July, 1901 I 
THK CONDOR 
93 
heermcDini. If geographical intergradation still exists between them, 1 should ex- 
pect to trace it among the Song Sparrows occupying the brackish tide marshes 
where the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers flow into the head of San Fran- 
cisco Bay. But such material is as yet inaccessible to me. Skins from the salt 
marshes on the north side of the Bay (St. \hncent, Marin Co.) agree exactly with 
Baird’s description of mtmielis. As the type locality, Petaluma, is within 5 miles 
of tide water, it seems reasonable to suppose that the type was a tide-land bird. 
vSo far, I have failed to learn of a yellow-bellied Song Sparrow being obtained on 
the north side of the Bay. We are, therefore, to suppose that the Bay forms a 
barrier between samuelis on the north and piisillitla on the south. The yellow- 
ness of the under parts is the most striking character of pusillifla, and the great 
majority of my specimens have this character well pYonounced. But I have a few 
skins from the salt marshes near Palo x\lto, taken along with yellow examples, 
which are scarcely or not at all yellow beneath. These closely resemble samuelis, 
but are not so broadly streaked with black dorsally, and the general tone is ashier. 
Such birds seem to me properly considered as individual variants of pusillida\ for 
they are exactly like the more or less yellow examples in every other respect. It 
has been suggested that Baird’s was one of these white-bellied varieties of 
pusillula. This might be decided by a comparison with the type. Some ? $ of 
pusillula have the wing 2. to, though this is rather below the average. Perhaps, 
in view of the above evidence, some would prefer to rank pusillula as a species; 
but its relationship seems to be best expressed by the trinomial. 
I have no material from California north of Marin County. Scores of skins are 
needed from almost every valley in California before we can hope to properl}' 
classify the various local races of the Song Sparrow. xAlthough so much alike, 
they appeal to one with all the more interest; for a study of two slightly differen- 
tiated races will certainly give us a clearer insight into the manner and causes of 
the evolution of species, than if we gave attention exclusively to the completely 
separated forms. 
w w ® w 
Tvso Years With Mexican Birds. III. Some Plantation Birds. 
H. SKINNER. 
BY E. 
G RAY’S ROBIN {Merula grayi) 
during his stay in the vicinity 
of Tapachula is one of the com- 
monest varieties. They are present in 
large numbers late in the winter and 
spring and almost entirely disap- 
pear in summer. The coffee plan- 
tations with a heavy undergrowth of 
coffee shaded by larger trees are the 
favorite resorts of these birds, very few 
being found in the deep woods or in 
pastures. In December a very few ar- 
rive and we are made aware of their 
presence by the lovely song which is 
occasionally heard, the Mexican Zen- 
zontli being famous for his minstrelsy. 
By the middle of February the birds 
have all arrived, being scattered all 
over the cafetal, but not going in flocks- 
Towards evening when the sun comes 
out after an afternoon shower every- 
thing is inexpressibly bright and fresh 
and the robins seem to appreciate it, for 
at such times I have heard as many as 
fifty birds singing as if their lives de- 
pended upon it. Besides their song 
they have a little whistle which is 
almost exactly like the last seven notes 
of the familiar air, ‘You Can’t Play in 
my Yard’, and another gutteral note 
“chuck-chuck”, which, by the way, is 
their Indian name. 
The breeding season commences in 
April and continues into July. I have 
taken fresh eggs between April 20 and 
July II. The nest is a coarse affair 
