**_Podiceps caspicus_ (Hablizl).--On March 31, 1952, Olmstead saw "many
Eared Grebes" on a pond 10 mi. E Hacienda La Mariposa. This is the
first record of the Eared Grebe in Coahuila.
[_Pelecanus erythrorhynchos_ Gmelin.--The White Pelican is uncommon, if
not rare; Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1950:21) list it.]
_Anhinga anhinga_ (Linnaeus).--On March 31, 1952, Olmstead noted an
Anhinga perched on a submerged fence post in a lake 10 mi. E Hacienda
La Mariposa. This is the first record of the Anhinga in Coahuila.
**_Ardea herodias_ Linnaeus.--Two subspecies of the Great Blue Heron,
_treganzai_ and _wardi_, have been recorded from Coahuila. Friedmann,
Griscom, and Moore (1950:27) listed _A. h. treganzai_ from the State;
presumably this subspecies occurs widely in low density. They (_loc.
cit._) remarked also that a record of _A. h. wardi_ from Coahuila
"cannot be allocated subspecifically."
Dickerman saw two Great Blue Herons in a marshy area at San Marcos (=20
mi. S Cuatro Cienegas) on May 4, 1954. Van Tyne and Sutton (1937:12)
noted the Great Blue Heron "near Boquillas [Texas], along the Rio
Grande, on May 10 and 15...."
**_Butorides virescens_ (Linnaeus).--Olmstead saw a Green Heron at
Boquillas, 700 feet, on March 10, 1952. Findley reported seeing Green
Herons 2 mi. W Jimenez, 850 feet, on June 19, 1952, and 2 mi. S and 3
mi. E San Juan de Sabinas on June 22, 1952.
**_Casmerodius albus egretta_ (Gmelin).--The Common Egret is an
uncommon migrant in Coahuila. Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1950:30)
recorded _C. a. egretta_ from the "extreme northern part" of Coahuila.
Van Tyne and Sutton (1937:12) saw the Common Egret "along the Rio
Grande on the Graham ranch just west of Boquillas," Texas, on May 16,
which might well be the locality to which Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore
referred. Olmstead saw a Common Egret at Don Martin on March 22, 1952.
**_Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli_ (Gmelin).--This subspecies of the
Black-crowned Night Heron was listed from the "extreme north" section
of Coahuila by Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1950:32). Van Tyne and
Sutton (1937:14) saw three Black-crowned Night Herons along the Rio
Grande about two miles west of Boquillas, Texas, on May 16. This record
probably represents the locality to which Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore
(_op. cit._) referred.
_Nyctanassa violacea violacea_ (Linnaeus).--A Yellow-crowned Night
Heron in immediate post-juvenile plumage, No. 36413, was obtained on
September 7, 1958, 16 km. south of Cuatro Cienegas, by W. L. Minckley.
According to him the bird was accompanied by "several" other herons
seemingly of the same species and condition of plumage. The species
seems not to have been recorded previously from Coahuila [Eds.].
_Botaurus lentiginosus_ (Rackett).--Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore
(1950:34) listed the American Bittern from the "extreme northern part"
of Coahuila. Van Tyne and Sutton (1937:14) saw two representatives of
this bittern "along the Rio Grande not far from Hot Springs," Texas, on
May 15. I suspect that this is the locality to which Friedmann,
Griscom, and Moore (_loc. cit._) referred.
[_Branta canadensis leucopareia_ (Brandt).--Friedmann, Griscom, and
Moore (1950:38) listed _B. c. leucopareia_ from "northern Coahuila."]
**_Dendrocygna autumnalis_ (Linnaeus).--Evenden (1952:112) reported a
Black-bellied Tree Duck standing beside a reservoir in southern
Coahuila along the railroad between Saltillo, Coahuila, and Avalos,
Zacatecas.
**_Anas platyrhynchos_ Linnaeus.--On March 30, 1952, Olmstead recorded
a Mallard from 10 mi. E Hacienda La Mariposa, 2000 feet.
_Anas strepera_ Linnaeus.--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Male] 31016, from
10 mi. E Hacienda La Mariposa, 2000 ft., March 30, 1952.
The Gadwell is not an uncommon spring migrant; Olmstead saw it 10 mi. E
Hacienda La Mariposa on March 30, 1952, and Baker observed it 8 mi. N
and 4 mi. W Muzquiz on March 30, 1952. Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore
(1950:42) recorded the Gadwell from Coahuila.
_Anas acuta_ Linnaeus.--Miller (1955a:161) took a Pintail on September
10 in the Sierra del Carmen.
_Anas carolinensis_ Gmelin.--The Green-winged Teal has been recorded
from northern Coahuila. Van Tyne and Sutton (1937:15) recorded two
mated pairs along the Rio Grande at Lajitas, Texas, on May 10. Miller
(1955a:161) remarked that a male of the year was taken in the Sierra
del Carmen on September 4.
_Anas discors discors_ Linnaeus.--_Specimens examined:_ total 2: sex ?
31646 and sex ? 31647 from .5 mi. S Las Margaritas, 2800 ft., September
28, 1953.
The Blue-winged Teal is a fairly common spring and fall migrant in
Coahuila. Van Tyne and Sutton (1937:15) noted the Blue-winged Teal at
several different localities along the Rio Grande: "on May 8, four
males and several females resting on a mud bar along the Rio Grande
near Hot Springs [Texas]; ... on May 7, three pairs in a flock, along
the Rio Grande, Castalon [Texas]; ... and on May 20, three pairs, along
the Rio Grande, San Vicente [Texas]." Miller (1955a:161) reported that
Marsh took a male of the year in the Sierra del Carmen on September 10.
Dickerman observed Blue-winged Teal 8 mi. E and 2 mi. S Americanos on
May 18, 1954. Olmstead listed Blue-winged Teal from 10 mi. E Hacienda
La Mariposa on March 30, 1952. Nos. 31646-31647, which are probably
females, represent the subspecies _discors_ because the light edgings
of their crowns are definitely present; the areas of their backs are
brownish, not more intensively black, and their underparts are
brownish, less blackish.
**_Anas cyanoptera septentrionalium_ Snyder and Lumsden.--Van Tyne and
Sutton (1937:15) listed several localities along the Rio Grande in
Brewster County, Texas, where Cinnamon Teal were seen. I suspect that
Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1950:41) referred to those localities.
Dickerman saw four pairs of Cinnamon Teal 14 mi. E and 16 mi. N Ocampo
on May 9, 1954, and also saw Cinnamon Teal 8 mi. E and 2 mi. S
Americanos on May 18, 1954.
_Mareca americana_ (Gmelin).--The American Widgeon is a fairly common
spring migrant in Coahuila. Olmstead observed this duck 10 mi. E
Hacienda La Mariposa on March 30, 1952. Dickerman saw five to seven
American Widgeons 8 mi. E and 2 mi. S Americanos on May 18, 1954.
_Spatula clypeata_ (Linnaeus).--The Shoveler is a spring and probably
fall migrant in Coahuila, and has been observed at several localities.
Van Tyne and Sutton (1937:16) saw two pairs along the Rio Grande at
Castalon, Texas, On May 7 and saw "a fair-sized flock along the Rio
Grande on the Johnson ranch [in Texas] on May 13 and 14." Dickerman saw
12 pairs of Shovelers on two ponds 14 mi. E and 16 mi. N Ocampo on May
9, 1954, and 10 more 8 mi. E and 2 mi. S Americanos on May 18.
_Aythya affinis_ (Eyton).--Olmstead observed Lesser Scaup 10 mi. E
Hacienda La Mariposa on March 30, 1952.
[_Bucephala albeola_ (Linnaeus).--Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore
(1950:44) listed the Bufflehead from the State.]
*_Cathartes aura aura_ (Linnaeus).--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Male]
31017 (skeleton only), from 4 mi. W Hacienda La Mariposa, 2300 ft.,
March 26, 1952.
Miller (1955a:161) took a female Turkey Vulture, which was in breeding
condition, in the Sierra del Carmen on April 17 and stated that "until
more statistics are available on breeding birds of northern Coahuila,
they must be considered _C. a. aura_...." Amadon and Phillips
(1947:577) took a Turkey Vulture at Las Delicias which represented _C.
a. aura_. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:188) stated that this species was
not uncommon, and was noted each day soaring overhead both in the
valleys and over the tops of the ridges of southeastern Coahuila.
Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1950:47) listed _C. a. teter_ from
Coahuila. Miller (1955a:161) remarked that the subspecies _aura_ and
_teter_ might intergrade in the Sierra del Carmen. At the present time
it is possible to say only that _teter_ is present in Coahuila in
migrant and wintering populations, but the extent to which _teter_
remains in northeastern Mexico is undetermined. However, all
indications point to this area as being the region where _aura_ and
_teter_ intergrade.
**_Coragyps atratus_ (Bechstein).--The Black Vulture is locally common
throughout most of eastern Coahuila but is uncommon in the western part
of the State. Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:25) noted the Black Vulture
"regularly east of Saltillo in low country," but did not see Black
Vultures at San Pedro or elsewhere in southwestern Coahuila. Burleigh
and Lowery (1942:188) stated that "the Black Vulture apparently avoids
to a large extent the higher altitudes, and only rarely was it observed
at all, even about Saltillo." Olmstead saw Black Vultures 8 mi. N and 4
mi. W Muzquiz, 1800 feet, on March 31, 1952, and Dickerman observed a
flock at La Gacha (=Rancho La Coucha), 1600 feet, on December 2, 1953.
**_Accipiter gentilis_ (Linnaeus).--On July 6, 1955, Hardy saw a
Goshawk 13 mi. E San Antonio de las Alazanas; this is the first record
of occurrence of this species from northeastern Mexico.
*_Accipiter striatus velox_ (Wilson).--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Female] 31018, from along the Rio Grande (=Boquillas), 700 ft., March
10, 1952, measurements: wing, 207 mm.; tail, 171 mm.; tarsus, 53 mm.;
culmen, 12 mm.
Our specimen of the Sharp-shinned Hawk is referred to _velox_ on the
basis of the reddish, maculated breast, sides, and thighs. The
collector's field notes recorded the iris as blood-red. Marsh and
Stevenson (1938:286) thought that this subspecies was resident in the
pine and Douglas-fir forest of upper Vivoras Canyon of the Sierra del
Carmen at 8500 feet, where Marsh observed a family group including
three immature birds. Friedmann (1950:196) indicated that the immature
male obtained by Marsh and Stevenson is _A. s. suttoni_; Miller
(1955a:161), nevertheless, remarked that this male has well barred
feathers and thus is _velox_. Miller (_loc. cit._) obtained also an
adult male of _A. s. velox_ in the Sierra del Carmen at 7000 feet on
April 18.
**_Accipiter striatus suttoni_ van Rossem.--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Male] 32626, from 13 mi. E San Antonio, 9950 ft., July 6, 1955,
measurements: wing, 186 mm.; tail, 144 mm.; tarsus, 49 mm.; culmen, 11
mm.; weight, 103 gms.
The recording of _A. s. suttoni_ in Coahuila by Friedmann, Griscom, and
Moore (1950:52), seems to have been based on their knowledge of the
specimen earlier mentioned by Friedmann (1950:196) and later identified
by Miller (1955a:161) as _A. s. velox_. Therefore the KU specimen seems
to be the first record of _A. s. suttoni_ in Coahuila. The size of its
testes (right, 2.5x4 mm.; left, 3x4 mm.) does not indicate breeding;
however, the time of the year in which it was obtained suggests that it
may have been a resident.
*_Accipiter cooperii_ (Bonaparte).--Miller (1955a:161) found Cooper's
Hawk breeding in the Sierra del Carmen on April 26.
_Buteo jamaicensis borealis_ (Gmelin).--The Red-tailed Hawk is common
in Coahuila. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:188) noted the Red-tailed Hawk
on the higher ridges above an elevation of 6000 feet in southeastern
Coahuila. On April 17, Burleigh and Lowery (_loc. cit._) saw two
Red-tailed Hawks "in the open valley south of Diamante Pass" and on
April 20, "just outside of Saltillo," these workers obtained an
immature male that was referred to _B. j. borealis_.
**_Buteo jamaicensis fuertesi_ Sutton and Van Tyne.--Miller (1955a:161)
took a male Red-tailed Hawk, on April 14 at 7000 feet in the Sierra del
Carmen, that was referred to as _B. j. fuertesi_. To my knowledge,
there are no other records of this subspecies from Coahuila, but this
must be the resident form over the bulk of western Coahuila.
There are several sight records of the Red-tailed Hawk. Olmstead saw
one 16 mi. S Boquillas, 1600 feet, on March 6, 1952; Dickerman saw a
Red-tailed Hawk 16 mi. E and 18 mi. N Ocampo on May 7, 1954, one 20 mi.
S Ocampo on April 4, 1954; and an immature at Saltillo on January 17,
1954.
_Buteo platypterus platypterus_ (Vieillot).--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Male] 32628, from 13 mi. E San Antonio de las Alazanas, 9950 ft., July
6, 1955.
The Broad-winged Hawk is rare in Coahuila. No. 32628, if a migrant, was
retarded from moving northward by the loss of its right foot and distal
one-third of its tarsus. Packard (1957:371) reported this specimen as
the first record of the species in Coahuila.
