52 U. S. 1". K. U. KXP. AND SURVKYS — ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA. 



PYliANGA LUDOVICIANA, Wils.— Louisiana Tanager. 



Pijranga ludoviciana, Aud. B. of A. Oct. toI. Ill, p. iiSl, pi. 210. 



Tanaijra ludoviciana, Ai'd. B. of A. Ful. pi. 4UU, iig. 3. — Wjls. Am. Orn. vol. Ill, p. 27, pi. 20, Cg. 1.— Nutt. 

 Orii. vol. I, p. 471. 



Occasionally seen on our late survey, frequenting the dense shady woods, uttering now and 

 tlien its loud and mellow note as it sat perched amid the heavy foliage of the oak. During the 

 mouth of August a fine male specimen was captured on Posa creek, in tlie act of eating the 

 iruit of tlie elder bush, which at the same time was bearing blossoms, green and ripe fruit. 

 Several specimens in young plumage were procured in September, while encamped at Tcjon 

 valley. 



YPHANTES BULLOCKII, Swains.— Bullock's Oriole. 



Xanlhormts bullochi, Swainson, Philos. Mag. June, 1826, p. 436. 



Iclerus hulhckii, Aun. B. of A. Oct. vol. IV, p. 43, pi. 218.— Baird, Gen. Rep. IX, 549. 



Abundant and migratory, breeding in numbers in Sacramento yalley, and also in the southern 

 country. Its note, consisting in a clear mellow whistle varying in cadence, is repeated at 

 intervals, and is of the same character as that of our Baltimore oriole, {Yphantes haltimore.) 

 The nest, pendant from the branch of a tree, is composed of varied materials, such as rags, tow, 

 cotton, strings, &c., when made in the neighborhood of civilization where these luxuries are 

 obtainable ; but in the large open plains of California I have often seen it swung to the branches 

 of the oak aud composed entirely of flexible grasses. The eggs, four to six in number, are 

 ashy white, veined at the larger end with numerous lines of black and reddish umber. 



MOLOTHRUS PECORIS, G m e 1 .—Common Cowbird. 



McloOiTua pecoris, Rich. & Sw. F. Bor. Am. vol. II, p. 277.— Aod. B. of A. Oct. vol. IV, p. 16, pi. 212.— Baird, 



Gen. Rep. IX, 524. 

 Icterus pecoris, Add. B. of A. Fol. pi. 424, fig. 4.— Nutt. Orn. vol. I, p. 178. 



Abundant. I remarked a flock of these birds as far south as Fort Yuma, and also in New 



Mexico and Texas. 



AGELAIUS XANTHOCEPHALUS, Bo nap .—Saffron-headed Blackbird. 



Aijelaim lanthocejihahia, Rich. & Sw. F. Bor. Am. vol. II, p. 281.— Add. B. of A. Oct. vol. IV, p. 24, pi. 213. 

 Iderua icterocqilialus, Bonap. Am. Oru. vol. I, p 27, pi. 3, figs. 1 and 2. — Nutt. Orn. vol. I, p. 176. 

 Xanthocephalua iclerocephalm, Baikd, Gen. Rep. IX, 531. 



Abundant and found in the fall mingling among the flocks of other species of Agelaius, which 

 collect by thousands at that period. On the approach of spring they separate into comparatively 

 small bands, and scatter over the plains and marshes in search of food. In May they resort to 

 tlie large marshy districts in the valleys, where they incubate. While on the wing over the 

 marshes to and from their nests the male birds emit their notes, (consisting of a curious medley 

 of sounds as though produced by strongly striking together pieces of metal or glass,) and 

 continue them for some time after alighting. The nest is attached to the upright stalks of the 

 rccd.s, and finally fixed by being wove around them by flexible grasses. It differs from the 

 nidification of the other two California species, no mud entering into its composition. This can 

 easily be accounted for by the fact that the nest, suspended in mid-air to the stalks of the reed, 



