^1914^ J SwARTH, California Forms of Psaltriparus. 511 



Cuyamaca Mountains; Dulzura; Julian; Campo; Witch Creek; 

 Point Loma; San Diego. Total number of specimens, 243. 



Distinguishing Characters. — From the other two species of the 

 genus (P. mdanotis and P. plumhcus) Psaltriparus minimus is dis- 

 tinguished by having the pileum differently colored from the rest 

 of the upper parts, forming a sharply defined "cap." P. minimus 

 minimus as compared with P. m. calif oruicus, is darker colored 

 throughout, birds seasonably comparable being contrasted, the 

 under parts are hea\aly suffused with dusk}^ and the flanks are 

 more distinctly \'inaceous. These differences are cpite as apparent 

 in the juvenal plumage as in the adult, sometimes more so. The 

 general appearance of P. minimus minimus is of a brownish colored 

 bird, as contrasted with the gray and white tones of P. m. californi- 

 cus. In measurements minimus and californicus are practically 

 alike. Compared with plumbeus they have shorter wing and tail, 

 bulkier bill, and the same length of tarsus. 



Remarks. — Of specimens representative of P. minimus minimus, 

 there are available four skins from Portland, Oregon, practically 

 topotjTjes of the subspecies. Three of these, adults taken in May, 

 are from the collections of W. L. Finley (no. 255) and S. G. Jewett 

 (nos. 845, 846); the fourth, a young bird, also taken in May, is 

 from the collection of the United States National Museum (no. 

 149651). This series, though of few specimens, affords a good basis 

 for certain comparisons. 



In commenting upon the California collections of the various 

 subspecies, a discussion of the series from each of the different 

 localities seems to be the method most conducive to a clear under- 

 standing of conditions. 



San Diegan District (specimens from San Diego, Orange, River- 

 side, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara 

 counties). The large number of skins from southern California, 

 one hundred and sixty specimens from points ranging from San 

 Diego to Santa Barbara, is fully illustrative of all seasonal variation. 

 It has been possible, in fact, to make a selection of birds showing, 

 almost week by week, the change in appearance throughout the 

 year, and this has been most helpful toward an understanding of 

 conditions presented in smaller series from other points. 



As to the status of the southern California bird, it belongs un- 



