FOR THE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY /^Gound at 1 A » kl u COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA NUMBER 15 4^.4i.\06Cl<^^4) ': BIRDS RECORDED FROM THE SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS IN SOUTHERN ARIZONA BY FLORENCE MERRIAM BAILEY BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA Published by the Club November 8, 1923 Edited b}- JOSEPH GRINNELI. and HARRY S. SWARTH at the Mtisciim of T 'ertehraic Zoology University of Califmiia NOTE Pacific Coast Avifauna No. 15 is the fifteenth in a series of publications issued by the Cooper Ornithological Club for the accommodation of papers whose length prohibits their appearance in The Condor. Publication of this number was made possible by money donations from tiie following Cooper Club members: Ralph Arnold, Louis B. IJisliop. W . C. Pjradbury, Joseph Grinnell, Harry Harris, Harold M. Holland, O. W. Howard, Joseph Mailliard, C. Hart Merriam, W. B. Mershon, J. R. Pemberton, 0. P. Silliman, Frank C. Willard. For information regarding either series of Cooper Club publications ad- dress W. Lee Chambers. Business Manager, Eagle Rock, Los Angeles County. California. (3) INTRODUCTION The recorded birds from the ranges adjoining the Santa Ritas — the Santa Catalinas and the Huachucas — have long since been published on by Mr. W. E. D. Scott and Mr. H. S. Swarth and others, but comparatively little has been published on the available material from the Santa Rita Mountains which, as Mr. Swarth discovered, have a markedly different set of breeding birds from that of the Huachucas. Work has been done in the Santa Ritas at various times for fifty years, from 1873 to 1923, on both sides of the range, in almost every month of the year, and it has seemed desirable to bring the results to- gether, not only for the convenience of students of distribution and migra- tion, but for the benefit of future field students in this interesting Mexican borderland'. The warm valleys on the eastern and southern sides of the mountains may add some winter residents to the foothills not found on the northern and western sides ; the migrations may at any time and place afford rewarding surprises ; and much may be learned by a study of the life histories of the summer residents, especially of some of the many hummingbirds and rare Mexican species straying across the border. The published records of specimens collected are mainly those of Mr. H. W. Henshaw, Mr. Frank Stephens, and Mr. H. S. Swarth, while the unpub- lished records, to be found in the catalogue of the U. S. National Museum and in the files of the U. S. Biological Survey, are from Dr. E. W. Nelson, Mr. A. H. Howell, Dr. Walter P. Taylor, and Mr. Vernon Bailey. In 1872, when Captain Charles Bendire was stationed at Fort Lowell, north of Tucson, he explored the surrounding country for hostile Apaches, but almost no personal notes on the birds of the Santa Ritas are found in his Life Histories. He quotes, however, from the notes of Mr. Stephens and Dr. Nel- son." In 1873 and 1874, when ornithologist of the Wheeler Survey, Mr. Hen- shaw did a little collecting at Camp Crittenden (Old Fort Crittenden), at about 4,700 feet altitude, on the east side of the range, where foothill canyons and rocky hillsides on the west and Sonoita Valley on the east afford a great variety of species. His notes from this locality were incorporated in his main Survey report.^ In 1881, Mr. Frank Stephens made a collection of Arizona birds for Mr. William Brewster, and when working in the vicinity of Tucson made "a brief 'This contribution is offered by courtesy of tlie Biological Survey of the U. S. Department of Agriculture and of the U. S. National Museum, whose files contain most of the records drawn upon. 'Bendire, Charles, Captain U. S. Army, Life Histories of North American Birds, Smithsonian Institution, Special Bulletin No. I, 1892. 'Henshaw, H. W., Report upon the Ornithological Collections made in portions of Nevada, Utah, California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, during the years 1871, 1872, 1873, and 1874. =rRep. Geog. Surv. west 100th Merid. by George M. Wheeler, 1875, vol. V, chapter III, pp. 131-507, 977-989, pis. I-XV. (5) PACIFIC COAvST AVIFAUNA No. 1=1 visit to the Santa Rita Mountains," about forty miles to the south, where he collected in Madera Canyon, known locally as White House Canyon, on the west side of the range, and made some important observations. The notes of this collectino- trip were published by Mr. Brewster in the Nuttall liulletiii.' In the summer of 1884, Mr. Stephens revisited Arizona on his way to Mexico and made a large collection of birds, and in 1885, a few of I he most important results of his work, especially concerning range, were published by Mr. Brewster in the Auk." In the summer of 1884, Dr. E. W. Nelson collected both in the region of Tucson, Fullers, and the Santa Ritas, procuring altogether some eight hun- dred and eighty s])ecimens, about three hundred and fifty of which were obtained in the Santa Ritas. All these are now in the National Museum. Ur. Nelson's Santa Rita work was done almost entirelv in June and July, mainly Fig. 1. Map ok vSanta Rita Mountains Diawn from Patagonia Quadrang-le U. S. Geological Survc\v in the vicinity of the Gardner. Vail, and Harshaw ranches in the Upper Sono- ran Zone on the east side of the range, when both he and Mr. Stephens were camped at Gardner's Ranch. June 15-30, 1908, Mr. H. S. Swarth and Mr. Stephens collected in the iin)untains, camping at the mouth of Madera Canyon, Mr. Swarth's notes ai)- [)earing later in the Condor." 'Brewster, William, Bull. Nuttall Orn. Club, Vll, 1882, pp. 65-86, 135-147, 193-212; VIII, 1883, pp. 21-36. •■^Brewster, William, The Auk, II, 1885, pp. 84-85. 196-200. "Swarth, H. S., Summer Birds of the Papa^o Indian Reservation and of the Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona, The Condor, VII, 1905. pp. 22-28, 47-50, 77-81 (Santa Rita notes, pp. 77-81). 1923 INTRODUCTION October 25-29, 1913, Mr. Vernon Bailey visited McCleary's Ranch and Stone Cabin Canyon on the west side of the range, climbino- to 9,200 feet and sending a bird report and a few specimens to the Biological Survey. July 28-Augnst 15, 1918, Mr. A. B. Howell and his assistant, Mr. Tjiillier Little, collected for the Survey from a base camp in Madera Canyon, wiierc he secured about a hundred and seventy-five specimens, which are now in the Biological Survey collection of the National Museum. These, added to those of Dr. Nelson, give considerably over five hundred specimens from the Santa Rita Mountains of which there is no published record. From November 20, 1920, to May 6, 1921, while Mr. Bailey was engaged in the study of desert mammals at the west foot of the range, we were camped Fig. 2. Saxta Rita Mountains from tii^ .. ikuiwest Madera, or White House, Canyon leads up to the saddle between Old Baldy (9432 feet) on the left and Mt. Hopkins (8072 feet) on the right. Below the moun- tains, mesquite, catsclaw, cholla and green pad cactus and ocotillo are scattered over the desert slope. Photograph by Dr. Charles T. Vorhics at 4,000 feet, at what is given as McCleary's Ranch on the 1905 contonr map of the Geological Survey, but which is now Nicholson's Ranch, wliere the headquarters of the U. S. Range Reserve Experiment Station is located. Sit- uated at the upper edge of the Lower Sonoran zone, Upper Sonoran species are brought down by the wash from Stone Cabin Canyon, and migrants and summer residents naturally pass through on their way to the higher levels, so that I was enabled to obtain a list of a hundred and twenty species, most of them seen between 4^000 and 4,500 feet. PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA No. 15 In January and Fel)rnary, 1923, Dr. Walter P. Taylor, of the Biological Survey, made four short trips to the Santa Ritas from Tucson, crossing the range between Rosemont and Helvetia, climbing the mountains above Madera Canyon, Gardner's Ranch, and Stone Cabin Canyon. About twenty-five speci- mens were collected, and a very full report prepared. The Santa Rita Mountains which rise from within a few miles of the Mex- ican border near Nogales and extend mainly northward in the direction of Tucson, for about twenty-five miles, lie west of the Huachucas and east of the Santa Cruz River. The range rises from a base of about 8,500 feet on the west — only 500 feet above the Lower Sonoran giant cactus belt — and culminates in two peaks facing across the head of Madera Canyon, Mt. Hopkins with ail altitude of 8,072 feet and Old Baldy 9,432 feet, together with Josephine .^ iiivii,. Ill BBl!li|P Fig. 3. McCleary's of the 1905 map: now Nicholson's The old adobe built by McCleary in 1900, with a frame addition built by Nichol- son in 1918. Some of the live oaks in which the birds took shelter during the snow- storm oi April 5, 1921. Peak, south of Baldy, which reaches an altitude of 8,435 feet ; and a trace of the Canadian zone is found on the heights. The Lower Sonoran zone, repre- sented by cactus, ocotillo, mesquite, catsclaw, and zizyphus, extends from the Santa Cruz Valley uj) over the gradually sloping plain spoken of as the mesa, Avell up the mouths of the canyons and over their Avarm s]o[)es; while the Up- per Sonoran zone, represented l)y the checker-bark(>d juniper, Mexican nut pine, Emory and Arizona live oaks, manzniiitn, mid ceanothns, on warm slopes extends nearly to the top of the mountains; the Transition zone, represented by the Douglas spruce, the Cliih\mhna, Arizona, and while pines, madrone and locust occu])ying only the cold canyon ])ottoms and tlie upper cold slopes 192c INTRODUCTION of the mountains from 6,000 to 9,000 feet. A few Canadian zone aspens were found by Mr. Bailey on a cold northeast slope at 9,000 feet. The mesquite and catsclaw slopes attract Desert Sparrows, Phainopeplas, Palmer Thrashers, Cactus Wrens, Verdins, and West- ern Gnatcatchers, the berry-laden balls of red mistletoe affording winter food for the Phainopeplas and safe nesting sites for the Cac- tus Wrens; the ocotillo slopes and hillsides in spring when their flaming tubular flowers are full of honey attract hummingbirds, orioles, flycatchers, and warblers ; the oaks, with their abundant supply of both acorns and insects, attract Band-tailed Pigeons, the Ant-eating, Arizona, and Gila woodpeckers, the Arizona and Woodhouse jays. Bridled Titmice, and many besides ; Avhile the pines attract the Buff-breasted Fly- catcher, Long-crested Jay, the Olive Warbler, Mexican Creeper, Rocky Mountain and Pygmy nut- hatches, and others. As water is the great desid- eratum in a desert range, ranches where there are water tanks and dripping faucets, and canyon bot- toms where running water, or in times of drought water holes and small pools are to be found, are the especial resorts of the birds. Fig. 4. Characteristic vegetation ox the SOUTH-FACING SLOPE OF StONE CaBIN CAN- YON OCOTILLO, GREEN PAD CACTUS, AND THE SLANTING STALK OF A CENTURY PLANT. Birds collected by E. W. Nelson, in June and July, 1884, in the region of Gardner's Ranch on the east side of the Santa Ritas, at about 5,000 feet, in the Upper Sonoran Zone. Mearns Quail Black-chinned Hummingbird Band-tailed Pigeon Costa Hummingbird Western Red-tailed Hawk Cassin Kingbird Zone-tailed Hawk Ash-throated Flycatcher California Cuckoo Olivaceous Flycatcher Ant-eating Woodpecker Coues Flycatcher Stephens Whip-poor-will Western Wood Pewee Western Nighthawk Western Flycatcher 10 I'ACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA No. 15 Vermilion Flycatcher Long-crested Jay Arizona Jay Dwarf Cowbird Scott Oriole Arizona Hooderl Oriole House Finch Western Grasshopper Sparrov Desert Sparrow Botteri Sparrow Scott Sparrow Spurred Towhee Canyon Towhee Arizona Cardinal Black-headed Grosbeak Western Blue Grosbeak Western Tanager Hepatic Tanager Cooper Tanager Plumbeous Vireo Stephens Vireo Lucy Warbler Virginia Warbler Sonora Yellow Warbler Black-throated Gray Warbler Painted Redstart Red-faced Warbler Palmer Thrasher Bendire Thrasher Rock Wren Balrd Wren AVestern House Wren Rocky Mountain Nuthatch Pygmy Nuthatch Bridled Titmouse Lead-colored Bush-Tit Western Gnatcatcher Birds collected or reported by A. B. Howell, July 28-Augnst 15, 1918, in Madera Canyon, on the west side of the Santa Ritas. Mearns Quail Band-tailed Pigeon Western Mourning Dove White-winged Dove Turkey Vulture Cooper Hawk Western Red-tailed Hawk Swainson Hawk Sahuaro Screech Owl Rocky Mountain Pygmy Owl Coppery-tailed Trogon Belted Kingfisher Arizona Woodpecker Ant-eating Woodpecker Red-shafted Flicker Western Nighthawk White-throated Swift Rufous Hummingbird Allen Hummingbird Broad-billed Hummingbird Cassin Kingbird Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher Olivaceous Flycatcher Black Phoebe Coues Flycatcher Western Wood Pewee Western Flycatcher Long-crested Jay Arizona Jay Arizona Hooded Oriole Bullock Oriole Western Lark Sparrow Arizona Junco Desert Sparrow Scott Sparrow Spurred Towhee Canyon Towhee Black-headed Grosbeak Western Tanager Hepatic Tanager Mexican (?) Cliff Swallow Western Warbling Vireo Plumbeous Vireo Virginia Warbler Lutescent Warbler Olive Warbler Grace Warbler Black-throated Gray Warbler Hermit Warbler Pileolated Warbler Golden Pileolated Warbler Painted Redstart Red-faced Warbler Bendire Thrasher Canyon Wren Baird Wren Western House Wren Mexican Creeper Rocky Mountain Nuthatch Pygmy Nuthatch Bridled Titmouse 1923 INTRODUCTION 11 Lead-colored Bush-Tit Western Gnatcatcher Audubon Hermit Thrush Chestnut-backed Bluebird Birds noted by V. and P. M. Bailey, November 20, 1920, to May 6, 1921, between McCleary's Raiu-h (Nicholson's) at 4,000 feet and tlie month of Stone Cabin Cfiiiyon at 4,500 feet, near the junction of the Upper and Lower Sonoran zones. RESIDENTS AND WINTER VISITANTS' Gambel Quail Western Mourning Dove Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper Hawk Western Red-tailed Hawk Golden Eagle Desert Sparrow Hawk Spotted Owl Sahuaro Screech Owl Western Horned Owl Roadrunner Cactus Woodpecker Arizona Woodpecker Red-naped Sapsucker Gila Woodpecker Red-shafted Flicker White-throated Swift Say Phoebe Black Phoebe Horned Lark (subsp. ?) Woodhouse Jay Arizona Jay Raven Western Meadowlark House Finch Green-backed Goldfinch (?) Western Vesper Sparrow Gambel Sparrow Western Chipping Sparrow Black-chinned Sparrow Shufeldt Junco Arizona Junco Desert Sparrow Scott Sparrow Lincoln Sparrow Spurred Towhee Canyon Towhee Green-tailed Towhee Arizona Cardinal Arizona Pyrrhuloxia Phainopepla White-rumped Shrike Audubon Warbler Western Mockingbird Palmer Thrasher Cactus Wren Rock Wren Canyon Wren Bridled Titmouse Verdin Ruby-crowned Kinglet Western Gnatcatcher Townsend Solitaire Sierra Hermit Thrush Chestnut-backed Bluebird SPRING MIGRANTS OR WANDERERS FROM THE VALLEY Inca Dove^ Belted Kingfisher Bronzed Cowbird Lazuli Bunting Cedar Waxwing Cassin Vireo Lutescent Warbler Townsend Warbler Hermit Warbler Macgillivray Warbler Long-tailed Chat Golden Pileolated Warbler 'Additional species noted by V. Bailey, October 25-29, 1913, from 4,000 feet (Mc- Cleary's) to 9,200 feet — Williamson Sapsucker, Long-crested Jay, Mexican Crossbill, Mexican Creeper. "Seen below 4,000 feet in winter. 