390 PEINGILLID^. 



Hah. NoETH Ambeica, Texas, Arizona. — Mexico, plains of Colima (Xantus ^ *), Los 

 Nogales, Sonora {Kennerly % Guanajuato {Bughs), Orizaba [Botteri i), Mirador, 

 Huatusco (Sarforius), Atlisco (JBoucard^), Putla (Bebouch). 



We have the types of Zonotrichia hotterii, Scl., of Coturniculus mexicanus, Lawr., 

 and of Peucoea cestivalis, var. arizonce, Eidgw,, before us, six other specimens frpm 

 various parts of Mexico, and one from Fort Brov^n, Texas — ten specimens in all. 

 Judging from the variations observable in these examples, we do not hesitate to 

 pronounce them all of one species. The extent to vphich the edgings of the dorsal 

 feathers are worn makes a great difference in the appearance of the back, the older 

 the plumage the darker this portion becomes through the abrasion of the lighter 

 edging of the feathers. The darkest specimen is one sent us by the authorities of the 

 Smithsonian Institution from Mirador; this is a little darker than the type of 

 P. botterii. P. mexicana comes next in the series, then follow specimens mostly from 

 Orizaba, and the lightest in colour are the type of P. cestivalis arizonce, the Fort Brown 

 example, and two from Mexico (Putla and Atlisco). All these four were shot in June, 

 and their plumage is comparatively fresh. 



There is a slight divergence on the part of P. cestivalis arizonce in that the dark 

 stripes of the crown are more restricted to the anterior portion and those of the back 

 are more circumscribed, but the difference is not considerable. 



P. botterii was described by Mr. Sclater from a specimen obtained by the late Mateo 

 Botteri near Orizaba, where he resided many years, and other specimens have from 

 time to time been obtained in the same district. It is to this species, doubtless, that 

 Sumichrast refers, under the name P. cassini, saying that it is resident in the temperate 

 region of the valley of Orizaba '^. 



Mr. Eidgway has recently written on this subject, urging that Coturniculus mexicanus, 

 Lawr., and Zonotrichia botterii, Scl., are distinct species ; but with the types of both 

 birds before us, we are confident that this view cannot be maintained, for the difference 

 between them is quite inappreciable. The dark aberrant specimen from Mirador, in 

 the U. S. National Museum, has been the cause of this opinion of Mr. Ridgway's, it 

 having done duty as a normal P. botterii. It will be seen in the paper referred to that 

 P. cestivalis arizonce and the bird called P. mexicana are considered distinct species, 

 though we here put them together, drawing our limits of variation rather wide. 



We have, as already stated, specimens of both birds before us, but a larger series 

 may show that our present view is wrong ; the geographical distribution of the birds is, 

 however, in our favour. Mr. Eidgway will doubtless review the question, with our 

 assurance that C. mexicanus and Z. hotterii are inseparable. 



The relationship of P. botterii to P. cestivalis is close, the difference consisting in 

 the latter bird being darker, with the head and neck deeper rufous; beneath, the 

 plumage is much greyer, P. hotterii being here of an ochre colour, especially on the 

 chest and flanks. 



