i886.] Henshaw on Birds observed in New Mexico. ^ 7 



The nest was built in a Cottonwood tree in the same giove in 

 which we first found the birds. The nest had evidently been the 

 birthplace of many generations of these Hawks, for it measured 

 four feet in depth by two feet in width. It was lined with a layer 

 of Cottonwood leaves several inches deep, was very slightly con- 

 cave, and composed of large sticks, much decayed below, show^- 

 ing that they had been in position for a number of years. The 

 nest was about thirty feet from the ground. The female parent 

 remained too shy to return to the nest until I began to climb the 

 tree. At first I attempted to ascend by means of some grapevines, 

 which gave way ; then I managed to reach the upper partof the huge 

 bole by swinging from a tall, slender box-elder tree, and scram- 

 bled with much exertion to the lowest branch. Meanwhile the 

 Hawk had shown much uneasiness, fluttering in the air and 

 screaming lustily. As I approached her treasure her parental 

 solicitude overcame her terror and she sailed over the tree-top. I 

 saw the gun at the Captain's shoulder and feared he would miss ; 

 but he wisely held his fire until the bird wheeled and rushed 

 directly toward me, when a well directed shot dropped her just 

 at his feet. A minute later I reached the nest and discovered a 

 single half grown nestling, having the quill-feathers webbed 

 terminally, and leaden gray down covering the greater part of the 

 body. It fought fiercely, and evinced great pluck and ability to 

 defend itself. The wounded parent was also savage, and tried to 

 reach its assailant. After it was dispatched, the Captain pro- 

 posed that we shoidd attempt to find my wounded Hawk ; but the 

 locality was too dangerous, so we abandoned it with regret. 



LIST OF BIRDS OBSERVED IN SUMMER AND FALL 

 ON THE UPPER PECOS RIVER, NEW MEXICO. 



BY H. W. HENSHAW. 



\Concluded from Vol. II, p. Jjji\ 



30. PocEcetes gramineus confinis. Western Grass Finch. — A single 

 individual was secured Sept. 20. It was doubtless merely a migrant which 

 had strayed from its proper territory lower down on the plains. 



