284 



General Notes. [Apiil 



Another Black Robin. — While looking at the birds in an aviary in 

 Somerville, Mass., a few days since, I noticed an American Robin as dark 

 as a European Blackbird, for which I took it until the owner informed 

 me that it was our Robin taken from the nest, in this neighborhood, by 

 himself. He told me that Robins thus raised in confinement were often 

 thus colored. Is not the melanism to be connected with the peculiar con- 

 ditions to which the bird is exposed.^ The aviary is built like a green- 

 house, with one side (glass) sloping to the south. It has no artificial heat 

 therein, yet keeps southern birds (as Cardinal Grosbeaks) in good con- 

 dition. The Robins get no worms except those they may pick up in the 

 aviary. — Walter Faxon, Cambridge, Mass. 



Some Additions to the Avi-fauna of Colorado. — Mr. Frank M. Drew, in 

 his admirable paper 'On the Vertical Range of Birds in Colorado' (Auk, 

 Jan., 1S85), makes no mention of the following species, and, so far as I 

 know, they are new to Colorado. The notes were obtained by the joint 

 eftbrts of Mr. A. W. Anthony and the writer. 



Spizella socialis. Chipping Sparrow. — On May 14, 1SS2, I first made 

 the acquaintance of this species. Small numbers were seen for a week or 

 ten days during the migration. I did not see any more until May 19, 1884, 

 when they were abundant on the Platte River and congregated in large 

 flocks. 



On the night of April 22, of the past spring (1S85), we had the heaviest 

 fall of snow of the season at Denver, and it continued to fall for most of 

 the forenoon of the 23d. All the morning I had noticed a number of small 

 birds flying about and on closer examination thej' proved to be of this 

 species. A few were seen off" and on until May 12. 



Scolecophagus carolinus. Rusty Blackbird. — In the collection of Mr. 

 Anthony is a pair of Rusty Grackles which he shot December 17, 18S3. 

 They were in a piece of swampv ground, near Denver, and were the only 

 ones seen. 



Colaptus auratus 'hybridus.' 'Hybrid Flicker.' — Specimens of this 

 bird are not uncommon here. Generally seen during the migrations. 



Syrnium occidentalis. Spotted Owl. — In the collection of Mr. A. W. 

 Anthony is a specimen of this Owl, which he shot either in January or 

 February, 18S2. It was in a wet marshy place grown up to coarse grass. 

 The bird seemed to make its home in this locality for some time, as he 

 says he flushed it from the grass on several different occasions during the 

 winter, before he succeeded in shooting it. On corresponding with Mr. 

 C. E. Aiken, of Colorado Springs, we learn that he has taken several spec- 

 imens which he refers to this species. 



Glaucidium gnoma. California Pigmy Owl. — The earliest specimen 

 of this species is in the possession of a taxidermist of this city,wlio informs 

 us that it was found dead and frozen imder a bank on Clear Creek, in the 

 vicinity of Denver, February 3, 1881. In July, 18S4, the writer was camped 

 on Bear Creek, a brawling mountain stream, which winds its way through 

 the canon of the same name. On the afternoon of the 21st, I crossed the 



