In fewer words, the variations, with the region, are about as follows. Starting with North America, north of the United States, we begin with a style absolutely undistinguishable from that of Europe; this, to which the name _cornuta_ belongs, visits the Eastern States only in winter, but breeds over the prairie region of Wisconsin, Illinois, and westward. West of the Rocky Mountains, especially south of about 40°, specimens referrible to this style are most numerous in winter, and in a large series a great percentage of the specimens entirely lack any yellow on the throat, while the pinkish-brown tints are lighter and less reddish; this style represents, in these peculiar features, the “var. _bei_” of Western Asia (Astrachan), and has been distinguished by the name _occidentalis_, McCall, though it is doubtful whether McCall’s description is of a specimen of this style or of one of _chrysolæma_, being taken from a young or immature bird. Breeding south of about 40°, from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific coast, and throughout the table-lands of Mexico,—in winter sometimes resident at the northern limit assigned, and there mixed with northern-bred individuals,—is a kind which is smaller, and, generally, with a larger bill; the throat is deeper yellow than in the northern form, the pinkish tints deepened into cinnamon, and the frontal band narrower, caused by an encroachment of the black, which, in its several areas, is extended more in proportion to the other colors. This is the _E. chrysolæma_ of Wagl., and of which _minor_, Giraud, and _rufa_, Aud., are synonymes, as already stated.
Along the coast of Oregon and Washington Territory is a very peculiar race, represented in the collection by several specimens. These differ essentially in having the dark streaks above very sharply defined, broad and clear blackish-brown,[28] while the lower parts are strongly tinged with yellow, even as deeply so as the throat. Additional specimens from the northwest coast may establish the existence of a race as distinct as any of those named above.
[26] The name in manuscript on the label of a specimen in the Schlüter collection, from Astrachan.
[27] _Otocorys peregrina_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1855, 110, pl. cii. _Eremophila per._ SCL. Cat. Am. Birds, 1862, 127.