APPENDIX.

I.
ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS.

During the considerable interval of time since the printing of this work was commenced, many additional facts have come to light in regard to the habits and geographical distribution of the land birds of North America; and while several so-called species have proved to be mere races, or even of less rank, some others have been added to the list. The more important of these are herewith subjoined.

Most of the new facts here announced are the results of the more recent labors of Captain Charles Bendire, First Cavalry, U. S. A., and of Messrs. J. A. Allen, C. E. Aiken, Dr. E. Coues, H. W. Henshaw, Mr. C. J. Maynard, and others, whose names are mentioned in their appropriate places.

Turdus pallasi, var. nanus (I, 20). Dr. Cooper has sent to the Smithsonian Institution skins of his T. nanus, and they prove to be T. ustulatus. The surmise expressed on page 21, that the nest and eggs described by Dr. Cooper as those of the former in reality belonged to the latter species, is thus undoubtedly correct.

Turdus pallasi, var. auduboni (I, 21). A nest with the eggs (S. I. 16,320) of this species was taken near Fort Ellis, Montana, July 16, 1872, by C. H. Merriam, attached to Dr. Hayden’s party. The nest is large and bulky for the size of the bird, is deeply saucer-shaped in form, measuring 6 inches in external diameter by 3 in depth. The cavity of the nest is 3 inches in diameter by about 1.75 deep. It is composed entirely of green mosses and lined with fine grass leaves.

The eggs were three in number, in shape broadly ovate and obtusely rounded at either end. They measure .85 of an inch in length by .72 in breadth; their color is a rather deep greenish-blue, almost exactly like those of Turdus migratorius.

The nest was built in a small pine-tree, about eight feet from the ground, in the pine regions of the mountains. In its position it differs from any now known of the Turdus pallasi, which, so far as known, builds invariably on the ground.

Harporhynchus ocellatus (I, 36). This is probably a Mexican form of H. cinereus.

Harporhynchus rufus (I, 37). According to Mr. Allen (Bull. Mus. Comp. Zoöl., Vol. III, No. 6, p. 134) this species is found on the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. It is not included in the “Birds of California,” but Dr. Cooper states that in September, 1870, he found a straggler at Clear Lake, close to the lower town. It was in a thicket with its western cousins, but possessed unmistakably all the characteristics of the eastern bird. Unfortunately, it was not secured. As this species is short-winged and nearly resident in many localities, its occurrence so far from its usual resort is somewhat remarkable. It had none of the appearance of a cage-bird.

Harporhynchus curvirostris, var. palmeri (I, 43). Four specimens from Tucson, Arizona, were recently forwarded for examination by Dr. Coues, collected by the indefatigable Captain Bendire, U. S. A., when stationed at that post. The specimens are all true palmeri in the characters which definitely separate it from curvirostris, its nearest ally, and show the seasonal discrepancies in the shades of color. A male and female, collected in November, differ from the types, which are summer birds, in being of a brownish-plumbeous above, even more ashy than in any specimens of curvirostris which we have seen. In all other respects, however, they are typical examples of var. palmeri, and substantiate the validity of this well-marked form. The measurements of these two specimens are as follows:—

The description of this form was first published by Dr. Coues in “Key to North American Birds” (October, 1872), p. 351, the type being specimen No. 61,589, Mus. S. I.

Harporhynchus bendirei, Coues (Am. Nat. Vol. VII, June, 1873, p. 330, fig. 69).

Char. Nearly similar to H. palmeri in color, but whiter on the breast, and apparently more ochraceous on the flanks. Much smaller than H. palmeri, with smaller and very differently shaped bill. Male (not adult), No. 2,686, Mus. E. C. Wing, 4.10; tail, 4.50; culmen, 1.15; tarsus, 1.20; middle toe, .88. Female (adult), No. 2,688, Mus. E. C. Wing, 3.80; tail, 4.40; culmen, 1.15; tarsus, 1.15; middle toe, .88.

Hab. Tucson, Arizona.

This new form Dr. Coues considers to be most nearly related to the H. cinereus of Cape St. Lucas; and judging from its eggs, lately sent to the Smithsonian Institution by Captain Bendire, such appear to be really its affinities.

The eggs sent by Captain Bendire (No. 16,486, Mus. S. I.) measure 1.00 in length by .80 in breadth, and are three in number. Their ground-color is a dull bluish-white, spotted with a very faint shade of reddish-brown, the spots thickest round the larger end.

Harporhynchus crissalis (I, 47). Captain Bendire found this species breeding abundantly near Tucson, Arizona (See Coues, Am. Nat. VI, June, 1872, 370). The eggs in all instances were similar to those described as found by Dr. Palmer, unspotted, and in size, shape, and color, hardly distinguishable from the eggs of the common Robin (T. migratorius). They are of an oblong-oval shape, rounded and nearly equal at either end, and measure 1.10 inches in length by .75 in breadth.

3932 ⅔ ⅔

Harporhynchus redivivus.

Harporhynchus redivivus (I, 45). The accompanying cut, showing the extreme anatomy of the species, was omitted in its proper place.

Mimus polyglottus (I, 49). Mr. C. E. Aiken has obtained this species in El Paso County, Colorado.

Saxicola œnanthe (I, 60). Mr. C. J. Hampton obtained a specimen of this bird at Junius, Seneca County, N. Y., on the 9th of September, 1872. Professor Newton suggests, by letter, as an interesting problem, the route by which this species reaches Alaska in its migrations. It is not known to occur near the Sea of Ochotsk, has not been found on the Lower Amoor, and probably does not occur farther eastward than the Baikal Mountains. It has never been noticed in Japan or on the coast of China. It must therefore be very nearly certain that it cannot take that way to Alaska. Sundeval states that it is found in Kamtschatka, but this Mr. Newton questions, as no authority is given for this statement. The only alternative is to assume a route via Greenland, in this, perhaps, in a measure indorsing Petermann’s suggestion that Greenland extends across the pole nearly to the Asiatic coast and to Alaska.

Sialia mexicana (I, 65). This species has been obtained in Western Iowa by Mr. Atkinson.

Regulus calendula (I, 75). We present the outlines of bill, feet, wings, and tail, omitted in their proper place.

28782

Regulus calendula.

Polioptila cærulea (I, 78). Mr. Aiken has taken this species in El Paso County, Colorado. Dr. Cooper informs me that he found it quite numerous near Auburn, Placer County, Cal., May 11, 1870, apparently migrating northward. In the following December he saw one near San Francisco. From this he infers that it winters much farther to the north in that State than it does east of the Rocky Mountains, and that the individuals occurring in Guatemala are eastern birds. He also states that it is the prevailing and probably the only form in all the northern and western parts of the State of California. About September 20, 1872, this species came in great numbers to the vicinity of San Buenaventura and remained there all winter, going to the mountains northward by March 20.

Polioptila melanura (I, 81). Dr. Cooper informs me that while he found P. cærulea common in September, he saw none of this species near San Buenaventura until November 12, when small parties appeared moving westward from the colder desert regions east of the mountains. They kept entirely in the artemisia thickets among the sandy and dryest tracts, never going into the high trees like P. cærulea. In form, color, restless habits, and scolding mew, this species is said to be a perfect miniature and mimic of the Catbird.

According to Captain Bendire the species is not common in Arizona, where he met with three nests. “One before me, found July 25, 1872, fastened in a bunch of mistletoe, or rather suspended in it, is composed of a species of wild hemp fibres nicely woven together, and lined with a few feathers and exceedingly fine grass.”

The nest is very neatly made: Outer diameter, 2 inches; inner, 1.60; depth, 1.50. The number of eggs is five, ground-color pale green, with spots of light reddish-brown color scattered over the egg. Measurement, .50 by .40 of an inch. Their notes are a rather harsh twitter, kept up for some time. They are active little birds, and are very restless.

Chamæa fasciata (I, 84). Mr. Allen thinks that he saw this species in Colorado Territory. See Am. Nat. VI, June, 1872, and Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. III, No. 6, p. 184.

Lophophanes inornatus (I, 91). Mr. Aiken has obtained this species in El Paso County, Colorado, where it is common, while Mr. Henshaw, the naturalist of Lieutenant Wheeler’s expedition, found it abundant in Southern Utah. These Rocky Mountain specimens are much grayer and somewhat larger than those from California.

Parus rufescens (I, 104). Nests and eggs of a Parus which undoubtedly belong to this species were found by Mr. William A. Cooper, at Santa Cruz, Cal. One of these nests, sent to the Smithsonian Institution, was found about four miles from Santa Cruz, April 22, 1873. The nest was composed of moss and fine bark, largely intermingled with the fur of rabbits and other small quadrupeds. It was built in a hole in the branch of a tree about ten feet from the ground. The branch was about half a foot in diameter and was partially decayed. The cavity was about a foot in length from the nest to the place where the bird gained an entrance, which was a small hole about an inch and a quarter in diameter. The eggs were seven in number and contained partially formed embryos. They measure .64 of an inch in length by .52 in breadth, resemble the eggs of the atricapillus, but are more sparingly marked with spots, rather more minute and of a lighter shade of reddish-brown, on a white ground.

