pias Yea OS Rataed Sete et Tits} af, cs $, 4 ar id sect e We iii tr} faite egies i BP thee 3 = tne Tete: ay eet STysa'e Set (oto rtts oA ae “pn So ittaiis teenies yenet been EN AML Sih tronta Peni pee is how arte be Peabe see BN tries Weert tenn OEM bre LS, ene! poet eg S08 gl ete Ss Cet teh s Ney Vito bdp—~j —#e7 Department of the Bnterior: U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM. PROCEEDINGS OF THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. Veal et NG Ee © Ni: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1881. uae ae de i Paty ae ra lee a ; ae eit era ra er ee a Mae, - * rc 4 Be ee yviicricit | i ; ' ns i - air “ 7 “ i 4 ut bat & y' wr he , - - 4 J . ae on ) = a oe he a ' if : ee ay 4 Ss ; : ; Buna y, * Ga PAoeON LE ee ae an nt as usin al & . ine, s At ge OAT h Ue UNIT hs eRe (4 : TABLE OF CONTENTS. Bean, Farlcion H. Description of a New Hake (Phycis Earlii), from South Carolina, and a Note on the Occurrence of Phycis regius in North Carolina ....-.....-.-.....-....--- Check-List of Duplicates of North American Fishes distributed by the Smithsonian Institution in behalf of the United States National Museum, 1877-80 .....-...............- Cattie, S. TH. On the Genitalia of Male Eels and their Sexual Characters.-..--...-- PeSaooe= Endlich, Fred. MI. List of Species and Varieties of Minerals in the National Museum of Hie UML! SiALeS INNO TS .s2 ceo oe ssa asa ses 5 ss sea eee Soa see sew ssccesescseesose Garman, Samuel. Synopsis and Descriptions of the American Rhincbatide...........-- Gilbert, Charles Hi. (See under Jordan and Gilbert.) Gill, Theodore. On the Identity of the Genus Leurynnis Lockington, with Lycodopsis Wollenins 22 Ssteeeete ee aa apes ae atone eat ae Oe a. SSE ns Sk BP Re Goode, G. Brown. Descriptions of Seven New Species of Fishes from Deep Soundings on the Southern New England Coast, with Diagnoses of Two Undescribed Genera of Flounders ANGE CreNUS PEALE BOM er lUCltUs =F . o ssososcesdcs cccsees cee ss foes scccacececucccsce laces Fishes from the Deep Water on the South Coast of New England obtained by the United States Fish Commission in the Summer of 1880. ---...-....-...-...-2-2----eee- Bee —— The Frigate Mackerel (Auxis Rochei) on the New:England Coast................--..-.- Notacanthus phasganorus, a New Species of Notacanthide from the Grand Banks of New- Tan espeeees: geese eee sioe ce casket pee bea ieee ates ele eee sos ee Me eile Hay, 0. P. Ona Collection of Fishes from Eastern Mississippi ----......-....-..-....----- Hieilprin, Angelo. On Some New Species of Eocene Mollusca from the Southern United MERON EEE mer teeta Ue ee ete een ee Le Rehnaa ee 2 Sec aeeseaneaateendccececseccsn fel k oe Jordan, David S. ates on a Collection of Fishes from East Florida, obtained by Dr. J. AEN ensn alles ei a> See Benton hele nen eten mon cies atemeoseeotoces as Noe eee i Note on a Forgotten Papar of Dr. Ayres, and its Bearing on ie Nomenclature of the Cyprmoid shes pf the Sani Francisco Markets, -...2- 2-2 =-- 2.2.0 scscesecceoen este cess ING te OM Lo EMME kG IA CENUTUES Fis Seo ne wc eee SER g Se eee ae aee ns sees eee ees Jordan, David S., and Gilbert, Charles H. Notes on a Collection of Fishes from SRO DIGIER), (COUMOTRO Sooke Son stom ones oe ae gen SE BO SRR EE ee E Ee ae aee Description of a New Flounder (Xystrewrys liolepis), from Santa Catalina Island, Cali- POTN Ae Sa ee a atee cin fos canta Aa Nee Snag sea we awtae ee en ecae Seed ie SSSR ED se ae Description of a New Ray (Platyrhina triseriata), from the Coast of California......-... Description of a New Species of ‘‘ Rock Cod” (Sebastichthys serriceps), trom the Coast LO AIT GT NIA emer tat oa ete oe ets aa seer siiay As pce ec ialaes se eae es cn Sok eaee On the Oil Shark of Southern California (Galeorhinus galeus) .......-...------------.--- Description of a New Flounder (Plewronichthys verticalis), from the Coast of California, ake ODER OM Ounler ns NEM ese neste Janene oe iae senate cere cee anasto ae sn seats ae eae sale INatcsTon Slarks trom the Coash of Californias: 2-25.44. S2. 505222222258 02 ese ck ee On the Generic Relations of Platyrhina exasperata :....-..-------------220-220-----eee- Description of a New Species of Sebastichthys (Sebastichthys miniatus), from Monterey ESR Oy RM ONIN te eee tana eee eee amet ae wae ais Cescmesadecen co race deter ceuemesecucen oe Description of a New Species of ‘“‘ Rock-fish” (Sebastichthys carnatus), from the Coast TF (CRUE ee eae Oe eS Ror: -< RaE ORE ace eee eae eee ee Description of a New Species of Ray (Raia stellulata), from Monterey, California ...... Description of New Species of Xiphister and Apodichthys, from Monterey, California. -- Description of Two New Species of Sebastichthys (Sebastichthys entomelas and Sebastich- thys rhodochloris), from Monterey Bay, Califormia.-..-....-..---.-----------2e- eee e ee enone Description of a New Agonoid Fish (Brachiopsis xyosternus), from Monterey Bay, (CEST ISTE Se eee eo oe ee So \- 3 - - See eee ee a Description of a New Flounder (Hippoglossoides exilis), from the Coast of California. .. IIl ‘247 337 r IV TABLE OF CONTENTS. Jordan, David S., and Gilbert, Charles H. Description of a New Species of Ray (Raia rhina) from the Coast of California ...-....-----.-----------------------s----------- Description of Two New Species of Fishes (Ascelichthys rhodorus and Scytalina cerdale) from Neah Bay, Washington Territory ..-.....-.------------------- +--+ -- 2222 ee eee e eee Description of Two New Species of Scopeloid Fishes (Sudis ringens and Myctophum crenulare), from Santa Barbara Channel, California ..-..-...-...-------.--------------e-eee Description of Two New Species of Flounders (Parophrys ischyurus and Hippoglos- SOLES IELESOLOM).) ALOU Ee Pet SOU =)arcter = in lalataree le ole atm me lata = a emia Description of Seven New Species of Sebastoid Fishes, from the Coast of California --. Description of a New Embiotocoid (Abeona aurora), trom Monterey, California, with ENO LESLOM ep Eve) abe disp) C CLES sere eet i late tele em ea a eal lel Description of a New Flounder (Platysomatichthys stomias), from the Coast of Califor- Description of a New mbinbocoid Fish (Cymatogaster rosaceus), from the Coast of Cali- TENS SoU AGE Cao BO eOD BOC EC ECBOOE Bote CREE SCUE Dene Oc aD BOOnCOnS ASR ED OScnodaess sacoodeceEcoas Description of a New Species of Deep- Water Fish (Icichthys Lockingtoni), from the Coast Ong DT OTT A eiate store als sie eel eietaloiein=icialeie einieiatels eine miele iicinteieieale lacie Setereratnie isla = alata tetera reenter Description of a New Embiotocoid Fish (Ditrema atripes), from the Coast of California. - Description of a New Scorpznoid Fish (Sebastichthys maliger), from the Coast of Cali- POUND Se sie sire wees Ss ee eS siaiseevis a sewie = slenys oiocistele ele Preeieciseleeiaasaisememier sais wer Memeo seis Description of a New Scorpenoid Fish (Sebastichthys nee from enna Bay, Waliformisess acces x)= cic s seis ce csiaigii sea sais 2= nae Misia ainsi Seni ou Mca n tite aces anes aia Description of a New Agonoid (Agonus vulsus), from the Coast of California. .-.....--. Description of a New Species of Hemirhamphus (Hemirhamphus rose), from the Coast Ofs@ MILOLMI Ales o<< oe es 2 ciss sone eee see Selec aces soa ceee en epe oss oeecn eas semen sseneceies Description of a New Species of Notidanoid Shark (Hexanchus corinus), from the Pacitic Coastofethe: United States eee Ad > if ; wy - ak e a me _ : a i P*) t “4g 4 " ed - aoe =) andl ahi + re = + | iy an bebe) ee. a 4 ca 7 H el Ay py wy) * I Le . t g ea a4. wl ny es > ats a) er bai ive & 7 a) (. | ys phe Ei rat 7 hy : , PROCEEDINGS OF THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. isso. REVISIONS OF NOWENCLATURE OF CERTAIN NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. By ROBERT RIDGWAY. The following emendations of nomenclature apply both to species enumerated in the latest published list of North American birds— Coues’s “Check List,”* and others not contained therein. These two series are therefore included in separate categories, the former having,. for convenience of reference, the corresponding number of the “Check. List” prefixed to each name. It is deemed inexpedient to give here a list of the species to be added to the Smithsonian Catalogue of 1859,+ for the reason that they are suffi- ciently distinguished by the absence of the concordant number following: each name, in the revised list following this paper. a. SPECIES GIVEN IN CouUES’s CHECK LIST. 46. Turdus AONALASCHKAE, t Gmel.—In my report on the ornithology of the fortieth parallel expedition I used the name “ guttata, Pallas,” as the earliest name certainly applicable to this species; but I now believe that Gmelin’s name, Turdus aonalaschkae, based upon the Unalascha Thrush of Pennant (Arctic Zoology, II, p. 338) and Aoona- lashka Thrush of Latham (Synopsis, I, i, p. 23), is the one which should. be used. As in the case of Muscicapa guttata, Pall., there can be: no doubt whatever that the western Dwarf Thrush (Turdus nanus, Anct.,. nec Aud.!) is the very species which these authors described under the above names. Turdus aonalaschkae being, therefore, the proper name: for the Hermit Thrushes collectively, the Middle and Eastern Province forms should be called, respectively, Z. aonalaschkae auduboni and T. aonalaschkae pallasi. With regard to the last, it is very evident that * A Check List of North American Birds. By Elliot Cones. Salem. Naturalists’ Agency. 1873. 8vo, pp. 137. (635 species.) tCatalogue of North American Birds contained chiefly in the Museum of the Smith- gonian Institution. By Spencer F. Baird. [First octavo edition.] Washington: Smithsonian Institution. 1859. [‘‘Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections,.108.” Net paged ; 738 species, including varieties, all consecutively numbered. ] {Small capitals indicate the name which is changed or emended. Proc. Nat. Mus. 80 1 March 27, i880. 2 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. - Turdus nanus, Aud., was based upon a small specimen of the eastern Hermit Thrush, since Audubon distinctly says so in his account of the supposed species. The name nanus antedates pallasi; but the latter having been used, in a restricted sense, exclusively for the eastern race, while nanus has been almost wholly applied, of late years, to the small west-coast form now to be called 7. aonalaschkae, it seems best to discard the name nanus altogether and adopt for the eastern birds that of pallasi, as next in order of date. 61. HELONAA swainsoni, Aud.