abstracts: ornithoIvOGy 497 



ORNITHOLOGY. — Description of a new seaside sparrow from Florida. 

 Arthur H. Howell. Auk 36: 86-87. January, 1919. 

 The discovery of a new species of bird in North America at the 

 present time is a scientific event of some importance, although the same 

 is not true of a subspecies. Explorations in southern Florida have 

 brought to light what is evidently an entirely new species of the genus 

 Tkryospiza. It differs so remarkably from all the other forms of the 

 genus that intergradation seems never likely to be found. It most 

 nearly resembles Thryospiza maritima sennetti of the coast of Texas, 

 from which, however, it differs conspicuously in its more sharply 

 streaked and more extensively white lower parts. In the general 

 character of its under parts, it is more like Thryospiza nigrescens of 

 eastern Florida, but the color of its upper surface is entirely different. 

 It is appropriately named Thryospiza mirahilis. 



Harry C. Oberholser. 



ORNITHOLOGY. — Bird records from the Sacramento Valley, Cali- 

 fornia. Alexander WetmorE. Condor 21: 73-74. 1919. 

 During the period between August 17 and October 17, 191 8, bird 

 observations were carried on in the Sacramento Valley, between Marys- 

 ville. Maxwell, and Tehama. Notes on 12 of the most interesting 

 species noted are presented here. The. northern limit of the range of 

 the following species in the interior of California is apparently extended 

 by these observations: Dendrocygna bicolor, Hydroprogne caspia im- 

 perator, Egretta thula thula, and Tyto alba pratincola. 



Harry C. Oberholser. 



ORNITHOLOGY. — Notes on the structure of the palate in the Icteridae. 

 Alexander Wetmore. Auk 36: 190-197. 1919. 

 The keel on the palate of the grackles of the genus Quiscalus is a 

 well-known character. Investigation shows it to be a projection de- 

 veloped as a fold in the horny sheathing of the palate. Its use, hitherto 

 unknown, has recently been ascertained by field observation. It is 

 now found to be of assistance in obtaining kernels from acorns by 

 cutting the shells, and has other similar fimctions. Several other 

 genera of Icteridae have indication of a similar projection on the pal- 

 ate. This is most prominent in Icterus gularis, although apparently 

 absent in all other species of the genus Icterus. In this species it is 



