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Mar., 1909 OBSERVATIONS ON SOME BIRDS FOUND IN SOUTHERN MEXICO 61 I camped for some weeks during February and March in one of the large bar- rancas, at an altitude of 6500 feet. This barranca was deep and narrow near the site of my tent, and it would be several hours after the sun rose before it reached this spot. Arising at daybreak, I would make haste to complete my ablutions, at a nearby pool, so as to avoid the chill that was very noticeable at that hour. Little life was in evidence so early, but one species of bird there was that always preceded me at that pool--the White-cared Hummingbird (t3asilinna leucolis). Here I would find it bathing or else feeding on the nectar of pink-flowered Begonias, that grew with ferns in profusion thereabouts. How distinct the white superciliary line ap- peared in the dim light ! Often they lit on a fern frond within five feet of me, searching the plant most thoroly while perched thus. Later, as the day advanced, they could be found the length of the barfanta, feeding from the lowly Cuphea to the great Fuchsia arborescens. Bell Warblers (t3asileulerus belli), I found favored the vicinity of that particu- lar pool, where a large quantity of brush debris had accumulated. To attempt to uncover one by beating the brush was always unsuccessful as they act much like a Yellowthroat under the circumstances. However, keeping quiet a few minutes will reassure them, and emerging, they sound their clarion notes: wren-like chips, most barbarously tuned when chasing their own kind; intensely quarrelsome birds, in what I took to be the breeding season; never resorting to high bushes or trees, when under my observation. Duges Warbler (B. ruf?rons dugest') looks like a twin brother of the Bell Warbler but is blessed with a quieter nature and more con- tiding disposition. Rarely found within the zone of B. belh', preferring more open situations from 6000 feet altitude down, it was the only common Warbler about the city during the months of my visit. Several miles out from town, was a most barren piece of ground, that lacked every sort of vegetation, except that within a small depression there grew a forlorn little cedar by the side of a huge rock. Here, a Duges Warbler dwelt contentedly-- without kin--in fact all feathered creatures but he, seemed to shun the spot. The bright chestnut-colored head, and clearly defined yellow and white underparts al- lowed of sure identification. There was only one place where I met a Yellowthroat ( Geolhlypis lrichas, vat.?), that spot an irrigated meadow near town. One end was kept very wet, and here the grass grew rank and lush. But I did not secure the bird and the variety re- mains in doubt. Forms resembling the Yellowthroat, I did obtain there, and found to be Rio Grande Yellowthroats (Geolhlypis poliocephala). Their numbers were quite limited. The submerged end of the meadow was grazed upon by cattle, and these in turn, attended by numerous Groove-billed Anis ( Crolophag?a sulciroslris). These Anis spent their time hunting over the animals' hide, and in the long grass, perhaps for ambitionless ticks. I think I might call them the thinest species in existence ! The Ani's movements remind one of long-tailed Grackles, and they tiave the same manner of spreading the tail. I do not know if the Morelos sun ever shines on our robin of the north, but it can claim a relative in ]>lanesticus lristis, called Gray-breasted Robin in ordinary venacular, I believe. Do tropical conditions account for his superior voice ? Any- way they have an advantage over our robin in singing. The song is of a different pitch--finer wrought and better strung. Why this southerner should be named tristis--"sad"--I cannot explain. Sing very late in the day it surely does, but the song has no melancholy suggestion. In fact, it is a most pleasant diversion in a'