DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

JOHN BARTON PAYNE. SECRETARY

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

STEPHEN T. MATHER, DIRECTOR

BIRDS

OF THE

PAPAGO SAGUARO
NATIONAL MONUMENT

AND THE NEIGHBORING REGION

ARIZONA

By

H. S. SWARTH

Contribution from the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology
of the University of California

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1920

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

JOHN BARTON PAYNE. SECRETARY

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

STEPHEN T. MATHER. DIRECTOR

BIRDS

OF THE

PAPAGO SAGUARO
NATIONAL MONUMENT

AND THE NEIGHBORING REGION

ARIZONA

By
H. S. SWARTH

Contribution from the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology
of the University of California

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1920

THE NATIONAL MONUMENTS.

ADMINISTERED BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.

[Number, 24; total area, 1,815. 22 square miles; chronologically in order of creation.]

Name.

Location.

Area
(acres).

Distinctive characteristics.

Devils Tower (1906)
Montezuma Castle (1906)

El Morro (1906)

Wyoming
Arizona

New Mexico

1,152
U60

240

Remarkable natural rock tower, of volcanic
origin, 1,200 feet in height.
Prehistoric cliff -dwelling ruin of unusual size
situated in a niche in face of a vertical cliff.
Of scenic and ethnologic interest.

Petrified Forest (1906)

Arizona

25, 625

a castle, upon which inscriptions have been
placed by early Spanish explorers. Con-
tains cliff-dweller ruins. Of great historic,
scenic, and ethnologic interest.
Abundance of petrified coniferous trees, one

Chaco Canyon (cha'k6) (1907).
Muir Woods" (mur) (1908) ....

Pinnacles (1908)

New Mexico...
California

do

i 20, 629
295

2 080

of which forms a small natural bridge. Is
of great scientific interest.
Numerous cliff-dweller ruins, including com-
munal houses, in good condition and but
little excavated.
One of the most noted redwood groves in
California, and was donated by Hon.
William Kent, ex-Member of Congress.
Located 7 miles from San Francisco.
Many spirelike rock formations, 600 to 1,000

Natural bridges (1908)

Lewis and Clark Cavern2
(1908).

Tumacacori (tu-ma-ka'k6-r6)

Utah

Montana
Arizona

12,740

160
• 10

feet high, visible many miles; also numer-
ous caves, and other formations.
3 natural bridges, among largest examples of
their kind . Largest bridge is 222 feet high,
65 feet thick at top of arch; arch is 28 feet
wide; span, 261 feet; height of span, 157 feet.
Other two slightly smaller.
Immense limestone cavern of great scientific
interest, magnificently decorated with
stalactite formations. Now closed to
public because of depredations by vandals.
Ruin of Franciscan mission dating from

(1908).

Navajo (nav'a-ho) (1909)

Shoshone Cavern (sh6-sh6-ne>
(1909).
Gran Quivira (granke-ve'ra)
(1909).

Sitka (1910)

....do
Wyoming
New Mexico...

Alaska

360
210
560

!57

seventeenth century. Being restored bv
National Park Service as rapidly as limited
funds permit.
Numerous pueblo, or cliff-dweller ruins, in
good preservation.
Cavern of considerable extent, near Cody.

One of the most important of earliest Spanish
mission ruins in the Southwest. Monu-
ment also contains Pueblo ruins.
Park of great natural beauty, and historic

Rainbow Bridge (1910)

Utah

160

interest as scene of massacre of Russians by
Indians. Contains 16 totem poles of best
native workmanship.
Unique natural bridge of great scientific

Colorado (1911)

Papago Saguaro (pa'pa-g6-sa-
gwa'ro) (1914).

Dinosaur (di'no-s6r) (1915)....

Capulin Mountain(kap'u-lm)
(1916).
Verendrye (v6r-r6n-dre) (1917)

Casa Grande (ka'sa gran'da) 3
(1918).

Katmai (kat'ml) (1918)
Scotts Bluft (1919)

Colorado
Arizona

Utah

New Mexico...
North Dakota..

Arizona
Alaska
Nebraska

2,050

80
681
253.04

480
1 1,088,000
2, 053. 83

interest and symmetry. Height 309 feet
above water, and span is 278 feet, in shape
of rainbow.
Many lofty monoliths, and is wonderful ex-
ample of erosion, and of great scenic beauty
and interest.
Splendid collection of characteristic desert
flora and numerous pictographs. Interest-
ing rock formations.
Deposits of fossil remains of prehistoric ani-
mal life of great scientific interest.
Cinder cone of geologically recent formation.

Includes Crowhigh Butte, peculiar mountain
formation, from which Explorer Verendrve
first beheld territory beyond Missouri
River.
These ruins are one of the most noteworthy
relics of a preiiistoric age and people within
the limits of the United States. Discover-
ed in ruinous condition in 1694.
Wonderland of great scientific interest in the
study of volcanism. Phenomena exist
upon a scale ol great magnitude. Includes
"Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. "
Region of historic and scientific interest.

Yucca House (yflc'ca) (1919).

Colorado

9.6

Many famous old trails, traversed by the
early pioneers in the winning of the west,
passed over and through this monument.
Located on eastern slope of Sleeping Ute
Mountain. Ruins of great archtcologica]
value, relic of prehistoric inhabitants.

i Estimated. 2 Donated to the United States .

3 From Mar. 2, 1889, until Aug. 3, 1918, classified as a National Park.

CONTENTS.

Page.

The national monuments 2

Introduction 5

Bird life of the Papago Saguaro National Monument contrasted with

that of the adjoining cultivated regions 11

Birds of the giant cactus 13

Birds of Roosevelt Lake and the Tonto National Monument 15

Birds of the Sierra Ancha 21

General accounts of some birds of the region 27

Palmer thrasher 27

Cactus wren 29

Verdin 31

Western kingbird 32

Dwarf cowbird 33

Desert sparrow 34

Phainopepla 35

Zone-tailed hawk 36

Texas nighthawk 38

Arizona crested flycatcher 39

Desert quail 40

White-winged dove 41

Inca dove 43

Mearns gilded flicker 45

Gila woodpecker 48

Farallon cormorant 52

Pallid great blue heron 53

Black-crowned night heron 54

Birds seen on Papago Saguaro National Monument, Ariz., May 30 to

June 4, 1917 54

Birds seen at and near Ternpe, May 30 to June 4, 1917 55

Birds seen in vicinity of Roosevelt Lake, June 5 to 11 and July 2 to 5,

1917 , 56

Birds seen in the Sierra Ancha, June 11 to July 2, 1917 57

Birds seen at Globe, July 5 to 7, 1917 _*_ 58

Index 61

3

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page.
Figure 1. Map showing location of the Papago Saguaro National

Monument 5

Plate I. General view over the Papago Saguaro National Monu-
ment 12

II. Giant Cactus or Saguaro, Papago Saguaro National Monu-
ment 14

III. A. Looking eastward from forested summit of the Sierra

Ancha ; B. Roosevelt Lake, the Sierra Ancha in the dis-
tance 22

IV. A. Sierra Ancha, looking northward from the divide near

Roosevelt Lake; B. Sierra Ancha, looking southeastward

from the divide 23

V. Location of nest of the painted redstart ; Sierra Ancha 26

VI. Closer view of the painted redstart's nest 27

VII. A. Plumbeous gnatcatcher on nest ; B. Male Gila woodpecker. 48
VIII. A. Nest with five eggs of Gila woodpecker in giant cactus;

B. Nesting colony of Farallon cormorant 52

4

INTRODUCTION.

A few miles east of Phoenix, Arizona, between that city and the
village of Tempe, lies the Papago Saguaro National Monument, a
tract of land set aside primarily to conserve certain types of desert
vegetation in a region that is rapidly changing in* appearance
through increased cultivation of the soil. Some 80 miles from
Phoenix, to the northeast, is the Tonto National Monument, contain-
ing two groups of cliff dwellings; and adjoining the latter is the

FIG. 1. — Map showing location of the Papago Saguaro National Monument.

Roosevelt Bird Reservation, encircling the shores of Roosevelt Lake.
These several points are linked together by the scenic highway known
as " the Apache Trail," a road extending between Phoenix and Globe.
The purpose of the present publication is to direct attention to
some of the interesting features of the bird life of this region — a
section which, although attracting increasing numbers of visitors
each year, has not generally been regarded as including many bird
species among its attractions. This report is not presented as a

5

6 INTRODUCTION.

" complete " account of the birds of this part of Arizona, but rather
as an outline, partly filled in, of one phase of the subject, treating
primarily of tjie breeding species. It is based upon a trip of six
weeks' duration made by the writer during the summer of 1917
under the auspices of the California Museum of Vertebrate Zoology,
a trip made possible through the interest of Mr. E. O. McCormick,
of San Francisco. The itinerary was as follows : Phoenix, May 29 ;
Tempe, May 29 to June 5; Roosevelt, June 5 to 11, July 2 to 5;
Sierra Ancha, June 11 to July 2; Globe, July 5 to 7.

About Tempe trips were made over the Papago Saguaro Monu-
ment, in the willow bottoms of the Salt River for several miles east
of the town, and through a portion of the farming section for some
4 or 5 miles south of town. At Roosevelt, with headquarters at
" The Lodge," excursions were made on foot as far as the cliff dwell-
ings of the Tonto National Monument, some 5 miles from the hotel
on the Salt River branch of the lake, and for several miles up the
Tonto Creek arm. Trips by motor boat were also taken, on one %of
which a visit was made to a breeding colony of water birds near the
mouth of Tonto Creek. In the Sierra Ancha I stayed at the ranch
of Mr. John C. Carr. This lies some 20 miles from the ferry at
the south end of the lake, is on the main road through the moun-
tains, and about 3 miles north of the divide, at an altitude of 5,410
feet. From this point I was able to make trips as far as the summit
of Aztec Peak (7,500 feet) and to the heads oi certain of the canyons
on the northeast slope. The birds recorded from Globe were ob-
served on several trips, some on foot and some by rig, along roads
within a radius of 4 or 5 miles from the town.

As observations were made during the nesting season, the birds
seen were, with few exceptions, those that breed in the places where
they were found. One hundred and ten species of birds were noted,
nearly a third of the total number (375) known to inhabit Arizona.
This is probably a fairly complete list of the summer birds of this
section, though there are a few species (the elf owl and ferruginous
pigmy owl, for example) that certainly do occur here, but that were
not encountered by the writer. Two species were added to the list of
birds of Arizona as a result of the trip. One is the indigo bunting
(Passerina cyanea) , of which an adult male was secured June 30 at
Carr's Ranch, in the Sierra Ancha. The second species is the
Bendire crossbill (Loxia curvirostra bendirei), of which two females
were taken June 16, also at Carr's Ranch. While the list of species
here given is believed to be fairly complete as regards summer birds,
there are, of course, many additional species to be looked for during
the periods of migration in spring and fall. There is a still different
aggregation composed of winter visitants.

INTRODUCTION. 7

It is not possible to give here exhaustive accounts of all the species
encountered, but a selection has been made of those especially con-
spicuous or noteworthy, and of these certain phases of their life his-
tory are detailed at some length. There has been no attempt at uni-
formity in these sketches ; they are merely presentations of the several
species in the manner in which they are most apt to be encountered.
The brief paragraphs entitled " recognition marks " aim to give cer-
tain conspicuous features by which the birds may be recognized in
life. The nominal lists of species from various localities serve to
enumerate those birds actually observed by the writer at the several
points indicated.

To the amateur student of birds visiting the region here treated it
is suggested that, together with the present publication, use be made
of Bailey's Handbook of Birds of the Western United States
(Houghton Mifflin Co., publishers) and Swarth's Distributional List
of the Birds of Arizona (Cooper Ornithological Club, Hollywood,
Calif.). The former, w,ith its detailed descriptions and numerous
illustrations, will serve to identify the species encountered ; the latter
lists the birds of the State with the manner of their occurrence, and
also contains an exhaustive bibliography of the literature pertaining
to the ornithology of Arizona.

In the following pages the names of birds used are those found
in the American Ornithologists' Union Check-List of North Ameri-
can Birds (1910 edition) with the one supplement since added (1912),
or, where there is variation from this standard, the names used are
from Swarth's Distributional List of the Birds of Arizona. A single
exception to this rule occurs in the Bendire crossbill (Loxia curvi-
rostra, bendirei). In the Check-List this species is included under
Loxia c. minor. It does not appear in the Distributional List of the
Birds of Arizona, as it was not known to occur in the State when the
latter was published. As an easily recognizable subspecies it is en-
titled to the nomenclatural recognition here accorded the race.

The very name of the Apache Trail carries with it a suggestion
of the romance of the country the road traverses, while the history
of the highway itself is an epitome of the story of the State of
Arizona. The road, prosaically built to meet modern needs in the
construction of Roosevelt Dam, completed by the Government in
1911, follows the ages-old trail of the Apache Indian, a well-worn
pathway from the barren and forbidding mountain fastnesses in
which he made his home, to the valley below, where he found his
accustomed prey. With the completion of the dam the prime need
of the road's existence ceased to be, but in it there was left to the
State — a by-product of the reclamation project, as it were — a scenic
highway of unrivaled attraction. As such it is bound to draw in-

8 INTRODUCTION.

creasing admiration and use. Other States also have their high-
ways, more or less illustrative of the Commonwealths which they
traverse, but it is doubtful if another stretch of road of similar
length could be found displaying so perfectly such a varied array
of natural features and industries — a cross section of the State, so
to speak, and a synopsis of its characteristics.

From Phoenix to Roosevelt, 80 miles, and from Roosevelt to Globe,
40 miles, the Apache Trail cuts through the center of Arizona. Fol-
lowing its course we find the modern city of Phoenix, with the highly
cultivated farm lands of the valley about Tempe and Mesa, in close
proximity to primitive desert, as illustrated in the Papago Saguaro
National Monument; barren rocky hills hemming in lake and river;
pine-clad mountains looking down upon cactus-covered valleys be-
low ; and farms, cattle ranges, and mines all displayed to the traveler
on the biggest possible scale.

In the background is the Apache Indian of the San Carlos Reser-
vation, a quiet spectator now, his previous activities having met with
disapproval, and behind him are the brooding structures of the cliff
dwellers, striving to tell a tale that no one has as yet interpreted.

Just as this highway gives to the passing tourist a general concep-
tion of the various human interests and natural features of Arizona,
so, to the student of birds, is offered an outline inclusive of most of the
features of the avifauna of the entire State. The ornithologist trav-
ersing the region should do so with the following points in mind :

1. For its entire length the Apache. Trail passes through the type
of .country that geographers term the Lower Sonoran Zone, ;which
includes all the low hot valleys of Arizona. The hills about Roose-
velt and Globe appear to be at the extreme upper limit of this di-
vision, but, except for a few species encountered at these points, the
birds of the Apache Trail belong to the highly characteristic avifauna
of the Lower Sonoran southwestern deserts.

2. There is a/pliFficTrta^lyinteresting subdivision of this zone con-
stituted by the giant cactus association ; and growths of giant cactus
possess a pecuU^r^group oPbirds which go with it over most of the
trail.

3. About Phoenix and Tempe may be observed in sharp contrast the
original desert avifauna and the very different bird life that has
come with farming and all that is implied in extensive irrigation.

4. Just north of Roosevelt Lake are the Sierra Ancha, rising to a
height of about 7,500 feet and within easy reach for those

to devote a few^days-krar^ftekririp. Here, amid forest^ of yellow pii
marking the^Transition Zonefhiay be observed an asserhldage£f birdsj
differing as wlttely^romthat of the valley 15 miles away as

INTRODUCTION. 9

birds of Maine from those of Florida. Hardly a species will be seen
that occurs in both places.

5. Southern Arizona is characterized by certain Mexican species of
birds, some of which barely cross the boundary line, while others
extend somewhat farther north. These for the most part are not
birds of the low, hot valleys, as might be supposed, but species of the
central plateau region of Mexico. In Arizona they are inhabitants
of the higher mountains, and the Sierra Ancha is at nearly the
northern extreme reached by any of these birds.

At the eastern approach to the Apache Trail, in the vicinity of
Bowie, the train passes through country of a different character from
other parts of the State. Here are long stretches of grassland, dotted
with yuccas, and in places extensively grown up with scattered mes-
quite thickets, totally unlike the cactus-covered desert a little farther
to the westward. This southeastern corner of Arizona possesses an
avifauna that is quite distinctive, as compared with the rest of the
State, and the traveler has an opportunity of seeing from the train
a few of the more conspicuous species. He is sure to encounter flocks
of the white-necked raven and an occasional Swainson hawk, common
in this eastern region, but not apt to be seen over the Apache
Trail proper.

BIRD LIFE OF THE PAPAGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT
CONTRASTED WITH THAT OF THE ADJOINING CULTIVATED
REGIONS.

The bird student contemplating a trip over the Apache Trail
should plan to spend several days in the region about Phoenix and
Tempe, for here better than anywhere else in the State can be con-
trasted the faunas of the desert and of the irrigated farm land, side
by side.

For a study of desert birds no more accessible place could be found
than the Papago Saguaro National Monument, on the highway be-
tween Phoenix and Tempe. This is a tract of approximately 2,000
acres of desert land, about 9 miles east of Phoenix and 3 miles from
Tempe. It is a rolling mesa, of gravelly or rocky soil, traversed by a
ridge of hills, rising 200 or 300 feet above the level of the surrounding
desert. The plant growth is typical sparse desert vegetation,--s»€h\as
occurs over vast stretches of southern Arizona. (Giant cactus/is
evenly, though not thickly, distributed-^veFthe whole~~area. Every-
where there aye clumps of "^nolla " cactus, lo/ally known as " jump-
ing cactus,'^* peculiarly diabbiicaLs^pt'Wtrose thorns penetrate-afc-the*
Such. The local name is derived from the ease with which
sections break off and adhere to whatever brushes against them, no
matter how lightly; the thorny joints give the impressJolTofactuali]
leaping at J&e-passey . Here and there are le

md in the sandy washes thickets
*The most generally prevalent plant Ts({he creosote
rounded bushes of dark green hue, scattered
formly over even the most unprepossessing sections. Many
gravelly ridges are grown up with this plant to the exclusion of prac-
tically everything else. Along the canal which crossesj;he Monument,
seepage of water has produced limited growths of arrow weedyand

[nthe rocky hills of the central ridge numerous caves have been
worn by the elements, in one place an opening extending clear through
the hill. This aperture, known locally as " Hole-in-the-rock," is about
15 feet high and 25 feet long, with a broad approach at either side.
It is used as a picnic ground by the people of Phoenix and Tempe.

The bird life of the Papago Saguaro Monument is that of the desert
purely, and as such must not be judged by the same standards that
would be applied to some other sections. A fairly long list of
species may be confidently expected, but as a rule there is not an

11

12 BIRDS OF THE PAP AGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

abundance of individuals. Birds are not as numerous as, for ex-
ample, they are in the willow thickets of a river bottom, or in some
other such place where there is food and shelter for numbers.

