BIRDS — LIOTRICHIDAE — MIMUS POLYGLOTTUS. 



345 



the breast, somewliat as in Lanius. The purity of white in the outer tail feather, too, is often 

 impaired by blotchings of brown. 



In a considerable series of specimens before me, I find two from California (8159, 8165) which 

 differ from the rest in having a considerably longer tail, measuring 5f inches. The graduation 

 is much greater, the lateral feathers being 1.20 inches shorter than the middle, instead of about 

 .75 ; the ends of all the feathers distinctly visible from below. The coloration of the tail 

 differs a little in having the third black, with a dull white tip, and not the elongated spot in 

 the end, running up sometimes as far as the middle of the feather. There is less white in the 

 two bands on the wing coverts ; the bill and feet are larger. I cannot satisfy myself, however, 

 that they are distinct, in the absence of a sufficient series of good specimens from the east, and 

 therefore merely call attention to the facts as stated. It may be that they are only a more 

 northern and larger race than the rest before me. It is probably this variety that Vigors had 

 in view when describing Orpheus leucopterus from the west coast of America, (Zool. Beechey, 

 1839, 18,) although this has the wing 5.T5 inches long, instead of 4.50. Should further 

 researches substantiate a specific distinction from both the polyglottus and Vigors' bird, the 

 name of Mimus canadatus would be very appropriate, in view of the lengthened tail. 



Young birds from California, of the long-tailed variety, have the feathers of the breast and 

 the sides of body conspicuously marked terminally with a round dusky spot. There are also 

 faint dusky markings on the sides of the throat. 



Listl of specimens. 



44 b 



