SONORAN BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE 351 



CASSIDIX MEXICANUS NELSONI (Ridgway) 



Sonoran B oat-Tailed Grackle 

 HABITS 



Primarily a denizen of the coastal district of Sonora, and the interior 

 of that province from Rancho Costa Rica southward, this race of the 

 boat-tailed grackle has recently been reported from central-southern 

 Arizona (Tucson) . From Monson's boat-tail it may be distinguished 

 by its smaller size, shorter tail, and the paler color of the female 

 plumage. 



Little or nothing has been recorded of its habits, but these are 

 probably similar to those of the other races of this boat-tailed grackle. 



CASSIDIX MEXICANUS MONSONI Phillips 



Monson's Boat-Tailed Grackle 

 HABITS 



This recently described race occurs in the plateau of northern 

 Mexico, in Chihuahua, and in recent years has spread northward to 

 adjacent parts of the United States. It resembles the boat-tailed 

 grackle, but has a less massive bill, a more slender tarsus, and the 

 plumage of the female is noticeably darker in tone. 



In its habits, as far as known, it does not appear to differ appreciably 

 from the boat-tailed grackle. 



It breeds from southeastern Arizona (Benson, Randolph), north- 

 central New Mexico, and western Texas (Brewster County), south to 

 Chihuahua. It has been recorded sparingly in winter in Pinal and 

 Graham Counties, Ariz., the Bosque del Apache Refuge, near San 

 Antonio, N. Mex., and along the Rio Grande at Juarez, Chihuahua; 

 it is presumed to winter mainly in Chihuahua, but has extended its 

 winter range in the United States northward in recent years. 



