subspecies of the Brown Creeper, which he assumed to be a winter
visitant or a migrant, in the Sierra del Carmen. He (_loc. cit._)
remarked also that the higher conifers would seem to constitute
favorable habitat for nesting by the Brown Creeper, but did not find
any evidence of a breeding population of creepers in the Sierra del
Carmen. Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:143) reported _C.
f. montana_ from San Lazaro Mountain on November 9.
**_Certhia familiaris albescens_ Berlepsch.--_Specimens examined:_
total 3: sex ? 32805 from 13 mi. E San Antonio de las Alazanas, July 7,
1955; [Male] [Male] 31610-31611 from 3 mi. S, 13 mi. E San Antonio de
las Alazanas, 8900 ft., January 12, 1954.
Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:143) reported _C. f.
albescens_ from "southern Coahuila." Nos. 31610-31611 and 32805
represent the only other records of this subspecies from the State. The
date (July 7) on which No. 32805 was obtained suggests that this bird
was a resident 13 mi. E San Antonio de las Alazanas.
_Troglodytes aedon parkmanii_ Audubon.--_Specimen examined:_ one, sex ?
29556, from 1.5 mi. N Parras, 5500 ft., November 10, 1949, weight, 9.8
gms.
Burleigh and Lowery (1942:197) recorded the House Wren "in small
numbers about Saltillo where occasional birds, presumably migrants,
were noted in thickets or stretches of underbrush fringing cultivated
fields." They obtained a single male "on the outskirts of Saltillo."
Hellmayr (1934:218) listed _T. a. parkmanii_ from Sabinas.
*_Troglodytes brunneicollis cahooni_ Brewster.--Typical representatives
of this subspecies of the Brown-throated Wren occur in northern
Coahuila. In the Sierra del Carmen, Miller (1955a:170) found _T. b.
cahooni_ that in no way suggested _compositus_ of the Sierra Madre
Oriental. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:198) recorded a _cahooni_-like
specimen from Diamante Pass in southern Coahuila.
**_Troglodytes brunneicollis compositus_ Griscom.--_Specimen examined:_
one, [Male] 32819, from 13 mi. E San Antonio de las Alazanas, July 6,
1955.
The subspecies _cahooni_ and _compositus_ of the Brown-throated Wren
seem to intergrade in the southern part of the State. Although No.
32819 represents the subspecies _compositus_, the somewhat whitish
abdomen and the fairly large spots of the lesser wing coverts suggest
some relationship with _cahooni_. In addition to the present record,
Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:163) recorded _T. b.
compositus_ from southern Coahuila at Sierra Guadalupe. The record of
_T. b. cahooni_ from Sierra Guadalupe (Ridgway, 1904:588) I suspect
probably represents _T. b. compositus_ or an intergrade between
_compositus_ and _cahooni_. The date (July 6) on which No. 32819 was
obtained 13 mi. E San Antonio de las Alazanas suggests that this bird
was resident there.
*_Thryomanes bewickii eremophilus_ Oberholser.--_Specimens examined:_
total 3: [Male] 32088 from 2 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft., June 20, 1952;
[Female] 31061 from 4 mi. W Hacienda La Mariposa, 2300 ft., March 24,
1952, weight, 10.8 gms.; and [Male] 31660 from the north foot of Sierra
Guadalupe (=10 mi. S, 5 mi. W General Cepeda), 6500 ft., April 21,
1953, weight, 13 gms.
Bewick's Wren occurs commonly in Coahuila. Miller, Friedmann, Griscom,
and Moore (1957:160) reported that, in Coahuila, _T. b. eremophilus_
"intergrades in the eastern and southern sections with _T. b. cryptus_
and _T. b. murinus_, respectively." The slightly darker coloration of
No. 31660, suggesting a resemblance to _T. b. murinus_, is the only
evidence of intergradation of _T. b. murinus_ and _eremophilus_ that I
have found.
Miller (1955a:170) stated that _T. b. eremophilus_ was "common in the
piedmont area on yucca-dotted slopes and along the lower canyon walls
in growth of pinon, yucca, and cactus" in the Sierra del Carmen, and
reported breeding there. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:198) remarked that
_T. b. eremophilus_ "proved without question to be the most widely
distributed and abundant wren" in the Saltillo region. The series that
Burleigh and Lowery (_loc. cit._) assembled "proved to be uniform and
clearly referable to" _T. b. eremophilus_. Sutton and Burleigh
(1939a:36) noted _Thryomanes bewickii_ at San Pedro on January 29 and
30. Hardy saw a male _T. b. eremophilus_ at Parras on July 4, 1955.
Ridgway (1904:557) listed _T. b. eremophilus_ from Saltillo in April
and as breeding at Sabinas.
The sizes of the testes (8 mm.; 6x4 mm.) of Nos. 32088 and 31660,
respectively, suggest breeding 2 mi. W Jimenez and Sierra Guadalupe.
**_Thryomanes bewickii cryptus_ Oberholser.--Miller, Friedmann,
Griscom, and Moore (1957:161) recorded _T. b. cryptus_ from Saltillo.
*_Thryothorus ludovicianus berlandieri_ Baird.--_Specimens examined:_
total 3: [Male] 32086 from 12 mi. N, 12 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft., June
19, 1952; sex ? 32087 from 2 mi. W Jimenez, June 20, 1952; and [Female]
31063 from 8 mi. N, 4 mi. W Muzquiz, 1800 ft., April 1, 1952, weight,
18.3 gms.
One subspecies of the Carolina Wren, _berlandieri_, occurs in Coahuila
in the northeastern section of the State. Ridgway (1904:547) recorded
_T. l. berlandieri_ from Sabinas. The fact that No. 32086 was a
juvenile suggests that the Carolina Wren breeds 12 mi. N and 12 mi. W
Jimenez.
*_Campylorhynchus brunneicapillum couesi_ Sharpe.--_Specimens
examined:_ total 6: [Male] 29429 from Canyon del Cochino (=16 mi. N, 21
mi. E Piedra Blanca), 3200 ft., April 6, 1950; [Male] 31064 from 7 mi.
S, 2 mi. E Boquillas, 800 ft., February 29, 1952, weight, 38.1 gms.;
[Female] 31066 (skeleton only) from 10 mi. S, 5 mi. E Boquillas, 1500
ft., March 5, 1952; [Male] 31637 from La Gacha (=La Concha), December
1, 1953, weight, 40 gms.; [Male] 31638 from 18 mi. S Ocampo, December
16, 1953; and sex ? 29557 from 7 mi. S, 1 mi. E Gomez Farias, 6500 ft.,
November 18, 1949, weight, 41 gms.
This subspecies of the Cactus Wren occurs throughout Coahuila except in
the extreme southeastern section of the State, where the subspecies _C.
b. guttatus_ occurs. Miller (1955a:169) found _C. b. couesi_ breeding
and occupying the open swales and mesas at the base of the mountains of
the Sierra del Carmen. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:198) found _C.
brunneicapillum_ "to be rather scarce and decidedly local in its
distribution" and observed an occasional bird "in the open desert
country west of Saltillo." Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore
(1957:151) recorded _C. b. couesi_ "south to [the] vicinity of
Monclova."
No. 29557 does not have any characters of _C. b. guttatus_; its under
tail coverts and flanks have roundish black spots, rather than black
bars as in _C. b. guttatus_.
**_Campylorhynchus brunneicapillum guttatus_ (Gould).--This subspecies
of Cactus Wren seems to occupy the extreme southeastern section of
Coahuila. Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:152) recorded _C.
b. guttatus_ from Hipolito.
_Telmatodytes palustris plesius_ (Oberholser).--Miller, Friedmann,
Griscom, and Moore (1957:148) reported this subspecies of the
Long-billed Marsh Wren from 8 mi. S Cuatro Cienegas.
*_Catherpes mexicanus albifrons_ (Giraud).--Miller (1955a:170) found
this subspecies of Canyon Wren "in shaded rocky canyons and on larger
cliff slopes at the base of the mountains from 4700 to 5300 feet" in
the Sierra del Carmen where it nested. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:198)
noted that the Canyon Wren was "decidedly uncommon" at Saltillo and
obtained a male at the Chorro de Agua on April 19. Ridgway (1904:657)
listed _C. m. albifrons_ from Patos.
*_Salpinctes obsoletus obsoletus_ (Say).--_Specimens examined:_ total
4: [Female] 31067 from 1 mi. N Boquillas, 700 ft., March 6, 1952,
weight, 16.1 gms.; [Female] 31068 from 7 mi. S, 2 mi. E Boquillas, 800
ft., March 1, 1952, weight, 18.2 gms.; sex ? 29558 from 12 mi. N, 10
mi. E Parras, 5000 ft., November 11, 1949, weight, 16.9 gms.; and
[Male] 32089 from 7 mi. S, 4 mi. E Bella Union 7200 ft., June 24, 1952.
The Rock Wren is common in Coahuila. Miller (1955a:170) found _S. o.
obsoletus_ "only in the rocky piedmont and on lower bare canyon faces"
and stated that Marsh took a bird in fresh fall plumage on September 6
at El Jardin. Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:37) found the Rock Wren "near
San Pedro." Burleigh and Lowery (1942:198) wrote that the subspecies
_obsoletus_ was "characteristically a bird of the arroyos of the arid
plateau about Saltillo, where it was fairly common...." The large size
of the testes (5x3 mm.) of No. 32089 and the date (June 24) on which it
was obtained suggest breeding by the Rock Wren 7 mi. S and 4 mi. E
Bella Union.
*_Mimus polyglottos leucopterus_ (Vigors).--_Specimens examined:_ total
5: [Female] 31070 from 10 mi. S, 5 mi. E Boquillas, 1500 ft., March 5,
1952, weight, 55.1 gms.; [Male] [Male] 32094-32095 from 2 mi. W
Jimenez, 850 ft., June 20, 1952; [Male] 32096 from 5 mi. N, 19 mi. W
Cuatro Cienegas, 3250 ft., July 5, 1952; and [Male] 33186 (skeleton
only) from Parras, July 5, 1955, testes, 6x3 mm.
The Mockingbird is sparsely distributed throughout Coahuila. Miller
(1955a:170) found _M. p. leucopterus_ in the mesquite and catclaw at
the base of the mountains in the Sierra del Carmen. Sutton and Burleigh
(1939a:37) reported _M. p. leucopterus_ from Diamante Pass. Amadon and
Phillips (1947:578) found a young Mockingbird out of the nest begging
for food from an adult on August 18 at Las Delicias. Burleigh and
Lowery (1942:199) found the Mockingbird on the arid plateau "about
Saltillo." Hellmayr (1934:308) listed _M. p. leucopterus_ from Jaral.
Findley saw Mockingbirds 2 mi. S and 3 mi. E San Juan de Sabinas on
June 22, 1952. Dickerman saw Mockingbirds in the Sierra del Pino on May
12, 1954, and 8 mi. E and 2 mi. S Americanos on May 18, 1954. The sizes
of the testes (8, 7 mm.) of Nos. 32094 and 32096, respectively, suggest
breeding 2 mi. W Jimenez and 5 mi. N and 19 mi. W Cuatro Cienegas, as
does No. 32095, a juvenile.
*_Toxostoma longirostre sennetti_ (Ridgway).--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Male] 32090, from 2 mi. S, 3 mi. E San Juan de Sabinas, June 22, 1952.
In Coahuila the Long-billed Thrasher seems to be uncommon. It has been
recorded in Coahuila as far west as San Juan de Sabinas. Ridgway
(1907:192) recorded _T. l. sennetti_ from Sabinas, the only other
record of the Long-billed Thrasher, to my knowledge, from the State.
The large size of the testes (11x6 mm.) of No. 32090 and the date (June
22) on which it was obtained suggest that _T. l. sennetti_ breeds 2 mi.
S and 3 mi. E San Juan de Sabinas.
*_Toxostoma curvirostre celsum_ Moore.--_Specimens examined:_ total 2:
[Female] 31071 from 7 mi. S, 2 mi. E Boquillas, March 1, 1952, wing,
111 mm., tail, 114 mm., weight, 97.2 gms.; and [Female] 31072 (skeleton
only) from 10 mi. S, 5 mi. E Boquillas, 1500 ft., March 5, 1952.
This subspecies of the Curve-billed Thrasher occurs in northwestern
Coahuila. Specimens of _T. c. celsum_ and _oberholseri_ from Coahuila
are too few to show clearly the distribution and intergradation in
Coahuila.
No. 31071 is referred to _T. c. celsum_ because of large size; the
spots on its upper abdomen, which are large and pronounced, suggest a
relationship with _T. c. oberholseri_. Miller (1955a:170) remarked that
_T. c. celsum_ was a scarce resident of the desert scrub at the mouth
of Boquillas Canyon of the Sierra del Carmen.
*_Toxostoma curvirostre oberholseri_ Law.--_Specimens examined:_ total
5: [Female] 35405 (skeleton only) from 4 mi. N San Isidro, May 11,
1954; [Female] 32091 from 5 mi. N, 19 mi. W Cuatro Cienegas, 3250 ft.,
July 5, 1952; [Male] 32833 from Parras, July 4, 1955, weight, 76.5
gms.; [Female] 32092 from 7 mi. S, 4 mi. E Bella Union, 7200 ft., June
25, 1952; and [Male] 31614 from 16 mi. W San Antonio de las Alazanas,
6500 ft., January 7, 1954, weight, 90 gms.
