390 Oberholser, Critical Notes o?i Anriparus. \^a 



also had, like the Terns, a most favorable and successful breeding 

 season. 



In late advices from Mr, Sandsbury (October 2) he informs me 

 that on this date the Terns had diminished about one half, and 

 that almost every day large flocks could be seen going high up in 

 the air and after circling coming down again, these actions being 

 preparatory to setting out on their southern migration. This 

 shows that the birds are remaining later than usual this season. 



In advices from Penikese Island, Massachusetts, I learn that 

 there were but few Terns remaining after September i, and by 

 the 17th, they had all departed. 



The little beach mouse iyMicrotns breiueri) has again become 

 very abundant on Muskeget Island proper. The remnant which 

 was preserved on South Point Island, some years ago, can now 

 pass uninterruptedly over the newly formed beach which connects 

 the two. On July 27, 1896, I took an adult male which was in 

 the process of shedding its coat. 



CRITICAL NOTES ON THE GENUS AURIPARUS. 



BY HARRY C. OBERHOLSER. 



Professor Baird, with his usual astuteness, was apparently 

 the first to notice the considerable difference existing between the 

 Verdins of Texas and those of Lower California. ^ He mentioned 

 their contrasting points but did not regard these characters as of 

 distinctive value. Mr. Walter E. Bryant,^ in his remarks. upon the 

 genus, subspecifically separated the western form and bestowed 

 upon it the name Auriparus JJainceps ornatus. Mr. Bryant was 

 possibly not correct in supposing that the type of Sundevall's 



' Review of American Birds, I, Aug., 1S64, 85. 

 ^ Zoe, I, 1890, 149. 