Sitta pygmæa (I, 120). This bird is probably a geographical form of S. pusilla, as suggested by Mr. Allen (Bull. Mus. Comp. Zoöl., Vol. III, No. 6, p. 115).

Sitta pusilla (I, 122). Young specimens collected at Aiken, S. C., by Mr. C. H. Merriam, are quite different in color from the adult plumage. The head is pale dull ashy, instead of light hair-brown, and the colors are duller generally. There is a near approach to S. pygmæa in their appearance.

Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus (I, 132). This species has been collected at Toquerville, Southern Utah, by Mr. Henshaw, and in Southern Nevada by Mr. Bischoff, naturalists to Lieutenant Wheeler’s expedition.

Salpinctes obsoletus (I, 135). The range of this species has been remarkably extended by the capture of a specimen in Decatur County, Southern Iowa, where others were seen, by Mr. T. M. Trippe. See Proc. Boston Soc. N. H., December, 1872, p. 236.

Catherpes mexicanus, var. conspersus (I, 139). Numerous specimens obtained in Colorado by Mr. Allen and Mr. Aiken, and in Southern Utah by Mr. Henshaw, establish the fact of great uniformity in the characters of this race, and its distinctness from var. mexicanus. On page 139 “it is noticed that it is a remarkable fact that this northern race should be so much smaller than the Mexican one, especially in view of the fact that it is a resident bird in even the most northern parts of its ascertained habitat.” As we find this peculiarity exactly paralleled in the Thryothorus ludovicianus of the Atlantic States (see below), may not these facts point out a law to the effect that in species which belong to essentially tropical families, with only outlying genera or species in the temperate zone, the increase in size with latitude is toward the region of the highest development of the group?

Dr. Cooper met with two specimens of this species in California in 1872; one about twelve miles back of San Diego, the other the same distance back of San Buenaventura, and both at the foot of lofty, rugged mountains. Their song he compares to loud ringing laughter; it is so shrill as to be heard at quite a distance, and seems as if it must be produced by a much larger bird.

Thryothorus ludovicianus (I, 142). Specimens of this species from Miami, Fla., are much darker colored than those from the Middle States (Maryland, Illinois, and southward), as might be expected; but very strangely, they are also much larger. In colors they very nearly resemble var. berlandieri, from the Lower Rio Grande.

A specimen in Mr. Ridgway’s collection (No. 1,864, January 9), from Miami, Fla., compares with one from Southern Illinois (No. 1,652, Mt. Carmel, January, 1871) as follows:—

No.Locality.Sex.Wing.Tail.Culmen.Tarsus.Middle Toe.
1,864Miami, Fla.♂2.752.60.90.95.60
1,652Mt. Carmel, Ill.♂2.452.30.80.80.55

In coloration they are more nearly alike, the Florida specimen being hardly appreciably darker on the upper surface, though the lower parts are much deeper ochraceous, almost rufous. The Illinois specimen is deep ochraceous beneath, just about intermediate between Maryland and Florida specimens. Another Florida specimen (No. 62,733, Mus. S. I.; C. J. Maynard) measures: wing, 2.50; tail, 2.40; culmen, .85.

Thryothorus bewicki, var. leucogaster (I, 147). Specimens of this form were obtained at Toquerville, Southern Utah, in October, 1872, by Mr. Henshaw, attached to Lieutenant Wheeler’s expedition.

31045, ♂

Troglodytes parvulus, var. hyemalis.

Troglodytes parvulus, var. hyemalis (I, 155). Dr. Cooper has noticed a few of these Wrens near San Buenaventura in winter, after November 10. They probably reside in the summer in the high coast mountains lying east as well as in the Sierra Nevada. Outlines, omitted before, are here given.

Cistothorus stellaris (I, 159). Mr. Henshaw obtained good evidence of this bird’s breeding at Utah Lake. Nests and eggs were found in a farm-house, unquestionably those of this species, and said to have been obtained among the tulés or sedges along the shore of the lake. Outlines of this species are here given.

3073

Cistothorus stellaris.

Anthus ludovicianus (I, 171). Mr. Allen found this species breeding in the summer of 1871 on the summit of Mt. Lincoln, Colorado Territory, above the timber-line, at an altitude of over 13,000 feet.

Helmitherus vermivorus (I, 187). Professor Frank H. Snow procured a specimen of this species near Lawrence, Kansas, May 6, 1873.

Helmitherus swainsoni (I, 190). Was obtained in Florida by Mr. W. Thaxter.

Helminthophaga virginiæ (I, 199). Very common in El Paso County, Colorado, where it was obtained by Mr. Aiken.

Helminthophaga luciæ (I, 200). We are indebted to Captain Bendire for the discovery of the nest and eggs of this comparatively new Warbler. He first met with its nest near Tucson, Arizona, May 19, 1872. Unlike all the rest of this genus, which, so far as is known, build their nests on the ground, this species was found nesting something after the manner of the common Gray Creeper, between the loose bark and the trunk of a dead tree, a few feet from the ground. Except in their smaller size the eggs also bear a great resemblance to those of the Creeper. In shape they are nearly spherical, their ground is of a crystal whiteness, spotted, chiefly around the larger end, with fine dottings of a purplish-red. They measure .54 of an inch in length by .45 in breadth.

Helminthophaga celata, var. lutescens (I, 204). See Am. Nat. Vol. VII, October, 1873, p. 606.

Helminthophaga peregrina (I, 205). Obtained in El Paso County, Colorado, in September, 1873, by Mr. Aiken.

Parula americana (I, 208). Obtained in May in El Paso County, Colorado, by Mr. Aiken.

Dendroica vieilloti, var. bryanti (I, 218). See Am. Nat. VII, October, 1873, p. 606.

Dendroica auduboni (I, 229). In July, 1870, Dr. Cooper found families of this species fully fledged, wandering through the woods, at the summit pass of the Central Pacific Railroad, 7,000 feet altitude, confirming his supposition that they breed in the high Sierra Nevada. There they are very numerous in summer, following the retreating snow to this elevation about May 1, when the males are in full plumage, retaining it till August. Their song is always faint, and similar to that of D. æstiva.

Dendroica cærulea (I, 235). A nest, containing one egg, of the Cærulean Warbler, was obtained in June, 1873, by Frank S. Booth, the son of James Booth, Esq., the well-known taxidermist of Drummondville, Ontario, near Niagara Falls. The nest was built in a large oak-tree at the height of fifty feet or more from the ground. It was placed horizontally on the upper surface of a slender limb, between two small twigs, and the branch on which it was thus saddled was only an inch and a half in thickness. Being nine feet from the trunk of the tree, it was secured with great difficulty. The nest is a rather slender fabric, somewhat similar to the nest of the Redstart, and quite small for the bird. It has a diameter of 2½ inches, and is 1¼ inches in depth. Its cavity is 2 inches wide at the rim, and 1 inch in depth. The nest chiefly consists of a strong rim firmly woven of strips of fine bark, stems of grasses, and fine pine-needles, bound round with flaxen fibres of plants and wool. Around the base a few bits of hornets’ nests, mosses, and lichens are loosely fastened. The nest within is furnished with fine stems and needles, and the flooring is very thin and slight. The egg is somewhat similar in its general appearance to that of D. æstiva, but is smaller and with a ground-color of a different shade of greenish-white. It is oblong-oval in shape, and measures .70 of an inch in length by .50 in breadth. It is thinly marked over the greater portion of its surface with minute dottings of reddish-brown. A ring of confluent blotches of purple and reddish-brown surrounds the larger end.

Dendroica blackburniæ (I, 237). Obtained at Ogden, Utah, in September, 1871, by Mr. Allen (Bull. Mus. Comp. Zoöl. III, No. 5, p. 166).

Dendroica dominica (I, 240). A superb nest of the Yellow-throated Warbler was taken by Mr. Giles, near Wilmington, N. C., in the spring of 1872. The nest was enclosed in a pendent tuft of Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides), and completely hidden within it. Its form is cup-shaped, and it is made of fine roots, mixed with much downy material and a few soft feathers, and, except in its situation, does not differ much from other nests of this genus. Other nests have since been received from Mr. Giles; also a nest of Parula americana similarly situated. Mr. Ridgway, from an examination of the nests, infers that this situation is not constant, but that in other localities where the moss is not found this Warbler may build in thick tufts of leaves near the extremity of drooping branches, or in other similar situations.

Dendroica dominica, var. albilora (I, 241). See Am. Nat, VII, October, 1873, p. 606.

