A History of North American Birds; Land Birds; Vol. 1 of 3Baird, Spencer Fullerton
Science
A History of North American Birds; Land Birds; Vol. 1 of 3
Baird, Spencer Fullerton
Birds -- North America
1. Dendroica æstiva, _Gm._ ♂ Pa., 940.
2. “ maculosa, _Gm._ ♂ D. C., 20634.
3. “ montana. (From Audubon.)
4. “ olivacea, _Giraud_. ♂ Mex., 30692.
5. Dendroica kirtlandi, _Baird_. ♂ Ohio, 4363.
6. “ dominica, _Linn._ ♂ Ga., 3322.
7. “ “ , _var._ albilora, _Ridgw._ ♂ Ohio, 7701.
8. Dendroica palmarum, _Gm._ ♂ N. S., 26929.
9. “ discolor, _Vieill._ ♂ Pa., 1091.
10. “ graciæ, _Coues_. ♂ Ariz., 40680.
11. Seiurus aurocapillus, _Linn._ ♂ Pa., 1433.
12. “ noveboracensis, _Gm._ ♂ Pa., 2434.
13. “ ludovicianus, _Aud._ ♂ Pa., 964.]
In the Review (p. 209) several variations in this species are noted;
but at that time there was not a sufficient number of specimens to
warrant our coming to a conclusion as to their value. Now, however, we
have better material before us, and upon the examination of about
thirty specimens, including two series of nearly equal numbers,—one
from the Atlantic States and the West Indies, the other from the
Mississippi region and Middle America,—find that there are two
appreciably different races, to be distinguished from each other by
points of constant difference. All birds of the first series have the
bill longer than any of the latter, the difference in a majority of
the specimens being very considerable; they also have the superciliary
stripe bright yellow anteriorly, while among the latter there is never
more than a trace of yellow over the lores, and even this minimum
amount is discernible only in one or two individuals. The West Indian
form is, of course, the true _dominica_, and to be distinguished as
var. _dominica_; as none of the synonymes of this species were founded
upon the Mexican one, however, it will be necessary to propose a new
name; accordingly, the term var. _albilora_ is selected as being most
descriptive of its peculiar features.
The following synopsis, taken from typical specimens, shows the
differences between these two races:—
(No. 3,322, ♂, Liberty County, Georgia.) Bill (from nostril),
.45; tarsus, .60; wing, 2.60; tail, 2.00. Superciliary
stripe, anterior to eye, wholly bright yellow; yellow of chin
and maxillæ extending to the bill. _Hab._ In summer, Atlantic
States of United States, north to Washington. In winter, and
possibly all the year, in Cuba, Santo Domingo, and Jamaica …
var. _dominica_.
(No. 61,136, ♂, Belize, Honduras.) Bill (from nostril), .35;
tarsus, .60; wing, 2.70; tail, 2.20. Superciliary stripe
wholly white; yellow of chin and maxillæ bordered narrowly
next the bill with white. _Hab._ In summer, the Mississippi
region of United States, north to Lake Erie; common in South
Illinois. In winter, and possibly all the year, in Mexico,
south to Guatemala, Yucatan on the Atlantic, and Colima on
the Pacific side … var. _albilora_.
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