Vertebrates from the Barrier Island of Tamaulipas, MéxicoJohnston, Richard F.
Science
Vertebrates from the Barrier Island of Tamaulipas, México
Johnston, Richard F.
Vertebrates -- Mexico
=_Limosa fedoa_= (Linnaeus): Marbled Godwit.--Three were seen in
shallow waters of the laguna at Camp 2 on July 9. Specimen: [M], 38919,
testis 6 × 2 mm., fat, 305 gm., 6 P old, Camp 2, July 9. Probably our
records were of nonbreeding birds, which are known to occur in summer
elsewhere in México (Mexican Check-list, 1950:94), sparingly in Texas
(Hagar and Packard, 1952:8), and in South Carolina (A.O.U. Check-list,
1957:205). Apparently the only record for this species in Veracruz is
one seen on May 11, 1954, east of Cacalilao (Coffey, 1960:292).
=_Tringa melanoleuca_= (Gmelin): Greater Yellowlegs.--Three birds were
seen on alkaline flats at Camp 1 on July 7, and two were noted at Camp
2 on July 9. There is one previous report of this species in
Tamaulipas, and, since it has been recorded as a migrant and winter
resident in México between July 26 and April 26 (Mexican Check-list,
1950:95), our records seem to pertain to unusually early autumnal
migrants or, possibly, to nonbreeding, summering birds. Other
mid-summer records are available from Tamós on June 30 and July 1, and
the species is "to be expected every month of the year" in Veracruz
(Loetscher, 1955:27). Sight records for Veracruz in May (Coffey,
1960:291) may well pertain to summering birds. There are
northern-summer records for this species from Texas (Hagar and Packard,
1952:8), Surinam (Haverschmidt, 1955:367), and other areas within the
winter range of this yellowlegs (A.O.U. Check-list, 1957:190).
=_Catoptrophorus semipalmatus semipalmatus_= Gmelin: Willet.--The
Willet was common on the island. We found evidence of breeding and also
saw large flocks of birds that were either nonbreeders summering in the
area or early, postbreeding migrants from more northerly places. All
along the beach and at the edge of the laguna at both camps we found
Willets in twos or threes, often accompanied by one or two
Black-bellied Plovers. On July 10 a small juvenile was captured; two
adults in breeding plumage evidenced obvious concern at this action. On
July 6 a flock of 30 birds flew east over Camp 1, and a flock of 90 was
seen flying south over Camp 1 on July 7.
Specimens (7): [M], 38922, testis 6 × 1 mm., 264 gm., breeding plumage;
[F], 38923, ova to 2 mm., 269 gm., breeding plumage; [F], 38924, ova to
1 mm., 280 gm., 3 P old; [F], 38925, ova to 1 mm., 319 gm.; [M], 38921,
testis 7 × 2 mm., 211 gm., breeding plumage; Camp 1, July 7. Male,
38927, fat light, 231 gm., 4 P old, Camp 2, July 9. Juvenile, sex not
recorded, 38920, 43.0 gm., 1 mile south of Washington Beach, July 10.
Two of our specimens, both males, are in worn breeding plumage and
evidence no molt; another specimen, a female, is also in breeding
plumage but is molting on the breast. The remaining two adult skins in
our series are three-quarters through the molt and are for the most
part in fresh winter feather.
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