18S7.] Brewster on Three New Forms of North American Birds. 1 47 



in winter plumage, in which condition, as just stated, the two 

 forms are not certainly separable. 



(3) That Syinphcmia atlantica Rafinesque (Jotirn. Phys., 

 LXXXV1II, 1819,417) is a nomen nudum. 



(4) That Totanus speculiferus Cuvier (R. A.. 1, 1817. 351) 

 and Pncheran (R. et M. Z., Ill, 1S51, 569J is not now deter- 

 minable. 



It follows that none of these names are available for the West- 

 ern Willet, although it is not improbable that at least two of 

 them (crassirostris Vieill. and spcculifertts Cuv.) were origi- 

 nally applied to it. 



Most of our recent authorities describe both forms under 6\ 

 semipalniata^ confusing them and attributing their differences to 

 age, season, or individual variations. 



I am indebted to Mr. Southwick for most of the specimens on 

 which the above comparisons are based, as well ;:s tor pel mission 

 to announce what is really his discovery rather than my own. 



Phalaenoptilus nuttalli nitidus. subsp. nov. — Frosted Poor-will. 



Subsp. Char. — Similar to true P. nuttalli, but with the dark markings 

 of the crown, back, etc., fewer and more sharply defined on a much 

 lighter ground, the transverse bars beneath finer, paler, and less conspic- 

 uous. 



Habitat. Texas and Arizona. 



Types, Nos. 13076, $ ad., and 13077, $ ad., Nueces River, Texas, Feb. 

 27, 1SS6; F. B. Armstrong; both in my collection. 



This bird seems to be another example of a 'bleached desert 

 race.' It is very much paler than true nuttalli, with fewer, finer 

 dark markings, which, however, are more conspicuous than in 

 nuttalli, owing to the generally lighter ground color. This on 

 the forehead, sides of crown, rump, upper tail-coverts, and scap- 

 ulars is pearly or ashy white, giving the parts a delicate frosted 

 appearance. The chin, sides of head, and a broad band around 

 the nape are light faded brown, whereas in nuttalli they are 

 many shades darker and (the chin and cheeks at least) often 

 strongly blackish. That Audubon described and figured the 

 darker bird is open to no doubt. 



Texas specimens show little variation, several taken in Febru- 

 ary on the Nueces River being practically identical with a breed- 

 ing female shot at Rio Grande City in June (No. 977, Coll. of 



