9 6 



General Notes. [January 



Intergradation between Zonotrichia leucophrys and Z. intermedia, and 

 between the latter and Z. gambeli. — Material received at the National 

 Museum within the past year proves extensive intergradation between 

 the birds hitherto called Zonotrichia intermedia and Z. gambeli. It 

 therefore becomes necessary to consider them as merely geographical 

 races of one species. At the same time, a few examples have been seen 

 which are clearly intermediate between Z. intermedia and Z. leucophrys\ 

 but considering the very great number of specimens of these two forms 

 that have been collected in various portions of the West, the relatively 

 small proportion of such specimens is astonishing. Possibly they are hy- 

 brids; but it is more probable that they indicate true intergradation be- 

 tween the two supposed species. If this view proves to he correct, the 

 three would stand as follows: (i) Zonotrichia leucophrys (Forst.); (2.) 

 Z. leucophrys intermedia Ridgw., and (3) Z. leucofhrys gambeli 

 (Nutt.). — Robert Ridgway, Washington . D.C. 



Mortality among Bank Swallows. — Upon reading the article in 'The 

 Auk' for October, 1SS9, on the 'Mortality among Eave Swallows' by Dr. 

 F. H. Kimball, a similar instance was recalled to my mind of my experi- 

 ence with the Bank Swallows (Clivicola riparia) in this locality. 



By referring to my note-book I find that June 3, 1S8S, I made a trip to 

 a place where hundreds of these birds breed every year. I saw no birds 

 about the holes, and at once concluded that they had not bred there that 

 year, but as the holes seemed to have been excavated recently, 1 examined 

 them, and found dead birds in nearly every hole that I dug into. Some 

 of the birds were epiite fresh, while others had the appearance of having 

 been dead a long time. These birds were not in very good condition, but 

 were far from being poor and emaciated. Almost all of the holes con- 

 tained nests, but very few had eggs in them, and two were the most found 

 in any one nest. As to the cause of their destruction I am whollv per- 

 plexed, as the weather at that time was mild, although there was a little 

 more rain than usual. — Willard E. Treat, East I fart ford. Conn. 



Capture of a Specimen of the Orange-Crowned Warbler ( I let mint ho- 

 phila eelafa) in the Vicinity of Washington. D. C. — The writer seemed 

 a fine adult specimen of the Orange-crowned Warbler (J ' lehninthophila 

 celata) while collecting on October 13. 1SS9, in company with Mr. 11. W. 

 Henshaw, at Munson Hill, Virginia, a locality a few miles from this city. 



It was one of a large flock of birds which included White-crowned, White- 

 throated, Swamp, and Field Sparrows. Maryland Yellow-throats, Yellow- 

 rumped Warblers. Kinglets, and Juncos. 



When first seen it was in a thicket of small alders, blackberries, and 

 thoroughworts, gleaning insects from among the flowers of the latter 

 plant. — A. K. Fisher. M.D., Washington, D. C. 



