THE BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK. 



167 



No. 68. 



BLACK-HEADKD GROSBEAK. 



A. O. U. Xo. 596. Zamelodia melanocephala (Swains). 



Description. — . hhilt iiialc: (icneral coloration black and tawny varied with 

 white and yellow; head i;loss\- 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 tipi)ed with yellowish 

 huffy or white, two cons])icuous 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 yellow (in highest 

 ]5lumage) bordering white of wing-coverts, etc.; terminal third of two outer ])airs 

 of rectrices white on inner webs; lining of wings and breast centrally rich lemon 

 yellow: remaining plumage tawny, brightest on throat and chest, with admixttu-e 

 of black on sides of neck; nearly as bright on rump, but \eilcd l)y lighter tips nf 



A.\ I ll. ll'ATI 



feathers; lightening jjosteriorly 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 jiale tawny; head blackish wifh white or brownish 

 median aiid superciliary stri])es ; wings and tail fuscous, white markings restricted, 

 those on tail reduced or wanting; sides and flanks streaked with dusky. Length 

 7.-3-8.50 ( i(/).85-2i5.(/)) ; wing 3.9 ( <j() ) ; tail 3.15 (80) ; bill .71 ( 18) ; depth of 

 liill at base .59 ( 13I ; tarsus .95 (24). 



Recognition Marks. — Cliewink size; black iiead and variegated plumage of 

 male ; large beak, with haunts, distinctive. 



Nesting. — Xcst: a careless but (iflin bulky collection of twigs or weed- 



