PASSEEES FRINGILLIDAE PLECTROPHANES ORNATUS. 251 



From the 29th of September, when this species was first noted at Camp 

 Grant, Ariz., till November 10, near Fort Tulerosa, N. Mex., it was frequently 

 seen in large flocks on the dry, arid plains and plateaus of Southeastern 

 Arizona and Southwestern New Mexico. They move about in companies 

 of hundreds, and when on the ground run nimbly among the grasses search- 

 ing for seeds and insects. When approached, the whole flock squats silently 

 among the herbage, and remains so quiet, and their colors blend so nicely 

 with the surrounding tints, that it is almost impossible to detect them, though 

 but a few feet distant. On taking wing, each bird emits a number of short, 

 quavering chirps, which they repeat constantly as long as on the wing-. 

 Their flight is erratic and wild, and, once startled, they are apt to keep on 

 the wing a long time, flying hurriedly about. I have occasionally seen a 

 flock start from the ground, and, after circling excitedly about, suddenly 

 start off in a straight line till nearly out of sight, and then, as if urged by 

 some new impulse, suddenly wheel about and take a direct course back, 

 alighting within a few feet from the starting point. The single specimen 

 taken on Mount Graham, Ariz., by Dr. Rothrock, September 24, marks the 

 erliest date at which the species has been found thus far south. A very 

 large series of specimens was taken at Camp Apache during the latter 

 portion of October. 



Iris brown ; bill plumbeous-brown above, lighter beneath ; feet dusky- 

 brown. 