12 PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA No. 15 SUMMER RESIDENTS Band-tailed Pigeon White-winged Dove Turkey Vulture" Zone-tailed Hawk Poor-will Blue-throated Hummingbird (?) Black-chinned Hummingbird Costa Hummingbird Broad-tailed Hummingbird Broad-billed Hummingbird Cassin Kingbird Ash-throated Flycatcher Olive-sided Flycatcher Coues Flycatcher Western Flycatcher Buff-breasted Flycatcher Vermilion Flycatcher Beardless Flycatcher White-necked Raven Scott Oriole Arizona Hooded Oriole Bullock Oriole Western Lark Sparrow Mountain Song Sparrow (?) ..Black-headed Grosbeak Western Tanager Hepatic Tanager Cooper Tanager Northern Violet-green Swallow Western Warbling Vireo Plumbeous Vireo (?) Lucy Warbler Virginia Warbler Grace Warbler Black-throated Gray Warbler Painted Redstart Western House Wren Plumbeous Gnatcatcher Additional species noted by W. P. Taylor on four trips to the mountains between January 14 and Felirnary 27, 1928, from 4,000 to 7,800 feet altitude in the regions of Madera Canyon, Stone Cabin Canyon, Eosemont to Helvetia, and Gardner's Ranch. Wilson Snipe Killdeer Red-breasted Sapsucker English Sparrow Montana Junco Pink-sided Junco Western Robin Mountain Bluobii-d "Seen below 4,000 feet in winter. 1923 13 LIST OF SPECIES The birds of the Santa Rita Mountains gathered from all known sources are given in the following list. The nomenclature employed is that of the Third (1910) edition of the A. 0. U. Cheek-List of North American Birds, to- gether with the Sixteenth (1912) and Seventeenth (1920) Supplements to the A. 0. U. Check-List ; but footnote references are given to Arizona forms which have been described but not yet accepted by the A. 0. U. Committee. Gallinago delicata. Wilson Snipe One was taken from the six or more noted by Taylor, February 10, 1923, at Gardner's Ranch, "along the seepage below Apache Spring.'" The com- pany of half a dozen birds remained fairly close together, but their actions were for the most part independent of one another, one flushing, and then another, there being no synchronous flocking or flying." In flushing the actions were characteristic, one rising in air with the "peculiar grating call- note, flying irregularly and dropping to earth at perhaps thirty to fifty yards, walking immediately behind some thicket or other obstacle, and remaining quiet until again approached." Though repeatedly flushed the Snipe were never seen to alight except on moist, marshy ground, and their wonderfully developed hiding proclivities combined with their protective coloration made them hard to find. Oxyechus vociferus. Killdeer A pair of Killdeer were seen by Taylor, February 10, 1923, "on the marshy ground near Apache Spring," at Gardner's Ranch. Callipepla squamata squamata. Scaled Quail Taken by Stephens in 1881 in Madera Canyon; also by Nelson, June 4 and 5, 1884, at Harshaw's Ranch. A few adults were seen liy Swarth and Stephens in June, 1903, and a family with "young about the size of spar- rows," on June 26, on the mesa below Madera Canyon. A few were seen by Bailey "on the open mesa, five or six miles from any ranch or water," and specimens were taken October 21 and 28, 1913. A flock was occasionally seen by us in the winter of 1920-1921, near McCleary's Ranch (Nicholson's) on the mesquite slope below 4,000 feet, Avhile on the Experimental U. S. Range Reserve, a little lower, in parts of the "big pasture," coveys of Scaled Quail were as common as those of the Gambel Quail. Lophortyx gambelii. Gambel Quail "Frequently seen and oftener heard" by Swarth, in June, 1903, below Madera Canyon. A flock of about twenty was seen by Bailey in October, 1913, at McClearv's Ranch where thev came to drink at the well and from "Gardner's Ranch of Nelson's day is now abandoned, being used as a cow camp. 14 PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA No. 15 water tubs and barrels, making themselves at home in the dooryard and in the trees over the honse. One was seen in a live oak over the house eating ripe mistletoe berries. The same conditions prevailed at our subsequent visit in 1920-1921, for William Nicholson, who had succeeded W. B. McCleary, I)rided himself on his handsome covey. After coming to the cattle taidailey, Octol)er 25-29, and one taken October 28. 1913. One was seen, December 29, 1920, find January 22, 1921, at about 4,500 feet in live oaks at the mouth of Sto)ie Cabin Canyon. Another, called the "mountain woodpecker" by Nicholson, was seen February 15, 1921, by the ranch corral in a small black oak that had several Sphj/rapicns girdles. At Rosemont (5,000 feet), several were found by Taylor, January 15-17, 1923, one in the top of a large mesquite. Six or more were noted in Barrel Canyon. The peculiar chirr was heard. Tn Madera Canyon, at about 5,000 feet, one was taken February 4, by Taylor, from an oak. It was twice seen chasing a smaller bird from the neighborhood where it was foraging. Sphyrapicus ruber ruber. Red-breasted Sapsucker An immature male of the California form. Avhieh has been described as dnggctii, was taken by Taylor, January 17, 1923, at Rosemont (4,700 feetV It Avas "on the trunk of a good-sized mesquite in the wash below the ranger sta- tion, about 11 A. M." Sphyrapicus thyroideus. AVilliamson Sapsucker" One was seen by Bailey, October 28, 1913, at about 6,000 feet. Melanerpes formicivor-us formicivorns. Ant-eating Woodpeekci" Four adults were taken by Nelson, June 7-22, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch. "The Arizona form has been referred to under the name SSphyrapicus thyroideus nataliae, Rocky Mountain Sapsucker. "The Arizona form has been referred to under the name Melanerpes formicivorns (iciileatiis. Mearns Woodpecker. 1923 BIRDS OP THE SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS 23 Tt was found fairly common and immatures were taken by Swarth in the lat- ter half of June, 1908, in the lower parts of the mountains; and it was found by Howell, one of the most abundant birds of Upper Sonoran and Transition zones in Madera Canyon, five adults being taken July 29-August 5, and four immatures, July 29, and August 4, 6, and 9, 1918. One was seen by Bailey, December 29, 1920, at about 4,500 feet in the live oaks of Stone Cabin Canyon and one, April 13, 1921, in the sycamores and live oaks at about 4.500 feet in Madera Canyon. Three or four were noted by Taylor, January 15, 1923, at Rosemont (5,000 feet), all in oak trees. One seen on an oak near a tub of water in the back yard of the ranger station, in order to reach the barrel ''appeared to go into reverse," hopping backward down the tree so as to get at the water. One was taken and another noted by Taylor, February 4, 1923, in Madera Canyon, at 6,000 feet. Centurus uropygialis. Gila Woodpecker Taken by Dr. J. T. Rothrock, September 4, 1874, at Camp Crittenden. Taken also by Howell, August 16, at Continental, where several were seen. Tt was noisy around our camp during the winter of 1920-1921 in the sycamores, mosquites, and hackberries, frequently visiting the beef bones and bacon rind put out for its benefit and getting water from a dripping ranch faucet. A pair had nested in one of the live oaks in front of the ranch house the previous year, and although no nest was located, the birds were commonly seen in the oaks until our departure on May 6. This adds another species of tree to those enumerated by Bendire as used for nesting sites by the Gila "Woodpecker when not using the giant cactus. Nidification in southern Arizona, his obser- vations led him to think, begins about the latter part of April. At Rosemont (5,000 feet), Taylor saw three, two in oaks and one in the wash below the ranger station. At the station, the tub of water that had at- tracted the ant-eating was visited by the Gila. He backed down the oak be- side the tub and "reached over, still clinging to the tree, and drank some water." Colaptes cafer coUaris. Red-shafted Flicker A few were seen by Swarth in June, 1903, a few were seen by Bailey in Octol)er, 1913. and they were found common by Howell in August, 1918, in the Tipper Sonoran and Transition zones of Madera Canyon, an immature being taken August 7 and an adult August 11. 1918. They were seen occasionally l)y us in 1920-1921, from about 4,500 feet in Stone Cabin Canyon down to about 2,900 feet in the Santa Cruz Valley near Continental. Several were seen by Taylor in January and February, 1923. At Rose- mont (5.000 feet), January 15, he saw three or four in the oak country; Jan- uary 16, two or three in Barrel Canyon; January 17, two or three in the wash below the Rosemont ranger station. At McCleary's Ranch (Nicholson's) Feb- 24 PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA No. 15 riiary 3, he saw from three to six; in Madera Canyon below 6,000 feet Febru- ary 4, he heard and saw others; and at Gardner's Ranch, February ]0, noted one and perhaps two. "One seemed to be roosting in a hole under the eaves of the adobe ranch house," he says, "as it burst out when I approached in the late twilight, as if it had been j)lanning to remain there for tlie night." Colaptes chrysoides mearnsi. Mearns (Jihlcd Flicker Found by Stephens almost exclusively in the giant cactus belt. One, doubtless a wanderer, was seen by us late in the winter of 1921, on the mes- quite slope not much below 4,000 feet, the first giant cactus being about nine miles below. A pair was also seen on March 15, in a large cottonwood in the Santa Cruz River l)ottoms, giant cactus being found on the first terrace above the river valley. Others were seen during the wintei- on the mountain road to Continental in the first of the giant cactus; and tliere, on March 0, at sun- down, when we were watching the Sahuaro Screech Owl, four flew in, ai)])Hi'- ently meaning to roost in the sahuaro. Antrostomus vociferus macromystax. Stephens Whip-poor-will Found by Stephens, May 11, 1881, in Madera Canyon, and taken by Nel- son July 4 and 6, 1884, in the mountains above Gardner's, its favorite resorts apparently being the rocky sides of canyons. One was seen by Swarth in the latter half of June, 1903, at about 7,000 feet in Madera Canyon, but none was heard calling. They were heard by Vorhies in June, 1918, and also on June 10 and 11, 1922, in Madera Canyon. Phalaenoptilus nuttallii nuttallii. Poor-will Frequently heard by Swarth in June, 1903, calling about his camj) in the Upper Sonoran zone of Madera Canyon. The call was also heard at our camp, April 17 and 30, 1921, near the upper edge of Lower Sonoran zone, coming doM'u from above. Chordeiles virg-inianus henryi. Western Niglithawk Taken by Nelson. June 11 and 14, 1884. at Gardner's Ranch. One was seen by Howell, July 28, 1918, flying "high over camp," at 5,000 feet in Madera Canyon. As this would put it above Lower Sonoran it accords Avith Swarth 's statement that it "a})parently does iu)t oceni" beloAv TTpper Sonoran, even in the migrations."" Chordeiles acutipennis texensis. Texas Nighlhawk Taken by Stephens, May 16, 1881, in Madera Canyon, and found by Swarth and Stephens, in the latter half of June. 1903, also in IMndera Canyoii, •"Swarth, H. S., A Distributional List of tlic Birds of Arizona. I'acific Coast Avi- fauna, No. 10, 1914, p. 36. 