22 



they appear entirely plain. They may be at once distinguished from ex- 

 amples of M. melodia in corresponding plumage hy the much darker cast 

 of the upper surface (especially of the crown) and by the finer character of 

 the markings beneath. 



66. Melospiza melodia. 



First plwmage : male. Above similar to the adult, but with the crown 

 less rufous, and the markings of the feathers upon the interscapular region 

 decidedly darker. The sides of the head are also more buffy and the 

 markings fainter. Beneath light yellowish-brown, streaked and spotted 

 everywhere, excepting upon the throat and abdomen, with dusky brown, 

 of a much lighter and duller cast than in the adult. From a specimen in 

 my collection shot at Cambridge, Mass., June 24, 1872. 



67. Jnnco hyemalia. 



First plumage ; male. Upper parts dark brown, everywhere suffused 

 with ashy, but most appreciably so upon the top and sides of head ; every 

 feather marked obscurely with dull black. Greater and middle coverts 

 tipped with reddish-brown, producing two rather indistinct wing-bands. 

 Throat, and breast anteriorly, ferruginous-ashy, nearly obscured by 

 streakings of dull black. Rest of under parts dull ashy-white, with a 

 faint buffy tinge, spotted everywhere excepting on the abdomen with 

 dusky. Crissum pale fulvous. From a specimen in my cabinet collected 

 at Upton, Me., August 25, 1874. Considerable variation is exhibited by 

 the series of specimens in first plumage before me. Some have the upper 

 parts dull reddish-brown, with the streakings but faintly indicated, and 

 scarcely any appreciable ashy either above or beneath. The first plumage 

 is worn by the young of this species for an unusually long time. 



68. Spizella socialis. 



First plumage : male. Above light reddish-brown, lighter and with an 

 ashy tinge on the nape and rump, every feather streaked centrally with 

 dark brown. Superciliary line and a poorly defined median stripe upon 

 the crown pale fulvous. Beneath ashy- white, spotted and streaked every- 

 where, excepting on throat, anal region, and crissum, with dull black. 

 From a specimen in my collection shot at Cambridge, Mass., July 9, 1873. 



69. Spizella pusilla.) 



First plumage : male. Above olivaceous-ashy, the feathers of the inter- 

 scapular region with central streaks of dark brownish-chestnut. Crown, 

 occiput, and nape unmarked. Entire under parts, including sides of head, 

 light brownish-ashy, paler posteriorly. A broad band across the breast 

 of fine, faint, but distinct spots of reddish-brown. From a specimen in my 

 collection taken at Belmont, Mass., July 30, 1875. Young of this species 



