Jfehrasha Ornithologists' Union ' 23 



15. Colaptes cafer coUaiis Vigors — Red-shafted Flicker! 



A single individual, flushed near the base of Saddle-back 

 butte, was the only one I saw of this species. 



16. OtocoHs alpestns leucolaevici (Coues) — Desert Horned 

 Lark. 



This form of the horned lark, which is also the breeding 

 form of the region under discussion, Avas abundant and 

 occurred in large flocks both on the high plateau and in 

 the White river valley. They v/ere seen practically every 

 day and vrere the only variety of the species noted. Sev- 

 eral specimens were secured, one of which was found on the 

 railroad track some distance from any telegraph wires and 

 v/ith no marks on it to' account for its death. 



17. Pica pica hudsonia (Sabine) — ^Magpie. 



Magpies were abundant and were seen every day and in 

 every possible locality, though never in flocks but usually 

 singly or in pairs. Their highly contrasting plumage of 

 white and glossy black was a conspicuous feature of the 

 otherwise more or less dull background of leafless trees 

 in the valleys though none the less marked against the dark 

 green of the conifers higher up on the hillsides. Their 

 harsh voice was also very evident and consisted chiefly of 

 a call or alarm note resembling the sjdlables "cack-cack- 

 eaek-cack-" repeated rapidly and at frequent intervals. 

 The birds' other notes were too varied to bear reproduc- 

 tion 'but were somewhat less harsh in tone and at times 

 sank to an even softer whistle that was not at all unpleasing. 

 The bulky nests of the species were at this season of the 

 year prominent olijects in the trees everywhere. The birds 

 are heartily disliked for their thieving habits and their 

 fondness for eggs and young chickens and are shot at all 

 times by the ranchmen. They are extremely wary on this 

 account and hard to approach. The single specimen that 

 I secured was obtained only because the bird was so busy 

 "singing" that he failed to uotice my approach. 



18. Mucifraia cohmihiana (Wilson) — Clarke Nutcracker. 



The Clarke Nutcracker or Clarke Crow was one of the first 

 birds I saw on my trip. While I was driving out to the 

 ranch house where I made my first headquarters, one of 

 these ])irds flew across th.e road ir front of the horses. It 