Dendroica graciæ, var. decora (I, 244). See Am. Nat. VII, October, 1873, p. 608.

Dendroica castanea (I, 251). This Warbler is cited by us as exceedingly rare in Eastern Massachusetts, though not unknown. A remarkable exception to this otherwise general rule occurred in the spring of 1872. For several days, in the latter part of May, they were found in great abundance in the vicinity of Boston. As the same unusual occurrence of this species in large numbers was noticed by Mr. Kumlien in Southern Wisconsin, it is probable that along the 42d parallel something occurred to cause a deviation from their usual migrations. The long pause of this species in its spring migrations, and its appearance in large numbers, are not known to have occurred before.

Mr. Salvin (Ibis, April, 1872) expresses the opinion that this Warbler, in its southern migration, does not pause in its flight from the Southern United States to stop in any of the West India Islands, nor in any point of Central America north of Costa Rica. It is by no means rare at Panama during the winter. We may therefore infer that in both its southern and its northern migrations long flights are made, at certain periods, over sections of country in which they do not appear at all, or where only a straggling few are ever seen, and that their abundance in 1872 was exceptional and due to causes not understood.

Dendroica nigrescens (I, 258). Obtained in El Paso County, Colorado; Aiken.

Dendroica occidentalis, D. townsendi, and D. nigrescens (I, 258, 265, 266). While travelling over the Cuyamaca Mountains east of San Diego, in April, 1872, Dr. Cooper found D. occidentalis, for the first time, quite common. They seemed to be still migrating during the last week of April, but perhaps were only moving upwards, being numerous between the elevation of 1,500 and 4,000 feet, while heavy frosts still occurred at the latter height. They probably go in May as high as 6,200 feet, the summits of the highest peaks, which are densely covered by coniferous trees. D. townsendi and D. nigrescens were in company with occidentalis in small flocks, among the oaks, and all seemed to be following an elevated route northward. In 1862, Dr. Cooper found them among the chaparral along the coast, but he regards this as exceptional and probably occasioned by a severe storm in the mountains, as he saw none in 1872 in a spring of average mildness. They occur about Petaluma as early as April 1.

Seiurus ludovicianus (I, 287). Mr. E. Ingersoll met with the nest and eggs of the Large-billed Thrush near Norwich, Conn. The nest was sunk in the ground, in some moss and in the rotten wood underneath the roots of a large tree on the banks of the Yantic River. It was covered over, except just in front, by the roots. The nest was 2½ inches in internal diameter and rather shallow, and was somewhat loosely constructed of fine dry grasses and little dead fibrous mosses. About the nest, but forming no part of it, were several loose leaves. These were chiefly in front of the nest, and served as a screen to conceal it and its occupant. The nest itself was placed under the edge of the bank, about ten feet above the water. The eggs were four in number and were quite fresh. Unblown, they have a beautiful rosy tint, the ground-color is a lustrous white, the egg having a polished surface. They are more or less profusely spotted all over with dots and specks, and a few obscure zigzag markings of reddish-brown of two shades, and umber, with faint touches of lilac and very pale washing of red. These markings are much more thickly distributed about the larger end, but nowhere form a ring. They resemble the eggs of S. aurocapillus, but differ in their somewhat rounder shape, the brilliant polish of their ground, and the greater distinctness of the markings. They varied from .75 to .80 of an inch in length, and from .60 to .62 in breadth.

Geothlypis (I, 295). For a new synopsis of all the species of this genus, see Am. Journ. Science and Arts, Vol. X, December, 1872.

Geothlypis trichas (I, 297). Dr. Cooper found this species wintering in large numbers near San Buenaventura. They frequented the driest as well as the wettest spots.

Geothlypis macgillivrayi (I, 303). We now consider this form a geographical race of S. philadelphia. (See Am. Journ. Science and Arts, Vol. X, December, 1872.)

Myiodioctes pusillus, var. pileolatus (I, 319). See Am. Nat. VII, October, 1873, p. 608.

Setophaga picta (I, 322). This species, not included in the preceding pages among North American Birds, was noticed on only two occasions by Captain Charles Bendire in the vicinity of Tucson, Arizona. This was on the 4th of April, and again on the 12th of September, 1872. He thinks that they unquestionably breed in the mountains to the northward of Tucson. When seen in September they appeared to be moving southward, on their way to their winter quarters. He saw none throughout the summer. (See Am. Nat. VII.) By letter from Mr. Henshaw, we learn that he has obtained this species at Apache, Arizona.

Vireosylvia olivacea (I, 369). Obtained at Ogden, Utah, in September, 1871, by Mr. Allen.

Lanivireo solitarius (I, 373). Dr. Cooper found, April 30, 1870, a male of this species in full plumage and singing delightfully on a ridge above Emigrant Gap on the west slope of the Sierra, about 5,500 feet altitude, and where the snow was still lying in deep drifts. He is confident that he saw the same species at Copperopolis in February, 1864. He thinks there is no doubt that to some extent they winter in the State.

Lanivireo solitarius, var. plumbeus (I, 378). El Paso County, Colorado; Aiken.

Vireo pusillus (I, 391). Dr. Cooper found this species near San Buenaventura as early as March 26, 1872, where it was quite common. On the 22d of April he found a nest pendent between the forks of a dead willow branch. This was five feet from the ground, built on the edge of a dense marshy thicket, of flat strips and fibres of bark, and lined with fine grass, hair, and feathers. There were a few feathers of the Barn Owl, also, on the outside. The nest measured three inches each way. The eggs were laid about the 28th, were four in number, white, with a few small black specks mostly near the larger ends, and measured .69 of an inch in length by .51 in breadth.

Phænopepla nitens (I, 405). Captain Bendire writes me that he found this species common in the vicinity of Tucson, Arizona, during the summer, a few only remaining during the winter; most of these had white edgings on all their feathers, and were probably young of the year. Their flight is described as wavering, something like that of Colaptes mexicanus. While flying they utter a high note, resembling whuif-whuif, repeated several times. He never heard them sing, as they are said to do, although he has watched them frequently. They are very restless, and are always found about the mistletoe, on the berries of which they feed almost exclusively. The nest is saddled on a horizontal branch, generally of a mesquite-tree. It is a shallow structure, about 4 inches across; its inner diameter is 2½ inches, depth ½ an inch. It is composed of fine sticks, fibres of plants, and lined with a little cottonwood down and a stray feather. The first nest was found May 16. This was principally lined with the shells of empty cocoons. The number of eggs was two. Though he found more than a dozen nests with eggs and young, he never found more than two in a nest. Their ground-color varies from a greenish-white to a lavender and a grayish-white, spotted all over with different shades of brown. The spots are all small, and most abundant about the larger end, and vary greatly in their distributions. In size they range from .97 of an inch to .84 in length, and in breadth from .66 to .60.

Collurio ludovicianus, var. robustus (I, 420). See Am. Nat. VII, October, 1873, p. 609.

Certhiola newtoni (I, 427). See Am. Nat. VII, October, 1873, p. 611.

Certhiola caboti (I, 427). See Am. Nat. VII, October, 1873, p. 612.

Certhiola barbadensis, Certhiola frontalis (I, 427). See Am. Nat. VII, October, 1873, p. 612.

Pyranga hepatica (I, 440). Captain Bendire found what he identified as this species breeding near Tucson, Arizona. Its nests and eggs resembled those of P. æstiva. The latter vary in length from 1.02 inches to .95, and in breadth from .70 to .67 of an inch. Their ground-color is a pale light green. Some are sparingly marked over the entire egg with very distinctive and conspicuous blotches of purplish-brown; others are covered more generally with finer dottings of the same hue, and these are so numerous as partly to obscure the ground. In shape the eggs are oblong oval, and are of nearly equal size at either end. This species was also obtained by Mr. Henshaw, at Apache, Arizona.

As no skins of the parent appear to have been preserved, it is not improbable that the bird in question may be really P. æstiva, var. cooperi.

Hesperiphona vespertina, var. montana (I, 450). Two adult males obtained at Waukegan, Illinois, in January, 1873, by Mr. Charles Douglass, are typical examples of the Rocky Mountain form.

Pinicola enucleator (I, 453). Dr. Cooper mentions having shot a fine male of this species near the summit of the Central Railroad Pass at an elevation of about 7,000 feet. It was in a fine orange-red plumage. It was moulting, and appeared to be a straggler.

Pyrrhula cassini (I, 457). Since the publication of the article on this species we learn from Cabanis (Journal für Ornithologie, 1871, 318, 1872, 315) that the species is not uncommon in the vicinity of Lake Baikal, in Siberia, and that it has even been observed in Belgium (Crommelin, Archives Neérlandaises). The bird, therefore, like the Phyllopneuste borealis (P. kennicotti, Baird) and Motacilla flava, is to be considered as Siberian, straggling to continental Alaska in the summer season.

