532 



U. S. p. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS — ZOOLOGY GENERAL REPORT. 



part of the breast, extending some distance down on the median line, and a somewhat hidden space round tlie anus, yellow. A 

 conspicuous white patch at the base of the wing formed by tlie spurious feathers, interrupted by the blaclt ahila. 



Female smaller, browner ; the yellow confined to the under parts and sides of the head, and a superciliary line. A dusky 

 inaxillar3' line. No white on the wing. Length of male, 10.00 inches ; wing, 5.60 ; tail, 4. .50. 



Hab. — Western America from Texas, Illinois, Wisconsin, and North Red river, to California, south into Mexico. Green- 

 land, Reinhardt. 



The color of the yellow in this species varies considerably ; sometimes being almost of a lemon 

 yellow, sometimes of a rich orange. There is an occasional trace of yellow around the base of 

 the tarsus. 



The female differs considerably in appearance, as above mentioned. Sometimes the superciliary 

 stripe is broader, and involves much of the side of the neck. The feathers on the middle of the 

 breast are sometimes edged with wliitish. Tlie young male of the year is like the female, but 

 larger, and likewise lacks the white of the wing. Immature males of more adult condition 

 have the yellow of the head and neck variously clouded with black margins, especially on the 

 upper surface. 



A very young bird has the head and back brownish yellow, the wing coverts with a broad 

 bar of white. 



This sjjecies is very widely distributed throughout the North American continent, having 



even been found in Greenland. Its eastern limit in the United States appears to be Illinois. It 



is essentially a prairie bird. 



List of specimens. 



