378 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM, 



and less fulvous, while, as iu typical alicicv, there is no trace of a lighter 

 orbital ring. The bill is much more slender than in most specimens of 

 the larger form, while in several examples it is of a very peculiar shape, 

 being much depressed basally, with the middle portion of the culmen 

 somewhat concave. In fact, the bill in these specimens is much like 

 that of the Nightingale {Liiscinia philomela) in shape, but with even a 

 more prominent angle at the base of the gonys, and still more depressed 

 at the base. The extreme form of the bill, in this respect, as exhibited 

 iu ISTo. G53 (coll. E. P. B.), suggests very strongly that of Cinclus. 

 Mr. Bicknell sends me the following notes, based upon his specimens: 

 "In regard to the differences of coloration of the two forms, I find 

 that, though some specimens in my series can be closely matched, the 

 majority can be separated by color differences. These, however, are 

 not very tangible, but most specimens of the smaller form present a 

 somewhat undetinable appearance, which separates them from the 

 larger. This is best seen about the head, and seems to be produced by 

 a brownish shade relieving those colors which in true alicicc are dark 

 and sooty. Though my two Catskill examples are darker than spring 

 specimens of alicice, specimens of the smaller form taken in the fall are 

 quite uniformly paler than those of true alicice taken at the same season; 

 and though this seems to be contrary to a recognized law of geographi- 

 cal distribution, it certainly is the fact. Besides in the general color it 

 is noticeable iu the legs and feet, some of the smaller forms having the 

 tarsi a pale clear yellow, while in manj' large specimens they are uni- 

 formly dark. The base of the lower mandible is also more largely and 

 generally yellow in the smaller form." 



List of specimens examined. 

 MALES. 



FEMALES. 



706 E. P. B. Eiverdale, N. Y 

 23 E. P.B. do 



Average . 



Ad. 

 Ad. 



Oct. 8 

 Sept. 27 



3.40 

 3.80 



2.60 

 2.70 



3.60 2.65 



1.10 

 1.12 



.65 



.66 



.50 

 .50 



.50 



SEX UNDETERMINED. 



17 E. P. B. 



Paveidale, N. T 



Average both sexes . 



Ad. 



(Fall.) 



3.55 2.75 l.',5 

 3.72 2.85 1. 15 



3. 62 2. 75 1 1. 14 



.70 

 .69 



.51 