Chrysomitris psaltria (I, 474). See Am. Journ. of Science and Arts, Vol. IV, December, 1872, for a special paper upon the races of this species and their relation to climatic regions.

Chrysomitris psaltria, var. arizonæ (I, 476). On the 7th of May, 1872, Dr. Cooper saw a single specimen (male), which he had no doubt was of this bird, at Encinetos Ranch, thirty miles north of San Diego. It was feeding with other species among dry sunflowers. He also saw another near San Buenaventura in January, 1873.

Loxia “leucoptera, var.” bifasciata (I, 483). At the time when the synopsis of the species of this genus was prepared, we had not seen any specimens of the European White-winged Crossbill. A recent examination of specimens from Sweden has convinced us, however, that the species is entirely distinct from leucoptera, and more nearly related to curvirostra, with the several forms of which it agrees quite closely in the details of form and proportions, as well as in tints, with the exception of the markings of the wing.

Leucosticte tephrocotis (I, 504). The specimens collected by Mr. Allen in Colorado, mentioned in the foot-note on page 505, and there said to be the summer dress of L. tephrocotis, we now believe to be a distinct form, which may be named var. australis, Allen, characterized as follows:—

Leucosticte tephrocotis, var. australis, Allen, MSS. Leucosticte tephrocotis, Allen, Am. Nat. VI, No. 5, May, 1872.—Ib. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zoöl. Vol. III, No. 6, pp. 121, 162.

Char. Similar to var. tephrocotis, but without any gray on the head, the red of the abdomen and wing-coverts bright carmine, instead of dilute rose-color, and the bill deep black, instead of yellow tipped with dusky. Prevailing color raw-umber (more earthy than in var. tephrocotis), becoming darker on the head and approaching to black on the forehead. Nasal tufts white. Wings and tail dusky, the secondaries and primaries skirted with paler; lesser and middle wing-coverts and tail-coverts, above and below, broadly tipped with rosy carmine, producing nearly uniform patches; abdominal region with the feathers broadly tipped with deep carmine or intense crimson, this covering nearly uniformly the whole surface. Bill and feet deep black.

Male (No. 15,724, Mus. C. Z., Mt. Lincoln, Colorado, July 25, 1871; J. A. Allen). Wing, 4.20; tail, 3.10; culmen, .45; tarsus, .70; middle toe, .60.

Female (Mt. Lincoln, July 25; J. A. Allen). Wing, 4.00; tail, 3.00. Colors paler and duller, the red almost obsolete.

Hab. Breeding on Mt. Lincoln, Colorado, above the timber-line, at an altitude of about 12,000 feet. (July, 1872, J. A. Allen.)

Since the descriptions of the several stages of L. tephrocotis were cast, we have received from Mr. H. W. Elliott—Assistant Agent of the United States Treasury Department, stationed at St. Paul’s Island, Alaska, an accomplished and energetic collector—numerous specimens of L. griseinucha in the breeding plumage. The fact that these specimens have the gray of the head as well defined as do examples in the winter plumage, while the red is at the same time much intensified, induces us to modify our views expressed on pages 504, 505, in regard to Mr. Allen’s Colorado specimens, and to regard them as representing a race which must have the head dusky at all seasons, and not a seasonal phase of var. tephrocotis. The winter plumage probably differs from that described above only in the red being of a soft, rather dilute, rosy tint, instead of a harsh bright carmine; the bill is also probably yellow in winter, since in the breeding specimens of griseinucha from Alaska the bill is black, while in winter examples it is yellow, with only the point dusky.

A series of seven fine specimens sent in by Mr. J. H. Batty, the naturalist of Dr. Hayden’s expedition, confirm the validity of this form, and even so much as suggest to us the possibility of its eventually proving a distinct species, more nearly related to L. brunneinucha than to L. tephrocotis. They were collected on some one of the high peaks of Colorado, but as Mr. Batty’s notes have not come to hand we cannot tell which. The specimens are all males, and resemble Mr. Allen’s specimens, except that they are perhaps more highly colored. They all have the throat tinged with carmine, and in some the tinge is very deep,—on one extending over the whole breast and throat, up to the cheeks and bill. We hope to learn soon from Mr. Batty some interesting details regarding this series.

Centronyx bairdi (I, 531). The past year has been a remarkably fortunate one for our knowledge of this species, and, owing to the investigations of Mr. C. E. Aiken, Dr. Coues, and Mr. H. W. Henshaw, it cannot now be classed among the rare birds of our country; the total number of specimens collected by these gentlemen amounting to more than one hundred. The first example—the second one then known—was collected by Mr. Aiken in El Paso County, Colorado, October 9, 1872, and, being in the soft autumnal plumage, appeared to be so distinct from the type that, after a careful comparison of the two specimens, Mr. Ridgway wrote Mr. Aiken that it was in his opinion different, and accompanied his letter by a comparative diagnosis of the two supposed species. The Colorado specimen was then described in the American Naturalist (Vol. VII, April, 1873, p. 236) as Centronyx ochrocephalus, Aiken. On the 6th of May, 1873, Mr. Aiken obtained another specimen at the same locality; and this one, being forwarded to Mr. Ridgway for comparison, proved to be so decidedly intermediate between the types of C. bairdi and C. “ochrocephalus” that they immediately suggested the probability of their being seasonal stages of one species,—C. bairdi representing the very faded and much abraded midsummer dress; C. ochrocephalus being the autumnal dress, probably of a young bird, with the pattern of coloration distinct, and the colors soft and deep; and the May specimen the spring plumage, just intermediate between the two others.

During the past summer (1873) Dr. Coues collected about seventy specimens along the northern border of Dakota, from just west of the Pembina Mountains to the second crossing of the Mouse River. They frequented the open prairie exclusively, associating in vast numbers with Neocorys spraguei and Plectrophanes ornatus, these three being the most abundant and characteristic birds of the prairie. By the middle of July young birds were already observed; and, equally young ones being taken in the middle of August, it is presumed that two broods were raised. The splendid suite of specimens brought in by Dr. Coues comprises both adult and young birds. Of the former, many examples exactly match Audubon’s type, while others approach very closely Mr. Aiken’s specimen in the spring plumage. The young, however, are in a plumage entirely new. We give below descriptions of the several stages of plumage:—

Adult male in spring (No. 2,141, Mus. R. R., El Paso County, Colorado, May 6, 1873; C. E. Aiken). Ground-color of the head deep buff, growing paler toward the throat, which is white; crown sharply streaked with deep black, the streaks aggregated laterally so as to form two broken stripes; a cuneate speck of black at the post-superior corner of the auriculars; maxillary stripe deep buff, bounded above and below by continuous stripes of black,—one from the rictus along lower edge of cheeks, the other from side of chin down side of throat. Above pale hair-brown, the feathers paler, or brownish-white, externally, and brownish-black centrally. Beneath white, tinged with buff across the jugulum, where thickly marked with cuneate streaks of deep black; sides sparsely streaked, the streaks more brown. “Legs and lower mandible flesh-color; upper mandible horn-color; toes and claws dusky. Length, 5.62; extent, 9.04.” Wing, 2.80; tail, 2.15; culmen, .45; tarsus, .80; middle toe, .60.

Adult female in summer, exactly similar, but rather smaller, and the colors duller and paler.

Young, in first plumage. Similar in general appearance to the adult in fall plumage, but the markings more suffused. All the contour feathers of the dorsal surface sharply bordered terminally and laterally with white; streaks on the breast heavier and shorter.

Adult male in autumn (No. 1,113, Mus. C. E. A., El Paso County, Colorado, October 9, 1872).[118] Ground-color of the head deep ochraceous, deepest on the middle of the crown, and gradually fading to buffy-white on the throat; feathers of the crown with broad, deep black medial streaks, these narrower toward the middle, forming two lateral broadly black-streaked areas, with an intervening, badly defined, deep-ochraceous, narrowly streaked stripe. A distinct black spot behind the upper posterior corner of the auriculars; a smaller one at the middle of their posterior edge, and two black streaks bordering the light-ochraceous maxillary stripe,—a narrow one from the rictus along the lower edge of the deeply ochraceous ear-coverts and suborbital region, and a heavy “bridle” on each side of the throat. Lower parts buffy-white, fading into nearly pure white posteriorly; jugulum crossed by a series of heavy cuneate deep-black streaks, these continuing backward along the sides, but becoming reddish on the flanks; tibiæ brownish-gray. Neck, laterally and posteriorly, light ochraceous-yellow, each feather with a sharply defined medial streak of black. Dorsal feathers deep black centrally, then hair-brown (not reddish), and broadly bordered with white, both laterally and terminally. Rump and upper tail-coverts reddish hair-brown, each feather broadly bordered with buffy-white and with a black shaft-streak. General aspect of the wings grayish-pinkish ochraceous, the feathers all blackish centrally; outer web of outer primary pure white. Tail-feathers black, skirted with whitish ashy-ochraceous, this becoming pure white on the lateral pair of feathers, the exterior of which is pale gray centrally. Lining of wing immaculate pure white.

