  in  this  district  wasSiriri,  doubtless  an  imitation  of  the 
call-note.  Wetmore  (Bull.  133,  U.  S.  N.  M.,  1926,  p.  72)  writes  that  in 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  155 

Paraguay  this  name  is  applied  to  Dendrocijgna  viduata.  I  did  not  see 
this  species  in  the  course  of  my  work  on  the  Parana,  but  was  told  of 
another  tree-duck  called  Siriri  Pampa,  which  probably  refers  to  viduata. 

Nettion  braziliense  (Gmelin). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,928.  Ad.  c?.  Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.  23  January, 
1924. 

Brazilian  Teal  were  common  in  the  Bovril  Islands  during  January 
and  February.  In  life  the  bill  is  unusual  in  color:  a  deep  brownish 
purple  on  the  maxilla  and  brownish  red  on  the  mandible.  The  birds 
seen  were  all  in  small  flocks  of  from  three  to  six,  and  kept  close  to  the 
reedy  shores  of  the  streams  where  they  fed  on  aquatic  seeds  and  succu- 
lent water-plants. 

The  male  collected  had  completed  its  moult. 

The  local  name  was  Pato  Silvador. 

Mareca  sibilatrix  (Poppig). 

These  wigeon  were  common  in  the  streams  of  the  Bovril  Islands, 
where  they  were  seen  in  small  flocks  or  singly  throughout  January  and 
February.  In  their  general  habits  they  seemed  similar  to  the  North 
American  M.  americana.  The  white  humeral  patch  is  very  diagnostic 
in  recognizing  these  birds  at  a  distance  as  they  fly  overhead. 


CATHARTIDAE. 

CoRAGYPS  URUBU  FOETENS  (Lichtenstein). 

Black  Vultures,  probably  of  this  species,  were  noted  in  great  num- 
bers in  the  harbor  of  Rio  de  Janeiro  on  August  27.  They  looked  like 
the  Black  Vulture  of  the  southern  United  States,  had  short  tails,  and 
did  not  soar  well.  All  the  birds  seen  had  light  spots  on  the  underside  of 
the  basal  parts  of  the  primaries.  They  were  particularly  abundant  at 
Pao  de  Assucar,  Tijuca,  and  Corcovado.  When  going  in  the  cable- 
suspended  car  from  Urga  to  the  top  of  Pao  de  Assucar  many  of  these 
birds  flew  close  by,  affording  exceptionally  good  views.  On  the  return 
trip  in  March  they  were  seen  again  in  Rio  de  Janeiro,  but  strangely 
enough,  not  in  the  harbor  of  Santos  or  in  the  highlands  of  Sao  Paulo. 

At  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios,  and  on  the  Santa  Fe  side  of  the  Parana 
the  Cuervos  were  abundant.  In  spite  of  their  numbers  I  never  saw  one 


156  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

on  the  ground,  or  in  a  tree  during  two  months  field-work.  They  were 
probably  attracted  by  the  killing  and  packing  plant  of  the  Bovril 
Company  at  Santa  Elena,  but  I  saw  them  only  high  up  in  the  air. 

Vultur  gryphus  Linne. 

My  field-acquaintance  with  the  Condor  was  limited  to  a  single  bird 
seen  soaring  high  overhead.  On  the  morning  of  November  20  I  went 
over  the  eastern  Andes  from  Concepcion,  Tucuman,  into  the  eastern 
edge  of  Catamarca.  While  resting  around  noon  at  a  vantage  point  in 
the  road  I  focussed  my  camera  on  the  snows  of  Aconquija  and  noted 
an  image  of  a  bird  flying  across  the  plate.  Looking  through  my  glasses 
I  was  delighted  to  see  it  resolve  into  a  Condor.  It  soared  around  in  a 
great  circle  and  remained  in  view  for  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  when 
it  disappeared  around  a  bend  in  the  valley. 


FALCONIDAE. 

MiLVAGO  CHIMANGO  CHIMANGO  (Vieillot). 
M.  C.  Z.  96,918.   Im.?  9  .  Argentina:  Ajo,  Buenos  Aires.   11  March,  1924. 

My  records  for  this  species  are :  —  Buenos  Aires  —  Buenos  Aires, 
Berisso,  September  6,  several;  Dolores  and  Lavalle,  March  8  to  11, 
common ;  Tucuman  —  Tucuman  City,  September  21,  several ;  San  Pablo 
and  Rio  Lules,  September  22,  several;  Concepcion  and  Rio  de  Gastone, 
September  23  to  December  23,  common;  Entre  Rios  —  Santa  Elena, 
January  3  to  February  23,  common;  Santa  Sofia  and  Viscacheros, 
January  27,  common;  Bovril  Islands,  San  Joaquin,  and  La  Noria, 
Santa  Fe,  January  19  to  23,  common.  Besides  these  records,  Chimangos 
were  noted  from  train-windows  in  the  provinces  of  Cordoba,  Santa  Fe, 
Santiago  del  Estero,  and  western  Buenos  Aires. 

These  carrion  hawks  are  abundant  all  over  the  open  country,  which 
in  Argentina  means  practically  everywhere.  They  go  either  singly  or 
in  small  groups.  In  my  experience  they  were  in  groups,  chiefly  toward 
the  end  of  the  summer  and  early  autumn  (February  and  March) ;  in 
most  cases  these  groups  were  probably  composed  of  a  single  family. 
At  Lavalle,  Buenos  Aires,  I  shot  one  out  of  a  flock  of  nine;  and  here 
there  must  have  been  more  than  one  family  represented.  Living  in  the 
open  pampas  where  trees  are  few  and  far  between,  these  hawks  have 
become  quite  terrestrial  and  are  expert  runners  and  walkers.  However, 
they  seem  to  prefer  elevated  perches  such  as  bushes,  trees,  etc.,  when- 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  argentine  birds.  157 

ever  they  are  available.  For  raptorial  birds  the  Chimangos  are  sur- 
prisingly tame,  but  they  are  seldom  molested  as  the  peons  do  not  often 
shoot  them.  In  Tucuman  I  found  small  boys  practicing  their  skill  with 
slings  on  these  birds.  Although  relatively  undisturbed  by  man,  they 
are  much  harrassed  by  other  birds.  Among  the  birds  seen  chasing  the 
Chimangos  were  Lapwings  {Belonopterus  chilensis  lampronotus),  Guira 
Cuckoos  (Guira  guira),  Fork-tailed  Flycatchers  (Muscivora  tijratmus), 
and  Cowbirds  {Moloihrus  honariensis  honariensis) . 

POLYBORUS  PLANCUS  PLANCUS  (Miller). 

Like  the  Chimango,  the  Carancho  is  abundantly  distributed  over 
Argentina.  In  the  vicinity  of  the  city  of  La  Plata,  Buenos  Aires,  they 
were  fairly  numerous  on  September  5;  many  were  seen  from  the  train- 
window  in  Buenos  Aires,  Santa  Fe,  and  Santiago  del  Estero,  September 
20;  Tucuman  —  Tucuman  City,  September  21,  a  few;  San  Pablo,  Sep- 
tember 22,  two;  Concepcion  and  Rio  de  Gastone,  September  23  to 
December  23,  common ;  Santa  Elena  —  Entre  Rios,  January  3  to 
February  23,  not  uncommon;  Bovril  Islands,  January  19  to  23,  com- 
mon; Saladero  M.  Cabal,  San  Joaquin,  and  La  Noria,  January  and 
February,  very  abundant ;  Dolores  and  Lavalle,  Buenos  Aires,  March 
6  to  10,  common. 

Caracaras  were  usually  very  shy  and  difficult  to  approach.  At  Con- 
cepcion, one  was  seen  perched  in  the  top  of  a  tall  Eucalyptus  tree  near 
a  poultry-yard  day  after  day  for  over  a  week,  but  as  far  as  I  could  find 
out  it  did  not  molest  the  poultry.  According  to  the  peons  the  Caranchos 
live  mostly  on  carrion,  but  in  Entre  Rios  I  saw  one  pursue  and  kill  a 
Guira  Cuckoo.  In  all  positions,  on  the  wing  or  at  rest,  the  Caranchos 
are  strikingly  marked  birds  and  are  easily  identified  far  off. 

One  was  observed  sitting  on  its  nest  in  the  park  July  9  in  Tucuman 
City  on  September  22.  The  nest  was  a  large  structure  made  of  twigs 
and  was  about  thirty  feet  from  the  ground. 

Cerchneis  cinnamominus  cinnamominus  (Swainson). 
M.  C.  Z.  96,910.  Ad.  c?.  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.  7  January,  1924. 

This  sparrow  hawk  was  noted  a  few  times  during  October,  Novem- 
ber, and  December  at  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  At  Santa  Elena,  it  was 
very  common  during  January,  and  became  less  numerous  around  the 
middle  of  February.  The  flight  and  notes  are  the  same  as  in  the 
Sparrow  Hawk  of  eastern  North  America.   In  Entre  Rios  these  birds 


158  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

were  fond  of  perching  on  the  telegraph  wires  and  poles  from  which 
elevated  positions  they  swept  down  on  their  prey.  I  saw  one  fly  off  with 
a  Lenatero,  Anumbius  anumbi,  and  another  pursue  a  Yellow-breasted 
Marsh-bird,  Pseudoleistes  virescens.  They  also  fed  on  the  locusts  which 
were  everywhere  abundant,  although  the  stomach  of  the  single  speci- 
men collected  contained  only  two  lepidopterous  larvae. 

Elanus  leucurus  leucurus  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,911.  Ad.  9  .  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  3  October,  1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,912.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  4  October,  1923. 

The  White  Kite,  or  Halcon  Blanco  of  the  Argentinians,  was  observed 
only  near  Concepcion,  where  three  were  seen,  two  of  which  were  col- 
lected. The  first  one  seen  (October  3)  was  pursued  by  a  small  group  of 
cowbirds,  Molothrus  bonariensis  bonariensis.  The  next  day  another 
was  seen  in  a  tree  near  the  spot  where  the  first  one  was  collected.  It 
had  the  remains  of  a  mouse  in  its  stomach,  while  the  other  one  had  been 
feeding  on  locusts.  The  third  individual  seen  was  soaring  around  in  a 
wide  circle  over  a  large  field  of  sugar  cane.  In  the  air  this  species  at 
times  looks  almost  like  a  gull. 

One  of  the  specimens  is  not  quite  adult  and  has  many  brownish 
flecks  on  the  feathers.  The  iris  in  life  is  bright  crimson  with  a  slight 
suggestion  of  orange.  Both  ovaries  are  present,  the  right  one  being 
about  a  third  as  large  as  the  left.  Neither  of  the  two  birds  collected 
were  in  breeding  condition. 

Rostrhamus  sociabilis  sociabilis  (Vieillot). 

This  race  of  the  Everglade  Kite  is  quite  unusual  in  its  habits  in  that 
it  commonly  occurs  in  flocks.  On  September  20,  while  going  from 
Buenos  Aires  to  Tucuman,  I  counted  the  individuals  seen  from  the 
train-window  and  found  the  total  for  the  day  (provinces  of  Buenos 
Aires,  Santa  Fe,  and  Santiago  del  Estero)  to  be  at  least  1,500.  Loose 
flocks  of  over  100  birds  were  frequent  in  marshy  districts.  In  one  place 
near  Rosario  I  counted  sixty-eight  in  four  minutes.  Fully  adult  birds 
in  dark  plumage  comprised  about  20%  of  the  total  number  seen.  As 
the  train  slowed  up  in  one  place  I  saw  one  of  these  birds  sitting  on  what 
may  have  been  its  nest,  a  little  raised  mass  of  reeds  and  dead  stems  in 
an  open  watery  part  of  the  marsh. 

Around  Concepcion  and  Rio  de  Gastone  these  hawks  were  some- 
what uncommon,  doubtless  because  there  were  no  extensive  marshy 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  159 

areas  near  by.  In  late  December  when  passing  through  eastern  Cata- 
marca  and  Cordoba  I  noted  many  of  these  Gavilans.  In  the  swampy 
islands  of  the  Rio  Parana  opposite  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios,  and  in 
western  Santa  Fe  (Saladero  M.  Cabal,  San  Joaquin,  and  La  Noria) 
they  were  very  numerous,  but  not  exactly  in  flocks,  scattered  rather 
evenly  about  a  pair  per  acre.  During  January  and  February  they 
maintained  this  somewhat  scattered  arrangement,  but  were  not  breed- 
ing so  far  as  I  could  find  out.  Towards  the  middle  of  February  they 
became  scarce.  In  this  district  the  immature,  and  not  fully  adult  birds, 
were  called  Caracolero,  while  the  dark  plumaged  adults  were  known  as 
Caracolero  Negro,  being  considered  by  the  peons  as  a  distinct  species. 
None  were  observed  in  March  at  Lavalle,  Buenos  Aires,  but  the  peons 
there  knew  of  the  Caracoleros  and  told  me  that  they  had  all  left  in  the 
beginning  of  February. 

Rupornis  magnirostris  pucherani  (J.  and  E.  Verreaux). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,917.   Ad.  d".   Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.    17  January, 
1924. 

This  hawk  was  fairly  common  in  the  Bovril  Islands  in  the  Parana, 
where  it  was  found  chiefly  in  the  more  wooded  parts.  On  a  few  occa- 
sions one  was  seen  in  open  swampy  places  together  with  some  of  the 
preceding  species. 

The  bird  collected  had  been  feeding  on  locusts. 

Iris  white;  bill  light  bluish  green;  cere  and  feet  yellow. 

The  local  name  was  Gavilan. 

Rupornis  magnirostris  saturata  (Sclater  and  Salvin). 
M.  C.  Z.  96,916.  Ad.   9  .  Argentina:  Alpachirri,  Tucuman.  27  October,  1923. 

This  race  was  noted  only  at  Alpachirri,  Tucuman,  where  several 
were  seen  on  October  27.  They  were  attracted  by  the  noise  of  the  Ford 
car  I  was  travelling  in,  and  came  out  of  the  thick  forest  to  gaze  at  the 
origin  of  the  strange  noises.  The  only  notes  heard  were  shrill  and 
drawn  out.  The  stomach  of  the  bird  collected  contained  the  remains 
of  a  mouse  and  three  beetles. 

Iris  yellowish  white;  bill  light  bluish  green;  cere  and  feet  yellow. 

The  Alpachirri  skin  is  much  darker  generally  than  any  specimen  of 
any  race  of  this  species  in  the  collection  of  the  M.  C.  Z.  The  under- 
parts  excepting  the  throat  are  distinctly  rufous.  This  is  particularly 
true  of  the  tibia  and  breast.    The  throat  is  black  with  some  buffy 


160  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

whitish  streaks;  the  crown  and  sides  of  the  head  are  black;  no  hght 
streaks  on  the  crown ;  under  wing-coverts  tinged  with  rufous  chestnut. 
The  bar-marks  on  the  feathers  of  the  belly  are  narrow  and  rusty  chest- 
nut in  color. 


Parabuteo  unicinctus  unicinctus  (Temminck). 
M.  C.  Z.  96,919.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  12  October,  1923. 

On  October  12,  one  of  the  stable-boys  at  the  Ingenio  La  Corona,  near 
Concepcion,  asked  me  to  shoot  a  large  Halcon  that  was  sitting  in  a  tall 
Eucalyptus  tree  near  a  poultry-yard.  The  bird  when  shot  was  found 
to  be  of  the  present  species.  In  its  stomach  were  the  remains  of  three 
small  birds. 

During  the  next  two  months  I  saw  several  large  hawks  that  may 
have  been  of  this  species,  but  they  were  too  far  away  for  certain  identi- 
fication. At  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios,  and  particularly  in  the  Bovril 
Islands  just  opposite  in  the  Parana,  this  species  was  observed  several 
times  during  January  and  February.  In  this  region  it  was  called 
Gavilan. 

The  iris  in  life  is  light  hazel-brown.  Both  ovaries  are  present. 


AcciPiTER  pileatus  (Tcmmiuck). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,913.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  15  October,  1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,914.  Im.  9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  7  October,  1923. 
M.  C,  Z.  96,915,  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  19  October,  1923. 

This  hawk  was  not  uncommon  in  bushy  or  thinly  forested  country 
near  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  Strangely  enough  I  never  saw  the  species 
in  flight,  but  only  perching  on  the  topmost  branches  of  thickly  foliaged 
trees.  Examination  of  the  stomach-contents  revealed  the  following:  — 
in  one  were  the  wing-bones  and  some  grayish  feathers  of  at  least  two 
small  birds ;  in  another  the  remains  of  at  least  two  mice ;  while  the  third 
contained  a  mass  of  small  grayish  feathers,  the  clavicles  of  a  small  bird, 
and  a  zygodactyl  foot  of  a  bird  the  size  of  Colaptes  campestroides. 

In  the  two  adults  collected  both  ovaries  were  present  and  slightly 
enlarged.  The  left  was  in  each  case  slightly  more  enlarged  than  the 
right. 

In  life  the  iris  is  bright  orange-red  and  the  cere  light  greenish. 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  161 

RALLIDAE. 
FuLiCA  RUFiFRONS  Philippi  and  Landbeck. 

In  the  Bovril  Islands  in  the  Parana  these  coots  were  observed  in 
flocks  of  Fulica  leucoptera.  They  were  not  nearly  as  numerous  as  the 
latter,  but  were  not  uncommon.  They  were  much  shyer  and  stayed 
closer  to  cover. 

Local  names  were  Gallareta  and  Gallineta. 

Fulica  leucoptera  Vieillot. 

White-winged  Coots  were  very  common  in  the  Bovril  Islands,  Rio 
Parana,  and  in  the  marshes  of  eastern  Santa  Fe  (Saladero  M.  Cabal, 
San  Joaquin,  and  La  Noria),  where  they  were  observed  throughout 
January  and  February.  In  March  I  saw  a  small  flock,  about  a  dozen 
birds,  in  a  marshy  affluent  of  the  Rio  Ajo  at  Lavalle,  Buenos  Aires. 

In  January,  near  the  Saladero  M.  Cabal,  Santa  Fe,  they  were  breed- 
ing; the  nests  resemble  those  of  Fulica  americana.  One  nest  contained 
ten  eggs,  dull  whitish  in  color,  clouded  with  specks  and  small  blotches 
of  hazy  purplish. 

When  rising  from  the  water  the  pattering  of  the  feet  against  the 
surface  makes  a  considerable  splashing  noise  and  generally  results  in 
flushing  all  the  individuals  for  some  distance.  I  once  saw  a  group  of 
five  rise  from  the  water  and  before  they  were  really  well  under  way 
coots  were  springing  up  in  all  directions  until  about  200  birds  were  in 
the  air.  When  flying  the  birds  were  silent,  but  when  on  the  water  or  in 
the  reeds  they  were  incessantly  clucking  to  each  other. 

Aramides  ypecaha  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,920.   Ad.   9.   Argentina:   Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.    13  January, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,921.   Ad.   9.   Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.   19  February, 

1924. 
Ypecaha  Rails  were  very  commonin  the  marshes  of  the  island  in  the 
Parana  just  opposite  Santa  Elena.  They  have  the  very  unralline  habit 
of  roosting  in  trees;  in  fact  the  second  one  I  collected  was  perched  about 
fifty  feet  up  in  a  Eucalyptus  tree.  Although  the  birds  were  common  it 
was  only  on  rare  occasions  that  I  was  able  to  get  a  good  view  of  one  as 
they  hid  and  skulked  in  the  marshes  like  most  rails.  Once  as  I  lay  flat 
in  a  little  boat  I  watched  one  of  these  handsome  birds  step  out  from  a 


162  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

mass  of  reeds  and  walk  down  to  the  water's  edge  and  pick  up  a  few 
morsels  of  food.  The  feet  were  lifted  fairly  high,  the  toes  drooped  as 
the  feet  came  up  and  then  straightened  out  again  as  the  feet  were 
lowered.  The  pace  was  very  deliberate,  yet  it  gave  the  impression  of 
delicacy  and  caution.  The  head  bobbed  back  and  forth  with  each  step 
and  the  tail  flicked  sideways  as  the  bird  walked.  When  perched  in  a 
tree  they  stood  with  the  head  brought  back  on  the  shoulders,  but  be- 
fore flight,  or  in  case  of  alarm  the  neck  was  stretched  out  and  the  head 
held  high. 

Hudson  has  described  an  elaborate  courtship  dance  in  this  species. 
I  never  saw  this,  but  on  one  occasion  I  saw  an  Ypecaha  going  through 
what  may  have  been  part  of  this  dance.  The  bird  was  in  a  little  clear 
spot  in  the  swamp  and  pranced  around  for  about  thirty  seconds  with 
little  change  of  position.  The  legs  were  brought  up  very  high,  the 
toes  sometimes  almost  touching  the  body,  and  as  the  bird  pranced 
the  wings  opened  and  closed  more  or  less  in  time  with  the  motion  of 
the  legs.  The  wings  never  opened  more  than  half  way.  The  neck  was 
stretched,  but  not  stiffly,  and  the  head  bobbed  back  and  forth.  A 
rather  loud,  harsh,  wheezy  call-note  was  uttered  several  times.  Wet- 
more  has  described  it  as  like  the  sound  of  a  rusty  windmill  pump,  which 
fits  it  quite  well.  Mr.  Andrew  Philip  had  several  specimens  in  captivity 
at  Santa  Elena,  but  I  never  heard  a  sound  from  them. 

The  specimen  collected  on  January  13  had  a  small  mussel  shell  and 
some  comminuted  vegetable  matter  in  its  stomach,  while  the  other 
bird  had  the  claw  of  a  crab,  some  small  seeds,  stones,  and  decomposed 
vegetable  matter.  The  latter  specimen  is  in  worn  plumage,  and  is 
noticeably  paler  than  the  bird  taken  a  month  earlier. 

ARAMIDAE. 

Aramus  scolopaceus  carau  Vieillot. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,929.  Ad.  cf .  Argentina:  La  Noria,  Santa  Fe.  21  January,  1924. 

Limpkins,  called  Carau  in  Argentina,  were  very  abundant  in  the 
extensive  marshes  of  the  Bovril  Islands  and  in  adjacent  parts  of  eastern 
Santa  Fe,  San  Joaquin  and  La  Noria,  during  my  visit  in  January  and 
February.  They  are  noisy  birds,  the  call-note  being  a  long  drawn-out 
carr-aaow,  in  imitation  of  which  the  native  name  is  doutlessly  intended. 
This  note  is  usually  repeated  two  or  three  times,  but  may  also  be  given 
singly.  Although  true  marsh-birds,  nesting  and  feeding  in  the  marshes, 
Limpkins  are  often  seen  perching  in  trees  looking,  at  a  distance,  not 


fkiedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  163 

unlike  dark-colored  ibises.  When  startled  into  flight  they  seem  to 
jump  off  clumsily  from  the  perches  and  beat  the  air  with  their  wings  in 
rapid,  but  irregular,  fashion,  as  though  flying  were  not  a  common  habit 
with  them.  In  flight  the  necks  are  held  straight  out,  as  with  cranes,  and 
the  legs  dangle  downwards.  The  flight  is  very  diagnostic  and  serves 
to  identify  the  birds  as  far  as  they  may  be  seen.  There  is  a  little  hesi- 
tant pause  at  the  top  of  each  stroke,  the  wings  being  held  erect  for  a 
second  before  being  brought  down,  and  when  once  brought  down  to 
the  bottom  of  the  stroke  they  seem  almost  to  snap  back  as  though 
considerable  strain  were  involved  in  maintaining  the  downward  posi- 
tion. 

Limpkins  were  still  breeding  in  the  Bovril  Islands  when  I  first  ar- 
rived early  in  January,  but  they  were  late  individuals.  Most  of  them 
were  apparently  through  rearing  their  young  I  was  shown  some  eggs 
by  a  peon,  the  eggs  were  blown  and  on  a  necklace,  who  told  me  he  had 
collected  them  some  few  weeks  previously.  They  were  light  grayish 
white,  irregularly  blotched  with  cloudy  purplish  and  brownish.  Eight 
to  ten  eggs  comprise  the  average  clutch. 

At  Lavalle,  Buenos  Aires,  in  early  March,  Limpkins  were  seen  in 
small  numbers  in  the  marshes  of  the  Ajo  River. 


CARIAMIDAE. 

Chunga  burmeisteri  (Hartlaub). 

At  Monteagudo,  Tucuman,  one  of  these  curious  birds,  locaUy  known 
as  Chuna,  was  seen  running  through  the  bushy,  thinly  forested  plain 
and  was  soon  lost  to  sight.  According  to  the  peons  the  Chuna  can 
outrun  a  running  horse,  but  this  is  probably  an  exaggeration.  At  most, 
the  bird  could  maintain  a  fast  pace  for  only  a  short  time. 

LARIDAE. 

Larus  dominicanus  Lichtenstein. 

The  Dominican  GuU  looks  like  a  small  copy  of  a  Black-backed  Gull 
(L.  marinus),  not  only  in  appearance,  but  also  in  habits.  The  species 
was  first  noted  from  the  steamer  off  Cape  Frio,  Brazil,  on  August  26, 
when  a  flock  of  thirty  hovered  around  the  boat,  feeding  on  bits  of 
garbage  thrown  overboard.  Their  note  seemed  much  clearer  than  that 
of  L.  marimis  and  was  high,  but  not  shrill,  of  a  not  unpleasant  liquid 


164  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology, 

quality.  In  the  harbor  of  Rio  de  Janeiro  these  birds  were  abundant 
and  from  there  south  to  Buenos  Aires  the  ship  was  never  without  an 
escort  of  these  gulls.  Apparently  this  species  is  confined  to  the  ocean 
coasts  as  it  was  entirely  absent  on  the  Rio  Parana  and  quite  rare  at 
Buenos  Aires. 

Laeus  maculipennis  Lichtenstein. 

This  species  was  common  on  the  Parana  at  Santa  Elena,  associated 
with  the  Gray-headed  Gulls,  L.  cirrocephalus.  The  two  species  could 
always  be  told  by  their  call-notes,  the  present  species  having  much 
shorter  and  more  vehement  notes,  the  latter  more  drawn-out  and 
gentler.  The  flight  of  maculipennis  is  slower  and  more  deliberate  than 
that  of  cirrocephalus.  The  former  bird  seems  less  rigidly  restricted  to 
feeding  over  the  water  than  does  the  latter.  At  least,  I  saw  the  Brown- 
headed  Gulls  flying  over  meadows  a  good  deal  and  I  notice  that  Wet- 
more  (Bull.  133,  U.  S.  N.  M.,  1926,  p.  134)  found  them  feeding  on 
grasshoppers. 

Two  were  seen  at  Ensenada,  Buenos  Aires,  on  September  10. 


Larus  cirrocephalus  Vieillot. 

This  species  together  with  the  preceding  was  almost  always  in  evi- 
dence over  the  Parana  at  Santa  Elena  during  January  and  February. 
As  mentioned  under  maculipermis,  the  present  species  has  a  rather  long 
drawn-out  croaking  call,  very  different  from  the  short  emphatic  notes 
of  the  Brown-headed  Gull.  One  was  seen  at  Ensenada,  Buenos  Aires, 
September  10. 

Sterna  trudeaui  Audubon. 

At  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios,  this  species  was  fairly  common,  but  was 
much  shyer  than  either  of  the  other  two  species  of  terns  found  there, 
and  no  specimens  were  obtained.  On  the  Parana  they  mingled  with 
Phaetusa  simplex  chloropoda  and  also  with  the  Gray-headed  Gulls, 
Larus  cirrocephalus.  According  to  information  gleaned  from  local  ob- 
servers these  terns  breed  during  October  and  November.  Once  I  saw  a 
Trudeau's  Tern  pursuing  a  kingfisher,  Chloroceryle  americana  viridis, 
attempting  to  rob  it  of  a  fish  it  held  in  its  beak.  Unfortunately  the 
birds  disappeared  around  a  bend  in  the  stream  and  I  was  unable  to  see 
the  finish  of  this  interesting  episode. 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  165 


Sterna  superciliaris  Vieillot. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,922.   Ad.  cf .   Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.   2  February, 
1924. 

These  little  terns  were  very  common  in  the  islands  in  the  Parana 
just  opposite  Santa  Elena.  Flocks  containing  as  many  as  several 
hundred  birds  were  seen.  With  them  were  usually  several  of  the  much 
larger  Phaetusa  simplex  chloropoda  and,  more  rarely,  Sterna  trudeaui. 
This  species  is  quite  similar  in  its  general  habits  to  the  Least  Tern  of 
North  America. 

The  specimen  collected  is  in  fresh  plumage ;  the  crown  is  abundantly 
flecked  with  grayish  white,  the  loral  stripe  is  merely  a  band  of  discon- 
nected black  spots,  and  the  postorbital  region  is  the  only  part  of  the 
head  that  is  solid  black.  The  testes  were  much  enlarged;  the  bill  and 
feet  bright  yellow.  The  stomach  contained  two  small  fish. 


Phaetusa  simplex  chloropoda  (Vieillot) . 

M.  C.  Z.  96,923.  Ad.   9.   Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.   2  February, 

1924. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,924.  Ad.   9.   Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.   2  February, 

1924. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,925.  Ad.  cf .   Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.   19  January, 

1924. 

This  tern  was  very  common  along  the  Parana  during  my  stay  on 
that  river  (January  and  February)  and  was  also  noted  on  the  La  Plata 
from  its  mouth  to  Buenos  Aires.  It  is  a  heavy-bodied  species  and  looks 
much  larger  than  it  really  is,  especially  when  seen  with  more  slenderly 
built  terns  of  other  species.  I  found  it  less  common  than  the  small 
Sterna  superciliaris,  but  commoner  than  Sterna  trudeaui.  On  a  large 
sand-bar  on  the  edge  of  the  Caraya,  a  stream  in  the  Bovril  Islands,  I 
once  saw  a  flock  of  about  300  terns,  mostly  Sterna  superciliaris,  but 
containing  about  thirty  of  the  pre&ent  species.  The  former  were  less 
shy  than  the  latter,  and  allowed  much  closer  approach. 

All  three  specimens  collected  had  been  feeding  on  fish.  The  bill  and 
feet  are  bright  yellow  in  life,  the  color  being  the  same  in  immature  and 
adult  birds. 


166  bulletin:  museltm  of  comparative  zoology. 

RYNCHOPIDAE. 

Rynchops  intercedens  Saunders. 

Skimmers  were  not  uncommon  on  the  Parana  near  Santa  Elena, 
Entre  Rios,  where  they  were  observed  on  and  oflP  during  January  and 
February.  They  seemed  to  be  more  active  around  dusk  than  during 
the  day,  an  observation  also  made  by  Darwin  and  by  Hudson,  but  I 
know  of  no  proof  for  the  statement  that  these  birds  fish  chiefly  by 
night.  They  were  very  shy  and  no  specimens  were  collected.  They  did 
not  associate  with  the  gulls  and  terns,  but  kept  much  to  themselves. 
Most  of  the  birds  seen  were  single  individuals,  but  small  flocks  were 
also  noted.  I  saw  one  of  them  skimming  along  over  the  river  with  its 
lower  mandible  distally  immersed,  leaving  a  shallow  furrow  on  the 
water  in  its  wake.  In  their  general  habits  the  species  is  similar  to  /?. 
nigra  of  North  America. 

JACANIDAE. 

Jacana  jacana  jacana  (Linne). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,894.    Ad.    9.   Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.    19  January, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,895.   Ad.  c?.   Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.   29  September, 

1923. 

Jacanas  were  noted  as  follows :  —  Buenos  Aires  —  Buenos  Aires,  En- 
senada,  Lavalle,  March  6  to  10,  a  few;  September  11,  a  few;  near 
Rosario,  Santa  Fe  (from  train-window),  September  20,  common; 
Tucuman  —  Rio  Lules,  September  22,  one;  Concepcion  and  Rio  de 
Gastone,  September  23  to  December  23,  common;  Bovril  Islands,  Rio 
Parana,  and  eastern  Santa  Fe  (Saladero  M.  Cabal,  San  Joaquin,  and 
La  Noria),  common  during  January  and  February. 

Jacanas  walk  with  a  slow  deliberate  stride,  placing  one  foot  well 
down  before  raising  the  other.  When  walking  about  on  lily  pads  and 
other  floating  vegetation  the  birds,  while  by  no  means  inconspicuous, 
are  not  very  noticeable;  the  brown  color  does  not  attract  the  eye  of  the 
observer  very  quickly.  Every  once  in  a  while  they  raise  their  wings, 
showing  the  delicate  green  of  the  remiges  that  was  hidden  before. 
This  flash  of  green  is  hardly  to  be  called  adaptive,  although  it  simulates 
the  broad,  flat,  green  leaves  of  the  aquatic  plants  among  which  the  birds 
live.  The  mere  motion  of  raising  the  wings  is  sufficient  to  destroy  the 
protective  quality  of  the  color.  The  birds  seem  to  have  some  difficulty 
in  starting  to  fly  as  they  run  several  steps,  wildly  waving  their  wings. 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  167 

and  meanwhile  emitting  a  harsh,  raucous,  guttural  screech  somewhat 
like  the  sound  of  a  distant  burrowing  owl,  and  then  finally  rise  into  the 
air.  The  flight  is  straight  and  rapid,  with  intervals  of  gliding  inter- 
spersed between  periods  of  rapid  wing-beats. 

A  nest  was  found  on  October  4  in  a  marshy  part  of  the  Rio  de  Gas- 
tone;  it  was  a  floating  structure  made  of  dead  stems  and  reeds  and  was 
placed  on  a  little  pile  of  similar  reeds;  the  eggs,  four  in  number,  were 
pale  tan  in  color,  heavily  spotted,  and  streaked  with  rufous  brown, 
pointed  at  one  end  and  round  at  the  other.  As  I  approached  the  nest 
(no  bird  was  sitting  at  the  time)  one  of  the  Jacanas  flew  up  screaming 
loudly,  fluttered  around  and  then  dropped  down  on  a  lily  pad  and, 
feigning  a  broken  wing,  half  fluttered,  half  jumped  from  one  leaf  to 
another,  trying  to  draw  me  away  from  the  nest. 

The  body-fat  in  one  of  the  birds  collected  was  reddish  orange  in 
color.  In  life  the  bill  was  bright  orange-yellow  and  the  frontal  shield 
soft  and  flexible  and  a  delicate  rose  color. 

Common  names  for  this  bird  were  Gallito  (Tucuman  and  Entre 
Rios)  and  Cocha  Polla  (Tucuman). 

HIMANTOPODIDAE. 

Himantopus  melanurus  Vieillot. 

Stilts  were  observed  in  the  marshy  areas  of  eastern  Santa  Fe  (Sala- 
dero  M.  Cabal,  San  Joaquin  and  La  Noria)  and  in  the  Bovril  Islands 
in  the  Parana  during  January  and  February.  In  these  places  they  were 
quite  common  and  went  by  the  name  of  Teru  Real.  They  were  often 
seen  wading  in  the  water  nearly  up  to  their  bodies,  but  more  often  in 
shallower  spots.  They  were  very  quick  in  their  actions  considering 
the  length  of  leg  immersed  in  the  water.  In  flight  they  were  extremely 
graceful.  Their  sharp  yelps  were  similar  to  the  notes  of  the  North 
American  H.  viexicanus.  Two  were  collected  on  January  20,  but  were 
too  badly  shot  to  be  saved.  Neither  was  in  breeding  condition. 

SCOLOPACIDAE. 

Tringa  solitaria  (Wilson)  subsp.? 

M.  C.  Z.  96,902.   Ad.  c?.   Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.   29  September, 
1923. 
I  have  not  been  able  to  satisfactorily  determine  the  subspecific 
identity  of  the  single  specimen  collected.  This  bird  was  seen  only  once 


168  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

and  I  had,  therefore,  no  chance  of  getting  others.  However  Wetmore 
(Bull.  133,  U.  S.  N.  M.,  1926,  p.  148)  found  all  his  Argentine  specimens 
of  the  Solitary  Sandpiper  to  be  the  western  form  cinnamomea. 

The  bird  collected  was  flushed  from  a  little  swampy  part  of  the 
Chilimayo  River,  near  Concepcion.  It  was  the  first  North  American 
migrant  I  met  with  in  Argentina,  but  Wetmore  records  it  as  early  as 
late  August  in  Paraguay. 

ToTANUS  flavipes  (Gmelin). 

M.C.Z.  96,901.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  SaladeroM.  Cabal,  Santa  Fe.  20  January, 
1924. 
About  a  dozen  Lesser  Yellowlegs  were  seen  together  along  the  edge 
of  a  marshy  stream  near  the  Saladero  M.  Cabal,  eastern  Santa  Fe, 
on  January  20,  and  one  of  them  was  collected.  It  proved  to  be  a  female 
with  the  ovary  very  small.  During  the  rest  of  the  month  and  through- 
out February  I  came  across  individuals  from  time  to  time,  but  never 
saw  them  in  flocks.  They  were  very  silent,  not  making  a  sound  even 
when  flying. 

PisoBiA  melanotus  (Vicillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,903.    Ad.   9.   Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.    19  January, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,904.   Ad.    9.    Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.    19  January, 

1924. 
Pectoral  Sandpipers  were  noted  not  uncommonly  in  the  Bovril 
Islands,  Rio  Parana,  during  January  and  February,  but  were  never 
seen  in  large  numbers.  The  two  females  collected  were  feeding  at  the 
waters'  edge  near  a  little  pond,  together  with  a  few  of  the  preceding 
species. 

Capella  paraguaiae  (Vieillot). 

This  snipe  was  observed  in  small  numbers  in  Tucuman  and  Santa 
Fe.  On  December  11  at  Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucuman,  I  saw  several 
snipe,  one  which  I  collected  was  subsequently  destroyed  by  rats.  This 
species  looks  much  like  the  Wilson's  Snipe  of  North  America,  but 
makes  a  loud,  reverberating,  booming  sound  as  it  flies,  the  sound  being 
a  prolonged  deep  rumble  increasing  in  volume  as  the  bird  comes  near 
and  decreasing  as  it  flies  away. 

In  the  Bovril  Islands,  Rio  Parana,  in  January  and  February,  a  few 
snipe,  probably  of  this  species,  were  noted. 


fhiedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  169 

The  bird  collected  had  been  feeding  on  small  worms. 
In  the  former  province  it  was  called  Carrero,  while  in  the  latter  place 
the  local  name  was  Becasina. 

CHARADRIIDAE. 

Charadrius  coLLAJiis  VieiUot. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,896.  Ad.  d".  Argentina:  Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucuman.  21  November, 
1923. 

These  little  plover  were  fairly  common  along  the  sand-flats  of  the 
Rio  de  Gastone  in  November.  Little  groups  of  six  or  ten  were  often 
seen  running  along  the  edge  of  the  receding  wavelets  in  the  same  way 
as  C.  semipalmatus  in  North  America.  The  notes  were  sharp  and  clear 
and  may  be  written  j)seee.  A  few  were  seen  at  Saladero  M.  Cabal, 
eastern  Santa  Fe,  in  January. 

The  local  name  was  Chorlito. 

Pluvialis  dominicus  dominicus  (Miiller), 

M.  C.  Z.  96,897.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Bo vril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.  19  January, 
1924. 

The  specimen  collected  has  the  yellow  margins  of  the  feathers  of  the 
back  unusually  broad  and  bright. 

I  found  the  Golden  Plover  to  be  rather  scarce  but  I  was  not  looking 
particularly  for  shore  birds.  In  addition  to  the  one  collected  a  few  were 
seen  during  January  and  February. 

Belonopterus  chilensis  lampronotus  (Wagler). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,898.   Ad.  a".   Argentina:  BovrQ  Islands,  Santa  Fe.    17  January, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,899.   Ad.    9.   Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.    17  January, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,900.   Ad.  cf.   Argentina:  Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucuman.  7  December, 

1923. 
These  large,  handsome  plover  are  exceedingly  common  in  open 
country  all  over  the  northern  half  of  Argentina,  except  in  very  dry  re- 
gions. The  local  name  Teru-Teru  is  an  imitation  of  the  call-note.  It  is 
one  of  the  most  persistent  and  characteristic  sounds  of  the  pampas. 
Bold,  curious,  aggressive,  the  Terus  are  birds  of  forceful  personality 
and  leave  a  striking  image  in  the  mind  of  the  observer.  Few  birds  are 


170  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

more  conspicuously  or  vividly  marked  either  when  at  rest  or  on  the 
wing.  But  birds  like  the  Lapwing  need  no  protection,  in  fact  their 
very  habits  seem  to  scorn  the  idea.  Always  the  noisiest  bird  in  its 
locality,  color  would  be  of  no  use  in  concealing  it.  At  a  great  distance, 
however,  when  only  the  back  is  visible,  the  Teru  is  not  conspicuous. 
However,  if  we  accept  the  birds'  actions  as  a  criterion  of  its  coloration, 
the  Teru  knows  it  is  conspicuous  and  in  the  nesting  season  will  leaxe  its 
nest  and  fly  into  space  when  the  intruder  is  still  so  far  off  that  he  can- 
not see  where  the  bird  arose.  For  this  reason  their  nests  are  hard  to 
find.  Unlike  many  conspicuously  marked  birds  the  Lapwing  prefers 
fight  to  flight.  Frequently  I  have  had  several  of  these  birds  dart  close 
to  me  shrilly  screaming  teru-teru  and  threatening  me  with  their  spurred 
wings  only  to  veer  away  suddenly  and  then  return  and  repeat  the  per- 
formance. While  riding  across  country  on  horseback  I  found  I  could 
come  to  within  twenty-five  feet  of  them  before  they  would  fly,  but  on 
foot  such  proximity  is  rarely  attained. 

Around  Concepcion,  Tucuman,  the  Terus  were  very  local  and  were 
found  only  in  the  marshy  areas  of  the  Rio  de  Gastone.  Many  were 
seen  at  various  times  from  train-windows  in  parts  of  the  provinces  of 
Buenos  Aires,  Santa  Fe,  Santiago  del  Estero,  and  Cordoba.  In  Entre 
Rios  the  species  was  totally  absent  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Santa 
Elena,  although  abundant  in  the  Bovril  Islands  in  the  Parana  just 
opposite. 

The  birds  collected  had  been  feeding  on  small  beetles  and  other 
insects. 

COLUMBIDAE. 

Leptotila  ochroptera  chlorauchenia  Giglioli  and  Salvadori. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,891.   Ad.   9.   Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.   13  January, 
1924. 

The  single  specimen  collected  is  in  badly  worn  plumage  and  shows 
relatively  little  iridescence  on  the  mantle. 

This  pigeon,  commonly  known  asPaloma  de  Monte  was  abundant  at 
Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios,  and  also  on  the  Bovril  Islands  in  the  river 
Parana  just  opposite.  In  the  vicinity  of  Santa  Elena  it  seemed  con- 
fined to  the  wooded  shores  of  the  river  and  the  more  densely  forested 
parts  of  the  barrancas.  It  occupied  the  areas  uninhabited  by  Zenaida 
auriculata,  which  it  seemed  to  replace  ecologically.  In  the  islands  where 
real  forest  was  better  developed  the  birds  were  commoner  than  on  the 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  171 

mainland,  and  were  found  in  the  same  places  as  Coccopsis  capitata  and 
Compsothhjpis  pitiayu mi. 

Not  infrequently  these  birds  were  seen  opening  and  closing  their 
tails  with  a  little  twitching  motion,  exposing  the  white  tips  of  the 
rectrices  for  an  instant  at  a  time.  This  is  apparently  not  a  courtship 
antic  as  the  female  collected  was  observed  doing  it. 

The  specimen  collected  was  in  breeding  condition.  The  stomach  and 
crop  contained  many  small  seeds  and  some  comminuted  vegetable 
matter, 

CoLUMBiNA  PI  GUI  (Temminck). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,890.  Ad.  ?.  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.  10  January, 
1924. 

This  little  ground  dove  is  one  of  the  commonest  birds  in  many  parts 
of  Argentina.  It  was  observed  at  the  following  localities:  —  Buenos 
Aires  —  Buenos  Aires,  La  Plata,  Berisso,  and  Ensenada,  September 
3-17,  common;  Lavalle,  March  6-9,  common;  Tucuman  —  Tucuman 
City,  San  Pablo,  Concepcion,  and  Rio  de  Gastone,  September  21  to 
December  23,  common,  seen  daily;  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios,  January  3 
to  February  22,  common ;  La  Noria,  and  Saladero  M.  Cabal,  Santa  Fe, 
common  during  January  and  February.  In  practically  all  these  places 
the  Palomita,  as  it  is  called  by  the  people,  is  not  only  one  of  the  most 
abundant  birds,  but  also  one  of  the  tamest.  In  Concepcion,  Tucuman, 
large  numbers  of  Palomitas  were  always  to  be  found  around  the  stable- 
yards  where,  together  with  the  cowbirds,  they  fed  on  seeds  picked  from 
horse  dung  or  on  cracked  corn  spilt  from  the  troughs.  Their  monoto- 
nous cooing  calls  were  kept  up  all  day  long  without  interruption, 
starting  early  in  the  morning  and  ending  about  6  P.M.  Probably  in  the 
winter  months  they  are  less  vocally  inclined.  However  during  Novem- 
ber and  December  the  birds  were  tireless  vocally. 

In  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Concepcion,  tw^enty-three  nests  were 
found,  the  earliest  on  October  10,  the  latest  on  December  20.  The 
nests,  like  most  doves'  nests,  are  very  frail,  being  little  more  than  a  few 
small  twigs  and  coarse  grasses  carelessly  put  together.  One  nest  found 
on  the  upper  surface  of  a  palm-leaf,  fo  which  it  was  firmly  attached  by 
the  dung  of  the  parent  bird,  contained  some  cobwebs  in  addition  to 
grasses  and  fine  woody  stems.  I  found  nests  as  low  as  three  feet  from 
the  ground  and  as  high  as  sixteen  feet  above  it.  The  first  nest  found 
(October  10)  contained  two  young  birds  about  a  week  old.  The  breed- 
ing season  in  Tucuman  must  therefore  begin  around  the  middle  of 
September,  if  not  earlier.   The  eggs,  usuallv  two  in  number  (three  in 


172  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

one  case),  are  pure  white  with  a  very  slight  gloss.  They  average  23  x 
18  mm.  (nineteen  measured).  The  parent  birds  were  usually  rather 
shy  near  their  nests,  although  not  suspicious  elsewhere.  On  one  occa- 
sion I  heard  an  incubating  bird  give  a  cooing  call,  but  gave  no  particu- 
lar thought  to  it  at  the  time.  However  Wetmore  (Bull.  133,  U.  S.  N.  M., 
1926,  p.  179)  collected  an  incubating  bird  and  found  it  to  be  a  male. 

Along  in  the  second  week  in  March,  when  I  ended  my  field-work  in 
Lavalle,  a  few  birds  were  still  cooing,  although  many  full-grown  young 
ones  were  everywhere  in  evidence. 

The  crop  and  stomach  of  the  female  collected  contained  an  enormous 
number  of  small  seeds,  estimated  roughly  at  not  less  than  5,000. 

The  white  marks  on  the  wings  and  tail  serve  as  "flash''  colors,  as 
they  are  visible  only  in  flight.  When  on  the  wing  the  birds  are  quite 
conspicuously  marked,  but  at  rest  or  when  running  about  they  are 
plain  sandy  in  hue.  They  bob  their  heads  like  domestic  pigeons  when 
they  run  or  walk. 

Zenaida  auriculata  auriculata  (Des  Murs). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,892.  Ad.  ?.  Argentina:  San  Sofia,  Entre  Rios.  26  January,  1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,893.  Ad.  cf.  Argentina:  San  Sofia,  Entre  Rios.  26  January,  1924. 

The  two  specimens  collected  are  darker  breasted  than  any  others 
of  the  species  in  the  collection  of  the  M.  C.  Z. 

This  dove  was  very  common  in  Entre  Rios  and  was  observed  also 
in  Buenos  Aires,  Santa  Fe,  Cordoba,  Santiago  del  Estero,  Tucuman, 
and  near  Montevideo,  Uruguay.  In  the  field  they  always  seemed  very 
much  like  the  Mourning  Dove  and  I  notice  that  Wetmore  (Bull.  133, 
U.  S.  N.  M.,  1926,  p.  181)  comments  on  this  similarity  in  habits. 
Most  of  the  birds  were  seen  in  pairs  or  groups  of  three  to  five,  although 
at  Lavalle,  I  saw  a  flock  of  sixteen  on  March  9. 

Both  specimens  collected  were  in  breeding  condition  and  both  had 
been  feeding  on  small  seeds. 

CUCULIDAE. 

Crotophaga  ani  Linne. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,883.    Ad.  cf.    Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.    9  November, 
1923. 

In  a  wet  meadow  between  Concepcion  and  the  Rio  de  Gastone, 
Tucuman,  a  few  Anis  were  seen,  but  they  were  very  shy  and  wild. 
On  November  9  a  peon  brought  me  a  freshly  killed  bird  in  excellent 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  173 

condition,  which  he  claimed  to  have  shot  that  morning.  The  testes 
were  shghtly  enlarged,  but  the  bird  was  not  yet  in  breeding  condition. 
The  stomach  contained  some  small  beetles. 

A  few  were  seen  in  the  Bovril  Islands  opposite  Santa  Elena,  Entre 
Rios,  in  late  January. 

In  Tucuman  the  common  name  was  Pirincho  Negro  and  in  Entre 
Rios,  Urraca  Negro. 

GuiRA  GuiRA  (Gmelin). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,879.   Ad.  cT.   Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.    16  January, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,880.    Ad.  c?.  Argentina:  Concepcion, Tucuman.  16  October,  1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,881.   Ad.  cf.   Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.   28  September, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,882,  Ad.   9.   Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.   28  September, 

1923. 

The  Guira  Cuckoo,  or  white  Ani,  was  recorded  as  follows :  —  from  a 
train-window  provinces  of  Buenos  Aires,  Santa  Fe,  and  Santiago  del 
Estero,  September  20,  many;  southern  Tucuman,  Catamarca,  Cor- 
doba, and  Buenos  Aires,  numbers;  Buenos  Aires  —  Palermo,  Sep- 
tember 2,  several;  Quilmes,  La  Plata,  Berisso,  and  Ensenada,  Sep- 
tember 6  to  10,  common;  Lavalle,  March  10,  several;  Tucuman  — 
Tucuman  City,  several  in  the  parque  9  de  Julio  on  September  21; 
San  Pablo,  September  22,  several;  Concepcion  and  Rio  de  Gastone, 
September  2-3  to  December  23,  common;  Alpachirri,  October  27,  sev- 
eral; Iltico,  November  20,  one  seen;  Entre  Rios  —  Santa  Elena,  Jan- 
uary and  February,  common;  Quebracho,  February  20,  several;  Sal- 
adero  M.  Cabal,  Santa  Fe,  January  18,  a  few. 

Guiras  are  birds  of  the  thinly  forested  plains,  usually  in  drier  locali- 
ties than  those  inhabited  by  their  relative  Crotophaga  ani.  The  eco- 
logical habitats  of  the  two  genera  (Guira  and  Crotophaga)  show  very 
clearly  that  each  fills  a  separate  niche  in  the  general  scheme  of  nature 
and  that  there  could  hardly  be  any  competition  between  them. 
Guiras  rest  and  roost  in  trees,  but  feed  on  the  ground.  Locusts,  of 
which  there  are  countless  swarms,  seem  to  constitute  their  main  article 
of  food.  Several  times,  both  in  Tucuman  and  in  Entre  Rios,  after  in- 
vasions of  locusts,  I  collected  birds  to  see  which  species  fed  on  these 
destructive  insects,  and  each  time  the  Guiras  were  found  to  consume 
more  locusts  than  any  other  bird.  Practically  all  the  Guiras  collected 
had  locust  remains  in  their  stomachs. 


174  bulletin:  museum  of  compahative  zoology. 

Guiras  have  a  great  variety  of  notes,  one  set  being  like  kee-whee-kee- 
kee-kee-kee-kee-koio,  kow,  kow,  kow,  the  last  four  notes  run  together  as  in 
the  notes  of  the  Coccyzm  erythropUhnlmus  of  North  America.  Other 
notes  are  very  harsh  and  nasal.  One  set  of  calls  reminded  me  somewhat 
of  the  song  of  the  Yellow-breasted  Chat,  Ideria  virens;  it  may  be 
written  peeow-peeow-wow!-peeow-peeu-peeu-peeu-peeu,  the  last  four 
being  clear  plaintive  whistles  like  those  with  which  the  Chat  sometimes 
ends  its  long  and  varied  song.  The  alarm  notes  are  harsh  and  strident. 
The  birds  seem  to  have  some  difficulty  in  controling  their  tails  which 
look  excessively  long.  Every  time  a  bird  jumps  from  one  branch  to 
another  the  tail  is  violently  jerked  up  and  down,  sideways,  diagonally, 
and  in  every  possible  direction. 

Guiras  are  always  found  in  small  flocks  and  they  often  roost  in 
closely  packed  circles,  all  the  birds  facing  outwards,  their  sides  and 
backs  touching,  and  their  tails  converging  distally,  giving  the  appear- 
ance at  a  distance  of  a  huge,  ragged,  top-shaped  mass  with  the  apex 
downward.  Such  a  group,  when  first  seen,  I  took  to  be  an  old  weather- 
beaten  nest. 

Considerable  interest  attaches  to  the  nesting  habits  of  the  Guira 
because  of  its  close  relationship  to  the  Ani,  Crotophaga  ani.  However, 
so  far  as  my  experience  goes  (two  nests),  the  Guira  is  monogamous. 
The  first  nest  was  in  an  Acacia  tree  near  Concepcion,  and  was  found 
on  November  3.  It  contained  six  eggs  of  a  beautiful  greenish  blue  color, 
roughly  scrawled  and  blotched  with  chalky  white,  the  white  flecks, 
deposited  after  the  pigment,  come  off  with  handling.  The  eggs  are 
elliptical,  both  ends  being  exactly  alike.  The  nest  was  a  crude  structure 
of  small  twigs  and  was  lined  with  green  leaves,  most  of  which  were 
wilted  and  crushed  in  places.  The  other  nest  was  found  near  the  Rio 
de  Gastone,  Tucuman,  November  21.  It  was  built  on  a  flat  "leaf"  of  a 
large  Opuntia  cactus.  Two  Guiras  were  seen  around  it,  but  the  nest 
was  empty.  It  was  apparently  just  finished  as  the  lining  of  leaves  was 
very  fresh. 

Guiras  frequently  eat  eggs  and  young  of  other  birds.  I  saw  one  go 
into  a  nest  of  a  Bay-winged  Cowbird,  Agclaioidcs  badius,  and  carry  off 
a  two-day-old  screaming  cowbird,  Molothrus  rufo-axillaris. 

The  iris  is  orange-red  in  life ;  the  bare  skin  around  the  eye  pale  pea- 
green;  the  bill  orange  with  a  pinkish  tinge. 

In  Tucuman  this  bird  was  called  Pirincho  and  in  Entre  Rios  Urraca, 
the  last  in  Tucuman  was  applied  to  a  jay,  Cyanocorax  chrysops  tucu- 
7nanus. 


fhiedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  175 

Tapera  naevia  chochi  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,884.    Ad.    9.   Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.    12  November, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,885.   Ad.  cT.    Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.   20  November, 

1923. 

This  peculiar  cuckoo,  the  only  one  in  the  western  hemisphere  known 
to  be  parasitic,  was  observed  on  a  few  occasions  in  the  bushy  thickets 
between  Concepcion  and  the  Rio  de  Gastone,  during  November.  It  is 
a  shy  bird  and  has  considerable  powers  of  ventrilociuism  which  makes 
it  a  difficult  species  to  observe.  The  first  one  collected  was  heard  giving 
its  two-syllabled  call  and  the  sound  was  followed  for  nearly  half  an 
hour  before  I  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  bird.  It  was  perched  in  an  Acacia 
tree,  the  posture  being  very  erect  for  a  cuckoo,  and  as  it  called,  it 
raised  and  lowered  its  crest  and  swung  its  tail  sideways  like  a  pendu- 
lum. When  it  became  aware  of  my  proximity  it  suddenly  cocked  its 
tail  and  crouched  as  if  to  spring  up  into  the  air,  but  my  shot  ended  its 
activities. 

The  egg  is  spotless  white  and  is  laid  in  the  nests  of  several  species  of 
Synallaxis.  In  Argentina  S.  spixi  is  the  commonest  victim,  but  S. 
cinnamomea  russeola  and  S.  supcrciliosa  are  also  parasitized.  In 
Paraguay  Philydor  rufus  is  victimized  to  some  extent.  Usually  but  one 
of  the  parasitic  eggs  is  laid  in  a  nest,  but  two  have  been  found  in  one 
nest  of  S.  spixi.  Data  on  some  dozen  victimized  nests  in  Tucuman  in- 
dicate that  in  that  part  of  Argentina  the  breeding  season  of  Tapera  is. 
in  November  and  December. 

The  stomach-contents  of  the  birds  collected  showed  the  food  to 
consist  of  small  beetles  and  lepidopterous  larvae. 

The  local  name,  onomatopoetic  in  origin,  is  Crispin. 

CoccYZus  MELocoRYPHUS  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,886.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucuman.  21  Novem- 
ber, 1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,887.  Ad.  9 .  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.  16  January, 
1924. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,888.  Ad.  cT.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  9  November, 
1923. 

This  cuckoo  was  seen  several  times  in  Tucuman  and  in  Entre  Rios. 
In  life  it  greatly  resembles  Coccyzus  americanus  of  North  America. 
In  Tucuman  it  was  rather  uncommon,  only  three  birds  being  noted 
in  as  many  months,  while  near  Santa  Elena  it  was  fairly  common  in 


176  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology, 

the  low,  thick  bush  of  the  barrancas.  In  the  latter  place  they  fed 
largely  on  the  locusts  which  swarmed  abundantly  there.  In  Tucuman 
their  food  was  composed  of  caterpillars  and  small  beetles.  This  species 
was  never  found  in  trees  or  on  the  ground,  but  only  in  low  bushes, 
usually  within  four  feet  of  the  ground.  In  such  places  the  birds  flew 
among  the  closely  intertwining  branches  with  surprising  ease  and 
celerity.  They  were  usually  silent,  but  once  I  heard  a  low  guttural 
kuk  note. 

On  December  15  at  Rio  de  Gastone,  I  found  a  nest,  a  flimsy,  frail 
platform  of  twigs  simliar  to  that  built  by  C.  americamis;  it  was  about 
three  and  a  half  feet  from  the  ground,  and  contained  four  eggs,  one  of 
which  hatched  as  I  watched  it.  The  eggs  were  rather  dull  in  finish  and 
aquamarine  in  color.  The  nestling  just  hatched  had  snowy  white 
trichoptiles,  its  skin  was  dusky  orange,  and  the  eye-skin  dusky  green- 
ish gray.  It  gave  a  little  shrill  peep  note.  The  gape  was  swollen  and 
white.  On  January  8  at  Santa  Elena  another  nest  was  found.  It  was 
in  a  thorn  bush  a  few  feet  from  the  ground ;  a  third  nest  found  near  by 
on  January  16,  contained  five  eggs,  an  unusual  number.  Hudson 
writes  that  the  normal  clutch  is  three  or  four  and  that  he  never  found 
more  than  four  eggs  in  a  nest. 

In  Entre  Rios  this  species  was  known  to  the  peons  as  Urraca  Chica. 

PSITTACIDAE. 

CONURUS  LEUCOPHTHALMUS  (P.  L.  S.  MiiUer). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,851.   Ad.  o^.   Argentina:  San  Joaquin,  Entre  Rios.   27  January, 
1924. 

It  seems  that  this  parrot  has  not  been  hitherto  recorded  south  of  the 
Chaco  (Ocampo  and  Mocovi)  so  that  the  present  record  extends  its 
known  range  southward  for  over  a  hundred  miles.  The  specimen  col- 
lected has  a  much  shorter  culmen  than  four  birds  from  eastern  Brazil 
in  the  M.  C.  Z.  The  latter  have  culmens  of  from  28  to  29  mm.,  while 
the  bird  from  Entre  Rios  has  a  culmen  of  but  25  mm.  (measured  from 
the  cere).  Specimens  in  the  American  museum  of  natural  history  from 
Missiones  and  from  Salta  agree  with  the  Entre  Rios  specimen  in  having 
culmens  25  mm.  in  length.  A  specimen  from  Rio  Cosireni,  Peru, 
(U.  S.  N.  M.  273,074)  has  a  culmen  of  31  mm.  and  has  also  an  unusual 
amount  of  red  on  the  malar  region  and  the  black  shaft-streaks  of  the 
feathers  of  the  underparts  are  very  marked.  It  may  belong  to  an  un- 
described  race.   Birds  from  Matto  Grosso,  Brazil,  and  from  Paraguay 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  177 

agree  with  those  from  Argentina.  There  is  a  good  deal  of  variation  in 
the  length  of  wings  and  tail,  which  apparently  has  no  geographical 
significance. 

On  January  27,  at  San  Joaquin,  one  of  the  outlying  estancias  of  the 
Bovril  Company,  I  saw  two  Conunis  levcophthalmiis  in  a  low  tree. 
They  were  very  shy,  but  I  managed  to  obtain  one  of  them.  They  flew 
down  to  the  ground  as  if  to  feed,  but  quickly  flew  back  to  the  tree  as  I 
came  nearer.  As  they  flew  they  gave  a  harsh,  raucous  screech.  The 
testes  of  the  bird  collected  were  slightly  enlarged. 

Myiopsitta  monachus  monachus  (Boddaert). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,848.  Ad.  9  .  Argentina:  Ajo,  Buenos  Aires.   10  March,  1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,849.  Ad.  9.  Argentina :  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.  13  January,  1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,850.  Ad.  cf .  Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa   Fe.     13    January, 
1924. 

In  the  Bovril  Islands  opposite  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios,  these 
parakeets  were  very  common  in  flocks  of  from  fifteen  to  fifty  through- 
out my  stay  there  in  January  and  February.  Flocks  were  also  seen  at 
La  Noria  and  the  Saladero  M.  Cabal,  Santa  Fe,  and  at  Viscacheros, 
and  San  Sofia,  Entre  Rios.  At  the  Saladero  M.  Cabal  the  children  of 
Mr.  Brown,  the  superintendent  of  the  estancia,  had  two  tame  Monk 
Parakeets  which  climbed  all  over  everyone  and  were  very  tame  and 
affectionate.  They  never  learned  to  talk  or  in  any  way  modified  the 
natural  screech  of  their  species.  At  Viscacheros  a  colony  had  its  nest  in 
a  tall  Eucalyptus  tree  right  next  to  the  ranch  house  and  the  birds 
although  wild  were  quite  used  to  people.  The  racket  they  made  could 
be  heard  all  through  the  house. 

The  nests,  unusual  for  parrots,  are  huge  colonial  structures  of  twigs, 
looking  much  like  gigantic  synallaxine  nests.  Each  pair  of  parakeets 
has  its  own  private  compartment,  but  the  entire  flock  seem  to  be  on 
intimate  terms.  Not  infrequently  other  species,  including  the  tree- 
ducks  (Dendrocygna)  occupy  one  or  more  of  the  nest-holes  in  these 
structures;  and  occasionally  even  some  mammals  such  as  the  opossum 
take  possession.  The  nest  is  used  as  Sleeping  quarters  all  the  year  round 
and  is  added  to  from  year  to  year  until  at  times  it  breaks  the  support- 
ing branches  by  its  weight. 

Like  all  parrots,  this  species  is  very  noisy.  When  one  of  a  flock  is 
shot  the  rest  gather  round  screaming  and  screeching  as  if  impelled 
by  curiosity  to  disregard  whatever  fear  they  may  have. 

In  southern  Buenos  Aires  (near  Lavalle)  numbers  of  these  Gray- 


178  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

bellied  Parakeets  were  seen  daily.  There  was  quite  a  sizeable  colony 
of  them  at  Ajo. 

All  the  specimens  collected  had  soft  green  leguminous  seeds  in  their 
stomachs.  The  birds  taken  in  Santa  Fe  on  January  13  were  in  breeding 
condition,  while  the  one  collected  at  Ajo  on  March  10  was  not. 

In  Buenos  Aires  this  species  went  by  the  name  of  Loro,  a  name  ap- 
plied to  all  parrots,  while  in  Entre  Rios  and  Santa  Fe  the  local  name 
was  Cotorra. 

Myiopsitta  monachu.s  calita  (Jardine  and  Selby). 

This  race  of  the  Monk  Parakeet  was  seen  at  the  Rio  de  Gastone, 
Tucuman,  on  several  occasions  during  November  and  December.  No 
nests  were  seen  and  the  birds  seemed  to  be  wandering  about  aimlessly 
as  I  never  found  them  twice  in  the  same  place  on  successive  days. 
They  frequented  the  fairly  open  Acacia-dotted  plains  east  of  the  river 
and  their  harsh,  noisv  screams  were  often  heard  when  the  birds  them- 
selves  were  hidden  by  the  trees.  I  assume  the  birds  were  of  this  race 
because  calita  was  recorded  by  Hartert  (Nov.  zool.,  1909,  16,  p.  234) 
at  Rio  Colorado,  about  fifty  miles  to  the  south.  The  birds  flew  swiftly 
with  rather  rapid  wing-beats  and  usually  did  not  rise  more  than  thirty 
feet  from  the  ground. 

STRIGIDAE. 

Glaucidium  brasilieanum  tucumanum  Chapman. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,905.    Ad.  cf .   Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.   29  September, 
1923. 

On  September  29  in  a  little  forest  near  Concepcion,  I  saw  two  small 
owls  sitting  about  ten  feet  apart  high  up  in  a  tall  tree.  One  was  grayish 
and  one  rufous,  but  as  only  one  was  ol)tained  I  cannot  say  if  they  were 
a  pair. 

Rhinoptynx  MIDAS  (Lichtcnstein). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,908.  Ad.    9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.    1  November, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,909.   Ad.    9.   Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.   23  November, 

1923. 
This  owl,  apparently  unrecorded  from  western  Argentina,  was  ob- 
served twice  at  Concepcion,  during  November,  and  each  time  the  bird 
was  quickly  collected.  This  species  perches  in  a  very  upright  fashion  in 


FRIEDMA.NN :   NOTES   ON   SOME   ARGENTINA   BIRDS.  179 

thinly  foliaged  trees  in  open  country.  One  was  seen  in  a  tree  beside  a 
road  at  the  Ingenio  La  Corona,  a  large  sugar  mill,  where  dozens  of  peons 
were  continually  passing. 

Both  birds  collected  had  rodent  bones  and  fur  in  their  stomachs; 
some  of  the  bones  were  large  enough  to  be  rat  bones,  but  most  of  them 
were  probably  those  of  mice.  Neither  of  the  two  birds  were  in  breeding 
condition. 

Speotyto  cunicularia  cunicularia  (Molina). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,906.  Ad.   9.   Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.    29   September, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,907.  Ad.  d".  Argentina :  Santa  Elena,  EntreRios.  9  January,  1924. 

Burrowing  owls  were  recorded  as  follows :  —  from  a  train-window, 
Buenos  Aires,  near  Quilmes,  September  6,  several ;  from  a  train-window 
on  the  Central  Argentine  Railway  between  Buenos  Aires  and  Tucu- 
man, September  20,  many;  Tucuman  —  around  Tucuman  City,  Sep- 
tember 21,  several;  San  Pablo,  September  22,  one;  Concepcion  and 
Rio  de  Gastone,  September  23  to  December  20,  common;  Alpachirri, 
October  27,  several;  Iltico,  November  20,  one;  Entre  Rios  —  around 
Santa  Elena,  February  23,  common;  Quebracho,  February  20,  a  few; 
Santa  Fe  —  Bovril  Islands,  Rio  Parana ;  Saladero  M.  Calabal,  Janu- . 
ary  20,  one;  La  Noria,  January  21,  several;  Buenos  Aires  —  between 
Dolores  and  Lavalle,  March  6-10,  several. 

On  September  29  near  Concepcion,  an  abandoned  pasture,  in  which 
the  earth  had  been  bored  into  and  raised  in  innumerable  little  mounds, 
was  alive  with  Burrowing  Owls,  one  or  two  sitting  stiffly  erect  at  the 
entrance  of  almost  every  burrow,  their  yellow  eyes  blinking  solemnly 
as  I  approached.  Some  were  perched  in  the  trees,  three  in  one  small 
Acacia,  two  in  another,  while  many  trees  had  single  birds.  The  birds 
were  by  no  means  shy  and  let  me  approach  to  about  forty  feet  before 
flying.  When  a  bird  was  finally  frightened  into  flight  it  flew  ofl^  about 
fifty  feet  and,  landing  with  a  few  stiff-legged  running  steps,  turned 
around  and  gazed  reproachfully  at  the  cause  of  its  disturbance.  The 
other  owls  did  not  fly  off  in  unison,"  but  each  one  or  each  pair  flew  off 
separately  when  approached.  Their  flight  was  always  low  over  the 
ground,  with  rather  slow,  noiseless  wing-beats.  When  excited,  as  on 
my  approach,  they  uttered  a  harsh,  piercing  screech.  This  screech  was 
always  given  three  times  in  rapid  succession.  There  must  have  been 
at  least  fifty  pairs  of  owls  in  this  field. 

Some  writers  have  claimed  that  the  Burrowing  Owl  and  the  Vizcacha 


180  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

{Lagostomus  trichodactylus)  live  together  in  colonies.  I  saw  hundreds  of 
the  birds  and  as  many  of  the  rodents,  but  never  found  them  together. 
It  may  be  that  sometimes  the  owls  use  deserted  burrows  of  the  Viz- 
eachas,  but  most  of  them  certainly  excavate  their  own  tunnels.  During 
November  they  were  breeding  in  Tucuman  and  the  entrances  of  all  the 
occupied  burrows  examined  were  smaller  than  those  of  the  Vizcacha 
holes. 

During  the  great  flights  of  locusts,  which  are  such  a  great  pest  to  the 
agriculturist  everywhere  in  Argentina,  the  Burrowing  Owl  is  of  in- 
estimable value  as  a  check  upon  these  insects.  They  gorge  themselves 
with  locusts;  one  of  the  birds  collected  had  its  stomach  so  full  of  them 
that  they  formed  a  soHd,  compact  mass.  The  bird  could  not  possibly 
have  swallowed  another  one  until  those  it  already  had  were  partly 
digested. 

The  burrows  are  diagonal,  cylindrical  shafts  varying  in  length  from 
five  to  ten  feet,  and  terminate  in  a  spherical  compartment.  In  this 
compartment  some  dried  dung,  and  bits  of  straw  are  laid  as  a  carpet 
and  on  this  are  deposited  the  eggs.  The  eggs  are  pure  white,  although 
frequently  soiled,  and  average  33  x  28  mm.  (seventeen  eggs  measured). 
The  largest  egg  seen  was  35  x  30  mm.  and  the  smallest  measured 
31.5  X  26.5  mm.  The  largest  number  I  ever  found  in  a  nest  was  seven, 
although  Serie  and  Smyth  (El  hornero,  1923,  3,  p.  45)  record  as  many 
as  eight  to  a  clutch. 

The  Burrowing  Owl  seems  to  be  able  to  rotate  its  head  to  a  greater 
extent  than  most  birds.  I  once  walked  completely  around  one  and  it 
always  faced  me  scjuarely  turning  its  head  as  I  went  in  a  circle.  It 
would  be  of  interest  to  examine  the  atlas  and  axis  of  this  species. 

The  male  collected  at  Santa  Elena  had  intestinal  caeca  measuring 
52  and  58  mm.,  respectively,  while  its  small  intestine  (pyloris  to  caeca) 
measured  254  mm.  and  the  large  intestine  (caeca  to  anus)  measured 
43  mm. 

The  common  name  by  which  this  bird  is  known  in  Argentina  is 
Lechuza. 

CAPRIMULGIDAE. 

Setopagis  parvulus  (Gould). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,853.  Ad.  d".  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  13  October,  1923. 

A  freshly  killed  specimen  of  this  species  was  brought  to  me  at  Con- 
cepcion by  a  peon  on  October  13.  It  was  a  male  in  breeding  condition, 
the  testes  being  much  enlarged.    The  stomach  contained  insect  re- 


FRIEDMANN:   notes   on   some   AaOENTINA   BIRDS.  181 

mains.  The  iris  was  reddish  brown  with  a  dark  blue  pupil.  The  in- 
testinal caeca  were  narrow  and  tubular  and  16  mm.  long;  the  small 
intestine  was  58  mm.  long,  and  the  large  intestine  13  mm. 

Podager  nacunda  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,852.    Ad.    ?.    Argentina:  Quebracho,  Entre  Rios.    20  February, 
1924. 

The  single  specimen  collected  has  absolutely  no  white  on  the  tail- 
feathers,  agreeing  in  this  respect  with  a  female  from  Concepcion  del 
Uruguay,  Entre  Rios,  and  with  another  from  Quarahive,  Uruguay,  in 
the  collection  of  the  M.  C.  Z.  However  there  is  considerable  variation 
in  the  amount  of  white  in  the  rectrices  of  this  species  independent  of 
sex,  season,  and  locality,  and  apparently  also  of  age.  Some  specimens 
in  the  series  in  the  M.  C.  Z.  have  all  but  the  central  pair  broadly  tipped 
with  white,  the  white  area,  in  some,  amounting  to  as  much  as  a  quarter 
of  the  whole  feather  in  the  outermost  pair.  The  lower  throat  (immedi- 
ately below  the  white  patch)  in  the  Argentine  bird  is  very  much  more 
buffy,  less  barred  with  black,  than  in  the  M.  C.  Z.  series  of  eight 
specimens. 

My  first  meeting  with  the  Nacunda,  as  this  bird  is  called  in  the 
vernacular,  was  a  memorable  experience.  On  the  morning  of  January 
20  while  riding  across  country  from  the  Saladero  M.  Cabal  towards 
La  Noria,  Santa  Fe,  with  one  companion,  I  dismounted  to  take  a  photo- 
graph. When  setting  up  my  tripod  about  a  hundred  feet  from  where  I 
left  my  horse  I  flushed  one  of  these  nightjars.  It  flew  only  a  short  dis- 
tance and  settled  in  the  grass.  Going  forward  to  where  it  disappeared 
I  was  startled  to  find  that  where  one  bird  had  gone  down  about  two 
hundred  flew  up.  Every  step  of  mine  flushed  ten  or  a  dozen.  I  ran 
back  to  my  horse  for  the  gun  but  was  too  late  as  the  whole  flock  had 
gathered  together  in  a  loose,  shifting  group  high  up  in  the  air  and  flew 
off  across  the  lagoon. 

Wetmore  (Bull.  133,  U.  S.  N.  M.,  1926,  p.  205-206)  writes  that  he 
found  this  species  rather  rare,  and  the  largest  flock  he  records  con- 
tained only  a  dozen  or  so  birds.  This  scarcity  is  probably  true  now  for 
many  parts  of  the  country,  but  in  eastern  Santa  Fe  and  northern  Entre 
Rios  the  species  is  as  common  as  it  must  have  been  when  Hudson  wrote 
of  seeing  it  in  great  flocks. 

The  birds  seem  to  see  almost  as  well  in  daylight  as  at  night,  although 
they  feed  largely  after  dark.  I  frequently  saw  shadowy  forms  fluttering 
silently  by  in  the  dark  along  the  roads  around  Santa  Elena  during 


182  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

February.  Most  of  these  were  probably  this  species.  On  the  night  of 
February  20  I  went  by  car  from  Santa  Elena  to  Quebracho ;  along  the 
road  numbers  of  Nacundas  appeared  in  the  lights  of  the  car  and  one 
actually  hit  against  the  radiator  and  was  collected.  On  the  wing  they 
seemed  very  heavy  and  stockily  built  for  nightjars.  The  only  note 
heard  was  a  hiss  from  the  bird  captured  after  it  dashed  against  the  car. 
The  specimen  collected  was  a  female  past  the  breeding  season. 
Its  stomach  was  greatly  distended  and  very  hard  and  contained  twelve 
large  locusts,  three  scarabaeid  beetles,  and  eight  other  beetles. 

ALCEDINIDAE. 

Megaceryle  torquata  cyanea  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,862.   Ad.  d".   Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe,    12  January, 
1924. 

These  large  kingfishers  were  very  common  along  the  streams  in  the 
Bovril  Islands  during  my  stay  there  in  January  and  February.  They 
were  never  seen  in  groups  of  more  than  two,  and  single  birds  were  the 
rule.  A  curious  thing  about  this  species  is  that  it  always  pumps  its 
tail  vertically  three  times  before  flying.  Invariably  as  I  approached 
one  it  pumped  its  tail  once,  then  as  I  came  nearer  it  did  this  a  second 
time,  and  finally  just  before  flying  it  did  it  a  third  time.  I  noticed  this 
in  a  great  many  individuals  and  never  knew  it  to  vary.  The  flight  is 
similar  to  that  of  Ceryle  alcyon  of  North  America,  and  so  is  its  rattling 
call,  but  much  louder.  The  stomach  of  the  bird  collected  contained  the 
remains  of  at  least  two  small  fish. 

The  Santa  Fe  specimen  has  heavier  black  shaft-streaks  on  the 
feathers  of  the  crown  and  crest  than  a  male  from  Concepcion  del 
Uruguay  in  the  M.  C.  Z.  However  the  bird  from  eastern  Entre  Rios 
(Concepcion  del  Uruguay)  is  a  spring  bird  (November  30),  while  that 
from  western  Entre  Rios  is  a  late  summer  bird  (January  12),  It  may 
be  that  this  difference  in  plumage  is  due  to  wear,  but  this  is  not  likely. 

The  local  name  of  this  kingfisher  was  Martin  Pescador  Grande. 

Chloroceryle  amazona  Latham. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,863.   Ad.   9 .   Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.    13  January, 
1924. 

This  kingfisher  was  first  seen  flying  along  a  little  stream  near 
Alpachirri,  Tucuman,  on  October  27.  One  was  seen  late  in  November 
on  the  Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucuman.    In  January  and  February  many 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  bibds.  183 

were  seen  in  the  Bovril  Islands,  Rio  Parana,  where  they  were  very 
common.  In  this  loeaUty  the  present  species,  while  numerous,  was  not 
so  abundant  as  the  preceding  species  or  the  following  one. 

These  birds  were  breeding  in  holes  in  banks  about  ten  feet  above  the 
surface  of  the  water,  but  by  January  most  of  them  were  through 
nesting. 

In  its  general  habits,  flight,  etc.,  the  species  is  similar  to  Cerxjle 
alcyon,  but  its  rattle-call  is  shriller.  The  stomach  of  the  bird  collected 
contained  fish-bones. 

The  local  name,  Martin  Pescador,  is  appHed  to  all  kingfishers. 

ChLOEOCERYLE  AMERICANA  VIRIDIS  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,864.   Ad.   9.   Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.    13  January, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,865.    Ad.  cT.   Argentina:  Alpachirri,  Tucuman.  27  October,  1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,866.   Ad.  d".   Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.   17  February, 

1924. 
This  little  kingfisher  was  seen  at  Alpachirri,  on  October  27,  where 
several  were  noted  and  one  collected.  It  was  not  met  with  again  until 
the  following  January  when  I  found  it  abundant  in  the  Bovril  Islands 
in  the  Rio  Parana.  Throughout  January  and  February  it  was  seen  in 
numbers  every  time  I  went  to  the  islands,  but  I  never  observed  it  on 
the  river  itself  or  on  the  mainland  either  in  Entre  Rios  or  Santa  Fe. 
Along  the  Caraya,  a  stream  in  the  islands,  all  three  species  of  king- 
fishers were  very  common.  The  present  species  seemed  to  be  the  fastest 
flyer  of  the  three  and  was  generally  the  most  ^ctive,  plunging  after 
small  fish,  and  hurrying  up  and  down  the  stream.  The  three  species 
evidently  do  not  conflict  or  compete  with  each  other,  and  form  another 
illustration  of  the  ecological  significance  of  body-size  already  men- 
tioned under  the  albatross,  Diomedia  mehmopJiris. 

This  species  was  called  Martin  Pescador  Chico  in  Entre  Rios  and 
Santa  Fe. 

BUCCONIDAE. 

Nystalus  maculatus  striatipectus  (Sclater). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,861.   Ad.  cf.   Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.   30  September, 
1923. 
This  bucco  was  seen  only  near  Concepcion  and  the  Rio  de  Gastone, 
Tucuman,  where  it  was  not  uncommon  from  late  September  until 


184  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

the  latter  part  of  December.  The  first  one  seen  was  sitting  in  a  tall 
bush  with  its  head  drawn  down  on  its  "shoulders"  and  the  bill  held 
about  horizontal,  looking  very  much  like  some  of  the  small  African 
kingfishers  (Halycon  sp.).  The  species  was  entirely  silent  in  my  ex- 
perience. Usually  it  was  stupidly  tame  and  unsuspicious.  I  doubt  if 
it  ever  makes  long  flights.  I  have  seen  one  fly  from  one  bush  to  another 
about  twenty  feet  away  and  immeditely  assume  its  usual  motionless, 
somnolent  attitude.  It  can  fly  fairly  quickly  for  such  short  distances, 
and  probably  swoops  down  from  its  perch  on  passing  insects  in  the 
manner  of  the  insectivorous  kingfishers  of  the  old  world  tropics. 

The  bill  is  bright  orange-red  in  life. 

They  were  known  to  the  peons  as  Durmi-durmi,  the  name  referring 
to  their  sleepy  look. 

*  PICIDAE. 

Picumnus  cierhatus  pilcomayensis  Hargitt. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,867.   Ad.  cf?  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.    30  September, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,868.   Ad.  d".   Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  12  October,  1923. 

This  piculet  was  observed  only  near  Concepcion,  where  it  was  not 
uncommon  in  tangled  thickets.  The  actions  of  this  species  are  inter- 
mediate in  character  between  those  of  miniature  Dryobates-like  wood- 
peckers and  of  Chickadees  {Penthestcs  atricapillus).  They  peck  on  the 
small  twigs  of  bushes  and  on  bamboo  (where  this  plant  has  been  intro- 
duced) like  miniature  Dryobates,  but  have  the  pose  of  a  Penthestes. 
The  tail  is  usually  free  of  the  branch  and  is  not  used  as  a  support.  The 
birds  cling  to  the  undersides  of  twigs  as  easily  as  any  woodpecker  and 
travel  downwards  and  backwards  in  little  jerky  hops  as  they  work 
along  a  twig.  The  only  note  heard  was  a  rather  faint,  lisping  tsip-tsip. 
This  note  is  easily  overlooked  and  my  attention  was  frequently  aroused 
by  the  pecking  noise,  or  by  the  flitting  motion  of  the  bird  as  it  flew 
from  one  bush  to  another.  The  species  stays  low  down  never  going, 
so  far  as  my  experience  shows,  more  than  about  eight  feet  from  the 
ground. 

Both  birds  collected  had  been  feeding  on  small  black  beetles. 

DiCTiOPicus  MiXTUS  (Boddaert)  subsp.? 

M.  C.  Z.  96,869.    Ad.    9.    Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.    12  November, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,870.   Ad.  &.   Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.    17  February, 

1924. 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  185 

The  male  from  the  Bovril  Islands  is  somewhat  intermediate  between 
viirtus  and  lignarnis.  Unfortunately  the  entire  crown  and  occiput  are 
bare  except  for  a  few  feathers  on  the  posterolateral  edges  of  the  occiput. 
Consequently  it  is  impossible  to  tell  whether  the  red  is  confined  to  the 
sides  of  the  head.  In  its  measurements  the  specimen  is  nearer  to 
mixtus  than  lignarius.  I  am  not  able  to  satisfy  myself  as  to  the  sub- 
specific  identity  of  the  female  collected. 

It  seems  not  improbable  that  mixtus  and  lignarius  are  less  distinct 
than  usually  thought. 

Beetles  and  lepidopterous  larvae  were  found  in  the  stomachs. 

PicuLUS  RUBiGiNOSUS  TUCUMANUS  (Cabanis). 
M.  C.  Z.  96,871.  Ad.  cf .  Argentina:  Iltico,  Tucuman.  20  November,  1923. 

