On the Winter Birds of Colorado. 971 u. TOTANUS OLAREOLA. Wood-Sandpiper. Ith. (lbis, 1907, p. 311.)

372 a. STRUTHIO AVSTR-4LIS.

P. (Ibis, 1907, p. 311.) Southern Ostrich.

Fig. 1. Nectarink arturi, p. 32. 2 & 3. Cinnyris olivncina *, 4. Seritzus shnrpii, p. 26.

6 ,7 ,& 8. Dryuscopusyuttatus,

9. Laniariulr quadricolor,

p. 41.

6. S h g r a oculana, p. 14.

p. 53.

p. 66.

p. 93. 10 t 11. Batti etytfcrophtl~alnuz,

12. Laniarius starki, p. 60. 13. Terpsipltotle pluutbeicep,

443

’ Fig. 14. Stnithornis capensis, p. !lo. 16 & 16. Cossyphn nnlaletisis,

17. Pkylloxtrophus niikrnjktuzh,

18. Cossypha heuglini, p. 84. 19. Clilorocichla occidentalis,

20. Phyllostrophs capensis,

2 1. P~,yllustroyltusjEavistriat~,

22 & 23. Erithncus swywier-

p. 83.

p. 71.

p. 67.

p. 08.

p. 69.

XV.-The Winter Birds of Colorado. By W. L. SCLATEK, M.B.O.U. (Colorado Springs).

IT has occurred to me that a few notes on the winter birds of Colorado might be of interest to my fellow-members of the B.O.U., especially as little appears in ‘The lbis’ on the subject of North-American birds. This is probably due to the fact that there are so many excelleiit oruithoiogical journals iu the States that auythiug of really novel ititerest is sure to be published i n them. I do riot claim for one moinent that there is anythiiig original in what I have to

* This Sun-bird, previously identified a8 C. oliunceus (above, p. 41), proves on further exmuination to ditfer iioticeably from typical specimens of that species in the British Museum, all my specimeus being inter- niediate in coloration and measurements between it and C. obxurtts of the West Const. l)r. lteichenow, whom 1 have consulted, considers it, to be undoubtedly rafercrble to C. olioacina Peters.

44 4 Mr. W. L. Sclater on the

say, but perhaps some of the facts may be new to European readers.

The State of Colorado lies very near the centre of the United States, but a little nearer to the Pacific than to the Atlantic. Colorado Sprir?gs, which is almost in the middle of the State, is about 750 miles from the head of the Gulf of California, about 850 from Galveston (the nearest point on the Gulf of Mexico), about 950 miles from San Francisco, and about 1650 from New York. It is, therefore, one of the most inland of all the States. It has an area of 103,900 square miles, or a little more than double that of England and Wales. Within this vast area the eastern half consists of open, bare, dry plains, where the country is flat or rolling, and there is hardly any timber except along tlie river- bottoms. The elevation of these plains (the prairies) rises gradually from 3500 ft. at the Kansas border to 60CO ft. at the foot-hills of the Rockies.

W-est of the 105th meridian, and rising with extraordinary abruptness from the plains, are the Rocky Mountains, which in Colorado form a kind of knot, whence rivers radiate o u t in all directions, finding their way to the sea throiigh the channels ( f the Mississippi, the Rio Gratide of Texa:, and the Colorado Hiver of Utah aiid Arizona.

The Continental Divide, separating the waters of the Atlantic from those of the Pacific, runs in a somewhat zig- zag line through the centre of the State from north to south, and along this line are to be found most of the higher peaks, of which forty-four ratige between 14,030 and 14,500 ft. ill altitude. In this region are the great mountain parks, open wide valleys rather bare of trees, situated at elevations of from 7000 to 8000 ft. The chief of these are North and South Parks, drained by the North and South Platte Rivers on the eastern slope, Middle Park drained by the Grarid River on the western slope, and the San Luis Valley drainirig into the Rio Grande River.

The most recent and complete work on Colorado Birds is tliat of Nr. W. W. Cooke, formerly on the staff of tlie State Agricultural Experiment Statioii at Fort Collins, ulitl

Wider Birds vf Colorado. 445

now on tlie staff of the Federal Biological Survey a t Washington". I n the summary contained in the final supplement published in 1900, the total number of species of birds met with in Colorado is given as 387 ; since then about 20 additional forms have been recorded, bririgiiig the total up to 407. Of these, 93 are resident throughout the year, 23 are regular winter visitors, 243 are breediiig summer residents, while the balance is made up of migrants and stragglers.

