U. S. P. E. E. EXP. AND SUEVEYS—EOUTE TO CALIFOEN1A. 
52 
PYRANGA LUDOVICIANA, Wils.—Louisiana Tanager. 
Fyranga ludoviciana , Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. Ill, p. 231, pi. 210. 
Tanagra ludoviciana , Aud. B. of A. Fol. pi. 400, fig. 3.— Wils. Am. Orn. vol. Ill, p. 27, pi. 20, fig. 1 .— Nutt. 
Orn. vol. I, p. 471. 
Occasionally seen on our late survey, frequenting the dense shady woods, uttering now and 
then its loud and mellow note as it sat perched amid the heavy foliage of the oak. During the 
month of August a fine male specimen was captured on Posa creek, in the act of eating the 
fruit of the elder bush, which at the same time was hearing blossoms, green and ripe fruit. 
Several specimens in young plumage were procured in September, while encamped at Tejon 
valley. 
YPHANTES BULLOCKII, Swains.—Bullock’s Oriole. 
Xanthornus bullockii , Swainson, Philos. Mag. June, 1826, p, 436. 
Icterus bullockii , Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. IV, p. 43, pi. 218. —Baird, Gen. Eep. IX, 549. 
Abundant and migratory, breeding in numbers in Sacramento valley, and also in the southern 
country. Its note, consisting in a clear mellow whistle varying in cadence, is repeated at 
intervals, and is of the same character as that of our Baltimore oriole, (Yphantes haltimore.) 
The nest, pendant from the branch of a tree, is composed of varied materials, such as rags, tow, 
cotton, strings, &c., when made in the neighborhood of civilization where these luxuries are 
obtainable ; hut in the large open plains of California I have often seen it swung to the branches 
of the oak and composed entirely of flexible grasses. The eggs, four to six in number, are 
ashy white, veined at the larger end with numerous lines of black and reddish umber. 
MOLOTHRUS PECORIS, Gmel .—Common Cowbird. 
Mclothrus pecoris , Eich. & Sw. F. Bor. Am. vol. II, p. 277. —Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. IV, p- 16, pi. 212. —Baird, 
Gen. Eep. IX, 524. 
Icterus pecoris , Aud. B. of A. Fol. pi. 424, fig. 4. —Nutt. Orn. vol. I, p. 178. 
Abundant. I remarked a flock of these birds as far south as Fort Yuma, and also in New 
Mexico and Texas. 
AGELAIUS NANTHOCEPHALUS, B o nap .-Saffron-headed Blackbird. 
Agelaius xanthocephalus , Eich. & Sw. F. Bor. Am. vol. II, p. 281.— Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. IV, p. 24, pi. 213. 
Icterus icterocephalus, Bonap. Am. Orn. vol. I, p 27, pi. 3, figs. 1 and 2 .—Nutt. Orn. vol. I, p. 176. 
Xanthocephalus icterocephalus , Baird, Gen. Eep. IX, 531. 
Abundant and found in the fall mingling among the flocks of other species of Agelaius , which 
collect by thousands at that period. On the approach of spring they separate into comparatively 
small bands, and scatter over the plains and marshes in search of food. In May they resort to 
the large marshy districts in the valleys, where they incubate. While on the wing over the 
marshes to and from their nests the male birds emit their notes, (consisting of a curious medley 
of sounds as though produced by strongly striking together pieces of metal or glass,) and 
continue them for some time after alighting. The nest is attached to the upright stalks of the 
reeds, and finally fixed by being wove around them by flexible grasses. It differs from the 
nidification of the other two California species, no mud entering into its composition. This can 
e asily be accounted for by the fact that the nest, suspended in mid-air to the stalks of the reed, 