This  species  was  observed  only  once,  at  Iltico,  Tucuman,  on  Novem- 
ber 20,  where  it  was  heard  tapping  on  a  tree  in  a  dense  part  of  the 
forest.  Its  stomach  contained  many  white  grubs,  probably  coleopter- 
ous larvae,  and  one  small  seed. 

Trichopicus  cactorum  (d'Orbigny). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,872.  Ad.  d".  Argentina:  Deniz  Island,  Santa  Fe.  4  January,  1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,873.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.  9  February, 
1924. 
This  Yellow-throated  Woodpecker  was  seen  several  times  around 
Santa  Elena  and  in  the  islands  in  the  Parana  just  opposite.  It  fre- 
quented thinly  wooded  or  open  country  and  was  always  observed 
singly  or  in  pairs.  They  climbed  about  like  dryobatine  woodpeckers, 
but  their  call-note  was  more  like  that  of  a  White-breasted  Nuthatch 
{Sitta  carolinensis) ,  very  nasal  and  drawn  out.  The  stomach  of  the 
male  collected  contained  several  small  black  beetles,  while  that  of  the 
female  held  two  fruit-pits  about  the  size  of  cherry-pits,  the  remains  of 
some  reddish  fruit-pulp,  and  some  beetle  remains. 

Chrysoptilus  melanolaimus  perplexus  Cory. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,874.  Ad.  cf .  Argentina:  Deniz  Island,  Santa  Fe.  4  January,  1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,875.  Ad.  d".  Argentina:  Deniz  Island,  Santa  Fe.  4  January,  1924. 

In  my  opinion  perplexiis  is  a  valid  race  and  can  be  easily  distin- 
guished from  typical  melanolaivius  by  the  middle  stripe  of  yellowish 
olive  bordering  the  shaft  on  both  webs  on  the  under  surface  of  the  outer 


186  bulletin:  museum  of  compabative  zoology. 

rectrices.  This  stripe  is  lacking  in  western  birds  of  the  typical  race.  A 
specimen  from  Mendoza  in  the  M.  C.  Z.  is  more  or  less  intermediate, 
but  nearer  melanolaimus  than  perplexus.  Other  characters  distinguish- 
ing these  races  are  discussed  by  Wetmore  (Bull.  133,  U.  S.  N.  M.,  1926, 
p.  220). 

The  two  specimens  collected  were  the  only  ones  observed.  They 
were  on  the  ground  acting  much  like  Flickers  {Colaptes  auratns),  but 
were  not  definitely  seen  to  probe  in  the  earth  for  food.  Small  black 
beetles  were  found  in  the  two  stomachs. 

Colaptes  campestroides  (Malherbe). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,876.   Ad.  cf .  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.    18  February, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,877.    Ad.  cf .  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.   9  February, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,878.    Ad.?  9  ?  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.  9  February, 

1924. 

The  Pampas  Flicker  is  very  similar  in  habits  to  the  North  American 
Colaptes  auratns.  Especially  in  flight  is  this  resemblance  striking  when 
the  suddenly  revealed  white  rump-patch  and  the  undulating  progres- 
sion of  the  bird  recall  the  North  American  species  very  vividly.  The 
species  probes  in  the  ground  for  its  food,  but  also  obtains  some  of  its 
diet  from  stumps,  trees,  and  fence-posts.  Two  of  the  three  specimens 
collected  had  dried  mud  on  the  tips  of  their  bills.  Ants  were  found  to 
be  the  favorite  food.  Each  of  the  three  stomachs  contained  at  least  a 
hundred  small  black  ants,  while  one  contained  a  large  number  of  white 
grubs  in  addition.  The  only  note  heard  was  a  long,  harsh  keovgh,  quite 
similar  to  that  note  in  C.  auratus. 

The  local  name  in  Entre  Rios  was  Carpintero,  a  name  applied  to  all 
woodpeckers. 

TROCHILIDAE. 

Chlorostilbon  aukeo-ventris  tucumanus  E.  Simon. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,854.  Ad.  cf.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  10  October,  1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,855.   Ad.  d^.  Argentina:  Concepcion,   Tucuman.   28  September, 
1923, 

This  little  green  Picaflor  was  quite  common  around  Concepcion  and 
Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucuman,  during  my  stay  (September  23  to  Decem- 
ber 23).    During  January  and  February  I  saw  large  numbers  around 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  187 

Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.  At  San  Pablo  and  the  valley  of  the  Rio 
Lules,  Tucuman,  September  22,  it  was  seen  frequenting  the  flowers  of 
several  species  of  Eupatorium.  With  it  were  associated  numbers  of  the 
beautiful  Sappho  sapho.  A  nest  with  two  young  was  found  near  Con- 
cepcion  on  November  27.  The  nest  was  like  that  of  Archilocus  cohihris 
in  size  and  structure,  being  a  soft,  felted  shallow  cylinder  made  of 
downy  plant-fiber  and  soft  bits  of  bark.  It  was  placed  on  the  top  of  a 
palm-leaf  about  a  foot  from  the  axil.  The  young  were  evidently  just 
hatched,  and  looked  like  newly  hatched  Archilocus  coluhris. 

The  stomachs  of  the  two  birds  collected  contained  small  fragments 
of  insect  remains,  some  of  which  seemed  to  be  pieces  of  the  elytra  of 
minute  beetles. 

Sappho  sapho  (Lesson). 

This  beautiful  humming  bird  was  observed  only  at  the  Rio  Lules  in 
the  eastern  foothills  of  the  Andes  in  Tucuman,  on  September  22,  As  I 
went  up  the  steep  trail  through  the  densely  forested  slopes  this  little 
species  flushed  from  among  the  Eupatoriums  with  astonishing  fre- 
quency, rapidly  flitting  here  and  there,  the  long  tail  glowing  and 
sparkling  as  the  sunbeams  played  on  it.  A  most  striking  bird  to  the 
eye,  it  was  also  heard  more  than  all  the  other  birds  together  on  that 
day.  Its  rather  unpleasant  harsh  tscha-tscha  note  is  surprisingly  loud 
for  a  bird  of  its  kind.  Only  one  female  was  seen  while  about  seventy  or 
eighty  males  were  noted. 

Heliomaster  furcifer  (Shaw). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,856.   Ad.  c?".  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  9  October,  1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,857.  Ad.  cf.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.    29  September, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,858.  Ad.   9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.    29  September, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,859.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.    16  January, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,860.  Im.  cf .  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.    8  February, 

1924. 
This  striking  little  humming  bird  was  not  uncommon  in  bushy  fields 
and  fairly  open  thickets.  It  was  observed  at  Concepcion  and  Rio  de 
Gastone,  Tucuman,  from  September  through  December,  several; 
also,  Tucuman  —  Alpachirri,  October  27,  several;  Iltico,  November 
20,  one;  Entre  Rios  —  around  Santa  Elena,  January  and  February, 


188  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

fairly  numerous;  near  the  Saladero  M,  Cabal,  Santa  Fe,  January  20, 
one. 

Its  flight  and  general  habits  seemed  similar  to  those  of  Chlorostilbon 
aureoventris,  but  the  present  species  appeared  to  be  more  partial  to  the 
pinkish  flowers  of  Verbena  chamaedryfolia  than  to  Eupatoriums.  It 
was  often  seen  perched  on  the  telegraph-wires  along  the  roadbed  of  the 
Central  Cordoba  Railway,  the  edges  of  which  were  literally  carpeted 
with  patches  of  the  Verbena. 

DENDROCOLAPTIDAE. 

^IPHOCOLAPTES  MAJOR  MAJOR  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,845.  Ad.  cf.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  13  October,  1923. 

The  study-material  available  in  the  M.  C.  Z.  consists  of  two  females 
from  Tapia,  Tucuman  (J.  L.  Peters),  and  two  specimens  from  the 
Lafresnaye  collection,  including  the  type  of  Dendrocolaptes  ruhiginosus. 
These  four  and  the  Concepcion  specimen  exliibit  considerable  variation 
in  the  width  of  the  white  shaft-stripes  on  the  breast.  The  two  females 
from  Tapia  have  these  white  stripes  bordered  with  dark  grayish  brown ; 
in  some  feathers  the  dark  grayish  is  concentrated  into  small  black  dots. 
The  male  from  Concepcion  is  larger  than  these  two  females  as  the 
following  measurements  indicate:  — 


Culmen 

Sex 

Locality 

from  base 

Wing 

Tail 

Tarsus 

& 

Concepcion 

56  mm. 

157  mm. 

118  mm. 

31.5  mm. 

9 

Tapia 

50  mm. 

152  mm. 

121  mm. 

30.0  mm. 

9 

Tapia 

51  mm. 

140  mm. 

118  mm. 

29.0  mm. 

The  Carpintero  Grande,  as  this  large  woodhewer  was  called  in  Tucu- 
man, was  a  scarce  bird  in  my  experience.  I  saw  but  one,  feeding  on  the 
ground  like  a  Flicker,  and  as  I  approached  it  flew  up  into  a  tree  and 
perched  lengthwise,  woodpecker-like,  on  a  slanting  branch. 

The  stomach  contained  ants  and  some  unidentifiable  insect  remains. 

The  iris  in  life  was  dark  brown  and  the  bill  smoky  blue-gray. 

Lepidocolaptes  angustirosrtis  angustirostris  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,846.  Ad.  cf.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.      17  November, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,847.  Ad.  d".   Argentina :  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  10  October,  1923. 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  189 

There  is  considerable  variation  in  size  in  this  species.  Besides  the 
two  birds  from  Concepcion,  I  have  examined  two  males  from  Tapia, 
Tucuman  (J.  L.  Peters),  and  find  that  the  wing  varies  in  males  from  92 
to  98  mm.,  the  tarsus  from  15  to  17  mm.;  the  tail  from  68  to  82  mm.; 
and  the  culmen  (from  base)  from  28  to  33  mm.  Wetmore  (Bull.  133, 
U.  S.  N.  M.,  1926,  p.  236)  records  a  male  from  Tapia  with  a  culmen 
of  35.7  mm.  and  wings  measuring  99.6  mm. 

This  species  is  one  of  the  very  few  in  my  experience  in  which  the  size 
relations  of  the  two  testes  vary  individually.  One  bird  had  the  left 
testis  very  large  and  the  right  one  minute,  while  the  other  had  them 
both  very  large  and  equal  in  size. 

This  woodhewer  was  not  uncommon  in  the  open,  bushy  Acacia 
savannas  near  Concepcion.  It  was  often  observed  climbing  up  tree- 
trunks  in  true  picine  fashion,  but  with  a  jerky  motion  not  usually 
noticeable  in  the  more  perfected  climbing  of  the  woodpeckers.  Beetles 
were  found  in  the  stomachs  of  both  birds  collected. 

In  life  the  iris  was  dark  brown. 

Drymornis  bridgesi  (Eyton). 
M.C.Z.  96,842.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Santa  Elena, Entre  Rios.  4  February,  1924 . 

This  species  w^as  observed  but  once  and  the  specimen  seen  was 
promptly  collected. 

The  series  in  the  M.  C.  Z.  shows  great  variation  in  size,  the  culmen 
varying  from  59  to  69  mm.,  the  wings  from  131  to  140  mm.;  the  tail 
from  109  to  123  mm.;  the  tarsus  from  29  to  31  mm.  There  is  also  con- 
siderable variation  in  the  size  of  the  white  stripes  on  the  underparts. 
The  four  birds  from  eastern  Entre  Rios  (Concepcion  del  Uruguay)  in 
the  M.  C.  Z.  have  these  stripes  the  smallest,  while  three  from  Tapia, 
Tucuman,  have  them  best  developed.  The  Santa  Elena  specimen  is 
intermediate  in  this  respect. 

The  stomach  contained  the  remains  of  several  locusts,  a  rather  un- 
usual choice  of  food  for  a  tree-climber. 

The  iris  was  dark  brown. 

FURNARIIDAE. 

FuRNARius  RUFUS  RUFUS  (Gmelin). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,838.  Ad.  cf .  Argentina:   Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.   10  January, 

1924. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,839.  Ad.  cf.   Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.    10  January, 

1924. 


190  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Ovenbirds  were  commonly  observed  everywhere  in  Argentina. 
They  were  numerous  even  in  the  parks  in  the  city  of  Buenos  Aires,  as 
well  as  in  La  Plata,  and  were  quite  tame  and  accustomed  to  people.  In 
Tucuman  they  were  very  common  and  large  numbers  of  their  nests 
were  examined.  The  Tucuman  birds  may  be  referable  to  the  race 
commersoni,  but  unfortunately  no  specimens  were  taken  in  that  prov- 
ince. In  western  Ai-gentina  the  bird  was  always  called  Hornero,  while 
in  eastern  parts  of  the  country  two  names,  Hornero  and  Casero,  were 
equally  used. 

The  Hornero  is  one  of  the  avian  personalities  of  Argentina,  and  is 
one  of  the  few  birds  universally  regarded  with  friendly  respect  by  the 
peons.  The  stories  about  it  are  numerous,  one  being  to  the  effect  that 
it  never  works  on  Sundays,  but  restricts  its  building  activities  to  week 
days.  In  its  general  habits  this  ovenbird  is  somewhat  like  a  thrush, 
feeding  on  the  ground  like  a  robin,  and  in  flight  resembles  a  large  Hylo- 
cichla.  When  disturbed  it  is  very  vociferous,  some  of  the  loud,  clear, 
ringing  notes  recalling  the  distress-call  of  the  Robin  (Planesticus  vii- 
gratornts) .  It  both  hops  and  runs,  and  on  one  occasion  I  saw  an  Hornero 
scratching  among  some  dead  leaves  and  stems  with  both  feet  simul- 
taneously like  a  Fox  Sparrow  (Passerclla  iliaca). 

The  nest  is  a  wonderfully  well-built  mud-oven  with  a  spiral  entrance 
on  the  side;  it  is  straddled  on  horizontal  or  gently  sloping  branches 
of  trees,  or  on  the  cross-bars  of  telegraph-poles,  and  even  on  fences  and 
gates.  In  the  great  majority  of  nests  found  in  the  provinces  of  Buenos 
Aires  and  Entre  Rios  the  entrance  was  on  the  left  side,  while  in  Tucu- 
man, Santiago  del  Estero,  and  Cordoba,  about  as  many  nests  had  the 
entrances  on  the  right  side  as  on  the  left.  Of  approximately  600  nests 
observed,  some  450  had  the  opening  on  the  left. 

I  examined  the  contents  of  no  less  than  217  nests.  Of  these  only 
sixty-one  were  occupied  at  the  time  by  the  ovenbirds  while  forty-nine 
were  occupied  by  other  species,  Machdornis  rixosa,  Sycalis  pdzclni, 
Phacoprocjne  tapera,  etc.  One  contained  seven  little  tree-frogs,  Hyla 
nasica,  and  one  egg  of  Molothnis  bonariensis,  while  several  nests, 
much  to  my  discomfort,  were  inhabited  by  hornets. 

The  eggs  of  the  Hornero  are  pure  dull  white  and  average  (nine  speci- 
mens) 30x21.5  mm.  I  never  found  more  than  five  in  a  nest.  This 
ovenbird  is  frequently  parasitized  by  the  cowbird,  Molothrus  bonari- 
ensis; eighteen  out  of  sixty-one  occupied  nests  contained  one  or  more 
eggs  of  the  parasite.  Incredibly  large  numbers  of  cowbirds'  eggs  have 
been  found  in  single  nests  of  the  Hornero  —  as  many  as  thirty-seven 
in  one  case.   The  largest  number  I  ever  found  was  four.   All  nests  in 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  191 

which  very  large  numbers  of  eowbird  eggs  are  laid  are  usually  deserted 
before  many  of  the  parasitic  eggs  are  deposited,  so  that  the  number  sat 
upon  by  the  Hornero  rarely  exceeds  four.  The  larger  size  of  the  oven- 
bird  eggs  does  not  seem  to  keep  the  Molothrus  eggs  from  hatching 
first.  I  have  never  seen  the  young  of  the  two  species  growing  up  to- 
gether, but  have  found  some  nests  containing  young  cowbirds  and 
eggs  of  the  ovenbirds  and  others  with  young  ovenbirds  and  eggs  of  the 
cowbirds,  but  never  any  with  young  of  both.  I  have,  however,  heard 
of  one  such  case. 

At  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios  I  was  told  by  Mr.  A.  Philip,  a  thor- 
oughly reliable  observer,  of  a  case  where  an  ovenbird  was  watched  for 
some  days.  Although  it  had  two  young  of  its  own  already  out  of  the 
nest,  it  was  seen  to  return  to  its  nest  with  food  for  several  days  there- 
after. Finally  a  young  eowbird  emerged  from  the  nest  and  after  that 
the  old  Hornero  did  not  return  to  the  nest. 

Ants  seem  to  be  the  main  article  of  diet,  at  least  both  birds  collected 
had  nothing  but  ants  in  their  stomachs. 

One  of  the  specimens  collected,  which  may  be  not  fully  adult,  has  the 
feathers  of  the  malar  and  gular  regions  terminally  banded  with  grayish 
brown,  giving  the  appearance  of  fine  indistinct  bars.  These  bars  extend 
across  the  white  throat. 

FuRNARius  CRiSTATUS  Burmeister. 

On  an  Acacia-dotted  plain  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Rio  de  Gastone, 
Tucuman,  I  saw  several  of  these  Crested  Ovenbirds  and  found  seven  of 
their  nests  (November  24).  In  general  this  species  acts  and  sounds 
much  like  the  preceding  one,  but  seems  less  terrestrial  in  its  feeding 
habits.  The  nests  are  similar  to  those  of  F.  rufus,  but  are  smaller,  not 
more  than  two  thirds  as  large  as  those  of  the  common  ovenbird.  One 
of  the  nests  contained  two  eggs  of  the  eowbird,  Molothrus  honariensis, 
in  addition  to  two  of  the  builder.  The  eggs  of  the  Crested  Ovenbird 
are  similar  to  those  of  F.  nifus,  but  smaller,  averaging  27  x  19  mm. 

Synallaxis  superciliosa  Cabanis. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,832.  Ad.  d".  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  19  October,  1923. 

I  have  had  the  opportunity  of  comparing  the  Concepcion  specimen 
with  but  one  other  (M.  C.  Z.  94,797),  a  male  from  Sarmiento,  Tucuman. 
The  first  is  in  worn,  while  the  other  is  in  fresh,  plumage.   In  the  fresh 


192  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology, 

plumage  the  crown  and  nape  are  brighter,  lighter,  and  slightly  more 
orange  than  in  the  worn  plumage.  In  the  former  the  tail  is  more  rufous 
than  in  the  latter  and  the  secondaries  are  externally  edged  with 
rufous  in  the  fresh  plumage.  These  edges  are  entirely  worn  off  in  the 
Concepcion  specimen. 

Hellmayr  (Cat.  birds.  Amer.,  1925,  p.  76)  records  measurements  of 
five  specimens  of  this  bird,  according  to  which  the  wings  vary  from 
54-56  mm. ;  the  tail  from  86-91  mm. ;  the  culmen  is  12  mm.  The  speci- 
men from  Sarmiento  in  the  M.  C.  Z.  has  the  wing  61  mm.,  the  tail 
81  mm.,  and  the  culmen  10  mm. 

In  life  the  iris  is  bright  coffee-brown,  the  bill  blackish  brown,  and  the 
feet  dusky  horn  color.  The  stomach  of  the  bird  collected  contained 
insect  remains. 

This  species  was  quite  common  around  Concepcion  and  Rio  de 
Gastone,  Tucuman,  September  23  to  December  23.  Many  of  their 
huge  stick-nests  were  seen  and  several  in  process  of  construction  were 
observed.  The  birds  were  always  seen  in  pairs. 

The  Bay-winged  Cowbird,  Agelaioides  hadnis  badius,  often  uses  the 
nests  of  this  Synallaxis  to  breed  in  and  frequently  usurps  occupied  nests 
after  evicting  the  little  spine-tails.  On  December  9,  at  Concepcion, 
Tucuman,  I  heard  a  commotion  in  one  of  the  palm-trees  along  a  little 
road  and,  on  coming  closer,  saw  a  very  spirited  fight.  A  pair  of  Bay- 
wings  were  in  the  tree  near  a  nest  of  this  Synallaxis,  and  one  of  the 
spine-tails  was  also  there.  The  Bay-wings  were  harshly  chattering  at 
the  latter  which  kept  up  a  loud,  incessant  alarm-call.  Suddenly  one  of 
the  Bay-wings  fiew  directly  at  the  Synallaxis,  which  then  flew  off  hur- 
riedly to  the  next  palm.  The  Bay-wing  pursued  it  and  the  two  birds 
struck  each  other's  bodies  with  a  distinct  thud.  Fighting  madly  with 
wings  and  feet  and  screaming  their  loudest,  the  Cowbird  harsh  and 
guttural,  the  Synallaxis  clear  and  ringing,  they  half  fluttered,  half 
dropped  to  the  ground,  where  they  fought  desperately  for  a  minute  or 
so.  Then  the  Synallaxis  quickly  flew  off  across  the  road  and  dropped 
down  in  a  field  of  sugar  cane.  The  Bay-wing  was  close  behind  and  the 
fight  was  renewed  for  a  few  seconds,  when  the  former  flew  off  making 
a  wide  circle  of  the  nesting  tree.  Five  days  later  the  Bay-wings  were 
found  in  possession  of  the  nest  and  there  was  no  sign  of  the  original 
owners. 

The  common  name  for  this  Synallaxis  throughout  Argentina  is 
Lenatero. 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  193 

Synallaxis  albescens  albescens  Temminck. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,833.   Ad.  cT.   ArgentiBa:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.    16  January, 
1924. 

In  the  M.  C.  Z.  there  is  an  immature  female  of  this  species  from 
Tapia,  Tucuman  (J.  L.  Peters).  It  differs  from  the  adults  in  that  it 
lacks  all  but  a  trace  of  the  rufous  on  the  crown,  the  tail  is  darker  and 
more  rufous,  and  the  back  is  more  olive-brown  and  brighter  than  in  the 
adult  birds. 

This  spine-tail  was  quite  common  in  the  thorny  thickets  in  the  sandy 
barrancas  in  western  Entre  Rios  where  it  was  seen  flitting  around  in 
the  taller  bushes  and  in  the  trees.  No  nests  were  observed  that  were 
definitely  attributed  to  this  species,  but  the  bird  collected  was  in 
breeding  condition. 

The  common  name  is  Leiiatero. 

CORYPHISTERA  ALAUDINA  ALAUDINA  Burmeistcr. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,843.  Ad.  cf.  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios,  15  January, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,844.  Ad.   9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.    17  November, 
1923. 

These  birds  agree  with  a  series  of  six  from  Tapia,  Tucuman  (J.  L. 
Peters).  Males  are  very  slightly  larger  than  females. 

These  pipit-like  woodhewers  were  very  common  at  Concepcion  and 
Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucuman,  September  23  to  December  23;  at  Santa 
Elena,  January  andli^ebruary;  and  at  Vizcacheros,  Entre  Rios,  Febru- 
ary 1.  A  few  were  noted  around  the  city  of  La  Plata  on  September  6. 
They  are  eminently  terrestrial  and  go  in  small  parties  of  six  or  seven 
(probably  families),  running  about  in  the  dry,  open  sandy  places  be- 
tween thorn  bushes.  They  show  their  arboreal  phlyogeny,  however,  at 
the  slightest  sign  of  danger  when  they  take  to  the  trees  and  taller  bushes, 
where  they  hop  and  flit  and  clamber  about  with  the  greatest  rapidity 
and  ease.  The  alarm-call  is  a  spluttering  series  of  sharp  clicks. 

The  nests  are  composed  of  sticks  and  twigs,  and  are  very  large  for  the 
size  of  the  builders.  Several  nests  were  found,  all  of  them  empty. 

Anumbius  anumbi  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,834.  Ad.  cf .  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.   15  February, 
1924. 

There  is  a  good  deal  of  variation  in  the  markings  of  the  breast  in  this 
species.    In  some  birds  (six  specimens  from  General  Lavalle,  Buenos 


194  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Aires)  there  are  distinct  necklaces  of  black  spots  and  the  breasts  are 
darkly  streaked  and  quite  distinct  in  shade  and  color  from  the  lighter, 
more  uniform  bellies.  Others  (three  specimens  from  Entre  Rios  and 
three  from  southern  Brazil)  lack  the  black  necklaces  and  have  the 
breast  and  bellies  alike  in  color,  fairly  light,  like  the  color  of  the  bellies 
of  the  six  specimens  from  General  Lavalle,  and  more  or  less  distinctly 
streaked. 

Although  most  dendrocolaptids  and  furnariids  are  commonly  called 
Leiiateros  in  Argentina,  the  present  species  is  the  one  most  frequently 
meant  when  that  name  is  used.  I  met  it  rather  seldom  considering  its 
wide  range  and  numerical  status.  In  Tucuman  I  sav/  a  few  now  and 
then  from  September  through  December  near  the  Rio  de  Gastone.  In 
western  Entre  Rios  (vicinity  of  Santa  Elena)  the  species  was  somewhat 
commoner  and  quite  a  number  were  seen  during  January  and  February. 
It  frequents  only  dry  Acacia  savannas  and  thorny  thickets,  and  each 
pair  seems  to  require  considerably  more  breeding  territory  than  any 
species  of  Synallaxis.  Near  Santa  Elena,  a  pair  had  a  nest  in  a  large 
Acacia,  but  the  male  usually  perched  near  by  on  a  post  along  a  road. 
In  flight  the  white  in  the  tail  shows  very  distinctly  and  serves  to  iden- 
tify the  bird,  but  when  at  rest  the  species  is  very  inconspicuous  and 
easily  overlooked. 

Phacellodomus  euber  ruber  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,835.   Ad,  c?.  Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.   13  January, 
1924. 

The  single  specimen  collected  agrees  with  others  in  the  M.  C.  Z.  from 
Paraguay  and  Bolivia.  The  species  has  not  hitherto  been  recorded  in 
northw^estern  Entre  Rios  and  in  as  much  as  I  saw  but  one  during  two 
months  there,  it  is  probably  rare  locally  (cf.  Serie  y  Smyth,  El  hornero, 
1923,  p.  37-55  for  a  Hst  of  bu-ds  of  Santa  Elena). 

The  stomach  of  the  specimen  collected  contained  ants  and  small 
beetles. 

The  iris  was  bright  golden  yellow. 

Phacellodomus  rufifrons  sincipitalia  Cabanis. 

M.C.Z. 96,836.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Concepcion, Tucuman.  30 September,  1923. 
M. C. Z. 96,837.  Ad.  cf.  Argentina:  Concepcion, Tucuman.  29 September,  1923. 

Three  birds  collected  in  late  autumn  (April)  at  Tapia,  Tucuman,  by 
J.  L.  Peters,  have  the  forehead  and  crown  much  darker  and  redder  than 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  195 

in  the  specimens  I  collected  at  Concepcion  in  the  spring  (September). 
The  Red  Thorn-bird  is  a  denizen  of  the  thickest  thorny  tangles  and 
rarely  exposes  itself  to  view.  It  is  an  active,  restless  bird,  constantly 
flitting  and  climbing  among  the  small  branches  of  tall  bushes.  This 
appearance  of  nervous  activity  is  heightened  by  the  jerky  character  of 
the  gait.  It  has  a  sharp  chvck  or  check  note  which  it  gives  at  frequent 
intervals,  especially  when  alarmed. 

PsEUDOSEisuRA  LOPHOTES  (Rcichenbach). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,840.   Ad.  cf .   Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.     9  January, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,841.   Im.?  d'.   Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.    10  January, 

1924. 
The  only  male  specimen  with  which  I  have  been  able  to  compare  the 
two  Santa  Elena  birds  is  one  collected  by  Barrows  at  Concepcion  del 
Uruguay,  eastern  Entre  Rios,  January  27,  1880.  This  bird  is  much 
smaller  in  all  its  measurements  than  the  two  Santa  Elena  specimens 
from  western  Entre  Rios  and  is  much  lighter  and  more  rufous  in  color. 
However,  considerable  size- variation  occurs  in  this  species.  The  two 
Santa  Elena  birds  differ  in  several  respects  from  each  other;  a  male 
(M.  C.  Z.  96,840)  in  breeding  condition  has  the  cheeks  dark  rufous  and 
the  rufous  of  the  gular  region  is  dark  and  extends  over  and  includes  the 
chin;  the  other  male  (M.  C.  Z.  96,841)  in  non-breeding  condition  (prob- 
ably immature)  has  the  cheeks  brownish  gray  and  the  rufous  patch 
on  the  throat  is  confined  to  the  center  of  the  throat,  the  chin  and  gular 
region  being  whitish.  The  rufous  throat-patch  is  light,  almost  cinna- 
mon in  color.  The  belly  and  flanks  in  this  bird  are  more  rufous  than  in 
the  other  and  the  feathers  of  the  breast  and  lower  throat  are  terminally 
banded  with  grayish  brown.  In  the  breeding  male  there  are  none  of  these 
terminal  bands  save  for  faint  indications  on  the  lower  breast. 

The  Cachalote,  as  this  bird  is  called,  was  common  in  the  dry  Acacia- 
dotted  barrancas  and  savannas  of  western  Entre  Rios.  At  Santa  Elena 
(January  and  February)  they  were  numerous  and  several  of  their 
enormous  nests  were  found.  The  nests  are  compact,  horizontal, 
roughly  cylindrical  masses  of  sticks  and  twigs  and  often  attain  a  length 
of  five  feet  and  a  diameter  of  two  and  a  half  or  three  feet.  The  en- 
trance is  round  and  just  large  enough  to  accommodate  the  entrance  of 
the  bird  and  is  always  at  one  end  of  the  cylindrical  nest.  The  eggs, 
usually  three  in  number,  are  pure  white  and  measure  about  29  x  21 
mm.  (three  specimens  measured). 


196  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

The  flight  of  the  Cacholote  is  rather  slow  and  undulating,  usually 
low  over  bushes  and  shrubs.  Its  usual  call  is  noisy,  being  a  loud  crack- 
ling series  of  cnk  notes  all  run  together.  The  crest  is  quite  noticeable  in 
flight  and  is  raised  and  lowered  frequently.  Perching  birds  also  raise 
their  crests  when  alarmed. 

The  iris  in  life  is  light  brown.  k 

FORMICARIIDAE. 

Taraba  major  major  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,830.  Ad.   9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  7  October,  1923, 
M.  C.  Z.  96,831.  Ad.  d".  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  2  October,  1923. 

These  birds  agree  with  three  others  from  Tapia,  Tucuman  (J.  L. 
Peters),  in  the  M.  C.  Z.  I  have  compared  theConcepcion  specimens  with 
a  series  of  thirteen  from  various  parts  of  the  range  of  the  species  and  find 
no  variation,  except  in  the  width  of  the  bars  of  the  outer  tail-feathers. 
In  some  birds  these  feathers  are  more  white  than  black  while  in  others 
the  preponderance  of  color  is  reversed.  This  variation  is  not  geographi- 
cal. 

This  species  was  met  with  somewhat  sparingly  in  Tucuman  during 
October  and  November.  It  was  found  only  in  low  hedge-like  thickets 
alongside  paths  and  short,  little-used  roads.  In  such  places  this  large 
ant-thrush  scratches  among  the  dead  leaves  for  bits  of  food.  The  only 
birds  seen  attracted  my  attention  by  the  noise  they  made  in  scratching 
among  the  leaves.  The  two  collected  had  been  feeding  on  small  beetles. 

The  male  has  a  very  loud  call,  a  clear,  full,  penetrating  whistle 
rapidly  repeated.   It  sings  from  the  bushes,  not  from  the  ground. 


TYRANNIDAE. 
Taenioptera  cesterea  cinerea  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,796.   Ad.  cf .   Argentina:  San  Joaquin,  Entre  Rios.    27  January, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,797.    Ad.   9.    Argentina:  San  Joaquin,  Entre  Rios.    27  January, 

1924. 

The  two  specimens  collected  are  in  poor  plumage  making  comparison 
with  others  difficult.  Allowing  for  age  and  condition  they  agree  with 
others  in  the  M.  C.  Z.  series. 

I  met  with  this  strikingly  marked  flycatcher  only  at  San  Joaquin. 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  197 

They  were  feeding  on  the  ground  when  first  seen,  but  flew  up  to  an  old 
post.  They  were  very  restless  and  constantly  darted  out  after  passing 
insects  returning  each  time  to  the  post.  On  the  ground  they  walked 
and  acted  much  like  Machetornis  rixosa.  One  of  the  birds  had  been 
feeding  on  small  beetles,  while  the  stomach  of  the  other  contained 
some  locust  remains. 

Iris  bright  red ;  bill  and  feet  black. 

Taenioptera  irupero  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,798.    Ad.    9.    Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.    2  November, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,799.  Ad.  cf .  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  7  October,  1923. 

The  beautiful  Viudita,  as  this  bird  is  called,  was  common  in  open 
scrubby  country  wherever  I  went.  It  was  recorded  as  follows:  Con- 
cepcion and  Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucuman,  September  23  to  December  23, 
common  in  suitable  localities;  from  train-window  on  the  Central 
Cordoba  Railway  in  the  provinces  of  Cordoba  and  Buenos  Aires, 
December  24,  a  few,  in  Entre  Rios,  Santa  Elena.  January  3  to  February 
23,  common,  and  San  Joaquin,  January  27,  one  pair;  La  Noria,  Santa 
Fe,  January  19,  one. 

The  pure  white  plumage  of  this  species  broken  only  by  the  black  of 
the  wings,  coupled  with  its  habit  of  perching  quietly,  almost  motion- 
less, for  considerable  periods  of  time,  give  the  bird  the  appearance  of  a 
white  flower  or  of  a  piece  of  cotton  caught  on  the  end  of  a  tall  cardon  or 
other  weed.  It  is  extremely  conspicuous  and  doubtless  its  habit  of 
nesting  in  holes  in  trees  is  interrelated  with  its  coloration.  In  my  ex- 
perience the  species  was  very  silent.  Both  birds  collected  had  been 
feeding  on  small  beetles. 

Lichenops  perspicillata  perspicillata  (Gmelin). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,828.    Ad.  d'.   Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.    13  January, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,829.    Im.   9  .   Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.    13  January, 

1924. 

The  Pico  de  Plata  or  Silverbill  was  noted  in  many  places  in  Argen- 
tina. It  was  first  seen  in  the  wet  meadows  at  Berisso  and  Ensenada, 
Buenos  Aires,  early  in  September,  where  they  were  quite  numerous. 
On  September  20  I  saw  several  from  a  train-window  in  parts  of  the 
provinces  of  Buenos  Aires,  Santa  Fe,  and  Santiago  del  Estero.  Several 
were  seen  in  Tucuman  at  San  Pablo,  on  September  22,  and  around 


198  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Concepcion  and  Rio  de  Gastone,  it  was  very  local  and  somewhat  un- 
common, September  23  to  December  23.  On  December  23  several 
were  noted  from  a  train-window  on  the  Central  Cordoba  Railway  in 
the  provinces  of  Cordoba  and  Buenos  Aires.  At  Santa  Elena,  Entre 
Rios,  it  was  locally  absent  on  account  of  unsuitable  ecological  condi- 
tions, but  in  the  Bovril  Islands  just  opposite  in  the  Rio  Parana  Silver- 
bills  were  quite  common.  They  were  fairly  abundant  in  eastern  Santa 
Fe  (Saladero  M.  Cabal,  San  Sofia,  and  La  Noria)  in  January  and 
February.  Early  in  March  several  were  noted  at  General  Lavalle  and 
Ajo,  southern  Buenos  Aires. 

Both  birds  collected  were  moulting  heavily  which  makes  comparisons 
useless. 

This  species  is  almost  as  restricted  to  the  vicinity  of  water  as  is 
Fluvicola  albiventer,  but  is  frequently  found  in  moist  meadows  while  the 
latter  is  entirely  a  bird  of  stream-banks.  In  these  marshy  areas  the 
little  Silverbills  are  among  the  most  conspicuous  birds  in  regions  where 
they  are  common.  They  fly  low  over  the  grass-tops  and  drop  suddenly 
and  vertically  into  the  vegetation  at  the  end  of  the  flight.  There  seems 
to  be  no  downward  glide  as  in  the  flight  of  most  birds.  I  never  saw  one 
perch  in  a  tree  or  on  any  elevated  perch  so  the  species  is  probably 
wholly  terrestrial. 

The  apparently  bizarre  coloration  is  very  practical  in  the  field.  At  a 
distance  all  the  observer  sees  as  the  bird  flies  are  the  white  wing- 
patches.  The  black  color  of  the  rest  of  the  bird  disappears,  i.e.,  it 
seems  as  though  the  observer  looks  right  through  it  to  the  shadows  on 
the  grass.  The  white  patches  fluttering  up  and  down  in  flight  look  like 
the  disconnected  wings  of  a  butterfly.  When  close  at  hand  the  bird  is 
conspicuous  in  flight,  but  as  soon  as  it  alights  and  folds  its  wings  the 
white  color  disappears.  It  is  an  excellent  example  of  a  flash-color  like 
the  white  rump  of  Colaptes. 

This  species  is  usually  silent,  but  on  a  few  occasions  I  heard  a  feeble, 
squeaky  series  of  thin  notes  from  adult  males. 

Four  nests  were  found  in  the  Bovril  Islands  during  January;  they 
are  deep  cups  of  dried  grasses  and  resemble  both  in  appearance  and  in 
site  the  nests  of  Geothlypis  trichas  of  North  America.  All  were  in  the 
bases  of  tussocks  of  swamp  grass  and  were  exceedingly  well  hidden. 
It  was  necessary  to  part  the  grasses  to  see  the  nests;  all  but  one  of 
them  were  empty  as  it  was  late  in  the  season,  but  one  contained  four 
white  eggs  spotted  and  dotted  with  reddish  brown,  chiefly  at  the  larger 
end.   They  measured  23  x  16.7  mm. 

In  life  the  bill  and  eye  skin  are  light  yellow,  but  appear  white  at  a 
little  distance. 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  199 


Machetornis  rixosa  rixosa  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,810.    Im.  cf .    Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.    31  January, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,811.    Ad.    ?.    Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tueuman.    27  September, 

1923. 

The  specimens  collected  agree  with  a  series  in  the  M.  C.  Z.  This  fly- 
catcher was  very  common  in  all  parts  of  Argentina  visited.  Around  the 
city  of  Buenos  Aires  it  was  noted  early  in  September;  at  La  Plata, 
Berisso,  and  Ensenada,  Buenos  Aires,  it  was  numerous  during  the 
second  week  of  September,  was  very  common  around  Concepcion  and 
Rio  de  Gastone,  Tueuman,  September  23  to  December  23,  and  was 
equally  common  at  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios,  during  January  and 
February.  A  few  were  seen  in  eastern  Santa  Fe  (Saladero  M.  Cabal, 
and  La  Noria)  during  January,  and  early  in  March  a  few  were  noted 
around  Dolores,  General  Lavalle,  and  Ajo,  Buenos  Aires. 

In  Tueuman  this  species  was  called  Matero  and  was  very  common 
around  cattle  and  in  the  stable-yards  where  it  walked  and  fed  on  the 
ground  together  with  Cohimbina  picui  and  Molothrus  bo7iariensis  bona- 
riensis.  Materos  were  often  seen  perched  cowbird-fashion  on  the  backs 
of  horses  and  cows  where  they  seemed  perfectly  at  home  and  the  beasts 
paid  absolutely  no  attention  to  them. 

In  late  September  the  Machetornis  began  to  mate  and  thereafter 
was  seen  chiefly  in  pairs.  The  song  is  weak,  thin,  rather  high,  and  is 
composed  of  four  syllables  of  equal  length  and  the  same  pitch.  It 
sometimes  breeds  in  old  nests  of  ovenbirds  and  woodhewers,  but  fre- 
quently builds  an  open  nest  of  straws,  rootlets,  and  dead  grass.  In 
Tueuman  I  found  ten  occupied  nests,  the  earliest  on  October  28  and 
the  latest  on  December  16.  Of  these  ten,  five  were  old  nests  of  Synal- 
laxis  sp.,  one  was  an  old  nest  of  Furnarius  rufus,  while  four  were  open 
nests  built  by  the  tyrants.  The  last  four  were  all  in  trees,  the  lowest 
being  six  feet  from  the  ground,  the  highest  about  twenty  feet  up.  The 
projecting  base  of  an  old  leaf  and  the  corresponding  axillar  cavity  of  a 
palm-tree  was  a  favorite  nesting  site.  Eggs  of  the  cowbird,  Molothrus 
bonariensis  bonariensis,  were  foimd  in  three  of  the  four  open  nests  and 
in  the  old  oven  of  Furnarius.  None  of  the  old  synallaxine  nests  were 
invaded  by  the  parasite.  It  is  easier  for  a  parasitic  bird  to  deposit  an 
egg  in  an  open  nest  than  in  a  domed  one,  so  probably  the  pugnacity  of 
the  Machetornis  is  usually  sufficient  to  keep  !the  Molothrus  out  of 
nests  of  the  latter  type,  while  in  open  nests  a  few  minutes  off  guard  is 
enough  to  allow  the  parasite  to  lay  its  egg  and  get  away.  Three  was  the 


200  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

largest  number  of  cowbird  eggs  found  in  any  nest  of  the  Matero.  The 
eggs  of  this  tyrant  are  whitish,  heavily  streaked  with  brownish  and  gray- 
ish and  are  pointed  at  the  small  end.  They  average  22  x  17.5  mm.  In  a 
way  they  resemble  the  eggs  of  Myiarchus  crinitus  of  North  America. 

Fluvicola  albiventer  (Spix). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,800.   Ad.  cf.    Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.    12  November, 
1923. 

This  dainty  little  flycatcher  was  observed  as  follows:  Tucuman, — 
Rio  3e  Gastone,  September  23  to  December  23,  locally  common ;  Con- 
cepcion, October  and  November,  very  local  and  uncommon;  Bovril 
Islands,  Rio  Parana,  Santa  Fe,  January  and  February,  common.  It  is 
entirely  restricted  to  the  shores  of  streams  or  ponds.  On  the  wooded 
edges  of  a  little  affluent  of  the  Rio  de  Gastone,  Fluvicola  was  c^uite 
common,  flitting  over  the  surface  of  the  water  after  the  manner  of 
Sayornis  phoehe  of  North  America.  This  resemblance  is  restricted  only 
to  the  flight  of  the  two  species.  The  present  bird  does  not  pump  its 
tail  vertically  when  perching.  On  December  11,  at  this  place  I  found 
three  nests.  They  were  beautifully  constructed  purse-shaped  affairs, 
made  of  dead  grasses,  fine  straws,  small  rootlets  and  stems.  All  the 
nests  were  attached  to  the  tips  of  branches  overhanging  the  water. 
The  entrance  to  the  nest  is  on  a  side  and  the  whole  nest  bears  a  general 
resemblance  to  that  of  Telmatodytes  palustris  of  North  America,  but  is 
slightly  smaller  and  made  of  finer  materials  and  more  closely  woven. 
The  nests  were  all  lined  with  feathers.  One  contained  two  eggs,  one 
had  a  young  bird,  about  eight  or  nine  days  old,  and  one  was  empty. 
The  eggs  are  pure  white  with  a  few  brownish  flecks  at  the  large  end. 

In  the  Bovril  Islands  in  the  Parana  this  bird  was  common  in  the 
reeds  and  rushes  along  the  banks  of  streams.  The  eastern  part  of  these 
islands  are  wooded  and  in  the  wooded  portions  of  the  streams  this  bird 
was  absent.  Five  or  six  miles  inland  from  the  eastern  shore  of  the  is- 
lands the  vegetation  changes  suddenly,  the  trees  and  shrubs  disappear 
and  in  their  place  is  a  vast  swamp  of  giant  grasses  and  reeds.  Here  it 
is  that  this  black  and  white  tyrant  makes  its  home.  Its  ceaseless  activ- 
ity, pursuing  its  insect  prey  in  true  flycatcher  fashion,  its  dainty  and 
distinctive  coloring,  and  its  strict  adherence  to  one  type  of  environ- 
ment sharply  demarcated  from  the  rest  of  the  island,  make  the  bird 
unusually  interesting  and  attractive  in  the  field. 

On  January  12  while  crossing  the  islands  I  found  ten  nests.  Unlike 
those  found  in  Tucuman,  these  were  all  vertically  attached  to  the  up- 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  201 

right  stalks  of  a  tall  plant  called  Cardon  by  the  peons.  (Cardon  really 
means  thistle  which  these  plants  certainly  were  not).  In  Tucuman  this 
plant  was  not  met  with.  The  nests  averaged  about  six  or  seven  inches 
in  height  and  three  or  four  inches  in  width  and  were  just  like  those 
found  in  western  Argentina.  Three  of  these  nests  contained  three  eggs 
each,  four  had  two  eggs  apiece,  one  contained  three  young  birds  about 
four  days  old,  and  one  was  empty. 

The  specimen  collected  agrees  with  others  in  the  M.  C.  Z.  Its 
stomach  contained  insect  remains. 

SlSOPYGIS  ICTEROPHRYS  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,816.  Ad.  cf.  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.  9  February, 
1924. 

The  single  specimen  collected  agrees  with  others  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 

The  Amarillo  or  Yellow-browed  Tyrant  was  first  observed  at  Con- 
cepcion,  Tucuman,  where  a  few  were  noted  during  October,  November, 
and  December.  They  were  far  from  common,  however.  At  Santa 
Elena,  Entre  Rios,  this  species  was  met  with  but  once,  a  male  seen  and 
collected  on  February  9. 

On  November  12  near  Concepcion,  Tucuman,  I  found  a  nest;  it  was 
in  a  crotch  in  a  thorn  tree  and  about  ten  feet  from  the  ground.  The  nest 
was  a  shallow  cup  about  six  inches  in  diameter  (outside  measurements) 
and  about  two  inches  deep  and  was  made  of  fine  twigs  and  rootlets  and 
lined  with  a  few  feathers  and  some  dead  grass.  It  contained  four  eggs, 
very  pointed  at  the  small  end,  light  buffy  white  in  color  with  several 
blotches  of  rufous  brown  at  the  large  end.  Around  the  nest  the  parent 
birds  were  very  shy. 

Knipolegus  aterrimus  aterrimus  Kaup. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,827.  Ad.  cf.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  9  October,  1923. 
The  specimen  collected  was  the  only  individual  of  this  species  seen. 
It  was  in  a  dense  thicket  of  thorn  trees  and  flew  from  one  tree  to 
another,  jerking  its  tail  as  it  lit  on  a  branch.  The  specimen  agrees  with 
others  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 

EUSCARTHMORNIS  MARGARITACEIVENTER  MARGARITACEIVENTER 

(d'Orbigny  and  Lafresnaye). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,826.  Ad.  d".  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  6  October,  1923. 

An  inhabitant  of  the  brush  and  low  thickets  on  the  periphery  of 

wooded  areas,  this  species  feeds  on  small  insects,  combining  in  its 


202  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

feeding  habits  the  aerial  tactics  of  the  true  flycatchers  and  the  ter- 
restrial and  arboreal  gleaning  method  of  vireos  and  warblers. 
The  specimen  collected  agrees  with  others  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 

Serpophaga  subcristata  munda  Berlepsch. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,822.   Ad.    9.   Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.   29  September, 
1923. 

The  specimen  collected  differs  from  two  from  Mendoza  (J.  L.  Peters) 
in  the  M.  C.  Z.  in  that  it  has  almost  no  yellowish  on  the  belly  and  under 
tail-coverts  while  both  Mendoza  birds  are  distinctly  tinged  with  light 
yellowish.  The  two  latter  are  intermediate  between  munda  and  typical 
snhcristata,  nearer  to  the  latter  if  anything;  they  do  not  seem  to  be 
immature.  Wetmore  (Bull.  133,  U.  S.  N.  M.,  1926,  p.  320)  writes  that 
in  immature  birds  in  first  winter  plumage  the  lower  abdomen  is  very 
faintly  washed  with  yellow,  suggesting  the  condition  found  in  sub- 
cristata, but  lighter  and  more  restricted  in  extent. 

Iris  dark  brown;  bill  and  feet  black. 

Serpophaga  nigricans  (Vieillot). 
M.  C.  Z.  96,823.  Ad.  9  .  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  2  October,  1923. 

I  have  compared  this  specimen  with  others  from  Tucuman  and 
Entre  Rios  and  find  no  differences. 

This  is  a  nervous,  restjess  little  flycatcher  and  always  reminded  me 
of  a  gnatcatcher  (Polioptila).  They  jerk  their  tails  when  hopping  about 
in  the  branches  and  open  and  close  them  like  a  fan, 

Elaenia  albiceps  albiceps  (d'Orbigny  and  Lafresnaye). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,819.    Ad.    9.    Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.   30  September, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,820.  Ad.  c?.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  9  October,  1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,821.  Ad.  cf.  Argentina:  Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucuman.  4  December, 

1923. 
I  have  compared  these  specimens  with  a  series  of  twenty-two  from 
various  parts  of  Argentina  and  find  there  is  considerable  variation  in 
the  amount  of  yellowish  green  on  the  flanks  and  bellies  of  the  females. 
The  males  are  more  constant  in  this  respect.  In  some  females  the  flanks 
and  lower  abdomen  are  very  grayish,  only  slightly  tinged  with  yellow, 
while  in  others  they  are  light  greenish  yellow  with  no  indication  of 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  203 

gray.  This  variation  is  apparently  not  one  of  age  and  certainly  is  of  no 
geographic  significance,  as  both  types  occur  together  all  over  the  range 
of  the  race. 

This  flycatcher  was  common  around  Concepcion  and  Rio  de  Gastone 
Tucuman,  September  23  to  December  23.  It  was  found  in  scrubby, 
thorny  patches  and  being  shy  and  nervous  it  was  rather  hard  to  col- 
lect. On  one  occasion  I  saw  one  elevate  its  crown-feathers  and  expose 
the  white  median  stripe  for  an  instant. 

SuiRiRi  suiRiRi  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,815.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.  9  February, 
1924. 

The  specimen  collected  was  moulting  at  the  time,  especially  in  the 
tail.  Otherwise,  allowing  for  sexual  difference,  it  agrees  with  a  series 
from  Concepcion  del  Uruguay,  Entre  Rios,  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 

This  species  somewhat  resembles  the  preceding  one  in  life,  but  is 
less  shy  and  is  found  in  more  open  tree-dotted  savannas.  On  Novem- 
ber 29  at  Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucuman,  I  found  a  nest.  It  was  a  well- 
built  cup  of  fine  grasses,  moss,  and  plant-fibers  felted  together  and  was 
placed  in  a  little  horizontal  crotch  in  an  Acacia  tree  about  eight  feet 
from  the  ground.  It  contained  three  eggs  of  the  flycatcher  and  one  of 
the  cowbird,  Molothnis  honariensis  bonariensis.  The  eggs  of  Suiriri 
suiriri  are  pale  creamy  white,  flecked  and  dotted  with  reddish  brown 
and  pointed  at  the  small  end. 

The  female  collected  at  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios,  is  apparently  the 
first  record  for  that  district,  as  Serie  and  Smyth  (El  hornero,  1923,  3, 
p.  37-56)  do  not  mention  it  in  their  list. 

Pit  ANGUS  sulphuratus  bolivianus  (Lafresnaye). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,808.  Ad.  d".  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  3  October,  1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,809.  Im.  cT .  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.  8  February, 
1924. 
The  Bienteveo,  as  this  handsome  tyrant  is  called,  was  one  of  the 
commonest  birds  everywhere  in  Argentina.  It  was  recorded  as  fol- 
lows:—  Montevideo,  Uruguay,  August  31,  several;  seen  from  train- 
windows  in  provinces  of  Buenos  Aires,  Santa  Fe,  and  Santiago  del 
Estero,  September  21,  many;  in  provinces  of  Tucuman,  Catamarca, 
Cordoba,  and  Buenos  x\ires,  December  23,  24,  many;  Buenos  .\ires  — 
Buenos  Aires  City,  September  1  to  20,  common  in  parks;  La  Plata,  Ber- 


204  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology, 

isso,  Ensenada,  September  6  to  10,  common ;  Dolores  General  Lavalle, 
and  Ajo,  early  in  March,  common ;  Tucuman  —  San  Pablo  and  Rio 
Lules,  September  22,  common;  Concepcion  and  Rio  de  Gastone,  Sep- 
tember 23  to  December  23,  very  common;  Alpachirri,  October  27, 
several;  Iltico,  November  20,  several;  at  Santa  JElena,  Entre  Rios,  and 
the  Bovril  Islands  in  the  Parana,  Santa  Fe,  January  3  to  February  23, 
common;  Saladero  M.  Cabal  and  La  Noria,  Santa  Fe,  January  19, 
several. 

The  Bienteveo  is  one  of  the  most  characteristic  birds  of  Argentina 
and  is  one  that  is  commonly  found  around  human  habitations.  In  the 
garden  of  Mr.  Stewart  Shipton  at  the  Ingenio  La  Corona  near  Concep- 
cion, Tucuman,  I  have  seen  this  bird  feeding  on  insects  close  to  the 
house.  In  stable-yards  it  sometimes  gleans  a  few  flies  and  wasps,  but 
it  is  most  numerous  around  water.  Like  its  Mexican  subspecies,  the 
so-called  Derby  Flycatcher,  P.  s.  derbianus,  it  makes  a  large,  untidy, 
domed  nest  with  an  entrance  on  one  side  and  rather  high  up.  The  nest 
is  composed  of  fluffy  vegetable  —  fibers,  woolly  material,  string,  and 
feathers  and  averages  about  a  foot  in  height  and  seven  inches  in  width. 
No  attempt  is  made  to  conceal  the  nest  or  simulate  its  surroundings. 
When  building  the  birds  are  said  to  steal  whole  nests  of  smaller  birds 
to  use  them  as  building  material  in  the  construction  of  their  own  nests. 
Of  five  nests  examined,  two  contained  five  eggs  each,  one  contained 
four  eggs,  and  two  were  empty.  The  eggs  average  30  x  21  mm.  and  are 
light  buffy  white,  with  scrawls  and  specks  of  blackish  or  blackish  brown 
on  the  large  end.  Fully  fledged  young  were  seen  flying  around  as  early 
as  the  middle  of  No\'ember.  The  young  birds  have  a  harsh,  beady  call 
that  may  be  written  dzeeer. 

The  call-notes  of  the  adults  are  varied.  Some  notes  are  harsh  and 
grating  while  others  are  clear,  loud,  and  ringing.  The  vernacular  name, 
Bienteveo,  is  an  imitation  of  the  commonest  type  of  call-note. 

The  female  collected  on  October  9  had  an  egg  ready  for  the  shell  in 
its  oviduct. 

Myiodynastes  solitarius  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,806.  Ad.  d".  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  10  October,  1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,807.  Ad.  cf.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  10  October,  1923. 

The  two  males  collected  agree  with  a  series  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 

This  species  was  found  only  at  Concepcion,  where  it  occurred  in  the 
thickets  and  tall  bushes  around  wooded  areas.  It  was  suspicious  and 
shy,  retreating  into  the  protective  cover  of  the  bushy  tangles  at  the 
first  sign  of  danger.    I  found  three  nests  of  this  bird :  —  two  were  in 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  205 

horizontal  crotches  of  thorn  trees;  while  one  was  built  in  a  tangle  of 
vines  overgrowing  a  dead  bush.  This  last  nest,  found  on  December  19, 
contained  two  eggs  of  the  cowbird,  Mohihrus  honariensis  bonariensis, 
in  addition  to  one  of  the  tyrant.  The  nest  is  a  rather  shallow  bowl  of 
small  twigs,  stems,  and  straws  with  a  lining  of  smaller  straws  and 
measures  (average  of  three  nests)  seven  inches  across.  The  eggs  are 
pointed  at  one  end,  are  pale  cream  in  color,  streaked  and  spotted  with 
reddish  purplish  brown. 

Myiophobus  fasciatus  flammiceps  (Temminck). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,824.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  7  October,  1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,825.  Ad.  cf?  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  30  September, 
1923. 

My  two  birds  have  wings  of  63  ( 9  )  and  64  (cf)  mm.,  respectively 
while  three  unsexed  birds  from  Bahia,  Brazil,  have  wings  of  from  53- 
57  mm.,  three  males  from  Colombia  57-59  mm.,  five  females  from  Col- 
ombia 56-57.5  mm.,  two  males  from  Venezuela  have  wings  of  57.5  mm., 
and  two  unsexed  birds  from  Trinidad  59  and  59.5  mm.  respectively. 
These  data  together  with  those  given  by  Wetmore  indicate  pretty 
clearly  the  subspecific  distinctness  of  the  birds  of  southern  South 
America. 

These  little  brown  tyrants  are  inhabitants  of  low  bushes  and  thickets 
along  the  banks  of  streams  and  roadsides.  In  their  general  actions  they 
are  not  unlike  small  emipidonaxine  species,  but  their  nests  are  vireo- 
like,  being  deep  cups  suspended  from  two  bifurcations  of  a  terminal  fork 
of  a  branch.  I  found  two  nests,  the  first  on  November  22  and  the  other 
on  December  1,  both  near  Concepcion,  The  first  nest  was  about  four 
feet  from  the  ground  and  contained  an  egg  of  the  cowbird,  Molothms 
honariensis  bonariensis,  in  addition  to  one  of  the  flycatchers.  The 
female  bird  was  flushed  from  the  nest  and  had  apparently  been  incubat- 
ing for  some  days.  The  next  day  the  eggs  were  found  pecked  and  the 
contents  drunk  and  the  nest  deserted.  The  other  nest,  found  on 
December  1,  was  just  finished.  The  next  day  the  body  of  the  female 
flycatcher  was  found  near  by,  partly  eaten. 

Pyrocephalus  rubineus  rubineus  (Boddaert). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,817.   Im.  cf .  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Ehtre  Rios.   15  February, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,818.    Ad.   d".    Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.    17  November, 

1923. 


206  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

These  specimens  agree  with  others  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 

In  Tucuman  this  bird  was  found  in  open  Acacia  savannas  and  in 
bushy  thickets.  In  Entre  Rios  it  was  observed  in  the  bushy  parts  of 
the  sandy  barrancas  close  to  the  water,  and  one  was  seen  in  a  wet 
meadow.  Seven  nests  were  found,  all  in  crotches  in  Acacias,  ranging 
from  six  to  twelve  feet  from  the  ground.  All  were  found  near  the  Rio 
de  Gastone,  Tucuman.  The  nest  is  a  beautiful  little  felted  cup  of 
mosses,  spider  webs,  and  plant-fibers,  externally  decorated  with  bits 
of  bark  and  moss.  Three  of  the  nests  found  contained  eggs,  the  others 
were  empty.  The  largest  number  of  eggs  found  in  one  nest  was  four. 
The  eggs  are  white,  slightly  tinged  with  cream  color,  spotted  with 
brownish  black  at  the  large  end  and  pointed  at  the  small  end.  In  Entre 
Rios  the  present  species  was  rare  and  was  seen  but  once. 

The  stomachs  of  the  specimens  collected  contained  insect  remains. 

This  species  goes  under  several  names,  most  of  them  referring  to  its 
brilliant  coloration.  In  Tucuman  it  was  called  Pajaro  de  Fuego  or 
Bird  of  Fire;  in  Entre  Rios  it  was  known  as  Churrinche. 

Empidonomus  AUTiANTio-ATROCRiSTATUS  (d'Orbigny  and  Lafresnaye). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,812.  Ad.  &.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  17  October,  1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,813.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.     9  October,  1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,814.  Im.?       Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.  9   February' 
1924. 

The  immature  bird  collected  at  Santa  Elena  is  interesting  in  its 
plumage  characters.  The  underparts  are  uniform  as  in  the  adult 
aurantio-atrocristatus,  but  the  back,  wings,  and  tail  are  like  those  of 
adults  of  Empidonomus  varius.  Empidonomus  varius  is  probably  the 
more  primitive  of  the  two  existing  species  of  the  genus  and  the  young 
of  the  more  highly  evolved  species  reveals  its  ancestry  just  as  the 
young  of  Molothrus  rvfoa.villaris  shows  the  ancestry  of  that  species. 
When  I  was  in  London  in  1924  I  had  the  privilege  of  examining  three 
juvenile  specimens  of  Empidonomus  at  the  British  Museum.  Until 
more  is  learned  of  these  birds  it  may  be  tentatively  stated  that  the 
immature  plumages  of  both  species  are  very  similar,  but  that  the 
young  of  E.  varius  have  the  underparts  streaked  while  in  E.  aurantio- 
atrocristatus  the  underparts  are  uniform.  The  streaks  in  E.  varius  vary 
in  distinctness. 

This  flycatcher  was  fairly  common  in  open  bushy  districts  about 
Concepcion  and  Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucuman.  It  was  often  seen  perched 
on  the  top  branch  of  a  tall  bush,  partly  screened  from  view  by  the 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  207 

foliage.  It  looked  very  sombre  in  life  as  the  golden  crest  was  not  vis- 
ible except  on  rare  occasions.  The  only  notes  heard  were  rusty  squeaks. 
In  an  Acacia  grove  near  the  Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucuman,  I  found  six 
nests  during  November  and  December;  they  were  rather  loosely  con- 
structed saucers  of  small  twigs  and  stems  and  averaged  about  six 
inches  in  diameter,  and  were  placed  in  horizontal  crotches  in  the  trees 
anywhere  from  six  to  ten  feet  from  the  ground.  One  of  the  nests,  found 
on  November  15,  contained  three  eggs  of  the  tyrant  and  one  of  the 
cowbird,  Molothrus  honariensis  honariensis.  The  other  nests  contained 
from  two  to  four  eggs  each,  and  none  of  the  parasite.  The  eggs  are 
pale  creamy  in  color,  spotted  with  purplish  brown  chiefly  towards  the 
large  end.   Like  the  eggs  of  many  tyrants  the  small  end  is  pointed. 


Tyrannus  melancholicus  melancholicus  Vieillot. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,803.    Ad.    9.    Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.    2  November, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,804.   Ad.   ?.   Argentina:  Santa  Flena,  Entre  Rios.   7  February, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,805.    Ad.   cf .    Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.    9  January, 

1924. 

The  specimens  collected  agree  with  the  series  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 

This  bird  was  fairly  common  around  Concepcion,  and  Rio  de  Gas- 
tone,  Tucuman,  September  23  to  December  2.3;  common,  but  local,  at 
Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios,  January  3  to  February  23;  several  at  Palermo, 
Buenos  x\ires  City,  March  1 ;  and  at  El  Tigre,  Buenos  Aires,  March  4. 
In  its  general  habits  T.  melancholicus  is  very  similar  to  T.  tyrannm,  the 
common  kingbird  of  North  America.  It  was  most  numerous  in  thin 
forest  and  in  open  bushy  places. 

Hudson  wrote  that  this  species  was  never  parasitized  by  the  cow- 
bird,  Molothrus  honariensis  honariensis,  but  out  of  five  nests  found  at 
Concepcion,  Tucuman,  three  contained  eggs  of  the  parasite,  and  ten 
cases  in  all  have  come  to  my  notice.  The  nest  is  similar  to  that  of  T. 
tyrannus,  a  loose  structure  of  stems,  small  twigs,  and  rootlets,  placed 
in  a  crotch  in  a  thorn  tree,  anywhere  from  four  to  ten  feet  from  the 
ground.  The  eggs,  usually  not  more  than  four  in  a  clutch,  are  pointed 
at  the  small  end,  pure  white  in  color  with  brownish  spots  around  the 
large  end.   They  average  about  25.5  x  19.5  mm. 


208  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 


MuscivoEA  TYKANNUS  (Linne). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,801.   Ad.  cf .   Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.   4  February, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,802.   Ad.  cT.   Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.   28  September, 

1923. 

The  Tijerita,  as  this  dainty  species  is  called  by  the  peons,  was  ob- 
served at  the  following  places:  —  Concepcion  and  Rio  de  Gastone, 
Tucuman,  September  23  to  December  23,  common;  several  seen  from 
train-window  in  provinces  of  Cordoba  and  Buenos  Aires,  September  24; 
in  Entre  Rios  at  Santa  Elena,  January  3  to  February  23,  common;  and  at 
San  Joaquin,  January  27,  several;  few  seen  at  Saladero  M.  Cabal, 
Santa  Fe,  January  19. 

When  I  began  field-work  in  Tucuman  on  September  23  I  found  this 
species  quite  rare,  but  as  the  days  passed  migrant  flocks  kept  coming 
in  from  the  north  and  by  the  end  of  the  month  the  birds  were  common. 
They  are  extremely  attractive  in  life  and  are  very  active  and  restless. 
When  not  pursuing  some  insect  prey  they  are  generally  seen  tormenting 
a  hawk  or  other  large  bird  in  the  way  that  kingbirds  often  do.  In  flight 
the  long  tail-feathers  lie  straight  out  behind,  parallel  to  each  other,  but 
when  wheeling  or  turning  the  tail  opens  up  like  the  blades  of  scissors. 
The  only  notes  heard  were  little  explosive  dzeep  sounds. 

I  found  twelve  occupied  nests,  all  near  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  Of 
these  twelve,  four  contained  eggs  of  the  cowbird,  Molothrus  bonariensis 
honariensis,  in  addition  to  the  rightful  eggs.  The  nest  is  intermediate 
in  type  between  the  poorly  constructed  nests  of  Tyrannus  and  the 
finished  structure  of  Suiriri.  It  is  cup-shaped  and  made  of  plant- 
fibers,  cottony  material,  and  thistle  down,  but  these  materials  are 
mixed  with  bits  of  resinous  bark  which  practically  glue  it  together  and 
make  it  rather  hard  and  non-pliable.  The  eggs,  never  more  than  four 
in  number,  are  creamy  white  in  color,  pointed  at  the  small  end,  and 
spotted  with  brownish  and  reddish  brown  at  the  large  end.  The  adult 
birds  are  very  pugnacious  around  the  nest. 

Although  these  birds  were  seen  chasing  and  capturing  insects  the 
stomachs  of  the  three  birds  collected  contained  nothing  but  fruit- 
pits  about  the  size  of  cherry-pits. 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  209 

PHYTOTOMIDAE. 

Phytotoma  rutila  rutila  Vieillot.     • 

M.  C.  Z.  96,786.  Ad.  d".  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.    13  October,  1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,787.  Ad.  d".  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  2  November,  1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,788.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,   Tucuman.     30   September, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,789.  Ad.  9  .  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  17  October,  1923. 

Of  the  two  males  collected,  one  (October  13)  has  the  entire  crown 
back  to  the  posterior  part  of  the  occiput  rufous  orange  while  the  other 
(November  2)  has  the  rufous  orange  extending  backwards  only  as  far 
as  the  posterior  end  of  the  eye. 

Plant-cutters  were  observed  at  the  following  localities :  —  Concep- 
cion and  Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucuman,  September  23  to  December  23, 
"fairly  common;  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios,  January  3  to  February  23, 
fairly  common;  San  Joacjuin,  Entre  Rios,  January  27,  two  seen.  These 
curious  birds  were  found  in  Acacia  groves  and  in  sparse,  open  thickets 
where  they  were  usually  heard  more  often  than  seen.  The  song  of  the 
male  is  very  characteristic,  and  quite  unavian  in  sound.  Hudson  de- 
scribed it  as  like  the  bleat  of  a  lamb  and  his  description  can  be  im- 
proved only  by  adding  that  the  sound  is  hoarser  than  a  lamb's  bleat, 
but  otherwise  similar  to  it.  It  is  a  deep,  guttural,  prolonged  aaaaaah 
gradually  losing  in  volume  and  finally  dying  out;  the  "a"  pronounced 
as  in  the  word  ant. 

On  November  26  near  the  Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucuman,  I  found  a  nest 
of  this  bird ;  it  was  a  rather  poorly  constructed  deep  saucer  of  fine  twigs, 
flimsily  lined  with  plant-fibers  and  placed  in  the  middle  of  a  thorn 
bush  and  about  seven  feet  from  the  ground.  It  measured  seven  inches 
across  (outside  measurements)  and  contained  four  eggs.  The  eggs 
measured  24  x  19  mm.  and  were  a  pale  light  olive  with  a  bluish  tinge, 
spotted  and  flecked  with  dark  brown,  chiefly  at  the  large  end. 

The  bills  of  all  four  birds  collected  were  stained  with  the  greenish  sap 
of  leaves  and  other  vegetation  eaten.  The  stomachs  all  contained 
finely  comminuted  vegetable  matter. 


210  BULLETIN:   MUSEUM   OF   COMPARATIVE   ZOOLOGY. 

HIRUNDINIDAE. 

Iridoprocne  meyeni  (Cabanis). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,784.   Ad.  cf .    Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.   28  September, 
1923. 

This  swallow  was  fairly  numerous  around  Concepcion  from  late 
September  until  late  December.  In  its  general  habits  it  was  quite 
similar  to  the  tree  swallow,'  Iridoproaie  hicolor,  of  North  America. 
The  single  specimen  collected  agrees  with  others  from  Mendoza  and 
Rio  Negro  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 

Phaeoprogne  tapera  tapera  (Linne). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,782.   Im.   9.   Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.    13  January, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,793.  Ad.   9.  Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.   19  February, 

1924. 

The  plumage  of  the  immature  female  is  like  that  of  the  adult,  but 
darker  and  less  brownish  on  the  upperparts. 

This  brown  swallow  was  met  with  only  around  Santa  Elena,  Entre 
Rios,  and  the  adjacent  parts  of  eastern  Santa  Fe.  Here  it  was  not  un- 
common and  was  found  breeding.  It  frequently  nests  in  old  nests  of  the 
ovenbird,  Furnarius  riifus,  but  also  uses  holes  in  trees.  On  January  13 
I  found  a  nest  in  a  hole  about  thirty  feet  up  in  a  tall  tree.  It  contained 
one  young  bird  nearly  ready  to  leave,  some  fragments  of  egg-shells, 
and  some  feathers.  The  nestling  was  collected  and  found  to  be  a 
female.  The  adult  birds  flew  around  as  I  robbed  the  nest  and  uttered 
weak  chup-chup  call-notes. 

TROGLODYTIDAE. 

Troglodytes  musculus  rex  (Berlepsch  and  Leverkiihn). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,785.  Ad.  cT.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  4  October,  1923. 

The  subspecific  identification  of  the  single  specimen  collected  is 
based  solely  on  geographic  grounds,  following  Chapman  and  Griscom 
(Bull.  A.  M.  N.  H.,  1924,  50,  p.  295).  However  the  Concepcion  bird 
has  a  considerably  shorter  wing  than  any  in  their  series  of  forty-six 
males  of  rex.  They  found  the  wings  to  vary  in  length  from  51  to  57 
mm.,  while  the  Concepcion  specimen  has  a  wing  of  only  48.5  mm.,  with 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  211 

the  other  measurements  as  follows:  —  tail  43  mm.;  tarsus  16  mm.; 
culmen,  from  base,  13.5  mm. 

In  its  general  habits,  loud  bubbling  song,  manner  of  flight,  etc.,  this 
bird  is  very  similar  to  the  House  Wren,  Troglodytes  aedon,  of  North 
America. 

MIMIDAE. 

MiMus  TRiuRUS  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,794.  Ad.  o".  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  17  October,  1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,795.  Ad.  cf.  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.  31  January, 
1924. 

The  January  specimen  was  heavily  moulting  on  the  wings  and  body 
when  collected.  Both  birds  are  slightly  darker  than  specimens  from 
Mendoza  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 

The  Banded  Mockingbird  was  not  uncommon  in  thorny  thickets 
around  Concepcion,  Tucuman,  September  23  to  December  23,  and  at 
Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios,  January  3  to  February  3.  In  the  latter  place 
it  has  been  recorded  as  early  as  October  (Serie  and  Smyth,  El  hornero, 
1923,  p.  52).  In  its  general  habits  this  species  always  reminded  me 
greatly  of  M.  polyglottos  of  North  America.  In  flight  the  white  patches 
on  the  wings  and  tail  are  very  conspicuous  and  serve  to  identify  the 
bird  a  long  way  off.  The  stomachs  of  the  specimens  collected  contained 
insect  remains. 

On  December  15  at  Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucuman,  I  witnessed  what 
was  probably  the  display  antics  of  this  mockingbird.  The  bird  was 
seen  on  the  ground  in  an  open  grassy  field.  It  ran  a  few  steps,  singing 
as  it  went,  then  opened  its  wings  and  sprang  up  a  foot  or  so  in  the  air, 
bringing  the  body  nearly  to  horizontal,  then  dropped  down  again, 
closed  its  wings  and  ran  a  few  steps  more.  It  kept  this  up  in  unbroken 
succession  for  a  minute  or  more  in  which  time  it  travelled  about  seventy 
feet  from  where  it  started  to  sing.  No  other  bird  of  this  species  was 
seen  in  the  place  at  the  time. 

MiMUS  saturninus  modulator  (Gould). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,792.  Ad.  d^.  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.  10  January, 
1924. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,793.  Ad.  cf .  Argentina:  Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucuman.  21  Novem- 
ber, 1923. 

The  two  specimens  collected  agree  with  others  in  the  M.  C.  Z.  This 
calandria  was  common  in  the  vicinity  of   Concepcion   and  Rio  de 


212  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology; 

Gastone,  September  23  to  December  23;  and  equally  common  at 
Santa  Elena,  January  3  to  February  23.  In  its  general  habits  it  is  quite 
similar  to  M.  triurus  so  far  as  my  experience  shows.  However  its  song 
is  quite  inferior  to  that  of  the  last-named  species.  It  has  a  peculiar 
way  of  jerking  its  tail  as  it  moves  about,  which  is  not  noticeable  in 
M.  triurus.  It  is  a  species  of  the  open  country  wherever  there  are 
very  many  trees  growing  here  and  there,  and  it  spends  much  of  its  time 
on  the  ground. 

On  November  30  at  Rio  de  Gastone  I  found  a  nest  about  five  feet 
up  in  a  bush.  It  contained  three  eggs,  one  that  of  a  cowbird  {Molothrus 
honariensis  honariensis).  The  nest  was  built  on  the  top  of  the  ruins  of 
an  old  nest  of  a  woodhewer.  I  arrived  in  Entre  Rios  after  the  bird  was 
through  breeding.  Mr.  C.  H.  Smyth,  a  resident  egg-collector  at  Santa 
Elena,  told  me  that  nearly  every  nest  of  this  bird  contains  one  or  more 
eggs  of  the  cowbird.  Over  a  dozen  cowbird  eggs  have  been  found  in  a 
single  nest  of  this  species.  The  eggs  of  the  calandria  vary  from  pale 
bluish,  greenish,  or  light  olive  to  pale  olive-brown,  and  are  abundantly 
marked  with  brownish  or  reddish  brown.  They  measure  (average  of 
two  specimens)  27x21.5  mm. 

The  stomachs  of  the  birds  collected  contained  beetles  and  locust 
remains. 

TURDIDAE. 

TURDUS  RUFIVENTRIS  RUFIVENTRIS  Vicillot. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,770.  Ad.  d".  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  10  October,  1923. 

The  single  specimen  collected  agrees  with  a  series  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 

The  Red-bellied  Thrush  was  recorded  as  follows:  —  Buenos  Aires 
city,  September  3,  one  in  the  park  near  Palermo;  La  Plata,  September 
6,  several;  Concepcion  and  Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucuman,  September  23 
to  December  23,  fairly  common ;  in  Entre  Rios,  Santa  Elena,  January 
3  to  February  23,  abundant;  San  Joaquin,  January  27,  one. 

This  thrush,  everywhere  known  as  Zorzal  Colorado  by  the  Argen- 
tinians, is  an  inhabitant  of  thickets,  or  open  woodland;  and  around 
human  habitations  it  has  adapted  its  habits  like  the  North  American 
Planesticus  migratorius,  and  has  become  a  bird  of  the  lawns  and 
gardens,  nesting  familiarly  close  to  houses.  In  Mr.  Stewart  Shipton's 
garden  at  the  Ingenio  La  Corona  near  Concepcion,  several  of  these 
thrushes  used  to  feed  on  crumbs  almost  daily. 

A  nest  was  found  in  this  garden  on  November  8.  It  was  about  eight 
feet  up  in  a  bushy  tree  and  was  made  of  rootlets,  fine  twigs,  and  stems. 


FRIEDMAIfN:  NOTES   ON   SOME   ARGENTINA  BIRDS.  213 

the  whole  being  strengthened  by  mud  and  dried  dung.  The  nest  was 
empty.  Near  by  was  a  young  cowbird,  Molothrus  honariensis  bonarien- 
sis,  just  out  of  the  nest  attended  by  a  Red-beUied  Thrush. 

The  bird  collected  had  one  lepidopterous  larva,  and  some  vegetable 
matter  in  its  stomach.  Its  proventriculus  was  infested  with  small 
parasitic  worms. 

Tltrdus  amaurochalinus  Cabanis. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,767.  Ad.  9  .  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  10  October,  1923. 

This  thrush  was  recorded  only  around  Concepcion,  September  23  to 
December  23,  where  it  was  not  uncommon  in  thorny  thickets  and  thin 
forest.  It  was  more  strictly  arboreal  in  its  habits  than  the  last,  or  next 
species,  and  was  never  seen  on  the  ground. 

In  this  region  I  found  the  Zorzal  Blanco,  as  it  was  called,  to  be  quite 
commonly  victimized  by  the  cowhird,  Molothrus  honariensis  honariensis. 
Out  of  eight  nests  found  five  contained  eggs  of  the  cowbird,  as  well  as  of 
the  thrush.  All  the  nests  were  placed  in  the  center  of  dense  bushes  and 
ranged  from  four  to  eight  feet  up  from  the  ground.  The  nests  were  well 
made,  durable,  deep  cups  of  rootlets,  small  twigs,  and  stems  matted 
together  and  strengthened  by  mud  and  caked  dry  dung.  The  eggs  are 
light  bluish  green,  dotted  and  speckled  with  dark  brown,  and  average 
30.5  X  21  mm.  in  size.  The  earhest  nest  was  found  on  November  14, 
the  latest  on  December  20.  I  never  found  more  than  three  eggs  in  a 
nest,  but  owing  to  the  presence  of  the  cowbird  eggs  the  number  of  the 
thrush's  may  have  been  reduced. 

The  specimen  collected  agrees  with  others  in  the  M.  C.  Z.  It  had 
been  feeding  on  vegetable  matter. 

TuRDUS  anthracinus  Burmeister. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,768.   Ad.  cf .    Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.   30  September, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,769.  Ad.  9  .  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  9  October,  1923. 

The  Zorzal  Negro,  as  this  black  robin  was  called,  was  observed  only 
near  Concepcion,  where  a  few  were  seen  during  September  and  Octo- 
ber. They  were  always  found  on  the  ground  in  open  places,  sometimes 
associating  with  the  Materos,  Machetornis  rixosa  rixosa,  and  the 
Tordos,  Molothrus  honariensis  honariensis.  The  call-notes  are  loud  and 
clear  and  are  quite  similar  to  those  of  Planesticiis  migratorius  of  North 
America.  The  two  birds  collected  had  been  feeding  on  insect  larvae. 


214  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

SYLVIIDAE. 
Polioptila  dumicola  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,771.  Ad.  c?.   Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.    13  January, 

1924. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,772.  Ad.   cf .    Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.    9  January, 

1924. 

This  little  gnatcatcher  was  observed  in  the  following  localities:  — 
Coneepcion  and  Rio  de  Gastone,  Tueuman,  September  23  to  December 
23,  common;  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios,  January  3  to  February  23,  fairly 
common;  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe,  on  and  off  during  January  and 
February,  not  uncommon.  In  its  general  habits  and  habitat  this  spe- 
cies greatly  resembles  P.  caerulca  of  North  America.  The  tail  is  usually 
held  erect  and  jerked  vigorously  as  the  bird  hops  from  one  branch  to 
another. 

In  Tueuman  I  found  seventeen  nests  of  this  species,  the  earliest  on 
October  29  and  the  latest  on  December  22.  The  majority  were  found 
in  the  last  half  of  November  and  the  first  week  in  December.  The  nest 
is  very  similar  to  that  of  P.  caerulca.  It  is  a  beautifully  felted  deep  cup 
of  plant-fibers,  cottony,  and  woolly  material,  and  downy  feathers,  and 
is  usually  placed  about  eight  feet  from  the  ground  in  rather  small  trees. 
Of  the  seventeen  nests  found,  fifteen  contained  eggs.  Of  these,  eight 
contained  three  eggs  each,  five  two  each,  and  two  had  one  apiece.  The 
eggs  are  light  bluish  white,  marked  and  speckled  with  dark  brownish, 
and  average  (ten  specimens)  27  x  21.5  mm.  in  size.  This  species  has 
been  recorded  by  Hudson  as  a  victim  of  the  cowbird,  Molothrus  hon- 
ariensis  bonariensis,  but  his  record  is  neither  definite  nor  explicit. 
None  of  the  nests  I  found  had  been  parasitized. 

MOTACILLIDAE. 

Anthus  lutescens  lutescens  Pucheran. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,777.   Ad.  cf.   Argentina:  Coneepcion,  Tueuman.    19  December, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,778.    Ad.    9.    Argentina:  Coneepcion,  Tueuman.    19  December, 

1923. 

The  pair  collected  are  in  worn  breeding  plumage,  They  had  a  nest 
and  eggs  and  the  female  was  incubating  at  the  time  when  collected. 
Measurements  of  the  birds  are  as  follows:  —  male:  wing  64;  tail  45; 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  215 

culmen  11;  tarsus  18  mm.;  female:  wing  63;  tail  45;  culmen  11;  tarsus 
18  mm. 

They  were  found  in  a  grassy  meadow  near  Concepcion  on  December 
19,  and  the  species  was  not  met  with  again  either  there  or  elsewhere. 
The  nest,  a  partly  domed  grass-cup,  was  placed  on  the  ground  in  the 
midst  of  tall  grasses.  It  resembled  the  nest  of  a  meadowlark,  Sturnella 
viagna,  on  a  small  scale.  It  contained  four  eggs  of  the  pipits  and  one 
of  a  cowbird,  Molothnis  bonariensis  bonariensis.  This  constitutes  the 
first  breeding  record  of  this  bird  in  Tucuman  and  also  its  first  record 
as  a  victim  of  the  cowbird. 

Both  birds  collected  had  beetle  remains  in  their  stomachs. 

i 

CORVIDAE. 

Cyanocorax  chrysops  tucumanus  Cabanis. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,790.  Ad.  d".  Argentina:  Iltico,  Tucuman.  20  November,  1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,791.   Im  d".  Argentina:  Iltico,  Tucuman.  20  November,  1923. 

The  immature  bird  lacks  the  purple  at  the  gape  and  above  and 
below  the  eye. 

This  fine  jay  was  noted  only  in  the  forested  Andean  foothills  in 
Tucuman.  At  Alpachirri  several  were  noted  on  October  27,  while  at 
Iltico  the  species  was  common  on  November  20.  These  birds  were 
found  in  the  heavy  forest  where  they  were  hard  to  see;  but  their  char- 
acteristic nasal,  grunt-like  calls  quickly  gave  notice  of  their  presence, 
and  they  were  easily  enticed  into  open  glades  by  squeaking;  one  was 
seen  dusting  itself  on  the  roadside.  Although  single  birds  were  noted, 
the  species  was  usually  found  in  small  bunches  of  four  or  five.  The 
specimens  collected  had  been  feeding  on  insects.  In  flight  and  general 
appearance  through  the  trees  of  the  forest  these  jays  look  not  unlike 
some  of  the  turacos  (Turacus)  of  Africa. 

CYCLARHIDAE. 

Cyclarhis  gujanensis  viridis  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,775.   Ad.  cf .   Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.   30  September, 

*  1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,776.   Ad.  cT.   Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.   30  September, 
1923 
This  vireo-shrike  was  observed  only  around  Concepcion,  September 
23  to  December  23,  where  it  was  an  uncommon  inhabitant  of  open 
bushy  and  shrubby  areas. 