—According to Agassiz, the correct orthography of the generic name of this Species (if to be separated from Helmitherus) is Helonea and not ‘* Helinaia,’ as spelled by Audubon. (Cf. Newton, P. Z.8., 1879, p. 552.) 144a. Leucosticte griseinucha (Brandt) Bp.—The present indieations are that this form does not intergrade with L. tephrocotis, but, on the contrary, is a well-defined species of very constant characters confined strictly to that portion of the Alaskan coast west of the one hundred and thirty-fifth degree of west longitude. 146a. Agiothus linaria, “var. fuscescens.”—No examples referable to the so-called fuscescens having ever been taken in winter, while the particular stage originally so named is represented by birds in highly intensified midsummer dress from various portions of subarctic America (the interior of the continent and coast of Alaska, as well as Labrador), the inference is natural that ‘“ fuscescens” represents simply the mid- summer plumage of the common species. (Cf. Coues, Birds of the Northwest, 1874, p. 115.) : 146). dgiothus CANESCENS exilipes (Coues) Ridgw.—There is every probability that 2. canescens is a quite distinct species, since it occurs in almost every district inhabited by 4. linaria (especially in the Neare- tic Region), and cannot therefore be a geographical race of the same species. _d¥. canescens and AH. linaria holbolli are the large boreal races breeding in Greenland; 27. canescens exilipes and di. linaria proper are the smaller continental forms. 159a. Passerculus ANTHINUS, Bp.—This seems to be quite distinct from P. sandwichensis, and probably more nearly relate1 to— 1604. Passerculus GUTTATUS, Lawr., which proves to be very distinct from P. rostratus. 165 a (Appendix). Ammodromus nigrescens, Ridgw.—As has already been insisted by Mr. Maynard (see Am. Sportsman, V. Jan. 16, 1875, p. 245), this bird is very probably distinet specifically from A. maritimus. 169, Melospiza FASCIATA (Gm.) Scott—We can see no valid reason why Gmelin’s name for this species should not be used instead of Wil- son’s, bestowed upon it nearly a quarter of a century later. (Cf. Scott, PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. o Am. Nat., 1876, p. 17.) The recognizable forms of this species should therefore be known as (169a) MW. FASCIATA fallax, (169b) M. FASCIATA guttata, (169¢) M. FASCIATA rufina, (169d) M. FASCIATA heermanni, and (169e) M. FASCIATA SAMUELIS (samuelis antedating gouldii). 1697. Melospiza CINEREA (Gm.)Ridgw.—Through the explorations of Messrs. Dall, Turner, and Nelson, the fauna of Unalashka has of late years been very thoroughly investigated, and we are thus able to iden- tify the “‘Cinereous Finch” of Pennant (Arct. Zoology, I, p. 68) upon which Gmelin based his Fringilla cinerea (S. N., I, ii, p. 922) with the species which Professor Baird afterward named Melospiza insignis (Trans. Chicago Acad., I, i, p. 319, pl. 29, fig. 2). Through the same means it becomes equally certain that the Oonalaska Bunting of Pennant and Latham (HLmberiza unalaschcensis, Gm., S. N., I, ii, p. 875) is, as some authors have long maintained, the bird usually called Passerella town- sendi (Aud.). The known forms of Passerella having been proven by Mr. Henshaw to intergrade, and therefore, to constitute mere geographical races of a single species, they should be known by the following naiies :— 188. P. iliaca (Merrem) Sw. $1897%a. P. ILIACA UNALASCHCENSIS (Gm.) Ridgw. 189a. P. ILIACA schistacea (Baird) Hensh. —. P. ILIACA megarhyncha (Baird) Hensh.— the latter—connecting wnalaschcensis with schistacea, but peculiar in the extremely robust bill and other characters—not being given in the “Check List.” 170a (Appendix). Peucwa arizone, Ridgw.—There is very strong prob- ability of this being quite distinct, specifically, from P. wstivalis. (See Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., I, 1878, p. 127, foot-note.) 177. Spizella MONTANA (Forst.) Ridgw.—Forster’s name of montana applied to this species in 1772 antedates Gmelin’s name monticola (1788), and, there being no objection to it otherwise, should be substituted for it. 180a. Spizella BREWERI, Cass.—Thus far there appears not the slight- est evidence that this bird should be referred to S. pallida. The respective habitats of the two overlap quite considerably, and they may always be easily distinguished by the markings of the head. 191. Sp1zA americana (Gm.) Bp.—In 1858 Professor Baird rejected the generic name Spiza for this species, for the reason that, although it “was first used in connection with EHmberiza americana,” it was ‘so mixed up with types of several other modern genera as to render it uncertain whether to apply it to one rather than to another”—at the same time remarking that “if Spiza pointed more unmistakably to the LF. americana it might, perhaps, be necessary to adopt it.” (‘‘Birds N. Am.,” p. 494.) Upon referring to the ‘“Specchio Comparativo,” where Bona- parte next, after its institution, mentions his genus Spiza, I find, in the , 4 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. foot-note on p. 47, that he distinctly names E. americana as the type of the genus (“Reconoscemmo inoltre, che quest? uccello | #. melanocephala] é il perfetto analogo della Pringilla americana TIPO DI QUEL SOTTOGENRE”). Four years later, however, Bonaparte proposed the name Huspiza for the same type (“‘Saggio,” p. 141), but according to recognized rules this later name becomes simply a synonym of Spiza, as does also Cabanis’s name Huspina, the latter substitued for EHuspiza (Mus. Hein., I, p. 133), under the misapprehension that the type of the latter was the Hm- beriza melanocephala of Scopoli (see M. H., p. 130)—a species not only generically distinct from EH. americana, Gmel., but moreover hardly a member of the same subfamily. 201. Phonipara ZENA (Linn.) Bryant.—“Tringilla bicolor,” Linn., 8. N., ed. 12 (1766)=/F. zena, Linn., 8. N., ed. 10 (1758). 206. Pipilo fuscus MESOLEUCUS (Baird) B. B. & R.—The Arizona - form of this species is very easily distinguishable from the true /uscus of Mexico, the latter being without the rufous cap of mesoleucus, the colors in general darker, ete. 212b. Ageleus TRICOLOR (Nutt.) Bp.—Totally distinct from A. pheni- ceus. 233. Pica RUSTICA hudsonica (Sab.) Baird.—The earliest available name for the European Magpie appears to be Corvus rusticus, Scopoli (1769), which considerably antedates “melanoleuca, Vieill.” (1818), and is now adopted by European authorities. (Cf. Dresser, Birds of Europe, pt. xxii.) The American bird, therefore, if to be separated subspeci- fically from the European (for which there certainly seems sufficient reason), Should be named as above. 239. a (Appendix). Perisoreus obscurus, Ridgw.—Since the original des- cription of this bird was published Mr. Henshaw has obtained addi- tional specimens, and, by an examination of them, together with the types, has adopted Mr. Sharpe’s conclusion (Cat. B. Brit. Mus., III, p. 105) that the form in question is a distinct species, an opinion in which I at present wholly agree. Not so, however, with capitalis, Baird, which Mr. Sharpe treats in the same manner; the latter unquestionably grades directly into P. canadensis, and consequently, notwithstanding it is a very strongly marked form, should be called P. canadensis capitalis. The Perisoreus obscurus is of much more restricted range than was at first supposed, and probably does not extend much, if any, north of Sitka. The examples alluded to in Hist. N. Am. B. (Vol. I, p. 302), as coming from ‘north of Sitka and in the Yukon territory,” and which were stated to “incline toward the var. canadensis,” are in reality refer- able to P. canadensis, of which they constitute a separable race, distin- guished by the less extent and dingy or smoky tinge of the frontal PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 5 white patch and generally darker colors. This new race may be char- acterized as follows: PERISOREUS CANADENSIS FUMIFRONS, Ridgw. Cu.—Similar to canadensis proper, but colors darker and more dingy throughout, and the white of the forehead obscured, or even sometimes almost wholly obliterated, by a wash of smoky gray or brown. Hab.—Coast of Alaska. rig ‘ 265. CAPRIMULGUS vociferus, Wils.—I can see no reason whatever for removing this bird from the genus Caprimulgus. The type of “* Antrostomus” is the C. carolinensis, Gmel., which differs from all the other Caprimulgi (so far as I am aware) in possessing fine lateral fila- ments to the rictal bristles, so that, in case this character be deemed sufficient, the genus Antrostomus may stand, if restricted to the single species possessing this feature. (Cf. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., I, pp. 142, 143, pls. i, il.) 266. PHALANOPTILUS nuttalli (Aud.) Ridgw.—This species is de- cidedly peculiar in the combination of its salient points of structure, having a lengthened, naked tarsus, like Nyctidromus, a character- istically velvety plumage, short, even tail, and unique wing-formula ; features which, taken together, render it a very well-marked genus, which may be characterized as follows :— PHALENOPTILUS, gen. noy. Cu.—Differing from Caprimulgus and ‘‘ Antrostomus” in the short, even tail (much shorter than the wing), and lengthened, perfectly naked tarsus (longer than the mid- dle toe), the first quill shorter than the fourth, and the plumage with a peculiar, velvety, moth-like surface. Type, Caprimulgus nuttalli, Aud. As stated on pages 142, 143, Proceedings of the United States National Museum, Vol. I (1878), the characters supposed to separate the Amer- ican Antrostomi from the Old World species of Caprimulgus, particularly the type of the latter genus (C. europeus, L.), are wholly intangible, with the exception of A. carolinensis, which has minute lateral filaments to the rictal bristles, these being in all other species perfectly smooth, or simple. On the other hand, the Caprimulgus nuttalli of Audubon has so many decided peculiarities of structure that it is somewhat a matter of surprise that its place in the genus “ Antrostomus” has not been questioned ere this. In fact, P. nuttalli is quite as distinct in its external structure from “ A.” vociferus and its allies as is the Nyctidro- mus albicollis. The more prominent differences of structure in these forms may readily be seen by comparison of the birds themselves, or by examination of the outline drawings of plates I and II of the volume of the “‘ Proceedings” referred to above. 