FRINaiLLID^E — THE FINCHES. 17 



over the whole of Nortli America, and familiar to every one, we find each 

 region to possess a special form (to which a specific name has been given), 

 and yet these passing into each other by such insensiljle gradations as to 

 render it quite impossible to define them as species. Between M. mclodia 

 of the Atlantic States and M. insvjnis of Kodiak the difference seems 

 wide ; but the connecting links in the intermediate regions bridge this over 

 so completely that, with a series of hundreds of specimens before us, we 

 abandon the attempt at specific separation, and unite into one no less than 

 eight species previously recognized. 



Taking, then, the common Song Sparrow of the Eastern Atlantic States 

 (if. melodid) as the starting-point, and proceeding westward, we find quite a 

 decided difference (in a woxiQtj fallax) when we reach the Middle Province, 

 or that of the Rocky Mountains. The general tints are paler, grayer, and 

 less rusty ; the superciliary stripe anteriorly more asliy ; the bill, and espe- 

 cially the legs, more dusky, the latter not at all to be called yellow. The bill 

 is perhaps smaller and, though sometimes equal to the average of eastern 

 specimens, more slender in proportion. In some specimens (typical /a//«a') the 

 streaks are uniform rufous without darker centres, — a feature I have not 

 noticed in eastern mclodia. Another stage (hcermanni) is seen when we reach 

 the Pacific coast of California, in a darker brown color (but not rufous). 

 Here the bill is rather larger than in var. fallcix, and the legs colored more 

 like typical mclodia. In fact, the bird is like mclodia, but darker. The 

 stripes on the back continue well defined and distinct. M. samuclis 

 (==fjouldi) may stand as a smaller race of this variety. 



Proceeding northward along the Pacific coast, another form (var. guttata), 

 peculiar to the coast of California, is met with towards and beyond the 

 mouth of the Columljia (coming into Southern California in winter). This 

 is darker in color, more rufous ; the stripes quite indistinct above, in fact, 

 more or less obsolete, and none, either above or below, with darker or black- 

 ish centres. The sides, crissum, and tibia are washed witli ochraceous- 

 brown, the latter perhaps darkest. The bill is proportionally longer and 

 more slender. This race becomes still darker nortliward, until at Sitka 

 (var. rujina) it shows no rufous tints, but a dusky olive-brown instead, in- 

 cluding the streaks of the under parts. The markings of the head and 

 back are appreciable, tliough not distinct. The size has become consider- 

 ably larger than in eastern mclodia, the average length of wdng being 3.00, 

 instead of 2.60. 



The last extreme of difference from typical melodia of the east is seen in 

 the variety insujnis from Kodiak. Here the size is very large : length, 7.00 ; 

 extent, 10.75 ; wing, 3.20. The bill is very long (.73 from forehead), the 

 color still darker brown and more uniform above ; the median light stripe 

 of vertex scarcely appreciable in some specimens ; the superciliary scarcely 

 showing, except as a whitish spot anteriorly. The bill and feet have become 

 almost black. 



