306 [April, 



Notes derived from observations made on the Birds of New Mexico during the 



years 1853 and 1854. 



By T. Charlton Henry, M.D., U. S. Army. 



The following observations were made by the writer, on the Ornithology of 

 that portion of New Mexico lying south and north-west of the Jornada del Muerto, 

 a portion of country differing very essentially from that situated in the vicinity 

 of Santa Fe. In special, or nearly special, reference to the Ornithology of the 

 latter, it will be recollected that Col. McCall, late Inspector General, U. S. 

 Army, published, somewhat more than two years ago, in the Proceedings of the 

 Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences, an interesting and able article. It 

 will be observed that the writer in the present case, having devoted his entire 

 leisure to his favorite pursuit for a period of more than two years, while stationed 

 at Forts Fillmore, Webster and Thorn, each in turn, has succeeded in adding 

 largely to the list published by Col. McCall, as above referred to. 



A word relative to the topography of the several locations where the observa- 

 tions were made. 



Fort Fillmore is situated on the eastern bank of the Rio Grande, south of 

 Santa Fe two hundred and seventy-five miles, its level above the sea being several 

 thousand feet less than the latter place. Small mesquit and cotton-wood, with 

 more or less " tornilla," is the principal wood to be met with in its locality. 

 The soil is sandy, except in the bottom land, where alluvial deposit exists to a cer- 

 tain extent, of argillaceous character, and black loam. Fifteen miles north-east of 

 the Fort are the Organ Mountains, but no investigations was the writer able to 

 make there during the four months he was stationed at Fort Fillmore ; the size 

 of the garrison, to which he was Post Surgeon, precluding the practicability of 

 his absenting himself therefrom for any length of time. August, September, 

 October, November and part of December, were passed at Fort F. The writer 

 was then ordered to Fort Webster, near the Sierra de los Mimbres and near the 

 copper mines, the post being built on the banks of ihe Rio de los Mimbres (River 

 of Willows) a small, rocky and beautifully clear stream. 



This location was in the very heart of the mountain ; the ground very elevated, 

 and the soil along the stream exceedingly rich, being much of it black muck, with 

 scarce a particle of clay in its composition. On the upland, where grew in pro- 

 fusion the nutritious " gamma grass," a limestone base was covered lightly with 

 vegetable deposit. The face of the country was plains, narrow valleys and high 

 mountains, alternately. 



The timber consisted of white cedar, (Juniperus albus,) pinon, (Pinus mono- 

 phyllus,) white pine, (P. altissimus,) scrub oak, (Q. olivaeformis,) and black wal- 

 nut, among the mountains ; along the brook, cotton wood, white water ash and 

 box alder, the latter rather sparse. The geological character of the mountains 

 is principally limestone, associated with traces of iron and lead, and silver not 

 unfrequently found in combination. Spar, unlike the composition of the Organ 

 Mountain range near Fort Fillmore, very little or none. Copper also, in the 

 form of carbonate, abounds in the vicinity ; also, as usual, associated with a cre- 

 taceous base; black volcanic rock, to a small extent, is to be met with. 



At Fort Webster the writer passed more than a year, when he was removed 

 to Fort Thorn, situated on the Rio Grande, some fifty miles above Fort Fillmore. 

 Soil, timber, &c, are all similar to that found about Fort Fillmore, with a slight 

 difference only in temperature. 



With these few preliminaries, which the writer deems of some service, as 

 bearing in a measure upon the character of the haunts frequented by certain 

 birds, many species of which, in this region, although found in great abundance 

 in one locality, yet in another, a few miles only distant, are never met with, 

 he will proceed to note every bird actually met with, during nearly three years 

 sojourn in New Mexico, of which he has, in most every instance, procured 

 specimens. 



