249 
ICTERIDyE.—ORIOLES. 
81. Agelceusphceniceus, (Linn.), var. gubernator , (Wagl.).—Red-shouldered Blackbird. 
Psarocolius gubernator , Wagl., Isia, 1832, 281. 
Agelaius gxibernator , Woodh., Sitgr. Exp., 1853, 89 (California).—Newb., P. P. B. Pep., vi, 1857, 
86 (California).—Bd., B. N. A., 1858, 529.—Coop., B., Cal., i, 1870, 263.—Bendire, Proc. Bost.Soc. 
Nat. Hist., vol. xviii, 1815, 158. 
Agelaius phoenieexis var. gubernator , Coues, Key N. A. B., 1872, 156.—Bd., B., & P., N. A. B., ii, 
1874, 163. 
Though in perfectly adult plumage easily distinguishable from phceniceus , this bird 
is very closely allied to that species, but may perhaps properly he set apart from it as 
its western varietal form. It occurs throughout California, being, however, according 
to Dr. Cooper, chiefly a bird of the warm interior. I saw these birds in but few in¬ 
stances, and had no opportunity to observe their habits, which, however, according to 
other observers, are quite identical with those of the Eastern Red-wing. 
So far as I am aware, no specimens of A. phceniceus of unquestioned identity have 
ever been taken in California, aud I am led to believe that this bird does not occur 
there at all. The immature stages of A. gubernator are so much like the corresponding 
conditions of phceniceus that they may readily be mistaken, the one for the other, and in 
this way A.phceniceus has erroneously been ascribed to California. 
No. 
Sex. 
Locality. 
Date. 
Collector. 
31 
366 
cf ad. 
$ ad. 
Los Angeles, Cal. 
Fort Tejon, Cal ____ _ 
June 18 
Amr. Ifi 
H. W. Henshaw. 
... do. 
82. Agelceus tricolor, Nutt. 
Icterus tricolor , Nutt. Man., i, 2d ed., 1840,186. 
Agelceus tricolor , Newb., P. R. R. Pep., vi, 1857, 86.—Bd., B. N. A., 1858, 530.—Santas, Proc. Phila. 
Acad. Nat. Sci., 1859, 192 (Fort Tejon, Cal.).—Coop., B. Cal., i, 1870, 265.—Bd., B., &. B., N. A. 
B., ii, 1874, 165. 
Agelceus phceniceus var. tricolor , Coues, Key N. A. B., 1872,156. 
The isolation of this form from its allies seems to be warrantable in view of the tan¬ 
gible differences that distinguish them in all stages, especially when taken in con¬ 
nection with the different habits and notes which most observers have remarked. 
The species is quite strictly confined to California, possibly reaching on the north 
into Southern Oregon. In the southern portiou of the State it is resident both on the 
sea-coast and in the interior. I found the species breeding in but one locality, in Santa 
Clara Valley, June 21. Noticing large numbers of Blackbirds flying across the road and 
into an adjoining pasture, I followed their flight till I found myself before a patch of 
nettles and briers that must have covered three or four acres. The place was not at 
all swampy, but was a dry pasture, differing in this respect entirely from the breeding- 
places selected by the Red-wings in the East. I noticed that each bird as it darted down 
into the clump bore in its bill a large object, which I subsequently found to be grass¬ 
hoppers. The cause of their journeyings was then explained. They had found some 
spot where these insects were very numerous, and back and forth they poured all day 
long, bringing in their bills all they could carry for their hungry young. The nettles 
grew so dense and high, some attaining to 12 feet, that I found it almost impossible to 
force my way into their midst, nor did I succeed in penetrating beyond a few yards. 
I speak within bounds when I say that two hundred pairs had here congregated to rear 
their young, and the odor arising from some portions was almost as strong as from the 
Cormorant rookeries. The nests were there by hundreds, nearly every bush holding 
several. They were, however, mostly old, showing that the place had served for a 
breeding-resort for probably many years. A few of the nests were this season’s aud 
contained young, none that I saw having eggs, though could I have extended my search 
some would doubtless have been found. The nests were rather slight, flimsy structures, 
but in general resembled those made by the Red-wing of the East, and were fastened on 
the bushes in the same way. My presence among them created a great disturbance, 
and the trees were soon covered with the parent birds, one and all resenting this intru¬ 
sion on their old-time possessions in no gentle tones. A few days later I came across 
an immense flock of young birds in the streaked nesting-plumage. Able to take care 
of themselves, they had gathered thus together, and fairly covered several small trees 
by the roadside. In all the number there was not a single adult bird. Later still, 
July 6, a similar flock was found at Santa Barbara, the young having parted from the 
old birds and made an independent party. Possibly this early separation is due to the 
fact that the parents, having seen their charges fairly fledged and able to shift for them¬ 
selves, shook them off and busied themselves with preparatious for a second brood. 
Heermann notes another very similar breeding-ground in the north of California; 