*_Buteo swainsoni Bonaparte._--_Specimens examined:_ total 2: [Male]
32022 from 2 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft., June 20, 1952; and [Male] 29555
from Iglesias (=15 mi. SW Sabinas), 1000 ft., August 22, 1949.
Swainson's Hawk is not common in Coahuila. The size of the testes (6x4
mm.) of No. 32022, the adult plumage, and the date (June 20) on which
it was obtained suggest that it was a breeding bird. Friedmann,
Griscom, and Moore (1950:55) reported that this species breeds as far
east as Durango and Chihuahua. Findley saw a Swainson's Hawk 2 mi. S
and 3 mi. E San Juan de Sabinas on June 22, 1952.
**_Buteo albonotatus Kaup._--The Zone-tailed Hawk is uncommon in
Coahuila. Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:26) noted the species "a few miles
west of Saltillo ... on January 30."
_Buteo regalis_ (Gray).--The Ferruginous Hawk is uncommon in Coahuila.
Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:26) noted a single bird "not far from
Parras, on January 30."
_Buteo nitidus_ (Latham).--Evenden (1952:112) saw a Gray Hawk one mile
northeast of Saltillo, at Ramos Arizpe on March 4. Although there are
no other records of the Gray Hawk from Coahuila, its occurrence in the
State would be expected because this species has been recorded from
Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas in northeastern Mexico (Friedmann, Griscom,
and Moore, 1950:57).
**_Parabuteo unicinctus harrisi_ (Audubon).--Harris' Hawk is fairly
common in southern Coahuila. Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:26) stated that
Harris' Hawk "was one of the few birds noted repeatedly in ... southern
Coahuila...."
_Circus cyaneus_ (Linnaeus).--The Marsh Hawk is a common migrant and
winter visitant in Coahuila. Miller (1955a:161) remarked that the Marsh
Hawk was "seen in northward migratory flight across the desert east of
the Sierra del Carmen on March 31 and on April 11 along the west face
of Loomis Peak at 8800 feet." Olmstead saw a female Marsh Hawk 1 mi. W
San Buenaventura on April 2, 1952. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:188) noted
the Marsh Hawk "about Saltillo" and "above the summit of Diamante Pass
at about 8,000 feet" on April 14. Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:26) noted
wintering Marsh Hawks "near San Pedro."
_Pandion haliaetus_ (Linnaeus).--Miller (1955a:161) reported seeing an
Osprey on April 9 in Corte Madera Canyon, "apparently in migration;"
this is the only record from Coahuila.
**_Caracara cheriway_ (Jacquin).--From the few records in the
literature, I judge that the Caracara is uncommon in Coahuila. Evenden
(1952:113) saw three Caracaras "south of Saltillo" on March 5. Baker
saw a Caracara in the Sierra del Pino (=6 mi. NW Tanque Alvarez), 3400
feet, on July 6, 1953. No specimens of the Caracara have been taken
from Coahuila.
_Falco mexicanus_ Schlegel.--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Male] 31596,
from Saltillo, January 10, 1954.
The Prairie Falcon is an uncommon winter visitant in Coahuila.
Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1950:65) indicated that _Falco
mexicanus_ winters south to Sonora, Oaxaca, Chihuahua, Durango,
Zacatecas, Auguascalientes, Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas.
No. 31596 is the first recorded specimen of the Prairie Falcon from
Coahuila. The bird was heavily parasitized by worms in the mesenteries
and seems to be an adult. Although its nuchal collar, as in immatures,
is washed with pale cinnamon-buff, its thighs are not heavily marked
with dark brown spots. The superciliary lines have blackish rather than
brownish streaks, and the scapulars do not have four or five dark bars
(Friedmann, 1950:624).
_Falco columbarius bendirei_ Swann.--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Male]
31634, from Don Martin Dam (=Rio Salado), November 27, 1953,
measurements: wing, 191 mm.; tail, 111 mm.; tarsus, 37 mm.; culmen, 12
mm.; testes, 3x1 mm.
The Pigeon Hawk seems to be uncommon in Coahuila. No. 31634, the first
record of this species in Coahuila, has pale gray interspaces on the
rectrices of its tail that are definitely wider than the three black
bands, indicating affinity with _bendirei_ (Friedmann, 1950:702). Our
bird was obtained near the base of the Don Martin Dam of the Rio
Salado, and was observed hunting dragonflies over the water.
_Falco sparverius sparverius_ Linnaeus.--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Male] 31648, from the north foot of Sierra Guadalupe (=10 mi. S, 5 mi.
W General Cepeda), 6400 ft., April 17, 1953, weight, 104 gms.
The Sparrow Hawk is locally common in Coahuila. Miller (1955a:162)
noted the species occasionally in the lower canyon areas of the Sierra
del Carmen at 5000 feet from April 20 to 28. Dickerman saw two Sparrow
Hawks in the Sierra del Pino on May 12, 1954. Sutton and Burleigh
(1939a:27) took a male at La Rosa on January 30 that was typical for
_F. s. sparverius_. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:188) noted Sparrow Hawks
almost daily about Saltillo and infrequently in the open valley south
of Diamante Pass; they took a female at Saltillo on April 22 that was
assigned to _F. s. sparverius_.
*_Colinus virginianus texanus_ (Lawrence).--_Specimens examined:_ total
9: [Male] 29408 and [Female] 29409 from 1 mi. S, 9 mi. W Villa Acuna,
April 2, 1950, weights, 169.5 and 174.7 gms., [Male] 29410 and [Female]
[Female] 29411-29413 from 3 mi. W, 1 mi. S San Geronimo, April 9, 1950,
weights, 152.6, 158.6, 158.2, 159.0, and 152.8 gms.; and [Male] [Male]
32032-32034 from 9 mi. S, 11 mi. E Sabinas, 1050 ft., June 13 and 14,
1952.
The Bobwhite is locally common in northeastern Coahuila. Aldrich and
Duvall (1955:18) indicated that _C. v. texanus_ has been recorded from
two separate localities in northeastern Coahuila and from several
localities in Texas along the Rio Grande. Findley saw Bobwhites 2 mi. S
and 3 mi. E San Juan de Sabinas on June 22, 1952. The specimens of
Bobwhite from 3 mi. W and 1 mi. S San Geronimo seem to extend the known
range of _texanus_ nearly 100 miles west. The sizes of the testes (11,
16, 15, 15 mm.) of Nos. 29408, 32032-32034, respectively, indicates
breeding by the Bobwhite in Coahuila.
*_Callipepla squamata pallida_ Brewster.--_Specimens examined:_ total
16: [Male] 29414 from 1 mi. S, 13 mi. W Villa Acuna, April 4, 1950;
[Male] [Male] 29415-29417 from 11 mi. W Hacienda San Miguel, 2200 ft.,
April 4, 1950, weights, 205.3, 198.6, and 182.7 gms.; [Female] [Female]
31019-31021 from 10 mi. S, 5 mi. E Boquillas, 1500 ft., March 2 and 4,
1952, weights, 184.4, 180 and 154.2 gms.; [Male] 34454 from 2 mi. SSE
Castillon, 4050 ft., June 29, 1953, weight, 169 gms.; [Male] 29418 and
[Female] 29419 from 8 mi. N, 2 mi. E La Babia, April 8, 1950; [Male]
[Male] 32023-32024, [Male] 32026, [Female] 32025, and [Female] 32027
from 5 mi. N, 19 mi. W Cuatro Cienegas, 3250 ft., July 6, 1952; and
[Male] 32640 from 2 mi. W Paila, July 3, 1955.
The Scaled Quail is common in Coahuila. The subspecies _pallida_ occurs
in northwestern Coahuila south to Sierra de los Alamitos. Intergrades
of _pallida_, _castanogastris_, and _squamata_ are present in the
central part of the State. No. 32640, obtained 2 mi. W Paila, has some
resemblance to _squamata_. Five specimens of _pallida_ from the central
part of Coahuila (5 mi. N and 19 mi. W Cuatro Cienegas), show little or
no approach toward _squamata_. Miller (1955a:162) stated that two of
the Scaled Quail collected in the Sierra del Carmen show no approach to
the race _castanogastris_ of eastern Coahuila nor to _C. s. squamata_
of southern Coahuila. From the specimens that I have examined, I judge
that the range of _pallida_ extends as far south as the Sierra de los
Alamitos rather than only to the northwestern part of Coahuila as
reported by Aldrich and Duvall (1955:17). In northeastern Coahuila
_pallida_ seems to intergrade with _castanogastris_; No. 29414 has an
indistinct rusty chestnut patch on its abdomen, thus resembling
_castanogastris_.
The sizes of the testes (9-12 mm.) and of the largest ova (14 mm. in
diameter and an egg 23 mm. long) of birds labeled with reference to
Cuatro Cienegas indicate breeding activity.
**_Callipepla squamata castanogastris_ Brewster.--_Specimen examined:_
one, [Male] 32028, from 9 mi. S, 11 mi. E Sabinas, June 14, 1952.
Typical representatives of _C. s. castanogastris_ in Coahuila occur
only in the extreme northeastern section of the State, and most
specimens of the Scaled Quail from northeastern Coahuila are
intergrades between _pallida_ and _castanogastris_.
No. 32028 is identified as _C. s. castanogastris_ because there is a
distinct rusty chestnut patch on its abdomen. This patch, nevertheless,
is not so large as in a more nearly typical male _C. s. castanogastris_
from 15 mi. NNW Anahuac, Nuevo Leon.
**_Callipepla squamata squamata_ (Vigors).--_Specimens examined:_ total
2: [Male] 30231 and [Female] 30232 from 10 mi. NW San Lorenzo, 4200
ft., February 3, 1951.
The subspecies _squamata_ occurs in southern Coahuila. Amadon and
Phillips (1947:577) took a Scaled Quail at Las Delicias on August 18
that "was only two-thirds grown, though well able to fly" and obtained
an adult 19 mi. W Saltillo that was typical _squamata_. Burleigh and
Lowery (1942:188) stated that _C. s. squamata_ was one of the
characteristic birds of the open desert country of southeastern
Coahuila. Scaled Quail were seen by Burleigh and Lowery (_loc. cit._)
"about Saltillo and in the open valley south of Diamante Pass."
The breast and upper back of both specimens from 10 mi. NW San Lorenzo,
are plumbeous-gray rather than pale dull gray. Also the lower back,
rump, abdomen, forehead, and crown more closely resemble the subspecies
_squamata_ rather than _C. s. pallida_. However, the upper backs of
both specimens are not so plumbeous-gray as on a male (32030) and a
female (32031) of the subspecies _squamata_ from 1 mi. N Chorro,
Durango, 6450 ft., July 11, 1952. The two birds from Durango appear to
be slightly darker than the Coahuilan specimens that approach the
subspecies _pallida_.
Burleigh and Lowery (1942:188-189) stated that one of their specimens
of _C. s. squamata_ obtained at Saltillo seems to be "very close to
_castanogastris_, suggesting that southeastern Coahuila is in the
region of intergradation between the two races." Aldrich and Duvall
(1955:17) indicated that _squamata_ and _castanogastris_ intergrade
near Sabinas. The two specimens that I have examined show no sign of
approach toward _castanogastris_. More specimens of Scaled Quail from
Coahuila are needed to permit accurate definition of the distribution
of the subspecies.
*_Cyrtonyx montezumae mearnsi_ Nelson.--The Harlequin Quail is locally
common in Coahuila; _C. m. mearnsi_ is present in northwestern Coahuila
(Aldrich and Duvall, 1955:20). Miller (1955a:162) stated that an area
in the head of Corte Madera Canyon of the Sierra del Carmen at 7500
feet was the principal location for _C. m. mearnsi_. He further
suggested that the Harlequin Quail breeds in the Sierra del Carmen and
remarked that Marsh took a male on September 7 at Jardin del Sur. He
added that the occurrence of _C. m. montezumae_ in northern Coahuila as
reported by Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1950:79) is "possibly an
error or was based on individual dark variants...." Baker noted the
Harlequin Quail (unidentified to subspecies) 9 mi. W and 1 mi. S Villa
Acuna, 1120 feet, on April 4, 1950.
*_Cyrtonyx montezumae montezumae_ (Vigors).--This subspecies of the
Harlequin Quail has been recorded from southeastern Coahuila. Ridgway
and Friedmann (1946:396) listed _C. m. montezumae_ from Saltillo. Baker
saw a pair of Harlequin Quail (unidentified to subspecies) at San
Antonio de las Alazanas on March 25, 1950. More collecting is necessary
for an understanding of the distribution and intergradation of these
subspecies in Coahuila.
*_Meleagris gallopavo intermedia_ Sennett.--_Specimens examined:_ total
4: [Female] 31022 from Fortin (=33 mi. N, 8 mi. W San Geronimo), 3300
ft., March 28, 1952, weight, 9 lbs.; [Female] 29420 from 3 mi. W, 1 mi.
S San Geronimo, April 9, 1950, weight, 7 lbs.; and [Male] 29421 and
[Female] 29422 from 3 mi. W, 2 mi. S San Geronimo, April 9, 1950,
weights, 11.5 and 8.5 lbs.
