Hab. Eastern Province of United States.
Var. confinis.
Poocætes gramineus, var. confinis, Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858, p. 448 (in text under P. gramineus). Poocætes gramineus, Cooper & Suckley, 200.—Cooper, Orn. Cal. 1, 186.
Sp. Char. Resembling P. gramineus, but colors paler, the dark streaks narrower. Bill more slender, tarsi longer. (Measurement of 40,803 ♂, Fort Whipple, Arizona: Bill, .36 from point of frontal feathers by .25 in depth through base; tarsus, .78; wing, 3.35; tail, 2.80).
Hab. Western and Middle Provinces of United States, south into Mexico; Oaxaca (Scl. 1859, 379; March).
This species is readily identified by the absence of a median stripe on the head, the chestnut-brown of the shoulder, and the white lateral tail-feathers. The young birds have the ground-color above more whitish, the streaks blacker, in sharper contrast; the streaks on jugulum, etc., less sharply defined;
the general appearance, however, is not different from the adult. Sometimes there is a decided cinnamon wash beneath. Western specimens (var. confinis) appear to be paler, with longer wings, and longer and more slender bills, in this respect resembling other Finches (Melospiza, Passerculus, etc.).
All specimens from west of the Rocky Mountains are to be referred to var. confinis.
Poocætes gramineus.