Vol. XIV 
ohag OBERHOLSER, Critical Notes on Auriparus. 393 
While most of the Arizona breeding birds, with some of the winter 
ones, are a little paler than Texas examples, many of the winter 
specimens from the former locality are fully as dark as Texas 
birds of the same season. Unfortunately there is not at hand a 
series of California specimens, but two birds from Fort Yuma, and 
one from the Colorado Desert, San Diego County, California, are 
not appreciably different, either in size or color, from specimens 
taken in southeastern Arizona. So far as damprocephalus is con- 
cerned, the color of the upper parts exclusive of the head is about 
as dark as that of Texas birds of the corresponding season. No 
specimens from the upper half of Lower California have been 
examined, by reason of which it is impossible at present to deter- 
mine how far to the northward the range of the Cape form should 
be extended. 
True Auriparus flaviceps, whose range may be considered to 
extend from Texas to California, exhibits very much individual as 
well as seasonal variation. In the general color of the upper 
parts there exists usually much difference, even in specimens of 
the same season from a particular locality, so that this character 
becomes valueless as a basis of comparison. Summer birds 
are, on the whole, paler than those of any other season, but 
there occur some winter specimens which are fully as light 
in color as are those taken in the breeding season. The upper 
parts range in color from dull smoke gray to hair brown; and 
the under surface from grayish white to creamy or brownish 
white, in some specimens the median portions being tinged with 
the yellow of the head. Taking into consideration only the 
adult males, as has been here done in the diagnosis, it is found 
that considerable difference exists in the shade and extent of 
the yellow of the head and throat. In most cases there is little 
or no indication of a rufous frontal patch, though it usually is 
present to a greater or less degree, but visible only on disturbing 
the feathers. In some specimens, however, it is very strongly 
marked. 
The writer desires to make acknowledgment to Mr. Robert 
Ridgway for the privilege of examining material in the National 
Museum; and to Mr. Frank M. Chapman for the use of speci- 
mens belonging to the American Museum of Natural History. 
5° 