216  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

One  of  the  males  (M.  C.  Z.  96,776)  was  in  breeding  condition  while 
the  other  (M.  C.  Z.  96,775)  was  not.  The  latter  was  probably  a  year- 
old  bird.  In  this  specimen  the  entire  crown  and  nape  has  a  brownish 
tinge  and  the  flanks  are  tinged  with  light  buffy  brown.  The  adult 
breeding  bird  has  no  brown  on  the  crown  and  very  little  on  the  flanks, 
but  has  the  yellow  on  the  breast  brighter  than  in  the  other. 

VIREONIDAE. 

ViREO  CHivi  CHI VI  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,773.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  9  October,  1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,774.  Ad.   9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  9  October,  1923. 

This  vireo  was  very  common  in  the  thickets  and  edges  of  woods 
around  Concepcion  and  Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucuman,  September  23  to 
December  23.  In  its  habits  and*  appearance  it  greatly  resembles  the 
•North  American  T'.  olivaceus.  The  song  is  intermediate  between  that  of 
V.  olivaceus  and  that  of  Lanivireo  flamfrons,  the  first  phrase  being  clear 
like  that  of  olivaceus  and  the  second  phrase  somewhat  buzzy  like  that 
of  flaxifrons. 

The  specimens  from  Concepcion  agree  with  others  from  Tapia 
(J.  L.  Peters)  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 

COMPSOTHLYPIDAE. 
Geothlypis  aequinoctialis  velata  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,779.    Ad.  cf.    Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.    19  November, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,780.    Ad.    9.    Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.    9  November, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,781.    Ad.  cf.    Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.    13  January, 

1924. 

The  three  birds  collected  agree  with  a  series  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 

This  warbler  was  observed  in  the  following  localities :  —  Concepcion 
and  Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucuman,  September  23  to  December  23,  not 
uncommon;  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios,  January  3  to  February  23,  un- 
common, only  one  seen;  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe,  on  and  off  during 
January  and  February,  not  uncommon  and  probably  frec^uently  over- 
looked. 

In  its  secretive  habits  and  its  choice  of  marshy  habitats  this  bird 
resembles  its  North  American  congener,  G.  trichas.  All  three  birds 
collected  had  been  feeding  on  insects. 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  217 


COMPSOTHLYPIS  PITIAYUMI  PITIAYUMI  (Vieillot). 

This  warbler  was  observed  at  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios,  January  3  to 
February  23,  where  it  was  quite  common  in  the  narrow  strip  of  woods 
on  the  shore  of  the  Parana.  It  was  entirely  restricted  to  this  forested 
strip  which  in  no  place  was  more  than  a  couple  hundred  yards  in  width. 
It  was  met  with  in  similar  moist  woods  in  the  Bovril  Islands  in  the 
Parana,  but  was  not  as  common  there  as  on  the  mainland  shore. 


ICTERIDAE. 

Leistes  superciliaris  petilus  Bangs. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,701.    Ad.  cT.    Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.    28  November, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,702.   Ad.  cf.   Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.   28  November, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,703.    Ad.   cf .    Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.    8  January, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,704.    Ad.   c^.    Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.    9  January, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,705.    Ad.    9.    Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.    9  January, 
1924. 

This  handsome  species,  called  Pecho  Colorado  in  the  Argentine 
vernacular,  was  observed  as  follows:  —  Concepcion,  Tucuman,  Sep- 
tember 23  to  December  23,  locally  common  but  not  widely  distributed; 
Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios,  January  3  to  February  23,  common;  Lavalle, 
Buenos  Aires,  March  10,  a  few  seen. 

The  specimens  collected  agree  with  the  characters  and  type  of  petilus 
Bangs  and  I  therefore  recognize  this  race,  although  Wetmore  (Bull. 
133,  U.  S.  N.  M.,  1926,  p.  375)  states  that  he  is  unable  to  distinguish 
geographic  forms  of  superciliaris;  he  maintains  that  superciliaris  is 
specifically  distinct  from  militaris. 

This  species  goes  in  small  bands  of  from  two  or  three  to  fifteen  or 
twenty,  the  usual  flock  containing- about  eight  or  ten  birds;  they  are 
not  nearly  as  conspicuous  in  life  as  would  seem  likely  from  an  examina- 
tion of  skins.  The  brilliant  color  of  the  breast  is  not  often  seen,  and  at  a 
distance  the  birds  look  like  cowbirds. 

One  of  the  birds  collected  was  infested  with  tapeworms,  but  seemed 
to  be  in  good  condition. 


218  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

PSEUDOLEISTES  VIRESCENS  (VieiUot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,706.  Im.  d^.  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  EntreRios.  7  January,  1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,707.  Im.  d".  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  EntreRios.  7  January,  1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,708.  Im.  cf .  Argentina :  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.  7  January,  1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,709.  Ad.  d'.  Argentina:  Ajo,  Buenos  Aires.  11  March,  1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,710.  Ad.  9  .  Argentina:  Ajo,  Buenos  Aires.  10  March,  1924. 

The  Yellow-breasted  Marsh-bird  was  observed  in  the  following 
places :  —  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios,  January  3  to  February  23,  common ; 
Ajo,  Buenos  Aires,  March  9  to  11,  common. 

In  Entre  Rios  this  species  was  a  very  common  breeding  bird,  but 
as  it  breeds  early  I  arrived  there  too  late  to  find  any  occupied  nests. 
I  found  the  birds  in  flocks  composed  largely  of  young  birds  in  various 
stages  of  the  post  juvenile  moult.  They  were  usually  seen  in  open  places 
where  the  grass  was  short,  feeding  there  like  so  many  starlings.  The 
birds  collected  had  seeds  and  ants  in  their  stomachs.  The  flocks  were 
composed  of  from  five  to  a  hundred  birds  and  often  contained  indi- 
viduals of  other  species  such  as  Eeistes,  Molothrus,  etc.  Around  Ajo, 
Buenos  Aires,  all  the  birds  had  completed  their  moult  by  March  10. 

Amblyrhamphus  holosericeus  (Scopoli). 
M.  C.  Z.  96,700.  Im.  c?.  Argentina:  Deniz  Island,  Santa  Fe.  4  January,  1924. 

The  Orange-headed  Blackbird  was  observed  on  and  off  during  Janu- 
ary and  February  in  the  Bovril  Islands  in  the  Rio  Parana,  Santa  Fe. 
They  were  all  moulting  at  that  season  and  were  cjuite  silent  and  secre- 
tive. However  a  few  males  were  still  in  full  plumage  and  added  glowing 
bits  of  color  to  the  otherwise  sombre  hue  of  the  marshes.  Small  flocks 
used  to  come  to  a  neglected  maize-patch  in  a  little  clearing  on  Deniz 
Island  and  feed  there  on  the  young  corn.  The  adult  males  have  a  song 
unmistakably  akin  to  the  con-gcrcccc  of  Agclams  phoeniceus  of  North 
America,  but  milder  and  very  slightly  clearer  and  with  the  last  syllable 
shorter  than  in  the  Red-winged  Blackbird. 

The  local  name  for  this  species  in  Entre  Rios  and  Santa  Fe  was  Juan 
Soldado. 

Agelaius  thilius  chrysopterus  Vieillot. 

The  Yellow-shouldered  Blackbird  was  quite  common  in  the  marshes 
of  the  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe,  but  was  extremely  shy.  During  Janu- 
ary and  February  I  saw  this  species  about  a  dozen  times,  but  was 


FKIEDMANN:  notes   on   some   AKGENTINA   BITIDS.  219 

unable  to  collect  any.  In  its  general  habits  it  seemed  very  similar  to  its 
North  American  relative,  A.  phoeniceus.  All  the  birds  seen  were  moult- 
ing and  none  were  heard  singing.  The  local  name  is  Tordo  de  las  Alas 
Amarillas. 

Agelaius  ruficapillus  Vieillot. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,711.  Ad.?  9  .  Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.    17  February, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,712.  Ad.?  9.  Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.    17  February, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,713.  Im.    9 .  Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.    17  February, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,714.  Im.   cf.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  17  October,  1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,715.  Im.    d'.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  17  October,  1923. 

This  bird  was  found  around  Concepcion,  September  23  to  December 
23,  in  small  numbers,  and  in  the  marshes  of  the  Bovril  Islands,  Santa 
Fe,  January  3  to  February  23,  where  it  was  not  uncommon.  It  was 
usually  met  with  in  small  flocks.  Hudson  wrote  that  this  species  lives 
exclusively  in  the  marshes  and  never  comes  near  human  habitations. 
However,  in  Tucuman,  the  only  ones  I  saw  were  found  feeding  in  a 
stable-yard,  together  with  numbers  of  cowbirds,  Molothrus  bonariensis 
honariensis.  The  species  seems  practically  restricted  in  its  diet  to  insect 
food,  and  its  presence  in  stable-yards  is  therefore  to  be  accounted  for 
by  the  insects  rather  than  the  grain  in  such  places.  Of  course  it  may 
occasionally  eat  grain  as  do  most  of  its  relatives,  but  all  five  birds  col- 
lected had  nothing  but  insect  remains  in  their  stomachs. 

Icterus  pyrrhopterus  pyrrhopterus  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,716.  Ad.  cf.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  17  October,  1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,717.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  30  September, 
1923. 

If  the  race  Icterus  p.  argoptilus  Oberholser  is  valid  the  female  col- 
lected would  have  to  be  referred  to  that  race,  and  /.  p.  pyrrhopterus 
would  be  the  resident  breeding  bird  of  Tucuman  and  7.  p.  argoptilus 
probably  a  winter  visitor  from  the  south.  The  fact  that  the  ovary  of 
the  female  collected  was  very  small  makes  it  possible  that  the  bird  was 
a  migrant  or  a  winter  visitor.  The  testes  of  the  male  collected  were 
very  large. 

This  dark  oriole  was  met  with  only  around  Concepcion,  during 
September,  October,  and  November.   It  was  very  local  and  showed  a 


220  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

decided  preference  for  shady  trees  along  stream-banks.  Most  of  the 
individuals  noted  were  found  along  the  Chilimayo,  a  little  river  tribu- 
tary to  the  Rio  de  Gastone. 

Agelaioides  badius  badius  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,651.  Ad.  cf.  Argentina :  Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucuman.  4  December, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,652.  Ad.   9  .  Argentina:  San  Sofia,  Entre  Rios.  26  January,  1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,653.  Im.  d'.  Argentina:  San  Sofia,  Entre  Rios.  26  January,  1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,654,  Ad.  cf .  Argentina:  Concepcion,    Tucuman.     2    November, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,655.  Ad.   9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.     28  September, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,656.  Ad.   9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.      26  September, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,657.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.      17  November, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,658.  Ad.  cf .  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.      4  February, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,659.  Ad.  cf .  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.     16  February, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,660.  Im.  cf .  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.      9  February, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,661.  Ad.  cf .  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.      16  February, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,662.  Ad.   9  .  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.     16  February, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,663.  Im.   9.  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.     16  February, 

1924. 

About  thirty  specimens  of  the  Bay-winged  Cowbird  were  taken  and 
those  listed  above  were  saved.  In  as  much  as  my  notes  on  all  three  cow- 
birds  are  intended  for  separate  publication,  and  are  far  too  bulky  to  be 
incorporated  here,  a  brief  summary  of  my  findings  will  suffice.  The 
Bay-winged  Cowbird  was  observed  as  follows :  —  from  train-window  in 
the  provinces  of  Buenos  Aires,  Santa  Fe,  Santiago  del  Estero,  and 
Tucuman,  September  20  to  21,  many;  Buenos  Aires,  Palermo,  Sep- 
tember 2,  a  few;  Berisso  and  Enserada,  September  6,  fairly  common; 
Buenos  Aires  City,  September  15  to  20,  not  uncommon  in  the  parks; 
Ajo,  March  10,  a  few;  Tucuman  —  Tucuman  City,  September  21, 
several  in  the  parque9  de  Julio;  San  Pablo,  September  22,  several;  Con- 
cepcion and  Rio  de  Gastone,  September  23  to  December  23,  common; 
Alpachirri,  October  27,  several ;  Iltico,  November  20,  a  few ;  Entre  Rios — 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  221 

Santa  Elena,  January  3  to  February  23,  common;  San  Sofia,  January 
26,  numerous;  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe,  and  eastern  Santa  Fe  (Sala- 
dero  M.  Cabal)  on  and  off  during  January  and  February,  fairly  com- 
mon. 

Cassin  (Proc.  Acad.  nat.  sci.  Phil.,  1866,  p.  15)  proposed  Agelaioides 
for  this  bird,  but  subsequent  writers  have  united  it  with  Molothrus. 
The  Bay-wing,  however,  seems  to  deserve  generic  distinction  from  the 
other  cowbirds  and  the  revived  genus  Agelaioides  may  be  characterized 
as  follows :  —  non-parasitic  cowbirds  with  short,  rounded  wings,  no 
courtship  display,  song  utterance  totally  unlike  that  of  all  the  other 
cowbirds;  female-type  of  coloration  in  both  sexes. 

In  this  connection  it  may  be  noted  that  Wetmore  (Bull.  133,  U.  S. 
N.  M.,  1926,  p.  387)  suggests  that  generic  distinction  may  be  warranted. 

The  Bay-winged  Cowbird  is  a  resident  bird  in  all  parts  of  its  range 
and  is  probably  quite  sedentary,  each  individual  spending  its  whole  life 
in  the  vicinity  of  its  birthplace.  During  the  winter  the  species  goes  in 
small  flocks  which  break  up  into  pairs  at  the  approach  of  the  breeding 
season.  It  breeds  in  old  nests  of  other  birds,  chiefly  oven  birds  (Fur- 
narius  rufus)  or  woodhewers  (Synallaxis  sev.  sp.,  Anumbius  sp.,  Pseu- 
doseisura  sp.,  and  Phacellodomus  sp.),  but  does  occasionally  build  a 
nest  itself.  When  this  happens,  the  result  is  a  fairly  well-built  cup  of 
straws,  grasses,  and  twigs,  about  eight  inches  across  (outside  measure- 
ment). I  have  seen  Bay-wings  fight  with  woodhewers  for  the  possession 
of  the  nests  of  the  latter  so  that  nest-building  is  apparently  only  a  last 
resource  to  the  cowbirds.  However,  when  an  old  nest  is  occupied  the 
cowbirds  do  a  certain  amount  of  nest-building,  changing  or  adding  to 
the  lining  of  the  nest,  etc.  Of  this  work  the  larger  part  is  done  by  the 
male,  although  both  sexes  work.  The  breeding  season  is  late,  reaching 
its  height  during  January  and  February,  and  seldom  beginning  before 
December,  while  that  of  the  common  cowbird,  Molothrus  honariensis 
honariensis,  begins  in  October,  rarely  in  September,  and  reaches  its 
height  in  November  and  December. 

The  eggs,  never  more  than  five  in  number,  are  grayish  white,  heavily 
marked  with  brownish  and  brownish  black,  rather  pointed  at  the  small 
end,  and  average  25  x  20  mm.  in  si"2;e.  Practically  every  nest  of  this 
species  contains  one  or  more  eggs  of  the  Screaming  Cowbird,  Molothrus 
rufo-axillaris.  Out  of  seventy  nests  of  the  Bay-wing,  sixty-five  con- 
tained eggs  of  both  species.  The  incubation  period  of  the  Bay-wing  is 
twelve  and  a  half  to  thirteen  days. 

This  species  is  peculiar  among  the  cowbirds  in  that  the  male  has 
absolutely  no  courtship  display.   The  song  is  a  mellow,  monotonous, 


222  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

formless  chant  given  in  a  weary  sing-song  manner  and  is  frequently 
interrupted  by  a  guttural  chuck  note.  This  song  has  no  definite  form  as 
has  that  of  the  typical  cowbirds  (Molothrus),  but  is  considered  pleas- 
ing by  the  natives  who  have  given  the  bird  the  name  of  Musico.  The 
song  is  given  by  both  sexes,  but  chiefly  by  males. 

Local  names  for  this  species  are  numerous,  the  following  being  those 
most  commonly  used:  —  Tordo  Colorado,  Muraju  (Guarani  Indian), 
Musico,  and  Mulato. 

Molothrus  rufo-axillaris  Cassin. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,664.   Ad.  cf.   Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.    16  January, 

1924. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,665.   Im.  9.  Argentina:  Ajo,  Buenos  Aires.   10  March,  1924. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,666.  Ad.  (f.   Argentina:  Ajo,  Buenos  Aires.   11  March,  1924. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,667.  Ad.  cf .  Argentina:  Ajo,  Buenos  Aires.   10  March,  1924. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,668.  Ad.  cf .  Argentina:  Ajo,  Buenos  Aires.   11  March,  1924. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,669.  Ad.  d".  Argentina:  Ajo,  Buenos  Aires.   10  March,  1924. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,670.   Ad.  cf .   Argentina:  Concepcion,   Tucuman.    4  November, 

1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,671.   Ad.  d'.   Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.    3  November, 

1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,672.  Ad.  d.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  13  October,  1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,673.  Ad.  9.   Argentina:   Concepcion,  Tucuman.     1   November, 

1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,674.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  8  October,  1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,675.  Ad.  cf.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  8  October,  1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,676.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.    26  September, 

1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,677.  Ad.  d.   Argentina:   Concepcion,   Tucuman.    5   December, 

1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,678.  Im.  o".  Argentina:  Rosas,  Buenos  Aires.   12  March,  1924. 

The  name  brevirostris  d'Orbigny  and  Lafresnaye  currently  used  for 
the  present  species  is  preoccupied  by  brevirostris  Swainson  (Animals  in 
meng.,  1837,  p.  305),  which  is  a  synonym  of  bonariensis  Cabanis. 

In  addition  to  the  specimens  listed  above  about  twenty  others  were 
taken  at  various  times  as  checks  on  field-observations,  but  were  not 
saved  as  specimens.  The  Screaming  Cowbird  was  observed  as  fol- 
lows:—  Tucuman,  Concepcion,  and  Rio  de  Gastone,  September  23 
to  December  23,  common;  Alpachirri,  October  27,  a  few;  Iltico,  No- 
vember 20,  one  seen;  Entre  Rios,  Santa  Elena,  January  3  to  Febru- 
ary 23,  not  uncommon;  San  Sofia,  January  26,  several;  Buenos  Aires 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  223 

—  Ajo,  March  8  to  11,  fairly  common;  Buenos  Aires  City,  March  15, 
several  seen  at  Palermo. 

This  species  is  non-migratory  and  quite  local  in  its  distribution. 
In  the  field  it  resembles  Molothrus  b.  honaricnsis,  but  may  readily  be 
distinguished  by  its  notes.  The  peons  seldom  differentiate  between 
the  two  species  and  apply  Tordo  to  both.  A  few  of  the  peons  who  know 
the  two  birds  call  the  present  species  Tordo  Negro  and  the  Common 
Cowbird  simply  Tordo. 

The  Screaming  Cowbird  is  always  found  in  pairs  throughout  most 
of  the  year,  but  in  winter  small  flocks  are  sometimes  seen.  These  flocks, 
however,  are  flocks  of  pairs  rather  than  of  individuals  as  the  birds  gen- 
erally fly  off  in  pairs  when  disturbed.  When  flying  they  utter  a  harsh 
series  of  guttural  chuck  notes,  both  sexes  being  equally  vociferous.  The 
song  of  the  male  and  the  accompanying  display  in  courtship  may  be  de- 
scribed as  follows :  — •  the  male  fluffs  out  all  his  body  and  head-feathers, 
bends  the  tail  forward  and  under,  arches  the  wings  to  a  nearly  hori- 
zontal position,  and  then  quivers  all  over  as  though  trying  to  catch 
his  breath.  After  about  a  second  of  this  quivering,  without  bowing 
forward  at  all,  he  finally  emits  a  very  rusty,  but  quite  explosive, 
squeak-f/zt'tT .  The  quivering  and  the  sudden  delivery  of  the  note  after 
considerable  convulsive  hesitations  gives  the  impression  that  the  note 
stuck  in  the  bird's  throat  and  was  finally  expectorated.  The  dzeee  note 
is  quickly  followed  by  a  two-syllabled  pe-tzeee  sound,  the  first  syllable 
very  short  and  the  second  long  and  drawn-out,  but  shorter  than  the 
corresponding  note  in  bonaricnsis  and  ater.  These  two  notes  are  not 
nearly  as  clear  and  glassy  in  quality  as  the  corresponding  notes  of  either 
M.  ater  or  M.  honariensis  and  are  also  lower  in  pitch;  the  Screaming 
Cowbird  does  not  give  the  preliminary  bubbling  guttural  notes  that 
the  other  two  do.  In  Tucuman  the  courtship  season  began  in  early 
October,  but  the  species  did  not  begin  to  breed  until  late  in  December. 

This  species  is  parasitic  on  the  Bay-winged  Cowbird,  and  in  regions 
where  the  former  is  at  all  common  very  few  nests  of  the  latter  are  not 
victimized.  {M.  rufo-axillaris  has  never  been  known  to  occur  in  places 
where  A.  badius  was  not  present).  Out  of  some  seventy  nests  of  the 
Bay-wing  on  which  I  have  data--  sixty-five  contained  eggs  of  the 
Screaming  Cowbird.  Three  is  the  largest  number  of  rufo-axillaris  eggs 
ever  found  in  one  nest  of  badius.  The  eggs  are  very  similar  to  those  of 
the  Bay-wing.  In  size  they  average  around  18  x  23  mm.  and  are 
usually  less  slender  in  appearance  than  those  of  badius.  In  any  nest  it 
is  always  easy  to  distinguish  the  eggs  of  the  two,  but  if  a  large  series 
were  mixed  together  it  would  be  practically  impossible  to  tell  defi- 


224  bulletin:  museum  of  compahative  zoology. 

nitely  in  all  cases  which  eggs  belonged  to  each  species.  However,  the 
eggs  of  the  Screaming  Cowbird  are  usually  less  brittle,  harder  to  pierce, 
and  less  reddish  in  color  than  those  of  the  Bay-wing.  The  majority  of 
eggs  of  the  former  that  I  have  seen  were  marked  with  purplish  brown 
while  most  of  those  of  the  latter  were  spotted  with  reddish  or  dark 
grayish  brown.  The  ground-color  of  the  eggs  is  always  white.  The 
number  laid  by  one  individual  is  about  five  and  the  eggs  are  laid  at 
daily  intervals.  The  incubation  period  is  twelve  and  a  half  to  thirteen 
days. 

Although  the  adults  of  this  species  are  very  different  in  plumage  from 
adult  Bay-wings  the  young  of  the  two  are  identical  and  are  Bay-wings 
in  appearance.  The  young  of  the  two  grow  up  together  in  harmony 
and  the  Bay-wings  do  not  suffer  because  of  the  parasites.  This  simi- 
larity in  plumage  is  undoubtedly  due  to  community  of  phylogenetic 
descent  rather  than  to  adaptive  mimicry. 

MOLOTHRUS  BONARIENSIS  BONARIENSIS  (Gmelin). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,679.  Ad.  cf .  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.   26  September, 

1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,680.  Ad.  c?.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  2  October,  1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,681.  Ad.  ?  .  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  3  October,  1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,682.  Ad.  d^.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.   26  September, 

1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,683.  Ad.  d^.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  2  October,  1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,684.  Ad.  ?.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  15  October,  1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,685.  Ad.  d^.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.   26  September, 

1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,686.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  3  October,  1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,687.  Ad.  d^.  Argentina:  Concepcion,   Tucuman.   26  September, 

1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,688.  Ad.  d'.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  2  October,  1923 

M.  C.  Z.  96,689.  Ad.  d^.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.   26  September,. 
-       1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,690.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  3  October,  1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,691.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.    19  November, 

1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,692.  Ad.  d^.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.   26  September, 

1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,693.  Ad.  d'.  Argentina:   Concepcion,   Tucuman.    3   November, 

1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,694:.  Ad.  d^.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.    19  November, 

1923. 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  225 

M.  C.  Z.  96,695.  Ad.   9.  Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe.    10  February, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,696.  Im.  d^.  .Argentina:  Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucuman.  15  December, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,697.  Im.  d^.  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.   30  January, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,698.  Ad.  cT.  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.    9  January, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,699.  Im.  cf .  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.   5  February, 

1924. 

About  a  hundred  birds  of  this  species  were  collected  at  various 
times,  and  those  listed  were  saved  as  specimens.  This  bird,  the  com- 
mon cowbird  of  Argentina,  is  an  extremely  abundant  species  almost 
everywhere  north  of  Patagonia  and  to  record  the  places  and  dates  of 
its  observation  would  be  to  list  every  spot  visited  during  the  six  and  a 
half  months  I  spent  in  the  country. 

This  cowbird  is  migratory  in  the  southern  part  of  its  range  as  far 
north  as  Buenos  Aires,  the  individuals  breeding  in  the  south  passing 
the  winter  in  Tucuman,  Santiago  del  Estero,  etc.  Some  are  to  be  found 
the  year  round  at  Buenos  Aires,  but  the  number  increases  greatly 
during  September.  On  September  20,  from  a  train-window  I  saw  great 
flocks  of  these  birds  flying  southward.  Some  of  the  flocks  must  have 
contained  at  least  five  thousand  birds.  In  Tucuman  I  was  able  to 
make  an  intensive  study  of  the  migration  and  found  that  the  males 
leave  for  the  south  before  the  females  and  the  old  birds  before  the  year- 
old  birds.  Even  in  Tucuman  where  the  species  is  resident '  throughout 
the  year  the  breeding  individuals  are  not  the  same  as  those  that  winter 
there.  The  migrant  birds  arrive  before  the  resident  ones  in  spring. 
Unlike  M.  ater  of  North  America  it  is  usually  possible  to  distinguish 
year-old  birds  from  older  ones  in  this  species  because  in  fully  75%  of 
the  cases  some  of  the  juvenile  feathers  are  retained  in  the  first  nuptial 
plumage. 

The  courting  season  begins  early  in  October  in  Tucuman  and  from 
this  time  until  the  middle  of  December  males  are  commonly  seen  in- 
dulging in  their  displays.  The  display  is  quite  similar  to  that  of  M.  ater 
of  North  America,  but  the  bowing  is  not  carried  to  as  extreme  a  degree, 
and  the  display  is  more  commonly  given  on  the  ground  than  in  trees, 
while  in  the  case  of  the  latter  species  the  reverse  is  true.  The  song  is 
also  like  that  of  M.  ater,  but  less  clear.  It  begins  indefinitely  well  down 
in  the  throat  and  the  first  sounds  are  of  a  curious  combination  of  purr- 
Birds  found  all  the  year  in  one  place. 


226  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

ing  and  bubbling.  Three  low,  bubbling  guttural  notes  are  belched 
forth  by  the  bird  with  considerable  bodily  quivering,  and  sound  as 
though  they  were  forced  up  through  water.  They  are  all  alike  and  may 
be  written  purr  purr  purr  but  the  rrrs  are  softened  so  that  the  bubbling 
sound  is  produced.  Closely  following  these  three  notes  come  three 
high,  rather  glassy,  thin  notes,  the  first  two  short  and  somewhat  run 
together,  and  the  last  one  long  and  drawn-out  —  pe-tsss-tseeeeee ,  very 
much  like  those  of  M.  ater,  but  slightly  buzzier. 

Like  M.  ater  the  present  species  is  more  or  less  monogamous,  but 
wherever  it  is  very  common  and  the  struggle  for  breeding  territory 
keen,  the  sexual  relations  are  easily  distorted  and  a  state  of  something 
akin  to  promiscuity  results. 

The  eggs  are  subject  to  greater  variation  in  size,  color,  and  markings 
than  are  those  of  any  other  cowbird.  In  size  they  vary  from  20  x  26  to 
18  X  22  mm.,  averaging  around  19  x  23  mm.  In  shape  they  may  be 
almost  spherical,  rounded  ovate,  oval,  ovate,  or  elliptical  ovate.'  The 
oval  and  ovate  are  the  commonest  types.  In  color  they  vary  from  pure, 
spotless  white  to  very  heavily  marked  with  reddish  brown.  The  ground- 
color varies  from  white  and  cream  to  light  bluish,  greenish,  or  very 
pale  brownish.  The  pure  white  type  of  egg  is  geographical  in  occur- 
rence, being  found  almost  wholly  in  eastern  Argentina,  Uruguay,  and 
southern  Brazil  and  unknown  throughout  the  rest  of  the  range  of  the 
species.  Wetmore  (Bull.  133,  U.  S.  N.  M.,  1926,  p.  385)  suggests  that 
this  white  egg  may  have  been  developed  because  the  greater  number, 
' ...  of  the  tracheophone  species  which  form  so  conspicuous  an  ele- 
ment among  the  smaller  birds  that  breed  in  the  area  frequented  by  this 
cowbird  lay  white  unmarked  eggs."  With  this  I  disagree  entirely.  A 
study  of  the  nests  in  which  white  cowbirds'  eggs  have  been  found 
shows  no  preponderance  of  tracheophones  over  other  birds  when  com- 
pared with  the  results  of  a  similar  study  of  nests  in  which  marked  eggs 
have  been  taken.  Most  of  the  pure  white  eggs  have  not  been  found  in 
nests  of  tracheophone  species,  but  in  nests  of  species  of  Brachyspiza, 
Mimus,  and  Pseudoleistes.  It  seems  impossible  to  attach  any  particu- 
lar significance  to  these  white  eggs,  but  it  may  be  that  with  the  loss  of 
the  parental  instincts  and  the  accompanying  ideas  of  protection  which 
manifest  themselves  structurally  in  color,  etc.,  as  well  as  directly  in- 
habit, there  may  be  a  corresponding  lack  of  stimulus  to  the  pigment 
glands  of  the  oviduct.  If  this  be  so,  then  it  would  seem  as  though 
similarity  between  the  eggs  of  the  cowbird  and  those  of  its  victims  had 
no  selective  value  and  that  the  species  was  gradually  losing  the  un- 

1  Egg-contour  terms  according  to  Ridgway's  Nomenclature,  p.  16. 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  227 

necessary  pigmentation  of  its  eggs.  However,  until  more  is  known  of 
the  physiology  of  egg-pigmentation  this  matter  may  best  be  left  un- 
explained. Any  present  hypothesis  would  be  based  more  on  lack  of 
knowledge  than  on  the  possession  of  facts. 

The  eggs  are  laid  at  daily  intervals  and  probably  the  number  is  not 
nearly  as  large  as  Hudson  thought.  He  believed  the  number  laid  by 
one  bird  to  be  from  60-100  a  season.  I  feel  that  it  is  from  6-10,  a  very 
considerable  difference.  My  arguments  and  evidence  are  too  bulky  for 
inclusion  here.  Eggs  of  this  cowbird  were  found  in  eighty  nests  of  the 
following  nineteen  species. 

Furnarius  rufiis  rufus,  F.  cristatus,  Musciwra  tyrannus,  Suiriri  suiriri, 
Myiophobus  fasciatus  flammiceps,  Empidonomus  aurantio-atrocristatus, 
Myiodynastcs  solitarius,  Machetornis  rixosa  rixosa,  Tyrannus  melan- 
cholicus  melancholicus,  Turdus  rufiventris,  T.  amaurochalinus,  Mimus 
saturniniis  modulator,  Anfhus  lutescens,  Saltator  aurantiirostris,  S.  cae- 
rulcscens  caerulescens,  Brachyspiza  capensis  capensis,  Sporophila  cae- 
rulcscens,  Sicalis  pelzelni,  Paroaria  cristata.  Over  eighty  species  of 
birds  are  known  to  be  victimized  by  this  cowbird.  The  incubation 
period  is  eleven  days. 

THRAUPIDAE. 
Thraupis  bonariensis  (Gmehn). 
M.  C.  Z.  96,765.  Ad.  cf.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  5  December,  1923. 
This  tanager  was  observed  in  the  following  localities :  —  Buenos 
Aires  City,  September  3,  several  in  the  park  at  Palermo;  La  Plata  City 
and  vicinity,  September  6,  several;  Concepcion  and  Rio  de  Gastone, 
Tucuman,  September  23  to  December  23,  not  uncommon;  Entre  Rios 
—  Santa  Elena,  January  and  February,  few.  The  Naranjero,  as  this 
bird  is  called  in  the  vernacular,  was  found  only  in  the  more  wooded 
places  in  the  vicinity  of  water,  although  in  city  parks  in  Buenos  Aires 
and  La  Plata  it  was  also  found  in  very  open  glades.  They  seem  to  go 
singly  or  in  pairs  as  no  flocks  were  met  with.  In  their  general  habits 
they  resemble  the  Scarlet  Tanager  (Piranga  oUvacea)  of  North  America, 
feeding  in  the  tree-tops,  always  active  and  restless.  The  bird  collected 
had  many  small  seeds  in  its  stomach. 

Thraupis  sayaca  obscura  Naumburg. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,766.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.   10  October,  1923. 
This  light  bluish  bird  was  met  with  in  Tucuman,  and  not  elsewhere. 
At  Concepcion,  and  the  Rio  de  Gastone,  September  23  to  December  23, 


228  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

it  was  uncommon  in  the  open  patches  of  scrubby  forest.  At  La  Corona 
it  came  into  the  orange  groves  at  the  manager's  house  and  was  said  by 
the  natives  to  peck  at  the  fruit  and  eat  the  pulp.  For  this  reason  it  was 
called  Naranjero  or  Orange-bird.  This  name  however,  was  indis- 
criminately apphed  to  all  tanagers  and  warblers. 

The  bird  collected  agrees  with  the  characters  of  obscura  as  given  by 
Naumburg  (Auk,  1924,  41,  p.  111). 


FRINGILLIDAE. 

Saltator  caerulescens  caerulescens  Vieillot. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,761.  Ad.   9.    Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.    30  September, 

1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,762.  Ad.  &.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  9  October,  1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,763.  Ad.  9  .•  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.    7  October,  1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,764.  Ad.  cf .  Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,  Entre  Rios.    13  January, 

1924. 

The  series  collected  shows  considerable  variation  in  the  color  of  the 
underparts,  some  specimens  being  quite  gray  while  others  are  brown- 
ish. I  have  not  seen  any  comparative  Argentine  material  and  cannot 
decide  if  it  has  any  particular  significance.  Around  Concepcion  and 
Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucuman,  September  23  to  December  23,  this  bird  was 
very  common.  It  was  usually  found  in  bushes  along  roadsides,  but 
also  in  real  dense  thickets.  In  western  Entre  Rios  (Santa  Elena) 
January  3  to  February  23,  it  was  seen  occasionally.  It  never  seems  to 
go  in  flocks  and  most  of  the  birds  seen  were  single  individuals.  It  was 
quite  uncommon  to  see  both  members  of  a  pair  together  except  near 
the  nest. 

In  Tucuman  I  found  nine  occupied  nests.  The  earliest  date  I  have 
for  eggs  is  November  11,  the  latest  December  20.  The  nests  were  in 
bushes  and  from  four  to  seven  feet  up  from  the  ground.  The  nests  were 
well-made  cups  of  straws,  dead  grasses,  fine  rootlets,  etc.,  about  three 
inches  deep  and  eight  inches  across.  The  eggs  are  beautiful  bright 
green  or  greenish  blue,  scrawled  with  zigzag  black  lines  at  the  large 
end.  They  measure  26  x  19.5  mm.  Of  the  nine  nests  that  I  found  none 
contained  more  than  three  eggs  of  the  Saltator.  Two  nests  contained, 
in  addition  to  the  three  eggs,  one  egg  each  of  the  cowbird  Molothrus  b. 
bonariensis.  The  eggs  of  the  parasite  are  smaller  than  those  of  the 
Saltator,  but  yet  the  latter  rears  the  young  Molothrus.  Whether  its 
own  young  survive  or  not  I  cannot  say.    I  have  seen  adults  feeding 


FRIEDMANN:   NOTES   ON   SOME   ARGENTINA   BIRDS.  229 

fully  fledged  three  quarters  grown  young  cowbirds  on  several  occasions, 
but  in  none  of  these  instances  were  there  any  of  their  own  young  pres- 
ent. In  Tucuman  this  bird  was  called  Papitero,  in  Entre  Rios  it  went 
by  the  name  of  Juan  Chiviro. 

Saltator  aurantiirostris  aurantiirostris  Vieillot. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,757.    Ad.  d".   Argentina :  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.    16  January, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,758.    Ad.  c^.   Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.    16  January, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,759.  Ad.  cf .   Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.    18  February, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,760.   Ad.   9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  10  October,  1923. 

The  specimens  collected  agree  with  a  series  in  the  M.  C.  Z.  Imma- 
ture birds  are  very  buft'y  below  like  adult  females. 

Around  Concepcion,  September  23  to  December  23,  I  found  this 
species  somewhat  uncommon,  and  was  unsuccessful  in  finding  nests. 
In  western  Entre  Rios  (Santa  Elena),  January  3  to  February  23,.  it 
was  considerably  commoner,  but  all  the  nests  I  found  were  empty  as  it 
was  rather  late  in  the  season.  On  January  30  at  Santa  Elena  I  saw  a 
fully  grown  young  cowbird,  Molothrus  b.  honariensis,  being  fed  by  an 
Orange-billed  Saltator. 

In  its  general  habits  this  Saltator  resembles  the  preceding  species 
very  closely,  being  found  in  the  same  type  of  country. 

The  vernacular  names  in  Entre  Rios  were  Juan  Chiviro  and  Juari 
Chiviro  de  Pico  Amarillo.  In  Tucuman  it  was  called  Papitero  de  Pico 
Colorado. 

Gubernatrix  CRIST  at  a  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,733.   Ad.  d^.   Argentina.   Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.   9  February, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,734.    Im.  cf .   Argentina:  San  Joaquin,  Entre  Rios.   27  January, 

1924. 

The  Yellow  Cardinal  was  observed  only  in  western  Entre  Rios  where 
I  found  it  to  be  a  very  local  and  rather  scarce  species.  During  seven 
weeks  of  field-work  in  that  region  I  saw  it  but  twice:  —  a  single  male 
at  Santa  Elena  on  February  9,  and  two  birds  at  San  Joaquin  on  Janu- 
ary 27.  The  species  seems  restricted  to  the  more  open  spaces  in  thorny 
tangles  and  usually  perches  in  a  conspicuous,  elevated  place.  The 
crest,  which  is  generally  held  erect,  gives  the  bird  a  rather  distinguished 
appearance. 


230  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 


Cyanocompsa.  cyanea  ARGENTINA  (Sharpe). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,718.  Ad.  c^.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  7  October,  1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,719.  Ad.  cf .  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  9  October,  1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,720.  Ad.   9.   Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.    12  November, 
1923. 

This  species  was  met  with  only  at  Concepcion,  September  23  to 
December  23,  where  it  was  not  uncommon  in  bushy  fields  and  pastures. 
They  were  rather  shy  and  difficult  to  approach  and  very  silent. 

The  three  specimens  agree  with  others  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 


Paroaria  CRIST  ATA  (Boddacrt). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,726.  Ad.  d".  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  18  October,  1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,727.  Ad.  9  .  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.     9  October,  1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,728.  Im.  d'.  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.    15  January, 
1924. 

The  Crested  Cardinal  was  observed  at  the  following  places:  — 
Buenos  Aires  City,  September  3,  one;  La  Plata  and  vicinity,  September 
6,  several;  Concepcion  and  Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucuman,  September  23 
to  December  23,  fairly  common ;  Santa  Elena,  January  3  to  February 
23,  common.  This  Cardinal  is  often  kept  as  a  cage-bird  in  Argentina 
on  account  of  its  powers  as  a  songster.  The  song  is  not  nearly  as  fine  as 
that  of  the  Cardinalis  cardinalis  of  North  America,  but  seems  quite 
exceptional  among  all  the  tracheophone  species  with  which  it  lives. 
The  present  species  is  found  in  dry  Acacia  savannas  as  well  as  ifi 
thickets  or  thin  forest,  being  completely  isolated  ecologically  from 
Coccopsis  capitata  which  so  greatly  resembles  it  in  life.  Several  nests 
were  found  near  Concepcion  and  the  Rio  de  Gastone,  during  Novem- 
ber and  December.  They  were  all  placed  in  sheltered  crotches  in  trees 
and  were  from  five  to  ten  feet  up  from  the  ground.  They  were  made  of 
grasses,  rootlets,  and  straws,  rather  compactly  matted  together,  and 
are  more  solidly  built  than  are  those  of  the  next  species.  The  eggs, 
usually  three  in  number,  are  white,  speckled  and  spotted  with  olive- 
brown  and  olive  greenish,  frequently  with  some  fine  blackish  pencilings 
at  the  large  end.  They  average  24  x  18  mm.  in  size.  One  nest,  found 
on  December  3,  contained  one  egg  of  the  cowbird,  Molothrus  h.  honari- 
ensis,  in  addition  to  one  of  the  Cardinal.  One  of  the  birds  collected  had 
been  feeding  on  insects;  the  others  had  seeds  in  their  stomachs. 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  231 

CoccOPSis  CAPITATA  (d'Orbigny  and  Lafresnaye). 
M.  C.  Z.  96,725.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Deniz  Island,  Santa  Fe.  4  January,  1924. 

The  Yellow-billed  Cardinal  was  observed  only  in  the  Bovril  Islands 
in  the  Rio  Parana,  where  during  January  and  February  I  found  it  not 
uncommon.  It  is  entirely  restricted  to  moist  woodlands  and  is  not 
foimd  on  either  shore  of  the  river  because  of  the  absence  of  proper 
environment.  This  has  given  it  a  most  amazing  local  range :  —  for  over 
a  hundred  miles  this  species  occurs  in  a  narrow  strip,  only  a  few  miles 
wide,  while  on  either  side  of  it  Paroaria  cristata  flourishes,  but  at  no 
point  do  the  two  exist  coincidentally.  A  nest  was  found  on  January  4 
on  Deniz  Island,  Santa  Fe.  It  was  about  fifteen  feet  up  in  a  good-sized 
tree  in  a  wet  forest.  In  it  were  three  eggs  very  similar  to  those  of 
Paroaria  cristata. 

Sporophila  caerulescens  (Vieillot). 

The  little  Screaming  Finch  was  seen  a  few  times  during  November 
and  December  at  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  On  December  10  I  found  a 
nest,  a  very  dainty,  strong  cup  of  fine  grasses,  in  a  large  bush  and  about 
five  feet  from  the  ground.  It  was  partly  suspended  in  vireo-fashion 
from  the  tip  of  a  branch.  It  contained  one  egg  of  the  finch  and  three  of 
the  cowbird,  Molothrus  h.  honariensis.  In  Entre  Rios  (Santa  Elena  and 
vicinity),  January  3  to  February  23,  I  found  the  Corbatita,  as  it  was 
called  there,  fairly  numerous,  but  quite  shy.  In  Tucuman  it  was  any- 
thing but  shy,  being  one  of  the  birds  that  commonly  fed  close  to  houses. 

Sporophila  lineola  (Linne). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,749.   Ad.  c?.    Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.     5  December, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,750.    Ad.   &.   Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.     5  December, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,751.    Ad.  &.    Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.     5  December, 

1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,752.   Ad.    9.    Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.    12  December, 

1923. 

The  small  series  collected  agree  with  others  in  the  M.  C.  Z.   This 

little  finch  was  seen  only  in  the  garden  of  Mr.  S.  Shipton  at  La  Corona, 

a  mile  outside  of  Concepcion.   It  was  first  seen  on  December  5  when 

about  half  a  dozen  were  noted  and  three  collected  and  was  last  seen  on 


232  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

December  12,  when  a  few  were  noted  and  one  collected.  In  as  much  as 
I  had  often  walked  in  the  garden  during  November  and  had  not  seen 
this  bird  I  feel  quite  confident  that  those  seen  were  recent  arrivals. 
After  the  12th  I  looked  for  them  several  times,  but  never  saw  the 
species  again. 

Catamenia  analis  (d'Orbigny  and  Lafresnaye). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,744.  Ad.  d".  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman,  10  October,  1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,745.  Ad.  9.  Argentina :  Concepcion,  Tucuman.     4  October,  1923. 

The  male  collected  agrees  with  the  type  specimen.  The  female  is 
darker  than  a  female  from  Cochabamba,  Bolivia,  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 

The  species  was  observed  near  Concepcion,  during  October  and 
November.  There  it  was  somewhat  uncommon  and  was  found  in  but 
one  locality,  a  bushy  strip  along  the  railway  embankment.  It  kept  to 
the  low  bushes  and  weeds  most  of  the  time,  but  occasionally  one 
mounted  a  tall  bush  or  weed-stem  and  sang  a  weak,  soft,  twittering 
song.   The  birds  collected  had  small  seeds  in  their  stomachs. 


VoLATiNiA  jacarina  jacarina  (Linne). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,729.  Ad.  cf .   Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.   8  February, 

1924. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,730.  Ad.  cf.   Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.    16  January, 

1924. 

The  two  males  collected  agree  with  a  series  in  the  M.  C.  Z.  This 
little  finch  with  the  general  manners  of  a  Hypochera  (Ploceidae)  was 
observed  only  at  Santa  Elena.  It  apparently  was  a  new-comer  there 
as  Serie  and  Smyth  (El  hornero,  1923,  p.  37-55)  do  not  list  it  in  their 
account  of  the  birds  of  this  region.  On  January  8  I  saw  one  sitting  in  a 
bush  when  it  suddenly  sprang  up  vertically  into  the  air  for  about  a 
yard,  and  as  it  came  down  again  to  its  perch  it  uttered  a  little  beady 
dzeee  eep,  the  second  syllable  slightly  higher  than  the  first.  For  several 
minutes  it  kept  repeating  this  performance  at  intervals  of  about  ten 
seconds.  Just  as  I  was  ready  to  believe  that  it  never  sings  without 
leaping  into  the  air,  it  sang  without  leaving  its  perch.  On  January  16 
I  saw  this  same  performance  from  several  different  males,  so  that  it 
seems  that  this  species  regularly  jumps  up  and  down  while  singing, 
much  like  some  of  the  manakins. 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  233 


SiCALis  pelzelni  Sclater. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,721.  Ad.  cf.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.       29  September, 

192.3. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,722.  Ad.  cf.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  17  October,  1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,723.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  17  October,  1923. 

The  three  birds  collected  agree  with  a  series  in  the  M.  C.  Z.  This 
species  was  observed  only  at  Concepcion  and  Rio  de  Gastone,  Tucu- 
man, September  23  to  December  23,  where  it  was  fairly  common  in 
open  Acacia  savannas.  It  was  found  breeding  in  old  nests  of  Synallaxis 
sp.  On  November  23  at  Rio  de  Gastone  I  found  a  nest  occupied  by 
Sicalis  pelzelni  containing  an  egg  of  the  cowbird,  Molothrus  b.  honarien- 
sis,  as  well  as  two  of  the  finch.  These  little  yellow  finches  are  the  eco- 
logical counterpart  in  the  neotropics  of  the  members  of  the  genus 
Serinus  in  the  African  tropics,  and  like  them  go  in  small  flocks  and  feed 
among  the  grass  and  weeds.  In  some  ways,  particularly  in  their  undu- 
lating flight,  they  bear  a  general  resemblance  to  goldfinches  {Astraga- 
linus  trisiis). 

Arremon  orbignii  Sclater. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,724.  Ad.  d".  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  6  October,  1923. 

This  bird  was  seen  but  once  and  then  collected  on  sight  so  that  I  have 
no  field-notes.  It  was  seen  in  a  bushy  hedge  at  the  edge  of  a  cart-road 
and  was  on  the  ground.  The  iris  in  life  was  dark  brown. 


CORYPHOSPINGUS  CUCULLATUS  ARAGUIRA  (Vieillot). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,746.  Ad.  cf .  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  7  October,  1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,747.  Ad.  9  .  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  10  October,  1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,748.  Ad.  9  .  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.     7  October,  1923. 

I  have  not  seen  sufficient  comparative  material  to  be  sure  of  the 
validity  of  araguira,  but  follow  Wetmore  in  calling  the  birds  from 
Argentina  this  race. 

At  Concepcion,  September  23  to  December  23,  this  species  was  found 
rather  uncommonly  in  bushy  patches  in  open  country.  It  was  gener- 
ally seen  in  pairs  and  was  quite  nervous  and  shy.  It  was  always  on  the 
go,  never  still  for  a  second,  flitting  from  branch  to  branch  and  down  to 
the  ground  and  back  again.  Both  seeds  and  insects  were  found  in  the 
stomachs  of  the  three  specimens  collected. 


234  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

BrACHYSPIZA  CAPENSIS  ARGENTINA  Todd. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,739.  Im.  cf .   Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.    18  February, 

192  i. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,740.  Ad.  &.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  4  October,  1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,741.  Ad.  cf .  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  4  October,  1923. 

According  to  >Vetmore  (Bull.  133,  U.  S.  N.  M.,  1926,  p.  415)  the  resi- 
dent form  of  Tucuman  (at  least  at  Tapia)  is  hypoleuca  Todd.  However 
I  cannot  distinguish  my  two  Concepcion  birds  from  argentina  as  repre- 
sented in  the  collections  of  the  M.  C.  Z.  The  measurements  of  the  two 
males  are  as  follows : 


Sex 

Locality 

Wing 

Tail 

Culmen 

Tarsus 

& 

Concepcion 

71 

64 

11.5 

18 

& 

Concepcion 

69 

59 

12 

18 

The  immature  plumage  is  as  follows:  —  underparts  white,  heavily 
spotted  with  grayish  brown,  the  center  of  the  throat  unspotted,  lower 
abdomen  also  unspotted  but  tinged  with  light  buff;  upperparts  grayish 
brown,  heavily  streaked  with  blackish  brown,  the  crown  grayish  in  the 
middle  streaked  with  blackish  brown,  the  sides  also  streaked  with 
blackish  brown;  superciliary  stripe  white  with  small  brown  streaks; 
primaries  edged  with  rufous,  the  outermost  five  pairs  having  the  rufous 
edges  extremely  light  and  narrow;  the  secondaries  externally  edged 
with  rufous  and  tipped  with  white;  tail  dark  grayish  brown  edged  with 
pale  light  grayish  brown. 

This  sparrow,  the  Argentina  counterpart  of  the  Song  Sparrow, 
Melospiza  melodia,  was  very  common  everywhere  I  went  in  the  course 
of  the  entire  trip.  The  song  is  one  of  the  most  persistent  sounds  in  the 
country,  and  like  that  of  the  Song  Sparrow  is  hard  to  describe  accu- 
rately. It  has  a  cadence  suggestive  of  both  Melospiza  and  Zonotrichia 
and  yet  easily  different  from  either.  The  song  consists  of  clear,  mellow 
whistled  notes  much  run  together  at  the  end  and  varies  considerably 
with  different  individuals. 

In  the  course  of  my  work  I  found  thirty-three  nests  of  this  sparrow. 
Of  these,  twenty-nine  contained  eggs,  and  of  these  twenty-nine  no  less 
than  twenty-four  had  one  or  more  eggs  of  the  cowbird,  Molothrus  h. 
honariensis,  in  addition  to  those  of  the  sparrow.  The  present  species  is 
by  all  odds  the  commonest  victim  of  the  cowbird.  Probably  more 
young  cowbirds  are  raised  by  Chingolos,  as  these  sparrows  are  called, 
than  by  the  four  next  commonest  victims  combined.  The  largest 
number  of  the  parasitic  eggs  that  I  ever  found  in  one  nest  was  eight 


friedmann:  notes  on  some  Argentina  birds.  235 

along  with  one  of  the  sparrow.  The  nests  were  mostly  on  the  ground 
at  the  bases  of  weeds  or  small  bushes,  but  several  of  them  were  in 
bushes  and  vines,  the  highest  being  about  seven  feet  up.  The  nests  are 
poorly  built  when  compared  to  those  of  the  Song  Sparrow,  and  are 
smaller.  They  are  made  of  fine  grasses,  thin  stems,  etc.,  and  when  off 
the  ground  generally  have  an  outer  layer  of  slightly  coarser  and  heavier 
stems  and  rootlets.  ,The  eggs,  of  which  five  seem  to  be  the  maximum 
number  to  a  clutch,  are  very  variable  in  color,  some  being  pale  green- 
ish, others  white,  and  still  others  light  bluish.  All  are  spotted  with 
brownish  or  blackish  brown.  They  average  about  18  x  16  mm.  in  size. 
The  earliest  date  on  which  I  found  nests  with  eggs  was  October  16, 
the  latest,  January  27. 

PoosPiZA  MELANOLEUCA  (d'Orbiguy  and  Lafresnaye). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,736.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  6  October,  1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,737.  Ad.  d".  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  2  October,  1923. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,738.  Ad.    9.  Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.    13  January, 
1924. 

The  specimens  collected  agree  with  a  series  in  the  M.  C.  Z.  This 
species  was  met  with  in  small  numbers  in  Tucuman  and  Entre  Rios. 
They  were  very  shy  and  lived  in  dense  bushy  thickets,  making  obser- 
vation difficult.  When  flitting  about  the  white  in  the  tail  shows  clearly. 

PoosPiZA  WHiTii  Sclater. 
M.C.  Z.  96,735.    Ad.  cf.   Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  7  October,  1923 . 

This  pleasing  little  finch  was  very  uncommon  in  my  experience. 
The  single  bird  seen  was  collected  among  a  clump  of  low  bushes  where 
it  was  flitting  around  restlessly. 

Saltatkicula  MULTICOLOR  (Burmeister). 

M.  C.  Z.  96,731.   Ad.  c?.   Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.    15  January, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,732.   Ad.  cf.   Argentina:  Santa  Elena,  Entre  Rios.    9  January, 

1924. 

These  birds  are  in  worn  breeding  plumage  and  lack  the  rufous  edg- 
ings to  the  greater  wing-coverts.  Females  have  the  cheeks  very  gray 
while  the  males  have  black  cheeks.  This  species,  one  of  the  most 
colorful  sparrows  in  Argentina,  was  fairly  common  in  the  dry  thorn- 
bush  country  in  western  Entre  Rios  (near  Santa  Elena)  during  my 


236  bulletin:  museum  of  compahative  zoology. 

stay  there  in  January  and  February.  They  were  usually  found  in  small 
groups  of  three  or  four  feeding  on  the  ground  or  in  the  lower  thorny 
bushes.  The  usual  call-note  was  a  chip  or  tsip  note  given  with  con- 
siderable emphasis. 

Embernagea  OLivASCENS  OLiVASCENS  d'Orbigny. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,753.  Ad.  cf.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  17  October,  1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,754.  Ad.  9.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  12  October,  1923. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,755.  Ad.  cT.  Argentina:  Bovril  Islands,   Santa  Fe.    13  January, 

1924. 
M.  C.  Z.  96,756.  Ad.  d".  Argentina:  Bovril  Island.s,   Santa   Fe.    13  January, 

1924. 

The  four  birds  collected  are  smaller,  grayer,  and  darker  than  two 
Lafresnaye  specimens  from  BoliAia  in  the  M.  C.  Z.  These  terrestrial 
finches  were  found  in  the  following  localities:  Concepcion,  September 
23  to  December  23,  fairly  common;  Bovril  Islands,  Santa  Fe,  January 
and  February,  uncommon.  In  Tucuman  they  seemed  to  inhabit  noth- 
ing but  Alfalfa  fields,  the  vegetation  affording  good  cover,  and  a  plenti- 
ful food-supply.  In  Santa  Fe  they  were  found  in  a  little  dry  meadow  in 
one  of  the  higher  parts  of  one  of  the  Bovril  Islands,  but  they  were  seen 
but  once  in  this  place. 

The  flight  is  peculiar.  The  birds  seem  to  jump  up  suddenly  and  fly 
off  with  rapid  wing-beats  and  dangling  feet.  Often  they  cock  their 
tails  as  the}'  fly. 

Passer  domesticus  (Linne). 

The  Gorrion,  as  this  bird  is  called,  was  observed  in  Buenos  Aires  City, 
at  Concepcion,  Tucuman,  and  at  Parana,  Entre  Rios.  At  Concepcion 
it  apparently  arrived  at  least  five  years  before  my  visit  {i.e.  in  1918). 
The  species  has  taken  to  breeding  in  old  nests  of  the  ovenbird,  Fur- 
naruis  rufus.  They  were  common  in  Buenos  Aires  city  and  uncommon 
at  Parana. 

Spinus  magellanicus  tucumanus  Todd. 

M.  C.  Z.  96,742.  Ad.  cf.  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.  17  October,  1923 
M.  C.  Z.  96,743.    Ad.  9  .  Argentina:  Concepcion,  Tucuman.     7  October,  1923. 

Both  specimens  collected  are  in  worn  breeding  plumage  and  lack  the 
white  edges  to  the  secondaries  present  in  fresh  plumaged  birds. 

The  species  was  not  uncommon  in  the  Acacia  savannas  around  Con- 
cepcion, September  23  to  December  23.  They  are  found  in  small  flocks 
much  like  the  finch,  Sicalis  pelzelni.  Both  birds  collected  had  been  feed- 
ing on  small  grass-seeds. 


Bulletin  of  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology 

AT    HARVARD    COLLEGE. 

Vol.  LXVIIT.  No.  5. 


NOTES  ON  NORTHWEST  ATLANTIC  SHARKS  AND  SKATES. 


By  Henry  B.  Bigelow  and  William  C.  Schkoeder. 


CAMBRIDGE,  MASS.,  U.  S.  A.: 
PRINTED  FOR  THE  MUSEUM. 

September,  1927. 


No.  5. —  Notes  on  Northwest  Atlantic  Sharks  and  Skates. 
By  Henky  B.  Bigelow  and  William  C.  Schroeder. 

IsuRiDAE.   Mackerel  Sharks, 

During  the  past  few  years  several  mackerel  sharks  have  been  col- 
lected in  the  Gulf  of  Maine,  on  cruises  of  the  U.  S.  B.  F.  Steamer 
EU.LCYON.  And  as  there  has  been  considerable  confusion  as  to  the  rela- 
tionship between  American  and  North  European  sharks  of  this  group, 
as  well  as  in  the  synonymy  of  the  former,  the  following  description  and 
discussion  is  offered. 

Two  very  different  types  of  isurids  (apart  from  Carcharodon)  have 
been  reported  from  the  east  coast  of  the  United  States  and  all  the 
isurids  so  reported  fall  in  one  or  other  of  these  two  categories. 

A.  A  stout-bodied  shark  with  first  dorsal  originating  over  or  sHghtly  behind  the 

axil  of  the  pectoral;  second  dorsal  originating  over  the  origin  of  the  anal; 
lower  caudal  lobe  only  about  70%  as  long  as  upper :  and  with  all  the  teeth 
essentially  similar,  except  for  the  presence  or  absence  of  lateral  denticles 
(c/.  p.  240). 

B.  More  slender,  with  sharper  nose;  first  dorsal  originating  well  behind  the 

pectoral;  second  dorsal  originating  definitely  in  advance  of  the  anal; 
lower  caudal  lobe  75%  as  long  as  upper;  first  two  teeth  from  the  median ' 
suture,  in  both  jaws,  notably  longer  and  more  flexuous  than  the  others. 

Five  specimens  of  type  A,  recently  caught  on  Platts  Bank,  off  Port- 
land, Maine,  and  on  Nantucket  Shoals,  Massachusetts,  agree  in  all 
respects  with  the  Common  Porbeagle  (Isurus  nasus  (Bonnaterre))  of 
the  eastern  Atlantic,  as  the  following  description  shows :  — 


1.   Isurus  nasus  (Bonnaterre).    Common  Porbeagle. 

Four  specimens,  Platts  Bank,  60,  52,  50,  and  49  inches  long,  taken 
respectively  August  15,  1924;  September  3,  1925,  September  3,  1925 
and  June  21,  1925;  and  one  specimen,  Nantucket  Shoals,  51  inches 
long,  taken  June  17,  1927. 

In  all  of  these  the  body  is  fusiform,  massive;  the  snout  conical, 
pointed.  The  distance  from  tip  of  snout  to  anterior  edge  of  eye  is  equal 


240  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

to  distance  from  tip  of  snout  to  mouth,  which  in  turn,  is  about  equal 
to  length  of  shortest  gill-slit.  The  origin  of  first  dorsal  stands  over,  or 
slightly  behind  the  arm-pit  (axil)  of  the  pectoral.  The  height  of  first 
dorsal  about  equals  one  half  the  distance  from  the  tip  of  snout  to  first 
gill-slit;  the  anterior  margin  of  this  fin  is  convex,  its  upper  angle 
rounded,  its  posterior  margin  concave.  The  second  dorsal  is  very 
small,  its  origin  over,  or  very  slightly  in  advance  of  origin  of  anal  (the 
second  dorsal  of  /.  tigris  is  distinctly  in  advance  of  anal).  The  anal  is 
very  small,  similar  to  second  dorsal  in  outline.  The  lower  lobe  of 
caudal  is  about  70%  as  long  as  the  upper  lobe,  each  measured  from  its 
respective  caudal  pit;  the  margin  lunate.  The  length  of  the  ventrals  is 
less  than  length  of  the  snout;  the  length  of  the  pectoral  equal  to,  or 
slightly  greater  than,  the  distance  from  lower  caudal  pit  to  tip  of 
lower  caudal  lobe.  Upper  and  lower  caudal  pits  are  prominent;  and 
there  is  a  strong  median  lateral  keel  on  each  side  of  the  caudal  peduncle. 

The  teeth  are  all  alike  in  shape  (in  /.  tigris  the  front  teeth  are  more 
slender  and  flexuous  than  the  others) ;  twenty-eight  rows  in  the  upper 
jaw  and  twenty-six  rows  in  the  lower  in  these  specimens;  rather  widely 
spaced,  with  narrow-pointed  cusps,  smooth  edged,  each  tooth,  in  the 
larger  specimens,  with  a  small  sharp  denticle  on  either  side  of  the  wide 
base.  In  the  midline  of  each  jaw  there  is  a  toothless  space  about  as 
wide  as  one  tooth.  In  the  lower  jaw  the  first  two  teeth  on  each  side  of 
this  median  gap  are  the  largest,  the  remaining  teeth  decreasing  in  size 
toward  the  angle  of  the  mouth.  In  the  upper  jaw  the  first  two  teeth  on 
each  side  are  the  largest,  the  third  tooth  much  smaller  (also  in  /. 
tigris),  with  the  remaining  teeth  larger  but  decreasing  in  size  laterally. 

In  the  smallest  specimen,  forty-nine  inches  in  length,  the  basal 
denticles  are  so  small  that  they  might  easily  be  overlooked.  On  the 
fifty-two  inch  fish  these  denticles  are  somewhat  larger,  and  plainly 
visible  on  all  the  teeth;  on  the  sixty-inch  fish  and  in  a  forty-two  inch 
specimen  from  Massachusetts  Bay,  in  the  M.  C.  Z.,  they  are  prominent. 

The  presence  and  size  of  the  basal  denticles  thus  appears  to  be  an 
age-character,  suggesting  that  small  fish,  less  than  four  feet  in  length, 
might  have  teeth  without  denticles.  Giinther  (1870,  p.  389),  Day 
(1884,  p.  297),  and  Smitt  (1895,  p.  1140)  do,  in  fact,  point  out  that 
young  fish  lack  them. 

Color  gray  above,  gray  or  greenish  blue  along  the  sides;  white  below. 
Tail  uniform  gray-blue;  pectorals  dusky  underneath  on  outer  half  or 
third;  anal  white  or  slightly  dusky. 

The  stomach  of  the  forty-nine  inch  specimen  contained  fish-bones 
and  thirty-six  squid-beaks. 


BIGELOW   AND   SCHKOEDEK:   SHARKS   AND   SKATES. 


241 


The  measurements  of  three  of  these  five  fish  are  as  follows ; 


Measurements  in  inches 


Total  length 
Snout  to  caudal  pit 

origin  of  first  dorsal 

origin  of  second  dorsal 

anterior  margin  of  eye 

anterior  margin  of  mouth 

first  gill-slit 

fifth  gill-slit 
Posterior  first  dorsal  to  anterior  second  dorsal 
Height  of  first  dorsal 
Origin  of  first  dorsal  to  tip 
Height  of  second  dorsal 
Height  of  anal 

Upper  caudal  pit  to  tip  of  upper  caudal  lobe 
Lower  caudal  pit  to  tip  of  lower  caudal  lobe 
Length  of  pectoral 
Distance  between  pectoral  tips 
Width  of  gill-slits 
Position  of  second  dorsal  with  respect  to  anal 


Teeth 


60 

52              49 

48 

431 

, 

20^ 

191            18 

m 

381 

41 

,   . 

H 

41 

,   . 

13| 

IH          ] 

Ll 

17 

14i             ] 

14 

16J 

13              ] 

L3| 

6i 

6 

8i 

7i 

1 

1 

1 

1 

15 

12 

10 

9 

lU 

91 

25 

22| 

4Ho5 

4to4| 

exactly 

dorsal  origin  e 

'cac 

opposite 

slightly  in    oj 
advance  of 
anal 

)po 

28 

28 

28 

26 

26 

26 

These  specimens  corroborate  the  identifications  of  our  predecessors,' 
who  considered  the  American  mackerel  sharks  of  this  general  type  as 
Isurus  nasus,  and  prove  the  latter  the  common  species  of  this  group  in 
the  Gulf  of  Maine. 

There  is  no  danger  of  confusing  I.  nasus  with  its  sharp-nosed  relative, 
/.  tigris  (cf.  p.  243).  But  certain  of  the  published  descriptions  ^  sug- 
gest the  existence  in  northeastern  American  waters  of  another  stout- 
bodied  mackerel  shark,  agreeing  with  I.  nasus  in  the  forward  location 

I  Lamna  cornuhica  Bean,  1880,  Goode  &  Bean,  1879,  p.  29;  Goode,  1884,  p.  670;  Jordan  & 
Gilbert,  1883,  p.  30;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  1896,  p.  59;  Prince  &  MacKay,  1901,  p.  55;  Bean,  1901, 
p.  380;  Bean,  1903,  p.  39;  Fowler,  1906,  p.  56;  Tracy,  1910,  p.  60;  Kendall,  1908,  p.  7;  Isurus 
nasus  Garman,  1913,  p.  34;  Fowler,  1920,  p.  143;  Huntsman,  1922,  p.  8  (56);  Bigelow  &  Welsh, 
192.5,  p.  551;  Lamna  nasus  Hubbs,  1923,  p.  101. 

^  Lamna  punctata  Storer,  lS39a,  p.  185;  1839b,  p.  534;  1846,  p.  504;  1867,  p.  249;  Oxyrhina 
punctata  Gray,  1851,  p.  60  (non  Mitchill,  1815);  Oxyrhina  dekayi  Gill,  1861;  Isuropsis  glaucus 
Gill,  1865;  Isurus  oxyrhynchus  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  1883,  p.  29;  Isurus  spallanzani  Jordan  & 
Gilbert,  1883,  p.  874;  Isurus  punctalus  Garman,  1888,  1913;  p.  36;  Bigelow  &  Welsh,  1925,  p.  36, 
&  551. 


242  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

of  the  first  dorsal,  in  the  situation  of  the  second  dorsal  relative  to  the 
anal,  and  in  the  stout  body,  but  differing  from  it,  and  resembling  /. 
tigris  in  lacking  lateral  denticles  on  the  teeth  even  when  adult.       ' 

An  American  shark  of  this  type  was  described  by  Storer  (1839,  1846, 
1867).  He,  it  is  true,  referred  it  to  the  Squalus  punctahis  of  Mitchill 
(1815),  a  carcharinid  (probably  Scoliodon).  Actually,  however,  Storer's 
fish  was  an  isurid,  as  Gill  (1861)  pointed  out,  and  his  illustration  shows 
the  stout  form,  forward  location  of  the  first  dorsal,  and  second  dorsal 
above  the  anal,  characteristic  of  /.  7iasus.  It  would,  in  fact,  unhesitat- 
ingly be  referred  to  that  species,  were  not  denticles  lacking  in  the  single 
tooth  figured  (Storer,  1839a,  pi.  3,  fig.  2).  On  the  strength,  presumably, 
of  this.  Gill  (1861,  1864).  successively  referred  Storer's  jyundata  to 
Oxyrhina  L.  Agassiz,  and  to  Isuropsis  Gill,  genera  opposed  to  Lamna 
Cuvier  (containing  the  Common  European  Porbeagle,  correctly  known 
as  Isurus  nasus  (Bonnaterre)). 

Dumeril  (1865,  p.  409)  also  separated  Storer's  punctata  generically 
from  the  latter  on  the  same  grounds,  supposed  absence  of  lateral  denti- 
cles on  the  teeth.  And  since  that  time  it  has  by  some  been  classed  as 
identical  with  the  allied,  but  quite  distinct,  Isurus  tigris^  dckayi  Gill, 
partim;  by  some  it  has  been  regarded  as  a  good  species  distinct  both 
from  /.  tigris  and  from  I.  nasus  -;  and  by  others  it  has  been  considered 
identical  with  the  Common  Porbeagle  of  Europe,  which,  as  noted  above, 
has  in  fact  been  recorded  repeatedly  from  the  western  Atlantic,  under 
its  own  name,  either  as  Isurus  nasus  or  as  Lamna  cornuhica  (p.  241).* 

The  first  of  these  alternatives  need  not  delay  us;  quite  apart  from 
the  structure  of  the  teeth,  Storer's  punctata  is  at  once  separable  from 
Isurus  tigris,  and  from  the  European  representative  of  the  later  (/. 
oxyrhynchus),  by  the  position  of  the  first  dorsal  fin  relative  to  the 
pectoral,  and  of  the  second  dorsal  relative  to  the  anal,  as  well  as  by  the 
blunter  head,  and  stout  body.  The  second  alternative,  that  in  addition 
to  /.  tigris  and  /.  nasus,  the  Avestern  Atlantic  harbors  a  third  mackerel 
shark  resembling  the  latter  in  all  respects  except  that  its  teeth  lack  the 
lateral  denticles,  is  supported  by  Garman's  description  of  specimens 
from  American  waters.  At  first  sight  this  might  seem  sufficient  proof 
that  /.  punctatus  is  in  fact  separable  from  I.  nasus,  though  so  closely 
allied  to  the  latter  that  only  by  examination  of  the  teeth  can  the  one  be 
separated  from  the  other.  For  the  following  reasons,  however,  we  be- 
lieve that    this  supposed  difference,  denticles  present  in  7iasus  but 

iGunther,  1870;   Uhler  &    Lugger    (1878);   Jordan  &  Gilbert,  1883;   Bean,    1903;   Kendall, 
1908,  p.  7. 

2  Garman,  1913;  Nichols  &  Murphy,  1916;  Bigelow  &  Welsh,  1925,  p.  36. 

3  Kendall,  1908;  Bigelow  &  Welsh,  1925,  p.  551. 


BIGELOW   AND    SCHEOEDER:   SHARKS   AND   SKATES.  243 

absent  in  pundatus,  is  merely  an  age-character  combined  with  indi- 
vidual variation:  — 

1.  Small  European  specimens  of  7iasus,  up  to  about  three  and  one 
half  feet  long,  are  known  to  lack  denticles  on  some  or  all  of  the  teeth. 
Young  specimens  from  the  Gulf  of  Maine  are  the  same  in  this  respect, 
as  appears  from  the  Halcyon  series,  just  described  (p.  240). 

£.  The  dissection  of  /.  imndatus,  shown  by  Garman  (1913,  pi.  62, 
fig.  2),  was  from  a  small  specimen;  and  one  of  the  beautiful  drawings 
shows  small  denticles  on  two  of  the  teeth,  when  sufficiently  magnified. 
Other  Massachusetts  specimens,  respectively  about  four  and  eight  feet 
long,  in  the  M.  C.  Z.,  have  the  denticles  well  developed. 

3.  Not  a  single  jaw  of  a  large  mackerel  shark  of  the  pundatus-nasus 
type,  has  been  actually  described  as  lacking  denticles,  since  Storer's 
time.  Garman  (1913,  p.  36),  it  is  true,  includes  in  the  synonymy  of  /. 
pundatus  a  specimen  of  Lamna  cornubica  recorded  by  Jordan  and 
Gilbert  (1883,  p.  29).  But  photographs  of  the  jaws  of  this  specimen, 
contributed  by  Dr.  H.  L.  Bruner  of  Butler  College,  show  prominent 
denticles;  classing  it  as  a  typical  nasus. 

Except,  then,  for  Storer's  figure  of  a  single  tooth,  there  is  no  pub- 
lished evidence  that  sharks  of  the  iiasus-pundafus  type  ever  grow  to 
large  size  in  American  waters  without  finally  developing  the  lateral 
denticles  on  some  if  not  on  all  of  the  teeth.  And  even  should  an  odd 
specimen  fail  to  develop  these  structures,  this  occasional  retention,  to 
maturity,  of  a  juvenile  character,  would  not  warrant  a  separate 
specific  name. 

The  present  state  of  our  knowledge  is  therefore  best  represented  by 
definitely  relegating  the  /.  pundatus  of  Storer  and  of  Garman  to  the 
synonym  of  /.  nasus  (Bonnaterre). 

The  presence  or  absence  of  the  lateral  denticles  on  the  teeth  being  to 
some  extent  an  inter^rading  character,  the  difference  between  the  one 
local  mackerel  shark  which  definitely  lacks  them  (7.  tigris)  and  the 
other  which  usually  develops  them  (7.  nasus)  is  regarded  as  specific, 
not  generic;  consequently  both  are  included  under  the  generic  designa- 
tion earliest  applied  to  either  of  them  —  Isurus  (Rafinesque  1810). 

Mutual  relationship  of  the  two  species  of  Isurus  so  far  known  from 
the  northeastern  Atlantic  may  then  be  tabulated  as  follows:  — 

A.  Snout  only  moderatelj'  pointed:  body  massive:  origin  of  first  dorsal  over 
axil  or  posterior  part  of  pectoral:  origin  of  second  dorsal  over  origin  of 
anal  or  very  slightly  in  advance  of  latter:  lower  caudal  lobe  only  about 
70%  as  long  as  upper.  Teeth  all  essentially  similar  in  shape,  with  basal 
denticles  in  adult,  though  these  denticles  may  be  lacking  on  some  or  all 
of  the  teeth  in  young  specimens Isurus  7iasus  (Bonnaterre). 


244  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

B.  Snout  much  sharper;  trunk  more  slender;  origin  of  first  dorsal  posterior  to 
pectoral;  origin  of  second  dorsal  well  anterior  to  anal;  lower  caudal  lobe 
relatively  longer  than  in  I.  nasus,  or  about  75%  as  long  as  upper;  no 
lateral  denticles  on  teeth;  first  two  teeth  from  the  median  line  of  mouth 
longer  than  the  others,  and  more  flexuous I.  tigris  (Atwood). 


2,   Galeus  glaucus  (Linne.)   Great  Blue  Shark, 

The  capture  of  eight  Great  Blue  Sharks  in  various  parts  of  the  Gulf 
of  Maine,  during  1925  and  1926,  leads  to  the  belief  that  this  species, 
heretofore  regarded  as  a  straggler  there,  is  one  of  the  more  common  of 
local  sharks,  for  besides  the  fish  actually  caught,  many  others  were 
seen. 

Along  our  coast  there  are  no  records  of  this  blue  shark  south  of  New 
York.  Bean  (1903,  p.  25)  and  Nichols  and  Murphy  (1916,  p.  9)  state 
that  it  is  "  occasionally"  found.  At  Woods  Hole  it  is  reported  as  one  of 
the  rarer  sharks.  Bigelow  and  Welsh  (1925,  p.  29),  summarizing  its 
known  occurrence  in  the  western  North  Atlantic,  mention  only  one 
record  from  the  Gulf  of  Maine.  But  they  point  out  that  sundry  speci- 
mens have  been  captured,  or  seen  off  the  outer  coast  of  Nova  Scotia; 
several,  for  example  at  Halifax;  and  at  Canso,  where  fishermen  de- 
scribe these  "blue  dogs"  as  common  on  the  fishing  banks  (Cornish, 
1907);  suggesting  that  it  is  actually  much  commoner  along  the  eastern 
seaboard  of  North  America  than  the  paucity  of  definite  records  might 
suggest. 

This  is  corroborated  by  the  following  list  of  Great  Blue  Sharks, 
caught  or  seen,  from  the  Halcyon  and  Albatross  II,  during  cod 
tagging  operations :  — 

August  24,  1925,  Great  Rip,  Nantucket  Shoals,  one  caught  (nine  and 
one  half  feet)  and  one  other  observed;  August  26,  1925,  Stellwagon 
Bank,  Massachusetts  Bay,  one  caught  (eleven  feet)  and  one  other  ob- 
served; September  2,  1925,  northern  end  of  Jeffreys  Ledge,  two  ob- 
served; September  3,  1925,  Platts  Bank,  four  caught  (six  and  one  half 
to  seven  feet)  and  about  twelve  others  observed,  at  times  four  or  five 
swimming  close  to  the  ship.  On  this  occasion  blue  sharks  were  in  sight 
at  nearly  all  times  throughout  the  day,  swimming  at  the  surface. 

Two  (about  ten  and  one  half  feet  long)  were  cailght  on  Georges 
Bank,  and  another  seen,  on  August  15,  1926. 

Measurements  in  inches  of  the  specimens  taken  were  as  follows :  — 


BIGELOW   AND   SCHROEDER:   SHARKS   AND   SKATES. 


245 


CO 

Aug.  24.  1925 
Great  Rip 
Nantucket  She 

Aug.  26,  1925 
Middle  Bank 
Massachusetts 

00          Sept.  3,  1925 
O           Platts  Bank 

Gulf  of  Maine 

Sept.  3,  1925 
Platts  Bank 
Gulf  of  Maine 

Sept.  3,  1925 
Platts  Bank 
Gulf  of  Maine 

Sept.  3,  1925 
Platts  Bank 
Gulf  of  Maine 

O   C3 

60  0 
3   « 

<C1 

o  a 
■^05 

1.   Total  length 

114 

132 

80 

77 

861 

126 

124 

2.   Snout  to  anterior  eye 

10 

n 

7 

6^ 

7 

91 

9i 

3.               to  anterior  mouth 

,    . 

7§ 

7 

7f 

lO-i 

10 

4.               to  first  gill-slit 

221 

25  .| 

15f 

15f 

15  § 

161 

231 

23§ 

5.               to  fifth  gill-slit 

291 

33 

19* 

191 

18f 

20f 

30 

29i 

6.               to  origin  of  first  dorsal 

4.51 

48 

31§ 

31i 

30 

341 

45^ 

46 

7.               to  origin  of  second  dorsal 

87 

54 

54 

52^ 

571 

82  § 

8U 

8.               to  caudal  pit 

90 

101  i 

62 

62^ 

60 1 

661 

96 

96 

9.   Diameter  of  eye 

If 

1| 

li 

U 

10.   Distance  between  angles  of  mouth 

10 

51 

51 

6 

9 

9 

11.    Height  of  first  dorsal 

10 

5^ 

6 

5f 

5f 

12i 

9^ 

12.                  of  second  dorsal 

4 

2 

2 

If 

2i 

31 

3^ 

13.                   of  anal 

5i 

01 

-4 

"4 

If 

3 

4 

14.    Posterior  first  dorsal  to   anterior 

second  dorsal 

24 

29  § 

17^ 

17^ 

17 

ISi 

.    . 

15.   Caudal  pit  to  tip  of  lobe,  upper 

30 

34 

2U 

20 

19f 

23 

31 

30§ 

16.                                               lower 

14| 

171 

91 

9f 

9f 

lU 

16J 

17 

17.   Length  of  pectoral 

27 

29 

15i 

17i 

16 

18 

27 

27 

18.   Distance  between  pectoral  tips 

62i 

64 

351 

38 

33  i 

361 

59  _ 

:  . 

20.   Teeth 

31 
31 

28 
23 

29 

29 

29 
29 

29 
30 

29 
29 

21.   Sex 

Male 

Male 

Male 

Male 

Although  the  Great  Blue  Shark  enters  the  Gulf  of  Maine  in  some 
numbers  in  certain  summers,  at  least  (perhaps  not  every  summer),  ap- 
parently it  seldom  comes  close  in  to  this  sector  of  the  coast  line:  witness 
the  paucity  of  records  from  the  pounds,  traps,  and  weirs.  This,  indeed, 
is  in  line  with  its  pelagic  habit. 

The  maximum  size  to  which  the  Great  Blue  Shark  grows  is  of  inter- 
est. Certainly  very  few  if  any  of  the  specimens  which  visit  the  coastal 
zone,  in  either  side  of  the  North  Atlantic,  are  more  than  eleven  or 
twelve  feet  long.  The  largest  specimen  captured  (listed  above)  was 
eleven  feet.  So,  too,  was  Day's  largest,  from  Great  Britain.  Couch 
(1862,  p.  36)  states  "  the  largest  I  have  heard  of,  but  not  seen,  was 


246  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

upwards  of  fourteen  feet  long."  And  recent  authors,  generally,  have 
credited  it  with  a  usual  maximum  length  of  10-12  feet.  Among  blue 
sharks,  as  among  other  fishes,  an  occasional  specimen  may  perhaps 
grow  much  larger  than  the  generality,  for  it  has  been  reported,  says 
Day  (1884),  to  attain  twenty-five  f.'et,  while  Lilljeborg  (1891,  p.  610) 
credits  it  with  7.5  meters  (about  twenty-four  and  one  half  feet).  But 
such  great  lengths,  if  not  mere  rumor,  would  be  most  exceptional. 


3.  Raja  granulata  Goode  and  Bean  (Gill  MS.). 

In  1879  Goode  and  Bean,  from  a  manuscript  description  by  Gill,  gave 
this  name  to  a  skate  from  La  Have  Bank,  the  exact  relationship  of 
which,  to  other  northwestern  Atlantic  skates,  has  since  remained  some- 
thing of  an  enigma.  The  original  very  brief  notice  of  this  "  remarkable 
species"  (Goode  and  Bean,  1879,  p.  28)  merely  described  it  as  of  the 
same  type  as  the  barn-door  skate  (now  known  as  R.  stahuUforis) ,  with 
ventral  as  well  as  dorsal  side  "covered  with  minute  sharp  granular 
ossifications";  "with  30-31  teeth  on  each  side;  the  back  granulated  and 
slate-colored;  the  ventrals  distinguished  by  reticulate  markings,  and 
the  claspers  slender  and  scarcely  expanded."  Subsequently  Goode 
and  Bean  (1896)  and  Jordan  and  Evermann  (1896)  suggest  that 
gramilatais  identical  with  the  "Barndoor"  {R.  stabvliforis:  then  known 
as  R.  laevis).  Jensen  (1914,  p.  31),  however,  from  examination  of  a 
specimen  in  the  U.  S.  N.  M.,  from  the  continental  edge  in  the  offing  of 
Halifax  (Lat.42^  37'  N;  Long.  62^  55'  W),  has  shown  that  this  is  not  the 
case,  but  that  R.  granulata  has  large  middorsal  thorns  on  the  disk  (seven 
in  the  specimen)  as  well  as  on  the  tail;  besides  one  large  preorbital,  two 
postorbital,  and  two  scapular  spines.  He  also  mentions  the  "  fine,  small 
spines"  which  cover  the  upper  surface,  giving  "the  skin  to  the  naked 
eye  a  grained  (granulated)  appearance."  But  he  states  that  the  lower 
surface  is  perfectly  smooth,  not  prick' y  as  Goode  and  Bean  described 
it.  The  specimen  examined  by  us,  from  the  same  locality,  however,  is 
covered  almost  everywhere  with  minute  rounded  tubercles,  below,  as 
well  as  above. 

Unfortunately  it  seems  that  the  original  specimen  of  R.  granulata  is 
no  longer  extant.  But  these  brief  notices  of  the  species  can  be  supple- 
mented by  the  following  description  of  a  female  specimen  from  the 
offing  of  Halifax,  200  fathoms,  in  the  U.  S.  N.  M.  (Cat.  23,483). 