This subspecies of the Curve-billed Thrasher occurs in eastern and
southern Coahuila. Amadon and Phillips (1947:578) took a Curve-billed
Thrasher twenty miles west of Saltillo that had an enlarged ovary and a
brood patch still somewhat evident on August 27. Burleigh and Lowery
(1942:199) stated that _T. c. oberholseri_ "was rather widely and
commonly distributed, being noted from the area about the summit of
Diamante Pass at 7,800 feet down to the desert country about Saltillo."
Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:177) recorded _T. c.
oberholseri_ from Sabinas, from 8 mi. S Cuatro Cienegas, and from El
Diamante. Hellmayr (1934:298) also recorded _T. c. oberholseri_ from
Sabinas, as did Ridgway (1907:199) under the name _T. c. curvirostre_
before the subspecies _oberholseri_ was named. The female from 4 mi. N
San Isidro had an egg in its oviduct. The immature male (32833), the
large size of ovum (8 mm.) of No. 32092, and the presence of a brood
patch on No. 32091 also are evidences of breeding by the Curve-billed
Thrasher in Coahuila.
*_Toxostoma dorsale dorsale_ Henry.--The Crissal Thrasher is uncommon
in Coahuila. The subspecies _dorsale_ occurs in northern Coahuila.
Miller (1955a:170-171) found the subspecies _dorsale_, at about 4700
feet, only in the mesquite, desert willow, and walnut scrub along the
wash of Boquillas Canyon of the Sierra del Carmen and remarked also
that the bird nested there.
**_Toxostoma dorsale dumosum_ Moore.--_Specimen examined:_ one, sex ?
29559, from 8 mi. N La Ventura, 6000 ft., November 17, 1949, weight,
57.0 gms.
The subspecies _dumosum_ of the Crissal Thrasher in Coahuila has been
reported only from the southeastern section of the State. Burleigh and
Lowery (1942:199-200) found _T. d. dumosum_ "not uncommon in the lower
foot-hills outside of Saltillo as well as on the summit of Diamante
Pass." The specimen of _T. d. dorsale_ from Diamante Pass reported by
Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:37) is closer, according to Burleigh and
Lowery (1942:199), to _T. d. dumosum_. No. 29559 is darker above and
below than typical specimens of _T. d. dorsale_ and represents _T. d.
dumosum_.
_Oreoscoptes montanus_ (Townsend).--_Specimen examined:_ one, sex ?
30237, from 1 mi. SW San Pedro de las Colonias, 3700 ft., February 8,
1951.
The Sage Thrasher seems to be a winter visitant to Coahuila. Miller,
Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:173) recorded the species in
November from 8 mi. S Cuatro Cienegas.
*_Turdus migratorius propinquus_ Ridgway.--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Female] 31073 (skeleton only) from 4 mi. W Hacienda La Mariposa, 2300
ft., March 24, 1952.
Burleigh and Lowery (1942:200) stated that "the Robin apparently breeds
rather sparingly on the higher ridges" in southeastern Coahuila. They
collected a pair "in the open pine woods just below the summit of
Diamante Pass" on April 15 and noted another at the Chorro del Agua on
April 19.
**_Ridgwayia pinicola_ (Sclater).--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Male]
31619, from 5 mi. W, 22 mi. S Ocampo, 6000 ft., December 15, 1953,
weight, 88 gms.
The Aztec Thrush is rare in Coahuila. Van Hoose (1955:302) remarked
that No. 31619, the skull of which was incompletely ossified,
"represents the northernmost record for this species, which was
previously unknown in Coahuila."
_Hylocichla guttata guttata_ (Pallas).--_Specimens examined:_ total 2:
[Male] [Male] 31074-31075 from 4 mi. W Hacienda La Mariposa, 2300 ft.,
March 25 and 26, 1952, weights, 25, 21 gms.
The Hermit Thrush is a common migrant or winter visitant in Coahuila.
_H. g. guttata_ has been reported from northern Coahuila. Miller
(1955a:171) observed _H. g. guttata_ (and _H. g. auduboni_) in the
Douglas fir and pine-oak belts and in the lower levels in the oaks at
the foot of the Sierra del Carmen. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:200) noted
_H. g. guttata_ "in small numbers in the open woods surrounding the
summit of Diamante Pass, and at infrequent intervals in the arroyos on
the arid plateau near Saltillo."
_Hylocichla guttata sequoiensis_ (Belding).--Ridgway (1907:45) recorded
this subspecies of Hermit Thrush from Sierra Guadalupe in April.
However, Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:188) suggest that
the material on which this identification was based needs
redetermination.
_Hylocichla guttata auduboni_ (Baird).--_Specimens examined:_ total 3:
[Female] 31488 from Sierra del Pino (=5 mi. S, 3 mi. W Acebuches), May
12, 1954, weight, 25 gms.; [Female] 31076 (skeleton only) from Fortin
(=33 mi. N, 1 mi. E San Geronimo), 3300 ft., March 28, 1952; and
[Female] 31077 (skeleton only) from 26 mi. W Santa Teresa, 7050 ft.,
April 4, 1952.
Miller (1955a:171) found this subspecies of Hermit Thrush wintering
with _H. g. guttata_ in the Sierra del Carmen. Hellmayr (1934:456)
listed _H. g. auduboni_ from Sabinas.
**_Sialia sialis fulva_ Brewster.--Hellmayr (1934:479) listed this
subspecies of the Eastern Bluebird from Sabinas.
*_Sialia mexicana mexicana_ Swainson.--Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and
Moore (1957:199) remarked that the subspecies _mexicana_ of the Western
Bluebird breeds in the southern mountains of Coahuila where, at El
Diamante, on July 7, a specimen (or specimens ?) in breeding condition
was obtained. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:200) found _S. m. mexicana_
"well distributed in the open woods about" Diamante Pass, but at no
time below an elevation of approximately 6500 feet. Sutton and Burleigh
(1939a:38) also saw "several brown-backed" Western Bluebirds at
Diamante Pass on March 6. Ridgway (1907:150) recorded _S. m. mexicana_
from Saltillo, Carneros, and Sierra Guadalupe.
_Sialia currucoides_ (Bechstein).--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Female]
31078, from Sierra de la Encantada (=38 mi. S, 23 mi. E Boquillas),
4400 ft., March 14, 1952, weight, 23.7 gms.
The Mountain Bluebird is a winter visitant to Coahuila. Miller,
Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:200) recorded _Sialia currucoides_
from Hipolito on February 24.
**_Myadestes townsendi townsendi_ (Audubon).--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Female] 31079, from 26 mi. W Santa Teresa, 7050 ft., April 4, 1952.
Miller (1955a:171) detected Townsend's Solitaire in clumps of large
pines in two different locations at 7000 and 7500 feet on April 4, 6,
and 8 in the Sierra del Carmen. He did not find a breeding population
of _M. t. townsendi_, but did note favorable habitat for breeding.
Ridgway (1907:164) recorded _M. townsendi_ from the Sierra Guadalupe on
April 21. Dickerman saw a Townsend's Solitaire in the Sierra de la
Madera on December 13, 1953.
The underparts of No. 31079 are not uniformly dark, being paler on the
chin, throat, and abdomen than elsewhere as is true of typical
representatives of _M. t. townsendi_.
**_Polioptila caerulea caerulea_ (Linnaeus).--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Male] 32097, from 2 mi. S, 11 mi. E Nava, June 15, 1952.
No. 32097 is the first record of occurrence of this subspecies of
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in the State. The white of the underparts of No.
32097 is less grayish than the underparts of typical representatives of
_P. c. amoenissima_, and the black at the base of the inner webs of the
outermost rectrix does not extend beyond the tip of the under tail
coverts. Representatives of _P. c. amoenissima_ have black at the base
of the inner web of the outermost rectrix more extended, usually
showing beyond the tip of the under tail coverts. The size of the
testes (3x2 mm.) of No. 32097 does not suggest breeding, but the date
(June 15) indicates that it was a resident.
*_Polioptila caerulea amoenissima_ Grinnell.--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Male] 31080, from 7 mi. S, 2 mi. E Boquillas, 800 ft., February 29,
1952, weight, 5.4 gms.
This subspecies of the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher breeds in Coahuila and
occurs throughout all of the State except the northeastern section.
Miller (1955a:171) remarked that "this gnatcatcher was apparently
established on summer territories in the oaks and walnuts of the wash
of Boquillas Canyon at the foot of the mountains" of the Sierra del
Carmen. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:200) noted "this species only in the
open woods at the summit of Diamante Pass, where, however, it was not
uncommon." Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:201) recorded
_P. c. amoenissima_ breeding at El Diamante on July 8.
*_Polioptila melanura melanura_ Lawrence.--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Male] 31081, from 7 mi. S, 2 mi. E Boquillas, 800 ft., March 1, 1952,
weight, 5.6 gms.
In Coahuila this subspecies of the Black-tailed Gnatcatcher has been
recorded from several localities. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:200) found
that it "was limited in its distribution to the lower altitudes and was
noted only in the open desert country west of Saltillo." Sutton and
Burleigh (1939a:38) noted it "several times near San Pedro" where on
January 29 one female was taken. Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore
(1957:205) recorded _P. m. melanura_ at Hipolito on June 30 to July 2
in breeding condition.
_Regulus satrapa satrapa_ Lichtenstein.--Miller (1955a:171) found a
small wintering flock of Golden-crowned Kinglets in the Sierra del
Carmen; this is the only record of the species in Coahuila.
_Regulus calendula calendula_ (Linnaeus).--_Specimens examined:_ total
5: [Female] 31085 from the Rio Grande (=17 mi. S Dryden, Terrell Co.,
Texas, in Coahuila), 600 ft., March 19, 1952, weight, 6.3 gms.; [Male]
[Male] 31082-31083 from 1 mi. N Boquillas, 700 ft., March 8, 1952,
weight, 7.2, 6.5 gms.; [Male] 31084 from Sierra de la Encantada (=38
mi. S, 23 mi. E Boquillas), 4400 ft., March 15, 1954, weight, 5.4 gms.;
and [Male] 31661 from the north slope of Sierra Guadalupe (=11 mi. S, 7
mi. W General Cepeda), 7800 ft., April 20, 1953, weight, 5 gms.
In Coahuila this subspecies of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a common
migrant. Miller (1955a:171) found it (and _R. c. cineraceus_) "common
in the conifers and oaks of the upper levels of the mountains [Sierra
del Carmen], at 6500 to 7000 feet, as winter visitants or migrants."
Burleigh and Lowery (1942:201) took specimens of _R. c. calendula_ at
Diamante Pass on April 15, at the Chorro del Agua on April 19, and at
20 mi. W Saltillo on April 22. Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:38) noted the
Ruby-crowned Kinglet "in the arid parts of southern Coahuila." Hellmayr
(1934:513) listed _R. c. calendula_ from Sabinas. Dickerman saw
Ruby-crowned Kinglets in the Sierra de la Madera on December 13, 1953,
20 mi. S Ocampo on April 4, 1954, and 3 mi. S and 13 mi. E San Antonio
de las Alazanas on January 12, 1954.
_Regulus calendula cineraceus_ Grinnell.--Miller (1955a:171) found _R.
c. cineraceus_ common in the Sierra del Carmen; on April 3, 5, and 10
the birds were "abundant, as though a wave of migrants were passing
through."
_Anthus spinoletta rubescens_ (Tunstall).--_Specimens examined:_ Total
3: [Male] [Male] 31086-31087 and sex ? 31088 from 1 mi. N Boquillas,
700 ft., March 6, 7, and 8, 1952, weights, 19.3, 19.9, and 16.6 gms.
This subspecies of the Water Pipit is an uncommon winter visitant or
migrant in Coahuila. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:201) found "a flock of
ten birds ... on the outskirts of Saltillo" on April 18. Miller,
Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:210) recorded _A. s. rubescens_
from Cuatro Cienegas in November and from Hipolito in February.
_Anthus spinoletta pacificus_ Todd.--Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and
Moore (1957:209) recorded this Water Pipit from Cuatro Cienegas in
February and from Hipolito in November.
_Bombycilla cedrorum_ Vieillot.--The Cedar Waxwing is an uncommon
winter visitant to Coahuila. Miller (1955a:171) recorded a flock in the
Sierra del Carmen on April 5, and another flock on April 21. Burleigh
and Lowery (1942:201) saw two small flocks on April 15 "in the open
woods just below the summit of Diamante Pass."
*_Phainopepla nitens nitens_ Swainson.--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Male] 31674, from the west foot of Pico de Jimulco, 5000 ft., April 3,
1953, weight, 35 gms.
The Phainopepla occurs throughout most of Coahuila. Sutton and Burleigh
(1939a:39) reported _P. n. nitens_ from Diamante Pass on March 6. On
April 15 and 17 Burleigh and Lowery (1942:201) saw scattered pairs of
the Phainopepla "only in the open woods surrounding Diamante Pass."
Miller (1955a:171) noted _P. n. nitens_ "on April 20 and 28 in large
clumps of mesquite near Piedra Blanca, at about 4500 feet, on the
foothills" of the Sierra del Carmen. Dickerman saw a Phainopepla 20 mi.