Wing, 3.00; tail, 2.40; culmen, .45; depth of bill, .23; tarsus, .85; middle toe, .63; lateral toes, .20 shorter; hind toe, .35. End of the wing formed by the four outer quills, of which the second and third are equal and longest, the first and fourth equal and just appreciably shorter; tertials considerably longer than the secondaries, and only .20 shorter than the longest primaries. Tail deeply emarginated (fork .20 deep), the lateral feathers longest.

The following measurements of about thirty fresh specimens, kindly furnished us by Dr. Coues, indicate the normal variation in size: “The males range from 5.10 to 5.85 in length, by 9.10 to 9.85 in extent, averaging about 5.65 by 9.50. The shortest-winged specimen was a female, expanding 8.85, though measuring 5.50 in length; the wing ordinarily ranged from 2.75 to 3.00.”

Dr. Coues also furnishes the following account of the habits of this species, which we print verbatim:—

“Out of thirty-one specimens collected July 14 and 15, twenty-nine were males, one female, and one young. This remarkable preponderance of males collected was owing to the fact that these attracted my attention as they sat singing on the tops of the weeds and low bushes; the females being probably down in the grass, incubating, or attending to their young,—at any rate not singing. In general appearance and manners they were so similar to Savanna Sparrows (Passerculus savanna) with which they were here associated, that they could only be distinguished at gunshot range after several days’ close observation. The song resembles that of the Savanna Sparrow, but may soon be learned; it consists of two or three chirps and an indefinite trill—zip, zip, zip, zurrrrrrr—in a mellow tinkling tone. The birds rise from the grass with a quick flickering flight, seldom going far before re-alighting. They remain in this portion of the country at least until October. Though scattered over the prairie, they tend to gather in little colonies; that is to say, one might ride a mile or so without seeing any, and then find numbers in the same spot. After leaving the prairie included in the bend of the Souris River, none were seen on the Coteau de Missouri; though this may have been owing to the lateness of the season. Late in July I scared a female off her nest on the prairie: the bird ran slyly through the grass, like a mouse, for some distance, before taking wing; her actions being like those of Plectrophanes ornatus under similar circumstances. Unfortunately, however, the nest was not found; but it will almost certainly be found to be built upon the ground, like that of Poocætes, Passerculus, and other allies.”

We learn by letter (dated October 7, 1873) from Mr. H. W. Henshaw, the naturalist of Lieutenant Wheeler’s expedition, that he has obtained (somewhere along the line of their route, apparently in New Mexico, but the locality is not mentioned) about thirty specimens of what he supposes to be this bird in the fall plumage. In regard to their habits, Mr. Henshaw writes as follows: “It is essentially a plain bird, with habits about half-way between those of the Savanna and Yellow-winged Sparrows, both of which were abundant in the same locality.”

Plectrophanes ornatus (I, 520). The abundant material brought in by recent collectors, among whom we may mention particularly Mr. Allen (see Bull. Mus. Comp. Zoöl. III, No. 6, p. 135) and Dr. Coues, throws additional light upon the relationship of this species and P. “melanomus” (I, 521), and affords conclusive evidence of their identity. The latter is merely a high stage of plumage, with the lesser coverts deep black, instead of brown as in midsummer, and rufous borders to the black feathers of the lower parts, which become worn off in midsummer.

Passerculus alaudinus (I, 537). Dr. Cooper informs me that in July, 1873, he found young but fully fledged birds of this species quite common along the beach near Santa Barbara, and where, possibly, they may have been mistaken by Dr. Heermann for P. rostratus. One he shot closely resembled in plumage the young Melospiza heermanni. They had been, without doubt, hatched on the grassy hills near by, and may breed farther south on the mountains. P. anthinus was numerous all summer in the neighboring marshes, but not away from salt water.

Passerculus princeps (I, 540). Additional specimens collected at Ipswich, Mass., by Mr. Maynard, and on Long Island by Mr. Lawrence, confirm the validity of this form, and likewise considerably extend its known range.

Coturniculus passerinus, var. perpallidus (I, 556). First described in Coues’s Key, October, 1872, p. 137.

Coturniculus lecontei (I, 558). Seven specimens of this interesting species were collected in August, 1873, by Dr. Coues, while attached to the Northern Boundary Survey. Five of them were obtained August 9, at the head-waters of the Souris River, on a boundless prairie. They inhabited the low portions of the prairie, where the grass was tall, recalling to mind the sea-shore marshes inhabited by the Ammodromi of the Atlantic coast. In habits they entirely resembled the seaside Buntings (A. caudacutus and A. maritimus).

These specimens reveal the fact that Leconte’s Bunting is quite as much an Ammodromus as a Coturniculus, being, in fact, just intermediate between A. caudacutus and C. henslowi, agreeing most nearly with the latter in style of coloration, and exactly resembling the former in form, the rectrices being even longer, stiffer, and more acute. This renders it necessary to unite Ammodromus and Coturniculus into one genus, recognizing them as subgenera, definable chiefly by the different style of coloration of the superior surface in the two groups. The name Ammodromus stands as the proper designation of the genus, being of earlier date.

Several stages of plumage are represented in the series obtained by Dr. Coues; and, the diagnosis of the species given on p. 552 being taken from a very defective specimen, we give here short descriptions taken from the elegant skins before us.

Adult male (No. 3,442, Coll. E. C.). Ground-color of the head white, tinged with buff on the maxillæ, and with ash on the auriculars; crown with two broad black stripes, separated by a narrow medial one of whitish; nuchal feathers bright rufous, edged with ashy-white, and shafted with black; dorsal feathers black, broadly edged exteriorly with white, and interiorly narrowly skirted with rufous. Beneath entirely white, tinged on the throat with buff, and streaked on the sides—from the breast to the flanks—with black. Length, 5.00; extent, 7.10; wing, 2.10; tail, 2.00; culmen, .42; tarsus, .68.

Adult female (No. 3,443, E. C.). Resembling the male, but, being in less abraded plumage, the colors more pronounced. The head is deep buff (just as in Ammodromus caudacutus), the auriculars and lores distinctly grayish-white, and the medial stripe of the crown ashy-white, except the anterior third, which is buff. On the lower parts, the whole lower side of the head, the entire breast, sides, flanks, and tibiæ, are deep buff, the sides sharply streaked with black. The abdomen, anal region, and crissum are pure white, in marked contrast. Length, 5.00; extent, 7.00; wing, 2.00; tail, 2.10; culmen, .45; tarsus, .70.

Young (Nos. 3,444, 3,445, and 3,446, E. C.). Ground-color above dull buff, below white; the pattern of the old birds seen in the markings, which, however, are pure black, all red and brown tints being absent,—except on the wings and tail, which are nearly as in the adult.

Ammodromus maritimus (I, 560). Mr. Maynard has discovered a very remarkable new local form of this species in Florida, which he has named var. nigrescens, possessing the following characters:—

Ammodromus maritimus, var. nigrescens, Ridgway.

Char. Above black, nearly uniform, and with a faint brownish cast; dorsal feathers with their outer edges narrowly grayish-white; remiges and tail-feathers edged with olive-brown; edge of the wing bright gamboge-yellow; supra-loral stripe deep yellow to above the middle of the eye; an obscure supra-auricular stripe of olive-grayish. Lores, auriculars, and cheeks nearly uniform black; lower parts pure white, covered with broad streaks of black, the anal region and middle line of the throat only unstreaked. Wing, 2.40; tail, 2.50; culmen, .55; tarsus, .95; middle toe, .55. (1855, Coll. R. R.)

Specimens of var. maritimus from Fort Macon, North Carolina, are much darker than Connecticut examples.

Zonotrichia leucophrys, var. gambeli (I, 569). Specimens from the Pacific Coast, which are true gambeli, are uniformly different from Middle Province examples in several important particulars; the colors are all darker, the ash more sombre, and the dorsal streaks sooty-black instead of chestnut-brown. In everything except the coloration of the head they closely resemble Z. coronata. The Middle Province form may be named Zonotrichia leucophrys, var. intermedia, Ridgway.

Junco (I, 578). For a new synopsis of the genus, see Am. Nat. VII, October, 1873, p. 613.

Junco hyemalis, var. aikeni (I, 584). First described in Am. Nat. VII, October, 1873, p. 615.

Junco oregonus (I, 584). Dr. Cooper writes that the Oregon Snowbird frequents the Sierra Nevada, lat. 39°, up to an elevation of 9,000 feet. He found a nest with three eggs at an elevation of about 7,000 feet, July 28, 1870.

