NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF TENNESSEE — WETMORE 23T 



group in Lower California." That Passerculus princeps is closely 

 related to the Savannah sparrows is easily evident. It is also evident 

 that it is very distinct from those forms of the Savannah sparrow 

 Idbradorius and savanna with which it may associate {ohlitus pos- 

 sibly included on rare occasions on the southeastern coast). If we 

 concede pHnceps position as a subspecies of Paj^serculus sandwich- 

 ensis by linkage through forms now and probably for all past time 

 geographically remote, then we arrive at a difficult situation. 



It is common in a genus of birds for certain characters of pattern 

 or color to be repeated in different racial groups. Thus a spotted 

 shoulder is common among pigeons of the Columba group (using 

 this name in a broad sense), or a patch pattern, where black and white, 

 or their combination, gray, occurs in varying arrangements, is found 

 in the stilts of the genus Himantopus. To me it does not appear 

 proper to consider such resemblances in gi'oups of individuals geo- 

 graphically remote from one another, where there is no definite indi- 

 cation of earlier direct connection through which intergradation might 

 occur, as denoting subspecific relationship. Such resemblances arei 

 of a generic rather than of a subspecific nature. 



It appears to me therefore that Passerculus princeps should be 

 retained as a species distinct from sandwichensis and its races and 

 that resemblances between it and far distant races of sandwichensis 

 are to be ascribed to convergence, and not to that closer genetic rela- 

 tion that must be held to exist between nearly allied subspecies. The 

 range and ecological preference of princeps are so restricted as to give 

 definite support to its separation as a distinct group. If we are to 

 accept the other line of reasoning proposed, then we might be under 

 necessity of recognizing with similar nomenclatural treatment far 

 more remotely connected forms through relationships in remote ages; 

 and if we were to follow such a line of reasoning far enough we might 

 be brought to the situation of treating all existing birds as geographic 

 races of one species through relationship in time and space ! The 

 problem tends to become complicated and to assume a highly hypo- 

 thetical aspect. 



AMMODRAMUS SAVANNARUM AUSTRALIS Maynard: Eastern 

 Grasshopper Sparrow 



Near Pikeville several were seen and three were taken on May 29 

 and 31. In Shady Valley they were fairly common, two being taken 

 on June 9 and 15. At Rock wood W. H. Fox secured one on March 24 

 and another on April 18, 1885. 



These birds all have the darker coloration of the eastern bird,, 

 though they are of the maximum size for that race. The western 

 form may occur in migration in the western part of the State. 