The Turkey in Coahuila is restricted to the northern section of the
State. Miller (1955a:162) remarked that the population of Turkeys in
the Sierra del Carmen was sparse and did not range above 7500 feet into
the highest pine-oak and Douglas fir areas. Baker saw Turkeys 4 mi. W
Hacienda La Mariposa, 2300 feet, on March 23, 1952. William Schaldach,
Jr., noted 30 Turkeys "just west of Rancho San Geronimo" on April 9,
1950. Aldrich and Duvall (1955:22) indicated several localities in
northern Coahuila where the Turkey occurs or occurred.
_Grus canadensis_ (Linnaeus).--Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:28) remarked
that a flock of Sandhill Cranes was heard "near Mayran ... on January
30."
_Porzana carolina_ (Linnaeus).--The Sora is an uncommon spring and fall
migrant in Coahuila. Amadon and Phillips (1947:577) obtained an adult
male Sora at Las Delicias on August 15.
_Fulica americana_ Gmelin.--The American Coot probably occurs in the
State as a spring and fall migrant. Dickerman saw two coots 8 mi. E and
2 mi. S Americanos on May 18, 1954.
*_Charadrius vociferus vociferus_ Linnaeus.--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Male] 31023, from the Rio Grande (=17 mi. S Dryden, Terrell Co.,
Texas, in Coahuila), 600 ft., March 19, 1952, weight, 82.7 gms.
In Coahuila the Killdeer seems to be uncommon. Van Tyne and Sutton
(1937:28) remarked that it nested in Brewster County, Texas. The
species probably nests in northern Coahuila as well; the lengths of the
testes (left, 9 mm.; right, 4 mm.) of No. 31023 support this view.
_Eupoda montana_ (Townsend).--Pitelka (1948:118) recorded one female
Mountain Plover from Hipolito on February 23. Van Tyne and Sutton
(1937:28) reported that the Mountain Plover nested in Brewster County,
Texas. Possibly _Eupoda montana_ nests in northern Coahuila as well.
_Numenius americanus parvus_ Bishop.--_Specimens examined:_ total 3:
[Male] 31434 and [Female] 35406 (skeleton only) from 8 mi. E, 2 mi. S
Americanos, May 19, 1954, measurements: wing, 250, 258 mm.; tail, 96,
100 mm.; tarsus, 74, 81.5 mm.; culmen, 11.2, 16.5 mm.; [Male] gonad,
6x2 mm.; and [Female] 35400 (skeleton only) from 7 mi. W San Antonio de
las Alazanas, January 11, 1954.
The Long-billed Curlew is not common in Coahuila. Dickerman obtained
both the specimens from 8 mi. E and 2 mi. S Americanos out of a flock
of 35. Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:28) noted the Long-billed Curlew
"near San Pedro ... [on] January 29."
_Actitis macularia_ (Linnaeus).--The Spotted Sandpiper has been
obtained from two localities in Coahuila. Miller (1955a:162) stated
that an immature in fall migration was taken "at the tank in the
western hills" of the Sierra del Carmen on September 4. Burleigh and
Lowery (1942:189) found the Spotted Sandpiper "at the Chorro del Agua
near Arteaga" on April 17 and 19.
_Totanus melanoleucus_ (Gmelin).--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Female]
31024, from the Rio Grande (=17 mi. S Dryden, Terrell Co., Texas, in
Coahuila), 600 ft., March 18, 1952, weight, 224 gms.
The Greater Yellowlegs is an uncommon spring and probably fall migrant
in Coahuila. No. 31024 is the first record of this species in Coahuila.
_Totanus flavipes_ (Gmelin).--Miller (1955a:162) reported that Marsh
took a Lesser Yellowlegs "at the tank in the western hills" of the
Sierra del Carmen on September 4.
_Erolia melanotos_ (Vieillot).--Miller (1955a:162) reported taking a
Pectoral Sandpiper on September 4 "at the tank in the western hills" of
the Sierra del Carmen.
[_Erolia minutilla_ (Vieillot).--Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore
(1950:99) listed the Least Sandpiper from Coahuila.]
*_Recurvirostra americana_ Gmelin.--_Specimens examined:_ total 2:
[Male] 31433 and [Female] 31432 from 8 mi. E, 2 mi. S Americanos, May
19, 1954.
Van Hoose (1955:302) reported a small breeding colony of American
Avocets 8 mi. E and 2 mi. S Americanos "on a large grassy playa
traversed by rows of creosote (_Larrea tridentata_)." No. 31432 was
taken from a nest containing four partly-incubated eggs. Van Hoose
(_loc. cit._) also reported that four eggs in a second nest contained
well-developed, downy young.
_Steganopus tricolor_ Vieillot.--Wilson's Phalarope occurs in Coahuila
as a spring and probably fall migrant. Van Tyne and Sutton (1937:31)
saw the species several times along the Rio Grande. Friedmann, Griscom,
and Moore (1950:102) listed _Steganopus tricolor_ from the Rio Grande
along the borders of Chihuahua and Coahuila on May 10-16.
[_Larus argentatus smithsonianus_ Coues.--Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore
(1950:104) listed this subspecies of the Herring Gull from the State.]
[_Larus delawarensis_ Ord.--Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1950:103)
stated that the Ring-billed Gull occurs in Coahuila.]
*_Columba fasciata fasciata_ Say.--_Specimens examined:_ total 3:
[Male] 35401 (skeleton only) from 22 mi. S and 5 mi. W Ocampo, 7000
ft., April 6, 1954; and [Male] 32035 and [Female] 32036 from 4 mi. N,
21 mi. W Cuatro Cienegas, 6200 ft., July 2, 1952.
The Band-tailed Pigeon is locally common in Coahuila. Miller
(1955a:162) remarked that the Band-tailed Pigeon "was unaccountably
rare in 1953" in the Sierra del Carmen, and said that a specimen was
taken on August 7 in Vivoras Canyon. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:189)
wrote that "small flocks were seen each day ... on the summit of
Diamante Pass, but only on one occasion was a pair noted." Dickerman
saw 10 Band-tailed Pigeons 20 mi. S Ocampo, 6000 feet, on April 4,
1954. The enlarged testes (17 mm.) of No. 32035, and an egg (38 mm.
long) in No. 32036 show that the species breeds in central Coahuila.
*_Zenaida asiatica asiatica_ (Linnaeus).--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Female] 31025 (skeleton only), from 10 mi. S and 5 mi. E Boquillas,
1500 ft., March 4, 1952.
Miller (1955a:163) took a male White-winged Dove on April 23 "at the
mouth of Boquillas Canyon at about 4900 feet" and remarked that this
bird might either be a straggler or a representative of a normal
breeding population (_Z. a. asiatica_). On January 29 and 30, Sutton
and Burleigh (1939a:29) saw White-winged Doves several times in
southern Coahuila along the highway from Saltillo to San Pedro.
**_Zenaida asiatica mearnsi_ (Ridgway).--Amadon and Phillips (1947:577)
obtained an adult White-winged Dove of this subspecies at Delicias on
August 14.
_Zenaidura macroura carolinensis_ (Linnaeus).--Friedmann, Griscom, and
Moore (1950:117) listed this subspecies of the Mourning Dove as a
spring and fall migrant on the "Central Plateau" (Coahuila is part of
the "Central Plateau,"), "as proven by banding records not indicated in
literature."
*_Zenaidura macroura marginella_ (Woodhouse).--_Specimen examined:_
one, [Female] 34455, from 1 mi. W Jaco, June 27, 1953.
Miller (1955a:163) reported _Z. m. marginella_ as occurring commonly in
the desert border and lower canyons at the base of the mountains of the
Sierra del Carmen, "but it occasionally ranged up to 6000 feet in
openings in the pine-oak belt." Burleigh and Lowery (1942:189) remarked
that this dove was fairly plentiful in the open desert country "about
Saltillo, and was ... noted in small numbers in Diamante Valley on
April 17 and 19;" they also said that the Mourning Dove was not seen
above an elevation of about 7500 feet. Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:29)
observed Mourning Doves along the highway across southern Coahuila.
Mourning Doves were seen by Findley 2 mi. W Jimenez, 850 feet, on June
19, 1952, and 2 mi. S and 11 mi. E Nava, 810 feet, on June 15, 1952.
Dickerman saw one in the Sierra del Pino on May 12, 1954. Findley saw
more than one 2 mi. S and 3 mi. E San Juan de Sabinas on June 22, 1952,
as did Dickerman at San Marcos (=20 mi. S Cuatro Cienegas) on May 4,
1954.
**_Columbigallina passerina_ (Linnaeus).--The Ground Dove seems to be
uncommon in Coahuila. Van Tyne and Sutton (1937:34) saw a single Ground
Dove fly across the Rio Grande into Coahuila at Lajitas, Texas, on May
10. Findley saw one 2 mi. S and 3 mi. E San Juan de Sabinas on June 22,
1952.
**_Scardafella inca_ (Lesson).--The Inca Dove has been recorded from
two localities in Coahuila. Hellmayr and Conover (1942:510) listed it
from Sabinas. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:189) collected a male and
female on April 16 and 19, respectively, "outside the city limits of
Saltillo."
_Leptotila verreauxi angelica_ Bangs and Penard.--_Specimens examined:_
total 2: [Male] [Male] 31026-31027 (skeletons only) from 4 mi. W
Hacienda La Mariposa, 2300 ft., March 25, 1952.
The White-fronted Dove seems to be uncommon in Coahuila. Hellmayr and
Conover (1942:570) listed _L. v. angelica_ from Sabinas.
**_Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha terrisi_ Moore.--_Specimens examined:_
total 4: [Male] [Male] 31531-31532 from 13 mi. E San Antonio de las
Alazanas, 9345 ft., April 10, 1954, weights, 391.5 and 467.5 gms.;
[Female] 31533 from 13 mi. E San Antonio de las Alazanas, 10,000 ft.,
April 10, 1954, weight, 466 gms.; and sex ? 31534 from Mesa de las
Tablas, June, 1951.
The Thick-billed Parrot occurs in the southeastern section of the
State, where it is fairly common. Moore (1947:27-28) described this
parrot as _Rhynchopsitta terrisi_: he thought it differed decidedly
from _Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha_. However, Hardy and Dickerman
(1955:305-306) decided that uniting the two forms as a single species
better expresses their relationship.
Burleigh and Lowery (1942:189) reported seeing a small flock of
Thick-billed Parrots on the summit of Diamante Pass. Dickerman, in his
field notes, wrote that at a place 13 mi. E San Antonio de las
Alazanas, 9345 feet, a large flock of about 300 birds was in a
spruce-fir-pine-aspen association.
*_Coccyzus americanus americanus_ (Linnaeus).--_Specimens examined:_
total 2: [Male] [Male] 32037-32038 from 12 mi. N, 12 mi. W Jimenez, 850
ft., June 19, 1952, measurements: wing, 141, 146 mm.; tail, 142, 149
mm.; tarsus, 27, 27 mm.; culmen, 25, 24 mm.
In Coahuila, the Yellow-billed Cuckoo seems to be uncommon. It occurs
in the northeastern section of the State, in the Gulf Coastal Plain
(Baker, 1956:128), and probably breeds there. One subspecies,
_americanus_, has been recorded from Coahuila.
According to Ridgway (1916:13-17) the difference between _C. a.
americanus_ and _C. a. occidentalis_ is size. His (_loc. cit._) average
measurements of males of _occidentalis_ are: wing, 149.6 mm.; tail,
147.1 mm.; tarsus, 26.7 mm.; and culmen, 27.7 mm. whereas average
measurements given by him of males of _americanus_ are: wing, 143.6
mm.; tail, 140.7 mm.; tarsus, 25.2 mm.; and culmen, 26.4 mm. Van Tyne
and Sutton (1937:35) question the value of maintaining the subspecies
_occidentalis_, because individuals of _americanus_ and _occidentalis_
are almost impossible to tell apart. Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore
(1950:132) stated that _americanus_ occurs in eastern North America
whereas _occidentalis_ occurs in western North America. If the
subspecies _occidentalis_ exists, then Nos. 32037 and 32038 are, by
size, _americanus_ and No. 32038 is an intergrade between the two
subspecies (or a large individual of _americanus_).
The Yellow-billed Cuckoo was seen also by Findley 2 mi. S and 3 mi. E
San Juan de Sabinas on June 22, 1952, and by Dickerson at Torreon on
July 2, 1955. The sizes of the testes of the birds from 12 mi. N and 12
mi. W Jimenez (9, 10 mm. long) and the date (June 19) on which they
occurred there indicate that the birds possibly were breeding.
_Coccyzus erythropthalmus_ (Wilson).--Miller (1955a:163) reported a
migrant Black-billed Cuckoo taken in the maples and basswood near a
water hole in the bottom of Boquillas Canyon in the Sierra del Carmen,
5200 feet, on April 22. Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1950:132)
reported that this cuckoo is presumably a regular transient in Mexico,
but generally overlooked.
*_Geococcyx californianus_ (Lesson).--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Female] 32049, from 8 mi. N, 2 mi. W Piedras Negras, June 18, 1952.
Miller (1955a:163) heard several Roadrunners calling at Boquillas
Canyon in the Sierra del Carmen, where he obtained two females.
