160 Hen shaw on Melospizo i rneloda and its Allies. 
and that by no means the largest, is present from Lituya Bay, which 
is slightly farther north than Kodiak. Possibly its insular habitat 
may be deemed sufficient to account for the marked peculiarities of 
this giant among Sparrows. So far, in fact, as color is concerned, 
although in this respect insignis is well marked, the step from rufina 
appears an inconsiderable one as compared with that of size. But, 
as has been stated, no intermediate specimens are at hand to prove 
such a close relationship, and, as analogy in cases like the present 
has proved far from being always a safe guide, I deem it safer to let 
insignis stand upon its merits 
rank be actually disproven. 
until 
its claim 
to 
distinct specific 
The following measurements are given to show the average size 
of the various races : — 
Wing. Tail. Bill. Tarsus. Depth of Bill. 
M. meloda (21 specimens), 
2.60 
2.80 
.46 
.83 
.30 
Largest individual. 
2.77 
2.90 
.47 
.78 
.29 
Smallest “ 
2.32 
2.60 
.45 
.78 
.30 
Yar. fallax (23 specimens), 
2.69 
2.94 
.44 
.84 
.25 
Largest individual, 
2.92 
3.17 
.43 
.83 
.27 
Smallest 
2.35 
2.52 
.43 
.77 
.25 
Yar. lieermanni (13 specimens), 
2.61 
2.82 
.45 
.84 
.28 
Lamest individual, 
O 7 
2.80 
2.93 
.46 
.84 
■ .28 
Smallest “ 
2.45 
2.70 
.45 
.83 
.24 
Yar. samuelis (46 specimens), 
2.41 
2.48 
.45 
.84 
.26 
Largest individual, 
2.60 
2.64 
.45 
.86 
.26 
Smallest “ 
2.13 
2.23 
.40 
.76 
.23 
Var. mexicanci (1 specimen), 
2.52 
2.83 
.46 
.87 
.26 
Yar. guttata (23 specimens), 
2.63 
2.89 
.44 
.90 
.26 
Largest individual, 
2.78 
3.14 
.46 
.93 
— 
Smallest “ 
2.42 
2.59 
.45 
.83 
— 
Yar. rufina (7 specimens), 
2.78 
2.87 
.48 
.92 
.26 
Lamest individual, 
O 7 
2.96 
3.12 
.52 
.93 
.29 
Smallest “ 
2.61 
2.64 
.43 
.87 
.25 
M. insignis (20 specimens), 
3.26 
3.36 
.61 
1.07 
.30 
Lamest individual, 
3.40 
3.40 
.50 
1.13 
.32 
Smallest “ 
3.13 
3.35 
.57 
1.07 
.29 
