:::r.::::m TWO BIRD-LOVERS IN MEXICO x^:::::::: 



only the handbook and the museum. From the former 

 we learn that it ranges south over the Mexican table- 

 land, but no Yellow-head ajipeared to us during the 

 winter, until one day in March, about six o'clock in the 

 evening, we were taken wholly by surprise by seeing 

 a male in full plumage perched upon the top spray of 

 a mesquite-tree. Soon others joined him, many likewise 

 golden of head and neck, and a few more sombre 

 females. After this day the evening flight became a 

 regular occurrence, flocks of hundreds coming from 

 the open country to percli in the upper branches of the 

 larger trees in phi/M and jjfifio. 



From where we sat in the evening, four or five trees 

 bare of leaves were visible and almost at the same 

 moment, at the close of each day, the birds appeared 

 from somewliere and aliglited on the l)are branches. 

 Never had I seen birds perch so close together as did 

 these Yellow-headed Blackbirds. Tliey formed literally 

 a solid mass. When the birds were friglitened, the 

 several trees gave up a myriad swift forms, which some- 

 times swoo])ed ])ast us with a great roar of wings. 

 Their li(|uid chirps and gurgles were not unmusical, 

 and wlien the last rays of the setting- sun were reflected 

 from five hundred golden breasts, all facing the same 

 way, it was a most res])lendent sight. When all had 

 arrived, as at some i)reconcerted signal, every bird took 

 to wing and the flocks distributed themselves in the 

 neijihbourinof trees for the niaht. As we stood near 

 <4 64 ^ 



