March, iSgi. Birds of the Pacific Slope of Los Angetes Couniy. 43 



pair near South Pasadena, June i6 ('97). However, we have as yet 

 no evidence that this bird nests within the County. 

 246 — 620. Phainopepla nitens (Swains.)- 



Phainopepla. 

 Common summer resident, almost exclusively of the dry mesa 

 region.?. In the washes and arroyos in the vicinity of Pasadena it is 

 very numerous. Ed. Simmons has noted the earliest arrival, April 9 

 ('97); and H. S. Swarth noted one near Los Angeles as late as Oct. 

 19 (.'97)- An adult male was observed by H. S. Swarth at Los An- 

 geles, Jan, 31 ('98), which must be considered as very unusual. Breeds 

 mostly in June. H. A. Gaylord reports the earliest and latest sets; 

 they are respectively, a set of two, slightly incubated, taken May 4 

 ('94), and a .set of two fresh eggs taken July 28 ('94.) In some 

 seasons most of the sets are of two eggs each, and in other years almost 

 all are of three. This bird is popularly known as Black Mocking- 

 bird, and Black-crested Flycatcher. 



247 — 622a. Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides (Swains.). 

 White-rumped Shrike. 

 Occasional winter visitant, probably straggling from the Desert. 

 I have a specimen taken near Pasadena, Dec. 8, '94. 



248 — 622b. Lanius ludovicianus gambeli Ridgw. 

 Califoroia Shrike. 



Abundant resident of the lowlands and mesas. The majority 

 nest in the latter part of March and early April. Extreme instances 

 are, a set of five fresh eggs taken by H. J. Lelahd, Feb. 14 ('97); and 

 a set of six fresh eggs noted by H. A. Gaylord, June 28 ('94); both 

 near Pasadena. Full sets are of four to seven eggs, most often six. 

 This bird is popularly known as the butcher-bird, and is generally dis- 

 liked; but as it is such a persistent destroyer of the "Jerusalem 

 Cricket" and other injurious insects, it is undoubtedly one of our most 

 beneficial birds from the agriculturalist's standpoint and should be 

 protected. 

 249 — 627. Vireo gilvus ( Vieill. ) . 



WarbliQg Vireo. 



Abundant migrant in most of the County, and a tolerably com- 

 mon summer resident in portions of the mountains. The spring 

 migrations occur mainly in the first three weeks of April, and the re- 

 turn movement, the last week of September. My earliest and latest 

 records are respectively, March 23 ('95) and Oct. 2 ('95). This bird 

 breeds less commonly than any other of our vireos. It occurs very 

 locally, mainly in the mountains, where I found it in the vicinity of 

 Mt. Waterman up to 8000 feet in July. H. A. Gaylord took a set of 

 three slightly incubated eggs in the Arroyo Seco near Pasadena, May 

 9 ('94); and I took a set of three fresh eggs on Pine Flats (6000 feet) 

 on July 2 ('97). 



250 — 62<)a. Vireo solitarius cassinii (Xantus). 



Cassin's Vireo. 



Common in summer in the mountains, and during the migrations 

 on the mesas. My earliest and latest dates are, April 4 ('96) and Oct. 