Length  of  disk  1.36  in  width;  anterolateral  margin  slightly  convex 
opposite  eyes;  posterolateral  margin  nearly  straight;  angles  of  disk 


about  ;;7T  rows  on  each  side.    Distance  between  first  gill-slits  3.8  and 


BIGELOW   AND   SCHEOEDER:   SHARKS   AND   SKATES.  247 

slightly  more  acute  than  a  right  angle,  rounded  at  extreme  corners. 
Snout  acute,  its  distance  to  anterior  margin  of  eye  5.1  in  the  width  of 
the  disk.  Interorbital  (bone)  transversely  concave,  2.5  in  snout  to  eye; 
spiracles  close  to  eyes,  the  distance  between  their  inner  margins  1.3  in 
snout  to  eye.  Mouth  forming  an  obtuse  angle,  very  wide,  its  width  4.8 
in  width  of  disk.  Teeth  rather  long  and  pointed,  with  broad  base,  in 
28 
28 

between  fifth  gill-slits,  5.6  in  width  of  disk.  Outer  margin  of  ventrals 
gently  rounded,  the  length  of  fin  about  equal  to  distance  from  eye  to 
snout.  The  distance  from  anterior  margin  of  anus  to  origin  of  first 
dorsal  2.4,  and  to  second  dorsal  2.1,  in  width  of  disk.  Height  of  first 
dorsal  slightly  less  than  distance  from  second  dorsal  to  end  of  tail; 
height  of  second  dorsal  equal  to  distance  between  dorsals,  which  equals 
1.8  interorbital  (bone). 

Upper  surface  with  a  row  of  eight  large  spines  along  median  line  of 
back,  the  first  anterior  to  the  shoulder-girdle  and  the  last,  smaller  than 
the  others,  a  little  posterior  to  the  pelvic  girdle.  Tail  with  a  median  row 
of  five  large  spines,  the  distance  from  anterior  end  of  base  of  first  spine 
to  posterior  fifth  spine,  2.2  in  distance  from  fifth  spine  to  end  of  tail. 
A  spine  in  front  of  and  in  line  with  inner  margin  of  eye;  a  patch  of  three 
spines  behind  e^^e  and  opposite  inner  angle  of  spiracle,  the  middle  spine 
much  smaller  than  the  other  two.  Two  spines  on  shoulder,  the  anterior 
one  the  closest  to  the  median  line.  Numerous  small  prickles  with  stel- 
late bases,  on  snout,  on  interorbital,  along  anterolateral  margin  of  disk, 
along  posterolateral  disk  somewhat  in  from  the  margin.  A  few  small 
prickles  along  the  back  and  many  along  the  sides  of  tail.  Naked  or 
nearly  naked  areas  occur  between  and  posterior  to  the  spiracles,  be- 
tween the  back  and  basal  cartilage  of  the  pectorals,  along  the  median 
fine  of  back  between  the  large  spines,  and  on  the  ventrals.  Ventral 
surface  of  body  covered  rather  sparsely  almost  everywhere  with  mi- 
nute rounded  tubercles. 

Color  in  alcohol,  light  brown  above,  margins  of  pectorals  and  ven- 
trals somewhat  darker;  light  below,  margins  of  pectorals  dark  brown 
with  large  dark  areas  toward  center  of  body  and  on  ventrals  (the 
visceral  cavity  has  been  cut  away). 

Measurements.  -^^ 

Total  length 850 

Length  of  disk 480 

Width  of  disk 655 


248  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Snout  to  eye 132 

Disk  across  middle  of  eyes 270 

Interorbital  (bone) 51 

Distance  between  spiracles 95 

"  "        first  gill-slits 174 

fifth  gill-slits 117 

Snout  to  median  mouth 106 

Width  of  mouth 135 

Anterior  anus  to  end  of  tail 363 

"  "      "  origin  first  dorsal 272 

"  "      "       "      second  dorsal 311 

Distance  between  dorsals 29 

Posterior  margin  second  dorsal  to  end  of  tail 45 

Height  of  first  dorsal 42 

"        "  second  dorsal 28 

Anterior  base  of  first  middorsal  tail  spine  to  posterior  base  of  fifth 95 

Fifth  middorsal  tail-spine  to  end  of  tail 210 


BIGELOW   AND   SCHROEDEH:   SHARKS   AND   SKATES.  249 


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Bulletin  of  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology 

AT    HARVARD    COLLEGE. 

Vol.  LXVIII.  No.  6. 


SHALER  MEMORIAL  SERIES. 


THE  BRACHIOPODS  OF  THE  OTTOSEE  AND  HOLSTON 
FORMATIONS  OF  TENNESSEE  AND  VIRGINIA. 

By  Bradford  Willard. 


THE  BRACHIOPODS  OF  THE  LENOIR  AND 
ATHENS  FORMATIONS  OF  TENNESSEE  AND  VIRGINIA. 

By  Percy  E.  Raymond. 


With  Three  Plates. 


CAMBRIDGE,  MASS.,  U.  S.  A.: 

PRINTED  FOR  THE  MUSEUM. 

May,  1928. 


a 


No.  6a. —  The  Brachiopods  of  the  Ottosce  and  Holston  Formations  of 

Tennessee  and  Virginia. 

By  Bradford  Willard. 

Introduction. 

In  the  following  paper  will  be  found  descriptions  of  certain  species  of 
brachiopods  which  occur  in  the  Ottosee  and  Holston  formations  in 
Tennessee  and  Virginia.  The  material  is  part  of  that  collected  by  mem- 
bers of  the  Shaler  Memorial  Expeditions  sent  from  Harvard  University 
during  the  field  seasons  of  1917,  1918  and  1921.  Although  several  brief 
lists  of  the  fossils  of  these  formations  have  been  published,  no  attempt 
to  describe  the  brachiopods  has  previously  been  made. 


Class  BRACHIOPODA  Dumeril. 

Order  Atremata  Beecher. 
Superfamily  Lingulacea  Waagen. 

Family  Lingulidae  Gray. 
Genus  Palaeoglossa  Cockerell. 

Palaeoglossa  belli  (Billings). 

Lingula  belli  Billings,  Canadian  nat.  and  geologist,  ser.  1,  1859,  4,  p.  431-432, 

fig.  7,  8;  Geol.  Surv.  Canada,  1863,  p.  124,  fig.  47a-b. 
Glossina  belli  Raymond,  Ann.  Carnegie  mus.,  1911,  8,  p.  216,  pi.  33,  fig.  1. 
Oboltis  belli  Waleott,  Mem.  U.S.G.S.,  1912,  51,  pt.  1,  p.  386,  pi.  38,  fig.  3,  3a-b. 

Although  somewhat  smaller  than  the  specimens  figured  by  either 
Raymond  or  Waleott,  the  material  at  hand  shows  in  all  other  particu- 
lars close  similarity  to  the  type.  The  specimens  studied  include  one 
well-preserved  pedicle  valve  and  several  fragments  of  both  valves. 
They  have  a  uniform  curvature,  with  the  pedicle  valve  sharply  pointed 
posteriorly  and  the  brachial  blunt  in  that  direction.  The  anterior  edge 
shows  an  evenly  curved  outline.  Surface  markings  are  subequal  growth 
lines.  The  presence  of  deeply  impressed  muscle-scars  is  evident  in  the 
exfoliated  individuals,  the  shell  being  thicker  than  the  typical  Lingulas. 
The  dimensions  are:  length  21  mm.,  width  17  mm.,  length-width  index 
123.  The  size  and  curved  anterior  margin  together  with  the  difference 


256  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

in  the  posterior  extremities  in  the  two  valves  serve  to  distinguish  the 
species. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  Holston,  Ross  and  Repubhc  Quarry,  3  miles 
southeast  of  Knoxville,  Tenn. ;  and  Chazy,  Island  of  Montreal,  Canada, 
and  Valcour  Island,  N.  Y. 

Palaeoglossa  gibbosa,  sp.  nov. 
Plate  1,  fig.  3. 

This  is  a  large  brachiopod,  thick-shelled,  with  the  pedicle  valve  the 
larger  of  the  two,  due  to  the  posterior  end  being  pointed  and  extended 
over  the  pedicle.  The  exterior  is  covered  with  strong,  concentric  mark- 
ings when  not  exfoliated.  The  dimensions  are:  length  26  mm.,  width 
25  mm.,  height  11  mm.,  length-width  index  104.  The  greatest  width  is 
two-thirds  of  the  distance  forward  from  the  posterior  limits  of  the  shell. 

Horizon  and  Locality: — ^Murat  limestone,  Lexington,  Va.  Holotype 
no.  8587,  M.  C.  Z.       ' 


Genus  Lingula  Bruguiere. 

LiNGULA  lyelli  Billings. 

Plate  1,  fig.  2. 

Lingula  lyelli  Billings,  Can.  nat.  and  geol.,  1859,  4,  p.  348,  fig.  la-d,  p.  431. 
Geol.  Canada,  1863,  p.  124,  fig.  49.  Chapman,  Canadian  jour.,  n.  s.,  1863, 
8,  p.  195,  fig.  165c.  Expos,  min.  geol.  Canada,  1864,  p.  167,  fig.  165c. 
Raymond,  Ann.  Carnegie  mus.,  1911,  7,  p.  218,  pi.  33,  fig.  5,  6. 

A  Lingula  somewhat  doubtfully  referred  to  this  species  is  represented 
in  the  collection  by  several  more  or  less  well-preserved  specimens.  It 
agrees  with  L.  lyelli  in  its  elongate,  narrow,  almost  parallel-sided  form ; 
but  no  individuals  yet  found  reach  the  size  of  the  normal  specimens 
from  the  Chazy  of  Ontario.  The  index  of  Canadian  shells  (pedicle 
valve)  ranges  from  180  to  215.  That  of  the  most  perfect  specimens 
from  the  Ottosee  is  180  for  the  pedicle  and  175  for  the  brachial  valve. 
Mature  examples  of  the  species  have  nearly  straight  sides  and  are 
rather  blunt  in  front.  The  valves  are  not  evenly  convex,  but  show 
flattened  slopes.  The  surface  markings  are  fine,  concentric  growth 
lines.  Dimensions:  length  of  brachial  valve,  14  mm.,  width  8  mm., 
length-width  index  175.    The  greatest  width  is  just  forward  of  the 


WILLARD   AND   RAYMOND:   BRACHIOPODS.  257 

middle.   The  species  differs  from  other  Lingulas  of  the  horizon  in  its 
high  index,  rather  small  size  and  the  flattened  areas  of  the  valves. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  Holston,  McNutt  Quarry,  Sharon  Springs, 
Va.   Figured  specimen  no.  8586  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 

LiNGULA  NARRAWAYI  WilsOU. 

Lingula  narrawnyi  Wilson,  Canadian  geol.  surv.,  Victoria  mem.  miis.  bull.,  33, 
1921,  p.  49,  pi.  .3,  fig.  4. 

This  species  has  small  valves  with  subovate  outline  and  faint  con- 
centric markings,  the  interiors  of  the  valves  not  being  preserved  among 
the  materials  studied.  The  shell  is  very  thin  and  delicate,  which,  with 
its  small  size,  are  the  chief  distinctive  features  of  this  species.  Owing 
to  the  ill  state  of  preservation  of  the  material,  the  finer  details  could 
not  be  determined.  Dimensions:  length  5.5  mm.,  width  2.5  mm., 
length-width  index  220. 

Horizon  and  Locality: — Holston,  three  miles  east  of  Blacksburg,  Va., 
and  Lowville,  Ottawa,  Canada. 


Order  NEOTREMATA  Beecher. 

Superfamily  Siphonotretacea  Walcott  and  Schuchert. 

Family  Siphonotretidae  Kutorga. 

Genus  Schizambon  Walcott. 

SCHIZAMBON  CUNEATUS,  sp.  nOV. 

Plate  1,  fig.  4. 

The  species  is  represented  by  a  single  well-preserved  individual  and 
several  fragments.  The  shell  is  oval,  rather  depressed  and  evenly 
curved  with  a  deep  pedicle  opening.  The  surface  is  marked  by  heavy, 
compound,  concentric  growth  lamellae  and  ornamented  by  numerous 
spines,  averaging  about  2  mm.  in  length.  The  dimensions  of  a  pedicle 
valve  are:  length  15.5  mm.,  width"  13.5  mm.,  length-width  index  114. 
Widest  point  seems  to  be  about  one-third  of  the  length  back  from  the 
anterior  margin.  The  form  differs  from  S.  dodgci  in  being  more  pointed 
posteriorly  and  from  S.  dupUcimuratxis  in  its  greater  size. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  Holston,  McNutt  Quarry,  Sharon  Springs, 
Va.,  and  also  from  the  Ottosee  at  the  base  of  the  formation,  north  of 
Luttrell,  Tehn.   Holotype,  no.  8588,  M.  C.  Z. 


258  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 


Subfamily  Acrotretacea 
Family  Acrotretidae  Schuchert. 
Superfamily  Acrotretinae  Matthew, 
Genus  Conotreta  Walcott. 

Conotreta  declivis,  sp.  nov. 

Pedicle  valve  small,  high,  semioval  in  outline,  with  wide,  flat  or 
slightly  concave  false  area,  along  the  median  line  of  which  the  course  of 
the  pedicle  tube  is  visible.  The  beak  is  far  back,  above  the  hinge,  so 
that  the  area  is  nearlv  vertical.  Surface  ornamented  bv  fine,  concentric 
lines. 

The  apex  of  the  cast  of  the  interior  of  the  shell  is  deeply  indented  by 
a  narrow  fissure  which  extends  about  one-quarter  of  the  way  down  to 
the  front  of  the  shell.  On  either  side  of  it  are  faintly  impressed,  radiat- 
ing, longitudinal  scars  like  those  of  Conotreta  rusti. 

Remarks. 

This  species  differs  from  Conotreta  rusti  Walcott  (Proc.  U.  S.  nat. 
mus.,  1890,  12,  p.  365,  fig.  1-4)  in  the  semioval  instead  of  nearly  square 
outline,  and  in  having  the  beak  further  back,  forming  a  nearly  vertical 
false  area.  In  the  latter  feature  it  resembles  C.  conoidea  Reed  (Trans. 
Roy.  soc.  Edinburgh,  1917,  51,  p.  817,  pi.  4,  fig.  1-5)  from  the  Stinchar 
limestone  of  Scotland. 

Measurements:  —  The  holotype  is  2.5  mm.  long,  3  mm.  wide  and  2.5 
mm.  high. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  A  single  specimen  was  found  in  the  Holston 
limestone  at  the  McNutt  Quarry  at  Sharon  Springs,  Va.,  and  is  no. 
8593  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 

Family  Acrosaccidae  nov. 

Shells  similar  in  structure  to  Acrothele,  but  with  the  dorsal  protegu- 
lum  intramarginal. 

Genus  Acrosaccus  nov. 

Pedicle  valve  conical,  without,  or  rarely  with,  a  false  cardinal  area. 
Dorsal  protegulum  near  the  posterior  margin.  Genotype,  Acrosaccus 
shuleri  sp.  nov. 


WILLARD    AND    RAYMOND:    BRACHIOPODS.  259 

ACROSACCUS  SHULERI,  Sp.  nOV. 

Plate  3,  figs.  1,  2. 

Pedicle  shell  circular  in  outline,  nearly  evenly  conical,  the  apex  a 
little  behind  the  middle,  the  apical  angle  being  about  90°,  as  viewed 
from  the  front.  The  posterior  slope  is  slightly  convex,  without  false 
area,  but  showing,  in  the  present  partially  exfoliated  condition,  the 
course  of  the  pedicle  tube.  Apex  sharp,  with  an  exceedingly  minute  scar 
of  the  pedicle  opening,  the  tube  having  apparently  been  closed  by  a 
plug  at  maturity.  Surface  marked  by  closely  spaced,  sharp,  elevated, 
concentric  lines. 

Brachial  valve  almost  circular,  nearly  flat,  the  beak  slightly  elevated 
and  situated  near  the  posterior  margin.  Ornamentation  like  that  of  the 
pedicle  valve. 

Remarks. 

Taken  by  itself,  the  pedicle  valve  of  this  species  would  be  referred  to 
Acrothele,  but  the  intramarginal  position  of  the  beak  of  a  brachial 
valve  having  the  same  ornamentation  indicates  that  not  only  is  the 
shell  not  an  Acrothele,  but  does  not  belong  to  the  Acrotretidae.  The 
presence  of  a  pedicle  tube  proves  the  relationship  to  the  Acrotretacea 
rather  than  the  Discinacea. 

Measurements:  —  The  pedicle  valve  is  9.5  mm.  long  and  the  width 
is  the  same;  the  height  is  5  mm.  The  brachial  valve  is  that  of  a  smaller 
individual,  being  5  mm.  in  diameter. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  A  rare  species  in  the  Holston  limestone  at 
the  McNutt  Quarry  at  Sharon  Springs,  \a.  Cotypes  no.  8591,  M.  C.  Z. 


ACROSACCUS  PANNEUS,  sp.  nov. 

Plate  3,  fig.  3. 

Ventral  valve  depressed  conical,  with  the  apex  back  of  the  center. 
All  slopes  gently  convex,  the  apicul  angle  being  about  1 10°.  The  speci- 
men is  exposed  from  the  inside,  and  in  breaking  away  the  shell,  there 
was  revealed  a  pedicle  tube  of  small  diameter  extending  along  the 
posterior  side  to  the  apex.  The  lower  part  was  full  of  clear  calcite;  the 
upper  portion  seems  to  have  been  plugged  with  shelly  matter.  The 
surface  appears  to  have  been  covered  with  raised,  concentric,  linear 
ridges. 


260  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Remarks. 

This  species  is  referred  to  Acrosaccus  rather  than  to  Aerothele  be- 
cause of  its  evident  similarity  to  Acrosaccus  sinderi.  From  that  species 
it  differs  in  having  a  lower  pedicle  valve  with  a  wider  apical  angle. 

Measurements:  —  The  length  and  width  are  each  18  mm.  The  height 
is  about  5  mm. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  A  single  specimen  was  found  in  the  Holston 
at  the  McNutt  Quarry  at  Sharon  Springs,  Va.,  and  is  no  8592  in  the 
M.  C.  Z. 

Superfamily  Craniacea  Waagen 
Family  Craniidae  King. 
Genus  Petrocrania  Raymond. 

Petrocrania  prona  Raymond. 

Plate  1,  fig.  6. 

Crania  prona  Raymond,  Ann.  Carnegie  mus.  1906,  3,  p.  574. 
Petrocrania  -prona  Raymond,  Ann.  Carnegie  mus.,  1911,  7,  p.  229,  pi.  34,  fig. 
26-31. 

The  ventral  valve  is  not  present  in  the  material  under  discussion, 
but  several  more  or  less  complete  brachial  valves  are  available  giving  a 
fair  idea  of  both  surfaces.  This  shell  is  of  a  squarish  outline  and  low, 
highest  about  one-third  the  way  forward  from  the  posterior  margin. 
The  surface  markings  are  concentric,  lamellose  growth  lines.  The  in- 
terior shows  two  prominent  scars  of  the  anterior  adductors  just  behind 
the  centre,  with  small  ones  posterior  to  these,  which  represent  the 
hinder  adductors.  In  the  anterior  part  of  the  interior  of  the  valves  may 
be  seen  traces  of  the  vascular  sinuses,  but  poorly  preserved  in  the  ma- 
terial on  hand.  The  dimensions  are:  length  16  mm.,  width  15.5  mm., 
length-width  index  103.  It  is  distinguished  from  P.  ulrichi  in  the  more 
posterior  position  of  the  muscle-scars. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  Ottosee,  above  the  lowest  marble  at  the 
quarry  north  of  Luttrell,  Tenn.—  Holston,  base,  at  Hoge  Farm,  Bland 
Co.,  Va.  (doubtful  identity).—  Chazyan,  Valcour  Id.  and  Chazy,  N.  Y. 
Figured  specimen  no.  8589,  M.  C.  Z. 

Petrocrania  cicatricula,  sp.  nov. 

Plate  3,  fig.  4. 

The  species  is  represented  by  brachial  valves  which  differ  from 
others  of  the  genus  in  being  very  convex  and  rounded,  almost  hemi- 


WILLARD   AND   RAYMOND:   BRACHIOPODS.  261 

spherical,  with  a  shght  depression  extending  from  the  anterior  margin 
half  way  to  the  back.  The  interior  shows  very  faint  circular  impres- 
sions of  the  anterior  adductors  and  some  traces  of  the  vascular  sinuses 
anterior  to  these,  with  a  medial  ridge  corresponding  to  the  external  de- 
pression. Dimensions  are:  length  14  mm.,  width  14  mm.,  length-width 
index  100. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  Ottosee,  base  of  shale  above  the  lowest 
marble  at  quarry  north  of  Luttrell,  Tenn.  Holotype  no.  S590  in  the 
M.  C.  Z. 

Order  Protremata  Beecher. 
Superfamily  Orthacea  Walcott. 
Family  Orthidae  Woodward. 
Genus  Orthis  Dalman. 

Orthis  disparilis  Conrad. 

Orthis  disparilis  Conrad,  Proc.  acad.  nat.  sci.  Philadelphia,  184,3,  1,  p.  331,  333. 
HaU,Pal.  N.  Y.,  1847, 1,  p.  119,  pi.  32,  fig.  4a-c.  Emmons,  Amer.  geol.,  1855, 
1,  pt.  2,  p.  194,  pi.  9,  fig.  4a-c.  Hall,  Geol.  Wis.,  1862,  1,  p.  435.  Billings, 
Geol.  Canada,  1863,  p.  130,  fig.  60. 

The  species  is  represented  in  the  material  under  discussion  by  small 
shells,  having  the  brachial  valve  flat  and  the  pedicle  valve  strongly 
convex  to  almost  triangular  in  cross  section.  They  are  marked  by 
thirty  to  thirty-two  simple,  sharp  plications  averaging  six  to  a  space  of 
five  millimeters  along  the  anterior  margin.  The  cardinal  area  is  high, 
concave,  with  a  large  delthj'rium.  The  hinge-line  is  long.  The  size  is 
slightly  variable,  but  an  average,  well-preserved  specimen  has  the  fol- 
lowing dimensions :  width  15  mm.,  length  14  mm.,  height  7  mm.  length 
of  hinge-line  14  mm.  The  greatest  width  is  just  anterior  to  the  highest 
point  of  the  pedicle  valve.  The  length-width  index  is  93.  This  shell 
would  be  placed  with  Orthis  tricenaria  as  generally  understood,  but 
probably  sufficient  difference  is  found  to  make  it  advisable  to  revive 
Conrad's  species,  0.  disparilis.  It  is  smaller  than  0.  tricenaria,  and  it  is 
upon  this  distinction,  that  the  species  is  based,  although  in  other  points 
the  two  are  similar.  Comparing  this  with  0.  costalis,  it  is  readily  dis- 
tinguished by  its  smaller  size  and  pointed  cardinal  angles. 

Horizon  and  Loccdity:  —  Rare  in  the  Ottosee  at  Fugates  Hill,  Va.,  at 
base  of  Ottosee  north  of  Luttrell,  and  between  second  and  third  marbles 
near  Chesney,  Tenn. ;  also  in  the  Tellico  at  South  Knoxville,  Tenn.  It 
was  originally  described  from  the  Black  River  formation  at  Mineral 
Point,  Wis. 


262  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Genus  Plectorthis  Hall  and  Clarke. 

Plectorthis  exfoliata  Raymond. 

Hebertella  exfoliata  Raymond,  Amer.  jour,  sci.,  1905,  ser.  4,  20,  p.  370. 
Plectorthis  exfoliata  Raymond,  Ann.  Carnegie  mus.,  1911,  7,  p.  238,  pi.  35, 
fig.  11,  12. 

This  is  one  of  the  small  Orthids,  which  helps  in  distinguishing  it  from 
others.  Both  valves  are  convex  and  rounded,  showing  suggestions  of  a 
fold  in  the  pedicle  valve  and  an  equally  vague  trace  of  a  sinus  in  the 
brachial.  The  plications  are  rather  rounded  with  an  occasional  bifurca- 
tion, and  in  some  individuals,  a  noticeable  variation  in  point  of  size. 
Usually,  there  are  from  eight  to  ten  in  a  space  of  fi\e  millimeters  as 
measured  along  the  anterior  margin,  there  being  in  all  from  thirty  to 
forty  on  each  valve.  The  dimensions  are:  width  16  mm.,  length  13  mm., 
height  5  mm.,  length-width  index  81.  The  greatest  width  is  at  a  point 
about  one-sixth  of  the  distance  from  the  hinge-line. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  Comparatively  rare  in  the  Ottosee  toward 
the  middle,  north  of  Mendota,  Va.,  and  in  the  lower  part  north  of 
Luttrell,  Tenn.  Also  reported  from  Chazyan  (Day  Point),  Chazy, 
Valcour,  and  Valcour  Island,  N.  Y.  and  Isle  La  Motte,  Vt. 

• 

Plectorthis  holdeni,  sp.  nov. 
Plate  1,  fig.  5. 

Shell  small,  biconvex,  wider  than  long,  with  simple  plications.  The 
hinge-width  is  less  than  that  further  forward,  and  the  cardinal  areas  of 
both  valves  are  low.  The  brachial  valve  is  evenly  convex,  the  pedicle 
valve  somewhat  flattened  in  front  of  the  umbo.  Each  valve  has  from 
20  to  24  plications,  those  along  the  middle  conspicuously  larger  than 
those  near  the  hinge,  there  being  a  gradual  diminution  in  size  from  the 
median  line  backward. 

Only  separated  valves  have  so  far  been  found.  The  holotype,  a 
pedicle  valve,  is  10  mm.  long,  13  mm.  wide  at  the  hinge  and  15  mm.  in 
greatest  width.  No  larger  individual  has  been  seen,  but  somewhat 
smaller  ones  are  quite  common. 

This  species  is  closely  allied  to  Plectorthis  trcntonensis  Foerste,  but 
differs  in  having  the  plications  along  the  middle  of  the  shell  very  much 
larger  than  those  at  the  sides. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  Several  specimens  were  found  near  the  base 
of  the  Holston  limestone  at  Speers  Ferry,  Va.  Holotype  no.  8595,  M.  C.  Z. 


WILLARD   AND   RAYMOND:   BRACHIOPODS.  263 


Genus  Hebertella  Hall  and  Clarke. 

Hebertella  melonica,  sp.  nov. 
Plate  1,  figs.  8,  9. 

Shell  transversely  oval  in  outline,  the  two  valves  about  equally  con- 
vex, covered  with  fine  striae  which  increase  b}'  both  bifurcation  and 
implantation.  The  hinge-width  is  considerably  less  than  the  greatest 
width,  and  the  cardinal  area  of  the  pedicle  valve  is  of  median  height  for 
the  genus,  nearly  flat,  Ijut  gently  concave  under  the  beak;  that  of  the 
brachial  valve  is  about  half  the  height  of  the  opposite  area,  and  de- 
cidedly concave.  The  delthyrium  is  narrow. 

The  interior  of  the  pedicle  valve  displays  a  prominent  muscle-scar 
extending  nearly  one-third  of  the  length  of  the  shell  toward  the  ante- 
rior margin,  and  of  equal  width  and  length  (6.5  mm.).  It  is  trilobate, 
the  two  exterior  lobes,  representing  the  attachments  of  the  diductors, 
are  equal;  the  intermediate  lobe  which  forms  the  attachment  of  the 
adductors  is  on  the  summit  of  a  narrow  ridge  rising  to  an  abrupt  promi- 
nence at  the  anterior  edge  of  the  scar.  The  whole  is  slightly  elevated 
above  the  general  surface.  In  front  of  the  muscular  area  is  a  shield- 
shaped  region,  pointed  toward  the  front,  outlined  on  either  side  by  a 
wide,  well-impressed  vascular  sinus,  which,  near  the  front,  breaks  up 
into  a  number  of  short  distributaries.  The  surface  of  this  shield  and  of 
other  areas  outside  the  sini,  is  covered  with  elongated  papilli.  The  an- 
terior margin  of  the  shell  is  nearly  straight,  but  it  may  be  slightly  con- 
cave along  the  middle.  Dimensions  are:  width  27  mm.,  length  24.5 
mm.,  width  at  hinge  line  20  mm.,  length-width  index  91.  The  point  of 
greatest  width  lies  about  half  way  back  from  the  anterior  margin.  In 
a  space  of  five  millimeters  at  the  anterior  margin  there  are  usually 
eleven  striations.  The  fineness  of  the  striations  distinguishes  the  spe- 
cies from  Hebertella  horealis;  Hebertella  frankfortensis  is  aliout  equal  to 
it  in  size,  but  has  coarser  striations  and  a  higher  cardinal  area.  H. 
maria-'parkensis  has  a  much  lower  length-width  index.  H.  melonica  is 
larger  than  H.  nickelsi  and  does  riot  have  a  pointed  anterior  margin, 
and  the  same  features  serve  to  distinguish  it  from  H.  rogerensis.  It  is 
larger  and  has  finer  striations  and  more  prominent  growth  lines  than 
H.  vulgaris. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  Ottosee  at  Fugates  Hill  north  of  Mendota, 
Va. ;  north  of  Luttrell,  and  between  the  second  and  third  marbles  near 
Chesney,  Tenn.    The  species  is  also  present  in  the  Holston  at  the 


264  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

McNutt  Quarry,   Sharon  Springs,  Va.    Holotype  no.   8596  in  the 
M.  C.  Z. 

Hebertella  vulgaris  Raymond. 

Orthis  perveta  Billings  (not  Conrad),  Canadian  nat.  and  geol.,  1859,  4,  p.  434, 

fig.  10. 
Orthis  suhaequata  Billings  (not  Billings,  1856),  Canadian  nat.  and  geol.,  1859, 

p.  434. 
Orthis  gibbosa  Billings,  Canadian  nat.  and  geol.,  4,  1859,  p.  434. 
Hebertella  vulgaris  Raymond,  Ann.  Carnegie  mus.,  1906,  3,  p.  501 ;  ibid.,  1911,  7, 

no.  2,  p.  242,  text  figs.  15-18,  p.  246,  fig.  22,  pi.  36,  figs.  2-5. 

The  species  seems,  from  the  abundance  of  the  material,  to  be  fairly 
common  in  the  Holston.  As  previously  described,  the  form  occurs  both 
as  large  and  small  individuals;  those  under  consideration  seem  to  be  all 
of  the  lesser  size.  The  convexity  of  the  shells  is  about  equal,  although  a 
very  sUght  sinus  is  sometimes  present  in  the  brachial  valve.  Growth 
lines  are  few,  and  striae  increase  by  bifurcation  and  implantation.  The 
dimensions  are:  length  18  mm.,  width  22  mm.,  length-width  index  82. 
In  a  space  of  five  millimeters  along  the  anterior  margin  are  found  ten 
striations.  It  is  distinguished  from  //.  borealis  by  its  greater  width,  and 
it  is  smaller  and  less  gibbous  than  H.  melonica. 

A  few  specimens  referable  to  this  species  have  been  found  in  the 
Ottosee.  From  the  exteriors  alone  they  are  not  easily  separable  from 
Pionodema  globosa,  but  the  interiors  of  two  pedicle  valves  show  the 
characteristic  muscle-areas  and  vascular  sini  of  Hebertella.  An  interior 
of  a  brachial  valve  shows  the  thin  cardinal  process  on  a  platform  sup- 
ported by  the  median  septum,  as  in  specimens  from  Valcour  Island, N.Y. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  Holston,  base  of  reef,  Hoge  Farm,  Bland 
County,  Va.,  and  McNutt  Quarry,  Sharon  Springs,  Va.  Also  in  the 
Chazyan  at  Chazy  and  Valcour  Island,  N.  Y.,  and  in  Canada.  In  the 
Ottosee  at  the  base  of  the  shale  above  the  lowest  marble  in  a  quarry  to 
the  north  of  Luttrell  and  between  the  second  and  third  marbles  near 
Chesney,  Tenn.  Also  in  the  Lenoir  in  the  Catawba  Valley,  Va.,  are 
found  specimens  which  may  be  of  this  species. 

Genus  Glyptorthis  Foerste. 

Glyptorthis  bellarugosa  (Conrad). 

Orthis  bellarugosa  Conrad,  Proc.  acad.  nat.  sci.  Philadelphia,  1813,  1,  p.  333- 
Hall,  Pal.  N.  Y.,  1847,  1,  p.  118,  pi.  32,  fig.  3a-e.  Emmons,  Amer.  geol. 
1855,  1,  pt.  2,  p.  197,  pi.  9,  fig.  3a-d.  Shaler,  Mem.  geol.  surv.  Ky.,  1876, 1, 
p.  35. 


WILLARD   AND   RAYMOND:   BRACHIOPODS.  265 

Hebertella  bellarugosa  Hall  and  Clarke,  Pal.  N.  Y.,  1892,  8,  pt.  1,  p.  222.  Grabau 
and  Shimer,  N.  Am.  index  fossils,  1907,  1,  p.  255,  figs.  304d-e.  Raymond, 
Ann.  Carnegie  mus.,  1911,  7,  p.  245,  text  figs.  19,  20,  pi.  36,  figs.  8,  9. 

Orthis  {Hebertella?)  bellarugosa  Winchell  and  Schuchert,  Geol.  Minn.,  1893,  3 
pt.  1,  p.  434,  pi.  33,  figs.  1-4.  Schuchert,  Proc.  U.  S.  nat.  mus.,  1900,  22,  p. 
157. 

Glyptorthis  bellarugosa  Foerste,  Bull.  sci.  lab.  Denison  univ.,  1914,  17,  p.  258 
(gen.  ref.). 

The  species  is  rare  in  this  area,  only  two  individuals  having  been 
found  thus  far  whose  identity  is  unquestionably  proved.  The  shell  is 
small  with  valves  nearly  equal  in  convexity,  the  brachial  having  a  mere 
suggestion  of  a  sinus.  The  hinge  line  is  straight,  and  the  cardinal  area 
relatively  large.  The  most  striking  feature  and  the  one  which  dis- 
tinguishes this  form  from  all  other  genera  of  the  Orthidae  is  the  pattern 
of  the  surface  markings.  In  it  the  radiating  striae  are  crossed  by  con- 
centric growth  lines  in  such  a  fashion  as  to  give  a  scalloped,  or  imbri- 
cating effect.  The  dimensions  are:  width  11  mm.,  length  9  mm.,  height 
5.5  mm.,  length  of  hinge  line  8.5  mm.,  length-width  index  82.  In  a 
space  of  five  millimeters  along  the  anterior  margin  there  are  eleven 
striations. 

Ilorizon  and  Locality:  —  The  specimens  are  from  the  Ottosee  at 
Liberty  Hill  and  at  a  point  100  feet  below  the  Moccasin  between 
Chesney  and  Luttrell,  Tenn.  Also  reported  from  Black  River  forma- 
tion at  Mineral  Point,  Janesville,  Neenah,  etc..  Wis.,  Minneapolis, 
St.  Paul,  Cannon  Falls,  etc.,  Minn.,  Decorah  and  McGregor,  Iowa, 
Curdsville,  Ky.  and  Baffin  Land.  It  is  common  in  the  Ridley  in  central 
Tennessee  and  in  the  middle  Chazy  of  the  Champlain  Valley. 


Subfamily  Dalmanellinae  Schuchert 
Genus  Dalmanella  Hall  and  Clarke. 

Dalmanella  rogata  (Sardeson). 

Orthis  rogata  Sardeson,  Bull.  Minn.  acad.  nat.  sci.,  1892,  3,  p.  331,  pi.  5,  figs. 

1-4.  Amer.  geol.  1897,  19,  p.  95,  pL  4,  figs.  1-10. 
Orthis  {Dalmanella)  testudinaria  Hall  and  Clarke,  Pal.  N.  Y.,  1892,  8,  pt.  1, 

pi.  5B,  figs.  27-31.   Winchell  and  Schuchert,  Geol.  Minn.,  1893,  3,  pt.  1, 

p.  441,  pi.  33,  figs.  17-22. 

The  shell  is  small,  nearly  circular  in  outline,  with  a  hinge  line  less 
than  the  greatest  width.  The  pedicle  valve  is  convex,  with  a  relatively 
high  umbo  continued  anteriorly  in  a  ridge  which  widens  and  merges 
into  the  general  contour  of  the  shell  half  way  to  the  margin.    The 


266  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

brachial  valve  is  nearly  flat  with  a  more  or  less  ill-defined  sinus.  The 
surface  is  ornamented  with  fine,  radiating  striae  showing  a  slight  irregu- 
larity in  spacing.  The  dimensions  are:  width  12.5  mm.,  length  11.5 
mm.,  height  5  mm.,  width  at  hinge  line  7.5  mm.  The  length-width 
index  is  92.  At  a  point  midway  between  the  hinge  line  and  the  anterior 
margin  is  the  greatest  wndth  of  the  shell.  The  brachial  valve  is  some- 
what more  convex  than  in  most  of  the  Trenton  representatives  of  this 
species.  The  species  is  distinguished  from  DabnancUa  bassJcri  and  D. 
fcrtilis  in  being  much  smaller.  It  is,  on  the  other  hand,  nearly  twice  as 
large  as  D.  hamhirgensis.  It  lacks  the  concentric  lines  of  growth  seen 
in  D.  testudinaria  and  the  striations  are  much  finer. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  Ottosee  at  Liberty  Hill,  Tenn.,  where  it  is 
common,  and  in  the  Black  River  and  Trenton  at  numerous  localities  in 
North  America. 


Family  Rhipidomellidae  Schuchert. 
Subfamily  Plaesiominae  Schuchert. 
Genus  Plaesiomys  Hall  and  Clarke. 

Plaesiomys  platys  (Billings.) 
Plate  1,  figs.  10,  11. 

Orthis  platys  Billings,  Canadian  nat.  and  geol.  1859,  4,  p.  438,  figs.  15a-c. 
Geol.  Canada,  1863,  p.  129,  figs.  54a-c.  Hall  and  Clarke,  Pal.  N.  Y.,  1892, 
8,  pt.  1,  p.  218.  Winchell  and  Schuchert,  Geol.  Minn.,  1893,  3,  pt.  1,  p.  424. 

Dinorthis  platys  Schuchert,  Bull.  U.S.G.S.,  1897,  87,  p.  216. 

Plaesiomys  platys  Raymond,  Ann.  Carnegie  mus.,  1911,  7,  p.  238,  pi.  35,  figs. 
13-14. 

As  generally  encountered,  this  is  a  rather  small  form,  usually  not 
exceeding  twenty-five  millimeters  in  width,  but  a  few  individuals  are 
met  that  reach  a  width  of  between  thirty  and  thirty-five  millimeters, 
though  the  smaller  forms  seem  to  be  more  typical  of  the  fauna  under 
analysis.  The  pedicle  valve  is  convex  at  the  umbo  giving  way  to  a 
plane  or  slightly  concave  area  anteriorly.  The  brachial  valve  is  well- 
rounded  and  convex  with  a  slight  medial  depression  toward  the  ante- 
rior margin  and  strong  depressions  just  in  front  of  the  posterior  edges 
of  the  shell.  The  posterior  edges  above  the  hinge  line  may  show  a 
tendency  to  turn  up  in  a  ridge  extending  from  the  neighborhood  of  the 
delthyrium  to  the  cardinal  extremities.  The  hinge  line  of  the  adult  is 
nearly  equal  to  the  greatest  width  of  the  shell.  Young  individuals  have 


WILLAED   AND   RAYMOND:   BRACHIOPODS.  267 

the  greatest  width  at  the  hinge.  The  surface  markings  are  fine,  well- 
defined  striations.  The  cardinal  area  is  long  and  narrow.  The  interior 
of  the  pedicle  valve  bears  a  small,  poorly-defined  muscle-scar,  the 
brachial  having  a  pronounced,  though  short,  cardinal  process.  Dimen- 
sions of  an  average  individual  are:  width  33.5  mm.,  length  27  mm., 
height  9  mm.,  length  of  hinge  line  29.5  mm.,  length-width  index  83. 
In  a  space  of  five  millimeters  on  the  anterior  margin  are  found  nine 
striations.  The  species  may  be  distinguished  from  Plaesiomys  deflecta 
by  its  large  size  and  much  less  convex  brachial  valve,  whereas  its  plica- 
tions are  much  finer  and  the  cardinal  extremities  more  extended  than 
in  D.  ulrichi. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  Ottosee  at  Fugates  Hill,  and  Speers  Ferry, 
Va.,  and  in  Tennessee  between  the  second  and  third  marbles  near 
Chesnev,  100  feet  below  the  Lowville  between  Chesnev  and  Luttrell, 
north  of  Luttrell,  and  at  Liberty  Hill.  Also  reported  in  the  Chazyan  at 
Montreal,  Quebec;  Crown  Point,  Valcour  Island  and  Chazy,  N.  Y.  and 
in  eastern  Tennessee  (Lenoir).  The  species  is  found  in  the  Holston 
formation  at  Fountain  City,  Luttrell,  and  at  the  Ross  and  Republic 
Quarry,  3  miles  southeast  of  Knoxville,  Tenn.  At  those  localities  it  is 
well  represented  by  fairly  well-preserved  specimens  showing  the  char- 
acteristically fine  striations  and  the  extended  cardinal  extremities  of 
the  species.  In  the  Lenoir  of  the  Catawba  Valley,  Va.,  many  specimens 
of  this  species  are  found.  Figured  specimens  nos.  8598  and  8599, 
M.  C.  Z. 

Plaesiomys  elongata,  sp.  nov. 

Plate  1,  figs.  15,  16. 

The  species  is  rather  closely  allied  to  Plaesiomys  platys,  but  is  longer 
in  proportion  to  the  width,  the  pedicle  valve  is  more  convex  through- 
out, and  the  brachial  valve  lacks  the  medial  and  lateral  depressions 
found  in  the  species  described  above.  The  brachial  valve  is  more  con- 
vex than  in  P.  platys,  and  its  anterior  end  shows  a  cardinal  process  that 
is  short  and  rhombic  in  shape.  The  interior  of  the  pedicle  valve  bears  a 
bilobate  muscle-scar,  distinct  but  not  large.  The  striations  are  fine  and 
distinct,  while  concentric  growth  liYies  may  or  may  not  be  a  prominent 
feature  on  the  valves.  The  dimensions  are:  width  23  mm.,  length 
21.5  mm.,  height  11.5  mm.,  length  of  hinge  fine  20.5  mm.,  length-width 
index  93.  In  a  space  of  five  millimeters  on  the  anterior  margin  are 
found  ten  striations. 

Horizon  and  locality:  —  Ottosee  at  Liberty  Hill,  north-  of  Luttrell, 
Tenn.   Holotype  no.  8601,  M.  C.  Z. 


268  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 


Plaesiomys  brevis,  sp.  nov. 
Plate  1,  figs.  12,  14. 

Shell  similar  in  all  respects  to  Plaesiomys  platys,  but  with  much 
shorter  valves,  the  index  varying  from  61  for  a  young  shell,  10.5  mm., 
long  to  64  for  an  adult  18  mm.  in  length.  The  greatest  width  is  at  the 
hinge  in  nearly  all  specimens,  but  the  angles  become  rounded  on  some 
adults. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  This  is  a  common  species  in  the  Ottosee  at 
Fugates  Hill  north  of  Mendota,  Va.,  and  there  is  a  single  specimen  from 
the  top  of  the  Ottosee  5  miles  northwest  of  Rogers ville,  Tenn.  Cotypes 
no.  8600,  M.  C.  Z. 

Genus  Dinorthis  Hall  and  Clarke. 

DiNORTHis  pectinella  (Emmons). 

Orthis  pectinella  Emmons,  Geol.  N.  Y.  rept.  2nd  dist.,  1842,  p.  394,  fig.  2.  Owen, 
Amer.  'jour.  sci.  and  arts,  1844,  47,  p.  366,  fig.  2.  Hall,  Pal.  N.  Y.  1847, 
1,  p.  123,  pi.  32,  figs.  10,  10c.  Emmons,  Amer.  geology,  1855,  1,  pt.  2,  p. 
193,  pi.  9,  figs.  10,  11a,  b.  Billings,  Canadian  nat.  geol.,  1857,  1,  p.  205, 
fig.  602.  Geol.  Canada,  1863,  p.  165,  fig.  147a-c.  Chapman,  Canadian 
jour.,  1862,  n.s.,  7,  p.  Ill,  fig.  92;  ibid.,  1863,  8,  p.  199,  fig.  184.  Expos. 
Min.,  geol.  Canada,  1864,  p.  115,  fig.  91,  p.  171,  fig.  183.  Chamberlin, 
Geol.  Wis.,  1883,  1,  p.  155,  figs,  f  and  g. 

Dinorthis  pectinella  Hall  and  Clarke,  Pal.  N.  Y.  1892,  3,  pt.  1,  pp.  195,  222,  228, 
pi.  5,  figs.  29-33.  Weller,  Geol.  surv.  N.  J.,  Rept.  on  palaeontology,  1903, 
3,  p.  154,  pi.  9,  figs.  29-30.  Grabau  and  Shimer,  N.  A.  Index  fossils,  1909, 
1,  p.  253,  fig.  303  i-1.  Sassier,  Bull.  2A,  Va.  geol.  surv.,  1909,  pi.  24,  fig.  2. 

Orthis  (Dinorthis)  pectinella  Winchell  and  Schuchert,  Minn.  geol.  surv.,  1893, 
3,  pt.  1,  p.  424,  pi.  32,  figs.  31-34.  Wliiteaves,  Geol.  surv.  Canada,  Pal. 
fossils,  1897,  3,  pt.  3,  p.  175. 

Orthis  charlotlae  Winchell,  8th  rep.  geol.  nat.  hist.  surv.  Minn.,  1880,  p.  67. 

This  species  is  typically  resupinate.  The  pedicle  valve  commences 
at  the  umbo  in  a  raised  portion,  falling  rapidly  away  to  a  plane  or  even 
slightly  concave  area  extending  to  the  anterior  margin.  The  brachial 
valve  is  somewhat  strongly  convex  throughout.  The  cardinal  extremi- 
ties are  slightly  rounded,  and  the  cardinal  area  and  delthyrium  small. 
Plications  to  the  number  of  thirty-six  ornament  the  surface  and  are 
strong,  sharp  and  simple.  Some  variations  are  seen  in  the  plications  of 
forms  which  have  been  referred  to  this  species  and  are  worthy  of  note. 


WILLARD   AND   RAYMONP:   BRACHIOPODS.  269 

The  type  of  Emmons  (Geol.  N.  Y.  rep.  2nd  dist.  1843,  p.  394,  fig.  2)  is 
an  individual  with  strong,  equal  pHcations.  Some  individuals  from  the 
Trenton  correspond  to  this,  but  at  the  same  locality  are  found  others 
which  show  successive  gradations  into  types  which  have  the  plications 
all  bifurcated  at  the  anterior  margin,  or  have  lesser  plications  implanted 
between  the  major  ones,  sometimes  extending  to  the  umbo.  Doubtless, 
although  there  appears  to  be  intergrading,  specific  rank  should  be  as- 
signed to  the  two  extremes,  and  it  is  here  proposed  to  restrict  Emmons's 
species  to  forms  having  simple,  undivided  plications. 

On  the  brachial  valve  the  plications  appear  somewhat  rounded,  but 
are  more  or  less  flattened  on  the  pedicle  valve.  The  interior  of  the 
pedicle  valve  bears  a  pair  of  prominent  teeth  and  a  rather  elevated 
muscle-scar,  the  adductors  being  on  a  slightly  raised  median  portion 
and  the  diductors  large  and  lateral  thereto.  The  plications  are  promi- 
nent on  the  interiors  of  both  valves.  The  brachial  valve  shows  a  decided 
medial  ridge  and  fairly  large  cardinal  process.  The  dimensions:  length 
19  mm.,  width  24.5  mm.,  height  8  fnm.,  length  at  hinge  line  20  mm., 
length-width  index  70.  In  a  space  of  five  millimeters  on  the  anterior 
margin  there  are  three  plications.  The  shell  is  widest  about  one-third 
of  the  distance  forward  from  the  hinge  line.  The  species  may  be  differ- 
entiated from  Dinorthis  {J^alcourio)  dcflccta  Conrad  as  it  is  rather  larger 
and  has  coarser  plications  and  is  more  typically  plano-convex.  It  is 
distinguished  from  D.  meedsi  Winchell  and  Schuchert,  by  its  large  size, 
coarse,  simple  plications  and  flatter  pedicle  valve. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  This  species  is  fairly  common  in  the  Ottoseie 
east  of  Concord,  Tenn.,  and  near  the  base  of  the  Ottosee  at  Luttrell, 
Tenn.  It  is  reported  from  the  Black  River  and  early  Trenton  at  Mid- 
dleville,  Trenton  Falls,  etc.,  N.  Y.,  Pennsylvania,  Mercer  County, 
Ky.,  Ontario,  Decorah,  la.,  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  Lake  Winnipeg,  Canada, 
Tenn.  and  Va.  The  species  is  found  in  the  Dinorthis  zone  of  the 
Holston  west  of  Blacksburg,  Va.,  in  the  continuation  of  the  same  beds 
near  Goodwin's  Ferry,  New  River,  and  at  the  top  of  the  reef  at  the 
Hoge  Farm,  Bland  County,  Va.  In  the  former  of  these  localities  it  is 
an  extremely  abundant,  silicified  fossil,  showing  in  great  profusion  on 
the  weathered,  red-brown  surfaces  of  the  rock.  Here  are  found  excel- 
lent specimens  showing  the  coarse  plications  and  the  piano-convexity 
of  the  valves,  the  pedicle  valve  being  flatter  than  in  most  cases.  This 
brachiopod  has  also  been  found  in  the  Lenoir  in  the  Catawba  Valley, 
Va.,  north  of  Salem,  and  in  a  shaly  layer  in  the  Holston  in  a  cutting  on 
the  Clinchfield  Railroad  just  north  of  Copper  River  between  Speers 
Ferry  and  Clinchfield,  Va. 


270  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 


DiNORTHIS  ATAVOIDES,  Sp.  nOV. 

Plate  2,  fig.  4. 

Shell  large,  transversely  oval  in  outline,  the  valves  subequally  con- 
vex.  Cardinal  areas  nearly  equal  and  both  extremely  low. 

The  pedicle  valve  is  depressed  convex  for  nearly  half  its  length,  then 
becomes  flattened  in  the  middle  of  the  front  and  merges  into  a  shallow, 
median  sinus.  The  brachial  valve  is  evenly  convex  throughout  and 
shows  no  trace  of  fold  or  sinus.  Surface  crossed  by  from  32  to  36  strong, 
simple  plications  which  are  of  about  the  same  width  as  the  furrows  be- 
tween them.  The  interior  of  the  pedicle  valve  shows  muscle-scars  of 
the  usual  form  for  Dinorthis. 

The  holotype  is  21  mm.  long,  20  mm.  wide  at  the  hinge,  and  30  mm. 
wide  at  the  mid-length.  The  index  varies  on  the  shells  measured  from 
67  to  70. 

This  species  differs  from  Dinorthis  pcdinella  in  being  wider  and  hav- 
ing a  more  convex  pedicle  valve.  It  is  more  nearly  of  the  proportions 
of  D.  semiondis  (Hall)  (Pal.  N.  Y.,  1847,  1,  p.  124,  pi.  32,  fig.  11),  but 
has  a  shorter  hinge,  lower  cardinal  areas,  and  more  convex  pedicle 
valve.  The  latter  is  the  most  notable  feature  of  this  species,  and  indi- 
cates that  during  the  earlier  stages  of  growth  the  shell  must  have  had 
the  form  of  a  Plectorthis. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  Several  specimens  were  found  in  a  shaly 
layer  in  the  Holston  limestone  in  a  cutting  on  the  Clinchfield  Railroad 
north  of  Copper  Creek  between  Speers  Ferry  and  Clinchport,  Va. 
Holotype  and  paratype  nos.  8605  and  8606  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 

Dinorthis  interstriata,  nom.  no  v. 

Dinorthis  pectinella  Hall  (not  Emmons),  2nd  Ann.  rept.  N.  Y.  state  geologist, 
1883,  pi.  34,  figs.  39-40.  Hall  and  Clarke,  Pal.  N.  Y.,  1892,  8,  pt.  1,  pi.  5, 
figs.  27,  28. 

This  form  has  been  considered  to  be  identical  with  D.  pectinella,  but 
it  is  distinguished  from  it  for  the  reason  that  between  each  pair  of  plica- 
tions is  a  pair  of  finer  striae.  Perhaps,  as  in  the  case  of  certain  varieties 
of  D.  pectinella  already  noted,  it  may  in  time  be  shown  from  the  collec- 
tion of  additional  material,  that  this  form  intergrades  with  the  latter; 
but  at  present  no  such  series  is  known.  Therefore,  a  new  name  is  pro- 
posed. The  form  has  already  been  figured  under  D.  pectinella.  It  is 
shown  in  the  present  faunas  by  a  pedicle  valve  only.  Dimensions  are: 
length  19  mm.,  width  25  mm.,  length  of  hinge  line  21  mm.,  length- 


WILLARD    AND    RAYMOND:    BRACHIOPODS.  271 

width  index  76.  In  a  space  of  five  millimeters  along  the  anterior  border 
are  four  plications.  The  greatest  width  is  about  one-third  the  way 
back  from  the  anterior  margin. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  Ottosee,  Fugates  Hill,  Va.,  Trenton  lime- 
stone, Lewis  Co.,  N.  Y,   Type  in  the  New  York  State  Museum. 

DiNORTHIS  QUADRIPLICATA,  Sp.  nOV. 

Plate  1,  fig.  13;  plate  3,  figs.  5,  6. 

Shell  resupinate,  nearly  planoconvex,  with  very  low,  subequal  cardi- 
nal areas.  Pedicle  valve  convex  only  at  the  beak,  flat  or  slightly  con- 
cave in  front,  with  a  very  broad  and  shallow  sinus.  Brachial  valve 
evenly  convex,  without  fold  or  sinus.  Hinge  width  somewhat  less  than 
that  below,  the  cardinal  angles  rounded.  Surface  of  both  valves  marked 
by  from  25  to  30  large  plications,  4,  or  occasionally  5  of  which  in  the 
middle,  are  broader  than  the  others,  and  simple,  whereas  those  at  the 
sides  nearly  all  bifurcate  once  or  twice. 

The  holotype  is  18.5  mm.  long,  19  mm.  wide  at  the  hinge,  and 
24  mm.  in  greatest  width:  index,  77. 

This  shell  has  the  same  size  and  proportions  as  the  typical  Dinorthis 
pectinella,  but  differs  in  having  only  the  median  plications  simple.  The 
undivided  nature  of  these  same  plications  differentiates  it  from  D. 
interstriata. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  A  rather  common  shell  in  the  Ottosee  at 
Fugates  Hill,  north  of  Mendota,  and  at  Speers  Ferry,  Va.,  and  in  the 
Ottosee  just  above  the  Holston  at  Luttrell,  Tenn.  Holotype  no.  8602 
in  the  M.  C.  Z. 

Dinorthis  transversa,  sp.  nov. 

Plate  2,  figs.  1,  2,  6. 

Shell  nearly  planoconvex,  transversely  oval  in  outline.  Pedicle  valve 
only  slightly  elevated  at  the  back,  otherwise  nearly  flat,  but  with  a 
very  slight  fold  mesally.  Brachial  valve  depressed  convex,  with  a 
broad  median  sinus  which  becomes^narrow  on  the  umbo  and  disappears 
at  the  beak.  The  surface  of  both  valves  is  covered  with  rather  coarse 
plications  which  increase  in  size  toward  the  median  line.  Nearly  all 
bifurcate  at  least  once,  and  as  adjacent  ones  do  so  at  various  distances 
from  the  beak,  an  irregular  pattern  results.  The  holotype  is  19  mm. 
long,  22  mm.  wide  at  the  hinge  line  and  30  mm.  in  greatest  width.  The 
index  is  63.  A  somewhat  larger  pedicle  valve  is  20.5  mm.  long. 


272  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

This  species  is  most  closely  allied  to  Dinorthis  quadriplicata,  but 
differs  in  that  the  median  as  well  as  the  outer  plications  bifurcate,  the 
shell  is  wider,  hence  the  index  is  lower,  and  there  is  a  sinus  in  the 
brachial  and  a  fold  in  the  pedicle  valve. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  A  single  specimen  was  found  in  the  lower 
part  of  the  Ottosee  at  Luttrell,  Tenn.,  and  two  pedicle  valves  at  a 
similar  horizon  at  Fugates  Hill,  north  of  Mendota,  Va.  The  holotype 
is  no.  8603,  M.  C.  Z.,  and  the  paratype  860-i. 

Genus  Nicolella  Reed. 

Nicolella  agilera,  sp.  nov. 
Plate  3,  fig.  7. 

Shell  concavo-convex,  widest  at  the  hinge,  covered  with  coarse  striae 
or  relatively  small  plications  which  increase  by  bifurcation  on  the 
brachial  and  implantation  on  the  pedicle  valve.  Pedicle  valve  convex, 
highest  at  the  umbo,  with  concave  slopes  to  the  cardinal  extremities. 
Brachial  valve  gently  concave.  The  holotype,  a  pedicle  valve,  is  15 
mm.  long  and  23  mm.  wide  at  the  hinge,  the  index  being  65.  At  the 
front  there  are  4  large  and  3  secondary  striae  in  a  space  of  5  mm. 

This  species  differs  from  Nicolella  actoniae  (Sowerby),  the  type  of 
the  genus,  in  having  smaller  ribs  which  are  not  entirely  simple,  but  in- 
crease by  intercalation  of  somewhat  weaker  ones  on  the  anterior  half 
of  the  shell.  In  this  respect  it  is  more  like  A",  asteroidea  Reed  (Trans. 
Roy.  soc.  Edinburgh,  1917,  51,  pt.  4,  p.  860,  pis.  10,  11),  but  that 
species  lacks  the  alate  cardinal  extremities. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  Two  specimens  were  found  in  the  Hols  ton 
at  the  McNutt  Quarry,  Sliaron  Springs,  Va.,  and  are  nos.  8607  and 
8608  in  the  M.  C.  Z.    * 

Genus  Pionodema  Foerste. 

Some  discussion  as  to  the  classification  of  this  genus  has  taken  place 
in  the  past,  and  in  order  to  show  all  its  supposed  relations,  a  summary 
of  the  different  opinions  is  given  below. 

Foerste  (Bull.  sci.  lab.  Denison  univ.,  1909,  14,  p.  221)  proposed 
Bathycoelia  as  a  subgenus  of  Dalmanella.  His  generic  description  fol- 
lows: "  Dalmanella  bellula  belongs  to  the  group  of  Dalmanellas,  typified 
by  Dalmanella  subaequata  Conrad,  in  which  the  brachial  valve  is 
strongly  convex,  and  the  median  depression  is  absent  o^  only  faintly 


WILLARD   AND   RAYMOND:    BRACHIOPODS.  273 

indicated.  This  group  appears  to  have  had  a  phylogenetic  history  dis- 
tinct from  the  group  typified  by  Dahnanella  testudinaria.  It  ranges 
from  the  Stones  river  to  the  Devonian.  For  the  species  included  in  this 
group,  the  term  Bathycoeha  is  proposed  as  a  subgeneric  term."  That 
is  to  say,  Dahiianellas  having  a  strongly  convex  brachial  valve  with 
little  or  no  median  depression,  would  be  placed  in  this  subgenus. 
Bathycoelia  proving  to  be  preoccupied,  he  substituted  the  term  Pio- 
nodema  in  Bulletin  of  the  Scientific  Laboratory  of  Denison  University, 
1912,  17,  p.  139,  quoting  as  his  type  species  Pionodcma  subacquata 
(Conrad). 

In  "A  Textbook  of  Paleontology,"  Eastman-Zittel,  1913,  p.  382, 
Pionodema  is  given  the  rank  of  a  genus  along  with  Plaesiomys  under 
the  subfamily  Plaesiominae  of  the  family  Rhipidomellidae.  Both  the 
families  are  new  and  distinct  from  Dalmanella  which  is  there  placed  in 
the  new  subfamily  Dalmanellinae  of  the  family  Orthidae.  Thus  has 
this  classification  made  the  separation  still  more  remote,  for,  when 
Foerste  would  have  Pionodema  merely  a  subgenus  of  Dalmanella, 
Schuchert  classifies  it  not  only  as  a  different  genus,  but  in  another 
family  and  subfamily,  their  connections  being  only  in  remaining  under 
the  superfamily  Orthacaea.  The  chief  distinction  seems  to  be  the 
punctate  condition  of  the  shell  in  Dalmanella  and  the  impunctate  shell 
of  Pionodema. 

Pionodema  subaequata  (Conrad). 

Orthis  siibaequata  Conrad,  Proc.  acad.  nat.  sci.  Philadelphia,  1843,  1,  p.  333; 
Hall,  Pal.  N.  Y.,  1847,  1,  p.  118,  pi.  32,  figs.  2a-f. 

See  Bull.  92,  U.  S.  nat.  mus.,  1915,  2,  p.  978,  for  further  synonymy. 

There  are  four  specimens  in  the  collection  which  appear  to  belong  to 
this  species,  differing  from  the  other  Pionodemas  in  the  Ottosee  in 
having  a  longer  hinge  and  a  shallow  sinus  in  the  pedicle  valve.  The 
smallest  specimen  is  the  most  typical,  and  agrees  in  all  respects  with 
specimens  figured  by  Winchell  and  Schuchert  from  Minnesota.  It  is 
13  mm,  long,  10  mm.  wide  at  the  hinge,  and  15  mm.  in  greatest  width, 
the  index  being  86.  There  are  15  striations  in  a  space  of  5  mm.  at  the 
front.  The  largest  specimen  had  a  shallower  sinus  in  the  pedicle  valve. 
The  length  is  21  mm.,  the  width  at  the  hinge  17  mm.,  and  the  greatest 
width  24  mm.,  the  index  being  87. 

Two  of  the  three  specimens  referred  to  this  species  are  slightly  un- 
symmetrical,  a  condition  also  noticed  among  other  members  of  this 
genus  in  the  Ottosee.    These  specimens,  when  ^•iewed  from  above, 


274  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

looking  down  on  the  pedicle  valves,  have  all  the  striations  turned  some- 
what to  the  right. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  — ■  Three  specimens  are  from  the  Ottosee  at 
Fugates  Hill  north  of  Mendota,  Va.,  and  one  from  east  of  Concord, 
Tenn. 

Pionodema  globosa,  sp.  nov. 
Plate  2,  fig.  5. 

The  shell  presents  a  decidedly  circular  outline.  The  brachial  valve  is 
strongly  convex,  but  shows,  toward  the  cardinal  extremities,  marked 
depressions  that  are  distinguishing  marks  of  the  species.  On  the  in- 
ternal surface  a  low-medial  septum  extends  anteriorly  about  "one-third 
the  length  of  the  valve.  The  pedicle  valve  is  less  convex  than  the 
brachial  with  a  tendency  to  a  flattened  area  toward  the  anterior  margin, 
and  a  small,  sharply  curved  beak.  The  cardinal  area  is  small  and  well- 
defined,  as  also  is  the  delthyrium,  whereas  the  hinge  line  is  consider- 
ably shorter  than  the  greatest  width  of  the  shell.  The  interior  shows  a 
small,  subcircular  muscle-scar,  plainly  three-lobed  with  a  short,  raised 
process  in  front  of  the  scar.  The  muscular  area  is  like  that  of  Heber- 
tella,  but,  since  the  shell  is  thinner,  less  deeply  impressed.  The  surface 
of  the  valves  is  marked  by  fine,  simple  striations  and  faint  growth  lines. 
The  dimensions  are:  width  21  mm.,  length  18.5  mm.,  thickness  11  mm., 
length  of  hinge  line  13.5  mm.,  length-width  index  88.  The  greatest 
width  of  the  shell  is  about  half  way  between  the  anterior  and  posterior 
margins.  In  a  space  of  five  millimeters  along  the  anterior  border  are 
found  sixteen  striations.  The  species  is  nearly  related  to  Pionodema 
perveta,  but  there  are  differences  which,  if  carefully  noted,  seem  ample 
for  distinguishing  the  form.  Although  of  nearly  equal  size,  the  hinge 
line  of  Pionodema  amoena  (N.  H.  Winchell)  is  markedly  longer  than 
that  of  P.  globosa  and  is  shorter  in  the  latter  than  in  P.  perveta  (Conrad). 
The  length  is  greater  in  proportion  to  the  width,  and  the  above  men- 
tioned depressions  on  the  shoulders  of  the  brachial  valve,  as  present  in 
the  species,  are  absent  in  the  last  mentioned  type.  The  species  differs 
from  P.  stonensis  (Safford)  in  the  less  convexity  of  the  pedicle  valve  of 
that  species,  as  well  as  in  the  arrangement  of  the  striations. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  At  the  top  of  the  Ottosee  formation  five 
miles  northwest  of  Rogersville,  Tenn.,  and  in  the  middle  and  upper 
parts  at  Fugates  Hill,  north  of  Mendota,  also  at  Speers  Ferry,  Va.,  and 
at  Liberty  Hill,  Tenn.  Holotype  no.  8609  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 


WILLARD    AND    RAYMOND:    BRACHIOPODS.  275 

PlONODEMA  MINUSCULA,  sp.  nOV. 

Plate  2,  fig.  3. 

This  is  a  Pionodema  subaequata  (Conrad)  in  miniature.  Both  valves 
are  convex,  the  pedicle  being  the  higher,  with  the  raised  umbo  promi- 
nent and  a  small,  triangular  cardinal  area  in  which  is  a  narrow  del- 
thyrium.  The  surface  is  marked  by  fine  striations  and  faint  lines  of 
growth.  The  dimensions  are:  width  13  mm.,  length  12  mm.,  thickness 
7  mm.,  length  at  hinge  line  9  mm.,  length-width  index  92.  In  a  space  of 
five  millimeters  on  the  anterior  margin  are  found  some  twenty-four 
striations.  The  greatest  width  is  just  in  front  of  .the  umbo. 

Ilorizon  and  Locality:  —  Lebanon  formation  at  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  and 
in  the  Holston  at  Concord,  Tenn.  Holotype  from  Lebanon,  and  no. 
S610  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 


Superfamily  Strophomenacea  Schuchert. 

Family  Strophomenidae  King, 

Subfamily  Rafinesquininae  Schuchert. 

Genus  Plectambonites  Pander. 

Plectambonites  curdsvillensis  Foerste. 

Plectambonites  curdsvillensis  Foerste,  Bull.  sci.  lab.  Denison  univ.,  1912,  17,  p. 
122,  pi.  10,  figs.  15a-b. 

The  species,  like  most  of  the  Ordovician  representatives  of  the  genus, 
has  been  referred  to  as  Plectambonites  serioeus  (Sowerby).  Winch  ell 
and  Schuchert  in  their  description  of  the  latter  species  (Minn.  geol. 
surv.,  1893,  3,  pt.  1,  p.  415),  say  "Surface  of  both  valves  marked  by 
numerous,  very  minute,  closely  arranged,  equal,  radiating  striae,  or 
with  every  fourth,  fifth  or  sixth  one  a  little  larger  or  more  prominent 
than  those  between."  Foerste  based  his  species,  Plectambonites  curds- 
villensis, seemingly  on  the  accentuation  of  every  fourth  striation,  for 
the  remainder  of  his  description  varies  little  from  that  applicable  to 
the  old  form. 

The  pedicle  valve  is  strongly  convex  and  the  brachial  correspond- 
ingly concave ;  the  hinge  line  is  the  greatest  width.  The  pedicle  valve 
shows  a  prominent  muscle-scar  with  two  sharp,  centrally  located  ridges 
extending  well  forward  and  increasing  in  elevation.  The  cardinal  ex- 
tremities are  sharp.  It  differs  from  other  species  in  the  accentuation  of 
every  fourth  striation.    The  dimensions  are:  width  13  mm.,  length 


276  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

7  mm.,  height  2.5  mm.,  length  of  hinge  hne  13  mm.,  length  width  index 
54.  In  a  space  of  five  millimeters  on  the  anterior  margin  are  found 
from  twenty-five  to  thirty  striations. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  At  base  of  Ottosee  north  of  Luttrell,  at 
Liberty  Hill,  and  five  miles  northwest  of  Rogersville,  Tenn.;  at  Fugates 
Hill,  north  of  Mendota,  Va.;  from  the  Trenton  (Curdsville),  Glen 
Creek  Station,  Woodford  County,  Kentucky. 

Plectambonites  aequistriatus,  sp.  nov. 
Plate  3,  figs.  8,  9. 

It  seems  advisable  to  give  a  specific  name  to  forms  that  might  be 
called  P.  sericeus  (Sowerby)  by  the  old  classification,  but  which  have 
all  the  striations  of  equal  size.  The  specimens  in  question  are  rather 
small,  depressed  convex,  about  two-thirds  as  long  as  wide,  with  the 
greatest  width  at  the  hinge,  where  the  cardinal  angles  are  extended 
into  short  spurs.  There  is  considerable  variation  in  the  outline,  some 
of  the  individuals  being  notably  long,  with  an  index  of  71,  whereas 
others  are  of  the  more  usual  form  of  Plectambonites  sericeus,  with  the 
index  as  low  as  60.  The  average  index  for  six  adults  is  66. 

The  interior  of  a  pedicle  valve  from  the  typical  locality.  Liberty  Hill, 
shows  small  and  very  divergent  muscle-scars,  separated  at  the  posterior 
ends  by  a  low,  rounded  septum.  The  diductors  are  small,  situated 
behind  the  adductors  and  partially  excavated  beneath  a  sort  of  con- 
cave platform  under  the  beak.  Near  the  front,  parallel  with  the  margin, 
the  shell  is  thickened  and  crossed  by  radial  furrows.  The  interior  of  the 
brachial  valve  is  of  the  usual  type,  with  a  pair  of  sharp  septa. 

The  surfaces  of  both  valves  are  covered  by  very  fine  striae  of  uni- 
form size.  In  a  space  of  five  millimeters  along  the  anterior  margin  will 
be  found  thirty  to  thirty-five. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  Ottosee,  south  of  Chilhowie  Park,  Knox- 
ville,  and  at  Liberty  Hill,  Tenn.  At  top  of  Holston,  Thomas  farm, 
three  miles  east  of  Blacksburg,  Va.   Cotypes  no.  8611,  ^I.  C.  Z. 

Plectambonites  pisum  Ruedemann. 

Pledamhonites  pisum  Ruedemann,  Bull.  N.  Y.  state  museum,  1902,  p.  19,  pi.  1, 
figs.  8-20.   Bassler,  Bull.  Va.  geol.  surv.,  1909,  2a,  pi.  3,  figs.  17-18. 

The  form  is  of  rather  infrequent  occurrence  in  the  region  under  con- 
sideration. Its  shell  is  very  small,  and  nearly  semicircular  in  outline, 
strongly  concavo-convex,  with  the  pedicle  valve  very  high,  nearly 
hemispherical.    The  cardinal  extremities  are  more  or  less  prominent. 


WILLARD    AND    RAYMOND:    BRACHIOPODS.  277 

The  surface  markings  are  fine,  radiating  striae  and  concentric  growth 
lines.  The  hinge  line  is  the  greatest  width  of  the  shell.  The  pedicle 
valve  slopes  abruptly  with  a  fairly  large  cardinal  area  and  a  good  sized 
delthyriuni.  The  interiors  of  the  valves  are  not  shown  by  the  available 
specimens.  The  dimensions  are:  width  10  mm.,  length  7.5  mm.,  length 
of  hinge  line  10  mm.,  length-width  index  75.  In  a  space  of  five  milli- 
meters along  the  anterior  margin  are  found  as  many  as  fifty  striations. 
The  form  is  distinguished  from  others  of  the  genus  by  its  small  size  and 
gibbosity  and  is  slightly  smaller  than  the  specimen  from  New  York 
figured  by  Ruedemann. 

Horizon  and  Localitii:  —  This  species  was  described  originally  from 
the  Mohawkian  of  Rysedorph  Hill  and  Moordener  Kill,  N.  Y.  (Ryse- 
dorph);  it  occurs  also  in  the  Chambersburg  of  Penna.,  Md.,  and  Va. 
Specimens  have  been  collected  at  the  top  of  the  Holston  at  the  Thomas 
Farm  three  miles  east  of  Blacksburg,  Va. 

Plectambonites  triseptatus,  sp.  nov. 
Plate  2,  figs.  7,  8. 

A  rather  large,  thick-shelled  species,  with  about  the  usual  propor- 
tions of  the  so-called  Plectambonites  scriceus.  The  greatest  width  is  at 
the  hinge,  the  cardinal  angles  pointed  in  the  young,  but  rounded  in  the 
adult.  Surface  covered  with  fine  striae  of  alternating  size,  usually  only 
one  very  fine  one  between  each  pair  of  the  more  prominent  ones. 

The  scars  of  the  diductors  in  the  pedicle  valve  are  strongly  diver- 
gent, but  not  bounded  mesially  by  ridges,  and  instead  of  being  ex- 
cavated in  the  shell,  are  built  up  as  rounded  callosities  at  the  front.  In 
old  individuals  these  are  very  conspicuous,  and  extend  nearly  to  the 
front  of  the  shell.  The  most  notable  feature  of  the  species,  however,  is 
the  presence  of  a  high,  sharp-crested  median  septum  in  the  brachial 
valve,  extending  beyond  the  anterior  margin  of  the  muscle-scars.  On 
either  side,  diverging  slightly  from  the  median  septum,  is  a  very  low, 
narrow  septum  bounding  the  inner  edge  of  the  adductor  scar.  On  some 
individuals  these  septa  are  so  poorly  developed  as  to  be  hardly  visible. 

A  large  pedicle  valve  is  13  mm.  long  and  20  mm.  wide  at  the  hinge. 
A  brachial  valve,  one  of  the  cotypes,  is  12  mm.  long  and  22  mm.  wide 
at  the  hinge  line. 

The  presence  of  a  median  septum  in  the  brachial  valve  differentiates 
this  species  from  all  allied  forms. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  The  holotype,  no  8613,  and  paratype,  no. 
8614,  are  from  silicified  blocks  from  the  Holston  near  Goodwins  Ferry 
on  New  River,  Va. 


278  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Plectambonites  crassus,  sp.  nov. 
Plate  3,  fig.  10. 

Shell  very  large  for  a  Plectambonites,  strongly  concavo-convex,  with 
the  highest  part  of  the  pedicle  valve  usually  in  front  of  the  middle. 
Greatest  width  at  the  hinge,  cardinal  angles  usually  bluntly  rounded, 
but  in  some  cases  auriculate.  The  surface  is  covered  with  fine  stria- 
tions,  of  two  sizes,  the  prominent  ones  being  rather  distant  and  sepa- 
rated by  bands  of  10  or  12  very  slightly  elevated,  extremely  narrow 
threads.  The  most  remarkable  feature  of  the  species  is  the  fact  that 
the  coarse  striations  are  really  in  pairs. 

The  largest  individual  in  the  collection  is  17  mm.  long  and  28  mm. 
wide.   A  more  common  size  is  16  by  26  mm.  The  index  is  about  61. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  Holston  at  the  McNutt  Quarry,  Sharon 
Springs,  Va.   Holotype  no.  8616  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 

Plectambonites  negritus,  sp.  nov. 
Plate  3,  fig.  13. 

The  form  is  scantily  represented  as  a  diminutive  Plectambonites. 
It  is  more  nearly  semicircular  than  other  small  members  of  the  genus, 
with  the  lateral  slopes  of  the  pedicle  valve  flattened,  the  central  por- 
tion rather  high  and  curving  steeply  down  to  the  hinge  line.  The 
brachial  valve  is  not  strongly  concave,  but  rather  flat.  Surface  mark- 
ings consist  of  very  fine  striations  with  every  sixth  or  seventh  accentu- 
ated. Its  small  size  and  peculiarly  curved  pedicle  valve  together  with 
the  low  index  distinguish  it  from  other  species.  Dimensions  are: 
length  4  mm.,  width  8  mm.,  length-width  index  50.  The  greatest 
width  is  at  the  hinge  line.  In  a  space  of  five  millimeters  along  the  an- 
terior margin  are  45  to  50  striations. 

Horizon  and  Locality:- — -Lenoir,  Catawba  Valley,  Va. ;  Holston, 
So.  Knoxville,  Tenn.   Holotype  no.  8615  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 

Genus  Leptaena  Dalman. 

Leptaena  palustris,  sp.  nov. 

Plate  3,  fig.  14. 

The  species  resembles  rather  closely  a  small  LeptaeJia  incrassata,  but 
is  more  nearly  semi-circular  in  outline.  It  is  known  from  a  single  speci- 
men, a  strongly  convex  pedicle  valve,  sharply  deflected,  with  a  raised 


WILLARD   AND   RAYMOND:    BRACHIOPODS.  279 

area  forward  and  very  fine,  alternating  striae,  more  or  less  obscured  by 
exfoliation.  There  are  only  about  8  prominent  striae.  The  surface  is 
covered  with  fine  pitting,  and  there  are  obscure,  concentric  undula- 
tions on  the  umbonal  region.  The  dimensions  are:  length  7  mm., 
width  11  mm.,  length-width  index  63.  The  greatest  width  is  at  the 
hinge. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  Holston,  Concord,  Tennessee.  Holotype 
no.  8619  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 

Leptaena  prona,  sp.  nov. 
Plate  3,  figs.  15,  16. 

In  general  outline,  the  species  is  similar  to  L.  unicostaia  (Meek  and 
Worthen),  found  in  the  Richmond.  It  is  also  similar  in  size,  having 
extended  cardinal  extremities  and  an  abrupt  deflection.  Owing  to  the 
poor  preservation  of  the  single  specimen,  a  pedicle  valve,  upon  which 
the  species  is  based,  the  amount  of  wrinkling  is  not  known,  but  fine, 
radiating  striae  seem  to  have  been  present.  The  dimensions  are: 
length  14.5  mm.,  width  27  mm.,  length-width  index  54.  The  greatest 
width  is  at  the  hinge  line. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  Holston,  Dinorthis  zone,  near  Goodwins 
Ferry,  New  River,  Va.  Holotype  no.  8620  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 


Genus  Rafinesquina  Hall  and  Clarke. 

Rafinesquina  minnesotensis  (N.  H.  Winchell). 

fStrophomena  deltoidea  Owen  (not  Conrad),  Geol.  expl.  la.,  Wis.,  and  III,  1844, 

pi.  17,  fig.  6  (not  pi.  16,  fig.  8). 
Leptaena  deltoidea  Owen,  Geol.  rept.  Wis.  la.,  Minn.,  1852,  pi.  2B,  fig.  10  (not 

the  middle  figure). 
Strophoniena  incrassata  Hall  (not  of  1847),  Geol.  Wis.,  1862,  1,  p.  42,  fig.  16. 

2nd  Ann.  rept.  N.  Y.  state  geol.,  1883,  pi.  38,  figs.  1-5. 
Strophomena  minnesotensis  N.  H.  Winchell,  9th  Ann.  rep.  geol.  nat.  hist.  surv. 

Minn.,  1881,  p.  120. 
Rafinesquina  incrassata  Hall  and  Clarke,  Pal.  N.  Y.,  1892,  8,  pt.  1,  pi.  7,  figs. 

1-5. 
Rafinesquina  minnesotensis  Hall  and  Clarke,  Pal.  N.  Y.,  1892,  8,  pt.  1,  p.  283. 

Winchell  and  Schuchert,  Geol.  Minn.,  1893,  3,  pt.  1,  p.  401,  pi.  31,  figs.  25- 

29.  Grabau  and  Shimer,  N.  A.  index  fossils,  1909,  1,  p.  212,  fig.  252. 

Although  a  rather  common  fossil  from  this  area,   the  material  on 
hand  does  not  show  more  than  one  interior,  that  of  a  brachial  valve; 


280  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

but  there  seem  to  be  ample  data  for  identifying  the  species.  The  shells 
are  semioval,  concavo-convex,  the  convexity  of  the  pedicle  valve  vary- 
ing slightly  to  approach,  at  least  in  one  case,  Leptaenoid  proportions. 
The  cardinal  area  is  long  and  narrow  with  a  prominent  deltidium  and 
a  tiny  pore  as  pedicle  opening.  The  hinge  line  is  the  greatest  width  of 
the  shell.  The  single  available  interior  is  a  poorly  preserved  brachial 
valve,  which,  however,  shows  a  prominent  ridge  concentric  to  and  just 
within  the  anterior  and  lateral  margins.  The  surface  is  marked  by  fine 
striae  alternating  in  size  and  crossed  by  concentric  growth  lines.  The 
dimensions  are:  width  18  mm.,  length  17  mm.,  height  4  mm.,  length- 
width  index  94.  Length  of  hinge  line  is  18  mm.  Along  the  anterior 
margin  in  a  space  of  five  millimeters  are  found  from  eighteen  to  twenty 
striations.  The  species  is  distinguished  from  others  of  the  genus  by  its 
small  size,  its  hemispheric  shape,  and  the  thickening  of  the  brachial 
valve  near  the  margin.  It  has  a  much  higher  index  than  R.  distans 
Raymond,  and  lacks  the  external  concentric  ridge  that  is  characteristic 
of  Leptaena  incrassata  Hall. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  - —  Ottosee  formation  at  Liberty  Hill,  north  of 
Luttrell,  Tenn.,  and  at  Fugates  Hill  north  of  Mendota,  Va.  It  is  also 
reported  from  the  Black  River  at  Minneapolis,  etc.,  Minn.,  Beloit, 
Wis.,  Decorah,  la.,  and  Kentucky,  and  the  Lebanon  of  various  locali- 
ties in  central  Tennessee.  The  species  is  found  in  the  Holston,  being 
recovered  from  a  point  near  Tilsons  Gap,  Bland  Co.,  Va.,  but  it  is  a  far 
less  common  fossil  there  than  in  the  Ottosee  as  described  above,  and  is 
poorly  preserved  so  that  there  is  some  doubt  as  to  its  true  identity. 
One  more  typical  specimen  was  obtained  from  the  top  of  the  Holston 
at  the  Hoge  Farm,  Bland  Co.,  Va. 

Rafinesquina  champlainensis  Raymond 

Rafinesquina  chavi'plainensis  Raymond,  Bull.  Amer.  pal.,  1902,  3,  no.  14,  p.  37, 
pi.  18,  figs.  5,  6;  Ann.  Carnegie  mus.,  1911,  7,  p.  233,  figs.  6-9. 

The  species  is  represented  among  the  material  on  hand  by  a  single 
specimen  from  the  Ottosee,  indicative  of  its  rarity  in  that  formation, 
whereas  more  have  been  found  in  the  Holston,  as  discussed  below.  The 
individual  from  the  Ottosee  shows  only  the  exterior  of  the  pedicle 
valve  in  a  rather  poor  state  of  preservation.  It  is  very  strongly  convex, 
although  of  even  curvature,  with  slight  rounding  of  the  cardinal  ex- 
tremities, so  that  the  hinge  line  is  slightly  shorter  than  the  total  width. 
The  surface  is  marked  by  fine  radiating  striae,  every  third  or  fourth 
being  accentuated,   and  with  growth  lines  that  vary  in  prominence. 


WILLARD   AND   RAYMOND:    BRACHIOPODS.  281 

Nothing  can  be  determined  as  to  the  brachial  valve  or  the  interior  of 
the  pedicle  valve.  The  species  differs  from  others  of  the  genus  by  the 
combined  characters  of  large  size  and  extreme  ventricosity.  The  di- 
mensions are:  width  39.5  mm.,  length  32  mm.,  height  12.5  mm.,  length- 
width  index  81,  length  of  hinge  line  37.5  mm.  In  a  space  of  five  milli- 
meters along  the  anterior  margin  are  found  thirty-five  to  forty  stria- 
tions. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  Ottosee  (middle)  north  of  Mendota,  Va., 
and  from  the  Chazyan,  Crown  Point,  Valcour  Island,  Bluff'  Point  and 
Chazy,  N.  Y.,  Isle  La  Motte  and  South  Hero,  Vt. ;  eastern  Tennessee 
(Lenoir).  The  form  occurs  in  the  Holston,  being  represented  at  the  top 
of  the  reef  at  the  Hoge  Farm,  Bland  Co.,  and  in  the  Dinorthis  zone  near 
Goodwins  Ferry,  New  River,  Va.  In  this  case  the  identity  is  far  more 
sure  than  with  the  former  specimen,  as  they  are  typically  large  ventri- 
cose  shells. 

Rafinesquina  duplistriata,  sp.  nov. 