1923 BIRDS OF THE SANTA R.ITA MOUNTAINS 25 where dozens were seen flying- about camp in the evenings. One was taken by Howell, August 18, 1918, at Continental, where they were abundant and he flushed three from the ground among the mesquites in the day time. A night- hawk, presumably of this species, was seen by us at a distance May 1, 1921, flying over the mes<]uite slope a little below 4,000 feet, and one seen near enough for identification. May 6, at Tucson. Between Tucson and Nicholson's Ranch, on June 9, 1922, Vorhies saw "great numbers of Texas Nightliawks in the road, not only in the valley but all the way up to camp," which was reached about nine o'clock. "In many cases the automobile almost ran over them before they flew up." Two or three years previously, Vorhies found numbers of them dead in the road between Continental and Tucson, undoubt- edly killed by cars in the night. Aeronautes melanoleucus. White-throated Swift Frequently seen flying overhead by Swarth in June, 1903, his camp being within easy flying distance of Elephant Head, a vertical rock mass where, as he inferred, they probably nest. One or two were seen by Howell in August, 1918, every time he went up to 7000 feet; and w^henever heavy clouds hung low enough they were driven down to 5,000 feet, the altitude of his camp. On December 24, 1920, January 14, and February 9 and 10, 1921, they were seen by us at about 4,000 feet. Only one was seen at a time from camp on Febru- ary 9 and 10, and at Continental, March 8 ; but two were seen on December 24 and 29, January 14, and April 8 and 9, and several April 13. Most of tliose seen were going toward the mountains south of us rather than toM^ard the Elephant Head cliffs west of us, but on April 13, when we were going to Ma- dera Canyon, Swifts came rushing down from the mountains, perhaps from the Madera region but perhaps from Elephant Head. Eugenes fulg-ens. Eivoli Hummingbird A juvenile was taken by Nelson, July 5, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch. A large hummingbird, taken for the Rivoli, was shot by Howell, August 12, 1918, from a pine on a very steep slope at 7,500 feet in Madera Canyon, but it fell into "a great tangle of bracken" and he was unable to recover it. Cyanolaemus clemenciae. Blue-throated Hummingbird" A strikingly large hummingbird, with a long dark tail, was seen l)y us on Mai'ch 29, 1921, in the top of a tall sycamore at camp, and with the glass we thought we could detect the blue of the throat. It flew, however. Avithout giving us a better view\ It has been reported, Swarth says, not only from the Santa Ritas, but the Santa Catalinas, the Huachueas, and the Chiricahuas, in Arizona, and the San Luis Mountains in New Mexico. "The Arizona form has been referred to under the name Cyanolaemus clemenciae bessopMlus, Arizona Blue-throated Hummingbird, 26 PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA No. 15 Archilochus alexandri. Blaek-cliiniied Hummingbird Taken by Henshaw, August 23-29, 1874, at Camp Crittenden, where it was feeding in beds of morning glory; and found breeding in Madera Canyon by Stephens, in 1881. Two adults wore taken by Nelson, June 15 and July 10, and five juveniles July 10, 17, 21, and 22, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch. Swarth, in Jimc, lOO.'l. found it tlie (»iil\' hummingbird that was at all common, and it was found along the canyon streams. The protracted drought doubtless accounted for the absence of other species. In 1921, while several other hummingbirds Avere seen by us, alexandri was the commonest, possibly due to the same cause, for the season of 1920-1921 was said to be the dryest in thirty years. The first seen close enough for identification was on April 2, although hummingbirds of various species had come north in numbers the latter half of March. On April 6, an adult male was shot when it was feeding from the orange-colored tubes of honeysuckle {Anisocantlnia fhnrheri), which is considered by Mr. Oorm Loftfield one of the favorite hummingbird foods of the region. It weighed three grams and its throat Avas full of nectar. Other males were seen about the red terminal blossoms of ocotillo, the Avhite collar making a good field character in contrast to the velvety black of the gorget and the dark shade of the underparts. Still other Black-chins Avere seen giAnng their aerial courtship dance from anu)nrr the mesquites. One that T AA^atched A^aried the usual triangulation by first flying back and forth horizontally across the face of a bush, then making narrow Vs Avith the point at the bush, folloAved by Avide-SAveeping swings out over the mesquites as if from pure spirits. Near the ranch a nest was found practically completed the last of April. It Avas in a hackberry about eight feet from the ground and from beloAV Avas a buffy brownish ball, made ap- parently of the soft down from sycamore leaves or balls wrapped with web. The builder had a yelloAAash chest band that puzzled me until T saAv her feed- ing from the honeysuckle tubes, when to my surprise T saAV the long-stemmed stamens rise and apparently brush her chest. Calypte costae. Costa TTummingbird One Avas recorded by Stephens, April 26 and 27. 1881, at Tucson; and an adult and a juvenile Avere taken by Nelson, on July 10. 1884, at Gardner's Ranch. A fcAv Avere seen by SAvarth, in the latter half of June, 190.S. "along the canyons." One taken for this species Avas seen by us on April 2, 1921 ; and on April 20, as we were breakfasting out of doors, a rush of wings called our attention to tAvo hummingbirds, bill to bill in air, one an adult male with flaring brilliant ])ink ruff. Before Ave could recover from our surprise, they were gone. Selasphorus platycercus. Broad-tailed Hummingbiid Taken by Stejjhens, May 13 and 15. 1881. iu Madera Canyon. On March 13, 1921. the first hummingbird of the season Avhiz/ed pa.st our camp up the dry 1923 BIRDS OF THE SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS 27 wash and later in the day — perhaps disappointed by the scarcity of blooming flowers — whirred back again with its characteristic rattle, which called to mind the yellow pine country of the San Francisco Mountains. On March. 14 and 23 it was also heard, and once a large vanishing hummingbird form was caught sight of overhead. But it was not until April 2 that one visited our improvised hummingbird-flower-garden, coming so close that we could see his burnished bronzy green head and back and his deep rose pink gorget. Another of these noisy hummingbirds came to camp on April 10, but that was the last noted. Selasphorus rufus. Rufous Hummingbird Three immatures were taken by Howell, August 12, 1918, in Madera Can- yon. Selasphorus alleni. Allen Hummingbird An adult was taken by Howell, August 4, and an immature, August 12, 1918, in Madera Canyon. After meeting with the first of the genus on Aug- ust 4, Howell says, "a trip above 6,000 feet was almost sure to result in one being seen. August 12, I came upon a beautiful spot in a little canyon at about 7,000 feet, grown thick with bracken and lupines in flower. Here in about three acres, there must have been two dozen birds of the genus, chasing each other, feeding, or perching on dead twigs." Basilinna leucotis. White-eared Hummingbird An immature, ''probably a bird of the previous year", was secured by Stephens, June 24, 1903, at about 5,500 feet. Cynanthus latirostris. Broad-billed Hummingbird Added to our fauna by Henshaw who took two adult males, August 23, 1874, a few miles from Camp Crittenden. Five specimens were taken by Ste- phens in the same locality May 12-19, 1881. Five additional adults were taken by Nelson June 11-July 22, and a juvenile July 11, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch. Two juveniles were seen and one secured by Howell, August 15, 1918, at 5,000 feet. The first seen by us was on March 24, and one was taken April 12, 1921, from an ocotillo slope above 4,000 feet. Its wide bill was livid Turkey-Vulture carmine, the under mandible especially so, the upper mandible being blackish at tip. On April 15, one was seen probing the red, stamen-fringed flower tubes of the ocotillo. While watching the light-breasted female alexandri and her sycamore- down nest, on April 29, I discovered a large dark hummingbird working on a dark nest close by. The nest was about three and a half feet above the ground on a twig so slanting that it made the top of the cup slant. The sides of the nest were plastered over with the tiny pinnte of weathered mesquite leaves. 28 PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA No. 15 The rim was thin and the inside of the cup looked grayish. The female came with a long fiber of some kind and sat high trying to work it into the nest with her long bill. Although she was in shadow a dark streak showed below her eye and a light streak above, and when she rose her tail showed dark bluish black wath white tips. While it was too dark to see distincitly, I thought J caught the wide reddish base of the bill of (^ipuinthus. Tyrannus verticalis. Arkansas Kingbird Reported by Swarth in June, 1903, as "not common. Seen mostly below the mountains," and by Howell as "abundant along the roadside soutli of Tucson, July 28, 1918." One was taken by him on August 15, 1918, at Con- tinental, wiiere they were also abundant. Tyrannus vociferans. Cassin Kingbird Taken by Rothrock, July -1 and 10, 1874, at (Jamp Crittenden; by Stephens in 1881, in Madera Canyon; and five by Nelson, June 7-20, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch. By Swarth it was found quite common in June, 1903, much more so than verticalis, in Madera Canyon. One was seen by Howell, August 6, 1918, in Madera Canyon at about 4,100 feet ; and one was taken by him August 16, 1918, at Continental, where they were abundant. At our camp the first was discov- ered on April 1, 1921; on April 13, others were seen in Madera Canyon, where there was running water. On April 15, at camp near sunset six were seen in the top of a hackberry sitting fluffed up in the cold, apparently enjoying the last rays of the sun; but a Phainopepla which came for the hackberries dis- |)uted the tree top with them. After this the birds apparently dispersed, per- hai)S looking for water, as one or more were seen in Stone Cabin Canyon at about 4,500 feet. On April 27, one came to our birds' water pan to drink. IJy that time they had been seen about a good deal and heard calling in the early mornings, so much that the camp Mockingbird had incorporated their harsh cry in his song. Mjriodynastes luteiventris. Sulphur-liellied Flycatcher Four were reported from the Santa Ritas by Henshaw during the Wheeler Survey. Six adults were taken by Little, July 29-August 13, and a nestling, August 10, 1918. They were found only from 5,000 to 5,300 feet "amonii the sycamores, all within a stretch two-thirds of a mile long. . . . Just above camp were five ... a short distance above were several more." All unlined twdg nest was found thirty feet up in a knot of a live sycamore and a single nestling on the ground below. An adult w^as secured by Little, August 13, near the same place. In neither the Santa Ritas nor tlie Huachucas h;i(l Howell ever known the ])ird to occur outside of ''j){)sitive Upper Sonoi-an." Myiarchus cinerascens cinerascens. Asli-throated Flycatcher Taken by Henshaw, August 30, 1874, at Camp Crittenden; two by Nelson, 1923 BIRDS OF THE SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS 29 June 10, 1884, in the mountains above Gardner's Ranch, and July 9, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch. Found by Swarth in June, 1903, "ahjng the canyon streams," and taken by Howell at Continental, August 15, 1918, where they were abundant, "both singly and in family parties." Two were noted by us on March 28, 1921, one in the mesquites above camp and the other in the bottom of a hot, dry gulch of the mes((uite slope protected from the heavy wind. On April 6, one was secured and its stomach found to contain mainly beetles. Myiarchus lawrencei olivascens. Olivaceous Flycatcher Discovered by Stephens in 1881 in Madera Canyon, it was added to our fauna by Brewster, soon afterward. It was "apparently not uncommon, but very local." Adults were taken May 12-17, 1881, and a female shot on May 17, was laying. A young in first plumage was taken July 15, 1881. A series of twenty-nine adults was taken by Nelson, June 8-July 21, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch. He says it Avas "nesting in hollow dead branches and knot holes in the live oaks above Gardner's Ranch. The end of a snake skin hung out of the entrance to one nest cavity near our camp." It was supposed to be fairly abundant by Swarth in the latter half of June, 1903, the note being heard "from some wooded hillside far more often than the birds themselves were seen." Two adults were secui'ed by Howell July 31 and August 3, 1918, in Ma- dera Canyon. "No others were seen." Some were "taken among the oaks of tlie hillsides and some close to the stream, all well down in Upper Sonoran." Sayornis sayus. Say Phoebe A few were seen by Swarth in June, 1903, along the base of the moun- tains. One was seen by us on December 4, 1920, and January 1, 1921, on a grass-plot fence of the Santa Rita Range Reserve near Huerfano Butte. An- other was seen occasionally during the winter a little above 4,000 feet, near an abandoned mining shaft where it could find water and a safe roosting place. When the mistletoe bloomed an abundant supply of insects was also to be found close at hand. In the Santa Cruz bottoms near Continental, where llowell had seen one on August 17, 1918, we saw a number of the birds on a barbed wire fence in February and March. At Rosemont (5,000 feet), on January 15, 1923, Taylor heard one near an old mine building and in the evening saw one "after flies under the porch roof at the ranger station office."' On January 16, he noted one "in Barrel Can- yon, perching in low bushes in an open place. ' ' At Gardner 's Ranch, Febru- ary 10, he saw two or three "in the open clearing about the ranch houses and corrals." Sayornis nigricans. Black Phoebe A fully grown young one was taken by Howell, July 29, and an adult, August 10, 1918, both at 5,000 feet. One was seen by us on February 6, 1921, 30 " PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA No. 15 during a snowstorm and for two or three days folJowiiig, wandering up and down the gulch in front of the Nicholson ranch-house. It, or another, ap- peared again later, staying for a short period. Several were seen in February and March, 1921, within easy reach of irrigation water near Continental, where one was seen by Howell, August 18, 1918. A number were noted February 22, 1921, along an irrigation ditch of the Canoa Ranch where Song Sparrows, a Black-crowned Night Heron, and Cinnamon and Green-winged teal were seen. Nuttallornis borealis. Olive-sided Flycatcher" Two were taken by Stephens in May, 1881, in Madera Canyon. One was heard ))y me on April 30, 1921, and seen near camp, May 2, 1921. Myiochanes pertinax pallidiventris. Coues Flyeatclier One was taken by Stephens, May 16, 1881, and two by Nelson, July J and 5, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch. It was reported by Stephens as "a rare sum- mer resident" in southern Arizona, and seen by Swarth "only on one or two occasions, ' ' none below 6,000 feet. Only about two pairs were seen by Howell, three adults being taken, August 1 and 4, 1918, "not far up in Transition, in canyon bottoms. ' ' The last was seen on August 4. One was found by me on April 5, 1921, with other birds not seen before, taking shelter in the live oaks of the Nicholson Ranch during a prolonged snow storm, perhaps driven down from the mountains which were covered with snow, perhaps overtaken on their way up to their summer homes. When the storm was over, the visitor from the Transition zone disappeared and was seen no more in the Lower So- noran zone. Its slow, plaintive notes which Swarth says the Mexicans translate as Jose Maria — pronounced Ho-say Ma-reah — as I heard them lacked the first syllaltle of the Ma-re-ah, there being only four notes — Jo-say, re' -all. The simple phrase, rightly compared by Henshaw and Swarth to the call of the Olive-sided Flycatcher in character, was repeated over and over as the bird flew with the "sudden erratic flights" which Henshaw noted, back and forth low through the line of trees while I followed him down the road and back, near enougli at times to note all his characters — the light-colored under mandible with its wide base, the whitish chin, brownish upperparts, and uni- formly grayisli uiidci'parts with their wash of dull yellow on the belly. M)riochanes richardsonii richardsonii. Western Wood Pewee One was taken by Stephens, May 13, 1881, in Madera Canyon, and six others by Nelson, June 7- July 10, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch. They were found '"The Arizona form has been referred to under the name Nuttalloniis borealis ma- joriniis, Western Olive-sided Flycatcher. 