Poospiza belli (I, 593). A fall specimen from Dr. Cooper, collected at Saticoy, California, October 8, 1872, shows a new plumage of this form, and substantiates the remarkable difference, in every stage of plumage, from var. nevadensis (I, 594). It differs from specimens of the latter in the corresponding dress, in the following particulars:—

Sub-maxillary bridle deep black, very broad, and reaching to the bill; pectoral spot conspicuous, black; sides strongly washed with ochraceous; above dark plumbeous instead of light ash; no trace of streaks on the back. Wing, 2.80; tail, 3.00; culmen, .40; tarsus, .80. (No. 63,652, Mus. S. I.)

Spizella monticola (II, 3). Collected by Henshaw in Southern Utah, in October, 1872. Probably found throughout the Middle Province region.

Spizella socialis (II, 7). Dr. Cooper informs us that the Chipping Sparrow frequents the Sierra Nevada, near latitude 39°, up to 9,000 feet elevation, in summer, and is the only species of Spizella to be seen there at that season.

Spizella pallida, var. breweri (II, 13). Dr. Cooper met with this species arriving from the South, in small flocks, April, 1873, frequenting bushy grounds ten miles inland. They had the song and habits as described, but were not seen in the low country in summer.

Melospiza lincolni (II, 31). Dr Cooper writes that in July, 1870, he found this species numerous at and near the summit of the Central Railroad in an elevation of from 7,000 to 9,000 feet. They were always about marshy thickets, often close to fields of perpetual snow. They had there raised their young, which were mostly fledged. He found a nest with one egg on the ground. As he found this July 27, he thinks that without doubt it raises two broods in a season even in that subalpine region. The song he found quite different from that of the other Melospizæ, being fainter, more lively and continuous, like that of some Wren or Warbler.

Melospiza palustris (II, 34). Collected in Southern Utah (Washington), October 23, 1872, by Mr. Henshaw. (Mus. S. I., No. 63,500.)

Peucæa æstivalis, var. arizonæ (II, 41). First described in Am. Nat. VII, October, 1873, p. 616.

Peucæa carpalis. An additional species of Peucæa has been discovered in Arizona by that diligent collector, Lieutenant (now Captain) Charles Bendire, U. S. A. It has been described (Am. Nat. VII, June, 1873, p. 322) by Dr. Coues as Peucæa carpalis. Its characters are as follows:—

Peucæa carpalis, Coues. Rufous-shouldered Sparrow.

Sp. Char. Resembling in general appearance a large Spizella pusilla, but with rufous lesser wing-coverts, and blackish rictal and infra-maxillary streaks. Above grayish earth-brown, each feather with the medial portion dusky, forming conspicuous black streaks on the dorsal region, and dusky centres to the wing-coverts and tertials. Nape and rump plain, and more ashy. Crown and lesser wing-coverts plain rufous, the former divided anteriorly with a whitish medial line. Beneath ashy-white, including a well-defined superciliary and maxillary stripe, which have a slight buffy tinge. Throat nearly pure white, bordered on each side by a conspicuous narrow streak of black; whitish maxillary stripe bordered above by a dusky rictal streak. Bill reddish, darker on the culmen. Tarsi dilute brown; toes horn-brown. Wing, 2.50; tail, 2.75; culmen, .45; tarsus, .80; middle toe, .55.

Hab. Tucson, Arizona. (No. 62,372. September, 1872, Captain C. Bendire, U. S. A.)

Another specimen, supposed to be a female, in winter plumage (Tucson, January 10, 1873) differs quite appreciably in its markings and colors. The crown is more streaked, every feather being edged laterally with ashy-gray; the blackish streaks on the back and scapulars are more distinct, and the inner web of the lateral tail-feather is broadly bordered with white terminally. It measures, wing, 2.50; tail, 2.90; culmen, .45; tarsus, .70. “Length, 5.75; stretch, 7.80.”

Captain Bendire informs me that he found this species rather common in the vicinity of Tucson. It was generally seen in company with Poospiza bilineata. Its usual call-note resembled the syllables zib-zib-zib. He believed it to be a resident of Arizona throughout the year. It commences nesting early in June, generally building in the small mesquite bushes, sometimes not over six inches, seldom more than four feet, from the ground. The nests are composed of fine dry grasses and rootlets, and lined with the fine, slender seed-tops of the secatow or rye-grass, and sometimes with a few hairs. The nest is very deep, and is firmly fixed into a fork of the bush in which it is built. The eggs, when fresh, are of a pale green color, and average .73 of an inch in length by .58 in breadth, are unspotted, are generally four, seldom five, in a nest. One nest with four eggs was found September 11, 1872.

Passerella (II, 49). The capture of a specimen exactly intermediate between P. iliaca and P. townsendii, at Saticoy, California, December 14, 1872, by Dr. Cooper, renders it extremely probable that all the known forms of this genus are but geographical races of one species. The characters of this specimen (No. 63,651) are as follows: Most like iliaca in reddish tints and coloration of the head, with occasional nearly pure ashy lights, but with the suffused pattern of townsendii. Wing, 3.60; tail, 3.60; culmen, .50; tarsus, 1.00.

Passerella megarhynchus (II, 57). Dr. Cooper found this species common between 5,000 and 7,000 feet elevation, on the Central Pacific Railroad line, where most of the country was still covered with snow. One or two were to be found in every thicket at distances of a quarter of a mile, already paired and having selected their summer residence, having remained in close proximity to the snowy region all winter. In July, on a second visit to the mountains, he observed them still singing occasionally, at Truckee, near 6,000 feet altitude, on the east slope.

Euspiza americana (II, 65). According to Mr. Allen this species is abundant at Denver, Colorado, being found entirely across the Plains to the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains.

Guiraca cærulea (II, 77). Has been obtained in El Paso County, Colorado, by Mr. Aiken.

Cardinalis virginianus, var. igneus (II, 103). Has been found in El Paso County, Colorado. Specimens from Eastern Kansas, collected by Mr. Allen, seem also to be referrible to this form.

Pipilo erythropthalmus (II, 109). Specimens collected by Dr. Coues at Pembina, Minnesota, in June, 1873, have (both males and females) a greater or less number of minute white specks more or less distinctly indicated on the portion where the large white spots of the western forms are located. This points to the probability that all the black races ranged in the synopsis under maculatus (including the latter itself) must be referred to erythropthalmus.

Pipilo mesoleucus (II, 125). Captain Bendire found this species breeding in Southern Arizona, in the neighborhood of Tucson. One nest was found August 2, another September 4, 1872. Both were built in mesquite-trees, and were six feet from the ground,—an unusual position in birds of this family. The eggs are also peculiar, and differ from any of this genus I have ever met with, having more resemblance to eggs of Sturnellæ, especially to the militaris of South America. The eggs from one nest are one inch in length by .73 in breadth, have a bright white ground, with a slight tinge of bluish, and are boldly plashed, especially around the larger end, with distinct deep dashes of reddish and purplish brown. A few of these blotches are scattered irregularly over the entire egg, but the greater portion are grouped around the more obtuse end. The eggs are of oval shape, both ends rounded, one slightly less than the other. The eggs in another nest are more nearly spherical, with less difference in the ends; the ground-color is more distinctly white; the spots, of reddish-brown, are finer and more concentrated about the larger end; and the faint markings of purplish are much more numerous. These measure .74 by .90 of an inch.

This species has also been found resident in El Paso County, Colorado, by Mr. Aiken.

Pipilo aberti (II, 128). Captain Bendire found this species breeding abundantly in the vicinity of Tucson, in Southern Arizona. The nests were not on the ground, as is usual among the more northern forms of Pipilos, but in trees and in bushes at the height of several feet from the ground. One nest was taken July 28, in a small ash-tree, and another was found on the same day in a willow-tree, more than eight feet from the ground. The eggs bear a close resemblance to those of Pipilo fuscus and to those of P. albigula, having a ground-color of very light blue, marked almost exclusively around the larger end with a wreath of irregular blotches of dark purplish-brown. They are of a rounded oval shape, are quite obtuse at one end, and vary in length from .97 of an inch to .88, and in breadth from .76 to .75.

Pipilo chlorurus (II, 131). Dr. Cooper met with none of this species in the Sierra Nevada between 3,000 and 7,000 feet elevation in April, 1870, when they were leisurely working their way up from the lower country; but in July he found them from Truckee, 6,000 feet on the east slope, up to the summit, 7,000 feet, but not higher. They were then feeding half-grown young. Dr. Albert Kellogg found a nest on the ground, with four eggs, spotted near the larger end on a bluish ground. The males were still singing occasionally and very melodiously, and had the same cry of alarm or anger as the Pipilo erythropthalmus. Dr. Cooper also met with this species at Clear Lake, near the end of September, showing that they probably breed in the northern Coast Range.