Shell  large,  nearly  as  long  as  wide,  almost  plano-convex.  Surface 
<;overed  with  fine,  alternating  striae,  every  other  one  of  which  is  promi- 
nent. The  width  at  the  hinge  is  almost,  but  not  quite,  equal  to  the 
greatest  width.  Cardinal  angles  rounded.  Adult  individuals  show  a 
downward  deflection  parallel  to  the  margin  of  the  pedicle  valve,  but 
some  millimeters  behind  it,  and  the  interior  of  the  brachial  valve  has  a 
corresponding  ridge. 

The  pedicle  valve  is  evenly  and  only  moderately  convex.  The  in- 
terior shows  large,  flabellate,  indistinctly  rounded  diductor  scars,  and 
between  them  the  narrow  adductors,  situated  on  a  low,  double,  median 
ridge,  the  anterior  end  of  which  is  bifurcated.  The  brachial  valve  is 
nearly  flat,  but  deflected  at  the  front  in  old  individuals.  The  two 
prongs  of  the  cardinal  processes  are  short,  stout,  with  neatly  circular 
faces  for  the  attachment  of  muscles.  The  adductor  scars  in  this  valve 
are  not  deep,  but  large,  and  the  interior  of  the  shell  is  marked  by  two 
pairs  of  lateral  linear  ridges  and  an  extended  median  one.  The  interior 
is  much  like  that  of  the  brachial  valve  of  R.  minnesotensis. 

One  pedicle  valve  is  43  mm.  long  and  45  mm.  wide  at  the  hinge. 
The  largest  individual  is  52  mm.  long.  The  index  for  fully  grown  speci- 
mens is  about  95,  but  young  individuals  are  not  proportionally  so  long, 
and  have  an  index  as  low  as  90. 

This  species  differs  from  Rafinesquina  miymesotensis  in  its  much 
greater  size  and  less  convexity,  although  the  scars  on  the  interior  are 
much  the  same.   The  general  appearance  of  the  shell  is  that  of  many 


282  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

of  the  forms  now  referred  to  R.  alternata,  but  if  that  species  be  re- 
stricted to  shells  from  the  Trenton,  the  present  species  differs  from  it  in 
having  only  one  small  striation  between  each  pair  of  prominent  ones, 
and  in  being  proportionately  longer. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  This  species  is  common  in  silicified  layers  in 
the  Holston  near  Goodwins  Ferry  on  New  River,  Va.  and  north  of 
Copper  Creek,  between  Speers  Ferry  and  Clinchport,  Va.  It  has  also 
been  found  in  the  Holston  at  the  Ross  and  Republic  Quarry  three 
miles  southeast  of  Knoxville,  Tenn.  Several  specimens  have  been  ob-  . 
tained  from  the  Ottosee  at  Luttrell,  Tenn.,  and  one  from  the  same 
horizon  at  Fugates  Hill,  north  of  Mendota,  Va.  Cotypes  nos.  8621  and 
8622  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 

Rafinesquina  distans  Raymond. 

Rafinesquina  distans  Raymond,  Ann.  Carnegie  mus.,  1906,  3,  p.  575;  1911,  7, 
p.  234,  pi.  35,  fig.  1. 

The  species  is  represented  by  a  few  ill-preserved  specimens.  The 
valves  are  but  slightly  convex,  resembling  some  Plectambonites  in  this 
respect,  and  small,  being  wide  compared  to  the  length,  with  the  great- 
est width  at  the  hinge  line.  The  distinguishing  feature  in  this  species  is 
the  surface  decoration  which  consists  of  about  a  dozen  prominent, 
radiating  striae  with  many  very  fine  ones  intermediate  to  them,  to- 
gether with  equally  delicate  growth  lines.  The  dimensions  are:  length 
9  mm.,  width  14.5  mm.,  length-width  index  62.  In  a  space  of  five  miUi- 
meters  along  the  anterior  margin  are  found  three  of  the  larger  and 
about  fifty  of  the  smaller  striations. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  The  species  occur  in  the  Holston  at  the 
McNutt  Quarry,  Sharon  Springs,  Va.  The  original  specimens  were 
from  the  Upper  Chazy  on  Valcour  Island,  and  the  Middle  Chazy  at 
Crown  Point,  N.  Y. 

Rafinesquina  grandistriata,  sp.  nov. 

Plate  2,  fig.  11. 

Shell  small,  widest  at  the  hinge,  nearly  as  long  as  wide.  Surface 
covered  with  coarse,  rounded  striae  which  increase  bv  both  bifurca- 
tions  and  implantation,  and  generally  show  additions  near  the  anterior 
margin.  Cardinal  areas  very  low,  the  extremities  auriculate.  The 
pedicle  valve  is  moderately  and  evenly  convex,  the  brachial  valve 
nearly  flat  in  the  umbonal  region,  becoming  somewhat  concave  toward 
the  front.  The  type  is  12  mm.  long  and  15  mm.  wide,  and  most  of  the  » 


WILLARD   AND   RAYMOND:   BRACHIOPODS.  283 

specimens  have  almost  these  dimensions,  with  an  index  of  80.  The 
species  may  easily  be  recognized  by  the  lack  of  alternations  in  the  striae 
and  the  small  size. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  A  rather  rare  species  in  the  Holston  lime- 
stone at  the  McNutt  Quarry  at  Sharon  Springs,  Va.  Holotype  no. 
8623  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 


Genus  Ptychoglyptus,  nov. 

Rafinesquininae  allied  to  Rafinesquina,  in  which  the  thin  shell  is 
thrown  into  numerous  transverse  rugae  which  are  confined  to  the 
spaces  between  the  principal  striae,  and  are  not  continuous,  concentric 
folds,  as  in  Leptaena.  Type,  Ptychogly phis  virginiensis  sp.  nov. 

Ptychoglyptus  virginiensis,  sp.  nov. 
Plate  2,  fig.  12. 

Shell  small,  almost  flat,  widest  at  the  hinge,  nearly  half  as  long  as 
wide.  The  surface  has  from  10  to  14  radial  striae,  not  all  of  which  are 
primary.  Between  them  are  wide  spaces  each  occupied  by  about  12 
very  narrow,  rather  indistinct  striations,  separated  by  sharply  im- 
pressed furrows,  narrower  than  themselves.  The  interspaces  between 
principal  striations  are  crossed  by  wave-like  wrinkles,  the  crests  about 
as  wide  but  a  little  more  rounded  than  the  troughs.  There  are  about  8 
or  9  crests  in  5  mm.  on  the  anterior  part  of  the  shell.  Each  wave  is 
steeper  on  the  front  than  on  the  back  slope,  and  all  are  arcuate,  bowing 
backward  toward  the  apex.  The  wrinkles  of  adjacent  interspaces  are 
occasionally  practically  continuous,  but  usually  alternate,  so  that  the 
crests  of  one  abut  against  the  troughs  of  the  next.  They  seem  more 
often  to  be  continuous  near  the  cardinal  angles. 

The  pedicle  valve  is  gently  convex  on  the  umbo,  becoming  flattened 
toward  the  anterior  margin.  The  brachial  valve  is  concave  about  the 
beak,  flat  in  front.   No  interior  has  been  seen. 

This  species  closely  resembles  Rafinesquina  f  subarachnoidea  Reed 
(Trans.  Royal  soc.  Edinburgh,  19-17,  51,  pt.  4,  no.  26,  p.  870,  pi.  12, 
figs.  25-32a),  but  appears  to  be  more  alate,  and  has  the  entire  surface 
covered  by  wrinkles  and  not  the  posterior  portion  only.  Reed's  species, 
and  probably  Sirophomcna  arachnoidca  Tornquist,  are  to  be  referred  to 
the  genus  now  described. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  A  common  fossil  in  the-  Holston  limestone 
at  the  McNutt  Quarry  at  Sharon  Springs,  Va.;  found  also  in  the 


284  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Holston  at  South  Knoxville,  Tenn.    Holotype  no.  8626  and  paratype 
no.  8627,  M.  C.  Z. 

Ptychoglyptus  pulchrus  (Butts.) 

Playfairia  ?  pulchra  Butts,  Geol.  surv.  Alabama,  special  rept.,  14,  1926,  p.  102, 
pi.  10,  fig.  15. 

Butts  has  recently  published  a  figure  of  a  small  shell  about  5.5  mm. 
long  and  11  mm.  wide,  which  is  obviously  a  Ptychoglyptus.  It  differs 
from  the  type  of  the  genus  in  having  less  alate  cardinal  extremities  and 
somewhat  less  prominent  concentric  wrinkles. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  From  the  limestone  at  the  base  of  the 
Athens  at  Pratts  Ferry,  Bibb  Co.,  Ala. 

Subfamily  Davidsoniinae  King. 
Genus  Christiania  Hall  and  Clarke. 

Christiania,  sp.  indet. 

The  genus  is  represented  by  a  single  individual  showing  an  interior 
of  the  pedicle  valve.  Owing  to  the  poor  state  of  preservation,  it  has 
been  considered  inadvisable  to  assign  it  to  a  species,  though  it  seems  to 
resemble  C.  suhquadrata  Hall  rather  closely.  The  valve  is  strongly  con- 
vex and  has  a  very  small  cardinal  process,  the  interior  marked  by  a 
series  of  longitudinal  ridges.  The  dimensions  are  about  16  mm.  long 
by  12  mm.  wide,  but  owing  to  the  chipped  condition  of  the  edges,  they 
cannot  be  accurately  determined. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  Ottosee,  base  of  hill,  Hoge  Farm,  Bland 
County,  Va. 


Subfamily  Orthothetinae  Waagen. 
Genus  Strophomena  Blainville. 

Strophomena  filitexta  (Hall) 

fProducta  incurvata  Shepard,  Amer.  jour,  sci.,  1838,  34,  p.  144,  figs.  1,  2. 
fOrthis  incurvata  Castelnau,  Essai  sur  le  syst.  Sil.  de  rAmerique  Septentrionale, 

1843,  p.  38. 
f Strophomena  convexa  Owen,  Geol.  expl.  la..  Wis.,  and  111.,  1844,  p.  70,  pi.  17, 

fig.  2. 
Leptaena  filitexta  Hall,  Pal.  N.  Y.,  1847,  1,  p.  Ill,  pi.  31B,  fig.  3. 
Strophomena  filitexta  Emmons,  Amer.  geol.  1855,  1,  pt.  2,  p.  198,  pi.  11,  figs.  8a, 

9c.   Billings,  Canadian  nat.  geol.,  1857,  1,  p.  203,  figs.  1,  2.   Hall,  12  rep. 


WILLARD   AND   RAYMOND:   BRACHIOPODS.  285 

N.  Y.  state  cab.  nat.  hist.,  1859,  p.  70.    Billings,  Geol.  Canada,  1863,  p. 

164,  figs.  142a-d.  Hall  and  Clarke,  Pal.  N.  Y.,  1892,  8,  pt.  1,  p.  251,  pi.  9, 

figs.  1-7,  pi.  9A,  figs.  11-14  (not  figs.  10,  15). 
Streptor}uj7ichus  filitexta  Hall,  2nd  Ann.  rept.  N.  Y.  state  geol.,  1883,  pi.  39,  figs. 

1-7,  pi.  42,  figs.  11-14  (not  figs.  10,  15). 
Streptorhynchus  convexum  Sardeson,  Bull.  Minn.  acad.  nat.  sci.,  1892,  3,  p.  343. 
Strophomena  incurvata  Whiteaves,  Geol.  surv.  Canada,  Pal.  foss.,  1895,  3,  pt. 

2,  p.  119.  Raymond,  Bull.  amer.  pal.,  1902,  3,  no.  14,  p.  303,  pi.  19,  fig.  11. 

Weller,  Geol.  surv.  N.  J.  pal.,  1903,  3,  p.  150,  pi.  9,  figs.  16,  17.  Grabau  and 

Shimer,  N.  A.  index  fossils.  1909,  1,  p.  223,  figs.  271a-d.  Foerste,  Bull.  sci. 

lab.  Denison  univ.,  1912,  17,  p.  24,  pi.  11,  figs.  7-9a-c. 

The  species  is  very  abundant  in  the  Ottosee  fauna  locally,  the  indi- 
viduals recovered  being  generally  a  little  smaller  than  the  specimens 
usually  described,  but  in  other  particulars  agreeing  with  the  published 
descriptions.  They  are  semioval  in  outline  with  a  long  hinge  line 
slightly  exceeding  the  greatest  width.  The  pedicle  valve  is  convex  at 
the  umbo,  becoming  concave  anteriorly  and  showing  a  subrhomboidal 
to  oval  muscle-scar  surrounded  by  a  low  and  narrow  ridge  rising  later- 
ally to  the  teeth.  The  cardinal  area  is  relatively  large  with  a  prominent 
deltidium.  The  species  has  an  evenly  convex  brachial  valve  with  an 
indefinite  medial  septum  on  its  anterior.  Surface  markings  are  fine, 
radiating  striae  and  lines  of  growth,  so  that,  quoting  Hall  (Pal.  N.  Y., 
1847,  p.  Ill):  "This  shell  is  characterized  by  its  striae  which  are 
crossed  by  fine,  elevated  lines,  giving  the  surface  a  textile  or  woven 
appearance,  which  is  markedly  characteristic  in  well-preserved  speci- 
mens, and  differs  from  any  other  species  of  this  [Trenton]  rock."  The 
dimensions  of  the  shell  are:  width  33  mm.,  length  25  mm.,  height  6  mm. 
length  of  hinge  line  35  mm.,  length-width  index  76.  In  a  space  of  five 
millimeters  along  the  anterior  margin  are  found  about  25  striae.  As 
already  noted,  the  striation-pattern  is  the  chief  means  of  distinguishing 
the  form,  especially  from  S.  vincina  Foerste  in  which  the  striations  are 
all  of  about  equal  size. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  Ottosee  formation  at  Liberty  Hill,  Tenn., 
and  at  Fugates  Hill,  north  of  Mendota,  Va.  Common  in  the  Stones 
River  and  Black  River  horizons  at  Green  Bay,  Wis.,  and  various  locali- 
ties in  Minn.,  la.,  Ky.,  Tenn.,  Mo^  Canada,  etc. 

Strophomena  tennesseensis,  sp.  nov. 

Plate  2,  figs.  17,  18. 

This  is  a  rather  large  shell  resembling  S.  filitexta  (Hall),  S.  trentonen- 
sis  Winchell  and  Schuchert,  S.  ivinchelli  Hall  and  Clarke  and  other 


286  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

good  sized  Strophomenas,  but  it  may  be  distinguished  from  them  by 
its  higher  index,  moderate  convexity  and  low  cardinal  area,  together 
with  the  peculiar  curvature  of  the  brachial  valve.  This  valve  increases 
in  height  from  the  hinge  line  to  a  point  about  three-fourths  of  the  dis- 
tance to  the  anterior  margin,  where  it  turns  steeply  down  to  the  edges 
of  the  shell.  The  ascending  portion  is  nearly  plane,  but  shows  toward 
its  centre  a  slight  depression.  The  pedicle  valve  has  the  characteristic 
double  curvature  of  the  genus.  A  long,  narrow  cardinal  area  is  present, 
with  a  prominent  deltidium. 

The  dimensions  are:  width  33  mm.,  length  33  mm.,  length  of  hinge 
line  32  mm.,  length-width  index  100.  In  space  of  five  millimeters  along 
the  anterior  margin  are  found  15  regularly  alternating  striae.  The 
interior  of  the  pedicle  valve  shows  unusually  large  diductor  scars,  with 
the  adductors  on  a  low  ridge  between  them. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  A  rare  fossil  in  the  Ottosee  formation  at 
Fugates  Hill  north  of  Mendota,  Virginia,  and  at  Liberty  Hill,  Tenn. 
Cotypes  nos.  8628  and  8629  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 

Strophomena  inspeciosa,  sp.  nov. 
Plate  2,  fig.  13. 

Shell  small,  less  than  three-fourths  as  long  as  wide,  with  a  moderately 
convex  brachial  and  nearly  flat  pedicle  valve.  The  surface  appears 
rather  rough,  because  of  strongly  marked  lines  of  growth  and  irregular 
radial  undulations,  some  specimens  showing  an  obscure  sinus  in  the 
brachial  valve.  The  striae  are  fine,  and  generally  regularly  alternating, 
with  one  less  important  striation  between  each  pair  of  more  prominent 
ones.  The  cardinal  area  is  of  medium  height,  with  a  wide  deltidium; 
and  the  greatest  width  is  at  the  hinge  line. 

No  specimen  from  the  typical  locality.  Liberty  Hill,  Tenn.,  shows  the 
interior,  but  a  pedicle  valve  from  Fugates  Hill,  Va.,  which  appears  to 
be  this  species,  has  the  large  scar  of  the  diductors  divided  medially  by  a 
low  septum  which  extends  a  short  distance  in  front  of  the  scars,  taper- 
ing to  a  fine  point  at  the  anterior  end. 

The  holotype  is  15  mm.  long  and  22  mm.  wide,  and  a  smaller  indi- 
vidual is  12  mm.  long  and  17  mm.  in  width.  The  index  is  about  68  to 
70.  In  a  space  of  5  mm.  the  holotype  shows  18  striations  on  the  an- 
terior margin. 

This  species  somewhat  resembles  the  well-known  Strophomena  hill- 
ingsi  Winchell  and  Schuchert,  but  is  a  less  regularly  curved  shell,  and 
the  striae  are  more  distinctly  alternating.    Stropliomena  scofieldi  Win- 


WILLARD   AND   RAYMOND:   BRACHIOPODS.  287 

chell  and  Schuchert  is  an  equally  rough  appearing  shell,  but  has  a  dis- 
tinct fold  and  sinus  and  no  septum  in  the  pedicle  valve.  (Pal.  of 
Minnesota,  1893,  1,  pi.  31). 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  A  rather  uncommon  fossil  in  the  Ottosee  at 
Liberty  Hill,  Tenn.,  and  Fugates  Hill,  north  of  Mendota,  Va.  Holo- 
type  no.  8631  and  para  type  no.  8634  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 

Strophomena  tenuitesta,  sp.  nov, 
Plate  2,  figs.  15,  16. 

Shell  of  medium  size,  thin,  both  valves  nearly  flat.  The  width  at  the 
hinge  about  equal  to  the  greatest  width.  The  surface  is  covered  with 
fine,  radial  striae,  a  weak  one  regularly  alternating  with  a  more  promi- 
nent one,  all  crossed  by  very  closely  spaced,  concentric  lines.  The 
cardinal  area  is  unusually  narrow;  the  shell  is  very  thin,  and  practically 
all  of  the  specimens  found  are  bilaterally  unsymmetrical.  This  latter 
fact  is  due  perhaps  to  the  thinness  of  the  shell  and  the  consequent 
liability  to  injury. 

The  holotype  is  32  mm.  long  and  about  34  mm.  in  width.  A  some- 
what smaller  specimen  is  27  mm.  long  and  30  mm.  wide.  The  index 
appears  to  be  about  90.  This  species  resembles  Strophomena  filitexia  but 
is  less  curved  and  has  a  very  much  narrower  cardinal  area. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  A  rather  common  fossil  in  a  shaly  zone  in 
the  Holston  in  the  first  cutting  north  of  Copper  River  on  the  railroad 
between  Speers  Ferry  and  Clinchport,  Va.  Holotype  no.  8630,  M.  C.  Z. 


Subfamily  Tripleciinae  Schuchert. 
Genus  Oxoplecia  Wilson. 

Oxoplecia  holstonensis,  sp.  nov. 

Plate  3,  fig.  17. 

Shell  small,  nearly  circular  in  outline,  with  both  valves  so  convex  as 
to  be  almost  globose.  The  hinge  line  is  short,  and  the  cardinal  angles 
rounded.  The  pedicle  valve  has  a  small,  concave,  cardinal  area,  the 
delthyrium  closed  by  a  nearly  flat  deltidium.  The  brachial  valve  shows 
no  area.  The  pedicle  valve  has  a  rather  broad,  not  deep,  flat-bottomed 
sinus  beginning  in  front  of  the  umbo,  and  there  is  a  corresponding  fold 
in  the  brachial  valve.  The  surface  is  marked  by  small  plications  which 
extend  on  to  the  umbo,  but  seldom  entirelv  to  the  beak.  These  are 
crossed  by  fine,  numerous,  concentric  lines. 


288  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

There  appear  to  be  four  primary  plications  in  the  sinus  and  five  on 
the  fold,  but  frequently  specimens  are  found  with  one  or  two  more  in 
either  situation.  The  average  individual  appears  to  have  about  ten 
plications  on  either  side  of  the  fold  and  sinus,  although  some  have  as 
few  as  six. 

One  individual  is  10  mm.  long,  12  mm.  wide,  and  7.5  mm.  wide  at  the 
hinge.  Most  of  the  specimens  are  about  that  size,  although  one  16  mm. 
wide  was  observed. 

The  species  is  most  closely  related  to  Oxoplecia  slmulatrix  (Bassler), 
which  occurs  in  the  Chambersburg  of  northern  Virginia  and  south- 
eastern Pennsylvania  (Maryland  geol.  surv.,  Cambrian  and  Ordovi- 
cian,  1919,  p.  266,  pi.  49,  figs.  11-13).  Specimens  of  that  species  from 
Strasburg,  Virginia,  which  are  now  before  the  writer  allow  direct  com- 
parison. Individuals  of  0.  holstonensis  are  much  smaller,  more  globose, 
and  have  on  the  average  fewer  plications  in  the  fold  and  sinus  than  0. 
siviulatrix.  Specimens  of  the  latter  species  15  mm.  in  length  are  not 
uncommon. 

Butts  has  recently  figured  (Geol.  sur.  Ala.,  Special  Report  14,  1926, 
p.  126,  pi.  31,  fig.  21)  a  new  species  of  Oxoplecia  from  the  lower  part  of 
the  Chicamauga  limestone  of  Alabama.  The  pedicle  valve  has  almost 
exactly  the  same  outline  as  0.  holstonensis,  but  differs  in  that  the  sinus 
extends  to  the  beak,  whereas  in  our  specimens  the  umbo  is  convex. 
The  brachial  valve  assigned  to  0.  occidentalis  (Butts)  appears  to  be  less 
nearly  circular  in  outline. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  — •  Ottosee  by  roadside,  Fugates  Hill,  north  of 
Mendota,  Va. ;  and  in  the  Holston,  near  Goodwins  Ferry,  New  River, 
Va.,  Ross  and  Republic  Quarry,  3  miles  southeast  of  Knoxville,  and  at 
Concord,  Tenn.;  at  the  top  of  the  Holston  at  the  Thomas  Farm,  3 
miles  east  of  Blacksburg,  and  at  the  McNutt  Quarry,  Sharon  Springs, 
Va.  Also  in  the  TelUco  at  South  Knoxville,  Tenn.  Holotype  no.  8632, 
M.  C.  Z. 

Superfamily  Pentameracea  Schuchert, 

Family  Clitambonitidae  Winchell  and  Schuchert. 

Genus  Clitambonites  Pander. 

Clitambonites  porcia  (Billings). 

Oi-this  porcia  Billings,  Canadian  nat.  geol.,  1859,  4,  p.  439,  figs.  16-18;  Geol. 

Canada,  1863,  p.  130,  figs.  58a-c. 
Clitambonites  porcia  Raymond,  Ann.  Carnegie  mus.,  1911,  7,  p.  248,  pi.  36, 

figs.  15-16. 


WILLARD   AND   RAYMOND:   BRACHIOPODS.  289 

The  species  is  represented  by  parts  of  a  few  badly  preserved  pedicle 
valves.  The  better  of  these  shows  the  shell  to  have  a  high  pedicle  valve 
of  pyramidal  outline.  The  interiors  are  not  known  from  these  speci- 
mens. The  outer  surface  is  marked  by  strong,  though  not  very  large, 
striations.  It  is  distinguished  from  others  of  the  genus  largely  through 
its  coarser  striations  which  make  it  easily  confused  with  certain  of  the 
Orthidae.  The  dimensions  are:  length  14  mm.,  width  20  mm.,  length- 
width  index  70.  The  greatest  width  is  about  one-third  of  the  distance 
back  from  the  anterior  margin  along  which,  in  a  space  of  five  milli- 
meters, are  found  seven  striae. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  Ottosee,  north  of  Luttrell,  Tenn.,  and 
Chazyan,  two  miles  north  of  Montreal,  Canada.  It  is  also  found  in  the 
Holston,  at  the  base  of  the  reef  on  the  Hoge  Farm,  Bland  County,  Va., 
being  represented  by  two  pedicle  valves  and  fragments  of  others  both 
pedicle  and  brachial.  They  seem  to  be  slightly  smaller  than  the  Otto- 
see specimens. 

Clitambonites  holstoni  (Hall  and  Clarke). 

Orthis  (?)  holstoni  (Safford  Ms.),  Hall  and  Clarke,  Pal.  N.  Y.,  7,  pt.  1,  1892, 
pp.  218,  340,  pi.  5A,  figs.  35-37;  14th  rep.  state  geol.  N.  Y.,  for  1894,  1897, 
p.  339,  pi.  4,  figs.  19-21.  Wysogorski,  Zeits.  d.  d.  geol.  gesell.,  52,  1900,  p. 
227, footnote. 

This  form  has  been  distinguished  from  the  similar  Richmond  types, 
C.  amcricana  Hall  and  Clarke,  and  C.  diversa  Shaler,  by  its  greater 
width.  It  was  described  as  an  Orthis,  but  is  undoubtably  a  Clitam- 
bonites. It  also  resembles  certain  specimens  of  C.  trentonensis  Ray- 
mond, as  figured  from  the  Trenton  of  eastern  Canada.  Although  the 
material  is  fragmental,  the  specimens  show  a  long  hinge  line  and  shell 
wider  than  long,  though  the  exact  measurements  cannot  be  determined. 
The  pedicle  valve  shows  a  characteristically  high  cardinal  area,  the 
shell  itself  approaching  the  conical,  whereas  the  brachial  valve  is  more 
or  less  flattened.  The  surface  has  faint  growth  lines  and  coarse,  radi- 
ating striations.  The  interior  of  a  pedicle  valve  shows  a  large,  deeply 
concave  spondylium  supported  by  a  short,  thin  septum,  and  in  the 
brachial  shell  the  muscle-scars  are  separated  by  a  high,  rounded  septum 
which  extends  beyond  the  middle.  The  species  is  distinguished  by  its 
long  hinge  line  and  coarse  striae. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  Holston  near  Goodwins  Ferry,  New  River, 
and  near  White  Gap  and  Tilsons  Gap,  Bland  County,  Va.,  and  in  the 
Lenoir  of  the  Catawba  Valley,  Va.  Also  occurs  in  the  Ottosee  near 
Knoxville,  Tenn. 


290  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Family  Porambonitidae  Davidson. 

Subfamily  Parastrophiinae  Schuchert. 

Genus  Camarella  Billings. 

Camarella  panderi  Billings. 

Camarella  panderi  Billings,  Canadian  nat.  geol.  1859,  4,  p.  302;  Geol.  Canada, 
1863,  p.  143,  figs.  78a-b.  Hall  and  Clarke,  P:J.  N.  Y.,  1895,  8,  pt.  2,  p.  220, 
pi.  62,  figs.  19-23.  Raymond,  Ann.  Carnegie  mus.,  1911,  7,  pi.  36,  figs.  31, 
32. 

The  species  is  possibly  represented  by  several  minute  and  evidently 
embryonic  individuals.  The  outline  is  elliptical,  slightly  pointed  poste- 
riorly from  the  extension  of  the  pedicle  beak  over  the  short  hinge  line. 
It  is  a  biconvex  brachiopod,  the  pedicle  valve  slightly  more  gibbous 
than  the  brachial.  Some  individuals  are  a  little  more  sharply  curved  at 
the  anterior  margin,  and  both  valves  may  show  suggestions  of  plica- 
tions at  the  front.  The  dimensions  are:  length  2.5  mm.,  width  2  mm., 
length-width  index  125.  The  greatest  width  is  at  the  middle.  The  form 
is  distinguished  by  its  small  size. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  Holston  at  Ross  and  Republic  Quarry,  3 
miles  southeast  of  Knoxville,  Tenn.;  middle  of  reef  at  Hoge  Farm, 
Bland  Co.,  Va.,  Black  River  at  Pauquettes  Rapids,  Ottawa  River, 
Canada;  Curdsville  of  Kentucky. 

Camarella  volborthi  BiUings. 

Camarella  volborthi  Billings,  Can.  nat.  and  geol.,  1859,  4,  p.  301;  Geol.  Canada, 
1863,  p.  143,  figs.  77a-c.  Hall  and  Clarke,  Pal.  N.  Y.,  1895,  8,  pt.  2,  p.  220, 
pi.  62,  figs.  11-18,  pi.  84,  fig.  42. 

This  well-known  species  is  rather  common  in  the  Ottosee  at  Liberty 
Hill,  Tenn.  Specimens  from  that  locality  are  of  about  the  usual  size, 
have  two  plications  in  the  sinus  and  three  on  the  sides,  but  usually 
show  a  somewhat  more  shallow  sinus  than  individuals  from  Canada  or 
Central  Tennessee. 


Genus  Parastrophia  Hall  and  Clarke, 

Parastrophia  rotundiformis,  nom.  nov. 

Anastrophia  (?)  hemiplicata  var.  rotunda  Wiachell  and  Schuchert,  Minn.  geol. 
surv.,  1893,  3,  pt.  1,  p.  383,  pi.  30,  figs.  32-35. 

Parastrophia  hemiplicata  rotunda  Bassler,  U.  S.  nat.  mus..  Bull.  92, 1915, 2,  p.  945. 


WILLARD   AND   RAYMOND:   BRACHIOPODS.  291 

Parastrophia  hemiplicata  Hall  is  well  known  to  be  distinctly  and 
typically  a  species  confined  to  the  Trenton  in  New  York,  Pennsylvania, 
Wisconsin,  Minnesota,  New  Jersey,  Ontario,  Manitoba  and  Baffin 
Land.  Parastrophia  hemiplicata  rotunda  Winchell  and  Schuchert  is  re- 
ported only  from  the  Trenton,  at  Cannon  Falls,  Minnesota,  and 
Decorah,  la.  The  specimens  from  the  Holston  of  Tennessee  seem  to  be 
identical  with  the  latter  so  that,  since  it  occurs  at  this  lower  level,  it 
has  been  deemed  wise  to  treat  it  as  a  distinct  species  rather  than  a 
variety  of  P.  hemiplicata  Hall;  especially  so,  since  the  simpler  plication 
arrangement  hints  at  its  possibly  having  an  ancestral  relation  to  the 
Trenton  species.  It  is  a  subglobose  brachiopod.  The  pedicle  valve  has 
a  broad,  shallow  sinus  and  two  plications  therein  with  two  or  three  on 
the  lateral  slopes.  The  brachial  vahe  has  a  low  fold  on  which  are  three 
plications  that  become  flattened  and  appear  to  bifurcate  at  their  an- 
terior ends. 

The  dimensions  are:  length  13.5  mm.,  width  14.5  mm.,  length-width 
index  93.  The  greatest  width  is  two-thirds  of  the  length  from  the  beaks 
forward.  It  is  distinguished  from  P.  hemiplicata  Hall  by  its  higher  con- 
vexity and  the  fewer  plications. 

Since  Reed  has  shown  (Trans.  Roy.  Soc.  Edinburgh,  51,  1917,  no.  4, 
p.  928)  that  Atrypa  rotunda  Sowerby  is  a  Parastrophia,  it  becomes 
necessary  to  suggest  a  new  name  for  the  species  described  by  Winchell 
and  Schuchert. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  Holston,  McNutt  Quarry,  Sharon  Springs, 
Va.,  top  of  Holston,  Thomas  Farm,  3  miles- east  of  Blacksburg,  Va., 
Trenton,  Cannon  Falls,  Minn.,  Decorah,  la; 


Order  TELOTREMATA  Beecher. 

Superfamily  Rhynchonellacea  Schuchert. 

Family  Rhynchonellidae  Schuchert. 

Genus  Camarotoechia  Hall  and  Clarke. 

Camarotoechia  quadriplicata,  sp.  nov. 

Plate  2,  fig.  14. 

The  shell  is  of  medium  size  and  of  the  usual  form  for  the  genus.  The 
fold  is  low  and  the  sinus  shallow,  so  that  neither  makes  a  striking  in- 
terruption in  the  curvature  of  the  shell,  and  the  outline  is  transversely 
oval,  rather  than  triangular.  The  surface  is  crossed  by  angular,  radial 
plications,  four  of  which  are  in  the  sinus,  five  on  the  fold  and  six  or 


292  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

seven  on  each  of  the  sides.  Except  at  the  front,  there  are  no  conspicu- 
ous growth  lines,  but  the  surface,  when  preserved,  is  covered  with 
minute  granules.  One  individual  is  13.5  mm.  long  and  17  mm.  wide. 
Nearly  all  of  the  others  are  a  little  smaller.  The  index  is  about  80. 

This  shell  is  referred  to  Camarotoechia  instead  of  Rhynchotrema,  in 
the  absence  of  any  information  as  to  the  presence  or  lack  of  a  cardinal 
process,  and  because  of  the  absence  of  numerous  growth  lines.  It  ap- 
pears to  be  nearly  related  to  Camarotoechia  plena,  which  often  has  five 
plications  on  the  fold  and  four  in  the  sinus,  but  lacks  the  variability  of 
that  species,  and  differs  in  being  distinctly  broader  than  long.  It  is 
readily  distinguished  from  Rhynchotrema  increbescens  (Hall)  and  R. 
minnesotcnsis  (Sardeson)  by  the  lack  of  growth  lines,  and  the  presence 
of  an  extra  plication  on  the  fold  and  sinus. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  Specimens  are  fairly  common  but  poorly 
preserved  at  the  base  of  the  Ottosee  at  Luttrell,  Tenn.,  and  exceed- 
ingly abundant  in  the  upper  part  of  the  Holston  about  two  miles  north- 
east of  Fugates  Hill,  north  of  Mendota,  Va.  Holotype  no.  8633,  M.  C.  Z. 


4. 


No.  6b.  —  The  Brachiopods  of  the  Lenoir  and  Athens  Formations  of 

Tennessee  and  Virginia. 

By  Percy  E.  Raymond. 

Order  ATREMATA  Beecher. 
LiNGULA  NYMPHA  Billings. 


*&■- 


Plate  1,  fig.  1. 

Lingula  nympha  Billings,  Pal.  foss.  Canada,  1865,  1,  p.  214,  fig.  198.    Ami, 
Ottawa  naturalist,  1894,  8,  p.  85. 

Shell  very  large,  parallel-sided,  convex,  the  anterior  and  lateral 
slopes  flattened.  The  pedicle  valve  extends  only  very  slightly  beyond 
the  opposite  one,  so  that  the  beak  is  scarcely  more  pointed.  The  ex- 
terior shows  the  usual  concentric  growth  lines,  and  there  are  also  along 
the  median  region,  from  back  to  front,  radial  striations  which  are 
accentuated  on  partially  exfoliated  individuals. 

The  figured  brachial  valve  is  58  mm.  long  and  26  mm.  wide,  with  an 
index  of  223.  This  shell  is  somewhat  broader  than  specimens  from 
Newfoundland,  whose  index,  according  to  Billings,  is  about  270. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  This  is  a  common  fossil  in  the  shaly  lime- 
stone of  the  Athens  in  the  cutting  one  mile  south  of  Otes,  Tenn.  Nearly 
all  the  specimens,  however,  have  been  obtained  from  material  brought 
from  this  cutting  to  make  a  fill  on  the  railroad  about  1.5  miles  north  of 
Bulls  Gap,  Tenn.  Figured  specimen  no.  8585,  M.  C.  Z.  Billings's  speci- 
mens were  from  division  N,  (Normanskill),  at  Table  Head,  Newfound- 
land. 

Order  Protremata  Beecher. 

Orthis  disparilis  Conrad. 

Orthis  disparilis  Conrad,  Proc.  acad.  nat.  sci.  Philadelphia,  1843,  1,  p.  333. 
See  Bull.  92,  U.  S.  nat.  mus.,  1915,  2,  p^  898,  for  further  synonymy. 

The  presence  of  this  species  in  the  Athens  is  indicated  by  a  pedicle 
valve  9  mm.  long  and  about  9.5  mm.  wide.  It  has  25  small  rounded 
plications,  and  a  high  incurved  cardinal  area.  Another  individual,  re- 
taining both  shells,  has  a  brachial  valve  8  mm.  long  and  10  mm.  wide. 
These  specimens  have  a  higher  index  than  usual  for  this  species,  but  as 
both  are  small,  it  seems  better  to  place  them  here  than  as  a  new  species. 


294  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  The  first  specimen  mentioned  is  from  the 
Athens  one  mile  south  of  Otes,  Tenn.  The  second,  from  the  Lenoir, 
between  Bulls  Gap  and  Whitesburg,  Tenn. 

Hebertella  bursa,  sp.  nov. 
Plate  1,  fig.  7. 

Shell  of  medium  size,  both  valves  moderately  convex,  hinge  shorter 
than  the  greatest  width  of  the  shell.  Surface  covered  with  striations 
which  in  general  effect  appear  simple,  but  increase  by  bifurcation  and 
implantation  close  to  the  beak,  and  more  rarely,  near  the  front.  On 
account  of  the  place  of  introduction  of  new  members,  the  striations 
increase  in  size  uniformly  from  the  umbo  to  the  front,  where  there  are 
5  in  the  space  of  5  mm. 

The  holotype  is  26  mm.  long  and  29  mm.  wide  at  the  middle.  The 
width  at  the  hinge  is  22  mm.  and  the  index  90. 

This  species  somewhat  resembles  H.  melonica  Willard  and  //.  borealis 
Billings,  but  is  very  much  less  convex  than  either  of  those  species. 

Horizon  and  Locality: — A  single  complete  but  somewhat  crushed 
individual  was  found  in  material  taken  from  the  railroad  cutting  1  mile 
south  of  Otes,  Tenn.  The  horizon  is  Athens.  The  holotype  is  no.  8597, 
M.  C.  Z. 

Plectorthis  exfoliata  Raymond. 

Hebertella  exfoliata  Raymond,  Am.  jour,  sci.,  1905,  20,  p.  370. 
Plectorthis  exjoliata  Raymond,  Ann.  Carnegie  mus.,  1911,  7,  p.  238,  pi.  35,  figs. 
11,  12.  " 

Specimens  from  the  Lenoir  seem  to  agree  in  all  respects  with  those 
from  the  typical  Chazy.  Both  valves  are  convex,  the  width  at  the 
hinge  does  not  quite  equal  the  greatest  width,  and  all  show  about  40 
simple,  thin,  sharp  plications.  An  average  specimen  is  13  mm.  long, 
15  mm.  wide,  and  13  mm.  wide  at  the  hinge.  An  unusually  large  indi- 
vidual is  15  mm.  long. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  This  is  a  very  common  species  in  the  Lenoir 
at  Lenoir  City  and  at  Bluff  City,  Tenn.,  and  one  specimen  was  found 
4  miles  east  of  Concord,  Tenn. 

Valcourea  ventro-carinata  (Butts). 

Strophomena  ventro-carinata  Butts.  Geol.  surv.  Ala.  special  rept.,  14,  1926,  p. 
116,  pi.  26,  figs.  16,  17. 

Shell  small,  known  only  from  the  pedicle  valve  which  is  almost  flat, 
being  slightly  convex  at  the  beak,  flat  or  slightly  concave  at  the  front. 


WILLARD   AND   RAYMOND:    BRACHIOPODS.  295 

The  greatest  width  is  at  the  hinge,  the  cardinal  angles  being  acute  but 
not  greatly  extended.  The  surface  is  covered  with  slender,  granulose, 
angular  striae,  which  increase  both  by  bifurcation  and  implantation, 
the  longer  striae  being  much  the  more  elevated  and  conspicuous. 

A  pedicle  valve  is  10  mm.  long  and  16  mm.  wide  at  the  hinge.  There 
are  14  striae  in  a  space  of  5  mm.  at  the  front. 

This  species  differs  from  Valcourea  strophomenoides  Raymond,  V. 
defleda  (Conrad)  and  all  other  species  of  the  genus  in  the  flatness  of  the 
pedicle  valve. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  The  types  of  the  species  were  collected  from 
the  Little  Oak  limestone  at  Pelham,  Ala.  Two  specimens  were  found 
by  the  writer  at  the  top  of  the  Lenoir  1.5  miles  east  of  Bluff  City,  Tenn. 


Valcourea  strophomenoides  Raymond. 

Plaesiomys  strophomenoides  Raymond,  Am.  jour,  sci.,  1905,  20,  p.  370. 
Valcourea  strophomenoides  Raymond,  Ann.  Carnegie  mus.,  1911,  7,  p.  240,  pi. 
35,  figs.  15-19,  pi.  36,  fig.  1,  text  fig.  12. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  A  rare  species  in  the  Lenoir  near  the  Ross 
and  Republic  quarry,  southeast  of  Knoxville,  Tenn. 


Plaesiomys  platys  (Billings). 

Orthis  platys  Billings,  Canadian  nat.  and  geol.,  1859,  4,  p.  438,  figs.  15a-c. 
See  Bull.  92,  U.  S.  nat.  mus.,  1915,  1,  p.  444,  for  further  references. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  This  species  is  fairly  common  in  the  Athens 
in  the  cutting  one  mile  south  of  Otes,  Tenn. 


Rafinesquina  champlainensis  Raymond. 

Rafinesquina  champlainensis  Raymond,  Bull.  Am.  Palaeontology,  1902,  3 ' 
no.  14,  p.  303,  pi.  18,  figs.  5,  6.  Ami.  Carnegie  mus.,  1911,  7,  p.  233,  figs. 
6-9. 

Specimens  of  this  species  from  the  Lenoir  show  the  typical  convexity 
and  often  the  full  size  of  species  as  it  occurs  in  the  typical  Chazy.  A 
pedicle  valve  is  41  mm.  long  and  40  mm.  wide  at  the  hinge,  which  is  not 
quite  the  greatest  width. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  — ■  A  common  fossil  in  the  Lenoir  six  miles 


296  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

southeast  of  Knoxville,  east  of  Concord,  and  between  Bulls  Gap  and 
Whitesburg,  Tenn. 

Rafinesquina  minnesotensis  (Winchell). 

Strophomena  minnesotensis  Winchell,  9tli  ann.  rept.  nat.  hist  survey  of  Minne- 
sota, 1881,  p.  120.  See  Bassler,  Bull.  92,  U.  S.  nat.  mus.,  1915,  2,  p. 
1088,  for  further  references  to  the  literature. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  A  single  complete  individual,  of  typical  size 
and  convexity,  was  found  in  the  Lenoir  6  miles  southeast  of  Knoxville, 
Tenn.  It  was  19  mm.  long  and  24  mm.  wide  at  the  hinge.  A  smaller 
specimen  was  obtained  from  the  Lenoir  at  Lenoir  City,  Tenn. 

Rafinesquina  alternata  (Emmons). 

Strophomena  alternata  Emmons,  Geology  of  New  York,  rept.  2nd  district,  1842, 
p.  395,  fig.  3.  See  Bull.  92,  U.  S.  nat.  mus.,  1915,  p.  1084,  for  further 
references  to  literature. 

Small  specimens,  which  have  the  low  curvature,  proportions  and 
striae  of  this  species  were  collected  from  the  Lenoir  four  miles  east  of 
Concord,  Tenn.,  six  miles  southeast  of  Knoxville,  and  east  of  Bluff 
City,  Tenn. 

Rafinesquina  pulchella,  sp.  nov. 
Plate  2,  fig.  10. 

Shell  very  small,  nearly  as  long  as  wide,  widest  at  the  hinge,  but 
slightly  constricted  in  front  of  it,  so  as  to  appear  somewhat  auriculate. 
Pedicle  valve  gently  convex,  highest  at  the  beak,  the  umbonal  region 
crossed  by  a  narrow  fold  which  gradually  dies  out  at  about  the  mid- 
length.  The  surface  is  covered  by  very  delicate  equal  striae  which  in- 
crease by  implantation.  There  are  about  9  in  a  space  of  2  mm.  at  the 
front. 

One  individual  is  7.5  mm.  long  and  8.0  mm.  wide  at  the  hinge.  The 
index  varies  on  the  specimens  measured  from  80  to  94. 

This  species  may  possibly  be  founded  on  the  young  of  some  larger 
form,  but  the  occurrence  of  a  considerable  number  of  specimens  all  of 
the  same  size  suggests  that  it  is  really  a  dwarf.  It  differs  from  the 
young  of  Rafinesquina  alternata  in  having  all  the  striae  of  the  same  size, 
and  is  much  less  convex  than  small  specimens  of  R.  minnesotensis. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  ■ —  A  rather  common  fossil  in  the  Lenoir  near 
the  L,  and  N.  station  at  Athens,  Tenn.  Holotype  no.  8624,  paratype 
no.  8625,  M.  C.  Z. 


WILLARD   AND   RAYMOND:    BRACHIOPODS.  297 

Plectambonites  amplus,  sp.  nov. 
Plate  2,  fig.  9;  Plate  3,  fig.  12. 

Shell'  very  large,  deeply  concavo-convex,  with  produced  cardinal 
angles.  The  surface  is  crossed  by  alternating  radial  striae,  each  pair  of 
the  prominent  ones  having  only  three  or  four  fainter  ones  between 
them.  The  median  striation  on  the  brachial  valve  is  notably  larger 
than  the  others. 

The  best  specimen  is  about  18  mm.  long  and  35  mm.  wide,  the  index 
being  about  50. 

This  species  is  of  about  the  same  size  and  couA-exity  as  Plectamhonites 
crassus  Willard,  from  which  it  differs  chiefly  in  that  the  prominent 
striae  are  not  double. 

Horizon  and  Locality :  — ■  A  rare  species  in  the  Lenoir,  six  miles  south- 
east of  Knoxville,  Tenn.  The  holotype  is  no.  8617,  M.  C.  Z. 

Plectambonites  delicatulus  Butts. 

Plate  3,  fig.  11. 

Plectambonites  delicatula  Butts,  Geol.  surv.  Ala.,  special  rept.,  14,  1926,  p.  116, 
pi.  26,  figs.  20,  21. 

Shell  of  medium  size,  deeply  concavo-convex,  cardinal  extremities 
acutely  auriculate.  A  section  along  the  median  line  would  show  the 
pedicle  valve  to  be  nearly  semi-circular  in  profile.  The  surface  is 
marked  by  rather  distant  prominent  striae,  which  increase  by  implan- 
tation, and  between  each  pair  there  are  6  or  7  low  and  faint  striae,  in 
the  furrows  between  which  are  lines  of  small  elongate  depressions. 

The  brachial  valve  has  a  shallow  median  sinus  on  the  umbonal 
region. 

The  plesiotype  is  10  mm.  long  and  17  mm.  wide  at  the  hinge.  There 
are  7  or  8  prominent  striae  in  the  space  of  5  mm.  at  the  front.  The 
index  is  about  60. 

This  species  dift'ers  from  most  of  the  other  Ordovician  Plectambon- 
ites of  its  size  in  its  greater  convexity.  It  is  most  closely  allied  to  P. 
■pisuvi  Ruedemann  (N.  Y.  State  mus.  bull.,  49,  1901,  p.  19,  pi.  1,  figs. 
8-20)  but  differs  in  being  larger  and  proportionally  shorter,  that  spe- 
cies having  an  index  of  80. 

Horizon  and  Localiiy:  —  A  rather  rare  fossil  in  the  Lenoir  6  miles 
southeast  of  Knoxville,  Tenn.  Plesiotype  no.  8612,  M.  C.  Z.  The 
original  specimens  were  from  the  Little  Oak  limestone  near  Pelham, 
Ala. 


298  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Christiania  lamellosa  Butts. 
Plate  3,  figs.  18,  19. 

Christiania  lamellosa  Butts,  Geol.  surv.  Ala.,  special  rept.   14,   1926,  p.   116, 
pi.  26,  figs.  31-34. 

Shell  small,  subhemisplierical,  wider  than  long,  the  greatest  width 
near  the  front  being  considerably  more  than  that  at  the  hinge.  The 
pedicle  valve  is  unsymmetrical  in  profile,  the  highest  point  behind  the 
middle,  and  the  umbo  almost  vertical.  The  brachial  valve  is  more 
evenly  concave.  Surface  covered  with  somewhat  irregularly  arranged 
concentric  lines,  but  apparently  without  radial  ornamentation. 

One  specimen  is  8.5  mm.  long,  13  mm.  in  greatest  width,  and  8  mm. 
wide  at  the  binge.   The  index  is  therefore  about  66. 

This  species  is  most  closely  allied  to  Christiania  subqvadrata  Hall, 
which  is  now  believed  to  have  been  obtained  from  the  Ottosee  of 
Blount  Co.,  Tenn.  (See  Bassler,  Bull.  92,  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1915,  1,  p. 
221).  It  agrees  with  that  form  in  the  presence  of  concentric  and  ab- 
sence of  radial  striae,  but  differs  in  being  wider  than  long.  Christiania 
trentoncnsis  Ruedemann  is  not  only  proportionately  longer  than  C. 
lamellosa,  but  also  has  radial  striae. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  A  rare  fossil  in  the  Lenoir  near  the  L.  &  N. 
station  at  Athens,  Tenn.,  and  6  miles  southeast  of  Knoxville,  Tenn. 
Plesiotype  is  no.  8618  in  the  M.  C.  Z. 

OxoPLEciA  HOLSTONENSis  Willard. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  A  single  brachial  valve  was  collected  in 
material  brought  from  the  cutting  through  the  Athens  one  mile  south 
of  Otes,  Tenn. 

It  is  10  mm.  long,  13.5  mm.  broad,  has  5  plications  on  the  fold,  and 
10  on  either  side.  All  are  crossed  by  closely  spaced  concentric  lamellae 
of  growth. 

Camarella  longirostra  Billings. 

Camerella  longirostra  Billings,  Can.  nat.  and  geol.,  1859,  4,  p.  302,  445,  fig.  23. 
See  Bull.  92,  U.  S.  nat.  mus.,  1915,  1,  p.  172,  for  further  references. 

Specimens  which  can  be  referred  to  this  species  are  very  common  in 
the  Lenoir  at  Bluff  City,  Tenn.  The  pedicle  valve  is  proportionately 
wider  than  that  of  individuals  from  the  typical  Chazy,  but  this  does 
not  seem  a  justifiable  basis  for  erection  of  a  new  species. 

A  large  brachial  valve  is  7.5  mm.  long  and  8.25  mm.  wide.  A  pedicle 


WILLARD   AND   RAYMOND:    BRACHIOPODS.  299 

valve  is  7  mm.  long  and  6  mm.  wide,  the  index  being  116  as  compared 
with  an  index  of  133  to  140  for  shells  from  Valcour  Island,  N.  Y.,  and 
an  index  of  131  to  150  for  specimens  from  the  Mingan  Islands  measured 
or  figured  by  Billings.  There  is  in  fact  a  wide  difference  in  proportions 
between  Billings'  figured  type  and  the  specimens  found  in  Tennessee. 

Camarella  panderi  Billings. 

Camarella  panderi  Billings,  Can.  nat.  and  geol.,  1859,  4,  p.  302;  Geol.  of  Canada, 
1863,  p.  143,  figs.  78a,  b.  Hall  and  Clarke,  Pal.  N.  Y.,  1895,  8,  pt.  2,  p.  220, 
pi.  62,  figs.  19-23.  Raymond,  Ann.  Carnegie  mus.,  1911,  7,  \A.  36,  figs.  31, 
32. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  A  specimen  3.5  mm.  long  and  3  mm.  wide 
was  collected  from  the  Lenoir  at  Lenoir  City,  Tenn. 

Camarella  varians  Billings. 

Camarella  varians  Billings,  Can.  nat.  and  geol.,  1859,  4,  p.  445,  fig.  24;  Geol. 
Canada,  1863,  p.  127,  figs.  52a-d;  Pal.  foss.  Canada,  1865,  1,  p.  220. 
Raymond,  Ann.  Carnegie  mus.,  1911,  7,  p.  250,  pi.  36,  figs.  19-27,  33-36. 

This  variable  shell  was  obtained  from  the  Lenoir  east  of  Bluff'  City, 
Tenn.  One  pedicle  valve,  9  mm.  long,  has  two  plications  in  the  sinus. 
Another,  8  mm.  in  length,  has  only  one,  and  that  a  short  and  incon- 
spicuous ridge. 

Order  TELOTREMATA  Beecher. 
Camarotoechia  pristina  Raymond. 

Camarotoechia  pristina  Raymond,  Am.  Jour.  Sci.,  1905,  ser.  4,  20,  p.  368;  Ann. 
Carnegie  mus.,  1911,  7,  p.  225,  pi.  34,  figs.  1-10. 

This  species  is  recognized  by  the  fact  that  the  median  pair  of  plica- 
tions on  the  fold  of  the  dorsal  valve  are  introduced  later  in  life  than  the 
outer  pair,  and  hence  are  usually  smaller. 

Horizon  and  Locality:  —  A  single  brachial  valve,  6  mm.  long  and 
8  mm.  broad,  was  found  in  the  Lenoir  at  Lenoir  City,  Tenn.  The  spe- 
cies is  found  in  the  upper  part  of  the  Lower  Chazy  and  the  lower  part 
of  the  Upper  Chazy  in  New  York. 

Zygospira  acutirostra  (Hall). 

Atrypa  acutirostra  Hall,  Pal.  N.  Y.,  1847,  1,  p.  21,  pi.  4,  bis.,  fig.  6.  See  Bull.  92, 
U.  S.  nat.  mus.,  1915,  2,  p.  1340,  for  further  references. 

Numerous  specimens  of  this  small  shell  were  found  in  the  Lenoir  one 
mile  east  of  Bluff  City,  Tenn.    A  characteristic  individual  from  that 


300  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

locality  is  3  mm.  long,  2.5  mm.  in  width  and  has  10  plications.  The 
specimens  differ  from  those  found  in  the  typical  Chazy  chiefly  in  that 
the  median  plication  on  the  pedicle  valve  is  not  conspicuously  larger 
than  the  others. 


The  Relationships  of  the  Brachiopods  of  the  Lenoir,  Holston, 
Athens^  and  Ottosee  formations. 


THE  LENOIR. 

Twenty-one  species  of  brachiopods  have  been  reported  above  from 
the  Lenoir,  the  oldest  of  the  formations  under  discussion.  The  fossils 
have  been  derived  from  three  somewhat  widely  separated  localities, 
under  the  names  of  which  they  will  be  listed. 


Vicinity  of  Knoxville. 

Under  this  heading  are  included  the  species  collected  southeast  of 
Knoxville,  east  of  Concord,  and  at  Lenoir  City,  Tenn.  This  is  the 
typical  region  for  the  Lenoir. 

Pledorthis  exfoliata  Raymond,  Valcourea  strophomenoides  Raymond, 
Rafincsquina  chain plainens is  Raymond,  R.  viinnesoiensis  (Winchell), 
R.  alternata  (Emmons),  Plectambonites  amjjlus  Raymond,  P.  delicatulus 
Butts,  Camarella  panderi  Billings,  and  Camarotoechia  pristina  Ray- 
mond. 

Bluff  City,  Tenn. 

This  locality  is  about  one  hundred  miles  northeast  of  Knoxville,  not 
far  from  Bristol. 

Pledorthis  exfoliata  Raymond,  Valcourea  ventro-carinata  (Butts), 
Rafinesquina  alternata  (Emmons),  Camarella  longirostra  Billings,  C. 
varians  Billings,  and  Zygospira  acutirostra  (Hall). 


WILLARD   AND    RAYMOND:    BRACHIOPODS.  301 


Catawba  Valley,  north  of  Salem,  Va. 

This  locality  is  about  330  miles  northeast  of  Knoxville. 

Hehcrtclla  vulgaris  Raymond,  Plaesiomys  platys  (Billings),  Dinorthis 
pcctinrUa  (Emmons),  Plcctamhonites  negritus  Willard,  and  Clitam- 
honifcs  holstoni  (Hall  and  Clarke). 

Three  species,  not  found  at  any  of  the  above  localities,  are: 

Ortkis  disparilis  Conrad,  Rafinesquina  pulchella  Raymond,  and 
Christiania  lameUosa  Butts.  The  last  two  have  not  been  found  asso- 
ciated with  other  species  typical  of  the  Lenoir. 

Comparison  of  the  Lenoir  with  the  Chazy. 

It  will  be  at  once  noted  that  the  brachiopods  of  the  Lenoir  have  a 
strongl;>*  Chazyan  aspect.  Plcdorthis  exfoliata,  Hehcrtclla  vulgaris, 
Plaesiomys  platys,  Valcourca  strophomcnoidcs,  Rafinesquina  cham- 
plainensis,  Camarclla  longirostra,  C.  varians,  Camarotoechia  pristina 
and  Zygospira  acutirostra,  9  of  the  21  species,  were  originally  described 
from  the  Chazy.  Orfkis  (lisparilis,  Valcourca  vcntro-carinata,  and 
Clitamhonitcs  holsiom  have  near  allies  in  the  Chazy,  and  Rafincsqitina 
altcrnata  occurs  in  that  formation. 

These  species  have  such  long  vertical  ranges  in  the  typical  Chazy, 
however,  that  they  do  not  afford  evidence  for  exact  correlation.  The 
presence  of  Rafinesquina  champlainensis,  Plaesiomys  platys,  and  Cama- 
rclla varians  would  in  the  typical  region  of  the  Chazy,  generally  indi- 
cate Middle  Chazy,  and  the  impression  of  the  writer  at  the  present 
time  is  that  the  Lenoir  is  neither  youngest  nor  oldest  Chazy.  The  only 
element  of  the  fauna  which  is  not  Chazyan  is  seen  in  the  presence  of 
Plectambonites  and  Christiania.  Neither  of  these  genera  has  been 
found  in  the  Chazy,  and  their  absence  has  been  a  striking  characteristic 
of  that  fauna.  Their  presence  in  the  Southern  Appalachians  indicates 
that  we  have  here  a  mixture  of  two  faunal  elements,  but  both  Euro- 
pean in  origin. 


THE  HOLSTON. 

The  Holston  has  a  rather  surprisingly  large  fauna  of  brachiopods, 
many  of  which,  however,  are  at  present  known  only  from  a  single  small 
quarry  at  Sharon  Springs,  Bland  Co.,  Va.  The  fauna  will  be  listed 
under  three  headings. 


302  bttlletin:  mttseum  of  comPxVrative  zoology. 


Vicinity  of  Knoxville,  Tenn, 

This  includes  Fountain  City,  South  Knoxville,  and  Concord. 

Palaeoglossa  belli  (Billings),  Plaesiomys  pkiiys  (Billings),  Pionodema 
minuscula  Willard,  Plectamhonites  r.cgritus  Willard,  Lcpiaena  palvstrU 
Willard,  Rafincsquina  duplicistriafa  Willard,  Piychngh/ptus  virc/inioisis 
Willard,  and  CamareUa  pcwderi  Billings. 

Bland  County,  Va. 

This  includes  the  Hoge  farm,  near  Bland,  as  well  as  the  McNutt 
quarry  at  Sharon  Springs,  and  is  about  185  miles  northeast  of  Knox- 
ville. 

Lingula  lyrlli  Billings,  Schizamhon  cunratvs  Willard,  Conotreta  d-- 
clivis  Willard,  Acrosaccus  shvlcri  Willard,  A.  panneus  Willard,  Prtro- 
crania  prona  Raymond,  Hehertclla  viclonica  Willard,  //.  tml^nris 
Raymond,  Dinorthis  pectinclla  (Emmons),  NicolcUa  agilera  Willard, 
Plectamhonites  crassus  Willard,  Rnfinesqnina  minnesotcnsis  (Winchell), 
R.  champlainensis  Raymond,  R.  distans  Raymond,  R.  grandisfriata  Wil- 
lard, PtycJwglyptus  virgimensis  W'illard,  Oxoplecin  fwlstonensis  Willard, 
Clitamhonitcs  porcia  (Billings),  CamareUa  panderi  Billings,  and  Parns- 
trophia  rotundifonnis  Willard. 

Varioi's  localities. 

The  following  species  have  been  found  at  various  localities  in  south- 
western Virginia,  from  Blacksburg  on  the  east  to  Speers  Ferry  on  the 
west. 

Lingula  narrawayi  Wilson,  Plectorthis  holdeni  Willard,  Dinorthis 
atavoides  Willard,  Plectamhonites  equistriatiis  Willard,  P.  pisum  Ruede- 
mann,  P.  triseptatus  Willard,  Lcpiaena  prona  Willard,  Strophomena 
tenuitesta  Willard,  Cliiamhonites  holstoni  (Hall  and  Clarke),  and 
Camarotoechia  quadriplicata  Willard. 

Comparison  of  the  Brachiopods  of  the  Holston  with  those  of 

THE  ChAZY. 

The  Holston  contains  some  Chazyan  species,  although  they  do  not 
dominate  the  fauna,  as  in  the  case  of  the  Lenoir.  They  are:  Palaeo- 
glossa helli  (Billings),  Lingula  lyelli  Billings,  Petrocrania  prona  Ray- 
mond,   Hehcrtella    vulgaris   Raymond,    Plaesiomys  plnfys    (Billings), 


WILLARD   AND   RAYMOND:   BRACHIOPODS.  303 

Rafinesquina  champlainensis  Raymond,  R.  distans  Raymond,  and 
CUtamhoniies  porcia  (Billings).  Two  more  species,  Schizambon  cuneatus 
Willard  and  Clitamhonitcs  holstoni  are  very  similar  to  Chazyan  brachio- 
pods.  The  Chazyan  element  in  the  Holston  amounts  to  about  25%  as 
contrasted  with  about  50%  in  the  case  of  the  Lenoir.  The  element  un- 
known to  the  Chazy  is  large  and  contains  Conotreta,  Acrosaccus, 
Nicolella,  Pionodema,  Plectambonites,  Ptychoglyptus,  Oxoplecia  and 
Parastrophia.  Acrosaccus,  Nicolella  and  Ptychoglyptus  are  unknown 
elsewhere  in  America,  but  Conotreta,  Oxoplecia  and  Parastrophia  are 
known  from  post-Chazyan  formations. 

THE  OTTOSEE. 

The  greater  part  of  the  brachiopods  collected  from  thepttosee  were 
obtained  at  two  localities,  neither  of  which  is  in  the  typical  region 
about  Knoxville,  Tenn.  It  is  known  that  this  formation  is  very  prolific 
in  brachiopods  at  other  localities  which  I  have  not  visited,  and  the 
species  described  by  Dr.  Willard  probably  represent  only  a  small  part 
of  the  fauna. 

LuTTRELL,  Tenn.   About  20  miles  north  of  Knoxville. 

Schizambon  cuneatus  Willard,  Petrocrania  prona  Raymond,  P. 
cicatricula  Willard,  Orthis  disparilis  Conrad,  Plectorthis  exfoliata  Ray- 
mond, Hebertella  melonica  Willard,  H,  vulgaris  Raymond,  Glyptorthis 
bellarugosa  (Conrad),  Plaesiomys  platys  (Billings),  Dinortliis  pcctinella 
(Emmons),  D.  quadriplicata  Willard,  D.  transversa  Willard,  Pionodema 
globosa  Willard,  Plectambonites  curdsvillenses  Foerste,  Rafinesquina 
minnesotensis  (Winchell),  R.  duplicistriata  Wi\\a.rd,  Clitambonites  porcia 
(Billings),  and  Camarotoechia  quadriplicata  Willard. 

Fugates  Hill,  7  miles  north  of  Mendota,  Va.,  and  85  miles 

northeast  of  luttrell. 

Orthis  disparilis  Conrad,  Plectorthis  exfoliata  Raymond,  Hebertella 
melonica  Willard,  Plaesiomys  platys  (Billings),  P.  brevis  Willard,  Din- 
orthis  interstriata  Willard,  Z).  quadriplicata  Willard,  D.  transversa 
Willard,  Pionodema  subaequata  (Conrad),  P.  globosa  Willard,  Plec- 
tambonites curdsvillensis  Foerste,  P.  aequistriatus  Willard,  Rafinesquina 
minnesotensis  (Winchell),  R.  champlainensis  Raymond,  R.  duplicis- 
triata  Willard,  Strophomena  filitexta  (Hall),  S.  tennesseensis  Willard, 
S.  inspeciosa  Willard,  and  Oxoplecia  holstonensis  Willard. 


304  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Liberty  Hill,  Tenn. 

This  locality  is  only  15  miles  north  of  Luttrell,  but  it  is  the  most 
western  (geologically  not  geographically)  outcrop  of  the  Ottosee  at 
which  the  fauna  can  be  definitely  recognized. 

Glyptorthis  bellarugosa  (Conrad),  Dalmanella  rogata  (Sardeson), 
Placsiomys  plofys  (Billings),  P.  dongata  Willard,  Pionodema  globosa 
Willard,  Plcciamhonitcs  aequistriatus  Willard,  Rafincsquina  minne- 
sotensis  (Winchell),  Strophomena  filitexta  (Hall),  S.  iennesseensis  Wil- 
lard, S.  inspeciosa  Willard,  and  Camarella  volborthi  Billings. 

Various  localities. 

In  addition  to  the  species  listed  above,  Bassler  finds  that  the  type  of 
Christiania  suhquadrata  Hall  was  obtained  from  the  Ottosee  of  Blount 
Co.,  Tenn.,  and  I  found  a  single  valve  of  Christiania  at  the  same  hori- 
zon on  the  Hoge  Farm,  Bland  Co.,  Va. 

Chazyan  element  in  the  Ottosee. 

Pdrocrania  prona  Raymond,  Plectorthis  exfoliata  Raymond,  Heber- 
tella  indgaris  Raymond,  Placsiomys  platys  (Billings),  Rafinesquina 
cham plain ensis  Raymond,  and  Clitamboniies  porcia  (Billings)  are  spe- 
cies described  originally  from  the  Chazy,  Glyptorthis  bellarugosa  (Con- 
rad) is  found  in  the  Chazy  on  Valcour  Island,  N.  Y.,  Camarotoechia 
quadriplicata  is  hardly  distinguishable  from  one  of  variants  of  C. 
plena  (Hall),  and  Schizambo7i  cuneatus  Willard  is  very  like  »S.  dupli- 
cimvratus  Hudson.  Thus  nine  of  the  thirty-one  species,  or  29%  are 
distinctly  Chazyan.  The  non-Chazyan  element  is  represented  by 
Dalmanella,  Dinorthis,  Pionodema,  Plectambonites,  Christiania,  and 
Oxoplecia. 

THE  ATHENS. 

Brachiopods  are  very  seldom  found  in  the  Athens,  and  the  five 
species  so  far  found  are  all  from  one  locality  south  of  Otes,  Tenn.  One 
only,  Lingida  nympha  Billings,  is  of  any  particular  interest.  This  large 
and  striking  Lingula  has  previously  been  known  only  from  the  Nor- 
manskill  of  Newfoundland.  Hebertella  bursa  Raymond  is  the  only 
unique  species,  Placsiomys  platys  (Billings)  occurs  in  the  Chazy,  Orthis 
disparilis  (Conrad)  is  similar  to  the  Chazyan  0.  ignicula  Raymond, 
and  Oxoplesia  holstonensis  survived  from  the  Holston  and  Ottosee. 


WILLARD   AND   RAYMOND:   BRACHIOPODS.  305 


THE  VERTICAL  RANGE  OF  THE  SPECIES. 

The  faunas  of  the  Lenoir,  Holston,  Ottosee  and  Athens  are  rather 
strongly  individualized,  but  there  are  some  species  which  seem  to  con- 
nect them.  Only  one,  Placsiomys  platys,  is  found  in  all  four,  but  Ra- 
finesquina  minncsotensis,  R.  champlainensu,  Hebertella  vulgaris  and 
Dinorthis  pectinella  are  found  in  all  but  the  Athens.  Clitambonites 
holstoni  is  found  in  both  the  Lenoir  and  the  Holston,  Pledorthis  ex- 
foliata  connects  the  Lenoir  and  Ottosee,  and  Orthis  disparilis  is  in  the 
Lenoir,  Ottosee,  and  Athens.  Altogether,  8  of  the  21  species  of  the 
Lenoir  pass  on  into  one  or  more  younger  formations. 

Thirty -six  species  are  recorded  by  Willard  from  the  Holston;  6  of 
these  are  survivors  from  the  Lenoir,  and  12  continue  into  the  Ottosee. 
The  Holston  and  Ottosee  faunas  are  therefore  closely  allied. 

Willard  found  31  species  in  the  Ottosee,  7  of  which  survived  from 
the  Lenoir  and  12  from  the  Holston.  Still,  there  are  16  species,  or  more 
than  half  the  fauna,  not  shared  with  the  other  formations  in  this  region. 

Two  of  the  5  brachiopods  so  far  found  in  the  Athens  survived  from 
the  Lenoir,  one  is  a  familiar  Chazyan  type  of  Hebertella,  and  one  is  a 
Lingula  which  probably  drifted  in  with  the  pelagic  trilobites.  The  dis- 
covery of  a  Ptychoglyptus  in  the  Athens  of  Alabama  is  of  interest  as 
suggesting  a  connection  of  the  Athens  and  Holston. 


THE  BRACHIOPODS  OF  THE   STONES   RIVER   IN 
CENTRAL  TENNESSEE. 

The  brachiopods  of  eastern  Tennessee  and  Virginia  should  be  com- 
pared with  those  of  the  Stones  River  group  in  central  Tennessee.  This 
group  includes  the  following  members,  in  descending  order,  viz :  Leba- 
non limestone,  Ridley  limestone,  Pierce  limestone,  and  Murfreesboro 
limestone. 

Lebanon  limestone. 

The  following  species,  except  for  the  two  marked  with  an  asterisk, 
whose  names  are  taken  from  a  list  by  Dr.  L^lrich,  were  collected  by  the 
writer  at  Lebanon,  Tennessee. 

Petrocrania  sp.  ind.,  Leptobolus  sp.  ind.,  *Orthis  tricenaria  Conrad, 
Pionodema  minuscula  Willard,  Plaesiomys  dcflecia  (Conrad),  Glypt- 
orthis  bellarugosa  (Conrad),  Rafinesquina  minnesotcnsis  (Winchell), 
*Plectambonites    sp.    ind.,    Strophomena  filitexta    (Hall),    Scenidium 


306  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

anthonense    Sardeson,    Rhynchotrema    minnesotense    (Sardeson),    and 
Zygospira  saffordi  (Winchell  and  Schuchert). 

Ridley. 

The  following  species  were  collected  by  the  writer  on  Stones  River 
near  Murfreesboro,  Tennessee. 

Orthis  disparilis  Conrad,  Glyptorthis  bellarugosa  (Conrad),  Rafines- 
quina  minnesotensis  (Winchell),  R.  alternata  (Emmons),  Camarella 
volborthi  Billings,  and  Protorhyncha  ridleyana  (Safford). 

Pierce. 

The  following  brachiopods  are  listed  from  the  Pierce  in  Folio  95, 
U.  S.  G.  S.,  1903,  by  Ulrich. 

Pionodema  subacquata  (Conrad),  P.  stonensis  (Safford),  Strophomena 
filitexta  (Hall)  and  Protorhyncha  ridleyana  (Safford). 

Murfreesboro. 

The  following  species  were  collected  by  the  writer  from  cherts  in  the 
Murfreesboro  near  Stones  River  about  a  mile  west  of  Murfreesboro, 
Tenn. 

Rafinesquina  cf.  distans  Raymond,  R,  sp.  ind.,  and  Zygospira  saf- 
fordi (Winchell  and  Schuchert). 


COMPARISON  OF  EASTERN  FAUNAS  WITH  THOSE  OF  THE 

STONES  RIVER. 

The  Murfreesboro  evidently  contains  very  few  brachiopods,  in  fact, 
no  previous  investigator  has  reported  any.  The  small  fauna  is  of  no 
value  in  correlation,  although  one  of  the  Rafinesquinas  suggests  R. 
distans,  which  occurs  in  the  Holston,  and  Zygospira  saffordi  is  not  very 
different  from  the  Zygospira  acutirostra  of  the  Lenoir. 

The  fauna  of  the  Ridley  may  be  rather  definitely  connected  with  the 
Ottosee.  All  of  the  species  known  from  the  Ridley  except  Protorhyncha 
ridleyana  have  been  found  in  the  Ottosee,  but  the  most  striking  bond 
between  the  two  formations  is  the  presence  of  Camarella  volborthi  at 
Liberty  Hill,  and  of  Glyptorthis  bellarugosa  at  Liberty  Hill  and  Luttrell 
in  the  Ottosee.  These  species  do  not  occur  in  the  other  eastern  forma- 
tions and  are  particularly  abundant  and  characteristic  in  the  Ridley. 
The  occurrence  of  an  Oxoplecia  closely  allied  to  0.  holstonensis  in  the 
Ridley  of  Alabama  is  also  significant. 


WILLARD   AND   RAYMOND:    BRACHIOPODS.  307 

The  fauna  of  the  Pierce  is  of  interest  chiefly  as  the  first  appearance  of 
Pionodema  sv.haeq'unia  and  Stro'phomcna  filitexia  in  central  Tennessee. 
These  species  appear  first  in  the  Ottosee  in  eastern  Tennessee. 

The  fauna  of  the  Lebanon  is  also  more  closely  allied  to  that  of  the 
Ottosee  than  to  any  of  the  other  eastern  formations.  From  other  evi- 
dence, however,  it  appears  that  it  is  really  somewhat  younger  than  the 
Ottosee  and  the  likeness  was  acquired  through  descent.  Particular  in- 
terest attaches  to  the  fact  that  Plectambonites  appears  in  this  section 
first  in  the  Lebanon,  and  is  not  common  there.  In  fact  the  entire 
Stones  River  series  of  brachiopods  appears  to  have  been  derived  from 
the  eastern  basin,  with  the  possible  exception  of  Protorhyncha,  but  it 
in  its  turn  made  no  contribution  to  the  eastern  fauna. 


THE  BRACHIOPODS  OF  THE  GIRVAN  DISTRICT, 

SCOTLAND. 

The  Llandeilo  is  represented  in  the  Girvan  district,  Ayrshire,  by  the 
Stinchar  and  Balclatchie  formations,  the  former  being  the  older.  Ac- 
cording to  Reed,  who  has  monographed  the  faunas  (Trans.  Royal  Soc. 
of  Edinburgh,  51,  1917,  pt.  4,  pp.  795-998,  pi.  1-24),  sixty  named 
species  and  varieties  of  brachiopods  are  known  from  the  Stinchar 
hmestone,  twenty  of  which  pass  into  the  Balclatchie,  and  there  are 
seventy  species  in  the  latter.  Reed  commented  on  the  fact  that  these 
faunas  were  more  nearly  like  those  of  the  American  Middle  Ordovician 
than  like  those  of  the  Llandeilo  of  other  parts  of  Great  Britain,  but  did 
not  make  comparisons  with  particular  faunas. 

Although  there  are  no  species  common  to  Virginia,  Tennessee,  and 
Scotland,  nearly  all  the  genera  occur  in  both  regions,  and  at  least  two, 
Nicolella  and  Ptychoglyptus  are,  so  far  as  is  known  at  present,  re- 
stricted to  the  Girvan  District  and  the  southern  Appalachians.  Other 
significant  genera,  not  of  wide  distribution  either  in  Europe  or  North 
America,  are:  Conotreta,  Schizambon,  Christiania,  Camarella  and 
Oxoplecia.  Dalmanella,  Christiania,  Plectambonites,  Camarella,  Para- 
strophia,  and  Oxoplecia,  with  perhaps  other  genera,  were  probably  in- 
troduced from  Europe  in  Chazy  times,  very  likely  tia  Newfoundland. 

The  following  table  will  show,  in  parallel  columns,  which  of  the 
American  species  have  close  allies  in  the  Girvan  district.  L,  H,  O,  or  A 
after  a  species  in  the  American  list  signifies  that  it  is  found  in  the 
Lenoir,  Holston,  Ottosee  or  Athens.  In  the  Scottish  list,  S  signifies 
Stinchar  and  B  the  Balclatchie. 


308 


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Virginia  —  Tennessee 

Palaeoglossa  belli.  H. 

Lingula  lyelli.  H. 

L.  nympha.  A. 

Schizambofi  cuneahis.  H.  O. 

Conotreta  declivis.  H. 

Petrocrania  lirona.  H.  O. 

Orthis  disparilis.  L.  O.  A. 

Plectorthis  exfoliata.  L.  O. 

P.  holdeni.  H. 

Hebertella  vulgaris.  L.  H.  O. 

H.  melonica.  H.  O. 

H.  bursa.  A. 

Glyptorthis  bellarugosa.  O, 

DalmaneUa  rogata.  O. 

Pionodema  globosa.  O. 

Dinorthis  transversa.  O. 

Nicolclla  agilera.  H. 

Rafinesquina  ntimiesotensis 

R.  alternata.  L. 

Plectambonites  delicatulus.  L. 

P.  crassus.  H. 

Piychogly plus  virginiensis.  H. 

Christiania  uvibonata.  L.  O? 

Strophomena  filitcxta.  O. 

Oxoplecia  holstonensis.  H.  O.  A, 

Camarella  longirostra.  L. 

C.  varians.  L. 

C.  volborthi.  O. 

Parastrophia  rotundiformis.  H. 

Camarotoechia  quadriplicata.  H 


H.  O. 


O. 


Girvan  District. 

Palaeoglossa  amabitilis.  B. 
Lingida  angustior.  B. 
Lingulasmaf  ardmillanensis.  B. 
Schizavihon  scoticus.  S. 
Conotreta  conoidea.  S.  B. 
Philhedra  playfairi.  B. 
Orthis  craigcnsis.  S. 
Plectorthis  duftonensis.  B. 
P.  subplicatella.'B. 
Hebertella  scotica.  S.  B. 
i/.  bellatriv.  B. 
//.  rankini.  B. 

Glyptorthis  balclatchiensis.  S.  B. 
Dahnanella  gracilis.  S.  B. 
Pionodema  girvanensis.  S.  B. 
Dinorthis  carrickensis.  S.  B. 
Nicolella  actoniae.  S.  B. 
Rafinesquina  semiglobosina.  S.  B. 
P.  conccntrica.  B. 
Plectambonites  llandeiloensis.  B. 
P.  conspicua.  B. 
Ptychoglyptus  siibarachnoidea.  B. 
Christiania  youngiana.  S.  B. 
Strophomena  deficiens.  S.  B. 
Oxoplecia  andersoni.  S.  B. 
Camarella  balclatchiensis.  S.  B. 
C.  thompsoni.  S. 
C.  pcachi.  S. 

Par  atrophia  youngi.  S,  B. 
Rhynchotrema  lapworthi.  S. 


Summarizing  the  above,  7  of  the  21  species  in  the  Lenoir  are  closely 
aUied  to  species  in  the  Girvan  district,  15  of  the  36  species  in  the  Hol- 
ston,  17  of  the  31  in  the  Ottosee,  more  than  half,  and  4  of  the  5  in  the 
Athens.  A  curious  feature  of  the  resemblances  is,  that  the  alhed  species 
for  each  of  the  American  formations  are  about  equally  distributed  be- 
tween the  Stinchar  and  the  Balclatchie,  and  it  is  not  possible  to  corre- 
late the  formations  except  in  a  general  way. 


WILLARD   AND    RAYMOND:   BRACHIOPODS.  309 

Thus,  3  of  the  species  alUed  to  Lenoir  forms  are  found  in  both  the 
Stinchar  and  Balclatchie,  and  6  are  in  the  Balclatchie  as  against  5  in 
the  Stinchar.  Five  of  the  species  aUied  to  brachiopods  of  the  Holston 
are  found  in  both  Stinchar  and  Balclatchie,  12  are  found  in  the  Bal- 
clatchie, and  8  in  the  Stinchar.  This  suggests  that  the  Holston  is  more 
nearly  akin  to  the  Balclatchie,  but  when  the  Ottosee  brachiopods  are 
compared,  we  find  12  allied  species  in  the  Balclatchie  as  against  13  in 
the  Stinchar,  and  yet  the  Ottosee  rests  on  the  Holston.  Nine  of  the 
allied  species  are  in  this  case  common  to  the  Stinchar  and  Balclatchie. 
The  Athens  contains  too  few  brachiopods  to  make  comparisons  of  any 
value,  but  as  I  have  shown  in  a  previous  paper,  (Bull.  jNIus.  Comp. 
Zool.,  07,  1925,  pp.  1-lSO)  the  trilobites  of  that  formation  are  very 
much  like  those  of  the  Balclatchie. 


EXPLANATION  OF  PLATES. 


PLATE  1. 


Wjllabd  and  Raymond: — Brachiopods. 


PLATE  1. 

Fig.  1.  Lingula  mjmpha  Billings.  A  complete  specimen  from  the  Athens 
south  of  Otes,  Tenn.    X  about  ^. 

Fig.  2.  Lingula  lyelli  Billings.  A  pedicle  valve  from  the  Holston  at  Sharon 
Springs,  Va.    X  \. 

V\g.  3.  PalneogJossn  gibbosn  Willard.  A  pedicle  valve  from  the  Murat  at 
I-exington,  Va.    X  ^. 

Fig.  4.  Schizambon  cuneatus  Willard.  A  pedicle  valve  from  Sharon  Springs, 
Va.    X  2. 

Fig.  5.  Plectorthis  holdeni  Willard.  A  pedicle  valve  from  the  base  of  the 
Holston  at  Speers  Ferry,  Va.    X  I5. 

Fig.  6.  Petrocrania  prona  Raymond.  Interior  of  a  brachial  valve  from  the 
base  of  the  Ottosee  at  Luttrell,  Va.    X  g. 

Fig.  7.  Hebertella  bursa  Raymond.  Brachial  valve  of  a  specimen  from  the 
Athens  south  of  Otes,  Tenn.    X  .96. 

Fig.  8,  9.  Hebertella  melonica  Willard.  Brachial  and  pedicle  valves  of  the 
holotype  from  the  Ottosee  at  Fugates  Ilill,  north  of  Mendota,  Va.    X  1:^ . 

Fig.  10.  Plaesiomys  platys  (Billings).  Interior  of  a  brachial  valve  from  the 
Ottosee  at  Liberty  Hill,  Tenn.    X  l.L 

Fig.  11.  The  same  species.  Pedicle  valve  of  a  specimen  from  the  Ottosee 
at  Speers  Ferry,  Va.    X  f . 

Fig.  12.  Plaes'lomys  brevis  Willard.  Pedicle  valve  of  a  small  specimen  from 
the  Ottosee  at  Fugates  Hill,  north  of  Mendota,  Va.    X  1§. 

Fig.  13.  Dinorthis  quadriplicata  Willard.  Pedicle  valve  of  the  holotype 
from  the  Ottosee,  at  Fugates  Hill,  north  of  Mendota,  Va.  X  1.  (See  also  figs. 
5,  6,  pi.  3). 

Fig.  14.  Plaesiomys  brevis  Willard.  Brachial  valve  of  a  larger  individual 
from  the  same  horizon  and  locality  as  number  12.    X  1§. 

Fig.  15,  16.  Plaesiomys  elongata  Willard.  Brachial  and  pedicle  valves  of  the 
holotype  from  the  Ottosee  at  Liberty  HiU,  Tenn.    X  1.1. 


BULL.  MUS.  COMP.  ZOOL. 


WiLLARD- Raymond.    Brachiopods.    Plate  1 


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6 


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11 


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H6LIOTYPE  00.    BOSTON 


PLATE  2. 


WiLLABD  AND  Raymopjd: — Brachiopods. 


PLATE  2. 

Fig.  1.  Dinorthis  transversa  WiUsiTd.  Pedicle  valve  of  the  holotype  from  the 
Ottosee  at  Luttrell,  Tenn.    X  |. 

Fig.  2.     The  same  specimen.   Brachial  valve.    X  1. 

Fig.  3.  Pionodema  minvscula  Willard.  Pedicle  valve  of  the  holotype  from 
the  Lebanon  at  Lebanon,  Tenn.    X  \^. 

