PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 127 



66. *Amphispiza bilineata, (Cass.) 



Much more commoa in summer than winter. The nests are placed in 

 low, thick bushes, rarely more than two feet from the ground. The eggs, 

 when fresh, have a decided bluish tinge. — (Sennett, B. Rio Grande, 

 IS. — Poospim &., Dresser, Ibis, 1865, 488.) 



67. SpizeUa socialis, (Wils.) 



April. — (Dresser, Ibis, 1865, 489. — Sennett, B. Rio Grande, 19.) 



68. SpizeUa pallida, (Swains.) 



Very abundant during the winter months, but I do not think that 

 any remain to breed. — (Dresser, Ibis, 1865, 489.— Sennett, B. Rio 

 Grande, 19.) 



69. Melospiza melodia, (Wils.) 



February and December. 



70. Melospiza lincolni, (Aud.) 



Very common in winter. — (Dresser, Ibis, 1865, 489. — Sennett, B. 

 Rio Grande, 18.) 



71. Peucaea arizonas, Eidgw.* 



Found in some abundance on a salt prairie about nine miles from 

 Fort Brown, but obtained with difiQculty, as they could rarely be flushed 

 from among the tall grass. Its notes were frequently heard, and are 

 quite pleasing. A nest found June 16, 1877, was placed among the 

 roots of a tussock of grass : it was made of blades and stems of grasses, 

 and was rather deep, but so frail that it fell to pieces on removal. The 

 eggs, four in number, were quite fresh. They are unspotted white, 

 strongly tinged with greenish-blue, and measure .82 by .63. 



* The great variation iu size and color between the set of eggs of P. arizonce and 

 those of P. cestivalis appears to me to be inconsistent with their belonging to birds of 

 the same species. In North American Birds, I speak of the color of a'stivalis as being a 

 pure, almost brilliant, white, and their size .74 by .60. This is probably a little smaller 

 than the average. An egg taken by Dr. Bryant in Florida measures .76 by .61. 

 Three eggs, taken by Dr. Gerhardt in Northern Georgia, measure .80 by .62, .78 by .61, 

 and .72 by .60. Their color is crystalline white, similar in brilliancy to the eggs of a 

 Woodpecker. On the other hand, the four eggs of P. arizonce measuie .>-5 by .64, .83 by 

 .64, .82 by .65, .80 by .62, averaging .82| by .63f, the average of cestivalis being .77 by .61. 

 The eggs of 2^ cassini have the same crystalline whiteness as those of cestivalis, while 

 those of P. carpalis correspond in color with those of arizonce, and average .73 by .58. 

 The color of the eggs of P. arizonce is of a very light blue, with just a tinge of green, 

 but to some eyes it appears to be a greenisb-white. — T. M. B. 



[Without specimens of this form in good plumage, it is quite impossible to determine 

 the question of its relationship to P. cestivalis by the skins alone. All the specimens I 

 have seen are, unfortunately, iu the greatly worn and faded midsummer plumage, and, 

 though resembling examples of P. a'stivalis in corresponding dress, are easily distin- 

 guishable. Considering the latter fact, iu connection with the radical difference in 

 their eggs, as insisted on by Dr. Brewer, I think, upon the whole, that the bird may 

 yet prove to be a distinct species. — R. R.] 



