24 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



colored than the preceding, and with the transverse markings of the upper 

 parts narrower, and, as pointed out by Prof. Baird, (B. of N. A. p. 538), the 

 yellow of the throat seems generally to extend around under the eye and at 

 the base of the under mandible in this bird more than in S. ludovieiana. The 

 two species are about the same size. 



Numerous specimens in the Academy Museum and in the Museum Smithso- 

 nian Institution. In the central regions of North America it is possible that a 

 hybrid race between the two species may be produced, to be referred with 

 about equal propriety to either. Usually, and having some degree of experi- 

 ence with these two species, it is not difficult to distinguish them at sight, 

 though such consummation to be surely brought about, would require elabo- 

 rate descriptions in words. 



:!. Stursella hippocrepis, Wagler. 



Sturnella hippocrepis, Wagl. Isis, 1832, p. '281. 



Smaller than either of the preceding, and having the pectoral black collar 

 much more narrow. This species is very nearly related to the next succeed- 

 ing (S. mexicana,) and can scarcely be distinguished from it by any characters 

 which seem to be reliable. It is, howerer, in my opinion, clearly distinct from 

 S. ludovieiana and S. neglec/a, and all the characters are present in the speci- 

 mens before me, which are stated with his usual great clearness and accuracy 

 by Mr. Lawrence, in an interesting memoir on the birds of Cuba, in Annate 

 N. Y. Lyceum, vii. p. 266. In the present species the tertiaries are nearly or 

 quite equal in length to the primaries, while in S. ludovieianus they are much 

 shorter, which character is especially stated by Mr. Lawrence and seems to be 

 quite correct. 



Numerous specimen? from Cuba are in the Museum Smithsonian Institution, 

 and this bird seems to be peculiar to that island. The peculiarities pointed 

 out by Mr. Lawrence stand good in all specimens of this bird now under 

 examination. 



4. Sturnella mexicana Sclater. 



Sturnella mexicana, Sclat. Ibis, 1861, p. 79. 

 Very nearly related to the preceding, (S. hippocrepis,} if distinct, and I give 

 it, at present, as a species provisionally only. Smaller than 5. ludovieiana and 



5. neglccta, but perhaps rather more closely resembling the latter in colors. 

 Pectoral black collar narrow. The colors of the upper parts seem to be less 

 clearly defined, and of a slightly different style and pattern from the preceding, 

 and it may bear about the same relation to that species (S. hippocrepis} that 

 5. neglecta does to &. ludovieiana. Such relation I hold to be rather probable 

 from the specimens now at hand. 



Specimens from Mexico in Academy Museum, and in Museum Smithsonian 

 Institution from Mexico and Guatemala. 



5. Sturnella meridionals, Sclater. 



Sturnella meridionalis, Sclat. Ibis, 1861, p. 79. 

 Quite distinct, in my opinion, from either of the preceding. Fu)ly as large, 

 apparently, as S. ludovieiana, with the tarsus slightly longer, and larger toes and 

 claws, bill longer and more pointed. Black pectoral collar narrow as in 



5. hippocrepis and S. mexicana, but with tertiaries short as in S. ludovieiana. 

 One specimen from Brazil, in Museum Smithsonian, and others of doubtful 



locality, but South American, in Museum Academy. This species seems to be 

 the peculiar South American form, and is apparently rather the largest bird of 

 this closely allied group. Its characters are carefully and accurately stated by 

 Dr. Sclater of London, as above cited, though the species seems to be little 

 known to ornithologists. 



2. Trupialis. 



(Genus Trupialis, Bousp. Consp. Av. i. p. 429.) 



6. Sturnella militaris, (Linnaeus.) 



Sturnus militaris, Linn. Mant. p. 527, (1771.) 



[March , 



