Part 9

Dr. Coues, comparing this species with Le Conte’s, Palmer’s, and Bendire’s Thrashers, concludes:[44] “and we are led to infer that when the ‘topography’ of the other three species is fully determined, it will be found no less extensive. For there is nothing peculiar in the economy or requirements of any one of the four in comparison with the rest.” This view, however, is hardly supported by the testimony of observers who have had the best opportunities of studying these birds. The Crissal Thrasher, according to Captain Bendire,[45] “appears to prefer damp localities near water-courses, and confines itself principally to spots where the wild currant is abundant.” Mr. Henshaw says: “According to my experience, it is not a bird of the plains, but inhabits by preference the rough sides of rocky cañons or the hillsides covered with broken _débris_, interspersed with straggling bushes.” Mr. Stephens’ evidence is not less explicit. He found the Crissal Thrasher in copses in valleys, and along streams. It was especially fond of well-shaded undergrowth, and spent much of its time on the ground, searching for food under the bushes. It never occurred among cactuses, and the only place where he saw it actually associating with Bendire’s and Palmer’s Thrashers, was at Camp Lowell, where the latter species, with other desert birds, came to drink at a water-hole and thus occasionally mingled with the Crissal Thrashers which inhabited the neighboring thickets. The contrast which these traits afford when compared with the ones characterizing the other three species named by Dr. Coues, is sufficiently apparent.[46]

A nest received from Mr. Stephens is precisely similar to those found by Captain Bendire. The three eggs which it contained measure respectively, 1.14×.76, 1.14×.75, and 1.08×.77. Like all the specimens which have been previously reported they are entirely unspotted, and both in size and color closely resemble eggs of the common Robin.

_Juv., first plumage_ (♀, No. 546, Camp Lowell, June 20). Above dull reddish-brown. Rump and a broad tipping on the tail, brownish-chestnut. Under parts nearly uniform, brownish-fulvous. Crissum chestnut, of nearly the same shade as in the adult. Maxillary stripes dusky brown. No trace of spots or other dark markings either above or beneath.

Five other young birds in the series are essentially similar and call for no special comment. I cannot find any description of the first plumage of either _H. redivivus_ or _H. lecontei_, but with the exception of these, _H. crissalis_ is the only North American species in the sub-family _Miminæ_ whose young are entirely unmarked beneath. It is interesting to note that with respect to the color of the upper parts, especially that of the rump, they resemble the young of both _H. bendirei_ and _H. palmeri_.

The individual variation presented by the adults before me is chiefly confined to the relative length and curvature of the bill, the general coloring of all being nearly uniform, although the breeding birds are slightly paler than those taken early in the season.

166, ♂ ad., near Tombstone, April 5. Length, 12.10; extent, 12.30; “Iris light brown. Stomach contained insects and a _small lizard_.”

251, ♂ ad., Tucson, April 21. Length, 12.60; extent, 12.60; wing, 4.11; tail, 6.25; chord of culmen, 1.56. “Iris light gray,—almost white.”

278, ♂ ad., Tucson, April 25. Length, 12.10; extent, 12.50; wing, 3.84; tail, 6.20; culmen, 1.47.

309, ♂ ad., Tucson, April 30. Length, 11.70; extent, 12.70; wing, 4.05; tail, 5.85; culmen, 1.53.

434, ♂ ad., Tucson, May 25. Length, 11.20; extent, 12.30; wing, 4.02; tail, 5.52; culmen, 1.43.

503, ♂ ad., Tucson, June 8. Length, 11.40; extent, 12.10; wing, 3.85; tail, 5.85; culmen, 1.46.

578, ♂ ad., Camp Lowell, June 23. Length, 11.60; extent, 12.60; wing, 4.05; tail, 5.75; culmen, 1.45.

437, ♂ juv., first plumage, Tucson, May 26. Length, 11.30; extent, 12.40; wing, 3.92; tail, 5.50; culmen, 1.18.

595, ♂ juv., first plumage, Camp Lowell, June 25. Length, 11.60; extent, 12.50; wing, 3.84; tail, 6.18; culmen, 1.35.

