152 U. S. P R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS — ZOOLOGY — GENERAL REPORT. 



white, forming a conspicuous band. There is, however, one very decided mark in a white 

 patch on the five outer primaries situated about half way between the carpal joint and the tip 

 of the wing. This commences on the inner vane of the first primary, without involving or 

 crossing the rib, along which it extends for less than half an inch, widening inwards to three 

 quarters of an inch on tlie inner edge. On the second primary there is a white blotch on the 

 outer vane, ojiposite the large spot on the inner, which involves the rib. ■ The third, fourth, 

 and fifth primaries have the blotch passing continuously across from inner to outer edge of the 

 quill. 



The tail feathers are dark brown, with about eight or ten transverse and rather irregular 

 bands of mottling, which below are nearly white, above of a light brownish gray. The termi- 

 nal blotch on all but the two inner feathers (one on each side) is white on both surfaces, larger 

 and more quadrate, and scarcely reaches to the outer edges of the feathers. 



The female is similar in general characteristics, except that the V-shaped mark on the 

 throat is yellowish rusty instead of white, the white patch on the wing rather less conspicuous, 

 and the quadrate terminal white spots on the end of the four exterior tail feathers (on either 

 side) are wanting. There is also appreciably more rusty in all the grayish or light tints. 



In a large series of skins before me I find considerable geographical difierences when com- 

 pared with the typical Pennsylvania specimens. Thus, in skins from tlie upper Missouri and 

 Platte, as also irom Bridger's Pass, (5594,) the general colors are lighter, owing to the much 

 greater amount of grayish mottling on the back and the wing coverts, as well as the scapulars. 

 The color of the upper parts, in fact, exhibits but little of that decided impression of black pre- 

 viously described. The white spot in the middle of the wing is considerably larger, and in 

 most cases crosses the midrib to the outer edge of the first primary. The lieet appear shorter ; 

 the wings and tail about the same length. All the eastern specimens before me agree in their 

 dark colors. Specimens from Steilacoom are as dark, however, as those from Pennsylvania, and 

 not distinguishable from them. The same may be said of a pair from the Cosumnes river, 

 California. 



Still another series, chiefly from southern Texas and New Mexico, is characterized by a great 

 preponderance of pale rufous spotting on the back. The characters in this respect are much as 

 in C. texensis, almost every featlier on the back having a reddish spot. The size is rather less 

 than in more northern S2)ecimen8. There is, however, so imperceptible a gradation into the 

 lighter northern series, and from this into the dark eastern ones, that I confess my inability to 

 define any permanent specific differences. The skin described as C. henryi belongs to the 

 most ruiuus type, and may possibly be distinct. "With reference to the others, however, I feel 

 in very great doubt. 



It is much to be regretted that the name of Vieillot should be of so barbarous a character, 

 since it is the first one that can be used. The Caprimulgus virginianus of Brisson includes 

 both this and Antroslomus voiiferus, and cannot be retained, and with it fall the names of 

 Gmelin and others based upon it. The mistake was first committed by Catesby, whose figure 

 is an unnatural association of the two species. 



In two specimens (8224, 8225,) from Fort Laramie, collected by Doctor Cooper, the wing and 

 tail feathers are not iully grown out ; but independently of this, the size appears much less 

 than in any others from the same latitude, smaller even than in C. texensis. Tlie middle toe 

 and claw measure but .60 of an inch. The color is very gray, without any conspicuous rufous 

 mottling. 



