FKING1LLID.E — THE FINCHES. 281 



the breast, paler on the throat and chin; a postocular streak of ferruginous along tho 

 upper edge of the aurioulars; sides of the nedc streaked with ferruginous; an indistinct 

 dusky streak on each side of the throat, along the lower edge of the malar region; abdo- 

 men dull white; orissum creamy buff; edge of the wing, from the carpal to the carpo- 

 phalangeal joint, bright yellow. Bill pale horn-color, the maxilla darker; iris brown; 

 leg? and feet pale brown. 



Total length, about 6.00; wing, 2.25-2.60 (2.51); tail, 2.40-2.95(2.(0); bill, from nostril to 

 tip. ..30-..3.3; depth through base,.27-.30 (.29); tarsus, .70-.82 (.77); middle toe, .55-.60 (.59). * 



Compared with typical P. astlvalis, in corresponding plumage, the 

 differences of coloration are at once apparent. The upper parts are 

 much paler, and more "sandy" in hue, and the black mesial streaks 

 which in astivalis mark all the feathers (except those of the nape 

 and wings) are either entirely wanting, or confined to the inter- 

 scapular region ; the breast and sides are very distinctly ochra- 

 ceous buff, these parts in <estivalis being dull butfy grayish. The 

 proportions are very nearly the same in the two species, but bach- 

 manii has a longer wing and a thicker bill, the average of five speci- 

 mens, compared with six of astivalis, being 2.51 and 0.'29 respec- 

 tively, against 2.40 and 0.26. P. arizome is so different as scarcely 

 to need comparison, having, like astivalis, the whole crown streaked 

 with black ; the general hue of the upper parts more of a hair- 

 browTi, and the lower parts nearly uniform pale buffy grayish, the 

 abdomen not conspicuously lighter. It is also larger, measuring, 

 wing 2.60, and tail 2.85. 



"While little is really known regarding the distribution of this 

 species in Illinois, it probably occurs locally — that is, in suitable 

 localities-— throughout that portion of the State lying south of the 

 parallel of 39°; and perhaps it extends still further north. It is 

 emphatically a bird of open oak woods, where large white and jjost 

 oaks prevail, with grass land immediately adjoining, or whei'e the 

 intervals between the trees consist of sward rather than under- 

 growth ; but neglected fields, grown up to weeds, and in which old 

 dead trees are left standing, are also its favorite haunt. 



Bachman's Sparrow first came under my observation early in 

 June, 1871, when several were seen and others heard, about half- 

 way between Mount Carmel and Oluey, the former in Wabash, the 

 latter in Eichland county, Illinois. 



*These measurements represent the extremes and averaces of ten adults. 



