BIRDS OF COLORADO. 
93 
1878. During the fall they wander up to at least 13,000 feet; 
in October begin to descend into the valleys. Most of them 
remain through the winter at 7,000 to 9,000 feet, but a few 
come down to the plains. H. G. Hoskins sent one for identifi- 
cation taken at Burlington, near the Kansas line, in January, 
1896, and says that others have been seen there occasionally. 
They have also been taken as wanderers in South Dakota, 
western Nebraska and western Kansas. They begin the 
upward movement early in the spring, before most other mi- 
grants, and are almost the earliest birds to nest at 9,000 feet. 
492. Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus. Pinon Jay. 
Resident; abundant, locally. In the summer the Pinon 
Jay deserves its name, for it breeds almost exclusively among 
the pinon pines from 7,000 to 8,000 feet. A few nests have 
been found as low as 5,000 feet and as high as 9,000. First 
eggs are laid the last of March and first of April, and eggs are 
found as late as the middle of May. Keeps in small parties 
during the breeding season, and in large flocks the remainder 
of the year. Continually changing location according to food 
supply. In autumn wanders far above the pinon pines to 
13,000 feet. Tate in October begins to descend, and spends the 
winter in the lower foothills and on the edge of the plains. At 
this season it wanders eastward across Colorado to Nebraska 
and Kansas. During the winters of 1889, 1890 and 1891 large 
flocks were seen in Finney County in southwestern Kansas. 
Returns to the pinon pines early in spring. 
494. Dolichonyx oryzivorus. Bobolink. 
Summer visitant; rare. Occurs only east of the range on 
the plains and at the base of the foothills. Henshaw saw three 
at the Huerfano crossing in May, 1873, Allen and Brewster 
noted one at Colorado Springs May 18, and two others were 
reported May 23. Prof. Wm. Osburn writes he has seen one at 
Loveland and there was one in the Maxwell Collection. This 
completes the record to date for Colorado. Not known to breed 
in the State. The bird commonly known in Colorado as the 
“Bobolink” is the Lark Bunting {Calamospiza melanocorys). 
495. Molothrus atcr. Cowbird. 
Summer resident ; common. Confined principally to the 
lower regions, breeding from the plains to 8,000 feet. As com- 
mon on the plains as anywhere in the Mississippi Valley. 
Arrives the last of March and leaves late in September. 
497. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Yellow-hfaded 
Blackbird. 
Summer resident ; common. In migration occurs through- 
out the State and breeds in suitable places on the plains and 
