BIRDS OF WEST VIRGINIA — WETMORE 433 



In addition to the localities cited I have recorded these birds as 

 follows: Near Moorefield, June 5, 1935; Mathias, July 4, 1935; and 

 Wardensville, July 21 and October 13, 1935. 



AGELAIUS PHOENICEUS PHOENICEUS (Linnaeus) 



Eastern Red-wing 



The red-wdng is widely distributed through West Virginia along the 

 borders of streams in open country. It is found usually in scattered 

 groups of one to three or four pairs, being less abundant numerically 

 than in areas where there are more extensive marshes. It has a 

 wide altitudinal range, as breeding birds were taken near Muddlety 

 in Nicholas County, May 11, 12, and 14; 5 miles east of Philippi, 

 JNIay 30; and at 3,300 feet elevation in the Cranberry Glades, June 16. 

 Migrants were secured near Ashton on October 31. 



Wing measurements in males range from 116.3 to 120.9 mm, and 

 in females from 97.4 to 102.0 mm. 



AGELAIUS PHOENICEUS ARCTOLEGUS Oberholser 



Giant Red-wing 



It was a distinct surprise to find in the small series of red-mnged 

 blackbirds a fine specimen of this race taken near Enon, Nicholas 

 County, on May 11, 1936. The bird is a male in full adult plumage, 

 with the following measurements: Wing, 129.2; tail, 94.6; culmen 

 from base, 24.0; and tarsus, 31.3 mm. It is of interest to compare 

 the perfect plumage of this bird with the worn wing and tail feathers 

 of skins of the resident race taken at the same time near Muddlety 

 only a few miles away. This seems to be the first record of this 

 northern migrant for the State. 



ICTERUS SPURIUS (Linnaeus) 



Orchard Oriole 



One was seen near Grantsville on May 20, and I observed this 

 species at Moorefield on June 5, 1936. 



ICTERUS GALBULA (Linnaeus) 



Baltimore Oriole 



I saw this bird in Summersville on May 9, and one was collected 

 at Mount Zion, Calhoun County on May 23. 



EUPHAGUS CAROLINUS (Muller) 



Rusty Blackbird 



The only two seen were taken October 30 near Mercers Bottom, 

 one being prepared as a skeleton. 



