1923 BIRDS OF THE SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS 4i 



of the mesquite and eatsclaw as well as of the canyons in the region of 

 McOleary's (Nicholson's) during the winter and spring of 1920-1921. Several 

 were caught in traps set for live mammals, evidently attracted by the popular 

 I'olled oats. The call is one quick emphatic note, often suggesting that of tlie 

 (lila Woodpecker. One of the winlei- songs, given January 5, when i)erched on 

 top of a bush with crest raised and tail swinging from side to side, was true- 

 U'licf, true-icliee. One of its commonest calls, resembling that of the California 

 Towhee, was a rapid scrcc-kee-gee, kec-gec-kee. 



in tlie region of Rosemont, January 15-17, 1923, Taylor found Canyon 

 Towhees all along the road through the oak country, in twos, threes, or fours; 

 usually on the ground, often on the steep side of a wash, and sometimes in low 

 bushes. Probably thirty were seen, January 15; twenty or more were noted 

 •Tanuary 16, a])out the I'anger station aud in l>ai"rel Canyon; and they were 

 found common, January 17, below tlie ranger station. At McChmry's Ranch 

 (Nicholson's) February 4, Taylor found them common; and at Oardiuu-'s 

 Ranch February 10. they Avere among the most conspicuous birds around the 

 ranch buildings and yards. Four were seen in one grmqi, })usily searching 

 over the ground. 



Oberholseria chlorura. Green-tailed Towhee 



One, seen first on Decf'ml)er 9, 1920, was a familiar visitor at our feeding 

 tal)le throughout the winter. On March 29 it was joined by another, and on 

 May 3. three were seen about the tal)le at one time. Two were noted below 

 4,000 feet, one on December 14 and one on February 2; and in the first week 

 of Ai)ril, a number were seen under the live oaks of the ranch. 



Cardinalis cardinalis superbus. Arizona Cardinal 



One was taken by Nelson, July 15. 1884, at Camp Crittenden. Tt was 

 found ))y Bailey, October 25-29, 1913, fairly common about McCleary's Ranch. 

 One was taken October 28. A i)air came to our camp for food and water dur- 

 ing the winter of 1920-1921, and a second male was occasionally driven aAvay 

 ])y the resident. Others were seen betAveen 4,000 and 4,500 feet, and three 

 males were noted April 15. On April 27, a male was seen carrying food from 

 the bird table. The first full song Avas noticed on February 18. After a light 

 rain on February 27, the song was heard again. On March 18, it was heard 

 continuously during the morning, mostly one refrain — ivhu-ec, ivlm-ee, ep-ep- 

 cp ; and on March 22, when the songster and his mate were in the mesquites 

 near camp, he sang rather low and very happily, ivhee-np, wkee-up, and in still 

 lower tones, irJtee-eep, tvhee-eep. On March 25, he was singing contentedly in 

 the trees and grape vines of camp — ii'hee-alt, whee-aJi, whec-ah, irhee-aJi, with 

 many variations, one of which was irlice-ah, whee-ali, ivhee, Jiahaha. During the 

 night of April 8, the song Avas heard by our tent. The absence of the long- 

 drawn out cue of the eastern Cardinal is noticeable. The general character 

 of the song Avhen given at full length may be suggested hy—Wliee-aJi, whee-ah, 



