'i 2 2 Scott on the Breeding Habits of Arizona Birds. [October 



obtained between 3000 and 3500 feet altitude. Once, during the 

 season of 1SS4. on June 26, I met with the Arizona Vireo. This 

 one had probably strayed rather outside of the usual range, and 

 was at a considerably higher altitude — well within the oak belt — 

 than any since obtained. The locality where the species is most 

 abundant is where the mesquites terminate and the oaks begin ; 

 there being of course a sort of gradual transition and no well or 

 clearly defined line, the two forms of trees being mingled about 

 equally. I have found that the smooth flat mesas, and the broad 

 open bottoms of the wider canons are quite as much frequented 

 by them as the rough and broken hillsides, and it is difficult to 

 ride about anywhere between tjie altitudes above mentioned, 

 without hearing the very characteristic song of the species. In 

 the trees and bushes they rarely go higher than fifteen feet from 

 the ground, and though I have several times seen them on the 

 ground, vet the limbs about ten feet from it seem to be the most 

 frequented. The birds are exceedingly active, and, though not 

 very shy, are difficult to procure, for as soon as one tree or bush 

 has been well and very rapidly hunted over for food, a rather 

 long flight, not by any means to the nearest tree or bush, is made ; 

 and by the time the collector is in range again the song is very 

 likely to be heard at considerable distance. 



This song is clear and liquid in character, and is kept up so 

 continually as to betray the presence of the male bird, which I 

 believe monopolizes it, even a quarter of a mile away, under 

 favorable circumstances. It is composed of single whistling 

 notes, generally delivered rather slowly, and seemingly with 

 hesitation, and in an abstracted way, as if the performer were 

 thinking the while of other affairs ; and yet frequently this sort 

 of abstraction seems cast aside, and the same series of notes are 

 given with a precision and brilliancy that calls to mind a fine 

 performance of a Scarlet Tanager. or even of a Robin. 



The first arrival in my neighborhood this year (1SS5) was on 

 April 1, when I took a male in full song. This was in a pretty 

 rolling grass country, where the trees are rather scattered, and at 

 an altitude of 3500 feet. The next day another male was secured, 

 and I think the arrival must have become general by the 10th to 

 1 2th, though, as I was called away about this time, I cannot be 

 positive. On my return I went to the pine woods of this vicinity, 

 and so my note book says nothing about Gray Vireos for more 



