114 University of California Puhlications in Zoology [Vol. 21 



Passerella iliaca iliaca (Merrem) 

 Eastern Fox Sparrow 



Original description. — "Fringilla iliaca Merrem, Beytr. besond. Gesch. Vogel, 

 .11, 1786, pi. X. (North America.)" (A. O. U. Check-List, 1910, p. 277.) 



Type specimen. — Not known to exist. 



Range. — "North America. Breeds in Boreal zones from tree limit 

 in northeastern Alaska, northern Mackenzie, central Keewatin, north- 

 ern Ontario (Moose Factory), and northern Ungava south to central 

 Alberta, northern Manitoba, southern Keewatin, Magdalen Islands, 

 and Newfoundland; winters from lower Ohio and Potomac valleys 

 (occasionally further north) to central Texas and northern Florida; 

 casual on the coast of southern Alaska and in California." (A. O. U. 

 Check-List, 1910, p. 277.) One record from Arizona (see p. 118). 



Specimens examined.— A'S (see list, p. 184), 



Distinguishing characters. — From all subspecies of the Schistacea 

 group, iliaca is distinguished by different proportion of wing and tail 

 lengths (wing longer than tail in iliaca, wing equal to, or shorter than, 

 tail in the Schistacea group), and by the predominance of bright, 

 ruddy coloration. From all subspecies of the Unalaschcensis group, 

 iliaca is distinguished by the much brighter hue of its red markings, 

 by the sharply contrasting red and gray streaking dorsally, and by 

 the heavier and more stubby bill. Within the Iliaca group iliaca is 

 distinguished from the one other subspecies, altivagans, by grea.ter 

 general size, and brighter, more ruddy coloration, with dorsal streaking 

 much more sharply defined. 



Remarks. — There are at hand fourteen specimens of Passerella 

 taken in California that are evidently referable to Passerella iliaca 

 iliaca; a small enough number to allow of individual consideration 

 being given to each. 



No. 4932, collection of A. B. Howell; male; Pasadena; December 13, 1907; 

 collected by A. Van Rossem. (See Willett, 1912, p. 85.) This bird appears to 

 be absolutely typical of iliaca, being closely matched in all respects by selected 

 specimens from Illinois. It is, however, rather small for a male, though it is 

 marked as such, approaching more nearly the dimensions of some females. 



No. 867, collection of J. R. Pemberton; female; Big Sur River, Monterey 

 Covmty; December 22, 1903; collected by J. R. Pemberton. (See Pemberton, 

 1908, p. 50.) Apparently a typical example of iliaca. Very closely similar to 

 the specimen last described, and likewise duplicated by selected eastern birds. 



No. 384, collection of A. B. Howell; female; Burbank, Los Angeles County; 

 November 11, 1911; collected by A. B. Howell. (See Howell, 1912, p. 41.) Ven- 

 trally indistinguishable from eastern birds, but dorsal coloration generally more 

 reddish. The streaks on the back are broader and consequently less sliarply detined, 

 and there is none of the clear gray on head and neck that is apparent on all the 

 eastern specmiens used in comparison. Wing bars but faintly indicated. 



No. 789, collection of J. Eugene LaAv; sex not determined; Lankershim, Los 

 Angeles County; March 22, 1908; collected by J. Eugene Law. (See Willett, 

 1912, p. 85.) Closely similar to eastern examples, the main difference lying in 



