390 FRINGILLID2. 
Hab. Norta America, Texas, Arizona.— Mexico, plains of Colima (Xantus?+), Los 
Nogales, Sonora (Kennerly °), Guanajuato (Dugés), Orizaba (Botteri!), Mirador, 
Huatusco (Sartorius), Atlisco (Boucard?), Putla (Rébouch). 
We have the types of Zonotrichia botterii, Scl., of Coturniculus mexicanus, Lawr., 
and of Peucwa estivalis, var. arizone, Ridgw., before us, six other specimens from 
various parts of Mexico, and one from Fort Brown, Texas—ten specimens in all. 
Judging from the variations observable in these examples, we do not hesitate to 
pronounce them all of one species. The extent to which the edgings of the dorsal 
feathers are worn makes a great difference in the appearance of the back, the older 
the plumage the darker this portion becomes through the abrasion of the lighter 
edging of the feathers. The darkest specimen is one sent us by the authorities of the 
Smithsonian Institution from Mirador; this is a little darker than the type of 
P. botierti. P. mexicana comes next in the series, then follow specimens mostly from 
Orizaba, and the lightest in colour are the type of P. estivalis arizone, the Fort Brown 
example, and two from Mexico (Putla and Atlisco). All these four were shot in June, 
and their plumage is comparatively fresh. 
There is a slight divergence on the part of P. estivalis arizone in that the dark 
stripes of the crown are more restricted to the anterior portion and those of the back 
are more circumscribed, but the difference is not considerable. 
P. botterit was described by Mr. Sclater from a specimen obtained by the late Mateo 
Botteri near Orizaba, where he resided many years, and other specimens have from 
time to time been obtained in the same district. It is to this species, doubtless, that 
Sumichrast refers, under the name P. cassini, saying that it is resident in the temperate 
region of the valley of Orizaba 7. | 
Mr. Ridgway has recently written on this subject, urging that Coturniculus mexicanus, 
Lawr., and Zonotrichia botterii, Scl., are distinct species; but with the types of both 
birds before us, we are confident that this view cannot be maintained, for the difference 
between them is quite inappreciable. The dark aberrant specimen from Mirador, in 
the U.S. National Museum, has been the cause of this opinion of Mr. Ridgway’s, it 
having done duty as a normal P. dotterit. It will be seen in the paper referred to that 
P. estivalis arizone and the bird called P. mexicana are considered distinct species, 
though we here put them together, drawing our limits of variation rather wide. 
We have, as already stated, specimens of both birds before us, but a larger series 
may show that our present view is wrong; the geographical distribution of the birds is, 
however, in our favour. Mr. Ridgway will doubtless review the question, with our 
assurance that C. meaicanus and Z. botterii are inseparable. 
The relationship of P. botterit to P. estivalis is close, the difference consisting in 
the latter bird being darker, with the head and neck deeper rufous; beneath, the 
plumage is much greyer, P. botterit being here of an ochre colour, especially on the 
chest and flanks. 