1923 BIRDS OF THE SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS 31 by Swartli, in June, 190)3, "({uite common along the lower canyons," and sev- eral were taken which were evidently not breeding. They were reported by Howell, July 28- August ]5, 1918, "exceedingly abundant, especially in the Upper Sonoran and low Transition canyon bottoms," none being noted above G,000 feet. Ten adults were taken July 80-August 10, 1918. Empidonaoc difficilis difficiiis. Western Flycatcher An adult was taken by Nelson, June 14, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch and four others by Howell, August 1, 6, and 10, together with an immature on August 4, 1918, two or three being seen later, in Madera Canyon, between about 5,000 and 6,000 feet. An Empidonax taken for this species, although seen only in the shade of the live oaks was found by me on March 25, April 29, and May 2, 1921, not far from camp. Empidonax traillii traillii. Traill Flycatcher One was taken by Henshaw, September 1, 1874, at Camp Crittenden, and one by Howell, August 15, 1918, at Continental, while three were seen alto- gether on August 15 and 18, 1918, in the mesquite. Empidonax hammondi. Hammond Flycatcher One was taken by Stephens, May 12, 1881, in Madera Canyon. Empidonax fulvifrons pygrnaeus. Buff-breasted Flycatcher One was taken May 17, 1881, by Stephens, but he reported it as rare. A single individual was seen by Lusk, April 20, 1899, "low down in the foot- hills of the Santa Ritas." A few were seen by Swarth in June, 1908, "in the pines in the very highest parts of the range." One or two were seen by me during the snowstorm of April 5, 1921, at the Nicholsons', in the live oaks and on the fence of the ranch corral. Pyrocephalus rubinus mexicanus. Vermilion Flycatcher Found by Stephens during May, 1881, in Madera Canyon. Five taken by Nelson, June 16-29, 1884, at Gfardner's Ranch. Reported by Swarth in June, 1903, as "fairly common in the lower canyons." Most of those seen by us were found in the Santa Cruz bottoms near Continental in March, 1921 — where Howell saw about four, August 15-] 9, 1918 — but on April 2, one was seen near the Nicholson ranch-house and on April 5, during the snow storm, one spent the day flycatching under the protection of the oaks. On April ]6, one was seen a little above 4,000 feet. On our way to Madera Canyon on April L3, a pair was found in the gulch below the canyon and the male was seen on tiie mesa, giving his flight song high over the mesquites. Camptostoma imberbe. Beardless Flycatcher A striking, unusual song was first heard on March 14, 1921 ; then on 32 PACIMC COAST AVIFAUNA No. 15 March 29, and after that day by day around camp until at least the 24th of April. The notes were lond, slow, and i)iaintive, in descending chromatic scale. Sometimes they were preluded, but oftener concluded, by a flycatcher- like flourish of small notes correspondin<>' to the notes of the Cnniplostonia wliicli Stephens found breediu"' near Tucson in 1881, which he described as • ' Ijoop-jjoop-jjoopee'-deedledee' , tlie first half given very deliberately, the re- mainder rapidly." While the number of notes as T heard them varied from three to seven, four or five chromatic notes were perhaps most commoidy heai'd and the song with three was mei'ely an abbreviation of that with five notes as 1 1 1 and 111*) Another form freciuenlly heard was ^ 1 1 1 1 ''''ill he-hi-ho-hu-ho or Iw-hi-ho-lui he-he-he This also tallies well with Stephens' description of "a commoner cry, used by both sexes in calling to one another . . a shrill pner pier pier pier, begininng in a high key and falling a note each time." The call as I heard it was a loud po-ook or pc-uck of quality simi- lai- to that of the song. While generally hard to see iji the leafy mes(piite thickets the snuill bird occasionally appeared out in plain sight on a bare tree and once came to a mesquite close by our tent, perching in characteristic flycatcher style, with wings and tail held loosely, the tail square-spread ready for a spring into the air, his grayish back, light wing bars, and white underparts faintly washed with yellow on belly, showing clearly; his bill, wide at l)ase, showing ))lack al)ove and light below. The same song was reported fi-imi a caiii[) about a mile above. As, by reason of his song, the bird could not have been any one of our native Empidonaxes, by elimination it seems that he must have been the little Beardless Flycatcher whose song descril)ed by Stephens tallies so well with his own. Stephens not only found (Unnpiostoiiia breeding near Tucson in 1881. but when with Swarth on the Papago Indian Resci-vation a few miles farther south in 1!)0.S, found wliat was probably a paif and tiicir bi'ood, an adult male aiid a full grown juvenile being taken; so the species had already been recorded about twenty miles from our camp. Sixty miles north of Tuc- son. Luslc informs me, he took a Beardless Flycatcher, March 1. 1911, during migration, on the San Pedro Kivei", ten miles above its junction with the (lila. Otocoris alpestris adusta. Scorched Horned Lark A young bird in first i)lumage was taken by Stephens in 18cSl ois the |)lains at the base of the Santa Ritas. Three were taken by Nelson. .luiie 4, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch. A few, presumably of this sul)species, which is the breeding one of the region, were seen b.\- S\\;ir1h in June. 190)5, "on the hnri-en nu'sa just l)elow the mountains.'" Horned Larks of some s])ecies were seen l)y us se\'eral times diii'ing the wintei- of 1920-1921, flying overhead. One was seen in Dec(Mnber ami a flock of twenty or tliirty on .January lo, on the ridge l)etween Stoiu^ Cabin Canyon 1923 BIRDS OF THE SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS 33 and Sawmill Canyon. Others were heard, March 9, t'lyino' overhead at Con- tinental. At Gardner's Ranch (r),20() feet), on February 10, 1923. Taylor saAV a flock of "probably twenty to thirty individuals, working over the ground in the open fields near the ranch buildings. " Two specimens secured proved what Oberholser has described as aplirasta, the Chihuahua Horned Lark, which is a winter resident in the Santa Rita region. Cyanocitta stelleri diademata. Long-crested Jay One was taken by Nelson, July 1, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch. It was found common by Bailey, October 28, 1913, in the pine timber of the mountains. Two adults were taken by Howell, July 30 and August 2, lf)18, when he found it "fairly common but not abundant above 6,000 feet." Aphelocoma woodhousei. Woodhonse Jay A few lived at the Nicholson Ranch tliroughoiit our stay, feeding largely on acorns from the live oaks. With other birds they frequented the jerky line back of the ranch-house until it was taken down. One was accidentally caught, January 24, 1921, in Stone Cabin Canyon, in a mouse trap baited with sc^uash seed. Its stomach was filled largely with hackberry seeds, many black tieetles, and gravel. The shells of the hackberry seeds which are so hard that they fossilize in limestone, were broken and being ground to powder. The Woodhonse Jay was also found at the Nicholson Ranch, March 25, 1923, by Taylor, Aphelocoma sieberi arizonae. Arizona Jay Added to our fauna by Col. Bernard J. D. Irwin, Surgeon, U. S. A., at Fort Buchanan, December 9 (1858 ?)," it was sent to tlie Smithsonian Institu- tion and described by Robert Ridgway in 1873.'" '■'The year is not given on the label or in the museum catalogue, but from the relation of the entry to others from Irwin, Dr. C. W. Richmond thinks it was probably collected in 1858. -"The fact that the Arizona .Jay was descril :ed from the Santa Ritas was brought to my attention by Swarth, and on looking up the type in the National Museum an in- teresting bit of history was brought to light. The location of Fort Buchanan was per- plexing as the maps show old Fort Crittenden in the region ascribed to it — 45 miles southeast of Tucson — but when the matter was referred to the War Department it was explained by the records. Fort Buchanan, formerly Camp Moore, was established at the head of Sonoita Creek, November 7, 1856, and destroyed and abandoned, July 23, 1861; birds and eggs being sent in from there by Irwin in 1858 and 1859. Fort Critten- den was established 07i the same site, March 4, 1868, being in its turn abandoned, .lune 1, 1873, when it went back to the public domain by proclamation of President Grant. On investigation it was found that i)eculiar historic interest attaches to the forgotten collector as well as to the locality of the type. For in Mearns' Mammals of the Mexican Boundary, Irwin is said to have sent to the Smithsonian Institution, at the suggestion of Prof. Baird, "very large collections of the reptiles and l)atrachians of old Fort Buchan- an" and, Mearns adds, "More important than all Colonel Irwin's contributions of notes and specimens to the Smithsonian Institution was his early training of Charles Emil Bendire, the distinguished author of Life Histories of North American Birds, in exact methods of scientific observation. Bendire was then a young soldier of his command, attached to the hospital corps, and stationed at old Fort Buchanan and other camps in the vicinity of Fort Lowell and Tucson." (Mammals of the Mexican Boundary of the LTnited States, by E. A. Mearns, M. D., Smithsonian Institution, IT. S. National Museum, Bulletin 56, 1907, p. 109.) 34 PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA No. 15 It was found by Stephens in 1881 uoiu^' al)()ut generally in the foorliills of the Santa Ritas in flocks of froin. five to twenty. A nest foiiiul .May 16, 1881, had "four eggs on the point of hatching." A series of nineteen adults was taken by Nelson, June 5-28. and five juveniles June '). 17, and 20, and July 'S, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch, it was found by Swarth iji the latter half of June, 1903, very abundant in Madera Canyon, troops of juveniles being seen accompanied by their parents. One was taken by Bailey, October 2^, 1913, l)e- tween 4,000 and 4,500 feet above MeCleary's. Three adults were taken by Howell, July 30 and August 1. and two inuuatures, August 3 and 8, 1918, in Madera Canyon. A flock was seen by ns in the M'inter of 1920-1921 at about 4,500 feet near the water pools of Stone Cabin Canyon. A specimen was taken, April 10, 1921, by Stanley Kitts of Tucson. In January and February, 1923, Taylor found them numerous in the oak country. At Rosenu)nt (5,000 feet), January 15, he noted 20 or moi-e, usually in companies of three or foui'. Three or four stayed about the ran- ger station grounds and if any unusual noise was heard, or any unusual object appeared around the corner, their scolding notes were almost sure to be heard. In the morning they were seen drinking water, perched on the edge of the tub by the windmill. Once when Tajdor threw out some Vienna sau- sages, five Jays came to the feast. One seized a small sausage by the end and "proudly bore it off with him, intact, to some more distant perch,"" his actions suggesting those of the Rocky Mountain Jay. On FebiMiary 3. Taylor heard the Arizona about MeCleary's Ranch (Nicholson "s). and February 4. several times along the lower ])ortion of Madera Canyon. At Gardner's Ranch February 8-10. he found them in the oaks at intervals from below the ranch at 5,200 feet up to 6,000 feet or more, usually in com])anies of four or five. Corvus corax sinuatus. Raven" The hoarse croaking of Ravens was heard se\eral times l)y Bailey, Octo- bei' 25-29. 1913, near MeCleary's, and the birds wei'e occasionally seen there throughout our stay in 1920-1921, about the canyons aiul over the pastured mes([uite slopes, flying singly or in twos, threes, or fixes. On December 4. 1920. two w^ere seen at open water in Box Canyon. On February 14, 1921, three were seen cii-cling the sky. Corvus cryptoleucus. Wliite-uecked Raven From 4,000 to 4,500 feet during most of the winter of 1920-1921, the ravens seen were the largei- s])ecies, but at 2,900 feet in the Santa Cruz bot- toms near Continental, large numbers of White-necks were seen. On February 21, 1921, a flock of seventy-nine was counted drifting low across the fields. On Febi-uary 28, twenty-five were seen in a freshly plowed field and sonn> were seen following the plow. Flocks of different sizes were seen mulling -'The Arizona form has been referred to under the name Corvus rornr clarionen- sis. Clarion Island Raven. 