192 
Allen and Brewster on Colorado Birds. 
[Octobei 
characters of arcticus. On the other hand, nearly half have the scapular 
spots edged and tipped with black, as in typical megalonyx. The length of 
the claws is variable in different specimens and often variable in the differ- 
ent feet of the same bird. An arbitrary assignment of these males by the 
characters given in standard descriptions, and without regard to locality, 
would result in the reference of two to arcticus , three or four to megalonyx, 
and a remainder variously intermediate between the two. The four 
females are all typical of megalonyx , with which, rather curiously, the 
female seems to be better characterized than the male. 
Among the Pipilos with spotted scapulars thi'ee races may be easily 
recognized : — viz. maculatus of Mexico, in which the adult male 
combines the usual black head and neck with an olivaceous back seen only 
in the females of more northern forms; arcticus of the Missouri region, 
which has the outer webs of the spotted scapulars and of the outer rectrices 
wholly white ; and oregonus of the coast region of Oregon and Washington 
Territory, which has the white of the scapulars edged and tipped 
externally with black and the outer webs of the external rectrices almost 
wholly black. The variety megalonyx is simply an intermediate between 
arcticus and oregonus. It cannot be said to have any distinctive 
peculiarities and it combines the characters of its allies in such varying 
degrees over the wide extent of its range that each locality seems to 
furnish a style of its own. This, to a certain extent, is true also of 
arcticus and oregonus , really typical examples of which are comparatively 
seldom met with. The aberrant ones of both are usually referred to 
megalonyx which has thus become a convenient receptacle, so to speak, 
of everything that is not pure arcticus or oregonus. Hence one of the 
worst muddles which at present exists to confuse the student of North 
American birds. 
One way out of the difficulty would be to suppre&s megalonyx and 
extend the characters and distribution of arcticus and oregonus. But 
the matter cannot be summarily settled, for any arrangement that shall 
aspire to be final must be based on intelligent study of very extensive 
material. 
71. Pipilo chlorurus. Green Towhee. — Seen as early as 
April 27, but was not common till about May 8 ; were then 
abundant till about May 16. In June were found breeding 
abundantly on West Monument Creek at the edge of the plains. 
(For notice of an hermaphrodite specimen taken, see this Bulletin, 
VIII, p. 17O 
72. Dolichonyx oryzivorus. Bobolink. — A single 
specimen was brought to Mr. Aiken May 18, and another May 
23 ; two others reported as seen. But two specimens were 
previously known to Mr. Aiken as having been killed here. 
73. Molothrus ater. Cowbird. — Apparently not common. 
74. Agelaeus phceniceus. Red -winged Blackbird. — 
