HO BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



still further; for not only are the general habits nearly identical, 

 but the appearance of the eggs, structure and situation of the nest, 

 and general characteristics of song are quite the same. These te- 

 leological resemblances, however, are no indication of relationship ; 

 on the other hand, the two families are quite far removed from one 

 another in the great assemblage of Passerine birds. It is unneces- 

 sary to allude to the differences here, since they have been suf- 

 ficiently elucidated on page 48. 



The two North American species of this genus which may be 

 properly mentioned in the present connection differ as follows: 



a 1 First and fourth primaries decidedly or appreciably shorter than second and third; 

 hind toe (with claw) shorter than tarsus; outstretched feet falling considerably 

 short of end of tail. Lateral tail-feathers with inner webs partly dusky. (Anthus). 



1. A. pensilvanicus. Legs and feet always deep brown or dusky. In summer, above 



nearly uniform grayish brown; beneath deep pinkish buff, the jugulum more or 

 less streaked with dusky (rarely nearly immaculate). In winter, above olive- 

 brown, the pileum and back indistinctly streaked with darker; beneath ochreous- 

 buff, the jugulum broadly streaked with dusky. Wing about 3.15-3.30, tail 2.40-2.60. 

 culmen .42-.50, tarsus .80-.90. 



a 2 First primary as long as or longer than second; hind toe (with claw) longer than tar- 

 sus; outstretched feet reaching nearly or quite to end of tail. Lateral tail-feathers 

 with inner webs wholly white (for exposed portion). (Neocorys.) 



2. A. spragueii. Bill, legs, and feet pale-colored, the maxilla, only, dusky. In summer, 



above broadly streaked with light buff-grayish and brownish dusky; lower parts 

 dull buffy white, more strongly tinged with buff across jugulum. where narrowly 

 streaked with dusky. In winter, beneath much deeper buff, the jugular streaks 

 broader; upper parts with the pale streaks more decidedly buff. Young, with 

 upper parts more broadly streaked with blackish, the feathers, especially on 

 back, bordered terminally with white. Wing, about 3.20-3.40; tail, 2.35-2.60; cul- 

 men, .45; tarsus, .90. 



The A. spragueii has usually been placed in a so-called genus 

 Neocorys, Sclater ; but the variations in the details of external form 

 are so numerous among the many species of the genus Anthus, in 

 its comprehensive sense, that the recognition of generic value in 

 the differences which exist between A. pensilvanicus and A. spragueii 

 would necessitate the adoption of many more genera than most 

 systematists would care to allow. In short, there are so many 

 species which, in their varying details of structure, seem to bridge 

 over so completely these really unimportant differences that, with my 

 present knowledge, I would not feel justified in separating them. 