268. Chordeiles ACUTIPENNIS texensis (Lawr.) B. B. & R.—The Chor- deiles texensis of Lawrence is merely a slightly different northern form , 6 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. of C. acutipennis (Bodd.) Cass., of South America. (See Sclater, P. Z.S. 1866, p. 154, and Hist. N. Am. B., II, pp. 400, 407.) 267. Chordeiles POPETUE (Vieill.) Baird.—Brisson’s name virginianus was not restricted to this species until many years after the institu- tion of Vieillot?’s name popetue ; the latter, therefore, notwithstanding its barbarous character, is, by all the rules, entitled to retention. 269. CYPSELUS sawatilis (Woodh.) Ridgw.—This species agrees so very closely in details of strueture with C. melba, Linn., that there seems to be no good reason for separating it genericaly fore the genus Cypselus, unless CO. melba also is removed to another genus. The type of Panyp- tila being the Cypselus cayannensis, Ginel., the elimination of CO. saxatilis does not, of course, affect the validity of the latter genus, as properly restricted; still, there is not much more difference of form between “ Panyptila” cayennensis and C. saxatilis than between C. melba and C. apus, the latter being the type of Cypselus. C. apus has the feet much weaker and the tarsus much more densely feathered than C. melba; C. saxatilis is nearly intermediate in this respect, though coming much nearer to C. melba. 273. BASILINNA wantusi (Lawr.) Elliot.—See Elliot’s “Synopsis of the Trochilidz* ”, p. 227. 234. Trogon Hee Gould.—The species described in “Birds of North America,” and figured in the atlas to that work, is the present one, and not 7. mexicanus. The latter is chiefly distinguished by the absence of white bars on the tail-feathers, which are uniform black un- derneath, except the broad white tip. 295. XENOPICUS albolarvatus (Cass.) Bd.—In addition to the very tangible external characters pointed out by Professor Baird in his char- acterization of a subgenus Xenopicus (B. N. Am., p. 83), may be men- tioned the fact that the tongue is scarcely extensile, its tip, when fully protruded, reaching only ? of an inch beyond the tip of the bill, or just the same as in Sph ieee thyroideus, while in Picus villosus ieee the protrusion amounts to 24 inches, or 13 inches more! (See Orn. 40th Parallel, pp. 546, 548, and 552, under lists of specimens of the above species.) 301. Picoides TRIDACTYLUS americanus (Brehm) B. B. & R.—As pointed out in “ History of North American Birds” (Vol. II, pp. 529- 534), the differences between the American and European white-backed species of this genus are very slight, and by no means sufficient to warrant specific separation. The common form should therefore be known as above, and the Rocky Mountain race, if deemed sufficiently distinct, as— *A Classification and Synopsis of the Trochilide. By Daniel Giraud Elliot, F. R. 8. E., etc. Washington City: Published by the Smithsonian Institution [‘Smith- sonian Contributions to Knowledge,” No. 317.] [March, 1879.] PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 7 301a. Picoides TRIDACTYLUS dorsalis (Baird) B. B. & R. 314. Colaptes AURATUS mexicanus (Sw.). The above combination becomes absolutely necessary in view of the indisputable and wholesale intergradation of the auratus and mexicanus types of this species. In the present case is afforded an excellent ex- ample of the difficulties in the way of consistent nomenclature, whether binomial or trinomial. 316. ALUCO flammeus PRATINCOLA (Bonap.) Ridgw.—Professor New- ton has, we think, clearly demonstrated* that the proper type of the Lin- nean genus Strix is not S. flammea, but S. stridula, subsequently made the type of Savigny’s genus Syrnium; and that Aluco, Fleming (1828), should stand as the generic name of the Barn Owls. Andubon’s name, “americana” (1839), for the American Barn Owl is antedated by prat- incola, Bonap. (1838), which should, in consequence, stand as the sub- specific name for this form. 318 b. Scops asio MACCALLI (Cass.) Coues.—In the “ Proceedings of the U.S. Nat. Mus.” for 1878 (Vol. I, pp. 109-111), I formally referred the ‘““Scops asio var. enano” of Lawrence to S. maccalli, Cassin, and in a foot-note on p. 111 refer Mr. Sennett’s specimens to the latter. This fact, however, seems to have been overlooked by both Dr. Coues and Mr. . Sennett, who, in their last paper, continue to call the variety “S. asio enano.”t | 320. ASIO wilsonianus (Less.).—Brisson’s genus Asio appears to be un- questionably that which should be applied to the long-eared owls, and has long since been adopted by some authorities. Admitting that the short-eared species (Strix accipitrina, Pall.) cannot be separated generi- cally, it would have to be called— 321. ASIO accipitrinus (Pall.) Newton. 323, STRIX nebulosa, Forst.—Professor Newton’s very correct conelu- sion that the proper type of the Linnean genus Strix is the S. stridula, necessitates the above change in the generic name of this American congener of that species. The Floridan birds of S. nebulosa I find to be so different from north- ern examples as to well merit subspecific separation. In his memorable work on the birds of East Florida (Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., I, p.340) Mr. Allen refers to the much darker color of Floridan specimens, but appar- ently overlooks the naked toes. It is with pleasure that I dedicate this race to one who has done such eminent service not only to the orni- thology of Florida, but to the science in general. * Of. Yarrell’s Brit. Birds, ed. 4, vol. i, p. 150, and The Ibis, ser. iii, vol. vi, pp. 94-105. tSince these pages were put in type, I have discovered that the name stands as above given in the ‘‘Check List.” The notice of the species here was therefore an oversight. r 8 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. © STRIX NEBULOSA ALLENI, Ridgw. Cu.—Similar to typical nebulosa, but toes wholly destitute of feathers or bristles, being perfectly bare to the extreme base; colors darker than in nebulosa, with less ochraceous, the tail scarcely barred on the basal half, and the bars on the breast much more distinct, as well as narrower and more continuous. Hab.—F lorida (Clearwater). The above characters I find to be constant in a series of three speci- mens (two ¢ and one?) sent to the National Museum by Col. 8S. T. Walker, of Clearwater, Florida. Not only are the toes perfectly bare, but the feathers clothing the tarsi are much shorter than in northern nebulosa, thus causing the legs to appear much more slender. The only feathering on the toes consists of a small pointed strip on the outer side of the first phalanx of the middle toe, reaching about to the second joint. d24, STRIX occidentalis (Xant.) Ridgw. Assuming that the Great Grey Owls are sufficiently distinet generic- ally from the foregoing, they should be known as— 322. SCOTIAPTEX cinereum (Gmel.) Swains., and [322 4.] SCOTIAPTEX cinereum lapponicum (Retz.) Ridgw. 236. Surnia ulula FUNEREA (Linn.) Rich. & Sw.—In the 10th edition of “Systema Nature” Linneus describes on the same page (93) Strix JSunerea and S. ulula, in the order here given; the former being based on “Fn. suec. 51,” the “ulula flammeata, Frisch. av. t. 9” being doubtfully quoted; ‘Habitat in Europa.” 8S. ulula is based upon “i'n. suec. 52—Ulula, Gesn. av. 773, Aldr. ornith, 1. 8, c. 6; Will. ornith. 68, t. 13, Ray. ay. 26,n. 4;” the habitat also “in Europa.” In neither case would the diagnoses given determine the species independent of the references. In the 12th edition, however, S. uluia is mentioned first, with the same diagnosis and habitat, but with additional or more explicit references. _S. funerea follows, with an additional diagnosis which renders the species unmistakable, and a reference to “Strix canadensis,” Briss. av. I, p. 518, t.37, f. 2, which we know to be the American Hawk Owl. Furthermore, there is added to the habitat “ America septentrionali.”. It is therefore difficult to decide which of the two names has priority as the specific designation. If the S. funerea is to be regarded the same in both edi- tions, then this name, as occurring first on the page, would be entitled to that claim ; but thereis nothing whatever in the account of Strix funerea of edition 10 to show that it is anything more than the European Hawk Owl; or, in other words, the same as the species called on the same page S. ulula. As the matter stands, we prefer to take funerea of 1766 as the earliest date of the name as applied to the American bird, and to call the species S. ulula, the latter name being of certain application in the 10th edition, while it precedes funerea in the 12th. 347. Falco FUSCO-CHRULESCENS, Vieill.—See Sharpe, “Catalogue of the Accipitres in the British Museum,” I, p. 400. PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. g , 393. Buteo ABBREVIATUS, Caban.—See Sharpe, as above, p. 163, who, however, refers it to the genus “ Tachytriorchis.”. See, also, Sclater & Salvin’s “‘ Nomenclator Avium Neotropicalium,” p. 118. 363. Polyborus CHERIWAY (Jacq.) Caban.—See Sharpe, t. ¢., p. 33. This species appears to be quite distinct from P. tharus. 364. PSEUDOGRYPHUS californianus (Shaw) Ridgw.—Concerning the validity of this genus, see Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club., April, 1880, p. —. 366. CATHARISTA (atrata, Bartr.).—If the name atrata, as now almost universally applied to this species, is to be accredited to Bartram, it has priority over all the synonyms; but if we are to reject Bartram’s names on account of his frequent “lapses” from binomialism, or his equally bad practice of omitting descriptions (which, however, is not the case with regard to his mention of the present species), then wrubu of Vieillot (1809) takes precedence over atrata of Wilson (1512), which comes next in order of date. 368. Columba ERYTHRINA, Licht.—Although there is no law compel- ling the adoption of a museum name, I prefer to do so in this case rather than propose a new one, since Lichtenstein’s name erythrina is a very ap- propriate one. The name by which this species has usually been known— C. “ flavirostris, Wagler”—is “ glaringly false,” and, therefore, to be re- jected, according to the rules of the British Association.