12 The Wilson Bulletin — Xo. lOG 



dant. They returned gradually in the spring of 1917, beginning 

 about March 25. In early May they were again much more abun- 

 dant than in the summer. 



486. Corvus corax siiiuatus — Raven. 



In western Kansas the raven is a rare visitant. 



487. Corvus cryptoleucus — White-necked Raven. 



This, too, is a rare visitant in the western part of the state. 



488. Corims bracJiyrliynchos b)-(ichyrhynchos — ^Crow. 

 Common resident. 



Family ICTERIDAE — Blackbirds, Orioles. Etc. 

 All migrate ordinarily, but may remain in large numbers if food 

 be abundant. Mr. Oscar Brownlee reports that Grackles, Redwings, 

 and perhaps others, spend the winter at Stafford on his father's 

 farm, where considerable numbers of cattle are fed. 



494. Doliclionyx oryzivorus — Bobolink. 



The Bobolink is rare in summer, but is a common migrant. There 

 are seventeen museum records from May 4 to 21. No fall records. 



495. Molothrus (tier (iter — Cowbird. 



Very abundant in summer. First observed in 1917 on March 18. 

 Last seen (1916) October 6. Last record (museum) October 10. 



497. XantJwcephalus xauthocephahis — Yellow-headed Blackbird. 

 An abundant migrant but rare in summer. Many seen (1917) 



May 11, 15. Museum has specimens taken April 19 and May 5. 

 in 1916 two were observed on November 9. 



498. Agrlahis plKJeniccus — Red-winged Blackbird. 



This blackbird remains in winter where food is abundant. The 

 systematist recognizes four subspecies for Kansas which cannot 

 be distinguished except by careful measurements. In 1917 the 

 Redwings arrived March 15. In 1916 they left in a body the night 

 of October 14. One specimen was observed February 7. The time 

 of arrival varies much according to season. 



The subspecies are:^ — 



(1) Agelams phoeniceus predatorius — Red-winged Blackbird. 

 Summer resident. 



(2) Aoclaius pJKPnicciis fortis — Thick-billed Redwing. Migrant. 

 Museum records. February 26 (5), Pratt County; March 5, 12; No- 

 vember 7. 15, two each. 



(3) Agelaius phorniccns phceniceus — Northeastern Redwing. 

 Migrant. Museum, February 26 (5), Pratt County; March 2. 12; 

 October 10 (2). 



(4) Agelaius phceniceus arctolegus — Northern Redwing. Mi- 

 grant. Museum. Each month except December and April, from 

 September 28 to May 21. 



501. Sturnella magna magna — Meadowlark. 



