BIRDS. 



19 



This, mingled with two or three of its congeners, was always met with in flocks. The Quiscalus 7nacroxirus is an occasional 



companion, but its unwieldly tail and heavy flight prevents it from keeping up. More abundant In the vicinity of the coast 



than in the middle of the continent. There was a joost of these birds on an island in a laguna near Fort Brown. Towards 



^ * sunset, and from that time till dark, they could be seen approaching this spot from all quarters. It took tlicm about an 



i hour to get settled down, till which time they kept up a constant chattering and change of place, I saw another of these 



i^ roosts on ar island of the Rio Grande, near its mouth, where the willows were so thick as to intercept vision, but tach one 



seemed bending under the support of at least half dozen blackbirds. — (Clark.) 

 Found in company with the grakle and cow blackbird ; note loud. — (Couch.) 



Very common near Janos, and also near Santa Cruz, Sonora. Observed at the former place in the month of April going in 

 large flocks ; sometimes associated with Jigelalus phoeniceus. Quite domestic in their habits, preferring the imnicdlato vicinity 

 of the houses, and often feeding in the yards along with the domestic fowls. — (Kennerly.) 



140. STURNELLA NEGLECTA, And. (p. 537.)— Western Lark. 



8611. Matamoras. Lt. Couch.— 4064 ? . Coaliuila, Mcx. Do.— 8613. San Elizarlo, Tex. 

 December, 1855. Dr. Kennerly, 19. — 8614 <? . Espia, Mex. March, 1855. Dr. Kennerly. 

 8615. Fort Yuma, Cal. November, 1854. A. Schott.— 4573. San Diego, Cal. A. Schott. 



What I supposed to be the same species was found from the Rio Grande to the high bottoms in the lower Balson de Mapinri 

 Its note is highly musical, contending with the mocking bird for a supremacy in song. — (Couch.) 



141. ICTERUS AUDUBONII, Giraud. (p. 542.)— Audubon's Oriole. 



4063 (?. CharcoEscondidOjTamaulipaSjMex. May. Lt. Couch, 64.— 4062 9 . Do. 63. 

 4059. Matamoras, Mex. Dr. Berlandier. — 6713. Kinggold Barracks, Tex. J. H. Clark. 



Common from the lower Rio Grande to the Sierra Madre. A strong mutual attachment shown by the sexes. It has a sofl 

 melancholy song of the notes pent pou it, the sweetness of which renders it a favorite as a cage bird — (Couch.) 



I 



142. ICTERUS PAEISOBUM, Bo nap. (p. 544.) 



Plate XIX, Fig. 1. 



h 



4056 ^ and 4057 O <? - Santa Catarina^ New Mex. April, 1853. Lt. Couch. 



First seen in the vicinity of Monterey ; generally secluded, its song consisting of three or four notes ; is rich and melodious 

 (Coucb.) 



143. ICTERUS WAGLERI, Sclater. (p. 545.) 



Plate XIX, Fig. 2. 



4058 c? . Saltillo, Coaliuila, Mex. May, 1853. Lt. Coucb. 



^ Believed to be the only one of the species seen ; this was in Coahuila, at the ranche of Ojo Caliente, on a hot spring ; quite 



shy and difficult to approach. Like the other Orioles, it appeared to be fond of the palm or Spanish bayonet. — (Couch.) 



144. ICTERUS CUCULL ATUS, S tt a i n s . (p. 546.)— Hooded Oriole. 



. 4067 S . Charco Escondido. Tainaulipas, Mex. Blarch, 1853. Lt. Coucli, 83. — 4066 i . 

 Tamaulipas, do. 91.— 4068 <? . Do. April. Do. 159,-4069 ? . Do. March, 1853. Do. 90. 



Nest generally on, or often under> the top of the Spanish bayonet. Common in Tamaulipas and New Leon. — (Couch.) 



F 



145. ICTERUS SPURIUS, B n . (p. 547.)— Orcliard Oriole. 

 6707 9 , 6708 9 , 6712 <? , and 6710. Western Texas. J. H. Clark. 



146. ICTERUS BALTIMORE, D and in. (p. 548.)~Baltimore Oriole. 

 6714. San Antonio, Texas. J. H. Clark. 



