Skip to main content

Full text of "Pacific coast avifauna"

See other formats 


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  taid<s  for 
water  in  the  morning,  the  Quail  would  scatter  through  the  mesquite  to  feed 
during  the  day.  The  thorny  catsclaw  seemed  to  be  one  of  their  favorite  roost- 
ing trees.  Nine  miles  below,  at  the  foot  of  the  slope  from  the  mountains  near 
Continental— 2,900  feet  altitude— on  August  15-19,  1918,  Howell  found  the 
quail  common,  "both  adults  in  pairs  and  families  of  various  ages,  the  youngest 
being  the  size  of  towhees." 

At  Eosemont  (4,700  feet)  on  January  17,  1928,  where  a  covey  of  nine  was 
noted  by  Taylor,  two  took  shelter  in  a  dense  growth  of  flat-leafed  cactus,  one 
iciiuiining  in  tlie  protection  of  the  bush  until  he  was  close  at  hand  \vlH'n,  with 
a  shari)  whin-,  it  flew  off.  The  others  of  the  covey  were  sighted  in  the  pro- 
tection of  a  small  mesquite.  The  same  day  two  others  were  seen  by  Taylor 
on  the  Sonoita-Vail  highway. 

Cyrtonyx  montezumae  mearnsi.     Mearns  Quail 

Found  several  times  by  Bendire,  in  August,  1872,  "in  the  foothills  and 
canyons  of  the  Santa  Rita,  Patagonia,  and  Iluachuca  Mountains"  while  he 
was  scouting  after  hostile  Indians  wdien,  as  he  naively  remarks,  lie  had  no 
time  to  study  their  habits.  Specimens  were  taken  by  Nelson  June  7  and  25, 
1884,  at  Gardner's  Ranch,  and  he  found  them  not  uncommon  in  July  in  the 
live  oak  belt  below  the  lower  limit  of  the  pines,  the  summer  range  being  just 
above  that  of  the  Gambel  Quail,  the  two  overlapping  when  the  Mearns  de- 
scends in  winter.  In  fact,  the  Mearns,  Gambel,  and  Scaled  quails  have  all 
been  found  by  R.  D.  Lusk  at  the  mouth  of  Madera  Canyon.  In  1913,  Bailey 
was  told  that  "fool  quail"  were  common  in  the  mountains,  and  in  1918,  Howell 
was  told  by  Shorb  that  a  few  were  still  to  be  found  in  the  mouth  of  Madera 
Canyon. 

Meleagris  gallopavo  merriami.  Merriam  Turkey 

On  June  15,  1884,  Bendire  reports.  Sl('j)li('ns  took  a  probably  incomplete 
set  of  nine  fresh  eggs,  about  five  miles  south  of  Cireatervillo  on  the  east  side 
of  the  Santa  Ritas,  in  the  oak  timber,  just  where  the  first  scattering  pines 
commenced,  at  an  altitude  of  perhaps  5,000  feet.  The  photograph  shows  the 
nest  "close  to  the  trunk  of  an  oak  tree  on  a  hillside,  ncai-  which  a  good-sized 
yucca  grew,  covering,  apparently,  a  part  of  the  nest."  In  1918,  Bailey  was 
told  that  a  few  Turkeys  still  ranged  over  the  east  slope  of  the  mountains  but 
Avere  never  seen  on  the  west  slope. 

Columba  fasciata  fasciata.     Band-tailed  Pigeou 
One  was  taken  by  Nelson.  July  6,  1884,  at  Gardner's  Ranch.     A  number 


1923  BIRDS  OF  THE  SANTA  RITA  MOUNTAINS  15 

of  quite  large  flocks  were  seen  by  Swarth  and  Stephens  the  last  of  June,  1903, 
in  Madera  Canyon.  Flocks  of  from  twelve  to  twenty  were  seen  by  Bailey  Oc- 
tober 25-29,  1913,  in  the  mountains  "circling  around  or  lighting  in  tall  trees." 
They  were  found  abundant  by  Howell,  July  28-August  15,  1918,  "above  5,000 
feet  in  Upper  Sonoran  and  in  low  Transition"  of  Madera  Canyon,  "feeding 
on  the  acorns  of  the  live  oaks  in  pairs  and  small  flocks.  Two  shot  were  so 
crammed  with  these  accrns  that  their  crops  burst  when  they  hit  the  ground. 
At  a  shot,  all  the  pigeons  within  a  quarter  of  a  mile  would  flush  and  join 
forces,  to  fly  over  in  one  flock."  A  few  of  the  "Ring  Necks"  or  "Mountain 
Pigeons"  as  they  are  called  locally,  were  seen  by  us  in  April,  1921,  the  first 
being  seen  April  1  and  2,  at  4,000  feet,  flying  swiftly  to-^ard  Stone  Cabin 
Canyon. 

Zenaidura  macroura  marftinella.     Western  Mourning  Dove 

Full  grown  young  of  the  year  were  found  abundant  by  Swarth  during 
the  latter  half  of  June,  1903,  in  the  canyons  below  Madera.  An  occasional 
l)air  was  seen  by  Howell  July  28-August  15,  1918,  below  5,000  feet  in  Madera 
Canyon.  Individuals  were  met  with  by  us  on  December  17,  1920,  and  Febru- 
ary 12,  1921,  in  the  mesquite  at  about  4,000  feet;  and  on  April  10,  they  were 
heard  calling  at  camp.  In  the  Santa  Cruz  Valley  at  Continental,  they  were 
common  in  the  river  bottoms  on  our  first  visit  in  March. 

At  Rosemont  (5,000  feet),  January  15,  1923,  one  was  flushed  by  Taylor 
from  a  sunny  south  slope;  and  at  Gardner's  Ranch  (5,200  feet),  February  9, 
1923,  two  were  flushed  from  Apache  Spring  at  twilight. 

Melopelia  asiatica  trudeaui."     White-winged  Dove 

Found  common  in  the  lower  parts  of  the  mountains  by  Swarth,  in  June, 
1903,  only  a  very  few  being  seen  about  his  camp  in  Madera  Canyon.  But  one 
nest  was  found,  and  hardly  any  of  the  birds  secured  appeared  to  be  breeding. 
Later  in  the  season — July  28-August  15,  1918,  they  were  found  abundant  by 
Howell,  many  being  seen  flying  up  and  down  Madera  Canyon.  A  few  passed 
his  camp  at  5,000  feet,  "hence  trespassing  on  the  range  of  Columha."  The 
only  time  they  were  seen  to  alight  was  when  stopping  to  drink  at  the  stream. 
They  were  equally  common  through  the  bottom  lands  at  Continental,  Howell 
reported,  occurring  mostly  in  pairs  but  also  in  flocks  of  four  and  six.  At  our 
camp  at  4,000  feet,  in  1921,  the  first  of  the  season  were  seen  by  Nicholson,  on 
April  19,  around  the  ranch-house,  and  by  April  27  their  loud  calls  Avere  heard 
all  day  from  the  live  oaks  in  front  of  the  house,  where  they  habitually  nest. 