Burleigh and Lowery (1942:190) stated that the species proved to be
"unexpectedly scarce" and was noted but once by them on April 22 when a
single bird was observed in "the open desert west of Saltillo." Sutton
and Burleigh (1939a:30) noted that the Roadrunner was not common
anywhere in southern Coahuila; they obtained one female at San Pedro on
January 29. The size of the largest ovum (15 mm. in diameter) of No.
32040 indicates that this species breeds in Coahuila.
*_Crotophaga sulcirostris sulcirostris_ Swainson.--_Specimen examined:_
one, [Female] 32039, from 2 mi. S, 3 mi. E San Juan de Sabinas, June
22, 1952.
No. 32039, obtained by Harrison B. Tordoff in a cypress woods along the
shore of a lagoon, provides the first record of the Groove-billed Ani
in Coahuila. The size of its largest ovum (10 mm. in diameter) and the
date indicate breeding by this species in Coahuila.
**_Tyto alba pratincola_ (Bonaparte).--The Barn Owl seems to be
uncommon in Coahuila. To my knowledge, there are two records of the
Barn Owl in Coahuila. Ridgway (1914:607) recorded this owl at the "head
of Las Vacas Creek." Miller (1955a:163) heard the Barn Owl at 5000 feet
in the oak belt on April 25 in the Sierra del Carmen.
*_Otus asio suttoni_ Moore.--_O. a. suttoni_ is found in the higher
country of the Sierra del Carmen and western Coahuila. Miller
(1955a:163) stated that Screech Owls were common in groves of oaks both
at 7000 feet and 5000 feet in the Sierra del Carmen, and remarked that
his series from the Sierra del Carmen matched well a series of
_suttoni_ from Chihuahua and Durango. Miller (1955a:163-164) also
stated that Marsh took an adult at Jardin del Sur on August 28 and said
that the specimen from the Sierra del Carmen referred to as
_cineraceus_ by Marsh and Stevenson (1938:286) agreed well with his
series of _suttoni_. _O. a. suttoni_ probably occurs no farther east
than the Sierra del Carmen.
**_Otus asio mccallii_ (Cassin).--_Specimens examined:_ total 2: [Male]
32041 from 2 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft., June 20, 1952; and sex ? 31645
from La Gacha, 1600 ft., December 9, 1953.
Three subspecies of the Screech Owl, _Otus asio_, occur in northeastern
Mexico; two of these, _suttoni_ and _mccallii_, occur in Coahuila, the
latter in the eastern part. The third subspecies, _O. a. semplei_,
occurs still farther east, for example in the state of Nuevo Leon on
the Mesa del Chipinque 6 miles south of Monterrey (Sutton and Burleigh,
1939b:174).
Nos. 31645 and 32041 differ from _semplei_ in that the tops of their
heads do not appear to be solid blackish brown at a distance of four to
five feet and in that the dark streakings of their backs and scapulars
are not so heavy as in _semplei_. The mentioned specimens are brownish,
not more black and white throughout as in _suttoni_ nor are their toes
heavily feathered (see Moore, 1941:154).
Findley observed a Screech Owl 2 mi. S and 3 mi. E San Juan de Sabinas
on June 22, 1952. La Gacha would seem to represent the western extent
of _mccallii_ in Coahuila. _O. a. mccallii_ and _suttoni_ probably
intergrade along the eastern slope of the Sierra del Carmen. Tordoff
took No. 32041 near a tree that contained three young Screech Owls.
*_Otus flammeolus flammeolus_ (Kaup).--_Specimens examined:_ total 2:
[Male] 31600 from 20 mi. S Ocampo, 6000 ft., April 4, 1954; and [Male]
31581 from 13 mi. E San Antonio de las Alazanas, 9345 ft., April 9,
1954.
Miller (1955a:163) collected seven Flammulated Owls in the pines and
oaks at 7000 feet in Carboneras Canyon and said that these owls were
common there. Nos. 31600 and 31581 are suffused with cinnamoneous
pigmentation, but represent the grayish phase, as described by Ridgway
(1914:729). Van Hoose (1955:302) previously recorded Nos. 31600 and
31581 from Coahuila.
*_Bubo virginianus pallescens_ Stone.--_Specimens examined:_ total 2:
[Female] 32042 from 2 mi. S, 12 mi. E Nava, June 15, 1952;
measurements: wing, 367 mm.; tail, 233 mm.; culmen, 29 mm.; and [Male]
31677 from 1.5 mi. NE Las Margaritas, 3100 ft., May 31, 1954;
measurements: wing, 345 mm.; tail, 213 mm.; culmen, 26 mm.; testes, 8
mm. long.
Miller (1955a:164) took a male Great Horned Owl in the Sierra del
Carmen on April 22. Ridgway (1914:742) listed _B. v. pallescens_ from
Sabinas. Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:30) obtained a female "near San
Pedro" on January 29. Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1950:143) recorded
_B. v. pallescens_ from Coahuila on February 24, May 26, and June 10.
The record of _B. v. mayensis_ from Las Delicias (Amadon and Phillips,
1947:578) has been reidentified by Webster and Orr (1958:141) as _B. v.
pallescens_. Dickerman saw a Great Horned Owl in the Sierra del Pino on
May 12,1954.
*_Glaucidium gnoma californicum_ Sclater.--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Male] 31582, from 20 mi. S Ocampo, 6500 ft., April 5, 1954, weight, 55
gms.
Concerning forms of Pygmy Owls, Miller (1955a:164) remarked that the
best distinguishing characters of _G. g. gnoma_ and _californicum_ are
tail length and wing length. The characters of No. 31582 (wing, 94 mm.;
tail, 69 mm.) are clearly those of _californicum_ and not those of
_gnoma_. Miller (_loc. cit._) remarked that he "encountered at least
five different individuals, chiefly in the pine-oak at 7000 feet" and
one in oaks and pinons at 5000 feet in Boquillas Canyon of the Sierra
del Carmen. The size of the testes (left, 9x5 mm.; right, 7x4 mm.) of
No. 31582 indicates good probability of breeding by the Pygmy Owl in
the State.
**_Micrathene whitneyi_ (Cooper).--Miller (1955a:164) heard the Elf Owl
at close range in oaks at 5000 feet in Boquillas Canyon of the Sierra
del Carmen on April 24.
**_Speotyto cunicularia hypugaea_ (Bonaparte).--_Specimens examined:_
total 3: [Female] 32043 from 3 mi. S, 9 mi. E Cuatro Cienegas, 2250
ft., June 30, 1952; [Male] 32653 from 6 mi. W San Antonio de las
Alazanas, July 5, 1955; and [Male] 31602 from 14 mi. W San Antonio de
las Alazanas, 6500 ft., January 7, 1954.
Although there are no records in Coahuila of specimens of Burrowing
Owls north of 3 mi. S and 9 mi. E Cuatro Cienegas, this owl probably
occurs in the northern section of the State. The records of Burrowing
Owls from the southern part of Brewster County, Texas (Van Tyne and
Sutton, 1937:38), suggest such occurrence. No. 31602 was shot in a
prairie dog colony; No. 32043 was captured in a steel trap. Baker saw
Burrowing Owls 7 mi. S and 4 mi. E Bella Union, 7200 feet, on June 25,
1952.
*_Caprimulgus vociferus arizonae_ (Brewster).--_Specimens examined:_
total 4: [Male] 31449 and [Female] 31450 from Sierra del Pino (=5 mi.
S, 3 mi. W Acebuches), May 12 and 15, 1954, weights, 48 and 42 gms.;
and [Male] [Male] 31028-31029 from 2 mi. N, 18 mi. W Santa Teresa, 7250
ft., April 3, 1952.
The Whip-poor-will occurs between 5000 feet and 9000 feet in Coahuila.
Miller (1955a:164) reported _C. v. arizonae_ in the Sierra del Carmen.
Ridgway (1914:521) stated that _Antrostomus vociferus macromystax_
(=_C. v. arizonae_) occurs in the southeastern sector of Coahuila at
Sierra Guadalupe. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:190) reported the
Whip-poor-will "near the summit of Diamante Pass"; because of its size
(wing, 170 mm.; tail, 135 mm.) this Whip-poor-will from Diamante Pass
seems to represent the subspecies _arizonae_. Dickerman saw four
Whip-poor-wills 20 mi. S Ocampo, 6000 feet, on April 4, 1954. The sizes
of the testes of Nos. 31449, 31028, and 31029 (13, 12, and 13 mm. long)
and an egg taken from No. 31450 indicate breeding by this species in
the State.
*_Phalaenoptilus nuttallii nuttallii_ (Audubon).--_Specimens examined:_
total 6: [Male] 31032 from 37 mi. S, 21 mi. E Boquillas, 4100 ft.,
March 12, 1952; [Male] 31446 and [Female] 31447 from Sierra del Pino
(=5 mi. S, 3 mi. W Acebuches), 6200 ft., May 13, 1954; [Male] [Male]
32048-32049 from 2 mi. S, 11 mi. E Nava, June 16, 1952; and [Female]
31033 from 4 mi. W Hacienda La Mariposa, 2300 ft., March 26, 1952.
Miller (1955a:164) found the Poor-will common along the rocky canyon
walls up to 5000 feet in the Sierra del Carmen. Ridgway (1914:550)
recorded the Poor-will at Sabinas on May 21 and at Saltillo on May 6.
Van Tyne and Sutton (1937:39) stated that _P. n. nuttallii_ was not
common in the Big Bend Country of Texas; this probably is true for
northwestern Coahuila as well. The specimens from the Sierra del Pino,
collected by Dickerman in a pine-oak association at 6200 feet, were
taken near the upper limit of their range. Findley saw Poor-wills 2 mi.
W Jimenez, 850 feet, on June 19, 1952; 2 mi. S and 11 mi. E Nava, 810
feet, on June 15, 1952; and 2 mi. S and 3 mi. E San Juan de Sabinas on
June 22, 1952. Dickerman noted Poor-wills 16 mi. E and 18 mi. N Ocampo
on May 7, 1954, and 20 mi. S Ocampo, 6000 feet, on April 4, 1954.
The size of the testes (9x5 mm.) of No. 31446 and an enlarged oviduct
and an ovum (4 mm. in diameter) of No. 31447 indicate breeding by the
Poor-will in Coahuila.
**_Chordeiles minor howelli_ Oberholser.--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Male] 31443, from 3 mi. N, 4 mi. E San Francisco (=25 mi. N Ocampo),
4850 ft., May 16, 1954.
Van Hoose (1955:302) wrote that nighthawks were heard and seen
frequently 3 mi. N and 4 mi. E San Francisco. Blake (1953:227) said
that the Common Nighthawk breeds in Sonora, Chihuahua, Tamaulipas, and
Durango; the size of the testes (7x4.5 mm.) of No. 31443 indicates the
possibility of breeding by this species in the State.
*_Chordeiles acutipennis texensis_ Lawrence.--_Specimens examined:_
total 4: [Male] 32044 and [Female] 32045 from 2 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft.,
June 20, 1952; [Female] 31442 from 5 mi. N, 13 mi. E Ocampo, May 6,
1954; and [Male] 32046 from 2 mi. N, 1 mi. W Ocampo, 4050 ft., July 6,
1952.
Specimens of the Lesser Nighthawk, subspecies _C. a. texensis_, have
been recorded in the literature from representative localities
throughout most of Coahuila. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:190-191)
obtained, on April 18, at "a small pond at the edge of Saltillo," one
male that was exceedingly fat; they (_loc. cit._) suggested that their
specimen was a migrant. Goldman (1951:377, 389) stated that _C. a.
texensis_ occupied the Lower and Upper Sonoran and Upper Austral
life-zones of Coahuila. Dickerman saw Lesser Nighthawks at San Marcos
(=20 mi. S Cuatro Cienegas) on May 4, 1954. Van Tyne and Sutton
(1937:41) reported that the Lesser Nighthawk was common throughout the
lower parts of the Big Bend in Texas. This is probably true for
northwestern Coahuila as well.
The presence of an egg in the oviduct of No. 32045 and the dates (May
6, June 20, and July 6) on which Nos. 31442, and 32044-32046 were
obtained indicate breeding by this species in Coahuila.
**_Aeronautes saxatalis saxatalis_ (Woodhouse).--_Specimen examined:_
one, [Male] 31672, from Pico de Jimulco, 5600 ft., April 5, 1953,
weight, 35 gms.
Burleigh and Lowery (1942:191) found the White-throated Swift to be
common at "the summit of Diamante Pass and on the nearby ridges."
Miller (1955a:164) saw the species from 4800 feet up to the crest of
the Sierra del Carmen. Several White-throated Swifts were seen flying
overhead at Pico de Jimulco on April 5.
No specimens of _A. s. sclateri_ from Mexico are known. Miller
(1955a:165) listed one specimen with dimensions (wing, 145 mm.) that
approaches _sclateri_. The measurements of No. 31672 (wing, 143 mm.;
tail, 58 mm.) also approach the dimensions of specimens of _sclateri_
but are best referred to _A. s. saxatalis_.
**_Calothorax lucifer_ (Swainson).--Burleigh and Lowery (1942:191)
obtained a male Lucifer Hummingbird at the Chorro del Agua on April 19.
