66. "Amphispiza bilineata, (Cass.)
Much more common in summer than winter. The nests are placed in low, thick bushes, rarely more than two feet from the ground. The eggs, when fresh, have a decided bluish tinge. — (Sennett, B. Bio Grande, 18.— Poospiza &., Dresser, Ibis, 1865, 488.)
67. Spizella socialis, (Wils.)
April.— (Dresser, Ibis, 1865, 489.— Sennett, B. Rio Grande, 19.)
68. Spizella pallida, (Swains.)
Very abundant during the winter months, but I do not think that any remain to breed. — (Dresser, Ibis, 1865, 489.— Sennett, B. Rio Grande, 19.)
69. Melospiza melodia, (Wils.)
February and December.
70. Melospiza lincolni, (And.)
Very common in winter. — (Dresser, Ibis, 1865, 489. — Sennett, B. Rio Grande, 18.)
71. Feucsea arizonae, Ridgw.[1]
Found in some abundance on a salt prairie about nine miles from Fort Brown, but obtained with difficulty, as they could rarely be flushed from among the tall grass. Its notes were frequently heard, and are quite pleasing. A nest found June 16, 1877, was placed among the roots of a tussock of grass : it was made of blades and stems of grasses, and was rather deep, but so frail that it fell to pieces on removal. The eggs, four in number, were quite fresh. They are unspotted white,
strongly tinged with greenish- blue, and measure .82 by .63.
- ↑ The great variation in size and color between the set of eggs of P. arizonce and
those of P. aestivalis appears to me to be inconsistent with their belonging to birds of
the same species. In North American Birds, I speak of the color of aestivalis as being a
pure, almost brilliant, white, and their size .74 by .60. This is probably a little smaller
than the average. An egg taken by Dr. Bryant in Florida measures .76 by .61.
Three eggs, taken by Dr. Gerhardt in Northern Georgia, measure .80 by .62, .78 by .61,
and .72 by .60. Their color is crystalline white, similar in brilliancy to the eggs of a
Woodpecker. On the other hand, the four eggs of P. arizonce measure ,fe5 by .64, .83 by
.64, .82 by .65, .80 by .62, averaging .82£ by .63f , the average of aestivalis being .77 by .61.
The eggs of P. cassini have the same crystalline whiteness as those of aestivalis, while
those of P. carpalis correspond in color with those of arizonce, and average .73 by .58.
The color of the eggs of P. arizonce is of a very light blue, with just a tinge of green,
but to some eyes it appears to be a greenisn-white. — T. M. B.
[Without specimens of this form in good plumage, it is quite impossible to determine the question of its relationship to P. aestivalis by the skins alone. All the specimens I have Seen are, unfortunately, in the greatly worn and faded midsummer plumage, and, though resembling examples of P. aestivalis in corresponding dress, are easily distin- guishable. Considering the latter fact, in connection with the radical difference iu their egge, as insisted on by Dr. Brewer, I think, upon the whole, that the bird may yet prove to be a distinct species. — R. R.]
