64 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XII 
entirely black, that none are mostly black, or that there is less than half the area, 
or but little or no black on any of them. But if the middle wing coverts are not 
“mostly black” and yet the wing is less than ipo what happens ? Would not such 
a bird, according to the definitions in the “key”, be of another species ? 
Paragraph ee applies to the different forms of phoeniceus, and says “middle 
wing coverts entirely buff, ochraceous or tawny, or if partly tipt with black the 
wing less than 130 (usually less than 127).” Does not the expression “if partly 
tipt with black” correspond rather closely with “middle wing coverts mostly black 
o?' else" of paragraph e? So that it comes down to the proposition that when a 
specimen is found with the middle wing coverts partly tipt with black, if the wing 
is over 130 mm. it belongs to the gubernator group, and if under 130 in the 
phoeniceus. But if this means that this figure is an average is it not rather a 
slight matter upon which to establish a specific foundation ? And if this figure is 
a limit in itself is it not still allowing rather a slight margin ? And does it not 
show that there is every probability of intergradation somewhere? Farther on in 
the text, under the actual descriptions of the forms, no mention is made of any 
black tipping whatever in phoeniceus , nor to the above quotation from para- 
graph ee, with the exception of a foot note under the description of A. p. neutralis, 
p. 340, where Mr. Ridgway says “Specimens from southern California and northern 
Dower California seem to be somewhat different from the Great Basin examples, 
but I do not venture to separate them, the series of specimens being scarcely satis- 
factory. In adult males of this form many specimens show more or less black tip- 
ping to the middle wing coverts, this being observable in some specimens from the 
interior (Nevada) as well as some of those from the coast (San Diego County, 
etc.)”. Then follows a table of measurements of such specimens, all of the wing 
averages being under 130. The extremes are not given, nor are the dates on which 
examples were taken, tho in wing measurements of this genus this is a very impor- 
tant matter, the amount of abrasion in a dry windy climate being so great that but 
little dependence can be placed upon the wing measurement of specimens taken in 
late spring or summer in any of our dry valleys where the trade wind blows strong- 
ly. My observations in the field lead me to believe that this abrasion is also 
affected by the food supply, in that where the birds gather their food upon the 
ground when walking thru dry stiff grass the amount of abrasion will be much 
greater than where the birds feed in swamps, alfalfa fields or green pasture lands. 
Now it happens that the measurements of the different forms of phoeniceus and 
gubernator are the only differences given save the black or no black on the middle 
wing coverts and more or less streaking of the females, mostly on the under parts. 
As for instance, the description given of A. gubernator gubernator , “Birds of North 
and Middle America”, p. 326, is as follows: “Similar to A. phoeniceus phoeniceus , 
but adult with middle wing coverts black or with black tips: the adult female with 
under parts of body uniform black or sooty and upper parts nearly or quite uniform 
dusky: wing and tarsus longer, tail, bill, and middle toe shorter”. 
But every measurement given overlaps those of A. p. phoeniceus in the 
extremes with the single exception of the wings of the females. The number of 
specimens from which the measurements were taken in this last case being so small, 
however, (7 in one case and 10 in the other) that there is but little doubt that these 
also would overlap if a larger number were measured. Now, if all these measure- 
ments overlap can they be used in differentiating a species? It would seem not, 
according to the prescribed rules. So that the difference between the two species, 
in the males, conies down to the matter of black, or no black, on the middle wing- 
coverts and streaking or no streaking on the females, and nothing else! 
