hfc General Notes. [January 



scattered so that on that portion the patch is broken and irregular. This 

 red crown-patch is very similar to that adorning the adult male of Cen- 

 turus uropygialis, but is rather larger, extends further forward on the 

 crown, and is more scarlet in color. On the throat, the usual red stripe 

 is extended posteriorly very nearly to the yellow of the abdomen ; back of 

 its usual limits, however, the red becomes gradually duller, until it finally 

 changes to a dull brownish hue. This red throat-patch also gradually 

 widens posteriorly to near its extremity, being at the widest part more 

 than half an inch broad. In all other respects the plumage of the bird is 

 quite normal. The interscapulars are largely white centrally, each feather, 

 haying a conspicuous longitudinal, broad, white stripe, but these white 

 markings are almost entirely concealed when the feathers occupy their 

 natural position ; sometimes these white markings are. however, observable 

 in specimens having the red of normal development. The belly is rather 

 pale for Californian examples of this species, which are usually much 

 brighter colored beneath than those from the interior. There is, how- 

 ever, much variation in this respect. The measurements are as follows : 

 win«, S-^o; tail 3.80; culmen, 1.05: tarsus, .85. — R. Ridgway, Washing- 

 ton, D. C. 



On an Addition to the Ornithology of South Carolina. — Toward the 

 close of the afternoon of Dec. 9, 18S6. a small flock of over a dozen Black- 

 birds, accompanied by a straggling company of Meadowlarks. was noticed 

 on a barren field in the suburbs of Chester. At the distance, they appeared 

 to be Purple Grackles. Hoping to find an example of ceneus among them, 

 I went in pursuit, but, as the 'Larks' were inclined to linger behind, I had 

 considerable difficulty in getting within shooting distance. After a time, 

 however. I succeeded in temporarily separating them, driving the Black- 

 birds into a tree. Three specimens were secured, but of a kind wholly 

 unexpected — not Bronzed, but Brewer's Blackbirds {Scolecophagits cyano- 

 cephalus). On the following morning two additional examples were cap- 

 tured, making a total of three males and two females. That these birds 

 were waifs and strays, mere accidentals, seems improbable. Their num- 

 bers and condition (those taken were very fat), considered in connection 

 with the demonstrated tendency of certain species of the West to extend 

 their migrations to the South Atlantic States, appear to indicate that they 

 were irregular migrants, borne eastward on the cold wave which struck 

 Chester on the night of December 3, covering the ground for a week with 

 snow. 



To what extent the list of South Carolinian birds is capable of expansion 

 can only be conjectured. The experiences of the past few years have 

 taught us to expect almost any migratory bird inhabiting the Mississippi 

 Valley. If we are ever to arrive at a Complete Catalogue,' if such a thing 

 be attainable, it will only be through persistent use of the gun, and by 

 careful and systematic examination of many specimens of every species 

 having a western sub-specific representative. — Leverett M. Loomis, 

 Chester. S. C. 



