BIRDS OF NOETH AND MIDDLE AMERICA. 



265 



AMPHISPIZA BILINEATA DESERTICOLA Ridgway. 

 DESERT SPARROW. 



Similar to A. i. Mlineata, but averaging larger; upper parts paler and 

 browner, and white spot at end of inner web of outermost tail-feather 

 much smaller. 



Adult male.^liength (skins), 124.46-138.43 (130.56); wing, 64.01- 

 70.61 (67.31); tail, 60.96-68.33 (64.26); exposed culmen, 9.91-10.67 

 (10.16); depth of bill at base, 5.59-6.35 (6.10); tarsus, 18.03-19.81 

 (19.05); middle toe, 12.70-13.97 (12.95); white spot on lateral tail- 

 feather, 2.54-11.43 (7.37).^ 



Adult female.— Length (skins), 121.92-132.08 (126.49); wing, 62.23- 

 66.04 (61.47); tail, 58.93-63.25 (60.20); exposed culmen, 9.14-10.41 

 (9.91); depth of bill at base, 5.59-6.35 (5.84); tarsus, 17.02-18.80 

 (18.29); middle toe, 12.45-12.70 (12.70); white spot on lateral tail- 

 feather, 4.32-9.65 (7.62).' 



Arid plains and deserts of southwestern United States and north- 

 western Mexico; north to northern Nevada and Utah, east to south- 

 western Colorado, New Mexico, and western Texas (El Paso, Fort Davis, 

 etc.), west to western Nevada, southern California (San Bernardino, 

 San Diego, and Los Angeles counties), and south throughout Lower 

 California' and into Mexican States of Sonora and Chihuahua (Casas 

 Grandes). 



'Seven specimens. ''Nine specimens. 



'Lower California specimens are aoubtfully referred to this form. The thirteen 

 adult examples from the peninsula examined, including several from Cerros, Santa 

 Margarita, and Carmen islands, are unfortunately in very bad condition of plumage, 

 and therefore do not admit of satisfactory comparison with those from other districts. 

 Average measurements compare as follows: 



While local distinction is strongly indicated by the above measurements, a much 

 arger series will be required from the different localities to determine the question. 



