84 University of California Publications in Zoology [Vol. 21 



Middle toe with claw. — Measured along the upper side, from the 

 joint between the metatarsus and the middle toe to the tip of the 

 claw. (See fig. B, & to c.) 



In measuring the toes the claws were included as features showing 

 considerable variation in certain of the subspecies. 



As regards the bill, the fact has been brought out that certain 

 readily appreciable differences may exist in this structure that are not 

 made apparent by tables of measurements. Thus the bill differences 

 between stephem,si and hrevioauda and between mariposae and 

 megarhynchus, are largely due to variation in the lateral outlines. 



Fig. B. Showing methods of taking measurements of the foot used in this 

 paper, a to b, tarsus; i to c, middle toe with claw; d to e, hind toe with claw. 



producing an attenuated bill as it is bowed in, a stubby one as it is 

 bowed out (see fig. Y). Measurements may fail to show a difference 

 between individuals that is quite apparent to the eye. 



HISTORY 



The eastern fox sparrow was described and figured by Merrem in 

 1786, under the name Fringilla iliaca. I am indebted to Dr. T. S. 

 Palmer for forwarding to me information received by him from 

 Dr. C. W. Richmond, to the effect "that the type specimen was pre- 

 sented to the Museum in Munich or to Merrem by a Hessian officer. 

 This would indicate that it was a winter specimen taken somewhere 

 between Boston and Charleston and possibly between New York and 

 Washington. ' '* 



Merrem 's publication is an exceedingly rare book. The title of 

 the work is given in full by Coues (1896, p. 265), in the description 

 of a copy of the Latin edition handled by him in London. The page 

 reference given by Coues (loc. cit.) for iliaca is different from that 



* I have an impression of having seen essentially the same statement in print 

 somewhere during the last year or so, but have mislaid the reference and have 

 been unable to rediscover the paper. 



