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Show 149 II.- NOTES UPON THE ORNITHOLOGY OF THE REGION8 TRAVERSED. By H. W, Henshaw, ornithological assistant An interval of nearly three weeks spent at Santa F6 was occupied in examining the country in the vicinity of the town. The results, however, were comparatively meager and unsatisfactory, as indeed was to have been anticipated from the barreu character of the region accessible. Quite a number of birds were secured; perhaps the most interesting species noted here being the black- throated gray warbler, ( Dendroica nigrescent,) which was probably breeding among the pinons of the foot- hills. Leaving Santa Fe* June 26, our march led to Fort Wingate, very little of interest to any of the party being observed en route. Birds were found tolerably numerous at several of the streams crossed, where the brush- lined banks afforded at once places of shelter for themselves and their nests, and also favorable hunting- grounds for food, Several of the desolate stretches of plain were found to be inhabited by the Rocky- Monntain plover, ( uEgialitis montanus,) and on two occasions the young just from the egg were found. The rapid marches, which were made in order* the earlier to reach more interesting fields for work, precluded the making of any extended collections, and we contented ourselves with observing such facts as came immediately to our notice. The same lack of interesting animal- life attended the march from Wingate toward Apache, little of interest being recorded. A short distance to the south of the Little Colorado River a very rare vireo, ( V. vicinior}) of which but a single specimen fcwas known, was met with, and there secured. Reaching the Sierra Blanca, a camp was made at Willow Spring, at an" altitude of little over 7,000 feet. Here a stay of three days was busily occupied in securing such collections of both flora and fauna as the brief time permitted. The heavy pine-timber interspersed here and there, with beautiful groves of thrifty oaks, afforded a borne for many species of birds, of which not a few were represented by many individuals. The discovery of the Cardellina rubrifrons as an inhabitant of the Territory, a little bird, combining in its habits peculiarities of both the titmice and warblers, was made. Of particular interest were the birds Junco, var. dorsalis, of which a nest with eggs was secured, and the hepatic tanager, ( Pyranga hepatica.) This latter species was known only in this Territory, from a single specimen taken several years ago. Both in 1872 and 1873 it was found from this point to the southern border, and is common in many localities. Keeping to the south from Camp Apache, abundant opportunity was found along the rente for making collections, and scarcely a camp or day's march was made without some valuable object of natural history being obtained. Between Camp Apache and the Gila River several species of birds were noticed for the first time, their extension to the northward in this section finding approximately its limits. Such are Peucma ruficeps, var. boucardi, a near relative of the brown- headed finch of the Pacific ooast, the Peucwa oassini and Setophaga picta. A large fly- catcher, the Contopus pertinax, was found common on the edges of the pine- woods and the rocky ravines, though this species probably reaches some distance north of Apache. At Ash Creek, quite a number of fish were taken with hook and line, and also a turtle, which has proved to be of a rare and little- known species, Cinosiernum henrici. Crossing the Gila, we continued to the south, toward Camp Grant, reaching this point July 28. On the road the oriole ( Icterus cucullatm) was seen, it apparently not crossing the Gila to the north. After several days' reconnaissance in the immediate vicinity of the post, where several small streams make their way down from the adjoining mountaiu- chain and lose themselves in the thirsty sands of the barren plain a few miles out, four days were spent on Graham Peak; and here, at an elevation of nearly 10,000 feet, abundant opportunity was had for collecting. Of birds, many species were noted, while the number of each species was usually great. Special mention may be made of three species to which particular interest attaches. The Cardellina rubrifrons was found to inhabit these mountains in great numbers, the Sierra Blanca, to the north, probably forming its northern limit. Tiie Mexican snow- bird, ( Junco cincrcus,) was a second species not known to inhabit the Territory, and their numbers were so great here as to justify the belief that this point by no means marks the limit to their northward range; and it seems probable that investigation to the north would reveal the fact of the complete coalescence of this form with that of its close relation, the Junco dorsalis, which was the only variety found in the Sierra Blanca, quite seventy- five miles farther north. Several fine specimens of the Evgenes fulgens, the large humming- bird, obtained here the previous season, were secured, and also a nest discovered. Besides the dwarf variety of the white- tailed deer, mentioned by Dr. Rothrock, and black bear, many of the smaller mammals, especially several rodents, were numerous. The black- footed gopher, ( Thomomys umbrinns,) was present about the lumbermen's camp in astonishing numbers, traces of their labors in the shape of tunnels and burrows being seen in all directions, while in the early morning and evening the little animals themselves were frequently visible as they cautiously emerged from their holes in search of the corn scattered about |