YELLOW OR ORANGE CONSPICUOUS 517 
505a. ARIZONA HOODED ORIOLE. — Icterus 
cucullatus nelsoni. 
Famity: The Blackbirds, Orioles, etc. 
Length: Male 6.90-7.80 ; female 6.90-7.30. 
Adult Male: General plumage saffron-yellow ; black patch on throat, 
extending in front and under the eyes ; a band across the fore part of 
back ; tail and wings black, the latter with two white bars and white 
edgings ; tail tipped with white. 
Adult Female: Upper parts olive-green, slightly tinged with gray on 
back ; wings olive-brown, with two white bands ; under parts plain 
dull yellow. 
Young: Similar to female, but with throat patch as in the male. 
Geographical Distribution : Western Mexico and Lower California, north 
to New Mexico, Arizona, and west of the Sierra Nevada in Southern 
California ; north to Santa Barbara. 
Breeding Range: Coast district of Southern California, north as far as 
Santa Barbara. 
Breeding Season: April 20 to July 1: 
Nest: Basket-shaped; of green wiry grass and sometimes dry yucca 
fibres ; occasionally lined with willow down, wool, or horsehair; se- 
curely fastened with twigs and semi-pensile, at various heights from 
12 to 40 feet from the ground. 
Eggs: 3 to 5; speckled with brown, and having zigzag markings. Size 
0.88 X 0.62. 
DopGinG about among the dull green, the Arizona 
Hooded Oriole makes a gay bit of color, like a brilliant 
blossom in the acres of chaparral that abound in the San 
Diegan district. His orange breast rivals the poppies 
in its gorgeous hue, and his song fills the air with music. 
In all his ways he is much more like the orchard oriole 
of the East than like any of the Western species. His 
protest is the same harsh “scraack.” His call-note is 
the same clear whistle, and his song has the same joyous 
sweetness. Like the orchard oriole, he haunts the heavy 