* It is true that the bill sometimes appears yellowish in the dried skin, but in life it is always some shade of purple or pink, whitish at the extremity. What- ever it may be, it is impossible to identify McCall’s C. solitarius with this species. If his description was really penned from a specimen, his bird has not yet been rediscovered, no known North American Pigeon corresponding at all closely with his description. In any event it cannot be the present species, which never has “ brilliant reflections” on either neck or breast, nor the back or under wing-coverts “ light-red color.” 378. ORTALIS vetula maccalli (Baird) Ridgw.—In regard to this emendation of the generic name, see Wharton, ‘The Ibis,” Oct., 1879, p. 450. I find the Texan birds easily distinguishable from Mexican ex- amples (true vetula). 380. CANACE canadensis (Linn.) Reich.—None of the American grouse usually referred to Tetrao resemble at all closely the type of the latter genus, 7. urogallus, Linn. They appear, in fact, nearly as distinct from Tetrao proper as are Bonasa or Pediccetes, or other recognized American genera. It seems scarcely advisable, however, to admit a genus “ Den- dragapus” for the special accommodation of C. obscura in its various forms. 396. Charadrius DOMINICUS, Miill.—Miiller’s name for the American Golden Plover, dating 1776, should take precedence over fulvus, Gmel., be- stowed twelve years later (1788), as the name of the species. The Asiatic form should therefore be called C. dominicus fulvus (Gmel.) * Cf. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Jan., 1830, p. 37. r 10 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. : 400 bis (Appendix). -digialitis CURONICA (Gm.) Gray.*—This sup- posed new species proves to be the Lesser Ringed Plover of the Old World, 4. curonica (Gm.) Gray, the principal synonyms of which are the following. It may be considered doubtful whether the specimen really was obtained near San Francisco, as stated on the label. Charadrius curonicus, GMEL., 8. N., I, 1788, 692, Ajgialitis curonicus, Gray, Cat. Brit. B, 1863, 141.—Hartine, Handb. Brit. B. 1872, 134. Charadrius philippinus, LATH., Ind. Orn., II, 1790, 745. Charadrius fiuviatilis, Brecust., Naturg. Vég. Deutschl., 1809, 422. Charadrius minor, MEYER & WOL?, Tasch. Vég. Deutschl., 1810, 324. Charadrius intermedius, MENETR., Catal. Charadrius zonatus, SWAINS., B. W. Afr., I, a OO s Pla eos JEgialitis microrhynchus, Rripaw., Am. Nat., VIII, Feb. 1874, 109 (‘‘San Francisco, Cal.”’). , 53. 408. Himantopus MEXICANUS (Miiller) Ord.—Miiller’s name dates 1776; thirty-one years earlier than nigricollis, Vieill. 413. Scolopax RUSTICULA (Linn.) Wharton.—See “The Ibis,” Oct., 1879, p. 453. 442 bis (Appendix). Numenius TAHITIENSIS (Gm.).—The earliest name for the bird afterwards named Numenius femoralis by Mr. Peale is Scolopax tahitiensis, Gmel. (S. N., I, ii, 1788, p. 656, n. 22). 448, AJAJA ROSEA (Briss.) Ridgw.—The American Spoonbill being a very distinct generic type, for which Reichenbach proposed (in 1853) the name Ajaja, it becomes necessary to change the specific name also. There is not, unfortunately, any post-Linnzan synonym for this species, with the exception of “ Platea ‘mexicana, Willoughby,’” as used by Gam- bel m 1849 (Jour. of Philad. Acad., I, p. 222). Gambel, however, gives no description; and, moreover, since the name “mexicana” is sunply quoted from Willoughby, it seems best to adopt Brisson’s very appro- priate name of rosea, in justice to the accurate and complete description of the species in the work of that author. 454, HYDRANASSA TRICOLOR (Miill.) Ridgw.—If the Herons are to be subdivided at all, it seems quite necessary to recognize the generic name which, in 1558, Professor Baird proposed for this species (B. N. Am., p. 669), the earliest designation of which is Ardea tricolor, Miiller (1776). 455. DICHROMANASSA rufa (Bodd.) Ridgw.—See Bull. U. 8. Geol. and Geog. Survey Terr., vol. iv, no. 1, p. 246. 460. Botaurus LENTIGINOSUS (Montag.) Stephens.—This appears to be the earliest designation of the species. *Am. Nat., VIII, Feb., 1874, p. 109. PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. Ff 466 a (Appendix). Rallus obsoletus, Ridgw.—This proves to be quite distinct from R. elegans, being, in fact, more nearly related to R. longi- rostris (sive ‘‘crepitans”). 472. Gallinula galeata (Licht.) Bp.—Quite distinct specifically from G. chloropus, Lath. 473. IONORNIS martinica (Linn.).—This species has usually been referred to either Porphyrio, Briss., or Porphyrula, Blyth, but it is exceed- ingly distinct generically from both these types, particularly the former. The generic name Jonornis, instituted for its special reception, by Reich- enbach in 1853 (Nat. Syst., p. xxi), seems to be the earliest one avail- able. 488. Anas BOSCAS, Linn.—See Wharton, “The Ibis,” Oct., 1879, p. 453). 489 @ (Appendix). Anas fulvigula, Ridgw.—This bird proves very distinct from A. obscura. 526. Pelecanus ERYTHRORHYNCHUS, Gmel.—This name antedates “trachyrhynchus, Lath.,” by two years, and, being no less appropriate, there is no valid reason why it should not be retained. (Cf. Bull. Nutt. . Orn. Club, Jan., 1880, p. 36.) 525. Sula LEUCOGASTRA (Bodd.) Salvin.—See Salvin, Trans. Zool. Soc. Lond., LX, ix, 1875, 496. 529. PHALACROCORAX DILOPHUS cincinnatus (Brandt) Ridgw.— This is simply the large northwestern form of P. dilophus, no more entitled to specific separation than var. floridanus, which represents the opposite extreme of size. In regard to the generic name of the Cormorants, it appears that we will have to use Phalacrocorax, Briss., instead of Graculus, the latter, properly applied, having for 1ts type the Corvus graculus, Linn., = Gra- cula pyrrhocorax, Scop. (Conf. Sharpe, Cat. Passerif. Brit. Mus., p. 146, foot-note.) 547 b. Larus OCCIDENTALIS, Aud. 548 a. Larus CALIFORNICUS, Lawr. 549. Larus BRACHYRHYNCHUS, Rich. The above appear to be quite well-defined and distinct species; the first more nearly related to ZL. affinis, Reinh., than to argentatus ; the second much nearer to L. cachinnans, Pall., than to delawarensis. 581. OSSIFRAGA gigantea (Gmel.) Homb. & Jacq.—A very distinct genus from Fulmarus. , 12 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 580. PHABETRIA fuliginosa (Gmel.) Coues.—A ppears to be sufficiently distinet generically from Diomedea. 583. PRIOCELLA tenuirostris (Aud.) . —This bird seems sufficiently distinet generically from Fulmarus, and has been made the type of Pri- ocella, by Hombron & Jacquinot (Compt. Rend., X VIII, 1844, p. 357.) 095. PRIOFINUS melanurus (Bonn.) . —This species is the type of the genus Priofinus, Homb. & Jacq. (t. & p. 359). 600. Puffinus AUDUBONI, Finsch.—The Procellaria obscura of Gmel. has been determined by Dr. Finsch (see P. Z. 8. 1872, p. 111) to be a Pacifie Ocean species, distinguished from the Puffinus obscurus of recent authors by its white underwing-coverts and other characters. Dr. Finseh there- fore proposed for the Atlantic species the name auduboni, as above. 601. Puffinis GAVIA (Forst.) Finsch.—See Giglioli & Salvadori, Ibis, 1869, p. 65; Finsch, Jour. fiir Orn., 1872, p. 256. 603. Puffinus GRISEUS (Gmel.) Finsch.—Cf. Finsch, Jour. fiir. Orn., 1874, p. 209; Salvin, Rowley’s Orn. Mise., iv, 1876, p. 236. 619. LUNDA cirrhata, Pall.—Sufficiently distinct generically from the species of Fratercula. 623. Simorhynchus PYGMazUS (Gmel.) Ridgw.—The Alca pygmea of Gmelin is unquestionably the young of this species, afterward named “8S. cassini” by Dr. Coues. Alca kamtschatica, Lepechin, is the same spe- cies in adult (winter?) plumage. b. SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES NOT IN CouUEsS’s CHECK LIST. SIURUS NZVIUS NOTABILIS, Grinnell, MS. Ciu.—Similar to S. nevius, but munch larger. Wing, 3.25; tail, 2.50; bill, from nostril, .50; depth at base, .25; tarsus, .83; middle toe, .56. Above dark grayish brown, the feathers of the pileum with indistinctly darker centres. Beneath yellow- ish white, the throat thickly spotted, and the breast and sides heavily streaked with blackish dusky; a superciliary stripe of pale fulvous, hardly extending back to the end of the auriculars. Lores crossed by a distinct streak of black. Centre of the ab- domen immaculate; lower tail-coverts with central streaks of grayish dusky ; lining of the wing smoky gray. Bill brownish black, the mandible growing lighter brown bas- ally. Feet horn-color. Hab.—Black Hills, Wyoming (Mus. G. B. Grinneil). The plumage of this bird is in all respects, so far as I can see, quite identical with that of ordinary darker plumaged specimens of S. nevvius, except that the superciliary stripe does not extend so far back and the streaks on the breast are broader; the former character may be merely apparent, however, and owing to the manner of skinning. PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 13 Parus CInctTus, Bodd.—In accrediting this species to the North Amer- ican fauna, on the strength of specimens collected in Alaska by Mr. Lu- cien M. Turner*, I inadvertantly called it “ P. sibiricus, Gmel.,” at the time overlooking the priority of the name cinctus. MYIARCHUS MEXICANUS (Kaup) Lawr. Tyrannula mexicana, Kaur, P. Z. 8., Feb. 11, 1851, 51.t Myiarchus mexicanus, LAwn., Ann. Lye. N. Y., [X., 1869, 202 (nec Baird, B.N. Am., 1858, p. 179). ??? Tyrannula cooperi, KAupP, 1. c. (Mexico). Myiarchus cooperi, BAtRD, B. N. Am., 1858, 180 (based on the above). Myiarchus erythrocercus, Sci. & SAty., P. Z. S. 1868, 631, 632 (Tobago & Venezuela). Myiarchus yucatanensis, LAwR., Pr. Philad. Acad. 1871, 235. Myiarchus oberi, LAwk., Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci., I, 1877, 48 (Dominica, W. I.). Disclaiming any desire to prolong the discussion inaugurated by me in Vol. I of these Proceedings (p. 139), I however feel called upon, by Mr. Sennett’s comments in his “ Further Notes on the Ornithology of the Rio Grande” (Bull. U. S. Geol. & Geog. Survey, Vol. V, No. 3, pp. 402-404), to offer a few additional remarks on the subject. The synonymy of AMyiarchus mexicanus (Kaup) Lawr., as given above, includes all the binomial synonyms of the species in question, so far as I am aware; and in view of Mr. Sclater’s positive declaration (P. Z. S. 1871, p. 84) that “ Tyrannula mexicana of Kaup is identical with Myiar- chus coopert of Baird,” I do not see how we can avoid using Kaup’s name for the species. Mr. Sclater’s opinion certainly cannot be set aside, for he made actual comparison of Kaup’s type specimen with the very examples which Professor Baird called WM. cooperi, and found them ‘‘ identical.” The name erythrocercus, Scl., was proposed three years before Mr. Sclater made this discovery, and was, moreover, based on examples from Tobago, Venezuela, and Bahia, and was described as “ similar to M. cooperi [i. e., mexicanus, Kaup], but much smaller,” ete. In 1871, Mr. Lawrence, being apparently unaware of Dr. Sclater’s identification of T. mexicanus, Kaup, with Professor Baird’s M. cooperi, and accepting the latter’s identification of mexicanus with his (I.’s) cin- erascens of later date, redescribed the Mexican bird as M. yucatanensis ; and in 1877, on the ground of certain differences of plumage and size, separated (from M. “ erythrocercus”) the specimens from the Lesser An- tilles (Dominica) by naming them J. oberi. *Cf. