1876.) Proper Specific Name of the Song Sparrow. | 17 
THE PROPER SPECIFIC NAME OF THE SONG 
SPARROW.! 
BY DAVID SCOTT. 
r appears that this common little bird has been known for 
over a half century by a specific name which, if the just rule 
of priority is considered, cannot be applied to it longer. 
The observation of a specimen which presented a rather unique 
appearance — the tail being veined by transverse dark brown 
bars, quite sharply defined — discovered the fact to me. 
Recent examination of numerous specimens shows that this 
feature is more or less apparent in nearly all examples. It seems, 
however, to have been unnoticed since Pennant wrote until thè 
obtaining of my specimen, which was some two years ago, for no 
author in his description of the bird has shown an acquaintance 
with the peculiarity; but quite the reverse, as Professor Baird 
distinctly affirms? that the tail of the song sparrow displays no 
such appearance as the following descriptions would imply. 
Pennant’s descrip.ion is: With the crown, hind part of neck, 
and back rust colored, spotted with black; the spots on the back 
large; coverts of the wing plain ferruginous; primaries dusky, 
edged with dirty-white ; whole under side' white, with black 
streaks pointing downwards; tail brown, crossed by numerous 
dusky bars. Inhabits New York. (Arctic Zodlogy, ii. 375.) 
Gmelin writes: F ringilla ferruginea nigro-maculata, subtus 
alba nigro-striata, alis ferrugineis, cauda fusca aitrolineata. Habi- 
tat in Noveboraco. (Systema Nature, i, 922.) 
Who can doubt but that these descriptions refer to the song- 
Sparrow, if they do differ in a few minor respects ? 
We think it follows from the above citation from Pennant 
* MELOSPIZA FASCIATA. 
Fasciated Finch Pennant, Arct. Zoöl., ii. 375. 
ringilla fasciata Gmelin, Syst. Nat., i. 1788, 922. — Latham, Index Orn., i. 1790, 
445. — Nuttall, Man. Orn., i. 2d ed. 1840, 562. 
Fringilla melodia Wilson, Am. Orn., ii. 1810, 125. — Licht., Verz., 1823, No. 249. 
—Aud ., Orn. Biog., i. 1832, 126 ; v. 507. — Ib., Syn., 1839, 120. — Ib., Birds Am., iii 
1841, 147. — Max., Cab. Jour., vi. 1858, 275 
Brewer and Ridgway, Hist. N. Am. Birds, ii. 1874, 19. 
: on elospiza Sasciata Scott. ae ; ‘ j 
“The fasciated sparrow of Pennant, Arctic Zoöl,, ii. 375, upon which Gmelin’s 
name is based, answers pretty well for our species, but the tail is said to be crossed 
by numerous dusky bars, which is not the case with melodia.” — Foot-note, Pacific 
l Road Reports, ix. 1858, p. 477. 
VOL, X. — No. 1. 2 