Dolichonyx oryzivorus (II, 149). Specimens from every portion of the Plains, and west to the Great Basin, have the black intenser and more continuous, the nuchal patch clear ochraceous-white, the scapulars and rump unshaded white, and the white of the back confined to a median line. The bill and feet are also jet-black, instead of horn-color. They constitute var. albinucha, Ridgway.

Icterus cucullatus (II, 193). Except in the materials, which difference may be more local than specific, the nests of this species are hardly distinguishable from those of I. spurius. A nest from Cape St. Lucas (S. I. No. 4,954), collected May, 1860, by Mr. Xantus, is basket-shaped and pendulous, suspended on two sides to the numerous twigs of each fork of a drooping branch. In structure it is exactly like that of I. spurius, and is composed of dry wiry grasses, lined scantily with vegetable down. The length is six inches, lower side of aperture only two and a half inches from the bottom. Another (S. I. No. 1,940) taken May 20, 1859, at San José, Lower California, by Mr. Xantus, is a very elaborately wrought basket-shaped nest. The circumference of the circular rim is much less than the greatest girth of the nest. The lower walls and base of the nest are very thick. The whole is composed of fine wiry grasses and scantily lined with vegetable down and soft flaxy fibres. The external diameter is 5.00 inches, the internal 2.10, height about 3.00, and the depth of the cavity 2.80.

Captain Charles Bendire met with this species in Southern Arizona. It was first noticed by him on the 15th of April, but he thinks they had arrived nearly ten days previously, and that the date of their coming may be given as during the first week of April. He describes it as a shy, active, and restless bird, generally frequenting the extreme tops of the tallest cottonwood-trees near the borders of the watercourses, which, however, are usually dry. There the bird flutters through the dense foliage in search of insects, and is scarcely ever seen for more than an instant at a time. It commences building about the first of June. The nest is suspended from the extremities of the lower branches of an ash, walnut, mesquite, or cottonwood tree, and is exclusively composed of fine wire-like grasses, which are made use of while green and pliable, and sparsely lined with the silky fibres of a species of Asclepias. These grasses are interlaced in such a complicated manner as to form, even when dry, a very strong structure. The dimensions of a nest are: Inner diameter, three inches; inside depth the same; outside from five and a half to four inches wide and about four deep. The eggs are from two to four in number, usually three, are of a pale bluish-white ground, spotted with dark lilac and umber-brown about the larger end. The largest eggs measure one inch by .64. Captain Bendire adds that he cannot regard this Oriole as a fine singer. Besides a usual chattering note resembling the syllables char-char-char, frequently repeated, it has a call-note something like hui-wit, which is also several times repeated.

Icterus baltimore (II, 195). Extends its range westward to the Rocky Mountains. Collected in El Paso County, Colorado, by Mr. Aiken.

Icterus bullockii (II, 199). Extends eastward to Eastern Kansas, where it is not uncommon. (See Snow’s Catalogue of the Birds of Kansas, 1873.)

Corvus cryptoleucus (II, 242). According to Mr. Aiken this species is abundant, and nearly replaces C. carnivorus along the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains, as far north as Cheyenne.

Captain Bendire found this a resident species in Southern Arizona, and met with two nests at the base of the St. Catharine Mountains, near Tucson. One of these contained three, the other four eggs. These he described as very light colored, so pale that if mixed with hundreds of others of this family they could be picked out without difficulty. Their ground-color is said to be a very pale green, with darker markings running more into lines than spots; in fact, very few spots were found on either set. The size of the largest was 1.85 inches by 1.33, that of the largest 1.70 by 1.19. They were not common in the vicinity of Tucson.

Cyanura (II, 271). For a special treatment of the races of C. stelleri, see Am. Journ. Science and Arts, January, 1873.

Cyanocitta californica (II, 298). Dr. Cooper has ascertained that this species does occur on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, but lower down than the region he visited in 1863. He found a few at Verdi, close to the eastern boundary-line of California, at about 4,500 feet elevation, in July, 1870. He saw none elsewhere.

Tyrannus vociferans (II, 327). Captain Bendire writes that this species arrives in the neighborhood of Tucson about the middle of April, but does not commence nesting until the middle of June. All the nests he found were difficult to get at, being generally placed on a branch of a large cottonwood-tree, and at a distance from the trunk. The nest is described as very large for the size of the bird, composed of sticks, weeds, dry grasses, and lined with hair, wool, and the inner soft fibres of bark of the cottonwood. The usual complement of eggs is three, seldom four. They measure from 1.00 by .75 to 1.10 by .80 of an inch, are of a creamy-white color, with large isolated spots of a reddish-brown, scattered principally about the larger end.

Myiarchus (II, 329). For a discussion of the races of M. lawrencii considered in their relation to climatic color-variation, see Am. Journ. Science and Arts, December, 1872.

Sayornis (II, 339). The outlines of species of Sayornis given below are additional to those already published.

Empidonax brunneus (II, 363). Specimens in the collection of the Boston Society bear the MSS. name of E. olivus. But we cannot find a reference to this name.

Empidonax minimus (II, 372). Has been collected in El Paso County, Colorado, by Mr. Aiken.

7226 ♂

Sayornis sayus.

2707

Sayornis fuscus.

10028 ♀

Sayornis nigricans.

Empidonax obscurus (II, 381). Dr. Cooper found a few of this species wintering in a large grove of balsam, poplars, and willows, which retained most of their old leaves till spring, near San Buenaventura. Those shot were remarkably gray, and were supposed to have been blown down from the borders of the desert by the violent northeast-wind.

Pyrocephalus mexicanus (II, 387). Captain Bendire found the Red Flycatcher quite abundant in Southern Arizona, where they breed as early as April. They were most common in the neighborhood of Reledo Creek, near Tucson, and were generally found in the neighborhood of water. Their nests were in various situations, in one instance in a cottonwood-tree thirty feet from the ground, in another in the forks of a mesquite not more than ten feet from the ground. The nests were small, slight, and loosely made, and not readily preserved. They were made externally of twigs, fine bark, stems of plants, etc., and lined with hair and feathers. The usual number of eggs was three, and never more. Except in size these bear a close resemblance to the eggs of Milvulus forficatus. Their ground is a rich cream-color, to which the deep purplish-brown markings with which they are blotched imparts a slight tinge of red. These markings are few, bold, and conspicuous, and encircle the larger end with an almost continuous ring. In shape they are of a roundish oval, and measure .66 of an inch in length by .55 in breadth. The nest and eggs of this species were also obtained at Cape St. Lucas by Mr. John Xantus, and the eggs correspond. Dr. Cooper found two male birds of this species in a grove near the mouth of the Santa Clara River, six miles from San Buenaventura, in October, 1872. They had obtained their perfect plumage, but seemed to be young birds. They hunted insects much like a Sayornis, and uttered only a faint chirp.

Chordeiles popetue, var. minor (II, 400). Specimens from Miami, Florida, collected by Mr. Maynard, agree very nearly with typical examples of var. minor from Cuba, both in size and color, and should possibly be referred to that race. A male (7,414, Mus. C. J. M.) measures: wing, 7.00; tail, 4.15. The colors are those of var. popetue, with less rufous than in the single specimen of minor with which it has been compared.

Chordeiles texensis (II, 406). Dr. Cooper shot a single specimen of this species near San Buenaventura, April 18, 1873.

Antrostomus carolinensis (II, 410). This species has been detected by Mr. Ridgway in Southern Illinois (Wabash County), where it is a rare summer sojourner.

Panyptila melanoleuca (II, 424). Dr. Cooper saw many of this species in the cañon of Santa Anna, flying about inaccessible cliffs of sandstone, where they doubtless had nests, May 20. He saw also them near San Buenaventura, August 25, when they came down to the valley from the sandstone cliffs ten miles distant. They afterwards hunted insects almost daily near the coast, flying high during the calm morning, but when there were sea-breezes flying low and against it. After a month they disappeared, and none were seen until December 14, when they were again seen until the 20th. None were seen during the rains, or until February 26, when they reappeared, and after April 5 they retired to the mountains.

Nephœcetes niger (II, 429). Dr. Cooper informs us that a fine specimen of this rare bird was taken at San Francisco in the spring of 1870, and brought to Mr. F. Gruber. It had, from some cause, been driven to alight on the ground, from which it was not able to rise, and was taken alive. The exact date was not noted.

Chætura vauxi (II, 435). Dr. Cooper states that in the spring of 1873 this Swift appeared as early as April 22 near San Buenaventura. The year before he first saw them near San Diego on the 26th.

Geococcyx californianus (II, 472). Has been found in El Paso County, Colorado, by Mr. Aiken.