596, ♂ juv., first plumage, Camp Lowell, June 25. Length, 11.80; extent, 12.60; wing, 3.86; tail, 6.12; culmen, 1.40.

436, ♀ ad., Tucson, May 25. Length, 11.80; extent, 12.40; wing, 3.90; tail, 5.90; culmen, 1.55. Parent of No. 435.

435, ♀ juv., first plumage, same locality and date. Length, 11.30; extent, 12.20; wing, 4.02; tail, 5.55; culmen, 1.20.

546, ♀ juv., first plumage, Camp Lowell, June 20. Length, 11.60; extent, 12.40; wing, 4.95; tail, 6.02; culmen, 1.38.

555, ♀ juv., first plumage, Camp Lowell, June 21. Length, 11.30; extent, 12.20; wing, 3.73; tail, 5.65; culmen, 1.42.

10. =Cinclus mexicanus= _Swains._ AMERICAN WATER OUZEL.—The following notes relate to the only specimen met with:

“My attention was called to the song of some bird which came from the mountain brook running past camp. There was a steep, rocky wall on the further side, and the notes echoing from it, and mingling with the purling of the water, sounded exquisitely sweet. On looking for the author, I noticed some ripples rolling out from behind the willows that fringed the nearer shore, and soon discovered an Ouzel dabbling in the shallow water. My shot wounded the bird, but did not disable its wings, for it repeatedly dived, using them as propelling agents when beneath the surface. The sun shining on the air-bubbles that clung to its plumage made it look like a ball of silver flying through the water. On the surface it paddled along very much in the manner of a Phalarope.”

79, ♂ ad., Morse’s Mill, Chiricahua Mountains, March 20. Length, 7.90; extent, 12.10; wing, 3.85; tail, 2.50. “Iris hazel. The flesh was dark and tough with a fishy smell. The inside of the skin looked like that of a small Wader. Stomach contained insects.”

11. =Sialia mexicana= _Swains._ WESTERN BLUEBIRD.—A single pair, taken in the Chiricahua Mountains in March, are accompanied by the note, “abundant in all kinds of timber.”

12. =Sialia arctica= _Swains._ ARCTIC BLUEBIRD.—This species is noted as “rare in the low valleys” among the Chiricahua Mountains. A small flock was also seen near Galeyville on “grassy plains,” where “they flew from one weed-stalk to another.” They were “restless and rather shy.” The single specimen obtained was shot on this latter occasion.

13. =Myiadestes townsendi= (_Aud._) _Caban._ TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRE.—Three specimens were obtained in the Chiricahua Mountains, where they occurred sparingly among piñons. “They are rather tame, and have a habit of sitting perfectly still for several minutes at a time. Flight slow. Food insects.” A fourth, taken May 13, in the Santa Rita Mountains, completes the series.

14. =Phaïnopepla nitens= (_Swain._) _Scl._ BLACK-CRESTED FLYCATCHER.—The life history of this singular bird has been so fully given by Dr. Coues in “Birds of the Colorado Valley,” that there is little chance of adding anything new. Most of the specimens obtained by Mr. Stephens are from Camp Lowell and Tucson, but he did not find it abundant at either of these points. He speaks of it as having “a sweet but not loud song,” and remarks on its known fondness for mistletoe berries. “Iris red.”

15. =Polioptila cærulea= (_Linn._) _Scl._ BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER.—Eight specimens, representing the following localities: Chiricahua Mountains (two ♂, two ♀, April 1–6); Tombstone (♂, April 5); Cienega Station (♂, April 16); Tucson (♂, April 20); Santa Rita Mountains (♂, May 20).

16. =Polioptila plumbea= _Baird_. BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER.—This Gnatcatcher was observed at Tucson, Camp Lowell, and near Yuma, specimens being taken in all these localities. A female shot at the first-named point on April 23 had evidently finished laying, but a nest found June 27 near Camp Lowell contained a perfectly fresh egg, while another taken at Yuma, July 15, had a single egg of its owner and one of the Dwarf Cowbird. These dates indicate that the species breeds at least twice during the season.

