276 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



Sturnella magna neglecta (AUD.) [264.] 



Western Meadowlark. 



Hab. Western North America, north to British Columbia and Manitoba, east regularly to Dakota, 

 Nebraska, Kansas and Texas, sparingly to Illinois and Wisconsin, south through Western Mexico. 



Both of our Meadowlarks, >S. magna and S. neglecta, occur in por- 

 tions of the Mississippi Valley, overlapping each other in their typical 

 styles for a distance of several hundred miles, intermediate specimens 

 being extremely rare. For this reason, and on account of the great 

 difference of its notes and other peculiarities, S. m. neglecta should 

 doubtless be considered a distinct species. Its song, according to those 

 who have heard it, is remarkably fine, less shrill, more plaintive and 

 richer than that of the Eastern Meadowlark.* 



In L,os Angeles county, California, Mr. Shields states that the 

 nesting season is from April 15 to the last of June. Col. Goss gives it 

 as a common bird in Western and Middle Kansas, where it begins lay- 

 ing about the middle of May. Nesting habits and eggs are similar to 

 those of S. magna. The markings on a large series of the eggs of the 

 Western Meadowlark before me are finer than on the eggs of S. 

 magna. The average size of ten specimens is i.o8x.84. 



[502.] Icterus icterus (LINN.) [265.] 



Troupial. 



Hab. Northern South America; West Indies (introduced) (?). Accidental at Charleston, S. C. 

 (Audubon). 



This splendid Oriole is admitted as North American on the 

 strength of a single specimen, shot in Charleston, S. C., by John W. 

 Audubon, son of the great ornithologist, Others were seen at the 

 same place, and Audubon was informed that small groups of four and 

 five subsequently made their appearance in the same city and among 

 the islands. Another specimen was shot which fell in the river, and was 

 lost. These may have been birds that escaped from cages, but, as Dr. 

 Brewer observes : "If his information was correct, it precludes the 

 supposition that those which have been procured are caged birds. " 

 The Troupial is a very popular and desirable cage bird, having a loud, 

 clear, flute-like whistle, and when kept in confinement becomes very 

 tame. It is common to all the northern countries of South America, 

 where it is said to associate in large flocks. 



The nest is described as a large, massive, pensile fabric ; the eggs 

 are four or five in number, with a ground-color varying from reddish- 

 drab to deep purple, blotched and streaked with reddish-brown and 

 blackish. Size, i.iox.9O. 



* For a description of the songs of the Western Meadowlark, see Charles N. Allen's article: Bull. 

 Nutt. Ornith. Club. Vol. VI, pp. 145-150. 



