Centronyx bairdi, Baird.
BAIRD’S BUNTING.
Emberiza bairdi, Aud. Birds Am. VII, 1843, 359, pl. d., Coturniculus bairdi, Bon. Syn. 1850, 481. Centronyx bairdi, Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858, 441.
Centronyx bairdi, Baird.
1885
Sp. Char. Somewhat similar in general appearance to Passerculus savanna. Back grayish, streaked with dusky. Crown nearly covered by black streaks, but divided by a broad median band of brownish-yellow. Eyelids and a faint superciliary stripe yellowish-white. Beneath white, with a maxillary blackish stripe and some narrow streaks on the upper part of the breast, and sides of the throat and body. Outer edges and tips of tail-feathers white; the two outer feathers obsoletely white. Bend of wing white. Length, 4.75; wing, 2.80; tail, 2.20.
Hab. Mouth of the Yellowstone River. One specimen only known.
This species has somewhat of the general appearance of Passerculus savanna, but with important differences both of form and color. The bill is much longer, and more slender in proportion. The wings are quite unusually long; the primaries more than half an inch longer than the tertiaries; the first quill as long as the fourth, and but little less than the second and third. The tail is very short; the feathers narrow and pointed. The feet are large; the hind claw very long and considerably curved, as are the other claws generally.
Centronyx bairdi.