iS86.] Scott oh the Breeding Habits of Arizona Birds. o'l 



used. It will be remembered that similar facts were noted in the 

 breeding of the Gray Vireo ( Virco vicinior) . As to the circum- 

 stance of the birds sitting so constantly before laying, I think it not 

 improbable that it was in order to keep possession of their nest, 

 for as a number of individuals of the species composed the colony 

 a question of ownership might easily arise. The species too, is 

 quite as great a robber of other birds' nests as its cousin of the 

 East, and possibly the habit of sitting so constantly, even before 

 any eggs are laid, is to be accounted for by a strongly inherited 

 tendency to prevent intrusion. 



The building of extra nests, as in the two instances cited, I 

 think finds parallel in the case of the Long-billed Marsh Wren, 

 and is possibly to be accounted for by the great nervous activity 

 of the birds ; or the extra nests may afford night resting places for 

 the male bird during the breeding season. 



Peucaea ruficeps boucardi. 



This species, while resident here up to the altitude of 4000 

 feet in winter, and to nearly 10,000 feet during the warmer 

 months, is much more common from the last of February until 

 the middle of October than at other times of the year. It seems 

 to be less shy than others of the genus that I have met with, save 

 Peuccea ca?'palis, and does not seek cover in the thick grass to 

 the degree or in the manner so characteristic of its congeners. At 

 most times when flushed it will fly to the nearest tree, making 

 little attempt to conceal itself. I often see many feeding where 

 barley or other grain has been thrown to the domestic fowls, and 

 at such times they are quite as familiar as the Sparrow that has 

 caused so much argument and finally been so severely condemned 

 in the Eastern cities. I noted the bii'ds as beginning to sing and 

 mate as early as the middle of March, and at that time of 

 the year they had become a very common and characteristic spe- 

 cies of this region. 



I have before me two nests. They are so essentially similar 

 that the description of one will answer for both. The first was 

 found on June 5, 1S85, well up on a hillside, at an altitude of 

 4500 feet, on the bare ground, near a tussock of grass, and man- 

 ifestly no effort had been made to choose a location that would 

 offer an}- shelter, or serve to conceal the structure. This nest is 



