538 U. & P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS—-ZOOLOGY— GENERAL REPORT. 
particularly the case on the outer webs of the tertials and of the middle tail feathers, and to a 
less marked extent on the inner webs. In some specimens of S. magna the dark bands are 
entirely transverse on the exposed part of the tertials, but in the concealed portions they are 
more or less confluent, and in all cases they are broader. The tip of the middle tail feathers of 
S. magna very rarely shows a few completely transverse bands, but they become confluent 
towards the middle, and exhibit a general tendency to angularity, whereas in S. neglecta the 
sides of the bands are more or less parallel and, in fact, often widen at the exterior, and become 
“nearly or quite confluent. 
There is no difference observable in the under parts, except that, as a general thing, the sides, 
tibia, and crissum are whiter, although this is not constant. There is, however, a slight tinge 
of reddish in the white of S. magna scarcely found in neglecta. The yellow is rather lighter. 
There seems to be a constant tendency in neglecta to an extension of the yellow of the throat 
over on to the side of the lower mandible, instead of being confined strictly to the inferior surface 
of the head and neck. 
To sum up the preceding remarks it may be stated that the real difference between the 
species lies in the greater tendency to narrow transverse bands on the upper surfaces, especially 
of the middle tail feathers. Although there is an average difference in the paler tone of color 
above and below, yet there are specimens, especially from Washington Territory, in which such 
difference does not exist. 
The yellow on the side of the lower mandible appears to be a pretty good mark. It is 
not to be denied, however, that the difficulties of separating the specimens of the two species 
are exceedingly great, and that in many cases it is necessary to take an average of characters, 
no single one furnishing a sufficiently permanent peculiarity, and for quite a number of 
western specimens, as 8621, from Fort Thorn, 8604, 8608, 8610, from Fort Steilacoom, and 8624, 
from Presidio, California, Iam entirely at a loss which name to assign. No. 8608, in fact, agrees 
in every respect with eastern specimens. 
In discussing the question of specific distinction between the two birds, the remarkable 
difference in their notes, as attested by all observers from Lewis and Clarke down to the present 
day, must be kept in mind. 
