Various Florida Birds. 
3 1 
and were able in a number of cases already cited to note both differences 
of habits and of song. For example : Stiirnella magna angutula. 
The Bluebird of southern Florida is undoubtedly distinct subspecifically 
from true stalia as described by Mr. Bangs, though we could detect no 
differences, in notes. A specimen taken at Fort Myers is typical of grata 
and we are convinced not only that this race is resident, but from the ex- 
amination of winter material that it is the only one of the genus inhabit¬ 
ing southern Florida. 
Sturnella magna angutula Bangs. As marked as in the case of the 
Bald Eagle is the difference between the resident Meadow-lark of Florida 
and the northern Atlantic coast bird. The former, generally found in 
the pine woods, is much inferior in its vocal powers, besides appearing 
in life appreciably smaller and of different coloring. 
Ammodramus maritimus peninsulae Allen. During the past winter 
the senior author investigated with great care the relationships of the 
members of this group and, coming to somewhat different conclusions in 
regard to its various races, begs leave to present them. 
When studying this interesting group “one is at once confronted ” as 
Mr. Chapman writes (Auk, Vol. XVI, Jan. 1S99, pp. 1-12 pi. I,) “with the 
difficulty which has beset all students of these birds, that is the unusually 
worn plumage of breeding birds.” But one must not attempt to compare 
birds taken on equal dates on northern and southern breeding grounds, 
considering that the southern bird has had greater chance for its plumage 
to wear than the northern, from its longer stay on its native salt marsh. 
Or in their study overlook the fact of sexual differences of both color 
and structure which has been found to throw much light on many cases 
before not understood, and a consideration ornithologists seem often to 
wholly ignore. 
I have examined a large series of specimens, representing all the races, 
and have reached the following conclusions only after the most careful 
study. The group in the first place is one evidently apt to show local va¬ 
riations. This is proved by the species ntgrescens, but along the marshes 
of the upper Atlantic coast no extraordinary local conditions occur; 
and the birds from Massachusetts to Florida I believe must all be called 
maritimus. A series of specimens from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, 
and from New Haven, Conn, showing no constant differences of either 
size or color, if comparison is made between like sexes and the plumages. 
It is impossible to give for any species but one measurement as a crite¬ 
rion for identification as Mr. Chapman does, because certain variations 
always occur, especially in birds so subject to worn plumage. For exam¬ 
ple a breeding male’s wing from Rhode Island measures 59., while a 
male’s from New Haven, Conn., measures 67. In stating the measure¬ 
ments of birds, the extremes should in our opinion always be given, as 
average measurements are alone worthless. Audubon when he described 
