BY HARRY C. OBERHOLSER.
This is the Fourth Annual List of proposed A. O. U. Check-List additions and changes in the names of North American birds. Like the First, Second, and Third,[26] the present list comprises only ornithological cases—i. e., such as require specimens or the identification of descriptions for their determination—and consists of additions, eliminations, rejections, and changes of names due to various causes. However, only changes known to be the result of revisionary work are included; therefore no mention is here made of changes involved in names in local lists or elsewhere, used without sufficient explanation or not known to be based on original research, of changes or additions queried or but tentatively made, or of the elimination of subspecies by authors who, on general principles, recognize no subspecies.
This list is intended to include everything pertinent up to December 31, 1918, and nothing after that date has been taken. In view of the volume and widely scattered character of current ornithological literature, it is not at all unlikely that some names or changes have been overlooked, and the writer would be very thankful for reference to any omissions, in order that such may be duly given a place in next year’s list.
Gavia arctica (Linnæus) becomes, so far as North American specimens are concerned, Gavia viridigularis Dwight, ‘The Auk,’ XXXV, No. 2, April, 1918, p. 198 (Gichega, northeastern Siberia). (Cf. Dwight, ‘The Auk,’ XXXV, No. 2, April, 1918, pp. 196-199.)
Gavia pacifica (Lawrence) becomes Gavia arctica pacifica (Lawrence). (Cf. Dwight, ‘The Auk.’ XXXV, No. 2, April, 1918, pp. 198-199.)
†Larus hyperboreus barrovianus Ridgway. Larus barrovianus Ridgway, ‘The Auk,’ III, No. 3, July, 1886, p. 330 (Point Barrow, Alaska). Reinstated as a subspecies. (Cf. Oberholser, ‘The Auk,’ XXXV, No. 4, Oct., 1918, p. 472.) Range: northwestern North America, south in winter to California.
Thalassogeron Ridgway becomes Thalassarche Reichenbach (Natürl. Syst. Vögel, 1852, p. V), because not considered generically separable. (Cf. Loomis, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., ser. 4, II, pt. II, No. 12, April 22, 1918, p. 44.)
Thalassogeron chrysostomus culminatus (Gould) becomes Thalassarche culminata culminata (Gould), because Diomedea chrysostoma Forster is considered not with certainty identifiable. (Cf. Loomis, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., ser. 4, II, pt. II, No. 12, April 22, 1918, p. 85.)
Fulmarus rodgersi Cassin becomes Fulmarus glacialis rodgersii Cassin, because not specifically distinct from Fulmarus glacialis. (Cf. Loomis, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., ser. 4, II, pt. II, No. 12, April 22, 1918, pp. 88-90.)
Thyellodroma cuneata (Salvin) becomes Thyellodroma chlororhyncha (Lesson) (Puffinus chlororhynchus Lesson, Traité d’Ornith., 1831, p. 613, no locality), because it is only a light color phase of the latter. (Cf. Loomis, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., ser. 4, II, pt. II, No. 12, April 22, 1918, pp. 141-145.)
†Priofinus Hombron and Jacquinot. Recognized as a genus. (Cf. Loomis, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., ser. 4, II, pt. II, No. 12, April 22, 1918, pp. 59, 108.) The only species therefore should be called Priofinus cinereus (Gmelin).
†Pterodroma gularis (Peale). Procellaria gularis Peale, U. S. Explor. Exped., VIII, 1848, p. 299 (Atlantic Ocean, lat. 68° S., long. 95° W.). Recorded from Alaska. (Cf. Bent, ‘The Auk,’ XXXV, No. 2, April, 1918, p. 221.)
Æstrelata gularis Peale becomes Pterodroma inexpectata (Forster) (Procellaria inexpectata Forster, Descript. Anim., 1844, p. 204, Antarctic Ocean), because the latter is identical and of earlier date. (Cf. Loomis, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., ser. 4, II, pt. II, No. 12, April 22, 1918, pp. 104-105.)
Pelecanus californicus Ridgway becomes Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Ridgway. (Cf. Oberholser, ‘The Auk,’ XXXV, No. 1, Jan., 1918, p. 62.)
Aristonetta Baird, Rep. Expl. & Surv. R. R. Pac., IX, 1858, p. 793 (type, Anas valisineria Wilson). Raised to generic rank. (Cf. Oberholser, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XXXI, June 29, 1918, p. 98.) The only species therefore becomes Aristonetta valisineria (Wilson).
