SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE PACIFIC COAST 

 BROWN TOWHEES 



BY 



JOSEPH GKINNELL and HAERY S. SWARTH 

 (Contribution from the University of California Museum of Vertebrate Zoology) 



Pipilo fusciis senicula Anthony was described from San Fernando, 

 north-central Lower California. The acquisition of a series of brown 

 towhees from that same general region (between latitudes 30° and 

 31°), and notably among these birds some taken in September and 

 October, hence in fresh fall plumage, enables us to make comparison 

 of birds from various parts of upper California with typical senicula, 

 such as we, ourselves, have not before been able to do. Heretofore 

 the assumption has been that the brown towhee of southern California 

 has been of the subspecies senicula; but comparison of the material 

 now available leads to a different view. Incidentally, examination 

 of the Lower California birds has led to comparison with an exten- 

 sive series from the near vicinity of Monterey, topotypes of Fringilla 

 crissalisi Vigors, which compels a further readjustment of our ideas 

 regarding some of the California subspecies of this bird. 



In the description oi Pipilo fuscus senicula, Anthony (1895, p. Ill) 

 ascribes southern California birds to that subspecies though at the 

 same time noting slight differences in measurements. His Lower 

 California specimens (at least those mentioned) were collected at 

 seasons when fading and wear would to some extent have reduced color 

 differences that are outstanding in fresh plumage. Compared wuth 

 specimens from San Diego County our fresh-plumaged Lower Cali- 

 fornia birds are slightly smaller throughout, a difference that at first 

 glance is most apparent in size of bill. In body color they are darker 

 and generally more slaty, as compared with the brownish-tinged upper 

 California skins, and the crissum is a darker tone of reddish. The 

 dark type of coloration extends to the remiges and rectrices. In life, 

 the black tail of a flying senicula proved to be a character that 

 impresses an observer who is used to seeing the more northern birds. 



