350 NESTS AND EOGS OF 



measure, respectlyely, .82x.b2, .80x.62, .78x.60, .84x.64, .87x.63; another set, four In 

 number, l.OOx.64, 1.04X.64, .98x.64, 1.08x.67. A common size of the Baltimore Oriole's 

 egg is .92X.62. 



508. BTJIiLOCK'S OBIOLE. Icterus bullooki (Swains.) Geog. Dist.— Western 

 United States east to and including the Rocky Mountains, south in winter to Mexico. 



This is the western counterpart of the Baltimore from the Central Plains to the 

 Pacific. The nests and eggs of the two species are hardly distinguishable. Mr. 

 Shields says that Bullock's Oriole Is not a common summer resident of Los Angeles 

 county, California, and it begins building about May 1. Twenty sets, consisting of 

 four and five eggs respectively, collected by Mr. R. B. Herron, in the latter part of 

 May and first of June, at San Gorgonia Pass, California, are before me. In comparing 

 them with a large series of /, galbula, the only difference, apparently, is that the 

 ground-color of those of lullocki is of a paler and clearer bluish tint, upon which 

 the markings stand out in bolder contrast.* The average size of fifteen specimens 

 is .94X.62. The sizes of an average set of four are .89x.64, .93x.66, .93x.66, .89x.65. 



509. BUSTY BLACKBIBD. ScoleoOphagus caroUnus (Mull.) Geog. Dist.— 

 eastern and Northern North America, west to Alaska and the Plains. Breeds from 

 Northern United States northward. Accidental in Lower California. 



The Rusty Grackle or Thrush Blackbird is only a migratory species in most of 

 the United States, and is only seen in small flocks in the spring and fall during its 

 passages north and south. Breeds from the northern States northward. Mr. Ernest 

 E. Thompson states that it is an abundant migrant in Western Manitoba, and breeds 

 commonly about Big Plain and Winnipeg, building the nest on the ground of hair 

 and fibres, much like that of a Savanna Sparrow on a large scale, and not necessarily 

 near water. A nest was found June 24 near St. John, N. B., by James W. Banks; 

 it contained two young and two eggs. The nest was placed in the upper branches of 

 a spruce, twenty-eight feet from the ground. It was bulky and large for the size 

 of the bird, composed chiefiy of honeysuckle vines and mixed with mud, forming a 

 solid mass. The smaller of the two eggs measured 1.09x.76. The eggs are described 

 as varying from a grayish to a light green, very thickly covered with blotches and 

 dottings of purplish and reddish-brpwn, without streaks and lines; usually four in 

 number, varying much in the character of their markings. The variations are as 

 great as are those In the eggs of the next species. The number laid is said to range 

 from four to seven with an average size of l.OOx.76. 



510. BREWER'S BliACKBIRD. Scolecophagus cyamceplialus (Wagl.) Geog. 

 Dist. — ^Western North America, from the Great Plains to the Pacific, north to the 

 Saskatchewan, south to the. table-lands of Mexico. 



The Blue-headed Grackle is an abundant species throughout the West, breeding' 

 in all suitable localities. In California it breeds in immense colonies. Mr. Shields 

 states that In Los Angeles county it begins nesting about May 1. The usual number 

 of eggs laid is five, sometimes six, and even eight. The nest is built in any suitable 

 place — in the fork of a large bush or live-oak tree and in garden evergreens, at a 



• A set of five eggs in this series, taken June 8, seems to be unique In their ground- 

 color and markings. They are yellowish-buff, with a homogeneous mass of regular and 

 li regular concentric rings about the larger ends, mingled with a few spots, blotches and 

 bold streaks. These are of a rich reddish-brown, varying In intensity, even approaching 

 black. There are als* underlying circles and spots of purple. Their sizes are .87x.6S, ,88x.66, 

 .KX.6E, .93X.54. .95X.66. 