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Jan., 1878, p. 37. t“ITdonot . . . hesitate to decide that Tyrannula mexicana of Kaup is identical with Myiarchus cooperi of Baird.”—Scu., P. Z. S. 1871, p. 84.” ¢“*What Tyrannula cooperi, Kaup, is . . . does not now much signify. But it is not to be supposed that Professor Kaup would make two species of the same bird in the same paper. Therefore, Tyrannula cooperiof Kaup is probably not Myiarchus cooperi of Baird.”—Sct., 1. ¢. 14 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. © Such is, in brief, the history of the case. The point at issue, however, is whether specimens of this species from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas are to be referred to mexicanus proper or to an assumed race, “erythrocercus.” The species was originally introduced to the United States fauna under the name “ I. crinitus erythrocercus (Sel. & Salv.) Coues” (Bull. U. 8. Geol. & Geog. Sury. Ter., Vol. IV, No. 1, p. 32), and was subsequently mentioned by the present writer as “ M. erythrocercus var. cooperi” (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., I, 1878, p. 188), both of which I believe to be incorrect—the former on account of the reference of the species to MM. crinitus, and, probably, in the use of the name erythrocer- cus instead of mexicanus; the latter, because erythrocercus is the subse- quent name, and cannot, therefore, be used for the specific designa- tion, while cooperi is also very doubtfully referable to this species. In order, however, to present the case as briefly and clearly as possible it will be necessary to discuss the several points separately. First, as to the reference of this species to erinitus: I do not see how this can possibly be done without bringing in also MM. cinerascens and M. stolidus (see Hist. N. Am. B., Vol. Il, p. 331); and even then I much doubt whether crinitus and mexicanus ever intergrade, since I have examined many scores of specimens, but have yet to find a speci- men that is truly intermediate.* There is, however, in Southwestern Mexico a very small race of mexicanus, which can be distinguished from cinerascens only by the extension of the rufous of the retvices to the extreme tip of the inner web, they being-in every other respect appa- rently quite identical. There are several such examples in the national collection, obtained in Tehuantepec by Professor I’. Sumichrast. Second: Itis much to be regretted that neither Dr. Kaup nor Dr. Sclater give measurements of the type specimens of 7. mexricanus, since we might then readily determine whether this name belongs to the large - or the small race of the species as occurring in Mexico. Since, however, Dr. Selater remarks that “it (the said type) is certainly rather smaller in dimensions than two of my skins of this species (i. e., ‘J. cooperi,” Baird), and has the bill smaller”; and that “a third specimen in my collection, which I also refer to the (so-called) JL. cooperi of Baird, agrees very well with it in general dimensions, and has the biil even slightly sinaller,” it appears very evident that Kaup’s 7. mexicana was not based on one of the very large individuals of this species, but one of medium size, corresponding to the Rio Grande specimens. Further than this, the individual variations among Mexican specimens of this species affect only the size and proportions, not colors—at least not to any especially noticeable extent. Third: I find upon re-examination of all the material in the national *In Hist. N. Am. Birds, Vol. II, p. 331, we predicated the intergradation of these two species on the characters of an individual from Nicaragua, which, however, Dr. Coues (Pr. Philad. Acad. 1872, p, 68) says, and which I also now believe, is not dis- tinguishable from M. crinitus. PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 15 collection (embracing numerous specimens received since my last paper was written), that specimens from the patria of erythrocercus proper (Venezuela, Tobago, Bahia, and other parts of South America) are uni- formly darker colored than the smaller Mexican examples, though they may fully equal them in size. This darkness of color is carried to an extreme degree in Antillean specimens, and constitutes, so far as I am able to see, the sole distinguishing character of Mr. Lawrence’s “ M. oberi,” as compared with the continental forms of the species en masse. Finally, I therefore conclude that, whatever may be the character of Central American specimens (of course they are intermediate), or whether the name mexicana is to be applied to the larger or smaller race of the Mexican bird (and the odds are strongly in favor of the latter), that (1) the name erythrocercus should, if to be used at all, be restricted to examples agreeing strictly with the South American ‘ race,” since it is subsequent in date to mexicanus ; and (2) that the Rio Grande birds are probably exactly like the type of the latter.* Nyctidromus ALBICOLLIS (Gmel.) Burm.—As explained some years since by Dr. Sclater (see P. Z.S. 1861, p. 10, and 1866, p. 144), the earli- est name for this species is Caprimulgus albicollis Gmel. (S. N., I, ii, 1788, p. 1030), the C. americanus of Linnzus, quoted by Mr. Cassin (Proce. Philad. Acad. 1851, pp. 179, 180) and some other authors (see Mr. Sen- nett’s two lists) being unquestionably a Jamaican species belonging to quite a different genus (Siphonorhis americana). All the synonyms and the more important references are given in my notes in Dr. Merrill’s paper (Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., I, pp. 143 and 144). IACHE latirostris (Sw.) Elliot.—This species, introduced to the fauna of the United States by Mr. Henshaw (cf. American Sportsman, v, Feb. 20, 1875, p. 328; Zoology Wheeler’s Exp., Orn., p. 380) under the name of Circe latirostris, should be hereafter known by the above name, the genus Circe being previously employed in another branch of zoology (see Elliott, Synopsis of the Trochilidie, p. 254). NOMONYX, gen. nov. Cu.—Similar to Lrismatura, but differing from all the species of that genus in the form of the maxillary unguis, which is similar to that of Fulix and allied genera, the same being in Mrismatura the most peculiar and important generic character. Type, Anas dominica, Linn. Altogether the most distinctive feature of the genus Erismatura con- sists in the remarkably peculiar conformation of the maxillary unguis, *Tt seems proper to offer here a word of explanation in reference to the second paragraph on page 403 of Mr. Sennett’s paper, which says (referring to my remarks on this species in Dr. Merrill’s list): ‘‘There is no notice whatever of my specimen from Hidalgo, Tex., . . . which isin the National Museum, and which is the first record of its existence within our limits, and which Mr. Ridgway no doubt examined when he coincided with Dr. Coues as to its identification.” The explanation I have to make is, that at the time my paper was written and printed the specimen in question was not in the National Museum collection, but, with other birds, had been returned to Mr. Sennett, at his request, for examination. r 16 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. or nail of the upper mandible. This, viewed from above, is extremely small, narrow, and linear, the broader terminal half being bent very ab- ruptly downward and backward, so as to be visible only from in front or below. With the sole exception of Anas dominica, Linn., all the species usually referred to this genus agree strictly with the type, Anas leucocephala, Scop., notwithstanding other characters are more or less variable. Anas dominica, Linn., has the nail of normal form, or very much like that prevailing among the ducks generally, and on this account should be separated generically from Hrismatura. DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF BIRD OF THE FAMILY TURDIDA, FROM THE ISLAND OF DOMENECA, W. i. By GEO. N. LAWRENCE. Margarops dominicensis. Margarops herminieri, Lawr. nec Lafr., Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. I, p. 52. Male—tThe entire upper plumage is of a rich dark brown, the crown is darker and has the edges of the feathers of a lighter shade; tail and quill feathers of a darker brown than the back; axillars and under wing-coverts white; the lores are blackish brown; the feathers back of the eyes and the ear-coverts have narrow shaft streaks of pale rufous; the feathers of the neck and upper part of the breast are of a warm dark brown, those of the chin and middle of the throat with light rufous centres, those of the lower part of the neck and the upper part of the breast have also light rufous cen- tres, but in addition each feather has a light terminal spot; on the lower part of the breast and on the sides the feathers have white centres, bordered strikingly with brown ; the markings of the breast-feathers are squamiform in shape, those of the sides lanceolate; the abdomen is white, a fey feathers on the upper part are very narrowly margined with brown; under tail-coverts brown, terminating with white; outer feathers of thighs brown, the inner whitish ; “‘iris tea-color ;” there is a naked space around the eye; bill yellow, with the basal half of the upper mandible dusky; tarsi and toes pale yellow. Length (fresh), 9 inches; wing, 5; tail 34; tarsus, 13; bill from front, +3, from gap, 14. Type in United States National Museum. Mr. Ober sent five specimens of this form from Dominica, all males and closely resembling each other. It is probable, as in the allied spe- cies, that the females do not differ in plumage materially from the males. Mr. Ober’s collection from Dominica contained three species of Mar- garops which I never had