Vol. XIVl Oberholser, Critical Notes on Auriparus. '^QI 



JEgithalus flaviceps came from Mexico,^ although quite right in 

 considering that Lawrence's Conirostrum ornatiini from Texas is 

 the same form.- Since Conirostruni oniatum is thus made a 

 synonym of ^githahis flaviceps, or as it is now known, Auripa- 

 rus fiaviceps, the term ornatus, if employed in the genus Auriparus^ 

 becomes manifestly untenable. Consequently if there be no other 

 name available, and assuming, of course, the validity of this form, 

 the Auriparus fiaviceps ornatus of Bryant will require to be re- 

 christened. And this seems to be the necessity, for apparently 

 the only remaining synonym is Pariis flavifrons of Gray,^ which, 

 though attributed by him to Sundevall, is quite evidently a mis- 

 citation of the hitter's y£githahis fla'Viceps, and is consequently 

 an undoubted nomen nudum. Furthermore, it is probably appli- 

 cable entirely to the eastern race, as ' Rio Grande ' is the only 

 locality assigned. 



The subspecies inhabiting Lower California may therefore be 

 called 



Auriparus flaviceps lamprocephalus, nobis. 



Chars, subsp. — A.Jiavicepi affinis, sed caiida mtilto breviore, fieoion 

 alis brevioribus ; cafitejiavopaululuni clariore. 



Al., 48-52 (50.1) mm.; caud., 41-43.5 (42.2) mm.; culm, exp., S.5-9.5 

 (9.) mm.; tai-s., 14-15 (14-7) mm. 



Habitat. — California inferior australis. 



Description. — Type, male adult, No. 117551, U. S. Nat. ISIus. ; Cape St. 

 Lucas, Lower California, April 7, 18S9; C. H. Townsend. Upper parts, 

 excepting head, dull smoke gray, washed with olive yellowish, most con- 

 spicuously so on the rump. Wings and tail fuscous, the wing-coverts, 

 tertials, and narrow edgings to quills and rectrices paler than the rest; 

 bend of v/ing rich burnt sienna. Head all around deep gamboge yellow, 

 shaded on occiput and sides of head with olivaceous, the crown and throat 

 being almost immaculate. Remainder of lower parts dull white, with a 

 slight wash of yellow, this most evident on the breast and anal region. 



Young, sex unknotvjt. No. 16962, U. S. Nat. Mus. ; Cape St. Lucas, Lower 

 California; J. Xantus. Above pale graj'ish brown, the rump strongly 



' In the original description, verified for me by Mr. Witmer Stone, Sunde- 

 vall states that his type came from ' Sitka or California.' (Ofversigt Vet. Ak. 

 Forh., VII, 1850, 129, note.) Its measurements refer it to the more eastern race. 



2 Ann. N. Y. Lye. Nat. Hist., 1851, 113. 



3 Hand-List Birds Brit. Mus., I, 1869, 234. 