1923 BIRDS OF THE SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS 35 over the dry river bottoms, one flock of thirty or forty talking softly with a continuous croaking kackack-kackack, as they rose higher and higher, perhaps to 600 or 700 feet; when they gradually drifted off until only ten were left overhead. On March 4, a hundred and twenty White-necks w^ere counted, luulling in the sky. On February 28, a Turkey Vulture was driven off and on March 4, a Red-tailed Hawk that had joined the flock in the sky was chased by a Raven. On March 9, they were noticed flying in twos as if the breeding season were approaching. After the middle of February a feAV questionable birds were seen between Continental and the Nicholson Ran'^h, and on Ai)ril 1, five with the undoubted voice of cryptoh'Kviis passed by oin camp at 4,000 feet. On April 5, after the snowstorm, fifteen were seen gathering to roost in the timbered bottom of the gulch below camp. On April 11, at sunset, over sixty were counted flying up the gulch toward camp, where they gathered in the mesquites for their sum- mer roost. On April 15, when disturbed there they rose with an actual roar, and we were told by the Nicholsons that during the previous summer when they had been roosting in the same place they made so much noise that their suffering neighbors finally broke up the roost. On April 20. at sunset, we found about twenty of the birds perching on the pasture water tank and standing around on the ground below. When the wind l)lew u}) the neck feathers of one the white showed well underneath. Molothrus ater obscurus. Dwarf Cowbird One Avas taken by Stephens, May 20, 1881. in Madera Canyon, and others- by Nelson, June 24 and 26, 1884, at Gardner's Rar.eh. It was found by Swarth in June, 1908, "fairly abundant, though not nearly so common as in the lowlands.'' One young lurd wavS being fed by a Plumbeous Gnatcatcher. One or tAvo small flocks were seen by Howell, August 15-19, 1918, on their way to the milo patch, nepr C*ontinental. Tangavius aeneus aeneus. Bronzed Cowbird One visited our bird table on May 1, 1921, when he ate and drank and then disappeared. Sturnella magna hoopesi. Rio Grande Meadowlark Specimens were taken by Stephens, Jul}' 22 and 24, 1884, at Camp Crit- tenden. Sturnella neglecta. Western Meadowlark MeadowUirks of one or the other species were seen by us on the o})en grassy slopes of the foothills, on the Santa Rita Range Reserve and sometimes on the mesquite slopes, from December 4 on, during the winter of 1920-1921. Nine were seen January 15, and a flock of at least twenty-five on February 4. Tn the warm, irrigated Santa Cruz bottoms near Continental they Avere 36 . PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA No. 15 heard singing exulxTantly llic uninislakablc song of lucjhcfa, on Mai'cli 4, 7, 15, and 16; and on Mardi KJ a flock of fifteen was seen flying across the river channel. Tn Gardner Canyon, al r).2()() fc'l, on February !> and 10. 1!)2;{. Taylor noted a company of twchc nicadowlarks, very likely of both species, "busily working ovei- the tiround nca.r the ranch buiblings." A speciuien of iKf/hcfa was secured. Icterus parisorum. Scott Oriole Seen by Stephens during the l)reeding season of 1881, near Tucson, as well as in Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains. Nine adults were taken by Nelson, June 9-July 24, and a juvenile June 11, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch (one, "Santa Rita Mountains, June 5"). Nelson found it "common among the live oaks at and above Gardner Ranch" and says "the males were iji full song in June and early July, usually singing from the ends of higher branches or the to})s of the low trees." A few were seen l)y Swarlii in June, 1903, in Madera Canyon. Our first oriole of the spring migration. j)resnm- ably an immature male Scott, was seen for a moment, March 15, 1921, in a syc- amore top at our camp, when he gave a loud song. On March 27, an advdt male Scott appeared, and during the snowstorm of April 5, two were in the live oaks; on April 7, one was seen in the camp sycamore in the early morning, and on April 1'! and May 3. one was seen feeding from the blooming ocotillos. Icterus cucullatus nelsoni. Arizona Hooded Oriole An adult and a juvenile were taken by Nelson, June 5, 1884, at Vail's Ranch; and a juvenile, June 17, at Gardner's Ranch. Tt was found by Swajth in June, 1903, commoner and at a lower altitude than pdrisoruni, mostly in the "deep ravine below the mountains." An adult was taken by Howell, Aug- ust 6, 1918, in Madera Canyon, and near Continental, August 15-19, 1918, he found "flocks of large young feeding in the low brush." At our camp, the first was seen March 29, 1921, and when we left the mountains on May 6, there were presumably three pairs nesting in the sycamores near the ranch- house. Individuals were seen on the ocotillo slopes probing the flowers. Icterus bullockii. liullock Oriole Found b\' llowell. Jul\' 28 to August 15, 1918, common in tiie <';inyon b(>- low 4,700 feet. At our camp on ]\Iarch 29, 1921, an Oi-iole with a yellow line over the eye was caught sight of hidden in the leafy tops of both live oak and sycamore, aiul a handsome male with two light-coloi'ed females or immatures wei-e seei! April 4, in the mes(piites close to cami). Another nude was seen on May '■'>. shoi-tly befoi-e we left the mountains. Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis. House Finch Two juveniles wei'c taken by .Velson on June 18 ;ind again on July 8, and 1923 BIRDS OF THE SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS 37 adults, July 1, 1S84, at Gardner's Ranch, They were found abundant by Swarth in June. 1905. along the lower canyons, particularly in the deep ra- vine below Madera Canyon. He thinks that they are restricted to the warmer valleys in winter, which accords with our experience, only an occasional onic being seen by us during the winter of 1920-1921 in the vicinity of 4,000 feet. These were seen for a few moments as they stop})ed in passing, or were found perching on viznaga heads leaning over the juicy yellow fruit, where they were doul)tless both feeding on the seeds and drinking the water. The first song was' heard on February 9, while snow was still lying on the cold side of our tent. On February 24, and occasionally after that, the song was heard in the trees about camp, and on May 3, several of the birds were seen in a sycamore top between flights. But in the irrigated bottoms of the Santa Cruz Valley near Continental, in March, they were congregated in the cottonwoods, eating their ripe seeds, showers of cotton falling as they worked. On March 15, while we were watching a treetop noisy with their talk, about thirty of them suddenly burst into the air, the only suggested explanation being the dis- covery of the Short-eared OavI which, innocently enough, had shortly before sent a neighboring flock of Red-winged Blackl)irds flying. Near Continental, August 15-19, 1918. Howell found them particularly abundant. At Rosemont (5,000 feet), a flock of twenty-five to thirty was noted by Taylor, January 15, 1923, taking shelter "in the l)rush at the bottom of a nar- row canyon.'' At Vail, twenty miles southeast of Tucson, on January 17. he found a number about a water car. At Gardner's Ranch at 5,200 feet, half a dozen or more were noted about the buildings, and at 6,000 feet, in Stetson Dam Canyon, a solitary female was secured. Loxia curvirostra stricklandi. Mexican Crossl)in A flock of six or eight was seen by Bailey, October 28. 1913, on the sum- mit of the ridge above Stone Cabin Canyon at 8,000 feet. Astrag-alinus psaltria hesperophilus. Green-backed Goldfinch A gohlfinch of some species was seen, December 30, 1920, in the top of our camp sycamore, and others were heard March 20, 23, and 25, 1921. On April 13 and May 4, hpspevopliilus was seen near enough for identification; on April 13, seen in an ocotillo between Nicholson's corrals and Madera Canyon. After that, the soft lisping note was heard at intervals at camj). Passer domesticus domesticus. English Si)arrow A dozen or more were seen by Taylor on January 16, 1923. at Rosemont (5,000 feet), "near and in an outbuilding" of the V R Ranch, and he was told that they also occurred about the ranger station. At Vail, on January 17, Tavlor found them abundant near the railroad station and about a water car. 38 PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA No. 15 Pooecetes gramineus confinis. Western N'espei- Spjirrow Occasionally seen by us (luring the winter and spring of 1I)12()-1!)21 both al)()ve and below 4,()()() feet; on the grassy foothill slopes, on tlie V. S. Range Reserve, and at 2,i)()U feet in the Santa Cruz Valley near Continental, where it was conniion. A eonsi(leral)le \'\y Nelson. June 5, in the mountains, and an adult, June 18, 1884, at Gardner's Rancli. Full grown juveniles were taken by Swarth the latter half of June, 1903. when the birds were very common both along the foothills and out on llie nic-a. Tlicy wi're found conimon by lUiiley. Octo])er 25-29. 1913. in llie nies(piil(' atid calsclaw 1923 BIRDS OF THE SANTA RJTA MOUNTAINS 41 below McCleary's Ranch. One was seen by Howell, July 28, 1918, on the mesa. It was found by us, in the winter of 1920-1921, one of the commonest birds of the mesquite and catsclaw, seen mainly in small flocks, often in low bushes with other species, Cactus Wrens, Verdins, and sometimes Gambel .Si)ar- rows. It was also comnnm, April 21, 1921, in the Santa Cruz bottoms near Continental, Avhere Howell hnd found a number in the denser mesquites. Au- gust 15-19, 1918. The white eye strii)e is a surprisingly conspicuous field character. The song may be rendered as chee-trhcc, whit, iclier'r'rW'r, cha, cha, cha, and also dice cha chcr'r'r'r^r chcc. Peucaea botterii. Botteri Sparrow Adults and juveniles were taken by Henshaw, September 1 and 2, 1874, at Camp Crittenden. One was taken by Nelson, June 5, 1884, at Vail's Ranch, and five July 15, 1884, at Camp Crittenden. Aimophila ruficeps scotti. Scott Sparrow Taken l)y Stephens, May 16 and 20, 1881, in Madera Canyon. A series of nineteen adults was taken by Nelson June 8- July 8, and six juveniles June 22 and July 1, 17, and 24, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch. An adult was also taken July 15, at Camp Crittenden. It was found by Swarth in June, 1903, "fairly common on the rock-strewn foothills." Specimens were taken by Bailey, October 28, 1913, when it was common about McCleary's Ranch and in the lower parts of the canyons. One was seen by Howell August 12, 1918, at 4,900 feet in Madera Canyon. One was taken by Bailey the last of December, 1920, in Stone Cabin Canyon. Another, seen on the south slope of the canyon at about 4,500 feet on January 16, 1921, came down through a tangle of wild grape to drink from a pool and then went back up the rocky hillside, with its nolina, cactus, sotol, and ocotillo. Later in the month the bird was again seen in the same locality. One was taken by Taylor, January 15. 1923, at Rosemont, from a similar south slope at 5.300 feet; and another February 10, from a grassy ridge top near Gardner's Ranch; after which one or more were heard on a grassy south slope — a characteristic location — near the ranch. Two pairs were seen by Taylor February 27. 1923, at about 4.500 feet on the southwest slope of Stone (*abin Canyon. Melospiza melodia fallax. Desert Song Sparrow Taken by Nelson, July 14, 1884, at Camp Crittenden. Melospiza melodia montana. Mountain Song Sparrow Several Song Sparrows were seen by us on February 22, 1921, along the 42 PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA No. 15 broad irrigation ditch of the Caiioa Kanch h('l(i\\- ;),()()() feet, and one wa.s seen, March 21, 1921. at the Nicholson Ranch, at 4,000 feet. Melospiza lincolni lincolni. Lincoln Sparrow Recorded by Stephens in March, ISSl, in JVIadera Canyon as "coiiinion along streams." Oin* was identified by Uailcy. January 16. 11)21, at cainj). where, as there was only a dry wash, it stayed bnt a short time. Pipilo maculatus montanus. Si)nrred Towhee Six adults were taken by Nelson, June 22-July 5, and a juvenile on July 1, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch. They were found quite common by Swarth in June, 1903, "mostly alon"' the canyons." A few Avere seen by Bailey, October 25-29, 1918, "on the mountain-sides." They Avere found abundant by Howell, July 28-August 15, 1918, between 5,400 and 7.500 feet. Eight adults were taken July 30-August 18, and an immature, Aujj'ust 9, 1918, in Madera Canyon. One shot August 8, had recently laid and there were several eggs still in the ovary. They w^ere seen commonly around our camp and in brushy parts of the ranch throughout the winter of 1920-1921. But the mixture of Lower with Upper Sonoran species evidently did not satisfy their requirements and the bird which had been coming to our feeding table during the winter disappeared some time before our departure in early May, doubtless looking for pure Up- per Sonoran or Transition conditions. About Rosemont (5,000 feet), January 15-17, 1928, Taylor found it "one of the truly abundant species." Twenty or more were noted January 15. As he says, one's attention is almost certain to be attracted to it, "either by its cat-like call, or the noise it makes scratching about in the dry leaves on the ground." Perhaps twenty were noted, January 16, "in the brusli and oaks of Barrel Canyon"; and it was found common, January 17, below the ranger station. It was also seen about McCleary's Ranch (Nicholson's) February 4, and at 5.000 feet in Madera Canyon the same day several were observed in the brush. At Gardner's Ranch, February 9. one was noted above Stetson Dam at 6,000 feet, but on account of a storm, Taylor says, the species was keeping very quiet. Pipilo fuscus mesoleucus. Canyon Towhee Taken by Slcpliens ]\Iay 20, 1881, in lAfadei-a Canyon. Fi\e adults were taken by Nelson, June 17-29. and two juveniles, June 28 and July 8, 1884, at Gardnei-'s Ranch, ll was found fairly common by Swarth. 1he latter half of June, 1903, in the lowei- parts of the mountains. One nest with young just hatched was found, but full grown juveniles Avere also seen. 11 was found common by Bailey, October 25-29. 