abstracts: ornithology 207 



States. It has been found, however, that the birds breeding in Mexico 

 are referable to the CaHfomia race. Since, therefore, the species was 

 described from Mexico, it becomes necessary to unite the Mexican birds 

 with those of Cahfornia under the name Hedymeles nielanocepkalits 

 melanocephalus , of which Hedymeles melanocephalus capitalis Baird 

 becomes, therefore, a synonym. The breeding bird from the Rocky 

 Mountains of the United States and southwestern Saskatchewan, which 

 differs from the typical race in its larger size, particularly of the bill, 

 becomes, therefore, unnamed, and is here christened Hedymeles melano- 

 cephalus papago. H. C. O. 



ORNITHOLOGY. — The status of the subgenus Sieherocitta Coues. 

 Harry C. Obe;rholse;r. Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 32: 135-137. 

 1919. 



The subgeneric group Sieherocitta was originally proposed for Aphelo- 

 coma sieberii and its subspecies. This species proves to be structurally 

 diflferent from its allies in the genus Aphelocoma, but since it is connected 

 by an intermediate, Aphelocoma unicolor, it must be separated as a 

 subgenus instead of a distinct genus, to include Aphelocoma sieberii and 

 Aphelocoma unicolor, together with their subspecies. It is an excellent 

 example of the real difference between a genus and a subgenus, for here 

 two groups which are well characterized by structural differences are 

 connected by a species that is perfectly intermediate. H. C. O. 



ORNITHOLOGY. — Description of a new red-winged blackbird from, 

 Texas. Harry C. Oberholser. Wilson Bull. 31: 20-23. March, 

 1919. 



A previously unrecognized subspecies of Agelaius phoeniceus from 

 northern Texas is here named Agelaius phoeniceus megapotamus. It 

 differs from Agelaius phoeniceus richmondi in its larger size, and, in the 

 female, in more grayish coloration. It ranges from central southern 

 Texas to northeastern Mexico. H. C. O. 



ORNITHOLOGY. — Another purple martin roost in the City of Wash- 

 ington. Harry C. Oberholser. Bird-Lore 21: 96-99. 1919. 

 The behavior of birds at their roosting places is a matter of con- 

 siderable biological interest. The location of the roost of Progne subis 

 was changed in 1918 to the vicinity of the Red Cross Building, where 

 it was under observation from July 19 to August 24, after which date 