seen before. These were referred to known species, two of them, I think, correctly; but the one which is the sub- ject of this article I now find was erroneously considered to be M. hermi- nieri, Lafr. I supposed these species would be the same as those recorded PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 17 from the neighboring islands, as they agreed well with the descriptions given of them, and there were no available specimens to compare with. As soon as I had finished the examination of the birds of each island collected by Mr. Ober, they were placed in a box by themselves, and not disturbed again except for an occasional comparison. The collection from Guadeloupe, containing specimens of the true AM. herminiert, Latr., was not received until more than a year after that from Dominica. These specimens I labelled J. herminieri, Lafr., as a matter of course, they being from the locality of the type. The difference between the birds from the two islands was not observed at that time, as no com- parison was made. This winter, having occasion to review the species of Margarops, I got the specimens from the different islands together for the first time, and at once saw that the species from Dominica was quite distinct from the Guadeloupe bird. It differs from M. herminieri, Lafr., in being less in length, of a more robust form, the bill stouter, and the tail shorter; the brown coloring throughout is much darker and of a ruddy cast, instead of olivaceous; thecentres of the feathers on the throat and upper part of the breast are much more rufous, and have black spots at their ends; the ab- domen is pure white, whereas in MW. herminieri the lower part of the breast and the abdomen are covered with lanceolate-shaped markings, which are: very striking, each feather being white, with a strongly defined brown border; only a very small space on the lower part of the abdomen is white; M. herminieri has the white ends of the under tail-coverts edged narrowly with pale brown; in the new species they are white without borders, and it has the tarsi and toes stronger and paler in color than those of M. herminieri. FEBRUARY 1, 1880. NOTES ON A COLLECTION OF FISHES FROM HAST FLORIDA... 6R- TAINED BY DR. J. A. HENSHALL. By DAVID S. JORDAN, M. D. During the past winter (1878-79) a collection of fishes was made for the writer by Dr. J. A. Henshall, of Cynthiana, Ky., in the streams and inlets of Eastern Florida. The number of species obtained was not large, but the specimens were preserved in excellent condition, and among them are several of interest. Two species (Gerres plumieri and Umbrina broussoneti) had not been previously recorded from the coast of the United States. Three others were, at the time of collection, new to science. One of these has been lately described, under the name of Jordanella floride, by Messrs. Goode and Bean. The others have been already noticed by me in these proceedings as Zygonectes rubrifrons and Zygonectes henshalli. Proc. Nat. Mus. 80 2 April 26, 1880. 18 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM: The marine species were obtained from Indian River and from the neighboring coast; the cyprinodonts, centrarchids, and other fresh or brackish water species chiefly from San Sebastian River and tribu- taries. — DIODONTID 4. 1. Chilomycterus geometricus (Schneid.) Kaup. URANOSCOPID&. 2. Astroscopus y-greecum (C. & V.) Gill. A single fine specimen of this beautiful species. Dr. Henshail in- forms me that this specimen in life exhibited strong electrical powers, these powers apparently having their seat in the naked skin on the top of the head. So far as I know, such phenomena have not hitherto been ascribed to any fish of this family. I therefore put this statement on record, in hopes that subsequent observers of this rare fish may be able to verify it. ECHENEIDID. 3. Echeneis naucrates L. A single specimen, with 22 laminz in the disk. CARANGID. 4, Selene argentea Lac. Numerous fine large specimens. Specimens lately described from the Pacific coast under the name of Argyriosus pacificus, Lockington, appear to belong to this species. ‘+5. Carangus chrysus (Mitch.) Girard. 6. Chloroscombrus chrysurus (Linn.) Gill. 7. Oligoplites occidentalis (L.) Gill. Several fine specimens of this highly interesting species. The character of five (instead of seven) dorsal spines, assumed to distinguish Oligoplites from Scombroides Lac. (Chorinemus C. & V.), is perhaps of insufficient value for generic distinction. Some of the species of Scombroides have, however, the dermal productions really scale-like, instead of the irregular linear imbedded ridges found in Oligoplites. This character may for the present, until all the species of the group are examined, be held to dis- tinguish the latter genus. SCLAINID 4A. 8. Umbrina broussoneti Cuy. & Val. Two fine specimens of this West Indian species were obtained by Dr. Henshall. These are the first yet recorded from the United States. The species is not included in Goode’s Catalogue of Bermudan Fishes, nor PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 19 in any of Poey’s lists of the fishes of Cuba. It is, therefore, an im- portant addition to our fauna. This specimen agrees very fully with Giinther’s description of Umbrina broussoneti, and with Cuvier and Valenciennes’s description of Umbrina coroides. ©. & V.’s description of U. broussoneti gives the number of rays in the dorsal fin as X. I, 25. My specimens have D. X. I, 28. GERRID. 9. Gerres plumieri Cuv. & Val. A single fine specimen of this beautiful species. It has not been pre- viously recorded from the coasts of the United States. SPARIDA. 10. Lagodon rhomboides (L.) Holbr. PRISTIPOMATID. 11. Lutjanus caxis (Schneider) Poey. A single fine specimen. CENTRARCHIDZ. 12. Micropterus pallidus (Raf.) Gill & Jordan. Dr. Léon Vaillant (Mission Scientifique au Mexique: ined.) divides this species provisionally into two, adopting the name ‘ Micropterus salmoides” for the ordinary form, and that of Micropterus nuecensis (Baird & Girard) for the southwestern form (Texas and Mexico). 17,90 mnehes; Em Ol Gse= ss) eis Safe tivicies sas) a aelmaeast-= Mose) f. coches — 12500 0 ae ie eee eNOS aes ge ee es Oe = Pn oe ee eer 1. 09 urimca all ali Dasek-maau es a5 Sek hs Ae ae aaiomin aaa eae = oselmmel oc Se,= =~ . 20 Mistance between outer humeral spines ~.2. ----.--=-=-2--,--+-s2-=s6 c-+0--2- - 36 pecan bnranrClival EEA) 5.) = (32 2. 2)paania' a oo ea mao Sapien - oe ee aa neon <2 ~15 mma branehiat hepaam front. 22225224. --52.s22-02t--2-- Sele senweens -- 2. 34 emer Dranchial\area behind :.:.. izes. 22+... -2- -s25-s nce s-25-- --0--- 28 Distance between outer edges of nostrils....-...-..---------- EEO ie ih . 21 RITES Te ete oe ee cpa tenia a's aim rn iSinimein ce wee oes . 20 SMEMIMITTECEON ial) ATOM. =) 22-522 qdenn cones n- nek lee~ ee ne se fons -- + anes . 165 2S Sul go oe Ae ed Se ee ee ee ee ee . 06 Length of snout from eye ..-.-......-- LIN TG ST 2 Sea ae i 295 , 38 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. irene jhrofismout front O Mths aches eens = aretesio eects sere minis satiate oe tail 22 Wem suhvote 10s tars eee eyecare sala om ee ale ea eet nae nee tee 07 Widthiofe anterior nasal flap =e pee tons jace crsss senha hick setae Stoel ree oe - 96 Wenothiotmnasal flapyescssecn-ssss2acaecssesscesens=s- EE PE eae Seas . 04 Mistance trom snouptomiTshorsaleses ee ceases nee sae ee aaate lee nena 1.565 Menothvoteyascrotirst dorsale see eee mast aee Seee seni neem =e eesete . 095 Hero hiiotlinsiidorsalesestsea sence ee cetse cee sae abide ete alone loewic see taerme nt .18 EniveEvia leben weened OFSalS mete men ee leehs Per ame Os cele -haremonie ae sea eee inate . 155 USMC OIE KenL OWOresHNle Soe ee ee eo Seon He ene oroo casas Sees peas olsd=e . 10 Meiohtiorssecondy dorsal sae sae) = saya sateen foe wie ss ao eh ais clcletns See se ae ee sete 51) EIGN Ore CommGleWe ocd Shee Ske Acs Ssbn Used peae edad aaa mes coao Seencceatas Gisace 175 Pencnh of upper POrnomor Cand ales a cae = ee acts sees see eee eae . 455 Distance trom snout to end of base.of pectoral 22.2252 --.-- oo eses ee] = essen .83 enc thiotbase Of wenulalStsjane eee ee aaecciceoeisse = reas eee ere ae . 28 Wit am ore WS MENS EE OA aS on papeeo.sces Shon aeba Goad oobe Sols poesiscas secs ecaas . 20 Length of claspers ---- .-- 20+ .----- 2.2220 22-2 - 2 nets nee coe Hee eee een . 36 The type of this species, an adult male, was taken at Santa Barbara, Cal., February 8, 1880, by A. Larco, an Italian fishermen. It is num- bered ——— in the collection of the United States National Museum. Mr. Lareo states that this species is not uncommon about Santa Barbara in spring and summer. This species is probably related to Platyrhina sinensis, but it has little affinity with Platyrhina exasperata, already described by us, from San Diego. In color, form of tail, and character of the dermal covering it resembles the Rhinobatide, and its afiinities with Syrrhina, of the latter ‘‘ family,” are evident. DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF “ROCK COD” (SEBASTICH- THYS SERRICEPS), FROM THE COAST OF CALIFORNGA. ‘By DAVID S. JORDAN and CHARLES Hl. GILBERT. Body rather robust, heavy forwards, compressed behind, the caudal peduncle short and rather slender. Head large.. Mouth large, rather oblique, the maxillary reaching to opposite the middle of the eye; the premaxillary anteriorly on the level of the orbit; jaws about equal, in the closed mouth; teeth, as usual, in villiform bands on the jaws, vomer, and palatines. Top of head with the spinous ridges very thick and strong, their tips bluntish, turned upward and outward; the spines on each side placed nearly ina right line, so that the edge of the crown seems somewhat regularly serrated. The following pairs of spines are present: nasal, preocular, supraoc- ular, tympanic, occipital, and nuchal. The coronal spines (found in S. auriculatus and S. ruber) are wanting in this species, as are the post- ocular spines (usually present in S, pinniger). Interorbital space be- tween the spines narrow, flat, and coarsely sealed (the elevated ridges found in S. nigrocinctus being wanting). The tympanic spines are PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 39 stronger than in related species. The nuchal spines are as usual placed close behind the occipital. Preorbital bone rather broad, with a single obsolete spine directed downward. Preopercle with five rather short and bluntish