The Birds of Wyoming. 151 



resembled that of a Cliff Swallow. One nest that I observed 

 at Ten Sleep creek was about a foot in diameter and was so 

 near a water fall that the exterior was constantly moistened 

 with spray. The opening was near the water's edge, circular, 

 and reminded me of the neck-like opening of the nest of the 

 Cliff Swallow. See the illustrations in the background of the 

 picture of this species. 



THRASHERS. 



702. Oroscoptes montanus (Towns.). 



Sage Thrasher. 

 Summer resident, and common. Formerly this remark- 

 able singer was known as the "Rocky Mountain Mocking Bird," 

 and it seems a pity that this befitting name could not have 

 been retained. This is the most remarkable songster of the 

 Rocky Mountain region. To be sure there is an occasional 

 Mocking Bird found in the southeastern part of Wyoming, 

 which is not considered as common to the Rocky mountains. 

 They are shy birds, seldom seen about towns or ranches, pre- 

 ferring the sage brush country to live in. On one occasion I 

 found a nest containing four young of this species in a grease- 

 wood bush within five feet of the Rawlins and Lander trail, 

 which is used constantly. I have never seen this bird above 

 the limit of the sage brush, although it has been reported to 

 breed up to 10,000 feet. The records of this bird in Wyoming 

 are plentiful, as it is common in every county in the state. 



703. Mimus polyglottos (Linn.). 



Mockingbird. 

 Summer resident ; not common in southeastern Wyoming. 

 L T ntil recent years this species was not known in Wyoming. 

 Mr. Bond captured the first specimen near Cheyenne some ten 

 years ago, and since that time they have been noticed breed- 

 ing along Crow creek. Annually they cross the Laramie moun- 

 tains, but seldom remain to breed. In 1897 one P a i r remained 

 in Laramie and reared their young. These were taken by Dr. 

 Coburn who has one of them caged at the present time. A 