Creciscus coturniculus (Ridgway) becomes Creciscus jamaicensis coturniculus (Ridgway). (Cf. Oberholser, ‘The Auk,’ XXXV, No. 1, Jan., 1918, p. 63.)
†Numenius americanus occidentalis Woodhouse. Numenius occidentalis Woodhouse, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1852, p. 194 (near Albuquerque, New Mexico). Revived as a subspecies. (Cf. Oberholser, ‘The Auk,’ XXXV, No. 2, April, 1918, p. 191.) Range: southwestern Canada and the northwestern United States, south in winter to Mexico and Jamaica.
Ectopistes migratorius (Linnæus) becomes Ectopistes canadensis (Linnæus) (Columba canadensis Linnæus, Syst. Nat., ed. 12, I, 1766, p. 284, Canada), because the latter has been identified as the same species, and has anteriority. (Cf. Oberholser, Science, N. S., XLVIII, No. 1244, Nov. 1, 1918, p. 445.)
Polyborus cheriway (Jacquin) becomes Polyborus cheriway auduboni Cassin (Polyborus auduboni Cassin, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1865, p. 2; Florida), because the North American bird is subspecifically distinct. (Cf. Bangs and Noble, ‘The Auk,’ XXXV, No.4, Oct., 1918, p. 443.)
Streptoceryle Bonaparte becomes Megaceryle Kaup, because not regarded as generically distinct. (Megaceryle Kaup, Verh. Naturhist. Vereins Hessen, II, 1848, p. 68; type, Alcedo guttatus Vigors = Alcedo lugubris Temminck). (Cf. Miller, ‘The Auk,’ XXXV, No. 3, July, 1918, p. 352.)
†Cyanolæmus clemenciæ bessophilus Oberholser. New subspecies. Oberholser, Condor, XX, No. 5, Sept. 27, 1918, p. 181 (Fly Park, Chiricahua Mts., Arizona). Range: southwestern border of United States to northern Mexico; in winter to southeastern Mexico.
Empidonax traillii traillii (Audubon) becomes Empidonax traillii brewsteri Oberholser, Ohio Journ. Sci., XVIII, No. 3, January, 1918, (published, Feb. 8, 1918), p. 93 (Cloverdale, Nye Co., Nevada). (Cf. Oberholser, Ohio Journ. Sci., XVIII, No. 3, Jan., 1918, pp. 93-98.)
Empidonax traillii alnorum Brewster becomes Empidonax traillii traillii (Audubon). (Cf. Oberholser, Ohio Journ. Sci., XVIII, No. 3, January, 1918 [published, Feb. 8, 1918], pp. 85-92.)
†Otocoris alpestris enertera Oberholser, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XX, March 27, 1907, p. 41 (Llano de Yrais, Lower California, Mexico). Revived as a subspecies. (Cf. Oberholser, Bird-Lore, XX, No. 5, pp. 346-347.) Range: central and southern Lower California.
†Otocoris alpestris ammophila Oberholser, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., XXIV, June 9, 1902, pp. 806, 849 (Coso Valley, southeastern California). Revived as a subspecies. (Cf. Oberholser, Bird-Lore, XX, No. 5, Oct. 1, 1918, pp. 346-347.) Range: Mojave Desert to Owens Valley, southern California.
†Otocoris alpestris leucansiptila Oberholser, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., XXIV, June 9, 1902, pp. 806, 864 (Yuma, Arizona). Revived as a subspecies. (Cf. Oberholser, Bird-Lore, XX, No. 5, Oct. 1, 1918, pp. 346-347.) Range: western edge of Arizona, southeastern border of California, southern Nevada, and northeastern Lower California.
†Otocoris alpestris aphrasta Oberholser, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., XXIV, June 9, 1902, pp. 806, 860 (Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico). Revived as a subspecies. (Cf. Oberholser, Bird-Lore, XX, No. 5, Oct. 1, 1918, pp. 346-347.) Range: central northern Mexico, north to southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico.
†Otocoris alpestris enthymia Oberholser, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., XXIV, June 9, 1902, pp. 807, 817 (St. Louis, Saskatchewan, Canada). Revived as a subspecies. (Cf. Oberholser, Bird-Lore, XX, No. 5, Oct. 1, 1918, pp. 345-346.) Range: Great Plains region from northwestern Texas to Saskatchewan.