Van Tyne and Sutton (1937:43) reported a male from the Rio Grande (=3
mi. W Boquillas, Texas).
_Archilochus colubris_ (Linnaeus).--Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore
(1950:180) remarked that the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a moderately
common migrant, wintering from sea level to 9350 feet throughout
Mexico, except in a few states. The only published record of a specimen
of this hummer in the State is of a male taken on April 22 in a small
arroyo twenty miles west of Saltillo (Burleigh and Lowery, 1942:191).
*_Archilochus alexandri_ (Bourcier and Mulsant).--_Specimens examined:_
total 2: [Male] 31035 from the Rio Grande (=17 mi. S Dryden, Terrell
County, Texas, in Coahuila), 600 ft., March 18, 1952; and [Male] 32052
from 2 mi. S, 11 mi. E Nava, 810 ft., June 16, 1952.
Miller (1955a:165) stated the Black-chinned Hummingbird was common in
the desert area at the base of the mountains of the Sierra del Carmen,
and that Marsh, on July 25, obtained this hummingbird "near Piedra
Blanca (Conejo)." Burleigh and Lowery (1942:191) obtained a female in
an arroyo about twenty miles west of Saltillo on April 22.
**_Selasphorus platycercus platycercus_ (Swainson).--_Specimens
examined:_ total 2: [Male] 31583 from 20 mi. S Ocampo, 6500 ft., April
4, 1954; and [Female] 32673 from 13 mi. E San Antonio de las Alazanas,
9950 ft., July 6, 1955.
Miller (1955a:165) indicated that the Broad-tailed Hummingbird was
fairly common in the Sierra del Carmen. According to Burleigh and
Lowery (1942:191) this species is not uncommon in the pine woods
bordering the summit of Diamante Pass; they saw the bird between 4900
and 10,000 feet.
*_Eugenes fulgens fulgens_ Boucard.--Miller (1955a:165) obtained a male
Rivoli's Hummingbird on Loomis Peak, 8800 feet, on April 11 in the
Sierra del Carmen.
**_Lampornis clemenciae clemenciae_ (Lesson).--_Specimens examined:_
total 2: [Male] 31036 from 26 mi. W Santa Teresa, 7050 ft., April 5,
1952; and [Female] 32668 from 13 mi. E San Antonio de las Alazanas,
9950 ft., July 6, 1955.
The Blue-throated Hummingbird occurs between 5000 and 9950 feet in
Coahuila. Miller (1955a:165) remarked that it was found in canyon
bottoms, "whether at 7500 feet among the rocky slopes, oaks, and white
pines ... or at 5000 feet in the madrone, maples, elms, and
basswoods...." No. 32668, was obtained in a Douglas fir-pine-aspen
association at 9950 feet.
[_Amazilia yucatanensis chalconota_ Oberholser.--The Buff-bellied
Hummingbird seems to be uncommon in Coahuila. Friedmann, Griscom, and
Moore (1950:172) and the AOU Check-list Committee (1957:306) stated
that this hummingbird occurs in Coahuila.]
_Megaceryle alcyon alcyon_ (Linnaeus).--Miller (1955a:165) saw a Belted
Kingfisher at Carboneras Canyon in the Sierra del Carmen. Miller,
Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:15) stated that one specimen of _M.
a. alcyon_ was obtained in Coahuila on November 14.
**_Chloroceryle americana hachisukai_ (Laubmann).--_Specimens
examined:_ total 2: [Female] 32053 from 12 mi. N, 12 mi. W Jimenez,
June 19, 1952; and [Female] 31038 from 8 mi. N, 4 mi. W Muzquiz, 1800
ft., March 31, 1952.
The Green Kingfisher has been recorded in Coahuila as far south as 8
mi. N and 4 mi. W Muzquiz. The forehead of No. 31038, when compared
with typical representatives of _C. a. hachisukai_, is not extensively
streaked with white, nor are all the coverts conspicuously spotted with
white, yet it clearly has more extensive white markings than typical
representatives of _C. a. septentrionalis_. This specimen from 8 mi. N
and 4 mi. W Muzquiz probably is intermediate between _hachisukai_ and
_septentrionalis_. Miller (1955a:165) stated that Marsh took a specimen
at Tanque de los Melones on La Bavia Ranch east of Fresno Mesa in the
Sierra del Carmen that is a typical _C. a. hachisukai_.
_Colaptes cafer collaris_ Vigors.--Ridgway (1914:34) listed this
subspecies of the Red-shafted Flicker from Saltillo and Agua Nueva.
*_Colaptes cafer nanus_ Griscom.--_Specimens examined:_ total 3:
[Female] 31463 from Sierra del Pino (=5 mi. W, 3 mi. S Acebuches), May
13, 1954, weight, 108 gms.; and [Male] 31651 and [Female] 31652 from
the north foot of Sierra Guadalupe (=10 mi. S, 5 mi. W General Cepeda),
6500 ft., April 21, 1953.
In suitable habitats in Coahuila the Red-shafted Flicker is common.
Miller (1955a:165-166) stated that _C. c. nanus_ was common at Corte
Madera Canyon, Boquillas Canyon, and Carboneras Canyon in the Sierra
del Carmen and recorded a specimen also from Sierra de Jardin on August
7. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:192) recorded _C. c. nanus_ from Diamante
Pass and Saltillo. Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:31) stated that the
Red-shafted Flickers, obtained 5 mi. E La Rosa and at Diamante Pass,
may be intermediate between _C. c. collaris_ (then called _C. c.
chihuahuae_) and _C. c. nanus_. Nesting of the Red-shafted Flicker in
Coahuila was reported by Miller (1955a:165) and Burleigh and Lowery
(1942:192). Hardy saw Red-shafted Flickers 13 mi. E San Antonio de las
Alazanas on July 6, 1955.
*_Centurus aurifrons aurifrons_ (Wagler).--_Specimens examined:_ total
6: [Male] 32054 from 12 mi. N, 12 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft., June 19,
1952; [Female] [Female] 32055-32057 from 2 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft., June
20, 1952; [Female] 31039 from 8 mi. N, 4 mi. W Muzquiz, 1800 ft., April
1, 1952; and [Male] 33150 (skeleton only) from Parras, July 4, 1955.
The Golden-fronted Woodpecker occurs throughout Coahuila, but
uncommonly in the western part. Wetmore (1948:185-186) examined a
series of Golden-fronted Woodpeckers that showed a definite cline in
dorsal coloration from north-central Texas to Jalisco, Michoacan, and
Hidalgo in south-central Mexico. He (_loc. cit._) stated that "the
extremes are easily separable, but in southern and southwestern Texas
and in northeastern Mexico the two kinds [_C. a. aurifrons_ and _C. a.
incanescens_] ... merge so gradually that over a broad area the whole
population is intermediate, making decisions as to any sharply drawn
dividing line difficult and in part arbitrary." _C. a. incanescens_,
according to Wetmore, occurs in western and central Texas south to
northeastern Chihuahua and northern Coahuila whereas _C. a. aurifrons_
occurs in north-central Coahuila (Monclova) and southern Texas south to
Jalisco, Michoacan, Hidalgo, and central Tamaulipas.
The specimens that I have examined from Coahuila are variably
intermediate between the subspecies _aurifrons_ and _incanescens_. The
dark and white cross-bars on the back of No. 31039 are nearly equal
(dark bands wider in _aurifrons_; white bands wider in _incanescens_);
the rump and upper tail coverts are more or less mixed with black as in
_aurifrons_. The dark cross-bars on the backs of Nos. 32054-32057 are
slightly larger than the white cross-bars; the rump and upper tail
coverts of these specimens are somewhat mixed with black.
*_Centurus aurifrons incanescens_ Todd.--This subspecies of the
Golden-fronted Woodpecker is listed by Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and
Moore (1957:34) from "... northern Coahuila (upper Rio Grande valley)."
Burleigh and Lowery (1942:192) stated that the Golden-fronted
Woodpecker "apparently avoids the mountain slopes, but was found to be
not uncommon on the arid plateau about Saltillo." Findley saw
Golden-fronted Woodpeckers 2 mi. W Jimenez, 850 feet, on June 19, 1952;
and 2 mi. S and 3 mi. E San Juan de Sabinas on June 22, 1952. Cory
(1919:424) listed the Golden-fronted Woodpecker from Sabinas. Nos.
32055-32057 are juveniles, and thus document breeding by this
woodpecker in Coahuila.
*_Melanerpes formicivorus formicivorus_ (Swainson).--_Specimens
examined:_ total 5: [Male] 31040 (skeleton only) from Fortin (=33 mi.
N, 8 mi. W San Geronimo), 3300 ft., March 28, 1952; [Male] 29423 and
[Female] 29424 from Club Sierra del Carmen (=2 mi. N, 6 mi. W Piedra
Blanca), 4950 ft., April 8, 1950; [Female] 31041 (skeleton only) from
26 mi. W Santa Teresa, 7050 ft., April 5, 1952; and [Female] 31668 from
Sierra Guadalupe, Canyon d. Meco (=10 mi. S General Cepeda), 6500 ft.,
April 23, 1953.
The Acorn Woodpecker in Coahuila is common in the oak and pine-oak
belts, from 4950 to 8000 feet. Miller (1955a:166) stated that the Acorn
Woodpecker in the Sierra del Carmen was an abundant and conspicuous
bird throughout the oak and pine-oak belts, from 5000 to 8000 feet.
Dickerman saw two Acorn Woodpeckers in the Sierra de la Madera on
December 13, 1953, and four 20 mi. S Ocampo, 6000 feet, on April 4,
1954. Breeding of _M. f. formicivorus_ was reported by Miller (_loc.
cit._) who took females nearly ready to begin laying; one of our
specimens (No. 29423) had enlarged testes (11 mm.).
_Sphyrapicus varius varius_ (Linnaeus).--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Female] 31649, from the north foot of Sierra Guadalupe (=10 mi. S, 5
mi. W General Cepeda), 6400 ft., April 19, 1953.
Miller (1955a:166) reported this Yellow-bellied Sapsucker as a winter
visitant or migrant in the Sierra del Carmen. Burleigh and Lowery
(1942:192) took a female _S. v. varius_ at the summit of Diamante Pass
on April 14. Ridgway (1914:275) listed _S. v. varius_ from Sierra de
Guadalupe.
_Sphyrapicus varius nuchalis_ Baird.--Miller (1955a:166) reported this
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker as "indeed common" in the Sierra del Carmen,
and indicated that both _S. v. nuchalis_ and _S. v. varius_ were "found
only at the upper levels in the pine-oak formation and usually in
relatively dense clumps of trees in the canyon bottoms." Ridgway
(1914:280) listed _C. v. nuchalis_ from Rio Sabinas.
**_Dendrocopos villosus icastus_ (Oberholser).--Miller, Friedmann,
Griscom, and Moore (1957:39) remarked that this subspecies of the Hairy
Woodpecker occurs, in northwestern Mexico, from eastern Sonora,
Jalisco, Chihuahua, Durango, Zacatecas to southern Coahuila. Ridgway
(1914:222) stated that _D. v. icastus_ occurs in Coahuila at Carneros
and Sierra de Guadalupe, the former being the easternmost known
locality for the subspecies.
**_Dendrocopos villosus intermedius_ (Nelson).--_Specimens examined:_
total 2: [Male] 32701 from 13 mi. E San Antonio de las Alazanas, 9950
ft., July 6, 1955; and [Female] 31604 from 2 mi. E Mesa de Tablas, 8500
ft., January 15, 1954.
In northeastern Mexico this subspecies, according to Miller, Friedmann,
Griscom, and Moore (1957:39), occurs in Guanajuato, San Luis Potosi,
Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas. Nos. 31604 and 32701 represent the
first records of _D. v. intermedius_ from Coahuila.
*_Dendrocopos scalaris cactophilus_ (Oberholser).--_Specimens
examined:_ total 2: [Female] 31042 from 7 mi. S, 2 mi. E Boquillas, 800
ft., March 1, 1952; and [Female] 31043 from 10 mi. S, 5 mi. E
Boquillas, 1500 ft., March 3, 1952.
These specimens of the Ladder-backed Woodpecker show signs of
intergradation with _D. s. symplectus_. Both specimens are pale enough
above for _D. s. symplectus_, but the wing and the tail of each (wing,
102, 103 mm.; tail, 60, 65 mm.) are too long for _symplectus_. This
suggestion of intergradation is not unexpected because _symplectus_
occurs in northeastern Coahuila and _cactophilus_ in the Chisos
Mountains of Texas. Miller (1955a:166) also obtained one female _D. s.
cactophilus_ from the Sierra del Carmen that suggested intergradation
with _symplectus_.
Miller (_loc. cit._) wrote that _D. c. cactophilus_ was found chiefly
in the oaks and was common in the lower oak belt at 5000 feet. The
upper limit of the range of the Ladder-backed Woodpecker, according to
Miller, is 6800 feet. He reported the species as breeding in the Sierra
del Carmen.
Miller (1955b:317) took a hybrid woodpecker representing a cross
between _Dendrocopos villosus_ and _Dendrocopos scalaris_ in the Sierra
del Carmen, where, although Ladder-backed Woodpeckers were common, he
found no Hairy Woodpeckers.
