GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATIONS BETWEEN CHONDESTES GRAM- 



MACUS (SAY). AND CHONDESTES GRAMMACUS 



STRIGATUS (SWAINS.). 



BY H. K. COALE. 



In Mr. Ridgway's Catalogue of North American Birds, 1881, 

 page 63, is this paragraph: 



" Mr. H. K. Coale, of Chicago, 111., has lately called my at- 

 tention to certain differences between eastern (typical) and western 

 specimens of this species, which, upon examination of a large series, 

 I find to be quite constant and sufficiently appreciable to warrant 

 the recognition of a western race. Western birds being exactly 

 like those from Mexico in those points in which they differ from 

 eastern specimens. Swainson's name strigaius (C/iondestes striga- 

 tus, Philos. Jour. i. 1S27, 435), based upon the Mexican bird, is 

 available for the western and southern race." 



On page 2S9 Swainson's Classification of Birds, 1S36, we 

 find his definition of the genus 



Chondestes Sw. Larkfinch. Fig. 263. 

 " Bill resembling Passerella, but the tip slightly inflexed and 

 notched; the commissure considerably sinuated, and lobed in the 

 middle. Wings lengthened, rather pointed ; the three first quills 

 nearly equal. Tail much rounded : the feathers broad, and the 

 three outer graduated. Feet moderate. Hinder toe and claw 

 much longer than the lateral toes, which are equal." 



Dr. Coues does not admit the validity of the sub-species. Nat- 

 urally opposed to varieties he has perhaps not taken pains to inquire 

 into the matter. 



With the material at hand*, I think you may soon be convinced 

 that C. grammacus and C. grammacus strigatus are distinct. 



Taking the Missouri River as the dividing line we find that 

 birds from the west are larger, brighter about the head, and lighter 

 above and below than those from the East — Ohio, Indiana and 

 Illinois. 



* Mr. Ridgway and Mr. Morcom kindly loaned me their specimens for examination. 



