Illustration: Psilorhinus morioPsilorhinus morio.4114This genus embraces Jays of large size and very dull plumage. The thick bill, with the much curved culmen, the moderate tail, and the open nostrils, may serve to distinguish it from its allies. The nostril is very large, and its anterior portion is bevelled off to a greater degree than in any genus, except inCalocitta. This last-mentioned genus has the same form of bill and of nostrils, but the head has a long recurved crest; the tail is twice as long as the wings; the lateral feather nearly half the middle; the lateral tarsal plates scutellate for the inferior half, etc.In the shape of the bill and the shortness of the primaries, compared with the broad tertials and secondaries, there is much resemblance toXanthoura. The nostrils are, however, uncovered, the legs much stouter and shorter, being shorter than the head instead of longer; the tail-feathers are broader, etc.Psilorhinus morio,Gray.BROWN JAY.Pica morio,Wagler, Isis, 1829,VII, 751.—Ib.Isis, 1831, 527.—Voyage de la Favorite,V, 1839, 54 (said to have been killed at San Francisco,Cal., by Botta).Psilorhinus morio,Gray, List, genera, 1841, 51.—Bonap.Consp.1850, 381.—Cab.Mus. Hein.1851, 226.—Baird,Birds N. Am.1858, 592,pl. lxviii, f.1, 2. “Pica fuliginosa,Lesson,Traité d’Orn.1831, 333.”Psilorhinus mexicanus,Rüppell,Mus. Senck., 1837,pl. xi, f.2.Illustration: Psilorhinus morioPsilorhinus morio.Sp. Char.Tail much graduated; the lateral feathers about two inches shortest. Second quill equal to the secondaries; third and fourth longest. General color dark smoky-brown, becoming almost black on the head; the breast brownish-gray; nearly white about the anus; under tail-coverts tinged with brown; the exposed portion of the tail with a decided gloss of blue; bill and feet, in some specimens yellow, in others black. Length, 16.00; wing, 8.00; tail. 8.25; tarsus. 1.80.Hab.Rio Grande Valley, north-eastern Mexico, southward. Cordova (Scl.1856, 300); ? Guatemala (Scl.Ibis,I, 22); Honduras (Scl.II, 113); Costa Rica (Caban.J.1861, 83); Vera Cruz, hot and temperate regions (Sumich.Mem. Bost. Soc. I, 554).The difference in the color of the bill appears to be independent of sex. The feet of the yellow-billed birds are not of the same pure yellow.ThePsilorhinus mexicanusof Rüppell is described as having white tips to the tail-feathers; of these there is no trace in the adult specimens, male and female, from the Rio Grande, before us. He speaks of a supposed young bird sent from Tamaulipas, by Lindheimer, as being without these white tips.Illustration: Color plate 42PLATEXLII.Illustration: Color plate 42 detail 11.Xanthoura luxuosa. New Leon, NewMex., 4052.Illustration: Color plate 42 detail 22.Psilorhinus morio.♀New Leon,Mex., 4114.Illustration: Color plate 42 detail 33.Cyanura cristata.♂D. C., 12408.Illustration: Color plate 42 detail 44.Perisoreus canadensis.Juv., Maine, 1920.A series of specimens of this species exhibits considerable diversities. Some skins from Mirador,Mex., not far from Vera Cruz, perhaps best represent the species as first described by Wagler. In these the head and neck are sooty-brown, becoming lighter on the jugulum and on the back. The wings and tail show a trace of dull bluish. InNo.23,915 the under parts are sooty-gray, the bill and legs black; in 23,916 the colors are similar,with a fulvous tinge on the breast, the bill and feet yellow. In both the under surface of tail is brown to the end. In 23,917 the under parts, from breast to crissum inclusive, with the tibiæ, are brownish-white, the tail-feathers (excepting the two median) tipped with white for over an inch, the bill and feet black. This one also has an obscure dull bluish wash or patch along the feathers of the ramus of lower jaw not observed in other specimens.The specimens collected by Lieutenant Couch, and described in the Pacific Railroad Report are considerably smaller, and exhibit other differences which may prove of specific importance. In this case they will appropriately bear Rüppell’s name ofP. mexicanus.Habits.This is a Mexican species, occasionally extending its movements as far north as the valley of the Rio Grande, and probably crossing our lines into Texas, although of this there is as yet no positive evidence.Specimens of this species were procured by Lieutenant Couch at Boquillo, San Diego, and at China, in north-eastern Mexico, and were found by him living in forests of high trees. It is Jay-like in its habits, being decidedly gregarious, and having harsh and loud notes. Though making more noise than any other bird in the neighborhood, if one of their number is brought down by the discharge of a gun, the noise hushes them at once, and the rest move off in perfect silence.Mr. Sumichrast, in his paper on the Distribution of the Birds of Vera Cruz, states that this species abounds in both the hot and the temperate regions of that department, and, indeed, the greater portions of Vera Cruz. He speaks of it as a bird well known and generally detested on account of its troublesome and noisy habits. It is found everywhere except in the alpine region, and it does not appear ever to go beyond a vertical elevation of 4,500 feet. This gentleman has been assured that the bird never makes any nest of its own, but invariably lays its eggs in those belonging to other birds. He does not so state, but we infer that he means to convey the idea that this Jay appropriates the nests of other birds in which to hatch its own young, not that, like the Cowbird, it leaves its eggs to be brought up by strangers.This Jay was met with by Mr. G. C. Taylor at Taulevi, in Honduras; and from that place eastward, as far as the Atlantic, he found it very common. It was generally seen or heard shrieking in the bushes by the roadsides. It was also found by Mr. Salvin to occur on the eastern road between Quiriqua and Iguana, on the road to Guatemala.Mr. Joseph Leyland found this species common both in Honduras and the Belize. It occurred in small flocks, which were very noisy, and annoyed the hunter by always giving the alarm.
