266 



SINGING BIRDS— OSCINES. 



This seems to be a rare species in tlie Colorado Valley, though one has 

 been obtained there by Dr. Kennerly,, according to Baird. I found them 

 the most abundant species near San Diego and Los Angeles, and not rare at 

 Santa Barbara, but they seem north of tliat point to pass more into the in- 

 terior, extending up as far as Klamatli Lake and Southern Oregon. 



I have always seen them in considerable flocks, even in the lireedin" 

 season; and according to lleerniann, they liuild in company, selecting shrub- 



by places near the water, and often building four or iive nests in one liush. 

 He found one of these lireeding-places in the northern part of California, 

 covering several acres, being led to it by tlie flocks returning from the sur- 

 rounding country, over which they had scattered for several miles in search 

 of food. The nests were composed of mud and straw, lined with fine grasses, 

 and the eggs were light blue, marked with lines and spots of dark umber, 

 M'ith a few light purple dashes. The nest and eggs are thus more lilce those 

 of the Scolccojjhagns than of the other red-wings. 



The song of this species is less loud and more guttural than that of the 

 others. Their haliits are other\\-ise very similar, and they associate in fall 

 and winter in immense iiocks in the interior, though often found separately 

 also. 



X. icterocfphalus- 



