Nov. , 1923 STATUS OF SOME NORTHWESTERN SONG SPARROWS 221 



Other points), but the appearance of these birds fits well enough into the 

 theory just outlined: that is, that the habitat of morphna extends; northward on 

 the mainland clear to the habitat of caurina; abrupt transition from one type to 

 the other would be indicative of relatively remote relationship. Rufina, ex- 

 tending southward in its interrupted island range, would exhibit more or less 

 intergradation with the closely related caurina, as is exhibited by many speci- 

 mens. Intergradation between rufina and morphna, as certainly exists to a 

 marked degree, might result from long ages of contact along a wide frontier. 

 The southernmost point from which I have seen a breeding specimen of 

 morphna is Salem, Oregon. The type series of "phaea" from southern Oregon 

 consists of winter birds. Rusty Song Sparrows are not uncommon in some parts 

 of California during the winter months, and a number of specimens there- 

 from are included in the series studied. Birds from' the coastal region are 

 mostly of the reddish coloration seen in morphna ; some are similar to the type 

 series of "phaea." From the interior of California there are many that in 

 their grayish color tend distinctly toward merrilli. They are like birds from 

 southeastern British Columbia, before described. I have seen no winter birds 

 from southern localities that are like the song sparrows of the Queen Charlotte 

 Islands and the western islands of the Alexander Archipelago. In this connec- 

 tion the possibility suggests itself' of some birds from southern points that have 

 been recorded as caurina being really examples, of rufina from; Chichagof, 

 Baranof, or the Queen Charlotte Islands. Supposed examples of caurina from 

 southern localities should be carefully examined with this point in mind; as I 

 have pointed out, some specimens of rufina approach caurina very closely in 

 appearance. 



SPECIMENS EXAMINED 



Melospiea melodia rufina 



Alaska: Chichagof Island, 4 ad.; Baranof Island, 3 ad., 1 im., 2 juv.; Kuiu 

 Island, 3 ad.; Warren Island, 2 ad.; Prince of Waleg Island, 1 ad.; Forrester Island, 



6 ad., 2 juv.; Duke Island, 2 ad. 



British Columbia: Queen Charlotte Islands, 17 ad., 4 juv. (all from collection 

 of the U. S. Biological Survey). Total 47. 

 Melospiza melodia viorpJiiia 



Alaska: Glacier Bay, 1 ad., 1 juv.; Taku River, 7 im., 1 juv.; Port Snettisham, 

 1 im.; Thomas Bay, 1 ad., 2 juv; Chickamin River, 3 ad.; Boca de Quadra, 1 ad.; 

 Admiralty Island, 4 ad.; Sergief Island, 3 ad., 7 im., 11 juv. 



British Columbia: Upper Stikine River, 8 ad., 15 juv.; Hazelton, 9 ad., 3 juv.; 

 Kispiox Valley, 3 ad., 7 im., 6 juv.; Vanderhoof, 3 ad., 4 juv.; Moose Lake, Yellowhead 

 Pass, 1 ad., 1 juv. ("inexspectata") ; Revelstoke, 2 ad.; Kamloops, 1 ad.; Elko, 1 ad.; 

 Pernie, 1 ad. ("merrilli"); Trail, 3 ad. (2 "merrilli"), 1 juv.; Midway, 3 ad. (1 "mer. 

 rilli"); Okanagan Landing, 1 ad., 1 im.; Osoyoos Lake, 11 ad.; Skagit River, 2 ad.; 

 Chilliwack, 1 ad.; Vancouver, 1 ad.; Vancouver Island: ParksvlUe, 10 ad.; Little 

 Qualicum River, 30 ad., 4 juv.; French Creek, 7 ad., 1 juv.; Erringtori, 23 ad., 7 im., 



7 juv.; Albernl, 17 ad., 17 juv.; Golden Eagle Basin, 1 juv.; Nootka Sound, 11 ad., 8 juv. 



Alberta: Henry House, 1 ad.; Jasper Park, 4 juv. ("inexspectata"). 



Washington: Seattle, 3 ad., 3 juv.; Tacoma, 3 ad. ( VmerrilK"); Nisqually 

 li'lats, 1 ad. 



Oregon: Gardiner, 4 ("phaea"); Goldbeach, 3 ("phaea"); Tillamook, 1; Cor- 

 vallis, 1; Salem, 1. 



California: Siskiyou Mts., 3 (Oct. 30, Nov. 6, Dec. 5); Helena, Trinity Co.,, 3 

 (Feb. 15, 23, 24); Tower House Shasta Co., 2 (March 1, 7); Laytonville, Mendocino 

 Co., 1 (Oct, 9); Fyffe, Eldorado Cq., 2 (Nov. 25', 27); Coulterville, Mariposa Co., ? 