S Ocampo on April 4, 1954. Baird (1858:320) listed a male _P. n.
nitens_ from Coahuila, Mexico. Hellmayr (1935:107) remarked that
_Phainopepla nitens_ was listed from Coahuila by "Salvin and Godman,
Biol. Centr.--Amer., Aves, 1, p. 220, 1883...." Miller, Friedmann,
Griscom, and Moore (1957:213) stated that _P. n. nitens_ breeds at El
Diamante. The long wing (100 mm.) and long tail (96 mm.) of No. 31674
is typical for _P. n. nitens_.
_Phainopepla nitens lepida_ Van Tyne.--Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:39)
recorded _P. n. lepida_ from Diamante Pass on March 6; Miller,
Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:213) suggest that this individual
was a vagrant.
_Lanius ludovicianus migrans_ Palmer.--Burleigh and Lowery (1942:202)
obtained this subspecies of Loggerhead Shrike "on the outskirts of
Saltillo on April 20." The specimen shows evidence of intergradation
with _excubitorides_.
**_Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides_ Swainson.--Miller, Friedmann,
Griscom, and Moore (1957:216) recorded _L. l. excubitorides_ from
Sabinas and from Hipolito (November 2 to February 24).
*_Lanius ludovicianus mexicanas_ Brehm.--_Specimens examined:_ total 4:
sex ? 31089 from 7 mi. S, 2 mi. E Boquillas, 800 ft., February 29,
1952, weight, 45.1 gms.; [Female] 31090 from 36 mi. S, 15 mi. E
Boquillas, 2550 ft., March 12, 1952; sex ? 30233 from 1 mi. N San
Lorenzo, 4200 ft., February 5, 1951; and [Female] 32098 from 7 mi. S, 4
mi. E Bella Union, 7200 ft., June 25, 1952.
Miller (1931:66) suggested that _L. l. mexicanus_ and _L. l.
excubitorides_ intergrade in Coahuila; all of the specimens of
Loggerhead Shrike from Coahuila that I have examined are intergrades
between _mexicanus_ and _excubitorides_. Our four specimens have a
superciliary line that is indistinct and the black mask of each extends
somewhat posterior to the auricular region. The anterior part of their
forehead is somewhat lighter than the remaining part of their head and
back.
Miller (1955a:171) detected _L. l. mexicanus_ only once in catclaw
scrub in the lower part of Boquillas wash at about 4600 feet in the
Sierra del Carmen. He (_loc. cit._) remarked that his individual may
best be considered an intergrade between _mexicanus_ and
_excubitorides_, being "somewhat closer to the former." Burleigh and
Lowery (1942:201) obtained a male _L. l. mexicanus_ "in the open valley
just below the summit of Diamante Pass on April 23" that was typical of
this subspecies. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:201-202) suggested that _L.
l. mexicanus_ breeds in southeastern Coahuila. Sutton and Burleigh
(1939a:39) took a typical representative _L. l. mexicanus_ at Mayran on
January 30.
_Lanius ludovicianus gambeli_ Ridgway.--Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and
Moore (1957:214) recorded this subspecies from Hipolito on November 6.
*_Vireo atricapilla_ Woodhouse.--_Specimens examined:_ total 4: sex ?
32099-32100 from Sierra del Pino (=6 mi. N, 6 mi. W Acebuches), 5250
ft., July 3, 1952; and [Male] [Male] 31493-31494 from 16 mi. E, 18 mi.
N Ocampo, May 8 and 9, 1954, enlarged testes.
The Black-capped Vireo seems to breed as far south as central Coahuila.
Miller (1955a:171-172) reported this vireo as a summer resident in "the
low catclaw-dominated scrub in the lower washes of Boquillas Canyon and
its side valleys, at 4600 to 4800 feet" in the Sierra del Carmen.
Dickerman found the Black-capped Vireo common on the dry scrub and oak
hillside habitat 16 mi. E and 18 mi. N Ocampo.
_Vireo griseus noveboracensis_ (Gmelin).--Ridgway (1904:184) recorded
this subspecies of the White-eyed Vireo "west to Sabinas." Miller,
Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:220) also recorded _V. g.
noveboracensis_ from Sabinas on May 25. I suspect that the specimen of
_V. g. noveboracensis_ from Sabinas that was taken on May 25 was a
vagrant. _V. g. noveboracensis_ may occur in Coahuila as a migrant or
winter visitant; however, I do not believe that representatives of
_noveboracensis_ normally are resident in Coahuila.
*_Vireo griseus micrus_ Nelson.--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Male]
32101, from 2 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft., June 20, 1952, measurements:
wing, 58 mm.; tail, 43.5 mm.; culmen, 10 mm.; tarsus, 19 mm.
This subspecies of the White-eyed Vireo breeds in Coahuila. Miller,
Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:221) recorded _V. g. micrus_ from
Sabinas on March 9 and May 14. The enlarged testes (5x3 mm.) of No.
32101 and the date (June 20) on which it was obtained suggest breeding
in Coahuila.
_Vireo huttoni stephensi_ Brewster.--This subspecies of Hutton's Vireo
occurs in southeastern Coahuila as a migrant. Sutton and Burleigh
(1939a:39) found _V. h. stephensi_ fairly common at Diamante Pass on
March 6. Ridgway (1904:198) recorded _V. h. stephensi_ from Sierra
Guadalupe in April.
*_Vireo huttoni carolinae_ Brandt.--_Specimens examined:_ total 3:
[Male] 31588 from 20 mi. S Ocampo, 6500 ft., April 5, 1954, weight, 11
gms.; [Female] 32851 from 13 mi. E San Antonio de las Alazanas, July 6,
1955, weight, 14.2 gms.; and [Female] 32102 from 7 mi. S, 4 mi. E Bella
Union, 7200 ft., June 25, 1952.
To my knowledge, _V. h. carolinae_ is the only resident subspecies of
Hutton's Vireo in Coahuila. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:202) found _V. h.
carolinae_ in rather limited numbers in the woods bordering the summit
of Diamante Pass. Miller (1955a:172) remarked that the subspecies
_carolinae_ was a common bird from 6500 feet to 8000 feet in the Sierra
del Carmen. Miller (_loc. cit._) took a female on April 12 that was
nearly ready to lay and said that his specimens of _carolinae_ from the
Sierra del Carmen seem to be separate from _V. h. stephensi_ and _V. h.
mexicanus_. Our specimens showed no overlapping of characters with _V.
h. stephensi_ and _V. h. mexicanus_. The size of the largest ovum (2
mm.) of No. 32102 and the dates (June 25, and July 6) on which Nos.
32102 and 32851 were obtained suggest that _V. h. carolinae_ is a
resident in Coahuila.
*_Vireo bellii medius_ Oberholser.--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Male]
31495, from San Marcos, May 5, 1954, measurements: wing, 56 mm.; tail,
48 mm.; culmen, 9.5 mm.; tarsus, 18 mm.
Although Bell's Vireo seems to have been observed uncommonly in
Coahuila, this species does breed in the State. Burleigh and Lowery
(1942:202) obtained a single female _V. b. medius_ on April 20 "in an
arroyo east of Saltillo" and found this subspecies "not uncommon in the
open desert twenty miles west of Saltillo, where three singing males
were secured." Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:226)
recorded _V. b. medius_ in breeding condition at Hipolito from June 30
to July 3. Ridgway (1904:207) recorded the subspecies from Monclova.
Hardy saw a Bell's Vireo at Parras on July 4, 1955. The size of No.
31495 is typical for _V. b. medius_.
*_Vireo flavifrons_ Vieillot.--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Male] 32103,
from 2 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft., June 20, 1952.
Van Hoose (1955:302-303) suggested that the occurrence of No. 32103 in
Coahuila is evidence of a southward extension of the range of the
Yellow-throated Vireo within the last generation. The size of the
testes (5x3 mm.) of No. 32103 and the date (June 20) on which it was
obtained suggest breeding by _Vireo flavifrons_ in Coahuila.
_Vireo solitarius solitarius_ (Wilson).--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Female] 31640, from 9 mi. E Hermanas (=Canyon de Parajos in the Sierra
de Parajos Azule), 2100 ft., December 7, 1953.
This subspecies of the Solitary Vireo is an uncommon migrant or winter
visitant to Coahuila. Dickerman obtained No. 31540, whose skull was
unossified and whose ovary was small, in an oak and palm habitat. The
bright yellow flanks, large and yellow wing bars, and the uniform olive
green back indicate that this specimen is a typical representative of
_V. s. solitarius_. This subspecies was previously unrecorded in
Coahuila.
_Vireo solitarius cassinii_ Xantus.--_Specimens examined:_ total 2:
[Female] 35408 (skeleton only) from 5 mi. W, 3 mi. S Acebuches, 6200
ft., May 12, 1954; and [Male] 31589 from 20 mi. S Ocampo, 6200 ft.,
April 4, 1954, measurements: wing, 75 mm.; tail, 57 mm.; culmen, 10.5
mm.; weight, 14 gms.
This subspecies of the Solitary Vireo seems to be uncommon in Coahuila.
No. 31589 provides the first record of _V. s. cassinii_ in Coahuila.
Van Hoose has (1955:303) erroneously reported that Dickerman obtained
No. 31589 on July 4, 1954; the correct date is April 4, 1954.
Although the size of No. 31589 is large for _V. s. cassinii_, the color
(sides and flanks with less yellow, more olive; narrow white wing bars)
resembles that of typical representatives of _cassinii_. The testes of
No. 31589 were not enlarged. Dickerman suggested that the female from 5
mi. W and 3 mi. S Acebuches showed some resemblance to _V. s.
plumbeus_. This is not to be unexpected since the subspecies _plumbeus_
has been reported from the Chisos Mountains of Texas (Van Tyne and
Sutton, 1937:82) and from northern Chihuahua (Miller, Friedmann,
Griscom, and Moore, 1957:227).
*_Vireo olivaceus_ (Linnaeus).--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Male] 32104,
from 12 mi. N, 12 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft., June 19, 1952.
The Red-eyed Vireo has been uncommonly reported from eastern Coahuila.
Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:229) recorded _V.
olivaceus_ from Sabinas on May 22 and from Las Vacas Creek on June 7 as
late spring migrants. Hellmayr (1935:131) listed the Red-eyed Vireo
from northern Coahuila. Findley saw a Red-eyed Vireo 2 mi. W Jimenez on
June 19, 1952. The size of the testes (5x3 mm.) of No. 32104 and the
date (June 19) on which it was obtained indicate that the Red-eyed
Vireo possibly breeds in northeastern Coahuila; if so, this is the
first breeding record of the Red-eyed Vireo in Coahuila.
_Vireo gilvus gilvus_ (Vieillot).--This subspecies of the Warbling
Vireo is an uncommon migrant in Coahuila. Miller, Friedmann, Griscom,
and Moore (1957:232) recorded _V. g. gilvus_ from 12 mi. W Saltillo on
September 28.
_Mniotilta varia_ (Linnaeus).--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Male] 31662,
from the north slope of Sierra Guadalupe (=11 mi. S, 7 mi. W General
Cepeda), 7800 ft., April 20, 1953, weight, 10 gms., testes not
enlarged.
The Black and White Warbler is an uncommon visitant or migrant in
Coahuila. Miller (1955a:172) remarked that Marsh took a fall migrant on
September 1 in Chuperosa Canyon in the Sierra del Carmen. Burleigh and
Lowery (1942:202) secured a female Black and White Warbler "in an
orchard on the outskirts of Saltillo" on April 20 and a male "near the
top of Diamante Pass on April 23."
_Vermivora celata celata_ (Say).--_Specimens examined:_ total 2: sex ?
31091 from the Rio Grande (=17 mi. S Dryden, Terrell Co., Texas, in
Coahuila), 600 ft., March 19, 1952, measurements: wing, 57 mm.; tail,
47 mm.; weight, 7.7 gms.; and [Male] 31092 from 4 mi. W Hacienda La
Mariposa, 2300 ft., March 25, 1952, measurements: wing, 62 mm.; tail,
48 mm.; weight, 9.2 gms.
This subspecies of the Orange-crowned Warbler is an uncommon migrant in
Coahuila. In Brewster County, Texas, Van Tyne and Sutton (1937:83)
found _V. c. celata_ "not common as a spring transient." Miller,
Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:239) recorded _V. c. celata_ from
Coahuila. The quality of the pale yellow color and the sizes of Nos.
31091-31092 suggest that they are representatives of _V. c. celata_.
_Vermivora celata orestera_ Oberholser.--Burleigh and Lowery (1942:202)
found _V. c. orestera_ "only on infrequent occasions ... in the open
woods surrounding the summit of Diamante Pass" where they obtained one
specimen.
_Vermivora virginiae_ (Baird).--Miller (1955a:172) took a male
Virginia's Warbler in Boquillas Canyon in the Sierra del Carmen "in
scattered scrubby oak growth with grass and cactus beneath." This
species in the Sierra del Carmen is considered "casual" by Miller,
Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:241).
**_Vermivora crissalis_ (Salvin and Godman).--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Male] 31590, from 20 mi. S Ocampo, 7000 ft., April 5, 1954, weight, 10
gms.
The Colima Warbler is common locally in Coahuila. Burleigh and Lowery
(1942:203) found this species fairly common on the steep, rugged slopes
above the summit of Diamante Pass and saw none below an elevation of
approximately 7500 feet. Bangs (1925:251) stated that Nelson and
Goldman secured a specimen of the Colima Warbler at Sierra Guadalupe on
April 25.
