BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 291 



Distribution. From the Lower Colorado Valley in southern California 

 and Arizona south to Tepic, western Mexico. 



At Phoenix, Arizona, the red-wings have been seen eating a tree- 

 worm which was a pest at the time. 



498d. A. p. fortis Ridgw. THICK-BILLED RED-WING. 



Like A. phceniceus, " but decidedly larger, with bill relatively much 

 shorter and thicker ; adult females, adult male in winter, and immature 

 males similar in coloration to the same of A. p. sonoriensis, but distin- 

 guished by very different measurements." (Ridgway.) Male : length 

 (skins) 8.35-9.50, wing 4.86-5.21, tail 3.48-4.15, bill .78-1.04, depth of bill 

 at base .50-.59. Female : length (skins) 6.80-7.68, wing 4.00-4.30, tail 

 2.80-3.27, bill .67-.83, depth of bill at base .43-.50. 



Distribution. Central North America, in migrations from Manitoba 

 south to Illinois, Indian Territory, and western Texas, westward to and 

 including the Rocky Mountains, and south to Arizona and Chihuahua. 



498e. A. p. neutralis Ridgw. SAN DIEGO RED-WING. 



"Similar to A. p. sonoriensis, but smaller, adult female much darker, 

 with streaks less strongly contrasted above, those on under parts rather 

 broader and grayer, the upper parts with little if any rusty, even in win- 

 ter." (Ridgway.) Male: length (skins) 7.85-9.00, wing 4.60-5.00, tail 

 3.35-3.85, bill .85-.9S. Female: length (skins) 6.60-7-68, wing 3.80-4.10, 

 tail 2.64-3.08, bill .73-.S3. 



Distribution. Great Basin district of United States, southward to 

 southern California and northern Lower California. 



498f. A- p. caurinus Ridgw. NORTHWESTERN RED-WING. 



Similar to A. phceniceus, " but wings and bill longer, the latter more 

 slender ; adult male with buff of middle wing coverts deeper, deep ochra- 

 ceous-buff or ochraceous in winter ; adult females more heavily streaked 

 with black beneath, and, in winter plumage, with upper parts much more 

 conspicuously marked with rusty." (Ridgway). Male: length (skins) 

 8.60-9.10, wing 4.57-5.10, tail 3.39-3.83, bill .90-1.01. Female: length 

 (skins) 6.80-7.80, wing 3.85-4.22, tail 2.80-3.27, bill .77-.S6. 



Distribution. Northwest coast district from British Columbia south 

 through western Washington and Oregon to northern California. 



499. Agelaius gubernator calif ornicus Nelson. BICOLORED 

 BLACKBIRD. 



Adult male. Black, shoulder patch red, the middle wing coverts having 

 their buffy or brownish bases concealed by black tips. Adult female in 

 breeding plumage: nearly uniform blackish brown, throat buffy and 

 streaked. Adult female in winter : feathers edged with rusty. Young : 

 corresponding to phases of the red-wing. Male: length (skins) 7.80-8.60, 

 wing 4.66-5.09, tail 3.20-3.78, bill .78-.91. Female : length (skins) 6.90- 

 7.50, wing 3.97-4.23, tail 2.68-3.02, bill .73-.7S. 



Distribution. Western Oregon and northern and central coast district 

 of California. 



Nest. In or near marshes, on tufts of marsh grass or weeds, 1 to 3 

 feet above the water ; made of grasses and strips of soft bark, usually 

 lined with grass-tops and sometimes horsehair. Eggs: usually 2 to 4, 

 pale bluish green, generally spotted, marbled, and streaked, mostly about 

 the larger end, with brown, black, and purple. 