Fig.  4.  Dinorthis  atavoides  Willard.  Pedicle  valve  of  the  holotype  from  the 
Holston  west  of  Speers  Ferrj',  Va.    X  If. 

Fig.  5.  Pionodema  globosa  Willard.  Pedicle  valve  of  the  holotype  from  the 
Ottosee  at  Fugates  Hill,  north  of  Mendota,  Va.    X  1. 

Fig.  6.  Dinorthis  transversa  Willard.  Pedicle  valve  of  a  paratype  from  the 
same  horizon  and  locality  as  numbers  1  and  2.    XI. 

Fig.  7.  Plectambonites  triseptatics  Willard.  Interior  of  a  pedicle  valve, 
(paratype),  from  the  Holston  near  Goodwins  Ferry,  Va.    X  1.46. 

Fig.  8.  The  same  species.  Interior  of  a  brachial  valve  (holotype)  from  the 
same  horizon  and  locality  as  the  last.    X  1. 

Fig.  9.  Plectambonites  amplus  Raymond.  Brachial  valve  of  the  holotype, 
from  the  Lenoir  6  miles  southeast  of  KnoxAdlle,  Tenn.  X  1.  See  also  fig.  12, 
pi.  3. 

Fig.  10.  Rafinesquina  pulchella  Raymond.  Pedicle  valve  of  the  holotype 
from  the  Lenoir  at  Athens,  Tenn.    X  2. 

Fig.  11.  Rafinesquina  grandisiriata  Willard.  Pedicle  valve  of  the  holotype 
from  the  Holston  at  Sharon  Springs,  Va.    X  If. 

Fig.  12.  Ptychoglyptus  virgiiiiensis  Willard.  Pedicle  valve  of  the  holotype 
from  the  Holston  at  Sharon  Springs,  Va.    X  ly. 

Fig.  13.  Strophomena  inspeciosa  Willard.  Holotype  from  the  Ottosee  at 
Liberty  Hill,  Tenn.,  showing  brachial  valve  and  cardinal  area.    X  IJ.  ^ 

Fig.  14.  Camarotoechia  quadriplicata  Willard.  Pedicle  valve  of  the  holotype 
from  the  base  of  the  Ottosee  at  Luttrell,  Tenn.    X  1. 

Fig.  15,  16.  Strophomena  tenuitesta  Willard.  Brachial  and  pedicle  valves  of 
the  holotype,  from  the  Holston  west  of  Speers  Ferry,  Va.    X  0.85. 

Fig.  17.  Stropho7nena  tennesseensis  Willard.  Pedicle  valve  of  one  of  the 
cotypes  from  the  Ottosee  at  Fugates  Hill,  north  of  Mendota,  Va.    X  IJ. 

Fig.  18.  The  same  species.  Interior  of  pedicle  valve  of  the  other  cotj'pe 
from  the  same  horizon  and  locality.    X  j. 


BULL.  MUS.  COMP.  ZOOL. 


WiLLARD- Raymond.    Brachiopods.    Plate  2 


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PLATE  3. 


WiixARD  AND  Raymond: — Brachiopods. 


PLATE  3. 

Fig.  1.  Acrosacciis  shuleri  Willard.  One  of  the  cotypes,  a  brachial  valve, 
from  the  Holston  at  Sharon  Springs,  Va.    X  3^. 

Fig.  2.  The  same  species.  Lateral  view  of  the  other  cotype,  a  pedicle  valve 
from  the  same  horizon  and  locality.    X  2. 

Fig.  3.  Acrosaccus  panneus  Willard.  The  holotype,  viewed  from  the  in- 
terior of  the  pedicle  valve,  the  posterior  end  at  the  top.  Note  trace  of  pedicle 
tube  behind  apex.  From  the  Holston  at  Sharon  Springs,  Va.    X  1§. 

Fig.  4.  Petrocrania  cicatricula  Willard.  Interior  of  the  brachial  valve  of  the 
holotype  from  the  base  of  the  Ottosee  at  Luttrell,  Tenn.    X  1^. 

Fig.  5,  6.  Dinorthis  quadriplicata  Willard.  Posterior  and  pedicle  views  of 
the  holotype  from  the  Ottosee  at  Fugates  Hill,  north  of  Mendota,  Va.  X  1. 
(See  also  pi.  1,  fig.  13.) 

Fig.  7.  Nicolella  agilera  Willard.  Pedicle  valve  of  the  holotype  from  the 
Holston  at  Sharon  Springs,  Va.    X  1. 

Fig.  8.  Plectambonites  aequistriatus  Willard.  Interior  of  pedicle  valve  of  one 
of  the  cotypes  from  the  Ottosee  at  Liberty  Hill,  Tenn.    X  2. 

Fig.  9.  The  same  species.  The  brachial  valve  and  cardinal  area  of  the 
pedicle  valve  of  the  other  cotype  from  the  same  horizon  and  locality.    X  2. 

Fig.  10.  Plectambonites  crassus  Willard.  Enlargement  of  a  small  piece  of 
the  surface  of  the  holotype  to  show  the  double  nature  of  the  major  striae.  From 
the  Holston  at  Sharon  Springs,  Va.    X  6§. 

Fig.  11.  Plectambonites  delicatulus  Butts.  An  individual  from  the  Lenoir 
6  miles  southeast  of  Knoxville,  Tenn.    X  2. 

Fig.  12.  Plectambonites  amplus  Raymond.  An  enlargement  of  part  of  the 
surface  of  the  holotype  to  show  striations.    X  6f .  See  also  pi.  2,  fig.  9. 

Fig.  13.  Plectambonites  negritus  Willard.  Pedicle  valve  of  the  holotype. 
From  the  Lenoir  in  the  Catawba  Vallej',  north  of  Salem,  Va.    X  2f . 

Fig.  14.  Leptaena  palustris  Willard.  Pedicle  valve  (holotype)  from  the 
Holston  at  Concord,  Tenn.    X  2'i. 

Fig.  15,  16.  Leptaena  pro7ia  Willard.  Profile  and  drawing  of  the  pedicle 
valve  of  the  holotype,  from  the  Holston  at  Goodwins  Ferry,  Va.    X  1. 

Fig.  17.  Oxoplecia  holstonensis  WiUard.  A  pedicle  valve  (holotype)  from 
the  Holston  at  Sharon  Springs,  Va.    X  2. 

Fig.  18,  19.  Christiania  latnellosa  Butts.  A  fragmentary  specimen  viewed 
from  the  dorsal  side,  and  a  mold  of  the  brachial  valve.  From  the  Lenou*  at 
Athens,  Tenn.    X  2. 


BULL.  MUS.  COMP.  200L. 


WiLLARD- Raymond.    Brachiopods.    Plate  3 


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Elvira  Wood,  del 


Bulletin  of  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology 
AT   HARVARD   COLLEGE. 
Vol.  LXVIII.  No.  7. 


BIRDS   COLLECTED  BY  DR.  JOSEPH  F.  ROCK   IN 
WESTERN  KANSU  AND  EASTERN  TIBET. 


By  OuTRAM  Bangs  and  James  L.  Peters. 


With  Five  Plates. 


CAMBRIDGE,  MASS.,  U.  S.  A.: 

PRINTED   FOR  THE   MUSEUM 

August,  1928. 


No.  7.  —  Birds  Collected  by  Dr.  Joseph  F.  Rock  in  Western  Kansu  and 

Eastern  Tibet. 

By  Outram  Bangs  and  James  L.  Peters. 

Introduction 

In  the  spring  of  1925  Dr.  Joseph  F.  Rock  was  commissioned  by  the 
late  Professor  Charles  S.  Sargent,  Director  of  the  Arnold  Arboretum, 
to  make  an  extensive  trip  into  western  China  and  to  visit  certain 
forest  areas  in  search  of  botanical  and  horticultural  material.  Thanks 
to  the  generous  interest  of  Dr.  Thomas  Barbour,  Dr.  Rock  was  enabled 
to  take  with  him  his  two  trained  Chinese  bird  collectors. 

The  expedition  was  in  the  field  from  April  1925  until  the  autumn 
of  1926.  For  much  of  that  time  the  work  was  carried  on  under  ex- 
tremely trying  conditions,  intertribal  wars,  open  hostility  towards  the 
whites  by  some  of  the  Tibetan  tribes,  and  bandits  interfering  much 
with  his  movements.  In  spite  of  all  these  drawbacks  Dr.  Rock  and  his 
Chinese  assistants  collected  over  1000  birds,  which  after  passing 
through  many  delays,  and  Chinese  civil  wars,  reached  this  country  in 
perfect  condition  without  the  loss  of  a  feather. 

It  must  be  clearly  understood  that  bird  collecting  was  entirely 
a  secondary  consideration  with  Dr.  Rock;  his  visits  to  any  locality 
and  the  length  of  stay  there  were  governed  entirely  by  the  botanical 
aspect  of  the  situation. 

Dr.  Rock  has  made  a  map,  which  we  have  seen  and  studied,  of  the 
whole  region  that  he  traversed,  which  certainly  was  badly  in  need  of 
accurate  mapping.   This  he  expects  to  publish. 

The  photographs  were  taken  by  Dr.  Rock  and  are  published  here  by 
permission  of  the  Arnold  Arboretum. 

Fntering  Kansu  from  northern  Szechuan  in  April  1925,  Dr.  Rock 
proceeded  up  the  Wutu  and  Minchow  rivers  to  Choni,  in  the  Tao  River 
valley.  He  collected  in  the  region  about  Choni  during  May  and  June, 
making  a  trip  to  Mt.  Lieuhoashan  between  Choni  and  Titao  in  July; 
during  August  he  visited  the  Minshan  range.  In  September  he  crossed 
the  Tibetan  border  and  collected  around  Lake  Kokonor,  later  moving 
north  into  western  Kansu  where  he  explored  the  northern  slopes  of  the 
Richthofen  and  North  Kokonor  Barrier  ranges  in  late  September, 
October  and  November,  returning  to  Choni  to  spend  January,  Feb- 
ruary and  March  1926.    In  the  spring  he  set  out  westward,  crossing 


314  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

once  more  into  Tibet,  and  collecting  during  May  and  June  in  the  Ba 
valley,  the  Jupar  mountains  and  the  Yellow  River  gorges  near  Radja. 
Sometime  during  the  summer  he  made  a  hurried  reconnaissance  of  the 
great  sacred  mountain  of  Amne  Machin,  but  was  prevented  from  doing 
any  work  there  by  the  open  hostility  of  the  Golock  tribesmen.  Re- 
turning to  Choni  late  in  the  summer,  he  crossed  the  Minshan  range  and 
spent  late  August,  September  and  early  October  in  the  Tebbu  country. 
This  region  is  not  indicated  on  any  published  map.  Rock  speaks  of  an 
"upper  Tebbu  country"  and  a  "lower"  or  "Ha  Tebbu  country." 
In  the  Tebbu  lands  Rock  collected  in  the  forests  of  Pezlu,  Drakana, 
Mayaku,  Sambaku  and  Wantsang  Ku. 

In  many  instances  we  have  not  been  able  to  reconcile  Dr.  Rock's 
orthography  of  Chinese  place  names  with  the  spelling  on  modern  maps ; 
we  have  however,  preserved  his  spelling  in  every  case. 

We  find  that  the  sexing  of  the  Chinese  taxidermists  is  not  de- 
pendable, and  have  been  obliged  to  disregard  it  entirely  in  many  cases. 

We  are  indebted  to  the  authorities  of  the  United  States  National 
Museum  and  the  American  Museum  of  Natural  History  for  the  loan  of 
necessary  specimens,  and  to  Mr.  N.  B.  Kinnear  of  the  British  Museum 
of  Natural  History;  and  to  Dr.  Herbert  C.  Robinson  for  comparing 
some  of  our  material  with  types  in  the  British  Museum. 

The  sequence  of  families  in  this  paper  is  that  of  Sharpe's  Hand 
List,  with  two  exceptions.  Following  the  recent  consensus  of  opinion 
we  recognize  the  Prunellidae  as  a  distinct  family.  We  also  follow  Sush- 
kin  and  remove  the  genera  Passer  and  Montifringilla  from  the  Frin- 
gillidae  to  the  Ploceidae. 

TETRAONIDAE 

Tetrastes  sewerzowi  sewerzowi  Przew. 

Tetrastes  Sewerzowi  Przewalski,  Mongol  i.  Strana  Tangut,  2,  1876,  p.  130,  pi.  18 
(Kansu  mountains  in  the  lower  and  middle  mountain  ranges) . 

The  Kansu  Hazel  Hen  is  represented  in  the  collection  by  a  fine 
series  of  sixteen  examples  including  adults,  immature  and  chicks. 
There  are  three  males  and  a  female  from  the  spruce  forests  between 
9,500  and  11,000  feet  altitude  in  the  Tao  valley  near  Choni,  collected 
during  May  and  June  1925.  One  of  the  males  taken  in  June  has  begun 
the  post-nuptial  moult,  the  renewal  of  the  feathers  is  most  conspicuous 
on  the  head,  throat  and  neck,  though  a  few  pin  feathers  are  noted 
elsewhere  on  the  anterior  portions  of  the  dorsal  and  lateral  tracts; 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  315 

wings  and  tail  are  as  yet  unmoulted.  Two  adult  females  and  three 
chicks  were  collected  on  Mt.  Lieuhoashan,  between  elevations  of 
10,500  and  11,000  feet.  Two  adult  males,  an  adult  female  and  two 
immature  were  secured  in  the  spruce  forests  of  Drakana,  upper 
Tebbuland,  altitude  9,500 feet,  during  September  1926;  the  female  and 
one  of  the  males  have  shed  the  tail,  and  some  of  the  fresh  inner  pri- 
maries are  about  one  quarter  grown.  Two  females  collected  in  October 
1925  at  11,500  feet  in  the  mountains  of  Babo  are  in  fresh  autumnal 
plumage,  the  feathers  of  the  upper  parts  being  broadly  veiled  with 
olive  brown,  while  below  the  veiling  is  buffy  anteriorly  and  white 
posteriorly. 

Riley's  Tetrastes  sewerzoun  secunda  (Auk,  42,  1925,  p.  423  near 
Tatsienlu,  Szechuan),  of  which  we  have  three  skins,  is  a  valid  race. 
None  of  our  examples  of  s.  sewerzowi  show  the  characters  that  distin- 
guish secunda.  We  mention  this  as  Riley  had  but  a  single  specimen  of 
the  former  race  on  which  to  base  his  comparison. 


PHASIANIDAE 

Tetraophasis  obscurus  (Verreaux) 

Lophophorus  ohscurue  Verreaux,  Nouv.  Arch.  Mus.  Paris,  Bull.  5,    1869,  p.  33, 
pi.  6  (eastern  Tibet  =  Mupin,  Szechuan). 

Rock  collected  two  specimens  of  this  rare  pheasant  in  the  Maerku 
valley,  Tao  River  basin,  south  of  Choni.  The  two  birds,  both  sexed  as 
females  by  the  Chinese  taxidermist,  were  obtained  in  forests,  one  in 
June  and  the  other  in  December  1925. 

Tetraogallus  tibetanus  przewalskii  Bianchi 

Tetraogallus  tibetanus  przeimhkii  Bianchi,  Aves   Exp.    Koslowi    Mongol,    u 
Tibet  or.   1907,  p.  165  (eastern  Tibet). 

In  May  1925  a  male  was  secured  at  an  elevation  of  1 1 ,500  feet  on  the 
cliffs  at  Peshingai,  beyond  Taochow  in  southwestern  Kansu;  a  juvenal 
about  half  grown  was  collected  on  talus  slopes  at  13,500  feet,  high 
alpine  zone  of  the  Minshan  range.  Six  adults  were  obtained  in  eastern 
Kokonor;  four  of  them  (two  males  and  two  females)  on  the  rocky 
exposed  slopes  12,000  to  13,000  feet;  on  the  mountains  south  of  the 
Yellow  River  opposite  Radja,  a  male  at  13,000  feet  on  the  high  rocky 
slopes  of  the  Waro  valley  4  June  1926,  and  a  male  at  14,500  feet  on 
talus  in  the  Totuchnira  pass  over  the  Jupar  range,  2  July  1926. 


316  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Alectoris  graeca  pubescens  (Swinh.) 

Caccabis  chukar  var.  pubescens  Swinhoe,  P.  Z.  S.,  1871,  p.  400  (northern  China 
to  the  upper  Yangtse). 

In  May  1925  a  single  specimen  was  taken  in  a  rocky  mountain 
gorge  of  the  Wutu  River,  north  of  Kaichow,  altitude  4,600  feet;  five 
more  examples,  adults  and  immature,  were  secured  during  September 
1926  at  an  elevation  of  7,000  feet  on  dry  slopes  above  Wantsang  gomba. 
Ha  Tebbuland.  A  female  collected  in  October  1925  along  a  gravelly 
stream  in  the  Liyuan  Ku  valley,  Richthofen  range,  we  also  refer  to 
this  subspecies  although  the  bird  is  slightly  paler  above  than  specimens 
of  pubescens  from  eastern  China.  It  is  completing  the  autumnal  moult 
^and  the  wing  feathers  are  not  fully  grown  out. 

Alectoris  graeca  magna  (Przewalski) 

Caccabis  magna  Przewalski,  Mongol  i.  Strana  Tangut,  2,  1876,  p.  127  (south 
Kokonor  mountains,  northern  Tibet  and  Tsaidam  plains). 

All  the  rock  partridges  collected  in  Kokonor  belong  to  this  very 
distinct  form  that  some  ornithologists  regard  as  a  species.  Seven 
adults  of  both  sexes  were  taken  in  the  Yellow  River  valley  near  Radja 
between  12  and  26  May  1926.  They  were  found  on  grassy  slopes  and 
rocky  hills  at  altitudes  varying  from  10,000  to  11,500  feet. 

A  male  obtained  in  the  valley  of  Sining,  7,800  feet  in  September  1925 
apparently  extends  the  range  of  this  bird  into  western  Kansu;  the 
specimen  is  in  worn  plumage  and  stained  with  red  earth  or  sandstone 
and  for  these  reasons  is  not  comparable  with  topotypical  examples. 
It  is  labelled  as  having  the  eyes  brown,  whereas  the  birds  comprising 
the  series  from  eastern  Kokonor  are  variously  labelled  as  having  the 
eyes  yellowish  gray,  clay  colored,  yellow  clay  color  or  yellow. 

Perdix  hodgsoniae  sifanica  Przew. 

Perdix  sifanica  Przewalski,  Mongol  i.  Strana  Tangut,  2,  1876,  p.  124  (alpine 
regions  of  Kansu). 

Rock  secured  thirteen  specimens  of  this  Partridge  in  western  Kansu, 
eastern  Kokonor  and  in  the  Minshan  range,  all  of  them  belonging  to 
the  same  race.  A  female  and  two  three-quarter  grown  young  birds 
were  taken  in  October  1925  at  10,000  feeton  the  grasslandsof  Peitatung; 
on  October  5  four  immature  examples  were  collected  in  eastern 
Kokonor  on  the  summit  of  a  pass  at  1 1 ,000  feet  between  Tangar  and 
Machuang  Ku;  and  an  adult  with   the  autumnal  moult  incomplete 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  317 

was  shot  between  11,000  and  12,000  feet  in  the  Laliku  Gorge,  Tangar- 
Kokonor  divide. 

In  the  region  about  Radja  three  males  were  collected  during  May 
1926  where  the  species  was  found  in  spruce  forest  and  grassy  clearings; 
the  alpine  regions  of  Kwanke-shan,  12,500  feet  on  the  Yangtze- Yellow 
River  divide  yielded  two  specimens  —  an  adult  female  and  an  immature 
male,  in  October  1926. 

Ithaginis  sinensis  SINENSIS  David 

I thagenis  sinensis  David,  Ann.  Sci.  Nat.  18,  art.  5,  1873,  p.  1  (Shensi). 

Dr.  Rock  sent  back  a  fine  series  of  this  splendid  Blood  Pheasant. 
Thirteen  adults  were  secured  near  Choni  in  the  spruce  and  fir  forests 
of  the  Tao  River  valley  at  altitudes  ranging  from  10,000  to  11,000  feet. 
While  on  Mt.  Lieuhoashan  in  July  1925  he  collected  three  adults,  and 
three  chicks  about  a  week  old.  During  September  1926  two  adults 
were  secured  in  the  spruce  and  fir  forests  in  the  Laliku  valley  9,500- 
10,000  feet,  northern  slopes  of  the  Minshans;  two  more  adults  in  the 
juniper  forests  of  Pezlu,  upper  Tebbu  country,  at  9,000  feet,  and  an 
immature  female  in  spruce  forest  of  Sambaku,  10,000  feet,  Ha  Tebbu- 
land. 

Ithaginis  sinensis  michaelis  Bianchi 

Ithaginis  sinensis  michaelis  Bianchi,  Ann.  Mus.  Zool.  St.  Petersb.  8,  1903,  p.  4 
(northern  foothills  of  the  Nanshans). 

Two  males  and  a  female  of  this  rare  and  very  distinct  race  were 
taken  in  November  1925  in  spruce  forest  at  9,000  feet  on  Mt.  Nginsin- 
shan  (Bullock  Heart  Mountain),  a  mountain  in  the  north  Kokonor 
Barrier  range  facing  the  southern  end  of  the  Richthofen  range. 

The  males  are  paler  than  s.  sinensis  both  above  and  below;  wing 
edgings  more  rusty  and  less  reddish,  and  there  is  much  more  green  on 
the  shaft  streaks  of  the  wing  coverts,  long  scapulars  and  the  feathers 
of  the  posterior  upper  parts.  The  female  is  a  much  paler  and  more 
smoky  gray  than  the  corresponding  sex  of  s.  sinensis.  Wing  of  males 
205  and  220;  that  of  female  210. 

Crossoptilon  auritum  (Pallas) 

Phasianus  auritus  Pallas,  Zoogr.  Rosso-Asiat.  2, 1827,  p.  86  (interior  of  China). 

One  of  the  outstanding  features  of  Dr.  Rock's  collection  is  a  series 
of  eleven  adults  and  three  chicks  of  this  magnificent  bird.  It  was  not 
uncommon  in  the  North  Kokonor  Barrier   range  where  he  obtained 


318  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

four  males  and  two  females  at  9,000  feet  on  Mt.  Nginsinshan  in  October 
1925.  He  shot  a  pair  15  May  1926  in  the  juniper  forests  of  the  Serchen 
gorge,  10,500  feet  altitude,  1  day  east  of  Radja,  eastern  Tibet,  and  on 
28  May  1926  collected  a  male  and  two  females  in  spruce  forest  at  11,000 
feet  south  of  the  Yellow  River  opposite  Radja.  The  three  chicks  were 
found  on  25  June  1926  at  11,000  feet  in  spruce  forest  on  the  mountains 
west  of  the  Jupar  valley;  they  were  not  over  three  or  four  days  old. 

In  addition  to  the  specimens  listed  above,  the  collection  contains  the 
skin  of  a  female  raised  in  captivity  at  Choni,  where  this  bird  is  reared 
from  eggs  taken  from  the  nests  of  wild  stock  found  in  the  mountains 
of  southwestern  Kansu.  From  the  captives  the  middle  tail  feathers, 
which  are  in  demand  as  ornaments  for  the  headgear  of  the  Mandarins, 
are  pulled  out. 

Rock's  wild  killed  birds  all  have  the  ornamental  middle  tail  feathers, 
which  are  lacking  in  the  Choni  example. 

PucRASiA  xanthospila  Gray 

Pucrasia  xanthospila  Gray,  P.  Z.  S.,  1864,  p.  259,  pi.  20  (hills  northwest  of 
Pekin). 

Two  females  were  taken  at  an  elevation  of  7,500  feet  in  the  scrub 
oak  forests  of  Mayaku,  Ha  Tebbuland  in  September  1926.  In  the 
absence  of  any  comparative  material  of  either  P.  x.  xanthospila  or 
P.  X.  ruficollis  David  and  Oustalet  (Ois.  Chine,  1877,  texte,  p.  408, 
Shensi)  we  cannot  comment  on  these  birds.  Kleinschmidt  and  Weigold 
(Abh.  u.  ber.  Mus.  Dresden,  16,  1923,  no.  2,  p.  4)  question  the  validity 
of  the  latter  form. 

Phasianus  colchicus  sohokhotensis  Buturlin 

Phasianus  stravchi  sohokhotensis  Buturlin,  Ibis,  1908,  p.  576  (oasis  of  Soho- 
Khoto,  near  Tshen-fan,  100  km.  from  the  northern  slopes  of  the  eastern 
Nan  Shan). 

Dr.  Rock  sent  in  a  female  pheasant  from  the  Liyiian  Ku  valley  in 
the  Richthofen  foothills,  where  the  bird  was  shot  during  November 
1925  in  willow  scrub  along  a  stream  at  an  elevation  of  7,000  feet. 

This  specimen  is  too  pale  for  P.  c.  strauchi,  of  which  we  have  a 
single  female  for  comparison,  and  is  rather  too  dark  for  P.  c.  sat- 
scheiiensis  Pleske,  the  race  inhabiting  the  southern  Gobi  desert  and 
westernmost  Kansu  of  which  we  also  have  a  female  for  comparison. 
We  can  find  no  description  ©f  the  female  of  sohokhotensis,  but  infer 
that  our  bird  is  referable  to  that  form,  on  geographic  grounds. 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  319 

Phasianus  colchicus  strauchi  Przew. 

Phasianus  strauchi  PTzewalski,  Mongol,  i.  Strana  Tangut,  2,  1876,  p.  119,  pi.  17 
(Kansu  mountains  up  to  10,000  feet). 

According  to  Dr.  Rock,  Strauch's  pheasant  is  very  common  in  the 
Tao  valley,  but  unfortunately  he  did  not  secure  a  series ;  a  spring  male 
with  traces  of  a  white  collar  was  preserved,  also  a  male  shot  during 
February  1926.  Two  chicks  about  ten  days  old  from  the  Kadjaku 
valley,  9,500  feet,  collected  during  August  1925,  are  doubtless  referable 
to  this  race. 

Phasianus  colchicus  suehschanensis  Bianchi 

Phasianus  suehschanensis  Bianchi,  Bull.  Ac.  imp.  Sc.  St.  Petersb.  (5)  24,  1906, 
p.  83  (Sungpan  Szechwan). 

The  three  specimens  of  pheasant  from  lower  Tebbuland  are  certainly 
referable  to  this  race.  An  adult  female  collected  in  September  1925  at 
8,500  feet  in  the  forests  of  Wantsangku  agrees  with  a  female  in  the 
Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology  from  the  upper  Min  valley  in 
Szechuan,  which  may  be  considered  topotypical.  Two  males  taken 
September  1926  at  8,000  feet  in  the  fields  or  scrub  forests  of  Mayaku 
are  moulting  from  the  juvenal  to  the  first  winter  plumage,  but  enough 
of  the  latter  has  appeared  to  make  certain  that  these  birds,  too,  belong 
to  suehschanensis. 


COLUMBIDAE 

COLUMBA  LEUCONOTA  GRADARIA  Hart. 

Columha  leuconota  gradaria  Hartert,  Nov.  Zool.,  23,   1916,  p.  85  (Sungpan, 
Szechwan). 

Two  males  and  a  female  of  this  pigeon  were  secured  in  June  and 
August,  1925  amidst  the  snow  fields  and  rocks  on  the  summit  of  Mt. 
KwangKei  (12,500  feet)  in  the  western  part  of  the  Minshan  range  near 
the  Kansu-Tibet  border.  During  J,uly  of  the  same  year  three  additional 
specimens  were  taken  in  the  valley  of  Shiaoku,  10,500  feet,  where  the 
birds  frequented  larch  forests  and  adjacent  meadows.  A  seventh 
example,  a  female,  was  collected  at  8,000  feet  in  the  forest  of  Mayaku, 
Ha  Tebbuland,  September  1926. 

We  have  carefully  compared  these  skins  with  a  series  from  Szechuan 
and  can  detect  no  differences  at  all. 


320  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

COLUMBA  RUPESTRIS  RUPESTRIS  Pall. 
Colu7nbaOenas  8  rupestris  Pallas,  Zoogr.  Rosso- Asiat.  1,  1827,  p.  560  (Dauria). 
This  pigeon  was  met  with  in  southern  Kansu  along  the  Wutu  River 
north  of  Kaichow  at  4,000  feet  where  three  females  were  secured  in  May 
1925,  and  again  in  eastern  Tibet  where  a  male  was  collected  at  11,500 
feet  30  May,  and  a  female  2  June  1926  on  rocky  cliffs  among  the 
junipers  in  the  Sakatu  ravine;  two  females  were  obtained  a  few  days 
later  at  11,000  feet  in  the  meadows  of  the  Shala  valley. 

CoLUMBA  sp.    (domestic  variety)? 

Two  very  dark  rock  pigeons,  cf  and  9  ,  were  taken  along  the  Wutu 
River,  elevation  3,000  feet,  south  Kansu,  in  April  1925. 

These  birds  are  slaty-black  all  over  with  much  iridescence  on  the 
neck  and  crop  region.  They  do  not  agree  with  the  description  of 
Buturlin's  nigricans  of  inner  Mongolia,  being  too  dark.  We  suspect,  of 
course,  that  they  are  domestic  birds  gone  wild. 

CoLUMBA  HODGSONI  VigOrS 
Columha  hodgsoni  Vigors,  P.  Z.  S.,  1832,  p.  16  (middle  Himalayas). 

One  of  the  surprises  of  the  collection  was  a  fine  pair  of  these  birds 
obtained  at  9,500  and  10,000  feet  in  spruce  forest  on  Mt.  Lieuhoashan 
(between  Taochow  and  Titao)  in  July  1925. 

So  far  as  we  know,  this  constitutes  the  first  Palaearctic  record  for 
the  species.  The  two  specimens  are  identical  with  Yunnanese  examples, 
except  that  the  female  has  a  reddish  nasal  operculum. 

Streptopelia  orientalis  orientalis  (Lath.) 
Columha  orientalis  Latham,  Ind.  Orn.  2,  1790,  p.  606  (China). 

An  adult  female  was  secured  near  Laliku  (8,600  feet)  in  the  Tao 
River  valley,  July  1925;  in  September  1926  an  immature  female  was 
taken  at  8,500  feet  in  the  forests  of  Wantsang  Ku. 

Oenopopelia  tanquebarica  humilis  (Temm.) 
Columbahumilis  Temminck,  PI.  col.  livr.  44,  1824,  pi.  259  (Bengal,  Luzon). 

There  is  one  female  in  the  collection  taken  in  the  Kokonor  grass 
country,  11,000  feet,  facing  the  eastern  sand  dunes,  September  1925. 

This  bird  is  very  different  from  examples  of  the  corresponding  sex 
from  Hupeh  and  Yunnan,  but  we  cannot  describe  it  as  a  new  form  from 
a  single  specimen,  somewhat  immature,  with  an  uncompleted  moult. 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  321 

LARIDAE 
Sterna  hirundo  tibetana  Saund. 
Sterna  tibetana  Saunders,  P.  Z.  S.,  1876,  p.  649  (Tibet). 

The  capture  of  five  specimens  of  this  Tern  near  the  Kansu-Tibet 
border  constitutes  an  extension  of  its  range.  On  10  May  1926  an  adult 
male  was  shot  at  an  elevation  of  about  11,250  feet  on  the  grasslands 
bordering  the  Tsechu  stream,  four  days  west  of  Labrang,  and  on  28 
July  a  pair  of  adults  and  two  well-grown  juvenals  were  secured  at  11,800 
feet  on  grasslands  at  Amnyi  Gardang,  about  halfway  between  Radja 
and  Labrang. 

The  juvenals  are  like  examples  of  S.  h.  hirundo  of  the  same  age  ex- 
cept that  they  are  much  darker  above.  This  is  a  very  distinct  form, 
the  adults  recognizable  at  a  glance  by  their  much  darker  coloration 
both  above  and  below. 

Larus  ichthyaetus  Pall. 

Larus  Ichthyaetus  Pallas,  Reise  versch.  Prov.  Russ.  Reich,  2,   1773,  p.  713 
(Caspian  Sea). 

An  adult  female  in  the  plumage  of  the  second  winter  was  shot  in 
September  1925  along  the  southern  shore  of  Lake  Kokonor.  A  note  on 
the  label  indicates  that  the  irides  are  "  grey"  and  the  tarsi  "  lead 
colored" ;  these  observations  do  not  agree  with  the  colors  of  these  same 
soft  parts  given  by  Dr.  Dwight  in  his  monograph  (Bull.  Am.  Mus.  Nat. 
Hist.  52.  1925  art-  3,  p.  256-260). 

Larus  brunnicephalus  Jerd. 

Larus  brunnicephalus  Jerdon,  Madras  Journ.  Lit.&Sci.,  12, 1840,  p. 22.5  (India)- 

A  single  specimen  of  the  Indian  Brown-headed  Gull  was  obtained  at 
about  the  same  time  and  place  as  the  foregoing  species.  The  bird  is  a 
female  in  plumage  of  the  second  winter.  The  label  describes  the  irides 
as  "  pale  gray"  and  the  bill  and  legs  as  "  red." 

'  CHARADRIIDAE 

Vanellus  vanellus  (Linn.) 

Tringa  Vanellus  Linne,  Syst.  Nat.  ed.  10,  1,  1758,  p.  148  (Europe,  Africa  = 
Sweden). 

The  Lapwing  was  secured  only  during  October  1925.  A  male  was 
collected  in  swamps  near  Kanchow,  western  Kansu,  and  a  male  and  a 


322  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

female  in  a  little  grassy  valley  between  the  Nanshan  ranges.    These 
birds  were  doubtless  migrants  from  further  north. 

Charadrius  dubius  curonicus  Gm. 
Charadrius  curonicus  Gmelin,  Syst.  Nat.  1,  pt.  2,  1789,  p.  692  (Curonia). 

A  female  Little  Ringed  Plover  was  taken  during  May  1925  in  the  bed 
of  the  Wutu  River  one  day  north  of  Kaichow.  This  specimen  still  has 
obsolete  rusty  edges  on  the  feathers  of  the  back. 

Charadrius  placidus  Gray 

Charadrius  placidus  Gray,  Cat.  Bds.  Mamm.  etc.,  of  Nepal  &  Tibet  in  Brit. 
Mus.,  ed.  2,  1863,  p.  70  (Nepal). 

A  female  in  very  worn  and  abraided  plumage  was  taken  along  the 
Tao  River  near  Choni  in  June  1925. 

Ibidorhyncha  struthersii  Vigors 

Ibidorhyncha  Struthersii  Vigors,  Proc.  Comm.  Zool.  Soc.  1,  1831,  p.  174  (Him- 
alaya). 

During  June  and  July  1925  Dr.  Rock  encountered  this  species  at 
rather  low  altitudes  in  the  Tao  River  valley  and  its  tributaries  near 
Choni;  taking  a  pair  in  the  Kwadjaku  valley  at  9,600  feet,  and  two 
females  in  a  small  lateral  valley  at  8,600  feet.  In  December  of  the  same 
year  a  male  was  secured  in  the  valley  of  Payenrung,  north  of  the  Yellow 
River,  at  10,000  feet.  A  male  was  obtained  along  the  Yuvaku  stream 
at  9,000  feet  in  the  Drakana  district  of  upper  Tebbuland,  September 
1926. 

SCOLOPACIDAE 

ToTANUS  TOTANUS  EURHiNUS  Oberh. 

Totanus  totanus  eurhinus  Oberholser,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.  22,  1900,  p.  207 
(Tso  Moriri  Lake,  Ladak). 

Dr.  Rock  collected  six  Redshanks;  three  breeding  adults  and  three 
autumnal  specimens.  Of  the  former  a  pair  was  secured  on  10  May 
1926  along  the  banks  of  the  Taechu  (11,200  feet)  4  days  west  of  La- 
brang,  and  a  female  in  the  Ba  valley  at  9,500  feet,  July  1926,  where  the 
species  was  encountered  in  swampy  meadows.  The  autumn  birds  were 
taken  in  September  1925  at  10,700  feet  along  the  south  shore  of  Lake 
Kokonor. 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  323 

Oberholser  described  Totanus  totanus  eurhinus  from  Ladak  on  the 
basis  of  larger  size.  Ticehurst  in  the  Ibis  for  1924,  p.  120-121  upheld 
Oberholser's  name,  and  with  a  series  of  both  spring  and  winter  birds 
from  northwestern  India  before  him  pointed  out  certain  color  charac- 
ters, in  addition  to  the  mensural  ones,  by  which  he  believed  the  Indian 
birds  could  be  differentiated.  Still  more  recently,  however.  Colonel 
and  Mrs.  Meinertzhagen,  (Bull.  B.  O.  C,  46,  1926,  p.  85)  after  an 
examination  of  seven  breeding  birds  from  Ladak  conclude  that  the 
difference  in  size  between  Ladak  birds  and  those  from  western  Europe 
is  only  average,  and  that  the  coloration  is  identical,  but  find  that  the 
form  still  further  east  differs  in  precisely  the  same  color  characters  as 
pointed  out  by  Ticehurst  (whose  note  the  Meinertzhagens'  do  not 
mention),  as  well  as  average  larger  size.  They,  therefore,  regard  Ober- 
holser's name  as  a  synonym  of  t.  totanus,  and  name  the  form  from 
further  east  terrignotae,  with  their  type  specimen  from  Kokonor. 

To  clear  up  the  situation  we  borrowed  the  type  and  three  other 
Ladak  specimens  from  the  U.  S.  National  Museum.  After  a  careful 
comparison  with  European  material  as  well  as  with  birds  from  Kokonor 
and  eastern  Tibet,  we  are  convinced  that  the  bird  Oberholser  de- 
scribed is  the  eastern  Redshank.  Regardless  of  what  the  breeding 
bird  of  Ladak  may  be,  the  type  is  as  extreme  as  any  of  the  rusty  ex- 
amples that  we  have  seen,  while  the  three  paratypes  though  not  quite 
as  extreme,  have  more  rufous  above  than  in  European  examples.  Our 
Kokonor  skins  agree  in  color  with  the  type  of  eurhinus,  but  are  slightly 
redder  than  the  paratypes.  The  type  and  one  para  type  of  eurhinus  were 
taken  on  July  29;  the  third  specimen  is  merely  labelled  "  July,"  while 
the  fourth  was  taken  on  the  15th  of  August.  Considering  the  lateness 
of  the  dates,  it  is  wholly  possible  that  the  birds  were  migrants  and  not 
the  breeding  form  of  the  region. 

In  any  event  terrignotae  must  fall  as  a  direct  synonym  of  eurhinus. 

AcTiTis  HYPOLEUCOS  (Linn.) 

Tringa  Htjpoleucos  Linne,  Syst.  Nat.  ed.  10,  1,  1758,  p.  148  (Sweden,  apud 
Hartert). 

This  common,  wide  ranging  species  is  represented  in  the  collection  by 
an  immature  male  collected  in  September  1925  on  the  grass  lands 
bordering  Lake  Kokonor. 

PiSOBIA  TEMMINCKII  (Leisl.) 

Tringa  Temminckii  Leisler,  Nachtr.  zu  Bechstein's  Naturg.  Deutschl.,  1812,  p. 
67-73  (Hanau  am  Main,  Germany). 


324  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

A  male  Temminck's  Stint  in  juvenal  plumage  was  obtained  along  the 
south  shore  of  Lake  Kokonor  in  September  1925. 

PHALAROPODIDAE 

LoBiPES  LOBATA  (Linn.) 

Tringa  tobata  (sic  =  lobaia)  Linne,  Syst.  Nat.  ed.  10, 1,  1758,  p.  148  (Hudson 
Bay). 

Dr.  Rock  shot  a  female  of  this  phalarope  along  a  stream  in  the 
Mayaku  district  of  the  lower  Tebbu  country  in  September  1926. 

MEGALORNITHIDAE 

Megalornis  nigricollis  (Przew.) 

GrusnigricollisTrzewalski, Mongol,  i.  Strana  Tangut, 2, 1876, p.  135  (Kokonor). 

A  male  of  this  splendid  crane  was  taken  at  10,900  feet  on  the  Koko- 
nor swampy  meadows  in  September  1925;  a  second  example,  also  a 
male  was  shot  10  May  1926  at  11,300  feet  on  the  banks  of  the  Tsechu 
River,  4  days  west  of  Labrang.  A  note  on  the  label  of  the  latter  speci- 
men indicates  that  the  eyes  were  white. 

THRESKIORNITHIDAE 
NiPPONiA  NIPPON  (Temm.) 

Ibis  Nippon  Temminck,  PI.  col.,  1835,  pi.  551  (Japan). 

The  Japanese  Ibis  was  secured  only  in  southern  Kansu,  here  a  male 
was  shot  along  theWutu  River,  one  day  north  of  KaichowinMay  1925, 
where  it  was  nesting  in  trees  along  the  river.  In  February  1926  two 
additional  specimens  were  obtained  in  the  same  valley. 

All  three  birds  are  in  the  white  phase  of  plumage. 

ARDEIDAE 

Ardea  cinerea  jouyi  Clark 

Ardea  cinerea  jouyi  Clark,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  32,  1907,  p.  468  (Seoul, 
Corea). 

The  eastern  Asiatic  race  of  the  Gray  Heron  was  found  nesting  in  the 
poplar  trees  bordering  the  Wutu  River  in  southern  Kansu.    An  adult 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  325 

male  was  secured  there  in  May  1925.  An  adult  female  was  shot  along 
the  Tao  River  near  Choni  in  July  1925  and  an  immature  female  was 
taken  at  about  the  same  place  in  October  1926. 

These  birds  are  like  examples  from  Szechuan  and  Hupeh,  having  the 
neck  less  grayish  and  the  middle  and  greater  wing  coverts  paler  than 
European  specimens  of  typical  cincrca. 

ANATIDAE 
Anser  anser  (Linn.) 

Anas  anser  Linne,  Syst.  Nat.  ed.  10,  1,  1758,  p.  123  (Sweden,  apud  Hartert). 

Rock  found  the  Gray  Goose  in  the  fields  along  the  Tao  River  valley 
near  Minchow  in  the  spring  of  1925,  where  he  collected  a  male.  An- 
other male  was  secured  in  September  1925  on  the  east  shore  of  Lake 
Kokonor. 

Anser  indicus  (Lath.) 
Anas  indica  Latham,  Ind.  Orn.  2,  1790,  p.  839  (India). 

A  male  bar-headed  goose  was  taken  23  May  1926  on  the  Yellow 
River  at  Radja,  eastern  Tibet.  The  skin  is  labelled  as  having  the  "  iris 
gray,  pupil  bluish  black." 

Tadorna  tadorna  (Linn.) 

Anas  Tadorna  Linne,  Syst.  Nat.  ed.  10, 1,  1758,  p.  122  (Sweden,  apud  Hartert). 

A  female  Sheld-duck  was  shot  on  the  Wutu  River,  north  of  Kaichow 
in  April  1925. 

Casarca  ferruginea  (Pall.) 

Anas  ferruginea  Pallas,  Vroegs,  Cat.,  Adumbr.  1764,  p.  5  (Tartary). 

The  Ruddy  Sheld-duck  is  represented  in  the  collection  by  a  single 
specimen,  a  female,  collected  on  the  Tao  River  below  Choni  in  Septem- 
ber 1926. 

Anas  crecca  Linn. 

Anas  Crecca  Linne,  Syst.  Nat.  ed.  10,  1,  1758,  p.  125  (Sweden,  apud  Hartert). 

Two  Teal,  both  of  them  males  either  in  immature  or  eclipse  plumage, 
were  collected  during  September  1925.   One  on  the  southern  shore  of 


326  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Lake  Kokonor,  the  other  along  a  small  stream  between  Sining  and 
Taerhssu  (Kumbum). 

We  believe  that  Anas  crecca  and  Anas  carolinensis  should  be  re- 
garded as  distinct  species. 

Spatula  clypeata  (Linn.) 

Anas  clypeata  Linne,  Syst.  Nat.  ed.  10,  1,  1758,  p.  122  (restricted  type  locality, 
South  Sweden,  apud  Hartert). 

A  mated  pair  of  Shovelers  was  taken  on  the  Minchow  River  in  south- 
western Kansu  during  April  1925. 

Mergus  merganser  orientalis  Gould 

Mergus  orientalis  Gould,  P.  Z.  S.,  1845,  p.  1  (Amoy). 

This  merganser  appears  to  be  a  permanent  resident  in  southwestern 
Kansu.  In  June  1925  an  adult  female  and  a  duckling  about  three  weeks 
old  were  secured  on  the  Tao  River  near  Choni,  while  another  female  was 
taken  there  in  January  1926  and  a  male  the  following  month.  A  female 
in  very  worn  plumage  was  collected  23  June  1926  in  the  Ba  valley, 
eastern  Tibet,  at  an  elevation  of  9,900  feet.  A  male  was  taken  in 
December  1925  along  the  Tapetchiien  River  between  Sincheng  and 
Sining. 

All  the  adults  have  the  more  slender  bill,  supposed  to  be  characteris- 
tic of  the  east-Asiatic  race  of  Mergus  merganser. 

PHALACROCORACIDAE 

Phalacrocorax  carbo  sinensis  (Shaw  &  Nodd.) 

Pelecanus  sinensis  Shaw  and  Nodder,  Nat.  Misc.  13,  1801,  j)l.  529  and  text 
(China). 

While  Rock  was  at  Lake  Kokonor  in  September  1925,  he  collected 
three  cormorants.  In  March  and  April  1926  he  shot  two  more  on  the 
banks  of  the  Tao  River  near  Choni.  One  of  these  is  a  female  in  late 
winter  plumage  with  the  ornamental  feathers  on  head  and  neck  fully 
grown  in. 

We  thoroughly  agree  with  Ticehurst  that  P.  c.  sinensis  and  P.  c. 
subconnoranus  (Brehm)  are  identical,  though  we  regret  that  Brehm's 
name,  of  which  the  type  is  still  in  existence,  must  be  relegated  to  synon- 
ymy. Now  that  the  Common  Cormorant  of  Europe  must  be  called 
sinensis,  this  seems  an  opportune  time  to  point  out  once  more  the 
fallacy  of  bestowing  geographic  names. 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  327 

AEGYPIIDAE 

AEGYPius  MONACHUS  (Linn.) 

Vultur  monachus  Linne,  Syst.  Nat.  ed.  12,  1,  1766,  p.  122  (Arabia). 

A  female  of  this  large  vulture  was  collected  at  the  end  of  November 
in  the  valley  of  Peitaitung,  10,000  feet,  in  the  eastern  Nanshan 
ranges. 

Lonnberg  (Ibis,  1924,  p.  322)  lists  specimens  of  Gyps  himalayensis 
Hume  from  the  Tibet-Kansu  border,  but  Rock  did  not  secure  that 
species. 

FALCONIDAE 

(Owing  to  the  differences  of  opinion  as  to  the  families  of  Hawks  and 
their  limits  we  follow  the  arrangement  of  Sharpe's  Hand  List.) 

ACCIPITER  NISUS  MELANOSCHISTUS  Hume 

Accipiter  melanoschistus  Hume,  Ibis,  1869,  p.  356  (Simla). 

An  adult  female  Sparrow  Hawk  collected  at  11 ,000  feet  in  the  spruce 
forests  near  Choni,  May  1925  probably  represents  the  breeding  bird 
of  the  Tao  valley.  She  is  very  dark,  almost  black  above  and  with- 
out doubt  referable  to  melanoschistus.  An  immature  male  collected 
in  December  1925  near  the  Chinssu  Lamasery,  10,000  feet,  south 
of  Labrang  is  likewise  much  darker  than  corresponding  examples  of 
nisosimilis  from  different  parts  of  China,  as  are  three  males,  one  of 
them  fully  adult,  from  the  forest  of  Drakana  9,500  feet  October  1926. 

BuTEO  BUTEO  JAPONicus  Tcmm.  &  Schl. 

Falco  buteo  japonicus  TemminckandSchlegel,in:  —  Siebold's  Faun.  Jap.  Aves, 
1844,  p.  16;  1845,  pi.  6  and  6  b  (Japan). 

A  specimen  of  the  Japanese  Buzzard  was  taken  at  Kadjaku  (9,000 
feet  elevation)  in  the  Tao  valley,  13  January  1926. 

BuTEO  FEROX  HEMiLASius  Temm.  &  Schl. 

Bufeo  hemilasius  Temminck  and  Schlegel,  in :  —  Siebold's  Faun.  Jap.  Aves,  1844, 
p.  16;  1845  pi.  7  (Japan). 

An  adult  was  taken  in  May  1925  on  Tibetan  grasslands  at  11,000 
feet  in  southwestern  Kansu ;  this  specimen  appears  to  be  a  male,  since 
the  wing  measures  but  450  mm. ;  tarsal  feathering  is  short  and  sparse 


328  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

(especially  on  the  distal  portion),  a  condition  doubtless  due  to  season. 
A  female  taken  in  the  mountains  beyond  Obo  in  extreme  northeastern 
Kokonor  has  a  wing  of  495  mm.,  the  tarsal  feathering  is  long  and  dense, 
as  is  also  the  same  character  in  another  winter  example — a  female  from 
Kadjaku,  Tao  River  valley,  collected  in  January  1926.  The  latter  bird 
has  a  wing  of  485  mm.  The  plumage  of  this  example  is  pale,  especially 
on  the  nape  and  sides  of  the  head  which  are  largely  white;  the  rusty 
edgings  on  the  anterior  upperparts  are  also  pale. 

We  cannot  see  that  Streseman  has  made  out  a  clear  case  (Abh.  u. 
ber.  Mus.  Dresden,  16,  1923,  no.  2,  p.  61)  for  the  recognition  of  B.f. 
leucocephalus  Hodgs. ;  his  measurements  mean  nothing,  and  the  alleged 
color  characters  are  of  no  value  in  a  bird  so  notoriously  variable. 

Gypaetus  barbatus  grandis  Storr 

Gypaetiis  grandis  Storr,  Alpenreise,  1784,  p.  69  (Switzerland). 

A  male,  not  quite  adult,  was  taken  just  east  of  Lake  Kokonor, 
September  1925.  The  bird  was  shot  while  feeding  on  the  carcass  of  a 
yak.  In  the  region  of  the  Yellow  River  gorges  in  eastern  Tibet  three 
birds,  two  adults  and  an  immature,  were  secured  during  the  spring  of 
1926  as  follows  —  one  on  sandstone  cliffs  near  Dzangar  15  May;  one 
on  the  sandstone  cliffs  of  theSerchung  valley,  16  May;  and  one  on  cliffs 
in  the  Waro  valley,  20  June. 

Aquila  chrysaetos  daphanea  Menzb. 

Aquila  daphanea  Menzbier,  Orn.  Turkestan,  1,  1888,  p.  75  ("High  Asia")- 

A  Golden  Eagle  was  taken  25  April  1926  on  the  Tibetan  grasslands 
11,000  feet  between  Ankor  and  Hetzu  (southwestern  Kansu?). 

We  refer  this  specimen  to  daphanea  on  geographic  grounds,  though 
the  bird  has  a  wing  measurement  of  only  655  mm.  Because  of  its  dark 
coloration  our  specimen  might  possibly  be  referred  to  A.  c.  obscurior 
Sushkin,  but  there  are  certain  discrepancies,  notably  in  the  color  of  the 
tarsal  feathering,  that  we  cannot  reconcile. 

CiRCAETUS  gallicus  (Gm.) 
Falco  gallicus  Gmelin,  Syst.  Nat.,  1,  pt.  1,  1788,  p.  259  ("Gallia"). 

A  male  in  worn  plumage  was  taken  on  the  grasslands  of  Hetso, 
9,000  feet,  in  April  1926. 

This  species  was  not  found  by  Sjolander,  Weigold  or  Zappey  in 
western  China  which  leads  us  to  believe  that  the  bird  is  rare  there. 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  329 

Hali^etus  leucoryphus  (Pall.) 

Aquila  leucorypha  Pallas,  Reise  Versch.  Prov.  Russ.  Reich,  1,  1771,  p.  454 

("laikum"). 

Two  examples  of  this  Eagle,  one  partly  adult,  the  other  immature,  were 
collected  at  11 ,000  feet  in  the  western  hills  of  Kokonor  grass  country 
in  September  1925.  A  splendid  adult  was  shot  on  the  south  shore  of 
Lake  Kokonor  also  in  September.  The  latter  bird  had  the  eyes  "  clear 
crystal,  outer  part  of  pupil  reddish"  and  the  legs  "pale  flesh  color." 

MiLvus  lineatus  (Gray) 

Haliaehis  lineatus  Gray,  in:  —  Hardwick's  111.  Ind.  Zool.  1,  1832,  p.  1,  pi.  18 
(China). 

An  adult  male  of  this  Kite  was  secured  23  June  1926  at  10,000  feet 
in  the  Ba  valley.  In  August  of  the  previous  year  two  males  and  a 
female  were  taken  in  a  deep  rock  gorge  leading  south  through  the  Min- 
shan  range  into  the  Tebbu  country. 

Falco  subbuteo  subbuteo  Linn. 
Falco  Subbuteo  Linne,  Syst.  Nat.  ed.  10,  1,  1758,  p.  89  (Sweden,  apud  Hartert). 

An  adult  female,  together  with  three  large  young,  the  latter  just  ready 
to  leave  the  nest,  was  collected  in  September  1925  in  the  Sining  valley. 

We  have  not  enough  material  to  discuss  the  Asiatic  forms  of  Falco 
subbuteo,  but  whatever  may  be  the  status  of  amtralasiae  Buturlin,  our 
birds  certainly  do  not  belong  to  that  race.  The  adult  female  is  identical 
in  color  with  European  examples  and  has  a  wing  of  261  mm.  The 
three  juvenals  are  exactly  like  a  young  female,  probably  only  a  few 
days  older,  collected  in  Holland  in  late  August. 

Falco  cherrug  milvipes  Jerd. 

Falco  milvipes  Jerdon,  Ibis,  1871,  p.  240  (Umballa,  India). 

Two  examples  of  this  fine  falcon  were  secured  in  November  1925. 
The  first  was  taken  on  the  banks  of  the  Kanchow  ho,  north  of  the 
Kanchow  Nanshan  mountains,  at  an  elevation  of  5,500  feet;  the  other 
at  the  foot  of  the  Nanshans  at  the  entrance  to  the  Pientuku  gorge. 

Falco  tinnunculus  interstinctus  McClell. 

Falco  interstinctus  McClelland,  P.  Z.  S.  for  1839;  1840,  p.  154  (Assam). 

A  single  adult  female  Kestrel  was  secured  in  the  mountains  of  Pikow, 
6,000  feet,  in  southern  Kansu,  just  over  the  Szechuan  border,  late 
April  or  early  May  1925. 


330  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

The  two  most  recent  revisers  of  the  Kestrels  (Rothschild,  Nov. 
Zool.  33,  1925,  p.  231-232)  (Stuart  Baker,  Bull.  B.  O.  C.  47,  1927,  p. 
102-107)  are  not  entirely  in  accord  in  their  treatment  of  the  Asiatic 
races  of  that  species.  According  to  the  former,  inter stinctus  is  identical 
with  japonicus,  but  different  from  saturatus  with  which  it  had  pre- 
viously been  united,  while  the  latter  maintains  all  three  races  as  dis- 
tinct. From  Stuart  Baker's  account  however  we  judge  that  japonicus 
is  only  very  slightly  different  from  inter  stinctus,  the  characters  appear- 
ing only  in  the  male.  Our  single  female  is  clearly  not  tinnuncvlus,  and 
we  refer  it  to  inter  stinctus,  which  is  probably  the  correct  name  for  it, 
whether  japonicus  (1844)  is  identical  with  interstinctus  (1839)  or  not. 

BUBONIDAE 

Bubo  bubo  subsp. 

A  nestling  Eagle  Owl  was  taken  near  Choni  in  May  1925.  Neither 
parent  was  secured.  The  bird  is  still  too  young  to  show  any  diagnostic 
characters.  The  distribution  of  the  central  Asiatic  forms  of  Bubo  bubo 
is  not  sufficiently  well  known  to  identify  this  bird  subspecifically  even 
on  geographic  grounds. 

Athene  noctua  impasta  subsp.  nov. 

Type.— Adult  female,  No.  239416  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.;  grass  country 
south  of  Lake  Kokonor,  10,700  feet;  collected  September  1925  by 
Joseph  F.  Rock  (orig.  no.  408). 

Characters. — Similar  to  A.  n.  plumipes  {Athene  plumipes  Swinh., 
P.  Z.  S.  1870,  p.  448,  Shato,  north  China)  in  having  feathered  toes,  but 
much  darker;  pale  markings  on  the  top  of  the  head  linear  rather  than 
guttate;  light  tail  bands  interrupted;  markings  below  darker  and  more 
extensive. 

Measurements 

Number  Sex  Wing  Tail  Tarsus 

239416  9   (type)  167  108              38 

239417  9  168  102              34 

239418  9  (cf?)  157  91              34 

Athene  noctua  plumipes  from  Shansi 

87567  9  166  92  34.5 

87568  9  (cf?)  155  85  35 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  331 

Of  the  specimens  of  our  new  form  listed,  in  addition  to  the  type,  one 
was  secured  on  the  grasslands  at  the  head  of  the  Serchen  valley  (13, 
300  feet)  three  days  east  of  Radja,  26  July  1926;  and  the  third  was 
taken  in  May  1925  in  the  forests  covering  the  slopes  of  the  mountains 
of  Choni  (9,000  feet).  The  latter  specimen  asmight  be  suspected  on 
geographic  grounds,  is  somewhat  intermediate  between  imyasta  and 
plumipcs.  It  approaches  the  latter  in  having  the  light  tail  spots  almost 
forming  bands,  but  tends  toward  the  former  in  the  extent  of  the  streak- 
ing below  and  in  having  linear  pale  crown-stripes  —  on  the  whole  it  is 
best  placed  with  impasta. 

We  have  not  seen  Athene  nodua  ludlowi  Stuart  Baker  of  southern 
Tibet,  but  that  form  is  said  to  be  about  the  color  oi  A.  n.  plwnipes. 
Our  new  form  is  much  darker,  in  fact  but  little  paler  than  A.  nodua 
nodua  of  Europe.  Our  bird  also  comes  from  a  region  that  is  quite 
different  faunally,  and  although  we  hesitated  at  first,  we  now  see  no 
course  open  but  to  name  it. 

CUCULIDAE 

CUCULUS  CANORUS  BAKERI  Hart. 

Cuculus  canorus  bakeri  Hartert,  Vog.,  Pal.  Faun.  2,  heft,  7,  1912,  p.  948  (Shil- 
long). 

Cuckoos  were  taken  in  the  region  about  Choni  during  May  and 
June  1925  in  willow,  spruce  and  poplar  forests;  a  ju venal  female  in  the 
red  phase  was  secured  in  spruce  forests  at  10,000  feet  on  Mt.  Lieu- 
hoashan  in  July  1925.  An  adult  was  shot  in  the  Yellow  River  gorges 
near  Radja,  20  May  1926  and  another  in  the  willows  of  the  Ba  valley 
23  June  1926. 

We  have  come  to  exactly  the  same  conclusion  in  regard  to  these 
cuckoos  that  Lonnberg  (Ibis,  1924,  p.  318)  reached  concerning  birds 
from  Aschuen  and  the  Minshans.  Our  two  from  eastern  Tibet  are 
larger  than  the  Tao  River  birds,  but  the  entire  series  falls  within  the 
Hmits  of  the  dimensions  given  for  bakeri  by  its  author. 

Cuculus  intermedius  intermedius  Vahl 

Cuculus  intermedius  Vahl,  Skriv.  af  Nat.  Selskab.  Kjobenhavn,  4,  1789,  p.  58 
(Tanquebaria). 

A  female  of  this  cuckoo  was  taken  at  10,000  feet  in  the  Choni  moun- 
tains 25  June  1925. 


332  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

PICIDAE 

PiCUS  CANUS  GUERINI  (Malh.) 
Chloropicus  Guerini  Malherbe,  Rev.  et  Mag.  Zool.,  1849,  p.  539  (China). 

During  April  and  early  May  1925  while  Dr.  Rock  was  traveling 
north  through  southern  Kansu  he  shot  four  males  and  a  female  of  this 
woodpecker  in  the  mountains  (6,000  feet)  south  of  Pikow.  Five  more 
were  secured  near  Choni :  a  male  in  very  worn  plumage  at  9,000  feet, 
May  1925,  two  immature  in  spruce  forest  at  9,000  feet  in  the  valley  of 
Tayiiku,  and  two  females,  also  in  spruce  forests,  in  February  1926. 

Upon  comparing  these  specimens  with  an  adequate  series  of  Picus 
canus  (upwards  of  forty  specimens)  from  Hupeh,  Szechuan,  Anwhei, 
and  Kiangsu,  we  do  not  see  how  P.  c.  jacobsii  (LaTouche)  (Bull.  B.  O. 
C,  41,  1919,  p.  50,  Chang-yang  hsien,  Hupeh)  and  P.  c.  setschuanns 
Hesse  (Orn.  Monatsb.,  1911,  p.  193,  Tatsienlu)  can  be  maintained. 
There  is  not  a  single  constant  character  by  which  we  can  distinguish 
them,  and  the  minor  differences  visible  are  due  either  to  age,  season, 
wear,  stain  or  individual  variation.  La  Touche  in  describing  jacobsii 
made  direct  comparison  with  ricketti  from  Fokien  instead  of  with 
guerini  from  the  lower  Yangtze  valley.  Our  ten  topotypes  of  jacobsii 
cannot  be  distinguished  from  twelve  examples  of  guerini  collected  in 
Kiangsu,  Anwhei  and  the  Yangtze  valley  near  Hupeh. 

Five  specimens  from  Omeihsien,  Kwanhsien,  and  Dcheto,  western 
Szechuan,  do  not  bear  out  the  characters  assigned  to  setschuamis  by 
its  describer  or  subsequently  by  Rensch;  with  the  exception  of  one 
unusually  dark  female,  we  can  match  them  bird  for  bird  with  our  series 
of  guerini.  Likewise  Rock's  ten  birds  listed  above  can  be  matched 
skin  for  skin  by  guerini  and  we,  therefore,  place  both  jacobsii  and  sets- 
chuanus  in  the  synonymy  of  guerini. 

Lonnberg  had  a  single  specimen  from  the  Minshans  that  he  identified 
as  sordidior  (Rippon). 

Dryobates  major  stresemanni  Rensch 

Dryobates  major  stresemanni  Rensch,  Abh.  u.  her.  Mus.  Dresden,  16,  no.  2, 

1923,  p.  38  (Tsaliea,  western  Szechuan.) 
Dryobates  major  beicki  Stresemann,  Orn.  Monatsb.  35,  1927,  p.  134  (Lan-hu- 

kou,  northern  Kansu). 

Dr.  Rock  sent  in  a  series  of  fourteen  specimens  of  the  Great  Spotted 
Woodpecker  from  a  number  of  localities  in  Kansu.  Early  in  May  1925 
he  collected  a  pair  at  5,000  feet  altitude  in  the  mixed  forest  between 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  333 

Pikow  and  the  Szechuan  border;  later  in  the  same  month  two  males 
and  three  females  in  the  poplar  forests  along  the  Tao  River  near  Choni, 
a  male  among  willows  and  poplars  in  the  Choni  forests  in  June  1925, 
a  female  in  the  mountains  of  Choni  between  9,000  and  10,000  feet,  4 
June  1925;  a  female  was  taken  in  spruce  forest  in  the  Tao  River  valley 
in  February  1926.  In  December  1925  two  females  were  collected  at 
7,000  feet  in  the  valley  of  the  Yellow  River  near  Shunhoa.  The  region 
north  of  the  Nanshans  is  represented  by  two  males  taken  on  the  Kan- 
chow  plain  6,000  feet  in  November  1925. 

We  do  not  recognize  beicki,  because  among  the  birds  collected  by 
Rock,  which  include  skins  from  both  south  and  north  of  the  type 
locality  of  beicki,  supplemented  by  material  from  Szechuan  and  Yun- 
nan, we  find  a  great  deal  of  variation  in  the  color  of  the  underparts, 
independent  of  season;  some  of  the  birds  from  Kansu  are  as  dark  as 
the  darkest  specimens  of  strcsemanni  from  western  Szechuan,  others 
again  are  but  little  darker  than  cabanisi  (series  of  30  from  Hupeh, 
Anwhei  and  Kiangsu  examined).  Strcsemanni  can  be  distinguished 
from  cabanisi  by  the  character  of  the  marking  on  the  two  outer  pairs  of 
tail  feathers  and  by  the  generally  browner  tone  of  the  underparts,  but 
any  further  separation  based  on  the  latter  character  alone  cannot,  in 
our  opinion,  be  maintained. 

Dryobates  pernyii  pernyii  Verr. 

Picus  pernyii  Verreaux,  Rev.  et  Mag.  Zool.  1867,  p.  171  (nomen  nudum),  p. 
271  (orig.  descr.),  pi.  16  (north  China). 

An  adult  female  of  this  rare  woodpecker  was  taken  at  6,000  feet  in 
April  1925  near  Chingchuan  in  the  forests  of  northern  Szechuan. 

Compared  with  two  examples  from  Hupeh,  we  find  this  bird  to  be 
much  browner  on  the  forehead,  sides  of  head,  neck  and  throat;  flanks 
browner  and  more  heavily  streaked ;  the  black  spot  on  the  breast  much 
larger  and  extending  onto  the  abdomen;  the  light  bars  on  the  tail  are 
browner  and  less  buffy,  besides  being  more  restricted.  In  all  partic- 
ulars except  the  extent  of  the  black  on  the  under  parts,  the  skin 
agrees  with  that  of  a  male  from  the  Lichiang  range  10,000  feet,  in 
Yunnan  (Am.  Mus.  Nat.  Hist.   143341,  Andrews  and  Heller). 

Verreaux  in  his  introduction  to  the  catalogue  of  the  collection  made 
by  Mgr.  Perny  states  that  the  birds  in  that  collection  came  from  the 
north  of  China;  but  since  Mgr.  Perny  was  Bishop  of  "Su-tchuen,"  it 
is  practically  certain  that  his  birds  came  from  Szechuan.  The  plate  is 
not  colored  with  sufficient  accuracy  to  determine  exactly  whether  the 


334  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

dark  form  of  western  China,  or  the  much  paler  race  from  Hupeh  is  the 
one  figured;  on  the  whole,  however,  it  agrees  much  better  with  the 
darker  bird  and  we  designate  Szechuan  as  the  type  locality;  for  the 
race  inhabiting  Hupeh  we  propose  the  name :  — 

Dryobates  pernyii  innixus  subsp.  nov. 

Type. —  Adult  male;  No.  52287  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.  from  Chang  Yang 
Hsien,  Hupeh;  collected  24  January  1909  by  W.  R.  Zappey. 

Characters. — Similar  to  D.  p.  pernyii  Verr.  but  the  sides  of  head  and 
neck,  throat,  flanks  and  light  tail  bars  much  paler,  (buffy,  not  brown- 
ish), streaks  on  sides  and  flanks  narrower,  becoming  obsolete  poste- 
riorly; black  tail  bars  narrower. 


Measurements 

D.  p.  pernyii 

& 

Wing,  106; 

Tail,  77 

Bill,  21 

9 

"      105 

«    78 

"    21 

D.  p.  innixus 

d^ 

"      107 

".    78 

"    22 

9 

"      106 

"    77 

"    20 

Picoides  tridactylus  funebris  Verr, 

Picoides /wnebris  Verreaux,  Nouv.  Arch.  Mus.  Paris,  Bull.  6,  1870,  p.  33  (moun- 
tains of  Chinese  Tibet  =  western  Szechuan). 

A  pair  of  adults  wag  collected  at  10,000  feet  in  the  spruce  forest 
on  Mt.  Nginsinshan,  northern  slopes  of  the  north  Kokonor  Barrier 
range,  in  September  1925.  This  record  marks  a  still  further  extension 
of  this  bird's  range.  Formerly  known  to  occur  only  in  the  mountains 
of  western  Szechuan,  Rothschild  records  it  from  the  Mekong-Salwin 
divide  and  the  Lichiang  range,  northwestern  Yunnan,  and  Lonnberg 
has  a  specimen  from  the  Minshans. 

Dryocopus  martius  khamensis  (Buturl.) 

Picus  khamensis  Buturlin,  Ann.  Mus.  Zool.  Ac.  Imp.  St.  Petersb.  13,  1908,  p. 
229  (eastern  slopes  of  the  great  plateau  of  Tibet). 

Rock  sent  in  a  series  of  seven  specimens  of  the  Black  Woodpecker. 
A  male  from  Babo  in  spruce  forest  at  10,000  feet,  north  slope  of  the 
north  Kokonor  Barrier  range,  October  1925;  a  female  taken  in  a  like 
location  and  altitude  near  Choni  May  1925;  a  female  from  spruce  and 
fir  forest  at  10,000  feet  south  of  the  Minshans  near  the  Tibet-Tebbu- 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  335 

land  border,  June  1925,  and  four  from  the  forests  of  Drakana,  9,800 
feet,  upper  Tebbuland,  September  1926. 

We  can  detect  no  differences  between  any  of  these  specimens;  they 
are  all  referable  to  khamensis  by  reason  of  their  less  feathered  tarsi  and 
slightly  smaller  bills.  These  birds  also  appear  much  deeper  black,  than 
does  D.  m.  martins  when  a  series  of  each  is  laid  side  by  side.  It  is  quite 
possible,  however,  that  this  difference  may  be  due  to  the  relative  fresh- 
ness of  the  skins,  and  that  it  would  tend  to  disappear  if  recently  killed 
specimens  of  both  forms  were  compared. 

Jynx  torquilla  pallidior  Rensch. 

Jynx  torquilla  pallidior  Rensch.,  Abh.  u.  ber.  Zool.  Miis.  Dresden,  16,  1923,  no. 
2,  p.  40  (Tatsienlu,  Szechuan). 

Five  examples,  an  adult  male  and  four  adult  females  of  this  well- 
marked  race  were  collected  in  southwestern  Kansu  during  May  and 
June  1925.  One  of  them  was  taken  at  9,000  feet  in  the  mountains  of 
Choni,  the  others  on  the  grasslands  en  route  to  Hetso  and  on  the  loess 
cliffs  northwest  of  Choni  and  Taochow. 


HIRUNDINIDAE  ^ 

Delichon  urbica  cashmeriensis  (Gould) 
Chelidon  cashmeriensis  Gould,  P.  Z.  S.,  1858,  p.  356  (Cashmir). 

A  single  house  martin  was  taken  at  an  elevation  of  9,500  feet  in  the 
forest  of  Drakana,  September  1926. 

Riparia  rupestris  (Scop.) 
Hirundo  rupestris  Scopoli,  Annus,  1,  Historico-Nat.  1769,  p.  167  (Tirol). 

The  crag  martin  is  represented  in  the  collection  by  one  specimen 
taken  on  the  rocky  cliffs  of  the  Wutu  River  gorge  in  southern  Kansu, 
May  1925. 

Hirundo  daurica  daurica  Linn. 

Hirundo  daurica  Linne,  Mantissa,  1771,  p.  528  (Siberia).  .    • 

An  adult  taken  during  May  1925  in  the  Tao  valley  near  Choni  is 
referable  to  this  form,  being  narrowly  streaked  below  with  no  trace  of 
shaft  stripes  on  the  rufous  brown  rump,  and  the  wing  measuring 
124  mm. 


336  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

MUSCICAPIDAE 

MusciCAPA  siBiRiCA  ROTHSCHiLDi  (Stuart  Baker) 

Hemichelidon  i  sibirica  rothschildi  Stuart  Baker,  Bull.  B.  O.  C.  43,  1923,  p.  156 
(Lichiang  range,  northwestern  Yunnan). 

A  male  was  collected  at  10,000  feet  in  the  Kwadjaku  valley,  Min- 
shan  range  in  June  1925;  this  specimen  must  represent  the  breeding 
form  of  the  region.  The  bird  is  so  much  darker  than  specimens  of 
cacahata  Penard  from  Szechuan  collected  by  Zappey,  that  we  cannot 
do  otherwise  than  refer  it  to  the  form  recently  described  by  Stuart 
Baker  from  northwestern  Yunnan. 

Rothschild  (Nov.  Zool.  33,  1926,  p.  294)  refers  two  adults  and  four 
immature  Muscicapa  sibirica  in  the  La  Touche  collection  from  Meng- 
tsze,  Yunnan,  to  rothschildi.  One  of  the  adults  and  all  of  the  immature 
are  now  before  us;  they  are  typical  Muscicapa  sibirica  just  as  La 
Touche  identified  them  in  his  paper  on  the  birds  of  southeast  Yunnan 
(Ibis,  1923,  p.  380). 

Muscicapa  parva  albicilla  Pall. 

Muscicapa  albicilla  Pallas,  Zoogr.  Rosso-Asiat.  1827,  p.  462  (Dauria). 

A  male  was  secured  in  the  mountains  of  Choni,  at  9,000  feet  in  May 
1925. 

Muscicapa  tricolor  cerviniventris  (Sharpe) 

Digenea  cerviniventris  Sharpe,  Cat.  Bds.  Brit.  Mus.  4,  1875,  p.  460  (Manipur 
Hills). 

Rock  sent  in  three  examples  of  this  rare  little  flycatcher.  In  June 
1925  a  male  was  collected  at  9,500  feet  in  the  mountains  of  Choni ;  dur- 
ing late  September  or  early  October  1926  a  male  and  female  were 
secured  in  the  forests  of  Wantsang  Ku  at  8,500  feet  elevation. 

These  birds  agree  with  a  series  from  southeastern  Yunnan  in  the 
La  Touche  collection  that  are  certainly  cerviniventris  and  not  tricolor. 
Rothschild  allocates  La  Touche's  Mengtzse  birds  as  tricolor,  apparent- 
ly because  birds  from  the  Lichiang  range  belong  to  that  form  quite 
regardless  of  the  wide  faunal  disparity  between  the  two  places. 

^  We  foUow  Hartert  in  rejecting  most  of  the  genera  into  which  Muscicapa  has 
been  divided. 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  337 

MusciCAPA  HODGSONii  (Verr.) 

Siphia  Hodgsonii  Verreaux,  Nouv.  Arch.  Mus.  Paris,  Bull.  6,  1870,  p.  34  (moun- 
tains of  Chinese  Tibet  =  Mupin). 

This  species  was  found  in  the  region  about  Choni  during  May  and 
June  1925  in  the  spruce  and  poplar  forests  at  elevations  between 
8,500  and  10,000  feet,  where  four  males  and  two  females  were  secured. 
In  September  1926  the  species  was  met  with  abundantly  in  the  forests 
of  Wantsang  Ku.  Here  seventeen  specimens  were  taken :  five  adult 
males,  four  adult  females,  and  nine  juvenals,  either  entirely  in  the 
spotted  plumage,  or  moulting  into  the  olive  immature  dress.  The 
juvenals  agree  with  Weigold's  description  (Abh.  u.  ber.  Mus.  Dresden 
15,  no.  3,  1922,  p.  26)  except  that  in  none  of  our  nine  specimens  is 
there  any  trace  of  white  at  the  base  of  the  tail. 

Seicercus  burkii  valentini  (Hart.) 

Cryptolopha  burkii  valentini  Hartert,  Vog.  Pal.  Faun.  1,  heft  4,  1907,  p.  497. 
(Taipaishan). 

This  species  was  taken  only  in  the  lower  Tebbu  country  during 
September  1926.  One  was  secured  at  9,000  feet  in  the  forests  of 
Mayaku  and  seven  more  in  the  forests  of  Wantsang  Ku.  We  have  no 
means  of  telling  whether  these  birds  were  migrants  or  represent  the 
breeding  form  of  the  region.  One  was  moulting  the  wings,  otherwise 
the  length  of  wing  in  the  series  is  58 ;  59 ;  59 ;  60 ;  62 ;  64. 

W^igold  had  difficulty  in  placing  the  birds  he  collected  in  western 
China,  but  referred  them  —  some,  however  rather  doubt  "ully  —  to 
tephrocephala  (Anderson). 

With  a  long  series,  which  includes  all  the  skins  from  the  La  Touche 
collection,  before  us,  we  believe  there  is  a  large  northern  form,  valentini, 
and  a  small  southern  form,  tephrocephala.  We  cannot  appreciate  the 
characters  other  than  size  claimed  by  Hartert  to  distinguish  the  two 
races.  The  case,  however,  is  much  complicated  by  the  fact  that  the 
females  are  constantly  smaller  than  the  males,  although  the  sexes  are 
alike  in  plumage.  Thus  females  wrongly  determined  as  males  by  the 
collector,  might  entirely  obscure  the  facts.  Rock's  Chinese  bird  col- 
lector made  so  many  palpable  mistakes,  even  in  spring  and  summer 
and  with  birds  where  the  sexes  are  different  in  plumage,  in  determining 
the  sex  of  specimens,  that  we  place  no  reliance  whatever  upon  the  sex 
marks  on  his  labels. 

As  the  larger  birds  in  the  present  series  have  the  long  wing  of  valen- 


338  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

tiyii,  we  are  forced  to  assume  that  all  belong  to  that  form  and  that  the 
larger  ones  are  males  and  the  smaller  ones  females.  The  other  alterna- 
tive would  be  to  throw  valentini  and  tephrocephala  together;  this  we  are 
not  yet  quite  prepared  to  do. 


CAMPOPHAGIDAE 

Pericrocotus  brevirostris  ethologus  Bangs  &  Phillips 

Pericrocotus  brevirostris  ethologus  Bangs  and  Phillips,  Bull.  M.  C.  Z.  58,  no.  6, 
1914,  p.  283  (Hsien  Shen,  Hupeh). 

Two  males  of  this  minivet  were  taken  at  9,000  feet  in  the  forests  near 
Choni  during  May  1925.  In  September  1926  three  males  were  secured 
in  the  spruce  and  pine  forests  of  Wantsang  Ku  at  9,000  feet,  and  a 
male  and  tAvo  females  at  8,500  feet  in  the  oak  and  pine  forests  of 
Mayaku. 

These  birds  are  quite  the  same  as  the  Hupeh  bird  of  which  we  have 
five  males  and  two  females  available  for  comparison  in  addition  to  a 
bird  from  Pekin  and  three  migrants  from  southeastern  Yunnan. 
Stuart  Baker's  description  of  styani  (Bull.  B.  0.  C.  40,  1920,  p.  117)  is 
very  vague;  he  did  not  appreciate  any  characters  in  the  male  except  to 
say  that  it  might  "perhaps"  be  paler  below  than  in  affinis,  while  the 
characters  he  attributed  to  the  female  are  very  variable  ones.  Lacking 
material  from  Szechuan  we  cannot  express  any  definite  opinion,  but  we 
rather  suspect,  that  styani  will  prove  synonymous  with  ethologus.  Un- 
fortunately Stuart  Baker  made  no  comparison  with  ethologus,  appar- 
ently having  overlooked  the  fact  that  the  Hupeh  bird  already  bore 
a  name. 

PYCNONOTIDAE 

Spizixos  semitorques  semitorques  (Swinhoe) 
Spizixtis  semitorques  Swinhoe,  Ibis,  1861,  p.  266  (Peling  plateau  near  Amoy). 

Dr.  Rock  collected  a  pair  of  this  bulbul  in  southern  Kansu.  The 
birds  were  shot  at  an  elevation  of  4,500  feet  in  the  bushes  along  the 
Minchow  River  between  Kaichow  and  Minchow  in  May  1925.  As  far 
as  we  are  aware  this  is  the  first  record  of  the  occurrence  of  this  bird  in 
Kansu. 

Spizixos  cinereicapillus  (Swinhoe)  of  Formosa,  we  consider  only 
subspecifically  distinct  from  semitorques. 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  339 

TIMALIIDAE 

Ianthocincla  davidi  davidi  (Swinhoe) 

Pterorhinus  davidi  Swinhoe,  Ibis,  1869,  p.  61  (Peking). 

Seven  examples  of  David's  Babbler  were  secured  in  the  general 
region  about  Choni  during  May  and  June  1925  and  again  in  January 
1926.  The  birds  were  met  with  at  elevations  between  8,500  and  10,000 
feet  in  scrub  forest  or  low  bushes,  usually  along  streams. 

We  have  available  for  comparison  but  two  examples  of  /.  d.  concolor 
Stresemann  (J.  f.  O.  71,  1923,  p.  365,  Sungpan,  western  Szechuan) 
both  from  the  type  locality.  Of  /.  d.  davidi  we  have  over  twenty-five 
specimens  from  Shansi  and  Chihli  measuring  as  follows :  — 

d"  wing  86-94;  bill  from  base  26-27.5 
9  wing  83-94;  bill  from  base  25-29 

The  skins  collected  by  Rock  measure : — 1  cf ,  wing  90 ;  bill  from  base 
26.  6  9  9,  wing  88-91 ;  bill  from  base  25-29. 

We  cannot  find  the  slightest  difference  either  in  color  or  size  between 
birds  from  northeastern  China  and  those  from  southwestern  Kansu, 
and  whatever  /.  d.  funebris  Stresemann  (Orn.  Monatsb.  35,  1927,  p. 
134,  Lan-hu-ko  1,  northern  Kansu)  may  be,  our  specimens  are  certainly 
true  davidi.  I.  d.  concolor  appears  to  be  a  localized  race  in  western 
Szechuan,  characterized  by  longer  wing  and  shorter  bill. 

We  follow  Rothschild '  in  combining  the  so-called  genera  Trochalop- 
teron,  Babax,  Kaznakowia,  Ianthocincla  and  Pterorhinus,  as  we  fail 
to  see  where  any  line  can  be  drawn  between  them,  but  believe  that 
Garrulax  should  be  retained  as  a  distinct  genus,  as  Hartert  -  kept  it. 


Ianthocincla  davidi  experrecta  subsp.  nov. 

Type. — No.  238760  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology,  adult  female, 
from  Liyuan  Ku,  northern  slopes  of  the  Richthofen  range,  elevation 
7,000  feet.    Collected  November  1925,  by  J.  F.   Rock  (orig.  no.  453). 

Characters. — Similar  to  I.  d.  davidi  but  larger,  coloration  much  clear- 
er and  paler  gray;  black  and  white  of  the  loral  feathers  more  con- 
trasted ;  bill  longer,  stouter  and  more  decurved. 

1  Nov.  Zool.  33,  1927,  p.  398. 

2  Pal.  Faun.  1,  p.  624. 


340  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 


Measurements 

Sex 

Wing 

Bill  from  base 

cf 

95 

27 

9 

100 

30  (Type) 

9 

95 

29 

9 

96 

29 

In  addition  to  the  type,  Rock  secured  the  three  specimens  Usted 
above,  at  the  same  time  and  place. 

As  will  be  seen,  the  measurements  exceed  those  already  given  for 
davidi.  Comparison  with  birds  from  Chihli  taken  in  November  and 
from  southwestern  Kansu  collected  in  January  shows  that  the  pale 
gray  tone  of  the  plumage  of  the  new  form  is  not  seasonal,  but  is  de- 
finitely correlated  with  mensural  characters.  The  examples  of  typical 
davidi  at  our  disposal  are  all  distinctly  brownish  gray.  This  race  is  not 
/.  d.funrbris  Stresem.  (Orn.  Mon.  35,  Sept.  1927,  p.  134,  Lan-hu-kou, 
northern  Kansu),  whatever  that  bird  may  be. 

Ianthocincla  sukatschewi  (Berezowski  and  Bianchi) 

Trochalopieron  Sukatschewi  Berezowski  and  Bianchi,  Aves  Exp.  Potan,  Gansu, 
1891,  p.  59,  pi.  1,  f.  1  (coniferous  forests,  high  mountains  of  Kansu). 

Rock  collected  a  pair  of  this  rare  babbler  in  February  1926  in  a 
lateral  valley  of  the  Tao  River  near  Choni,  the  slopes  of  which  were 
covered  with  willow  scrub  and  spruce. 

Ianthocincla  elliotii  perbona  subsp.  nov. 

