APHELOCOMA. 493 



•species as in Californian, and the size of the former slightly exceeds that of the latter. 

 These differences induced Mr. Eidgway to separate the Mexican bird under the name 

 of Cyanocitta swmichrasti, and Mr. Sharpe adopted this name. We have carefully 

 examined specimens from both countries and have come to the conclusion that the 

 differences are not sufficiently marked to render it desirable to make any nominal 

 distinction between them. The superciliary streak is certainly evanescent, and a 

 difference of size is the most unsatisfactory of differential characters. 



The Californian Jay, as this bird is called in the United States, has a wide range 

 along the Pacific coast-region of North America, being found as far north as the 

 -Columbia river ; it thence passes southwards through Lower California to Cape St. 

 Lucas. We have no record of its occurrence anywhere in Northern Mexico, and it is 

 very probable that its place is there taken by A. woodhousii, which is the common 

 resident bird of Arizona ; future investigation can, however, alone clear up this point. 

 In Southern Mexico it occurs in the alpine region according to Sumichrast, and where 

 -also Mr. le Strange obtained specimens ; it also occurs in the State of Oaxaca, whence 

 we have examples sent us by Mr. Fenochio, and where also Mr. Boucard obtained it. 



A. woodhousiiis closely allied to the present species, but may readily be distinguished 

 by its darker under surface and its pale blue under tail-coverts as well as by other 

 minor points. Should the range of A. calif ornica be completely severed, and its place 

 taken throughout the highlands of Northern Mexico by the allied form, it will be a fact 

 of distribution of considerable interest. A. californica breeds abundantly throughout 

 the western parts of California, and constructs a nest of roots and strong grass, and 

 places it in a low tree or bush. The eggs are dark green, marked with numerous pale 

 Thrown blotches and spots. 



2. Aphelocoma ultramarina. 



Garrulus ultramarinus, Bp. Journ. Ac. Phil. iv. p. 387' ; Temm. PL Col. p. 439 '. 



Cyanocitta ultramarina, Bp. Consp. Av. i. p. 378'; Baird, Mex. Bound. Surv., Zool. ii. Birds, 



p. 2\, t. 23. f. 3*; Sumichrast, Mem. Bost. Soc. N. H. i. p. 554'. 

 Cyanocorax ultramarinus, Scl. P. Z. S. 1857, p. 304° ; 1859, p. 365 '. 

 Aphelocoma ultramarina, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. iii. p. 115 °. 

 Pica sieberi, Wagl. Syn. Av. fol. 31, p. 13°; Isis, 1839, p. 750 ". 

 Cyanocitta sieberi, Bp. Consp. Av. i. p. 378 ". 



Garrulus sordidus, Sw. Phil. Mag. new ser. i. p. 437 '" ; Zool. 111. ser. 3, ii. t. 86 ^ 

 Cyanocitta sordida, Baird, Mex. Bound. Surv., Zool. ii. p. 31, t. 33. f. 1 '*; Sumichrast, Mem. Bost. 



Soc. N. H. i. p. 554 " ; Duges, La Nat. i. p. 139 ' . 

 Aphelocoma sordida, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. iii. p. 116 ". 

 Corvus azureus, Licht. Preis-Verz. mex. Vog. p. 1 ". 

 Cyanocitta couchi, Baird, B. N. Am. p. 588, t. 60. f. 3". 

 Aphelocoma couchi, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. iii. p. 116'°. 

 .Cyanocitta ultramarina, var. couchi, Baird, Brew., & Ridgw. N. Am. B. ii. p. 393 ". 



