106 Browx on Birds at Portland, Me. 



the breast, cheeks, throat, etc., while the whole dorsal surface also often 

 has a decidedly more buffy color than the Northern form, alicice, which 

 has little or no buff. Intermediate specimens vary between the extremes 

 in this case. This buff is most marked in young birds. 



The point in which savanna differs most from princeps is the color of 

 the back, princeps being quite pale, and savanna, while often nearly if not 

 as pale, is usually comparatively dark. Part of this difference we have 

 just accounted for. The plan of coloration of nearly all the dorsal feath- 

 ers of savanna and princeps is alike, — a black or very dark centre sur- 

 rounded by one or more shades of brown, lightening as we approach the 

 edge, which is buff, pale gray, or nearly white. This light edging varies 

 greatly in breadth, its increase causing a proportionate decrease of the 

 darker centre, thus giving us darker or lighter birds. 



In light examples of pnnceps this extension of the light edging is car- 

 ried still farther, at the expense of the brown color. 



There are double reasons why princeps should be lighter than more 

 southern savanna. First, it lives in high latitudes, and secondly, it is fond 

 of dry, sandy wastes, never, so fnr as we know, passing far south, thus 

 giving a good opportunity for the same paling influences, that render the 

 birds of the plains light, to exert their force. 



The examples of typical savanna approaching in color nearest the 

 princeps are those taken late in the fall. 



Finally, I believe that princeps ought not to be retained as a specific 

 name, as it does not cover greater variations than may be easily accounted 

 for by well-known laws of climatic variation. 



NOTES ON A FEW BIRDS OCCURRING IN THE VICINITY 

 OF PORTLAND, ME. 



BY XATHAN CLIFFORD BROWN, 



One of the commonest Sylvicoline summer residents in the town- 

 ships adjacent to Portland is JJendroeca maculosa, a bird whose 

 southernmost regular breeding-ground has been supposed to be the 

 latitude of Umbagog Lake. It breeds in especial abundance about 

 the spruce woods of Cape Elizabeth, in that locality outnumbering 

 every other Warbler except Dendrmca. virens. Young first make 

 their appearance about August 3, and soon abound. 



Dendrceca blackhurnke is another Warbler, supposed to have a 

 more northern regular distribution during the breeding-season, 

 which nests every vear in this vicinity. It is far from common, 



