CRIMSON-WINGED TROOPIAL. 29 



pressed, with seven large anterior scutella, of which the upper are blended, 

 and two lateral plates meeting at an acute angle behind; toes rather large, 

 compressed, the first much stronger, the outer a little shorter than the inner; 

 claws large, arched, compressed, acute. 



Plumage soft, blended, glossy, the feathers ovate and rounded, Wings of 

 ordinary length, the second and third quills longest and equal, the first 

 shorter than the fourth; the outer secondaries abrupt, and slightly repand. 

 Tail of twelve broadly rounded feathers, rather long, almost even, the lateral 

 feathers being only two-twelfths of an inch shorter than the longest. 



Bill and feet black, iris hazel. The general colour of the plumage is glossy 

 bluish-black; the smaller wing-coverts deep carmine, their lower row white. 



Length to end of tail 9 inches; bill along the ridge \^; wing from flexure 

 5; tail 3^; tarsus Iff; hind toe ff, its claw ^; second toe T 8 2, its claw ff; 

 third toe ff, its claw -{ s ; fourth toe f|, its claw T 4 2 -. 



CRIMSON-WINGED TROOPIAL, OR RED-AND-BLACK- 

 SHOULDERED MARSH BLACKBIRD. 



— Agelaius gubernator, Wagler. 



PLATE CCXV.— Male and Female. 



Of this species, which appears to be abundant about the Columbia river, I 

 have received two specimens from Mr. Townsend, who procured them 

 there. Having seen individuals from Mexico, I think it probable that it 

 returns to that country to spend the winter. Of its habits however I regret 

 that I am entirely ignorant. 



Psarocolius Gubernator, Wagler, Syst. Avium. 



Crimson-winged Troopial, Icterus gubernator , Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 211. 



Male, 9; wing, 5^-. 

 California. 

 Adult Male. 



Bill shorter than the head, conical, straight, stout, compressed toward the 

 end, tapering to a fine point; upper mandible with the dorsal line nearly 