The observations which I have to make are on the residents and winter-visitors, and have been made either in tlie town of Colorado Springs or in the immediate neighbourhood. This town is situated on the extreme western edge of the open plains a t an altitude of GOO0 ft., while immediately to the west again are the foot-hills of the ltockies, culminating in Pike's Peak (14,147 ft.) about twelve miles distant, so that every condition is to be found for a most varied Avifauna.

In the town itself the only bird wliich is able to hold its own against the ubiquitous European Sparrow is tlie House- Pinch (Curpodamus mexicams frontalis), very coninion ercry- a here throughout the year. The male is a handsome bird with crimson on the head and rump, and has a w r y sweet soiig, so that it is a great f'avoiirite with bird-loverb. I t IS

found chiefly about the gardelis and grass-plots in tlie residential parts of the town, and frequeiitly iicsts in or about the verandahs and covered porc!ies H it11 wliicli niost of the houses are provided. I have of'tcn Matclied i t contending with tlie Sparrows for scraps, and it seems qnite able to take care of itself.

Occasionally during the winter we have a visit from tlie 11 eatern Evening Grosbcak (Cvccotlwaustes re.\lwtirLc/s on tan us), a large arid beautiful spccies with bright yellow front and ning-bauds. 'l'his bird is somewhat of a \taiid[~rcr arid has been found iu Colorado iu almost every iiioiitli of tile gear, though only 011 onc occabioii has it been dctectetl ucstlng. Another visitor of' soniewliat similar habits is tlie

* 'Birds of Colorndu,' hy 1)'. IV. roohe , Jh111. IIU. $7 uf t h e St.rtc, .igllculturtil l:sl)ciiu~ent Stdiuii, N C t i ~ l i lb9T.

4 16

Waxwing (Ampelis garmius), which I have once or twice observed in the town in winter coming to the Honeysuckle- berries for food.

Out on the open plains to the east of the town the only bird to be found in winter in any numbers is the Desert llorned Lark (Otocorys aIpestris leucolcema). This par- ticular subspecies is a resident bird throughout the year in the drier parts of the western plains, and is also found in the mountains wherever there are suitable tracts of open country such as occur in the cc parks.” During the wiuter the Horned Larks congregate in small bunches, and are often to be met w i t h along the roads, where they appear to pick up a scanty living from the horse-droppings, and a t night find a warmer shelter in the ruts and on the bare earth than they can get on the grass. Occasionally a very severe spell of cold and snow drives them into the towns and villages, where they congregate in thousands, and many doubtless are saved from starvation by the kind-hearted townspeople who feed them.

The greatest varicty and number of winter-birds are to be met with along the valleys ; here there is always a fair amount of shelter in the form of Cottonwood trees (Pupulus), Alders (Alnus) , and Willows aloag tlic streams, with Scrub-oak and Mountain-mahogany (Cercocarpus) on the steep sides of the

The most conspicuous hird in such localities is the American Magpie [Pica picq hudsonia). Very closely allied to the English bird, it only difl’ers in its slightly larger size. It is entirely confined to the western half of the North-American Continent. This Magpie has the same cunning and suspicious nature as the English bird; it is quite tame aud approachable when one is without a gun, but will not let itself be caught within range of fire. It is a great egg-lover, and takes every opportunity of robbing hen-houses, sometimes sucking thc cggs on the spot, sometimes carrying them off to a distance. Its flight is slow and laboured, its long tail secming to impcde it, especiallj in a high wind. It is generally found

Mr. W. L. Sclater 011 the

valley. @

Winter Birds of Colorndo. 4.47

i i i small partics of two or t h e e during the minter, aiid is a resitleiit all tlie year round.

Other niemb-rs of the same family constantly seeii abont our valley are tlie large a i d haidsome Crested Jay (Cym20- citta stelleri diaderriata) aiid the Wootllionse Jay (Aplielo- cunzu zoood/~ousei), both rioticeable for their bright pluniagc aiid liarsh cries. Tlie Columbirtn Nutcracker (Nucifrup columbiana) arid the White-headed Jay (Perisoreus catiu- deexsis capitalis) seldom, if ever, descend from the higher elevations so low a s 6000 f c .