1918, in the canyons and about McCIeaiy 's Ranch. One was taken October 28. One was seen by Little. Howell's assist- ant, August 1, 1918, in Madera Canyon, at 4,800 feet, and by Howell. August 6, 1918, in Hie canyon bottom at 4,500 feet. It was one of the coininrmest bii'ds 1923 BIRDS OF THE SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS 4i of the mesquite and eatsclaw as well as of the canyons in the region of McOleary's (Nicholson's) during the winter and spring of 1920-1921. Several were caught in traps set for live mammals, evidently attracted by the popular I'olled oats. The call is one quick emphatic note, often suggesting that of tlie (lila Woodpecker. One of the winlei- songs, given January 5, when i)erched on top of a bush with crest raised and tail swinging from side to side, was true- U'licf, true-icliee. One of its commonest calls, resembling that of the California Towhee, was a rapid scrcc-kee-gee, kec-gec-kee. in tlie region of Rosemont, January 15-17, 1923, Taylor found Canyon Towhees all along the road through the oak country, in twos, threes, or fours; usually on the ground, often on the steep side of a wash, and sometimes in low bushes. Probably thirty were seen, January 15; twenty or more were noted •Tanuary 16, a])out the I'anger station aud in l>ai"rel Canyon; and they were found common, January 17, below tlie ranger station. At McChmry's Ranch (Nicholson's) February 4, Taylor found them common; and at Oardiuu-'s Ranch February 10. they Avere among the most conspicuous birds around the ranch buildings and yards. Four were seen in one grmqi, })usily searching over the ground. Oberholseria chlorura. Green-tailed Towhee One, seen first on Decf'ml)er 9, 1920, was a familiar visitor at our feeding tal)le throughout the winter. On March 29 it was joined by another, and on May 3. three were seen about the tal)le at one time. Two were noted below 4,000 feet, one on December 14 and one on February 2; and in the first week of Ai)ril, a number were seen under the live oaks of the ranch. Cardinalis cardinalis superbus. Arizona Cardinal One was taken by Nelson, July 15. 1884, at Camp Crittenden. Tt was found ))y Bailey, October 25-29, 1913, fairly common about McCleary's Ranch. One was taken October 28. A i)air came to our camp for food and water dur- ing the winter of 1920-1921, and a second male was occasionally driven aAvay ])y the resident. Others were seen betAveen 4,000 and 4,500 feet, and three males were noted April 15. On April 27, a male was seen carrying food from the bird table. The first full song Avas noticed on February 18. After a light rain on February 27, the song was heard again. On March 18, it was heard continuously during the morning, mostly one refrain — ivhu-ec, ivlm-ee, ep-ep- cp ; and on March 22, when the songster and his mate were in the mesquites near camp, he sang rather low and very happily, ivhee-np, wkee-up, and in still lower tones, irJtee-eep, tvhee-eep. On March 25, he was singing contentedly in the trees and grape vines of camp — ii'hee-alt, whee-aJi, whec-ah, irhee-aJi, with many variations, one of which was irlice-ah, whee-ali, ivhee, Jiahaha. During the night of April 8, the song Avas heard by our tent. The absence of the long- drawn out cue of the eastern Cardinal is noticeable. The general character of the song Avhen given at full length may be suggested hy—Wliee-aJi, whee-ah, 44 PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA No. 15 u'/icc-aJi, cha-cha-cha-vha-clia-cint, pur' rWr'r^y, the ])urr l)(Miilne flrosbeak Two were taken ])y Nelson. Jul>' 15, 1,SS4, at Camp Crittetulen. They were fonnd (piite coninion by Howell. Augnst 15-19. 1!I1S. in Ihc vicinity of Coiili- nental. Passerina amoena. Lazuli P>nn1ing Two were taken by Henshaw. Septembei- 1. 1S74. a1 Camp Crittenden. Two were seen by Stephens. April 25. 1881. at Tucson. They were found abundant by Howell. August 1!). 1918. in flocks neai' the mes(piite forest thir- 1923 BIRDS OF THE SANTA RJTA MOUNTAINS 45 teen miles south of Tucson. An adult male stopped at our camp for a few moments, May 1, 1921. Passerina versicolor versicolor. Varied Bnntino- One was taken by Stephens, July 14, 188-4, at Camp Crittenden. Spiza americana. Dickcissel Taken by Hensliaw, in 1873, and on August 23 and 24, 1874, near Camp Ciittenden, where there were ''usually four or five together, associated some- times with other sparrows in the canyons and among the brush of the rocky hillsides. ' ' Calamospiza melanocorys. Lark Bunting One was taken by Howell, August 16, 1918, at Continental. While all the many large flocks seen by us in 1921 were in the Santa Cruz Valley near Continental, a few were seen, March 17, between Continental and the Santa Ritas, and a few" others, March 23, in a flock of Vesper and Brewer sparrows oil the U. S. Range Reserve a little ])elow 4,000 feet. On April 21, when enor- mous flocks were seen at Continental and in the Santa (^ruz bottoms, one black male was conspicuous among many others which had only partly assumed the I'lack l)reeding plumage. Piranga ludoviciana. Western Tanager Taken by Henshaw, September 1, 1874, at Camp Crittenden. One was taken by Stephens, May 18, 1881, in Madera Canyon; two others by Nelson, June 9 and 11, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch; and tw^o adults by Howell, August 3 and 12, 1918, when all seen were close to 5,000 feet. At our camp at 4,000 feet, in the spring migration in 1921, an adult male was seen May 2 and 3, and two were seen, May 4. Piranga hepatica. Hepatic Tanager" Taken by Henshaw, August 26 and 27, 1874, at Camp Crittenden; and by Stephens May 12, 14, and 15, 1881, when he reported it "not uncommon in the Santa Rita Mountains," ranging "from the foothills through the oaks to the l(Aver pines on the mountains." One was taken by him on July 9. 1884. Three juveniles were taken by Nelson, June 7, 18, 28, and eight adults June 10- July 3, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch. A few were seen by Swarth, the latter half of June, 1903, "in the higher parts of the mountains," and both adults and juveniles secured. Five adults were taken by Howell, July 30-August 4, 1918, when it was "not rare from 4,800-7,500 feet. But one family party was seen, all the rest being lone birds or pairs." One was seen in a mesquite at our camp on April 27, 1921. --The Arizona form has been referred to under the name Piranga hepatica oreo- phasma. Northern Hepatic Tanager. 46 PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA No. 15 Pirang-a rubra cooperi. Cooikm- Taiiajicr Fouiul by Steplu'us in iSSl. rather coiuiuon in cottoiiwoocls along a small ri\c'r about five miles south of Tucson. Taken by Nelson, .Inly 14 and 15, 1884, at Camp Crittenden. Kound by Swartli in the latter half of June, 1903, "l)reeding' quite commonly," most of them in the deep wooded gulches below the mountains. Several were seen by Howell, August 19, 1918, in the mes- (jiiite forest about thirteen miles south of Tucson, and one taken at Tucson, July 14, 1918. One was seen by me. May 2, .'), 4, and 5, 1921, near ouv caiii[) at 4,000 feet. Petrochelidon lunifrons melanog-astra. Mexican ClifiF Swallow (?) A single swallow which Howell took to be of this species, was seen by him on August (), 1918, flying ove]' Madei-a (Janyon at 4,500 feet, and oiu' from a latnily was taken by him, August 10, near Continental. Tachycineta thalassina lepida. Northern ^'iolet-green Swallow A swallow with entire wliite underparts and white rump patches was seen by us March 5, 1921, flying over the mesquite and catsclaw below" 4,000 feet, h'ive others were seen, March 24, one over the U. S. Range Reserve. Six were seen near enough to see color on March 26, a little above 4,000 feet. Not far l)elow Madera Canyon, on April 13, Violet-greens and White-throated Swifts were seen coming rapidly down from the mountains and passing on out over llic foothill slopes. The last were seen May 3, shortly before our departure. Bombycilla cedrorum. Cedar Waxwing Three Waxwings were seen in the mesquites over our camp table April 23, 1921. The lu'xt seen was ]\Iay 1. and one came to the table, May 3. Phainopepla nitens. I'hainopepla Found by Swarth in the latter half of June. 190.'), "one of the connnonest biids in the lower parts of tlu^ nuiuntains. where both adults and juveniles weie seen." A few were seen by l^ailey, Octol)er 25-29, 1913, below McClea- ry's Ranch, in the mesquites. A few, both black and gray, were commonly seen during the winter of 1920-1921, about our camp near the upper edge of the Lower Sonoi'an Zone and in the mes(iuit(s below. About the middle of April, a iiinnber suddenly appeared, and from that time on unlil they wei'e seen going around in pairs, they fre(|uente(l our bird table for water; as many as eleven, about half of them black adult males, being seen on oi- close around it at one time. During the winter they apparently fed uuiinly on mistletoe Icrries but two seen in hackbei'i-\- trees were doubtless eating the juicy muei- la :inous hackberries. The call is a li(iuid vucp and a short staccato //'//>. five or six limes rei)eated. The song w'as not heard. At Rosemont, Jaiuiai'y 15. 1923, a female was taken bv Tavloi-; and on 1923 BIRDS OF THE SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS 47 January 16, probably ten oi* more were noted in tlie oaks of Barrel Canyon, where mistletoe was abundant. Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides. Wliite-rumped Shrike Found by Swarth in June, 1903, out on tJie mesa below Madera Canyon, On June 21, he found a nest with five eggs in a mesquite. The Shrike was frequently seen by Bailey, October 25-29, 1913. A few were seen by us in 1921, from a little above our camp at 4,000 feet down to Continental at 2,900 feet, and others were seen on the telephone wires between Continental and Tucson. On a very cold morning, January 23, 1921, when presumably no grasshoppers had been out for weeks, a Shrike was seen flying into a low mcs- (luite and picking at what i)r()ved to be an old dried, wingless grasshopper, im[)aled through the thorax. A few hours later the grasshopper was gone, so in this instance the storing instinct served its purpose. On March 1, several of tlie l)irds were seen on the ('ontinental-Tucson telephone wires. On March 22, two were seen on the U. S. Range Reserve. On January 16, 1923, two were seen and one taken by Taylor at Rosemont (5,000 feet). Vireosylva gilva swainsoni. Western Warbling Vireo Taken by Henshaw, August 28, 31, and September 1, 1874, near Camp Crittenden. An adult female was taken by Stephens on June 23, 1903, in Ma- dera Canyon, but as it did not appear to be a breeding l)ird, it was probably a straggler. After the breeding season, from July 28-August 15, 1918, Howell found it "fairly common in Upper Sonoran and low Transition, usually in com- pany with Baeolophus.'" Two adults were taken August 1 and 2, 1918. In the spring migration of 1921, I saw one on March 25 and another on April 8, among the live oaks at about 4,000 feet. Lanivireo solitarius cassini. Cassin Vireo Taken by Henshaw the last few days of August, 1874, at Camp Crittenden, quite a number being seen among the deciduous trees. Taken by Stephens, May 11, 1881, in Madera Canyon. A gray-headed vireo with olive back was seen by me on April 5 and 8, and May 3, 1921, in the live oaks of the Nichol- son Ranch. Lanivireo solitarius plumbeus, Plum])eous Vireo Three specimens were secured by Nelson, June 11, 15, and 18, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch. It was seen hy Swarth the latter half of Jmie, 1903, ''on various occasions in the higher parts of the mountains," and was found by Howell, July 28-August 15, 1918, slightly commoner than siuainsoni, in Transi- tion, "usually in company with tits and Avar})lers. " Four adults Avere taken August 1, 4, and 12, and an immature, August 12, 1918. One, presumably of this species, was seen by me on March 31 and April 1, 1921, in the live oaks of the ranchhouse. 48 PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA No. 15 Vireo huttoni Stephens!. Stephens Vireo Taken in Madera Canyon by Stephens, May 11, 1881, when it was not un- common among the scrub oaks; and three taken by Nelson, July 1 and 5, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch. Found by Swartli, in June, 1903, in the oaks in the lower l)art of the range. One was taken by Bailey, October 28, 1913. One was taken by Taylor, January 16, 1923, at Rosemont (5,000 feet), when it was in the neighborhood of a flock of Bush-Tits ; and another, February 10, from an oak on a sidehill near Gardner's Ranch, when "it was travelling with a company of Bridled Titmice." Vireo beliii pusillus. Least Vireo"' Taken by Steplieiis in l.SSl, near Tucson in thickets of mesquite, and a few found ))y Swarth in the lower part of the range and in the brush out (m the mesa. The first seen by us were on March 27, 28, and 29, 1921, and the jerked- out song of the White-eyed type — something like chkkortj, chickorij, rhce'-ah — was heard from then on until our dei)arture on May 6, when the birds were going about in pairs. While hunting mainly inside the mesquite thickets, they occasionally came out in view, flipping about with a good deal of tail motion. One was taken on April 16, 1921, when its stomach contained small green seeds and insects. Vermivora luciae. Lucy Warbler One was taken by Stephens, May 19, 1881, in Madera Canyon, and a juve- nile was taken by Nelson, July 11, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch. Both adults and juveniles were taken by Swarth in the latter half of June, 1903, and it was found breeding abundantly in the mouth of Madera Canyon and in the ravine beloAV. They were first seen by us April 5 and 13, 1921, near 4,000 feet, after which they were frequently found in the mesquites. One seen on May 2, in the mistle- toe of a mesquite top was acting as if hunting for a nesting place. On April 22, one was singing loudly among the freshly green meVKpiites whose tassels were beginning to yellow. It had a characteristic warbler song — ivliec-te,:, whee-tee, ■u-hce-tee, whee-tee, ivhee-tee, whee-tee, ivhee-tee, whee-tee, whee-tee, wheet, and its call was a faint chip. As it sang, its white throat and breast held up in the light made a good mark, but the brown of its head was hard to see unless it leaned over, parting its feathers in the light, and its brown rump patch was hard to catch unless it leaned over preening its feathers or dropped down spreading its wings and tail. In the main it hunted (|uietly. stretching its neck as it reached after insects. "Vermivora virginiae. Virginia Warbler A juvenile was taken by Nelson, July 5, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch. Two were seen by Howell, August 4, at 6,000 feet and several with tits. August 6, "'The Arizona form has been referred to under the name Virro hrlli nrizonae Ari- zona Least Vireo. 