A.A.A. Correspondence. [October 



As for Pipilo c/tloriiriis, its skeleton is quite the counterpart of the skel- 

 eton in Zonotrichia coroiiaia, and is readilj distinguished from the 

 skeleton of /'/^//t? «2. ;«e^rt/6>«j^'A-, which is hy no means an easy task in 

 the case of the first-mentioned species. I believe, from my studies of the 

 anatomy of this form, that it has more Zonotrichine stock in its economy 

 than it has Towhee kinship to boast of, and it sees its nearest atHnity in 

 the family among the ' Crown Sparrows.' 



Osteologically, Calcariits, Spit/us, and Aconthis. are more or less closely 

 affined genera, nor does the genus Plecfrop/ieitax stand between them as 

 at present represented in our Check-List. Calamospiza, as I have already 

 remarked, is a true ' Bunting.' but not especially related to the Grosbeaks 

 by any skeletal affinity, and it characterizes a strong genus with well- 

 defined osteological features. Judging from such a form as Piranga. 

 ludoviciana. I would say that osteologically the Tanagers form a good 

 family, and through certain Grosbeaks are linked with the Fringillidie, 

 more, though only a little more, remotely through Icteria with the 

 « Wood-Warblers.' 



These groups and their kin will bear far more extended anatomical 

 study, which some day I hope to bestow upon them. \w closing, it gives 

 me pleasure to thank Mr. C. A. Allen, of Nicasio, California, for his- 

 kindness in collecting and sending me the specimen of Zonotrichia 

 coronata ; it was received in April, 1881, seven years ago. 

 Very respectfully yours, 



R. W. Shifeldt. 

 Fort Wingate, Nezv Mexico, July 14, 1SS8. 



How far West has Anas obscura been found.' 

 To THE Editors of The Auk: — 



Sirs: — In my Revised Catalogue of the Birds of Kansas I said •Anas 

 obscnra G;nl. Black Duck. Entered in first catalogue as 'migratory ; rare': 

 but since, on compaiing the specimens captured in tlie ."-itale. that I 

 have seen, with Eastern ones, they prove to be tiie 'P'lorida Duck.' Other 

 writers claim that the birds have been taken in the State, also in Texas, 

 and west to Utah, and I am inclined to think that further investigation 

 will prove it to be the case. With this explanation I let the bird stand as 

 first entered." 



I now desire to say that further examination tends to convince me that 

 the birds do not come as far west as this, and leads me to think it probable 

 that all specimens taken west of the Mississippi River, will prove upon 

 comparison to be the Florida Duck. A set of eight eggs collected near 

 Corpus Christi, Texas, May 37, 1SS2, and reported tome as of this species, 

 are in dimensions altogether too small, viz., — 2.08 X 1.62, 2.12 X 1.62, 

 3.10 X 1.58, 2.12 X 1.60, 2.12 X 1.59, 2.08 X 1.62, 3 10 X 1.60, 3.08 X 1.59 

 inches. In color they are cream or pale buff white. 



Any information that will aid in determining their western limits will 

 be gratefully received. 



N. S. Goss. 

 Tofeka., Kansas. 



