160 



OENITHOLOGY. 



they vary in markings, color, and size, almost as much as domestic 

 poultry, but their sprightly wren-like actions and sweet song are the 

 same in all. They frequent close bushy patches of vegetation, and 

 sometimes reedy marshes, are diflicult to shoot, unless the hunter ex- 

 cites their curiosity, when they will expose themselves." 



The specimens now before us, and others that have come under our 

 notice, fully sustain Mr. Peale's statement respecting the variation of 

 the colors in different specimens of this species. Each one is unlike 

 the others, but we can detect no specific distinction between speci- 

 mens from the various localities mentioned. 



This is one of the most abundant of the birds of the Pacific Islands, 

 and inhabits a range of locality unusually extensive. The specimens 

 in the collection of the Expedition are in excellent plumage and pre- 

 servation. This bird is well represented in the plate of the Voyage 

 of the Coquille, above cited. 



4. Family AMPELID^. 

 1. Genus EOPSALTRIA, Swains. Cab. Cy. II, p. 250 (1837). 

 1. EoPSALTRIA FLAYIFRONS, Pecde. 



Eopsaltria flavifrons, Peale, Zool. Exp. Exp. Vincennes, Birds, p. 96 (1st edition, 

 1848). 



Atlas, Ornithology, Plate X, fig. 1. 



Fronte flavo, gutture albo, supra ollmceo-fmca, suhtm fiava. Long. tot. 6 

 poUices. 



Form. — Larger than E. australis and E. griseogularis, of Australia. 

 Bill strong, curved, and sharp at the point, distinctly notched near 

 the tip; wing rather long, fourth and fifth quills longest, and nearly 

 equal ; tail moderate ; tarsi and toes rather long and slender. 

 General form compact and strong. 



Dimensions. — Total length (of skin), about six inches; wing, three 

 and a half inches ; tail, two and a half inches. 



