158 Henshaw on Melospiza meloda and its Allies. 
have been taken as representing all that was known of samuelis. 
But no fewer than forty-six specimens are now- at hand that agree 
well with the type, and are unquestionably referable here. 
In point of fact, it is samuelis alone that occurs in summer along 
and near the Californian coast, and nearly all published accounts of 
the habits, nesting, etc. of the Song Sparrow of California are to 
be taken as referring to it. 
This form rests chiefly upon its small size, it being considera- 
bly the smallest of all the races, and the very dark, almost black, 
color of its prominent streakings. But it is upon a basis of size 
alone that it can be separated from heermanni, both agreeing in 
essential points of coloration. In fact, the question might well be 
raised whether it is necessary to recognize by distinct names two 
forms from this region. I have, on the whole, deemed it expedient 
to do so, as the difference of size, especially of bill, in specimens from 
the respective habitats of the two is pronounced and quite constant, 
readily sufficing in the great majority of cases for their identifica- 
tion. Thus, in over thirty specimens of heermanni from Stockton, 
kindly furnished by Mr. Belding, I find no marked differences, and 
all agree in comparatively large size and stout bills. 
A series of nine males of samuelis from Oakland, for the opportu- 
nity of examining which I am indebted to the courtesy of Mr. D. S. 
Bryant, are similarly constant to the coast type, so far as size is 
concerned, but vary somewhat in coloration. The differences are 
chiefly as to number and size of the black markings below. Two 
of the nine are the darkest, and on the whole the most typical, ex- 
amples of samuelis that I have seen. 
Of the var. mexicana, , Ridgway, from Southern Mexico, little can 
be said, since the name rests upon a single specimen. This appears 
to be recognizable from the other races by its rather peculiar colora- 
tion, the streakings being very broad as well as black and by its 
smaller (except samuelis) size. More specimens are necessary to 
determine its true relations. 
Var. guttata next invites attention. This is characterized by a 
generally darker, more rufescent type of color ; the streaks on the 
dorsum are very indistinct, in some specimens almost wanting. 
The bill is proportionately more slender than in any of the preced- 
ing forms. The typical home of this variety is the Columbia River 
region, coastwise. But long before this point is reached, evidence 
is afforded by specimens of intermediate character of the change to 