One  was  seen  displaying  as  he  gave  his  call,  as  is  described  by  Bendire. 
Instead  of  inflating  his  chest  pouter-pigeon  style,  as  is  done  by  the  Band- 
tails,  he  puffed  out  his  throat,  and,  as  if  about  to  launch  into  the  air,  threw 
up  his  wings  as  some  of  the  ducks  do  in  courtship  display  of  the  speculum, 
showing  the  handsome  white  wing  crescent;  and  at  the  same  time  curved  up 

"The    Arizona  form    has    been    referred    to  under    the  name    Melopelia    asiatica 
mearnsi,  Western  White-winged  Dove. 


16  PACIFIC   COAST  AVIFAUNA  No.  15 

the  rounded  fan  tail  so  that  its  white  thumb-mark  band  shoM-ed  strikingly- 
all  this  as  he  gave  his  loud  emotional  call — Kroo-krou'-kron-Lru' .  A  rather 
distant  answering  call  suggested  that  lie  was  displaying  for  a  prospective 
mate.  Display  actually  before  a  female  was  witnessed  a  week  later  by  Mrs. 
Nicholson  when  1  was  down  in  the  valley.  When  the  call  was  given  without 
the  emotional  display  it  lapsed  almost  to  inojiotony,  being  heard  at  camp  all 
through  the  day.  Some  of  the  notes  were  heavily  mouthed,  while  others  were 
muffled.  The  noise  of  the  flight  was  volitional.  One  that  I  saw,  puffed  out 
his  chest  and  started  with  whacking  wings,  soaring  around,  wings  and  tail 
spread;  but  shortly  afterward  it  or  another  bird  was  seen  flying  by  silently. 

Scardafella  inca.     Inca  Dove 

One  came  to  our  camp  bird  table  for  Avater,  April  25,  1921,  but  llicii  dis- 
appeared. Nests  were  i-eporlcd  lo  us  in  Tucson,  May  7,  on  our  return  U-om 
the  mountains. 

Cathartes   aura    septentrionalis.     Turkey  Vulture 

Frequently  seen  by  Swarth  in  June,  1903,  flying  overhead,  and  occasion- 
ally seen  by  Howell  July  28-August  15,  1918,  in  Madera  Canyon,  "very  far 
oveT'head.'"  While  nineteen  were  counted  by  us  November  20,  1920,  between 
Tucson  and  Continental,  and  one  was  seen  on  the  Range  Reserve  on  January 
1,  and  again  on  March  24,  1921,  they  were  not  seen  at  the  higher  level  (-1,000 
feet)  of  the  Nicholson  Ranch  until  April  and  May,  when  they  were  occasion- 
ally noted.  Five  were  seen  on  April  16,  flying  over  the  narrow  gorge  of  Stone 
Cabin  Canyon,  and  six  were  seen  May  2,  flying  together,  one  in  the  lead. 

Accipiter  velox.     Sharp-shinned  Hawk. 

One  or  two  were  seen  in  June,  1903,  by  Swarth,  and  one  or  more  were 
seen  occasionally  by  us  during  the  winter  of  1921.  On  January  23,  one  was 
seen  in  Stone  Cabin  Canyon  above  4,500  feet,  where  it  had  been  bathing  in 
a  small  pool.  During  the  winter  now  and  then  one  would  dart  through  camp, 
routing  a  flock  of  Gambel  Sparrows  from  the  bird  table,  and  once  the  tell- 
tale feathers  of  a  Quail  were  found  under  the  mesquites  only  a  few  rods  away. 
On  March  23,  on  the  Santa  Rita  Range  Reserve,  when  a  mixed  flock  of  Ves- 
per Sparrows,  Lark  Buntings,  and  Brewer  Sparrows  flew  into  a  dense  hack- 
berry  bush,  a  Sharp-shin  darted  after  them,  circling  around  the  bush  as  if 
baffled. 

Accipiter  cooperii.     Cooper  Hawk" 

One  was  seen  and  a  nest  with  eggs  slightly  incubated  was  found  ])y  Ste- 
phens, May  18,  1881,  in  Madera   Canyon:  and  a  nest  containing  young  was 

"The  Arizona  form  has  been  referred  to  imder  the  name  Accipiter  cooperi  mex- 
icamis,  Western  Cooper  Hawk. 


1923  BIRDS   OF   THE   SANTA   RITA   MOUNTAINS  17 

found  by  Swarth  the  latter  half  of  June,  1903,  also  in  Madera  Canyon,  where 
several  of  the  birds  were  seen.  An  adult  male  was  shot  July  29,  1918,  by 
Howell  at  5,200  feet  in  Madera  Canyon,  and  the  following  day  a  young  one 
with  fully  grown  tail  was  taken.  One  was  occasioiuiliy  seen  l)y  us  during  the 
wintei-  of  1921  near  Stone  Cabin  Canyon,  where  its  roosting  place  and  the 
feathers  of  a  Roadrunner  were  discovered. 

One  was  seen  by  Taylor  at  McCleary's  Ranch  (Nicholson's)  about  7:30 
A.  M.  on  February  27,  1923,  swooping  through  the  mesquites  after  small  birds. 

Buteo  borealis  calurus.     Western  Red-tailed  Hawk 

A  juvenile  was  taken  by  Nelson,  July  8,  1884,  at  Gardner's  Ranch;  one 
or  two  were  seen  by  Swarth  in  June,  1903 ;  a  few  were  seen  by  Bailey  in  late 
October,  1913;  and  one  was  seen  by  Howell,  August  4,  1918,  at  about  6,000 
feet  in  Madera  Canyon.  One  or  two  Avere  seen  by  us  during  the  winter  and 
spring  of  1920-1921,  from  4,500  feet  down,  and  in  the  Santa  Cruz  bottoms  near 
Continental,  2,900  feet,  a  pair  was  found,  March  9,  nesting  in  a  cottonwood. 
On  April  21,  the  downy  young  were  standing  up  in  the  nest  calling  shrilly  for 
their  parents  to  feed  them. 

At  Rosemont  (4,700  feet),  a  hawk  supposed  to  be  of  this  species  was  seen 
hy  Taylor,  January  17,  1923;  and  at  Gardner's  Ranch.  5,200  feet,  one  was 
seen  ])y  him  on  February  10,  1923,  circling  overhead. 