Type  (and  only  specimen).  —  No.  238772  Museum  of  Comparative 
Zoology,  adult  male,  from  Liyuan  Ku,  northern  slopes  of  the  Richtho- 
fen  range,  elevation  7,000  feet.  Collected  November  1925  by  J.  F. 
Rock  (orig.  no.  452). 

Characters. —  Similar  to  /.  e.  elliotii,  but  the  mantle  slightly  darker; 
white  terminal  spots  and  dusky  subterminal  bands  of  the  feathers  of 
the  upper  parts  larger;  sides  of  head,  throat,  and  chest  darker,  much 
more  blackish  gray,  and  white  marginings  broader;  bill  heavier;  feet 
and  tarsi  stronger. 

Remarks. —  This  form  agrees  more  nearly  with,  elliotii  than  with 
prjevalskii,  in  having  the  central  rectrices  greenish  above.  The  white 
edgings  on  the  anterior  under  parts  and  on  the  mantle  of  /.  e.  elliotii 
wear  off  rapidly,  but  our  new  form  shows  a  greater  development  of 
this  character,  when  compared  with  specimens  of  elliotii  from  Hupeh 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  341 

taken  in  November,  December  and  January.  The  effect  of  the  dorsal 
markings  gives  a  speckled  effect  not  to  be  seen  in  any  examples  of 
either  elliotii  or  prjevalskii  that  we  have  examined.  The  eye  is  noted  on 
the  label  as  being  "  watery."  Hartert  quotes  "  dunkel  zimmetfarben," 
for  the  color  of  the  eye  in  I.  e.  elliotii. 

Ianthocincla  elliotii  prjevalskii  (Menzbier) 

Trochalopteron  prjevalskii  Menzbier,  Ibis,  1887,  p.  300  (Kansu). 

Two  females  were  taken  in  low  bushes  on  hillsides  on  the  mountains  of 
Minchow  in  southern  Kansu  at  an  elevation  of  5,000  feet  during  May 
1925.  In  May,  June  and  July  1925  the  species  was  met  with  on  the 
mountains  of  Choni  and  along  the  upper  Tao  valley.  The  two  examples 
of  each  sex  taken  here  were  in  bushes,  near  the  ground. 

The  gray  (instead  of  greenish)  pair  of  central  rectrices  seems  to  be 
the  only  certain  character  by  which  /.  e.  prjevalskii  can  be  distin- 
guished from  /.  e.  elliotii.  Apparently  Ianthocincla  elliotii  abraids  its 
plumage  very  rapidly,  and  fresh  examples  are  uncommon.  The  ad- 
ditional characters  enumerated  by  Lonnberg  (Ibis,  1924,  p.  314)  for 
separating  the  two  forms  seem  to  us  to  be  due  to  wear,  and  the  larger 
bill  that  he  claims  for  prjevalskii  is  not  borne  out  in  our  series. 

Ianthocincla  maxima  (Verreaux) 

Pterorhinus  maximus  Verreaux,  Nouv.  Arch.  Mus.  Paris,  Bull.  6,  1870,  p.  36, 
pi.  3,  fig.  1  (mountains  of  Chinese  Thibet). 

This  fine  babbler  was  very  common  locally.  Rock  secured  twelve 
specimens  as  follows: — four  males  and  two  females  during  February 
1926  in  the  valley  of  the  Tao  River  basin  in  the  region  about  Choni. 
Two  males  and  a  female  in  June  1925  in  spruce  and  fir  forest  on  the 
southern  slopes  of  the  Minshan  range  in  the  Tebbu  country.  Two 
males  in  the  forests  of  Drakana,  upper  Tebbu  country,  9,500  feet, 
September  1926.  One  immature  male  at  9,600  feet  on  Mt.  Lieuhoa 
(shan)  south  of  Lanchow,  July  1925. 

Ianthocincla  canora-namtiensis  (La  Touche) 

Trochalopterum  canorum  namtiense  La  Touche,  Ibis,  1923,  p.  317  (nom.  nov. 
pro  T.  canorum  yunnanensis  La  Touche,  nee.  T.  ellioti  yunnense  Rippon, 
Howkow,  Yunnan). 

One  male  from  the  mountain  of  Minchow,  5,000  feet  elevation,  May 
1925. 


342  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

The  single  specimen  secured  does  not  differ  materially  from  birds 
from  Yunnan  and  Hupeh. 

Ianthocincla  sannio  (Swinhoe) 
Garrulax  sannio  Swinhoe,  Ibis,  1867,  p.  403  (Amoy). 

Dr.  Rock  took  an  adult  female  of  this  bird  in  the  mountains  of 
northern  Szechuan,  6,000  feet  altitude,  during  April  1925. 

Fulvetta  cinereiceps  fessa  subsp.  nov. 

Type. —  No.  238787  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology,  adult  male, 
from  the  Choni  spruce  forests,  Tao  River  basin,  southwestern  Kansu, 
9,000  feet,  February  1926.   Collected  by  J.  F.  Rock,  original  no.  586. 

Characters. —  Similar  to  Fulvetta  cmereiceps  cinereiceps  (Verreaux) 
but  darker  above,  much  less  reddish,  more  olivaceous  on  the  back, 
rump  and  upper  tail  coverts;  sides  of  head  and  neck  darker  gray; 
flanks  much  more  olivaceous,  less  ochraceous.    Size  as  in  cinereiceps. 

In  all  twelve  specimens  of  this  tit-babbler  were  taken  —  two  males 
and  a  female  from  the  region  about  Choni  during  January  and  Febru- 
ary 1926;  six  males  and  two  females  from  the  forests  in  the  Wantsang 
Ku  valley,  Ha  Tebbuland,  September  1926,  in  spruce,  fir  and  maple  at 
an  elevation  of  8,500  feet;  one  female  in  the  juniper  forests  of  Pezlu, 
banks  of  the  Chulungapu,  upper  Tebbuland,  elevation  7,200  feet, 
September  1926. 

We  have  had  a  great  deal  of  difficulty  in  determining  exactly  what 
F.  c.  cinereiceps  is.  It  was  first  described  by  Verreaux  {8ixa  cinerei- 
ceps, Nouy.  Arch.  Mus.  Paris,  Bull.  6,  1870,  p.  37,  "mountains  of 
Chinese  Tibet ")  in  a  rather  unsatisfactory  Latin  diagnosis.  Later 
David  and  Oustalet  (Les  Oiseaux  de  la  Chine,  1877,  text  p.  220,  Atlas, 
pi.  73)  state  that  the  types  came  from  Moupin,  and  append  a  careful 
description  based  apparently  on  examples  taken  on  the  Tsinling 
range  in  Shensi.  This  latter  description  was  translated  literally  in  the 
Catalogue  of  Birds  of  the  British  Museum  7,  1883. 

We  consider  as  practically  topotypical  a  series  of  six  birds  collected 
by  Zappey  in  west-central  Szechuan  (May,  June,  September,  October) 
and  can  detect  no  difference  between  them  and  a  series  from  Hsien 
Shanhsien,  Hupeh,  taken  in  December.  All  of  these  birds  have  a  lighter 
head  and  much  redder  back  than  our  new  form. 

There  is  in  the  La  Touche  collection  recently  acquired  by  the 
Museum  of  Comparative  Zo5logy,  one  of  the  nine  cotypes  of  Proparus 
fucatus  Styan  (Bull.  B.  O.  C.  8, 1899,  p.  26;  figured  Ibis,  1899,  pi.  4,  f.  1). 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  343 

One  skin  collected  by  Zappey  in  April  at  Ho  Cha  Ping,  Hupeh,  also 
belongs  to  this  form.  The  Styan  specimen  is  a  Juvenal;  Zappey 's  is 
adult.  These  two  birds  agree  with  one  another,  and  differ  from  all 
those  we  refer  to  cinerciceps  in  having  more  chestnut  back  and  flanks; 
darker,  more  brownish  crown ;  small  bill,  and  especially  in  that  the  five 
inner  primaries  are  wholly  black  and  the  secondaries  lack  the  rufescent 
edging.  In  cinereiceps  the  sixth  and  seventh  primaries  are  black,  but 
the  remaining  three  innermost,  as  well  as  the  secondaries,  are  exter- 
nally edged  with  brownish  olive.  In  this  pattern  of  the  wing,  fucatus 
agrees  with  guttafi  coll  is  (Proparus  guttaiicoUisha  Touche,  Bull.  B.  O.  C. 
6,  1897,  p.  50,  Kuatun,  northwestern  Fokien).  The  plate  of  fucatus  in 
the  Ibis,  however,  shows  the  m' ing  with  the  secondaries  and  three  inner 
primaries  edged  with  rufescent.  If  it  were  not  for  this,  we  should  con- 
sider the  status  of  fucatus  definitely  settled;  as  it  is  we  hesitatingly 
apply ^ this  name  to  the  breeding  bird  of  the  region  about  Ichang. 

FULVETTA  RUFICAPILLA  RUFICAPILLA  (Vcrreaux) 

SivaruficapillaYeTTeaux,Nouv.  Arch.Mus.Faris,  Bull.  6,  1870,  p.  37  (moun- 
tains of  Chinese  Tibet). 

A  single  specimen  of  this  species  —  an  adult  female  —  was  secured  at 
Chingchuan  in  the  mountains  of  northern  Szechuan,  elevation  5,000 
feet,  April  1925. 

FuLVETTA  STRiATicoLLis  (Vcrrcaux) 

Siva  striaticoll'is  Verreaux,  Nouv.  Arch.  Mas.  Paris,  Bull.  6,  1870,  p.  38  (moun- 
tains of  Chinese  Tibet  =  Moupin,  northern  Szechuan). 

Three  fully  grown  juvenlas  were  taken  in  the  forests  of  Drakana, 
9,500  feet  elevation,  upper  Tebbuland,  September  1926. 

We  fully  agree  with  Stresemann  (Abh.  u.  ber.  mus.  Tierk.  Dresden 
16,  no.  2,  1923,  p.  21)  that  striaticollis  does  not  belong  in  the  same 
"  Formenkreis"  with  guttaticollis. 

Myiophonus  caeruleus  immansuetus  Bangs  and  Penard 

Myiophonus  caeruleus  immansuetus  Bangs  and  Penard,  Occ.  Papers,  Boston 
Soc.  N.  H.  5,  1925,  p.  147  (Ichang,  Hupeh). 

Rock  collected  two  males  of  this  bird  during  September  1926  in  the 
forests  of  Wantsang  Ku,  Ha  Tebbuland,  at  elevations  of  7,000  and 
7,600  feet.  Both  specimens  were  shot  along  streams.  They  are  fully 
adult  and  in  the  autumnal  moult. 


344  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

While  we  have  retained  this  genus  where  Sharpe  placed  it,  among  the 
Timaliidae,  we  do  so  only  for  convenience,  being  convinced  that  in 
reality  it  belongs  with  the  Turdidae. 

Leiothrix  lutea  lutea  (Scopoli) 

Sylvia  lutea  Scopoli,  Del.  Flor.  et  Faun.  Insubr.  2,  1786,  p.  96  (hills  of  the  pro- 
vince of  Anwhei  south  of  the  Yangtse,  designated  as  type  locality  by 
Stresemann,  J.  f.  O.  71,  1923,  p.  364). 

Two  males  and  a  female  were  taken  in  April  1925  at  an  elevation  of 
6,000  feet  in  the  mountains  of  northern  Szechuan  in  the  forests  along 
the  Kansu  border. 

These  examples  agree  with  Stresemann's  description  of  Leiothrix 
lutea  kwangtungeyisis  (J.  f.  O.  71,  1923,  p.  364,  Suihang,  Kwangtung) 
and  with  some  specimens  from  Mengtsze,  southeastern  Yunnan. 
After  careful  comparison  with  a  very  large  series  of  L.  lutecu  from 
Szechuan,  Hupeh,  Fokien  and  southeastern  Yunnan,  we  are  struck 
with  the  fact  that  all  the  most  deeply  colored  examples,  regardless  of 
locality,  were  collected  in  February,  March,  and  April  (Stresemann's 
type  was  taken  in  March),  though  not  all  the  birds  taken  at  that  time 
are  brightly  colored. 

However  the  "Japanese  Robin"  as  is  well  known  to  bird  fanciers, 
after  a  year  or  two  of  captivity  usually  loses  its  lipochrome  pigment, 
with  consequent  dulling  of  yellows,  oranges  and  reds,  the  result  no 
doubt  of  deficiencies  in  its  artificial  diet.  We  believe  it  to  be  a  corollary 
that  unusual  vigor  in  a  wild  individual,  or  particularly  favorable  food 
supply,  would  result  in  the  temporary  intensification,  possibly  only  at 
certain  seasons,  of  the  lipochromes,  producing  such  individuals  as 
Stresemann  has  named  kwangtungensis.  We  cannot  find  that  kwajig- 
tungensis  has  any  range  of  its  own,  individuals  of  its  type  of  coloration 
occurring  in  various  widely  separated  regions.  We  therefore  cannot 
recognize  kwangtungensis. 

SUTHORA  WEBBIANA  SUFFUSA  Swinhoe 

Suthora  suffusa  Swinhoe,  P.  Z.  S.,  1871,  p.  372  (middle  Yangtse). 

Rock  collected  two  males  of  the  Yangtse  Crow-tit  on  the  foothills  of 
the  mountains  of  northern  Szechuan,  altitude  3,000  feet,  during  April 
1925. 

The  specimens  do  not  differ  in  any  way  from  comparable  material 
from  the  Yangtse  valley  in  the  region  of  Hupeh.  The  occurrence  of  this 
race  in  northern  Szechuan  marks  a  considerable  extension  of  its  range 
to  the  north  and  west. 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  345 

SUTHORA  CONSPICILLATA  CONSPICILLATA  David 

Suthora  conspicillata  David,  Nouv.  Arch.  Mus.  Paris,  Bull.  7,  1871,  p.  14  (east- 
ernmost Kokonoor). 

Ten  examples  of  this  interesting  Suthora  were  secured  as  follows: 
an  adult  from  south  of  theTao  River,  southwestern  Kansu,  June  1925, 
9,500  feet;and  ninefrom upper  Tebbuland,  7,200  to9, 500  feet;  Septem- 
ber 1926.  Of  the  latter  one  is  an  adult  female,  badly  worn,  the  autum- 
nal moult  just  commenced ;  an  adult  male  and  an  adult  female  with  the 
moult  nearly  complete;  and  six  juvenals  of  both  sexes. 

These  are  the  first  specimens  of  true  conspicillata  from  near  the 
type  locality  that  either  of  us  have  seen,  and  we  find  a  very  different 
bird  from  Hupeh,  one  secured  at  Hsien-tien-tsze  by  Zappey,  and  one 
from  Ichang  taken  by  Styan  (in  the  La  Touche  collection)  both  la- 
belled conspicillata.  These  agree  with  conspicHlata  in  having  a  white 
eye-ring,  but  differ  at  once  in  being  paler  throughout  with  lighter 
brown  head,  and  in  having  very  much  stouter  bills  with  the  culmen 
more  arched.  (See  text  figure  below.)  The  much  exaggerated  bill  of 
the  Hupeh  bird  is  very  different  from  that  of  any  of  the  small  Chinese 
Suthoras,  and  is  best  characterized  as  a  slightly  reduced  counterpart  of 
that  organ  as  developed  in  Snthora  imicolor.  We  propose  to  call  the 
Hupeh  form 

Suthora  conspicillata  rocki  subsp.  nov. 

Type.—  ^o.  50711  M.  C.  Z.  from  Hsien-tien-tsze,  Hupeh,  6,000 
feet  altitude,  adult  cf,  collected  2  June  1907  by  Walter  R.  Zappey. 


.^.^^-^^ 


Suthora  c.  conspicillata  Svihora  c.  rocki 

M.  C.  Z.  238810  Type,  M.  C.  Z.  50711 

Kansu  Hupeh 

The  two  skins  afford  the  following  measurements :  —  wing,  54  and  56; 
tail,  65;  tarsus,  22;  bill  from  base,  10;  height  of  bill  at  base,  8  and  8.5. 


346  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

In  four  adults  of  S.  c.  conspicillata  the  bill  from  base  is  7.5-8;  height 
of  bill  at  base,  6^.5. 

The  text  figures  above  were  drawn  by  Miss  H.  Saunders  and  are 
twice  the  natural  size  of  the  specimens. 

TROGLODYTIDAE 

Nannus  troglodytes  idius  (Richmond) 

Olbiorchilus fumigatus idius  Richmond,  in: -Research  in  China,  1,  pt.  2,  Cam. 
Publ.  no.  54,  p.  498  (Wang-kuai-chon,  Chihli). 

Five  wrens  were  taken  along  the  Yellow  River  gorges  in  eastern 
Kokonor :  —  an  adult  female,  13  May  1926,  in  spruce  forest,  10,300  feet, 
two  days  above  Radja,  and  two  males  and  two  females  on  rocky  cliffs 
or  in  juniper  forests  of  the  Sakutu  Ravine,  10,500  feet,  1  June  1926. 

After  comparison  with  a  fine  series  from  northeastern  Chihli  we  are 
unable  to  separate  this  series,  all  the  birds  in  somewhat  worn  plumage, 
from  idius,  but  it  is  of  course  possible  that  birds  from  eastern  Kokonor 
in  fresh  plumage  might  reveal  some  differences. 

Rock  also  secured  two  fully  grown  juvenals  in  August  1926  in  the 
forests  of  Doyaya,  Ha  Tebbuland,  and  one  intermediate  between 
Juvenal  and  immature  plumage  in  August  1925  in  the  Minshan  range 
at  12,000  feet  elevation.  These  three  specimens  are  not  sufficiently 
mature  to  oft'er  diagnostic  characters,  but  are  very  dark  below,  agreeing 
with  two  juvenals  of  szetschuanus  collected  by  Zappey  in  western 
Szechuan,  and  probably  are  referable  to  that  race. 

CINCLIDAE 

Cinclus  cinclus  cashmeriensis  Gould 
Cindus  cashmeriensis  Gould,  P.  Z.  S.,  1859,  p.  494  (Kashmir). 

The  Kashmir  Dipper  was  secured  in  every  region  that  Rock  visited, 
a  series  of  ten  being  taken.  A  male  and  two  females  were  collected  dur- 
ing May  and  June  1925  at  elevations  of  8,500  feet  in  the  Tao  valley 
near  Choni;  a  male  at  10,000  feet  in  the  Minshan  range,  July  1925; 
a  pair  in  the  Jupar  valley,  11,600  feet,  June  1926;  an  adult  male  at 
8,000  feet  in  the  forests  of  Wantsang  Ku,  Ha  Tebbuland,  September 
1926;  a  juvenal  male  and  a  juvenal  female,  8,000  feet,  in  the  forests  of 
Maya  Ku,  Ha  Tebbuland;  and  a  female  in  the  Kanglungssu  valley, 
Richthofen  range,  8,000  feet,  November  1925.    This  last  specimen 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS. 


347 


appears  somewhat  larger  and  darker  with  a  shghtly  longer  bill  than  the 
specimens  from  Kansu  and  Kokonor,  but  it  may  be  wrongly  sexed, 
since  its  size  can  be  approached  by  some  males  from  further  south,  and 
the  difference  in  color  is  so  slight  that  it  may  well  be  an  individual 
variant. 

CiNCLUS  PALLASii  souLiEi  Oustalet 

Cindus  Pallasi  var.  Souliei  OusiaX^i,  Ann.  Sc.  Nat.  Zool.  (7),  12,  1892,  p.  299 
(Tatisien  Lu  and  Moupin). 

A  male  and  two  females  were  taken  in  the  mountains  of  Chingchuan, 
northern  Szechuan,  near  the  Kansu  border.  The  date  and  altitude 
have  both  been  omitted  from  the  labels. 


TURDIDAE 

TuRDUs  CASTANEUS  GOULDii  (Vcrrcaux) 

Merula   Gouldii  Verreaux.    Nouv.   Arch.  Mus.   Paris,   Bull.   6,  1870,   p.    34 
(western  Szechuan  and  Moupin). 

Eight  adults  of  both  sexes  were  taken  in  southwestern  Kansu  in  the 
region  about  Chbni  between  May  and  July  1925.  The  birds  were 
always  found  among  willows  or  in  bushes  beside  the  streams.  Four 
juvenals  from  Mt.  Lieuhoashan  and  the  valley  of  Tayuku,  collected  in 
July  1925,  were  taken  in  forests  of  spruce  and  fir  between  9,000  arid 
10,000  feet. 

A  fully  grown  ju venal  was  secured  during  September  1926  at  9,600 
feet  in  the  Drakana  forest,  upper  Tebbuland,  while  an  adult  male  was 
killed  at  7,500  feet  in  shrubs  and  bushes  on  the  outskirts  of  the  forests 
of  Wantsang  Ku,  Ha  Tebbuland,  September  1926. 

We  can  detect  no  difference  between  the  specimens  here  listed  and 
topotypical  material  from  western  Szechuan. 

TuRDUS  MUPiNENSis  MUPiNENSis  Laubmann 

Turdus  mujnnensis  Laubmann,  Orn.  Monatsb.   28,  1920,  p.  17  (Nom.  nov.  pro 
Turdus  auritus  Verreaux,  nee  Gmelin,  Moupin). 

Two  males  and  a  female,  all  in  transition  from  juvenal  to  immature 
plumage,  were  taken  during  September  1926  in  the  forests  of  Want- 
sang  Ku,  8,000  to  8,500  feet.  Ha  Tebbuland. 


348  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

TURDUS  RUFICOLLIS  RUFICOLLIS  Pallas 

Turdus  ruficollis  Pallas,  Reise  Verch.   Prov.   Russ.   Reich.  3,   1776,  p.  694 
(Dauria). 

Three  birds,  collected  by  Rock  in  May  1925  doubtless  represent 
wintering  birds  that  had  not  yet  moved  north.  All  were  very  fat.  A 
male  was  collected  in  scrub  forest,  5,000  feet  elevation  near  Minchow;  a 
male  and  a  female  were  taken  at  10,000  feet  in  the  scrub  forest  of  the 
Tao  valley  near  Choni. 

Turdus  ruficollis  atrogularis  Temminck 

Turdus  atrogidaris  Temminck,  Man.  d'Orn.    1,   1820,  p.   169    (Austria   and 
Silesia). 

In  February  1926  Rock  shot  a  female  of  the  black-throated  thrush  in 
spruce  forest  on  the  southwest  bank  of  the  Tao  River  near  Choni. 
Apparently  this  thrush  seldom  straggles  on  its  migration  so  far  east  in 
China. 

Turdus  kessleri  (Przewalski) 

Merula  kessleri  Przewalski,  Mongol  i.  Strana  Tangut,  2,  1876,  p.  62,  pi.  10 
(mountains  of  Kansu). 

Thirteen  specimens  represent  Kessler's  Thrush  in  the  collection.  A 
male  and  a  female  were  taken  during  May  1925  in  the  Tao  valley, 
9,000  to  10,000  feet,  near  Choni,  where  they  occurred  in  "spruce 
forests  and  outskirts  " ;  two  more  were  secured  in  the  spruce  forests  or 
on  alpine  meadows  of  the  Minshan  range  in  July  1925.  Four  males 
and  two  females  were  collected  late  in  May  1926  in  juniper  forest  at 
11,000  feet  altitude  south  of  the  Yellow  River  opposite  Radja,  Tibet; 
a  female  along  a  brook  near  the  same  place  30  May,  a  male  (sexed  as  a 
female)  in  much  worn  plumage,  Dachso  canyon  10,500  feet,  Yellow 
River  basin,  north  of  Radja  2  June;  and  a  male  along  a  stream  in  the 
upper  Jupar  valley,  11,500  feet  June- July  1926. 


Monticola  solitaria  pandoo  (Sykes) 

Petrodncla  pandoo  Sykes,  P.  Z.  S.,  1832,  p.  87  (The  Ghauts,  India). 

One  male  was  taken  along  a  water  course  in  the  forests  of  Mayaku, 
Ha  Tebbuland,  8,000  feet,  September  1926. 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  349 

Enicurus  SINENSIS  Gould 
Enicurus  sinensis  Gould,  P.  Z.  S.,  1865,  p.  665  (Shanghai). 

Two  examples  were  taken  near  Chingchuan,  northern  Szechuan,  in 
April  1925,  where  the  species  was  always  seen  along  rivers  and  wooded 
brooks.  A  third  specimen,  a  male,  was  collected  during  September 
1926  near  Zhega,  8,500  feet,  in  the  forests  of  Mayaku,  Ha  Tebbuland. 
It  was  just  completing  the  autumnal  moult. 

Chaimarrornis  leucocephala  (Vigors) 

Phoenicura  leucocephala   Vigors,  Proc.   Comm.   Zool.  Soc.  London,  1,   1831, 
p.  35  (Himalaya). 

Two  males  were  secured  in  May  1925  near  Choni,  where  Rock 
found  the  species  common  along  streams.  A  third  specimen,  also  a 
male,  was  taken  2  June  1926,  on  the  Dachso  stream,  10,500  feet, 
Yellow  River  drainage  north  of  Radja,  eastern  Kokonor. 

Phoenicurus  ochruros  rufiventris  (Vieillot) 

Oenanthe  rufiventris  Vieillot,  Nouv.  diet.  hist.  Nat.  21,  1818,  p.  431  (India 
adopted  as  type  locality  by  Hartert,  Vog.  Pal.  Faun.  1,  p.  723). 

Rock  secured  a  series  of  twelve  specimens  of  the  eastern  Indian 
redstart.  A  male  and  a  female  were  taken  during  April  1925  at  5,000 
feet  in  the  spruce  forest  on  the  mountains  of  northern  Szechuan  near 
the  Kansu  border;  a  female  in  willow  bushes  along  the  Tao  River,  5 
June  1925;  two  females  on  Mount  Lissedzadza  11,000  feet,  Minshan 
range,  July  1925,  where  the  species  was  found  in  bushes  and  juniper 
forest.  In  eastern  Kokonor  two  males  were  taken  in  spruce  forest  along 
the  Yellow  River  gorges,  10,300  feet,  five  miles  below  the  Dzangar 
monastery,  13  May  1926;  two  females  in  the  Dachso  canyon,  Yellow 
River  gorges,  11,000  feet,  1  June  1926;  a  female  and  two  juvenals  in 
the  Dzomo  valley,  11,800  feet,  22  June  1926. 

Phoenicurus  hodgsoni  (Moore) 
Rulicilla  hodgsoni  Moore,  P.  Z.  S.,  1854,  p.  26,  Aves,  pi.  58  (Nepal). 

Six  examples  of  Hodgson's  Redstart  were  taken.  A  male  in  poplar 
forest,  Tao  River  valley,  8,500  feet.  May  1925;  a  male  in  the  mountains 
of  Choni  south  of  the  Tao  River,  10,000  feet,  June  1925;  a  female, 
spruce  forests  of  Choni,  8,500  to  9,000  feet,  February  1926.  The  species 


350  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

was  also  met  in  eastern  Kokonor  where  two  males  were  taken  in  scrub 
or  in  bushes  along  the  Yellow  River  near  Radja  in  May  1926.  An 
adult  male,  collected  September  1926  in  the  forests  of  Mayaku,  Ha 
Tebbuland,  at  an  elevation  of  8,000  feet,  was  just  completing  the 
autumnal  moult,  the  fresh  feathers  on  the  breast  are  tipped  with  gray. 


Phoenicurus  auroreus  Pallas 

Motacilla  aurorea  Pallas,  Reis.  Versch.  Prov.  Russ.  Reichs.  3,  1776,  p.  695 
(Selenka,  Lake  Baikal). 

A  male  was  collected  in  evergreen  forest  on  the  mountains  of  north- 
ern Szechuan  near  the  Kansu  border  in  April  1925;  a  male  in  worn 
breeding  dress  was  taken  in  the  willow  groves  at  9,500  feet  elevation 
on  Mt.  Lieuhoashan,  Minshan  range,  16  July  1925;  an  immature 
male  in  the  juniper  forests  in  the  upper  Tebbu  country,  7,200  feet, 
September  1926,  and  an  immature  female  in  the  forests  of  Wantsang 
Ku,  8,000  feet,  lower  Tebbu  country,  September  1926. 

We  believe  that  Stuart  Baker  is  correct  in  reducing  both  filchneri 
and  leucopterus  to  the  synonymy  of  auroreus. 


Phoenicurus  erythrogaster  maximus  Kleinschmidt 

Phoenicurus  erythrogaster  maximus  Kleinschmidt,  Abh.  u.  Ber.  Mus.  Tierk.  u. 
Volk.  Dresden,  16,  no.  2,  1923,  p.  42  (Janeti,  Rombatsa  and  Chuwo, 
eastern  Tibet). 

Eight  specimens  of  this  large  redstart  were  taken:  three  males  in 
forest  and  scrub  at  11,000  feet  altitude  in  the  Rako  gorge,  eastern 
Kokonor,  September  1925;  a  female  at  Babo  10,000  feet,  north  slope  of 
the  Kokonor  Barrier  range,  September  1925;  a  male  and  two  juvenals 
July  1926  on  rocky  cliffs  below  the  Totuchsura  pass,  14,300  feet 
elevation,  Jupar  range,  a  male  in  the  spruce  forests  of  Choni,  shot  in 
barberry  bushes,  February  1926. 

The  wing  measurements  of  the  five  adult  males  are:  108,  106,  104, 
106,  105;  of  the  female  102.  These  measurements  taken  across  the 
chord  of  the  wing  correspond  with  Kleinschmidt's  107  to  110.5  for 
males  and  104  for  the  female,  taken  against  the  flattened  wing. 

The  differences  in  sizes  between  grandis  and  maxiinvs  were  first 
noted  by  Hartert  (Vog.  Pal.  Faun.  1,  p.  727),  though  Kleinschmidt, 
when  he  named  the  latter  form,  did  not  give  credit  to  that  author. 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  351 

Phoenicurus  FRONTALIS  Vigors 

Phoenicura  frontalis  Vigors,  Proc.  Comm.  Zoo].,  Soc.  London,  1,  1832,  p.  172 

(Himalaya). 
Phoenicurus  frontalis  sinae  Hartert,  Bull.  B.  O.  C.  38,  1918,  p.  78  (mountains  of 

China;  type  from  Kansu). 

The  series  of  eighteen  blue-fronted  redstarts  secured  by  Rock 
illustrates  nearly  every  phase  of  plumage  that  this  species  undergoes. 
A  male,  shot  in  April  1925  in  the  mountains  of  northern  Szechuan,  still 
retains  the  rusty  olive  edgings  on  the  feathers  of  the  upper  parts ;  two 
females  were  taken  in  the  spruce  forests  on  the  mountains  of  Choni, 
9,5(X)  feet,  in  May  and  June;  from  the  Minshan  range  we  have  two 
males  in  normal  spring  dress  taken  on  the  summit  of  Mt.  Koang 
Kei,  13,000  feet  June  1925,  while  a  third  example  taken  at  the  same 
time  and  place  has  but  a  sprinkling  of  blue  feathers  on  the  throat  and 
breast,  although  the  lesser  wing  coverts  and  some  of  the  scapulars  are 
blue;  a  worn  adult  female  and  two  juvenals  from  the  spruce  and  fir 
forests  of  Mt.  Lieuhoashan  10,000-11,000  feet,  July  1925;  and  four 
juvenals  at  the  Rock  Gate  of  the  Minshans,  July-August  1925. 

In  Kokonor  two  adult  males  in  different  stages  of  the  autumnal 
moult  were  secured  in  September  1925  at  10,000  feet  altitude  in  the 
Rako  gorge ;  and  a  female  was  taken  22  June  of  the  following  year  at 
11,800  feet  in  the  Dzomo  valley. 

From  Tebbuland  Rock  eent  an  adult  female,  moult  not  yet  com- 
menced, taken  at  9,500  feet  in  the  forests  of  Drakana,  and  an  adult 
in  an  advanced  state  of  moult,  taken  at  8,500  feet  in  the  forests  of 
Wantsang  Ku,  both  examples  being  collected,  in  September  1926. 

Most  authors  who  have  recently  dealt  with  this  species  doubt  the 
validity  of  P.  f.  sinae  Hartert,  an  opinion  that  we  share. 

Phoenicurus  schisticeps  (Gray) 

Ruticilla  schisticeps  Gray,  Cat.  Mamm.  Bds.  Nepal  Coll.  Hodgson,  1846,  p.  69 

(Nepal). 

Of  the  twenty  examples  of  the  white-throated  redstart  in  the  col- 
lection, five  males  and  two  females  were  secured  in  the  region  about 
Choni  during  May  and  June  1925  at  altitudes  ranging  from  9,000  to 
10,500  feet  and  in  a  variety  of  situations  —  spruce  and  open  forest,  and 
alpine  meadows;  during  February  1926  two  males  and  four  females 
were  secured  in  the  same  region  at  an  elevation  of  about  9,000  feet, 
generally  in  forests.  A  male  and  a  female  were  collected  in  the  Kadjaku 


352  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

valley,  Minshan  range,  9,500  to  10,500  feet  in  July  and  August  1925, 
where  Rock  states  that  the  species  was  "  a  common  bird."  The  speci- 
mens secured  in  Kokonor  in  1926  are:  a  male  on  2  June  in  the  Dachso 
canyon  north  of  Radja,  a  female  22  June  on  the  rock  slopes  of  the 
Dzomo  valley,  and  a  male  on  the  26th  at  12,500  feet,  on  the  northern 
slopes  of  the  Jupar  range.  From  Ha  Tebbuland  we  have  a  juvenal, 
unfortunately  not  dated,  taken  at  8,500  feet  in  the  forests  of  Want- 
sang  Ku,  and  an  adult  male  with  the  autumnal  moult  well  begun, 
collected  at  9,000  feet,  forests  of  Sambaku,  September  1926.  Strese- 
mann  (Orn.  Monatsb.  35,  Sept.  1927,  p.  134)  has  described  P.  s. 
heicki  from  Lan-hu-kou,  northern  Kansu,  solely  on  the  basis  of  slight- 
ly shorter  wing-length.  This  variation  is  not  borne  out  by  our  material, 
measuring  with  the  wing  flattened  out  on  the  rule,  European  fashion; 
the  wings  of  9  males  from  southwestern  Kansu  and  eastern  Kokonor  are 
82,  83,  83.5,  83.5,  84,  84,  84,  84,  85.5  and  we,  therefore,  cannot  bring 
ourselves  to  regard  heicki  as  a  valid  subspecies,  since  the  dimensions  of 
that  race  as  given  by  its  describer  are  81  to  83.5  for  the  male  against 
82-88  for  the  corresponding  sex  in  typical  specimens  of  P.  s.  schisticeps. 

Rhyacornis  fuliginosa  fuliginosa  (Vigors) 
Phoenicura  fuliginosa  Vigors,  P.  Z.  S.,  1836,  p.  185  (Himalaya). 

Sixteen  specimens  of  the  water  redstart  were  secured.  A  female 
from  the  mountains  of  northern  Szechuan,  April  1925;  two  males  from 
the  mountains  of  Choni,  9,000  to  10,000  feet,  June  1925,  where  the 
species  was  found  along  streams  in  the  spruce  forests.  In  the  Min- 
shans  an  adult  male  was  secured  in  the  Kadjaku  valley,  a  juvenal  from 
along  the  Drakana  trail  into  Tebbuland,  both  in  August  1925,  and  an 
immature  in  June  1925  in  the  forests  of  spruce  and  fir,  9,800  feet,  on 
southern  slopes  of  the  mountains.  During  September  1926  the  species 
was  common  in  the  forests  of  Wantsang  Ku,  Ha  Tebbuland,  where  ten 
examples  of  both  sexes,  adults  and  immature  were  secured,  without 
exception  along  streams. 

We  cannot  recognize  R.  f.  tenuirostris  Stresemann,  our  extensive 
series  proving  that  that  form  was  based  upon  inconstant  characters. 

Hodgsonius  phoenicuroides  ichangensis  Baker 

Hodgsonius  phoenicuroides  ichangensis  Baker,  Bull.  B.  O.  C.  43,  1922,  p.  18, 
(Ichang,  upper  Yangtze  valley). 

Rock  sent  in  four  examples  of  this  handsome  species  —  a  male  and  a 
female  from  the  vicinity  of  Choni  were  secured  beside  brooks  in  the 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  353 

forest  during  May  1925;  a  female  apparently  adult,  in  fresh  autumnal 
plumage,  taken  in  the  forests  of  Mayaku,  8,000  feet,  Ha  Tebbuland, 
September  1925,  and  a  specimen  sexed  as  a  male  (and  with  the  wing 
measurements  of  that  sex)  but  in  female  livery,  taken  in  the  forests  of 
Wantsang  Ku  at  8,500  feet,  September-October  1926. 

We  have  no  topotypical  material  of  H.  p.  phocnicuroides  for  com- 
parison, but  refer  our  specimens  to  ichangensis  on  the  basis  of  the 
wing  measurements,  which  are  70.5  and  71.5  in  the  two  males.  Baker 
gives  69  to  71  for  the  wing  of  Chinese  birds  as  against  73  to  79  for 
Indian  specimens. 

Calliope  calliope  (Pallas) 

Motacilla  Calliope  Pallas,  Reise  Versch.  Prov.  Russ.  Reich.  3,  1776,  p.  697 
(Jenissei  to  the  Lena). 

Only  five  specimens  of  the  ruby-throat  were  taken;  two  males  and 
two  females  May  and  July  1925,  from  the  region  about  Choni  at  9,500 
feet  altitude,  and  a  male  at  10,000  feet  in  the  Kadjaku  valley,  Minshan 
range,  June  1925. 

Ianthia  cyanura  (Pallas) 

Motacilla  cyanurus  Pallas,  Reise  Versch.  Prov.  Russ.  Reich.  2,  1779,  p.  709 

(Jenissei). 

A  male  was  taken  at  9,000  feet  in  the  mountains  of  Choni,  May 
1925;  a  female  in  spruce  forest  at  10,000  feet,  near  Babo,  northern 
slopes  of  the  north  Kokonor  Barrier  range,  September  1926. 

Ianthia  rufilata  practica  Bangs  and  PhilHps 

Ianthia  practica  Bangs  and  Phillips,  Bull.  M.  C.  Z.  68,  1914,  p.  292  (Loukou 
Chai,  Yunnan). 

Rock  collected  eight  specimens  of  this  bush  robin.  Two  of  these, 
a  male  and  a  female,  were  taken  in  the  mountains  of  Choni  in  the 
spring  (May  and  June)  of  1925;  a  juvenal  was  secured  on  Mt.  Lieuhoa- 
shan  in  the  Minshan  range,  July  1925,  and  the  remaining  five  — 
juvenals,  immatures  and  a  moulting  adult  —  are  from  the  forests  of 
Tebbuland,  all  killed  in  September  1926. 

The  single  adult  male  in  our  series  agrees  with  the  characters  claimed 
by  Riley  (Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.  70,  Art.  5,  1926,  p.  39)  for  a  male  from 
the  Taipeishan  district  of  Shensi,  which  that  author  believes  "  prob- 


354  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

ably  represents  a  distinct  form."  However,  there  is  a  large  amount  of 
individual  variation  in  the  shade  of  blue  of  the  upper  parts  and  in  the 
extent  of  white  in  the  superciliary  stripe,  and  we  do  not  believe  that 
these  examples  are  in  any  way  separable  from  the  Yunnan  bird. 

Saxicola  torquata  przewalskii  (Pleske) 

Pratincola  maura  var.  Przewalskii  Pleske,  Wiss.  Res.  Przewalsky's  Reisen 
Vog.  1,  1889,  p.  46,  pi.  4,  fig.  1,  2  and  3  (Kansu). 

A  male  was  shot  in  the  scrub  bordering  the  gorge  of  the  Wutu  River, 
in  southern  Kansu,  May  1925;  in  September  of  the  same  year  a  female 
was  secured  at  10,000  feet  on  Mt.  Nginsinshan,  near  Babo,  on  the 
northern  slopes  of  the  north  Kokonor  Barrier  range. 

Oenanthe  isabellina  (Cretzschmar) 

Saxicola  isabellina  Cretzschmar,  Atl.  zu  Riippell's  Reise,  Vog.  1826,  pi.  52,  pi. 
34,  b.  (Nubia). 

A  single  female  of  this  wide-ranging  species  was  shot  on  20  May 
1926  on  the  grassy  banks  of  the  Yellow  River  at  Radjagomba,  10,000 
feet,  eastern  Kokonor. 

>  Oenanthe  pleschanka  pleschanka  (Lepechin) 

Motacilla  Pleschanka  Lepechin,  Nov.  Comm.  Pet.  14,  1770  (=  1771),  p.  503,  pi. 
24  (Saratow,  on  the  Volga). 

This  species  was  met  at  an  elevation  of  3,000  feet  near  Kaichow, 
south  Kansu,  where  a  male  was  killed  beside  the  river  bank  during  May 
1925. 


PRUNELLIDAE 

Prunella  collaris  tibetanus  (Bianchi) 

Accentor  collaris  tibetanus  Bianchi,  Ann.  Mus.  Zool.  Ac.  Petersb.  9,  1904,  p.  128 
(east  Tibet). 

This  species  was  met  with  only  at  great  altitudes;  a  female  was 
taken  on  the  hmestone  crags  at  13,000  feet  altitude  on  Mt-  Koang 
Kei  in  the  Minshan  range,  June  1925;  and  two  males  at  14,600  feet, 
the  highest  point  in  the  Jupar  range,  eastern  Kokonor,  June  1926. 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  355 

Prunella  rubeculoides  beicki  Mayr 

Prunella  rubeculoides  beicki  Mayr,  Orn.  Monatsb.  35,  Sept.  1927,  p.  149  (Lan- 
hu-kou,  northern  Kansu). 

Ten  examples  of  the  Robin  Hedge  Sparrow  were  secured  as  fol- 
lows: a  male  and  a  female  21  September  1925  in  the  Laliku  gorge, 
near  Lalatapan  in  the  Tangar-Kokonor  Barrier  range;  a  male  and  a 
female  in  October  1925  beyond  the  Tangar  Mountains  of  Lassa,  10,000 
feet  elevation;  a  male  and  a  female  in  November  1925  in  the  valley  of 
Liyuan  Ku  near  Hayotung,  6,000  to  7,000  feet,  in  the  Richthofen 
range;  a  male  in  spruce  forest  and  willow  scrub  on  the  outskirts  of 
Choni,  February  1926;  a  female  on  the  grassy  hills,  Upper  Dachso, 
north  of  Radja,  11,400  feet,  4  June  1926,  and  two  females  in  spruce 
forest  at  10,500  feet,  gorges  of  the  Yellow  River,  near  Radja,  June 
1926. 

Compared  with  specimens  from  Szechuan,  our  skins  agree  with 
Mayr's  description  in  having  a  grayer  head,  and  we  therefore  adopt 
his  name  from  the  birds  from  western  Kansu  and  northeastern  Tibet. 

Prunella  strophiata  multistriata  (David) 

Accentor  ?nultistriatus  David,  Ann.  and  Mag.  Nat.  Hist.  (4),  6,  1871,  p.  256 
(Mupin). 

Rock  collected  a  male  in  the  Wutu  Ho  gorge,  4,000  feet,  in  southern 
Kansu,  May  1925,  a  female  in  the  mountains  of  Choni  between  9,000 
and  10,000  feet  during  June  1925,  and  two  males  and  a  female  in  the 
Tao  valley,  near  Choni,  February  1926.  During  August  a  juvenal 
female  was  taken  on  the  alpine  meadows  at  12,500  feet  of  Mt. 
Kwanghei  in  the  Minshan  range.  The  species  was  apparently  breed- 
ing in  the  eastern  Kokonor  country  about  Radja,  where  a  male  and 
two  females  were  taken  during  June  1926  between  10,500  and  11,000 
feet.  A  female  in  fresh  immature  plumage  was  collected  in  October 
1926  on  the  grasslands  of  Peitatung,  10,000  feet  between  Kokonor  and 
the  Liangchow  Nanshan. 

All  these  specimens  agree  closely  with  one  another  and  with  skins 
from  western  Szechuan. 

Prunella  fulvescens  nadiae  subsp.  nov. 

Type. —  No.  238898  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology,  adult  male 
from  the  Tao  River  valley,  near  Choni,  southwestern  Kansu,  8,200  feet, 
February  1926,  collected  by  J.  F.  Rock,  original  no.  548. 


356  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Characters. —  Similar  to  Prunella  fulvescens  khamensis  Sushk.  and 
agreeing  with  that  race  in  being  strongly  streaked  above,  but  lacking 
the  streaks  on  the  upper  tail  coverts  and  on  the  sides. 

When  Professor  Sushkin  (Proc.  Boston  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.  38,  No.  1, 
1925,  p.  48-55)  revised  the  forms  of  Primella  fulvescens  he  had  seen 
but  a  single  specimen  from  Kansu,  a  female  from  Old  Tao  Chow,  in 
the  British  Museum.  He  noted  the  characters  by  which  this  example 
differed  from  khamensis,  but  hesitated  to  name  it  on  account  of  the  poor 
state  of  its  preservation.  The  series  of  sixteen  specimens  listed  below 
confirms  the  characters  pointed  out  by  Prof.  Sushkin  for  the  Kansu 
bird.  We  take  great  pleasure  in  naming  the  form  for  Mrs.  Sushkin. 

Two  males  and  ten  females  were  taken  during  February  1926  in  the 
valley  of  the  Tao  River  near  Choni.  In  September  1925  a  female  in 
fresh  autumnal  pluinage  was  shot  in  spruce  forest  at  10,000  feet  eleva- 
tion near  Babo  in  the  north  Kokonor  Barrier  range.  A  female  in  some- 
what worn  dress  was  taken  13  May  1926  on  grassy  bluffs  overlooking 
the  Yellow  River  gorges  two  days  above  Radja  and  five  miles  below 
the  Dzangar  monastery.  A  male  and  a  female,  both  slightly  worn, 
were  secured  along  the  grassy  banks  of  the  Yellow  River  at  Radja 
elevation  10,000  feet,  23  May  1926. 

SYLVIIDAE 

Tribura  thoracica  przevalskii  (Sushkin) 

Dumeiicola  thoracica  przevalskii  Sushkin,  Proc.  Boston  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.  38,  no. 
1,  1925,  p.  41  (Dshachar  mountains,  upper  Hwang-ho). 

Rock  secured  a  male  of  this  species  at  1 1 ,500  feet  in  tall  alpine  grass 
on  Mt.  Lieuhoashan,  Kansu,  16  July  1925.  We  have  compared  this 
specimen  with  the  type  of  davidi  ( Tribura  thoracica  davidi  La  Touche, 
Bull.  B.  O.  C.  43,  1923,  p.  168,  Chinwangtao,  northeastern  Chihli) 
and  with  Sushkin's  description  of  przevalskii  (supra),  and  find  that  our 
bird  belongs  to  the  latter,  though  to  us  the  two  races  appear  to  be  very 
close. 

Phylloscopus  affinis  (Tickell) 

Motacilla  affinis  Tickell,  Journ.  As.  Soc.  Bengal,  2,  1833,  p.  576  (jungles  of 
Borabhum  and  Dholbuna). 

One  male  was  taken  at  10,500  feet  in  a  willow  forest  in  the  gorge  of 
the  Serchen  stream,  one  day  east  of  Radja,  16  May,  1926. 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  357 

Phylloscopus  armandii  (Milne-Edwards) 

Abrornis  armandii  Milne-Edwards,  Nouv.  Arch.  Mus.  Paris,  Bull.  1,  1865,  p. 
22,  pi.  2,  f.  1  (north  China). 

Twelve  examples  of  this  warbler  were  collected,  three  males  and 
three  females  during  May  and  June  in  theTao  River  valley  near  Choni, 
where  the  birds  haunted  either  willow  or  poplar  forest  or  willow  scrub; 
a  female  from  the  Kwadjaku  valley  in  the  Minshan  range,  June  1925; 
a  female,  spruce  forest,  1 1 ,000  feet,  Dachso  canyon,  Yellow  River  gorges 
north  of  Radja,  2  June  1926;  a  male  in  willow  groves  9,900  feet  along 
the  Ba  stream,  25  June  1926,  and  a  male  at  11,500  feet  in  the  moun- 
tains opposite  Radja,  June  1926.  During  September  1926  a  male  was 
secured  at  8,000  feet  in  the  forests  of  Wantsang  Ku,  Ha  Tebbuland, 
and  a  female  at  9,500  feet,  forest  of  Drakana,  upper  Tebbuland. 

Phylloscopus  proregulus  proregulus  (Pallas) 

Motacilla  Proregulus  Pallas,  Zoogr.  Rosso-Asiat.  1,1827,  p.  499  (Ingoda  River, 
Dauria). 

A  male  and  a  female  in  somewhat  worn  breeding  plumage  were  both 
taken  2  June  1926  in  spruce  forests  in  the  Dachso  canyon,  11,000  feet, 
eastern  Kokonor.  Two  examples  in  fresh  autumn  plumage  were 
taken  during  September  1926  in  the  forests  of  Pezlu,  upper  Tebbuland. 

Phylloscopus  humei  praemium  (Mathews  and  Iredale) 

Reguloides  humei  praemium  Mathews  and  Iredale,  Austr.  Av.  Rec.  3,  1915,  p. 
45  {nom.  nov.  pro  Motacilla  superciliosa  Gmel.  nee  Bodd.,  Russia). 

Ten  specimens  of  this  puzzling  willow  warbler  were  secured;  a  pair 
in  poplar  forest  along  the  Tao  River  near  Choni  during  May  1925;  a 
pair  in  the  willow  forests  of  the  Kwadjaku  valley,  10,000  feet,  Minshan 
range,  June  1925;  a  pair  at  11,500  feet,  in  the  spruce  forests  south  of 
the  Yellow  River  opposite  Radja  26  May  1926;  two  males  and  a  female 
from  the  spruce  forests  of  the  Dachso  canyon,  11,000  feet,  2  June  1926, 
and  a  female  in  fresh  autumnal  plumage  from  the  forests  of  Wantsang 
Ku,  Ha  Tebbuland,  8,500  feet  in  September  1926. 

Stuart  Baker  (The  Fauna  of  British  India,  second  ed..  vol.  H,  p. 
470,  Apr.  1924)  places  Phylloscopus  mandellii  Brooks  (1879)  in  the  syn- 
onymy oi  P.  h.  praemium,  saying  that  dark-headed  and  richly  colored 
birds  occur  everywhere  throughout  the  ranges  of  both  subspecies.  If 
he  is  right  in  considering  mandellii  the  same  as  praemium,  then  the 


358  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

name  must,  of  course,  be  mandellii.  Perhaps,  however.  Baker  means 
that  mandellii  cannot  be  surely  identified  as  either  one  or  the  other 
race.  We  have  adopted  the  latter  interpretation  of  his  remarks. 

Phylloscopus  magnirostris  Blyth 

Phylloscopus  magnirostris  Blyth,  Journ.  As.  Soc.  Bengal,   12,   1843,  p.  966 
(Calcutta). 

Four  males  of  this  species  were  taken  during  May  or  early  June  near 
the  banks  of  the  Tao  River  at  Choni,  where  the  birds  frequented  willow 
scrub;  four  were  secured  in  eastern  Kokonor,  a  female  26  May  1926  at 
11,500  feet  in  the  spruce  forests  south  of  the  Yellow  River  and  opposite 
Radja,  two  males  in  the  spruce  and  birch  forests,  11,000  feet,  in  the 
Dachso  canyon  2  June  1926,  and  a  female  at  11,500  feet  in  the  moun- 
tains southwest  of  the  Yellow  River  opposite  Radja,  June  1926;  during 
September  and  October  two  males  and  two  females  were  collected  at 
9,500  feet  in  the  forests  of  Drakana,  upper  Tebbuland. 

Phylloscopus  trochiloides  claudiae  (La  Touche) 

Acantho-pneiLste  trochiloides  claudiae  La  Touche,  Bull.  B.  O.  C.  43,  1922,  p.  22 
(Mengtsz,  Yunnan). 

An  immature  male  was  taken  at  8,000  feet  in  the  forests  of  Wantsang 
Ku  September  1926. 

LANIIDAE 

Lanius  BUCEPHALUS  siCARius  subsp.  nov. 

Type. —  No.  239069  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  adult  female  from  moun- 
tains in  the  Tao  valley  near  Choni,  9,000  feet.  Collected  May  1925 
by  J.  F.  Rock  (orig.  No.  84). 

Characters. — Somewhat  similar  to  Lanius  b.  bucephalus  Temm.  and 
Schl.  but  crown,  nape  and  auriculars  much  darker  —  almost  burnt- 
umber  —  sharply  defined  against  the  dark  olivaceous  gray  of  the  back, 
the  latter  without  trace  of  brownish;  tail  more  slaty;  below  much  more 
heavily  and  completely  barred,  and  bars  much  blacker;  bill  entirely 
black  and  relatively  more  slender. 

Measurements. —  Wing,  82;  tail,  89;  bill  from  base  of  forehead,  18; 
height  of  bill  at  base,  8  mm. 

The  single  example  of  this  form  secured  by  Dr.  Rock  differs  so 
radically  from  any  specimen  in  a  large  series  of  bucephalus  from  Japan 
and  eastern  China  that  we  have  no  alternative  but  that  of  describing  it; 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  "  359 

the  heavy  black  barring  of  the  underparts,  covering  even  the  abdomen, 
serves  to  separate  our  bird  at  once  from  even  the  most  heavily  barred 
immature  autumnal  females  of  true  hucephalus,  while  the  dark  oliva- 
ceous gray  of  the  upper  parts  and  dark  brown  cap  cannot  be  matched. 

Lanius  tephronotus  (Vigors) 

Collurio  tephronotus  Vigors,  P.  Z.  S.,  1831,  p.  43  (Himalayas).  •  ' 

This  Shrike  was  found  near  Choni  during  May  and  June  1925,  and 
Rock's  notes  show  that  it  was  common  in  the  willow  forest,  where  two 
males  and  a  female  were  secured;  24  May  1926  two  adult  males  were 
collected  at  1 1 ,000  feet  in  the  mountains  across  the  Yellow  River  from 
Radja ;  two  Juvenal  males  were  taken  in  the  forests  of  Drakana,  upper 
Tebbuland,  one  at  10,500  feet  in  August,  1925,  the  other  at  9,500  feet  in 
September  1926. 

Lanius  cristatus  cristatus  Linn. 

Lanius  cristatus  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.  ed.  10,  1,  1758,  p.  93  (Bengal). 

A  single  female  was  taken  in  June  1925  at  an  elevation  of  9,600  feet 
in  the  mountains  of  Choni.  The  bird  quite  probably  was  a  straggler  or 
or  belated  migrant,  since  the  species  is  not  known  to  breed  in  any  part 
of  Kansu.   A  note  on  the  label  reads  "rare." 

PARIDAE 

Parus  songarus  affinis  (Przewalski) 

Poedle  affinis  Przewalski,  Mongol  i.  Strana  Tangut,  2,  1876,  p.  52  (Ala-shan 
and  Kansu). 

Eleven  specimens  of  this  willow  tit  were  secured;  three  males  and 
three  females  from  the  region  about  Choni,  May  and  June  1925,  and 
January  1926;  four  more  examples  were  collected  in  eastern  Kokonor, 
a  male  in  spruce  forest  at  11,000  feet,  south  of  the  Yellow  River  op- 
posite Radja,  26  May  1926,  and  three  males  and  a  female  in  the 
Dachso  canyon.  Yellow  River  gorges  at  a  like  elevation,  2  June  1926. 

Parus  songarus  weig^ldicus  Kleinschmidt 

Parus  weigoldicus  Kleinschmidt,  Falco,  1921,  p.  3  [Nom.  nov.  pro  Parus  sali-, 
carius  weigoldi  Ivleinsch.,  Berajah,  1921,  p.  19  (Atentze,  northern  Yunnan) 
nee  Parus  cristatus  weigoldi  Tratz,  Orn.  Mon.  1914,  p.  50  (Portugal)]. 

The  collection  contains  four  males,  two  from  the  forests  of  Pezlu, 
two  from  the  forests  of  Drakana,  7,200  and  9,500  feet  respectively, 
upper  Tebbuland,  September  1926. 


360  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

These  specimens  are  easily  distinguished  from  affinis  by  their  much 
deeper  coloration,  particularly  the  top  of  the  head  and  nape  which  are 
dull  blackish,  and  the  back  which  is  a  deeper  brownish. 

The  birds  recorded  from  western  Szechuan  by  Thayer  and  Bangs 
(Mem.  M.  C.  Z.  40,  no.  4,  1912,  p.  183)  as  Penthestes  affinis  are,  of 
course,  referable  to  P.  s.  weigoldicus. 

Many  Europeans  consider  that  the  Willow  Tits  of  the  Old  World  are 
so  closely  related  to  the  American  Chickadee,  Parus  atricapillus,  that 
they  list  them  as  subspecies  of  that  bird.  This  procedure  does  not 
properly  represent  the  facts.  The  American  forms  are  quite  unlike 
their  Old  World  cousins  in  life,  and  have  very  different  voices,  and  we 
unhesitatingly  consider  them  specifically  distinct. 

Parus  davidi  (Berez.  and  Bianchi) 

Poecile  Davidi  Berezowski  and  Bianchi,  Aves,  Exped.  Potanini,  1891,  p.  113, 
pi.  2,  fig.  4  (southern  Kansu). 

A  male  and  two  females  of  this  species  were  secured  at  an  elevation 
of  8,000  feet  in  the  forests  of  Wantsang  Ku,  Ha  Tebbuland,  in  Septem- 
ber 1926,  and  a  third  female  was  taken  there  at  8,500  feet. 

Parus  superciliosus  (Przew.) 

Poecile  superciliosa  Przewalski,  Mongol  i.  Strana  Tangut,  2,  1876,  p.  54  (alpine 
regions  of  the  Kansu  mountains).  v 

This  species  apparently  occurs  sparingly  over  western  Kansu.  A 
female  in  worn  breeding  plumage  was  taken  in  the  poplar  groves  of  the 
Tao  valley  in  May  1925;  another  female  in  still  more  worn  plumage  is 
from  11,000  feet  in  the  Minshan  spruce  forests  of  the  Tebbu  country, 
August  1925,  while  a  male  and  a  female  in  fresh  autumnal  feather 
were  collected  in  the  Babo  district  of  the  north  Kokonor  Barrier  range 
in  October  1925. 

Parus  dichrous  dichroides  (Przew.) 

Lophophanes  dichroides  Przewalski,  Mongol  i.  Strana  Tangut,  2,  1876,  p.  54 
(lower  mountain  ranges  of  Kansu). 

Rock  collected  a  series  of  fourteen  examples  of  this  titmouse.  A 
female  was  taken  in  the  spruce  forests  of  the  Tao  River  valley  in  Janu- 
ary 1926;  a  juvenal  male  at  11,000  feet  in  the  forests  of  the  Minshan 
range  in  June  1925;  a  male  in  the  spruce  forest  at  11,500  feet  at  the 
Great  Rock  Gate  of  the  Minshan  range  August  1925.   In  the  Tebbu 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  361 

country  the  species  appeared  to  be  very  numerous,  ten  examples  being 
secured  during  September  1926  at  elevations  ranging  between  8,000  and 
9,500  feet.  One  of  these  is  a  juvenal,  but  the  others  have  the  long  crest 
feathers  fully  developed.  The  westernmost  locality  where  a  specimen 
was  collected  is  the  Dachso  canyon  of  the  Yellow  River  in  eastern 
Kokonor,  where  a  male  was  secured  at  11,000  feet  2  June  1926. 

Some  of  the  birds,  regardless  of  season  bear  a  note  on  their  labels 
that  the  eyes  are  "brown,"  others  that  the  eyes  are  "red."  Przewal- 
ski's  original  diagnosis  reads  "iris  rubiginosa." 

The  olive  back,  present  in  adults  at  all  season^,  as  well  as  in  the  im- 
mature, serves  to  distinguish  this  race  at  once  from  any  of  the  other 
forms  of  the  species. 

Three  specimens  of  the  bird  from  the  isolated  Washan  Mountain, 
where  it  is  restricted  to  the  upper  coniferous  slopes,  belong  to  a  separ- 
able form,  as  Kleinschmidt  and  Weigold  have  already  pointed  out 
(Abh.  u.  ber.  Zool.  Mus.  Dresden,  15,  1922,  no.  3,  p.  13).  This  race  we 
name 

Parus  dichrous  arceuthinus  subsp.  nov. 

Type. —  No.  50822  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology,  collected  on 
Washan  Mountain  (11,000  feet),  western  Szechuan,  4  June  1908,  by 
W.  R.  Zappey. 

Characters. —  Similar  to  P.  d.  dichroides  but  much  paler,  more 
ashy  gray  above,  the  back  nearly  concolorous  with  the  head;  much 
paler  fawn  color  below.  Similar  also  to  P.  d.  iccUsi  Stuart  Baker,  but 
much  paler  in  color  throughout. 

Parus  rufonuchalis  beavani  (Jerd.) 

Lophophanes  heavani  Jerdon,  Bds.  India,  2,  1863,  p.  275  (Mt.  Teringloo,  Sik- 
kim). 

But  four  specimens  of  the  Sikkim  Black  Tit  were  collected,  all  of 
them  from  the  country  south  of  the  Minshan  range.  A  male  from  the 
southern  slopes  of  the  Minshans  at  9,800  feet  in  June  1925,  a  female  in 
August  1925  in  the  Kadjaku  valley  at  9,500  feet,  a  male  from  the  forests 
of  Drakana,  9,500  feet,  upper  Tebbuland,  September  1926,  and  a  male 
from  the  forests  of  Wantsang  Ku,  8,500  feet,  September  1926. 

Parus  venustulus  Swinhoe 

PariLS  vemistulus  Swinhoe,  P.  Z.  S.,  1870,  p.  133  (Yangtse  gorges,  Hupeh). 

Four  of  these  birds  were  taken  in  the  willow  groves  in  the  Tao 
valley  near  Choni,  during  May  1925,  a  fifth  specimen  was  taken  at 


362  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

10,000  feet  in  the  mountains  of  Choni,  south  of  the  Tao  River,  June 
1925.  An  immature  female  was  secured  in  the  forests  of  Wantsang  Ku, 
lower  Tebbuland,  8,500  feet,  September  1926. 

Parus  monticolus  monticolus  Vigors 
Parus  monticolus  Vigors,  P.  Z.  S.,  1831,  p.  22  (Himalaya). 

But  one  specimen  of  the  green-backed  tit  was  secured  —  a  male 
from  the  forests  of  Wantsang  Ku,  8,500  feet,  September  1926. 

This  specimen,  judging  by  our  inadequate  topotypical  material, 
belongs  to  the  nominate  form,  in  any  event  it  is  not  referable  to  P.  m. 
yunnanensis  La  Touche,  a  slightly  differentiated  race,  characterized  by 
the  rather  brighter  greenish  yellow  of  the  mantle  and  brighter  yellow 
sides,  points  which  are  hardly  appreciable  except  when  the  birds  are 
viewed  in  series. 

Parus  major  tibetanus  Hart. 

Parus  major  tibetanus  Hartert,  Vog.  Pal.  Faun.  1,  heft  3,  1905,  p.  346  (Chaksam, 
Tsing  Po  valley,  Tibet). 

Rock  secured  ten  specimens  of  the  great  tit  as  follows :  an  adult 
female  in  very  worn  breeding  plumage  from  scrub  beside  the  Minchow 
road,  5,000  feet  in  southern  Kansu,  May  1925;  an  adult  female  from 
the  scrub  forest  in  the  Tao  valley  at  Choni,  May  1925;  a  male  and  two 
females  from  the  Choni  spruce  forests,  January  1926.  Three  males 
and  two  females  were  collected  in  the  forests  of  Wantsang  Ku  and 
Mayaku  in  upper  Tebbuland  8,000  to  8,500  feet,  in  September  1926. 

We  can  detect  no  differences  in  these  series  from  north  and  south  of 
the  Minshan  range.  Furthermore  there  are  no  constant  characters 
that  we  can  detect  by  which  to  separate  the  great  tits  of  northwestern 
Yunnan,  western  Szechuan  and  southwestern  Kansu;  in  our  opinion 
they  all  belong  to  the  same  form,  characterized  by  large  size  and  a  good 
deal  of  white  in  the  second  tail  feather.  The  latter  character  is  variable, 
altogether  too  variable  a  criterion  on  which  to  base  any  further  sub- 
division within  the  above  area,  and  we  do  not  recognize  P.  m.  subtibe- 
tamis  (Kleinsch.  and  Weig.,  Abh.  u.  ber.  Mus.  Dresden,  15,  1922,  no.  3, 
p.  11,  Tatsienlu,  Szechuan). 

Aegithaliscus  fuliginosus  fuliginosus  (J.  Verr.) 

Mecistura  fuliginosa  J.  Verreaux,  Nouv.  Arch.  Mus.  Paris,  Bull.  5,  1869,  p.  36 
(eastern  Tibet  =  western  Szechuan) . 

Three  males  were  taken  during  September  1926,  one  of  them  at 
7,200  feet  in  the  forests  of  Pezlu,  upper  Tebbuland,  the  others  at  8,000 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  363 

feet  in  the  forests  of  Wantsang  Ku,  lower  Tebbuland.  The  first  men- 
tioned specimen  had  the  irides  "yellow,"  one  of  the  others  "yellowish 
brown. "  None  of  these  birds  had  completed  the  autumnal  moult. 

Verreaux's  description  of  this  species  is  too  generalized  to  be  of 
any  use  in  determining  subspecies,  and  the  plate  published  (Nouv. 
Arch.  Mus.  Paris,  Bull.  8,  1872,  pi.  5),  on  which  this  bird  is  figured 
(fig.  4)  with  three  other  species,  is  not  accurately  colored.  We  must 
therefore  assume  our  birds  to  be  like  those  from  western  Szechuan  and 
refer  birds  from  Hupeh  to  a  new  race. 

Aegithaliscus  fuliginosus  scurrula  subsp.  nov. 

Type:  No.  50968  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.  from  Hsien  Shan  Hsien,  Hupeh, 
collected  25  December,  1907  by  Walter  R.  Zappey. 

Characters. —  Similar  to  A.  f.  fuliginosus,  but  the  brown  parts  of  the 
plumage  much  paler,  about  "Mummy  Brown"  of  Ridgway.  In  A.  f. 
fuliginosus  the  brown  parts  are  very  dark,  between  light  seal  brown 
and  black.  This  difference  is  very  conspicuous  in  the  color  of  the 
breast  band.  Measurements:  wing,  male  56-60;  female  56-57;  tail, 
male  52-58;  female  51-52.   (9  males  and  2  females.) 

Aegithalos  glaucogularis  vinacea  (J.  Verr.) 

Mecistura  vinacea  J.  Verreaux,  Nouv.  Arch.  Mus.  Paris,  Bull.  6,  1870,  p.  39 
(mountains  of  Chinese  Tibet). 

The  northern  Silver-throated  Tit  was  common  about  Choni;  a  pair  of 
adults  in  extremely  worn  plumage  was  taken  in  the  forests  there,  at 
9,600  feet  in  June  1925;  during  January  and  February  1926  the  species 
frequented  the  willow  scrub  in  the  Tao  River  valley,  where  seven  ex- 
amples were  secured.  A  much  abraided  male  was  shot  on  23  June  1926 
on  the  banks  of  the  Ba  River  9,900  feet,  south  of  the  Jupar  range  in 
eastern  Kokonor.  A  male  and  two  females  were  collected  in  September 
1926  along  the  valley  of  Chulungapu  in  the  juniper  forests  of  Pezlu, 
upper  Tebbuland,  while  lower  Tebbuland  is  represented  by  a  male 
taken  in  the  forests  of  Mayaku,  8,500  feet,  September  1926. 

CePHALOPYRUS  FLAMMfCEPS  OLIVACEUS  Roths. 

Cephalopyrus  flammiceps  oKvaceus  Rothschild,  Nov.  Zool.  30,   1923,  p.  263 
(Tengyueh,  northwestern  Yunnan). 

A  single  female  of  this  strongly  marked  form  was  secured  in  April 
1925  at  5,000  feet  altitude  in  mixed  forest  on  the  mountains  of  northern 
Szechuan  near  Chingchuan. 


364  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

REGULIDAE 

Regulus  regulus  coatsi  Sushk. 

Regulus  cristatus  coatsi  Sushkin,  Bull.  B.  O.  C.   14,  1904,  p.  44  (subalpine 
zone  of  Sayan  range). 

Rock  collected  five  Kinglets  during  the  autumn  of  1925.  Two  males 
were  taken  in  October  in  willow  scrub  in  a  stream  bed  at  Babo  9,500 
feet  between  the  Kokonor  Barrier  and  the  Richthofen  ranges;  in 
November  two  males  and  a  female  were  secured  in  a  similar  situation 
at  7,000  feet  elevation  in  the  Liyuan  gorge  on  the  northern  slopes  of 
the  Richthofen  range. 

These  specimens  all  differ  from  R.  r.  japonensis  Blakist.  in  being  less 
washed  with  gray  on  the  nape  and  sides  of  the  head,  in  this  particular 
agreeing  with  the  original  description  of  coatsi;  they  do  not,  however, 
confirm  the  difference  in  size  between  this  race  and  japonensis  as 
claimed  by  Buturlin  (Mess.  Orn.  1916,  p.  100). 

Western  Kansu  is  some  distance  south  of  the  region  which  coatsi 
inhabits,  but  the  lateness  of  the  season  makes  it  reasonable  to  suppose 
that  our  birds  are  migrants  from  further  north. 

Leptopoecile  sophiae  deserticola  Hartert 

Lepiopoecile  sophiae  deserticola  Hartert,  Vog.  Pal.  Faun.  1,  heft  4,  1907,  p.  401 
(Kara-Sai,  eastern  Turkestan). 

Five  specimens  of  this  excellent  race  were  collected  in  the  Kokonor 
Barrier  ranges;  a  male  at  13,000  feet  near  a  summit  in  the  southeast 
Barrier  range  September  1925;  three  males  and  a  female  in  spruce 
forest  at  10,000  feet  on  Mt.  Nginsin,  north  Barrier  range  in  October 
1925. 

A  collector's  note  on  the  labels  of  two  of  the  males  states  that  the 
eyes  are  "red." 

Leptopoecile  sophiae  obscura  Przew. 

Leptopoecile  obscura  Przewalski,  Zapisk.  Imp.  Ak.  Nauk  St.  Petersb.  56,  1887, 
p.  80  (mountain  forests  of  northeastern  Tibet.) 

During  January  1926  four  males  and  two  females  were  secured  in 
willow  scrub  or  in  the  willow  and  poplar  forests  in  the  Tao  River  valley 
near  Choni. 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  365 

LOPHOBASILEUS  ELEGANS  (PrzeW.) 

Leptopoecile  elegans  Przewalski,  Zapisk.  Imp.  Ak.  Nauk  St.  Petersb.  55,  1887, 
p.  77  (upper  Yellow  River  and  temple  of  Tschertyngon). 

In  eastern  Kokonor  this  species  was  secured  in  rhododendron  scrub 
at  11,000  feet  in  the  Rako  gorge,  September  1925  and  in  willow  bushes 
south  of  the  Yellow  River  opposite  Radja  26  May  1926,  in  both  cases  a 
single  male  collected.  An  adult  female  was  taken  in  October  1925  at 
10,000  feet  altitude  in  spruce  forest,  Babo  district,  north  Kokonor 
Barrier  range.  During  September  1926  three  males  and  a  female  were 
shot  in  the  forests  of  Drakana,  upper  Tebbuland,  between  9,000  and 
9,500  feet;  two  of  the  males  are  juvenals,  but  with  "red"  irides,  as  in 
the  adults. 

SITTIDAE 

SiTTA  EUROP^A  SINENSIS  Verreaux 

Sitta  smeiisis  Verreaux,  Nouv.  Arch.  Miis.  Paris,  Bull.  6,  1870,  p.  34  (moun- 
tains of  Chinese  Tibet,  error!). 

Rock  collected  three  male  examples  of  this  nuthatch  in  the  forests  of 
Mayaku  and  Wantsang  Ku,  lower  Tebbu  country  in  September  1926; 
all  three  have  completed  the  moult  and  are  in  fresh  autumnal  plumage. 
These  birds  average  a  little  larger  than  birds  from  either  Fokien  or 
Hupeh,  wing  77,  78,  80,  but  in  other  respects  they  are  identical  with 
sinensis. 

As  Hartert  has  shown,  Verreaux  based  this  form  on  three  specimens, 
a  male  from  Kiukiang,  northern  Kiangsi,  and  a  pair  from  Moupin, 
Szechuan,  but  the  two  latter  belong  to  the  race  now  known  as  vwntium 
La  Touche,  so  that  Hartert  fixed  the  name  on  the  Kiukiang  bird  (Vog. 
Pal.  Faun.  1,  p.  333).  La  Touche  (Handb.  Bds.  east.  China,  pt.  1,  July 
1925,  p.  38)  considers  the  Fokien  bird  to  he  sinensis  and  endeavors  to 
uphold  itschmigensis  Kleinschm.  and  Weig.  as  a  valid  race.  With  a 
large  series  before  us,  we  can  see  no  differences  whatever  between 
Hupeh  and  Fokien  specimens.  In  any  event  the  Hupeh  birds  must  be 
called  sinensis  (not  being  preoccupied  by  chinensis)  with  the  type 
locality  fixed  as  Kiukiang,  just  south  of  the  Hupeh  border,  and  if  there 
was  any  race  to  be  named,  it  would  be  the  Fokien  bird. 

SiTTA  LEUCOPSis  PRZEWALSKii  Bcrcz.  and  Bianchi 

Sitta  Przewahhii  Berezowski  and  Bianchi,  Av.  Exp.  Potanini  1891,  p.  119, 
(upper  Chuancne . 

A  male  of  the  white-cheeked  nuthatch  was  collected  in  the  spruce 
forests  of  Choni  in  February  1926;  three  more  examples  (two  males 


366  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

and  a  female)  were  taken  in  the  forests  of  Drakana  at  9,500  feet,  and  a 
male  at  8,500  feet  in  the  forests  of  Wantsang  Ku  in  September  1926. 

SiTTA  CANADENSIS  viLLOSA  Verreaux 

Sitta  iiillosa  Verreaux,  Nouv.  Arch.  Mus.  Paris,  Bull.  1,  1865,  p.  78,  pi.  5,  f.  1 
(north  of  Pekin). 

Three  of  this  little  nuthatch  were  collected ;  a  male  and  a  female  at 
7,000  feet  in  the  Liyuanku  gorge,  northern  slopes  of  the  Richthofen 
range,  and  a  female  in  the  spruce  forests  of  the  north  Kokonor  Barrier 
range,  all  in  October  1925. 

It  is  difficult  to  distinguish  some  skins  of  villosa  from  some  of 
canadensis.  Usually  however,  the  former  is  larger  and  paler,  and  has 
the  black  portion  of  the  auriculars  always  flecked  with  whitish; 
canadensis  normally  has  the  same  region  solid  black,  but  occasionally  a 
specimen  is  found  flecked  with  white  as  in  villosa. 

CERTHIIDAE 

Certhia  familiaris  tianschanica  Hartert 

Certhia  familiaris  tianschanica  Hanert,  Vog.  Pal.  Faun.  1,  heft  3,  1905,  p.  321. 
(Ak-su  (River?),  southern  Tian  Shan). 

A  male  taken  31  May  1926  in  juniper  forest  at  11,000  feet  in  the 
Howa  valley,  Yellow  River  gorges  north  of  Radja,  agrees  with  the 
original  diagnosis  of  this  pale  form,  except  that  the  dusky  spot  on  the 
under  wing-coverts  is  not  very  distinct,  thus  approaching/. /a/?u7?an's; 
however,  it  is  a  large  bird  (wing  69  mm.),  and  for  this  reason  we  refer  it 
to  tianschanica. 

There  is  still  much  work  to  be  done  in  clearing  up  the  breeding  ranges 
of  the  tree  creepers  in  western  China. 

Certhia  familiaris  bianchii  Hartert 

Certhia  familiaris  bianchii  Hartert,  Vog.  Pal.  Faun.  1,  heft  3,  1905,  p.  321 
(southern  Tetung  Mountains,  Kansu). 

There  are  five  specimens  in  the  collection  characterized  by  dark 
upper  parts,  rusty  spot  on  the  outer  web  of  the  fourth  primary  and  by 
rusty  or  fawn-colored  abdomen  and  under  tail  coverts;  in  these  details 
they  agree  with  Hartert's  description  of  bianchii.  One  of  them  is  a 
female  shot  near  Choni  in  February  1926;  the  other  four  are  males 
collected  in  the  forests  of  Drakana,  9,500  feet  during  September  1926. 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  367 

Lonnberg  (Ibis,  1922,  p.  312)  records  Certhia  f.  khamensis  Bianchi 
from  the  Minshans,  but  our  examples  from  upper  Tebbuland  are  not 
referable  to  that  race. 

Certhia  familiaris  kwanhsienensis  Kleinsch.  &  Weig. 

Certhia  familiaris  kwanhsienensis  Kleinschmidt  and  Wiegold,  Abh.  u.  ber. 
Zool.  Mus.  Dresden,  15,  No.  3,  1922,  p.  7  (Kwanhsien,  Szechuan). 

The  single  specimen  from  Ha  Tebbuland,  a  male  from  the  forests  of 
Sambaku,  9,000  feet,  taken  in  September  1926,  lacks  the  rusty  spot  on 
the  outer  web  of  the  fourth  primary  and  has  a  distinctly  gray  wash 
over  the  abdomen;  these  characters  force  us  to  place  the  bird  in  the 
form  recently  described  by  Kleinschmidt  and  Weigold. 

The  bird  recorded  by  Thayer  and  Bangs  as  Certhia  familiaris 
khamensis  (Mem.  M.  C.  Z.  40,  no.  4,  1912,  p.  186)  from  Lianghow  Kow, 
western  Szechuan,  is  referable  here. 

It  seems  to  us  that  the  length  of  the  bill  in  Certhia  familiaris  is  too 
subject  to  individual  variation  to  serve  as  a  really  reliable  diagnostic 
character. 

Certhia  himalayana  yunnanensis  Sharpe 

Certhia  yunnanensis  Sharpe,  Bull.  B.  O.  C.  13,  1902,  p.  11  ("Shayang,  Chutung 
Road"). 

Four  examples  of  this  bird  were  secured :  — -  a  male  in  the  gorges  of  the 
Wutu  River  in  May  1925,  a  male  in  theTaoch®w  valley,  31  May  1925, 
a  female  near  Choni  in  February  1926,  and  a  male  in  the  forests  of 
Drakana,  9,500  feet  September  1926. 

These  four  specimens  are  all  alike  and  agreelfevith  Sharpe's  original 
description  of  yunnanensis,  but  lacking  topotypical  material  of  that 
form  we  sent  one  of  our  specimens  to  Mr.  N.  B.  Kinnear  at  the  British 
Museum  (Natural  History)  who  writes  "the  tree  creeper  agrees  in 
every  way  as  far  as  I  can  see  with  C.  h.  yunnanensis  J' 

TiCHODROMA  MURARiA  (Linn.) 

Certhia  muraria  Linne,  Syst.  Nat.  ed.  12,  1,  1766,  p.  184  (southern  Europe). 

Four  specimens  of  the  Wall  Creeper  were  taken.  A  male  at  Peshi- 
ngai,  10,600  feet,  southwestern  Kansu,  30  May  1925;  a  male  on  the 
rocky  banks  of  the  Tao  River  below  Choni  in  March  1926;  a  female  20 
May  1926  along  the  Yellow  River  near  Radja,  and  a  male  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Deyang  valley,  10,000  feet,  near  Radja,  June  1926.  The  May 
specimens  are  in  the  process  of  acquiring  the  black  throat,  which  the 
June  bird  has  completely  assumed. 


368  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

MOTACILLIDAE 

MOTACILLA  ALBA  LEUCOPSIS  Gould 

Motadlla  leucopsis  Gould,  P.  Z.  S.,  1837,  p.  78  (India). 

The  White-faced  Wagtail  is  represented  by  three  males:  an  adult 
taken  along  the  Tao  River  near  Choni  in  June  1925,  another  adult  from 
the  Yellow  River  near  Radja  20  May  1926,  and  an  immature  male 
taken  in  September  1926  at  an  elevation  of  10,700  feet  on  the  south 
shore  of  Lake  Kokonor. 

BUDYTES  CITREOLA  CITREOLA  (Pallas) 

Motadlla  citreola  Pallas,  Reis.  Versch.  Prov.  Russ.  Reich,  3,  1776,  p.  696 
(eastern  Siberia). 

Neither  of  the  two  examples  of  Yellow-headed  Wagtails  sent  in  by 
Rock  is  B.  c.  citreoloides,  the  breeding  bird  of  the  region.  Undoubtedly 
both  were  migrants  belonging  to  the  form  of  more  northerly  breeding 
range.  A  male  in  the  plumage  of  the  first  spring  was  secured  in  May 
1925  near  Choni,  and  an  immature  female  was  taken  along  a  water 
course  near  Wantsang  Ku,  Ha  Tebbuland,  in  September  1926. 

Anthus  hodgsoni  Richmond 

Anthus  hodgsoni  Richmond,  Cam.  Inst.  Wash.  publ.  no.  54,  1,  pt.  2,  1907,  p. 
493  [Nom.  vov.  pro  A7ithus  macidatusYLodgs.  (Nepal),  nee  Motanllamacul- 
ata  Gmel.  =  Anlhus  campestris  (Linn.)]. 

During  June  and  Ji^y  1925  this  species  was  met  with  in  alpine  mead- 
ows on  the  summits  of  the  Minshan  range  at  elevations  ranging 
between  11,500  and  13,000  feet,  where  three  males  and  two  females  in 
somewhat  worn  summer  dress  were  secured.  A  male  taken  in  May 
along  the  rocky  gorges  of  the  Minchow  River  in  southern  Kansu,  5,000 
feet  altitude  is  also  abraided.  In  September  1926  two  additional  ex- 
amples were  collected  in  the  forests  of  Ha  Tebbuland :  a  female  with 
the  first  immature  plumage  not  yet  complete,  and  an  adult  female  in 
an  advanced  state  of  moult. 

We  have  examined  very  large  numbers  of  specimens  of  A.  hodgsoni 
from  many  different  regions,  and  are  wholly  unable  to  recognize  either 
A.  h.  yunnanensis  Uchida  and  Kuroda  or  ^.  h.  berezowsJcii  Sarudny. 
Every  series,  if  long,  presents  rather  striking  differences  due  entirely  to 
season,  age,  wear  or  individual  variation,  but  we  fail  to  find  any  real 
characters  by  which  the  species  can  be  subdivided. 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  369 

Anthus  richardi  bichardi  Vieillot 
Anthus  Richardi  Vieillot,  Nouv.  Diet.  Hist.  Nat.  26,  1818,  p.  491  (France). 

Rock  secured  a  male  and  two  females  of  Richard's  Pipit  near  Tao- 
chow  in  the  Tibetan  grasslands  of  southwestern  Kansu,  elevation 
10,000  feet,  in  May  1925;  a  third  female  was  taken  in  June  of  the  same 
year  on  the  alpine  meadows  of  the  Choni  mountains. 

One  of  the  Taochow  examples  has  a  hind  toe  only  as  long  as  the  hal- 
lux, one  of  the  criteria  for  the  determination  of  ^.  r.  striolatus,  but  in 
the  other  two  specimens  from  the  same  place,  the  hind  claw  is  very 
long  and  the  tip  attenuated.  This  often  seems  to  be  the  case  among  the 
species  of  pipits  with  long  liind  claws;  they  become  worn  very  thin  dis- 
tally,  and  the  tips  eventually  break  oft". 

Anthus  roseatus  Blyth 
Anthus  roseatus  Blyth,  Journ.  As.  Soc.  Bengal,  16,  1847,  p.  437  (Nepal). 