†Aphelocoma californica oöcleptica Swarth. New subspecies. Swarth, Univ. Calif. Publ. Zool., XVII, No. 13, Feb. 23, 1918, p. 413 (Nicasio, Calif.). Range: coast region of northern California.
†Sieberocitta Coues, Key to North Amer. Birds, 5th ed., I, 1903, pp. 497, 499 (type, Cyanocitta ultramarina var. arizonæ Ridgway). Recognized as a subgenus. (Cf. Swarth, Univ. Calif. Pub. Zool., XVII, No. 13, Feb. 23, 1918, pp. 406-407.) Includes the following North American forms:
†Corvus corax europhilus Oberholser. New subspecies. Oberholser, Ohio Journ. Sci., XVIII, No. 6, April, 1918 (published, May 6, 1918), p. 215 (Ardell, Alabama). Range: eastern United States and southeastern Canada.
†Agelaius phœniceus arctolegus Oberholser, ‘The Auk,’ XXIV, No. 3, July, 1907, p. 332 (Fort Simpson, Mackenzie, Canada). Reinstated as a subspecies. (Cf. Oberholser, ‘The Auk,’ XXXV, No. 1, Jan., 1918, p. 64.) Range: middle Canada and central northern United States, wintering in the southeastern United States.
†Icterus icterus (Linnæus). Oriolus icterus Linnæus, Syst. Nat., ed. 12, I, 1766, p. 161 (warmer parts of America). Recorded from a specimen taken at Santa Barbara, Calif. (Cf. Bowles, ‘The Auk,’ XXVIII, No. 3, July, 1911, pp. 368-369.)
Quiscalus quiscula quiscula (Linnæus) becomes Quiscalus quiscula versicolor Vieillot (Quiscalus versicolor Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., XXVIII, 1819, p. 488, North America), because Quiscalus quiscula quiscula is applicable only to Quiscalus quiscula aglæus Baird. (Cf. Wayne, ‘The Auk,’ XXXV, No. 4, Oct., 1918, p. 440.)
Quiscalus quiscula aglæus Baird becomes Quiscalus quiscula quiscula (Linnæus) because the latter is based on the same bird. (Cf. Wayne, ‘The Auk,’ XXXV, No. 4, Oct., 1918, p. 440.)
†Passerculus sandwichensis bradburyi Figgins. New subspecies. Figgins, Proc. Colorado Mus. Nat. Hist., April, 1918, p. 2 (James Island, South Carolina).
†Nemospiza henslowii susurrans (Brewster). New subspecies. Passerherbulus henslowi susurrans Brewster, Proc. New Engl. Zoöl. Club, VI, Feb. 6, 1918, p. 78 (Falls Church, Va,). Range: United States east of the Allegheny Mountains.
Junco oreganus shufeldti Coale becomes Junco oreganus couesi Dwight (Junco oreganus couesi Dwight, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., XXXVIII, June 1, 1918, p. 291; Okanagan, British Columbia), because Junco oreganus shufeldti Coale is regarded as a synonym of Junco oreganus oreganus (Townsend). (Cf. Dwight, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., XXXVIII, June 1, 1918, pp. 289-295.)
Junco oreganus mearnsi Ridgway becomes Junco mearnsi mearnsi Ridgway, because a distinct species. (Cf. Dwight, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat, Hist., XXXVIII, June 1, 1918, pp. 296-298.)
Junco oreganus townsendi Anthony becomes Junco mearnsi townsendi Anthony, because regarded a subspecies of Junco mearnsi instead of Junco oreganus. (Cf. Dwight, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat, Hist., XXXVIII, June 1, 1918, pp. 296-297.)
Junco insularis Ridgway becomes Junco mearnsi insularis Ridgway, because regarded as a subspecies. (Cf. Dwight, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., XXXVIII, June 1, 1918, pp. 296-297.)
†Passerella iliaca canescens Swarth. New subspecies. Swarth, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XXXI, Dec. 30, 1918, p. 163 (Wyman Creek, White Mts., Inyo Co., Calif.). Range: White Mountains, California, south in winter to southern California.
†Passerella iliaca fulva Swarth. New subspecies. Swarth, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XXXI, Dec. 30, 1918, p. 162 (Warner Mts., Calif.). Range: Warner Mountains, California.
†Passerella iliaca mariposæ Swarth. New subspecies. Swarth, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XXXI, Dec. 30, 1918, p. 161 (near Chinquapin, Yosemite Park, Calif.). Range: central and northern Sierra Nevada, California; south in winter to southwestern California.