**_Dendrocopos scalaris symplectus_ (Oberholser).--_Specimens
examined:_ total 2: [Male] 32058 from 2 mi. W Jimenez, June 20, 1952;
and [Male] 31667 from Sierra Guadalupe, Domingo Canyon (=10 mi. S, 14
mi. W General Cepeda), 6700 ft., April 18, 1953.
This Ladder-backed Woodpecker, according to the AOU Check-list
Committee (1957:327) and Oberholser (1912:156), occurs in Texas (east
of Pecos), northeastern Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas. The area
of intergradation of _D. s. symplectus_ and _giraudi_ is in
southeastern Coahuila. The dark smoky underparts and the equal size of
the white and black bars of the upper parts of No. 31667 suggest
intergradation with _D. s. giraudi_. Yet, the size of the wing
indicates that this specimen is closer to _D. s. symplectus_. No. 32058
has characters of typical representatives of _D. s. symplectus_.
Burleigh and Lowery (1942:193) reported _D. s. symplectus_ "in the
desert country west of Saltillo." Ridgway (1914:257) listed the
Ladder-backed Woodpecker from Sabinas. Cory (1919:494) listed _D. s.
symplectus_ from Pabinas (=Sabinas?).
**_Dendrocopos scalaris giraudi_ (Stone).--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Male] 34623, from 12 mi. N, 10 mi. E Parras, 3850 ft., July 12, 1953,
weight, 35 gms.
Ridgway (1914:259) reported that _D. s. giraudi_ (then called
_Dryobates scalaris bairdi_) has been recorded from La Ventura,
Carneros, and Jaral. Oberholser (1912:159) indicated that the
subspecies _giraudi_ occurs north to Jaral in southern Coahuila, east
to La Ventura in southeastern Coahuila, and south through central
Mexico. The present specimen is darker ventrally than specimens of
either _D. s. cactophilus_ or _D. s. symplectus_, and on its upper
surface the black bars are wider than the white. The specimen is in
worn plumage, but nevertheless suggests intergradation with _D. s.
symplectus_.
_Platypsaris aglaiae albiventris_ (Lawrence).--The Rose-throated
Becard, if it occurs in Coahuila at all, is rare in the State. Without
giving any specific locality, Sclater (1857:74) described
_Pachyrhamphus aglaiae_ from Coahuila. Hellmayr (1929:202) considered
Sclater's record as representing _Platypsaris aglaiae albiventris_
(Lawrence).
*_Tyrannus vociferans vociferans_ (Swainson).--_Specimens examined:_
total 2: [Male] 32064 from 7 mi. S, 4 mi. E Bella Union, 7200 ft., June
24, 1952; and [Female] 31650 from the north foot of Sierra Guadalupe
(=10 mi. S, 5 mi. W General Cepeda), 6400 ft., April 15, 1953.
The small number of records of Cassin's Kingbird in Coahuila is
surprising, for I would expect the species in most areas of the State
between 6000 and 7000 feet. All Coahuilan records are from the
southeastern part of the State. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:193) found it
"on infrequent occasions in the arid country near Saltillo." Miller,
Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:71) reported that _T. v.
vociferans_ nested in Coahuila on July 7. The size of the testes (15x7
mm.) of our specimen from near Bella Union also indicates breeding.
**_Muscivora forficata_ (Gmelin).--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Female]
32063, from 12 mi. N, 12 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft., June 19, 1952.
The status of the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in Coahuila is uncertain.
Although the condition of the gonads of No. 32063 was not recorded by
the collector, the late date (June 19) on which is was obtained
suggests that this female was a resident in northeastern Coahuila.
Findley saw a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2 mi. S and 11 mi. E Nava, 810
feet, on June 15, 1952. Dickerman saw one 4 mi. N San Isidro on May 10,
1954. Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:69) recorded this
flycatcher from Sabinas on April 12. No other records of _Muscivora
forficata_ in Coahuila have come to my attention, but the species
probably occurs in the State in migration.
*_Myiarchus crinitus crinitus_ (Linnaeus).--_Specimens examined:_ total
3: [Female] 32065 from 12 mi. N, 12 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft., June 19,
1952; and [Male] 32066 and [Female] 32067 from 2 mi. W Jimenez, 850
ft., June 20, 1952.
The Great Crested Flycatcher seems to be rare in Coahuila. Nos.
32065-32067 are the first specimens that I know of from Coahuila. Bangs
(1898:179-180) said that the subspecies _crinitus_ has an "enormous
swollen bill" (exposed culmen of male, 20 mm.; breadth of bill at
middle of nostril, 10.3 mm.) whereas _M. c. boreus_ has a "small
slender bill" (exposed culmen of male, 18.6 mm.; breadth of bill at
middle of nostril, 8.6 mm.). No. 32066 has a large bill (exposed
culmen, 21 mm.; breadth of bill at middle of nostril, 10 mm.). Bangs
(_loc. cit._) did not give any measurements for females of _M. c.
crinitus_ or _boreus_. Nevertheless, I suspect that Nos. 32065 and
32067 represent _crinitus_ (No. 32065: exposed culmen, 19 mm.; breadth
of bill at middle of nostril, 9 mm.; No. 32067: exposed culmen, 20 mm.;
breadth of bill at middle of nostril, 9.5 mm.). The size of the testes
(9 mm. long) of No. 32066 and the dates (June 19 and 20) on which the
specimens were collected indicate breeding by this species in the
State.
*_Myiarchus tyrannulus cooperi_ Baird.--_Specimens examined:_ total 2:
[Male] 32068 and [Female] 32069 from 2 mi. S, 3 mi. E San Juan de
Sabinas, 1160 ft., June 22, 1952, measurements: wing, 102, 97 mm.;
tail, 93, 90 mm.
Wied's Crested Flycatcher is not common in Coahuila. Eastern Coahuila
represents the eastern limit of the range of _M. t. cooperi_.
Measurements of our specimens agree well with the average measurements
of typical _M. t. cooperi_. According to Ridgway (1907:621), _M. t.
cooperi_ (then called _Myiarchus mexicanus mexicanus_) has been
recorded from Sabinas. The size of the testes (14x7 mm.) of No. 32068
and the date (June 22) on which the specimens were collected indicate
breeding by this species in the State.
*_Myiarchus cinerascens cinerascens_ (Lawrence).--_Specimens examined:_
total 7: [Female] 31045 from 15 mi. SE Boquillas, 1500 ft., March 16,
1952; [Male] 32070 from 12 mi. N, 12 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft., June 19,
1952; [Female] 32071 from 2 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft., June 20, 1952;
[Male] 35413 from 6 mi. N, 2 mi. W Castillon, 3750 ft., June 30, 1953;
[Male] 32072 from 9 mi. S, 11 mi. E Sabinas, June 14, 1952; [Female]
31584 from 17 mi. S Ocampo, 5300 ft., April 7, 1954; and [Male] 31673
from the west foot of Pico de Jimulco, 5000 ft., April 4, 1953.
The Ash-throated Flycatcher is common in Coahuila. All specimens
examined by me from there are typical of _M. c. cinerascens_. Ridgway
(1907:626) listed _M. c. cinerascens_ from Monclovia (=Monclova?) and
Sabinas. Miller (1955a:166) found the species "only in the oak belt at
5000 feet, where it was common." Burleigh and Lowery (1942:193)
recorded _M. c. cinerascens_ from "near Saltillo." Dickerman obtained
No. 31584 in a mesquite-grassland-shrubby area. Miller, Friedmann,
Griscom, and Moore (1957:78) stated that _M. c. cinerascens_ breeds in
Coahuila.
_Sayornis phoebe_ (Latham).--Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore
(1957:66) recorded the Eastern Phoebe from Coahuila on November 4-14.
*_Sayornis nigricans semiatra_ (Vigors).--_Specimens examined:_ total
2: [Female] 31046 from 1 mi. N Boquillas, 700 ft., March 7, 1952; and
[Female] 31047 from Fortin (=33 mi. N, 8 mi. W San Geronimo), 3300 ft.,
March 27, 1952.
Of the Black Phoebe, the two subspecies _semiatra_ and _nigricans_
intergrade in Coahuila. Typical representatives of _S. n. semiatra_ are
present in northern Coahuila. The under tail coverts of Nos.
31046-31047 are immaculate and white. Miller (1955:167) noted the two
specimens collected from the Sierra del Carmen to have narrow dark
shaft streaks on the under tail coverts. He (_loc. cit._) remarked also
that "the marking of the under tail coverts may indicate a beginning of
a gradient in increased darkening of these feathers toward _S. n.
nigricans_ in southern Coahuila."
*_Sayornis nigricans nigricans_ (Swainson).--Burleigh and Lowery
(1942:193) collected several specimens of _S. n. nigricans_ "on the
outskirts of Saltillo" and saw a pair at the Chorro del Agua on April
19.
*_Sayornis saya saya_ (Bonaparte).--_Specimens examined:_ total 4:
[Female] 31049 from the Rio Grande (=17 mi. S Dryden, Terrell Co.,
Texas, in Coahuila), 600 ft., March 18, 1952; sex ? 31048 from 10 mi. S,
5 mi. E Boquillas, 1500 ft., March 4, 1952; [Male] 31050 from Fortin
(=33 mi. N, 8 mi. W San Geronimo), 3300 ft., March 29, 1952; and
[Female] 32059 from 7 mi. S, 4 mi. E Bella Union, 7200 ft., June 25,
1952.
Say's Phoebe occurs commonly in Coahuila. Miller (1955a:167) obtained a
female with an active brood patch in Boquillas Canyon of the Sierra del
Carmen, and remarked that Marsh took a juvenile on September 2 at El
Rincon. Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:33) saw this phoebe several times in
southern Coahuila and obtained a male "near San Pedro" on January 29.
Burleigh and Lowery (1942:193) recorded this species as "a common
breeding bird both on Diamante Pass and on the arid plateau around
Saltillo." No. 32059 was a juvenile.
_Empidonax traillii brewsteri_ Oberholser.--Amadon and Phillips
(1947:578) look a Traill Flycatcher of the subspecies _brewsteri_ at
Las Delicias on August 11.
_Empidonax minimus_ (Baird and Baird).--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Male] 31470, from Sierra del Pino (=5 mi. S, 3 mi. W Acebuches), 6200
ft., May 13, 1954.
Amadon and Phillips (1947:578) obtained two Least Flycatchers at Las
Delicias on August 12. Dickerman took No. 31470 in pine-oak vegetation.
_Empidonax hammondii_ (Xantus).--_Specimen examined:_ one, sex ? 31657,
from the north slope of Sierra Guadalupe (=11 mi. S, 7 mi. W General
Cepeda), 7800 ft., April 20, 1953.
No. 31657 is similar to _E. wrightii_ (Wright's Flycatcher); however,
the outmost (tenth) primary is equal to or slightly larger than the
fifth primary. Yet, the underparts of No. 31657 are darker and more
uniform in coloration than those of typical representatives of _E.
wrightii_. Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:88) stated that
Hammond's Flycatcher is "transient" in Coahuila. Burleigh and Lowery
(1942:193-194) reported that _E. hammondii_ was the most prevalent of
the small flycatchers in southeastern Coahuila. They (_loc. cit._)
obtained specimens of this flycatcher from the Chorro del Agua and
Diamante Pass. Miller (1955a:167) characterized _E. hammondii_ as a
common migrant, "chiefly in stands of low oaks in the pine-oak belt but
also occasionally in the desert scrub" of the Sierra del Carmen.
_Empidonax wrightii_ Baird.--Amadon and Phillips (1947:578) reported
one Wright's Flycatcher from Las Delicias. Miller (1955a:167) stated
that this species was a common migrant and occurred chiefly in the
lower oak belt and in the desert scrub. Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:34)
obtained specimens of _E. wrightii_ from San Pedro on January 29.
_Empidonax griseus_ Brewster.--Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:34) noted
that the Gray Flycatcher was common "in the San Pedro region" and
collected two at San Pedro on January 29. Burleigh and Lowery
(1942:194) collected specimens "near the Chorro del Agua, at Saltillo,
and ... in the open desert some twenty miles west of Saltillo."
**_Empidonax affinis trepidus_ Nelson.--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Male] 32750, from 13 mi. E San Antonio de las Alazanas, 9950 ft., July
6, 1955.
Ridgway (1907:576) previously reported the little known and poorly
defined Pine Flycatcher from Sierra Guadalupe. Because of its small
size (wing, 75 mm.; tail, 65 mm.), No. 32750 is referable to _E. a.
trepidus_. No indication of breeding of the subspecies _trepidus_
exists for Coahuila. Nevertheless, the date (July 6) on which No. 32750
was obtained suggests that this flycatcher may breed in southeastern
Coahuila.
*_Empidonax difficilis hellmayri_ Brodkorb.--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Male] 31469, from Sierra del Pino (=5 mi. S, 3 mi. W Acebuches), May
13, 1954, measurements: wing, 71 mm.; tail, 65 mm.; culmen, 11.5 mm.;
tarsus, 17.0 mm.
