134 AGELJEUS PHCENICF.US. 



poses, is that they never pay any attention to the presence of the Cow Blackbirds. These 

 latter named birds, when mature, never disturb any eggs or young of other species, which 

 may account for the forbearance on the part of those deceived; thus while the predatory 

 Cuckoos and Jays arc greeted with loud cries and driven from the place, the Cow Black- 

 birds pass unnoticed, although they doubtlessly kill more young birds than all other species 

 combined. 



I have mentioned that eggs of the Cow Birds vary considerably, this would suggest 

 the idea that they approximate in size and markings with those of the birds in whose nests 

 they are deposited. This is not so according to my observations, yet I would not be 

 surprised if, upon careful examination and comparison of a large number of specimens, 

 that they did in a measure agree, at least in color. This species derives its common and 

 Latin names from its habit of associating with cattle. They usually settle around cows in 

 a pasture for the purpose of catching grasshoppers which are started by the movements of 

 these animals, and of which the birds are very fond. Our little friends appear to be on 

 excellent terms with their large associates, for they may often be seen perched on their 

 backs. 



During early autumn the Cow Blackbirds assemble in large flocks on the coast in order 

 to feed on locusts, and migrate early in October, accompanied by Red-winged and Crow 

 Blackbirds. 



GENUS III. AGEL^BUS. THE RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS. 



GEN. Oil. Bill, pointed, broad at lip, equalinleng/h to the head. Upper mandible, straight. Wings, longer than the tail 

 which is considerably rounded. Sternum, stout, e^ualin breadth to one half the length of the coracoids . Keel, high. Size, 

 rather tarye. Stomach, muscular. 



Males of the present genus are black in color with red shoulder patches. The females are smaller than the males, and 

 duller in color at all seasons. 



AGELJEUS PHCENICEUS. 

 Red-winged Blackbird. 



Agelaiusphoeniceus, VIEILI.OT, Anal., 1816. 



DESCRIPTION. 



SP. CH. Form, robust. Size, rather large. Tongue, long, thin, and horny, provided with a bifid tuft of coarse, ter- 

 minal, hair-like fibers. Sternum, as given above. 



COLOR. Adult male in summer. Uniform, lustrous black throughout, with the lesser wing coverts, bright-scarlet, mar- 

 gined on the lower side witli either yellow or buff. Bill and feet, black. 



Adult female in summer. Dark-brown above, with the feathers narrowly margined with yellowish-white. There is a 

 median line extending from bill to occiput, and a superciliary line, reaching to the nape, of yellowish-rufous. Shoulders, 

 strongly tinged with red. Beneath, white, streaked with dark-brown. Throat and sides of head, overwashed with rosa- 

 ceous. Bill, brown, lighter at base of lower mandible. Feet, dark-brown. 



Adult male in winter. Similar to the summer plumage, but all of the feathers are narrowly edged with reddish, which 

 wears away, however, as spring approaches. 



Adult female in winter. Much more strongly marked above with yellowish to which is added a tinge of reddish. The 

 median line is obscured. 



Young male. The black is less lustrous and the feathers above are margined with reddish. Shoulder patch is paler 

 and streaked with black. There are indications of superciliary lines. The feathers of the breast, sides, and tlauks, are 

 edged with whitish, especially in winter when there is also much more rufous above. The bill is considerably lighter on 

 the lower mandible. 



