HeJs^SHAW on Mdospiza meloda and its Allies. 157 



tinguishable from meloda by a generally paler tone of coloration, 

 by a decided increase of size, especially of wing and tail, and by a 

 slightly longer and considerably more slender bill. The inter- 

 gradation of this form with meloda is readily traceable and com- 

 plete. 



From the very varied nature of the country occupied hy fallax, 

 it being broken up by lofty mountain ranges, and the consequent 

 differences of climate, considerable discrepancies might naturally 

 be expected in specimens of this race from different localities. 

 Such proves to be the case ; and, in examining a large series, the 

 attention is often arrested by some slight phase of color which is 

 often so intangible as to practically elude definition, but which 

 is occasionally sufficient to identify all the individuals from some 

 one limited neighborhood. So frequently, in fact, is this impres- 

 sion received, that it would almost appear as if each locality in 

 the middle region furnished a type of its own, exhibiting the main 

 characteristics of fallax, but differing more or less appreciably. 

 Thus the I'egion of the (jlila River affords a style of this race quite 

 distinct from any other. The principal variation seen is in the 

 very pale reddish tints, with scarcely a trace of dusky, which is 

 especially noticeable in the markings of the breast. Another phase 

 from Camp Harney, Oregon, is remarkal)le for its pale grayish 

 tints. Such inter-races doubtless result from causes very local in 

 their action, and are so slight and usually so inconstant as to 

 deserve nothing more than passing comment. 



Reaching the foothills of the Sierras, we find fallax beginning to 

 assume new characters, and in the mountains and along the western 

 foothills it finally merges into var. heermanni. This form is dis- 

 tinguished by a much darker shade of brown than either fallax or 

 meloda possesses, and by a bill much stouter than in the former, but 

 less robust than in the latter. Heermanni has usually been con- 

 sidered the Californian Song Sparrow, the term thus including in- 

 differently the birds from the coast and the interior. But this is a 

 mistake. The type, now before me, came from Fort Tejon, and it 

 is in the interior only that the style to which this name was applied 

 is met with. 



Reaching the coast, another form is for the first time encoun- 

 tered. This is the var. sanuiel/s, of which the gouldii of Baird, as 

 correctly determined by Mr. Ridgway, is the fall plumage. Hitherto 

 some three or four individuals from the vicinity of San Francisco 



