Birds from Coahuila, Mexico

by Emil K. Urban

*Polioptila caerulea amoenissima Grinnell.—Specimen examined: one, ♂ 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, ♂ 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 Hipólito 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: ♀ 31085 from the Río Grande (=17 mi. S Dryden, Terrell Co., Texas, in Coahuila), 600 ft., March 19, 1952, weight, 6.3 gms.; ♂ ♂ 31082-31083 from 1 mi. N Boquillas, 700 ft., March 8, 1952, weight, 7.2, 6.5 gms.; ♂ 31084 from Sierra de la Encantada (=38 mi. S, 23 mi. E Boquillas), 4400 ft., March 15, 1954, weight, 5.4 gms.; and ♂ 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: ♂ ♂ 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 Ciénegas in November and from Hipólito in February.