P R O G N E H E S P E R I A , Bmoner.
WESTERN PURPLE MARTIN.
Progne fuipurea et Progne subis, auct. ex Califomift.
Pi'ogne subis {nec L.), Belding, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. i. pp. 391, 391 (1878); id.
op. cit. V. p. 54i7 (1882).
Progne sribis hesperia, BreAvster, Auk, vi. pp. 92, 93 (1889); A. O. U. Clieck-1.
2nd Suppl. Auk, vii. p. 63 (1890); Belding, Occ. Papers Calif. Acad. Sci. ii.
p. 183 (1890); Pisher, N. Amer. Fauna, no. 7, pt. 2, p. 100 (1893).
Mas similis m a ri P . p u rp u r ea . Pcem. tam en a fccmina P . p u rp u r ea , fro u te e t collo postico c ane sc eutibus
d is tia g u e u d a .
Hab. iu AmericA, b orc a li occidentali.
A d id t male. N o t to b e d istin g u ish ed from th e male o f P .p u r p u r ea . T o ta l le u g th 7 inche s, culmen 0 '5 ,
wing 6-65, ta il 2-9, ta rsu s 0 55. (M u s. ¡F. B rew ste r.)
A d u lt fem a le . Sim ila r to th e fem a le o f P . purpurea, h u t diffe ring in th e ho a ry w h ite sharle on th e forehe
ad a n d h in d n e c k ; th e sides o f th e n e ck silvery white lik e th e t h r o a t ; e n tir e u n d e rp a rts
h o a ry white, fa in tly m o ttled w ith b rowu bases to th e fe a th e rs o f th e th ro a t a n d c h e s t ; un d e r
tail-coverts p u re w hite lik e th e abdomen. To ta l len g th 7 inche s, cu lm en 0*5, wing 5 ’4 , ta il 2'7o,
ta rsu s 0 '6 . (M u s . IF. Brewste r.)
Hab. California, aud p robably th e whole Pacific co a st of th e U n ite d S ta te s and B ritish Columbia.
Tins Avcstern race of P. purpurea Avas described in 1889 by Mr. William BrcAvstcr, from
specimens procured by Mr. M. Abbott Frazar in tbe Sierra de la Laguna in Lower
California. Tlie males arc not to be told apart from those of Progne purptirea, and the
distinctness of the race depends upon the characters of tho female bird. iir . Brewster
thus summarizes the differences :—“ Described in general terms, tlie female of P. hesperia
may be said to have the forehead, fore part of crown, nuchal collar, and entire underparts
ashy Avhite, the darker markings and shades heing only apparent on a crlticiil
examination.’’
He has very kindly lent us a pair of this new race for purposes of examiuation, aud
Ave find that they bear out the title to sepai’ation Avhich he claims for the Iffirple
Martin of Lower California; at the same time it should he noted that in certain stages of
plumage tho true P. purpurea approaches very closely to the female of P. hesperia, and
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