Buteo  abbreviatus.    Zone-tailed  Hawk 

One  was  taken  by  Nelson  in  1884,  at  Gardner's  Ranch,  and  two  by  Ste- 
phens in  1903,  in  Madera  Canyon.  Stephens  mistook  one  that  he  saw  trying  to 
catch  minnows,  for  a  Turkey  Vulture,  and  Swarth  says  the  resemblance  "both 
in  style  of  coloration  and  manner  of  flight  is  so  close  that  it  is  exceedingly 
difficult  to  distinguish  between  the  two."  Our  own  experience  fell  in  with 
his,  for  when  we  were  in  camp  on  April  12,  1921,  watching  what  we  supposed 
was  a  Vulture,  we  discovered  with  amazement  a  white  tail  band.  Not  only 
the  gray  cloak  of  the  under-wings  but  the  characteristically  beaked  head  and 
tilting  flight  carried  out  the  resemblance.  Another  of  the  Zone-tails  was 
seen  April  23,  1921. 

It  was  interesting  to  remember  that  the  famous  Zone-tail  eg^  of  the  Ben- 
dire  Smithsonian  collection  was  taken  in  this  region — at  Old  Fort  Lowell — at 
the  time  when  Bendire  was  stationed  there.  The  egg — it  should  perhaps  be 
said  for  those  who  have  forgotten  the  episode — was  carried  in  the  Captain's 
mouth  from  the  nest,  forty  feet  up  in  a  cottonwood  whence  he  discovered  a 
band  of  Apaches  watching  him,  five  miles  on  horseback  with  Apaches  in  pur- 
suit, back  to  his  camp,  where  it  was  extracted  with  both  pain  and  difficulty. 
The  Apaches'  trail,  in  the  days  of  Geronimo  and  "the  Apache  Kid,"  led  from 
the  White  Mountains  to  Mexico,  following  along  the  east  base  of  the  Santa 
Ritas  and  the  Apaches  had  a  lookout  cave  in  a  cliff  above  Nelson's  camp  in 
1884,  although,  fortunately,  he  was  there  between  raids. 


18  PACIFIC  COAST  AVIFAUNA  No.  15 

Buteo  swainsoni.     Swainsoii  Hawk 

A  few  were  seeu  in  June,  IdO'S,  l\y  Swarth,  one  in  Madera  Canyon  at  about 
6,000  feet;  a  pair  were  seen  by  Howell,  August  16,  1918,  at  Continental;  and 
one  was  found  by  us  in  April,  1!»21,  lyii«g  dead  on  the  road  four  or  five  miles 
beb)w  Nicholson's. 

Asturina  plagiata.     Mexican  GoshaAvk 

Reported  by  Swarth  from  the  foothills  of  the  Santa  Ritas,  the  center  of 
its  abundance  in  Arizona  apparently  being  the  valley  of  the  Santa  Cruz. 

Aquila   chrysaetos.     Golden  Eagle 

Oiu!  was  seen  by  us  several  times  dui-ing  llie  winter  of  1920-1921,  sailing 
a]-ound  tlie  head  of  Stone  Cabin  Canyon.  Two  were  seen  in  March,  1921,  fly- 
ing over  the  Santa  Rita  Range  Reserve,  one  with  the  white  tail  base  of  the 
immature. 

Falco  sparverius  phalaena.     Desert  Sparrow  Hawk 

Found  by  Swarth  in  June,  1903,  "fairly  common  along  the  foothills,"  and 
often  seen  by  Bailey  in  late  October,  1913.  One  was  occasionally  seen  by  us 
in  the  winter  of  1920-1921,  in  the  mesqaites  at  about  4,000  feet,  and  others  in 
the  Santa  Cruz  Valley  near  Continental  where  a  family  had  been  found  by 
Howell  in  1918.  One  was  seen  by  Taylor,  February  10,  1923,  in  the  vicinity  of 
Gardner's  Ranch,  5,200  feet,  and  the  species  was  "fairly  common  below  the 
ranch  in  the  broad  canyon." 

Strix  occidentalis  occidentalis.     Spotted  Owl '' 

During  the  last  week  in  October,  1913,  Bailey  wrote — "A  Spotted  Owl  was 
.-;urpi-is"(l  in  the  ui)i)er  i)art  of  Stone  Cabin  Canyon  at  about  7,000  feet.  He  was 
sitting  in  a  Douglas  spruce  in  a  dark  part  of  the  canyon  behind  a  big  cliff,  and 
was  within  fifty  feet  of  me  when  I  saw  and  recognized  him.  The  aux  brought 
him  down  promj)tly  and  for  the  first  time  I  held  this  beautiful  owl  in  my 
hands.  The  eyes  were  large  and  dull  blue,  but  a  narrow  dark  iris  surrounded 
the  greatly  dilated  blue  pupil.  The  stomach  was  full  of  mice  bones  and  teeth." 
During  the  winter  of  1920-1921,  from  our  camj)  at  4,000  feet  we  occasionally 
heard  the  Spotted  Owl  hooting. 

in  IVIadera  Canyon,  at  6,500  feet,  on  February  4,  1923,  Taylor  secured  a 
specimen.  AVlien  discovered,  about  noon,  it  was  sitting  fluffed  up,  apparently 
asleep,  in  plain  sight  on  an  upper  limb  of  a  long-leafed  yellow  pine.  The  trees 
in  the  vicinity  wert;  mostly  oaks,  with  a  few  pinyou  and  long-leafed  pines. 
"About  a  foot  of  snow  lay  on  the  ground." 


"The  Arizona  form  has  been  referred  to  under  the  name  Strir  occidentalis  lucida, 
Arizona  Spotted  Owl. 


1923  BIRDS   OF   THE   SANTA  RITA   MOUNTAINS  19 

Otus  asio  gilmani.     Sahuaro  Screech  Owl 

One  was  shot  by  Howell,  July  30,  1918,  at  5,000  feet  in  Madera  Canyon, 
"at  dusk,  as  it  lit  on  a  sycamore  stub  below  camp."  The  quavering  cry  was 
frequently  heard  near  our  tent  on  winter  evenings,  and  on  March  9  and  11, 
1921,  two  were  heard  answering  each  other.  One  was  found  by  Bailey  on 
March  9,  1921,  in  a  cottonwood  stub  on  the  bank  of  the  Santa  Cruz  River. 
The  pellets  taken  from  the  cavity  contained  bones  of  wood  rat,  kangaroo  rats, 
pocket  mice,  deer  mice,  and  a  grasshopper  mouse,  the  skull  of  one  young 
Neotoma  albigula,  numerous  jaws  and  bones  of  Perodipus  ordii  and  Dipodomys 
merriami,  together  with  a  few  jaws  of  Perognathus  eremicus,  Peromysciis  ere- 
micus  and  sonoriensis,  and  OnycJiomys  torridvs.  The  same  day  the  head  of  an- 
other Sahuaro  Screech  Owl  was  seen  framed  in  a  hole  of  a  sahuaro,  or  giant 
cactus,  on  the  mountain  road  above  Continental,  and  at  dusk  the  little  owl  was 
seen  starting  out  on  his  nightly  hunt.  Two  days  later  he  was  taken  out  of 
his  roosting  hole,  in  which  was  the  i^artly  eaten  body  of  a  sparrow,  and  after 
being  photographed  he  was  returned  to  finish  his  meal. 

