164 University of California Publications in Zoology [Vol.12 



Icterus bullocki (Swainson) 

 Bullock Oriole 



Nests of this species were conspicuous in the taller willows early 

 in the season while the trees were yet leafless, all along the river from 

 Needles down. The first birds to appear were noted on the California 

 side opposite Cibola, April 5. There were five of them, all males, feed- 

 ing about the blossoms of palo verde trees. From this date on, almost 

 daily, and at every station, the species was noted in increasing num- 

 bers, until at Potholes the last of April, and elsewhere down the river 

 to Pilot Knob, this was one of the numerous and characteristic birds 

 of the willow-cottonwood association. Fourteen examples were pre- 

 served, nos. 13041-13054. Another specimen in the Museum (no. 

 4342), an adult male, was taken by J. G-. Cooper at Fort Mohave April 

 3, 1861. 



Although there are doubtless breeding individuals among these, as 

 well as probable transients, I am unable to find any differences by 

 which the Colorado Valley birds may be distinguished from those of 

 western California or northern Nevada. 



Euphagus cyanocephalus (Wagler) 

 Brewer Blackbird 



Common about the town of Needles, California, February 15, where 

 they were foraging indifferently along the railroad tracks and in the 

 streets. Very many were seen similarly in the town of Parker, Arizona, 

 March 16. Small flocks, aggregating about forty individuals, were 

 noted at Ehrenberg, Arizona, March 24 to 29, and two secured (nos. 

 12916, 12917). Here the birds were usually mingled with the flocks 

 of cowbirds feeding in chicken yards and cow pens. 



There are four skins in the Museum (nos. 4355—4358) taken bj' 

 J. G. Cooper at Fort Mohave January 4, 1861. Evidently a winter 

 visitant in the Colorado Vallev. 



Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis (Say) 



California Linnet 



Locally common all along our route, from Needles to the vicinity 



of Yuma. Large flocks were foraging over the Sacramento Wash on 



the Arizona side near Mellen the last week in February. Elsewhere 



