iSS6.] Mearxs on Birds of Arizona. 6l^ 



alone, 46. Claw of hallux. 25; inner claw, 23; middle claw, 22; outer 

 claw, iS. Graduation of tail, iS. 



In all of tlie above specimens the soft parts were colored as follows : 

 Irides, hazel. Bill pale blue at base, shading into plumbeous black at tip. 

 Cere and edge of mouth greenish-yellow. Tarsi and feet lemon vellow. 

 Claws plumbeous-black. 



Habits. — Late in the month of March, 1SS4, I first belield the 

 wide valley of the Rio Verde, with its tortuous stream winding 

 in zigzags, bounded by a fringe of cottonwoods which, at that 

 season, were destitute of foliage or flower. We gazed with keen 

 interest upon the panorama before us, as the driver of our ambu- 

 lance "pointed out in the distance a series of low, whitewashed 

 sheds surrounding a quadrangle and flanked by some adobe walls 

 and haystacks, which he said was the post of Fort Verde, which 

 was to be our station and home for an indefinite period. 



The steep and rugged caiion througli which we were driven 

 was wooded with evergreens of several species, and wild flowers 

 of bright hues were already unfolding. The manzanitas exhaled 

 a delicious fragrance, and their prettv pink bloom heightened the 

 effect of these handsome shrubs, which grew luxuriantly upon 

 the hillsides. Along the beautiful stream that flows through the 

 caiion were deciduous trees, among them ash, box-elder, and the 

 familiar sycamore ; but the wide expanse before us was appar- 

 ently destitute of any vegetation save scanty grass in places, and 

 the fringe of bare cottonwoods marking the course of the Verde 

 River. A white bluff' of limestone arose upon the opposite side 

 of the valley, and was broken and carved into fantastic shapes by 

 deep caiions furrowing it. 



It was a dismal and desolate outlook truh', but possessed of the 

 beauty of wild loneliness. A few da\ s' residence at the Post more 

 than reconciled us to our surroundings, and we soon discovered 

 that Nature had here scattered her treasures with lavish prodigal- 

 ity, tliough veiling them from the vulgar gaze never so cleverly. 

 Once out of 'Copper Canon.' the tired mules sped towards the 

 Post, scattering noisy flocks of Mexican Shore Larks and scurry- 

 ing troops of Gambel's Plumed Qiiails. As we rounded the 

 corner of the corrals we witnessed an exhibition of the prowess 

 of the Prairie Falcon in capturing a Pigeon. The ensuing 

 months were spent in riding over the neighboring country, and 

 everv dav brought its new discoveries in animal and plant life. 

 The cottonwoods bloomed and then unfolded their wealth of rich 



