390 OBERHOLSER, Critical Notes on Auriparus. an 
also had, like the Terns, a most favorable and successful breeding 
season. 
In late advices from Mr. Sandsbury (October 2) he informs me 
that on this date the Terns had diminished about one half, and 
that almost every day large flocks could be seen going high up in 
the air and after circling coming down again, these actions being 
preparatory to setting out on their southern migration. This 
shows that the birds are remaining later than usual this season. 
In advices from Penikese Island, Massachusetts, I learn that 
there were but few Terns remaining after September 1, and by 
the 17th, they had all departed. 
The little beach mouse (A@icrotus brewerd) has again become 
very abundant on Muskeget Island proper. The remnant which 
was preserved on South Point Island, some years ago, can now 
pass uninterruptedly over the newly formed beach which connects 
the two. On July 27, 1896, I took an adult male which was in 
the process of shedding its coat. 
CRITICAL NOTES. ON THE GENUS AUR/PARTUS. 
BY HARRY C. OBERHOLSER. 
PROFESSOR Barrp, with his usual astuteness, was apparently 
the first to notice the considerable difference existing between the 
Verdins of Texas and those of Lower California.1 He mentioned 
their contrasting points but did not regard these characters as of 
distinctive value. Mr. Walter E. Bryant,’ in his remarks upon the 
genus, subspecifically separated the western form and bestowed 
upon it the name Auriparus flaviceps ornatus. Mr. Bryant was 
possibly not correct in supposing that the type of Sundevall’s 
1 Review of American Birds, I, Aug., 1864, 85. 
2 Zoe, I, 1890, 149. 
