;[3G NORTH AMEra(,^VN BIKDS. 



larger, though it is but just to say that it is a female ; the wing measures 

 13.25, instead of 12.50, and the middle toe, 2.00, instead of 1.85. 'So. 

 37,336, Tres Marias Islands, Western Mexico, — a young male in second 

 year, — lias tlio wing just the same length as in the smallest North Aniei-jcaii 

 exauiiile, while in plumage it is ])recisely similar to 26,785, of the same age, 

 from Jamaica. Xo. 4,367, from I'uget's Sound, Washington Territory, — also 

 a young male, — has the wing of the same length as in tiu' largest northern 

 siiecinum, while the jilumage is as usual. 



Two adult females from Connecticut (Nos. 28,099 and 32,5ll7, Talcott Mt.) 

 are remarkable for their very deep colors, in which tliey (Hfler from all other 

 Xorth American examples which I have seen, and answer in every jiarticular 

 to the description of F. cassini, Sharpe, above cited. The upper surface is 

 plumbeous-black, becomihg deep black anteriorly, the head without a single 

 liglit feather in the black portions ; the plumbeous bars are distinct only on 

 the rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail, and are just perceptible on the secon- 

 daries. The lower parts are of a very deep reddish-ochraceous, deepest on the 

 breast and abdomen, wliore it approaches a cinnamon tint, — the markings, 

 however, as in other examples. They measure, wing, 1475 ; tail, 7.50 ; cul- 

 men, 1.05 - 1.15 ; tarsus, 2,00 ; middle toe, 2.30. They were obtained from 

 the nest, and kept in continenient three years, when tliey were .sacrificed to 

 science. Tlie unusual size of the bill of these specimens (see measurements) 

 is undoubtedly due to the influence of confinement, or the result of a modi- 

 fied mode of feeding. The specimens were presented by Dr. S. S. Closes, of 

 Hartford. 



An adult male (No. 8,501) from Shoal-water ISay, Washington Territory, 

 is exactly of the size of the male described. In tliis specimen there is not 

 the sliglitest creamy tinge beneath, while the blue tinge on the lower parts 

 laterally and posteriorly is very strong. No. 52,818, an adult female from 

 jMazatlan, Western Mexico, has the wing three quarters of an inch shorter 

 tluin in tlie largest of four northern females, and of the same length as in the 

 smallest ; there is nothing unusual about its plumage, except that the bars 

 beneath are sparse, and the ochraceous tinge quite deep. No. 27,057, Fort 

 Good Hope, H. B. T., is, liowever, exactly similar, in these respects, and the 

 wing is but lialf an inch longer. In No. 47,588, t? ,from the Farallones Islands, 

 near San Francisco, CaUfornia, the wing is tlie same lengtli as in tlie average 

 of northern and eastern specimens, wliiie the streaks on thejugubun are 

 nearly as conspicuous as in a male from Eurojie. 



In conclusion, I would say that tlie sole distinguishing character between 

 the Peregrines frnm America and tiiose from Europe, that can l)e relied on, 

 appears to be found in tlie markings on the breast in the adult plumage ; 

 in all the specimens and figures of var. comnmnis that I have seen, the 

 breast has the longitudinal dashes very conspicuous ; while, as a general 

 rule, in anatam these markings are entirely absent, though sometimes 

 present, and occasionally nearly as distinct as in European examples. There- 



