2 I iS Brewster on Helminthophaga leucobronchialis. 



found together on the coast up to the last of the migration 

 would seem to imply that their breeding ranges cannot be far 

 separated. It may he ascertained that typical clarkii. with its 

 small size and weak bill, only occurs in summer well up on the 

 North-west Coast, and that the coast districts of California, ( )regon, 

 and perhaps Washington Territory furnish the intermediate 

 specimens. 



ON THE RELATIONSHIP OF HELMINTHOPHAGA 

 LEUCOBRONCHIALIS, BREWSTER, AND HEL- 

 MINTHOPHAGA LA WPENCEI, HERRICK; WITH 

 SOME CONJECTURES RESPECTING CERTAIN OTH- 

 ER NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



BY WILLIAM BREWSTER. 



Since my original description of the White-throated Warbler 

 ( Helminthophaga leucobronchialis) appeared, specimens have 

 slowly multiplied until, including the two announced by Dr. 

 fisher in the present number of the Bulletin,* there are now no 

 less than twelve known examples. Until .recently there has been 

 no apparent reason for doubting the validity of the species, which 

 has been generally accepted, and even heartily endorsed l>v sev- 

 eral prominent ornithologists. But not long since Dr. Edgar A. 

 Mearns and Mr. Eugene P. Bicknell sent me some puzzling 

 specimens which, at the time. I was obliged to consider aberrant 

 individuals of //. pinus and //. chrysoptera, hut which never- 

 theless raised certain suspicions affecting //. leucobronchialis and 

 H. lawrencei. These suspicions are now confirmed by the 

 examination of a fine series, belonging to Dr. A. K. Fisher, 

 which throws a Hood of light on the whole subject. I am in- 

 debted to Dr. Fisher's kindness for permission to make use of this 

 material in the present investigation. 



Before entering into the details of the evidence before me it 

 ma\ be well to emphasize some of the prominent characters 

 which respectivelv distinguish //. p/'inis. II. chrysoptera, II. 

 leucobronchialis, and II. lawrencei. ' 



[* See beyond, under " General Notes." — EDD.] 



