BIRDS OF NORTH AND MIDDLE AMERICA, 47 



hh. Larger: Wing of male ad. averaging 92.20 or more, culmen averaging not less 



than 18.54; colors slightly lighter and brighter. (Western United States 



and southward. ) 



c. Smaller: Wing of male ad. averaging 92.20, tail 52.58, culmen 18.54, depth of 



bill at Ijase 11.43, tarsus 17.27, middle toe 13.97. (Western United States 



in coniferous forests. ) Loxia curvirostra bendirei (p. 50) 



cc. Largest: Wing of male ad. averaging 98.55, tail 56.13, culmen 19.81, depth of 

 Inll at base 12.45, tarsus 18.29, middle toe 15.24. (High mountains of south- 

 ern Arizona and Xew Mexico to highlands of Guatemala.) 



Loxia curvirostra stricklandi (p. 52) 



aa. Wings black relieved by two conspicuous white liands. (Xorthern X(3rth 



America; western Europe.) Loxia leucoptera (p. 53) 



LOXIA CURVIROSTRA MINOR t Brehm) . 

 AMERICAN CROSSBILL. 



Similar to Z. e. eurrlroxtrd. but iimoh smaller and with coloration 

 darker. 



Adult male. — General color dull red (varvino- from dull brownish 

 scarlet or almost orange-chrome in .summer to a hue more or less 

 approaching dragon's blood red in winter), the red In-ightest on rump, 

 dullest on back and scapulars, Avhere the feathers have more or less 

 distinct dusky l)rownish centers; orbits, upper part of auricular 

 region, spot at posterior extremity of malar region and another on 

 each side of occiput dusky lirownish, these markings not sharpl}- 

 defined, sometimes indistinct, but always evident; middle of abdomen 

 more or less extensively light grayish; bill horn color, more dtiskv at 

 tips; iris brown; legs and feet dusky brownish; length (skins), 128. 27- 

 161.04 (143.00); wing, 80.77-93.22^87.38); tail, 43.69-54.80 (50.04); 

 exposed culmen, 14.48-18.54 (16.51); depth of bill at base, 8.89-11.08 

 (10.16); tarsus, 14.73-18.29 (16.51); middle toe, 12.70-15.49 (13.72).^ 



Adult fi-male. — The red of the adult male replaced by grayish olive 

 or olive-grayish more or less extensiveh' overlaid by bright yellowish 

 olive or dull saffron 3-ellow, this brighter color always evident on 

 rump and sometimes prevalent over under parts (except abdomen and 

 under tail-coverts); wings and tail less dark, more grayish dusky; 

 length (skins), 125.22-153.92 (128.27); wing, 78.71-90.68 (85.09); tail, 

 38.10-53.85 (48.51); exposed cidmen,13.72-lT.T8 (16.00); depth of 1)ill 

 at base, 8.38-11.43 (9.91); tarsus, 14.73-17.78 (16.51): middle toe, 

 12.70-14.48 (13.72).'^ 



Immature {?) male. — Exactly like the adult female in coloration. 

 (Many specimens determined ]\v dissection to be males are quite indis- 

 tinguishable from adult females in coloration; others are variously 

 intermediate in coloration between adult males and females; whether 



^ Seventy-six si^ecimens. '■'Forty-two specimens. 