On the desert plains the first impression is of a total absence of
birds. Then, one by one, species come to view, until at the end of
several hours' observation a list of surprising length will have been
drawn up. Quite surely among the first will be the Palmer thrasher.
As likely as not the shrill whistle of one of these birds will bring
the observer up shortly, with a panicky feeling that the sound is
a warning against trespass. It is a very human note; as though
the whistler were deeply annoyed, and had the power and full
intention of making his resentment felt.

Standing beside a giant cactus, trying vainly to derive some com-
fort from its slender strip of shade, one becomes conscious of a con-
tinuous hissing emerging from within the trunk. There is nothing
to be seen, but presently a gilded flicker appears, flying from a
distance, and, if not too much startled by the intruder, disappears
within some one of the several holes in sight, and the hissing vastly
augments.

Then a couple of Arizona crested flycatchers may appear, squab-
bling riotously over the bushes. In following them a brood of
full-fledged cactus wrens is flushed from a clump of cholla cactus,
and these disperse in characteristic swooping flight, skimming close
over the ground. A passing white-winged dove halts his flight and
alights upon the top of a tall saguaro, apparently for the sole pur-
pose of delivering his complicated cooing, for he departs as soon
as this rite is finished. Altogether, one presently discovers that a
rather surprisingly large number of birds has been observed.

There are many places in the Salt River Valley where the contrast-
ing pictures of desert and farm lands can be viewed side by side,
separated, perhaps, merely by the width of an irrigation canal. The
transformation is startling and no less complete in the bird life than
it is in the vegetation.

A writer in Motor West (vol. XXVII, July, 1917, p. 10), describ-
ing an auto tour through Arizona, words his impression of the change
in phrases so happily chosen that I can not do better than insert them
here:

Then, all at once, a transformation so wonderful that it is still hard to be-
lieve. We crossed a wide irrigation canal, whose still-flowing waters reflected
the red evening sky. It might have been a magic moat whose waters the evil
spirits of the desert could not cross; for here was no desert road, but a lane
of arching cottonwoods, with fields of alfalfa on either side, vine-covered farm-
houses, sleek cattle in the fields, and the smell of newly cut hay instead of
choking dust. And out of the green wall of the cottonwoods came a perfect
ecstasy of song from orioles and redwing blackbirds, rejoicing over the victory
man had won over the desert. Republics may be ungrateful toward the men

BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT. 13

who fight their battles and tame their wildernesses, but, rest assured, the birds
are not. If the engineers and the builders who toiled for years under the desert
sun on the Roosevelt Dam ever want to hear really adequate praise for their
achievement, let them ride as we did down that road into Phoenix at sundown
and hear the birds' opinion of it.

There is this to be said, however, as regards the vociferous rejoic-
ing of the birds anent the victory of the waters over the desert. There
is no question as to the greatly augmented avian population, for the
birds are there, conspicuous to eye and ear, and unmistakably flourish-
ing as one result of this taming of the wilderness. But, on second
thought, realization comes that these loud-voiced proclaimers of their
happiness are not the original dwellers of the land, exulting in their
improved condition and environment, but rather are they upstart
newcomers, " nesters " who have entirely replaced the old-time dwell-
ers of the open range.

Thrashers of several species, verdin, desert sparrow, plumbeous
gnatcatcher, gilded flicker, and their ilk, too conservative to be con-
tent far from their thorny desert, have withdrawn from those sec-
tions where green alfalfa and cotton has replaced mesquite, cholla,
and creosote bush, and their places are taken by blackbirds, orioles,
meadowlark, and kingbird; natives of Arizona, it is true, but
formerly restricted to limited areas, mostly along the river beds.

There are a few species that have, to a certain extent, been able
to adapt themselves to nejssr «ondit«5fcs. The Gila woodpecker finds
himself satisfied with t^ie cottonwoodjtrees which farmers plant for
shade or ornament. The""Cft£tus wjen appears to be more adaptable
than I had given him credit for, certainly far more so here than he
has been in California, and was seen frequenting brush piles or
gardens, where there was cultivated ground on all sides.

The net result of the cultivation of the valleys is, quite evidently,
a vastly augmented bird population as regards number of indi-
viduals. There is no greater number of species than before, but the
proportions are different. It is a replacement of one type of native
fauna by another, not an increased number of the original inhab-
itants. For the most part, birds whose whole organism is adapted
to existence in the hot, dry desert, amidst thorn bushes and cactus,
can not at once change to life amidst greenery, shade, and abundant
water. It is, perhaps, well for the farmer that they can not, for a
few desert species wrhich have tentatively sampled some of the re-
sults of civilization, as exemplified in vegetable gardens and fruit
trees, are already being complained of in some quarters.

BIRDS OF THE GIANT CACTUS.

To the visitor from other sections of the country, entering Arizona
for the first time, there is probably no feature of the unfamiliar

14 BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

landscape that is more impressive than the giant cactus. The great
size of this plant gives it rank among its kind comparable to the
sequoia among forest trees, while in appearance it seems like a
weird intruder from another world or another epoch, among normal
and ordinary types of vegetation. To the botanist the giant cactus
presents its own problems, comprising peculiarities of distribution,
growth, and habits, difficult to understand and fascinating in their
complexity. To the student of birds it also makes _an appeal, for,
aside from the pleasure afforded from working amidst such pictur-
esque surroundings, the groves of giant cactus possess an assemblage
of bird species found practically nowhere else.

On the desert, otherwise a land of low shrubs and bushes, this
towering cactus takes the place of trees, at least as regards the needs
of birds that dwell in hollows of tree trunks. Consequently, in those
sections of the country where it grows, we find a peculiar group of
birds, desert species purely, but prototypes of woods-dwelling forms
of other sections. With them there are associated certain species
which elsewhere occupy woodland, and which here find suitable nest-
ing sites within the cactus or in the crotches of its branching arms.

Following are the birds forming the " giant cactus association "
in Arizona — that is, those species whose occurence in a region is de-
pendent'^iilirely^ej: in large part, upon the presence of the cactus:
Saguaro screech owl^elf owl, Gila woodpecker, Mearns gilded flicker,
anaA-riaeftarcTested flycatcher. With these are often associated
other birds who gladly take advantage of nesting sites in or upon the
cactus, but which also occur in woode^secjions^in other parts of the
country. These ttreT—Western (red^tailed h^wi, Swainson hawk,
America^ sparrow hawk\ wesrem^horned owl, ash-throated fly-
catcher, purple- martin,- -and touse fincfn tT/nave even found the
mourning dove sitting upon eggs4n_a_g.gug^d-out cavity in the side
of a S«gliartxtrunk.

The elf owl,Vilded flicker, and Arizona crested flycatcher may oc-
casionally bejfound nesting in holes in trees where such occur near
the gianTcactus, but it is useless to look for them in sections of the
country where the cactus does not also grow. So closely are these
species confined to the neighborhood of the giant cactus that they
appear to have been evolved in direct response to the opportunities
afforded by this plant to these types of birds. In other words, to
put it baldly, here were niches, to be filled in by a hole-dwelling owl,
woodpecker, and flycatcher — opportunities not found elsewhere
in these desert countries, and promptly taken advantage of by types
of birds which in other sections would find suitable homes in the
timber. The sparrow hawk and purple martin utilize holes in the
cactus as they would in trees or buildings. The cactus wren some-

GIANT CACTUS OR SAGUARO. PAPAGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

The giant cactus is a conspicuous feature of the landscape over much of southern Arizona.
In the absence of trees it is used for nesting purposes by woodpeckers and other hole-
dwelling birds. The fruit, seen growing at the ends of the arms, is eaten by many species
of birds.

BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT. 15

times builds its nest among the arms of the cactus, but it usually
prefers a lower situation.

We thus find here examples of hole-dwelling hawk, owl, wood-
pecker, flycatcher, and swallow, widely different birds, alike only in
their choice of nesting sites. It is curious that the desert should
also contain one species belonging to a family that elsewhere breeds
almost exclusively in cavities, but which here does not follow the
traditions of the race. This is the verdin, a titmouse — dwellers in
holes the world over, almost — but an accomplished architect, who
by reason of his talents finds no need of crawling into a hole for pro-
tection.

The labor of excavating the nesting holes must necessarily fall
entirely upon the gilded flicker and Gila woodpecker, probably upon
the former for the most part ; for these are the only birds with the
skill and equipment for such labors. Do these woodpeckers of their
own choice construct new dwellings year after year, leaving last
year's homes to their unskilled neighbors, or are they unfortunate
drudges, frequently compelled by more belligerent associates to aban-
don their completed work? However this may be, the exigencies
of the situation frequently bring about an apartment-house-like
condition, with several diverse tenants living in close proximity, one
above the other.

It will readily be seen in how many respects the birds of the giant
cactus afford attractions for the bird student. Some of the species
are to be found nowhere save in the vicinity of this plant, and all
have peculiarities of appearance or habits well worth special study.
The Apache Trail, in sight of giant cactus for nearly its entire
length, and passing in places through as fine growths of the plant
as are to be found anywhere, affords excellent opportunities for
observation of these species. Among the birds of this region are all
the species of the " giant cactus association " ; besides these there are
many of the birds that occur on the Arizona deserts elsewhere
than in the vicinity of this plant.

BIRDS OF ROOSEVELT LAKE AND THE TONTO NATIONAL
MONUMENT.1

Roosevelt Lake is the name given the body of water that has
resulted from the damming of the Salt River. The two arms of the
lake, formed by the Salt and Tonto Rivers, respectively, extend each
about 15 miles from the dam. The width varies from a half mile
to about 3 miles, the general effect being of a long, sinuous body of
water, indented at various points by jutting peninsulas. The narrows
of Salt River Canyon, the site of Roosevelt Dam, are hemmed in by
towering cliffs, while along the shores of the lake for some 2 miles

1 Tonto National Monument administered by the Department of Agriculture.

16 BIRDS OF THE PAP AGO SAGTJAEO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

above the clam the inclosing mountains are steep and precipitous,
leaving a scant margin of room for the road which winds along the
water's edge.

To the student of birds the lake makes an especial appeal as the site
of the Salt Eiver bird reservation, established by the Federal Gov-
ernment in 1909, a sanctuary wherein the birds are safe from human
molestation. This includes a narrow strip of land around the lake,
immediately adjoining the water. The impounding of this immense
body of water in a desert region has made surprisingly little change
in the bird life at this point. The abrupt mountain sides flanking the
two former valleys of the Salt and the Tonto Rivers, respectively, and
now forming the shores of the lake, are far too steep and rocky to per-
mit of the establishment of growths of aquatic plants such as might
be looked for in a place of this sort, and desert vegetation persists to
the water's edge. The banks everywhere drop so abruptly as to leave
no stretches of shallow water to support such growths as are usual
about most lakes, and there are absolutely no nooks or inlets margined
with reeds, grass, or willows; there is a consequent dearth of the
water-loving birds which customarily seek such places.

Just below the present outlets of the Salt and Tonto Rivers into
the lake there are clumps of dead cottonwoods and willows, killed by
the rising waters, but with their tops projecting above the surface
of the lake. These tree tops have been utilized by Farallon cormo-
rants, pallid great blue herons, and black-crowned night herons as
nesting sites, and there are now thriving colonies of these three species
of birds at these points. This is the only conspicuous change in the
bird life of the region that has been brought about by the creation of
Roosevelt Lake. But one other water bird was seen — the killdeer —
and the numbers of these nesting about the shores of the lake are
probably no greater than the population formerly inhabiting the
river valleys in the same region before the lake was made.

The land birds afford the greatest interest. There is a goodly
variety of these, and a greater number of individuals than seems
apparent at a first inspection of the country.

The account of one morning's observations will give a fairly com-
prehensive idea of the bird life existent about the lake ; for the cen-
sus of this one forenoon (June 6) included 41 species out of the total
of 52 noted by the writer about Roosevelt Lake. Some 5 miles from
the hotel, on the south side of the lake, is the Tonto National Monu-
ment, where there is located a cluster of cliff dwellings visible from
the stage road and relatively easy of access. This is naturally a
point to which visitors are directed, and it thus became the objective
of my first morning's excursion ; while an additional incentive lay
in the fact that the road, skirting the shore of the lake, lies within
the Salt River bird reservation for nearly the whole distance.

BIRDS OF THE PAP AGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT. 17

The hotel stands upon a rocky point a few hundred yards above
the dam on the north shore of the lake. The road leading to the
dam is cut in the rocky slope of a steep hillside, but scantily covered
with vegetation. However, despite the lack of trees or bushes, there
were usually some birds to be seen about the buildings, and that
morning I was able to list several species before starting on my
walk. First of all a canyon wren was heard singing from the Apache
village on the hillside above the hotel. During the next few days I
discovered this particular bird regularly haunting the hotel veranda
in the early mornings, gleaning a breakfast of insects from beneath
the lights, and giving his striking song at frequent intervals. Human
company seemed objectionable to Catherpes, however, and upon
the appearance of people he usually withdrew to the rocky slopes
of the nearby hillside. A pair of house finches, or linnets, were in
evidence, tending their young in a nest in the honeysuckle climbing
over the veranda. In an elderberry by the dining-room window an
Arizona least vireo was singing.

The walk of several hundred yards to the dam disclosed no addi-
tional species, but at the dam itself a halt was made to inspect the
unique breeding colony of birds conspicuously in view there. Cliff
swallows may have built their nests on the rocky walls of the canyon
before the dam was constructed, but this masonry was evidently
hailed by them as precisely what was needed, if not, indeed, placed
there for their especial benefit. There were a few nests built in
crevices in the rock on the towering walls on either side, but the
bulk of the colony — 75 pairs at the very least — had plastered their
mud homes on a ledge of the dam, a long, single row of nests, im-
mediately below a line of electric lights. In the full glare of this
illumination by night, and with a soldier of the United States Army
on sentry duty at each end of their community both day and night
(for the dam was carefully guarded at the time of my visit), there
is probably no other bird colony in the country, whether located
within a Federal bird reservation or not, that is more secure from
enemies.

Over the spillway at the east end of the dam three pairs of white-
throated swifts were darting back and forth, of notably swifter
flight than the thronging cliff swallows among whom they threaded
their way, now skimming low over the water, and now darting into
crevices in the rocks. The number of times the birds were seen
entering these niches made it seem probable that they were feeding
3roung within. Several pairs of squabbling English sparrows were
fussing about the face of the cliff, but whether with designs of oust-
ing the swifts or the swallows from their strongholds was not
apparent.

153688°— 20 2

18 BIRDS OF THE PAP AGO SAGUAEO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

From the dam southward, through the construction camp and
among the houses on "Government Hill," English sparrows were
everywhere. The species is established at Roosevelt at the present
time to the number of 200, at least. How this point was reached is
a question, for the arrival here of the sparrow required a journey of
not less than 40 miles over desert country. One never sees these birds
anywhere save in the towns, or occasionally about ranch houses;
yet all the scattered colonies now established in the country have
undoubtedly been planted through birds following wagon roads or
railroads. Their travels must be carried on in much less ostentatious
manner than is their custom when once at home in a place.

About the houses linnets were seen adopting civilization as usual
and making the most of such shrubbery as has been planted. A mile
or so east of the cluster of buildings occupied by Forest and Recla-
mation Service officials and employees lies the " new town " of
Roosevelt, so called. When the old town was buried beneath the
waters of the lake the new town was established here on the hills
above, but most of the inhabitants and the business of the place
have since moved to points nearer the dam. The sight of a male
vermilion flycatcher perched on a watering trough reminded me
that I had not before seen that species here; it proved to be of
decidedly rare occurrence.

A little farther on a violent hissing by the roadside led to inves-
tigation of sundry nooks and crannies in the piled rock of the retain-
ing wall, in one of which cavities a nest full of young rock wrens
was finally revealed as the source of the disturbance. The surround-
ing hills now arose less precipitously from the lake and retreated
farther from its margin. At the point where the trail leads from
the stage road to the cliff dwellings the valley is broad and gently
sloping and well covered with desert vegetation. Mesquite and cat-
claw grow quite luxuriantly, interspersed with cholla cactus, ocotilla,
and giant cactus, to mention a few of the more conspicuous plants.

From a thicket of mesquite several western tanagers emerged,
belated migrants, looking very much out of place in this hot desert.
If their destination was the forested summit of the Sierra Ancha,
however, their journey was nearly done and they might still linger
a little before beginning their summer duties. Palmer thrashers
were abundant here, vying with the equally numerous mockingbirds
in the beauty of their song. I had been hearing complaints of the
lack of birds and of bird music in this region, but surely no one
could wish for anything finer than the chorus produced by these two
species alone. Both thrashers and mockingbirds were singing from
the tops of saguaros, where refreshment of some sort seemed avail-
able in the blossoms whenever the singers' throats became dry.

BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUAKO NATIONAL MONUMENT. 19

Desert quail scurried out of the bushes from time to time, usually
in pairs. On this day and on subsequent excursions the species was
found in abundaacein suitable localities about the lake, and many
broods of young were^encountered. The monotonous, tinkling song
of the desert sparrow w)is heard on all sides, and little companies of
blnr-k thrnntrd frftrrttTr'with their more plainly colored young scat-
tered out of the bushes from time to time. Other birds, too, were
noted in some numbers on this mesa : Verdin, dwarf cowbird, plum-
beous gnatcatcher, mourning dove, white-winged dove, and phaino-
pepla. A brilliant male Arizona cardinal sang from a distant clump
of mesquite, but would not permit a near approach.

A visit to the cliff dwellings entailed a climb up the side of the
canyon, a brief ascent and over a good trail, but ...still, in the glare
of the Arizona sun, so that the cool shelter oMiegray wa^s became
a welcome retreat from the stifling heat. A pair of ravens croaking
overhead had evidently found congenial surroundings here./for their
footprints were everywhere in the dust of the flooTPS: — There could
have been no room for ravens when people occupied these caverns,
but the pair of white-throated swifts darting in and out of a crevice
directly over the ruins would not have been disturbed by any human
tenants below. The swifts may well have been among the birds most
familiar to the cliff dwellers ; in choice of a home they were certainly
of like taste.

In the canyon below a thin line of trees, mostly sycamore, ash, and
mesquite, gave promise of water, which was, indeed, found a little
farther up, together with a fair abundance of birds. Two sycamore
stubs held each a nest of Gila woodpecker, with young, to judge from
the noise that issued and from the activities of the old birds, flying
back and forth with food projecting from their beaks. A western
wood pewee seen here was doubtless an individual in migration, as
was also an unidentified small Empidonax, apparently a western fly-
catcher. A Lucy warbler was also added to the list, first noticed from
its simple song, a monotonously repeated single note impossible of
description though easily recognizable when heard. From the hill-
side descended the loud, clear song of the Scott oriole, so like the
meadowlark in its tone. This is a rare bird here, only two or three
being observed about Roosevelt Lake, beside one seen from the stage
near Fish Creek Canyon. Still another species to which attention
was drawn by its call note was the Scott sparrow, so like the rufous-
crown sparrow of California, and with exactly the same twanging
chirp.

By 11 o'clock the glare of the sun was such as to have driven most
birds to cover, and census taking was discontinued. In three hours
41 species had been listed, with a total of approximately 370* indi-

20 BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

viduals. Two species seen had not allowed their identity to be posi-
tively determined, for all the hummingbirds encountered were
females, which are much alike in the different species, and the Empi-
donax mentioned above did not tarry for close observation.

