134 BULLETIN OF THE 



During our five weeks stay at Fort Hays, the maximum daily tempera- 

 ture in the shade usually ranged from 90° to 108° F. This tempera- 

 ture is frequently accompanied by parching winds, especially later in 

 the season. The most striking feature of the avian fauna here is the 

 great abundance of more or less strictly woodland species, considering 

 the scantiness of the forest vegetation. 



TURDIDiE. 



1. Harporhynchus rufus. Common in the narrow timber belts which 

 border the streams. 



The habits of this species, in respect to the location of its nest, indicate 

 how greatly it is governed by circumstances. In dry, sandy localities, it is 

 well known to commonly nest on the ground, and to place its nest in low 

 bushes, where the soil is damp and clayey. Along Big Creek, near Fort 

 Hays, we found it nesting in low bushes, and also in trees sixteen to 

 twenty feet from the gi'ound. Big Creek is subject in summer to sudden 

 freshets, the stream, flowing between abrupt banks, sometimes rising ten or 

 twelve feet in a single night, half submerging the trees that grow along its 

 narrow bed. It was under the latter circumstances that the nests of this 

 species were found placed twenty feet above the ground, while but a few 

 yards distant other nests.were found in low bushes, the bushes, however, 

 growing on the bluffs, several feet above high-water mark. Other species 

 that generally nest near the ground were also found to place their nests at 

 a similar elevation, when breeding in the trees that grew along the bed of 

 Big Creek. The several species seemed to be well aware of the peculiarities 

 of the stream, and hence placed their nests above the high-water line. 



2. Mimus polyglottus. Common in the timber along Big Creek. Nest 

 placed in trees fifteen feet from the ground. Fresh eggs obtained June 6th. 



3. Mimus carolinensis. One or two seen on Big Timber Creek. Not 



common. 



SAXICOLIDJE. 



4. Sialia sialis. Not uncommon along the timbered streams. 



PARIDJE. 



5. Parus atricapillus. Frequent in the timber along the streams. 



TROGLODYTIDJE. 



6. Troglodytes aedon. Abundant, nesting in the hollows of trees. 

 Seven fresh eggs taken from one nest June 7th. 



In respect to plumage, this species has here all the essential characters 

 of the so-called T. " Parhnanni" the colors being appreciably paler than in 

 specimens from the Atlantic States. 



