390 Bailey, Notes on Birds of Western Mexico. [^ 



two weeks later. One of the finest nests I saw, and now in my collection, 

 was attached to the end of a cocoanut palm leaf and measured three feet 

 three inches in length. 



73. Icterus pustulatus. Scarlet-headed Oriole. — This species, 

 while not quite so common as the preceding, was nevertheless not scarce, 

 and almost every thorn tree that contained a nest of the former species 

 would be sure to have a nest of this species also. The majority of the 

 nests were empty, although some good sets were secured, among them 

 one with the egg of a Bronzed Cowbird. 



74. Icterus graysoni. Grayson's Oriole. — Specimens of this bird 

 were secured easily on Cleofa Island during both trips but were unfor- 

 tunately lost with the other specimens. I had hardly cut my way through 

 the cacti at the entrance to a small arroyo on the island before one of these 

 birds came down from a topmost branch to inquire as to what this strange 

 proceeding might be. On sitting down and chirping to it I was almost 

 able to get within arm's reach, and when I was walking up the canon 

 numbers of these birds showed but little fear of me. 



75. Megaquiscalus major obscurus. Colima Boat-tail. — According 

 to Ridgway's 'Birds of North and Middle America,' Part II, page 241, 

 specimens taken at San Bias are now referred to this species. These birds 

 were very common, almost as much so as barnyard fowls. They would 

 come in under the tiled roofs and descend to the floor of my room, while 

 many times I sat at the dining table and watched one or a pair fly on to 

 the bread basket and commence picking at a piece, sometimes even on to 

 the table. It was a pleasure while sitting at the table to snap small pieces 

 of bread on to the floor and watch them race for and greedily devour it. 

 The meat hanging on the racks of the out door markets or stalls was re- 

 duced many a pound by these birds. Often while in San Bias I saw as 

 many as ten or twelve clinging to the pieces of meat and picking away for 

 dear life, unmolested. During the first part of May many were breeding 

 and most of the trees around town had their full share of nests. One tree 

 from which I took a series of eggs stood next to the Custom House, almost 

 in the middle of the street, and about a week later the same nests all had 

 eggs in them again. 



76. Carpodacus mexicanus subsp.? House Finch. — A pair was 

 taken at Tepic March 29. 



77. Spizella socialis subsp.? Chipping Sparrow. — A single bird 

 was taken at Tepic the last day of March and numbers of others were seen, 

 all apparently migrating. 



78. Guiraca cserulea lazula. Western Blue Grosbeak. — A female 

 of this species was secured during my stay in Tepic which, with other 

 small birds, seemed to be migrating northward. 



79. Saltator plumbiceps. Grayson's Saltator. — A male was secured 

 at Tepic. 



80. Ampelis cedrorum. Cedar Waxwing. — A pair was secured 

 from a large flock while at Tepic and a few were noted eating the wild figs- 

 back of the ranch house. 



