30 BULLETIN 114, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



lower series alternating with the last, and extreme individuals begin 

 the development of white centers in the dorsal dark areas; the pro- 

 portion of white on the belly is increased, and near its eastern limits, 

 the head may become as speckled with white as a true Jiolhrooki. 



Affinities. — ^There can be no doubt, even from this brief summary, 

 that splendida bridges the gap between Tiolbrooki and yumensis, in 

 structural and color pattern features as well as in geographic position. 

 We will leave a fuller discussion of its relationships with these forms 

 to the section on the evolution of the group, and here offer only the 

 following diagram of affinities: 



yumensis splendida liolbrooki. 



