BIRDS OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS. 113 



with dusky and pale rufous, divided by a broad stripe of 

 pale yellowish white. There is pale yellow superciliary 

 stripe extending from the base of the bill to the back of 

 the head. Ear-coverts grayish, with a rufous tinge. Quills 

 brownish, edged with w T hite on the outer web ; scapularies, 

 secondaries, and wing-coverts brownish-black, edged broad- 

 ly with rufous, brightest on the secondaries: scapularies 

 also edged narrowly with white ; the ends of both rows of 

 wing-coverts narrowly tipped with white, forming two rather 

 indistinct bars across the wings. Tail brownish, with the 

 tips of the feathers and terminal half of the outer web of 

 the outer tail-feathers pale yellowish white ; the rest of the 

 tail-feathers narrowly edged with the same. Under parts, 

 including under tail-coverts, pure white. Feathers of the 

 sides of the throat, with a broad band across the breast and 

 sides, streaked with rufous, w r ith dusky centres. The throat 

 is indistinctly spotted with dusky. A triangular spot on 

 the sides of the neck, below the ear-coverts, pale buff; 

 ears dusky. Bill dark brown, with the base of the under 

 mandible paler. Eyes and feet brown. 



In autumn the colors are more suffused, especially in 

 the young. There is also no yellow over the eye. Aver- 

 age dimensions : length, 6.25; stretch, 11.00; wing, 3.25; 

 tail, 2.50; bill, .46; tarsus, .95. 



Differs from Pooecetts gramiaeus, which in general form it 

 resembles, in having a central stripe on the head, and a 

 general rufous appearance, also in having longer tarsi, toes, 

 and claws. With Passerculus savanna it cannot justly be 

 compared, as it is much larger, and has a shorter and more 

 obtuse bill. Indeed, so nearly does it resemble the P. 

 gramineus, that amateur ornithologists to whom I have 

 shown it have unhesitatingly pronounced it to be that 

 spec les. 



