Jh> S i Comet ee 4k ae ee a wh Mette fee 
Ks Pcie aoe De RATERS R A RENE EN PERE rae à 
366 i REVIEWS. si 
he does us the honor (his endorsement in such a case is an honor) 
to recognize our Pelidna Americana — a bird that cannot stand a 
moment upon Mr. Allen’s platform; and in one or two other in- 
stances — that of Graculus Floridanus, for example, unquestiona- 
bly a southern form of G. dilophus—he is similarly untrue to his 
principles. š 
Among the critical discussions that we mentioned just now, is a 
highly satisfactory elucidation of the several interesting modifica- 
tions in size, form and color that result from climatic and other 
physical influences upon the birds. The decrease in stature, coin- 
cident with lowering of latitude, was perhaps already sufficiently 
known ; but the other points needed the excellent exposition they 
receive at Mr. Allen’s hands. He shows a singular tendency to 
increase in the size of the bill of Floridan birds. This corres- 
ponds exactly to the remarkable elongation of theetail of many 
southwestern forms ; and his explanation— greater activity of per- 
ipheral circulation—is doubtless as applicable to one as to the 
other. The third characteristic of Floridan forms is an intensity 
of coloration, as compared with Northern broods of the same spe- 
cies. This is well illustrated in the Quail, and several other species, 
particularly the curious little Pipilo in which the white markings of 
the wings and tail are at a minimum, though the iris, singularly 
enough, is white instead of red.* It would be difficult to over-es- 
timate the importance that attaches to this admirable elucidation — 
of the peculiarities that collectively distinguish the Floridan birds. _ 
Interesting in itself, additional value is gained in its affording data 
for a similar exhibit of the relationships of the birds of the Lower — 
Rio Grande and Colorado rivers. Numerous forms from these — 
regions, as well as from the peculiar Cape St. Lucas locality, can — 
be better interpreted now that we have analyzed that portion of 
the Eastern Province lying within corresponding degrees of lat- — 
itude ; and many that have been named as positive specific forms; 
and taken to be such, may prove merely indices of g 
variation oecurring in strict accordance with laws that Mr. Allen 
* PIPILO ALLENI, nob. — P. erythrophthalmo similis, eed minor, alis caudaique minus 
albo-plagiatis, et iridibus albis. This interesting ‘ ‘form,? remains 
unnamed, 
An ticles on our birda in in Aeon Joun sane 
Civ, p. 250) ays: Aedia h tora is perhaps the most © s instance of ; 
the color of ‘oa ite, whieh Wink ac came aera cote no ee ie 
the change taking place sometimes first in one eye, and then in the other, during 
autumn moulting.” This, if so, 
_ process of the autumn 
