PROCEEDINGS OK UNITKD STxVTlCS NATIONAL MUSEUM. 127 



€6. *Amphispiza bilineata, (Cass.) 



Much more com Qioii 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. Kio Grande, 

 IS.— Foosjiiza b., Dresser, Ibis, 18G5, 488.) 



67. Spizella sociaUs, (Wils.) 



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



68. Spizella pallida, (Swaius.) 



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, (And.) 



Very common in winter.-^(DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 489. — Sennett, B. 

 Rio Grande, 18.) 



71. Peucaea arizonae, Ridgw.* 



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

 Fort Brown, but obtained with difficulty, 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 ou 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 valuation iu size and color between the set of eggs vi P. artzonw and 

 those of P. ccstlvalis 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 ccstivalts 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 .6'2, .78 by .61, 

 and ."I'Z 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. arizon(c measuie .^5 by .64, .83 by 

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

 The eggs of P. cassini have the same crystalline whiteness as those of a'stivalis, while 

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

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

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



[Without sptcimens of this form iu good plumage, it is quite impossible to determine 

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

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

 though resembling examples of 7'. costivalis in corresponding dress, are easily distin- 

 guishable. Considering the latter fact, in connection with the radical dificrenco in 

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

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