Illustration: Psilorhinus morioPsilorhinus morio.4114This genus embraces Jays of large size and very dull plumage. The thick bill, with the much curved culmen, the moderate tail, and the open nostrils, may serve to distinguish it from its allies. The nostril is very large, and its anterior portion is bevelled off to a greater degree than in any genus, except inCalocitta. This last-mentioned genus has the same form of bill and of nostrils, but the head has a long recurved crest; the tail is twice as long as the wings; the lateral feather nearly half the middle; the lateral tarsal plates scutellate for the inferior half, etc.In the shape of the bill and the shortness of the primaries, compared with the broad tertials and secondaries, there is much resemblance toXanthoura. The nostrils are, however, uncovered, the legs much stouter and shorter, being shorter than the head instead of longer; the tail-feathers are broader, etc.Psilorhinus morio,Gray.BROWN JAY.Pica morio,Wagler, Isis, 1829,VII, 751.—Ib.Isis, 1831, 527.—Voyage de la Favorite,V, 1839, 54 (said to have been killed at San Francisco,Cal., by Botta).Psilorhinus morio,Gray, List, genera, 1841, 51.—Bonap.Consp.1850, 381.—Cab.Mus. Hein.1851, 226.—Baird,Birds N. Am.1858, 592,pl. lxviii, f.1, 2. “Pica fuliginosa,Lesson,Traité d’Orn.1831, 333.”Psilorhinus mexicanus,Rüppell,Mus. Senck., 1837,pl. xi, f.2.Illustration: Psilorhinus morioPsilorhinus morio.Sp. Char.Tail much graduated; the lateral feathers about two inches shortest. Second quill equal to the secondaries; third and fourth longest. General color dark smoky-brown, becoming almost black on the head; the breast brownish-gray; nearly white about the anus; under tail-coverts tinged with brown; the exposed portion of the tail with a decided gloss of blue; bill and feet, in some specimens yellow, in others black. Length, 16.00; wing, 8.00; tail. 8.25; tarsus. 1.80.Hab.Rio Grande Valley, north-eastern Mexico, southward. Cordova (Scl.1856, 300); ? Guatemala (Scl.Ibis,I, 22); Honduras (Scl.II, 113); Costa Rica (Caban.J.1861, 83); Vera Cruz, hot and temperate regions (Sumich.Mem. Bost. Soc. I, 554).The difference in the color of the bill appears to be independent of sex. The feet of the yellow-billed birds are not of the same pure yellow.ThePsilorhinus mexicanusof Rüppell is described as having white tips to the tail-feathers; of these there is no trace in the adult specimens, male and female, from the Rio Grande, before us. He speaks of a supposed young bird sent from Tamaulipas, by Lindheimer, as being without these white tips.Illustration: Color plate 42PLATEXLII.Illustration: Color plate 42 detail 11.Xanthoura luxuosa. New Leon, NewMex., 4052.Illustration: Color plate 42 detail 22.Psilorhinus morio.♀New Leon,Mex., 4114.Illustration: Color plate 42 detail 33.Cyanura cristata.♂D. C., 12408.Illustration: Color plate 42 detail 44.Perisoreus canadensis.Juv., Maine, 1920.A series of specimens of this species exhibits considerable diversities. Some skins from Mirador,Mex., not far from Vera Cruz, perhaps best represent the species as first described by Wagler. In these the head and neck are sooty-brown, becoming lighter on the jugulum and on the back. The wings and tail show a trace of dull bluish. InNo.23,915 the under parts are sooty-gray, the bill and legs black; in 23,916 the colors are similar,with a fulvous tinge on the breast, the bill and feet yellow. In both the under surface of tail is brown to the end. In 23,917 the under parts, from breast to crissum inclusive, with the tibiæ, are brownish-white, the tail-feathers (excepting the two median) tipped with white for over an inch, the bill and feet black. This one also has an obscure dull bluish wash or patch along the feathers of the ramus of lower jaw not observed in other specimens.The specimens collected by Lieutenant Couch, and described in the Pacific Railroad Report are considerably smaller, and exhibit other differences which may prove of specific importance. In this case they will