554 SCRATCHING BIRDS — GALLINr.i;. 



Length, 11.00; extent, 14.50 ; 17^12,475; tail, 4.2.5. Iris brown; bill black, pale be- 

 low ; feet lead-gray. 



Ilah. Upper Rio Grande and Gila to the Colorado of Califiirnia. A few as far west as 

 the sink of Mojave River. 



This species is almost exactly like the better kno'wn L. Ccdifornims in 

 habits as well as in pattern of plumage, but differs in both quite sufliciently 

 to constitute a good species, having also an entirely different range of 

 distribution. They seem more able to endure the droughts and heat of tlie 

 interior deserts, as I have seen small flocks on the barren moimtains vest 

 of the Colorado, and they occur in a genersrily more inhospitable country. 

 Their range toward the north is not known to be aboA'e lat. 36^, though pos- 

 siljly farther. Thougli more southern in their habitat, their average size 

 is larger than that of the coast l:)ird, as seen liy the measurements above 

 gi\-en, from many specimens, while birds of the same species are always 

 found smaller toward their southern limits. Tliey doulitless extend far into 

 Mexico, but not into Lower California. 



At Fort Mojave they are numerous, and have all the calls of tlie coast 

 species, except the alarm chirp like a robin's, which I never lieard them 

 utter. There is, however, a slight difference in their notes, which is recog- 

 nizable by strangers. 



They are also equally sociable, soon becoming tame, and after a few days' 

 feeding in a cage may be released to associate witlt the fowls, coming to be 

 fed, and making the vicinity of tlie house their home. One thus tamed 

 went off in the spring, hatched a Ijrood of young, and brought tliem to tlie 