The Yuma nest, although a delicate structure, will not compare with that of _P. cærulea_. It entirely lacks the exterior coating of lichens so effectively employed by the commoner bird, and in its general appearance closely resembles the Redstart’s well-known domicile, being similarly felted of soft bark strips and hemp-like vegetable fibres. It is lined with down from plants, a few feathers, and the hair of some small quadruped. Externally it measures 2.25 in width by 1.55 in depth; internally 1.45 by 1. The egg is pale greenish-blue, coarsely and very evenly spotted with reddish-brown. Its measurements are .53×.42. This nest was placed in a bunch of mistletoe, at a height of about eight feet from the ground. It is accompanied by the male parent, who revealed its position by repeatedly entering the mistletoe. and showing other signs of anxiety respecting its contents. The position of the Camp Lowell nest is not mentioned.

_Juv., first plumage_, ♀ (No. 619, Yuma, July 15). Crown pale cinereous; rest of upper parts faded brown. The wings are uniform with the back, but all the primaries and secondaries have a broad white edging on their outer webs. The tail is dull black, with white areas on the outer rectrices corresponding in extent and purity with those of the adult. Beneath, pale ashy-white.

A study of the large series of Gnatcatchers collected during the past season confirms the views which I lately advanced (this Bulletin, Vol. VI, p. 101) regarding the affinity of _P. plumbea_ and _P. “melanura,”_ and also affords additional evidence of the assumed specific distinctness of _P. californica_. The Yuma examples of _P. plumbea_ are quite as typical as those taken at Tucson and Camp Lowell, while seven specimens of _californica_, collected at Riverside after Mr. Stephens’ return to that place, still further attest the constancy of most of the characters which I assigned to the latter bird. That relating to the brown edging of the secondaries will, however, have to be abandoned, for _plumbea_ proves to be similarly characterized when in worn breeding dress; the supposed shorter tail of _californica_ also is now shown to be an inconstant feature. All of the three young males taken at Riverside have black lateral crown-stripes like those of immature _plumbea_.

267, ♂ ad., Tucson, April 23. Length, 4.60; extent, 5.80; wing, 1.85; tail, 2.15; bill (from nostril) .25; tarsus, .67. “Iris dark brown;” lores ashy mixed with black; eyelids white.

500, ♂ ad., Tucson, June 7. Length, 4.60; extent, 5.80; wing, 1.81; tail, 2.12; bill (from nostril), .25; tarsus, .65. Lores ashy mixed with black; upper eyelid white.

564, ♂ ad., Camp Lowell, June 22. Length, 4.55; extent, 5.80; wing, 1.84; tail, 2.19; bill (from nostril), .25; tarsus, .70. Lores black; both eyelids white.

567, ♂ ad., Camp Lowell, June 22. Length, 4.40; extent, 5.60; wing, 1.84; tail, 2.16; bill (from nostril), .26; tarsus, .70. Lores and superciliary line white mixed with black.

581, ♂ ad., Camp Lowell, June 24. Length, 4.40; extent, 5.80; wing, 1.98; tail, 2.20; bill (from nostril), .28; tarsus, .70. Lores ashy.

618, ♂ ad., Yuma, July 15. Length, 4.40; extent, 5.80; wing, 1.90; tail, 2.15; bill (from nostril), .26; tarsus, .68. Lores, with broad superciliary lines meeting across the forehead, white.

621, ♂ juv., first plumage, Yuma, July 16. Length, 4.40; extent, 5.60; wing, 1.76; tail, 2.13; bill (from nostril), .26; tarsus, .72. Sides of head ashy-white; ill-defined, black, lateral crown-stripes partially concealed.

272, ♀ ad., Tucson, April 23. Length, 4.50; extent, 5.50; wing, 1.78; tail, 2.21; bill (from nostril), .27; tarsus, .68. “Had just finished laying.”

458, ♀ ad., Camp Lowell, May 31. Length, 4.50; extent, 5.50; wing, 1.86; tail, 2.13; bill (from nostril), .26; tarsus, .68.