Observations during the next few days added 11 species to the list
gathered in this morning's observations, giving a total of 52 species
of birds seen in the immediate vicinity of Roosevelt Lake. At the
lower end of the lake, owing to the precipitous nature of the surround-
ing hills and the scanty vegetation, conditions are not so favorable for
birds, but even here some could be found with a little search. A blos-
soming ocotilla in front of the hotel proved a daily attraction to
hummingbirds, and an elder tree by the veranda was frequented by
quite a number of birds, among those most constantly present, curi-
ously enough, being several ash-throated flycatchers, who were evi-
dently finding some food about the clusters of blossoms. Arizona
hooded orioles were daily visitors, the males, when two came together,
going through certain ridiculous evolutions — apparently giving stiff-
necked defiance of each other — movement^ that are calculated to show
their gaudy colors to the best advantage, buXwhich are certainly lack-
ing in grace. Little flocks of dwarf cowbirds)appeared from time to
time, sometimes flying out across theJake, as'though bound for distant
pastures, then, with no apparent reason, but with one accord, whirling
about and back again, to alight at their starting point.

Though there is little apparent difference in the vegetation of
Roosevelt Lake and the Papago Saguaro Monument, there are several
species of birds not found in both places. There is one conspicuous
plant, the ocotilla, that does not grow in the latter place, though
it is abundant at Roosevelt. About the lake the canyon towhee re-
places the Abert towhee of the lower valleys. The canyon towhee is
a foothill bird, Roosevelt Lake lying at about the lower limit of the
range of this species. It is not averse to the company of man, being
a frequenter of stable yards and camp grounds, when such are avail-
able, usually in little companies of three or four, and tame and con-
fiding in their actions. The cactus woodpecker, desert sparrow, and
Arizona least vireo are all species observed here, but which I looked
for in vain about Phoenix and Tempe.

There is one other bird that, rather oddly, is of especial interest as
occurring at this point. On July 3 a solitary crow passed overhead
but a short distance away, his repeated " caw " bearing loud assur-
ance that this indeed was not a raven. The sight of this bird was the
most exciting event of the day, for crows are scarce in most parts of
Arizona ; in fact, this was the first of the species that I had ever seen
within the State.

BIRDS OF THE PAP AGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT. 21
BIRDS OF THE SIERRA ANCHA.

The most striking topographical feature of Arizona is the Mogollon
Divide, that line of prodigious cliffs which extends diagonally nearly
across the State from northwest to southeast, dividing it into two
diverse and sharply defined sections. Above this barrier is a high
plateau region of pine forests ; below, low, hot deserts extend nearly
to the foot of the escarpment. South of the divide, smaller isolated
mountain ranges carry upon their summits animal and plant life
similar to that of the northern plateau region — Boreal islands sur-
rounded by a sea of desert. The Sierra Ancha, forming one of these
southern continuations of the Mogollons, are of peculiar interest
from their location at the meeting point of two diverse faunas. Birds
of the Rocky Mountain region, characteristic of northern Arizona,
are here at about their southern limit; while certain species of the
Mexican table-land (also dwellers on the mountain tops, and of
which many reach southern Arizona) extend this far north and prac-
tically no farther. So there are found in proximity such diverse
species as the southern Coues flycatcher, Arizona jay, hepatic tanager,
painted redstart, and bridled titmouse, contrasted with the more
northern Batchelder woodpecker, western tanager, mountain chicka-
dee, and Audubon hermit thrush.

The road to the Sierra Ancha starts northward from a point near

the eastern end of Roosevelt Lake, some 10 milejJfrQnLjhe^dam.

From lake to foothills 5 or 6 miles of desert are traversed, a gravelly

mesacovjBred-JEith the usual desert vegetation — saguaro, palo verde,

-tJcotilla, mesquite/^tc., a much higher and mo

is seen^aboutJ^lower end of the lake. Saguaros are not numerous,
b"ut some of them are very large. One in particular, not far from the
base of the mountains, looms up as a veritable landmark, a giant,
even among its kind, of prodigious girth, and extraordinary in -the
number of its branching arms.

All the way from the lake the road ascends steadily, but once the
foothills are reached it begins to climb at a much steeper pitch. This
continues until over the " rim ", a long exposure of cliff such as is
encountered to a greater or less extent in many Arizona mountains,
above which gentler slopes prevail. Here we begin to leave the
desert brush uehind, finding instead extensive grassy
with yuccas:-., The last saguaro is seen at about 3,000 feet, the ocotilla
persisting some distance higher. ___

Scrubby oak brush begins to appear, getting thicker as we ascend,
until the slopes are well covered. Now, too, as the road dips down
into sheltered canyons, crossing to the hillsides beyond, it is momen-
tarily shaded by sycamores and larger oaks^ arched over cool moun-
tain streams.

22 BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

At about 6,000 feet the divide is reached, and here, abruptly as a
passage from one room to another, one is plunged into a different
world. Toward Roosevelt Lake the hot, southern exposure of the
mountains is steep and rocky, sparsely clothed in scattered vegetation
ifiat~is^ptH^ly\of the desert. To the northward extend forests of
f yellow pine, nyile after mile and ridge beyond ridge, far as the eye
N2an reach, cerol and shady, and with running water in every canyon.
The startling effects of different exposures and altitudes are, of
course, well-known phenomena of our western mountains, but there
are few places where there is opportunity of contrasting such an
absolute change in so short a distance, especially where such large
areas are involved.

Besides the yellow pine the forests contain one or two other coni-
fers, though in lesser numbers. On the warmer hillsides there is a
good deal of juniper, while at higher altitudes, especially in deeply
cut, shaded canyons, there are many large firs. There is an abun-
dancp. of oak timber, both large-sized, deciduous white oaks, and live-
oak brusfi^ Along the streams are sycamore, maple, alder, ash, and
^box^ldwfi,nd on the hillsides thickets of locust, clumps of sumach,
with here and there a tangle of grapevines. It is a region of abun-
dant vegetation and running streams. The latter have recently been
stocked with trout, promising an added attraction in the near future.

For scenic beauty nothing can excel the canyons on the northeast
side of the range, difficult of access at the present time, but abun-
dantly repaying the effort it takes to reach them. Hemmed in by
walls of appalling height, so steep that one looks down as from the
roofs of buildings, one gorge after another comes into view miles in
extent, the very vastness of the outlook forming an obstacle to a full
appreciation of it all. On many of these canyon walls there are clus-
ters of cliff dwellings tucked under projecting ledges, inaccesible
from above and difficult to reach even from the canyons below. From
the higher peaks can be seen, far to the northward, the imposing line
of the Mogollons, stretching as far as the eye can reach.

The clearness of the Arizona atmosphere, permitting easy vision
over distances unheard of elsewhere, enables one to obtain in such
places as this, through concrete examples before the eye, fuller reali-
zation of the characteristics and peculiarities of the country than can
be learned from many pages of written descriptions and explanations.
The Mogollon Divide as a factor in distribution becomes more of a
reality when it is actually in view, imposing its presence across the
whole horizon. That the desert and the mountain top are different
worlds, as far as most animals and plants are concerned, is brought
strongly home to one when, sitting in the cool shade of pine trees, he
looks down into a scorching valley, but a few miles away in actual dis-
tance, and with absolutely no physical obstruction to uninterrupted

Photograph by Southern Pacific Co.

A. LOOKING EASTWARD FROM FORESTED SUMMIT OF THE SIERRA ANCHA.

A suggestion of the contrasts to be found within a relatively short distance. The blistering
desert plains and buttes appear to be scarcely more than a stone's throw from the cool
pine woods.

Photograph by Southern Pacific Co.

B. ROOSEVELT LAKE. THE SIERRA ANCHA IN THE DISTANCE.

The shores of the lake are too stony and their descent too abrupt to permit of the existence
of any marsh land. Desert vegetation extends quite to the water's edge.

A. SIERRA ANCHA, LOOKING NORTHWARD FROM THE DIVIDE NEAR
ROOSEVELT LAKE.

The north-facing slopes here shown are densely covered with trees and shrubbery. This
is the home of the black bear, mule deer, and Abert squirrel, of the wild turkey and

band-tail pigeon. Bird life is abundant, composed mostly of
higher mountains and never seen in the arid valleys but a few

species peculiar to the
miles distant.

SIERRA ANCHA. LOOKING SOUTHEASTWARD FROM THE

This view of the arid and treeless slopes is from a point but a few rods distant from the spot
where the upper view was photographed. Animal life is scarce here, and for the most part
consists of species that are rarely or never seen on the cool, north-facing hillsides.

BIEDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT. 23

passage, of birds at any rate, yet with nothing in common in the
animal and plant life of the two regions.

As an object lesson in the puzzling problem of the distribution
of animals and plants, it is well worth while to turn aside from the
sameness of the highway through the valleys, travel 20 miles into
these mountains, and see the changes accompanying a drop in tem-
perature of but a few degrees. Fifty-seven species of birds were
observed in the Transition Zone of the Sierra Ancha during June;
52 about Roosevelt Lake. Only 14 species were noted at both places.
Of these 14, one (the desert quail) has been artificially introduced
at a ranch in the mountains; two (western wood pewee and western
tanager) were belated migrants in the valley, on their way to the
mountains, and the others aYe wide-ranging species, such as the
mourning dove, turkey vulture, and western re4-tailed hawk. \For
the most part the avian assemblages of the two regions are wiojely
different, thouglT in"fiianycases closely related species replace' one
another in mountain and valley. Thus there may be contrasted, in
the pines of the Sierras and in the valley, respectively, band-tailed
pigeon and white-winged dove, red-shafted flicker and gilded flicker,
broad-tailed hummingbird and costa hummingbird, Cassin king-
bird and western kingbird, mountain towhee and canyon towhee,
violet-green swallow and rough-winged swallow, Virginia warbler
and Lucy warbler, western gnatcatcher and plumbeous gnatcatcher,
to mention some of the more conspicuous.

There are some of the mountain birds that are certain to attract
the attention of even the most casual observer, while many others
must await the more careful search required for their discovery.
The Sierra Ancha constitute one of the few remaining retreats of
the wild turkey, and in these mountains this species still occurs in
sufficient numbers to guarantee its continued existence as a game
bird, provided it receives adequate protection. In June the broods
of young were beginning to appear.

Another fine game bird, the band-tailed pigeon, occurs in fair
numbers in the higher parts of the range. Usually the first intima-
tion received of the proximity of pigeons is the loud clapping of
wings as the birds hurriedly take flight from some oak tree when
approached too nearly. Now and then a small flock or a single
bird is seen high in the air, crossing from one hillside to another,
and occasionally a male bird may be observed going through his
courting evolutions. In this performance the bird launches into the
air from his perch on some tall tree, and, with wings and tail stiffly
outspread, describes a large circle back to his starting point. During
this flight he utters a wheezing noise, not audible at any great dis-
tance.

24 BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGTJARO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

Of the four species of woodpeckers that breed in these mountains,
the white-breasted woodpecker should be looked for mostly in the
pine timber, the Batchelder woodpecker in the maples and alders
along the streams, and the red-shafted flicker almost anywhere,
though it is not an abundant species. The Mearns woodpecker will
reveal itself without any special search. The noisy chatter of this
species is heard on all sides, while the birds themselves, in showy
red, black, and white plumage, are conspicuous through their manner
of repeatedly making short sallies from the trees in pursuit of
passing insects. They are not especially shy, but when closely
approached have a clown-like habit of dodging behind a tree trunk,
where they play hide and seek with bobbing head and chattering
tongue. Their white eyes add much to the oddity of their appearance.

On the evening of July 1 a Stephens whippoorwill was heard call-
ing, indicating what is probably the northern limit of the species
in Arizona. In the more southern mountain ranges of the State
it is a common summer visitant.

There are several interesting flycatchers in the higher mountains.
The Cassin kingbird is one of the most common, replacing the west-
ern kingbird of the lower valleys, which it so closely resembles in
appearance. The Coues flycatcher, a summer visitor from Mexico,
which is here at about the northern limit of his range, is less con-
spicuous and far less numerous. The Mexicans call this bird Jose
Maria (Ho-say Mar-i-a), a very good rendition of the call note.
The Coues flycatcher is, in appearance and habits, very much like
his near relative, the olive-sided flycatcher, a much more familiar
object to most North American bird students, and, like the olive-
sided, should be looked for high in the tree tops, usually at the tip
of a dead limb or on some tall dead pine stub.

In the narrow, dark canyons, where densely growing fir trees
shade the streams beneath, may be heard the sharp " pee- whit " of
the western flycatcher — a note that is heard far more often than
the birds themselves are seen.

In the mountain ranges of Arizona the jays are always a con-
spicuous feature of bird life, with^au^abundance of individuals, and
including several species of notable interest from peculiarities of ap-
pearance or of habits. The Arizona jay )is, perhaps, the noisiest
member of a sufficiently garrulous family/ habitually shrieking his
disapproval of events and inoivid«als7iraveling in companies of

25 or 30 in order to give added force to his objections, and going far
out of his way to find trouble that otherwise would not come to him.
The long-crested jay is less conspicuous and less abundant. The two
species occur together in the Sierra Ancha at about 6,000 feet; on
the higher peaks I saw the long-crested, but not the Arizona.

BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT. 25

There is a third species in these mountains, the Woodhouse jay,
restricted almost entirely to the hot, south- facing slope. Coming
up from Roosevelt Lake there is a stretch of road passing through
some miles of scrub oak brush, with a few oak trees and junipers scat-
tered over the hills. This is the home of the Woodhouse jay, a bird
of the thickets, rather solitary in its habits, and a bit of a sneak in
disposition. He may be seen occasionally diving into a bush or heard
calling from the hillside, but it is no easy matter to come to more inti-
mate acquaintance with him.

About the ranch house where I made my home in the mountains,
the clearing of timber, together with the planting of alfalfa and
garden crops, had provided conditions that were evidently suited to
certain species of birds seen here, but not elsewhere at this altitude.
Green-backed goldfinches were in the garden daily. A pair of west-
ern blue grosbeaks was evidently nesting somewhere about the edges
of the alfalfa field, rather to my surprise, for I had not seen the
species in the valley below, where the surroundings were apparently
more favorable for it. Several pairs of lazuli buntings also fre-
quented the alfalfa field. On July 1 there was brought to me for
identification a bird that had been killed in the garden the day be-
fore by the boy who was working there. This proved to be a male
of the eastern indigo bunting — a startling occurrence, as it was the
first of the species to be found in Arizona.

A few hepatic tanagers also visited the alfalfa field occasionally,
especially toward evening, the red-colored males rather conspicuous
ugainst the greenery they frequented. The call note of this bird
is a " chuck," so exactly similar to the tone of the hermit thrush that
the two sounds are easily confused.

Four species of warblers were found. The Virginia warbler, a
tiny, dull-colored bird, frequenting rather dense shrubbery, and
nesting on the ground, has no conspicuous markings to catch the eye,
but does possess a certain loose-jointed flipping of the tail that serves
excellently for identifying the species. The Grace warbler, rather
rare, is a bird of the pines, especially of the denser stands of young
trees. For recognition dependence must be placed upon an occa-
sional glimpse of the yellow throat, or a flash of white outer tail
feathers in flight. The black-throated gray warbler is an inhabitant
of the oak thickets mainly.

The visiting bird student will get great joy from the painted red-
start, in appearance suggestive of the tropics, abundant in numbers,
and not at all shy. Like his cousin of the Eastern States, the painted
redstart appears to be constantly posing, with drooping wings and
spread tail, in a seeming attempt to show his gaudy colors and
markings to the best advantage. Unlike the eastern redstart, how-

26 BIRDS OF THE PAP AGO SAGTJARO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

ever, the Arizona bird nests upon the ground, building in the cut
bank of a road, at the entrance to some prospector's abandoned tun-
nel, or in some sheltered nook alongside a stream.

The desert wren belies his name by residing in manzanita thickets
in the high mountains, not occurring at all (in summer, at least) on
the desert below. He is rare and extremely shy, so that special
search must be made to catch even a fleeting glimpse of him. The
male bird is an assiduous songster, however, and, by careful stalking,
may be caught unawares at his perch on some dead twig above the
bushes.

The western house wren is everywhere in the mountains, bubbling
over with song, as usual. Every pile of brush seemed to have its
wren tenants. In the oak trees one occasionally runs across little
droves of the bridled titmouse, but not often, for the species is not
nearly as common here as in some of the more southern of the
Arizona mountain ranges. In fact, the Sierra Ancha must be at
nearly the northern limit of the range of this Mexican species, at
least in this part of the State. The pointed crest and the peculiar
head markings (from which the bird's common name is derived)
serve as unmistakable recognition marks.

On the highest peaks there occurs another member of the family,
the mountain chickadee, quite scarce, and apparently not descending
to lower levels during the nesting season. A third titmouse, the
lead-colored bush-tit, is most numerous on the eastern slope of the
range, where the slightly different character of the forest, with
juniper and agaves among the conspicuous plants, apparently affords
more congenial surroundings than the denser pine forest.

To most visitors to the mountains the Audubon hermit thrush will
be no more than a melodious voice, heard from dense fir woods or
thickly shaded canyons. The birds are not uncommon, and during
the summer months may be heard singing on all sides, especially
toward evening, but to catch sight of one of the songsters requires
the most cautious approach, with much patient waiting.

Western robins and chestnut-backed bluebirds are both familiar
objects in the pine forests, the former by far the most abundant, and
through its loud song most constantly brought to notice. Robins'
nests with young were found during June in alders overhanging the
streams.

LOCATION OF NEST OF THE PAINTED REDSTART, SIERRA ANCHA.

Unlike its relative, the Common Redstart of the eastern United States, which nests well up in
small trees or bushes, the Painted Redstart places its nest upon the ground-

CLOSER VIEW OF THE PAINTED REDSTART'S NEST.

It was so well hidden in the cavity beneath the tree trunk that it could not have been found
except through the sudden flight of the sitting bird.

GENERAL ACCOUNTS OF SOME BIRDS OF THE REGION.

PALMER THRASHER.
Toxostoma curvirostre palmeri (Coues).

Recognition marks. — Bulk about that of a robin ; about 11£ inches
long. Color, pale grayish-brown, obscurely spotted on the breast;
no distinctive markings that are readily apparent in the living bird.
Short, rounded wings ; long tail ; slightly curved bill.

Occurrence. — Arizona is apparently the headquarters of the
thrasher family, for whereas in most parts of the United States
there is but a single species in any one region, the Arizona valleys
contain six of more or less common occurrence, while a seventh (the
eastern brown thrasher) has reached the State upon at least one
occasion.

The Palmer thrasher is by far the most common of the Arizona
thrashers, and of most general distribution. It is one of the most
characteristic birds of the Papago Saguaro Monument. About
Phoenix and Tempe it is, perhaps, the most abundant single species
of bird, and it even ventures into the towns where sheltering brush
piles or thickets remain in vacant lots or along roadsides. Culti-
vated farm lands hold little attraction for the thrasher, however,
and it is rarely seen about such places.

