Birds from Coahuila, Mexico Part 9

31619, from 5 mi. W, 22 mi. S Ocampo, 6000 ft., December 15, 1953, weight, 88 gms.

The Aztec Thrush is rare in Coahuila. Van Hoose (1955:302) remarked that No. 31619, the skull of which was incompletely ossified, "represents the northernmost record for this species, which was previously unknown in Coahuila."

_Hylocichla guttata guttata_ (Pallas).--_Specimens examined:_ total 2: [Male] [Male] 31074-31075 from 4 mi. W Hacienda La Mariposa, 2300 ft., March 25 and 26, 1952, weights, 25, 21 gms.

The Hermit Thrush is a common migrant or winter visitant in Coahuila.

_H. g. guttata_ has been reported from northern Coahuila. Miller (1955a:171) observed _H. g. guttata_ (and _H. g. auduboni_) in the Douglas fir and pine-oak belts and in the lower levels in the oaks at the foot of the Sierra del Carmen. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:200) noted _H. g. guttata_ "in small numbers in the open woods surrounding the summit of Diamante Pa.s.s, and at infrequent intervals in the arroyos on the arid plateau near Saltillo."

_Hylocichla guttata sequoiensis_ (Belding).--Ridgway (1907:45) recorded this subspecies of Hermit Thrush from Sierra Guadalupe in April.

However, Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:188) suggest that the material on which this identification was based needs redetermination.

_Hylocichla guttata auduboni_ (Baird).--_Specimens examined:_ total 3: [Female] 31488 from Sierra del Pino (=5 mi. S, 3 mi. W Acebuches), May 12, 1954, weight, 25 gms.; [Female] 31076 (skeleton only) from Fortin (=33 mi. N, 1 mi. E San Geronimo), 3300 ft., March 28, 1952; and [Female] 31077 (skeleton only) from 26 mi. W Santa Teresa, 7050 ft., April 4, 1952.

Miller (1955a:171) found this subspecies of Hermit Thrush wintering with _H. g. guttata_ in the Sierra del Carmen. h.e.l.lmayr (1934:456) listed _H. g. auduboni_ from Sabinas.

**_Sialia sialis fulva_ Brewster.--h.e.l.lmayr (1934:479) listed this subspecies of the Eastern Bluebird from Sabinas.

*_Sialia mexicana mexicana_ Swainson.--Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:199) remarked that the subspecies _mexicana_ of the Western Bluebird breeds in the southern mountains of Coahuila where, at El Diamante, on July 7, a specimen (or specimens ?) in breeding condition was obtained. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:200) found _S. m. mexicana_ "well distributed in the open woods about" Diamante Pa.s.s, but at no time below an elevation of approximately 6500 feet. Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:38) also saw "several brown-backed" Western Bluebirds at Diamante Pa.s.s on March 6. Ridgway (1907:150) recorded _S. m. mexicana_ from Saltillo, Carneros, and Sierra Guadalupe.

_Sialia currucoides_ (Bechstein).--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Female]

31078, from Sierra de la Encantada (=38 mi. S, 23 mi. E Boquillas), 4400 ft., March 14, 1952, weight, 23.7 gms.

The Mountain Bluebird is a winter visitant to Coahuila. Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:200) recorded _Sialia currucoides_ from Hipolito on February 24.

**_Myadestes townsendi townsendi_ (Audubon).--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Female] 31079, from 26 mi. W Santa Teresa, 7050 ft., April 4, 1952.

Miller (1955a:171) detected Townsend's Solitaire in clumps of large pines in two different locations at 7000 and 7500 feet on April 4, 6, and 8 in the Sierra del Carmen. He did not find a breeding population of _M. t. townsendi_, but did note favorable habitat for breeding.

Ridgway (1907:164) recorded _M. townsendi_ from the Sierra Guadalupe on April 21. d.i.c.kerman saw a Townsend's Solitaire in the Sierra de la Madera on December 13, 1953.

The underparts of No. 31079 are not uniformly dark, being paler on the chin, throat, and abdomen than elsewhere as is true of typical representatives of _M. t. townsendi_.

**_Polioptila caerulea caerulea_ (Linnaeus).--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Male] 32097, from 2 mi. S, 11 mi. E Nava, June 15, 1952.

No. 32097 is the first record of occurrence of this subspecies of Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in the State. The white of the underparts of No.

32097 is less grayish than the underparts of typical representatives of _P. c. amoenissima_, and the black at the base of the inner webs of the outermost rectrix does not extend beyond the tip of the under tail coverts. Representatives of _P. c. amoenissima_ have black at the base of the inner web of the outermost rectrix more extended, usually showing beyond the tip of the under tail coverts. The size of the testes (32 mm.) of No. 32097 does not suggest breeding, but the date (June 15) indicates that it was a resident.