Miller (1955a:167) reported that the Western Flycatcher breeds in the
Sierra del Carmen, from 6800 to 7500 feet. According to Miller,
Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:91), this subspecies has been
recorded from Sierra Guadalupe. No. 31469 closely resembles, especially
in measurements, the specimens of the Western Flycatcher from the
Chisos Mountains of Texas as reported by Brodkorb (1935:2).
_Empidonax difficilis_ subsp.--Burleigh and Lowery (1942:194) obtained
a specimen of _E. difficilis_ "near the summit of Diamante Pass" that
they tentatively identified as _E. d. salvini_. However, they
considered the specimen as possibly _E. d. immemoratus_ or _E. d.
occidentalis_.
Localities listed by Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:92) of
_E. d. salvini_ and _E. d. immemoratus_ are south of twenty-three
degrees north latitude whereas the range of _E. d. occidentalis_
includes parts of Nuevo Leon north of twenty-three degrees north
latitude (_occidentalis_ intergrades with _hellmayri_ at Cerro Potosi,
Nuevo Leon, [Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore, _loc. cit._]).
Thus, the specimen from Diamante Pass probably is either _E. d.
hellmayri_ or _E. d. occidentalis_.
**_Empidonax fulvifrons pygmaeus_ Coues.--Miller, Friedmann, Griscom,
and Moore (1957:95) listed this subspecies of the Buff-breasted
Flycatcher from the Sierra Guadalupe on April 21. This record
represents the eastern limit of the range of _E. f. pygmaeus_ in
northeastern Mexico.
**_Contopus pertinax pertinax_ Cabanis and Heine.--Burleigh and Lowery
(1942:194) obtained one female Coues' Flycatcher "in a small gully just
below the summit of Diamante Pass."
_Contopus virens_ (Linnaeus).--I judge from the paucity of records in
the literature that the Eastern Wood Pewee is uncommon in Coahuila.
Burleigh and Lowery (1942:194) obtained two males at the Chorro del
Agua, and remarked also that "it is possible that as far west as
Saltillo, this species is a rather uncommon transient." Ridgway
(1907:519) listed _Contopus virens_ from Sabinas.
*_Contopus sordidulus veliei_ Coues.--_Specimens examined:_ total 2:
[Male] 31467 from Sierra del Pino (=5 mi. S, 3 mi. W Acebuches), May
14, 1954; and [Male] 31653 from the north foot of Sierra Guadalupe (=10
mi. S, 5 mi. W General Cepeda), 6400 ft., April 19, 1953.
Specimen No. 31467 of the Western Wood Pewee was obtained in pine and
oak vegetation by Dickerman. Ridgway (1907:523) reported _Contopus
sordidulus veliei_, under the name _Myiochanes richardsonii
richardsonii_, from Sierra Encarnacion. Amadon and Phillips (1947:578)
obtained a specimen of _C. sordidulus_ from Las Delicias. Miller,
Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:83) remarked that the Western Wood
Pewee breeds in the State.
_Nuttallornis borealis_ (Swainson).--Several records of the Olive-sided
Flycatcher from Coahuila are present in the literature. Miller
(1955a:167) reported it as a migrant in the desert at the base of the
Sierra del Carmen on April 24. Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore
(1957:82) reported this species from Ocampo on June 16. Amadon and
Phillips (1947:578) obtained one at Las Delicias on August 16. Burleigh
and Lowery (1942:194) collected two males "near the summit of Diamante
Pass" on April 14.
*_Pyrocephalus rubinus mexicanus_ Sclater.--_Specimens examined:_ total
3: [Male] 32060 and [Female] 32061 from 12 mi. N, 12 mi. W Jimenez, 850
ft., June 19, 1952; and sex ? 32062 from 2 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft., June
20, 1952.
The Vermilion Flycatcher is common in Coahuila. Except in the
northwestern part of the State, the subspecies _mexicanus_ is present
throughout Coahuila. The size of No. 32060 (wing, 80 mm.; tail, 62 mm.)
suggests that the specimen is an intergrade between _P. r. flammeus_
and _mexicanus_. _P. r. flammeus_ and _mexicanus_ seem to intergrade in
northern Coahuila.
Burleigh and Lowery (1942:195) found _mexicanus_ to be "quite plentiful
on the plains surrounding Saltillo." Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:33)
noted the Vermilion Flycatcher "near San Pedro." Cory and Hellmayr
(1927:92) listed _P. r. mexicanus_ from Sabinas. The size of the testes
(6x4 mm. long) of No. 32060 and the dates (June 19 and 20) on which our
specimens were collected indicate breeding.
_Pyrocephalus rubinus flammeus_ van Rossem.--This subspecies of
Vermilion Flycatcher occupies the northwestern section of Coahuila.
Marsh and Stevenson (1938:287) took a specimen of _P. r. flammeus_
"near Santo Domingo, east of the Del Carmens...." Miller (1955a:167)
re-examined this specimen and stated that "its affinity with the
northwest race of the species seems correct in terms of the characters
outlined by van Rossem (1934:353)."
_Eremophila alpestris enthymia_ (Oberholser).--Miller, Friedmann,
Griscom, and Moore (1957:105) recorded this subspecies of Horned Lark
wintering 4 mi. S Hipolito (November 2 to February 24). They reported
also that _E. a. enthymia_ breeds in Coahuila (4 mi. S Hipolito ?).
*_Eremophila alpestris diaphora_ (Oberholser).--_Specimens examined:_
total 9: [Male] [Male] 32073-32078 and [Female] 32079 from 7 mi. S, 4
mi. E Bella Union, 7200 ft., June 25, 1952; and [Male] [Male]
31605-31606 from 14 mi. W San Antonio de las Alazanas, 6500 ft.,
January 9, 1954.
Burleigh and Lowery (1942:195) wrote that this subspecies of Horned
Lark was uncommon "about Saltillo," but "fairly common" in Diamante
Valley, at about 7000 feet. Oberholser (1902:863) recorded the
subspecies _aphrasta_ from La Ventura. Ridgway (1907:326) listed
_Otocoris alpestris aphrasta_ Oberholser from Saltillo and La Ventura.
However, Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:105) indicated
that _E. a. diaphora_ rather than _aphrasta_ was recorded from Saltillo
and La Ventura. Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:35) remarked that "specimens
collected near Ramos Arizpe [in southeastern Coahuila]" proved to be
_E. a. aphrasta_. However, this record might be questioned, as Miller,
Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (_op. cit._) indicated, because
_diaphora_, rather than _aphrasta_, seems to occupy the southeastern
sector of Coahuila. Possibly typical representatives of _aphrasta_
and/or intergrades between _aphrasta_ and _diaphora_ are present in
western Coahuila; however, no records of _E. a. aphrasta_ exist from
western Coahuila.
The sizes of Nos. 32073-32077 and 31605-31606 (wing, 98.0-101.5 mm.,
averaging 99.7 mm.), the bright yellow throat, and the vinaceous color
of the hindneck characterize clearly the subspecies _diaphora_. The
sizes of the testes (9x6 mm.; 8x5 mm.; 10x6 mm.; 8x4 mm.; 11x6 mm.) of
Nos. 32073-32077, the size of the largest ovum (6.5 mm.) of No. 32079,
and the juvenile (32078) are evidence of breeding of _E. a. diaphora_
in Coahuila.
*_Tachycineta thalassina thalassina_ (Swainson).--_Specimens examined:_
total 3: [Male] 31471, [Male] 31473, and [Female] 31472 from Sierra del
Pino (=5 mi. S, 3 mi. W Acebuches), May 15, 1954, measurements: wings,
125, 118, 108 mm.; tails, 56, 54, 46 mm.
The two subspecies of the Violet-green Swallow, _thalassina_ and
_lepida_, intergrade in Coahuila. Specimens from different localities
in the State represent various stages of intergradation between the two
subspecies; generally those from northern Coahuila seem to be closer to
_T. t. lepida_, and those from southern Coahuila are closer to _T. t.
thalassina_. Nos. 31471-31473 are intergrades between _T. t.
thalassina_ and _T. t. lepida_; in size the three resemble _T. t.
thalassina_, but in green, rather than purple, backs and scapulars
resemble _T. t. lepida_. The rumps of Nos. 31471-31473 show some purple
with the green, but are nearer _thalassina_ in this character.
Gonadal sizes (testes 10x7, 10x8 mm., one ovum 6 mm.) indicate that the
Violet-green Swallow breeds in the Sierra del Pino.
*_Tachycineta thalassina lepida_ Mearns.--Miller (1955a:167) reported
that Violet-green Swallows taken in Boquillas Canyon of the Sierra del
Carmen are intermediate between _T. t. lepida_ and _thalassina_;
however, he referred his sample to _lepida_ on the basis of short wing.
_Iridoprocne bicolor_ (Vieillot).--Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and
Moore (1957:114) reported the Tree Swallow from Hipolito on February
22.
_Stelgidopteryx ruficollis psammochrous_ Griscom.--Miller, Friedmann,
Griscom, and Moore (1957:111) reported this subspecies of the
Rough-winged Swallow from Saltillo.
*_Hirundo rustica erythrogaster_ Boddaert.--Burleigh and Lowery
(1942:195) stated that the Barn Swallow was the most abundant swallow
"about Saltillo." Because these swallows occupied houses about Saltillo
and neighboring villages, Burleigh and Lowery (_loc. cit._) concluded
that the species nests commonly in the Saltillo area. Findley saw Barn
Swallows 2 mi. S and 11 mi. E Nava, 810 feet, on June 15, 1952.
Dickerman observed them at San Marcos (=20 mi. S Cuatro Cienegas) on
May 4, 1954.
*_Petrochelidon pyrrhonota minima_ van Rossem and
Hachisuka.--_Specimens examined:_ total 2: [Male] [Male] 31585-31586
from 14 mi. W San Antonio de las Alazanas, April 9, 1954.
Burleigh and Lowery (1942:196) noted the Cliff Swallow "in small
numbers about Saltillo and the nearby villages" where the species
"showed evidence of beginning to nest in many of the houses...." They
(_loc. cit._) found Cliff Swallows also at the Chorro del Agua and
Diamante Valley. According to Dickerman, Nos. 31585-31586 were from a
colony, members of which were collecting mud at a stock tank.
*_Petrochelidon fulva pallida_ Nelson.--The Cave Swallow seems to be
uncommon in eastern Coahuila. Selander and Baker (1957:345) list
Saltillo, Sabinas, and Monclova as the three known localities for this
swallow in the State.
*_Progne subis subis_ (Linnaeus).--Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and
Moore (1957:107) reported, presumably on the basis of a published
record not found by me, that the Purple Martin breeds in Coahuila.
**_Progne chalybea chalybea_ (Gmelin).--The only record of the
Gray-breasted Martin in Coahuila was given by Ridgway (1904:42) when he
listed _P. c. chalybea_ from Sabinas.
**_Cyanocitta stelleri macrolopha_ Baird.--_Specimens examined:_ total
2: [Male] 32788 and [Female] 32787 from 13 mi. E San Antonio de las
Alazanas, 9950 ft., July 6, 1955.
From the paucity of records in the literature, I judge that Steller's
Jay is uncommon in Coahuila. Nos. 32787-32788 seemingly represent the
first records of this species in the State, and are referred to the
subspecies _macrolopha_ on the basis of relatively long (150, 151 mm.)
wing, near the maximum for _stelleri_ from Mexico. The date (July 6) of
collection suggests that these birds were resident in southeastern
Coahuila.
**_Aphelocoma coerulescens cyanotis_ Ridgway.--The Scrub Jay is common
in southeastern Coahuila. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:196) noted this
species in small numbers at the summit of Diamante Pass, daily on the
lower slopes of the mountains, and a few birds "on the outskirts of
Saltillo, where they were probably nesting...." Sutton and Burleigh
(1939a:35) also noted several flocks at Diamante Pass. Miller,
Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:123) reported _A. c. cyanotis_ from
El Diamante. Ridgway (1904:335) listed this subspecies of the Scrub Jay
(then called _Aphelocoma cyanotis_) from Carneros, Sierra Encarnacion,
and Sierra Guadalupe.
*_Aphelocoma ultramarina couchii_ (Baird).--_Specimens examined:_ total
14: [Female] 31051 from Sierra de la Encantada (=38 mi. S, 23 mi. E
Boquillas), 4400 ft., March 15, 1952; [Male] [Male] 29425-29426 and
[Female] [Female] 29427-29428 from Club Sierra del Carmen (=2 mi. N, 6
mi. W Piedra Blanca), 4950 ft., April 8, 1950; sex ? 31052 (skeleton
only) from 4 mi. W Hacienda La Mariposa, 2300 ft., March 25, 1952;
[Female] [Female] 31635-31636 from Canyon de Parazos in the Sierra de
la Parazos Azula (=9 mi. E Hermanas), 2100 ft., December 7, 1953;
[Female] 32082 from 4 mi. N, 21 mi. W Cuatro Cienegas, 6200 ft., July
3, 1952; [Female] 31053 (skeleton only) from 26 mi. W Santa Teresa,
7050 ft., April 5, 1952; [Male] 32081 from 7 mi. S, 4 mi. E Bella
Union, 7200 ft., June 25, 1952; [Female] 33173 (skeleton only) from 13
mi. E San Antonio de las Alazanas, 9950 ft., July 6, 1955; [Male] 31607
from 13 mi. E, 3 mi. S San Antonio de las Alazanas, 8900 ft., January
11, 1954; and [Male] 31654 from Sierra Guadalupe (=10 mi. S, 5 mi. W
General Cepeda), 7000 ft., April 13, 1953.
