SCOLECOPHAGUS CYANOCEPDALDS. 511 



wooded — tlieir gregariousness in the instance mentioned above bein"- most 

 likely due to the fact that trees were exceedingly scarce in that portion of 

 the country, and, so far as the mountains were concerned, limited to occa- 

 sional isolated groves. Along toward the latter part of July and during the 

 month of August, they became exceedingly abundant in Parley's Park, a 

 large proportion of the flocks being composed of young birds; and so numer- 

 ous were they that an average of ten or a dozen would be brought down 

 by a single shot. They thus contributed very essentially to the subsist- 

 ence of our tame hawks — four fine examples of Bidco swainsoni, reared 

 that season from the nest, and allowed perfect liberty about the camp. 

 A wounded bird, winged in one of these massacres, exhibited great spirit 

 and determination when confronted by one of the hawks mentioned above, 

 for he no sooner saw the latter than he became suddenly possessed of the 

 most infuriate passion, even while yet held in the hand, and, with feathers 

 raised, and silvery eyes flashing, sprang upon the hawk and fastened to 

 the back of his head with bill and claws. The poor hawk was gi-eatly 

 terrified, and with outspread wings hopped frantically over the ground, at 

 the same time uttering such plaintive whistlings that the scene excited shouts 

 of laughter and applause from the spectators. The hawk was finally released 

 from its tormentor, and would never afterward touch a livintr Ijird. Dui-in^r 

 a gi-eat flight of grasshoppers which devastated the grain-fields of Parle\'s 

 Park and surrounding districts, these Blackbirds were almost constantly 

 employed tn catching these insects, and during their stay appeared to eat 

 nothing else. When engaged in their pursuit it was observed that they 

 often flew from the perch and caught them in the air, in true flycatcher 

 style, this performance being so far from exceptional that it was not uncom- 

 mon to see several individuals perfonn the exploit at one time. 



List of specimens. 



189, (Jflrf.; Camp 19, West flumboldt Moantains, Nevada, September 17, 18G7. 

 (Sbeep corral.) 9} j— Ki^— 5tV-^tV-^— ^i —H -^- ^'"i tarsi, and toes, deep blai-k; 

 iris, trhitixh sulphur-yclloic, 



190, Sad; Camp 19, West Biimboldt Mountaina, Nevad.i, September 17, 1807. 

 10-10— 53— 43— '2— 11— 4-lfJ. Same remarks. 



191, (J ad.; Camp 19, West Humboldt Mouiitaius, Nevada, September 17, 18C7. 

 95_153— 5-jV— 4|— H— 1^3}f — 1§. Same remarks. 



