lighter in general hue and without the black blotches on the upper
parts so conspicuous in the examples from the other islands. It
is not, however, always easy to cause a description of allied forms
among Ptarmigans to bring to one's mind any one of them with
the clearness and unfailing accuracy that even one glance of the
eye is capable of producing, and the doubter then, who has no
access to the specimens, must form his opinion either mainly in
the 'dark' or wait until access to sufficient specimens will enable
him to comprehend thoroughly their differences.
I have conferred upon this subspecies the name of Mr. C. H. Townsend of the United States Fish Commission, who has brought many specimens of Ptarmigans from various islands in the Aleutian Chain.
SONGS OF THE WESTERN MEADOWLARK.[1]
BY L. BELDING.
These songs of the Western Meadowlark (Sturnella magna neglecta) were copied at Gridley, California.
Numbers 1 and 2 are good examples of superior articulation. The pitch of No. 9 is uncertain, but that of the others is correct, or nearly so.
These twelve songs are selections from the best songsters. I have heard these songs many times, and have heard them sung imperfectly oftener than otherwise.
I have heard more writeable songs from this bird at this locality than at any or all places where I have been in this State, and I have always noticed the songs wherever I have been.
- ↑ For musical notations of songs of the Western Meadowlark as heard in Colorado, see Charles N. Allen, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, VI, 1881, pp. 145–150; as heard in Manitoba, see Ernest E. THompson, Amer. Mag., April, 1887 (republished in Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. XIII, 1891, pp. 575–579).—Edd.