†Passerella iliaca brevicauda Mailliard. New subspecies. Mailliard, Condor, XX, No. 4, July 22, 1918, p. 139 (one-half mile south of South Yolla Bolly Mountain, Trinity Co., Calif.). Range: Yolla Bolly Mountains, California; south in winter to southern California.
†Lanius ludovicianus nelsoni Oberholser. New subspecies. Oberholser, Condor, XX, No. 6, December 12, 1918, p. 209 (Todos Santos, Lower Calif., Mexico). Range: southern two-thirds of Lower California, including adjacent islands.
†Dendroica æstiva amnicola Batchelder. New subspecies. Batchelder, Proc. New Engl. Zoöl. Club, VI, Feb. 6, 1918, p. 82 (Curslet, Newfoundland). Range: Newfoundland.
†Dendroica virens waynei Bangs. New subspecies. Bangs, Proc. New Engl. Zoöl. Club, VI, Oct. 31, 1918, p. 94 (near Mount Pleasant, South Carolina). Range: eastern South Carolina.
†Seiurus aurocapillus furvior Batchelder. New subspecies. Batchelder, Proc. New Engl. Zoöl. Club, VI, Feb. 6, 1918, p. 81 (Deer Pond, Newfoundland). Range: Newfoundland.
†Toxostoma redivivum helvum Thayer and Bangs. Toxostoma rediviva helva Thayer and Bangs, Proc. New Engl. Zoöl. Club, IV, April 30, 1907, p. 17 (Rosario, Lower Calif.). Revived as a subspecies. (Cf. Oberholser, ‘The Auk,’ XXXV, No. 1, Jan., 1918, p. 60.) Range: northwestern Lower California.
†Sitta carolinensis tenuissima Grinnell. New subspecies. Grinnell, Condor, XX, No. 2, March 20, 1918, p. 88 (Hanaupah Canyon, Panamint Mts., Inyo Co., Calif.). Range: Panamint Mountains and White Mountains, California.
†Penthestes gambeli abbreviatus Grinnell. New subspecies. Grinnell, Univ. Calif. Publ. Zool., XVII, No. 17, May 4, 1918, p. 510 (Horse Creek, Siskiyou Mts., Calif.). Range: central California to southern Oregon and northwestern Nevada.
†Penthestes gambeli inyoensis Grinnell. New subspecies. Grinnell, Univ. Calif. Publ. Zool, XVII, No. 17, May 4, 1918, p. 509 (three miles east of Jackass Spring, Panamint Mts., Inyo Co., Calif.) Range: mountains of southeastern California, from Mono County to Inyo County.
†Hylocichla guttata polionota Grinnell. New subspecies. Grinnell, Condor, XX, No. 2, March 20, 1918, p. 89 (Wyman Creek, White Mts., Inyo Co., Calif.). Range: White Mountains, California.
Gavia arctica (Linnæus) vs. Gavia arctica suschkini Sarudny (cf. Hersey, ‘The Auk,’ XXXIV, No. 3, July, 1917, pp. 289-290). Change of name rejected. (Cf. Dwight, ‘The Auk,’ XXXV, No. 2, April, 1918, pp. 196-199.)
★Fulmarus glacialis glupischa Stejneger = Fulmarus glacialis rodgersii Cassin, because the latter is merely a color phase of the species. (Cf. Loomis, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., ser. 4, II, pt. II, No. 12, April 22, 1918, pp. 87-90.)
★Æstrelata scalaris Brewster = Pterodroma inexpectata (Forster). (Cf. Loomis, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., ser. 4, II, pt. II, No. 12, April 22, 1918, p. 106.)
★Æstrelata fisheri Ridgway = Pterodroma inexpectata (Forster). (Cf. Loomis, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., ser. 4, II, pt. II, No. 12, April 22, 1918, p. 106.)
★Buteo platypterus iowensis Bailey = Buteo platypterus platypterus (Vieillot). (Cf. Oberholser, ‘The Auk,’ XXXV, No. 4, Oct., 1918, p. 478.)
Thrasaetos harpyia (Linnæus). The recent Colorado record (cf. Lowe, ‘The Auk,’ XXXIV, No. 4, Oct., 1917, p. 454) proves to be a misidentification of Haliæetus leucocephalus. (Cf. Lincoln, ‘The Auk,’ XXXV, No. 1, Jan., 1918, pp. 78-79.)