*_Vermivora superciliosa mexicana_ (Bonaparte).--_Specimen examined:_
one, [Male] 31591, from 13 mi. E San Antonio de las Alazanas, 9350 ft.,
April 10, 1954.
Hartlaub's Warbler is uncommon in Coahuila and seems to occur only in
the southeastern section of the State; No. 31591 is the first record of
the species in Coahuila. The size of the testes (5x2 mm.) of No. 31591
and the fact that the bird was singing when first seen suggest the
possibility that _V. s. mexicana_ breeds in southeastern Coahuila.
Breeding there is not unexpected because the species has been found
breeding in Nuevo Leon (Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore,
1957:242).
_Parula americana_ (Linnaeus).--Miller (1955a:172) obtained a migrant
Parula Warbler in an oak grove at 7000 feet on April 16 in the Sierra
del Carmen, and remarked that it was "apparently the first record of
this species in Coahuila."
*_Parula pitiayumi nigrilora_ Coues.--The AOU Check-list Committee
(1957:486) recorded this subspecies of the Olive-backed Warbler as a
resident at Sabinas.
*_Peucedramus taeniatus arizonae_ Miller and Griscom.--This subspecies
of the Olive Warbler is locally common in Coahuila. Miller (1955a:172)
found _P. t. arizonae_ common in the pine timber above 6800 feet in the
Sierra del Carmen and suggested that this warbler breeds in these
mountains. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:203) found the Olive Warbler in a
thick pine wood at an elevation of 9500 to 10,000 feet and remarked
that this species was "decidedly uncommon in the Diamante Pass area."
They (_loc. cit._) obtained a female (not identified to subspecies) on
April 23 that had a "well developed brood patch and was unquestionably
incubating eggs." Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:40) took a single female
at Diamante Pass on March 6 which also was not identified to
subspecies. Dickerman saw Olive Warblers in the Sierra de la Madera on
December 13, 1953, and 13 mi. E San Antonio de las Alazanas on April
10, 1954.
_Dendroica petechia morcomi_ Coale.--Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and
Moore (1957:246) reported this subspecies of the Yellow Warbler as
having been recorded from Coahuila.
_Dendroica auduboni auduboni_ (Townsend).--_Specimens examined:_ total
2: [Male] 31094 (skeleton only) from Fortin (=33 mi. N, 1 mi. E San
Geronimo), 3300 ft., March 29, 1952; and [Male] 31093 from 4 mi. W
Hacienda La Mariposa, 2300 ft., March 25, 1952, weight, 12.3 gms.
Audubon's Warbler is a common winter visitant and migrant in Coahuila.
Miller (1955a:173) recorded _D. a. auduboni_ as a migrant from April 7
to 26 in the Sierra del Carmen; he found no suggestion of breeding by
the Audubon's Warbler in the northwestern section of the State. One
individual that Miller (_loc. cit._) obtained was extensively black and
approached the characters of the subspecies _nigrifrons_ of Chihuahua.
He (_loc. cit._) suggested that the black individual was taken from
"part of a cline of blackness and size in which _D. a. auduboni_ of the
northwest and _D. a. nigrifrons_ of Mexico are extremes." Burleigh and
Lowery (1942:203) remarked that Audubon's Warbler "is doubtless a
common winter bird in the area around Saltillo." Two specimens obtained
by Burleigh and Lowery (_loc. cit._) "might be considered intermediate"
between _auduboni_ and _memorabilis_. Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:40)
saw Audubon's Warbler "in some numbers near San Pedro ... [on] January
29 and 30." Dickerman saw Audubon's Warblers 13 mi. E San Antonio de
las Alazanas on April 10, 1954. Miller (1955a:173) also obtained, in
the Sierra del Carmen, a hybrid between _D. coronata_ and _D.
auduboni_.
_Dendroica auduboni memorabilis_ Oberholser.--Oberholser (1921:246)
recorded _D. a. memorabilis_ from Saltillo on April 17. This subspecies
seems to winter commonly in western Mexico and less commonly in the
Central Plateau and Sierra Madre Oriental (Miller, Friedmann, Griscom,
and Moore, 1957:249-250).
_Dendroica nigrescens_ (Townsend).--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Male]
31095, from Fortin (=33 mi. N, 8 mi. W San Geronimo), 3300 ft., March
28, 1952, weight, 9.3 gms.
The Black-throated Gray Warbler is an uncommon spring and possibly fall
migrant in Coahuila. Miller (1955a:173) found _D. nigrescens_ uncommon
in the Sierra del Carmen. He saw and heard a spring migrant singing on
April 12 at 7000 feet and obtained a male on April 16.
_Dendroica townsendi_ (Townsend).--Townsend's Warbler is a spring and
fall migrant in Coahuila. Miller (1955a:173) recorded _D. townsendi_ on
September 2 at Jardin del Sur in Chuperosa Canyon in the Sierra del
Carmen. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:203) saw two individuals of
Townsend's Warbler at Diamante Pass on April 14. Amadon and Phillips
(1947:578) secured this species "in mesquite about twenty miles west of
Saltillo on August 28." Dickerman saw Townsend's Warblers in the Sierra
de la Madera on December 13, 1953; 20 mi. S Ocampo on April 4, 1954;
and 13 mi. E San Antonio de las Alazanas on April 10, 1954.
_Dendroica virens_ (Gmelin).--Dickerman saw one Black-throated Green
Warbler 13 mi. E San Antonio de las Alazanas, 9350 feet, on April 10,
1954, in a white pine-Douglas fir-aspen association. This seems to be
the first record of this species in Coahuila.
*_Dendroica chrysoparia_ Sclater and Salvin.--Miller, Friedmann,
Griscom, and Moore (1957:251) listed the Golden-cheeked Warbler from
Hipolito on July 3.
_Dendroica occidentalis_ (Townsend).--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Male]
31592, from 13 mi. E San Antonio de las Alazanas, April 10, 1954.
The Hermit Warbler seems to be an uncommon spring and probably fall
migrant in Coahuila. Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:252)
reported _D. occidentalis_ from the State. No. 31592, whose testes were
not enlarged, was obtained in a pine-spruce-aspen association.
_Geothlypis trichas brachidactylus_ (Swainson).--Miller, Friedmann,
Griscom, and Moore (1957:261) listed this subspecies of the
Yellowthroat as recorded from Coahuila.
_Geothlypis trichas occidentalis_ Brewster.--Burleigh and Lowery
(1942:204) found the Yellowthroat "only on the outskirts of Saltillo,
where ... [this species] was not uncommon in the thickets, especially
around a small stand of marsh grass bordering a pond." Three males that
Burleigh and Lowery (_loc. cit._) obtained were tentatively identified
as _G. t. occidentalis_. Dickerman saw one male Yellowthroat at San
Marcos (=20 mi. S Cuatro Cienegas) on May 4, 1954.
_Geothlypis nelsoni nelsoni_ Richmond.--Burleigh and Lowery (1942:204)
noted the Hooded Yellowthroat "only on the open slopes above the summit
of Diamante Pass at an elevation of about 8,000 feet" where they
obtained an adult male.
*_Icteria virens virens_ (Linnaeus).--_Specimens examined:_ total 3:
[Male] [Male] 32105-32106 from 12 mi. N, 12 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft.,
June 19, 1952; and [Female] 32107 from 2 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft., June
20, 1952.
From the paucity of records in the literature, I judge that the
Yellow-breasted Chat is uncommon in Coahuila. Miller, Friedmann,
Griscom, and Moore (1957:265) listed _I. v. virens_ from Coahuila.
Findley saw a Yellow-breasted Chat 2 mi. S and 3 mi. E San Juan de
Sabinas on June 22, 1952. The sizes of the testes (7x4 mm.; 12 mm.) of
Nos. 32105-32106, the size of the largest ovum (2 mm.) of No. 32107,
and the dates (June 19, 20) on which these specimens were obtained
indicate breeding by _I. v. virens_ in northeastern Coahuila, an area
southwest of the previously documented breeding range.
**_Icteria virens auricollis_ (Deppe).--Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and
Moore (1957:264) listed this subspecies of the Yellow-breasted Chat as
recorded from Coahuila.
_Wilsonia pusilla pileolata_ (Pallas).--_Specimens examined:_ total 3:
[Male] 31501 and [Female] 31500 from Sierra del Pino (=5 mi. S, 3 mi. W
Acebuches), May 13 and 14, 1954, measurements: wing, 59, 55 mm.; tail,
50, 49 mm.; culmen, 8, 8.5 mm.; tarsus, 16, 16 mm.; weight: 6, 7 gms.;
and [Male] 31663 from the north foot of Sierra Guadalupe (=10 mi. S, 5
mi. W General Cepeda), 6500 ft., April 21, 1953, measurements: wing, 58
mm.; tail, 46 mm.; culmen, 8.5 mm.; tarsus, 16 mm.; weight, 7 gms.
Wilson's Warbler is a common spring and probably fall migrant in
Coahuila. Miller (1955a:173) took spring migrants of _W. p. pileolata_
from April 9 to April 27; he found _W. p. pileolata_ at 4800 feet and
at 7000 feet. Amadon and Phillips (1947:579) saw a Wilson's Warbler at
Las Delicias on August 17. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:204) found
Wilson's Warbler to be the most abundant of the warblers that they
recorded in southeastern Coahuila. They saw _W. p. pileolata_ on the
top of the high ridges and in the arid desert country in the
southeastern section of the State. Several specimens were collected by
Burleigh and Lowery (_loc. cit._) including an immature male from the
Chorro del Agua on April 19. Dickerman saw Wilson's Warblers 16 mi. E
and 18 mi. N Ocampo on May 7, 1954, and at San Marcos (=20 mi. S Cuatro
Cienegas) on May 4, 1954. The sizes of our specimens as well as their
color (bright olive-green above, bright yellow below) are typical for
the subspecies _pileolata_.
_Setophaga ruticilla ruticilla_ (Linnaeus).--The American Redstart
seems to be uncommon in Coahuila. Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore
(1957:268) listed one specimen of _S. r. ruticilla_ from the State.
*_Setophaga picta picta_ Swainson.--_Specimens examined:_ total 2: sex
? 31096 from 26 mi. W Santa Teresa, 7050 ft., April 5, 1952; and [Male]
31671 from Canyon d. Meco in Sierra Guadalupe (=10 mi. S General
Cepeda), April 23, 1953, weight, 11 gms.
The Painted Redstart seems to be locally common in Coahuila. Miller
(1955a:173) found these warblers breeding in the Sierra del Carmen and
said that they were "common from 6000 to 7500 feet in canyon bottom
growth, in oaks, and in mixed pines and oaks;" however, he did not see
any of these warblers above 7500 feet where conifers tended to dominate
the vegetation. Marsh and Stevenson (1938:287) obtained a male Painted
Redstart in annual molt on August 11 in oak and juniper forest at
Vivoras Spring in the Sierra del Carmen and reported seeing two other
Painted Redstarts at 9000 feet (see also Miller, 1955a:173). Dickerman
also saw seven Painted Redstarts 20 mi. S Ocampo on April 4, 1954. The
size of the testes (7x4 mm.) of No. 31671 suggests breeding by _S. p.
picta_ in the Sierra Guadalupe.
**_Passer domesticus domesticus_ (Linnaeus).--Burleigh and Lowery
(1942:204) remarked that the House Sparrow was not "a common bird
around Saltillo" although they noticed _P. d. domesticus_ regularly.
They reported House Sparrows also from the Chorro del Agua and in the
high mountain valley south of Diamante Pass. Miller, Friedmann,
Griscom, and Moore (1957:275) recorded _P. d. domesticus_ from Sabinas.
Baker captured House Sparrows in a bat net 12 mi. E San Antonio de las
Alazanas, 9950 feet, on July 5, 1955. Although there are no other
records, the House Sparrow is probably fairly common in the villages
and towns of the State.
[**_Sturnella magna hoopesi_ Stone.--The Eastern Meadowlark is uncommon
in Coahuila. The AOU Check-list Committee (1957:523) listed this
subspecies of the Eastern Meadowlark from northern Coahuila.]
**_Sturnella neglecta neglecta_ Audubon.--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Female] 31098, from the Rio Grande (=17 mi. S Dryden, Terrell Co.,
Texas, in Coahuila), 600 ft., March 18, 1952, weight, 71.8 gms.
This subspecies of the Western Meadowlark seems to be locally common in
the open country of Coahuila. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:205) found this
meadowlark common "about Saltillo" where a "small series" of _S.
neglecta_ was obtained. Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore
(1957:295) recorded the Western Meadowlark from El Diamante on July 7.
To my knowledge, no specific breeding records of this meadowlark from
Coahuila exist.
**_Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus_ (Bonaparte).--_Specimen examined:_
one, [Male] 32494 (skeleton only) from Las Margaritas, August 4, 1955.
The Yellow-headed Blackbird occurs in Coahuila in migration. Miller
(1955a:173) found this blackbird at Noria "in the flats immediately
east of the Sierra del Carmen" on April 28, and reported also that
Marsh took a male in worn breeding plumage on July 24 at Tanque de los
Melones on La Bavia Ranch east of Fresno Mesa. Amadon and Phillips
(1947:579) took two adult males at Las Delicias on August 11 and 15.
Dickerman also saw a female 8 mi. E and 2 mi. S Americanos on May 18,
1954. Van Hoose saw a male at Torreon on July 2, 1955.
*_Agelaius phoeniceus megapotamus_ Oberholser.--_Specimens examined:_
total 5: [Male] 32124, [Female] 32126, and [Female] 32128 from 12 mi.
