Vol. XIV 
857 OBERHOLSER, Critical Notes on Aurtparus. 391 
Agithalus flaviceps came from Mexico,! although quite right in 
considering that Lawrence’s Conirostrum ornatum from ‘Texas is 
the same form.? Since Controstrum ornatum is thus made a 
synonym of 4githalus flaviceps, or as it is now known, Aurifa- 
rus flaviceps, the term ornatus, if employed in the genus Auriparus, 
becomes manifestly untenable. Consequently if there be no other 
name available, and assuming, of course, the validity of this form, 
the Auriparus flaviceps ornatus of Bryant will require to be re- 
christened. And this seems to be the necessity, for apparently 
the only remaining synonym is Parus flavifrons of Gray,* which, 
though attributed by him to Sundevall, is quite evidently a mis- 
citation of the latter’s githalus flaviceps, and is consequently 
an undoubted xomen nudum. Furthermore, it is probably appli- 
cable entirely to the eastern race, as ‘ Rio Grande’ is the only 
locality assigned. 
The subspecies inhabiting Lower California may therefore be 
called 
Auriparus flaviceps lamprocephalus, nobis. 
Cuars. susspP. —A. flavicepi affinis, sed cauda multo breviore, necnon 
alis brevioribus ; capite flavo paululum clartore. 
Al., 48-52 (50.1) mm.; caud., 41-43.5 (42.2) mm.; culm. exp., 8.5-9.5 
(g.) mm.; tars., 14-15 (14.7) mm. 
ffabitat. — California inferior australis. 
Description. — Type, male adult, No. 117551, U.S. Nat. Mus.; Cape St. 
Lucas, Lower California, April 7, 1889; C. H. Townsend. Upper parts, 
excepting head, dull smoke gray, washed with olive yellowish, most con- 
spicuously so on the rump. Wings and tail fuscous, the wing-coverts, 
tertials, and narrow edgings to quills and rectrices paler than the rest; 
bend of wing rich burnt sienna. Head all around deep gamboge yellow, 
shaded on occiput and sides of head with olivaceous, the crown and throat 
being almost immaculate. Remainder of lower parts dull white, with a 
slight wash of yellow, this most evident on the breast and anal region. 
Young, sex unknown, No. 16962, U. S. Nat. Mus.; Cape St. Lucas, Lower 
California; J. Xantus. Above pale grayish brown, the rump strongly 
1Tn the original description, verified for me by Mr. Witmer Stone, Sunde- 
vall states that his type came from ‘ Sitka or California.’ (Ofversigt Vet. Ak. 
Forh., VII, 1850, 129, note.) Its measurements refer it to the more eastern race. 
Anne NE eevee Nate ilist. 0O50;, hls. 
' 3 Hand-List Birds Brit. Mus., I, 1869, 234. 