*_Polioptila caerulea amoenissima_ Grinnell.--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Male] 31080, from 7 mi. S, 2 mi. E Boquillas, 800 ft., February 29, 1952, weight, 5.4 gms.

This subspecies of the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher breeds in Coahuila and occurs throughout all of the State except the northeastern section.

Miller (1955a:171) remarked that "this gnatcatcher was apparently established on summer territories in the oaks and walnuts of the wash of Boquillas Canyon at the foot of the mountains" of the Sierra del Carmen. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:200) noted "this species only in the open woods at the summit of Diamante Pa.s.s, where, however, it was not uncommon." Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:201) recorded _P. c. amoenissima_ breeding at El Diamante on July 8.

*_Polioptila melanura melanura_ Lawrence.--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Male] 31081, from 7 mi. S, 2 mi. E Boquillas, 800 ft., March 1, 1952, weight, 5.6 gms.

In Coahuila this subspecies of the Black-tailed Gnatcatcher has been recorded from several localities. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:200) found that it "was limited in its distribution to the lower alt.i.tudes and was noted only in the open desert country west of Saltillo." Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:38) noted it "several times near San Pedro" where on January 29 one female was taken. Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:205) recorded _P. m. melanura_ at Hipolito on June 30 to July 2 in breeding condition.

_Regulus satrapa satrapa_ Lichtenstein.--Miller (1955a:171) found a small wintering flock of Golden-crowned Kinglets in the Sierra del Carmen; this is the only record of the species in Coahuila.

_Regulus calendula calendula_ (Linnaeus).--_Specimens examined:_ total 5: [Female] 31085 from the Rio Grande (=17 mi. S Dryden, Terrell Co., Texas, in Coahuila), 600 ft., March 19, 1952, weight, 6.3 gms.; [Male]

[Male] 31082-31083 from 1 mi. N Boquillas, 700 ft., March 8, 1952, weight, 7.2, 6.5 gms.; [Male] 31084 from Sierra de la Encantada (=38 mi. S, 23 mi. E Boquillas), 4400 ft., March 15, 1954, weight, 5.4 gms.; and [Male] 31661 from the north slope of Sierra Guadalupe (=11 mi. S, 7 mi. W General Cepeda), 7800 ft., April 20, 1953, weight, 5 gms.

In Coahuila this subspecies of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a common migrant. Miller (1955a:171) found it (and _R. c. cineraceus_) "common in the conifers and oaks of the upper levels of the mountains [Sierra del Carmen], at 6500 to 7000 feet, as winter visitants or migrants."

Burleigh and Lowery (1942:201) took specimens of _R. c. calendula_ at Diamante Pa.s.s on April 15, at the Chorro del Agua on April 19, and at 20 mi. W Saltillo on April 22. Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:38) noted the Ruby-crowned Kinglet "in the arid parts of southern Coahuila." h.e.l.lmayr (1934:513) listed _R. c. calendula_ from Sabinas. d.i.c.kerman saw Ruby-crowned Kinglets in the Sierra de la Madera on December 13, 1953, 20 mi. S Ocampo on April 4, 1954, and 3 mi. S and 13 mi. E San Antonio de las Alazanas on January 12, 1954.

_Regulus calendula cineraceus_ Grinnell.--Miller (1955a:171) found _R.

c. cineraceus_ common in the Sierra del Carmen; on April 3, 5, and 10 the birds were "abundant, as though a wave of migrants were pa.s.sing through."

_Anthus spinoletta rubescens_ (Tunstall).--_Specimens examined:_ Total 3: [Male] [Male] 31086-31087 and s.e.x ? 31088 from 1 mi. N Boquillas, 700 ft., March 6, 7, and 8, 1952, weights, 19.3, 19.9, and 16.6 gms.

This subspecies of the Water Pipit is an uncommon winter visitant or migrant in Coahuila. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:201) found "a flock of ten birds ... on the outskirts of Saltillo" on April 18. Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:210) recorded _A. s. rubescens_ from Cuatro Cienegas in November and from Hipolito in February.

_Anthus spinoletta pacificus_ Todd.--Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:209) recorded this Water Pipit from Cuatro Cienegas in February and from Hipolito in November.

_Bombycilla cedrorum_ Vieillot.--The Cedar Waxwing is an uncommon winter visitant to Coahuila. Miller (1955a:171) recorded a flock in the Sierra del Carmen on April 5, and another flock on April 21. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:201) saw two small flocks on April 15 "in the open woods just below the summit of Diamante Pa.s.s."

*_Phainopepla nitens nitens_ Swainson.--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Male] 31674, from the west foot of Pico de Jimulco, 5000 ft., April 3, 1953, weight, 35 gms.

The Phainopepla occurs throughout most of Coahuila. Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:39) reported _P. n. nitens_ from Diamante Pa.s.s on March 6. On April 15 and 17 Burleigh and Lowery (1942:201) saw scattered pairs of the Phainopepla "only in the open woods surrounding Diamante Pa.s.s."