Tyto alba pratincola (Bonaparte) vs. Tyto perlata pratincola (Bonaparte). Proposed change (cf. Ridgway, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, pt. VI, 1914, pp. 601, 605) rejected. (Cf. Oberholser, ‘The Auk,’ XXXV, No. 4, Oct., 1918, p. 464.)
Streptoceryle alcyon caurina (Grinnell) vs. Streptoceryle alcyon (Linnæus). Proposed elimination (cf. Taverner, Summary Rep. Geol. Surv. Dept. Mines Canada for 1916 (1917), p. 361) rejected. (Cf. Oberholser, ‘The Auk,’ XXXV, No. 4, Oct., 1918, p. 463.)
Aphelocoma californica woodhouseii (Baird) vs. Aphelocoma woodhouseii (Baird). Proposed change to full species (cf. Swarth, Univ. Calif. Pub. Zool., XVII, No. 13, Feb. 23, 1918, pp. 406-408, 416-418) rejected. (Cf. Oberholser, Science, N. S., XLVIII, No. 1233, Aug. 16, 1918, pp. 165-167).
Aphelocoma californica hypoleuca Ridgway vs. Aphelocoma hypoleuca Ridgway (cf. Swarth, Univ. Calif. Publ. Zool., XVII, No. 13, Feb. 23, 1918, pp. 420-421). Change rejected. (Cf. Oberholser, ‘The Auk,’ XXXV, No. 4, Oct., 1918, p. 481.)
Aphelocoma californica obscura Anthony vs. Aphelocoma californica californica (Vigors). (Cf. Swarth, Univ. Calif. Publ. Zool., XVII, No. 13, Feb. 23, 1918, p. 412.) Proposed elimination rejected. (Cf. Oberholser, ‘The Auk,’ XXXV, No. 4, Oct., 1918, p. 481.)
Acanthis hornemanni exilipes (Coues) vs. Acanthis linaria exilipes (Coues). Proposed change (cf. Brooks, ‘The Auk,’ XXXIV, No. 1, Jan., 1917, p. 44) rejected. (Cf. Oberholser, ‘The Auk,’ XXXV, No. 4, Oct., 1918, pp. 466-467.)
Spizella monticola (Gmelin) vs. Spizella canadensis (Boddaert). Proposed change of name (cf. Mathews and Iredale, Austral Avian Record, III, No. 2, Nov. 19, 1915, p. 41) rejected because Spizella canadensis (Boddaert) (Fringilla canadensis Boddaert, Tabl. Planch. Enlum., 783, p. 13) is a synonym of Zonotrichia leucophrys. (Cf. Oberholser, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XXXI, June 29, 1918, p. 98.)
★Junco oreganus montanus Ridgway. Regarded as a hybrid between Junco oreganus and Junco mearnsi. (Cf. Dwight, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., XXXVIII, June 1, 1918, p. 295; 297-298.)
★Junco oreganus annectens Baird. Regarded as a hybrid between Junco mearnsi and Junco caniceps. (Cf. Dwight, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., XXXVIII, June 1, 1918, p. 298.)
★Junco phæonotus dorsalis Henry. Regarded as a hybrid between Junco caniceps and Junco phæonotus. (Cf. Dwight, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., XXXVIII, June 1, 1918, pp. 299-300.)
Dendroica coronata hooveri McGregor vs. Dendroica coronata coronata (Linnæus). Proposed elimination as a subspecies (cf. Riley, Canadian Alpine Journal, Special Number, 1912 [February 17, 1913] pp. 70-71) rejected. (Cf. Oberholser, ‘The Auk,’ XXXV, No. 4, Oct., 1918, pp. 465-466.)
Certhia familiaris americana Bonaparte vs. Certhia brachydactyla americana Bonaparte. Change of status (cf. Hellmayr, Genera Avium, XV, 1911, p. 8) rejected. (Cf. Oberholser, ‘The Auk,’ XXXV, No. 4, Oct., 1918, pp. 464-465.)
Penthestes carolinensis (Audubon) vs. Penthestes atricapillus carolinensis (Audubon). Proposed change (cf. Hellmayr, Genera Avium, XVIII, 1911, p. 34) rejected. (Cf. Oberholser, ‘The Auk,’ XXXV, No. 4, Oct., 1918, p. 465.)