Bubo  virginianus  pallescens.     Western  Horned  Owl 

Frequently  heard  at  night  during  the  winter  of  1920-1921,  from  our  camp 
near  the  Nicholson  ranch-house.  In  dayliglit,  one  was  flushed  on  December 
2,  from  a  gulch  below  4,000  feet,  and  another,  March  21,  on  the  Range  Re- 
serve, from  a  mesquite  disguisingly  hung  with  large  bunches  of  mistletoe. 

In  Gardner  Canyon,  below  the  ranch,  Taylor  reports,  a  specimen  was  se- 
cured by  a  trapper  on  February  10,  1923. 

Speotyto  cunicularia  hypogaea.     Burrowing  Owl 

One  was  seen  by  Dr.  Charles  T.  Vorhies,  of  the  University  of  Arizona,  Oc- 
tober 19,  1919,  at  the  old  wooden  gate  below  McCleary's. 

Glaucidium  gnoma  pinicola.     Rocky  Mountain  Pygmy  Owl 

A  specimen  was  taken  by  Little,  Howell's  assistant,  August  13,  1918,  *'in 
the  scrub  oak  at  about  5,300  feet,"  in  Madera  Canyon.  The  little  owl  was 
being  mobbed  by  Bridled  Titmice. 

Geococcyx  calif ornianus.     Roadrunner 

Seen  occasionally  by  Swarth,  in  June,  1903.  Found  by  Bailey  in  October, 
1913,  in  the  lower  ends  of  the  canyons,  where  its  tracks  were  seen  along  the 
trails.  At  Continental,  August  15-19,  1918,  Howell  reports,  a  single  bird  "hung 
around"  his  camp.  Several  were  seen  by  us  during  the  winter  of  1921,  below 
4.500  feet,  both  in  the  mesquite  and  on  stony  cactus  slopes.  One  which  was 
often  seen  near  the  cattle  tanks,  came  familiarly  to  our  tent  for  food  from 
January  until  the  first  week  in  March,  when  warm  days  brought  out  some  of 
the  lizards.     He  would  take  small  mammals  thrown  him,  whether  skinned  or 


20 


PACIFIC  COAST  AVIP^AUNA  No.  15 


unskinned.  and   wlicii   the  supply   failed  v.-onld  accept   pieces  of  jack   rabbit 
or  beef. 

We  were  told  of  Roadruiiiiers  killing'  young  (|uail  and  other  birds  for 
food,  l)ut  never  saw  any  indication  of  interest  on  the  part  of  ours  in  the  flock 
of  birds  which  came  to  our  feeding  table  and  around  our  tent.  One  day.  how- 
ever, on  going  1o  a  ti'a])  set  for  live  rabbits — a  wire  cage  tilted  up  on  a  figure-4 
trigger  and  baited  with  viznaga — a  headless,  mutilated  Canyon  Towliee  was 
found  under  the  edge  of  the  trap  and  Roadrunner  tracks  all  around  the  out- 
side. Soon  after,  another  dead  Towhee  was  found  in  the  trap.  This  time  the 
top  of  the  cage  was  flattened  down  and  the  bird  below  almost  beheaded.  The 
Great  Horned  Owl  w^ould  have  been  suspected  but  a  regular  rabbit  trail  of  in- 
criminating Roadrunner  tracks — two  toes  pointing  forward  and  two  back — 
close  around  the  trap  gave  indisputable  evidence.  Perhaps  the  hunter  was 
especially  hard  pressed  for  food  on  those  days,  for  after  an  interval  during 
Avhich,  for  the  protection  of  vicsoIpucus,  the  trap  was  kept  set  only  at  night, 
when  it  was  again  set  in  the  day  time,  although  the  Towhees  promptly  got  in, 
they  remained  unharmed. 

On  February  9,  a  second  Roadi'unner  was  seen  with  our  camp  bird.  After 
the  first  week  in  March.  Avhen  the  lizards  came  out  and  we  were  away  too 
much  to  feed  the  birds  regularly,  we  rarely  saw  them,  but  on  April  26,  the 
love  song  was  heard. 

On  February  15,  a  Roadrunner  was  found  just  before  sunset  roosting  in 
the  saucer-shaped  hollow  in  the  top  of  a  barrel  cactus  (viznaga),  which  stood 
about  three  feet  above  the  ground  and  had  lost  its  cap  of  yellow  fruit.  The 
curved  thorns  of  the  ribs  of  the  barrel  afforded  protection  from  prowling 
coyotes  and  a  thorny  mesquite  branch  overhead  might  well  have  discouraged 
any  winged  prowler  even  though  endowed  with  keen  enough  eyes  and  brain 
to  connect  the  long  narrow  line  of  the  closed  tail  with  the  dull,  streaked,  mo- 
tionless form  in  the  cup. 

On  the  morning  of  March  15,  on  our  way  to  Continental,  before  the  sun 
had  taken  the  chill  out  of  the  air,  two  Roadrunners  were  seen  in  the  tops  of 
two  mesquite  trees,  apparently  trying  to  get  warm.  The  unique  tracks  had 
been  seen  arul  the  characteristic  snapping  of  a  bill  heard,  March  0,  in  the  dry, 
sandy  bed  of  the  Santa  Cruz  River  at  Continental;  and  near  there,  on  Febru- 
ary 3.  1923,  one  of  the  Roadrunners  was  noted  by  Taylor. 

In  the  si)7'ing  of  1923,  Mrs.  Nicholson  wrote  of  finding  one  that  she  took 
to  })e  our  tame  Roadrunner  dead  on  our  old  camp  site.  Anotliei-  one.  she  said, 
had  become  just  as  tame,  coming  regularly  to  be  fed  with  her  chickens. 

