^°iSg^^^n Miller, Abnormal Color Markings. 27? 



There is probably another change required in our nomenclature 

 of this genus; certainly so if, as some think, M. g. ellioti of 

 Sennett, 1892, is synonymous with his M. g. intermedia of 1879. 



Agriocharis ocellata is a term which has been applied to the Hon- 

 duras Turkey, which differs superspecifically from Af. gallopavo in 

 the lack of pectoral bristles, peculiar carunculation of the head, 

 long sharp spurs of the male, and ocellation of some portions of 

 the plumage, as set forth by Chapman, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist, 

 viii, 1896, p. 288. 



;-]c 



SOME ABNORMAL COLOR MARKINGS. 



BY GERRIT S. MILLER, JR. 



Many instances of albinism, melanism, and other abnormal 

 color conditions in birds have been recorded,^ but these records 

 are for the most part concerned with cases in which large, con- 

 spicuous, and indefinite areas of the plumage are affected. While 

 such abnormalities are interesting they are greatly outweighed in 

 importance by others, usually of a less noticeable character, in 

 which the unusual markings are so arranged as to resemble normal 

 color patterns. Suggestions of characters of related species are 

 often to be found in these symmetrical markings, some of which 

 might be regarded as the result of hybridism did not the well 

 known hypothesis of atavism offer a more satisfactory explanation 

 of their occurrence. I wish to call attention to a few of the more 

 conspicuous among the many cases of this kind that have com-e to 

 my notice. 



Colaptes auratus {Linn.). 



An adult Flicker (No. 5619, Miller collection, purchased many 

 years ago in the New York markets by J. G. Bell), normal in 



' See, for instance, Deane, Bull. Niitt. Orn. Club, I, pp. 20-24, I^s PP- 

 27-30; Brewster, Auk, XII, pp. 99-100; Toppan, Bull. Ridgway Orn. Club, 

 No. 2, pp. 61-77. 