Picus gairdneri (II, 512). Four eggs of this Woodpecker were taken by Mr. William A. Cooper near Santa Cruz, Cal., from a hole in a tree, one side of which was much decayed. Four is said to be the usual number of their eggs, although five were found in one instance. The eggs resemble those of P. pubescens, and measure .75 of an inch in length by .57 in breadth.

Sphyropicus varius (II, 539). Collected in El Paso County, Colorado, by Mr. Aiken.

Centurus uropygialis (II, 558). Captain Bendire found this Woodpecker the most common of the family in the vicinity of Tucson, Arizona, where it was resident throughout the year. Like nearly all of its kindred, it is an exceedingly noisy bird. It appears to be a resident species throughout the year in all the southern portions of the Territory. Its favorite localities for nesting appear to be in the gigantic trunks of the large Cereus giganteus, which plants are called by the natives Suwarrows. These are easily excavated, and form a remarkably safe place in which to rear their young ones, on account of the many thorns with which these cacti are protected. Their eggs are usually four in number, but sometimes are only two, and resemble those of all the other kinds of Woodpeckers in their color and in their rounded oval shape. They average .98 of an inch in length and .76 in breadth. Usually two, and occasionally even three, broods are raised in a season.

Strix pratincola (III, 13). Dr. Cooper informs us that, though most of these Owls are resident in California south of latitude 35°, there is a migration southward in fall from the north. Great numbers of them appeared near San Buenaventura about October 20, 1872, for a few days, and most of them went still farther southward. They return north about the first of April. On the 12th of April he found a nest built four feet up in a pepper-tree (Schinus molle), forming part of a hedge, composed of coarse sticks, straws, and dry horse-dung inside, shallow but strongly built, and containing two eggs.

Falconidæ (III, 103). The following outlines of the Falconidæ were omitted in their proper places.

58983, ♀. ½

58983, ♀. ½

58983. Falco richardsoni.

58983, ♀.

43139, ♀. ½

43139. Falco gyrfalco, var. sacer.

5482, ♀. ¼

5482. Falco lanarius, var. polyagrus.

58983, ♀.

Chamæpelia passerina (III, 389). Dr. Cooper states that an individual of this species was killed by Mr. Lorquin at San Francisco, in May, 1870. Mr. Lorquin also obtained several at San Gabriel, Los Angeles County, several years previous.

Tetrao obscurus (III, 421). Dr. Cooper found this species in April, 1870, at the edge of the melting snow, near Cisco, about 6,000 feet altitude. They were still more numerous at Emigrant Gap, 5,300 feet altitude, where snow lay only in patches, and at Truckee, on the east slope, where there was no snow, and where he found two of their eggs in a deserted nest within sight of the town. In July he found them near Verdi, near the State line. This is the limit of their range. They also frequent the edge of perpetual snow, at an elevation of 9,000 feet, more numerously than below.

Ortyx virginianus, var. floridanus (III, 469, footnote). Specimens from Miami, Fla., exhibit the peninsular extreme of this species. They are altogether more like var. cubanensis than like virginianus proper, yet they differ uniformly in such essential respects from the Cuban form that they merit a distinctive name. The characteristic features of this form are the following:—

Char. Above, with dark bluish-gray prevailing, only the anterior part of the back being washed, or mixed, with reddish; scapulars and tertials quite conspicuously bordered with whitish. The whole gray surface more or less mottled or barred with black. The head-stripes are nearly uniformly black, with only a little rusty mixed in the occiput; the black gular collar is much extended, encroaching on the throat anteriorly, so as to leave only an inch, or less, of white, and posteriorly invades the jugulum, so that there is more than an inch of continuous black, and over this distance where black predominates. The entire abdomen, anal region, and breast are heavily barred with black, the black bars on the breast almost equalling the white ones in width. The sides, flanks, and crissum are nearly uniform rufous, the feathers of the former with white edges, broken by the extensions of the black streak which runs inside the white, while the latter have heavy black medial streaks and white terminal spaces.

The female is similar, except in the color of the head, which is exactly that of var. texanus.

Wing, ♂, 4.30–4.40; ♀, 4.35. Culmen, .60–.65; tarsus, 1.15–1.20; middle toe, 1.05–1.10.

Oreortyx pictus (III, 475). Dr. Cooper found these birds already paired near the summit of the Sierra Nevada, where the snow was but half melted off, and they scarcely descended below the limits of the snow in the coldest weather. In July he saw young birds just hatched near Truckee, at an elevation of 6,000 feet. This was on the 24th. On the 28th another brood, a little older, was seen at the foot of Mt. Stanford, about 8,000 feet above the sea. Most of the broods, however, were nearly fledged at that time. Dr. Cooper also mentions that he found this Quail not rare in the mountains east of San Diego above an elevation of 3,800 feet. He thought, also, that he heard this bird in the Santa Anna range east of Annaheim. It also exists in the Santa Inez Mountains, sixteen miles east of San Buenaventura, at an altitude of from 3,000 to 4,000 feet. It seems to be confined to the zone of coniferous trees, rarely if ever coming below them. Mr. Henshaw has obtained this species at Apache, in Arizona.

Lophortyx gambeli (III, 482). Captain Bendire found this Quail breeding in the vicinity of Tucson, in Arizona, near Rillito Creek, occasionally nesting in situations above the ground. One nest, seen June 7, 1872, contained three fresh eggs. It was two feet above the ground, on a willow stump, and in an exposed place, near the creek. The nest was composed of the leaves of the cottonwood-tree. In some instances he found as many as eighteen eggs in one nest. These closely resemble the eggs of the California Quail, so much so as to be hardly distinguishable from them. They are all of a rounded oval shape, sharply tapering at one end, and quite obtuse at the other. They measure 1.24 inches in length by one inch in their largest breadth. Their ground-color varies from a deep cream to a light drab. Some are sparingly marked with large and well-defined spots, most of them circular in shape, and of a rich purplish-brown color. In others the whole surface is closely sprinkled with minute spots of yellowish-brown, intermingled with which are larger spots of a dark purple. This species was obtained in Southern Utah by Mr. Henshaw.

II.
EXPLANATION OF TERMS USED IN DESCRIBING THE EXTERNAL FORM OF BIRDS.

½ NAT. SIZE.

Turdus migratorius, L.

REFERENCES TO THE FIGURE.

N. B. In the figure the adjacent regions are separated by a double bar, with the letters belonging to each affixed.

Note.—I am under obligations to Professor Sundevall of Stockholm and Dr. Sclater of London for assistance in correcting and improving the present article.—S. F. Baird.

B. Head.

C. Neck.

D. Trunk or Body.

E. Tail.

F. Wings.

G. Legs.

For the purpose of defining the form, markings, coloration, and other peculiarities of birds, the different regions of the body have received names by which intelligible reference can be made to any portion. It is, perhaps, hardly necessary to say that all living birds have a head supported on a neck, with jaws extended into a bill covered with a horny sheath, or with skin, the two jaws situated one above the other, and always destitute of teeth. The anterior pair of limbs is developed into wings which, however, are not always capable of use in flight; the posterior serve as legs for the support of the body in an oblique or nearly erect position. The body is covered with feathers of variable structure and character, both in the young bird and the old. (The wings are apparently wanting in some fossil species.)

The following terms, English and Latin, are those most generally employed in describing the external form of birds, and are principally as defined by Illiger. In cases where there is no suitable English word in use, the Latin equivalent only is given. The figure selected for illustration, drawn by Mr. R. Ridgway, is that of the common American robin (Turdus migratorius, L.), and will be familiar to most students of ornithology.

A. Body in General (Corpus).

B. The Head (Caput).

C. The Neck (Collum).

D. The Trunk (Truncus).

E. The Tail (Cauda).

Note.—Tegmina (73½) are coverts in general, whether of wing or tail. Calypteria are tail coverts. Tectrices (83), wing coverts.

F. The Wings (Alæ).

G. The Legs (Pedes).

Note. In the usual arrangement of the toes, of three before and one behind, the hinder corresponds to the great toe of man, or the first; the inner anterior is the second; the middle is the third; and the outer is the fourth. When the toes are in pairs or two before and two behind, it is the outer or fourth toe that is turned backwards, as is the woodpeckers. In the Trogons, however, the inner toe is reversed

. With scarcely an exception in birds, the hinder or first toe has two joints; the inner (2d) has three; the middle (3d) has four; and the outer (4th) has five, or a formula of 2.3.4.5. In the typical Caprimulgidæ the outer toe has only four phalanges the formula being 2.3.4.4. Finally, in some Cypselidæ (Cypselus and Panytila), we have the middle and outer toes with three joints only each, the formula being 2.3.3.3. When there are but three toes, the hinder or first is wanting; the ostrich (Struthio) has but two toes, lacking the first and second.

H. The Outer Covering (Indumentum).