Coccyzus  americanus   occidentalis.     California   Cuckoo 

One  was  taken  by  Nelson,  .June  29,  18S4,  at  Gardner's  Ranch;  another  hy 
Little,  Howell's  assistant,  August  16,  1918,  at  Continental;  while  a  third  was 
seen  by  Howell,  August  19,  1918,  in  the  mesquite  forest,  thirteen  miles  south 
of  Tucson.  They  were  also  noted  by  Vorhies,  at  McCleary's  Ranch  (Nichol- 
son's) in  the  summer  of  1919  and  on  June  25,  1922. 


1923  BIRDS   OF   THE   SANTA   RITA   MOUNTAINS  21 

Trogon  ambigcuus.    Coppery-tailed  Trogon 

The  discovery  of  this  bird  by  Howell  in  1918,  oives  a  most  interesting  ad- 
dition to  the  Santa  Rita  list.  In  describing  it  he  writes:  "While  wrapping 
two  birds  which  1  had  shot  at  6,000  feet  in  a  canyon,  August  4,  T  looked  up  and 
saw  a  pair  of  these  bii'ds  watching  me  from  live  oak  branches  at  perhaps  a 
hundred  yards.  I  had  an  unobstructed  view  of  their  bright  underparts  and 
characteristic  form  and  flight,  and  identification  was  sure.  They  were  very 
'wise,'  and  as  I  carefully  approached,  they  as  slowly  receded,  flying  from 
oak  to  oak  until  they  separated  and  I  lost  them  in  the  denser  growth.  The 
trees  were  almost  entirely  live  oaks  here  with  a  very  occasional  pine.  A  care- 
ful two  hours  hunt  was  without  result,  but  as  I  returned  home  in  the  after- 
noon I  saw  a  bird  which  could  have  been  nothing  else,  apparently  feeding  after 
the  manner  of  a  low-foraging  flycatcher  in  the  oak  scrub  on  a  ridge  two  hun- 
dred yards  away  from  where  I  saw  the  pair  in  the  morning.  As  I  approached, 
it  disappeared  over  the  ridge  and  was  not  to  be  seen  again.  Systematic  work- 
ing of  this  locality  on  two  later  days  was  Avithout  result." 

Ceryle  alcyon  alcyon.    Belted  Kingfisher 

One  was  seen  by  us  on  April  22,  1921,  at  the  ranch  over  the  dry  wash 
which  at  this  season,  we  were  told  by  the  Nicholsons,  for  a  number  of  years 
previous,  had  been  a  running  stream.  After  perching  in  the  live  oaks  for  a 
time  the  Kingfisher  went  rattling  up  the  canyon.  One  was  reported  by  Forest 
Ranger  Schofield  from  Rosemont,  about  April  4,  "the  day  of  the  heavy  wind." 
While  these  birds  were  doubtless  migrants  they  call  to  mind  Bendire's  state- 
ment that  in  southern  Arizona  where  running  streams  are  few  he  has  found 
Kingfishers  "breeding  in  localities  where  fish  must  have  formed  but  a  small 
percentage  of  their  daily  fare,"  and  Avhere  "they  lived  principally  on  lizards, 
beetles,  and  large  grasshoppers."  A  Kingfisher  passed  Howell's  camp  in 
Madera  Canyon  several  times  on  August  11,  1918,  "although  the  stream  here 
is  a  mere  trickle,  disappearing  entirely  at  frequent  intervals." 

Dryobates  scalaris  cactophilus.     Cactus  Woodpecker 

Found  by  Swarth  in  June,  1903,  fairly  common  along  a  gulch  below 
Madera  Canyon,  and  out  on  the  mesa.  It  was  also  taken  by  Bailey,  October 
28,  1913.  about  McCleary's  Ranch.  One  was  seen  by  Howell,  August  16,  1918. 
in  the  mesquites  at  Continental.  It  was  seen  occasionally  by  us  during  the 
winter  of  1920-1921,  on  the  mesquite  slopes,  in  the  live  oaks  of  the  ranch,. and 
about  camp.  On  April  28,  when  looking  for  Cactus  Wrens'  nests  about  two 
miles  above  Continental,  I  flushed  one  of  the  small  Woodpeckers  from  its  nest 
in  the  trunk  of  a  large  cholla  cactus. 

Several  were  seen  and  two  taken  by  Taylor,  January  15-17,  1923,  at  Rose- 
mont (5,000  feet),  in  oaks  and  desert  willows.  The  call-note  suggested  chip 
or  plick. 


22  •  PACIFIC  COAST  AVIFAUNA  No.  15 

Dryobates  arizonae.     Ant-eating  Woodpecker  '° 

Added  to  oiii-  fauna  b,y  Heiishaw  Avlien  on  the  "Wlieeler  Survey  and  re- 
ported as  "numerous  in  the  Santa  Rita  Mountains  where  probably  a  resi- 
dent." A  nest  eonlainint!  youui;-  was  found  by  Stephens  on  May  16,  1881,  in 
a  syeaniore  in  Madei-a  Canyon  ;  and  he  re])orted  the  species  as  nearly  as  abund- 
ant in  the  Santa  Ritas  as  in  the  Chiricahuas.  Adults  were  taken  May  12-17, 
1881.  A  young  one  in  first  plumage  was  taken  by  him  on  June  24,  1884.  Six 
adults  were  taken  by  Nelson,  June  11-29,  and  three  juveniles,  June  28  and 
29,  1884,  at  Gardner's  Ranch.  Very  few  of  the  woodpeckers  were  seen  by 
Swarth  in  June,  1908.  in  Madera  Canyon,  Avhich  he  attributed  to  a  disastrous 
series  of  dry  years.  A  number  were  seen  by  Bailey,  October  25-29,  1913,  in 
the  mesquites  around  McCleary's  Ranch.  Two  adults  were  secured  by 
Howell,  July  30,  and  an  immature  August  14,  1918,  at  about  5,000  feet  in  the 
live  oaks  of  Madera  Canyon,  nnd  two  were  seen  and  one  secured  by  Bailey 
December  29,  1920,  at  about  4,500  feet  in  the  live  oaks  at  the  mouth  of  Stone 
Cabin  Canyon. 

Sphyrapicus  varius  nuchalis.         Red-naped  Sapsucker 

A  few  were  seen  l)y  l>ailey,  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  \'\<n'k  was  seen  l)y  Taylor,  February  4,  1923,  at 
4,500  feet,  not  far  from  the  mouth  of  Madera  Canyon. 

Ammodramus  bairdii.    JJaird  Sparrow 

Rei)orted  from  Cani[)  Crittenden  and  found  ])y  Hensliaw  in  1873.  in  south- 
eastern Arizona  and  southern  New  Mexico  "in  immense  numbers,  from  Sep- 
tembei-  20  till  late  in  October,  throughout  the  rolling  plains  along  the  bases 
of  the  mountains,  and  even  quite  high  up  among  the  foothills." 

