passing away, and will soon be entirely of the past. When we remember what rapid strides have been made in all the branches of natural science within the memory of even the youngest workers, we have reason to anticipate a future for all those branches which will equal our most extravagant desires. DESCRIPTION OF SOME NEW SPECIES OF BIRDS FROM COZUMEL ISLAND, YUCATAN. BY ROBERT RIDGWAY. [Published by permission of the U. 8. Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries] A collection of birds made by Mr. J. E. Benedict, Naturalist of the U. S. Fish Commission Steamer "Albatross," assisted by Dr. T. H. Bean and Mr. Thomas Lee, on the Island of Cozumel, in January, 1885, contains the following new species. A full report upon the collection is in course of preparation and will soon be published in the Proceedings of the U. S. National Museum. 1. Harporhynchus guttatus, sp. nov. SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.-Similar to H. longirostris Lafr ), but smaller, darker in color, the bill wholly deep black, and all the markings more sharply defined. Type, No. 102,454, 8, U. s. Nat. Mus.; Cozumel, Jan. 23. 2. Troglodytes beani, p now. SPECIFIC CHARACTERS —Åbove pain brown, more castañerras o5 rump and tail, the latter indatsety barred, with dark r, the metaan iges more distinctae barred LONG? et parts pute a 4. Vireosylvia cinerea, sp. nov. SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.-Agreeing with V. magister Baird, in absence of dusky sub-malar streak and streak on side of crown, but plumage ashy, instead of olive-brown. Wing, 300; tail, 2 30. Type, No. 105,656, U. S. Nat. Mus.; Cozumel, Jan. 29. 5. Vireo bairdi, sp. nov. SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.-Above deep olive-brown, the wings with two broad bands of yellowish-white. Lores and median lower parts, pure white; the lateral lower parts, from cheeks to flanks, inclusive, deep cinnamon-ochre, in strong and abrupt contrast with the white. Type, No. 102,635, U. S. Nat. Mus.; Cozumel, Jan. 25. 6. Cyclorhis insularis, sp. nov. SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.—Similar to C. flaviventris Lafr., but agreeing with C. ochrocephala, Tschudi, in coloration of the lower parts. Type, No. 102,659, ?, U. S. Nat. Mus.; Cozumel, Jan. 28. 7. Spindalis benedicti, sp. nov. SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.-Most like S. zena (Linn.), of the Bahamas, but much larger, the bill altogether heavier, the back and scapulars dark olive-brown instead of black, the lesser wing-coverts chestnut, and the yellow throat stripe entirely confluent with the chestnut of the jugulum. Wing (8), 3.40; tail, 2.90. Type No. 102,675, 8, U. S. Nat. Mus.; Cozumel, Jan. 29. 8. Euetheia olivacea intermedia, subsp. nov. SUBSPECIFIC CHARACTERS.—Intermediate between and connecting E. olivacea (Gm.) and E. olivacea pusilla (Sw.), having the grayer cheeks of the former and greater extension of black on the breast of the latter. Type, No. 102,710, 8, U. S. Nat. Mus.; Cozumel, Jan. 28. 9. Centurus leei, sp. nov. SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.-Similar to C. dubius (Cabot), but lower rump and upper tail-coverts barred with black, and lower parts darker. Type, No. 102,777, U. S. Nat. Mus.; Cozumel, Jan. 28. 10. Attila cozumelæ, sp. nov. SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.-Most like A. citreopygia (Bonap.), but lower parts grayish white, the throat and jugulum very indistinctly streaked with darker. Type, No. 102,767, U. S. Nat. Mus.; Cozumel, Jan. 29. 11. Lampornis thalassinus, sp. nov. SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.-Most like L. prevosti (Less.), but upper parts less bronzy or more of a grass-green, the black on the throat much more extended, and the breast greenish-blue. Type, No. 102,796, 8, U. S. Nat. Mus.; Cozumel, Jan. 24. 12. Chlorostilbon forficatus, sp. nov. SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.-Most like C. caniveti (Less.), but tail much longer (1.90 inches, forked for 1.15). Type, No. 102,812, , U. S. Nat. Mus.; Cozumel, Jan. 23. 13. Empidonax gracilis, sp. nov. SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.-Above ash-gray, more brownish, but still decidedly gray, on lower back, rump, and upper tail-coverts; a distinct orbital ring, two broad wing-bands, and broad edges to tertials, grayish-white; sides of head, light ash-gray, fading to grayish-white on throat; jugulum and sides of breast, light brownishgray; rest of lower parts, white. Wing, 2.50; tail, 2.20; culmen, .55; bill, from nostril, .25; width of bill at base, .23; tarsus, .60 ; middle toe, .30. Type, No. 102,737, (?), U. S. Nat. Mus; Coz? umel, Jan. 22. 14. Myiarchus platyrhynchus, sp. nov. SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.-Above dull brown, without olive tinge, darker on pileum; upper tail-coverts and edges of rectrices, remiges, and greater wing-coverts, rusty. Chin, throat, and jugulum, pale ash-gray; rest of lower parts, very pale sulphur yellow. Wing, 3.00; tail, 2.00; culmen, .85; bill, from nostril, .50; width at base, .33; tarsus, .80; middle toe, .42. Type, No. 102,738, ? (?), U. S. Nat. Mus.; Cozumel, Jan. 22. |