_Centronyx bairdi_, MAYNARD, Naturalist’s Guide, 1870, 117,
frontispiece (Ipswich, Mass.). _Passerculus princeps_, MAYNARD,
American Naturalist, 1872.
SP. CHAR. Bill small, exactly the same in form and size as that of
_Centronyx bairdi_; but proportionally smaller; tertials scarcely
exceeding the secondaries; tail emarginate, the feathers acute, the
intermediæ attenuated terminally. Outstretched feet reaching about
half-way to the end of the tail. In color almost exactly like _P.
rostratus_, but different in markings. Above light ashy, the dorsal
feathers light sandy-brown centrally, producing an obsoletely spotted
appearance; shafts of dorsal feathers black. Outer surface of the
wings pale sandy-brown, the feathers darker centrally; tertials with
their outer webs whitish, and with a conspicuous black central area.
Crown becoming darker brown anteriorly, where it is divided by a
rather indistinct line of ochraceous-white; an indistinct superciliary
stripe, and a very conspicuous maxillary stripe of the same; the
latter bordered above, from the rictus to the end of the auriculars,
by a narrow stripe of dusky; lores and sub-orbital region like the
superciliary stripe; auriculars pale brownish like the crown, bordered
along the upper and lower edge with a dusky narrow stripe. Beneath
white, slightly tinged with ashy on the flanks; sides of the throat,
whole breast, sides, and flanks, with narrow streaks of sandy-brown,
more blackish toward the shaft; abdomen, crissum, and lining of the
wing, immaculate; throat with a few minute specks, but along each side
bordered by a “bridle” of suffused streaks.
♂. (Collector’s No. 1,744, Ipswich, Mass. Dec. 4, 1868; C. J.
Maynard.) Wing, 3.25; tail, 2.60; culmen, .45; tarsus, .95; middle
toe, .80; hind claw, .40.
♀. (Collector’s No. 6,245, Ipswich, Oct. 15, 1871; C. J. M.) Wing,
2.90; tail, 2.40; culmen, .50; tarsus, .85; middle toe, .65; hind
claw, .30.
(Collector’s No. 6,224, Ipswich, Oct. 14, 1871; C. J. M.) Wing, 3.00;
tail, 2.30; culmen, .50; tarsus, .85; middle toe, .60; hind claw, .30.
The specimens described above were at first supposed to be _Centronyx
bairdi_, having several points of resemblance to that species, a
comparison with the type in Professor Baird’s collection at first
failing to establish a difference, as it was in faded and much worn
summer plumage, while the Massachusetts specimens were in perfect,
blended fall dress, so that a satisfactory comparison was almost
impossible. A more recent examination, however, with the advantage of
two additional specimens of the Massachusetts bird, has fully
convinced Mr. Maynard that his specimens are not _Centronyx bairdi_,
and that, indeed, they are referrible in all respects to the genus
_Passerculus_.
In carefully examining the type of _Centronyx bairdi_, it is seen that
its characteristic features are the following: Outstretched feet
reaching beyond the end of the tail; hind claw as long as its digit,
and much curved;—whereas in Mr. Maynard’s specimens the outstretched
feet reach to only about the middle of the tail, while the hind claw
is much shorter than its digit, and only slightly curved. With a wing
.10 to .45 of an inch longer, they have the tarsus not any longer, and
proportionally more slender. In coloration they are still more
different. The most striking feature in _C. bairdi_ is a broad and
very conspicuous median stripe of ochraceous-buff on the crown,
bordered on each side by an aggregation of black streaks, which form
the predominating color of the lateral stripes; of this median stripe
there is scarcely any trace in the specimens under consideration,
while the crown generally is grayish-brown, with small dusky streaks;
_C. bairdi_ has broad, conspicuous, black stripes on the back, while
_P. princeps_ has obsolete sandy-brown ones; in _C. bairdi_ there are
only a few small streaks of black across the jugulum and along the
sides and flanks, while in _P. princeps_ the whole breast, as well as
the sides and flanks, are thickly streaked with broader marks of
sandy-brown.
In point of coloration, as well as in the feet, there is in reality a
much closer resemblance to _Passerculus rostratus_; but in this the
very different bill and different arrangement of markings are
sufficient distinctive characters.
Upon the whole, therefore, there can be little doubt that the present
birds are well entitled to the name which Mr. Maynard has given them;
for after making all possible allowance for seasonal differences in
coloration, we have found it impossible to reconcile them with the _C.
bairdi_.
In this species there is a slight superficial resemblance to _Poocætes
gramineus_; but upon comparison it will be found to be entirely
different: thus, _P. gramineus_ lacks the median light stripe on the
crown, has the lesser wing-coverts rufous and the lateral
tail-feathers white, while the streaks are all blackish and the
ground-color different; the generic details, too, are quite different.
HABITS. This species has been obtained only in Eastern Massachusetts,
where, in the neighborhood of Ipswich, it was found among the
sand-hills by the sea-shore. The place where the individuals taken
were met with is a rather remarkable tract, three miles in length and
nearly one in breadth. It is as treeless as the Great Plains, and as
bleak and barren, with no vegetation except a scant growth of coarse
grass. Mr. Maynard obtained his first specimen early in December,
1868. Although others were seen, yet this was all he was then able to
obtain. He has since taken others in the same place and season.
Nothing is known as to its habits. It uttered, as it rose, a short
chirp of alarm.
Passerculus rostratus, BAIRD.