116 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XVI 
couple of experiences during the past year. While making illustrations for 
the forthcoming “Birds of California” 1 had the privilege of the loan of some 
valuable material from the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at Berkeley, but 
Avas sadly handicapped by the complete absence of all data relative to the van- 
ished color of the bills, feet, and irides. In the case of a Flammulated Screech 
Owl I might have colored the iris yellow as in other American members of this 
genus, as there ivas nothing to guide me on the label of this most valuable 
specimen, collected by no other than Mr. Grinnell. 
The only bird of this species I had seen in the flesh Avas too far gone in 
decomposition to afford any data. Neither RidgAvay’s Manual nor Coues’ Key 
gave any help, nor did Dr. Merriam’s description of the subspecies idalioensis, 
taken by his OAvn party, and the accompanying figure indicated a pale yelloAV- 
ish broAvn iris. 
Fortunately at this juncture there came a memory of a field note in The 
Condor by that excellent observer, Mr. F. C. Willard, and on turning over a 
file of hack numbers it Avas found in volume XI, page 201. “The most strik- 
ing feature to me Avas the mild look of her face, Avhich appeared very different 
in aspect from that of other OAvls I had met Avith. Presently I discovered that 
this Avas due to the eyes, Avhich instead of having a yelloAV iris as in other oaaOs 
Avere a dark chocolate brown.” 
The other ease in point appertained to a friend Avho Avas collecting mate- 
rial for a leading Eastern ornithologist. I had previously myself collected 
for a close friend and felloAV Avorker of this gentleman, Avho gave me particular 
instructions to collect all data as to the soft parts, and for whom 1 had made 
some hundreds of detailed draAvings illustrating these. I advised my friend 
10 be A'ery particular in this regard; judge my surprise Avhen he informed me 
later that his patron had told him to omit all data relative to the color of soft 
parts from the labels, but to note the length in flesh,' and expanse ! Noav this 
ornithologist is a doctor and therefore Avell aware of the greht difference the 
amount of relaxation that the muscles may be subjected to would make ; length 
in flesh, even if someAAdiat variable, might be of some A'alue, but of Avhat earthly 
use is a record of expanse? A relic of Pre-Cimerian days, noAV relegated to 
the columns of the local Aveekly in recording the “tip-to-tip” of the last eagle 
kijied by the country sportsman— Avith a foot or tAvo throAvn in for good 
measure. 
If the color of soft parts Avas always noted it Avould simplify the separa- 
tion of many closely allied species. As an instance, take the case of J unco 
phaeonotus palliatus and Junco phaeonotus dorsalis, Avhich are only alloAved 
sub-specific distinction. If the color of the bill and irides Avas noted on the 
labels of all these compared, it would probably be a simple matter to distin- 
guish them as they are evidently specifically distinct. 
The Red-backed Junco {dorsalis) has the pinkish bill and dark claret col- 
ored iris of all northern juncos, and it hops like a junco. The Arizona Junco 
{palliatus) has a black upper mandible and a pale yellow lower, AAuth the bril- 
liant yellow iris of a Golden-eye drake. Its motions are just as different from 
other juncos as its eyes and bill are, as it Avalks daintily and deliberately over 
the floor of the forest like a tit-lark or Avater-thrush, instead of the shuffling- 
hop of the juncos and sparrows. 
The writer is Avell aAvare that absolutely different colors of irides can ob- 
tain in the same species, such as in the tit-mice of the genus Fsaltriparus ; but 