Ammodramus  savannarum  bimaculatus.    Western  Crasshoi)i)ei-  Sparrow 

Adnlts  and  young  were  taken  by  Ilenshaw  in  1874  and  one  each  by  Nel- 
son. July  15,  1884,  at  (*anip  Crittt^nden.  One  was  taken  by  Bailey,  February 
25,  1921,  on  the  U.  S.  Range  Reserve  below  4,000  feet. 

Chondestes  grammacus  strio'atus.     Western  Lark  Sparrow 

An  adult  was  taken  by  Howell,  August  18.  1918,  at  Continental.  A  nuMd)er 
were  seen  by  us.  April  21,  1921,  in  the  Santa  Cruz  bottoms  near  Continental, 
and  on  April  26.  one  was  seen  on  our  bird  table  at  camp,  after  which  others 
joined  it  and  they  came  regularly  until  the  time  of  our  departure.  May  6.  On 
April  30,  seven  were  seen  near  one  of  the  ranch  water  tanks,  and  on  April  29 
and  30,  four  were  seen  on  our  bird  table  at  once.  In  the  Santa  Cruz  bottoms 
near  Continental.  April  21,  1921,  they  were  common,  as  they  were  at  the  time 
of  Howell's  visit— August  15-19,  1918. 

Zonotrichia  leucophrys  leucophrys.     White-crowned  Sparrow 

One  was  seen  by  me  on  February  2,  1921,  on  the  mesquite  slope  below 
4,000  feet.  The  next  one  positively  identified  was  seen  on  May  1,  at  our  bird 
table,  but  its  presence  had  been  suspected  some  days  previous. 

Zonotrichia  leucophrys  gambelii.     Gambel  Sparrow 

Found  common  b\'  liailey,  October  25-29,  1913,  about  ^lcCleary"s  Ranch 
and  in  the  canyons.  In  1920,  the  first  flock  was  seen  by  us  on  December  3, 
neaj-  4,000  \'rr\.  after  which  othei's  were  seen  on  the  mescpiite  and  catsclaw 
slopes  throughout  the  winter.  A  large  flock  of  both  adults  and  immatures 
caiiu'  to  camp  early  in  DeccMuber  and  frecpieided  our  bird  table  during  our 
stay. 

Spizella  passerina  arizonae.     Western  Chi])ping  Sparrow 
Found   l)y  liailey,  Octo])ei-  25-29,  191;^,  common    in   the   mes<piites.     Seen 


1923  BIRDS   OF   THE   SANTA   RITA   MOUNTAINS  39 

by  us,  December  ;U,  li)20,  on  the  slope  above  4,000  feet,  with  I'oiiopHht  juul 
Amphispiza.  A  flock  of  fifty  or  more  was  seen,  January  16,  1021.  at  the  fii'st 
large  water  pools  in  Stone  Cabin  Canyon,  and  they  were  seen  wandering  up 
and  down  between  4,500  and  4,000  feet  on  January  22  and  2.'}.  A  few  were 
also  seen  on  April  16.  In  the  irrigated  Santa  Cruz  bottoms  near  Continental 
one  was  seen  close  at  hand  on  March  8,  1921,  and  numerous  other  small  spar- 
rows, perhaps  of  the  san)e  species,  were  seen  at  a  distance. 

At  Rosemont  (5,000  feet),  on  January  15,  1023,  two  companies  of  four 
each  were  noted  by  Taylor.  In  the  oaks  and  open  fields  of  IJarrel  Canyon, 
January  16,  several  flocks  of  small  sparrow's,  probably  of  this  species,  aggre- 
gating perhaps  thirty  oi-  forty  were  noted;  while  at  Gardner's  Ranch  f5,500 
feet),  February  9-10,  several  birds  taken  for  this  species  were  seen  in  clear- 
ings in  the  vicinity. 

Spizella  pallida.    Clay-colored  Si)arrow 

Three  specinums  were  taken  by  Henshaw,  Se])tember  1,  2.  and  5.  1S74.  at 
Camp  Crittenden,  where  it  was  rather  common  and  Avas  sui)i)osed  to  wintei-. 

Spizella  brev^^eri.       Brewer  Sparrow 

One  was  taken  by  Henshaw  September  10.  1S74,  at  C;iiii[)  Ci'it  iciub'ii. 
Another  was  taken  by  Bailey,  March  22,  1921.  on  the  Range  Reserve  below 
4,000  feet.  On  March  2.'5.  a  numl)er  were  seen  by  us  in  the  same  place,  in  a 
mixed  flock  with  Lark  Buntings  and  Western  Vesper  Sparrows.  On  April  lo. 
three  others  were  seen  in  a  gulch  below  Madera  Canyon.  Small  s|)arrows.  ap- 
parently of  this  species,  were  frequently  flushed  in  the  mesquites  near  4.000 
feet. 

Spizella  atrogularis.     Black-chinned  Sparrow 

A  female  or  immature  was  seen  by  me  on  January  16,  1921,  at  the  A\'ater 
pools  at  abont  4,500  feet,  in  Stone  Cabin  Canyon;  and  one  with  strongly 
marked  black  chin  near  the  same  place,  April  16,  1921. 

Junco  hyemalis  connectens.     Shufeldt  Junco 

One  was  taken  by  Bailey,  October  28,  1913,  and  another  January  16.  1921, 
when  numbers  of  black-headed  juncos  supposed  to  be  of  this  species  were 
seen,  as  they  had  also  been  on  December  29,  1920,  near  Avater  at  about  4,500 
feet  in  Stone  Cabin  Canyon. 

Junco  hyemalis  montanus.     Montana  Junco 

Mixed  flocks  of  juncos  were  found  by  Taylor,  January  16.  1923.  at  Rose- 
mont (5,000  feet),  about  the  ranger  station  and  in  Barrel  Canyon;  tAvo  speci- 
mens of  movfanits  and  one  of  niearnsi  being  sent  to  the  Biological  Survey.  At 
GardTier's  Ranch   (5,200  feet).  February  9  and  10,  he  found  mixed  species  of 


40  PACIFIC   COAST  AVIFAUNA  No.  15 

jiineos  "in  euorinous  flocks,  up  to  several  hundred  in  two  or  three  instances,  in 
clearings  about  the  ranch  buildings  and  in  the  broad  wash  below."  They 
were  seen  less  frequently  in  the  oak  canyons  above  the  ranch.  Three  speci- 
mens of  montanns  and  one  of  mcanisi  were  sent  in. 

