46 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



in a diagnosis. This trouble is partly the result of the insufficient series at 

 our command, for there are such different combinations of colors, according 

 to the season, that it is almost impossible to select the average characters of 

 two definable forms. 



Habits. This species was first described, in 1852, by Mr. Cassin, from a 

 specimen obtained in California by Dr. Heermann. Very little is known as 

 to its history, and it appears to have been generally overlooked by natural- 

 ists who have studied the ornithology of that State. The extent of its dis- 

 tribution or of its numbers remains unknown, — a circumstance due undoubt- 

 edly to the nature of the country which it frequents. 



Dr. Heermann states that in the fall of 1851 he shot on the Cosumnes 

 Ptiver a single specimen of this bird from among a large flock of Sparrows 

 of various kinds. In the spring of the following year, among the mountains, 

 near the Calaveras Eiver, he found it quite abundant. It was then flying in 

 pairs, engaged in picking grass-seed from the ground, and when started it 

 never extended its flight beyond a few yards. Its notes, in their character, 

 reminded him of the ditty of our common little Chipping Sparrow {Spizdla 

 socialis). He obtained several specimens. Its flight seemed feeble, and when 

 raised from the ground, from which it would not start until almost trodden 

 on, it would fly but a short distance, and almost immediately drop again into 

 the grass. 



Dr. Cooper has only met with this species on Catalina Island, in June, 

 where a few kept about the low bushes, feeding on the ground. They were 

 very difficult even to get a sight of. He heard them sing a few musical 

 notes, that reminded him of those of the Cyanospiza:. They flew only a short 

 distance, and in their habits reminded him of the Mclospizce. Their favorite 

 places of resort he supposes to be pine woods, as in the eastern species. 



The fact that this species has been found by Mr. Sumichrast to be a per- 

 manent resident throughout all the temperate regions of Vera Cruz is a very 

 interesting one, and is suggestive of different manners and habits from those 

 supposed to belong to it as a bird allied with the Ammodrami. They are 

 abundant, and breed there, as in the United States, but nothing is given 

 throwing any positive light upon their general habits. 



Genus EMBERNAG-RA, Lesson. 



Emhernagra, Les.sox, Traite d'Ornith 1831 (Agassiz). (Type, Saltator viridis, Vieillot.) 



Gen, Char. Bill conical, elongated, compressed ; the upper outline considerably curved, 

 the lower straight ; the commissure slightly concave, and faintly notched at the end. 

 Tarsi lengthened; considerably longer than the middle toe. Outer toe a little longer 

 than the inner, not reaching quite to the base of the middle claw. Hind toe about as 

 long as the middle without its claw. Wmgs very short, and much rounded ; the tertials 

 nearly equal to the primaries ; the secondaries a little shorter : the outer four primaries 

 much graduated, even the second shorter than any other quill. The tail is moderate, 