601, ♀ ad., Camp Lowell, June 27. Length, 4.60; extent, 5.50; wing, 1.74; tail, 2.18; bill (from nostril), .27; tarsus, .70. “Taken with the nest and one fresh egg.”

619, ♀ juv., first plumage, Yuma, July 15. Length, 4.40; extent, 5.60; wing, 1.86; tail, 2.12; bill (from nostril), .26; tarsus, .70.

566,—juv., first plumage, Camp Lowell, June 22. Length, 4.40; extent, 5.60; wing, 1.85; tail, 2.22; bill (from nostril), .27; tarsus, .68.

For comparison I add measurements of the seven specimens of _P. californica_ above mentioned.

656, ♂ juv., fall plumage, Riverside, Sept. 16. Length, 4.55; extent, 5.70; wing, 1.67; tail, 2.20; bill (from nostril), .29; tarsus, .75.

658, ♂ juv., fall plumage, same locality and date. Length, 4.70; extent, 5.80; wing, 1.89; tail, 2.21; bill (from nostril) .26; tarsus, .75.

688, ♂ juv., fall plumage, Riverside, Sept. 23. Length, 4.50; extent, 5.90; wing, 1.73; tail, 2.11; bill (from nostril), .30; tarsus, .75.

657, ♀ juv., fall plumage, Riverside, Sept. 16. Length, 4.60; extent, 5.80; wing, 1.85; tail, 2.14; bill (from nostril), .30; tarsus, .72.

686, ♀ juv., fall plumage, Riverside, Sept. 23. Length, 4.45; extent, 5.90; wing, 1.92; tail, 2.17; bill (from nostril), .30; tarsus, .75.

687, ♀ juv., fall plumage, same locality and date. Length, 4.50; extent, 5.80; wing, 1.85; tail, 2.20; bill (from nostril), .28; tarsus, .70.

655, ♀ juv., fall plumage, Riverside, Sept. 16. Length, 4.45; extent, 5.75; wing, 1.86; tail, 2.15; bill (from nostril), .28; tarsus, .75.

17. =Regulus calendula= (_Linn._) _Licht._ RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET.—“Common among the Chiricahua Mountains, especially in deciduous timber. I think a few summer and breed.” The following specimens are identical with eastern ones:

28, ♂ ad., Cave Creek, Chiricahua Mountains, March 8. Length, 4.60; extent, 6.50; wing, 2.32.

122, ♂ ad., Morse’s Mill, March 28. Length, 4.20; extent, 6.90; wing, 2.38.

18. =Lophophanes inornatus= (_Gamb._) _Cass._ PLAIN TITMOUSE.—Mentioned in Mr. Stephens’ notes as rare on the foot-hills of the Chiricahua Mountains, but no specimens are included in his collection.

19. =Lophophanes wollweberi= _Bonap._ WOLLWEBER’S TITMOUSE.—This species was abundant in the Chiricahua Mountains, where a fine series was collected. They were usually seen in flocks of six or eight, and often associated with other small birds. They were rarely met with excepting in the groves of “scrub oaks,” but their food appeared to be wholly insects. A single pair taken in the Santa Rita Mountains in May are unaccompanied by any special remarks.

20. =Parus meridionalis= _Scl._ MEXICAN CHICKADEE.—In a late number of the Bulletin (Vol. VI, p. 252) I briefly announced this important addition to the North American fauna. The series obtained by Mr. Stephens comprises nine specimens, all of which were taken near Morse’s Mill. They occurred upon the sides or summits of the surrounding mountains, at elevations varying from seven to ten thousand feet, and were usually found in pairs, although they not unfrequently associated with other birds, among which are mentioned _Psaltriparus plumbeus_, _Lophophanes wollweberi_, _Sitta pygmæa_, and _Peucedramus olivaceus_. They were for the most part silent, but occasionally uttered a “_chee-wee-wee_,” as well as notes resembling those of _P. montanus_.