The general appearance of the Palmer thrasher is of a plain, earth-
colored bird, with no striking feature of form or color to aid in
identification. As it flies the whitish colored tips to the tail feathers
can sometimes be seen, but it is seldom that the obscure mottling on
the breast can be made out without the aid of field glasses. In size,
color, shape, and manner of flight, the features most apparent to
the field observer, the Palmer thrasher is closely similar to the Ben-
dire and crissal thrashers, and the Abert and Canyon towhees, with
any of which species it is frequently associated.

From the towhees the thrasher may be distinguished at a reason-
able distance by its long, curved bill, as well as by certain manner-
isms, soon learned through observation. The squealing, chattering
call notes of the towhees are also quite different from any sound the
thrasher produces. The crissal thrasher is slightly darker colored,
with no spotting on the breast, and of more slender build. This
species occurs in the general region traversed by the Apache Trail,
though I did not meet with it myself. Despite their superficial re-

27

28 BIRDS OF THE PAP AGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

semblance, however, there is little likelihood of the Palmer and
crissal thrashers being confused, for the two birds inhabit different
types of country. The Palmer thrasher is a denizen of the open,
cactus-covered mesa; the crissal thrasher frequents the mesquite
thickets of the river beds.

To distinguish between the Palmer and Bendire thrashers is an-
other matter, for the two are found in exactly the same surround-
ings and resemble each other closely in appearance. The Bendire
thrasher is the smaller of the two, perhaps an inch shorter in
length, is more definitely spotted on the breast, and has a shorter,
less curved bill. It is known to occur about Phoenix, but I did not
meet with the species, and it is certainly far less abundant than its
larger relative.

The Palmer thrasher is resident the year through in Arizona.
Nest building begins before winter is fairly over, and the first eggs
are laid late in February or early in March. Sets of eggs may be
found until about the middle of May. The usual number of eggs in
a set is three, rarely two or four ; in color the eggs are pale bluish-
green, uniformly dotted with brownish.

The nesting habits of the Palmer thrasher have been described in
detail by Brown,1 from the region about Tucson, and by Oilman,2
from Sacaton. The latter makes the following statement :

The Palmer thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre palmeri) showed a decided
preference for the cholla cactus as a nesting site. Of 27 nests found, 11 were
in the cholla ; 7 in the jujube, about as spiny as any cactus ; 4 were in mistletoe
of mesquite and cottonwood ; 2 in Lycium ; 2 in mesquite ; and 1 in a clematis
vine trailing over a shrub. The average distance from the ground was 6£ feet,
and extremes were 2J feet and 10 feet. * * * Fourteen of the 27 nests con-
tained 3 eggs each ; 2 had 4 eggs ; and the rest 2 and 1, some of the complete sets
being 2 eggs.

The human investigator can only marvel at the manner in which
the cholla cactus is utilized. It is a plant to be approached gin-
gerly always, handled never, yet the birds slip through the inter-
laced arms with their fiendish array of thorns without hindrance
or injury. Not only the thrasher, but the cactus wren also, habit-
ually build nests therein; while other birds (the mourning dove
frequently, and even the desert quail at times) utilize last year's
thrasher and wren nests, crushed flat, on which to lay their eggs.

The manner in which the desert wood rat uses the cactus in barri-
cading his home is another story, but one sure to be drawn to the
attention of the student of desert birds. The marvel of it is that the
cactus, while an effective barrier against enemies, should be traveled
over and handled with impunity by the animals seeking protection.

1 Zoe, III, October, 1892, pp. 243-248.

2 Condor, XI, March, 1909, pp. 49-54.

BIEDS OF THE PAP AGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT. 29

The Palmer thrasher is a ground dweller, nesting, as described, in
low bushes, and ascending to greater heights only when the top of
some cholla or mesquite is resorted to as a vantage point for the de-
livery of his song. A cousin of the mockingbird, he is no disgrace
to the family, but a singer whose performances add distinctly to the
attractions of the desert he inhabits. In feeding he remains mostly
upon the ground, utilizing his stout, curved bill for digging out bur-
rowing insects or buried seeds. Of recent years this latter habit has
brought the thrasher into disrepute in some quarters, for he has in-
vaded the gardens of farms or suburban residences, and, it is as-
serted, does no little harm therein.

CACTUS WREN.
Heleodytcs brunneicapilhis couesi (Sharpe).

Recognition marks. — The largest of the North American wrens;
about 8£ inches in length. Thrasher-like in appearance and actions.
Coloration brownish, obscurely streaked above, spotted on lower
parts. The spots on the breast coalesce, forming a more or less
" solid " black patch, a marking that is better defined in freshly
molted autumn birds than in those in worn summer plumage. The
outer tail feathers are spotted with white on the outer edge; the
others (except the middle pair) are white tipped. The effect of
these tail markings, when the bird takes flight, is to give the spread
tail (rounded in shape) a narrow edging of white, a marking that
will serve to distinguish the cactus wren from any of the Arizona
thrashers (except the sage thrasher, found here in winter only), the
birds it most nearly resembles and with which it is most often
associated.

Occurrence. — Wherever the cholla cactus grows some of the plants
are sure to be decorated with the large, globular nests of the cactus
wren. There is no need for concealment in such shelter, and the
structures are conspicuous amid the branching arms of the cactus,
visible from afar, but not always easy of access. From a distance
there is a general resemblance to the nest of the Palmer thrasher,
so frequently placed in the same plant, in that both birds accumu-
late large masses of material. The thrasher's nest is open, however,
while the cactus wren's is always covered. It is usually somewhat
elongated rather than round, placed on its side, with a relatively
small entrance pointing obliquely downward. In making any exam-
ination of the nest it is well to insert the hand gently, for there is
a reasonable certainty that cactus thorns extend into the cavity at
some points. The eggs, usually from three to six in number, are
salmon color, obscurely speckled with dusky; there is some varia-
tion in the shade of ground color and in the density of the mark-

30 BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGTJARO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

ings. Eggs are laid from early April into June. During July and
August the young birds appear, flitting through the bushes in loosely
assembled companies.

This is one case where a bird has received a thoroughly appro-
priate name, for wren and cactus are almost inseparable. Besides
using the cholla for nesting site and sanctuary from enemies, the
cactus wren, like many other birds, feeds upon the fruit. This is
frequently indicated by the stained feathers of the face. Nests
are sometimes placed in the branching arms of the saguaro, high
above the ground; sometimes in yuccas or palms, and sometimes,
though rarely, in mesquite or other brush; but the cholla is the
usual choice.

Like the marsh wren, the cactus wren sometimes builds several
nests in close proximity so as to give the appearance of a colony
of the birds. Some of the nests are used the year through, presum-
ably for sleeping or shelter, and the wrens may be seen repairing
them in midwinter.

House wrens and others of the family are, as a rule, rather tame
and confiding in their actions, sometimes prying curiously into
their human neighbors' belongings and not strongly resentful when
he responds in kind. The cactus wren in his native chaparral, how-
ever, is one of the wariest of birds, suspicious to a degree, and show-
ing marked intelligence in eluding observation or capture. At the
first suspicion of pursuit he is off, skimming close over the ground
to the shelter of some thick bush at a distance. He does not stop
there, though, but at once emerges from the far side for another
flight. This is repeated again, and yet again, with intervals of
short runs, perhaps (for the cactus wren sprints like a thrasher),
until the threatening danger is safely outdistanced.

The cactus wren is not a musician, about the only sound to which
he gives utterance being a harsh, chuckling call, not at all loud or
far-reaching. There is a suggestion of derision in this call note,
as given from some dense thicket into which the bird has plunged
or from what he deems a safe distance.

In southern California the cactus wren has practically disap-
peared from those regions that have been cleared of chaparral, but
in Arizona I was pleased to note numerous instances where the
birds seemed to have become reconciled to changes that had resulted
in the removal of all desert vegetation. On the grounds of the
State capitol, at Phoenix, on May 29, several were seen foraging on
the lawns and pursuing one another through the palms and other
ornamental shrubbery.

In cultivated land near Tempe cactus wrens were seen repeatedly
in brush piles or shrubbery near the farmhouses, where there cer-
tainly was no cactus or other desert vegetation for miles. Instances

BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT. 31

came to my notice, too, of the birds coming familiarly about houses,
so it seems that this dweller in the wilderness is in this region
becoming somewhat used to civilized surroundings.

The cactus wren was seen about Phoenix, on the Papago Saguaro
Monument, in and about Tempe, and at many points along the
stage road between this point and the foothills. About Roosevelt
Lake it is a fairly common species wherever there is sufficient brush
to afford shelter. In the vicinity of Globe several broods of young
were seen. In all this region the cactus wren remains the year
through wherever it occurs.

VERDIN.

Auriparus flaviceps flaviceps (Sundevall).

Recognition marks. — Of small size; in fact, the smallest of desert
birds save the hummingbirds and gnatcatchers ; about ty inches long ;
short tail. Coloration grayish; adult with yellow head and chestnut
patch on shoulder.

Occurrence. — The presence of the verdin will doubtless first be-
come known to most people through discovery of its nests. These
structures, old and new, adorn so many of the thorny desert bushes
that one can not travel far without having them brought to notice,
though the tiny little builders themselves are so shy and inconspicu-
ous as to require careful and persistent pursuit for satisfactory
acquaintance.

The verdin has the same notions as the cactus wren as to the
proper style of a nest, for the homes the two species build are very
closely similar in shape and structure. The verdin, however, does
not dwell in the cactus, but suspends his home in other shrubbery,
usually far out on the smaller twigs, safe from climbing animals,
though conspicuously in view. It is, of course, of smaller size than
the cactus wren's nest, being about 8 to 10 inches long and some 5 or
6 inches in diameter in external measurements, and it is rather more
compactly woven, though of coarser material, the outside being of
relatively large and thorny twigs.

Search for the builder is at first quite apt to be fruitless, but as
one walks over the desert there comes to the ear occasionally a faint,
lisping note, apparently from some distance. This is the verdin, not
nearly so far away as he seems, but keeping well out of sight in the
bushes, and, if his shelter be too closely approached, slipping un-
obtrusively away to a more distant thicket. If, as is often the case,
there happens to be a breeze stirring, he is even more elusive than
usual, for he seems to prefer those bushes that are being most vio-
lently whipped about, and he is so tiny and so inconspicuously colored
as to be able to flit from place to place without attracting attention.

32 BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

The species was fairly common on the Papago Saguaro Monument,
but was not encountered on cultivated ground. About Roosevelt
Lake it is a common species. At Globe, on July 6, a flock of seven
or eight verdins was seen, probably a brood of young, newly emerged
from the nest, and still attended by their parents.

WESTERN KINGBIRD.
Tyrannus verticalis Say.

Recognition marks. — Usually seen perched conspicuously on fence
post, telephone pole, or other point commanding unobstructed view
of the surroundings. About 9 inches long; above, grayish; belly,
yellow ; tail, black, narrowly edged with white.

Occurrence. — Kingbirds, of whatever species, are much alike in
most of their traits, and the western kingbird lives up to the tradi-
tions of his tribe. A king among birds, he may serve as the type of
a benevolent despot, for, though not especially quarrelsome with
small and harmless birds, he will not tolerate the presence of any
threatening hawk or soaring eagle about his home and family. The
propensity of the kingbird to drive off such enemies is familiar to
most farmers, for the species is fond of nesting about buildings ; in
defending its own home it incidentally serves as watchdog for the
chicken yard. Were it not for his unfortunate reputation in some
sections as a devourer of bees, the kingbird would doubtless receive
everywhere unreserved approbation and protection. Popular legend
has it (and the tale is repeated in all parts of the country, though on
how substantial grounds I can not say) that his crown of red feathers,
sometimes revealed and sometimes hidden, serves, when exposed, as a
lure for flower-hunting bees, and perhaps for other insects also, who,
when attracted within reach by this gaudy, blossomlike bait, are
snapped up with a minimum of exertion on the part of the bird.

Kingbirds are well known to take advantage of the most extraordi-
nary nooks and corners for building sites — fence posts, swinging
gates, or in fact almost any such elevation being utilized in a
treeless region ; but in the cultivated parts of the Salt River Valley
the western kingbirds were moved with wondrous unanimity to
adopt a site that to the human observer seemed singularly unfitted
to the purpose. The species has evidently increased greatly in num-
bers in those sections now under cultivation, the green alfalfa and
cotton fields doubtless supplying a far greater quantity of insect
food than the dry desert ; but, even so, there seemed to be trees suffi-
cient along the roads to care for the birds' needs without their being
driven to the curious expedient they used.

The poles supporting electric wires through this region are of
metal, formed of three uprights tapering to a junction some 50

BIEDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUAKO NATIONAL, MONUMENT. 33

feet from the ground and with connecting crossbars at intervals.
On the topmost crossbars there is just room for a nest, wedged
in between the uprights, and this is the place universally chosen. It
seems a peculiar preference to select a place so exposed to the
glaring sun rather than the shady cottonwoods along the road-
side; but the kingbirds of the country are so evidently of one mind
as to the suitability of their choice that there is a nest, new or old,
in every third or fourth pole along the roads.

The western kingbird occurs in some numbers about Eoosevelt
Lake, and is one of the species that was seen regularly about the
hotel. In the near-by Sierra Ancha it is replaced by the closely
similar Cassin kingbird (Tyrannus vociferans}.

DWARF COWBIRD.

Molothrus ater obscurus (Gmelin).

Recognition marks. — About 7£ inches long. Male, glossy black,
with brown head; female, uniform dull brownish; eye, brown. No
red, white, or other contrasting markings in either sex.

Occurrence. — In all the valleys of southern Arizona the dwarf
cowbird occurs in numbers during the summer months. Through
the winter it is found commonly in the valley of the Colorado River,
but apparently not elsewhere in the State. Cowbirds are common
through the country traversed by the Apache Trail, usually seen in
small flocks, quite free of the care and worry of family duties. The
species is especially numerous, together with the redwings, in the irri-
gated farming lands, where cultivation of the ground produces an
abundance of food; while the presence of cattle and horses provides
associations to which the cowbird is especially addicted, as is in-
dicated by the bird's name. The species may be seen also, however,
over the most arid desert; in fact, certain of the desert birds are
among those most frequently victimized by the cowbird. The
plumbeous gnatcatcher is one that seems especially to suffer from
the cowbird's visitations ; it is an especially pathetic sight to see one
of these tiny birds acting as parent, and poking hopelessly in-
adequate mouthfuls of food into the gaping bill of her enormous
foster child. One can imagine the gnatcatcher's feelings of relief
when the strain is over and the foundling has betaken himself to his
kindred; but with the relaxation following the deliverance there
must be a feeling of having passed through a peculiarly wearing
summer with nothing to show for it at the end.

The dwarf cowbird does not, as a rule, ascend the mountains above

the foothills, but aside from this the species is not closely bound by

environmental conditions. As long as other small birds are able to

build nests and rear young the cowbird is willing to put up with the

153688°— 20 3

34 BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGTJARO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

surroundings, and will not place personal prejudices above the gen-
eral good.

This is one of the species that was of daily occurrence about " The
Lodge " at Roosevelt during my visits there in June and July. Small
flocks would appear from time to time, especially toward evening,
when they would rest a few moments in some of the small trees about
the hotel before starting out on what appeared to be a long flight,
perhaps to some distant roost.

DESERT SPARROW.

AmpJiispisa Mlineata deserticola Kidgway.

Recognition marks. — About 5| inches long. Frequents the ground
or low bushes. Adults with a black area covering chin, throat, and
upper breast, pointed below, sharply defined and conspicuously out-
lined against the whitish lower parts. Two narrow, white lines on
side of head, one over the eye, the other extending diagonally down-
ward from corner of mouth. Outer tail feather, edged and tipped
with white. As the bird flies the tail appears blackish, as contrasted
with the lighter colored upper parts. Young birds lack the black
throat; chin and throat white, breast streaked with grayish or
brownish markings.

Occurrence. — The desert sparrow, for reasons of his own, does not
regard with favor the lowlands west of the Superstition Mountains,
and none was seen in this section. The species has been taken here
in the winter months, but appears to seek somewhat higher altitudes
for nesting. About Roosevelt Lake it is one of the most abundant
birds, as it is also along the road to Globe, and, from the latter point,
throughout the valleys to the southward.

In June, at Roosevelt Lake, young and old together were gathered
in little flocks, scattered through the brush, and taking flight one
by one when approached too near. The male birds, presumably, were
everywhere perched upon low bushes, giving continual utterance
to their tinkling song. The desert sparrow in many ways is very
junco-like, the chittering alarm note, the song, and the bird's actions
in flight or feeding being all strongly suggestive of his mountain
cousin.

The nest is usually placed in some low shrub, from a few inches to
2 feet above the ground, and constructed of shreds of bark, small
twigs, or grass. The eggs, three or four in number, as a rule, are
white, faintly tinged with bluish green, and sometimes with a few
fine black specks at the large end.

This is a bird of the desert, haunting the most barren wastes, fre-
quently many miles from water, and but seldom seen even in the bot-
tom lands of such streams as traverse its desert home. It occurs in

BIRDS OF THE PAP AGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT. 35

Arizona the year through, though its exact distribution in summer
and winter, as well as the local migrations that occur, remain to be
worked out. As shown by the manner of occurrence of the species
over the Apache Trail, it is not found nesting in every one of the
desert valleys. In winter it is apparently of general distribution
throughout the lowlands of southern Arizona.

PHAIffOPEPLA.

Phainopepla nitens (Swainson).

Recognition marks. — Size small, total length about 8 inches. Both
sexes with a long crest on top of head, usually carried erect. Adult
male, glossy black; white on inner webs of primaries, showing as a
large white spot when the wing is extended, visible usually only in
flight. Adult female and young, plain brownish gray, the white wing
patch less conspicuously contrasted with the rest of the plumage.

Occurrence. — To the visitor from the east the first view of this
bird brings an unfailing thrill of pleased surprise. Restricted to the
southwest, of striking appearance, and totally different from any
other North American bird, the phainopepla is sure to attract atten-
tion. Perhaps the finest written account of such a first impression is
that given by Dr. Coues,-1 one of the earliest of Arizona ornitholo-
gists:

While roaming about in Arizona, sometimes hunting for birds and sometimes
for Indians, I used at intervals to see a bird that I did not then know, and that
I came to regard at last as great " medicine," so persistently did it elude me —
now I could not get a shot at the shy thing — now a fair shot offered, but we
had orders not to shoot for fear of discovery. It was a beautiful jet-black crea-
ture, showing a pair of white disks, one on each side, when it flew ; generally
seen amidst dense chaparral, dashing about with a nervous yet lightsome flight,
reminding one of the action of a mockingbird ; now for a moment balancing with
expanding wings and tail on some prominent spray, then darting into the air
to secure a passing insect, or hurrying out of sight in the safe recesses of the
covert. A rather harsh and querulous note, which I learned to associate with
this wild and restless bird, was sometimes heard; and once I listened to a
superb piece of music which I am perfectly sure came from this mysterious
stranger. It was growing dusk: the scene, the camp of a scouting-party re-
turning from unsuccessful pursuit of some Indians, who had raided and run off
our beef, and men busy gathering for burial the charred and dismembered
body of a comrade, who had been killed and burned a few days before on that
very spot, where the wolves had afterward fought for the remains. The bird
of omen, for good or bad, appeared in somber cerements, and sang such a requiem
as touched every heart ; the camp grew more quiet than usual, and we went to
bed early.

