448 



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



In autumn the dark streaks are less sharply defined, and there is a tinge of very pale cinna- 

 mon on the breast. 



The form of this species differs considerably from that of Melospiza melodia. The bill is less 

 sinuated along the edge of the mandible. The wing is much longer, and more pointed ; the 

 first quill nearly as long as the fourth ; the second and third equal, and longest. The tail 

 feathers are acuminate, pointed, and quite stifi"; the toes are shorter ; the claws rather straighter. 



I find a good deal of difference in specimens before me, but I am unable to say how important 

 these are for want of a sufficient number of eastern skins to determine the limits of variation 

 in the species. Western specimens, however, appear larger, grayer, and with fewer and 

 narrower streaks on the breast ; the legs in some appear longer ; the bill more slender. The 

 colofs generally are more gray. Young birds of the western variety are marked almost exactly 

 like the adults, except that they are paler above ; the feathers edged broadly with light grayish. 

 Without being assured that there is a difference of species, it may be as well to recognize a 

 western variety conjinis, characterised as grayer than the eastern species, legs and wings longer, 

 bill more slender and straighter, streaks on the breast narrower. 



List of specimens. 



