CARPODACUS. 391 



streaks on lower parts narrower and less distinct, and wing-coverts 

 tipped with dull buffy. 

 b 1 . Bill from nostril not more than .35, its depth at base not more than .35 ; 

 tarsus not more than .70. 

 c 1 . Adult male with the red absolutely restricted within very definite and 

 sharply-defined limits, its area including only the forehead and a 

 broad superciliary stripe (reaching back to occiput), the malar 

 region, chin, throat (sometimes chest also), and rump; its tint a 

 very intense carmine or crimson. Otherwise, not obviously different 

 from true 0. frontalis. Wing (male) 3.05-3.10 (3.08), tail 2.60-2.80 

 (2.70). Sab. Eastern and southern Mexico (Vera Cruz, etc.). 



C. mexicanus (MtJLL.). Crimson-fronted House Finch. 1 

 c 2 . Adult male with the red spreading at least over breast (sometimes over 

 whole lower parts, except anal region and lower tail-coverts, and 

 occasionally even tingeing the latter), and also invading, more or less, 

 the crown, hind-neck, back, etc. ; or else, if absolutely restricted 

 within very definite limits, the tint not an intense carmine or crim- 

 son. Length about 5.75-6.25, wing (male) 2.85-3.30 (3.08), tail 

 2.40-2.80 (2.57). Eggs .80 X .55. Sab. "Western United States, 

 from Eocky Mountains to Pacific coast (chiefly south of 40° in 

 the interior), and south through western and central Mexico to 

 Colima and Guanajuato ; Lower California. 



519. C. mexicanus frontalis (Sat). House Finch.' 

 b 2 . Bill from nostril .40, or more, depth at base .40, or more, tarsus .75, or 

 more. 

 In plumage similar to C. frontalis (verus), but darker ; length about 

 6.00-6.50, wing 3.10-3.35 (3.27), tail 2.60-2.90 (2.83), bill from nos- 

 tril .40-.45 (.43), depth of bill at base .40-50 (.46), tarsus .75-.85 

 (.80). Hab. Guadalupe Island, Lower California. 



520. C. amplus Eidgw. Guadalupe House Finch. 



1 Fringilla mexicana MUll., Syst. Nat. Suppl. 1766, 165. Carpodacus mexicanus Ridgw., Pr. Biol. Soo. 

 Wash. ii. 1885, 111. 



2 After a very careful comparison of more than a hundred adult males (in red or partially red plumage), I 

 am now quite convinced that the supposed race named Carpodacus rhodocolpus by Cabanis (519a. C. frontalis 

 rhodocolpus, Crimson House Finch, of the A. 0. U. Check List) is entirely untenable. The easily recogniza- 

 ble differences of color (maximum extension of the red) which have led to its recognition prove to be, in the 

 light of this abundant new material, not correlative with locality, as supposed, but are evidently an individual 

 peculiarity, perhaps dependent upon ^ age. I am not at all certain, however, that the Lower-Californian bird 

 should not be separated. A considerable percentage of the specimens which I have been able to examine are 

 so peculiar that nothing approaching them can be found in the very large series from other localities. These 

 peculiarities consist, (1) in the smaller general size, (2) rather more swollen bill, and (3) greater extension 

 of the red. This last peculiarity is carried to such an extreme that in all of the " Cape St. Lucas" specimens 

 the under tail-coverts are deeply tinged with pink, while in some even the wing-bands are pinkish*; in several 

 the pure deep madder-pink of the breast is continued baokward over the belly and flanks, where the usual 

 dusky streaks are entirely obliterated. From the insufficient material at my command I am unable to form a 

 decided opinion in the matter, but the indications appear very strong that a local race, peculiar to the southern 

 portion of Lower California, will eventually have to be recognized, in anticipation of which I propose the name 

 Carpodacus frontalis ruberrimus. 



