320 Scott, Birds of the Gulf Coast of Florida. [ October 
a 
as August 26, and are abundant through the month of September. Mr. 
Atkins found them common in fall at Punta Rassa, but very rare in 
spring at that point. But at Key West he says ‘they are abundant both 
as fall and spring migrants.” 
Molothrus ater. Cowsirp.—A not very common bird in the winter 
months about Tarpon Springs. While here the birds are most frequently 
associated with Agelaius pheniceus and Quiscalus guiscula agleus. 
Found throughout the year commonly at Punta Rassa by Mr. Atkins, but 
not at Key West during the summer, though common during the re- 
mainder of the year. 
Agelaius pheeniceus bryanti. BAHAMAN RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD.— 
The Red-winged Blackbirds collected by me in the vicinity of Tarpon 
Springs and further south appeared to be referable to this subspecies, and 
not having access to material for comparison I sent the series to Mr. J. A. 
Allen at New York who kindly examined them for me and has given his 
view ina letter, as follows: ‘‘The Red-wings I should refer on general 
grounds to A. phaniceus bryant, as I think this name may be used for 
resident South Florida birds, from at least Indian River southward, al- 
though the bill is less attenuated and less laterally compressed at the base 
than in our single Nassau specimen.” : 
‘“At Punta Rassa the Redwings are common residents and breed, being 
more abundant in summer than in winter. At Key West I have not 
noted them in such large numbers though they are to be found the year 
round.’’—J. W. Atkins. 
Sturnella magna mexicana. MrxicaAn MEADOWLARK.—Common resi- 
dent. Breeds in Apriland May about Tarpon. I cannot but agree with 
Mr. Chapman (see Auk, Vol. V, p. 273) as to the affinity of the form of the 
Meadowlark that occurs in this part of Florida. The peculiar suffused 
plumage assumed by the Meadowlarks in the fall in New Jersey, and 
which is worn throughout the winter months, is much more transitory 
here, and birds before me taken in December do not show it. 
Since I wrote the foregoing Mr. Allen and Mr. Chapman have kindly 
examined a large series of Meadowlarks sent them by me and confirm 
the identity of the Florida representatives with S. magna mexicana. 
Referring to the matter Mr. Allen says: ‘‘He [Mr. Chapman] has had all 
of the Smithsonian material in hand, which with ours gives a considerable 
series of true mextcana and a very large series of Florida specimens. 
They furnish no characteristics by which they can be separated.” Iam in- 
debted to both Mr. Allen and Mr. Chapman for their kindness in making 
these comparisons for me. 
Mr. Atkins found this species at Punta Rassa in November, 1885, but 
regards it as uncommon at that point and has not met with the birds at 
Key West. 
Icterus spurius. ORCHARD ORIOLE. A rather common migrant in 
the spring about Tarpon Springs. (See Auk, Vol. V, p. 186.) Mr. Atkins 
did not obtain this Oriole at Punta Rassa but on April 29, 1887, he took a 
young male, 7. e., in the yellow plumage with black throat, at Key West. 
This is the only time he has observed the species at that point. 
