i886.] Mearns on the Birds of Arizona. ^95 



song is more proti-acted than that of any other species with which 

 I am familiar. Its best efforts are put forth during the mating 

 season, in February, March, and April ; but, except during July 

 and August, when the heat becomes intense and the Thrasher's 

 plumage is bleached almost to whiteness, and worn to tattered 

 shreds amongst the thorny chapparal in which it finds food and 

 some shelter from the sun, it sings commonly throughout the year. 

 The warm sunshine of a winter's day suffices to bring out its full 

 song, which perchance has been hushed by a cold snap and fliuTy 

 of snow. At first come a few notes of doubtful confidence, barely 

 sufficing to remind one that it can sing ; then a thoughtful, some- 

 what desultory song, till the power of the tropical sun asserts 

 itself, or the genial influence of its mate is felt, when this harmo- 

 nious soliloquy grows into a serene and dignified performance 

 that challenges attention and excites admiration. The Crissal 

 Thrasher is a shy bird, and only sings when it fancies itself secure 

 from intrusions upon its solitude ; but, about ranches, where it 

 associates with man, it loses some of its wildness and becomes 

 more confident and trusting. After the autumnal moult, when 

 berries, grapes, and other acceptable food is plentiful, there is a 

 distinct revival of song in this species. It has no loud call-note 

 like the other species. 



It is, like the rest of the Thrashers, highly terrestrial, and runs 

 swiftly upon the ground from one bush to the next, often jetting 

 its long tail upward. It mounts to the bush-tops to sing by hop- 

 ping from branch to branch, and clambers through dense, spiny 

 brushwood with surprising agility. In general it may be set 

 down as a shy bird, though at times becoming quite familiar. It 

 makes but little use of its short, rounded wings as a rule, but oc- 

 casionally makes long flights across a cafion or valley, setting its 

 wings and soaring, like Gambel's Qiiail. 



Before the end of April young birds were seen that were 

 already strong on the wing and appeared to be taking care of 

 themselves, showing that this species breeds early. As is the 

 case with many birds of this warm climate, its season of repro- 

 duction is unusually extended. I did not find its nest until the 3d 

 of July, when one was found in a patch of sage-brush, built in a 

 bush, close to the ground. Its presence was betrayed by the 

 actions of the male bird. The female was sitting upon three 

 eggs, but skulked ofi' upon the gi'ound, among the bushes, and 

 was immediately lost sight of. 