Junco  hyemalis  mearnsJ.     Pink-sided  -I unco 

From  the  mixed  flocks  of  juncos  seen  January  16,  l!)2;i.  by  Taylor,  at 
Rosemont  and  in  Barrel  Canyon,  one  mearnxi  was  sent  in.  Also  at  Gardner's 
Ranch  (5,200  feet),  on  February  9-10,  from  the  enormous  mixed  flocks,  an- 
other mvarnsi  was  sent  in. 

Junco  phaeonotus  palliatus.     Arizona  Junco 

Re})()rted  by  llenshaw  when  on  tlie  Wheeler  Survey  as  "abundant  in  tlie 
Santa  Rita  Mountains,  where  probably  resident."  A  few  were  seen  and  some 
juveniles  secured  by  Swarth,  the  latter  half  of  June,  1903,  none  below  6,000 
feet.  They  were  found  very  common  by  Howell,  July  28-August  15.  1918, 
above  5,400  feet  in  Madera  Canyon.  No  adults  were  seen  below  that  but  a 
flock  of  juveniles  stayed  around  4,900  feet  for  a  couple  of  days.  Many  pairs 
were  seen  but  they  were  beginning  to  gather  in  flocks.  Ten  adults  were 
taken  July  30-August  12;  three  imnuitures  (?),  July  30  and  August  10;  and 
six  immatures,  July  30,  and  August  2,  4,  8,  and  10,  1918. 

Six  or  more  were  picked  out  from  mixed  flocks  by  Taylor  at  Rosemont 
(5,000  feet),  January  15,  1923,  where  they  were  seen  mainly  al)Out  the  barn 
yards;  and  they  were  found  fairly  common  in  the  canyons  above  Gai-dner's 
Ranch,  February  9-10,  usually  in  small  groups  and  in  the  oaks  or  brush; 
while  "the  other  juncos  seemed  to  prefer  the  more  open  fields  and  clearings 
about  the  ranch  and  in  the  broad  wash  below." 

Junco  phaeonotus  caniceps.     Gray-headed  Junco 

Numbers  of  undetermined  gray-headed  juncos  (piife  likely  of  this  si)ecies 
were  seen  by  Bailey.  December  29.  1920,  with  the  black-headed  ones  near  water 
at  4.500  feet  in  Stone  Cabin  Canyon.  Others  were  seen  January  22.  1921,  in 
the  same  general  locality.  A  single  wanderer  apparently  of  this  species,  was 
seen  by  me,  February  25,  1921,  on  the  U.  S.  Range  Reserve  among  the  mes- 
(piites  below  4,000  feet. 

Amphispiza  bilineata  deserticola.     ncsei-l  Sparrow 

Taken  May  20,  1881,  by  Stephens  wiio  re|)orted  it  from  "bai'ren  plains 
sparsely  covered  with  bushes."  A  juvenile  was  taken  l>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)(Mii<i:   (|iiito   charac- 
teristic. 

At  Rosemont  (5,000  i'eet),  one  was  seen  by  Taylor,  January  16,  1923,  at 
the  ranger  station;  another  was  noted  tlie  next  day  in  the  wash  below  the  sta- 
tion; and  at  McCUeary's  Ranch  ( Xicholson's),  February  4,  two  were  seen  in 
tlie  early  morning. 

Pyrrhuloxia  sinuata  sinuata.     Arizona   Pyrrhuloxia 

One  was  reported  by  Howell  as  seen  by  Little,  July  29,  191S,  in  Madera 
Canyon  at  4,900  feet,  where  there  was  a  patch  of  Lower  Sonoran  nies<piite. 
One  was  seen  by  us,  Deeem])er  5.  1920,  above  4,000  feet  in  a  sliaUow  stony 
'iulch  bordered  by  mesquite ;  and  one  passed  through  camp  on  February  14 
and  April  22,  1921.  On  April  20  near  4.000  feet  in  the  mes(piitc  bordering  the 
stony  gulch  in  which  we  had  seen  one  on  December  5,  a  loud  insistant  hiK-tc, 
JiiK'-cc,  liue-f'(i  was  whistled  over  and  over  again.  Tn  the  vicinity  of  (N)ntinental, 
•  n  August  15-18,  1918,  Howell  found  the  ])irds  "abuiulant  everywhere  along 
the  river."  On  February  3,  1928,  Taylor  noted  a  pair  in  the  trees  about  the 
houses  of  (\)ntinental. 

Zamelodia  melanocephala.    Ulack-lieaded  Orosbeak 

Taken  by  Henshaw,  Septembei'  1  and  2,  1874,  at  (*amp  Crittenden,  and 
found  by  Stephens,  May  13  aiul  16.  1881,  "common  at  high  elevations  among 
the  mountains."  Five  adults  were  taken  by  Nelson.  June  8-23.  and  a  juve- 
nile, July  1,  1884,  at  Gardner's  Ranch.  It  was  seen  by  Swarth  in  June,  1903.  in 
the  higher  parts  of  the  range;  some  also  being  seen  "in  the  lower  foothills 
wliere  tiiey  certainly  were  iu)t  lireeding. "  It  was  found  by  Howell.  July  28- 
Au'iust  15,  1918.  in  Madera  Canyon,  "abundant  in  Up[)er  Sonoran  and  low 
Transition,"  four  adults  being  taken  August  11  and  13;  an  immature.  July 
29;  immature  (?),  August  2;  and  aji  immature,  August  17,  near  Continental, 
wluM-e  they  were  abundant  along  the  river.  On  Ai)ril  22  and  23.  1921,  a  note 
taken  for  that  of  the  CTrosbeak  was  heai'd  at  our  camp,  and  on  April  27  the 
cluiracteristic  ick  was  followed  by  the  full  song  and  a  glimpse  of  the  male 
through  the  leaves.  A  female  was  seen  April  28.  and  the  song  heard  again, 
April  29  and  30,  and  May  4. 

Guiraca  caerulea  lazula.     Westein  l>lne  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  <iuerulous  quality,  a  little  like  the  'complaint'  note  of  a 
vireo  or  shrike."  In  Madera  Canyon  on  February  4,  Taylor  found  four  groups 
of  perhaps  half  a  dozen  birds  each,  "foraging  about  in  the  snow-laden 
branches  of  the  oaks.  Usually  a  kinglet  was  not  far  away,  and  the  solitary 
Olive  Warbler  collected  was  also,  apparently,  a  member  of  one  of  the  Bridled 
Titmouse's  neighborhood  gatherings."  In  Stetson  Dam  Canyon,  between 
6,000  and  6,500  feet  on  February  9,  1923,  one  group  was  noted  on  a  north  slope 
working  through  the  oaks  during  a  storm.  The  next  day  several  groups  were 
observed  in  the  oaks  near  Gardner's  Ranch. 