appropriately bear Rüppell’s name ofP. mexicanus.Habits.This is a Mexican species, occasionally extending its movements as far north as the valley of the Rio Grande, and probably crossing our lines into Texas, although of this there is as yet no positive evidence.Specimens of this species were procured by Lieutenant Couch at Boquillo, San Diego, and at China, in north-eastern Mexico, and were found by him living in forests of high trees. It is Jay-like in its habits, being decidedly gregarious, and having harsh and loud notes. Though making more noise than any other bird in the neighborhood, if one of their number is brought down by the discharge of a gun, the noise hushes them at once, and the rest move off in perfect silence.Mr. Sumichrast, in his paper on the Distribution of the Birds of Vera Cruz, states that this species abounds in both the hot and the temperate regions of that department, and, indeed, the greater portions of Vera Cruz. He speaks of it as a bird well known and generally detested on account of its troublesome and noisy habits. It is found everywhere except in the alpine region, and it does not appear ever to go beyond a vertical elevation of 4,500 feet. This gentleman has been assured that the bird never makes any nest of its own, but invariably lays its eggs in those belonging to other birds. He does not so state, but we infer that he means to convey the idea that this Jay appropriates the nests of other birds in which to hatch its own young, not that, like the Cowbird, it leaves its eggs to be brought up by strangers.This Jay was met with by Mr. G. C. Taylor at Taulevi, in Honduras; and from that place eastward, as far as the Atlantic, he found it very common. It was generally seen or heard shrieking in the bushes by the roadsides. It was also found by Mr. Salvin to occur on the eastern road between Quiriqua and Iguana, on the road to Guatemala.Mr. Joseph Leyland found this species common both in Honduras and the Belize. It occurred in small flocks, which were very noisy, and annoyed the hunter by always giving the alarm.
Illustration: Psilorhinus morioPsilorhinus morio.4114
Psilorhinus morio.4114
This genus embraces Jays of large size and very dull plumage. The thick bill, with the much curved culmen, the moderate tail, and the open nostrils, may serve to distinguish it from its allies. The nostril is very large, and its anterior portion is bevelled off to a greater degree than in any genus, except inCalocitta. This last-mentioned genus has the same form of bill and of nostrils, but the head has a long recurved crest; the tail is twice as long as the wings; the lateral feather nearly half the middle; the lateral tarsal plates scutellate for the inferior half, etc.
In the shape of the bill and the shortness of the primaries, compared with the broad tertials and secondaries, there is much resemblance toXanthoura. The nostrils are, however, uncovered, the legs much stouter and shorter, being shorter than the head instead of longer; the tail-feathers are broader, etc.
Psilorhinus morio,Gray.
BROWN JAY.
Pica morio,Wagler, Isis, 1829,VII, 751.—Ib.Isis, 1831, 527.—Voyage de la Favorite,V, 1839, 54 (said to have been killed at San Francisco,Cal., by Botta).Psilorhinus morio,Gray, List, genera, 1841, 51.—Bonap.Consp.1850, 381.—Cab.Mus. Hein.1851, 226.—Baird,Birds N. Am.1858, 592,pl. lxviii, f.1, 2. “Pica fuliginosa,Lesson,Traité d’Orn.1831, 333.”Psilorhinus mexicanus,Rüppell,Mus. Senck., 1837,pl. xi, f.2.
Illustration: Psilorhinus morioPsilorhinus morio.
Psilorhinus morio.
Sp. Char.Tail much graduated; the lateral feathers about two inches shortest. Second quill equal to the secondaries; third and fourth longest. General color dark smoky-brown, becoming almost black on the head; the breast brownish-gray; nearly white about the anus; under tail-coverts tinged with brown; the exposed portion of the tail with a decided gloss of blue; bill and feet, in some specimens yellow, in others black. Length, 16.00; wing, 8.00; tail. 8.25; tarsus. 1.80.