It speaks little for the imagination of those familiar with the
species in life that so conspicuous a bird should not have been given

1 Birds Col. Val., 1878, p. 476.

36 BIRDS OF THE PAP AGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

some appropriate vernacular name. In some sections it used to be
known as the black mocker, from its appearance in flight, which
suggests that of the better known mockingbird, but I have not heard
this name used in recent years. The bird is known everywhere, but
is always nameless. Of book names there are plenty. " Crested
shining-black white-winged flysnapper" is descriptive, but hardly
concise enough for, everyday use. " Shining ptilogonys " is worse
than the name in use. " Phainopepla ", in its meaning (shining robe)
is appropriate, and it is perhaps the best that we can do. It is,
after all. no worse than certain other scientific names of animals and
plants that have come into common use.

The phainopepla, while originally a bird of the desert or of the
chaparral of the foothills, has no objection to towns as such, and
provided there is an abundant supply of pepper tree or elder berries,
or similar food, readily becomes tame and familiar in urban sur-
roundings. It can, perhaps, be observed more easily and at a closer
range in the parks and gardens of Phoenix and Tempe than out on
the desert, where it is apt to be wary and unapproachable.

Phainopeplas were seen practically everywhere along the Apache
Trail : in Phoenix and Tempe, on the Papago Saguaro Monument
and in the willows of the near-by river bed, at points along the road
to Roosevelt, about the shores of the lake, at Globe, and from the
train at many points between Globe and Bowie. Wherever encoun-
tered the birds were drifting aimlessly about, apparently with no
home ties, and no nests were observed.

ZONE-TAILED HAWK.
Sutco abbreviqtus Cabanis.

Recognition marks. — A large hawk of the soaring type ; somewhat
like a redtail in outline and actions, but of different coloration ; much
more likely to be mistaken for a turkey vulture. Adult, uniform
black; tail crossed by three bands, white when viewed from below,
gray above. Immature, with tail lacking the distinct bars, but
irregularly mottled with white or grayish.

Occurrence. — On June 5, as the stage swung down the steep incline
into Fish Creek Canyon, a hawk of jet black hue appeared, circling
overhead. He came nearer and nearer, until, turning with wide-
spread wings and tail, he was close enough to afford a clear view of
the pure white bar across the center of the tail.

About a month later, on July 3, 1 was walking up the little canyon
south of Roosevelt Lake where there is situated a group of cliff
dwellings. As I neared the spring that rises a little way up the
canyon, a zone-tailed hawk flew hurriedly from the trees overhead.
The load of dust shot mistakenly sent after him had no result other

BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT. 37

than to make the startled hawk let fall a burden he was carrying.
This proved to be an adult male desert quail, still alive, probably
having been taken from a flock we heard calling in the bushes nearby.

A zone-tail, shot near the summit of the Sierra Ancha on June 26,
had in his stomach the remains of a Gila chipmunk.1 Although, as he
circles about on lazy wings, or drifts slowly across a canyon, the zone-
tail appears too sluggish for any rapid action, the capture of the
chipmunk by this individual speaks volumes for the speed that can
be attained when necessary. If there is any small mammal that is
harder to see in the brush or that can get out of sight with greater
speed than the Gila chipmunk it should be safe from any danger.
Merely to catch sight of one of these animals, though they be heard
chipping in the bushes all around, is no small feat ; while for a hawk
to lay talons on one, in his chosen haunt of underbrush, logs, and
rocks, bespeaks a swoop of lightning speed.

Once as a zone-tailed hawk passed overhead several band-tailed
pigeons darted out of some oak trees below, so startled that they
nearly struck me, two of them separating and passing on either side.
At the time I thought their nervousness uncalled for, but in the
light of the subsequent discoveries I made as regards the food of the
zone-tail they were probably justified in their frantic departure.

In flight this hawk bears a striking resemblance to the turkey
vulture. The general dark coloration, of course, is very much the
same in the two species, while in addition the outline of the extended
wings, color pattern of the under surface of the wing, and manner
of flight are all so very similar that the hawk could easily escape
recognition. Of course, the white band across the center of the tail
is unmistakable, but this marking is not always conspicuous and
may entirely escape observation.

The zone-tailed hawk, though quite generally distributed in south-
ern Arizona during the summer months, is not abundant anywhere.
It has been found breeding at several points in the State and its
nesting habits in this region are described in detail by Dr. Mearns.2

In the history of a nest of this hawk situated in the Rincon Moun-
tains, and possibly still in existence — for hawks' nests sometimes last
for many years — there is an incident of considerable historical in-
terest, as illustrative of the dangers accompanying bird study in
Arizona in the early days. The first resident ornithologist of
Arizona, Herbert Brown, has described the occurrence as follows :

In a small canyon in the western foothills of the Rincon Mountains, about 21
or 22 miles east of Tucson, stands a medium-sized cottonwood tree in which
hawks have nested for many years. The old stick pile on which so many gen-
erations of birds have been raised has become quite bulky through its annual
accretion. In the spring of 1886 I was told by parties coming in from the San

1 Eutamias dorsalis. 2 Auk, III, 1886, pp. 60-69.

38 BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

Pedro that a pair of " black hawks " had taken possession of the old nest. As
such birds were not common thereabouts the statement was worth looking into.
I reached the tree just before sundown and to my delight I found things as
represented and that one bird then occupied the nest. It was black, sure enough,
and resented interference with many angry screams as it circled above the
tree. It proved to be a male band-tailed buzzard (Buteo abbreviatus) . Un-
fortunately the female, although seen at a distance, failed to respond to the
cries of her mate, and what was still more unfortunate the nest contained no
eggs. It had been newly lined with leaves from the tree and was apparently
ready for housekeeping. I waited till noon the day following in the hope of
being able to make a closer acquaintance with the mate of the bird I then had,
but had to leave without being thus privileged.

I subsequently learned from the late Major Chas. E. Bendire that he had, dur-
ing the spring of 1872, climbed this same cottonwood tree and had examined
the nest in question. He was at that time camped on the Rillito and had,
while scouting, seen the nest. Some days later, as no hostile Indians were
known to be about, he returned to the tree and climbed to the nest, which is
located in a fork of the tree about 40 feet up. While examining the nest he
happened to look in the direction of the opposite hill and saw an Indian watch-
ing him from behind a giant cactus with which the hills thereabouts are thickly
covered. To be caught meant a lingering death at the stake, to escape, under
the circumstances, seemed almost impossible, but he did. He pretended not to
have seen the Indian and after having apparently satisfied himself about the
nest he slowly descended the tree, but no sooner did his feet touch the ground
than he made a run for his horse which was tied a short distance below. As
he did so about 30 Indians gave chase, but he fortunately got away.1

TEXAS NIGHTHAWK.
Chordeiles acutipennis texensis Lawrence.

Recognition marks. — Usually seen flying. A medium-sized
brownish-colored bird, about 9 inches in length, with long pointed
wings. On each wing a round spot, white in the adult male, yellowish
in female and young, conspicuous in flight.

Occurrence. — In all the valley towns of southern Arizona the Texas
nighthawk is a familiar sight. It has not, as yet, acquired the habit
cf its eastern relative of nesting upon the flat roofs of buildings, but
throughout the summer the birds may be seen in numbers at dusk,
hawking about, low over the houses. In walking about on the desert
one is sure to flush Texas nighthawks from their resting places
under the bushes, where they usually remain during the daytime.
Though preferably feeding at dusk, they are by no means helpless
in the bright light of day. In fact, they do not appear to be par-
ticularly discommoded by the glare of the sun, and may be seen
going through their courting antics at any hour.

The male Texas nighthawk performs no such spectacular evolu-
tions as the eastern nighthawk does in the breeding season, but he

1 Brown, H., Auk, XVIII, 1901, pp. 392-393.

BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT. 39

has a comparable, though lesser performance, usually given when
in pursuit of the female. Both birds flying low over the bushes,
the male repeatedly utters a low, chuckling sound, " tuc-tuc-tuc-a-
tuc-tuc — c-r-rooo," a rolling note, the finale very dove-like in effect.
While uttering this call the wings are held stiffly extended downward.
Then, in ordinary flight, there is repeatedly given a long drawn,
nasal " w-a-ng."

The Texas nighthawk is a summer visitant in Arizona, retiring to
more southern latitudes during the winter months. It has been
observed along the Colorado River from April 9 to October 5; in
the central part of the State it is probably some weeks later in arriv-
ing, and possibly earlier in departure.

The eggs are two in number, grayish or cream colored, and finely
speckled or marbled with darker markings. This coloration is in
excellent imitation of the sandy or gravelly ground upon which they
rest, for no nest building is attempted. The resemblance of eggs to
background is so perfect that the closest scrutiny is required to reveal
their presence, even though departure of the brooding female indi-
cates their proximity.

Texas nighthawks are abundant in the Salt River Valley. On the
Papago Saguaro Monument they were flushed during the daytime
from beneath bushes; in Tempe they were seen of evenings soaring
over the town. About Roosevelt Lake several were startled from
their resting places beneath the bushes, but the species was not
abundant at this point.

ARIZONA CRESTED FLYCATCHER.

Myiarchus magister magister Ridgway.

Recognition marks. — About 10 inches in length, of which the tail
is nearly half. In color, above dark brownish, below with gray
throat and yellowish belly. Wings and tail appear decidedly red-
dish when outspread in flight.

Occurrence. — Visitors from the eastern United States comparing
the Arizona bird with the eastern crested flycatcher (Myiarchus
crinitus) will find the two of about the same size, but the Arizona
bird with longer tail and of appreciably paler coloration. California
bird students, making comparison with the ash-throated flycatcher
(J/. cinerascens), will find the Arizona crested flycatcher very simi-
lar in color and proportions, but of greater size. To distinguish be-
tween these two latter species is not always an easy matter. The
ash-throat inhabits large portions of Arizona where the Arizona
crested flycatcher does not occur, but it is also found, apparently,
throughout the range of the latter species. The difference in size
between the two is readily appreciable when it is possible to make

40 BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

comparisons, but in the field, seeing one bird at a time, it is easy to
make mistakes. This is especially true in a desert region where
atmospheric conditions are sometimes such that a coyote may appear
as large as a steer or a soaring swallow like an eagle. There is no
certain criterion for distinguishing at all times between these two
closely-related flycatchers, but a majority of the birds seen may be
placed with reasonable certainty. Where both species occur the
ash-throat is not as common as the other. In favorable light, or at
close range, either species may be readily distinguished by its size.
There are differences in the call notes, but both species are noisy, and
each has a variety of notes that must be learned by experience to be
distinguished one from the other.

The Arizona crested flycatcher is in Arizona a summer visitor
'only. As during the nesting season it is apparently restricted to the
immediate vicinity of giant cactus, its range in the United States is
practically restricted to southern Arizona and to only those sections
of Arizona where the big cactus occurs. Egg laying takes place
early in June. During the first two weeks in June, 1903, the writer
examined some 8 or 10 nests found in the vicinity of Tucson. These
were all in woodpecker holes in giant cactus from 15 to 25 feet from
the ground and contained each from three to five eggs. The nests
were composed mainly of hair taken from dead horses and cattle,
the cavities in consequence reeking of carrion rather overpower-
ingly. Usually there were pieces of cast snake skin in the nests, as so
often occurs in all the flycatchers of this genus, and occasionally a
mummified owl or woodpecker underneath.

The Arizona crested flycatcher was seen on the Papago Saguaro
Monument, but not commonly, perhaps 8 or 10 individuals, all told,
being observed. About Roosevelt Lake the species seemed scarce.
One was seen in the canyon below the cliff dwellings nearest the
lake, and one or two others on the mesa between the lake and the
foothills of the Sierra Ancha.

DESERT QUAIL.

Lophortyx gambeli Gambel.

Recognition marks. — From the other birds with which it is asso-
ciated the desert quail is, of course, distinguished by all the attri-
butes common to the quail family, of which the strong, whirring
flight is most apt to first draw the observer's attention. Among the
several species of quail occurring in Arizona it is at once recognized
by its club-shaped top knot. In general appearance, color, and mark-
ings it is sufficiently like the California quail so that the two are
frequently confused, but the latter does not occur in Arizona, and
need cause no trouble in this connection.

BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGTJAEO NATIONAL MONUMENT. 41

Occurrence. — Even the most casual observer, hastening through
the country in swift-moving auto, or perhaps never even leaving the
railroad coach, can not help but have this abundant game bird
brought to his attention. All along the stage rOad, from Tempe
to Roosevelt and from Roosevelt to Globe, single birds, pairs, or little
companies of five or six, took flight from either side, or scurried to
shelter on legs moving so rapidly as to appear as a fuzzy blur.
About Roosevelt, from time to time, broods of tiny young were en-
countered (this was in June), sometimes buzzing up on all sides,
like overgrown bumble bees, in comical imitation of their parents'
roaring burst of wings, with bodies not much bigger than sparrows,
but well able to fly. Quite often the broods trotted along under the
bushes without flying, the old birds somewhat solicitous, and urging
the youngsters to cover as rapidly as possible.

At Carr's ranch in the Sierra Ancha (nearly 6,000 feet altitude),
Mr. Carr had introduced the species, bringing young birds up from
the valley some years before. They had not thrived, however
(scarcely a matter for surprise, considering the difference in the sur-
roundings), and at the time of my visit their numbers had been
reduced to a pair or two. At least one pair raised a brood this year,
however, and the young birds seemed to be doing well. It was a dis-
tinct shock to be greeted by the unmistakable call note of this desert
species amid yellow pines and white oaks, and, until the explanation
came, most disquieting to one's sense of the fitness of things.

The desert quail, as a rule, builds its nest upon the ground as
other quail do, but in southern Arizona it has been known occasion-
ally to utilize old thrasher or cactus wren nests, several feet up in
cactus or bushes.

WHITE-WINGED DOVE.

MelopeUa asiatica trudeaui (Audubon).

Recognition marks. — Unmistakably pigeon-like in appearance and
actions ; a crescent-shaped white patch on each wing and white band
across tip of tail, conspicuous in flight. As compared with the
mourning dove, the white-winged dove is of heavier build and with
square-tipped instead of pointed tail.

Occurrence. — Throughout the valleys of southern Arizona the
white-winged dovey^or Sonora pigeorKas it is generally known, is
an abundant summer "visiteF. — Mesqlute-grown bottom lands form
the favorite breeding resort, and it is there or in cultivated fields
that the white-wings are to be found in numbers. Anywhere on
the desert, however, one is apt to see them, passing overhead, feed-
ing, or resting on the giant cactus or in the shade of the thicker
bushes. They also invade the towns to some extent, and may fre-

42 BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

quently be observed in garden shrubbery or perched on fences or
electric wires.

The cooing of the white-wing is quite lacking in the melancholy
dignity of the mourning dove's notes. There is, on the contrary,
in the laboriously pumped-up tootling of the white-wing a touch
of the ridiculous that is sure to strike one at first acquaintance.
Later on, through interminable reiteration, it becomes commonplace
and monotonous, for the birds are most abundant and are assiduous
musicians. P. L. Jouy states 1 that in Mexico its doleful song has
been transposed by some poetical genius into the following refrain :

Tu! Tu!
Que quieres?
Que quieres?
Quiero tu ! Quiero tu !
You! you! What do I want? I want (or love) you! I love you!

Besides this long and elaborate refrain there is a short and em-
phatic call note, sometimes repeated over and over again at frequent
intervals. This has been translated as, " Who cooks for you ", a ques-
tion given with rather insulting emphasis.

In nesting habits the white- wing is much like the mourning dove as
regards structure of nest and choice of building site. It does, how-
ever, show a decided preference for mesquite, far more nests being
placed in this plant than in any other. Cottonwoods and willows
are not uncommonly used, while an occasional nest may be found in
other trees or shrubs where they provide sufficient shelter.

The birds, as a rule, arrive in southern Arizona about the third
week of April. Oilman gives the date of arrival at Sacaton as
April 20, while I found a bird sitting on eggs near Tucson as early
as April 13. The eggs are two in number, and are for the most
part laid during the period from the middle of May until the end of
June, occasionally in July. In August the white-wings begin to
scatter from their nesting grounds, and at this season may be found
in loosely associated flocks in the live oaks of the foothills, at a
far higher altitude than that at which they breed. During Septem-
ber they leave, and by the 1st of October are nearly all gone.

The food of the white- winged dove is described by Oilman (Con-
dor, XIII, 1911, p. 52) as follows :

Their coming is coincident with the ripening of the berries of the wild jujube,
ZisypJwts lycioides, upon which they feed greedily as long as the fruit lasts,
consuming both ripe and green. . . . They come in such great numbers that
the wheat fields suffer and the loss is considerable.

In addition to the wheat, these doves feed on other grains and much weed
seed. They are very fond of sorghum seed, and large flocks gather on a field
of this plant. The giant cactus (Cereus giganteus) furnishes them a large

i Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., XVI, 1893, p. 789.

BIEDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT. 43

amount of food also. They may be seen on top of the great columns as soon
as the first blossoms appear, thrusting their bills into the trumpet-shaped
flowers, but whether for insects, pollen, or nectar was not learned. As soon as
the fruit ripens, however, there is no doubt as to what they are seeking. Their
actions are a sufficient index even without the tell-tale red stain around their
mouths. They frequent the cactus groves as long as any fruit is left, flying a
long distance to reach this delicacy.

The white-winged dove is an excellent game bird, of good size,
satisfactory for the table, and sufficiently swift of flight to test the
skill of the gunner. In flying from feeding ground to watering place,
the streams of passing birds give the best of flight shooting.

Along the Apache Trail this bird was seen nearly everywhere. It
was repeatedly observed in parks and gardens in Phoenix and Tempe,
on the Papago Saguaro Monument, and on the farming land about
Tempe. About the shores of Roosevelt Lake a few of the birds
were seen, but not in the numbers observed in the lower valleys. The
species was also noted about Globe.

INCA DOVE.
Scardafella inca (Lesson).

Recognition marks. — Size small; 8^ inches in length, about half
of which is tail. Aside from its diminutive size, like other pigeons
in appearance and actions. Chestnut coloration on wing, nearly
concealed in the closed wing but conspicuous in flight. Long tail,
edged with white. The long, white-bordered tail will serve to dis-
tinguish this species from the short-tailed Mexican ground dove, the
only bird with which it is apt to be confused.

Occurrence. — The towns of southern Arizona are fortunate in the
presence of this little dove, which not only tolerates human sur-
roundings, but flatly declines to reside amid any other. Though a
common species in certain sections, it is not of general distribution
over the State. It does not occur in northern Arizona, nor does it
reach the Colorado River; the region included in the lower Salt
River Valley and the Gila Valley immediately to the southward,
appears to be the center of abundance. In this section it is a com-
mon resident of every town, feeding in streets, roads, and corrals,
and nesting in shade trees or garden shrubbery. I have never yet
seen the Inca dove away from towns or the immediate vicinity of
ranch houses. It is a familiar feature in the streets of Phoenix and
Tempe, and was seen in lesser numbers at Globe.

