THE BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK. 167 
No. 68. 
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK. 
A. O. U. No. 596. Zamelodia melanocephala (Swains). 
Description.—Adult male: General coloration black and tawny varied with 
white and yellow; head glossy black, narrowly on chin, and with irregular 
invasion of tawny behind; back, scapulars, wings, and tail chiefly black; middle 
of back with much admixture of tawny; scapulars narrowly tipped with yellowish 
buffy or white, two conspicuous white wing patches formed by tips of middle 
coverts and basal portion of primaries; touches of white on tips of greater coverts 
and secondaries, and on outer edge of primaries; touches of vellow (in highest 
plumage) bordering white of wing-coverts, etc.; terminal third of two outer pairs 
of rectrices white on inner webs; lining of wings and breast centrally rich lemon 
yellow ; remaining plumage tawny, brightest on throat and chest, with admixture 
of black on sides of neck; nearly as bright on rump, but veiled by lighter tips of 
Taken in Oregon. Photo by Finley and Bohlman. 
ANTICIPATION. 
feathers ; lightening posteriorly on remaining underparts; nearly white on under 
tail-coverts ; bill bluish gray, darker above; feet plumbeous. Adult female: Like 
male, but tawny of underparts paler; upperparts dark olivaceous brown with 
admixture of white and pale tawny; head blackish with white or brownish 
median and superciliary stripes ; wings and tail fuscous, white markings restricted, 
those on tail reduced or wanting; sides and flanks streaked with dusky. Length 
7.75-8.50 (196.85-215.90) ; wing 3.9 (99); tail 3.15 (80); bill .71 (18) ; depth of 
bill at base .59 (15); tarsus .95 (24). 
Recognition Marks.—Chewink size; black head and variegated plumage of 
male; large beak, with haunts, distinctive. 
Nesting.—Nest: a careless but often bulky collection of twigs or weed- 
