The Birds of Rock Canyon, Arizona 71 



MyiocJianes r. richardsoni — Western Wood Pewee. Not uncom- 

 mon along Rock Creek and the Santa Rita. 



Empidonax difficiUs — Western Flycatcher. Fairly common. Seen 

 dally along the creek. 



Pyrocephalus r. mexicanus — Vermilion Flycatcher. Not common. 

 Two pair seen near Tucson and three others secured at Rock Creeic 

 and the Santa Rita. At the latter place they exhibited a marked 

 preference for low perches, often alighting on wire fences. There 

 is certainly no protective coloration with this species as it shows 

 out vividly at all times. 



Corvus cryptoleucus — White-necked Raven (?). En route from 

 Deming, New Mexico, numbers of Ravens were noted that I believe 

 were this variety. A few were occasionally seen flying over camp, 

 although the flats of tall yucca plants seemed to be their preferred 

 habitat. 



Molothrus a. oiscnrus — Dwarf Cowbird. Shortly after we lo- 

 cated camp numbers of these birds flew over, one of which was 

 secured. 



Icterus parisorum — Scott's Oriole. Rare. A nest containing three 

 heavily incubated eggs found on the 26th. Female secured. An- 

 other pair collected at the upper water -hole on the 30th. This last 

 female had much black on the head and throat; a rare occurrence. 



Icterus c. nelsoni — Arizona Hooded Oriole. Common. FrBquented 

 the cottonwoods above and below camp and was very common along 

 the Santa Rita. Found a nest on the 28th on a dead Yucca stalk, 

 twenty feet from the ground, containing four fresh eggs. 



Carpodacus vi. frontalis — House Finch. Plentiful. Found in 

 the open desert and along the water-courses. A small bunch could 

 be found at the water-holes during all hours of the day. The 

 candle-bush was preferred for perching places. The males of this 

 region are remarkably brilliant; much more vermilion than any 

 in my series of Colorado specimens. This may be the result of 

 the intense sunlight. 



Astragalinus p. hesperophilus — Green-backed Goldfinch. Rare in 

 the vicinity of the canyons, but found in some numbers along the 

 Santa Rita. 



CJiondestes g. strigatus — Western Lark Sparrow. Rare. None 

 seen on Rock Creek, but a few seen along the road near the Santa 

 Rita. 



AmpMspiza b. deserticola — Desert Sparrow. Not uncommon, but 

 more often heard than seen. A juvenile, just out of the nest, was 

 secured May 23d. 



Pipilo /. mesoleuciis — Canyon Towhee. Common. Frequents the 

 more open brushy hillsides. Was also noted daily at the water- 

 holes. 