Psaltripanis  plumbeus.     Lead-colored  Bush-Tit 

Taken  by  Stephens,  in  1881,  on  the  west  side  of  the  range,  where  it  was 
found  oftenest  among  the  oaks  of  the  foothills  associated  with  the  Bridled 
Titmouse,  the  Ruby-crowned  Kinglet,  and  several  other  small  birds.  Seven 
adults  were  taken  by  Nelson,  June  8- July  9,  and  nine  juveniles,  June  11  and 
23,  and  July  6  and  9,  1884,  at  Gardner's  Ranch.  They  were  found  quite  al}und- 
ant  by  Swarth,  in  June,  1903.  Four  were  taken  by  Bailey.  October  28,  1913, 
when  they  were  common  in  flocks  or  families  of  ten  or  a  dozen.  They  were 
feeding  in  the  Brickellia  californica  which  were  full  of  seeds  and  probably  also 
of  insects.  Specimens  were  taken  by  Howell,  August  1  and  8,  1918,  wlien  a 
small  flock  was  seen  at  7,000  feet  and  another  at  5,500  feet. 

A  flock  of  ten  or  twelve  was  seen,  January  16,  1923,  by  Taylor  in  the 
oaks  of  Barrel  Canyon.  Two  Bridled  Titmice  and  a  Stephens  Vireo  were  with 
the  flock. 

Auriparus  flaviceps  flaviceps.     Verdin 

Found  by  Swarth,  in  June,  1903,  common  in  the  foothill  regions  and  over 
the  mesas  below.  Old  nests  found  by  us  in  1920-1921,  were  common  on  the 
Lower  Sonoran  mesquite  slopes  at  about  4,000  feet,  being  located  mainly  in 
thorny  zizyphus  hushes,  frequently  under  mesquite  trees.  Eight  birds  were 
found  using  their  old  nests,  warmly  lined  with  feathers,  for  winter  roosts. 

While  the  Verdin 's  loud  emphatic  call  and  its  small  running  talk,  sug- 
gestive of  that  of  the  Bush-Tits,  were  heard  all  winter  as  it  went  about  exam- 
ining twigs  and  leaves  and  flitting  from  tree  to  tree,  the  greenish  yelloAV  of 
its  head  showing  as  it  turned,  the  real  song  was  noted  for  the  first  time  on 
April  2.  when  one  sat  perched  on  a  twig,  with  tail  hanging  or  pressed  in  for 
steadiness  when  the  wind  blew.     The  song  was  of  three,  four,  or  five  notes, 

suggesting  1        '  ^        '       4,       .| 

he — l\o — he  or  lie — Jio — lie — lie. 
When  there  were  five  notes,  the  last  was  dropped- 


58  PACIFIC  COAST  AV^IFAUNA  No.  15 

Reg"ulus  calendula  calendula.     liul)y-er()wned  Kiiiglef 

One  was  taken  by  Uailey,  October  28,  1918,  in  Stone  Cabin  Canyon.  They 
were  abundant  throu<ihont  the  winter  of  1920-1921,  coming  to  our  camp  feed- 
iii«:-  tal)le  and  hnntini:-  through  Ihc  live  oaks  and  in('S(|uites.  Not  only  the  com- 
mon chattering  scold  but  tlie  rippling  song  was  heard  occasionally  during 
tilt'  winter.  After  April  20.  when  apparently  the  last  was  seen,  a  wind  storm 
followed  by  coolei'  temperature  seemed  to  ])i'ing  back  a  few  of  them,  and 
with  cold  nights  tliey  were  seen  until  April  80. 

At  Rosemont,  January  15,  1928,  Taylor  found  tliem  "common  all  around 
the  ranger  station  snid  fre<piently  met  M'itli  in  the  oaks  from  the  station  to  the 
Narragansett  Mine."  In  the  oaks  of  Barrel  Canyon,  January  16,  perhaps  fif- 
teen were  noted ;  and  they  were  common,  January  17,  below  the  ranger  sta- 
tion. Tn  Madera  Canyon,  February  4,  they  were  "noted  at  intervals  between 
5,000  and  6,500  feet."  At  Gardner's  Ranch,  February  9-10,  they  were  "heard 
at  intervals  in  the  oak's  througliout  the  neighborhood." 

Polioptila  caerulea  obscura.      Western  C4natcatclier 

Taken  by  Stephens,  May  20,  1881,  in  IMadera  Canyon,  and  two  by  Nelson, 
June  12  and  22.  1884.  at  Gardner's  Ranch.  A  pair  was  taken  by  Howell.  Aug- 
ust 7,  1918,  at  5,000  feet  in  Madera  Canyon,  another  having  been  seen  the 
previous  day  at  4,700  feet.  They  were  found  by  us  in  1920-1921,  fairly  com- 
mon in  the  mesquites  and  on  the  open  slopes  not  far  from  4.000  feet,  at  the 
upper  edge  of  the  Lower  Sonoran  zone. 

Polioptila  plumbea.     Plumbeous  Gnatcatcher 

Seen  occasionally  by  Swartli  in  June,  1903,  "just  below  the  mountains 
but  not  ascending'  into  the  canyons  at  all."  Seen  by  me,  on  April  8  and  22, 
1921.  in  the  mesquites  below  4,000  feet,  wlien  the  hoarse  call  note  was  recog- 
nized as  strikingly  different  from  the  tang  of  cncrnlea. 

Myadestes  townsendi.     ToAvnsend   Solitaire 

Taken  by  Stephens,  May  18,  1881,  in  Madera  Canyon.  One  was  seen  by 
me.  March  25,  1921,  at  about  4,000  feet,  in  the  live  oaks  of  the  dry  wash  lead- 
ing l)ack  to  Stone  Cabin  Canyon. 

At  Rosemont  (5,000  feet),  one  Avas  taken  January  15,  1928,  by  Taylor. 
On  .January  17.  he  saw  four,  three  in  one  place,  "feeding  on  the  beri-ies  of 
('<IHx  rcllcuJdfa.''  In  IMadera  Canyon.  FebiMiary  4.  they  were  lie.-ird  on  the 
sunny  southwest  wall.  \c;ir  Gardnei-'s  Ranch,  Fel)ruary  9.  one  \v;i^  noted  at 
6.000  feet  in  Stetson  l);im  Canyon,  near  several  junipers  wliicli  wei'c  hiden 
with  the  berries  the  Solitiiirc  feeds  on  in  the  juniper  and  nut  pine  country  on 
coming  down  from  its  breeding  grounds.     In  Stone  Cal)in   Canyon.  F(d)ruary 

=*The  Arizona  form  has  been  referred  to  under  the  name   !,''^niilu><  ((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