^°ij^^] Palmkr, Our Siiuill Easfern S/i tikes. 2^1 



seen several specimens from Hale County, including young. Dr. 

 Wilkinson took a set of eggs, March 29, 1888, in Gastonbury, 

 Wilcox County, a set of three, and another of four eggs in Hale 

 County, March 30, 1889.^ In Mississippi and Louisiana it is 

 common along the coast and probably over the greater parts of 

 these States in suitable . places along the watercourses, and for 

 some distance up the Mississippi Valley. The Oxford record ^ is 

 almost certainly this bird. It is replaced by another form in 

 Texas. 



General Differeiices. 



In migrans the wing is longer than the tail, due to its migra- 

 tory habit ; in ludoviciamis the tail is longest, thus indicating its 

 fixed habitat. In consequence the third primary feather of the 

 former is usually the longest, or is equal to the fourth ; in the latter 

 the fourth is nearly always the longest. The forehead of ludovi- 

 cianus is dark like the top of head, in migraiis it is nearly always 

 paler. In the southern bird the underparts are usually almost 

 immaculate, in the other the slaty of the sides of the breast 

 extends across, especially in the breeding plumage. Usually a. 

 faint trace of reddish is perceptible on the breast of ludovicianics ., 

 but is stronger in migrans, especially in the females and immature.. 

 Signs of immaturity disappear quickly in ludoviciamis, they soon 

 assume adult plumage ; the reverse is true of migrans, the duller 

 plumage, browner primaries, and paler edgings on the wing; 

 coverts lasting longer. Larger areas of white marking occur on' 

 individuals of both forms and are indicative of greater age but 

 some immature are precocious. 



From L. I. exciibitoroides,^ migrans is distinguishable by its 

 darker, duller plumage, especially beneath, by being stouter and 

 longer, and by its larger bill, tarsi and feet. 



In ludoviciamis the upper tail-coverts are almost invariably- 

 similar to the back in color, paleness when occurring being due to 



' In letters. 



2 Ragsdale, Auk, 1SS9, 224. 



^ To be treated in another paper. 