1923 BIRDS OF THE SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS 49 1918, at 4,800 feet, after which "they were occasionally seen in mixed flocks of other birds as high as 7,500 feet." An adult was taken, August 11, and two immatures, August 6 and 12. On the afternoon of April 5, 1921, when the snowstorm was over, a Virginia and a Lucy Warbler were found in the mes- ([uites of the ranch, so they may perhaps hjivo taken shelter in the oaks with the other birds of the region. Vermivora ruficapilla gutturalis. Calaveras Waibler Found by Henshaw "quite common during the last few days of August and the first of September", 1874, about Camp Crittenden, "in the low trees and bushes," specimens being taken August 27, 29, and September 3. An adult was taken by Howell August 4, 1918, at about 6,000 feet in Madera Canyon, and a few were seen ))y him August 19, 1918, in the eottonwoods and in the mesquite forest soutli of Tucson. Vermivora celata lutescens. Lutescent Warbler One was taken by Howell, August 11, 1918, in the sycamores of Madera Canyon at 5,000 feet. On March 15, 1921, two were discovered in the bloom- ing sycamore tops at camp — the first warbler migrants. The next were seen three days later and soon they became abundant, daintily picking insects from the under-sides of leaves, occasionally dropping to the ground to hunt over the leaves, but mainly hunting in the flowering sycamores, mesquites, and live oaks wdiicli were full of insects. Two were seen on May 2, shortly be- fore we left the mountains. Peucedramus olivaceus. Olive Warbler A young bird was taken l)y Howell, August 1, 1918, in a pine in Madera Canyon at about 7,200 feet. A female was taken by Taylor, February 4. 1923, at 5,000 feet in Madera Canyon. "It was in the same general locality with Bridled Titmice and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet." ])ut was alone, "foraging nervously through the foliage of an oak." Dendroica aestiva sonorana. Sonora Yellow Warbler A juvenile was taken by Nelson, July 14, 1884, at Camp Crittenden, and an adult by Howell, August 16, 1918 at Continental. Dendroica auduboni auduboni. Audubon Warbler' One was seen by Bailey, January 22, 1921, in Stone Cabin Canyon, one was seen January 30 and several February 12, at camp, after which their numbers gradually increased until they were very common, hunting through the mesquites, live oaks, and sycamores. By April 2, there had been a de- -^The Arizona form has been referred to under the name Dendroica auduhovi memorabilis. Greater Audubon Warbler. 50 PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA No. 15 cided falling off in their numbers, and after April 10, none were noted until May 3, when two were seen on an ocotillo. At Rosemont, Jaiuiary 15, 192:^, Taylor repoi'ted them, "probably pretty eoimnon all tlu-ou^h this oak eoun- try." Dendroica graciae. (J race Warbler Taken August 1 and 12, 1918, by Howell and found "fairly common, usu- ally with flocks of other warblers and tits in Transition zone." Three or four were seen by Bailey, April 1"), li)21, at about 4.000 feet at the upper edge of the Lower Sonoran zone. Dendroica nigrescens. iJlack-throatt'd (Iray \Vai'l>ler Taken by llenshaw, August 25 and 2G, 1S74, at ('aiiij* Crittenden; and by Stei)hens, May 12, 1881; twelve adults were taken by Xclson, June 15-July 5; and three juveniles, July 1, 5, and 8, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch. They were found by Swarth the latter half of June, 1903, "quite common everywhere in the oak brush," and reported by Howell, July 28-August 15, 1918, in Madera Canyon, ' ' next to the commonest warbler ; in Upper Sonoran and Transition. Occurs either alone or with flocks of other small birds." Adults were taken, August 1-12; iramatures, August 1, 10, and 12, 1918. Several were seen by us in the mesquites, March 21, 1921, and they were quite common during most of April, being frequently seen in the live oaks of the ranch. The last re- corded was apparently a fenmle, seen on May 4, two days before we left the mountains. The black and white head markings of this warbler make an excellent field character as he looks up and turns his head over. Occasion- ally he drops down through the branches, when liis white tail shears show to especial advantage. He was seen hunting assiduously in both mes([uites and live oaks. Dendroica townsendi. Townsend Waibler Taken by Stephens, May 13, 1881, in the oaks of the footliills. In- dividuals were seen by us, April 29 and May 2, 1921, in mesquites, and one May 4, in a live oak, at the ranch. Dendroica occidentalis. Hermit Warbler Majiy were seen and both adult and iniituiture tak'en by Howell, August 12, 1918, from 6-500-7,500 feet, in flocks of other small birds. Individuals were seen by me, April 22, 29, and 30, and May 1, 1921, in the mesquites and live oaks at about 4,000 feet. When reaching up for insects, the Hermit shows the black triangle on his throat, and when slowly leaning down to look below, as he does characteristically, he shows the black triangle pointing for- ward from the back of his head — both striking and unusual markings. 1923 BIRDS OF THE SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS 51 Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis. Griiniell Water-Thrush Found by Honshaw, the latter part of August, 187)}, on a small water course near Camp Crittenden. Oporornis tolmiei. MjicCillivrHv Warbler Two were taken by Stephens, at Tucson, April 20 and June 8, 1881. Sev- eral individuals Avere seen by us, April 5, 13, 24, and 27, and May 4, 1921, at about 4,000 feet, at camp or about the ranch, and one April 21, at about 2,900 feet, in the Santa Cruz bottoms near Continental. Icteria virens longicauda. Long-tailed Chat Taken by Henshaw, September 1, 1874, at ('amp Crittenden; and by Ste- phens soon after April 30, 1881, in the vicinity of Tucson; also found by Howell, August 19, 1918, "abundant in the mesquite forest" thirteen miles south of Tucson. At our cainp, on April 27, 1921, one was discovered under the mesquites of our bird table where it was seen almost every day until May 3, just before our departure. Wilsonia pusilla pileolata. Pileolated Warbler Taken by Stephens, April 21, 1881, at Tucson, and one l)y Howell, August 14, 1918, from flocks of tits in Upper Sonoran zone. Wilsonia pusilla chryseola. Golden Pileolated Warbler Two adults were taken by Howell, August 10, and an immature each on August 11 and 12, 1918, in Madera Canyon in flocks of tits in Upper Sonoran zone. Several black-caps, with the brilliant yellow breast, presumably of this subspecies, were seen in the mesquites not far from camp, April 12, 17 (2), and occasionally until May 4, 1921. One was seen May 3, on a blooning; ocotillo not far away. Setophaga picta. Painted Redstart A young one in first plumage was taken by Henshaw. August 29, 1874, near Camp Crittenden. The previously unknown nest was discovered by Mr. Herbert Brown on June 6, 1880, and a second by Stephens in May, 1881, in ''a canyon between the two Santa Rita peaks, heavily timbered with oak and sycamore." Nine juveniles were taken by Nelson, June 18 and 22, and July 5, 10, and 24, and six adults June 22-July 24, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch. Two were taken by George F. Breninger in 1897 in the Santa Ritas. They were found breeding by Swarth and Stephens, in June, 1903, in the same canyon where Stephens had found his first nest. That they were breeding, Swarth says, "was evidenced by the number of juveniles seen." Three adults were taken by Howell, July 31-August 10; and five immatures, July 28, 30, and 31, and August 6, besides two undetermined, August 3 and 11, 1918, in Madera 52 PACnnC COAST AVIFAUNA No. 15 Canyon. He saitl that it was "'the eoninionest warbler by far. in Upper Sono- ran and low Transition, along the stream beds." Tt traveled "singly or in pairs, spreading its tail and wings and darting after insects." Occasionally he found it "extraordinarily confiding." The t'irsi seen at onr camp at the upper edge of the Lower Soiioi-an zone was on Mai'eli Hi iiiid 17. 11)1^1 , aftei- which one to thi-ee were seen on cold days about the ranch until April 25, hunting over the trunks and branches of the live oaks and flycatching in characteristic Redstart maimer. Others were seen on the ocotillo slope above camp and by the pools in Stone Cabin Canyon at about 4,500 feet, and they were also reported from a camp about a mile above. Several times one was chased out of a tree-top by an Audubon Warbler. They hunted in the mesquite and on the oak roots, stones, and ground, but their favorite hunting place seemed to be the massive trunks and branches of the old live oaks. They Avould climb up the sides of the trunks, their short legs helped by flips of their long tail, and twist and turn with spread plumes. Sometimes they would cling to the underside of a branch like a woodpecker. But in the main they would, by help of their short legs and long balancing tails, hop across the great boles, picking insects from the crevices of the closely knit bark. Tn flight, sometimes the white scissors of the tail are all one sees, the black and red of the plumage being lost in the dense shadows of the live oak tops and against the sky. And Avlien one darts out from the dense shadow into the sun, the tail seems all white. They fly out like flycatchers, catching an insect and darting back to the tree trunk with it. Their song begins with an ordinary warbler iclirr-tfc. whee-tpe, but ends unusually, both call and song having individual rich contralto quality. On June 21, 1928. Mrs. Nicholson wrote — "there has been a lot of Red- starts down this spring," and commented on their tameness. Cardellina rubrifrons. Red-faced Warbler Pour- adults were taken by Nelson, July 1 and 5. and three juveniles July 5, 1884, in the mountains above Gardner's Ranch. One Avas seen by Vorhies, June 15, 1918, at the head of Madera Canyon, and a single immature bird was taken by Howell, August 1, 1918, fi'om a live oak on a hillside in Madera (^an,yon. Xo othei's were seen. Oreoscoptes montanus. Sage Thi-asher One was seen by us in January and again on February 1, 1921. in the mes- quite and catselaw below 4.000 feet. On March 15. another was seen running over the sand in the Santa Cruz bottoms, at about 2.900 feet. Mimus polyg-lottos leucopterus. Western Mockingbii'd Mockingbirds were very common. Nelson says, "among the live oaks ;it Gardner's Ranch in June and July. 1884. They were in full song and dur- ing the brilliantly- eleai' moonlight in June they sang in an ecstasy of bird joy 1923 BIRDS OF THE SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS 53 throughout the ni^ht in such a chorus of melodious throats that sleep was difficult in our tents among the trees. 1 have never seen so many Mocking- l)irds in any area as among these live oaks nor have I ever forgotten the won- derful effect of their jubilant night songs. By day they Avere not very notice- able and sang only here and there without any ai)i)roach to the outburst of song evoked ))y the radiance of the moon which changed al! tlie suri'oundings into a fairyland of beauty." They were found by Swarth, in June, 1!)03, quite conimon in tlic lower parts of the mountains. They were seen by us througliout our stay, November 20, 1920, to May 6, 1921, chiefly about our camp and the ranch, but occasionally above 4,000 feet. One was heard singing softly in January. They were seen eating hackberry seeds. Two or three had been seen daily by Howell, August 15-19, 1918, near Continental ; and they were noted by us at Continental, Tucson, and about ranches in the Santa Cruz Val- ley. At Rosemont, on January 15, 1928, Taylor twice saw a Mockingbird, perching on top of the oaks near the ranger station, as if staying in the locality. Toxostoma curvirostre palmeri. Palmer Thrasher An adult was taken by Nelson, June 5, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch. Tt was found by Swarth, June, 1903, abundant out on the mesa and frequently seen in the lower canyons; and by Howell, July 28, 1918, abundant everywhere in the low country south of Tucson and abundant August 15-19, 1918, near Con- tinental. One was taken by Bailey, October 28, 1913. Tn 1920-1921 we found it common about the Nicholson Ranch and in the surrounding mesquites. One was seen drinking from a dripping faucet and another seen perched on top of a viznaga reaching down with its long curved bill digging out the shining black seeds and the moist pulp which the House Finches had also found a ready source of both food and moisture A Thrasher accidentally caught in a trap, January 28, had an empty crop but a gizzard full of the seeds of cactus (Oinintiafip. ?), and the shrubby hackberry {Celtis pallida), a few oat shells, one grain, a few insect remains, apparently ants, and some gravel. One of the birds was seen, February 3, walking in the mesquite pasture, flipping up cow-chips as he went, evidently looking for insects or other toothsome morsels below — a scorpion had been found under one of them. The three-syllabled liquid tce-dh-lah was heard commonly all winter and the loud strident call occasionally, and on the morning of January 12. while the ground was still covered with Avhite frost, a soft Ioav song was heard com- ing from one of the birds sitting fluffed up in the cold. The song was heard again on January 19 and February 3, and on March 4, one was heard sing- ing loudly from the peak of a tent at Continental. Two of the birds hunted familiarly about the ranch-house during the Avinter, taking advantage of the "jerky" line when the meat was drying, and apparently considered nesting in a large cholla cactus near the house where remains of a former nest Avas found. On March 14 a fcAV fresh sticks AA^^ere seen there and tli(^ male came and sang near them. l)ut the pair evidently de- 54 PACIFIC CO/^ ST A VIP^AUNA No. 15 cided to go farther away, as they disappeared not \on^ afterwards. On April 21, 1923, hoAvever, Mrs. Nicliolsoii wrote me that the Thrasliei-s had finally built again "in the big eaetiis ])ehiiid the honse" and she thonght they would soon "hatcli their young." Toxostoma bendirei. I'x'ndiic Thrasher An adult was taken by Nelson. June 4. 1884. at Ilarshaw's Raneh, and four juveniles June 5, 1884, at Gardner's Raneh. It was found by Swarth, in June, 1903, common on the mesa below the mountains, but not seen in any of the canyons. One was taken by Howell. August 15, 1918. at Continental, and presumably a few more were seen. One was seen by us in 1921 in the mes- quite and catsclaw a little below 4.000 feet. Heleodytes brunneicapillus couesi. Cactus AVren Adults and juveniles were seen by Swarth, the latter half of June, 1903, everywhere on the mesa and along the foothills. It was found common by Bailey, October 25-29. 