128 



ORNITHOLOGY. 



was observed in small parties about the middle of July, near the mouth 

 of the Columbia River, and in large flocks, in the succeeding October, 

 in California. 



2. Agelaius tricolor {Aud uhon) .-^The Western Red-wing. 

 Icterus tricolor^ Audubon, Orn. Biog. V, p. 1 (1839). 



Aud. B. of Am. Plate CCCLXXXVIII, fig. 1 ; oct. ed. lY, Plate 

 CCXIV. 



Specimens of this species appear to have been obtained in company 

 with the preceding, and are now in the collection. According to Dr. 

 Heermann, an indefatigable naturalist, who has twice visited California, 

 this bird, the preceding, and Agelaius xantlioceplialus, associate together 

 in large flocks during the fall season. (Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. 

 II, p. 268, Quarto.) 



10. Genus SCOLECOPHAGUS, Swains. Faun. Bor. Am. II, p. 494 (1831). 



1. ScoLECOPHAGUS MESICANUS, Swainsoii. — The Western Grakle. 



Scolecophagxis me.cicamts, Swainson, Cab. Cy. Birds, II, p. 302 (1838). 

 Quiscalus Breicerii, Audubon, Birds of Am. Oct. ed. VII, p. 345 (1844). 



Aud. B. of Am. oct. ed. VII, Plate CCCCXCII. 



This species, now well known as a bird of California, was observed 

 by the naturalists of the Expedition in Oregon, and appears to range 

 throughout the entire extent of Western North America. It is abun- 

 dant in California. 



Mr. Peale's remarks on this species are as follows : 

 " Specimens of this bird were obtained at Puget's Sound, in Oregon, 

 during the spring and early summer months ; they were in perfect and 

 brilliant plumage. In the month of October, they were again seen 

 near the Mission of St. Joseph, in California, in vast flocks ; the greater 

 part had then rusty-looking plumage, and were very like the Rusty 



