310 Vniversity of Calif ovnia FuhUcations in Zoology. [Vol.7 



Big Creek Ranch, alt. 4350 feet, base of Pine Forest Mts., Hum- 

 boldt County, Nevada ; June 16, 1909 ; collected by C. H. Rich- 

 ardson. Jr. 



Distinguishing Characters. — Most nearly like P. m. nion- 

 tanus Swarth, from which it differs in shorter wing, much 

 shorter tail, and slightly darker coloration; differs from P. m. 

 arcticus (Swainson) in darker colors, slightly longer tail and 

 hind-toe-and-claw ; differs from P. m. megalonyx in much 

 greater extent of white markings, in paler colors, smaller bill, 

 and much shorter hind-toe-and-claw. 



Range. — Summer specimens examined from : Pine Forest 

 ^lountains. Humboldt County, Nevada. 3 ; Warner IMountains, 

 Modoc County, California, 3; John Day River. Wheeler County. 

 Oregon, 2; Camp Harney. Harney County, Oregon. 1. Winter 

 specimens from lower Colorado Valley, in southeastern Cali- 

 fornia. 3. 



Description of Type. — Whole head. neck, and chest lilack. 

 the latter abruptly defined against white of median lower sur- 

 face. Sides and flanks tawny with a line of indistinct dusky 

 streaks at line of demarcation against median white area; cris- 

 sum pale ochraceous ; whole dorsum, wings and tail black, except 

 at ends and margins of tiight-feathers. which are brownish, 

 evidently as a result of fading; rump, and to a less extent the 

 back, slightly mixed with olive gray; outer webs of 8th to 5th 

 l)rimHries narrowly but distinctly edged with white for a space 

 of about 10 mm.. beginning outwardly 31 mm. from tip and run- 

 ning backwards on the successive feathers, thus forming an 

 oblique white patch on closed wing ; carpal edge, lining of wing, 

 and very narrow edging of basal portion of first primary white 

 (it is evident that some white edgings have been removed by 

 wear); spots averaging 4mm. long, on outer webs at tips of 

 feathers of greater and median wing coverts; scapulars and to 

 a successively less extent the lateral interscapulars margined on 

 their outer webs with white. Outer rectrix with outer web unin- 

 terruptedly white 43 mm. from tip, thence extending farther 

 towards the base as a diminishing white edging; inner web of 

 outer rectrix white for a space 30mm. long; next feather with 



