FRIXGILLID.E — THE FJNCHES — PASSERCULUS. JgX 



with gray, which is lightest (jji the scai;ji(jrs. Crown witli a broad median stripe of yel- 

 lowish-gray. A superciliary streak ll-om the bill to the back of the head ; eyelids, and 

 edge of the carpal joint, yellow. A yellowish-white maxillary stripe curving behind the 

 ear coverts, and margined above and below by brown. The lower margin is a series of 

 thickl)- crowded spots on the sides of the throat, which are also ibuud on the sides of the 



neck, across the upper part of the breast, and on the sides of body. A few sj)Ots on the 

 throat and chin. Rest of under parts white. Outer tail leather and primary edged with 

 white. Length, G.12; extent, 9.25; wing, 3.00; tail, 2. .55. Iris brown; bill and feet 

 paler. 



Hah. Northwestern Coast from the Cohunljia River to Russian America. California 

 in winter. (?) 



This species I found in spring and fall only at the Columbia Eiver, in 

 their migrations to and from the north. As they were not seen there be- 

 tween Oetoljer and April, they probably spent tlie winter in Southern Ore- 

 gon and California, though hitlierto overlooked by collectors in this State. 

 During the warm season, between April and September, they were not to be 

 seen near the Columbia, probably passing to the nortli, or possilJy to the 

 interior plains east of the Ca.scade Eange. Their habits, as far as I ob- 

 served them, did not differ from those of P. alaudinus. They are, however, 

 considerably larger and darker colored. 



Passerculus alaudinus, Boxap.vrte. 

 THE SKYLARK SPARROW. 



PassaTtihis alaudinus, BoxAP.iUTE, Coniptes Eendiis, XXXVII. Dec. 1853, 918. (California.) 

 — Baikd, p. R. Reij. IX. Birds, 446. — Passerculus Sai-unna (and alaMliuus?) Heer- 

 snxN, X. vi. 49. 



Sp. Cn.\i!. Similar to P. Siindwichensh, but smaller ; the bill rather slenderer and 

 elongated. Little of yellow in the superciliary stripe (most distinct anteriorly) ; the rest 

 of the head without any tinge of the same. General color much paler and grayer. Breast 

 with oidy a few spots. Length, 6.00 ; extent, 9.25 ; wing, 3.00 ; tail, 2.30. Iris brown ; 

 bill brown above, flesh-color below ; feet brownisli-white. 



Hab. California and Lower Rio Grande of Te.xas and ile.xieo. 