The Mexican Jay is common in Coahuila. This species occupies various
habitats in the State and has been collected at stations ranging from
2100 to 9950 feet.
Miller (1955a:167) stated that the Mexican Jay was the most abundant
species of bird in the Sierra del Carmen. Burleigh and Lowery
(1942:196) remarked that specimens of _A. u. couchii_ were obtained "in
the area surrounding the summit of Diamante Pass." At no time did
Burleigh and Lowery (_loc. cit._) see this species below 6500 feet. The
Mexican Jay is restricted to the higher altitudes in southern Coahuila
but is more widespread in northern Coahuila. Dickerman saw Mexican Jays
in the Sierra del Pino on May 12, 1954; 16 mi. E and 18 mi. N Ocampo on
May 7, 1954; in the Sierra de la Madera on December 13, 1953; and 20
mi. S Ocampo on April 4, 1954.
Ridgway (1904:340) remarked that _Aphelocoma sieberii potosina_ Nelson
[=_A. u. couchii_ (Baird)] has been recorded in southern Coahuila, at
Carneros. Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:124) recorded _A.
u. couchii_ from Carneros, Nuevo Leon. I suspect (Ridgway, 1904:340 and
Goldman, 1951: map opposite p. 34) that the locality given by Miller,
Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (_op. cit._) should be Carneros,
Coahuila, rather than Carneros, Nuevo Leon.
Specimens (31051, 29425-29428, 31635-31636, 32081-32082, 31607, and
31654) of the Mexican Jay increase in size from northern Coahuila to
southern Coahuila. The average length of the wings of Nos. 29425-29426
from Club Sierra del Carmen is 152 mm. whereas the average length of
the wings of No. 32081 from 7 mi. S and 4 mi. E Bella Union, of No.
31607 from 13 mi. E and 3 mi. S San Antonio de las Alazanas, and of No.
31654 from Sierra Guadalupe is 164 mm.
Miller (1955a:169) indicated that the Mexican Jay breeds in the Sierra
del Carmen. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:196) remarked that the species
breeds at Diamante Pass. The sizes of the testes (12, 11 mm.) of Nos.
29425-29426, the size of the ovum (8 mm.) of No. 29428, and the short
tail (126 mm.) of the immature female from 4 mi. N and 21 mi. W Cuatro
Cienegas are also evidence of breeding by this species in the State.
*_Corvus corax sinuatus_ Wagler.--The Common Raven seems to occur in
low density in Coahuila. Miller (1955a:168) saw ravens in the pine-oak
and cliff areas of the Sierra del Carmen, and took a breeding female at
the head of Corte Madera Canyon, 7500 feet. Burleigh and Lowery
(1942:196) found this species to be a bird of the higher slopes of the
mountains although not uncommon in the broad open valley south of
Diamante Pass. Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:35) took a male at Santa
Rosa.
*_Corvus cryptoleucus_ Couch.--_Specimens examined:_ total 4: [Male]
32080 from 2 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft., June 20, 1952; [Female] 35404
(skeleton only) from 4 mi. N San Isidro (=16 mi. N Ocampo), May 10,
1954; and [Male] [Male] 31474-31475 from R. de Almendarez (=53 mi. NW
Ocampo), May 11, 1954.
The White-necked Raven occurs throughout Coahuila. Sutton and Burleigh
(1939a:36) observed this species "in the vicinity of Saltillo," but not
farther west. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:197) noted _C. cryptoleucus_
frequently "on the arid plateau around Saltillo" and obtained a
specimen "in the high fertile valley south of Diamante Pass." Burleigh
and Lowery (_loc. cit._) remarked that the White-necked Raven avoids
the mountain slopes; 7000 feet was the uppermost limit of occurrence.
The sizes of the testes (32080, 20 mm.; 31474: left, 12x20 mm., right,
10x16 mm.; and 31475: left, 10x16 mm., right, 10x14 mm.) of the
specimens that I have examined and the dates (May 11, June 20) on which
they were collected indicate breeding by the White-necked Raven in
Coahuila.
*_Parus sclateri eidos_ (Peters).--_Specimens examined:_ total 4:
[Female] 32083 from 7 mi. S, 4 mi. E Bella Union, 7200 ft., June 25,
1952; [Male] 31609 from 2 mi. E Mesa de Tablas, 9000 ft., January 15,
1954; [Male] 31656 and [Female] 31655 from the north slope of Sierra
Guadalupe (=11 mi. S, 7 mi. W General Cepeda), 7800 ft., April 20, 1953.
The Mexican Chickadee is common in southeastern Coahuila. Miller,
Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:133) stated that _P. s. eidos_ and
_P. s. sclateri_ intergrade in southern Coahuila. The specimens that I
have examined also show signs of intergradation, but are closer to _P.
s. eidos_.
Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:36) reported taking specimens of _P. s.
eidos_ at Diamante Pass where they saw several individuals. Burleigh
and Lowery (1942:197) also observed these chickadees "in the pine woods
about the summit of Diamante Pass...." The size of the testes (6x5 mm.)
of No. 31656 and the fact that No. 31655 was incubating eggs at the
time it was obtained are evidence of breeding by this chickadee in the
State.
**_Parus sclateri sclateri_ Kleinschmidt.--Miller, Friedmann, Griscom,
and Moore (1957:133) stated that a specimen (or specimens?) of _P. s.
sclateri_ which showed evidence of intergradation with _P. s. eidos_
was obtained at El Diamante.
**_Parus atricristatus dysleptus_ Van Tyne.--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Male] 31054 from 37 mi. S, 21 mi. E Boquillas, 4100 ft., March 13,
1952.
Two subspecies of the Black-crested Titmouse are present in Coahuila.
_P. a. dysleptus_ occurs in northwestern Coahuila. Miller (1955a:168)
stated that the Black-crested Titmouse, identified as _dysleptus_, was
the only representative of the genus _Parus_ in the Sierra del Carmen.
The weak extension of black onto the nape in No. 31054 suggests
intergradation between _P. a. dysleptus_ and _P. a. atricristatus_; the
latter lacks the black nape of _dysleptus_.
*_Parus atricristatus atricristatus_ Cassin.--_Specimens examined:_
total 4: [Female] 32084 from 12 mi. N, 12 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft., June
19, 1952; sex ? 32085 from 2 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft., June 20, 1952;
[Female] 31055 (skeleton only) from Fortin (=33 mi. N, 1 mi. E San
Geronimo), 3300 ft., on March 29, 1952; and [Female] 35399 (skeleton
only) from 3.5 mi. W, 22 mi. S Ocampo, December 15, 1953, weight, 16
gms.
Typical _P. a. atricristatus_ occurs in Coahuila in the southeastern
sector (Dixon, 1955:184). Black-crested Titmice intermediate between
_atricristatus_ and _dysleptus_ were listed from Cuidad Muzquiz and
Sabinas by Dixon (_loc. cit._:189), as _dysleptus_ but were shown on
his map (_loc. cit._:184) as _atricristatus_. Our Nos. 32084 and 32085
(wing, 71, 71, tail, 63, 64 mm.) are small and fall in the upper range
of size for _atricristatus_ to which the specimens are here referred.
*_Auriparus flaviceps ornatus_ (Lawrence).--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Male] 31056, from Sierra de la Encantada (=38 mi. S, 23 mi. E
Boquillas), 4400 ft., March 15, 1952.
The Verdin occurs up to about 5000 feet in Coahuila. Miller (1955a:168)
reported that "this desert species followed the catclaw scrub up the
washes to about 4800 feet, the limit of such habitat" in the Sierra del
Carmen and also gave evidence of breeding by the Verdin in Coahuila.
Amadon and Phillips (1947:578) reported a nest of _Auriparus flaviceps_
at Las Delicias. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:197) obtained a single
specimen "in an arroyo a few miles east of Saltillo" and a single
specimen "about twenty miles west" of Saltillo. Ridgway (1904:421)
reported _A. f. ornatus_ [he referred to it as _A. f. flaviceps_] at
Monclova. Hellmayr (1934:88) listed _A. f. ornatus_ from Jaral. Findley
saw a Verdin 2 mi. S and 3 mi. E San Juan de Sabinas on June 22, 1952.
The size (wing, 50 mm.; tail, 43 mm.) of No. 31056 is small for typical
representatives of _A. f. ornatus_. The yellow of the head of No. 31056
is darker than that of the other subspecies of the Verdin, and I have
accordingly allocated the specimen to _A. f. ornatus_.
*_Psaltriparus melanotis lloydi_ Sennett.--_Specimens examined:_ total
5: [Male] 31058 and [Female] 31057 from 37 mi. S, 21 mi. E Boquillas,
4100 ft., March 13, 1952; [Male] 31060 and [Female] 31059 from Sierra
de la Encantada (=38 mi. S, 23 mi. E Boquillas), 4400 ft., March 15,
1952; and [Male] 35407 (skeleton only) from Sierra del Pino (=5 mi. W,
3 mi. S Acebuches), 6200 ft., May 14, 1954.
The Black-eared Bushtit is common in Coahuila. Typical representatives
of _P. m. lloydi_ in the northern part of the State range from 4100
feet to 8000 feet. Miller (1955a:168-169) reported _P. m. lloydi_
breeding in the Sierra del Carmen. Marsh and Stevenson (1938:287)
obtained a male in the Sierra del Carmen at El Jardin. The size of the
testes (3.5 mm.) of No. 31058 suggests breeding by the Black-eared
Bushtit 37 mi. S and 21 mi. E Boquillas.
**_Psaltriparus melanotis iulus_ Jouy.--_Specimens examined:_ total 2:
[Male] 31659 from the north slope of Sierra Guadalupe (=10 mi. S, 7 mi.
W General Cepeda), 7000 ft., April 20, 1953; and [Female] 31658 from
the north slope of Sierra Guadalupe (=10 mi. S, 5 mi. W General
Cepeda), 6700 ft., April 15, 1953.
Typical representatives of this Black-eared Bushtit are present in the
southeastern sector of Coahuila. The backs of Nos. 31658-31659 differ
slightly in color from the backs of typical representatives of
_lloydi_. I suspect that the specimens from the Sierra Guadalupe are
intergrades between _lloydi_ and _iulus_.
Burleigh and Lowery (1942:197) took two males and two females of
_Psaltriparus melanotis iulus_ (they called their specimens
_Psaltriparus minimus iulus_) at Saltillo and stated that their
specimens tended to approach _lloydi_ rather than being typical
_iulus_. Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:36) recorded _P. m. iulus_ only at
Diamante Pass where they took two specimens.
*_Sitta carolinensis nelsoni_ Mearns.--Miller (1955a:169) reported that
this subspecies of the White-breasted Nuthatch breeds and was common in
the oaks and open conifers from 6500 to 8000 feet in the Sierra del
Carmen and stated also that the populations of the White-breasted
Nuthatch in "the Chisos Mountains [of Texas] and the Sierra del Carmen
seem best regarded as a stage in the cline of which _nelsoni_ and
_mexicana_ are end points, although falling closer to _nelsoni_."
*_Sitta carolinensis mexicana_ Nelson and Palmer.--_Specimens
examined:_ total 2: [Male] 31669 and [Female] 31670 from the Canyon d.
Meco, Sierra Guadalupe (=10 mi. S General Cepeda), 6500 ft., April 23,
1953, weights, 17, 18 gms.
Typical populations of this White-breasted Nuthatch occur in southern
Coahuila. Ridgway (1904:449) listed _S. c. mexicana_ from Sierra
Guadalupe in southern Coahuila. The underparts of our specimens are
darker than in _nelsoni_, and their bills (culmen, 15, 13 mm.) are
shorter than the average ([Male], 19.8 mm.; [Female], 18.6 mm.
[Ridgway, 1904:447]) in _nelsoni_. The large size of the testes (5x3
mm.) of No. 31669 suggests breeding by _S. c. mexicana_ in Sierra
Guadalupe.
*_Sitta pygmaea melanotis_ van Rossem.--In Coahuila the Pigmy Nuthatch
seems to be locally common. Miller (1955a:169) reported it so between
7500 and 8000 feet in pine-oak on the mesa tops and in the heads of
canyons of the Sierra del Carmen and noted that it breeds there. Hardy
saw the Pigmy Nuthatch 13 mi. E San Antonio de las Alazanas on July 6,
1955.
_Certhia familiaris americana_ Bonaparte.--_Specimens examined:_ total
2: [Female] 31612 from the base of Don Martin Dam, November 27, 1953,
skull partially unossified; and [Female] 31587 from 20 mi. S Ocampo,
6500 ft., April 5, 1954, weight, 7 gms.
This subspecies of the Brown Creeper can be considered a sparse winter
visitant to Coahuila. Van Hoose (1955:302) reported that Nos. 31612 and
31587 constitute the southernmost records of _C. f. americana_ and
represent the first records of occurrence of _americana_ in Mexico.