90 



REVIEW OP AMERICAN BIRDS. 



[part I. 



more distinct ; the colors above possibly a little darker, with more 

 reddish. 



The series at my command of the European G. familiaris is 

 not sufficiently large nor perfect enough to permit any very satis- 

 factory comparisons. The bill, however, appears longer and higher 

 than in eastern G. americana. The claws are longer, and the tail 

 shorter, not equalling the wings, instead of exceeding them. The 

 first quill is longer, its exposed portion being half that of the second, 

 instead of considerably less. The coloration is exceedingly similar; 

 the central light streaks of the feathers above are, however, less 

 distinct, being not so white, and more pervaded by the ferruginous. 

 The under parts are more ashy, and the rusty of the crissum perhaps 

 less prominent. 



Gerthia costae is, in reality, more nearly related than G. familiaris 

 to our species in color and length of tail. This differs again in still 

 larger bill and claws, and in a purer white of the under parts. The 

 three, however, are so very closely related as almost to be entitled 

 to consideration as races of one species. 



(827.) 5.40; 7.80; 2.60. (1,337.) 5.00; 7.60 ; 2.50. (28,948.) 5.30 ; 8.00; 2.50. (29,947.) 5.00 ; 

 7.30; 2.30. (32,283.) 5.50; 7.80; 2.70. 



Certliia mexicana. 



Certhia .mexicana, " Gloger, Handbucli," Reichenbach, Handbuch, I, 

 1853, 265, pi. dlxii, figs. 3,841-2.— Sclater, P. Z. S. 1856,290; 

 1858, 297; 1859, 362, 372.— Is. Catal. 1861, 15, no. 95.— Baird, 

 Birds N. Am. 1858, 373 (under C. americana), pi. Ixxxlii, fig. 2. 



Hah. Mexico ; perhaps extending along the table lands into the U. States. 



This species will be readily recognized on comparison with the 

 United States species by its much darker color above, and especially 

 the deeper shade of brown on the rump, and apparently its gi'eater 



