228 APPENDIX TO OSCINES. 



varietal ; but in view of the now freqnent consolidation of old species, and the constant 

 discovery of new geographical races, such a method threatens to become quite cum- 

 brons and inconvenient. 



Throughout my notes the nomenclature of Goues, as given in his " Key to North 

 American Birds," is followed. All the statements are the result of my personal obser- 

 vations, except some few which are based npou the accounts of trustworthy persons, 

 and of which separate mention is made. 



TuRDUS JiiGHATORiu.s, Uohhi. Very abundant ; migratory ; breeds. The Robin is 

 perhaps the comiuonest bird to be found in the county. It arrives in Bergen's Park in 

 the middle of March, and slowly makes its way into the mountains, reaching the ele- 

 vation of 10,000 feet nearly a month later, and advancing as the season progresses to 

 the extreme limit of timber. From the plains up to timber-line it abounds in great 

 numbers all through the breeding season, and is nowhere more abundant than in the 

 extreme upper edge of the forests, nesting in the very to])most trees. They raise two 

 broods, conniiouly ; occasionally only one, and rarely three. At an elevation of 8,000 

 feet the first brood is hatched in the fore part of June, and the second toward the middle 

 of July ; near timber-line the second brood is not hatched till late in July, or even the 

 early part of August. The nest is placed in the fork of a pine, and is precisely similar 

 to those of eastern birds in construction and material. During the latter part of July 

 and early part of August the. young birds from lower down ascend to the upper for- 

 ests, and abound in the woods near timber-line. They frequently wander to the very 

 top of the range, feeding on the grasshoppers that swarm in countless multitudes above 

 the tree limit, toward the close of summer. They also frequent the edges of the little 

 lakes and pools which are very numerous at high elevations, where they pick up the 

 larvie of various insects. In September they tlock in great numbers to the blueberry 

 patches, of which fruit they seem extravagantly fond. Early in the autumn they 

 begin to descend, gradually working their way downward, nntil in November they all 

 have disappeared, except a few stragglers who linger about the juniper bushes until 

 banished by the deep snows of December. 



T. SWAINSONI, OJire-hacled Thriifuli. Seen in May and September only. Late in Oc- 

 tober I saw great numbers of this bird near the Hot Sulphur Springs, in the Middle 

 Park. A sudden violent storm had occurred a day or two in"evious, and the snow 

 lay on the ground a foot deep. Great numbers of Titlarks, Song Sparrows, Blackbirds, 

 Bluebirds, and many other species, including the Olive-backed Thrush, had gathered 

 about the tepid pools, attracted by the warmth, and were busilj' searching for food 

 along the muddy banks and in the shallow water, though apparently without much 

 success, as the water is surcharged with sulphur. [This species is stated to breed about 

 New Haven, Connecticut, and also in the mountains of Pennsylvania. — E. C] 



T. FUSCESCEXS, Vccyy. Seen but once in July, at an elevation of 8,400 feet. Hooked 

 carefully for the Veery in the lower parts of the county, as Allen states that it is not 

 nncommou from the foot-hills up to 8,500 feet, but with the single exception mentioned 

 I did not see it. [The eggs of this species are occasionally spotted. — E. C] 



T. PA1.1.ASI, Hermit TJinisli. Abundant; migratory; breeds. The Hermit Thrush ar- 

 rives toward the end of May, and by the middle of June is abundant about timber- 

 line, below which it does not range more than 1,000 or 1,200 feet during the nesting 

 season. It is shy and retiring in its habits, seeking the seclusion of the darkest forests, 

 and the subdued light of deep, rocky canons, where the dense foliage and precipitous 

 walls shut out the sun and a perpetual twilight prevails. It is an exquisite songster, 

 and sings at all hours of the day ; its notes are something like those of the Wood 

 Thrush, but louder, wilder, and with very much of 1 he melancholy sweetness that marks 

 the AVcstern Meadow-lark's song. No one who visits its haunts in June or July can 

 fail to lie delighted by the singing of the Hermit Thrush ; and when several are heard 

 together, as is liecjuently the case, the Ijlending and echoing of so many sweet tones 

 lends an indescribable charm to the sublime and romantic scenery, amid which only 

 arc they ever heard ; a charm heightened by the mysterious concealment of the singers. 

 Never very tame, it is so shy while singing as to be almost iniapproaehable, and only 

 the utmost address will enablt! one, at such times, to obtain sight of the bird. Its 

 voice is very loud and clear, and may lie heard at a great distance. In September thej'^ 

 descend fioni the higher regions, and by October liavi^ disappeared from the county. 

 Among several specimens there was no ai)preciaVile difference from eastern birds. 



Ouk()scoptp:s montancs, Monntaln Mocici lujhird. A single specimen was taken at 

 Idaho Springs, May 10. It is a curious fact that many birds, on their first arrival iu 

 spring, venture much higher and further into the mountainous regions than the local- 

 ities iu which they pass the breeding season. The migratory instinct, probably, impels 

 them to penetrate into the mountains, until, finding the temperature too cool for their 

 comfort, they recede until they have found their jiroper haljitat. 



MiMt's CAKoi.iNKNSi.s, Cdt-h'ud. Cniuniou, from the plains up to 7,800 feet, and ranging 

 a few hundred feet higher. The Cat-l)ird arrives among the foot-hills early in May, 

 and gradually advances into the mountains, reaching its highest point by the 20tli. 

 As is the case with many other birds, it presents some strong xjoints of dissimilarity 



