J 
158 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 
NOTE ON MERULA CONFINIS (BAIRD). 
By BOBERT RIDGWAY. 
The type of this species, obtained by Xantus, in 1860, at Todos Santos, 
Lower California, has remained unique up to the present year. Two 
additional specimens, however, have lately been received at the National 
Museum from Mr. L. Belding, who has so ably supplemented the work 
done by Xantus in the vicinity of Cape St. Lucas;* and since consider- 
able doubt has been expressed by some authors as to the validity of the 
species, some remarks upon these additional specimens may not be un- 
acceptable. 
No. 89796, adult (sex not determined), Laguna, February 1, 1883 
Very similar to the type, but lower parts even paler, the entire abdo- 
men, flanks, anal region, and crissum being white (the lower tail-coverts, 
however, mixed with bluish-gray, and the sides washed with the same); 
the ground-color of the breast and jugulum is exactly the same as in 
the type (rich creamy-buff), but this is more distinctly obscured by a 
gray clouding. The white superciliary stripe is very distinct, beginning 
above the lores and extending quite uninterruptedly over the eyes and 
aurictlars, nearly or quite to the end of the latter. The bill is dark 
brown, with the edge of the maxilla and basal half (or more) of the man- 
dible yellow; the feet horn-brown. Wing .5.10, tail .4, culmen .85, tar- 
sus 1.20, middle toe .85. 
No. 89797, 2 ad., Laguna, February 3: This specimen is in very per- 
fect feather, and, so far as plumage is concerned, is almost a duplicate 
of the type. Owing to the more perfect condition of the feathers, how- 
ever, the colors are softer and somewhat richer, but the color of the 
jugulum, breast, sides, and lining of the wing is of an exactly similar 
creamy-buff, or soft creamy-ochraceous, the breast clouded with pale 
*Although but just commencing his second season’s work, Mr. Belding has already 
madeseveral additions to the number of species known to be peculiar to Lower California 
at the conclusion of Xantus’s explorations; and when the objective point of his present 
trip, the pine-clad mountains of the interior, shall have been reached and thoroughly 
worked, the number will no doubt be materially increased. The new species and races 
already discovered by Mr. Belding are the following: (1) Lophophanes inornatus cinera- 
ceus, (2) Psaltriparus grinda, (3) Geothlypis beldingi (see p. 344, vol. 5, of these Pro- 
ceedings), (4) Junco bairdi, and (5) Rallus beldingi (vol. 5, p. 345). Xantus discovered 
altogether nine forms peculiar to the vicinity of the cape, as follows: (1) Merula con- 
jinis, (2) Methriopterus cinereus, (3) Campylorhynchus affinis, (4) Passerculus gutlatus 
(doubtful), (5) Pipilo fusca albigula, (6) Basilinna xantusi, (7) Picus scalaris lucasanus, 
(8) Melanerpes formicivorus angustifrons, and (9) Halocyptena microsoma, the latter, 
however, a pelagic bird, and therefore probably of wider distribution. In addition 
to those named above, Mr. Belding has sent single skins of several forms which will 
prove to be local races should additional examples agree with them in certain peculi- 
arities noted, while two Asiatic species (Motacilla ocularis and Anthus cervinus), besides 
a number of North American species, have been added to the Cape fauna, 