The life history of the Inca dove, as observed in this same general
region over a period of years, has been graphically described by
Gilman :

The vivacious little Inca dove (Scardafella inca) is the cream of the dove
family and is in the public eye or ear most of the time. Whether sitting on

44 BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

a barbed wire fence or a clothes line, with long tail hanging down perfectly
plumb, or marching around in a combative manner with tail erect at right
angles to the body, or rushing around busily and hurriedly, not to say greedily,
feeding with the chickens in the back yard, it shows a decided individuality
and arouses interest and affection. If I could transport to my California
home the Bendire thrashers to sing to me and the Inca doves to amuse me I
would surely do it.

I have never seen them far from dwellings or barns, and even in nesting
they show a decided preference for human company. They feed in yards with
poultry, perch on back-yard fences, and seem as much part of the establish-
ment as the woodpile. They are rather dainty in their drinking, rarely using
the chickens' drinking vessel, but perching on the hydrant and catching the
drops of water as they leak from the pipe. To do this they nearly "have to
stand on their heads, but that does not bother them at all. They eat wheat
and other small grains but draw the line at corn, it probably being too large
for them to swallow. At our house we always include rations for the Incas
when ordering wheat for the poultry.

These little doves are with us the year through, and their hard metallic
little coo can be heard every month in the year, though most in evidence during
the breeding season. As I write this, I can hear the " coo-coo " which gives
them their Pima name of coo-coo. The call is much in evidence also during the
heat of July and August, at which trying time people with nerves complain of
the constant noise they make, which begins early in the morning and ends
late in the evening. There is an insistent, persevering quality about the calling
that is quite impressive, and when a lot of them keep at it some people sit up
and take notice. They are numerous, too, as I have counted more than 20
feeding with about a dozen chickens in a small yard.

The Inca dove could never have inspired the term " dove of peace," as they
are pugnacious to a fault and fight like little fiends. Two of them will face
each other with one wing on guard, held straight above the body; then close
in and mix it, buffeting with wings till the sound of the blows is audible at a
distance of 50 yards. The bill is also used with bloody results about the head.
I have been told that one will sometimes kill the other, but never saw such an
extreme case. When arranging for a fight, the combatants utter a sort of
growl, if it may be so described : a very guttural, anger-expressing sound. In
animated talk, gossip perhaps, they excitedly utter sounds something like "cut-
cut-ca-doo-ca-doo." In all, quite a vocabulary is at their command. In motion
they are quick and lively, and have the same jerky flight as do the ground
doves;

The nests of these doves are nearly always placed near a dwelling or a barn.
I have never seen a nest more than 100 yards from a building of some
kind, and many of them are as close as they can find a tree in which to build.
A row of umbrella trees close to a dwelling has for three years been a favorite
place for nests, and also a row of cottonwood trees along the front yard.
These two kinds of trees are most frequently used, probably on account of their
nearness to houses. Mesquite trees and fruit trees are also drawn on for home-
steads. The nest is a little more elaborate than that of the two large doves and
shows more of a depression or cup in the center. Rootlets, twigs, grass, and
leaf stems are materials used in the construction. The birds are generally
quite tame on the nest, rarely flying off till the intruder comes closer than arm's
length. I have placed my hand as close as 10 inches to a brooding bird, but
have never quite been able to pet one on the nest. They are so accustomed to
human presence that the broken-wing subterfuge is rarely resorted to. The

BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT. 45

average distance from the ground of a number of nests was 12 feet, and they
ranged from 7 to 20 feet.

Fighting and cooing begins about the 1st of February, but the earliest nesting
date I have recorded was April 11, when fresh eggs were found. The latest
date was September 25, when a nest containing eggs slightly incubated was
found. At least two, and possibly three, broods are raised during the year.
The past season I noted four cases where two broods were raised in the same
nest, and two cases where a last year's nest was relined and used. Two nests
found were built on top of old cactus wrens' dwellings.

Though so tame and accustomed to human presence, when caught the doves
are violent in their attempts to escape. I trapped two at different times to
have a friend take their photograph. I placed them in a cage to await the
coming of the camera man, but they used the same jerky motions to escape that
they do in flying, and 'went at it with the same vim that they do in fighting.
They were fast injuring their heads, and I released them after a few minutes.1

MEARNS GILDED FLICKER.
Colaptcs chrysoides mearnsi Ridgway.

Recognition marks. — A large woodpecker; length about llf inches.
Eump white, and under surfaces of wings and tail yellow, conspicu-
ous in the flying bird. The gilded flicker will probably be recog-
nized at sight by anyone at all familiar with birds, either in the East
or the West, for it has the unmistakable flicker characteristics of voice,
flight, and markings. From the red-shafted flicker, which occurs
in the same region in winter, it is readily distinguished by the pos-
session of yellow, instead of red, shafts of wing and tail feathers.
From the eastern yellow-shafted flicker the gilded flicker may be
distinguished by its red "mustache " (in the male bird), and by the
absence in either sex of the red crescent at the back of the head.

Occurrence. — So closely is the gilded flicker restricted to the
vicinity of the giant cactus that it is useless to look for the species
save in the neighborhood of that plant. It is true that an occasional
flicker builds its nest elsewhere than in the trunk of the cactus, but
in such case it will be a tree growing in a giant cactus region.

The species is resident the year through wherever it occurs, but in
the winter it is joined by the larger red-shafted flicker. The latter
species is restricted to the higher mountains during the summer.

The gilded flicker was seen in fair numbers on the Papago Saguaro
Monument. Two nests placed high in towering saguaros were found
there on May 30, both containing noisy young assiduously fed by their
parents. About Roosevelt Lake the species was seen daily, though not
in any large numbers.

Condor, XIII, 1911, pp. 55-56.

4:6 BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

Following are quotations from an article by M. French Gilman,
treating of the life history of the gilded flicker, as observed about
Sacaton, Arizona :

Mearns gilded flicker (Colaptes chrysoides mearnsi) is abundant throughout
this region and is found in cottonwood and willow groves as well as wherever
the giant cactus grows. The giant cactus is to this flicker and the Gila wood-
pecker what the bamboo is to the inhabitants of some of the eastern islands.
The cactus could get along without the flickers, though it probably would not feel
properly ventilated without a few nest holes, and it would not look at all natural
without them. The cactus furnishes the birds with home, shelter, food, and pos-
sibly drink. They roost in the holes and seek them as retreat from rain-
storms. More than once when driving through a heavy rain have I seen a
flicker's head thrust from a hole in an inquiring way, as though to say, " Look,
who's here."

The gilded flickers are much quieter than the Gilas and are not so much in
evidence around homes, though they do not appear to be very timid. They are
simply less sociable, I presume. They resort regularly to the Indian corn-
cribs and are seen in cornfields, though I have never noticed them actually
engaged on an ear of green corn as I have the Gilas. They probably attack
the green corn, but are quiet about the work instead of advertising their pres-
ence. They eat largely of the cactus fruit and possibly of the pulp at certain
lean seasons. They are very fond of watermelon and eat freely of it when it
is placed on bird tables or on the ground in shade of tree or shed. They ap-
pear to feed frequently on the ground in the way the red-shafted does and are
probably after ants most of the time. I have seen them at work on an ant hill
and even pecking into the ground after the insects. When melon is placed both
on the tables and on the ground they resort more often to that on the ground,
while the Gilas prefer the tables. However, I have never seen the flickers drink
from the pool of water provided, though the Gilas occasionally do.

They are peaceable and impress me as being eminently practical and matter of
fact. Each one minds his own business, as the Gilas do sometimes, but are
solitary or in pairs. They have the same habit of pecking the walls of buildings
as have the red-shafted flickers, and one has worked spasmodically at the
shingled gable of the schoolhouse here for the past three years. I take it to
be the same individual, for he is rather tame and roosts each night above one
of the window casings. A few times I have seen a Gila woodpecker at work at
the same point in the wall, but usually his time is put in on a telephone pole
in the yard. The notes of this flicker are quite similar to those of the red-
shafted, but not so frequent nor quite so loud.

The nests are found in giant cactus, cottonwood, and willow, and in that
order as to frequency, the giant cactus leading. Nests are in the giant cactus
or Saguaro, as it is called, far from water, and in cottonwood and willow along
the river, on banks of the canals, or even standing in stagnant water pools.
Of 27 nests examined containing eggs or young, 21 were in the Saguaro, 4 in
willow, and 2 in cottonwood. Others were seen in cottonwood, but too difficult
of access, and many in the cactus were out of reach. If careful count were
made I believe about 90 per cent would be found in the cactus. Nests in cot-
tonwood and willow ranged from 5 to 25 feet from the ground and in Saguaros
from 11 to 25 or 30 feet.

April is the month for flicker nesting, as 19 of the 27 occupied nests were
noted during that month; 11 contained eggs, and 8 had young. Of 8 nests
found in May, 4 had eggs and 4 contained young. April 11 was the earliest

BIKDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUAKO NATIONAL MONUMENT. 47

date for a complete set, and April 19 date of first young found. May 17 was the
latest date of nest with eggs. * * *. ,.

The entrance to the nest holes varies much, as may be seen from the figures
given. The smallest entrance measured 2| inches and the largest 4J inches.
The shallowest hole was 10 inches, and the deepest 18 inches. The average
diameter of entrance to 36 holes measured was 3.28 inches, and average depth
of same holes was 12.75 inches. The entrance to the 18-inch hole was 3$
inches in diameter, and while the ratio is not constant, the shallower holes tend
to have smaller entrances and the deeper holes have larger entrances. It was
difficult to measure the diameter of the bottom of the nest holes without de-
stroying the nest, and this was not to be considered when the hole was occu-
pied, so very little data was secured. From the few measurements taken it
may be stated that the bottom of the nest hole is from 4$ to 6 inches in
diameter. It is hardly correct to use the term diameter, as many of the hole
bottoms were not nearly circular, one I measured being 4 inches one way and
6 the other. This variation seemed to be governed by the size of the cactus,
as in the smaller plants there was not room to excavate a large circular bot-
tom, and it had to be stretched one way. How the four young find growing
room in some of the nests is a puzzle; I have never been able to fit them back
when once removed, unless it was done soon after they hatched.

The gilded flickers do not object to using a hole after the entrance is en-
larged. Two years ago I cut into a hole occupied by a Gila woodpecker, and
the following season a flicker used it. In the same tree at the same time I
cut into a flicker's nest, and the following year a sparrow hawk occupied it
with four eggs.

While speaking of Gila woodpeckers I mentioned catching one at work ex-
cavating a hole in a stump. A short time afterwards I examined the hole and
found a gilded flicker at home there with three tiny young and two infertile
eggs. She had taken the hole and enlarged it sufficiently to accommodate her
family.

The young when first hatched are not very prepossessing to anyone, except,
perhaps, the parents. At first glance they remind one of the pictured restora-
tion of the Plesiosaurus, with their long twisting naked necks. The lowei
mandible was more than an eighth of an inch longer than the upper, and on
the tip of each was the hard white growth used in opening the shell. At this
nest the parents showed more solicitude than any others I had seen, coming
as close as 4 feet from me. In most instances they are rather indifferent, even
when the young loudly protest at being handled. One nest examined contained
four nearly grown. When disturbed one of them flew from the nest and landed
about 100 yards distant, coming to the ground very awkwardly, but flying as
well as though he were a graduate from a school of aviation. Two others then
left the nest but made only short flights. I caught and tried to keep them
still enough for a photo, but did not have enough hands to hold them still and
operate the camera. They made enough noise to attract attention but neither
parent put in appearance to investigate the disturbance.

They are not close sitters, and usually leave the nest before the tree is
reached or the ladder placed against the trunk. As soon as an intruder's foot-
steps become audible the landlady pokes her head from the entrance and soon
after departs, never giving opportunity for capturing her on the nest. Deserted
flicker nest holes are made use of by several other birds. In these holes I
have often found sparrow-hawks and Saguaro screech owls. Once a Bendire
thrasher made her nest in one with a crack in one side that let in light enough
for her. In a partly excavated hole I found the nest of a western kingbird,
and in another the nest of a house finch. Occasionally the cactus wren builds

48 BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

in the deserted hole. In one Saguaro I found occupied nests of the gilded
flicker, Gila woodpecker, and ash-throated flycatcher. A cactus wren was in
an ironwood at the base of the cactus and beyond reach of the ladder were
holes giving signs of occupancy by owls.1

GILA WOODPECKER.

Centurus uropygialis Baird.

Recognition marks. — A medium-sized woodpecker, about 10^
inches long. Upper parts barred with black and white, in zebra-like
fashion. A large, white spot on each wing, conspicuous in flight;
white markings on middle tail feathers, also rather conspicuous on
the flying bird. Quite noisy when disturbed, with all the call notes
of a whining, querulous character.

Occurrence. — The Gila woodpecker has its center of abundance in
the United States in the valley of the Gila River. It is a familiar
inhabitant of the lowlands of southern Arizona, both on the desert
mesa and along the wooded river bottoms ; and an excellent example
of a desert bird that has taken kindly to civilization and the cultiva-
tion of the land. It is a common species about Phoenix and Tempe,
as also about Roosevelt Lake. Nests were found in giant cactus on
the Papago Saguaro Monument, in cottonwood trees along irriga-
tion ditches near Tempe, and again in a canyon near Roosevelt Lake.
These all contained young birds at the time of observation.

The habits of the Gila woodpecker, as observed at Sacaton,
Arizona, have been set forth by Gilman in part as follows :

Were it not for the Gila woodpecker (Centurus uropygialis) what would be-
come of the several species of birds that use already prepared cavities for
their domiciles? In some cases these tenants do not even await the pleasure
of the excavators, but take forcible possession. In holes excavated by Gila
woodpeckers there may regularly be found nesting the elf owl, ferruginous
pigmy owl, ash-throated flycatcher, and Arizona crested flycatcher. Occa-
sionally a cactus wren makes use of the handy hollow, and once I saw
one occupied by the nest of a Lucy warbler. A big " rough-neck ", scaly
lizard frequents the holes when not too high in the cactus, and in two
holes in willow trees I found snakes. It is not pleasant to insert one's
hand and have a big lizard or snake crawl up the arm to escape. Rats
and mice are sometimes found in the deserted holes, especially if the tree be
much decayed and with cracks and hollows connecting holes at different
heights in the tree or branch. So these woodpeckers may be considered among
the class of innocent or unintentional benefactors.

As a neighbor, the Gila woodpecker is permanently on the map, and is afraid
neither of being seen nor heard. He is much in the public ear with a variety
of notes and calls. His sociable conversational notes somewhat resemble those
of the California woodpecker, but are shriller. In such of his notes as are
directed at humanity there is a peevish complaining tone, especially if closely
approached when feeding on fruit or some other delicacy. In such cases there
is only one term that exactly describes his attitude and utterances, and that

1 Condor, XVII, 1915, pp. 160-1S3.

Photograph by M. French Oilman.

A. PLUMBEOUS GNATCATCHER ON NEST.

This is a characteristic species of the deserts of the Southwest. It is much like the Blue-Gray
Gnatcatcher of the Eastern States and the Western Gnatcatcher of California, from which It
differs mainly in the possession of a black cap, worn by the male during the summer months.
This marking may be seen on the bird in the picture.

MALE GILA WOODPECKER.

Distinguished from the female by the red spot on the crown. This is a common species of the
valleys of southern Arizona, and one that nests frequently in the giant cactus.

BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT. 49

is the phrase "belly-aching." In fact, all of his talk at us has a distinctly
" colicky " tone and one feels like giving him something to whine about. His
ordinary call slightly resembles that of the flicker, but is not quite so loud;
altogether he is quite a conversationalist.

This woodpecker frequents houses and yards, and with slight encourage-
ment comes regularly for food, not hesitating to call loudly for it if breakfast
be much delayed. The Indians store corn in the ear on the Hat tops of their
houses and sheds, and each home has one or more of woodpecker retainers or
pensioners hanging about most of the time. This corn provides an abundant
and sure source of food, and the birds make the most of it. I have never seen
any indication of food storage on the part of the Gila woodpecker as with the
California woodpecker, for they live in a claw-to-beak fashion. They peck at
a kernel until it conies off the cob, when it is carried to a post or tree and
placed firmly in a crack. Here it is pecked to pieces and eaten. They seem
never to swallw the kernel whole, but always break it up. They seem to be
allotted on the ratio of a pair of birds to a home, and it is but rarely that
more than two are seen at the same corncrib. During the breeding season they
are shyer and are not seen around the homes very much ; but when the young
are grown they " bring them out " and present them, as it were.

The food of this woodpecker is varied, nearly everything being grist that
comes to his mill. He pecks around decayed and dying trees as well as green
ones, and presumably gets the insects usually found and eaten by such birds.
The giant cactus is pecked into very frequently, and I believe some of the
pulp is eaten. The small punctures made are not enlarged, and in some cases
quite an area is bitten into. The fruit of the giant cactus is eaten as long as
it lasts, and berries of the lycium are also freely eaten. The Gila woodpecker
frequents cornfields and pecks through the husks into the ears of corn. The
birds may peck in at first to get a worm, but it is a case similar to the discovery
of roast pig as portrayed by Lamb. They alight on the ground and feed upon
table scraps thrown to chickens, three of them being regular morning visitors —
star boarders — to a pen of chickens I fed. They are very fond of peaches and
pears and volubly resent being driven from a tree of the fruit. They peck
holes in ripening pomegranates and then the green fruit beetle helps finish
the fruit. They relish grapes, both white and colored, and will spear one with
their bill and carry it to a convenient crevice, where it may be eaten at leisure.
On bird tables I have tried them with various articles of food and found very
little that they rejected. They would not eat cantaloupe at all, but were
regular watermelon fiends, eating it three times a day and calling for more.
They did not care for oranges, and I had no success in trying to teach them
to eat ripe pickled olives. I tried the olive diet on them because two mocking-
birds in our yard in California learned to eat this fruit. Meat, raw and cooked,
was eaten, and they ate suet greedily. Their favorite cut of beef was the
T-bone steak, and we always left some meat on the bone for them. They
picked it clean, and if a new supply was slow in coming the softer parts of the
bone were devoured. This T-bone steak diet, however, was prior to the balloon
ascension of beef. The bone was always nailed fast to the table and it fur-
nished the birds with food and exercise and us with edification. Mr. Frank
Pinkley, custodian at the Casa Grande Ruins, told me of a pair of these wood-
peckers that stayed around his home and became quite tame, coming into the
shed to drink from a can of water. He said they got into the habit of sucking
the eggs in the chicken house, or, at least, pecking into them and eating of the
contents. As the eggs were from blooded Wyandotte hens, he had to break the
woodpeckers of the habit. I did not ask him how he did it, but fear that it
153688°— 20 4

50 BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUAKO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

was in the same way that he broke some horned owls of dining on the same
brand of hens. Water seems to be the least of their worries ; perhaps it is
supplied by the giant cactus they peck into so freely.