A.  roseatus  is  the  common  pipit  of  the  region,  as  evidenced  by  a 
series  of  fifteen  specimens.  During  the  breeding  season  Rock  found  the 
bird  in  alpine  meadows  on  grassy  mountain  summits  of  the  Minshan 
range  between  11,500  and  13,000  feet,  and  in  similar  situations  in  the 
mountains  of  eastern  Kokonor.  In  September  1925  one  was  secured  in 
grasslands  along  the  southwestern  shore  of  Lake  Kokonor.  In  Novem- 
ber  1925  one  was  secured  at  the  summit  of  a  pass  (9,600  feet)  in  the 
Richthofen  range. 

Anthus  spinoletta  blakistoni  Swinhoe 

Anthus  blakistoni  Swinhoe,  P.  Z.  S.,  1863,  p.  90  (Yangtsze  River,  140  miles 
inland). 
The  Chinese  water  pipit  was  met  with  only  in  eastern  Kokonor.  A 
male  was  secured  in  the  Dzomo  valley,  north  of  Dzomola,  at  an  alti- 
tude of  11,300  feet  on  21  June  1926,  and  another  male,  26  June,  at  an 
elevation  of  13,100  on  the  northern  slopes  of  the  Jupar  range.  The 
former  bird  was  taken  in  willow  scrub  near  a  river  bank;  the  latter  in  an 
alpine  meadow.  The  plumage  of  both  specimens  is  much  worn. 

ALAUDIDAE 

Eremophila  alpestris  nigrifrons  (Przewalski) 

Otocoris  nigrifrons  Przewalski,  Mongol  i.  Strana  Tangut,  2, 1876,  p.  103  (Kansu, 
Kokonor,  Zaidam  and  northern  Tibet). 
Twenty-two  specimens  of  horned  larks  were  taken,  that,  in  spite 
of  seasonal  differences  in  plumage,  are  clearly  referable  to  only  one 


370  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

subspecies.  Five  males  and  a  female  were  collected  on  Tibetan  grass- 
lands between  Taochow  and  Choni  at  an  elevation  of  between  9,000 
and  10,000  feet  during  May.  On  the  Ba  plains,  10,500  feet,  two  males 
and  two  females  in  worn  breeding  plumage  were  collected  on  June  24, 
1926,  and  a  three-cjuarters  grown  juvenal  on  June  22.  During  Septem- 
ber 1925  seven  specimens  of  both  sexes  were  taken  on  the  grasslands 
about  Lake  Kokonor.  Four  of  these  are  apparently  birds  of  the  year  in 
fresh  immature  plumage,  a  fifth  still  retains  a  number  of  feathers  of  the 
juvenal  plumage  on  the  head,  while  yet  another  is  a  fully  grown  juve- 
nal, and  the  last  an  adult  female  at  the  height  of  the  autumnal  moult. 
In  November  1925  three  males  and  a  female  were  secured  at  an  eleva- 
tion of  10,500  feet  on  the  grasslands  of  Obo,  north  Kokonor  Barrier 
range. 

Although  Hartert  has  placed  Otocoris  nigrifrons  in  the  synonymy  of 
elwesi,  we  are  convinced  that  it  is  a  valid  race  and  occupies  essentially 
the  area  assigned  to  it  by  its  describer.  Since  Przewalski  did  not  desig- 
nate a  definite  type  locality  we  suggest  as  such  the  grasslands  about 
Lake  Kokonor. 

E.  a.  nigrifrons  is  readily  distinguishable  from  E.  a.  ehvesi  by  darker 
coloration  above  and  by  its  smaller  size  (male,  wing  109-115  mm.  as 
against  115-125  in  ehvesi).  From  khamensis,  nigrifrons  is  distin- 
guished by  its  much  smaller  size,  narrower  black  frontal  band  and 
shorter  bill.  The  range  of  E.  a.  hrandti  probable  adjoins  that  of 
nigrifrons  on  the  north,  but  the  former  race  may  be  readily  distin- 
guished by  its  much  more  sandy  coloration  above  and  lack  of  black 
frontal  band  (the  black  being  restricted  to  the  tuft  of  plumes  over  the 
nostrils),  although  the  two  forms  are  of  about  the  same  size. 

Alauda  arvensis  inopinata  Bianchi 

Alauda  japonica  inopinata  Bianchi,  Ann.  Mus.  Zool.  St.  Petersb.  9,  1905, 
p.  31  (eastern  Tibet,  Nan  Shan,  Kokonor,  upper  Mekong,  upper  Brah- 
maputra, Gyantze,  Lhassa). 

The  only  Skylark  in  the  collection,  a  male,  was  taken  on  4  June  1926, 
at  an  elevation  of  13,700  feet,  on  the  Waro  Pass,  north  of  Radja. 

Galerida  cristata  retrusa  subsp.  nov. 

Tyjic. —  No.  238709  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  adult  male  from  the  Kan- 
chow  plain,  foot  of  the  northern  Kanchow  Nanshan,  collected  No- 
vember 1925  by  Joseph  F.  Rock  (orig.  no.  470). 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  371 

Characters. —  Similar  to  Galerida  cristata  magna  Hume  but  smaller; 
more  grayish,  less  brownish  above  with  the  central  portions  of  the 
feathers  darker;  below  more  nearly  white,  less  washed  with  rusty 
yellow. 

Measurements 


Bill  from 

Number 

Sex 

Wing 

Tail 

Tarsus 

base 

238709 

cT 

102 

58 

24 

17 

238710 

9 

106 

62 

24.5 

18 

In  addition  to  the  type  a  second  specimen,  a  female,  was  collected  at 
the  same  time  and  place. 

Dr.  Herbert  C.  Robinson  very  kindly  examined  these  specimens  for 
us  at  the  British  Museum,  and  writes  that  they  agree  most  nearly  in 
color  and  other  particulars  with  Galerida  cristata  iwanowi  Louden,  but 
that  they  are  much  too  small  for  that  form.  They  scarcely  need  com- 
parison with  the  smaller  and  much  redder  leautungensis  (Swinh.)  to 
which  they  come  nearest  geographically. 


Melanocorypha  maxima  Gould 

Melanocorypha  maxima  Gould,  Bds.  Asia,  4, 1867,  pi.  72  and  text  (type  locality 
as  substituted  by  Hartert,  "  Border  of  Sikkim,"  Vog.  Pal.  Faun.  1,  heft  2, 
1904,  p.  211). 

Four  of  these  very  large  larks  were  collected  September  1925  in  the 
grassy  country  bordering  the  southern  shore  of  Lake  Kokonor.  Two 
more,  a  male  and  a  female  were  secured  on  grasslands  at  an  elevation 
of  11,400  feet  in  Tsechu  drainage,  eastern  Kokonor  on  11  May  1926. 
Rock  made  a  note  on  the  label  of  one  of  the  specimens  that  reads :  — 
"  These  birds  fly  very  low  and  can  be  hit  with  a  stick." 


Melanocorypha  mongolica  (Pallas) 

Alavda  mongolica  Pallas,  Reis.  VerscR.  Prov.  Russ.  Reick,  3,  1776,  p.  697 
(between  "Ononem  et  Agrunum.") 

The  single  specimen  of  this  species  in  the  collection,  is  a  male  taken 
in  the  grasslands  on  the  southern  shore  of  Lake  Kokonor  September 
1925.  The  bird,  an  adult,  was  moulting  heavily  and  acquiring  a  new 
tail  all  at  once,  all  the  old  feathers  having  been  shed. 


372  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

FRINGILLIDAE 

Chloris  sinica  sinica  (Linn.) 
Fringilla  sinica  Linne,  Syst.  Nat.  ed.  12,  1,  1766,  p.  321  (China). 

The  Chinese  Green  Finch  apparently  is  not  numerous  in  this  region. 
A  male  was  secured  near  Minchow,  5,000  feet,  in  southern  Kansu  and 
five  of  both  sexes  in  the  vicinity  of  Choni  and  Taochow  between  8,500 
and  9,000  feet,  all  in  poplars  along  streams,  or  in  open  situations.  An 
immature  male  was  collected  at  Babo,  northern  slope  of  the  Kokonor 
Barrier  range  in  spruce  forest. 

All  of  these  specimens  agree  with  birds  from  Szechuan  and  Hupeh, 
which  we  believe  to  represent  typical  sinica. 

Perissospiza  carnipes  carnipes  (Hodgs.) 
Coccothraustes  carnipes  Hodgson,  As.  Res.  19,  1836,  p.  151  (Nepal). 

Twenty-two  specimens  of  the  White-winged  Grosbeak  were  taken  in 
the  Tao  valley,  the  Minshan  range,  the  basin  of  the  Yellow  River  in 
eastern  Kokonor  and  the  forests  of  Drakana  in  upper  Tebbuland.  In 
all  cases  the  birds  were  found  in  spruce  or  in  juniper  forest.  No  ex- 
amples were  collected  below  9,500  feet.  A  note  by  Rock  on  the  label  of 
a  bird  taken  May  31,  1926,  in  the  Howa  gorge,  11,000  feet,  eastern 
Kokonor,  states  that  the  species  was  then  feeding  on  the  hard  juniper 
berries. 

Perissospiza  icteroides  affinis  (Blyth) 

Hesperiphona  affinis  Blyth,  Journ.  As.  Soc.  Bengal,  24,  1855,  p.  179  (alpine 
Punjab). 

One  adult  male  of  this  species  was  taken  at  an  elevation  of  10,000  feet 
in  the  spruce  and  fir  forests  of  Sambaku,  Ha  Tebbuland,  Septemb.^r 
1926.  The  specimen  was  in  an  advanced  state  of  the  autumnal 
moult. 

Fringilla  montifringilla  Linn. 

Fringilla  montifringilla  liinne,  Syst.  Nat.  ed.  10,  1,  1758,  p.  179  (Sweden,  apud 
Hartert). 

Rock  secured  one  female  Brambling  at  the  edge  of  the  forest  near 
Choni,  May  1925. 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  373 

ACANTHIS  FLAVIROSTRIS  Subsp. 

We  are  at  a  loss  to  place  the  subspecies  of  the  single  Twite  in  the 
collection.  It  is  sexed  as  a  male.  It  is  in  fresh  immature  plumage  and 
lacks  the  pink  rump.  The  bird  was  taken  at  Hung  Shui  Ku,  eastern  end 
of  the  Kanchow  Nanshan,  8,000  feet,  October  1925. 

The  speciman  is  too  pale  for  miniakensis  which  is  represented  in  the 
Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology  by  an  adult  male  cotype  collected  by 
Weigold  at  Bameh,  Szechuan,  11  November  1915.  It  seems  to  be  in 
color  more  nearly  like  montanella  Hume  or  altaica  Sushkin,  but  is 
small  for  either  (wing  73). 

Leucosticte  nemoricola  nemoricola  (Hodgson) 

Fringalauda  nemoricola  Hodgs.,  As.  Res.  19,  1836,  p.  158  (central  and  north 
regions  of  Nepal). 

Rock  took  ten  specimens  of  this  species,  which  he  found  on  the  sum- 
mit of  Mt.  Koanzku  of  the  Minshan  range  at  13,000  feet  in  June  1925; 
in  alpine  meadows,  12,500  feet  during  July  and  August  1925  in  Tebbu- 
land;  at  12,500  feet  below  Kerab  pass  in  the  Jupar  range,  24  June  1926, 
and  as  low  as  11,300  feet  on  rocky  cliffs  in  the  Dzomo  valley,  north  of 
Dzomola,  21  June  1926. 

We  retain  this  species  in  the  genus  Leucosticte,  because  we  do  not 
believe  that  the  genus  Fringalauda  (type  F.  nemoricola  Hodgs.)  is 
sufficiently  distinct.  Most  of  the  species  of  Leucosticte,  it  is  true,  have 
a  dense  tuft  of  short  incurved  feathers  completely  covering  the  nostrils, 
rather  stout  feet  and  a  somewhat  conical  bill,  while  nemoricola  is 
aberrant  in  having  the  nasal  tufts  less  developed,  more  slender  feet, 
and  more  elongate  bill.  The  bird  that  Hartert  described,  however,  as 
Mofitifringilla  brandti  walteri  (Vog.  Pal.  Faun.  1,  1904,  p.  138)  is  in  our 
opinion  a  distinct  species  that  bridges  the  differences  between  Leu- 
costicte and  Fringalauda  and  should  stand  SiS  Leucosticte  walteri  (Hart.). 

Erythrina  erythrina  roseata  (Hodgs.) 
Pyrrhulinota  roseata  Hodgs.,  P.  Z.  S.,  1845,  p.  36  (Nepal  and  Hindustan). 

This  bird  is  represented  in  the  collection  by  eighteen  skins.  Eight 
adult  males  and  three  females  were  secured  near  Choni  during  May  and 
June  1925,  at  elevations  ranging  from  8,500  to  9,500  feet,  taken  in 
willow  and  poplar  bushes  along  the  Tao  River,  and  at  tlte  borders  of 
the  spruce  forests  in  the  mountains  of  Choni.  From  the  Tebbu  country 


374  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

we  have  one  adult  and  one  immature  male  and  five  females  taken 
between  the  altitudes  of  7,200  and  9,500  feet  in  bushes  along  streams 
and  in  alpine  meadows  at  12,900  feet. 

All  the  adult  males  in  the  series  are  very  deep  and  richly  colored, 
slightly  darker  even  than  birds  taken  by  Zappey  in  Szechuan  at  the 
corresponding  seasons. 

Erythrina  rubicilloides  rubicilloides  (Przew.) 

Carpodacus  ritbicilloides  Przewalski,  Mongol  i.  Strana  Tangut,  2, 1876,  p.  90.  pi. 
12  (mountains  of  Kansu). 

Rock  sent  in  three  examples  of  this  rare  rose  finch ;  an  adult  male  and 
a  female  collected  at  7,000  feet,  November  1925  at  Liyuanku  on  the 
northern  slopes  of  the  Richthofen  range  and  another  female  from 
the  Tao  River  valley,  9,000  feet,  February  1926. 

Erythrina  thura  dubia  (Przew.) 

Carpodacus  dubius  Przewalski,  Mongol  i.  Strana  Tangut,  2,  1876,  p.  92,  pi.  13. 
(wooded  hills  in  Ala-Shan  and  Kansu). 

Rock  sent  in  a  series  of  twenty-four  specimens  of  this  form  from  the 
following  places,  the  region  about  Choni,  the  Minshan  range,  the  Yel- 
low River  gorges  in  eastern  Kokonor,  the  valley  of  the  Ba  River  and  the 
forests  of  Mayaku,  Ha  Tebbuland.  The  species  was  met  with  in 
willows  and  in  spruce  forests  at  elevations  between  8,000  and  11,500 
feet. 

Erythrina  davidiana  (Milne-Edw.) 

Carpodacus  Daz^idianws  Milne-Edwards,  Nouv.  Arch.  Mus.  Paris,  Bull.  1,  1865, 
p.  18-19,  pi.  2,  f.  2,  cT  (no  type  locality  specified,  but  probably  in  the 
mountains  of  Shensi  or  southern  Mongolia). 

This  appears  to  be  a  widespread  species  in  southwestern  Kansu  and 
and  adjacent  parts  of  Kokonor.  Seven  adult  males  and  eight  immature 
males  or  females  were  taken  at  the  following  localities :  Minshan  range, 
summit  of  Mt.  Koang  Kei  13,000  feet;  Mt.  Lieuhoashan  10,000  ft.; 
Rako  gorge  10,500  feet;  Tao  River  basin,  Choni  8,500  feet;  Yellow 
River  opposite  Radja,  Dachso  canyon;  mountains  north  of  Dzomola 
12,800  feet;  north  slopes  of  the  Jupar  range,  13,100  feet;  and  the 
forests  of  Ha  and  upper  Tebbuland  between  8,500  and  10,000  feet. 
Most  of  the  specimens  were  taken  in  spruce  forest,  but  the  species  was 
also  found  in  river  gorges  among  birches  and  scrub  and  in  alpine 
meadows. 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  375 

All  recent  authors  have  confused  davidiana  with  E.  pulcherrhna 
(Hodgs.)-  Hartert  (Vog.  Pal.  Faun.  1,  p.  103)  considers  the  two  identi- 
cal; Thayer  and  Bangs  had  specimens  of  both  species  from  western 
Szechuan,  but  did  not  comment,  and  called  them  all  pulcherrimvs. 
Jacobi  (Abh.  Ber.  Mus.  Tierk  u.  Volkerk  Dresden,  16,  1922,  no.  1,  p. 
26-27)  also  appears  to  have  combined  the  two  species.  Rothschild 
considers  davidiana  "  barely  separable"  as  a  subspecies  of  pulcherrima, 
while  Stuart  Baker  follows  the  same  course,  but  we  suspect  that  his 
pulcherrima  is  waltoni  and  his  davidiana  is  pulcherrima. 

The  males  in  Rock's  series  agree  with  the  Milne-Edward's  original 
description  and  plate,  but  apparently  David  and  Oustalet  (Oiseaux  de 
la  Chine,  1877,  p.  354,  pi.  95)  described  and  figured  pulcherrima  under 
the  name  of  davidiana. 

In  reality  davidiana  is  a  distinct  species.  It  differs  from  pulcherrima 
in  the  following  characters:  larger  size,  proportionately  longer  wing- 
tip;  in  color  it  is  paler  and  grayer,  less  brownish  and  with  dark  streaks 
above  blacker;  supercilium,  sides  of  head  and  under  parts  much  paler 
rose  color  with  a  strong  silvery  appearance;  throat  and  chest  with 
black  shaft  stripes,  middle  of  abdomen  white.  Zappey  took  both 
species  together  in  the  breeding  season  at  Cheto  and  at  Yachiakun  in 
western  Szechuan. 

Eight  males  of  pulcherrima  from  western  Szechuan  have  wings 
ranging  from  71-79,  two  females,  wing  70.  In  five  males  of  davidiana 
from  western  Szechuan  the  wing  is  83-85,  one  female  82.  Six  adult 
males  of  davidiana  from  southwest  Kansu  and  eastern  Kokonor,  afford 
a  wing  length  of  82-83;  the  adult  females  81-85. 

Erythrina  vinacea  vinacea  (Verr.) 

Carpodactis  vinaeceus  Verreaux,  Nouv.  Arch.  Mus.  Paris,  Bull.  6,  1870,  p.  39 
(mountains  of  Chinese  Tibet). 

One  adult  male  from  the  forests  of  Wantung  Ku,  8,500  feet,, Ha 
Tebbuland,  September  1926. 

This  bird  was  in  badly  worn  plumage  and  was  at  the  start  of  the 
autumn  moult. 

Erythrina  trifasciata  (Verr.) 

Carpodacus  trifasciatus  Verreaux,  Nouv.  Arch.  Mus.,  Paris,  Bull.  6,  1870,  p.  39 
(mountains  of  Chinese  Tibet). 

Rock  secured  two  specimens  of  this  rose  finch  in  September  1926;  an 
adult  male  at  an  elevation  between  9,600  and  10,000  feet  in  the  forests 


376  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

of  Drakana,  upper  Tebbuland,  the  other  in  the  Wantsang  forests,  Ha 
Tebbuland  at  8,500  feet.  The  latter  was  part  way  through  the  post- 
juvenal  moult  and  acquiring  a  plumage  in  which  the  red  of  the  old 
adult  male  is  replaced  by  ochraceous. 

Pyrrhula  erythaca  taipaishanensis  Roths. 

Pyrrhula  erythaca  taipaishanensis  Rothschild,  Nov.  Zool.  28,  1921,  p.  63 
(Mt.  Taipaishan,  Tsinling  range). 

Fifteen  specimens  of  both  sexes  were  taken  in  the  mountains  and 
along  the  Tao  River  valley  near  Choni,  and  between  8,000  and  10,000 
feet  in  the  forests  of  Ha  and  upper  Tebbuland.  Birds  were  taken  both 
in  spruce  forest  in  the  mountains  and  in  willow  brush  along  the  river. 

Urocynchramus  pylzowi  Przew. 

Urocynchramus  pylzoivi  Przewalski,  Mongol,  i.  Strana  Tangut,  2,  1876,  p.  99,  pi. 
15  (sources  of  the  Tetungand  alpine  regions  of  the  mountains  north  of  the 
Tetung). 

Four  examples,  two  adult  males  and  two  adult  females  of  this  little- 
known  finch  (if  a  bird  with  ten  primaries  can  be  called  a  finch)  were  se- 
cured the  same  day  in  June  1926  in  willow  and  rhododendron  scrub  at 
an  elevation  of  14,000  feet  north  of  the  Dzomola  in  eastern  Kokonor. 

The  plumage  of  these  specimens  is  but  little  abraided,  yet  the  whitish 
edges  of  the  feathers  on  the  lower  parts  of  the  male,  so  conspicuous  in 
winter  plumage,  have  worn  off  completely,  greatly  intensifying  the  rose 
color. 

There  appears  to  be  no  more  known  about  this  bird  than  there  was 
when  it  was  first  discovered.  Accounts  of  its  notes,  habits  and  appear- 
ance are  still  quoted  from  the  original  account  by  Przewalski. 

Emberiza  spodocephala  melanops  Blyth 
Emberiza  melanops  Blyth,  Journ.  As.  Soc.  Bengal,  14,  1845,  p.  554  (Tipperah). 

Four  examples  of  this  bunting  were  secured  near  Choni  during  May 
and  June  1925.  Rock  met  with  the  species  there  in  forests,  mountain 
meadows  and  along  streams. 


'& 


Emberiza  godlewskii  nanshanica  Sushk. 

Emberiza  godlewskii  nanshanica  Sushkin,  Proc.  Boston  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.   38,  no. 
1,  1925,  p.  24.   (Churmyk  River,  basin  of  the  upper  Hwang-ho). 

Rock  sent  in  eleven  skins  of  this  meadow  bunting,  breeding  and 
winter  birds,  as  follows:  one  from  Chingchuan,  6,500  feet,  northern 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  377 

Szechuan,  April  1925;  two  from  Choni  in  May  1925  where  the  birds 
were  then  found  in  poplar  forest,  or  poplar  trees  along  the  Tao  River. 
During  January  and  February  1926  four  more  birds  were  taken  in  the 
Choni  forests  along  the  Tao  River  valley  between  8,500  and  9,000  feet 
elevation.  Two  females  were  secured  near  Radja  10,000  feet,  in  the 
Yellow  River  valley,  eastern  Kokonor  20  May  1926.  A  juvenal  female 
was  collected  in  the  forests  of  Pezlu,  12,000  feet,  Ha  Tebbuland,  Sep- 
tember 1926. 

Sushkin  in  1925  (Proc.  Bost.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.  38,  no.  1 )  recognized  seven 
races  of  E.  godlewskii  of  j^^hich  four,  nanshanica,  decolor ata,  khmnensis 
and  barigsi,  were  described  as  new.  For  comparison  we  have  godlewskii, 
oviissa,  khamensis,  hangsi  and  yunnanensis,  a  fair  series  of  each,  whose 
value  is  much  enhanced  by  reason  of  having  been  identified  by  Sushkin 
himself.  The  eleven  skins  collected  by  Rock  fit  into  a  uniform  series, 
and  agree  with  Sushkin's  description  of  nanshanica,  besides  occurring 
within  the  limits  assigned  to  its  author.  The  six  races  of  E.  godlewskii 
that  we  have  seen  are  very  close  to  one  another,  and  can  be  told  apart 
only  in  adequate  series. 

PLOCEIDAE 

MONTIFRINGILLA  NIVALIS  ADAMSI  Adams 

Montifringilla  adamsi  Adams,  P.  Z.  S.,  18.58,  p.  482  (Ladakh). 

But  three  examples  of  this  Snow  Finch  were  secured,  all  in  eastern 
Kokonor:  a  male  in  the  Dzomo  valley,  north  of  Dzomola  12,000  feet, 
21  June  1926,  and  a  male  and  a  female  on  the  Ba  plain,  south  of  the 
Jupar  range,  at  10,500  feet,  22  and  24  June  respectively. 

The  plumage  of  all  these  specimens  is  badly  worn  and  abraided. 

Passer  montanus  obscuratus  Jacobi 

Passer  montanus  obscuratus  Jacobi,  Abh.  u.  ber.  Mus.  Dresden,  16,  1923,  no.  1, 
p.  32  (Hupeh  and  Szechuan). 

One  adult  male,  Ba  valley,  eastern  Kokonor,  9,000  feet,  in  willow 
bushes  along  stream.   23  June  1926. 

With  a  series  of  thirty  specimens  from  the  Yangtze  valley  in  Hupeh 
we  are  unable  to  confirm  the  color  characters  attributed  to  this  form  by 
its  original  describer,  neither  is  it  as  small  as  is  claimed  in  the  original 
description.  Tree  Sparrows  from  Central  China,  however,  appear  to 
average  stouter  billed  than  P.  m.  montanus,  although  this  organ  is  not 


378  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

as  heavy  as  it  is  in  saturatus;  ohscuratus  is  thus  an  intermediate  form. 
Stuart  Baker  (Bull.  B.  O.  C.  45, 1925,  p.  92)  described  Passer  monianus 
tibctanus  as  diflfering  in  having  a  redder  rump  and  much  larger  size 
(wing  76-82),  but  in  volume  3  of  his  Birds  of  British  India  (1926,  p. 
179),  he  refers  to  ohscuratus  all  Tree  Sparrows  from  Tibet  and  Sikkim 
to  Szechuan,  apparently  abandoning  his  tihetanus.  Our  series  from  the 
Yangtze  valley  varies  in  wing  measurement  from  65  to  74  and  the  one 
Kokonor  example  has  a  wing  of  75. 

Passer  rutilans  rutilans  (Temm.) 

Fringilla  rutilans  Temminck,  PI.  Col.  3,  1829,  p.  488  (Japan). 

Rock  sent  a  male  from  the  mountains  of  northern  Szechuan  and  a 
female  taken  in  the  spruce  forest  on  the  mountains  of  Choni  at  an  ele- 
vation of  9,000  feet  in  May  1925. 

STURNIDAE 

Spodiopsar  cineraceus  (Temminck) 
Stumus  cineraceus  Temminck,  PI.  Col.,  1832,  pi.  556  (Japan). 

Seven  specimens  of  both  sexes  were  secured ;  five  in  the  gorges  of  the 
Heu  Hsien  River  near  Pikow  in  extreme  southern  Kansu  during  May 
1925,  and  two  more  in  willow  forests  along  the  Tao  River  near  Choni  in 
June  of  the  same  year. 

CORVIDAE 

CoRVUS  coRAX  tibetanus  Hodgson 

Corvus  tihetanus  Hodgson,  Ann.  &  Mag.  Nat.  Hist.  (2),  3,  1849,  p.  203  (Tibet). 

Only  one  skin  of  a  Raven  was  sent  in.  The  bird,  a  female,  was  taken 
near  Lake  Kokonor,  10,700  feet  elevation,  in  September  1925.  A  note 
on  the  label  reads  "grass  country  and  desert  sands,  in  flocks."  Wing, 
479. 

Although  we  have  not  gone  as  thoroughly  into  the  question  of  geo- 
graphic variation  in  the  Ravens  as  Meinertzhagen  has,  nevertheless  we 
rather  agree  with  him  (Nov.  Zool.  33,  1926,  p.  98)  that  the  large  cir- 
cumpolar  Ravens  should  all  be  united  under  one  name.  Meinertzhagen 
did  not  quite  have  the  courage  of  his  convictions,  and  did  not  finally 
dispose  of  Corvus  corax  varius,  the  Faroe  Islands  Raven,  which  is  an 
older  name  than  tibetanus.   Thus  the  status  of  the  Faroe  Island  bird 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS. 


379 


being  still  uncertain,  we  use  tibetanus  as  a  name  of  undoubted  applica- 
tion for  our  specimen. 

CoRVUS  DAUURicus  DAUURicus  Pallas 

Corms  dauuricus  Pallas,  Reise  Russ.  Reich.  3,  Anhang  1776,  p.  694  (region  of 
Lake  Baikal). 

A  male  and  a  female,  both  in  the  dark  phase  of  plumage,  were  taken 
during  April  1925  in  the  mountains  of  Chingchuan,  northern  Szechuan. 
Two  more  were  secured  in  the  poplar  forests  along  the  Tao  River  valley 
near  Choni  in  March  1926.  Both  of  the  latter  are  in  the  bicolored 
phase. 

The  measurements  of  all  four  specimens  are  small,  and  do  not  ap- 
proach those  of  khamen^is. 

NuciFRAGA  CARYOCATACTES  MACELLA  Thayer  and  Bangs 

Nildfraga  hemispila  macella  Thayer  and  Bangs,  Bull.  M.  C.  Z.  62,  1909,  p.  104 
(Hsien  Shan  Hsien,  Hupeh,  7000  feet). 
This  Nutcracker  is  represented  in  the  collection  by  two  specimens; 
an  adult  male  in  rather  worn  plumage  taken  at  an  elevation  of  4,000 
feet  in  the  Wutu  ho  gorges,  between  Pikou  and  Kaichow,  southern 
Kansu,  April  1925  and  an  immature  male  in  perfectly  fresh  plumage, 
at  an  elevation  of  10,000  feet,  in  the  spruce  forests  of  Drakana,  upper 
Tebbuland  in  October  1926. 

Cyanopica  cyanus  swinhoei  Hartert 

Cyanopica  cyanus  swinhoei  Hartert,  Vog.  Pal.  Faun.,  1,  heft  1,  1903,  p.  24 
(Kiukiang). 

Five  specimens  of  both  sexes  were  taken  in  May,  north  of  Kaichow, 
southern  Kansu,  in  willow  trees  along  the  river;  a  female  was  shot  along 
the  Tao  valley  near  Choni,  also  in  May  1925,  and  a  fledgling  was 
caught  23  June  1925  in  willow  trees  along  the  Ba  River. 

As  shown  by  Kleinschmidt  (Abh.  u.  ber.  Zool.  Mus.  Dresden,  15, 
1922,  p.  4)  this  species  varies  a  great  deal  in  the  same  region.  The  birds 
from  Kaichow  measure:  wing  135-146  mm.;  tail  212-233 mm.;  the 
Choni  bird  wing  142  mm.;  tail  238  mm. 

Garrulus  glandarius  pekingensis  Reichenow 
Garrulus  bispecularis  pekingensis  Reichenow,  J.  f.  O.,  1905,  p.  425  (Peking). 

A  single  specimen,  clearly  referable  to  this  subspecies,  was  secured  in 
the  valley  of  Sasuma,  below  Labrang,  at  an  elevation  of  8,000  feet,  in 
December  1925. 


380  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Garrulus  glandarius  sinensis  Swinhoe 

Garrulus  sinensis  Swinhoe,  P.  Z.  S.,  1871,  p.  381  (south  China  westwards  to 
Szechuan). 

A  male  and  a  female  from  the  juniper  forests  of  Pezlu,  7,200  feet, 
upper  Tebbuland,  September  1926;  a  male  and  a  female,  forests  of 
Wantsang,  6,500  to  8,000  feet,  Ha  Tebbuland,  September  1926. 

Both  of  the  first  mentioned  specimens  are  birds  of  the  year;  the  male 
had  nearly  completed  the  post  juvenal  moult,  the  female  was  in  a  tran- 
sition stage  between  the  juvenal  and  immature  plumages.  The  birds 
from  the  Ha  Tebbu  country  are  in  fresh  autumn  plumage.  Both  are 
darker  above  than  usual  in  examples  of  sme7isis  from  eastern  China, 
but  can  be  exactly  matched  by  a  bird  in  the  La  Touche  collection  from 
northwestern  P'okien.  Hartert  (Vog.  Pal.  Faun,  3,  1921,  p.  2033)  has 
already  commented  on  the  occurrence  of  light  and  dark  examples  of 
sinensis.  The  immature  of  the  European  Jay  is  said  to  be  darker  above 
than  the  adult,  and  we  are,  therefore,  inclined  to  consider  the  dark 
examples  of  sinensis  as  immature. 

Boanerges  internigrans  Thayer  and  Bangs 

Boanerges  internigrans  Thayer  and  Bangs,  Mem.  M.  C.  Z.  40,  1912,  p.  200, 
pi.  6  (Shoo-0-lo,  northern  Szechuan,  14,500  feet). 

Four  examples,  all  of  them  females,  of  this  rare  Jay  were  secured.  In 
June  1925  two  adults  in  worn  summer  dress  and  a  fully  grown  juvenal 
were  collected  in  the  spruce  forests  at  10,000  feet  elevation  in  that  part 
of  the  Tebbu  country  lying  south  of  the  Minshans,  and  an  example  in 
fresh  immature  plumage  was  taken  in  fir  and  rhododendron  forests  of 
Ha  Tebbuland  at  an  elevation  of  10,000  feet  in  September  1926. 

The  characters  on  which  this  genus  is  based  appear  to  us  to  be  suffi- 
ciently trenchant  to  warrant  its  retention,  and  we,  therefore,  have  not 
"  lumped"  Boanerges  with  Perisoreus,  as  has  been  done  by  Hartert  and 
others. 

Pyrrhocorax  pyrrhocorax  himalayanus  (Gould) 

Fregilus  himalayanus  Gould,  P.  Z.  S.,    1862,  p.  125  (Himalayas). 

Choughs  were  common  along  the  Tao  valley  near  Choni,  where  a 
male  and  a  female  were  taken  in  May  1925.  A  female  was  secured  in 
eastern  Kokonor  near  Mochur  nira,  a  large  pass  between  Ark'tsa  and 
Dachso  canyon  at  12,000  feet  altitude,  1  June  1926,  and  another  female 
4  June  1926  in  the  Waro  valley,  north  of  Radja. 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  CHINESE  BIRDS.  381 

All  of  the  specimens  listed  agree  with  Kleinsehmidt  and  Weigold's 
characterization  of  this  race,  and  we  agree  with  them  that  himalayanus 
is  a  perfectly  recognizable  form. 

PoDOCES  HUMiLis  Hume 

Podoces  humilis  Hume,  Ibis,  1871,  p.  408  (Sanju  Pass). 

Of  the  nine  specimens  taken  none  were  in  fresh  unworn  plumage. 
Apparently  abrasion  takes  place  very  quickly  in  this  species. 

Two  females  were  collected,  31  May  1925,  near  Old  Tao  Chow, 
where  the  birds  were  found  frequenting  meadows  and  loess  ditches; 
five  males  and  a  female  were  taken  during  September  1925  on  the  grass- 
lands about  Lake  Kokonor  and  an  adult  female  in  very  badly  worn 
plumage  was  shot  on  the  Ba  plain,  10,500  feet,  south  of  the  Jupar 
range,  24  June  1926. 

Rock's  notes  state  that  "  this  bird  has  a  peculiar  habit  of  bowing  his 
head  with  a  jerk  several  times  after  alighting." 

We  have  not  been  able  to  make  comparison  with  topotypical  ex- 
amples from  Turkestan. 


EXPLANATION  OF  PLATES. 


PLATE  1. 


Bangs  and  Peters. —  Chinese  Birds. 


PLATE  1. 

A 
Kansu,  Laliku.   The  backbone  of  the  Minshan  range,  as  seen  from  the  top 
of  Lahku  ridge.   Elevation  12,000  feet.  Oct.  18,  1926. 

B 

Kansu,  Babo.  The  valley  of  the  Kanchow  ho  beyond  its  confluence  with  the 
Hei  ho.  Looking  upstream.  To  the  left  is  the  pecuhar  volcano-like  mountain 
at  the  foot  of  which  is  situated  the  village  of  Huan  fantassu.  In  the  center  is 
Nginsin  shan  (Bullock  Mountain).  To  the  right  is  the  valley  of  the  Hei  ho, 
elevation  9000  feet.  Looking  southeast.  Oct.  18,  1925. 


BULL.  MUS.  COMP.  ZOOL. 


Bangs- Peters.    Birds.    Plate  1 


li 


Mti  i-,TvCc    ,-r^     or.«Tr.ro 


PLATE  2. 


Bangs  and  Peters. —  Chinese  Birds. 


PLATE  2. 

A 

Kansu,  Arketassu.  Looking  across  the  valley  of  the  Babo  ho,  near  the  tent 
lamasery  of  Arketassu,  towards  the  north  Kokonor  Barrier  range.  Babo 
district.  Oct  16,  1925. 

B 

Kansu,  Babo.  The  Babo  ho  looking  upstream  near  the  junction  of  the  Arke- 
tassu ho  and  the  Babo  ho  at  the  foot  of  Nginsin  shan  (Bullock  Moimtain). 
Spruces  cover  the  hillsides.  Oct.  16,  1925. 


BULL.  MUS,  COMP.  ZOOL. 


Bangs-Peters.    Birds.    Plate  2 


v**f' 


■:^:^^' 


J'6*!?iH.*^:-;  :  ■ 


.1 


""*.'', 


■T^s:^         III  mil  pihih—iiiiiihliiiili!iwji|ij.^u 


H 


HELlOTvPE   CO.    BOSTON 


PLATE  3. 


Bangs  and  Peters. —  Chinese  Birds. 


PLATE  3. 

A 

Tibet,  Jupar  valley,  looking  up  the  Jupar  valley  on  the  northern  slopes  of 
the  Jupar  range  from  a  bluff  opposite  the  camp,  elevation  11,300  feet.  Showing 
the  spruce  forest,  the  only  region  in  which  the  Jupar  range  is  forested.  The 
triangular  peak  in  the  center  of  the  valley  is  Jupar  shimying,  said  to  be  the 
second  highest  peak  of  the  Jupar  range.  June  28,  1926. 

B 

Tibet,  Ba  valley.  View  of  the  Ba  valley  from  its  southern  rim  in  the  Ba 
plain,  elevation  10,400  feet.  Looking  north  and  showing  the  willow-lined  Ba 
stream  and  the  eroded  loess  and  gravel  slopes  of  the  valley.  On  the  terraces  in 
the  valley  are  visible  the  only  two  Tibetan  villages  for  many  days'  journey, 
called  Saoch  rongwo  meaning:  "The  people  living  under  the  ground,"  a  name 
given  them  by  the  nomads  who  would  never  live  in  a  house.  This  settlement  is 
only  six  years  old.  In  the  distance  are  visible  the  southern  slopes  of  the  Jupar 
range,  which  are  absolutely  bare.  July  3,  1926. 


BULL.  MUS.  COMP.  ZOOL. 


Bangs-Peters.    Birds.    Plate  3 


-V'     ^'.'  '-■' 


B 


HELIOTYPt    CO.    BOSTON 


PLATE  4. 


Bangs  and  Peters. — Chinese  Birds. 


PLATE  4. 

A 

Tibet,  H'tchachen  valley,  The  Hwang  ho  (Yellow  River)  looking  upstream 
from  a  bluff  above  it  and  west  of  it.  Northwest  of  H'tchachen  valley.  Eleva- 
tion 10,500  feet.  July  17,  1926. 

B 

Tibet,  Drakana.  In  the  limestone  amphitheatre  of  Drakana,  upper  Tebbu- 
land.  Looking  down  from  a  meadow,  the  camping  place,  to  the  village  of 
Towa  and  the  Lamasery  of  La.ssungomba  above  it.  It  is  one  of  the  finest 
scenic  spots  of  the  whole  Tebbu  country.   Aug.  30,  1926.   Elevation  9,700  feet. 


BULL.  MUS.  COMP.  ZOOL. 


Bangs-Peters.    Birds.    Plate  4 


■■-^m 


^r*:v'- 


■^i^^'3.: 


*^ 


>^X'  :• 


6  »' JH/-^~_*  'r>?| 


^^ 


li 


HtLIOTYPE    CO.    BOSTON 


PLATE  5. 


Bangs  and  Peters. —  Chinese  Birds. 


PLATE  5. 

A 

Tibet,  Wantsang  Ku.  Forests  of  Abies  and  Picea  in  Wantsang  Ku  (valley). 
Lower  Tebbu  country.  Sept.  12,  1926. 

B 

Tibet,  Daehso.  Looking  dowai  on  to  the  camp  in  Dachso  canyon,  among 
spruces,  birches,  and  willows,  from  the  trail  leading  to  Ngarki  Ngongina  bluff. 
Elevation  of  camp,  10,146  feet.   June  2,  1926. 


BULL.  MUS.  COMP.  200L. 


Bangs-Peters.    Birds.    Plate  5 


;/^'l 


HEllOTyPt   CO.    BOSTON 


Bulletin  of  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology 

AT    HARVARD    COLLEGE. 
Vol.  LXVIII.  No.  8. 


A  COLLECTION  OF  BIRDS  FROM  OAXACA. 


By  Outram  Bangs  and  James  L.  Peters. 


CAMBRIDGE,  MASS.,  U.  S.  A.: 

PRINTED  FOR  THE  MUSEUM. 

October,  1928. 


No.  8.  —  A  Collection  of  Birds  from  Oaxaca. 
By  Outeam  Bangs  and  James  L.  Peters. 

In  the  early  part  of  1927,  Col.  John  E.  Thayer  sent  Mr.  Wilmot  W. 
Brown  into  the  state  of  Oaxaca,  Mexico  to  try  and  obtain  specimens  of 
the  very  rare  tyrant  flycatcher  Deltarhipichus  fiavwiulahis  (Lawr.)  for 
the  collections  of  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology. 

Brown  first  made  his  headquarters  at  a  ranch  house  near  Chivela,  a 
point  on  the  railroad  about  forty  miles  inland  from  Salina  Cruz,  and  at 
an  elevation  of  600  feet  above  sea  level.  He  collected  there  from  15 
February  to  7  June,  and  while  he  did  not  find  the  chief  object  of  his 
trip,  he  made  a  good  representative  collection  of  birds  of  the  region,  all 
beautifully  prepared.  Between  29  April  and  5  May  he  collected  a  few 
birds  at  Lagunas  and  Almoloya,  places  which  we  cannot  locate  on  any 
map  available  to  us,  but  which  are  apparently  very  close  to  Chivela. 

He  then  went  to  Tapanatepec,  a  small  town  in  southern  Oaxaca,  not 
shown  on  any  maps  that  we  have  seen,  but  located  near  Chahuites,  a 
station  on  the  National  Railway  of  Mexico,  near  the  Chiapas  border. 
Here  he  collected  from  6  July  to  12  November.  Writing  under  date  of 
10  August  Mr.  Brown  says :  "  We  are  now  located  at  Tapanatepec,  wiiich 
is  three  hours'  horseback  ride  from  what  was  formerly  known  as  the 
Cacoprieto  Ranch,  where  Sumichrast  took  Deltarhynchus  in  1872.  The 
ranch  is  no  longer  in  existence,  and  there  is  nothing  left  of  the  ranch 
house  where  Sumichrast  lived  when  he  did  his  collecting;  therefore  I 
have  labelled  all  my  specimens  Tapanatepec.^  It  is  very  difficult  to 
collect  in  the  vicinity  of  Cacoprieto  for  one  has  to  return  to  town  every 
night  on  account  of  the  bandits  with  whom  the  region  has  been  infested 
for  many  years.  ..." 

In  spite  of  the  hazards  of  collecting  in  such  a  district.  Brown  took 
over  300  birds,  including  eight  examples  of  Deltarhynchvs,  more  than 
all  the  previously  known  specimens  of  that  species  combined. 

From  Chivela  to  Chahuites  is  about  seventy-five  miles  in  a  straight 
line,  but  between  those  two  points  there  is  a  slight  break  in  the  fauna, 
several  of  the  species  occurring  about  Chivela  being  subspecificall}^ 
different  from  the  form  found  at  Tapanatepec,  for  example:  Xipho- 
rhynchus  flavigaster  flavigaster,  Tyrannus  melaiicholicus  chloronotus  and 

1  Nevertheless  some  specimens  were  labelled  Cacoprieto  and  where  this  was  done  we  have  so 
recorded  them.    Authors. 


386  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Colinvs  virginianns  coyolcos  at  Tapanatepec  were  replaced  at  Chivela 
by  X.f.  megarhynchis,  T.  m.  occidentalis  and  a  form  of  Colinvs  virgini- 
anns that  we  describe  as  new. 

The  climate  at  Chivela  is  evidently  less  humid  than  at  Tapanatepec, 
since  several  species  usually  considered  characteristic  of  a  dry  climate 
were  taken  at  the  former  place,  but  not  at  the  latter.  Such  species  are: 
Burhinus  histriattis  bistriatvs,  Geococcyx  affinis,  Heleodytes  zonatus, 
Eremophila  alpestris  oaxacae  and  Passerina  rositae. 

At  Chivela  Brown  collected  some  characteristic  birds  of  the  "Pine 
Ridge,"  but  apparently  made  no  attempt  to  get  into  the  pines  near 
Tapanatepec  (if  indeed  there  were  any  within  a  reasonable  distance.) 


CRACIDAE 

Ortalis  poliocephala  (Wagler) 
One  male;  Chivela;  March  25,  1927. 

ODONTOPHORIDAE 

Colinus  virginianus  coyolcos  (P.  L.  S.  Miiller) 
One  adult  male;  Tapanatepec ;  August  3,  1927. 

Colinus  virginianus  thayeri  subsp.  nov.' 

Fifteen  specimens,  eight  males  and  seven  females;  all  from  Chivela;  March 
April  and  May,  1927. 

Type.—  From  Chivela,  Oaxaca,  Mexico,  adult  d"  M.  C.  Z.  238,200. 
Collected  March  29,  1927  by  W.  W.  Brown. 

Characters. —  Adult  male,  similar  to  the  adult  male  of  C.  v.  coyolcos, 
but  with  white  throat  and  white  supercialiaries,  the  throat  sometimes 
streaked  with  black;  above  paler  and  less  spotted,  the  feather  edgings 
grayer.  Similar  also  to  C.  v.  pectoralis  (Gould),  but  black  breast  band 
broader,  with  less  or  no  white  at  the  base  of  the  feathers  of  this  region. 
The  broad  pectoral  band  at  once  separates  this  form  from  C.  v.  graysoni. 

The  females  are  much  more  variable  than  the  males  and  are  very 
similar  to  the  corresponding  sex  of  coyolcos. 

1  Named  for  Colonel  John  E.  Thayer,  in  recognition  of  his  services  to  ornithology. 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  BIRDS  FROM  OAXACA.  387 

Cyrtonyx  ocellatus  (Gould) 
One  adult  male,  Tapanatepec;  Julj^  10,  1927.  Taken  at  1,200  feet  altitude. 

COLUMBIDAE 

COLUMBA  FLAVIROSTRIS  FLAVIROSTRIS  Wagler 
One  female;  Chivela;  March  25,  1927. 

Melopelia  asiatica  asiatica  (Linne) 
One  female;  Chivela;  February  28,  1927. 

SCARDAFELLA  INC  A  INC  A  (LeSSOn) 

Two  males;  Chivela;  February  27  and  March  15,  1927. 

Leptotila  fulviventris  angelica  Bangs  and  Penard 
One  male;  Amloloya;  May  3,  1927. 

CHARADRIIDAE 

Pluvialis  dominicus  dominicus  (P.  L.  S.  Miiller) 

Three  specimens,  one  male  and  two  females;  Chivela;  March  27,  29  and  30, 
1927. 

SCOLOPACIDAE 

Tringa  solitaria  solitaria  Wilson 
One  male;  Tapanatepec;  August  15,  1927. 

BURHINIDAE 

BURHINUS  BISTRIATUS  BISTRIATUS  (Wagler) 
Two  females;  Chivela;  March  22  and  April  9,  1927. 

FALCONIDAE 

MiCRASTUR  SEMITORQUATUS  PERCONTATOR  (Cabot) 
One  immature  female;  Tapanatepec;  August  15,  1927. 


388  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

ASTURINA  NITIDA  PLAGIATA  Schlegel 

Three  specimens,  both  sexes,  all  adult;  Chivela;  April  5.  Tapanatepec; 
August  27  and  August  29,  1927. 

Urubitinga  urubitinga  ridgwayi  Gurney 
One  adult  male;  Chivela;  April  15,  1927. 

BUBONIDAE 

CiccABA  virgata  virgata  (Cassin) 
One  adult  male;  Chivela;  May  14,  1927. 

Glaucidium  brasilianum  ridgwayi  Sharpe 

Four  specimens,  both  sexes;  Chivela;  March.  Tapanatepec;  September  25, 
1927. 

PSITTACIDAE. 

Aratinga  holochlora  (Sclater) 
Four  specimens,  both  sexes;  Tapanatepec;  August  and  September,  1927. 

Aratinga  strenua  (Ridgw.) 
Two  males;  Tapanatepec;  September,  1927. 

This  species,  originally  described  as  a  subspecies  of  A.  holochlora, 
has  hitherto  been  believed  to  be  the  form  of  that  species  occurring  in 
western  Central  America  from  Salvador  to  Nicaragua.  Since  both 
holochlora.  and  strenua,  however,  were  collected  by  Brown  at  the  same 
locality  and  as  the  feet  and  bill  of  the  latter  bird  are  decidedly  larger 
and  heavier  they  should  be  regarded  as  specifically  distinct.  Arati7iga 
brevipes  (Lawr.)  from  Socorro  Island  agrees  with  stnmua  in  having  large 
feet  and  bill,  and  is  probably  derived  from  that  species  rather  than 
from  holochlora.  Breviprs  we  also  regard  as  a  distinct  species  by  reason 
of  its  different  primary  formula. 

Aratinga  canicularis  canicularis  (Linne) 

Ten  specimens,  both  sexes;  Chivela  and  Tapanatepec;  February,  March, 
April,  August  and  September,  1927. 

This  species  is  easily  divided  into  two  recognizable  races;  one,  occupy- 
ing the  Pacific  slope  from  the  Isthmus  of  Tehuantepec  to  western  Costa 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  BIRDS  FROM  OAXACA.  389 

Rica,  having  a  much  wider  frontal  band  which  extends  back  on  the 
crown  to  at  least  on  a  line  with  the  anterior  border  of  the  eye  and  down- 
wards to  the  upper  half  of  the  lores,  and  with  the  underparts  much  more 
yellowish;  the  other  occurring  on  the  west  coast  of  Mexico  from  Mazat- 
lan  and  Sinaloa  south  at  least  to  Guerrero,  distinguished  by  having  a 
narrow  frontal  band  and  more  greenish  underparts.  For  the  former  we 
use  the  name  Aratinga  canicularis  canicularis  (Linne)  and  for  the  latter 
A.  canicularis  eburnirostrum  Lesson. 

Psittacus  canicularis  Linne,  1758,  p.  98  is  a  composite  species,  but  the 
principal  reference  is  to  Edward's  Red  and  Blue-headed  Parrakeet 
(Nat.  Hist.  Bds.,  p.  176,  pi.  176).  Description  and  plate  are  both  ex- 
cellent, and  beyond  a  doubt  the  specimen  Edwards  figured  and  de- 
scribed from  Lady  Wager's  collection  as  coming  from  the  West  Indies 
is  the  form  with  the  wide  frontal  bands  that  ranges  from  the  Isthmus 
of  Tehuantepec  to  Costa  Rica,  We  therefore  designate  northwestern 
Costa  Rica  as  the  type  locality. 

We  were  quite  unable  to  determine  to  which  form  Sittace  petzii 
Wagler  ("  Mexico")  might  apply,  but  learning  that  the  type  was  in  the 
ornithological  collection  of  the  Zoologische  Sammlung  des  Bayerischen 
Staates  in  Munich,  we  wrote  to  Dr.  A.  Laubmann,  the  Konservator 
fiir  Oriiithologie,  giving  the  differences  between  the  northern  and 
southern  forms  and  asked  him  if  he  could  tell  us  to  which  race  the  type 
belonged.  He,  with  great  kindness,  replied  saying  that  the  type  and 
only  specimen  was  labelled  merely  "Mexico,"  but  enclosed  a  colored 
sketch  of  the  head,  made  by  Frau  Laubmann.  This  sketch  has  enabled 
us  to  decide  definitely  that  ISittacc  petzii  is  a  synonym  of  Psittacus 
canicularis. 

We  fail  to  see  how  Aratinga  and  Eiipsittula  can  be  maintained  as  dis- 
tinct genera ;  the  characters  on  which  the  two  genera  rest  grade  into  one 
another  through  intermediate  species,  and  no  line  can  be  drawn  be- 
tween them. 

Brotogerys  jugularis  jugularis  (P.  L.  S.  Miiller) 
Eleven  specimens,  both  sexes;  Tapanatepec;  August,  1927. 

Amazona  albifrons  albifrons  (Sparrmann) 
Three  specimens,  both  sexes;  Chivela;  April  9,  10  and  11,  1927. 

ALCEDINIDAE 

Chloroceryle  amazona  (Latham) 
One  adult  female;  Almoloya;  May  1,  1927. 


390  BULLETIN  :  MUSEUM  OF  COMPARATIVE  ZOOLOGY. 

MOMOTIDAE 

MOMOTUS  MOMOTA  GOLDMANI  NelsOll 
•  One  adult  male;  Chivela;  March  9,  1927. 

MoMOTUS  MEXiCANUS  MEXICANUS  Swainson 

Thirteen  specimens,  adult,  immature  and  juvenal;  Chivela,  Almoloya  and 
Tapanatepec ;  February,  March,  May,  July  and  August,  1927. 

We  are  wholly  unable  to  distinguish  Momotus  mexicanus  mexicanus 
and  M.  vi.  saturatus  Nelson  (Auk,  14,  1897,  p.  49,  Ciudad,  Tehuan- 
tepec);  specimens  in  the  M.  C.  Z.  collection  from  either  Sinaloa  or 
Oaxaca  can  be  matched  exactly  both  as  to  color  and  size  in  a  series  of 
nearly  fifty  examples  from  Colima. 

CAPRIMULGIDAE 

Chordeiles  acutipennis  micromeris  Oberholser 
Four  males;  Chivela;  May  and  June,  1927. 

Nyctidromus  albicollis  nelsoni  Ridgway 

Five  specimens,  including  one  juvenal;  Chivela;  May.  Tapanatepec;  July, 
1927. 

The  three  adults  in  this  series,  although  we  record  them  as  nelsoni, 
are  really  intermediate  l)etween  nelsoni  and  sumichrasti,  but  perhaps  a 
little  nearer  the  former.  In  any  event  the  distinctions  between  the  two 
races  are  very  finely  drawn,  and  they  could  be  combined  without 
any  great  distortion  of  the  facts. 

TROCHILIDAE 

Amizilis  rutila  rutila  Delattre 
Three  specimens,  both  sexes;  Tapanatepec;  July,  August  and  October,  1927. 

Amizilis  cyanocephala  cyanocephala  (Lesson) 
One  adult  female;  Chivela;  June  3,  1927. 

Cynanthus  doubledayi  (Bourcier) 
Two  adults,  male  and  female;  Chivela;  April  and  May. 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  BIRDS  FROM  OAXACA.  391 

Anthracothorax  prevostii  prevostii  (Lesson) 
One  adult  male;  Tapanatepec;  October  1,  1927. 

Anthoscenus  constantii  leocadiae  (Bourcier  and  Mulsant) 
One  adult  male;  Lagunas;  April  29,  1927. 

TROGONIDAE 

Trogon  citreolus  Gould 
Seven  adult  specimens,  both  sexes;  Chivela;  March  and  April,  1927. 

CUCULIDAE 

CoccYzus  americanus  occidentalis  Ridgway 
One  adult  male;  Tapanatepec;  October  1,  1927. 

PlAYA  CAYANA  THERMOPHILA  Sclater 
Two  adults,  male  and  female;  Chivela ;  April  11.  Tapanatepec;  November  3, 
1927. 

Geococcyx  affinis  Hartlaub 
Two  adult  females;  Chivela;  March  25  and  April  29,  1927. 

MoROCOCCYX  erythropygus  mexicanus  Ridgway 
Eight  adults,  both  sexes;  Chivela  and  Tapanatepec;  March  and  August,  1927. 

Crotophaga  sulcirostris  sulcirostris  Swainson 
lour  adults,  both  sexes;  Chivela  and  Tapanatepec;  Aprili^nd  August. 

RAMPHASTIDAE 

Pteroglossus  torquatus  torquatus  (Gmelin) 
One  adult  female;  Tapanatepec;  October  31,  1927. 

PICIDAE 

Balanosphyra  formicivorus  formicivorus  (Swainson) 
One  female;  Chivela;  June  6,  1927. 

Centurus  santacruzi  polygrajvimus  Cabanis 
Three  specimens,  both  sexes;  Chivela;  March,  1927. 


392  BULLETIN :  MUSEUM  OF  COMPARATIVE  ZOOLOGY. 

Ridgway  (Bds.  No.  and  Mid.  Am.,  6,  1914,  p.  78)  TSitespolygrammvs 
as  a  distinct  species,  but  we  do  not  regard  the  distinctions  between  this 
bird  and  santacruzi  as  anything  more  than  sHght  differences  of  degree, 
and  prefer  to  reduce  this  and  frontalis  of  Nelson  to  subspecies  of  santa- 
cruzi. 

Ceophloeus  lineatus  similis  (Lesson) 

Four  adult  specimens,  both  sexes;  Chivela,  Lagunas  and  Tapanatepec; 
February,  March,  April  and  July. 

DENDROCOLAPTIDAE 

SiTTASOMus  GRisEicAPiLLUS  SYLVioiDES  Lafresnayc 
One  immature  male;  Tapanatepec;  July  11,  1927. 

This  specimen,  although  not  fully  adult,  agrees  wholly  with  skins 
from  Vera  Cruz  that  may  be  considered  topotypical  sylvioides. 

Birds  from  Yucatan  and  British  Honduras,  however,  are  different 
and  represent  a  hitherto  unnamed  form  that  we  call 

SiTTASOMUS  GRISEICAPILLUS  GRACILEUS  Subsp.  UOV. 

Tyj)e. —  From  Chichen  Itza,  Yucatan,  adult  male.  Museum  of 
Comparative  Zoology  41,067.  Collected  February  5,  1890,  by  Pablo 
Per  era. 

Characters. —  Similar  to  »S.  g.  sylvioides  Lafresnaye,  but  much  paler 
throughout,  under  parts  and  crown  more  grayish,  less  greenish  olive; 
secondaries,  wing  edgings,  lower  back,  rump  and  upper  tail-coverts 
paler  rufous.  Size  decidedly  smaller.  Males,  wing,  70-74;  tail,  73-77; 
bill  to  base,  16;  tarsus,  16-17,  two  specimens.  Female  wing,  68-69; 
tail,  65-69;  bill  to  base,  16-16.5;  tarsus,  16,  two  specimens. 

Remarks. —  Lafresnaye's  type  of  Sittasomns  sylvioides,  M.  C.  Z. 
77,039  from  "Mexico "is,  in  its  present  state,  too  faded  to  show  diag- 
nostic color  characters.  It  is  a  large  bird  with  a  wing  of  84  mm.,  a 
maximum  value  for  the  form  of  Vera  Cruz.  Most  of  Lafresnaye's 
Mexican  birds,  however,  came  from  Vera  Cruz,  and  we  therefore  re- 
strict the  type  locality  of  Sittasoynvs  sylvioides  Lafresnaye  to  State  of 
Vera  Cruz,  Mexico,  a  course  in  accord  with  the  facts  as  far  as  can  be 
determined,  and  one  which  involves  no  change  in  established  nomen- 
clature. 

XiPHORHYNCHUS  FLAVIGASTER  FLAVIGASTER  SwainSOn 
One  adult  male;  Tapanatepec;  July  9,  1927. 

This  skin  is  strictly  referable  here,  while  those  collected  at  Chivela 
belong  to  the  following  subspecies.    A  female  from  Santa  Efigenia, 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  BIRDS  FROM  OAXACA.  393 

Oaxaca,  taken  December  17,  1868  by  Prof.  Sumichrast  is  also  typical 
of  X.  f.  flavigaster  in  every  respect. 

XiPHORHYNCHUS  FLAVPGASTER  MEGARHYNCHUS  (Nelson) 
Three  adult,  males;  Chivela;  April  and  May. 

These  examples,  while  not  typical  of  megarhynchus,  having  a  shorter 
wing  and  slightly  shorter  bill,  nevertheless  agree  with  that  race  in  paler 
coloration,  dark  edging  of  the  throat  feathers,  and  above  all  in  the 
stout  bill. 

Among  the  birds  collected  for  Mr.  Brewster  in  Chihuahua  by  Frazar 
is  a  pair  of  woodhewers  that  differ  from  X.  f.  incntalis  (Baird)  so  strik- 
ingly that  we  do  not  hesitate  to  describe  the  form  as 

XiPHORHYNCHUS  FLAVIGASTER  TARDUS  Subsp.  nOV. 

TyiM. —  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology  224,029,  from  Hacienda 
de  San  Rafael,  Chihuahua,  collected  7  May  1888  by  M.  Abbott  Frazar. 

Characters. —  Similar  to  A'.  /.  mentalis  (Baird)  but  much  smaller; 
paler  both  above  and  below,  especially  the  lower  back  and  posterior 
underparts. 

Measurements 

No.  sex  wing  tail 

224.029  (type)    &  109     102 

224.030  9     105      93 

We  have  made  comparison  with  a  series  of  eighteen  specimens  of 
mentalis  (including  the  type)  kindly  lent  to  us  by  the  United  States 
National  Museum  as  well  as  with  a  good  series  of  flavigaster  from 
Tamaulipas  and  Vera  Cruz  from  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology 
collection.  Mr.  Brewster  suspected  the  distinctness  of  his  Chihuahua 
specimens  years  ago  and  compared  them  with  the  type  of  mentalis, 
noting  the  differences  on  a  slip  of  paper  which  has  remained  with  the 
birds  ever  since. 

TYRANNIDAE 

TOLMOMYIAS  SULPHURESCENS  CINEREICEPS  (Sclater) 

Sixteen  specimens,  adults  and  immature  of  both  sexes;  Tapanatepec;  Juh', 
August,  September,  October  and  November,  1927. 


bill 

tarsus 

41 

25 

40 

25 

394  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Myiopagis  viridicata  placens  (Sclater) 
One  adult  male;  Tapanatepec;  November  3,  1927. 

Camptostoma  imberbe  Sclater 
Two  adult  females;  Chivela;  May  31.  Tapanatepec;  October  27,  1927. 

Myiozetetes  similis  texensis  Giraud 

Fourteen  specimens,  both  sexes;  Chivela;  April  and  May.  Tapanatepec; 
July,  August,  September  and  October,  1927. 

Pitangus  sulphuratus  derbianus  (Kaup) 

Eight  specimens,  adults  of  both  sexes  and  one  imature;  Chivela;  March 
and  April.  Tapanatepec;  July,  August,  September  and  November,  1927. 

Myiodynastes  luteiventris  luteiventris  Sclater 

Seven  specimens,  both  sexes,  all  adult;  Tapanatepec;  July,  August,  Sep- 
tember and  October. 

These  birds  agree  with  examples  from  Vera  Cruz  and  southward 
rather  than  with  specimens  of  swarthi  (Van  Rossem,  Condor,  29,  1927, 
p.  126,  Huachuca  Mts.,  Arizona). 

The  latter  race  extends  southward  into  Chihuahua  from  where  we 
have  skins  from  Carmen,  Bravo,  and  Hacienda  de  San  Rafael.  Swarthi 
is  extremely  close  to  typical  luteiventris  and  to  appreciate  the  distinc- 
tions, it  is  necessary  to  examine  series  of  each  race  in  comparable 
plumages. 

Megarhynchus  pitangua  mexicanus  (Lafresnaye) 

Ten  adults,  both  sexes;  Chivela;  March,  April  and  May.  Tapanatepec; 
July,  August  and  September,  1927. 

Onychorhynchus  mexicanus  mexicanus  Sclater 
One  adult  male;  Cacoprieto;  July  8,  1927. 

Sayornis  PHOEBE  (Latham) 
One  female;  Tapanatepec;  November  7,  1927. 

Empidonax  traillii  traillii  (Audubon) 

Five  specimens,  both  sexes;  Chivela;  May  14  and  1.5.  Tapanatepec;  August 
14  and  25,  and  September  9,  1927. 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  BIRDS  FROM  OAXACA.  395 

Empidonax  traillii  brewsteri  Oberholser 
Two  males;  Chivela;  May  20.  Almoloya;  May  3,  1927. 

Empidonax  minimus  (Baird) 

Sixteen  specimens,  both  sexes;  Chivela  and  Almoloya;  February,  March  and 
May.  Tapanatepec;  August,  September  and  October,  1927. 

Empidonax  flaviventris  (Baird) 

Three  specimens,  both  sexes;  Chivela  and  Almoloya;  May.    Tapanatepec; 
September  29,  1927. 

Empidonax  wrightii  (Baird) 

Five  specimens,  both  sexes;  Chivela;  February  15.    Tapanatepec;  October 
and  November,  1927. 

Myiochanes  richardsonii  sordidulus  (Sclater) 

Eight  specimens,  both  sexes;  Chivela;  May.   Cacoprieto  and  Tapanatepec; 
July,  August  and  September,  1927. 

Myiarchus  crinitus  (Linne) 

Six  specimens,  both  sexes;  Tapanatepec;  September  and  October. 

Myiarchus  cinerascens  cinerascens  Lawrence 

Six  specimens,  both  sexes;  Chivela;  February  and  March.    Tapanatepec; 
October  and  November. 

Myiarchus  nuttingi  nuttingi  Ridgway 

Twenty-three  specimens,  both  sexes;  Chivela;  February,  March,  April  and 
May.  Tapanatepec;  July,  August,  September  and  October,  1927. 

Myiarchus  nuttingi  inquietus  Salvin  and  Godman  seems  to  us  to  be 
a  rather  poorly  marked  form,  differing  from  M.  n.  nuttingi  chiefly  in 
being  slightly  paler  belov^,  with  the  posterior  edge  of  the  gray  chest 
less  sharply  defined.  The  amount  of  dusky  edgings  on  the  inner  webs 
of  the  tail  feathers  next  to  the  shaft  is  a  variable  quantity  and  seems 
not  to  be  a  good  diagnostic  character. 

Myiarchus  tyrannulus  nelsoni  Ridgway 

Thirty-six  specimens,  both  sexes;  Tapanatepec;  September  1  to  November 
10,  1927. 

All  but  two  of  this  series  are  wholly  referable  to  nelsoni;  two  are 
intermediate  but  are  a  trifle  closer  to  this  form  than  to  magister. 


396  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Myiarchus  tyrannulus  magister  Ridgway 

Four  specimens,  both  sexes;  Chivela;  March  8,  April  7,  June  1.  Tapanatepec; 
November  11. 

The  latter  example  is  intermediate  between  this  race  and  nelsoni, 
though  nearer,  we  think,  to  magister. 

Myiarchus  tuberculifer  lawrenceii  (Giraud) 
Two  males;  Tapanatepec;  September  20  and  27,  1927. 

Deltarhynchus  flammulatus  (Lawrence) 

Eight  specimens;  Tapanatepec  and  Cacoprieto;  September,  October  and 
November,  1927.  Six  of  these  are  adults  of  both  sexes.  Two,  September  5  and 
10,  are  changing  from  juvenal  to  immature  plumage. 

Before  Brown  secured  this  series,  this  very  scarce  bird  was  known  by 
only  si.x  specimens. 

Mr.  Brown  was  unable  to  give  us  anything  on  the  habits  of  this 
species.  He  did  say,  however,  that  of  all  the  rare  birds  he  had  been 
especially  sent  to  secure,  this  one  was  perhaps  the  most  difficult. 

Tyrannus  crassirostris  crassirostris  Swainson 

Two  adults,  male  and  female;  Tapanatepec;  October  3  and  November  12, 
1927. 

Swainson's  Tyrannus  crassirostris  (Quart.  Journ.  Sci.  Litt.  and  Arts. 
Roy.  Inst.  20,  no.  4,  1826,  p.  273)  was  described  as  "inhabiting  the 
warm  districts  of  Mexico."  This  locality  is  too  indefinite,  so  we  re- 
strict it  to  Acapulco,  State  of  Guerrero,  Mexico,  as  being  a  place  en- 
tirely within  the  realm  of  the  probable  origin  of  Swainson's  type.  This 
species  has  never  been  recorded  north  of  Sinaloa.  There  are,  however,  in 
the  Brewster  collection  three  examples,  from  Alamos,  Sonora,  and  five 
from  the  Hacienda  de  San  Rafael,  Chihuahua,  that  represent  a  well 
marked  northern  race  that  we  name 

Tyrannus  crassirostris  pompalis  subsp.  nov. 

Type. — •  From  Hacienda  de  San  Rafael,  Chihuahua,  adult  male, 
Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology  223,593;  collected  7  May,  1888  by 
M.  A.  Frazar. 

Characters. —  Similar  to  T.  c.  crassirostris  Swainson  but  paler;  more 
grayish,  less  olive  above;  yellow  of  under  wing  coverts  and  underparts 
much  paler,  more  sulphur  less  lemon  yellow. 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  BIRDS  FROM  OAXACA.  397 

Specimens  examined 

T.  c.  crassirostris.  Sinaloa:  Escuinapa  1  cf  :  Oaxaca:  Tapanatepec 
1  cf  ?  1  9  . 

T.  c.  pompalis.  Sonora:  Alamos,  2  cf ,  1  9  ;  Chihuahua:  Hacienda 
de  San  Rafael,  3  cf ,  2  9  • 

Tyrannus  melancholicus  chloronotus  Berlepsch 
Four  adult  specimens,  both  sexes ;  Tapanatepec ;  Julj',  August  and  September. 

Tyrannus  melancholicus  occidentalis  Hartert  and  Goodson 

Five  adults,  both  sexes;  Chivela;  March,  April  and  May. 

The  state  of  Oaxaca  seems  to  be  the  meeting  ground  of  the  two  races 
of  melancholicus  listed  here.  All  four  specimens  from  Tapanatepec  are 
clearly  referable  to  chloronotus.  Those  from  Chivela,  on  the  other 
hand,  come  much  nearer  to  occidentalis,  three  of  the  five  specimens  being 
that  form ;  the  other  two  are  intermediate  but  nearer  occidentalis. 

MuscivORA  FORFICATA  (Gmclin) 
One  female;  Tapanatepec;  October  25,  1927. 

PIPRIDAE 

Chiroprion  linearis  linearis  (Bonaparte) 

Four  specimens,  one  adult  male,  two  immature  males,  and  one  adult  female; 
Chivela;  May.   Tapanatepec,  July  and  October. 

Ridgway  (Bds.  No.  and  Mid.  Am.,  pt.  4,  1907,  p.  740,  note)  points 
out  that  adult  males  of  the  long-tailed  Manakin  from  Mexico  and 
Guatemala  have  shorter  middle  rectrices  than  those  from  Costa  Rica 
and  Nicaragua,  and  generally  a  larger  and  relatively  wider  bill.  He 
did  not  however  recognize  any  subspecies,  since  the  structural  differ- 
ences were  not  accompanied  by  color  characters.  The  structural  differ- 
ences pointed  out  by  Ridgway  are  constant  in  the  large  series  that  we 
have  examined,  so  we  recognize  two  forms  that  stand 

Chiroprion  linearis  linearis  (Bonap.)    "Mexico" 
Southern  Mexico  to  Guatemala. 

Chiroprion  linearis  fastuosa  (Less.)  Realejo,  Nicaragua 
Nicaragua  and  Costa  Rica. 


398  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

COTINGIDAE 

TiTYRA  SEMiFASCiATA  PERSONATA  Jardine  and  Selby 
One  adult  female;  Chivela;  March  9,  1927. 

This  skin  does  not  differ  in  any  way  from  specimens  from  south- 
eastern Mexico  and  Guatemala.   It  shows  no  approach  to  griseiceps. 

PlATYPSARIS  AGLAIAE  SUMICHRASTI  Nelson 

Nine  specimens,  both  sexes,  including  both  immature  and  adult  males; 
Tapanatepec;  July,  September  and  October,  1927. 


POLIOPTILIDAE 

PoLiOPTiLA  NiGRicEPS  Baird 

Four  adults,  both  sexes;  Chivela;  March  and  April.  Tapanatepec;  August, 
1927. 

TROGLODYTIDAE 

Heleodytes  zonatus  impudens  subsp.  nov. 

Type. —  238,315  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology  adult  male  from 
Chivela,  Oaxaca  (600  feet),  collected  2  March,  1927  by  W.  W.  Brown. 

Characters. —  Similar  to  H.  z.  zonatvs  (Less)  of  southeastern  Mexico 
but  much  larger;  spots  below  larger  and  less  numerous;  flanks  rather 
more  heavily  barred.  Similar  also  to  //.  z.  restrictvs  Nels.from  Tabasco 
but  slightly  larger;  abdomen  paler,  flanks  less  heavily  barred  and  spots 
not  invading  the  centre  of  the  abdomen. 

Measurements.—  (Four  males)  wing  91-95  (93.75);  tail87-96  (92.25); 
bill  from  base  23-24.5  (23.9). 

Material  examined 

Heleodytes  zonatus  zonatus  (Less)  24,  both  sexes.  Vera  Cruz:  Jalapa, 
Motzorongo,  Presidio,  Paso  Nuevo,  Orizaba. 

//.  z.  restrictus  Nels.  9,  both  sexes.  Tabasco:  Frontera;  British  Hon- 
duras: Toledo  District;  Guatemala  Trade  Skins. 

//.  z.  impudens  nob.  4  d^,  1  sex  not  determined,  Oaxaca:  Chivela, 
Guichicovi. 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  BIRDS  FROM  OAXACA.  399 

Heleodytes  hu'milis  (Sclater) 

Nineteen  specimens,  both  sexes;  Chivela;  April,  May  and  June.  Tapana- 
tepec;  July,  August  and  November,  1927. 

Thryophilus  pleurostictus  pleurostictus  (Sclater) 

Twenty-two  specimens,  adults  of  both  sexes,  and  juvenal;  Chivela;  March, 
April  and  May.  Lagunas;  April  and  May.  Tapanatepec;  July  and  August, 
1927. 

Salpinctes  OB.SOLETUS  NOTius  Ridgway 

One  male,  in  much  abraded  plumage;  Cacoprieto;  July  6,  1927. 

We  refer  this  specimen  to  notius,  a  form  which  seems  to  us  very 
poorly  characterized,  on  geographical  grounds. 

MIMIDAE 

MiMUS  POLYGLOTTUS  LEUCOPTERUS  (VlgOrs) 
One  female;  Chivela;  March  U,  1927. 

■ 

MiMUS  GiLVUS  LAWRENCEi  Ridgway 
Two  adults,  male  and  fernale;  Chivela;  April  5  and  March  10,  1927. 

TURDIDAE 

TuRDUS  GRAYi  GRAYi  Bonaparte 

Four  adult  males;  Tapanatepec;  August  and  September,  1927. 

VIREONIDAE 

ViREO  FLAVOVIRIDIS  FLAVOVIRIDIS  (Cassin) 
Twenty  specimens,  both  sexes;  Chivela;  April  and  May. 

On  comparing  these  birds  with  specimens  that  had  been  in  the 
museum  for  some  years,  we  were  at  once  struck  by  the  very  bright 
olive  green  of  their  backs,  as  against  the  dull  olive  green  of  the  older 
specimens.  Further  investigation  showed  that  old  museum  specimens 
gradually  become  browner  above,  the  change  very  gradual  but  trace- 
able through  the  dates  of  the  specimens.  One  bird  from  the  Lafresnaye 
collection  is  actually  olive  brown  above,  but  if  the  wings  are  pushed 
aside  the  portion  of  the  back  covered  by  them  is  found  to  be  more  as 
in  fresh  specimens. 


400  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

ViREO  GiLvus  swAiNSONi  (Baird) 
One  male;  Chivela;  April  2,  1927. 

ViREO  FLAVIFRONS  Vieillot 
One  male;  Tapanatepec;  October  27,  1927. 

ViREO  SOLITARIUS  SOLITARIUS  (Wilson) 
One  male;  Tapanatepec;  November  1,  1927. 

ViREO  GRisEus  GRiSEus  (Boddaert) 
One  male;  Chivela;  March  11,  1927. 

ViREO  BELLII  BELLII  Audubon 

Five  specimens,  both  sexes;  Chivela;  March.   Tapanatepec;  September  and 
October,  1927. 

Cyclarhis  FLAVivENTRis  FLAVivENTRis  Lafresnaye 
Two  specimens,  male  and  female;  Almoloya;  May,  1927. 

MNIOTILTIDAE 

Dendroica  estiva  rubiginosa  (Pallas) 
Five  specimens,  both  sexes;  Tapanatepec;  August  20-31,  1927. 

Dendroica  magnolia  (Wilson) 
One  female;  Tapanatepec;  November  5,  1927. 

Dendroica  coronata  coronata  (Linne) 
One  male;  Chivela;  March  5,  1927. 

Dendroica  graciae  decora  Ridgway 

Five  specimens,  adults  of  both  sexes,  and  one  juvenal;  Chivela;  June  3-7, 
1927. 

These  birds  are  not  quite  typical  of  decora,  since  the  wings  average 
slightly  longer  and  the  throats  a  little  bit  paler  yellow.  However  they 
come  much  closer  to  decora  than  to  graciae  and  we  prefer  to  place  them 
with  the  former,  since  there  can  be  no  useful  purpose  served  in  recog- 
nizing by  name  a  third  form  with  slight  intermediate  characters. 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  BIRDS  FROM  OAXACA.  401 

From  the  small  number  of  juvenals  available  it  appears  that  the 
Juvenal  plumage  of  graciae  is  browner  above,  not  so  gray  as  in  decora. 
The  Juvenal  collected  by  Mr.  Brown  agrees  with  one  in  the  Biological 
Survey  collection  taken  in  the  mountains  near  Tonala,  Chiapas. 

Oporornis  tolmiei  (Townsend) 
One  male;  Tapanatepec;  October  20, 1927. 

IcTERiA  virens  virens  (Linne) 

Three  specimens,  two  males  and  a  female;  Tapanatepec;  September,  October 
and  November,  1927. 

WiLSONiA  CANADENSIS  (Linne) 
One  female;  Tapanatepec;  September  21,  1927. 

EuTHLYPis  lachrymosa  lachrymosa  (Cabanis) 
Two  males;  Chivela;  May,  1927. 

ALAUDIDAE 

Eremophila  alpestris  oaxacae  (Nelson) 
Fourteen  adults,  both  sexes;  Chivela;  May  and  June,  1927. 

FRINGILLIDAE 

Hedymeles  ludovicianus  (Linne) 

Three  specimens,  two  males  and  a  female;  Tapanatepec;  October  19,  No- 
vember 3  and  7,  1927. 

Cyanocompsa  parellina  indigotica  Ridgway 
Two  adult  females;  Chivela;  March  and  May,  1927. 

Todd  in  his  review  of  the  genus  Cyanocompsa  unites  indigotica  with 
sumichrasti,  to  which  procedure  we  wholly  agree.  The  two  females 
listed  above  have  the  wing  70  and  71.5.  Sumichrasti  was  supposed  by 
Ridgway  to  be  larger  than  indigotica,  but  the  more  ample  material  now 
available  does  not  support  this. 

Sporophila  minuta  parva  Lawrence 
One  fine  adult  male;  Tapanatepec;  July  14,  1927. 


402  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

VOLATINIA  JACARINI  ATRONITENS  Todd 
Three  adult  males;  Tapanatepec;  August,  1927. 

Saltator  atriceps  atriceps  Lesson 

Four  adults,  both  sexes;  Almoloya;  May  3.  Tapanatepec;  July,  August  and 
September,  1927. 

Spinus  notatus  notatus  Du  Bus 
One  adult  female;  Chivela;  June  6,  1927. 

Spiza  AMERICANA  (Gmelin) 
One  female;  Chivela;  April  22,  1927. 

Chondestes  grammacus  strigatus  (Swain.son) 

Three  specimens,  male  and  two  females;  Chivela;  March  21  and  22.  Tapana- 
tepec; November  1,  1927. 

AiMOPHiLA  RUFICAUDA  LA  WRENCH  (Salvin  and  Godman) 

Seventeen  specimens,  adults  of  both  sexes,  and  one  immature;  Chivela, 
Lagunas  and  Tapanatepec;  March,  April,  May,  June,  July  and  August. 

AiMOPHiLA  suMicHRASTi  LawTcnce 
Three  adults,  two  males  and  a  female;  Chivela;  May  and  June,  1927. 

AiMOPHiLA  RUFESCENS  RUFESCENS  (Sv^^ainSOIl) 

Three  specimens,  two  adults,  male  and  female,  and  one  juvenal  (July  10); 
Tapanatepec;  July,  1927. 

AiMOPHiLA  BOTTERII  BOTTERII  (Sclater) 

Seven  specimens,  adults  of  both  sexes,  and  one  juvenal  (July  6");  Chivela, 
Cacoprieto;  May  and  July. 

In  addition  to  the  material  of  this  species  in  the  Museum  of  Com- 
parative Zoology  we  have  examined  the  entire  Mexican  series,  including 
the  type  of  Cotvrniculiis  mcxicaims  Lawr.,  in  the  United  States  National 
Museum  and  Biological  Survey  collections. 

While  hottcrii  has  a  wide  range  of  individual  variation,  both  in  size 
and  color,  these  differences  are  in  no  way  correlated  with  locality;  ex- 
amples from  Arizona,  Texas  and  Mexico  cannot  be  distinguished. 


BANGS  AND  PETERS:  BIRDS  FROM  OAXACA.  403 

Spizella  passerina  mexicana  Nelson 
Three  adult  males;  Chivela;  June,  1927. 

Passerina  cyanea  (Linne) 

Seven  specimens,  both  .sexes;  Chivela;  February,  March  and  April;  Tapana- 
tepec  and  Cacoprieto;  October  and  November,  1927. 

Passerina  leclancheri  Lafresnaye 

Fifteen  specimens,  both  sexes;  Chivela,  Almoloya,  Cacoprieto  and  Tapana- 
tepec;  March,  April,  May  and  July,  1927. 

Passerina  rositae  (Lawrence) 
Twenty-three  adults,  both  sexes;  Chivela;  March,  April  and  May. 

THRAUPIDAE 

Tanagra  affinis  Lesson 
Two  adults,  male  and  female;  Chivela  and  Tapanatepec;  June  and  July. 

PiRANGA  RUBRA  RUBRA  (Linne) 

Two  specimens,  male  and  female;  Tapanatepec;  October  and  November, 
1927. 

PiRANGA  HEPATICA  HEPATICA  SwainSOH 
Four  specimens,  both  sexes;  Chivela;  June,  1927. 

All  four  were  taken  in  the  pines  at  about  1,000  feet  altitude. 

ICTERIDAE 

CASSicuLUS  MELANICTERUS  (Bonapartc) 

Twelve  specimens,  both  sexes;  Chivela,  Almoloya,  and  Tapanatepec;  May, 
June,  July,  September,  October  and  November. 

Tangavius  aeneus^assimilis  (Nelson) 

Five  specimens,  adults  of  both  sexes  and  one  juvenal;  Chivela  and  Tapana- 
tepec; April  and  August,  1927. 

Sturnella  magna  mexicana  Sclater 
Seven  specimens,  both  sexes;  Chivela;  March  and  April. 


404  bulletin:  museum  of  comparative  zoology. 

Icterus  spurius  (Linne) 

Eight  specimens,  both  sexes;  Chivela;  March.    Tapanatepec;  September, 
October  and  November,  1927. 

Icterus  melanocephalus  melanocephalus  (Wagler) 
Four  specimens,  both  sexes;  Chivela;  March  and  April  and  May,  1927. 

Icterus  gularis  gularis  (Wagler) 

Twelve  specimens,  adults  of  both  sexes  and  immature ;  Chivela  and  Tapana- 
tepec; February,  March,  April,  May,  July  and  October,  1927. 

Icterus  sclateri  sclateri  Cassin 

Eighteen  specimens,  both  sexes;  Chivela  and  Tapanatepec;  March,  April, 
May,  July,  August,  September  and  October,  1927. 

Icterus  pectoralis  pectoralis  (Wagler) 

Three  specimens,  two  males  and  a  female;  Tapanatepec,  August  and  Sep- 
tember. 

Megaquiscalus  major  macrourus  (Swainson) 
One  adult  male;  Chivela;  May  15,  1927. 

CORVIDAE 

Calocitta  FORMOSA  FORMOSA  (Swainson) 

Eight  adults,  both  sexes,  Chivela  and  Tapanatepec;  Marcli,  October  and 
November,  1927. 


,A 


DATE  DUE 


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DEMCO.   INC    38-2931