162 



495a. Molothrus ater obscurus (Gmel.). [258 a.] Dwarf Cowbird. 



This is the common Cowbird from middle Texas southward and west- 

 ward. It was noted at San Antonio by Mr. Atwater, breeding there in 

 company with the typical form. Mr. Lloyd states that it is abundant 

 in summer in Tom Green and Concho Counties, Tex., and Mr. Nehrling 

 records it as a common breeder in eastern Texas, near Houston. 



496. Molothrus eeneus (Wagl.). [259.] Bronzed Cowbird. 



A Mexican and Central American species, whose northern limit is in 

 the valley of the Lower Kio Grande, in Texas. It was found breeding 

 abundantly at Fort Brown, Brownsville, Hidalgo, and Lometa Ranch, 

 by Dr. J. C. Merrill and Mr. Geo. B. Sennett. One of our observers, 

 Mr. Kegley, says it is abundant at Eagle Pass. 



497. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus (Bonap.). [260.] Yellow-headed Blackbird. 



Breeds from Manitoba southward. Though a bird principally of the 

 Plains and of western North America, it may be found in restricted lo- 

 calities over most of the Mississippi Valley. It seldom winters as far 

 north as Illinois, but is found in the Southern States. In eastern Texas 

 near Houston, it is a common winter resident (Nehrling). In the valley 

 of the Lower Rio Grande it occurs in winter, but is not common (Sen- 

 nett & Merrill). It is very abundant in winter atMermenton, La., and 

 was reported as a spring visitor at Corinth, in northeastern Mississippi. 

 Most of the migration takes place in April. In the spring of 1884 the 

 Yellow-headed Blackbird reached Oak Point, Manitoba, May 5, and the 

 bulk appeared the next day at Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. Many 

 records were received, but they are very irregular. For example, in 

 Minnesota the first was seen at latitude 45° 05' 7 June 3 ; at latitude 

 47° 25', May 17, and at latitude 46° 33', April 8, when it was u common." 

 It is probable that the irregularity in the notes on this species is due to 

 the restricted localities which the birds visit year after year, their pas- 

 sage to and fro being unnoticed. Should the observer know these spots 

 and watch them closely he will find the real first, but if he trusts to 

 chance to show him the bird his record will be much behind. While 

 living in Wisconsin there was a spot covering a few acres, 19 miles 

 distant, where the birds could be found every year; but in over a dozen 

 years' residence none were ever seen in the marshes within 5 rnih-s of 

 town, though during this time they had slightly extended their range. 



In the fall of 1884 flocks of Yellow-headed Blackbirds were seen at 

 San Angelo, Tex., September 28, and two days later the last had gone. 



In the spring of 1885 the record of no other species showed so plainly 

 that its migration on the Plains was much later than in corresponding 

 latitudes nearer the Mississippi River. The Texas records were quite 

 regular and are as follows: At Eagle Pass, Tex., the first w T as seen 

 April 12; San Antonio, Tex., flocks were seen passing north almost 

 every day from April 13 to May 25, on which date a flock of several 

 thousand was seen in a field where oats were being cut. At both Bon- 