This woodpecker has not the best disposition in the world, for he is very
quarrelsome and intolerant. He fights his own kin and all the neighbors that
he dares. He, or she, is a great bluffer, however, and when " called " fre-
quently sidesteps, subsides, or backs out entirely. I saw one approach a
Bendire thrasher that was eating and suddenly pounce on him. He had the
thrasher down, and I was thinking of offering my friendly services as a board
of arbitration, when the under bird crawled from beneath and soon gave the
woodpecker the thrashing of his career. Several times I have seen the wood-
peckers start to attack Bendire and Palmer thrashers, but they were always
bluffed or beaten at the game. With the bronzed cowbirds it is a drawn
battle, sometimes one and then the other backing down. Most other birds,
such as cardinals, Abert towhees, dwarf cowbirds, and cactus wrens, do not
attempt to assert their rights, but always take a rear seat. When it is wood-
pecker versus woodpecker it seems not to be a case of " Thrice armed is he
who hath his quarrel just," but rather " Four times he who gets his blow in
fust."

I had two bird tables about 20 feet apart, and frequently one woodpecker
might be peacefully assimilating watermelon when another one would come
hurrying up and make a dive at him, causing a retreat to the other table.
Frequently the newcomer would then follow and drive him from the second
table. He seemingly would rather fight than eat if another one was eating at
the same time. One day I saw him, or her, I forget which, hanging to the
edge of the table busily eating steak, when another one perched on the table
and made a vicious stab at him. He dodged backward clear under the table,
though retaining his hold, and then bobbed up again, just like the Punch and
Judy show. The attack was renewed, and the dodging as well ; but this time
he did not "come back." Another day one of them was at work -on a piece
of melon, when one of his fellows came and perched on the end of the table.
The diner made a pass at the newcomer, and seizing him by the feathers of
the neck held him suspended over the end of the table for a few seconds.

Nesting sites in this locality are restricted to giant cactus (Cereus gigan-
teus), cottonwood, and willow, as they are the only suitable material for a
nest excavation. More nests are found in the giant cactus, as these plants are
more numerous than the others and more "peckable," though the willows
and cottonwoods along the river and the canals are well patronized when
sufficiently decayed. Of the nests I examined I should say that 50 per
cent were in the cactus and the rest equally divided between the other trees
mentioned. * * *

Usually the nest hole runs straight in for a short distance before turning
downward, the distance seemingly depending on the texture of the wood. * * *
The depth horizontally is usually about 3 inches. In the giant cactus it
varies according to the diameter of the trunk, the smaller the trunk the less
distance before turning downward. The softness of the material is not a factor,
as it is the same in small and large trunks. In only two cases have I found
nest holes that penetrated through the ribs of the cactus into the inner pith.
In both cases the trunk was too small to furnish room for the nest between
the outside and the ribs. The holes are dug in the soft pulp of the cactus, and
the raw surface becomes calloused, as it were, forming a tough woody lining to
the hole, which persists when the rest of the pulp decays. In this way the
nest holes may be found intact, the hole being outlined by the hardened pulp,
while the surrounding pulpy tissues have entirely decayed. * * *

BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT. 51

The nests were placed at different heights, those in the giant cactus rang-
ing from 14 feet to the limit of the plant, about 35 feet. As my ladder was
only 14 feet long, the nests higher than 20 feet were inaccessible, except in
the special cases already mentioned. Many of the nests seen were more
than 20 feet from the ground, and as a rule the Gila woodpecker seemed to
place the nests higher in the cactus than did the gilded flicker. They appear
to select large plants and to patronize the same one for several years, as
many unoccupied holes may be seen in it. Unoccupied — that is, as far as the
woodpecker is concerned, for the old holes are often used by other birds. I
have never found two of these woodpeckers occupying the same tree, but fre-
quently a gilded flicker, elf owl, and ash-throated flycatcher might be next-
door neighbors, and all housed under the same roof, as it were. In cotton-
woods and willows there could not be so much choice as to height, for the site
was decided by the location of soft or decayed wood, and sometimes the nest
would be closer to the ground. In some stumps I have found the nests only 5
feet from the ground, in other cases as high as 30 feet or more. * * *

The height of the nesting season is evidently from the middle of April to
the middle of May. Of 13 occupied nests examined, 12 were found in May,
8 of them containing young. May 10 was the latest date that eggs were
found. July 10 I found three young about half grown, which might indicate
that a second brood was sometimes raised. * * *

It is not easy to determine just what food the young in the nest are given,
but insects play a prominent part, as I have seen them frequently carried to
the young. Fruit is also used, as I watched one parent carry ripe Lyciurn
berries several times to the nest; after emerging from the hole she would
halt at the entrance each time and " lick her chops."

The old birds show much concern when the nest is approached, and remon-
strate most volubly; if the young are handled and caused to cry, the old
ones use terrible language. The birds are not very close sitters as a rule, but
I cut into one nest without seeing any owner around and found her on the
nest with three young just hatched and one egg pipped. She was not sick or
stupid either, judging from the noise she made and the fight she put up, but
was merely on the job and surely " on the peck." A new-looking hole in a
cottonwood stump only 5 feet from the ground was noticed, and, quietly ap-
proaching, I placed my fingers over the entrance. I soon received a vigorous
peck from the lady of the house, who was " coming up " with a mouth full of
sawdust. I took her by the chin and drew her as gently as possible from
the hole, but after petting her awhile released her, for she made more noise
than a sitting hen. Mr. Pinkley, at the Casa Grande ruins, showed me a giant
cactus that had been moved to their yard from a distance of a quarter of a
mile. The cactus at the time of removal contained a nest of young wood-
peckers, and the mother followed it up and raised the family to maturity, with
the exception of one youngster that became impaled on a thorn at the entrance
to the nest.

The young are fed by the parents for a long time after leaving the nest, and
they are regular little beggars. One pair stayed around our house for several
months and became quite tame. They were missed during the breeding season,
but soon came back with three youngsters to share the good things found on
the bird tables in the yard. The young, although as large as their parents,
would flutter their wings and sit with open beak, as though the old ones told
them to " open your mouth and shut your eyes," etc. The old ones would try
to get them to eat watermelon placed on the tables, but the babies would not
be shown ; the parents had to put it in their mouths. They followed the parents

52 BIRDS OF THE PAP AGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

from perch to perch begging for food until I expected to see them chastised.
The pair in question stayed with the three juvenals until they had them broken
to eat for themselves and then left. After a proper interval they came back
with two more young ones, thus indicating that a second brood is sometimes
raised. The abundant supply of food may have been a determining factor in
the number of broods raised.

The Gila woodpecker is so prone to adapt himself to different kinds of food
that he seems fitted to persist in the face of settlement and civilization. Lack of
suitable nesting sites might be thought to prove a stumbling block, but any
old stump appears to answer, no matter whether high or low, so that difficulty
might be surmounted. He might prove a pest to certain fruits if present in
sufficient numbers, but that danger is remote, though I have known several to
suffer through too much devotion to the succulent peach and pear.1

FARALION" CORMORANT.
Phalacrocorax auritus albociliatus Ridgway.

Recognition marks. — Coloration of adults, black; of young birds,
brownish, with lighter colored breast. Size of a small goose (about
3 feet in length) ; and goose-like in general appearance when flying,
though with a quirk in the outstretched neck, whereas a flying goose
extends its neck to its full length. When swimming the body is sunk
low in the water and the bill pointed obliquely upward.

Occurrence. — When the waters of Roosevelt Lake rose to their ap-
pointed level, flooding so many miles of bottomlands of the Salt and
Tonto Rivers, there was at least one species of bird that was able to
move into the altered country and find conditions to its liking. Cor-
morants probably occurred sporadically along the rivers before the
lake existed, but it is doubtful if these streams supplied sufficient food
or if there were proper nesting sites to permit the establishment of
breeding colonies. At each end of Roosevelt Lake — that is, just below
the mouths of the Tonto and Salt Rivers — stand cottonwood and other
trees, killed by the rising flood, partly submerged but with their tops
out of the water. In some of the larger of these trees the cormorants
have built their nests. On June 8 I visited the colony at the head of
the Tonto River branch of the lake. Great blue herons and black-
crowned night herons were there, as well as the cormorants, and it
was not always possible to tell to which birds the nests observed per-
tained, though as a rule the three species seemed to nest in colonies
apart. The cormorants were in greater numbers than the herons.
One tree held 16 nests, most of them occupied by partly grown young
cormorants. Near-by were two other trees holding, respectively, three
and four nests, and farther on a number of single nests were scattered,
some cormorants' and some herons'. Besides the cormorants on the
nests, single birds and flocks of three or four were seen at various
points near the head of the lake. Altogether about 40 or 50 of the

^ » Condor, XVII, 1915, pp. 152-159.

PLATE VIII.

Photograph by M. French GUman.

A. I NEST WITH FIVE EGGS OF GILA WOODPECKER
IN GIANT CACTUS.

The side of the cactus has been cut away to expose the nest.

B. NESTING COLONY OF FARALLON CORMORANTS NEAR MOUTH OF TONTO
RIVER, ROOSEVELT LAKE.

BIRDS OF THE PAP AGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT. 53

birds were seen. Near the head of the Salt River branch of the lake
cormorants were seen in about the same number as on Tonto River.
I did not examine any nests here, but in all probability the two colonies
are of about the same size.

During the nesting season the cormorants appeared to remain close
to the nests, none being seen during June at the lower end of the
lake. A month later, during the first week in July, several were
observed in the vicinity of the dam.

At the present time conditions are certainly favorable to the cor-
morants, and the colony will probably increase in numbers from year
to year. Nesting on a Federal bird reservation, they are secure of
injury from man, their nests are safe from ordinary danger, and in
the lake there is abundance of food. The dead trees serving for
their present nesting sites, however, are certain to disappear in the
course of time, and the cormorants will then have a problem to
solve.

Besides those seen at Roosevelt Lake, cormorants were noted near
Tempe on May 31. First a flock of 29 birds was seen, flying in
V-shaped formation, like wild geese, and headed straight up the Salt
River. A little later six birds appeared, circling about over the
river bottom, flying low above the willows.

PALLID GREAT BLUE HERON.
Ardea hcrodias tregansai Court.

Recognition marks. — Size large; length about 4 feet. Relatively
small body and short tail, with long legs, neck, and bill, and broad,
widespreading wings. Flight slow and laborious. The live bird
generally appears bluish or grayish in color. Sometimes the streak-
ings on the breast can be seen, but as a rule the birds can not be
approached near enough for their markings to be distinguished.
Known to most people under the name of " blue crane."

Occurrence. — Herons existed along the rivers before Roosevelt
Lake was in existence, but the coming of this body of water has
unquestionably resulted in a considerable increase in their numbers.
At the present time the great blue heron forms a pleasing and pictur-
esque feature of the lake, whether perched on some rocky point or
flapping slowly over the water, for the birds are present in numbers.

The herons were nesting below the mouth of Tonto River, in com-
pany with the Farallon cormorants. In one dead tree top on June 8
there were 10 nests, mostly occupied by young great blue herons,
while nearby others were scattered, one, two, or three in a tree.
The parent birds were wary, as usual, most of them taking flight
when our boat was still some distance away. From several of the
nests young birds departed on what were evidently their first flights.

54 BIEDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUAEO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

A single great blue heron was seen flying over the river at Tempe
on June 2, and one or two others, from the stage, along the Salt
River some miles below the dam. The species doubtless nests all
along this stream wherever there are trees large enough to meet
its needs.

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON.
Nycticorax nycticorax nwvius (Boddaert).

Recognition marks. — The strongly contrasting colors, black crown
and back against the white neck and lower parts, will usually serve
to distinguish the adult of this species at any reasonable distance.
At close range a glimpse may be had of the long, slender, white
plume, depending from the back of the head down the neck. Young
birds, for the first year at least, are quite different in appearance, dull
colored, brownish or gray, and coarsely striped with dusky. They
also lack the white plume. Length about 26 inches; of more
" chunky " build than the great blue heron, with relatively heavier
body and not so long a neck or legs.

Occurrence. — There were a number of black-crowned night herons
present in the heronry at the head of the Tonto River branch of
Roosevelt Lake, and there can be no doubt, I think, but that the birds
were nesting there. They were not so numerous as the great blue
herons, with which they were associated, perhaps 20 birds, all told,
being seen during our visit to the colony. No nests were identified
with certainty as. belonging to this species, but none of them was
examined closely through fear of seriously disturbing the birds.

While there may at times be uncertainty as to the identity of
herons seen at a distance, there can be no doubt about this bird once
it gives voice to its peculiarly unmelodious call note. The " squawk "
is known the country over to people who have never heard the more
dignified book name.

The species is doubtless a permanent resident about Roosevelt Lake,
as it has been observed along the Verde River during the winter
months.

BIRDS SEEN ON THE PAPAGO SAGUARO MONUMENT, ARIZONA, MAY 30 TO JUNE 4,

1917.

1. Killdeer (Oxyechus vociferus).

- 2. Desert quail (Lophortyx gambeli}.

- 3. Western mourning dove (Zenaidura macroiira marginetta).
4. White-winged dove (Melopelia asiatica trudeaui).

- 5. Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura, septentrionalis) .

6. Western red-tailed hawk (Buteo borealis calurus).

7. American sparrow hawk ( Falco sparverius sparverius ) .

8. Burrowing owl (Speotyto cunictdaria hypogcea).

BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT. 55

-» 9. Roadrunner ( Geococcyx calif ornianus ) .

10. Gila woodpecker (Centurus uropygialis).

11. Mearns gilded flicker (Colaptes chrysoides mearnsi).
• 12. Texas nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis texensis).

13. White-throated swift (Aeronautes melanoleucus) .

14. Black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri).
-15. Western kingbird (Tyra-nnus verticalis).

16. Arizona crested flycatcher (Myiarchus magister magister).

17. Ash-throated flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens cinerascens).

18. Say Phoebe (Sayornis sayus).

19. Dwarf cowbird (Molothrus ater obscurus).

20. Sonora red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus sonoriensis ) .

21. House finch (Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis).

22. Cliff swallow (Petrochelidon lunifrons lunifrons).

23. Rough-winged swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) .

24. Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens).

•25. White- rumped shrike (Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides) .

26. Western mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos leucopterus) .

27. Palmer thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre palmeri).

28. Cactus wren (Heleodytes brunneicapillus couesi).

29. Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps flaviceps).

30. Plumbeous gnatcatcher (Polioptila plumbed).

BIRDS SEEN AT TEMPE AND ON SURROUNDING FARM LANDS, MAY 30 TO JUNE 4,

1917.

1. Farallon cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus albociliatus) .

2. Pallid great blue heron (Ardea herodias treganzai).

3. Anthony green heron (Butorides virescens anthonyi).

4. Killdeer (Oxyechus vociferus).

5. Desert quail (Lophortyx gambeli).

6. Western mourning dove (Zenaidura macroura marginella).

7. White-winged dove (Melopelia asiatica trudeaui).

8. Mexican ground dove (Chaemepelia passerina pallescens).

9. Inca dove (Scardafella inca).

10. Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura* septentrionalis) .

11. Western red-tailed hawk (Buteo borealis calurus).

12. American sparrow hawk (Falco sparverius sparverius).

13. Gila woodpecker (Centurus ut'opygialis).

14. Texas nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis texensis).

15. Black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri).

16. Western kingbird (Tyrannus terticalis).

17. Black phoebe (Sayornis nigricans).

18. Western wood pewee (Myioclianes richardsoni richardsoni) .1

19. Traill flycatcher (Empidonax trailli trailli).

20. Dwarf cowbird (Molothrus ater obscurus).

21. Sonora red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus sonoriensis) .

22. Western meadowlark (Stumella neglecta).

23. Arizona hooded oriole (Icterus cuciillatus nelsoni).

24. Bullock oriole (Icterus bullocki).

25. House finch (Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis).
26.. English sparrow (Passer domesticus).

1 Migrant.

56 BIRDS OF THE PAP AGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

27. Green-backed goldfinch (Astragalimis psaltria hesperopliilus) .

28. Desert song sparrow (MeTbspiza melodia saltonis).

29. Abert towb.ee (Pipilo aberti).

30. Arizona cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis superbus).

31. Rough-winged swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) .

32. Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens).

33. White-rumped shrike (Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides) .

34. Long-tailed chat (Icteria virens longicauda).

35. Pileolated warbler (Witeonia pusilla pUeolata).1

36. Western mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos leucopterus) .

37. Cactus wren (Heleodytes brunneicapilhis couesi).

BIRDS SEEN IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF ROOSEVELT LAKE JUNE 5 TO 11, AND
JULY 2 TO 5, 1917.

1. Farallon cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus albociliatus) .

2. Pallid great blue heron (Ardea herodias treganzai).

3. Black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax naevius).

4. Killdeer (Oxyechus vociferus).

5. Desert quail (Lophortyx gambeli).

6. Western mourning dove (Zenaidura macroura ntarginella).

7. White- winged dove (Melopelia asiatica trudeaui).

8. Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura septentrionalis) .

9. Western red-tailed hawk (Buteo borealis calurus).

10. Zone-tailed hawk (Buteo abbreviatus).

11. American sparrow hawk (Falco sparverius sparverius).

12. Cactus woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris cactophilus) .

13. Gila woodpecker (Centurus uropygialis) .

14. Mearns gilded flicker (Colaptes chrysoides mearnsi).

15. Texas nighthawk (Chordeilcs acutipennis texensis).

16. White-throated swift (Aeronautes melanoleucus) .

17. Costa hummingbird (Calypte costae).

18. Western kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis).

19. Arizona crested flycatcher (Myiarchus magister magister).

20. Ash-throated flycatcher (Myiarchus dnerascens cinerascens).

21. Say Phoebe (Sayornis sayus).

22. Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans).

23. Western wood pewee (Myiochanes richardsoni richardsoni).1

24. Vermilion flycatcher (Pyr&cephalus rubimis mexicanus).

25. American raven (Corvus corax sinuatus).

26. Western crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos hesperis).

27. Dwarf cowbird (Molothrus ater obscurus).

28. Scott oriole (Icterus parisorum).

29. Arizona hooded oriole (Icterus cucullatus nelsoni).

30. House finch (Carpodacus niexicanus frontalis).

31. English sparrow (Passer domesticus).

32. Green-backed goldfinch (Astragalinus psaltria hesperophilus) .

33. Desert sparrow (Amphispisa bilineata deserticola) .

34. Scott sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps scotti).

35. Canyon towhee (Pipilo fuscus mesoleucus).

36. Arizona cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis superbus).

37. Western tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) .*

1 Migrant.

BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGTJARO NATIONAL MONUMENT. 57

38. Purple martin (Progne subis subis).

39. Cliff swallow (Petrochelidon lunifrons Umifrons).

40. Rough-winged swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) .

41. Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens).

42. White-rumped shrike (Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides) .

43. Arizona least vireo (Vireo belli arizonae).

44. Lucy warbler (Vernvivora luaiae).

45. Sonora yellow warbler (Dendroica aestiva sonorana).

46. Western mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos leucopterus) .

47. Palmer thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre palmeri).

48. Cactus wren (Heleodytes brunneicapillus couesi).

49. Rock wren (Salpinctes obsoletus obsoletus).

50. Canyon wren (Catherpes mexicamis conspersus).

51. Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps flaviceps).

