X. lOTEROCEPHALUS, YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD. 189 



I am iiicrmed to agree with Dr. Cabanis aud others, that it is unnecessary to separate 

 this species generally from Agelmis. In form it differs from the latter only very sli<'-htlv 

 and its general economy is the same. * " " ' 



The eastward extension of tbe species is greater tban was not long 

 since supposed. Essentially a prairie bird, it reaches regularly the flat 

 open portions of the States immediately east of the Mississippi, occurring 

 in Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Illinois, if not also more 

 rarely in Michigan and Ohio. Its presence in Greenland is dout^tless 

 casual ; all the above quotations appear to relate to a single instance. 

 Other exceptional records are above quoted for Massachusetts and 

 Pennsylvania. Mr. Allen says a specimen was taken near Watertown, 

 in October, 1869, by Mr. Maynard ; and Mr. Turnbull says "Dr. Jackson 

 mentions that this species is occasionally seen along the Alleghany 

 ^lonntains, where a flock appeared in 1857. Mr. John Krider shot a 

 young male near Philadelphia." Allen states that it is "said to breed 

 in great numbers in the Calumet marshes of Illinois," and also in the 

 Skunk Piver marshes of Iowa. He saw birds in Iowa, in July, about 

 grassy ponds near Boouesboro'. I met with a few on the prairies of 

 Wisconsin, in April, 18G4, and the following month found it abundant 

 in Kansas, and again in Is'ew Mexico, where thousands were breeding 

 in a marshy place near Laguna, just west of the Pio Grande ; they were 

 also seen in Eastern Arizona, but not in such plenty. I do not recollect 

 meeting any in California, but Dr. Cooper stji^es that they are numerous 

 in all the valleys of the State, especially where there are grassy meadows 

 or marshes. " They winter in large luimbers in the middle districts, and 

 some wander at that season to the Colorado Valley and San Diego, 

 though I doubt if any pass the summer so far south." He alludes in 

 this connection to Dr. Newberry's finding them swarming about Klamath 

 Lake, and adds, that he never saw them near the Columbia, though they 

 are abundant east of the Pocky Mountains up to ~)S^. Dr. Heermanii 

 mentions the appearance of immense flocks at Fort Inge, Texas. Dr. 

 Woodhouse speaks of its abundance in Texas and the Indian Territory, 

 and states that it winters about San Francisco, in California. I have 

 not seen it higher on tbe Missouri tban Leavenworth, but Dr. Hayden 

 says it is quite common throughout tbe northwest, in marshy spots on 

 the prairies. Finally, Sir John Picliardson gives it as very numerous 

 in the interior of the fur countries, to about 58^ in summer, leacbing 

 tbe Saskatchewan by the 20th of May. 



Tbe Yellow-headed Blackbird breeds in suitable places throughout 

 the region indicated in tbe above paragraph. However generally dis- 

 tributed over dry places and even deserts it may be at other seasons, in 

 the breeding time it shows its aflinity to tbe true Apclwi by resorting 

 to marshy spots, sometimes by thousands. The nest is i)la<'ed in a tuft 

 of ui)riglit reeds or rank grasses, some of which [tass through its w.dls, 

 fastening it securely, like that of a Marsh Wren, though it luny sway 

 with the motion of the rushes. Probably, to render it light enough to 

 be supported on such weak foundation, no nuul is used in its <-onq>osi- 

 tion ; tlie structure is entirely woven and plaited with bits of dried reeds, 

 and long, coarse, a(juatic grasses, ntt lined with any dilferent material, 

 although the inside stramls are tbe liner. The brim of tbe nest is ele- 

 vated iuul somewhat folded over, making a thick, linn edge; but I am 

 not awai(^ that tbe fabric is ever actually "canopied over like that of 

 the Mea<l<)w-lark," as stated byTownseiid and repeated by Coojx'r. Tbe 

 whole tiling measures live or six inches acioss, and is nearly as deep. 

 The eggs nuiy be from three to six in number; two selected specMmens 

 measured 1.04 by 0.75, and 1.15 by 0.7(i. They are pale grayish-green, 