1913, in the mesquite and cactus about McCleary's. Old nests were found, in 1920-1921. u|) to over 4.000 feet, in catsclaw. zizyphus, shrubby hackberry. and mesquite, freciuently placed in bunches of red mis- tletoe. Thirty of the Wrens were found using repaired nests in these loca- tions for winter roosts. One cholla nest was found at about 4,200 feet, while below, especially in the giant cactus belt, cholla nests abounded. Salpinctes obsoletus obsoletus. Rock Wren An adult and two juveniles were taken by Nelson. June 22, 1884, at Gard- ner's Ranch. They Avere found by Swarth, in June. 1903, "fairly common along the rock-strewn foothills." A few were seen by Bailey in late October. 1913, and they were occasionally seen by us in 1920-1921. from 4,500 feet in Stone Cabin Canyon down through the rocky dry wash to the Nicholson Ranch at 4,000 feet. At Rosemont one was noted on Januaiy 15. 1923, by Taylor among the rocks of a sidehill ; and two days later, from the ranger station, the birds' call- note was heard, early in the morning. In Gardner Canyon, at 5.200 feet, on Fel)ruary 10, he noted one or two on the rocks of a hillside near the ranch. Catherpes mexicanus conspersus. Canyon Wren"' Full gi'own juveiiih^s, usually two or three together, were seen by Swarth the latter half of June. 1903, in Madera Canyon. A few were seen and heard by Bailey. October 25-29. 1913. Adults were taken by Howell, August 6. 1918, in the bottom of Madera Canyon, between 4,800 aiul 5,000 feet, and immatures were taken July 30 and August 5, 1918, in the cany(m. They were seen hy us, in 1920-1921, in Stone Cabin Canyon, mainly a1 aboul 4,500 feet. ^'The Arizona form has been referred to iuhUm- the name Catherpes mexiranus poliopHlus, Texas Canyon Wren, 1923 BIRDS OF THE SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS 55 Several were seen by Taylor, February 27, 1923, from 4,000-4.500 feet along the bottom and low on the sidehills of Stone Cabin Canyon. Thryomanes bewickii bairdi, Baird Wren'° Taken by llenshaw, August 24, 1874, at Camp Crittenden. Six adults were taken l)y Nelson. June 19-28, and five juveniles, June 22 and 23, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch. They were seen by Swarth in June, 1903, "along the canyons but not in any numbers," and found by Howell, July 28-Auo:ust 15. 1918, "common in Upper Sonoran in all situations." Adults were taken Aug- ust 2-12, and immatures, August 3, 4, 5, 6, and 11, 1918, in Madera Canyon. They were found by us, November, 1920, to May, 1921, fairly common residents anu)ng the mesquites and al)out the live oaks. On April 8, two were seen exploring a crack in the underside of a live oak branch. The song, as I have noted from another form in southern Oregon, is singularly suggestive of that of the black Towhee, a refined thin parallel •) 1 1 1 1. On April 1, the song was heard for a long time as one crept over the great trunks. At another time one of the birds, apparently excited by the presence of a companion, spread its tail so that the white circlet showed. Near Rosemont, at 4,750 feet, one was seen, January 15, 1923, by Taylor, near the house of the ranger, and it was apparently a permanent resident ; on June 16, one was seen under a clump of oaks in Barrel Canyon. Near Gardner's Ranch at 5,200 feet, in Stetson Dam Canyon, several wrens, pre- sinnably of this species, M'ere heard February 9-10, 1923. From McCleary's Ranch (Nicholson's) at 4,000 feet to perhaps 6.800 feet on brushy hillsides throughout the oak country, on February 27, 1923. Taylor found the wrens fairly common and usually in pairs. One was noted in a yucca; another among the rocks on the ground. Troglodytes aedon parkmani. Western House Wren Taken by Nelson, July 5, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch. Found by Swarth in the latter half of June, 1903, only in the higher parts of the range, usually about fallen trees or in brush piles. An immature was taken by Howell, July 30, 1918, when the birds were "abundant only in certain places in low Transi- tion where the canyons Aviden a little, the ground is covered with bracken, and thei-e is more or less l)rush, or fallen trees, creepers, and grape vines." At our camp the first were seen on April 7 and 8, 1921. among the trees of the ranch. Certhia familiaris albescens. Mexican Creeper Two specimens were taken by Stephens. July 5, 1884, on the east side of the range; one by Bailey, Octol)er 28, 1913, in Stone Cabin Canyon, on the west side ; and one by Howell, August 1, 1918, in Madera Canyon, in a pine at 7,200 -"The Arizona form has been referred to under the name Thrvomanes heioicki eremophiliis, Desert Wren, 56 PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA No. 15 feet. A second was seen the next day in the same place, and a third on August 4, 1918, "in an oak among scattered pines at 6,000 feet." One Avas seen by Vorhies, in February, 1918, in the big oaks at Nicholson's. On February 4, 1928, one was taken by Taylor at 5,000 feet in Madera Canyon from an oak over whose ])ark it was working; and on February 9, one, perhaps more, was noted by liim at 6,000 feet in Stetson Dam Canyon near Gardner's Ranch, in comi)any with a band of JJridled Titmice which were working through the oaks of the canyon during a storm. On February 27, Taylor found them "apparently common in the Transition Zone." Two were taken at about 7,000 feet, on the bark of conifers, one six feet up on a Dou- glas fir. Sitta carolinensis nelsoni. Rocky Mountain Nuthatch Three juveniles were taken by Nelson, June 11 and 15, 1884, at Gard- ner's Ranch. A few pairs were seen by Swarth, in June, 1908, in the higher parts of the mountains, and they were found by Howell, July 28-August 15, 1918, "common in very high Upper Sonoran and Transition, often with Bri- dled Tits." At Rosemont, January 15, 1928. Taylor noted five or more in the oaks; on January 16, three or foui- in Harrel Canyon; and on January 17, found them common below the ranger station. In Madera Canyon, on February 4, he found half a dozen quite noisy birds between 5,000 and 6,500 feet; and on February 9, during a storm, heard two or three on the Old Baldy trail al)Ove Gardner's Ranch. Sitta pyg-maea pygmaea. Pygmy Nuthatch An adult and a juvenile were taken by Nelson, July 5, 1884, above Gard- ner's Ranch. Adult and immature were taken by Howell, August 1, 1918, but found "common only in the upper two-thirds of Transition, often with Bridled Tits and once with nelsoni.'" Baeolophus wollweberi. Bi-idled Titmouse'' Found by Henshaw, August 27 and 29, 1874, near Cam}) (Vittenden. A l)air were taken by Stephens in May, 1881, in Madera Canyon. Six adults were taken by Nelson, June 8-22, and five juveniles, »Iune 18 and 19. and July 22, 1884, at Gardner's Ranch. They were found by Swarth in the latter half of June, 1908, "very abundant in the oak regions where troops of young accompanied by the [)ai"ents were met with continually." One was taken by IJailey, October 28. 1918, and reported "common in the oaks of the canyons." hiunatures were taken by Howell, July 29 and August 8 and 4. and an adult. August 12, 1918, in Madera Canyon, where he found them abundant in both zones, "at least as high as there are many oaks." He found that other small -'The Arizona form has been referred to imder the name P.ncoJoph us irnllvrhrri nnnr.rus, Bridled Titmouse, 1923 BIRDS OP" THE SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS 57 birds often join their flocks. They were seen by Bailey, December 29. 1920, in the live oaks at the month of Stone Cabin Canyon, at about 4,500 feet. At Rosemont. on January 16, 1923, six were seen by Taylor, "two in one place in company with a flock of Lead-colored Bush-Tits, four in another jilace." One of their calls, he says, resembles that of the Plain Titmouse, while another has "a < ((ilrinlula r/«- eracnis, Western Ruby-crowned Kinglet. 1923 BIRDS OF THE SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS 59 27, Taylor also found Solitaires common. "They were noted in the vicinity of McCleary's Kanch (Nicholson's), at 4,000 feet, and also up the canyon practi- cally to the limit of the oaks, about 6,800 feet." Hylocichla ustulata ustulata. Russet-hacked Thrush One was taken by Stephens, May 17, 1881, in Madera Canyon, and a sec- ond taken at Camp Lowell, May 21, 1884. Hylocichla guttata guttata. Alaska Hermit Thrush A thrusii, presumably of this subspecies, was seen near the ranch-house from December 2, 1920, to April 80, 1921. One taken April 6, had its gizzard filled almost entirely with berries from the hackberry tree, allhough there was also a trace of insects. During- the snowstorm of April 5, and also on A[)ril 6, 1921, a luuuber were seen in the bushes and on the ground under the live oaks. In Madera Canyon, February 4, 1923, Taylor noted about half a dozen Hermit Thrushes between 5,000 and about 6,000 feet, and secured two. One was seen on a snow-covered rock by a stream and others were in the lower branches of the hillside trees. Near Gardner's Ranch, in Stetson Dam Can- yon. February 9, one was noted at 6,000 feet in a manzanita. Hylocichla guttata auduboni. Audubon Hermit Thrush A single full grown juvenile was taken by Howell, July 30, 1918, ''at the very lowest point of Transition" in Madera Canyon. No others were seen. Hylocichla guttata sequoiensis. Sierra Hermit Thrush One was taken by Taylor, October 13, 1919, and one by Bailey, April G, 1921. at Nicholson's Ranch. Planesticus migratorius propinquus. Western Robin One was seen and aiiother heard, February 4, 1923, by Taylor, at Nichol- son's (4,000 feet), and on February 27, they were common in the trees about the ranch, but not seen elsewhere. Sialia sialis fulva. Azure Bluebird Taken by Stephens, June 18 and 20, 1884, on the east side of the range. Sialia mexicana bairdi. Chestnut-backed Bluebird One was seen by Howell, July 28, 1918, ''on the mesa at the junction of Lower and Upper Sonoran zones." It was seen by us during the winter of 1920-1921, going about in flocks of from five to thirteen over the mesquite 60 PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA No. 15 slopes, mainly between 4,000 and 4.500 feet. The last noted was seen on March 3, 1921. At Roseraont (5,000 feet), a number of groups wei-e observed by Taylor, one flock of twenty-five to thirty, but for the most part groups of four to six. One of these groups was i)erched near a clump of mistletoe in an oak, and one taken "had obviously been feeding on the berries. Forty or more were noted all together.'' On January 16, thirty to forty were seen along Bar- rel Canyon, and January 17, they were common below the ranger station. On February 4, near the mouth of Madera Canyon, two flocks were noted. Febru- ary 9 to 10, at Gardner's Ranch, they were heard flying overhead and com- I)anies of four to six seen feeding on low bushes and on the ground, usually with juncos. Sialia currucoides. JMoutstain Bluebird A pair were seen January 15, 1923, by Taylor at Rosemont (5,000 feet), [)erched on a leafless Fouquiera, when the male was secured. A flock of twelve to twenty-four brilliant bluebirds, apparently of this species, were ob- served, February 4, 1923, about 9:30 a. m. at 4,500 feet near the mouth of Madera Canyon. One was seen February 8. on a fence post by the road at Sonoita, 4,750 feet. COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA NUMBER 15 ''H BIRDS RECORDED FROM THE SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS IN SOUTHERN ARIZONA BY FLORENCE MERRIAM BAILEY BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA Published by the Club November 8, 1923 COOPER CLUB PUBLICATIONS THE CONDOR Vol. I, 1899 "Bulletin of the Cooper Ornithological Club" (out of print) A few odd numbers are left; prices on request Vol. II, 1900 complete, in parts as issued - - - . $10.00 Vol. Ill, ,1901 " ""'.'. . . _ _ ^QQQ Vol. IV, 1902 " <.""<<_ _ _ _ g^ Vol. V, 1903 " '<"'<'<_ _ _ _ _ ^^^ Vol. VI, 1904 " ..<<<-... _ _ _ ^QQ Vol. VII, 1905 <<.<.<<..< ^^Q Vol. VIII to Vol. XII, 1906-1910, inclusive, complete, in parts as issued - each 3.00 Vol. XIII, 1911 - - - - - - - . 4.00 Vol. XIV to Vol. XXV, 1912-1923, inclusive - - - each 2.00 Odd numbers of any of above quoted on request. Orders for advance volumes (beyond XXV) will be filled as issued. PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA No. 1, 1900 Birds of the Kotzebue Sound Region, Alaska; 80 pp., 1 map $ 1.50 By J. Grinnell No. 2, 1901 L,and Birds of Santa Cruz County, California; 22 pp. - 1.00 By R. C. McGregor No. 3, 1902 Check-Iyist of California Birds; 100 pp., 2 maps - (outof print) By J. Grinnei,!* No. 4, 1904 Birds of the Huachuca Mountains, Arizona; 75 pp. - $ 1.00 By H. S. SwARTH No. 5, 1909 A Bibliography of California Ornithology; 166 pp. - - 2.00 By J. Grinneli, No. 6, 1909 Ten- Year Index to The Condor; 48 pp. - - - - 3.00 By H. B. Kaeding No. 7, 1912 Birds of the Pacific Slope of Southern California; 122 pp. 1.50 By G. Wir.LETT No. 8, 1912 A Systematic List of the Birds of California; 23 pp. - - .50 By J. GrinneIvI, No. 9, 1913 The Birds of the Fresno District; 114 pp. - . . . 1.50 By J. G. Tyi,er No. 10, 1914 Distributional List of the Birds of Arizona; 133 pp., 1 map 1.50 By H. S. SwARTH No. 11 , 1915 A Distributional List of the Birds of California; 217 pp., 3 maps 3.00 By J. Grinneli, No. 12, 1916 Birdsof the Southern California Coast Islands; 127 pp., 1 map 1.50 By A. B. HOWEI,!, No. 13, 1919 Second Ten Year Index to The Condor; 96 pp. - - 3.00 By J. R. PembeRTON No. 14, 1921 The Birdsof Montana, 194 pp., 35 illustrations - - 6.00 By Aretas A. Saunders No. 15, 1923 Birds Recorded from the Santa Rita Mountains in Southern Arizona; 60 pp., 4 illustrations - - 1.50 By Fl^ORENCE MERRIAM BaiLEV No. 16, 1924 (in press) Bibliography of California Ornithology — Second Installment; 198 pp. (estimated) - - - 6.00 By J. GRINNEI.L For Sale by W. LEE CHAMBERS, Business Manager Drawer 123, Eagle Rock, Los Angeles Co., California CD O o> CO 05 I AMNH LIBRARY 100110031