Biological Papers. 213 



Our common Blue grosbeak in central Kansas is the Western 

 form, lazula. The Eastern form, now on the list, may also occur in 

 eastern Kansas. 



Here are a score of questions relating to our sparrows which 

 have not been settled. Other groups present similar unsettled prob- 

 lems. For instance, how many forms of the Red- winged blackbird 

 occur in the state ? It is certain that the large-billed form (Jortis) 

 should be added to the state list. The Migrant shrike {Lanius 

 hidoviciatius migrans) should probably be substituted for the Log- 

 gerhead shrike. Our Long- billed marsh wren is the prairie form ilia- 

 chus. Baird's wren does not occur north of Mexico. The Kansas 

 Bewick wren is probably Thryoynanes heioicki cryptus for the 

 greater part of the state. Typical heiuickii may occur in eastern 

 Kansas. Only one form of mocking-bird appears on the list. The 

 White-winged form is certainly present in western Kansas. Possi- 

 bly two forms of Traill flycatcher occur. 



The present would be an inopportune time to attempt a revision 

 of the state list. The nomenclature committee of the American 

 Ornithologists' Union are at work upon a new check-list of North 

 American birds. A rearrangement of families is expected, as well 

 as radical changes in the names of birds. A state list prepared in 

 advance of the publication of the conclusions of the American Or- 

 nithologists' Union committee would be almost worthless. 



In the meantime "a study of the birds of the state for the purpose 

 of determining the actual distribution of Eastern and Western forms 

 is all important. Specimens in breeding plumage as well as winter 

 birds should be collected. Especially is it worth while to study 

 the birds of southeast and southwest Kansas, to determine the Caro- 

 linian and Lower Sonoran forms that enter the state. While but 

 little is known of the birds that breed in the extreme northwest and 

 southwest parts of the state, a winter study of the birds of those 

 sections would also yield unreported forms. 



In addition to field-work, it is desirable that the various public 

 and private collections of bird skins in the state should be sub- 

 mitted to competent authority for comparison with types and prop- 

 erly determined specimens. This can be done only in the larger 

 museums, and probably best in the United States National Museum, 

 in Washington. 



Should these suggestions be carried out, I have no doubt that 

 the Kansas bird list will be considerably increased, and the total of 

 forms approach very nearly to the 394 and 400 accredited, respect- 

 ively, to Colorado and Nebraska. 



