94 
BIRDS OF COLORADO. 
among the foothills and parks to 7,500 feet. Scott found one 
July 20 at Twin Lakes at 9,500 feet, but did not ascertain that 
it nests at that altitude. Arrives about the middle of April 
and breeds early in June. Usually departs in September, but 
Capt. P. M. Thorne found one at Las Animas as late as 
October 17. 
498. Agelaius phoeniceus. Red-winged Blackbird. 
Summer resident ; common. One of the most abundant 
birds on the plains in suitable places, breeding principally below 
7,500 feet but occasionally up to 9,000 feet. Arrives early, 
usually about the middle of March and remains in flocks until 
the middle of May, when it pairs and breeds during the whole 
month of June. The bulk depart late in October; some remain 
a month later, and a few linger through most of the winter. 
During the mild winter of 1895-6 they were common even in 
northern Colorado, and during the winter of 1896-7 very large 
flocks were constantly piesent. It would seem probable that 
the presence of part of them at least was due to the increased 
abundance of food. Beginning in 1892, more and more sheep 
have been fed in the Valley of the Poudre and Big Thompson 
Rivers. The number during the winter of 1896-7 has reached 
nearly 200,000. All of these are fed on corn in open yards. 
The blackbirds in large numbers have made these yards their 
feeding grounds and have apparently derived a good share of 
their food from the scattered grain. 
[499. Agelaius gubernator californicus. BicoLORED Blackbird. 
Has not been taken in Colorado, but one was taken by Mr. Bond at Chey- 
enne, Wyo., April 14, 1889. (Auk, VI. 1889, 341.) This is just over the line 
from Colorado and the bird must have crossed Colorado to get there. This is a 
Pacific Coast bird and the occurrence is of course accidental.] 
501b. Sturnelia magna neglecta. Western Meadowlark. 
Summer resident; abundant. More especially a bird of 
the plains, but also common in the lower mountain parks. 
Breeds on the plains and to 8.000 feet. Also met both in sum- 
mer and fall above timber-line, but does not breed so high. 
Arrives early in Alarch and breeds the latter part of May. 
Moves southward in October, though a few winter in southern 
Colorado. During the winter of 1895-6 they were not uncom- 
mon over most of the plains region of the State and also during 
1896-7. 
506. Icterus spurius. Orchard Oriole. 
Summer visitant; rare, if not accidental. The only record 
for Colorado known to the present writer is the single specimen 
taken by Allen at Denver. (Bull. ]\Ius. Comp. Zool. III. 1872, 
113-183.) There seem to have been other records, but they are 
no longer accessible. 
