NEVADA REDWING 167 



Behavior. — Walter P. Taylor (1912) writes of the behavior of 

 this redwing with relation to other species: 



On more than one occasion was the belligerent disposition of this blackbird in 

 evidence. Flocks of four to eight individuals were frequently seen pursuing some 

 distressed raven; they swooped at the fleeing bird with every appearance of intent 

 to do bodily harm, but I was not able to observe that they did actually strike the 

 fugitive. Individuals do not seem to be particularly timid about attacking a 

 raven, even when no other redwings are about. Magpies come in for a share of 

 abuse. Apparently redwings do not confine their attacks to birds of their own 

 size or larger, for one was observed driving a Savannah Sparrow from a grass 

 stem. Upon the flight of the sparrow, the blackbird settled down on the vacated 

 perch. 



Linsdale (1938) noted considerable evidence of polygamy: "Just as 

 in the yellow-headed blackbird a great disproportion was noted in 

 the numbers of males and females at each nesting colony. This was 

 not always apparent upon casual watching, but close study revealed 

 it to be the condition practically everywhere. At 1 or 2 places where 

 there was only a single nest there was 1 male, and 1 female, but usually 

 there were several females and several nests for each male in the 

 colony. Once on May 14, 1932, 1 such group composed of 1 male and 

 6 females flew up from a marsh in Smoky Valley and lit on a buffalo- 

 berry bush." 



DISTRIBUTION 



Range. — British Columbia to Nevada and Arizona. 



Breeding range. — The Nevada redwing breeds from central- 

 southern and southeastern British Columbia (Kamloops, Newgate) 

 south through central Washington (Conconully, North Dalles), 

 northern Idaho (Coeur d'Alene, Lewiston), west-central Oregon (Gate- 

 way, Prospect), and central-northern and eastern California (Seiad 

 Valley, Yosemite, Little Lake) to central-southern California (Victor- 

 ville; Death Valley) and southern Nevada (Ash Meadows). 



Winter range. — Winters north to south-central British Columbia 

 and northern Idaho; south to western and southern California (Palo 

 Alto, Oro Grande) and southern Arizona (Lochiel). 



380928—57 12 