52. Plumbeous gnatcatcher (Polioptila plumbed).

BIRDS SEEN IN THE SIERRA ANCHA, JUNE 11 TO JULY 2, 1917.

- 1. Desert quail (Lophortyx gambeli).

2. Merriam turkey (Meleagris gattopavo merriami).

" 3. Band-tailed pigeon (Cohtmba fasciata fasciata).

•-> 4. Western mourning dove (Zenaidura macroura marginella).

"" 5. Turkey vulture (Oathartes aura septentrionalis ) .

6. Cooper hawk (Accipiter cooperi).

7. Western red-tailed hawk (Buteo borealis calurus).

8. Zone-tailed hawk (Buteo abbreviatus) .

- 9. Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus) .

10. American sparrow hawk (Falco sparverius sparverius).

11. White-breasted woodpecker (Dryobates villchsus leucothorectis) .

12. Batchelder woodpecker (Dryobates piibescens homorus).

13. Mearns woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus aculeatus).

14. Red-shafted flicker (Colaptes cafer collaris).

15. Stephens whippoorwill (Antrostomus vociferus macromystax) .

16. White-throated swift (Aeronautes melanoleucus) .

17. Broad-tailed hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) .

18. Cassin kingbird (Tyrannus vociferans).

19. Ash-throated flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens cinerascens).

20. Black phoebe (Sayornis nigricans).

21. Coues flycatcher (Myiochanes pertinax pallidiventris) .

22. Western wood pewee (Myiochanes richardsoni richardsoni) .

23. Western flycatcher (Empidonax difflcilis difflcilis).

24. Long-crested jay (Cyanocitta stelleri diademata).

25. Woodhouse jay (Aphelocoma woodhousei).

26. Arizona jay (Aphelocoma sieberi arisonae).

27. Bendire crossbill (Loxia curvirostra bendirei)..

28. Green-backed goldfinch (Astragalimis psaltria Jicsperophilus) .

29. Black-chinned sparrow (Spizella atrogularis) .

30. Red-backed junco (Junco phaeonotus dorsalis).

31. Mountain towhee (Pipilo maculatus montanus).

32. Black-headed grosbeak (Zamelodia melanocephala melanocepha-la).

33. Western blue grosbeak (Guiraca caerulea lazula).

34. Indigo bunting (Passerina cyanea).

35. Lazuli bunting (Passerina amoena).

36. Western tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) .

58 BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGTTARO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

37. Hepatic tanager (Piranga, hepatica).

38. Purple martin (Progne suUs subis).

39. Northern violet-green swallow (Tachycineta thalassina lepida).

40. Western warbling vireo (Vireosylva gilva swainsoni).

41. Plumbeous vireo (Lanivireo solitarius plumbeus).

42. Virginia warbler (Vermivora virginiae).

43. Grace warbler (Dendroica graciae).

44. Black-throated gray warbler (Dendroica nigrescent).

45. Painted redstart (Setophaga picta).

46. Canyon wren (Catherpes rnexicanus conspersus).

47. Desert wren (Thryomanes bewicki eremophilus).

48. Western house wren (Troglodytes aedon parkmani) .

49. Rocky mountain nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis nelsoni).

50. Pigmy nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea pygmaea).

51. Bridled titmouse (Baeolophus wollweberi).

52. Mountain chickadee (Penthestes gambeli gambeli).

53. Lead-colored bush-tit (Psaltriparus plumbeus).

54. Western gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea obscura).

55. Audubon hermit thrush (Hylocichla guttata auduboni).

56. Western robin (PJanesticus migratorius propinquus).

57. Chestnut-backed bluebird (Sialia mexicana bairdi).

BIRDS SEEN AT GLOBE JULY 5 TO 7, 1917.

- 1. Desert quail (Lophortyx gambeli).

, 2. Western mourning dove (Zenaidura macroura marginella).
~~3. White- winged dove (Melopelia asiatica trudeaui).
4. Inca dove (Scardafella inca).

- 5. Turkey vulture (Carthartes aura septentrionalis) .

6. American sparrow hawk (Falco sparverius sparverius).
^7. Cactus woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris cactophilus).

8. Western kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis).

9. Ash-throated flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens cinerascens) .

10. Say phoebe (Sayornis sayus).

11. Dwarf cowbird (Molothrus ater obscurus).

12. Bullock oriole (Icterus bullocki).

13. House finch (Carpodacus mexicanus frontaUs).

14. English sparrow (Passer domesticus).

15. Green-backed goldfinch (Astragalinus psaltria hesperophilus) .

16. Western lark sparrow (Chondestes grammacus strigatus).

17. Desert sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata deserticola) .

18. Canyon townee (Piptto fuscus mesoleucus).

19. Rough- winged swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) .

20. Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens).

21. White-rumped shrike (Lanius ludomcianus excubitorides).

22. Western mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos leucopterus) .

23. Palmer thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre palmeri).

24. Cactus wren (Hcleodytes brunneicapillus couesi).

25. Rock wren (Salpinctes obsoletus obsoletus).

26. Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps flaviceps).

INDEX.

Page.
Abert towhee _________________ 20,56

Accipiter cooperi ______________ 57

Aeronautes melanoleucus ____ 55, 56, 57

Agelaius phoeniceus sonoriensis- 55
Aimophila ruflceps scotti _______ 56

American raven _______________ 56

sparrow hawk _____________ 14,

54, 55, 56, 57, 58
Amphispiza bilineata deserti-
cola _____________________ 34, 56, 58

Anthony green heron ___________ 55

Antrostomus vociferus macro-

mystax _____________________ 57

Aphelocoma sieberi arizonse ____ 57

Aphelocoma woodhousei _______ 57

Archilochus nlexandri _________ 55

Ardea herodias treganzai ____ 53, 55, 56

Arizona cardinal ______________ 19, 56

crested flycatcher. 12, 14, 39, 55, 56
hooded oriole ___________ 20, 55, 56

jay ____________________ 21, 24, 57

least vireo ______________ 17, 20, 57

Ash-throated flycatcher ________ 14

20, 55, 56, 57, 58
Astragalinus psaltria hespero-

philus ___________________ 56, 57, 58

Audubon hermit thrush _____ 21, 26, 58

Auriparus flaviceps flaviceps ___ 31,
55, 57, 58

Baeolophus wollweberi ________ 58

Bald eagle ____________________ 57

Band-tailed buzzard ___________ 38

Band-tailed pigeon ____________ 23,57

Batchelder woodpecker _____ 21, 24, 57

Bendire crossbill _____________ 6, 7, 57

Bendire thrasher ______________ 27

Blackbird, Sonora red-winged __ 55
Black-chinned hummingbird ____ 55

Black-chinned sparrow _________ 57

Black-crowned night heron__ 16, 54, 56
Black-headed grosbeak ________ 57

Black phoebe ______________ 55, 56, 57

Page.

Black-throated gray warbler 25, 58

Bluebird, chestnut-backed 26,58

Bridled titmouse 21,26,58

Broad-tailed hummingbird 23, 57

Brown thrasher 27

Bullock oriole 55,58

Bunting, indigo 6, 25, 57

lazuli 25, 57

Bush-tit, lead-colored 58

Buteo abbreviatus 36,56,57

borealis calurus 54,55,56,57

Butorides virescens anthonyi 55

Burrowing owl 54

Buzzard, band-tailed 38

C.

Cactus woodpecker 20, 56, 58

wren 12, 13, 29-, 55, 56, 57, 58

Calypte costae 56

Canyon towhee 20, 23, 56, 58

wren 17, 57, 58

Cardinal, Arizona 19,56

Cardinalis cardinalis superbus__ 56
Carpodacus mexicanus fron-

talis 55, 56, 58

Cassin kingbird 23, 24, 33, 57

Cathartes aura septentrionalis_ 54,
55, 56, 57, 58
Catherpes mexicanus consper-

sus 57, 58

Centurus uropygialis 48, 55, 56

Chaemepelia passerina palles-

cens 55

Chat, long-tailed 56

Chestnut-backed bluebird 26,58

Chickadee, mountain 21,26,58

Chondestes grammacus striga-

tus 58

Chordeiles acutipennis texensis_ 38,
55,56

Cliff swallow 17, 55, 57

Colaptes cafer collaris 57

chrysoides mearnsi 45, 55, 56

Columba fascia ta fasciata 57

59

60

INDEX.

Page.

Cooper hawk 57

Cormorant, Farallon 16, 52, 55, 56

Corvus brachyrhynchos lies-
peris 56

corax sinuatus 56

Costa hummingbird 23,56

Coues flycatcher 21, 24, 57

Cowbird, dwarf 19,20,33,55,56,58

Crissal thrasher 27

Crossbill, Bendire 6,7,57

Crow, western 20, 56

Cyanocitta stelleri diademata__ 57

Dendroica aestiva sonorana 57

graciae 58

nigrescens 58

Desert quail _ 19, 23, 40, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58

song sparrow 56

sparrow 13, 19, 20, 34, 56, 58

wren 26, 58

Dove, Inca 43, 55, 58

Mexican ground 55

mourning 14,

19, 23, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58

white-winged 12,

19, 23, 41, 54, 55, 56, 58

Dryobates pubescens homorus_ 57

scalaris cactophilus 56, 58

villosus leucothorectis 57

Dwarf cowbird 19, 20, 33, 55, 56, 58

E.

Eagle, bald 57

Eastern crested flycatcher 39

Empidonax 19

difficilis difflcilis 57

trailli trailli 55

English sparrow 17, 55, 56, 58

F.

Falco sparverius sparverius 54,

55, 56, 57, 58

Farallon cormorant 16, 52, 55, 56

Ferruginous pigmy owl 6

Finch, house 14,17,55,56,58

Flicker, Mearns gilded 14, 45, 55, 56

red-shafted 23, 24, 57

yellow-shafted 45

Flycatcher, Arizona crested 12,

14, 39, 55, 56, 57

Page.

ash-throated 14, 20, 55, 56, 58

Coues 21, 24, 57

eastern crested 39

olive-sided 24

Traill 55

vermilion 18, 56

western 24, 57

G.

Geococcyx californianus 55

Gila woodpecker 13, 14, 19, 48, 55, 56

Gilded flicker 12,13,23

Gnatcatcher, plumbeous 13,

19, 23, 55, 57

western 23, 58

Goldfinch, green-backed 25,

56, 57, 58

Grace warbler 25, 58

Green-backed goldfinch 25, 56, 57, 58

Grosbeak, black-headed 57

western blue 25, 57

Guiraca cserulea lazula 57

H.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus leuco-

cephalus 57

Hawk, American sparrow 14,

54, 55, 56, 57, 58

Cooper 57

Swainson . 9, 14

western red-tailed 14,

23, 54, 55, 56, 57
zone-tailed 36, 56, 57

Heleodytes brunneicapillus

couesi 29, 55, 57, 58

Hepatic tanager 21,25,58

Heron, Anthony green 55

black-crowned night 16, 54, 56

pallid great blue 16, 53, 55, 56

House finch 14, 17, 55, 56, 58

Hummingbird, black-chinned 55

broad-tailed 23, 57

Costa 23, 56

Hylocichla guttata auduboni 58

Icteria virens longicauda 56

Icterus bullocki 55, 58

cucullatus nelsoni 55, 56

parisorum 56

Inca dove 43, 55, 58

Indigo bunting 6, 25, 57

INDEX.

61

J. Page.

Jay, Arizona 21,24,57

long-crested 24, 57

Woodhouse 25, 57

Junco phaeonotus dorsalis 57

Junco, red-backed 57

K.

Killdeer 16, 54, 55, 56

Kingbird, Cassin 23, 24, 33, 57

western 23, 32, 55, 56, 58

Lanius ludovicianus excubi-

torides 55, 56, 57, 58

Lanivireo solitarius plumbeus 58

Lazuli bunting 25, 57

Lead-colored bush tit 26, 58

Linnet 17

Long-crested jay 24, 57

Long-tailed chat 56

Lophortyx gambeli_40, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58

Loxia curvirostra bendirei 6, 7, 57

Lucy warbler 19, 23, 57

Marsh wren 30

Martin, purple 14, 57, 58

Meadowlark 13

western 55

Mearns gilded nicker 14, 45, 55, 56

woodpecker 2H, 57

Melanerpes forrnicivorus acule-

atus 57

Meleagris gallopavo merriami__ 57

Melopelia asiatica trudeaui 41,

54, 55, 56, 58

Melospiza melodia saltonis 56

Merriam turkey 57

Mexican ground dove 55

Mimus polyglottos leucopterus_ 55,

56, 57, 58

Mockingbird 18

Western 55. 56, 57, 58

Molothrus ater obscurus__ 33, 55, 56, 58
Mountain chickadee 21, 26, 58

towhee 23, 57

Mourning dove 14, 19, 23

Myiarchiis cinerascens cineras-
cens 55, 56, 57, 58

magister magister 39, 55, 56

Page.

Myiochanes pertinax pallidiven-
tris 57

richardsoni richardsoni_ 55, 56, 57

N.

Nighthawk, Texas 38, 55, 56

Northern violet-green swallow 58

Nuthatch, pigmy 58

Rocky Mountain 58

Nycticorax nycticorax naevius_ 54, 56

O.

Olive-sided flycatcher 24

Oriole, Arizona hooded 20, 55, 56

Bullock 55, 58

Scott 19, 56

Owl, burrowing 54

elf 14

screech 14

western horned 14

Oxyechus vociferus 54,55,56

Painted redstart 21, 25, 58

Pallid great blue heron__ 16, 53. 55, 56

Palmer thrasher 12, 18, 27, 55, 57, 58

Passer domesticus 55, 56, 58

Passerina cyanea 6, 57

' amoena 57

Penthestes gambeli gambeli 58

Petrochelidon lunifrons luni-

frons 55, 57

Pewee, western wood 19,

23, 55, 56, 57
Phainopepla 19, 35,55,56,57,58

nitens 35, 55, 56, 57, 58

Phalacrocorax auritus albocilia-

tus 52, 55, 56

Phoebe, black ,_ 55,56,57

Say 55,56,58

Pigeon, band-tailed 23, 57

Pigmy nuthatch 58

Pileolated warbler 56

Polioptila caerulea obscura 58

plumbea 55, 57

Pipilo aberti 50

fuscus mesoleucus 56, 58

maculatus montanus 57

Piranga hepatica 58

ludoviciana 56, 57

62

INDEX.

Page.
Planesticus migratorlus propin-

quus ___, 58

Plumbeous gnatcatcher 13,

19, 23, 55, 57

vireo 58

Polioptila plumbea 55,57

Progne subis subis 57, 58

Psaltriparus plumbeus 58

Purple martin, 14, 57, 58

Pyrocephalus rubinus mexi-

canus __ 56

Q.

Quail, desert. 19, 23, 40, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58
R.

Raven, American 19, 56

white-necked 9

Red-backed junco 57

Red-shafted flicker 23, 24, 57

Redstart, painted 21, 25, 58

Roadrunner___ 55

Robin, western 26,58

Rock wren 18, 57, 58

Rocky Mountain nuthatch 58

Rough- winged swallow 55, 56, 57, 58

Rufous-crown sparrow 19

S.

Salpinctes obsoletus obsoletus__ 57, 58

Say phoebe . 55, 56*, 58

Sayornis nigricans 55, 56, 57

sayus 55, 56, 58

Scardafella inca 43, 55, 58

Scott oriole 19, 56

sparrow 19, 56

Selasphorus platycercus 57

Setophaga picta 58

Shrike, white-rumped 55,56,57,58

Sialia mexicana bairdi 58

Sitta carolinensis nelsoni 58

Sitta pygmaea pygmaea 58

Sonora red-winged blackbird 55

yellow warbler 57

Sparrow, black-chinned 57

desert song 56

desert 13, 19, 20, 34, 56, 58

English 17, 55, 56, 58

rufous-crowned 19

Scott 19, 56

western lark 58

Page.

Speotyto cunicularia hypogaea 54

Spizella atrogularis 57

Stelgidopteryx serripennis 55,

56, 57, 58

Stephens whippoorwill 24, 57

Sturnella neglecta 55

Swallow, cliff 17, 55, 57

northern violet-green 58

rough-winged 23, 55, 56, 57, 58

violet-green 23

Swainson hawk 9, 14

Swift, white-throated. 17,19,55,56,57

T.

Tachycineta thalassina lepida__ 58

Tanager, hepatic 21, 25, 58

western IS, 21, 56, 57

Texas nighthawk 38, 55, 56

Thrasher, brown 27

Bendire 27

crissal 27

Palmer 12, 18, 27, 55, 57, 58

Thrush, Audubon hermit 21, 26, 58

Thryomanes bewicki eremoph-

ilus 58

Titmouse, bridled 21, 26, 58

Towhee, Abert 20, 56

canyon 20, 23, 56, 58

mountain 23, 57

Toxostoma curvirostre palmeri_ 27,
55, 57, 58

Traill flycatcher _' 55

Troglodytes aedon parkmani 58

Turkey vulture 23, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58

Turkey, wild 23, 57

Tyrannus verticalis 32, 55, 56, 58

vociferans 33, 57

Y.

Verdin 13, 15, 19, 31, 55, 57, 58

Vermilion flycatcher 18, 56

Vermivora luciae 57

virginiae 25, 58

Vireo, Arizona least 17,20,57

plumbeous 58

western warbling 58

Vireo belli arizonae 57

Vireosylva gilva swainsoni 58

Virginia warbler 23,58

Violet-green swallow... 23

Vulture, turkey 23, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58

INDEX.

63

w.

Page.
Warbler, black-throated gray__ 25,58

Grace 25, 58

Lucy 19, 23, 51

piteolated 56

Sonora yellow 57

Virginia 23, 25, 58

Western blue grosbeak 25,57

crow 56

flycatcher 24, 57

gnatcatcher 23, 58

house wren 26, 58

kingbird 23, 32, 55, 56, 58

lark sparrow 58

meadowlark 55

mockingbird 55, 56, 57, 58

mourning dove___ 54, 55, 56, 57, 58
red-tailed hawk 14, 23, 54, 55, 56, 57

robin 26, 58

tanager 18, 21, 56, 57

warbling vireo 58

white-winged dove 12,

19, 23, 41, 54, 55, 56, 58

wood pewee 19, 23, 55, 56, 57

Whippoorwilt, Stephens 24,57

White-breasted woodpecker 24,57

Page.

White-rurnped shrike 55, 56, 57, 58

White-throated swift— 17, 19, 55, 56, 57

Wilsonia pusilla pileolata 56

Wild turkey 23

Woodhouse jay 25,57

Woodpecker, Batchelder 21,24,57

cactus 20, 56, 58

Gila 13, 14, 19, 48, 55, 56

Mearns 24,57

white-breasted 24, 57

Wren, cactus 12,29,55,56,57,58

canyon 17, 57, 58

desert 26, 58

marsh 30

rock 18, 57, 58

western house 26, 58

Y.

Yellow-shafted flicker 45

Z.

Zone-tailed hawk 36, 56, 57

Zenaidura macroura marginella- 54,

55, 56, 57, 58

Zamelodia melanocephala __ 57

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