104 



BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON. 



In connection with the present subject, some remarks upon the 

 other races of L. curvirostra (or supposed to be referable to that 

 species) may not be unacceptable, the observations in question 

 being based chiefly on specimens contained in the National Mu- 

 seum collection. 



L. curvirostra pity opsittacus. — There are before me two adult males 

 and one adult female of this robust species or race. These resemble 

 most nearly, among the American forms, L. mexicana, but are 

 decidedly larger in all their measurements, the bill especially being 

 much higher ; the mandible is broader at the base, though propor- 

 tionally much shorter. The colors are similar but not so bright. 

 The measurements of this form, as compared with L. mexicana 

 and L. curvirostra, its nearest allies, are given in a table at the end 

 of this article. 



In Yarrell's " History of British Birds," fourth ed., part xi, page 

 210, the comparative measurements of L. pityopsittaciis and L. cur- 

 virostra, apparently quoted from Dresser's " Birds of Europe," are 

 given, in substance, as follovvs : 



from L. curvirostra {vera) in having the red of a fine rosy or madder-lake tint, 

 the dimensions somewhat smaller. Female much grayer than that of curvirostra. 

 Dimensions. — (j^: wing3. 60-380 (3.70) ; tail 2.30-2.40 (2.35) ; culmen.70; depth 

 of bill .45-.48 (.46) ; gonys .45-.48 (.46) ; tarsus .65-. 70 (.67) ; middle toe .60. 

 ?: wing 3.60-3.70 (3.66) ; tail 2.20-2.35 (2.28) ; culmen .68-. 70 (.69) ; depth 

 of bill .42-. 45 (.44); gonys .45-49 (.46); tarsus .65-. 70 (.68); middle toe 



■57--58. 



Note. — Since the above was written, specimens of a red crossbill have been 

 received at the -National Museum from Ilakodadi (Nos. 91,386,^5^ ad., Feb., 

 and 91,387, 9 ^d., Feb.), which are in every respect similar to European ex- 

 amples of Z. curvirostra. It would therefore appear that while the form inhab- 

 iting the middle or main island of Japan is a distinct local race, that found in the 

 northern island is identical with the European race. 



