BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 291 
Distribution. — From the Lower Colorado Valley in southern California 
and Arizona south to Tepie, western Mexico. 
At Phoenix, Arizona, the red-wings have been seen eating a tree- 
worm which was a pest at the time. 
498d. A. p. fortis Ridgw. Thick-billed Red-wing. 
Like A. phccniceus, “ but decidedly larger, with bill relatively much 
shorter and thicker ; adult females, adult male in winter, and immature 
males similar in coloration to the same of A. p. sonoriensis , but distin¬ 
guished by very different measurements.” (Ridgway.) Male: length 
(skins) 8.35-9;50, wing 4.80-5.21, tail 3.48-4.15, bill .78-1.04, depth of bill 
at base .50-.59. Female: length (skins) 6.80-7.68, wing 4.00-4.30, tail 
2.80-3.27, bill .07-.83, depth of bill at base .43-.50. 
Distribution. — Central North America, in migrations from Manitoba 
south to Illinois, Indian Territory, and western Texas, westward to and 
including the Rocky Mountains, and south to Arizona and Chihuahua. 
498e. A. p. neutralis Ridgw. San Diego Red-wing. 
“Similar to A. p. sonoriensis, but smaller, adult female much darker, 
with streaks less strongly contrasted above, those on under parts rather 
broader and grayer, the upper parts with little if any rusty, even in win¬ 
ter.” (Ridgway.) Male: length (skins) 7.85-9.00, wing 4.60-5.00, tail 
3.35-3.85, bill .S5-.98. Female: length (skins) 6.60-7.68, wing 3.80-4.10, 
tail 2.64-3.08, bill .73-.S3. 
Distribution. — Great Basin district of United States, southward to 
southern California and northern Lower California. 
498f. A- p. caurinus Ridgw. Northwestern Red-wing. 
Similar to A. phceniceus, “ but wings and bill longer, the latter more 
slender; adult male with buff of middle wing coverts deeper, deep oclira- 
ceous-buff or ochraceous in winter; adult females more heavily streaked 
with black beneath, and, in winter plumage, with upper parts much more 
conspicuously marked with rusty.” (Ridgway). Male: length (skins) 
8.60-9.10, wing 4.57-5.10, tail 3.39-3.83, bill .90-1.01. Female: length 
(skins) 6.80-7.80, wing 3.85-4.22, tail 2.80-3.27, bill .77-.S6. 
Distribution. — Northwest coast district from British Columbia south 
through western Washington and Oregon to northern California. 
499. Agelaius gubernator californicus Nelson. Bicolored 
Blackbird. 
Adult male. — Black, shoulder patch red, the middle wing coverts having 
their buffy or brownish bases concealed by black tips. Adult female in 
breeding plumage: nearly uniform blackish brown, throat huffy and 
streaked. Adult female in winter: feathers edged with rusty. Young: 
corresponding to phases of the red-wing. Male: length (skins) 7.80-8.60, 
wing 4.66-5.09, tail 3.20-3.78, bill .78-91. Female : length (skins) 6.90- 
7.50, wing 3.97—4.23, tail 2.68—3.02, bill .73-.78. 
Distribution. — Western Oregon and northern and central coast district 
of California. 
Nest. — In or near marshes, on tufts of marsh grass or weeds, 1 to 3 
feet above the water ; made of grasses and strips of soft bark, usually 
lined with grass-tops and sometimes horsehair. Eggs: usually 2 to 4, 
pale bluish green, generally spotted, marbled, and streaked, mostly about 
the larger end, with brown, black, and purple. 
