196 THE STORY OF A BIRD LOVER 



able heights, and are difficult of access. In the 

 desert I have frequently looked from the ground 

 into the nest of the red-tailed hawk set low in 

 some low mesquite, or in the branching arms of a 

 giant cactus. 



A number of species of doves were also con- 

 spicuous both on the drive and in the streets of 

 Florence, noticeable among which was the white- 

 winged pigeon. These birds were generally 

 gregarious, and frequented clumps of giant cactus 

 in the vicinity of water, though also met with far 

 out on the desert. Now and then that fleet-footed 

 bird, the road-runner, " chaparral-cock," or ground 

 cuckoo passed across the road in front of the 

 wagon, and quickly disappeared with his rapid, 

 gliding gait into the nearest cover. I did not 

 see one fly. Generally they would stand for a 

 moment to look, with erected crest, at the coming 

 vehicle, and then, with outstretched neck and 

 long tail all in a line with the back, the whole 

 reminding one of a race-horse at his extended 

 pace, these birds would bear out the common 

 name given them. 



In the mesquite growths, pairs of yellow-headed 

 titmice were always present, and bush-tits in com- 

 panies might be seen in similar locations. About 

 growths of palo verde, that well-named tree with 

 microscopic leaves, which was then adorned with 

 its golden bloom, many humming-birds congre- 



