SCOLECOPHAGUS CYANOCEPOALUS. 511 



wooded— their gregariousness in the instance mentioned above being most 

 likel}^ due to the fact tliat trees were exceedingly scarce in that portion of 

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

 sional isolated groves. Along toward the latter part of July and daring 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 Buteo swamsoni, 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 greatly 

 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 Jiving bird. Durino- 

 a great flight of grasshoppers which devastated the grain-fields of Parley's 

 Park and surrounding districts, these Blackbirds were almost constantly 

 employed hi 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 perform the exploit at one time. 



List of specimens. 



189, J«(?.; Camp 19, West Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, September 17, 1867, 

 (Sheep corral.) 911-101-5/^-4^^-2-1^-4^—14. Bill, tarsi, and toes, deep black; 

 iris, whitish sulphnr-yeUow. 



190, Sad; Camp li). West Eumboldt Mountains, Nevad:), September 17 1807 

 10_lG-5g-4§-}|_li~4-lfi. Same remarks. 



191, S ad.; Camp 19, West Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, September 17, 1807. 

 9^153—5^55— 4g-i|—1^3||-ie. Same remarks. 