Previous writers have compared this species with _P. atricapillus_, but to me it seems nearer related to _P. montanus_. With the latter it agrees in certain peculiarities of size and proportions, while the general coloring and markings of the two are so similar that almost the only appreciable points of difference are presented by the white forehead and head-stripes of _montanus_. These characters are, of course, enough to instantly separate the birds, but their importance is somewhat weakened by the fact that one of my specimens of _meridionalis_ (No. 124) possesses a head-stripe which, though ill-defined and considerably shorter, is nevertheless similar in appearance and position to that of _montanus_. While it would be rash to argue any varietal affinity on the strength of this single specimen, the outcropping of such a well-marked characteristic certainly shows a close relationship between the two species, unless indeed No. 124 be regarded as a hybrid.

65, ♂ ad., Morse’s Mill, March 18. Length, 5.20; extent, 8.50; wing, 2.74; tail, 2.60. “Iris dark brown. Stomach contained insects.”

82, ♀ ad., Morse’s Mill, March 21. Length, 5.10; extent, 8.10; wing, 2.73; tail, 2.62.

83, ♂ ad., same locality and date. Length, 5.10; extent, 8.50; wing, 2.90; tail, 2.69.

99, ♀ ad., Morse’s Mill, March 24. Length, 4.70; extent, 7.90; wing, 2.63; tail, 2.42.

100, ♂ ad., same locality and date. Length, 5.10; extent, 8.60; wing, 2.76; tail, 2.65.

104, ♂ ad., Morse’s Mill, March 25. Length, 5.10; extent, 8.30; wing, 2.75; tail, 2.40.

105, ♂ ad., same locality and date. Length, 5.10; extent, 8.20; wing, 2.66; tail, 2.56.

124, ♂ ad., Morse’s Mill, March 29. Length, 5.10; extent, 8.70; wing, 2.85; tail, 2.68.

125, ♂ ad., same locality and date. Length, 5; extent, 8.20.

21. =Psaltriparus plumbeus= _Baird_. LEAD-COLORED TIT.—Of the eight specimens of this species which are included in the collection, seven were taken in the Chiricahua Mountains, the remaining one being from the Santa Rita Mountains. Mr. Stephens does not appear to have found it elsewhere, and in his notes characterizes it as rather uncommon. It was oftenest seen among the oaks of the foot-hills, where it associated with Wollweber’s Titmouse, the Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and several other small birds.

22. =Auriparus flaviceps= (_Sundev._) _Baird_. YELLOW-HEADED TIT.—Mr. Henshaw while in Arizona met with but few specimens of this curious little species. He attributed their apparent rarity to the lateness of the season at which his observations were made, and doubtless this explanation is the true one; for during the past spring Mr. Stephens found them in abundance both at Cienega Station and Tucson. Nevertheless it is probable that some individuals pass the winter in Arizona, for one of my specimens is dated November 29, and another was killed early in March. A nest taken at Tucson contained three fresh eggs on April 20.

23. =Sitta carolinensis aculeata= (_Cass._) _Allen_. SLENDER-BILLED NUTHATCH.—This Nuthatch was common in the pine forests of the Chiricahua Mountains, but the notes do not mention its occurrence elsewhere.

24. =Sitta pygmæa= _Vig._ PYGMY NUTHATCH.—Equally common with the preceding species in the same locality.

25. =Certhia familiaris mexicana= (_Gloger_) _Ridgw._ MEXICAN CREEPER.—Various writers have attributed the Mexican Creeper to our fauna, either on purely inferential grounds, or from a misconception, which at one time prevailed, regarding the relationship of the form found in California; for up to the present time no undoubted specimens of _mexicana_ have been taken within our boundaries. It accordingly gives me much pleasure to announce the actual occurrence in Arizona of this well-characterized race, of which the specimen mentioned below is perfectly typical. It is the only Creeper which Mr. Stephens met with during the past season, but in the previous year two others, which I have not examined, but which he considers identical with this, were taken in the same locality. All the Arizona specimens obtained by Mr. Henshaw were referred to our eastern form.

66, ♀ ad., Morse’s Mill, Chiricahua Mountains, March 18. Length, 4.80; extent, 7.10; wing, 2.45; tail, 2.25; culmen, .50. “Iris dark brown.”

