_Vireo atricapillus_, WOODHOUSE, Pr. A. N. Sc. 1852, 60 (San Pedro,
Tex.).—IB. Sitgreaves’s Rep. 1853, 75, pl. i, Birds.—CASSIN,
Illust. 1854, 153, pl. xxiv.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 337; Rev.
353.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 121.
[Line drawing: _Vireo atricapillus._
6818]
SP. CHAR. (No. 6,818.) Top and sides of head and neck black; rest of
upper parts olive-green. Wing and tail feathers almost black on their
upper surface, the quills and rectrices edged with olive (paler on the
exterior primaries), the wing-coverts with two greenish-white bands on
a blackish ground. Broad line from bill to and around eye (not meeting
on forehead) with under parts white; the sides of body olivaceous; the
axillars and inner wing-coverts (perhaps crissum) yellowish. Bill
black; feet plumbeous; iris bright red. First quill less than half the
second, which about equals the tenth; third little shorter than fourth
(longest).
_Female._ With the black replaced by dull slate; lower parts
ochraceous-white medially. Possibly a distinct species (Mazatlan).
(No. 6,818.) Fresh specimen: Total length, 4.75; expanse of wings,
7.25; wing from carpal joint, 2.12. Prepared specimen: Total length,
4.10; wing, 2.25; tail, 1.95.
HAB. Southern border of Western Texas; Mazatlan.
The black head of this species, as far as known, makes it unique in
the genus. It is extremely rare, but three or four specimens being
known.
We refer to this species a specimen—probably a female—obtained at
Mazatlan, on the western coast of Mexico, in April, by Colonel Grayson
(S. I., No. 55,046). This specimen differs from those from Texas in
having the black of the head replaced by a dull dark slate-color, the
olive above rather less virescent, and the lower parts not pure white,
but somewhat buffy. As all the other essential characters are
identical, there being in both the white space covering the whole
lore, and orbital ring interrupted on top,—features not seen in any
other species,—we have little hesitation in considering them the same
species; which opinion is moreover strengthened by the fact, that
among the Texas specimens, all with black caps, there are no females.
HABITS. Of the general history and habits of this rare species very
little is known. It was first met with by Dr. Woodhouse, on the 26th
of May, 1851, in Western Texas. This was on the Rio San Pedro, within
ten miles of its source. He found it among some cedars, and was
attracted by its very singular notes. It was in continual motion, like
a Wood Warbler, and was by him at first supposed to be one of those
birds. He obtained two specimens, both of which proved to be males.
Mr. John H. Clark, the naturalist of the Mexican Boundary Commission,
likewise found this species in Texas, and not far from the same
locality in which it was discovered by Dr. Woodhouse. His attention
also was drawn to the bird by its shrill discordant chirp, which it
uttered incessantly in its pursuit of insects. Three specimens only
were seen, and all of them at one locality, the valley of the Rio San
Pedro, to which it seemed to be confined. It was not at all shy, and
showed no concern when Mr. Clark approached within a few rods. Its
constant motion, hopping incessantly from branch to branch, made it a
matter of some difficulty to procure specimens. It was found in June,
and the single specimen shot by Mr. Clark was also a male.
Vireo noveboracensis, BONAP.