_Poocætes_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 447. (Type, _Fringilla
graminea_, GM.)
GEN. CHAR. Bill rather large; upper outline slightly decurved towards
the end, lower straight; commissure slightly concave. Tarsus about
equal to the middle toe; outer toe a little longer than the inner, its
claw reaching to the concealed base of the middle claw; hind toe
reaching to the middle of the middle claw. Wings unusually long,
reaching to the middle of the tail as far as the coverts, and pointed;
the primaries considerably longer than the secondaries, which are not
much surpassed by the tertiaries; second and third quills longest;
first little shorter, about equal to the fourth, shorter than the
tail; the outer feathers scarcely shorter; the feathers rather stiff;
each one acuminate and sharply pointed; the feathers broad nearly to
the end, when they are obliquely truncate. Streaked with brown above
everywhere; beneath, on the breast and sides. The lateral tail-feather
is white. Shoulder chestnut-brown.
[Illustration: PLATE XXV.
1. Passerculus guttatus. Cape St. Lucas, 26615.
2. “ princeps. Ipswich, Mass. (Type.)
3. Centronyx bairdii. Ft. Union, Dakota, 1885.
4. Coturniculus passerinus. Ga., 22405.
5. “ henslowi. ♀ S. Ill., 61191.
6. “ lecontei. Texas, 50222.
7. Ammodromus caudacutus. N. J., 609.
8. “ maritimus. Pa.
9. Zonotrichia leucophrys. ♂ _juv._, 817.
10. “ leucophrys. ♂ _ad._, Pa., 1506.
11. “ gambeli. ♂ _ad._, Nev., 53505.
12. “ “ ♂ _juv._, Nev., 53500.]
The essential character of the genus consists in the long and pointed
wings, longer than the tail and without long tertials; and the rather
stiff, forked tail, with its acute feathers. But one species is
recognized at present.
Poocætes gramineus, BAIRD.