304 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



variation which was almost invariably given, and which I 

 have never heard from megalonyx. This consists in a single 

 quick note, somewhat like a bluebird's, given immediately 

 before the trill, as though it was the click or chuck of the 

 machinery that released the sound which followed. At a 

 distance, when the trill could be distinctly heard, the single 

 quick chuck would pass unnoticed. When I first heard this 

 combination it occurred to me that a bluebird was in the 

 same tree or near by, but closer observation proved the 

 Towhee to be the sole author of it. 



The only food upon which they fed consisted of insects. 

 A young bird in company with the adult pair was found in a 

 fallen cypress top, but no eggs of this species were taken. 



Ch. — Young (first plumage). Above rusty olive brown, 

 darker on sides of head. Feathers of interscapular region 

 black, edged, more broadly on the outer web, with pale 

 brown. Underparts j^ellowish brown, darkest on throat, 

 grading into white od the abdomen and to light reddish 

 brown on side; the feather streaked with black. Sides of 

 chin, black, leaving a light line of about the same width 

 between. White markings on wings and visible edges of 

 greater wing coverts narrowly edged with rusty brown. 

 Eyes muddy brown. 



(No. 2585. Author's collection, Guadalupe Island, 

 March 26, 1886.) 



AVing, 80 mm; Tail feathers, 71 mm.; Bill from nostril, 

 7.5 mm.; Tarsus, 23 mm.: middle toe, 20 mm.; hind claw, 

 12 mm. 



It much resembles on the back the young plumage of the 

 same age of P. maculatiis oregonus (No. 983. Author's collec- 

 tion, Wilbur, Or., June 20, 1883), but the latter is darker 

 on sides of neck, and has the feathers of sides and crissum 

 rich reddish-brown. 



The underparts correspond closely to the young of P. 

 macalatus megalonyx {^o, 2298, author's collection, Oakland, 

 Cal., June 3, 1885), which is somewhat younger. I believe 



