SPECIES ACCOUNTS 1993 near Trinidad (10°43’N, 8°56’W) by

Costa Rica's avifauna is one of the best know in the Neotropics. The study of birds in Costa Rica began in the mid 1800's with von Frantzius ’ investigations (Stiles 1983) has resulted in knowledge accumulated by many ornithologists for a century and was summa-rized by Stiles & Skutch (1989). Since the publication of this landmark book new infor-mation has been obtained about the avifauna of Costa Rica. This paper documents the presence of new species for Costa Rica. The records were obtained between 1990 and 1996. Also, new information regarding the current geographic distribution and natural history of the Melodious Blackbird (Dives dives) a recent arrival in Costa Rica, is included. Species names and systematic order follow those of the 1983 AOU Check-lis