Hab.Rio Grande Valley, north-eastern Mexico, southward. Cordova (Scl.1856, 300); ? Guatemala (Scl.Ibis,I, 22); Honduras (Scl.II, 113); Costa Rica (Caban.J.1861, 83); Vera Cruz, hot and temperate regions (Sumich.Mem. Bost. Soc. I, 554).
The difference in the color of the bill appears to be independent of sex. The feet of the yellow-billed birds are not of the same pure yellow.
ThePsilorhinus mexicanusof Rüppell is described as having white tips to the tail-feathers; of these there is no trace in the adult specimens, male and female, from the Rio Grande, before us. He speaks of a supposed young bird sent from Tamaulipas, by Lindheimer, as being without these white tips.
Illustration: Color plate 42PLATEXLII.
PLATEXLII.
PLATEXLII.
Illustration: Color plate 42 detail 11.Xanthoura luxuosa. New Leon, NewMex., 4052.
1.Xanthoura luxuosa. New Leon, NewMex., 4052.
1.Xanthoura luxuosa. New Leon, NewMex., 4052.
Illustration: Color plate 42 detail 22.Psilorhinus morio.♀New Leon,Mex., 4114.
2.Psilorhinus morio.♀New Leon,Mex., 4114.
2.Psilorhinus morio.♀New Leon,Mex., 4114.
Illustration: Color plate 42 detail 33.Cyanura cristata.♂D. C., 12408.
3.Cyanura cristata.♂D. C., 12408.
3.Cyanura cristata.♂D. C., 12408.
Illustration: Color plate 42 detail 44.Perisoreus canadensis.Juv., Maine, 1920.
4.Perisoreus canadensis.Juv., Maine, 1920.
4.Perisoreus canadensis.Juv., Maine, 1920.
A series of specimens of this species exhibits considerable diversities. Some skins from Mirador,Mex., not far from Vera Cruz, perhaps best represent the species as first described by Wagler. In these the head and neck are sooty-brown, becoming lighter on the jugulum and on the back. The wings and tail show a trace of dull bluish. InNo.23,915 the under parts are sooty-gray, the bill and legs black; in 23,916 the colors are similar,with a fulvous tinge on the breast, the bill and feet yellow. In both the under surface of tail is brown to the end. In 23,917 the under parts, from breast to crissum inclusive, with the tibiæ, are brownish-white, the tail-feathers (excepting the two median) tipped with white for over an inch, the bill and feet black. This one also has an obscure dull bluish wash or patch along the feathers of the ramus of lower jaw not observed in other specimens.
The specimens collected by Lieutenant Couch, and described in the Pacific Railroad Report are considerably smaller, and exhibit other differences which may prove of specific importance. In this case they will appropriately bear Rüppell’s name ofP. mexicanus.
Habits.This is a Mexican species, occasionally extending its movements as far north as the valley of the Rio Grande, and probably crossing our lines into Texas, although of this there is as yet no positive evidence.
Specimens of this species were procured by Lieutenant Couch at Boquillo, San Diego, and at China, in north-eastern Mexico, and were found by him living in forests of high trees. It is Jay-like in its habits, being decidedly gregarious, and having harsh and loud notes. Though making more noise than any other bird in the neighborhood, if one of their number is brought down by the discharge of a gun, the noise hushes them at once, and the rest move off in perfect silence.
Mr. Sumichrast, in his paper on the Distribution of the Birds of Vera Cruz, states that this species abounds in both the hot and the temperate regions of that department, and, indeed, the greater portions of Vera Cruz. He speaks of it as a bird well known and generally detested on account of its troublesome and noisy habits. It is found everywhere except in the alpine region, and it does not appear ever to go beyond a vertical elevation of 4,500 feet. This gentleman has been assured that the bird never makes any nest of its own, but invariably lays its eggs in those belonging to other birds. He does not so state, but we infer that he means to convey the idea that this Jay appropriates the nests of other birds in which to hatch its own young, not that, like the Cowbird, it leaves its eggs to be brought up by strangers.
This Jay was met with by Mr. G. C. Taylor at Taulevi, in Honduras; and from that place eastward, as far as the Atlantic, he found it very common. It was generally seen or heard shrieking in the bushes by the roadsides. It was also found by Mr. Salvin to occur on the eastern road between Quiriqua and Iguana, on the road to Guatemala.
Mr. Joseph Leyland found this species common both in Honduras and the Belize. It occurred in small flocks, which were very noisy, and annoyed the hunter by always giving the alarm.