Of the smaller birds, by far the most numerous along tlie valley and wherever there is slielter are the Juncos, some- times called Snow-birtls. IVe have 110 lcss tliaii six species of tliis genus, al l tolcrahly common. Only oiie (Junco curi icep) breeds in Colorado (at high elevations), the otlicrs (J. aikeni, J. shvfeldti, J. mewtL.\i, J. hyeniulis, and J. m)ntan.us) are oiily wiiiter-birds. They are always in large flocks, several slecics gciierally lieeping togctlier, tlie commonest beiiig perhaps tlic Yiiilr-sidcd (J . ~ t ~ e u r r t s i ) ant1 the Black- licaded (J . shufeldli). Every riioriiiug wlicii 1 look out 1 see large numbers of them on tlic grouud pecliing ruuiitl i i i tlic straw and manure with wliicli the lawns aud garden are covered up in wiuter.

Almost equally cornnioxi are the two Cliickadees or Tits ( Purus gumbeli aiid P . at 1-icupyillus scylenrrioiiulzs), wliicli climb about among the Cottuii-trees, a i d alii)areiitly securc some iiisect-nourislimeIlt aiilong d ie twigs a i d wiuter buds. They are both rcsideiit tlirvugliout tlic year. Anotlicr cominou winter-visitor is tlie I i~i idsonic FVeestern Tree- Sparrow (Spizellu ?nonf~~olu oc/waceu), wliicli can almost always be reeognised hy the black patch in thc niitldlc uf its grey chest. It is ufteri in company uitli the Juiicus, but is less terrestrial in its Iiabits.

‘Jhe Western Meadow-Lark is gencrally placed among tlic summer residerits of Culoi,ado, aud 110 doubt the great iiiajority of tlic birds do go wutli, hut a few ccrttliiily wiiitcr witii us, aiid duriiig the lust moiitlis ( X U V V I I I ~ W to AIarcli) I

448

have frequently seen a small flock in our valley. On bright sunny days they will sit on tlie top of bushes and sing nearly a3 sweetly as in spring. I know of no more exhilarating and delicious sound than the note of the Western Meadow-Lark. There is something particularly buoyant and joyful in it. It is impossible to reproduce it in notes or words, as it varies immensely with different individuals.

A rare resident bird which here reaches perhaps its most northern l imits is the Road-Runner or Chaparral-Cock (Geococcyx californianus). This is a ground-living Cuckoo, though with its long tail and runniug habits it looks much more like a small Pheasant than a Cuckoo. Its wings are weak and short, and it seldom flies, but skulks in the low srrub of the footrhills in sheltered nooks. I t IS particularly fond of' a certain limestone-ridge which forms one of the outermost escarpments of the mountains cloae to my house.

W e have three resident Woodpeckers, all fairly commoii : the Rocky Mountaiu (Dryobates villosus monticola), the Hatchelder (D.pubescens hornorus), and the Red-winged Plicher (Coluptes cufer). The last, a specially characteristic American form, is easily recognised by its undulating flight aiid by its characteristic sharp, clear, Iiut somewhat cackling note. I n Eastern Colorado and Western Kausas most interesting intermediate forms between the very distinct Yellow Fliclter of the east and the Red-shafted Flicker of the wedt are not infrequently met with. In some cases the bird has the yellow lining of the tail and wing of C. auratus with the red moustache-spots of C. cafer, and in others the lining colour of the tail is partially red and partially yellow. Hybridization between the two species seems the only reasonable explatia- tion of this curious state of things.

The subject of vertical migration is one of very considerable interest, and one which has not hitherto received so much attention as it deserves. Little advance has been made in ttre study of it since the paper by Drew (' Auk,' ii. pp. 11-18, 1885) published many ycars ago.

Mr. W. L. Sclater on the

Wiiiter Bids of Colorado. 4 I!)

Comparativtly few species breed at great elevations aiid winter 011 the plains, chiefly because the climate of the plains is frequently more severe than that of tlie mountains and there is certainly less shelter. But there are a good iiurnher of birds which make slight vercical migrations, such as ttic Long-crested Jay, which is found along the foot-hills in winter, and nests in the higher elevations, from 7000 to 11,090 ft., while the Grey-headed Junco (Junco canicep) makes the same movemeiits.

