542 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



inaking all possible allowance for seasonal differences in coloration, we have 

 found it impossible to reconcile them with the C. hairdi. 



In this species there is a slight superficial resemblance to PoocMes gra- 

 mineus ; but upon comparison it will be found to be entirely different : thus, 

 P. gramineus lacks the median light stripe on the crown, has the lesser wing- 

 coverts rufous and the lateral tail-feathers white, while tlie streaks are all 

 blackish and the ground-color diff'ereirt ; the generic details, too, are quite 

 different. 



Habits. This species lias been obtained only in Eastern Massachusetts, 

 where, in tlie neighborhood of Ipswich, it was found among the sand-hills by 

 the sea-shore. The place where the individuals taken were met with is a 

 rather remarkable tract, three miles in length and nearly one in breadth. It 

 is as treeless as the Great Plains, and as bleak and barren, with no vegetation 

 except a scant growth of coarse grass. Mr. Maynard obtained his first speci- 

 men early in December, 1868. Although others were seen, yet this was all 

 he was then able to obtain. He has since taken others in the same place 

 and season. Nothing is known as to its habits. It uttered, as it rose, a short 

 chirp of alarm. 



Passerculus rostratus, Baird. 



SAN DIEGO SPARKOW. 



Embcriza rostrata, Cassin, Pr. A. N. Sc. VI, 1852, 348. Ammodramus rostratus, Cassin, 

 111. I, 1855, 226, pi. xxxviii. Passerculus rostratus, Baikd, Birds N. Am. 1858, 446. 

 — Cooper, Om. Cal. I, 1870, 184.. 



Sp. Char. Bill very long (.55 of an inch above). Whole upper parts and sides of 

 head and neck pale brownish-gray (almost fulvous), nearly every feather with a darker 

 central blotch, darkest along the shaft. A scarcely appreciable central stripe in the 

 crown, an obscure yellowish-white superciliary, and a whitish maxillary one. Under 

 parts pure white ; streaked on the breast and the sides of throat and body with dark 

 brown (the streak paler externally). Under tail-coverts unspotted Avhite. Tail and 

 Aving feathers and wings margined with the color of the back ; the edges of tertiaries 

 rather paler. Length, 5.30 ; wing, 2.90 ; tail, 2.30. 



Hab. Coast of Cahfornia, south to Cape St. Lucas; mouth of Colorado River (Dr. 

 Palmer). 



The bill of this species is very long and conical, the cutting edge nearly 

 straight. The wings are rather long, the tertiaries nearly as long in the 

 closed wing as the primaries ; the second, third, and fourth quills longest, 

 the first rather longer than the fifth. The tail is short and emarginate, the 

 feathers narrow, acute, and moderately stiff. The tarsi are long ; the claws 

 little curxed. 



This species resembles the Passerculus savanna rather more than any of 

 the other sparrows with spotted breasts ; the bill is, however, very much 

 longer and larger, exceeding any of our American species of its size, the 

 upper outline more convex. Its colors are much paler, and it lacks the 



