422 RED-SHOULDERED ORIOLE. 



cepted, which are deep scarlet, bounded at the 

 lower part by a yellow or yellowish- white verge: 

 the bill and legs are black. The female differs in 

 being of a dusky or brownish colour, with the 

 edges of the plumage whitish or pale, and with a 

 less distinct appearance of the red patch on the 

 shoulders. In this particular indeed the male 

 birds themselves are known to vary considerably 

 in their different stages of growth; and in some 

 the yellowish- white verge is wanting. 



An extremely good description of the general 

 manners of this species is given by Mr. Pennant. 



" They inhabit," says he, ''from the province of 

 New York to the kingdom of Mexico. In North 

 America they are called Red-winged Starlings, and 

 Swamp Blackbirds; in Mexico Conmiendadores, 

 from their red shoulders, resembling a badge worn 

 by the commanders of a certain Spanish order. 

 That kingdom seems to be their most southern 

 residence. They appear in New York in April, 

 and leave the country in October. They probably 

 continue the whole year in the southern parts, at 

 least Catesby and Lawson make no mention of 

 their departure. They are seen in flocks in- 

 numerable, obscuring at times the very sky with 

 their multitudes. They were esteemed the pest 

 of the colonies, making most dreadful havoc among 

 the maize and other grain, both when new sown 

 and when ripe. They are very bold, and not to 

 be terrified with a gun; for notwithstanding the 

 sportsman makes slaughter in a flock, the re- 

 mainder will take a short flight, and settle again 