Among the birds which keep to high elevations throiigliout the year are the Ptarmigan (Lagopus leucurus), the Pipit (Anthus pennsyZva?iicus), and the Leucostictes, of which wc have four species-one (Leucosticte australis) resident and breeding, though the eggs have never yet been taken, tlic others (L. teyhrocolis, L. littornlis, and L. atrnta) only i n Colorado duriiig the winter months. At this season all the spccies associate together in flocks at or ahout timlier-liiic (13,500 ft.). How thry nianagc 10 pick up a litiiig is a riiystery, but on Pike's Peak they are very iiunieroiis routid the house of the engineer in charge of the ('olorado Springs water-supply, which is derived f'rom several lakes 011 tlic slopes of the mountain. They feed O K ~ tlic refuse-heap near the house and seem to do fairly well.

Occasionally after a severe storm the Leucostictes are driven duwri to lower altitudes in enormous numbers. Such was the case on April 20tli, 1876, when Mr. Ailicn foulid literally thousands of these birds in an empty lot in the town of Cafion City and secured large numbers for liis collection ; among them were the tjpes of L. a tmta subsequently described by Mr. Rid p a y .

I append a list of our winter-birds found in El Pasa County, of' which Colorado Springs is the couiitry seat. They are placed in t w o categories, as residciits all the ycnr round aiid as winter-visitors. Esatriples of' all of thcni are i n the Aitken collection of birds in the Colorido College Rluwirn . The birds are arranged iind liaiiiccl in accvriliiiice 11 it11 tlie A . 0. U. Check-libt.

4.5 0 On t h e Lintel . Birds of Colorado.

List of Resident Birds in El Paso County, Colortldv. Dnfila acuta. 1)endragapus obscurus. Lagopus leucuruu. Circus liudsonius. Accipiter velox. __ cooperi. __ atricapillos. Euteo bt)rc.alis cnlurna. - s\+ainsoui. Aicliibuteo f‘errugineus. Rquila clirysaetos. E’i~lco mexicanus. - prregritius anatum. - spnrverius. Asio wilsonianus. NJ ctrtle acndica. illegnscops asio aikeni.

~ fiammeola. Bubo 1 irginianns pallescens. Speutyt o cuiiicularia li ypog cca. Glaucidium gnonia. (4 eococcyx califoriiianus. Cerylo alcyon. IJryobates villosiis monticola. - pubescens homorus. Picoides americanus dorsalis. Nulanerpes torquatus. Colaptes cafer collarid. Otocorps alpestria leucolrcma. l’ica pica hudaonia.

(’yanocitta stel’eri diadeniata. Aphelocoma woodhousei. f’erieoreus canadenbis capitnlis. Nucifraga columbiana. Cyanocephalus cynnoceplialus. S g e l ~ i u s phceniceus fortis.

Coccothramtes vespe+tinus mi m- f’inicola enucleator m o n t a a . Carpodacns casaini. - mexicallus frontnlis. Loxia cnrvirostra mitior. Leucosticte australis. Astragaliuus tristiu. Spinus pinus. Passer domesticus. Juuco caniceps. Pipilo f uscus niesoleucus. Ampelis cedrorum. Ciuclus mexicanus. Catherpes mexicanus conspersus. Certhin familiaris iuont:tnu. Sit ta carolinensis nelsoui. - canadeneis. - pygmcea. Lophophanes inornatus griseus. l’arus atricnpillue septentiiunalis. l’arus gam beli. Psaltiiparus plunibeus.

Sturnella negkcttt. [ tanus.

I Riyadebtes townsendi.

List of Winter- Visitors. A rchibuteo lngopus sancti-juliaiiiiis. Acanthis linaria. Leucosticte tephrocotis. -- littorillis. - atrata. Passerina nivalis. Calcarius lapponicus. Siiizelh mouticola ochracea. Junco ailieni. .- Ii yemalis. I _- ,iliufeldti.

Junco niearnsi. - moiitaiius (= shufeldti x

meamhi). - corinectens (= shufeldti x

hyemalis). - aniiectens (= nieariisi x

caniceps). Pipilo muculatus arcticus. Ampelis garrulus. Lanius borealis.