OCR Text |
Show 249 ICTERIDJE.- ORIOLES. 81. Agelcen8 pkeeniceiw, ( Linn.), var. gubernator, ( Wagl.).- Red- shonldered Blackbird. Pgarocolius gubernator, Wagl., Isis, 1832, 281. Agelaiua gubernator, Woodh., Sitgr. Exp., 1853, 89 ( California).- Newb., P. R. R. Hep., vi, 1857, 86 ( California).- Bd., B. N. A., 1858,529.- Coop., B., CoL, i, 1870,863.- Bendire, Proo. BostSoo. Nat Hist., vol. xviii, 1815,158. Agelaim phamiceut var. gubernator, Cones, Key N. A. B., 1872,156.- Bd., B. t & R„ N. A. B., ii, 1874,163. Though in perfectly adult plumage easily distinguishable from phwniceus, this bird is very closely allied to that species, but may perhaps properly be set apart from it as its western varietal form. It occurs thronghont California, being, however, according to Dr. Cooper, chiefly a bird of the warm interior. I saw these birds in but few instances, and had no opportunity to observe their habits, which, however, according to other observers, are quite identical with those of the Eastern Red- wing. So far as I am aware, no specimens of A. phceniceus of unquestioned identity have ever been taken in California, and I am led to believe that this bird does not occur there at all. The immature stages of A. gubernator are so much like the corresponding • conditions of phceniceus that they may readily be mistaken, the one for the other, and in this way A. phanioeus has erroneously been ascribed to California. No. 31 366 Sex. < fad. 9 ad. Locality. Date. Jane 18 Aug. 16 Collector. H. W. Hen& haw. $- 2. Agelaus tricolor, Nutt. Icterui tricolor, Nutt. Man., i, 2d od., 1840,186. Agelmte tricolor, Newb., P. R. R. Rep., vi, 1657,86.- Bd., B. N. A., 1858,530.- Xanttw, Proc. Phila. Aoad. Nat Sci., 1859,192 ( Fort Tejon, Cal.).- Coop., B. Cal., i, 1870, 265.- Bd., B., & R., N. A. B., ii, 1874, 165. AgeUms phceniceus var. tricolor, Cones, Key N. A. B., 1872,156. The isolation of this form from its allies seems to be warrantable in view of the tangible differences that distinguish them in all stages, especially when taken in connection with the different habits and notes which most observers have remarked. The species is quite strictly confined to California, possibly reaching on the north into Southern Oregon. In the southern portion of the State it is resident both on the sea- coast and in the interior. I found the species breeding in but one locality, in Santa Clara Valley, June 21. Noticing large numbers of Blackbirds flying across the road and into an adjoining pasture, I followed their flight till I found myself before a patch of nettles and briers that must have covered three or four acres. The place was not at all swampy, but was a dry pasture, differing in this respect entirely from the breeding-places selected by the Red- wings in the East. I noticed that each bird as it darted down into the clump bore in its bill a large object, which I subsequently found to be grasshoppers. The cause of their jonrneyings was then explained. They had found some spot where these insects were very numerous, and back and forth they poured all day long, bringing in their bills all they could carry for their hungry young. The nettles grew so dense and high, some attaining to 12 feet, that I founait almost impossible to force my way into their midst, nor did I succeed in penetrating beyond a few yards. I speak within bounds when I say that two hundred pairs had here congregated to rear their yonng, and the odor arising from some portions was almost as strong as from the Cormorant rookeries. The nests were there by hundreds, nearly every bush holding several. They were, however, mostly old, showing that the place had served for a breeding- resort for probably many years. A few of the nests were this season's and contained young, none that I saw having eggs, though could I have extended my search some would doubtless have been found. The nests were rather slight, flimsy structures, but in general resembled those made by the Red- wing of the East, and were fastened on the bnsnes in the same way. My presence among them croated a great disturbance, and the trees were soon covered with the parent birds, one and all resenting this intrusion on their old- time possessions in no gentle tones. A few days later I came across an immense flock of yonng birds in the streaked nesting- plumage. Able to take care of themselves, they had gathered thus together, and fairly covered several small trees by the roadside. In all the number there was not a single adult bird. Later still, July 6, a similar flock was fonnd at Santa Barbara, the young having parted from the old birds and made an independent party. Possibly this early separation is due to the fact that the parents, having seen their charges fairly fledged and able to shift for themselves, shook them off and busied themselves with preparations for a second brood. Heermann notes another very similar breeding- ground in the north of California |