26. =Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus= (_Lafr._) _Gray_. CACTUS WREN.—I notice little of special interest among the notes accompanying the eight skins which Mr. Stephens collected. He found the bird abundant in all suitable localities, and took several nests and sets of eggs. The unsophisticated young were easily shot, but the adults, even when breeding, were shy and hard to secure.

27. =Salpinctes obsoletus= (_Say_) _Caban._ ROCK WREN.—Mr. Stephens makes no mention of finding this species in Arizona during the past season, but he sends me a single specimen taken December 25, 1880, on the San Pedro River.

28. =Thryomanes bewicki leucogaster= _Baird._ WHITE-BELLIED WREN.—The collection includes five specimens of this form, which was apparently met with only in the Chiricahua Mountains and about Tucson. In the former locality it was common along the banks of streams where, however, it kept so closely hidden among the weeds and brush that it was oftener heard than seen. The examples before me are typical.

29. =Troglodytes aëdon= _Vieill._ HOUSE WREN.—The only House Wren taken is absolutely indistinguishable from many of my Massachusetts specimens, and I accordingly refer it here. Furthermore, I fail to find the characters supposed to distinguish var. _parkmani_, in any of the several California specimens included in my series. If the latter form really possesses any _constant_ differential characters, I believe they have yet to be defined.

169, ♀, near Tombstone, April 6. Length, 4.80; extent, 6.40; wing, 2.10. “Iris dark brown. Shot among low brush. Not common.”

30. =Anthus ludovicianus= (_Gm._) _Licht._ AMERICAN TITLARK.

271, ♀ ad., Tucson, April 23. Length, 6.50; extent, 10.60. “Bill brown, paler at base below; legs brown.” Several seen in marshes along the stream.

31. =Helminthophila luciæ= (_Coop._) _Ridgw._ LUCY’S WARBLER.—Although this diminutive _Helminthophila_ has been known to ornithologists for nearly twenty years, few specimens have found their way into the cabinets of private collectors, and up to the present time the species has remained a very rare one. On this account the acquisition of a good series of skins was among the main objects of Mr. Stephens’ trip, and the success which rewarded his labors is very gratifying.

The first specimen was shot April 15 at Cienega Station, where, during the succeeding three days, six more were obtained. They frequented large willows along the banks of a stream and, like Kinglets, spent much of their time searching for food at the extremity of the branches. Although active and restless, they were not at all shy. The only note heard here was a sharp “_tseep_.” On April 18 Mr. Stephens reached Tucson, where almost the first birds met with were Lucy’s Warblers. During the early part of his stay they were more abundant among the mesquites than any other species, and their “_tseeping_” could be heard on every side. They were continually in motion, flying from tree to tree, and occasionally visiting some low brush in the vicinity. By the 28th their numbers became perceptibly diminished, but many remained to breed in the surrounding country. The presence of the species at Camp Lowell is attested by a single young specimen, barely large enough to fly, which was taken there on June 1st, but which is unaccompanied by any special remarks. An adult male from the Santa Rita Mountains, however, comes to me with the following comments, under date of May 19:—“This is the only one of the species which I have seen here. It was near the banks of a stream below the mouth of a cañon, where there were a few mesquites interspersed among the oaks. I watched it for some time. It lingered among the mesquites, seeming to prefer them to the oaks, in which, however, it occasionally alighted for a moment.”

In addition to the above, Mr. Stephens’ notes supply some very important information regarding the previously doubtful nesting habits of this species. A female taken April 25, proved on dissection to be about to lay, but no eggs were actually taken until May 8, when a full set of five was found near Tucson. After that date many nests containing either eggs or young were examined. Their sites were variable; the characteristic place, like that of the specimen discovered by Captain Bendire, was behind the loosened bark of a large tree, but use was frequently made of old Woodpeckers’ nests, knot-holes, and in short all sorts of crevices. A brood of nearly fledged young (one of which is before me) was actually taken from the deserted domicile of a Yellow-headed Titmouse, which had been appropriated by the new tenant without any apparent repairs or alterations. Among _Helminthophilæ_ this Wren-like mode of nidification is, I believe, peculiar to this species.