N, 12 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft., June 19, 1952; [Male] 32125 from 2 mi. W
Jimenez, 850 ft., June 20, 1952; and [Female] 32127 from 9 mi. S, 11
mi. E Sabinas, June 14, 1952.
This subspecies of the Redwinged Blackbird is common in eastern
Coahuila. There are no records of the species from western Coahuila.
Burleigh and Lowery (1942:205) obtained a male at "the edge of
Saltillo" on April 24. Oberholser (1919a:23) recorded _A. p.
megapotamus_ from Porfirio Diaz on June 2, 5, and 6. The presence of
juveniles (32126, 32128) from 12 mi. N and 12 mi. W Jimenez and (32125)
from 2 mi. W Jimenez, respectively, and the dates (June 14, 19, 20) on
which the University of Kansas specimens were obtained are evidence of
breeding by _A. p. megapotamus_ in northeastern Coahuila.
*_Icterus spurius_ (Linnaeus).--_Specimens examined:_ total 8: [Male]
[Male] 31536-31537 from 12 mi. N, 12 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft., June 19,
1952; [Male] 31538 from 2 mi. S, 3 mi. E San Juan de Sabinas, 1160 ft.,
June 23, 1952; [Male] [Male] 32605-32607 from Parras, July 4, 1955;
[Male] 32604 and [Female] 32603 from Hacienda San Lorenzo, July 3,
1955, weights, 19.4, 18.5 gms.
The Orchard Oriole seems to occur fairly commonly in eastern and
southern Coahuila and breeds in the State. Amadon and Phillips
(1947:579) reported that Orchard Orioles were common in the desert
"about Las Delicias" in August and September and probably were
migrants. Dickerman collected Nos. 32605-32606 along an irrigated
field-edge that consisted of cottonwood and oak; he obtained Nos.
32603-32604 in an irrigated pecan orchard. The sizes of the testes
(10x5 mm.; 10x5 mm.; 8x7 mm.; 8x7 mm.; 10x8 mm.) of Nos. 31536, 31537,
32605, and 32604, respectively, and the size of the largest ovum (2
mm.) of No. 32603 as well as the dates (June 19, 23; July 3, 4) on
which all these specimens were collected indicate breeding by this
species in the State.
*_Icterus cucullatus cucullatus_ Swainson.--_Specimens examined:_ total
2: [Male] 32123 from 2 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft., June 21, 1952; and
[Male] 32122 from 2 mi. S, 3 mi. E San Juan de Sabinas, 1160 ft., June
23, 1952.
The Hooded Oriole apparently is uncommon in Coahuila. Miller,
Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:290) listed _I. c. cucullatus_ from
Sabinas. The size of the testes (11x6 mm.) of No. 32122 and the dates
(June 21, 23) on which Nos. 32123 and 32122 were collected as well as
the juvenile male (tail, 80.5 mm.) from 2 mi. W Jimenez suggest
breeding by this subspecies in Coahuila.
*_Icterus parisorum_ Bonaparte.--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Female]
32121, from 7 mi. S, 4 mi. E Bella Union, 7200 ft., June 25, 1952.
Scott's Oriole is common in Coahuila. Miller (1955a:173) found this
oriole breeding in the canyons at the base of the Sierra del Carmen.
Burleigh and Lowery (1942:205) found this oriole limited to the higher
altitudes above 7000 feet, and took specimens at Diamante Pass and at
the Chorro del Agua on April 19. Amadon and Phillips (1947:579) found
Scott's Oriole "not uncommon in the arroyos near Las Delicias" and
reported a juvenile "barely out of the nest and able to fly only a few
feet ..." on August 15. No. 32121 had an egg in its oviduct. Dickerman
saw Scott's Orioles in the Sierra del Pino on May 12, 1954, and 16 mi.
E and 18 mi. N Ocampo on May 7, 1954.
**_Icterus wagleri wagleri_ Sclater.--Ridgway (1902:268) recorded
_Icterus wagleri_ from Saltillo. Hellmayr (1937:122-123) referred this
record of Wagler's Oriole to _I. w. wagleri_.
*_Icterus bullockii bullockii_ (Swainson).--This subspecies of
Bullock's Oriole was listed as breeding by Miller, Friedmann, Griscom,
and Moore (1957:282) at Monclova on May 12-19.
_Euphagus cyanocephalus_ (Wagler).--Brewer's Blackbird is a common
migrant in Coahuila. Miller (1955a:174) found a few as migrants in the
Sierra del Carmen on April 27. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:205) remarked
that "this blackbird was characteristically a bird of the towns and
villages, the scattered flocks being invariably seen feeding in the
streets and near the houses." They (_loc. cit._) obtained three
specimens at Diamante Valley on April 23 and remarked that the
departure of these birds in spring was "extremely late."
_*Cassidix mexicanus prosopidicola_ Lowery.--_Specimens examined:_
total 3: [Female] 32893 from Parras, July 4, 1955, weight, 98.8 gms.;
and [Male] [Male] 35418-35419 from Torreon, January 8, 1954.
This subspecies of Boat-tailed Grackle has been recorded from several
localities in Coahuila. In southeastern Coahuila, Burleigh and Lowery
(1942:205-206) noted this grackle "somewhat local in its distribution;
it was found in cultivated fields about the towns and villages." These
authors noted it at Saltillo, the Chorro del Agua, and "occasionally in
the open valley south of Diamante Pass" and obtained specimens from
"near Saltillo" and Diamante Valley. On August 18 Amadon and Phillips
(1947:579) found _C. m. prosopidicola_ at Las Delicias where "a fledged
young was noticed begging for food...." Lowery (1938:4) recorded one
specimen of _C. m. prosopidicola_ from Monclova. Findley saw
Boat-tailed Grackles 2 mi. W Jimenez on June 19, 1952, and 2 mi. S and
11 mi. E Nava on June 15, 1952.
The distribution and intergradation of Boat-tailed Grackles in Coahuila
is presently poorly understood. _C. m. prosopidicola_ from southeastern
Coahuila may approach _C. m. mexicanus_, and there is probable
intergradation of _prosopidicola_ with _monsoni_ in northwestern
Coahuila (Phillips, 1950:78).
_Molothrus ater ater_ (Boddaert).--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Female]
31513, from 21 mi. S, 11 mi. E Australia, 4400 ft., May 3, 1954,
measurements: wing, 102 mm.; tail, 64 mm.; tarsus, 26 mm.; culmen, 17
mm.
This subspecies of the Brown-headed Cowbird is uncommon in Coahuila.
Amadon and Phillips (1947:579) took an adult male and a juvenile female
_M. a. ater_ at Las Delicias on August 15, both of which were
considered early migrants. Dickerman obtained No. 31513 from a flock of
eight cowbirds. Although the measurements of this specimen agree
equally well with those of _M. a. ater_ and _M. a. artemisiae_
(Grinnell, 1909:275-281), the shape of the bill most closely resembles
that of _ater_. Grinnell (1909:278) said that "_ater_ has a tumid bill,
broad and high at [the] base with [a] conspicuously arched culmen"
whereas "_artemisiae_ has a longer and relatively much slenderer bill,
vertically shallow at [the] base and laterally compressed, with the
culmen in its greater portion straight or even slightly depressed." The
size of the ovary (8x4 mm.) of No. 31513 and the date (May 3) on which
it was obtained suggest that this individual was a late migrant, still
south of the breeding range of _M. a. ater_.
_Molothrus ater artemisiae_ Grinnell.--This subspecies of the
Brown-headed Cowbird is an uncommon migrant in Coahuila. Amadon and
Phillips (1947:579) obtained, at Las Delicias, a juvenile male on
August 15 and an adult male on August 17.
*_Molothrus ater obscurus_ (Gmelin).--_Specimens examined:_ total 18:
[Male] [Male] 32112-32115 from 12 mi. N, 12 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft.,
June 18 and 19, 1952; [Male] [Male] 32108-32111, [Male] 32116, and
[Female] [Female] 32117-32120 from 2 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft., June 20,
1952; [Female] 32491 from Las Margaritas, August 4, 1955; [Male] 31511
and [Female] 31510 from 16 mi. E, 18 mi. N Ocampo, May 8 and 7, 1952;
and [Male] [Male] 35409-35410 (skeletons only) from 4 mi. N San Isidro,
May 11, 1954.
This subspecies of the Brown-headed Cowbird is common in Coahuila and
breeds there. Amadon and Phillips (1947:579) suggested that _M. a.
obscurus_ breeds at Las Delicias. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:206) saw
the Brown-headed Cowbird in "small numbers on the outskirts of
Saltillo...."
Measurements of the adult males that I have examined are: wing, 101.1
mm. (97-106); tail, 66.5 mm. (62-69); tarsus, 25.6 mm. (24.5-28);
culmen, 17.3 mm. (16-18.5). Measurements of the adult females that I
have examined are: wing, 92.3 mm. (90-97); tail, 60.1 mm. (56.5-62.5);
tarsus, 23.5 mm. (22.5-24); culmen, 14.4 mm. (14-15). The sizes of the
testes of three of the males (6-7 mm. long) and of the largest ova of
four of the females (6-9 mm. in diameter) indicate breeding by this
subspecies in Coahuila, as does the small size of one of the juvenile
males (tail, 33.5 mm. long).
_Piranga ludoviciana_ (Wilson).--In Coahuila the Western Tanager occurs
fairly commonly as a migrant. There are no records of it breeding in
the State. Miller (1955a:174) remarked that Marsh took a migrant
Western Tanager at Jardin del Sur in the Sierra del Carmen on September
7. Amadon and Phillips (1947:579) took an adult male Western Tanager at
Las Delicias on August 12. Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore
(1957:305) also recorded this tanager from 12 mi. W Saltillo. Dickerman
saw Western Tanagers in the Sierra del Pino on May 12, 1954, and 16 mi.
E and 18 mi. N Ocampo on May 7, 1954.
*_Piranga flava dextra_ Bangs.--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Male] 31526,
from Sierra del Pino (=5 mi. S, 3 mi. W Acebuches), May 12, 1954,
weight, 41 gms.
Miller (1955a:174) found this subspecies of the Hepatic Tanager "in the
pine-oak belt at 7000 feet on April 12 [in the Sierra del Carmen], when
a male was seen and a female taken." No. 31526 was with a female when
taken; this male was not fat and its testes were not enlarged. The size
of the wing (105.5 mm.) of No. 31526 represents the extreme maximum in
this subspecies.
_Piranga flava hepatica_ (Swainson).--Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and
Moore (1957:303) stated that _P. f. hepatica_ is found in northwestern
and central Arizona and southwestern New Mexico south into the
highlands of Mexico, west of the Sierra Madre Oriental, to Oaxaca and
in winter and migration extends eastward and south to Chiapas. These
authors remarked also that _P. f. dextra_ occurs in the mountains east
of the continental divide in New Mexico and western Texas south through
eastern Mexico to Chiapas. Specimens of the Hepatic Tanager from
Coahuila in winter might well be either _P. f. hepatic_ or _P. f.
dextra_. Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (_loc. cit._) recorded
migrants of _P. f. hepatica_ from the Sierra de Guadalupe on April
24-27.
*_Piranga rubra rubra_ (Linnaeus).--_Specimens examined:_ total 6:
[Male] 32129, [Male] 32132, and [Female] 32133 from 12 mi. N, 12 mi. W
Jimenez, 850 ft., June 18 and 19, 1952; [Male] 32130 from 2 mi. W
Jimenez, 850 ft., June 20, 1952; and [Male] 32131 and [Female] 32134
from 2 mi. S, 11 mi. E Nava, June 15, 1952.
This Summer Tanager occurs in northeastern Coahuila. The specimens from
12 mi. N and 12 mi. W Jimenez, 2 mi. W Jimenez, and 2 mi. S and 11 mi.
E Nava are typical representatives of _P. r. rubra_. The large testes
(12 mm.) of No. 32129 and the well-developed brood patch of No. 32134
are evidence of breeding by this subspecies in the State. Heretofore
this subspecies has not been recorded from Coahuila.
*_Piranga rubra cooperi_ Ridgway.--_Specimens examined:_ total 4:
[Male] [Male] 32828-32829, [Male] 32831, and [Female] 32830 from
Parras, July 4, 1955.
This subspecies of Summer Tanager seems to occur throughout Coahuila
except in the northeastern section of the State. Miller, Friedmann,
Griscom, and Moore (1957:302) listed _P. r. cooperi_ from Sabinas and
Sierra de Guadalupe. Miller (1955a:174) saw a Summer Tanager in a
canyon in the Serranias de Burros, about 40 miles east of the Sierra
del Carmen on April 28. Although there are no other records of _P. r.
cooperi_ from northwestern Coahuila, Van Tyne and Sutton (1937:96)
recorded this tanager as a common nesting species in Brewster County,
Texas, in cottonwood, mesquite, or willow trees. I suspect that _P. r.
cooperi_ is a common nesting bird in northwestern Coahuila as well.
Nos. 32828-32831 approach _P. r. rubra_. The measurements of No. 32829
are: wing, 98 mm.; tail, 80 mm.; the measurements of No. 32831 are:
wing, 98 mm.; tail, 79 mm. The specimens of _P. r. cooperi_ from Parras
are somewhat small and seemingly approach _P. r. rubra_. The sizes of
the testes (8x5 mm.; 9x5 mm.) of Nos. 32829 and 32831, respectively,
and the size of the largest ovum (4x4 mm.) of No. 32830 indicate
breeding by this subspecies in southern Coahuila, as does the presence
of No. 32828, a juvenile male.