spines, the second the larger, the three lower quite small. Opercle with two blunt- ish, diverging spines. A blunt spine on the shoulder girdle above the pectorals; two sharp suprascapular spines. Subopercle and lower edge of opercle each with a blunt point. Preorbital scaly below. Maxillary naked. Eye rather large, its diameter about one-quarter the length of the head. Gill-rakers clavate, short, stiff, compressed, armed with bristly teeth above and within. There are about thirty of them in all, those nearest the middle of the arch longest and most perfect, the others gradually grewing smaller and incomplete. About half of them have the poste- rior edge free. The longest is about one-third the length of the eye (4 in S. melanops ; 2 in S. pinniger). In form they are midway between the tubercle-like gill-rakers of “ Sebastosomus” (S. melanops) and the long and slender gill-rakers in “* Sebastomus” (S. pinniger, flavidus, auricu- latus, ete.). Branchiostegals 7, the gill membranes, as in other species, little united, without isthmus. Scales moderate, essentially as in S. fasciatus and related species. Lateral line with 55 scales. Dorsal fin with strong spines, the fourth to seventh highest and sub- equal, the lowest more than half the height of the highest. Soft dorsal rather higher than any of the spines. Caudal fin broad, rounded. Anal fin with the second spine robust, about as long as the third and much stronger, the soft rays high. Pectoral broad and rounded, its base deep, nearly one-third the length of the head, its lower rays thickened as in S. melanops, its tips reaching just past the vent. Ventrals falling just short of the front of anal. Fin rays: D. XII, 1,13; A. III, 5. General color dark olive, blackish on the head and back, the sides somewhat yellowish; sides of body with black cross-bands which are somewhat oblique; these bands are usually distinet, but are sometimes nearly obsolete in dark-colored examples. The first band runs down- ward from front of dorsal across base of pectoral; the second from near the middle of spinous dorsal to behind the ventrals; the third from the posterior part of the dorsal to the vent; the fourth and fifth above the anal, and the sixth at base of caudal. Another black bar extends across the scapular region and the opercular spines, and two bands radi- ate from the eye, obliquely downward and backward. Belly dusky greenish; fins blackish, with a strong olive tinge. _ Lips, mouth, front and lower part of the head, with a strong wash of , 40 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. coppery red, this color fading out on the thoracic region. Base of fins and different parts of the body sometimes with obscure small whitish spots. Measurements. (No. , United States National Museum, from Santa Darbara.) ISpA Re M ever Ny BOE oP aroos bse o crcC CO CBOE EOeE cpeeonas Heecbe 10. 40 inches.. eneth to basevof candale cee tee aise incest Sem nie ween caste . 10 Mjidph ovsnterorbital aren). x. neji a-tiqocese dashes Soelytae Se eens eee . 055 When shh ot SUpraccular WIGS <6) o 5). wo selec cam ahh pee ere 05 Hens Momoccipitalmaoe tra. cocsse ane ssh sce ce chs emcee en ee omen cae aaa . 06 Menaul Of MAXMlAry sec. te. ccc cman saeeledce tore sacsew set Sec ek ceca mece eee .18 Distancelfromisnoutito dorsal jos os emesis eee eee see ee = eee eee a eats . 329 engthvotibaseiote dorsal. wts\- chica ects cinec aw see sae nee ee woes Ske SoA eee «57 Herhbiok lon @estiSpiner cs jocse sci Somsisige ets om iasasisisee se sale a eeereeseaeenioe 13 LEVON biOt ON CESAR eemis wats of total length. Sides withrings of small dark | oat spots surrounding areas | of lighter color than the general > C. constéllatus. ground; pectorals sharply spot- f Suborbital stay scaly; diam- | ted. eter of orbit about +35 of total{ Sides with irregularly scat- length. tered circular or subcircular +C. guttatus. spots; pectorals nearly plain. Sides with irregularly shaped blotches, disposed i in five or six > C. maculo-seriatus, longitudinal series. C. pictus. This form is more inconstant in the number of its fin-rays and in the coloration than any of the others. Six specimens now before me vary as follows in the rays of the dorsal and anal: No. 1. Locality, San Francisco market........... D. XX, 355 A. 21 No. 2. Locality, San Francisco market........... D; XXI,<4;; A. 22 No. 3. Locality, San Francisco market. ..-.-.-. eo5 DD XX we No. 4. Locality, Kadiak Island, Alaska.......... Dy eee No. 5. Locality, San Francisco market. .......--. D. = SXUXe 2a Ag ail No. 6. Locality, Kadiak Island, Alaska........-.. D. XVIII, 3,; A. 24 The color of all the species changes rapidly on exposure to air or im- mersion in alcohol. No. 2, when fresh, was of a brilliant green upon the belly and lower part of the flanks, deepening into brown above, and blotched with bright purple. After exposure, the ground tint becomes first reddish, and finally dull purplish brown, while the SDS blotches gradually fade into dirty white. The dorsal and anal are blotched like the body, and the pectorals barred with the same tints. In all the examples examined, the ventrals are shorter than the pec- torals, and fall considerably short of the vent; and the lowest pair of lateral lines unite much nearer to the ventrals than to the vent. I can perceive no constant difference between specimens from Alaska and those found in our market. The most ordinary number of rays in the first dorsal appears to be nineteen. No. 1 differs from all the others in the total absence of brighter blotches upon the sides, but the pectorals are barred, and all other characters coincide. Chirus constellatus. First dorsal, in all the individuals examined, with twenty-one rays, PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 55 and ventrals overpassing pectorals and reaching nearly or quite to the vent. Lowest lateral line usually forking about midway between ventrals and vent. Pectoral spotted all over with light and dark spots. Common in the bay of San Francisco. Chirus guttatus. First dorsal with twenty or twenty-one rays, ventrals and pectorals usually about even posteriorly and scarcely reaching to the vent; posi- tion of the fork of the lowest lateral line somewhat variable. Spots on sides bright orange when fresh, but becoming dark on ex- posure to air or alcohol. Chirus maculo-seriatus nov. sp. D. XXI, 3;; A. 22-23; P.19; V.4; C. (principal rays) 15; L. lat. 110. Body elongate, compressed, the greatest height about one-fifth of the length (caudal included); greatest thickness, at opercles, about three- fourths of the greatest height; depth of caudal peduncle about 5° of the greatest depth; head about one-fourth of total length. Dorsal outline rising at an angle of about 20°, with a slight curve to the origin of the dorsal, or to about its fifth ray, whence it descends eradually in a straight line to the caudal peduncle, which is wedge- shaped, increasing in width towards base of tail. Abdominal outline descending slowly to the scapular girdle, thence nearly level to anal; anal base sloping upwards with a slight curve. Snout longer than orbit; interocular width slightly less than length of orbit; forehead slightly curved transversely, summit of ascending premaxillary processes rising slightly above the profile of the snout. Anterior nostril with the edges raised into a short tube. Eyes lateral, elliptical; a fimbriated flap over the orbit. Jaws subequal, the upper slightly projecting; posterior extremity of maxillary reaching slightly beyond anterior margin of orbit, that of mandible below the center of the pupil. Cardiform teeth in both jaws, in several rows in front, diminishing to a single series at the sides, the outer row larger than the others; a patch of similar teeth upon the vomer, and occasionally a few on the anterior part of the palatines, a character which certainly cannot be of generic value in this group. Branchiostegals six; gill-openings continuous be- low, no isthmus; gill-rakers obsolescent, transverse. Dorsal arising above the flap of the opercle, slightly in front of the pectoral base, deeply notched; the first dorsal strongly arched on its upper margin; the first ray much shorter than the second ; the other rays increasing in height to about the fourth, thence diminishing to the twentieth, which is considerably shorter than the unarticulated ray at the commencement of the second portion of the dorsal. Second dorsal lower than the first, the rays increasing to about the ’ 56 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. fourth; upper margin straight, slightly diminishing in height to the nineteenth ray, four last rays diminishing rapidly. Anal commencing even with the second dorsal, and coterminous and similar to it; rays increasing to the third; last ray short. Caudal slightly emarginate on posterior margin, with numerous acces- sory rays running some distance up the profile of the caudal peduncle; principal rays twice bifurcate. Vent somewhat in advance of the anal. Pectorals rounded, central rays longest, their tips about even with the nineteenth dorsal spine; rays simple; base vertical. Ventrals inserted well behind the pectorals, beneath the sixth dorsal spine; second ray longest, its tip slightly overpassing the vent; three longest rays overpassing the pectoral. Lateral lines five on each side, two above and two below the principal line. The uppermost on each side commence close together on the occiput, run along the dorsal base outside the first row of scales, and end at the fourteenth ray of the soft dorsal. The second commences on the occiput, and is continued to the base ot the uppermost principal caudal ray. The third commences on the scapular region, runs parallel with the dorsal outline till it becomes median upon the caudal peduncle, and is con- tinued some distance upon the caudal. The fourth commences slightly in front of the pectoral base, and con- tinues parallel to the abdominal outline to opposite the seventeenth anal ray. The fifth pair are united into a median abdominal line at a point about half way between the vent and the axil of the ventrals; anterior to this point the single line runs forward to the pectoral girdle; posterior to it each division runs parallel with the anal base, and ends at the base of the lowest principal caudal ray. Seales ctenoid, rather larger on the anterior portion of the body than on the posterior; the ciliation obsolete on the scales of the side of the head. Suborbital stay squamose. Snout, preorbital, and interoperculum scaleless. Membrane between caudal rays scaly. Pectoral base scaly; some small scales at base of rays of first dorsal ; second dorsal with small scales between the rays for about half its height. Anal sealeless. Color, in alcohol, brown, blotched with yellowish blotches in longi- tudinal series. This hitherto undescribed species is tolerably common in the markets of San Francisco at some seasons of the year. When fresh, the series of blotches along the sides are bright orange and bright maroon. A type specimen is in the National Museum. PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. a f Table of measurements. | Current number of specimen.