310 ZOOLOGY— BIUDS. 



ErvmophiUi corniita, Bd., P. R. 11. Rep., x, 1859, Beckwitli's Route, Birds, 1.3, pi. 32.— 

 IlAYD., Rep., 1S62, 174.— Stev., U. S. Geol. Siirv. Terr., 1870, 4(J4.— 

 Mkkuiam, U.S. Geol. Surv. Terr., 1872, 685.- Hold., Proc. Bo.st. Soc. Nat. 

 IJist., XV, 1872, 202. 



ErcmophUa alpcHtris var. leucolccma, CoxiES, Bird.s Northwe.st, 1874, 38. — Allen, Proc. 

 Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., Jiiue, 1874, 10, 17, 20.— IIenshaw, An. List Birds 

 Utah, 1872, Wheeler's Exped., 1874, 45 (in text). 



Var. CHRYSOLAEMA, Wagl. 



Emnophila coniuta, CoUES, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Pbila., 18G0, 79 (Arizoua).— Henry, 

 Proc. Acad. Nat. Bci. Pbila., 1859, 107 (New Mexico). 



Alauda minor, Giraud, Birds Texas, 1841. 



Otocorin riifa, Ueerm., P. R. R. Rep., x, 1859, pt. vi, 45. 



Ervmophila coniuta var. chrysokvma, Bd., Birds N. A., 1858, 403.— Bd., U. S. & Mex. 

 Bound. Surv., ii, pt. ii, 1859, Birds, 14. 



Eremophila alpestris var. chrysolcrmn, CouES, Key N. A. Birds, 1872, f^^9.— Bd., Brew., 

 & RiDG., N. A. Birds, ii, 1874, 144.— Hensiiaw, Hep. Orn. Specs., 1873, 

 Wheeler's Exped., 1874, G4, 121.— CouES, Birds Northwest, 1874, 38. 



The var. chrysolccma of the Southwestern Territory is distinguished from 

 the pale race of the Central Region by its " smaller size, longer bill, and 

 deeper coloration." The latter race was found extremely abundant near the 

 vicinity of Fairfield, Utah, where the old and young resorted during the 

 early morning to the pools of water, after which they became lost sight of, 

 scattering over the dry plains in search of food. In the fall, they associate 

 in immense flocks, frequenting the alkali plains and marshes. 



Near Denver, this variety (var. chrysolcema) was quite numerous on the 

 plains in May, and evidently preparing to breed. The male has a rather 

 feeble but pleasing song at this season, which the birds uttered while perched 

 on a fence rail or from the ground. 



At Santa F(i, N. Mex., they were rather common on the barren hills, and 

 without doubt had nests ; but these I could not find. 



The young were taken near Fort Wingate, N. Mex., June 30, by Dr. 

 C. G. Newberry. After September, the species was found gathered in 

 large flocks, and scattered over the dry and arid plains, where they feed 

 upon the seeds and insects which they pick up among the sage brush and 

 bu.shes. Later, in the latter part of November, the plains between Fort 

 Wingate and Santa Fe, N. Mex., were fairly alive with these birds, and 

 flocks niinihcring thousands were met with at short intervals. 



