176 U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 211 



among the alfalfa. The red-wings were usually in small groups or colonies, and 

 far from numerous. In fact we came across but few spots they seemed to favor 

 by their presence. This irrigated strip extends some eight or ten miles up the 

 river to where the valley contracts again and it seems to be the only likely locality 

 in which to expect these birds in all that neighborhood. 



DISTRIBUTION 



The Kern redwing is resident in the mountain valleys of east-central 

 Kern County, south-central California (Bodfish, Isabella, Weldon, 

 Onyx). In winter probably near breeding range; recorded at Buena 

 Vista Lake. 



AGELAIUS PHOENICEUS NEUTRALIS Ridgway 



San Diego Redwing 

 HABITS 



Ridgway (1902) describes this race as "similar to A. p. sonoriensis, 

 but smaller, the adult female darker, with streaks less strongly con- 

 trasted above, those on lower parts rather broader and grayer, the 

 upper parts with little if any rusty, even in winter plumage." 



Comparing it with other California forms, A. J. van Rossem (1926) 

 calls it "similar to Agelaius phoeniceus californicus in size and shape 

 of bill. Males with exposed portions of middle wing coverts more 

 extensively buffy, often unmarked with black. Females more streaked 

 (less blackish below) and with coloration paler throughout. Differs 

 from Agelaius phoeniceus nevadensis in heavier bill in both sexes, and 

 in broader streaking on underparts of the females." He finds its 

 range to be the Pacific drainage from Sierra Ju&rez, in Baja California, 

 to west-central San Luis Obispo County, in California; and adds: 



Nevtralis is a common resident in all suitable localities in the San Diegan Faunal 

 Area. Along the southeastern border of its range there is, because of environ- 

 mental conditions, no intergradation with sonoriensis. Intergradation may occur 

 in the San Gorgonio Pass region of Riverside County, but there is no direct proof of 

 this possibility. The easternmost station for neutralis in this region is Redlands, 

 while a tongue of sonoriensis extends up into the Coachella Valley on the desert 

 side. * * * 



Neutralis is resident in the sense that the breeding area is coextensive with the 

 winter range. A single exception to this statement is an adult male, No. 8205, 

 Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, taken six miles west of Imperial, Imperial County, 

 May 6, 1909, which is unquestionably referable to neutralis. 



This race does not differ materially in its habits from neighboring 

 races. 