*_Richmondena cardinalis canicaudus_ (Chapman).--_Specimens examined:_
total 3: [Male] 31099 from 1 mi. N Boquillas, 700 ft., March 8, 1952,
weight, 45.3 gms.; [Male] 32135 from 2 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft., June 20,
1952; and [Male] 32136 from 2 mi. S, 3 mi. E San Juan de Sabinas, June
22, 1952.
In Coahuila the Cardinal is common. Miller (1955a:174) found it singing
in the Boquillas drainage of the Sierra del Carmen at 4800 feet, and
gave evidence that the Cardinal breeds there. Sutton and Burleigh
(1939a:43) found the species to be common in the low country "east of
Saltillo." Hellmayr (1938:69) recorded _R. c. canicaudus_ from Sabinas.
The sizes of the testes (9 mm.; 7x4 mm.) of Nos. 32135-32136 indicate
breeding by this subspecies in northeastern Coahuila.
*_Pyrrhuloxia sinuata sinuata_ (Bonaparte).--_Specimens examined:_
total 4: [Male] 31100 from 10 mi. S, 5 mi. E Boquillas, 1500 ft., March
4, 1952, weight, 37.3 gms.; [Male] 32137 from 5 mi. N, 19 mi. W Cuatro
Cienegas, 3250 ft., July 5, 1952; [Male] 35403 (skeleton only) from San
Marcos, May 5, 1954; and [Male] 30234 from 3 mi. SE Torreon, 3800 ft.,
January 12, 1951.
In Coahuila, the Pyrrhuloxia is common. Hellmayr (1938:76) listed it
from Sabinas. Ridgway (1901:628) recorded _P. s. texana_ (=_sinuata_)
from La Ventura. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:206) found the species "only
in the open desert country west of Saltillo where, on April 22, several
pairs were seen in a small arroyo." Amadon and Phillips (1947:579) took
an immature _P. s. sinuata_ at Las Delicias; Sutton and Burleigh
(1939a:43-44) found this subspecies fairly common in the San Pedro
district on January 29 and 30. Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore
(1957:330) recorded breeding by _P. s. sinuata_ at Hipolito on July 2.
The size of the testes (8 mm.) of No. 32137 indicates breeding in
central Coahuila.
*_Pheucticus melanocephalus melanocephalus_ (Swainson).--_Specimen
examined:_ one, [Male] 31664, from Sierra Guadalupe (=10 mi. S, 5 mi. W
General Cepeda), 7500 ft., April 30, 1953, measurements: wing, 105.5
mm.; tail, 78 mm.; culmen, 19 mm.; weight, 48 gms.
Miller (1955a:174) reported that the Black-headed Grosbeak first
appeared in the Sierra del Carmen on April 13 and was soon seen
patrolling territories. He remarked that these specimens from the
Sierra del Carmen conformed adequately with the rather poorly
differentiated race _P. m. melanocephalus_ and stated that Marsh took
an immature male at Jardin del Sur on September 7. Oberholser
(1919b:416) listed _Hedymeles melanocephalus papago_ (=_P. m.
melanocephalus_) from Sierra Guadalupe on April 27. Dickerman saw
Black-headed Grosbeaks in the Sierra del Pino on May 12, 1954, and 16
mi. E and 18 mi. N Ocampo on May 7, 1954. The size of No. 31664
represents the characters of _P. m. melanocephalus_ as presented by
Oberholser (1919b:413). No specimen of _P. m. melanocephalus_ from
Coahuila, to my knowledge, approaches _P. m. maculatus_. The size of
the testes (7x5 mm.) of No. 31664 suggests breeding by this subspecies
in the Sierra Guadalupe.
*_Guiraca caerulea interfusa_ Dwight and Griscom.--_Specimens
examined:_ total 2: [Male] 32138 from 12 mi. N, 12 mi. W Jimenez, 850
ft., June 18, 1952; and [Female] 32139 from 2 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft.,
June 21, 1952.
Burleigh and Lowery (1942:206) recorded this Blue Grosbeak from "about
twenty miles west of Saltillo" on April 22. Miller (1955a:174) stated
that Marsh obtained a male _G. c. interfusa_ at Vivoras Spring on
August 3. Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:334) remarked
that the Blue Grosbeak breeds in the northern and eastern sections and
reported _G. c. interfusa_ from Hipolito on July 2. Amadon and Phillips
(1947:580) reported examining material from Sabinas referable to _G. c.
interfusa_. Dickerman saw Blue Grosbeaks 4 mi. N San Isidro on May 10,
1954. Findley saw Blue Grosbeaks 4 mi. W Jimenez on June 19, 1952, and
2 mi. S and 3 mi. E San Juan de Sabinas on June 22, 1952. Nos.
32138-32139 are typical representatives of _G. c. interfusa_. The size
of the testes (12 mm.) of No. 32138, the size of the largest ovum (2
mm.) of No. 32139, and the dates (June 18, 21) on which they were
collected are evidence of breeding by this subspecies.
**_Guiraca caerulea eurhyncha_ Coues.--Amadon and Phillips (1947:580)
obtained an adult male of this Blue Grosbeak from Las Delicias on
August 12. This subspecies, according to Miller, Friedmann, Griscom,
and Moore (1957:334), is resident at middle and lower elevations
through most of central and southern Mexico. Except for the occurrence
of intergrades of _G. c. interfusa_, _caerulea_, and _eurhyncha_ in
southern Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas (Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and
Moore, 1957:335), the record from Las Delicias represents the northern
limit of the range of the subspecies _eurhyncha_.
*_Passerina cyanea_ (Linnaeus).--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Male]
31544, from San Marcos, May 5, 1954.
The Indigo Bunting is rare in Coahuila. Van Hoose (1955:303) reported
that No. 31544 seems to provide the first record of the species in the
State. The Indigo Bunting is a summer resident in southwestern Oklahoma
and southeastern Texas (Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore,
1957:336). No. 31544 seemingly represents a large extension in the
summer range of the Indigo Bunting. Van Hoose (_loc. cit._) stated that
No. 31544 was observed chasing another male, and the pursuer in turn
was followed by a female; he thought that the territorial behavior of
this bird suggested breeding.
*_Passerina versicolor versicolor_ (Bonaparte).--_Specimens examined:_
total 2: [Male] 35414 from 6 mi. N, 2 mi. W Castillon, 3750 ft., June
30, 1953, weight, 8 gms.; and [Male] 35415 from 5 mi. S Castillon, 4150
ft., June 28, 1953.
Although the Varied Bunting has been recorded only from northwestern
Coahuila, I suspect that this bird is locally common throughout most of
the State. Miller (1955a:174) stated that the habitat of this species
consisted of catclaw-covered bottom lands at the base of the Sierra del
Carmen at 4700 feet. Miller's records indicate incipient breeding by
_P. v. versicolor_ in the Sierra del Carmen on April 26. The size of
the testes (11 mm.) of No. 35415 and the dates (June 28, 30) on which
Nos. 35414-35415 were collected are strong evidence of breeding by the
Varied Bunting 6 mi. N and 2 mi. W Castillon and 5 mi. S Castillon.
*_Passerina ciris pallidior_ Mearns.--_Specimens examined:_ total 6:
[Male] 32141 and [Female] 32142 from 2 mi. S, 11 mi. E Nava, 810 ft.,
June 15 and 16, 1952; [Male] 35416 from 6 mi. N, 2 mi. W Castillon,
3750 ft., June 29, 1953, weight, 15 gms.; [Male] 32140 from 2 mi. S, 3
mi. E San Juan de Sabinas, June 22, 1952; [Male] 31547 from 16 mi. N,
14 mi. E Ocampo, May 10, 1954, weight, 16 gms.; and [Male] 31546 from
San Marcos, May 5, 1954.
The Painted Bunting is a common summer resident in Coahuila. Marsh and
Stevenson (1938:287) wrote that Painted Buntings were common in summer
in the foothills of the Sierra del Carmen, and they took a male at
Piedra Blanca on July 25 and a female at Jardin del Sur on September 1.
Amadon and Phillips (1947:580) remarked that two immature Painted
Buntings, "apparently migrants, were taken at Las Delicias on August 10
and 11." Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:339) recorded
breeding by _P. c. pallidior_ at Hipolito, 4200 feet, on July 1.
Findley saw Painted Buntings 2 mi. S and 11 mi. E Nava on June 15,
1952. Dickerman saw Painted Buntings 4 mi. N San Isidro on May 10,
1954. Hardy saw Painted Buntings at Parras on July 4, 1955.
All the University of Kansas specimens are typical of the larger
subspecies _pallidior_. The dates (May 5, 10; June 15, 16, 22, 29) on
which these specimens were collected, the sizes of the testes (9x6 mm.;
6x5 mm.; 7x3 mm.) of Nos. 32140, 31547, and 31546, respectively, and
the size of the largest ovum (2.5 mm.) of No. 32142 indicate breeding
by _P. c. pallidior_ in Coahuila.
_Carpodacus cassinii_ Baird.--Cassin's Finch is an uncommon winter
migrant in Coahuila. Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:314)
listed _C. cassinii_ from Sierra Guadalupe.
*_Carpodacus mexicanus potosinus_ Griscom.--_Specimens examined:_ total
8: [Male] 35417 from 13 mi. S, 5 mi. W Castillon, 4000 ft., June 28,
1953, testes, 6 mm., weight, 19 gms.; [Female] 35411 (skeleton only)
from Sierra del Pino (=5 mi. W, 3 mi. S Acebuches), 6200 ft., May 14,
1954; [Male] 32145 from 5 mi. N, 19 mi. W Cuatro Cienegas, 3250 ft.,
July 5, 1952; [Male] 32144 and [Female] 32147 from 3 mi. S, 3 mi. E
Bella Union, 6750 ft., June 27, 1952, [Male] gonads, 7 mm.; [Male]
32143 and [Female] 32146 from 7 mi. S, 4 mi. E Bella Union, 7200 ft.,
June 24, 1952; and [Male] 31675 from the west foot of Pico de Jimulco,
5000 ft., April 4, 1953, weight, 20 gms.
The House Finch is common in Coahuila. Miller (1955a:174) reported a
sparse population of this species in the foothills adjoining Boquillas
Canyon at 4800 feet of the Sierra del Carmen and observed young just
out of the nest on April 25. He remarked also that specimens of the
House Finch from the Sierra del Carmen seem to show no intergradation
toward _frontalis_. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:206) noted _C. m.
potosinus_ at "Saltillo, in the desert country west of there, at the
Chorro del Agua, and in the open valley south of Diamante Pass."
Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:316) listed breeding by _C.
m. potosinus_ at El Diamante on July 6. Dickerman also saw the House
Finch at San Marcos on May 4, 1954, and Hardy saw it at Parras on July
4, 1955. No. 32147 had a distinct brood patch; the largest ovum of No.
32146 was 7 mm. in diameter. No. 32145 was a juvenile male.
The University of Kansas specimens agree well with descriptions of _C.
m. potosinus_ as given by Moore (1939:195). No approach toward _C. m.
frontalis_, _centralis_, or _nigrescens_ is exhibited by any of these
specimens. No. 31675, from Pico de Jimulco in southwestern Coahuila, is
paler above and below than any other specimens of _C. m. potosinus_.
Also the crown of No. 31675 is suffused with more red than in typical
representatives of _C. m. potosinus_.
**_Spinus pinus pinus_ (Wilson).--_Specimen examined:_ one, sex ? 33219
(skeleton only) from 13 mi. E San Antonio de las Alazanas, 9950 ft.,
July 6, 1955.
On April 5, 7, and 21, Miller (1955a:175) recorded winter visitant or
vagrant flocks of Pine Siskins in the Sierra del Carmen. Miller,
Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:318) listed _S. p. pinus_ south to
Sierra Guadalupe. Dickerman saw Pine Siskins 13 mi. E San Antonio de
las Alazanas on April 10, 1954.
_Spinus pinus macropterus_ (Bonaparte).--Miller, Friedmann, Griscom,
and Moore (1957:319) recorded a vagrant _S. p. macropterus_ from 50 mi.
S Monclova, 2850 feet, on November 9.
_Spinus tristis pallidus_ Mearns.--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Female]
31101, from Fortin (=33 mi. N, 8 mi. W San Geronimo), 3300 ft., March
28, 1952, weight, 11.5 gms.
The American Goldfinch is an uncommon migrant or winter visitant in
Coahuila. Hellmayr (1938:296) recorded _S. t. pallidus_ from Sabinas.
Fortin and Sabinas are the only places in Coahuila where _S. t.
pallidus_ has been collected. No. 31101 is a typical representative of
_S. t. pallidus_.
**_Spinus psaltria psaltria_ (Say).--_Specimens examined:_ total 7:
[Male] [Male] 32148-32149 and [Female] 32151 from 12 mi. N, 12 mi. W
Jimenez, 850 ft., June 19, 1952; [Male] 32150 from 2 mi. W Jimenez,
June 20, 1952; [Male] 33220 (skeleton only) from Parras, July 4, 1955;
and [Male] 32939 and [Female] 32940 from Mesa de las Tablas, July 7,
1955, weights, 9.5, 11 gms.
