NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 87 



(156.) Spizella monticola (Gm.) Baird. 



Rare and perhaps accidental. Colorado Chiquito River, Kennerly. 



S57. Spizella socialis (Wils ) Bonap. 



Very abundant summer resident. Arrives third week in March ; remains 

 until fatter part of November; a few stragglers may possibly winter. For a 

 month after its arrival it is in large flocks of fifty or more; and chiefly keeps 

 on the ground in open places, like Passercuhis or Pooecetes. In the fall, again, 

 collects in large flocks, associating with Chrysomilres and Pipilones, and with S. 

 atrigularis. Mates in latter part of April. Remains in moult through greater 

 part of October. 



Numerous specimens shot in the fall presented an aspect so different from 

 the usual well-known immature style of socialis, that I received the impres- 

 sion of a distinct species. The color of the crown was more the light ferru- 

 gineous of monticola, than deep chestnut, as in socialis. A large suite of adult 

 spring birds i cannot distinguish satisfactorily from the common eastern bird. 



858. Spizella Bueweri Cassin. 



Emberiza pallida of Audubon's works. Not of Swainson. 



Spizella pallida of Kennedy's and Heermann's Reports, and of Coues, 



Ibis., April 1865, p. 164, from Arizona. 

 Spizella Breiceri, Cassin, Pr. A. N. S. Ph. viii. 1856, p. 40. Baird, Birds 

 N. A. 1858, p. 475. 



Rare summer resident. A shy and retiring species, keeping mostly in thick 

 brush near the ground. 



This species constantly presents perfectly tangible differences from pallida, 

 independent of the seasonal changes to which both are subject. In addition 

 to the general paleness, or, so to speak, obsoleteness of all the markings of the 

 body, the great differences in the colors and stripes of the head, as detailed 

 by Cassin and Baird, readily separate them. Breweri has no ahy collar around 

 the back and sides of the neck, and the breast; but the small streaks of the 

 head and back are directly continuous. All the specimens before me measure 

 rather more in length than those of pallida, due ehiefly to a greater elongation 

 of the tail. Other measurements do not exceed those of pallida. 



Some July specimens, in moult, present a faded and dull gray appearance, 

 with no signs of ochraceoin on any part; and all the streaks are so narrow 

 as to be merely faintly pencilled lines. 



S. pallida is given by Dr. Kennerly from Bill Williams' River; and by Dr. 

 Heermann from Tucson and Pima, in southern Arizona. These citations are 

 doubtless to he referred to Breweri. Pallida is a species of the high central 

 plains and the region of the Missouri. Breweri ranges through New Mexico, 

 Arizona and California. 



159. Spizella atrigularis (Cab.) Baird. 



Spinites atrigularis, Cabanis, Mus. Hein, 1851, p. 133. 



Spizella atrigularis, Baird, B. N. A., 1858, p. 476. 



Struthus atrimentalis, Couch, Pr. A. N. S. Ph. vii. 1854, p. 67. 



Spizella evura, Coues, Newton's Ibis, January, 1865, p 118. Ibid, 

 April, 1865, p. 104. (A young bird, without black face and throat.) 

 Rare. Summer resident. Arrives early in April, and mates shortly after- 

 wards ; remains till middle of October. In small flocks or rather companies, 

 in the fall associating with Chrysomitris and Spizella. In the spring has a 

 sweet and melodious song, far surpassing in power and melody that of all 

 other Spizellce. Young birds want entirely the distinctive facial markings 

 of the adults. Iris black. Bill dull red. Legs and feet brownish black. 

 Length 6-GO; extent 7'60; tail 3-10. 



During my first autumn at Fort Whipple I shot numerous specimens of a Spi- 

 zella generally resembling S. atrigularis, but wanting entirely the black face 

 and chin. The interscapulars are of a quite different shade of chestnut. The 



1866.] 