Miller (1955a:171) noted _P. n. nitens_ "on April 20 and 28 in large clumps of mesquite near Piedra Blanca, at about 4500 feet, on the foothills" of the Sierra del Carmen. d.i.c.kerman saw a Phainopepla 20 mi.

S Ocampo on April 4, 1954. Baird (1858:320) listed a male _P. n.

nitens_ from Coahuila, Mexico. h.e.l.lmayr (1935:107) remarked that _Phainopepla nitens_ was listed from Coahuila by "Salvin and G.o.dman, Biol. Centr.--Amer., Aves, 1, p. 220, 1883...." Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:213) stated that _P. n. nitens_ breeds at El Diamante. The long wing (100 mm.) and long tail (96 mm.) of No. 31674 is typical for _P. n. nitens_.

_Phainopepla nitens lepida_ Van Tyne.--Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:39) recorded _P. n. lepida_ from Diamante Pa.s.s on March 6; Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:213) suggest that this individual was a vagrant.

_Lanius ludovicia.n.u.s migrans_ Palmer.--Burleigh and Lowery (1942:202) obtained this subspecies of Loggerhead Shrike "on the outskirts of Saltillo on April 20." The specimen shows evidence of intergradation with _excubitorides_.

**_Lanius ludovicia.n.u.s excubitorides_ Swainson.--Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:216) recorded _L. l. excubitorides_ from Sabinas and from Hipolito (November 2 to February 24).

*_Lanius ludovicia.n.u.s mexicanas_ Brehm.--_Specimens examined:_ total 4: s.e.x ? 31089 from 7 mi. S, 2 mi. E Boquillas, 800 ft., February 29, 1952, weight, 45.1 gms.; [Female] 31090 from 36 mi. S, 15 mi. E Boquillas, 2550 ft., March 12, 1952; s.e.x ? 30233 from 1 mi. N San Lorenzo, 4200 ft., February 5, 1951; and [Female] 32098 from 7 mi. S, 4 mi. E Bella Union, 7200 ft., June 25, 1952.

Miller (1931:66) suggested that _L. l. mexica.n.u.s_ and _L. l.

excubitorides_ intergrade in Coahuila; all of the specimens of Loggerhead Shrike from Coahuila that I have examined are intergrades between _mexica.n.u.s_ and _excubitorides_. Our four specimens have a superciliary line that is indistinct and the black mask of each extends somewhat posterior to the auricular region. The anterior part of their forehead is somewhat lighter than the remaining part of their head and back.

Miller (1955a:171) detected _L. l. mexica.n.u.s_ only once in catclaw scrub in the lower part of Boquillas wash at about 4600 feet in the Sierra del Carmen. He (_loc. cit._) remarked that his individual may best be considered an intergrade between _mexica.n.u.s_ and _excubitorides_, being "somewhat closer to the former." Burleigh and Lowery (1942:201) obtained a male _L. l. mexica.n.u.s_ "in the open valley just below the summit of Diamante Pa.s.s on April 23" that was typical of this subspecies. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:201-202) suggested that _L.

l. mexica.n.u.s_ breeds in southeastern Coahuila. Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:39) took a typical representative _L. l. mexica.n.u.s_ at Mayran on January 30.

_Lanius ludovicia.n.u.s gambeli_ Ridgway.--Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:214) recorded this subspecies from Hipolito on November 6.

*_Vireo atricapilla_ Woodhouse.--_Specimens examined:_ total 4: s.e.x ?

32099-32100 from Sierra del Pino (=6 mi. N, 6 mi. W Acebuches), 5250 ft., July 3, 1952; and [Male] [Male] 31493-31494 from 16 mi. E, 18 mi.

N Ocampo, May 8 and 9, 1954, enlarged testes.

The Black-capped Vireo seems to breed as far south as central Coahuila.

Miller (1955a:171-172) reported this vireo as a summer resident in "the low catclaw-dominated scrub in the lower washes of Boquillas Canyon and its side valleys, at 4600 to 4800 feet" in the Sierra del Carmen.

d.i.c.kerman found the Black-capped Vireo common on the dry scrub and oak hillside habitat 16 mi. E and 18 mi. N Ocampo.

_Vireo griseus noveboracensis_ (Gmelin).--Ridgway (1904:184) recorded this subspecies of the White-eyed Vireo "west to Sabinas." Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:220) also recorded _V. g.

noveboracensis_ from Sabinas on May 25. I suspect that the specimen of _V. g. noveboracensis_ from Sabinas that was taken on May 25 was a vagrant. _V. g. noveboracensis_ may occur in Coahuila as a migrant or winter visitant; however, I do not believe that representatives of _noveboracensis_ normally are resident in Coahuila.

*_Vireo griseus micrus_ Nelson.--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Male]