In Coahuila, the Lesser Goldfinch seems to be common. Although Miller
(1955a:175) did not find it in the Sierra del Carmen, he reported that
Marsh took a specimen on August 22 in Chuperosa Canyon that was
"presumed to" be _S. p. psaltria_. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:206)
observed the Lesser Goldfinch "on the outskirts of Saltillo in an
orchard on April 20."
Nos. 32148-32151 and 32940 were typical for the subspecies _psaltria_.
A partial albino (32939), which was obtained from a pine-oak-wheat
field edge, has upper parts that lack the black coloring of typical
representatives of _S. p. psaltria_. Instead the crown and back of No.
32939 is yellow, resembling the color of its underparts, the wing
coverts are white, and its primaries are black with white edgings.
*_Atlapetes pileatus dilutus_ Ridgway.--_Specimens examined:_ total 2:
[Male] 32942 and [Female] 32943 from 13 mi. E San Antonio de las
Alazanas, 9950 ft., July 6, 1955.
The Rufous-capped Atlapetes occurs uncommonly in southeastern Coahuila.
The male and female _A. p. dilutus_ from 13 mi. E San Antonio de las
Alazanas represent the first records of occurrence of this subspecies
in the State. The smaller size, grayer upper parts, and pale yellow
color of the underparts of Nos. 32942-32943 characterize the subspecies
_dilutus_. The size of the testes (7x6 mm.) of No. 32942 and the date
(July 6) on which both specimens were collected indicate breeding by
this species in Coahuila.
*_Arremonops rufivirgata rufivirgata_ (Lawrence).--_Specimens
examined:_ total 2: [Male] 32152 and [Female] 32153 from 2 mi. S, 3 mi.
E San Juan de Sabinas, June 22 and 23, 1952.
The Olive Sparrow is uncommon in Coahuila. Miller, Friedmann, Griscom,
and Moore (1957:349) listed _A. r. rufivirgata_ from Sabinas on
February 10. Sabinas and southeast of San Juan de Sabinas seem to be
the only localities in Coahuila where the Olive Sparrow has been
collected and also are at the westernmost extremity of range of this
species. The size of the testes (9x7 mm.) of No. 32152 and the dates of
collection indicate breeding by the Olive Sparrow in Coahuila.
_Chlorura chlorura_ (Audubon).--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Male] 30238,
from 1 mi. N San Lorenzo, 4200 ft., February 5, 1951.
The Green-tailed Towhee is a common migrant and winter visitant in
Coahuila; the species has been found at several localities. Miller
(1955a:175) noted several migrants "each day in the last week of
April ... at the mouth of Boquillas Canyon" of the Sierra del Carmen.
Burleigh and Lowery (1942:207) noted the species "in an arroyo in the
open desert country about twenty miles west of Saltillo on April 22."
Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:351) listed the
Green-tailed Towhee from 12 mi. W Saltillo on September 28 and from
Sabinas.
*_Piplio erythrophthalmus gaigei_ Van Tyne and Sutton.--_Specimens
examined:_ total 3: [Female] 31102 from Fortin (=33 mi. N, 8 mi. W San
Geronimo), 3300 ft., March 28, 1952, weight, 38.8 gms.; [Male] 35412
(skeleton only) from Sierra del Pino (=5 mi. W, 3 mi. S Acebuches),
6200 ft., May 15, 1954, testes enlarged, weight, 34 gms.; and [Male]
31593 from 17 mi. S Ocampo, 5300 ft., April 7, 1954, weight, 38 gms.
The Rufous-sided Towhee is locally common in Coahuila; _P. e. gaigei_
is present in northern Coahuila. Miller (1955a:175) remarked that
"between 6800 and 7500 feet these towhees were sparsely distributed in
areas of scattered low ceanothus and hawthorne, chiefly in canyon
bottoms, but also on slopes where ceanothus was intermingled with
downed timber and young pines." He (_loc. cit._) indicated that the
adult obtained by Marsh from Vivoras Canyon on August 25 was _P. e.
gaigei_ rather than _P. maculatus montanus_ (see also Sibley,
1950:127). Dickerman saw Rufous-sided Towhees in the Sierra de la
Madera on December 13, 1953. I have referred Nos. 31102 and 31593 to
_gaigei_ although both are close to _orientalis_. The size of the
testes (14x8 mm.) of No. 31593 suggests breeding.
*_Piplio erythrophthalmus orientalis_ Sibley.--_Specimens examined:_
total 3: [Male] 32154 from 7 mi. S, 4 mi. E Bella Union, 7200 ft., June
25, 1952; [Male] 33223 (skeleton only) from 13 mi. E San Antonio de las
Alazanas, 9950 ft., July 6, 1955; and [Male] 31630 from Mesa de Tablas,
8600 ft., January 15, 1954, weight, 46 gms.
This subspecies of the Rufous-sided Towhee occurs in southeastern
Coahuila. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:207) stated that it "was limited in
its distribution to the mountain sides ... [and was] noted in the
arroyos at the base of the mountains and from there up to about 8,000
feet." These authors identified their specimens from Diamante Pass and
from Saltillo as _Pipilo maculatus gaigei_. Sibley (1950:129)
reidentified them, as well as a series from Sierra de Guadalupe, as _P.
e. orientalis_. The size of the testes (12x7 mm.) of No. 32154 as well
as the date (June 25) on which it was obtained suggests breeding by the
Rufous-sided Towhee in southeastern Coahuila.
*_Pipilo fuscus potosinus_ Ridgway.--_Specimens examined:_ total 3:
[Male] 32155 from 7 mi. S, 4 mi. E Bella Union, 7200 ft., June 25,
1952; [Male] 31676 from the west foot of Pico de Jimulco, 5000 ft.,
April 5, 1953, weight, 45 gms.; and sex ? 29560 from 7 mi. S, 1 mi. E
Gomez Farias, 6500 ft., November 19, 1949, weight, 46.5 gms.
The subspecies _potosinus_ has been recorded from several localities in
Coahuila. Davis (1951:70) listed the following localities in the State
from which _P. f. potosinus_ has been collected: Muralla, San Lazaro
Mountains, 50 mi. S Monclova, 2850 ft., Saltillo; Saltillo (Chorro de
Agua); 19 mi. W Saltillo; Cresta Blanca, 12 mi. W Saltillo, 5500 ft.;
Diamante Pass, 11 mi. S Saltillo, 6000-8000 ft.; and Carneros. Miller,
Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:358) recorded a "small juvenile"
from El Diamante on July 5. Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:45) recorded _P.
f. texanus_ from Diamante Pass on March 6. I suspect that Davis (_op.
cit._) reidentified the specimen concerned from Diamante Pass as _P. f.
potosinus_. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:207) indicated that _P. f.
potosinus_ "was fairly common and of general distribution in the area,
occurring both on the arid plateau about Saltillo and on the mountain
sides up to an elevation of about 8,000 feet." Nos. 32155, 31676, and
29560 are typical for _P. f. potosinus_. The size of the testes (14x7
mm.) of No. 32155 suggests breeding by the Brown Towhee in southeastern
Coahuila.
*_Pipilo fuscus texanus_ van Rossem.--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Female] 31103, from 10 mi. S, 5 mi. E Boquillas, 1500 ft., March 5,
1952, weight, 46.9 gms.
This subspecies of the Brown Towhee occurs in northwestern Coahuila
south through the Sierra del Carmen. Miller (1955a:176) reported that
his series of Brown Towhees from the Sierra del Carmen agreed
satisfactorily with _texanus_ although revealing some sign of
intergradation with _potosinus_. Davis (1951:70) thought that _P. f.
potosinus_ is present in northern as well as southern Coahuila. Miller
(1955a:176), however, remarked that _P. f. texanus_ is more
characteristic of the population of Brown Towhees of northwestern
Coahuila. He indicated that a single juvenile taken by Marsh on August
28 from Jardin del Sur and allocated to _P. f. potosinus_ by Davis
probably is _P. f. texanus_.
_Calamospiza melanocorys_ Stejneger.--_Specimen examined:_ one, [Male]
30239, from 10 mi. E Torreon, 3700 ft., January 9, 1951.
The Lark Bunting is an uncommon winter visitant in Coahuila. Other than
the present specimen, the only record of the Lark Bunting in Coahuila
is that of Burleigh and Lowery (1942:207), who reported a small flock
of this species from which several specimens were collected "on April
20 in a field on the edge of Saltillo."
_Passerculus sandwichensis oblitus_ Peters and Griscom.--Miller,
Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:364) recorded _P. s. oblitus_ from
Sabinas on February 25 and March 18 and 24. These records represent
sparse winter visitants to Coahuila.
_Passerculus sandwichensis brooksi_ Bishop.--Burleigh and Lowery
(1942:208) recorded _P. s. brooksi_ from Diamante Pass in April;
Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:363) remarked that this
specimen is perhaps best regarded as a variant of one of the races
normally wintering in this area.
_Passerculus sandwichensis anthinus_ Bonaparte.--_Specimens examined:_
total 3: [Male] 31104 from 10 mi. E Hacienda La Mariposa, 2000 ft.,
March 30, 1952, weight 15 gms.; [Female] 31105 from 8 mi. N, 4 mi. W
Muzquiz, 1800 ft., April 1, 1952, weight, 19.0 gms.; and [Female] 31594
from 17 mi. S Ocampo, 5300 ft., April 7, 1954, weight, 16 gms.
Burleigh and Lowery (1942:208) recorded _P. s. anthinus_ from Diamante
Pass. This subspecies is not uncommon in Coahuila. The University of
Kansas specimens showed no indication of breeding.
_Passerculus sandwichensis nevadensis_ Grinnell.--This subspecies of
the Savannah Sparrow is uncommon in Coahuila; Hellmayr (1938:490)
listed one specimen from Sabinas.
_Passerculus sandwichensis brunnescens_ (Butler).--Burleigh and Lowery
(1942:208) recorded this subspecies of the Savannah Sparrow from
Diamante Pass in April.
_Ammodramus savannarum perpallidus_ (Coues).--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Female] 31562, from 3 mi. N, 4 mi. E San Francisco (=25 mi. N Ocampo),
4850 ft., May 16, 1954, weight, 15 gms.
The Grasshopper Sparrow is an uncommon spring and possibly fall migrant
in Coahuila. Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:367) recorded
_A. s. perpallidus_ from Sabinas on March 12. No. 31562, which was
obtained in a yucca and acacia association, had little fat.
_Ammodramus bairdii_ (Audubon).--Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore
(1957:368) remarked that Baird's Sparrow is a rare winter visitant to
the northern states of Mexico and recorded _A. bairdii_ from Saltillo
on May 8.
_Pooecetes gramineus confinis_ Baird.--The Vesper Sparrow seems to be
an uncommon winter visitant in Coahuila. Miller (1955a:176) found _P.
g. confinis_ "on two occasions in the grass of the dry cienega at the
head of Corte Madera Canyon at 7500 feet" on April 9 and 14 in the
Sierra del Carmen. In April, Burleigh and Lowery (1942:208) found _P.
g. confinis_ only in Diamante Valley where this sparrow "appeared to be
quite uncommon." Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:45) took a male _P. g.
confinis_ at San Pedro on January 29.
*_Chondestes grammacus strigatus_ Swainson.--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Male] 32156, from 8 mi. N, 2 mi. W Piedras Negras, June 18, 1952.
The Lark Sparrow is not uncommon in Coahuila. Miller (1955a:176) saw
one male, "apparently on a breeding territory, on April 27 in an open,
rather barren desert flat adjoining the lower part of Boquillas wash at
4600 feet." He reported that Marsh took a young of the year, still
largely in juvenile plumage, on September 6 in the Sierra del Carmen.
Amadon and Phillips (1947:580) remarked that Lark Sparrows were common
"about Las Delicias" after August 18. Findley saw Lark Sparrows 2 mi. W
Jimenez on June 19, 1952, and 2 mi. S and 11 mi. E Nava on June 15,
1952. Dickerman saw Lark Sparrows at San Marcos on May 4, 1954. The
pale and narrowly streaked upperparts of No. 32156 are typical for _C.
g. strigatus_. The size of the testes (9x4 mm.) of No. 32156 and the
date (June 18) on which it was obtained suggest breeding by the Lark
Sparrow in northeastern Coahuila.
*_Aimophila ruficeps tenuirostris_ Burleigh and Lowery.--This
subspecies of the Rufous-crowned Sparrow is resident in the northern
part of Coahuila. Miller (1955a:176) remarked that the species "ranged
up to 7000 feet on open south-facing slopes within the oak belt" of the
Sierra del Carmen. Specimens collected by him showed no approach to
_boucardi_ of southern Mexico and seem to be closest to _tenuirostris_.
Miller referred the specimen that Marsh and Stevenson (1938:287) took
on August 22 in Chuperosa Canyon to _tenuirostris_ rather than
_boucardi_. Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:376) listed _A.
r. tenuirostris_ from 50 mi. S Monclova on November 8 and 10.
*_Aimophila ruficeps boucardi_ (Sclater).--This subspecies of the
Rufous-crowned Sparrow is common in southern Coahuila. Burleigh and
Lowery (1942:208) indicated that _A. r. boucardi_ was common throughout
the mountainous areas and to some extent in the arroyos of the open
desert country of southeastern Coahuila. Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:46)
took a female _A. r. boucardi_ "near Diamante Pass." Ridgway (1901:252)
listed _A. r. boucardi_ from Carneros. _A. r. tenuirostris_ and
_boucardi_ seem to intergrade in central and even southern Coahuila.
Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:376) recorded intermediate
populations of the Rufous-crowned Sparrow from 12 mi. W Saltillo.
*_Aimophila cassinii_ (Woodhouse).--_Specimens examined:_ total 2:
[Male] 32157 from 9 mi. S, 11 mi. E Sabinas, June 14, 1952; and [Male]
32158 from 18 mi. S, 14 mi. E Tanque Alvarez, 4000 ft., July 6, 1952.
Cassin's Sparrow seems to be common in Coahuila. The AOU Check-list
Committee (1957:603) listed _A. cassinii_ from 10 mi. E Saltillo.
Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:378-379) recorded Cassin's
Sparrow from Sabinas, on April 25; from 25 mi. SW Monclova, on November
20; from 12 mi. W Saltillo, on September 28; and from 10 mi. NE
Saltillo, on July 3. These authors stated that Cassin's Sparrow was
breeding 10 mi. NE Saltillo. The sizes of the testes (5x3 mm.; 7x5 mm.)
of Nos. 32157-32158, respectively, and the dates (June 14, July 6) on
which they were obtained are additional evidence of breeding by
Cassin's Sparrow in Coahuila.
*_Amphispiza bilineata bilineata_ (Cassin).--_Specimens examined:_
total 5: [Male] 32159 and [Female] 32163 from 2 mi. W Jimenez, 850 ft.,
June 20, 1952; [Male] 32160 from 8 mi. N, 2 mi. W Piedras Negras, June
18, 1952; [Male] 32161 and sex ? 32162 from 5 mi. N, 19 mi. W Cuatro
Cienegas, 3250 ft., July 5, 1952.
The Black-throated Sparrow is common in Coahuila. Typical
representatives of _A. b. bilineata_ occur in eastern Coahuila. The
center of the State is occupied by intergrades between _A. b.
bilineata_, _opuntia_, and _grisea_. Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and
Moore (1957:381) reported _A. b. bilineata_ from the "Saltillo area."
Hellmayr (1938:539) recorded _A. b. bilineata_ from Sabinas. The sizes
(13, 14 mm.) of the white spot on the lateral tail feathers of Nos.
32163 and 32160, respectively, suggest _A. b. bilineata_. The short
wing (61-64.5 mm.) and the lighter and browner color of the backs of
Nos. 32163, 32160, and 32161 are suggestive of _A. b. bilineata_.
Nevertheless, the size (8 mm.) of the white spot on the lateral tail
feather of No. 32161 indicates intergradation with _A. b. opuntia_.
The sizes of the testes (6x4 mm.; 8 mm.) of Nos. 32160 and 32161, the
size of the largest ovum (2 mm. in diameter) of No. 32163, and the
presence of the juveniles from 2 mi. W Jimenez and 5 mi. N and 19 mi. W
Cuatro Cienegas indicate breeding by _A. b. bilineata_ in Coahuila.
*_Amphispiza bilineata opuntia_ Burleigh and Lowery.--_Specimens
examined:_ total 2: [Female] 31106 from 10 mi. S, 5 mi. E Boquillas,
1500 ft., March 3, 1952; weight, 12.3 gms.; and [Male] 31108 from 35
mi. S, 14 mi. E Boquillas, 2350 ft., March 12, 1952.
This subspecies of the Black-throated Sparrow occurs in northwestern
Coahuila. Miller (1955a:176) stated that the Black-throated Sparrow was
moderately common in the open desert scrub at the base of the Sierra
del Carmen below 4800 feet. He said that the series of Black-throated
Sparrows from the Sierra del Carmen "resembles most the race _opuntia_
of western Texas ... but shows some intergradation toward _grisea_ of
southern Coahuila and toward _A. b. bilineata_ of eastern Coahuila." He
remarked also that the specimen from Jardin del Sur, which Marsh and
Stevenson (1938:287) reported as _A. b. grisea_, was in extremely worn,
dirty summer plumage and contributed nothing reliable to racial
determination.
*_Amphispiza bilineata grisea_ Nelson.--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Male] 31665, from the north foot of Sierra Guadalupe (=10 mi. S, 5 mi.
W General Cepeda), 6500 ft., April 25, 1953.
_A. b. grisea_ is the subspecies of Black-throated Sparrow in southern
Coahuila. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:208) saw this sparrow "frequently
on the arid plateau around Saltillo" and obtained specimens there that
were identified as _A. b. grisea_. Amadon and Phillips (1947:581) saw
individuals on August 8 and 28 that were feeding "fledged young near
Saltillo." The size of its wing (68.5 mm.), the slaty color of its
back, and the size (8 mm.) of the white spot on its lateral tail
feather suggest that No. 31665 is characteristic of _A. b. grisea_. The
size of the testes (4.5x3 mm.) of No. 31665 indicates that _A. b.
grisea_ may breed in southern Coahuila.
*_Junco phaeonotus palliatus_ Ridgway.--_Specimens examined:_ total 3:
[Male] 35402 (skeleton only) from 13 mi. E San Antonio de las Alazanas,
9345 ft., April 10, 1954; [Female] 33226 (skeleton only) from 13 mi. E
San Antonio de las Alazanas, 9950 ft., July 6, 1955; and [Male] 31633
from Mesa de Tablas, 8600 ft., January 16, 1954, weight, 22 gms.
In Coahuila the Mexican Junco seems to be common. Miller (1955a:177)
found it in the conifers of the upper Corte Madera drainage at 7500
feet and up to 8800 feet on Loomis Peak in the Sierra del Carmen. Marsh
and Stevenson (1938:287) took an adult in Vivoras Canyon on August 14
in the Sierra del Carmen. Sutton and Burleigh (1939a:46) found small
flocks at Diamante Pass in March. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:208-209)
noted _J. p. palliatus_ as a common bird of the mountain slopes above
an elevation of about 7000 feet in southeastern Coahuila, and obtained
specimens at Diamante Pass. Ridgway (1901:300) recorded _J. p.
phaeonotus_ from Sierra Encarnacion. His record should be of _J. p.
palliatus_ as indicated by Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore
(1957:386). Dickerman saw Mexican Juncos in the Sierra de la Madera on
December 13, 1953.
No. 31633 shows no sign of intergrading with _J. p. phaeonotus_ to the
south. The outermost rectrix of No. 31633 is wholly white; the second
rectrix is nearly as white. No. 31633 is paler than representatives of
_J. p. phaeonotus_ from the southern part of the Central Plateau of
Mexico.
_Spizella passerina arizonae_ Coues.--_Specimens examined:_ total 4:
[Male] 31110 from the Rio Grande (=17 mi. S Dryden, Terrell Co., Texas,
in Coahuila), 600 ft., March 18, 1952, weight, 10.7 gms. [Male] 31111
and [Female] 31112 from 4 mi. W Hacienda La Mariposa, 2300 ft., March
24, 1952, weights, 11.0, 11.7 gms.; and [Male] 31666 from the north
foot of Sierra Guadalupe (=10 mi. S, 5 mi. W General Cepeda), 6400 ft.,
April 19, 1953, weight, 14.0 gms.
The Chipping Sparrow is a common spring and possibly fall migrant in
Coahuila. Miller (1955a:177) noted small flocks from April 21 to 27 in
the Sierra del Carmen where specimens were taken. Burleigh and Lowery
(1942:209) indicated that _S. p. arizonae_ was "quite common and of
general distribution" at Saltillo and Diamante Pass and remarked that
specimens were taken at these localities in April. Amadon and Phillips
(1947:581) took two Chipping Sparrows "near Las Delicias on August 17."
Dickerman saw individuals in the Sierra del Pino on May 12, 1954, and
at San Marcos on May 4, 1954. Our specimens, which are typical
representatives of _S. p. arizonae_, are pale; the ground color of
their backs is grayish buff.
_Spizella pallida_ (Swainson).--The Clay-colored Sparrow is a migrant
or winter visitant in Coahuila. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:209) saw
"large flocks of sparrows, mostly of this species, ... on frequent
occasions in the cultivated fields and orchards on the outskirts of
Saltillo." Four specimens were taken by Burleigh and Lowery (_loc.
cit._) on April 19 and 20 at Saltillo.
_Spizella breweri breweri_ Cassin.--_Specimens examined:_ total 2:
[Female] 31115 from the Rio Grande (=17 mi. S Dryden, Terrell Co.,
Texas, in Coahuila), 600 ft., March 18, 1952, weight, 8.2 gms.; and
[Male] 31114 from 28 mi. S, 11 mi. E Boquillas, 2000 ft., March 12,
1952, weight, 9.7 gms.
Brewer's Sparrow is probably a winter resident in much of Coahuila.
Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:389) recorded _S. b.
breweri_ from 25 mi. NW Monclova on November 20 and from 8 mi. S Cuatro
Cienegas on November 15. The only definite records obtained by Burleigh
and Lowery (1942:209) of _S. b. breweri_ are those of a female and a
male taken "near Saltillo" on April 16 and 18. The size of the dorsal
area of sandy buff with narrow streakings of Nos. 31114-31115 suggests
_S. b. breweri_.
_Spizella pusilla arenacea_ Chadbourne.--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Male] 31116, from 4 mi. W Hacienda La Mariposa, 2300 ft., March 24,
1952, weight, 13.1 gms.
The Field Sparrow is an uncommon spring and probably fall migrant in
Coahuila. Other than No. 31116, _S. p. arenacea_ has only been recorded
from Sabinas in March, when three specimens were obtained (Miller,
Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore, 1957:390). The coloration of No. 31116
is much grayer and the black streaks on its back are much narrower than
on typical representatives of _S. p. pusilla_.
**_Spizella wortheni wortheni_ Ridgway.--The single specimen of
Worthen's Sparrow obtained by Burleigh and Lowery (1942:209) "just
outside the limits of Saltillo on April 16" represents the only record
of occurrence of this species in Coahuila.
**_Spizella atrogularis atrogularis_ (Cabanis).--Miller, Friedmann,
Griscom, and Moore (1957:391) remarked that the Black-chinned Sparrow
is a common resident of the Central Plateau from Durango and southern
Coahuila southward. Burleigh and Lowery (1942:212) noted the species
only at the foot of the mountains of southeastern Coahuila where, at
6000 feet, scattered pairs were found. Miller (1955a:177) observed a
male on April 23 on a slope at the mouth of Boquillas Canyon of the
Sierra del Carmen; he presumed it to be a transient.
_Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys_ (Forster).--_Specimen examined:_
one, [Male] 30243, from 1 mi. SW San Pedro de las Colonias, 3700 ft.,
February 8, 1951.
The White-crowned Sparrow is a fairly common migrant or winter visitant
in Coahuila. Miller, Friedman, Griscom, and Moore (1957:393) recorded
_Z. l. leucophrys_ from Sabinas on March 16 and February 23. Burleigh
and Lowery (1942:212) remarked that "small flocks of White-crowned
Sparrows were seen at infrequent intervals in thickets and stretches of
underbrush on the outskirts of Saltillo on April 18 and again on April
24 ... [and] near a small town some twenty miles west of Saltillo on
April 22." Specimens that Burleigh and Lowery (_loc. cit._) collected
"near Saltillo" were identified as _Z. l. leucophrys_.
_Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii_ (Nuttall).--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Male] 31117, from Sierra de la Encantada (=38 mi. S, 23 mi. E
Boquillas), 4400 ft., March 15, 1952.
Miller (1955a:177) noted _Z. l. gambelii_ on April 27 at 4600 feet in
Boquillas wash in the Sierra del Carmen. Hellmayr (1938:568) listed _Z.
l. gambelii_ from Sabinas.
_Zontrichia leucophrys oriantha_ Oberholser.--This subspecies has been
recorded from Sabinas on April 25 and Hipolito on November 5 (Miller,
Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore, 1957:393).
_Melospiza lincolnii lincolnii_ (Audubon).--_Specimen examined:_ one,
[Female] 31595, from 20 mi. S Ocampo, 7000 ft., April 5, 1954,
measurements: wing, 58 mm.; tail, 50 mm.; weight, 12 gms.
Lincoln's Sparrow seems to be a fairly common migrant or winter
visitant in Coahuila; _M. l. lincolnii_ is the common subspecies.
Burleigh and Lowery (1942:212) found this sparrow only in a grain field
situated between a small pond and a narrow stream on the outskirts of
Saltillo; the four specimens collected were identified as _M. l.
lincolnii_. No. 31595 was obtained in a pine-oak association.
_Melospiza lincolnii alticola_ (Miller and McCabe).--Miller, Friedmann,
Griscom, and Moore (1957:398) listed _M. l. alticola_, which seems to
be uncommon in Coahuila, from Sabinas on March 14.
_Melospiza lincolnii gracilis_ (Kittlitz).--Miller (1955a:177) took an
unsexed representative of _M. l. gracilis_ on April 7 in Carboneras
Canyon of the Sierra del Carmen at 6700 feet. This occurrence is at the
extreme eastern range of this subspecies.
_Melospiza georgiana ericrypta_ Oberholser.--In Coahuila this
subspecies of the Swamp Sparrow has been recorded as a migrant or
winter visitant. Miller, Friedmann, Griscom, and Moore (1957:399)
recorded it from Sabinas on February 22 to March 8 and from 8 mi. S
Cuatro Cienegas on November 4.