470 LAND BIRDS 
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feathered, but remained in the nest until the fourteenth 
and sixteenth days, when one and two, respectively, 
fluttered out on untried wings. The father took charge 
of the one that left home first, while the patient mother 
fed and .coaxed the lazy ones. These were finally started 
into flight by a little judicious jiggling of the nest branch 
on the part of a less patient observer. 
The call of the Vermilion is a characteristic loud and 
constantly repeated “ peet, peet,’ or “ peet-ter-weet.” 
The song is a clear twittering remarkable only for its 
joyous enthusiasm. 
498e. SAN DIEGO RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. 
Agelaius pheeniceus neutralis. 
Famity: The Blackbirds, Orioles, ete. 
Length: 7.85-9.00. 
Adults: Similar to Sonoran red-winged, but smaller; female darker, 
with upper parts less conspicuously streaked, while under parts are 
more so. 
Geographical Distribution: Great Pasin district of United States, south 
through Southern California. 
California Breeding Range: Locally in the interior and southern part of 
the State, chiefly in San Diegan district. 
Breeding Season: April 15 to May 25. 
Nest and Eggs: Similar to those of the Sonoran red-wing. 
THe Red-winged Blackbird of the East is, in Cali- 
fornia, divided into three subspecies, —the Sonoran, 
which occurs only along the Colorado River in the extreme 
southeastern corner of the State; the San Diego, which 
is common locally throughout the interior and southern 
districts, breeding wherever found, but most abundant 
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