102 Brewster on Certain Polioptiloe. 



The fourth (No. 4981 ~) $ , March 3, presents the same general extension 

 of this hlack area, but its boundaries are everywhere well defined, and the 

 frontal-band is almost entirely obliterated, while the black is quite uniform 

 and nowhere mixed with ashy. Singularly enough, in view of its gener- 

 allv more mature condition, this specimen has a light superciliary stripe. 

 nearly as broad and quite as well denned as in No. 4980, while the lores 

 are clear ashy-white. 



The fifth and last (No. 4984)^, Feb. 21. is typical melanura, with the 

 forehead, crown, and occiput, clear, shining black, the superciliary line 

 entirely wanting, and the lores only just touched with ashy. 



The above evidence apparently goes to show that plumbed is 

 simply the immature stage of melanura . At least this is the 

 natural inference, and in view of the fact already stated, that both 

 birds are known to occupy the same area, I do not see that any 

 other is legitimate. 



The tail markings of the above-described specimens are quite 

 uniform, but I reserve further consideration of this supposed char- 

 acter for another and more apropos connection. At just what 

 age the black cap is perfected T am at present unable to state, 

 but there are good reasons for supposing that the immature 

 condition is prolonged through the second season. None of the 

 present birds seem to be in a moulting condition ; even the parti- 

 colored ones having the plumage remarkably fresh and clean. 



The specific identity of the Black-capped and Plumbeous Gnat- 

 catchers being conceded, it only remains to determine what name 

 the species shall bear. This part of the problem is fortunately 

 involved in no obscurity, plumbea. Baird, 1S54. plainly antedating 

 me/a/n/ra, Lawrence, 1S56. It is to be regretted that we can 

 make up for the loss of the more appropriate specific title only by 

 retaining its English version, which has hitherto passed current for 

 the adult stage only. The species may then stand as follows. 



Polioptila plumbea, Baird. Beack-capped Gnatcatcher. 



Polioptila plumbea. Bd., Pr. Phila. Acad.. 1854, 118; B. N. A.. 1858, 

 382; Atlas, 1S60, pi. 33. f. 1; Ives's Rep. pt. v, 1S61, 6; Rev. Am. B., 

 1864, 74.— Hexry. Pr. Phila. Aead., 1859, io 7- — Comes, Ibis, 1865, 53S; 

 Proc. Phila. Acad., 1866, 66; Key, 1872, 79.— Cooper, Am. Nat. III. 1S69, 

 474, 479; B. Cal., I, 1870, 37, fig. — Hensh., List B. Ariz., 1875. 155. 



Culicivora atricapilla, Lawrence, An. N. Y. Lye. V., Sept. 1S51. 124 

 (not of Swainson). — Bd., Stansbury's Rep., 1852, 328. — Cassin. Ulust. I. 

 1854, pi. xxvii. 



Culicivora mexicatia, Cassin, Illust., I, 1854, 164, a. 