-- -. 2222. -.-4-s-sc-s-2s------=-- No. 1. | No. 2. JOGOS nee an dd Garon tne Secor eae ae peeorsc sede Sasser | San Francisco. | San Francisco. | | | 100ths | Inches | 100ths | Inches | of | and | of |) and length, | 100ths. , length. | 100ths. | including | | caudal. | | | JOP gnR eG) eyo RASS E Se e ase er RES Se eee ncn 1Gy SH) \esecesoecc 10 GU Beeeeeesoe Body: GrentestWele bore sseser oe fceare shat ates cc .aiccc ce asaaace 2.73 | . 208 | 2.90 | . 248 (GRO RESTA WAU Soop aooceasosgemecoeccc aeaecosdes Sh bee 1. 99 -15 | 1.70 . 144 LEVIN On QUE EN Sees See cones see eips pec sHepeaecessa- 2. 62 | - 197 2. 90 | . 248 Least height of caudal peduncle ......-.........--...---- 1. 03 | - 078 | 1. 03 | BOg Head : | Gireutesnil One themes =< ese s coce aaa esc oem eat has ae etoane a 3. 28 | 245 | 2. 96 . 26 Distance from snout to nape ........--.-..--.------------ 2.2 - 165 | 1. 93 - 165 Wadthrof inserorbital’anea <<: =< 22 --oe.ec eee eeseew eases - 62 | - 045 . 66 - 056 IL GEHL Saw | SRS eecbbee eccacosonaeseosreocose | . 95 | 07 1.00 | . 86 Ib@e AD Gibb hel Prey Ae 585 sos § seo ones seen Soonseaec Ses 1. 20 SU9Re! 1.14 | 100 Ipsnrajtel Gesell. Sse eeepoe Cobo SoSsquEcoooc sasetee 1. 53 | - 115 1. 36 | 085 Dismeer OmOrbisies aioe ae eaten sees oc a2 5-8 5-sqatotesas: . 68 | S0D Ia Eee ess leScioe sane Dorsal (spinous) : | stan CORO MUSNON Ole sans oe. ode same eee aens aes —minca=n9 = 3. 20 | 24 3. 06 262 enon Gis DAS Omron saat =e tes ie clele sas siomin calla 3. 32 | 25 3. 30 | 285 Cynehingyh Weel nie Aes Se OE one coe enaeaoeencne 1. 64 | APB Sse aqcisac leec iegsnee GIO Mo tA GAPING eee em ae = ojercloacccis siawaaiasis aici o's'7 | 1.00 | JOM esos St aici Dorsal (soft) : : : MEN ENOL DANO hse re scene os as on 52 was = Sislewiem etbiats ciniaiele nae 3. 80 - 285 | 3. 50 30 PieiehtHiAOnPOS DEA) os0= 5 se oan soe ek som aw bo omer 1.32 RL OUe | ares suialemes seat Anal: Distance from tip of lower jaw .----..-..--.---...-- eal 6.48 - 485 | 55 | -48 LOSE GTE EROS eee Se SSA SN ee Sea eee ee 3. 67 | eon: | 3 | . 296 Heo teo ONES UA: see awe oleae = sehen ce ae oe al <1 1. 22 USSU epic teeter J, Seesosece Caudal: | ben ou O hMid dLowaV Se ao. . = soe sae as coos es cj-=-er oceom acc 1.78 | - 135 1. 60 . 138 encionextemallransen.snee == sercas- op eect a eicw teres 1. 84 .14 1. 80 - 152 Pectoral : Sue CevnCOMESNOUD eeaae)ss-sinale nc qa eee s eee eio= aime 3. 43, «257 2. 85 . 245 [L@MIS it 6 5-3 R2oS sco ceS Son CE eno Sse snc COM ear en oEaseaeeee 2. 85 215 2. 36 . 202 Ventral : Distance from tip of lower jaw.-------=-----------se.+s-- 4.16 314 3. 25 . 28 TEIN GAN 20 EB SURe noe be 5 yee Ree eee RE MES Bad Tee eae 2.15 162 2.16 185 ett MON DOO AN | Ga) se vem civ tine ami cne no um Sh cininss sian uicioe aaciasais (Ril saseee 3a eae ees Te Se a Ee Ce ene eee eh wase voces | eNoRG Was |eeerass foe REX i Peceiesw see AMITW JS. -os Gace ee eee ee ee | 031 Banope Boer PRA Sapa ecooe Siridalparincipmarnvap epcrse ke ack tosis ce cheeeesteccde 4 aE) | eae ee 15ule cs seaeces THAR, Se Sse GBs BRAGS IBGE SeenON GEES eS eee eee NOR ene soe cc TQ) Sa. Sets Se “Toil. igs ce, RSS oes Eee oe eee at eestceee Ip eee Rs Number of scales in lateral line to base of caudal ...-..-..--- 2D) (Ree TAU ES seer ner Number of transverse rows above latera! line.-...........--- AG eeu sé ec 15 |.--------- _ The proportions of the two specimens measured differ considerably, No. 2 being much deeper in proportion to its length than No. 1, and having its greatest depth immediately over the ventrals, instead of at the origin of the dorsal. In consequence of the more elongate form, the insertions of the ventrals and of the pectorals are relatively farther back.in No. 1 than in No. 2. Similar differences of proportion exist in C. constellatus, and it is evi- dent that no weight can be attached to proportion in distinguishing these species. Neither is.it advisable, in view of individual differences observed, to attach much significance to the length of the ventrals, or to the position of the fork of the lowest lateral line. C. maculo-seriatus is by no means scarce in our markets, but is less . abundant than guttatus and constellatus. An example of this form is in the National Museum at Washington, numbered - 6 & 58 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. DESCRIPTION OF ANEW FISH FROM ALASKA (URANIDEA MICROS- TOWA). By W. N. LOCKINGTON. Uranidea microstoma. Body long and low, little compressed. Head depressed, rather small, wider than deep; anterior portion of body about equal in width and depth, somewhat flattened on back near head, and gradually becoming more and more compressed posteriorly. Dorsal outline regularly arched, its highest point at origin of first dorsal; abdominal outline nearly straight in some examples. Head about 42 to 44; breadth of same 54 to 44 times in the total length; orbit about 5, snout 4 to 34 times in the length of the head. Hyes directed upwards, elliptical, the orbits not elevated above the general surface; interorbital width nearly equal to the transverse diam- eter of the orbit. Mouth short, small compared with others of the genus; posterior extremity of maxillary a little beyond the front margin of the orbit; upper margin of maxiJlary hidden behind the preorbital in the closed mouth, except the short, broad, posterior extremity, which is free. Lower jaw shorter than the upper, and closing within it. A broad band of villiform teeth in front of both jaws. Teeth on vomer, none on palatines. Subopercular spine much developed, directed forwards; preoper- culum ending in a single sharp, straight spine; branchiostegals 5. First dorsal commencing a little behind the pectoral base, low, the upper margin nearly straight; height less than that of second dorsal, the rays nearly equal in length. Second dorsal commencing above the vent, first ray shorter than the second; upper margin a straight line, the heehee of the fin diminishing regularly but slowly posteriorly. Anal shorter than second dorsal, commencing opposite the third and ending opposite the seventeenth ray of that fin; anteriorly rounded, the rays increasing to the fourth, thence somewhat diminishing poste- riorly ; depth greater than the height of the second dorsal. Pectoral wedge-shaped, seventh ray longest; rays fleshy, simple; tip of seventh ray reaching about to the vent. Ventrals inserted a little behind insertion of pectorals, the tips not reaching the vent, consisting of one spine and four rays; second, third, and fourth rays longest. Caudal slightly convex on its posterior margin when expanded ; the rays twice bifurcate, first bifurcation at about a third of their length . from the base. Vent not separated from the anal fin by any consider ae space; rays simple. PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 59 Lateral line deflected downwards suddenly at posterior extremity of second dorsal, thence posteriorly along center of caudal peduncle, and anteriorly parallel to dorsal outline; pores simple, 35-37. Body sealeless, entirely smooth. Color olivaceous above, lighter below; upper portion maculated with darker; fins with small dark spots on the membrane; a dark band across caudal. Two specimens (Nos. 1 and 3) from fresh water, near Saint Paul’s, Kodiak, collected by W. J. Fisher. In No. 1 the dorsals are separated by a considerable space; in No. 3 by a smaller space. One of these is in the United States National Museum, numbered —. Numerous specimens from the Aleutian Islands, collected by Captain Greenebaum, present no difference except in the more or less complete union of the dorsals, and their smaller size. The latter are probably half grown. As the fin-rays and other characters agree closely, I am inclined to think the separation of the dorsals either an individual character, or one due to greater age. Mr. Fisher’s examples were obtained in fresh-water lakes formed by the melting snows, and communicating with the ocean only by shallow outlets. This species differs from those of the genus found in the United States by its smaller mouth, lower fins, and the four soft rays in the ventrals. In all these respects it resembles the European Ura- nidea gobio. Dimensions. No. 1. No. 2. No. 3. Pl noel One ner ere one ar aee ning saa caeieonisins Scio m =n ete Aciacnicccelawtossee 4. 87 3. 38 4.30 Greatest ‘depth eee taeie iene tee eeeciccen caters cae ccae saeceee AEE oes eee 3 1 Depth of caudal Bedunclo stn Sons coo Oanc eS EAE EreSrPoSceoEEaMadbe costes 5 BE .18 -27 ROTO h Mead oss. ae cence cmcers ae dace ne asiosaceesonceseu meee ceciceesh en 1. 06 - 80 1. 03 AGT TT, GaP TRGEPILGER BE aE Ie ee Oe Core Sete Bee Lg - 94 «15 .81 Moneninicinalidiam eter GhOLDIG > ssese s+ -sesic oes oe eae nsenseee ees emee co. aa ~15 22 Length AyEASNOU tae Meme ete ay oe meee mitt ck wie fans Marcin Sere site mintcicifa cians le aeleers - 30 21 31 Tip of snout, along top of head, to origin of first HSE soa pocosaONcINoSS Use lhecepecce 1.25 Length of UDVESiE Tver TS FRU CETEE Te So ae Pe ECE 75 54 73 Leneth Glbasewomsecona dorsal’ ses c aoe en eacince eeae nese on oo eu oae 1. 62 6a) 1. 37 Tip ‘of snout to insertion of ventrals........------.---ssessseseeeseeeeee Tha) eee dosader - 94 EH UM OMVEN UALS eae emer ate o mtone occ ame ee soe oaa see enciesee seaae cus 73 . 55 -70 Length G8 DSO ROUS <3.55 sooo 555 Soon sag se nos ames gee sSeant ene oHeE aSoeEee 1.00 - 62 - 94 Tip ‘of lower j jaw, along abdomen, to origin of anal.--...............---- Pye besceescee 2.10 PETE Ol AN AMD ARO eee ae tno ie cats ot =a csoue meee ee ac neee nee sees 1. 28 - 95 ©1225 Number of dorsal TARE otoet fae aie e oper aiais' ain iniv co Ass hee ea sak oe cies 8-19 9-19 8-19 MEM DeMOManAlTAVG ere sateen cseaeetee tel ce cemene re sesaccet aoe ceee 14 14 12 MpaneroL pectoral PAYS. 2s cesia