588 abstracts: ornithology 



ORNITHOLOGY. — Notes on the fringilline genus Passerherbulus and 

 its nearest allies. Harry C. Oberholser. Ohio Journ. Sci. 

 17: 332-336. June 2, 1917. 

 A careful examination and comparison of the species of Passerher- 

 bulus at once discloses the fact that this genus as at present constituted 

 is a composite group. It is, therefore, here separated into four genera. 

 The seaside sparrows, six in number, are given the name Thryospiza 

 gen. nov., with Fringilla maritima Wilson as the type. For Passer- 

 herbulus caudacutus and its two subspecies the generic name Ammospiea 

 Oberholser is used. The Nelson sparrow (Ammodramus caudacutus 

 nelsoni Allen) and the Acadian sharp-tailed sparrow (Ammodramus 

 caudacutus subvirgatus D wight) prove now by examination of more 

 material to be both subspecies of Ammospiza caudacuta (Gmelin). 

 The genus Passerherbulus is here restricted to Passerherbulus leconteii 

 (Audubon) ; and for Emberiza henslowii Audubon and its western sub- 

 species the new genus Nemospiza is proposed. H. C. 0. 



ORNITHOLOGY. — The status of Aphelocoma cyanotis and its allies. 

 Harry C. Oberholser. The Condor 19: 94-95. May, 1917. 

 The blue-eared jay, Aphelocoma cyanotis Ridgway, was originally 

 described from Mexico and has since been reported from Texas. The 

 Texas birds, however, prove to belong to Aphelocoma texana; and 

 Aphelocoma cyanotis is therefore restricted to Mexico. Although here- 

 tofore regarded as distinct species, Aphelocoma cyanotis, Aphelocoma 

 texana, Aphelocoma sumichrasti, and Aphelocoma looodhouseii are 

 all now discovered to be geographic races of Aphelocoma calif ornica. 

 Incidentally the bird described by Dr. Joseph Grinn^H as Aphelocoma 

 calif ornica immanis from southern Oregon is reinstated. H. C. 0. 



ORNITHOLOGY.— The birds of Culebra Island, Porto Rico. Alex- 

 ander Wetmore. The Auk 24: 51-62. January, 1917. 

 This is the first published list of the birds of the Island of Culebra, 

 and is based largely on observations made and the specimens collected 

 by the author from April 4 to 22, 1912. The number of species here 

 recorded from the island is 54, including one of doubtful status, a 

 good proportion of which are considered resident species. None are, 

 however, peculiar to Culebra Island. Notes on habits are added 

 under many of the species. H. C. O. 



