532 
U. S. P. E. K. EXP. AND SURVEYS — ZOOLOGY GENERAL REPORT. 
part of the breast, extending some distance down on the median line, and a somewhat hidden space round the anus, yellow. A 
conspicuous white patch at the base of the wing formed by the spurious feathers, interrupted by the black alula. 
Female smaller, browner ; the yellow confined to the under parts and sides of the head, and a superciliary line. A dusky 
maxillary line. No white on the wing. Length of male, 10.00 inches ; wing, 5.60 ; tail, 4.50. 
jJab, — Western America from Texas, Illinois, Wisconsin, and North Red river, to California, south into Mexico. Green- 
land, Reinhardt. 
The color of the yellow in this species varies considerably ; sometimes being almost of a lemon 
yellow, sometimes of a rich orange. There is an occasional trace of yellow around the base of 
the tarsus. ; 
The female differs considerably in appearance, as above mentioned. Sometimes tbe superciliary 
stripe is broader, and involves much of the side of the neck. The feathers on the middle of the 
breast are sometimes edged with whitish. The young male of the year is like the female, but 
larger, and likewise lacks the white of the wing. Immature males of more adult condition 
have the yellow of the head and neck variously clouded with black margins, especially on the 
upper surface. 
A very young bird has the head and back brownish yellow, the wing coverts with a broad 
bar of white. 
This species is very widely distributed throughout the North American continent, having 
even been found in Greenland. Its eastern limit in the United States appears to be Illinois. It 
is essentially a prairie bird. 
List of specimens. 
Catal. 
No. 
Sex anil 
age. 
Locality. 
When col- 
lected. 
Whence obtained. 
Orig'l 
No. 
Collected by— 
Length. 
Stretch 
dI wings 
Wing. 
Remarks. 
N. W. University. 
O 
Red Kiver, H. B.T 
9 
3 
3 
April 25, 1855 
June 28, 1856 
Aug. 25, 1857 
Sept. — , 1857 
Sept. 12, 1857 
July 15, 1856 
S 
8 
3 
9 
8 
15 miles below Ft. Pierre 
435 
203 
204 
113 
65 
167 
354 
Win. M.Magraw.. 
Dr. Cooper ... 
do 
10.50 
10.00 
17.25 
17.00 
5.50 
5.50 
do.. 
Forks of Platte River... 
Wm. Magravv.... 
do 
Iris brown ; bill and feet 
do do 
15 miles east Ft. Laramie 
Aug. 26, 1857 
Sept. 25, 1856 
10.50 
17.25 
6.00 
3 
3 
Dr. Wm. A. Ham- 
mond. 
3 
9 
May —,1853 
Del. Creek and Pecos.. 
July 16, 1856 
April 26, 1856 
May 2, 1855 
109 
193 
63 
10-00 15.50 
5.00 
5.25 
Eyes dark brown ; gums 
yellow. 
do 
do 
10.00 
16.50 
9 
Devil's liiver, Texas.... 
Mimbres to Rio Grande. 
Bill brown ; feet gray. 
3 
Lieut. Beckwith.. 
15 
55 
Mr. Kreutzfeldt. 
Major Emory 
3 
Lieut. Williamson 
Dr. Heermann . 
3 
April, 1856... 
E. Samuels 
466 
Lieut. Williamson 
1 
