236 Gary, Birds of the Black Hills. [J^"J 



crops, and large numbers are killed and poisoned. It is very difficult to 

 get within gunshot of these jays in summer, but I was told that in cold 

 weather, when driven to the ranches by hunger, they become very bold, 

 even entering the kitchen of the ranch house in quest of food. When 

 ravaging the crops Piflon Javs go about in immense flocks, and always 

 keep sentinels posted to warn them of impending danger. Fully grown 

 young birds were common on June 4. Pifion Jays are partial to the foot- 

 hills, and are seldom seen back in the heavy timber. 



46. Agelaius phceniceus. Red-winged Blackbird. — A few seen 

 near Hot Springs. 



47. Sturnella magna neglecta. Western Meadowlark. — Abun- 

 dant at Hot Springs, Edgemont and Newcastle — breeds. 



48. Icterus galbula. Baltimore Oriole. — Breeding at Edgemont. 



49. Icterus bullocki. Bullock's Oriole. — Common at Edgemont, 

 where it breeds. 



50. Scolecophagus cyanocephalus. Brewer's Blackbird. — Usually 

 seen in the vicinity of springs. 



51. Quiscalus quiscula aeneus. Bronzed Grackle. — Occasional. 



52. Pinicola enucleator canadensis. Pine Grosbeak.: — Hot Springs, 

 May 28, 1S99; Newcastle, June 8, 1900. 



53. Loxia curvirostra minor. American Crossbill. — Both at Hot 

 Springs and Newcastle, in the latter locality around springs. Did not 

 appear to be breeding. 



54. Loxia curvirostra stricklandi. Mexican Crossbill. — Am quite 

 certain that I saw two of these birds at Hot Springs, as I was very close 

 to them at the time. 



55. Astragalinus tristis. American Goldfinch. — Common around 

 creeks and springs. 



56. Spinus pinus. Pine Siskin. — Seen but once or twice. Its pres- 

 ence in June would indicate that it breeds within the Hills. 



57. Pocecetes gramineus confinis. Western Vesper Sparrow. — 

 A Vesper Sparrow was seen, and was probably of this variety. 



58. Chondestes grammacus strigatus. Western Lark Sparrow. — 

 A common breeder. A nest containing five slightly incubated eggs was 

 found on June 14, 1900. The nest was on the ground, and composed of 

 coarse grass, the lining being of finer grass and horsehair. Eggs similar 

 to those of C grammacus. 



59. Spizella socialis. Chipping Sparrow. — Abundant throughout 

 the region, and breeds. Fresh sets were found from June 3 to 14, 1900. 

 The nest is usually in small pines and cedars in the canons. 



60. Spizella pallida. Clay-colored Sparrow. — Several seen at Hot 

 Springs. 



61. Junco aikeni. White-winged Junco. — Common about the ranch. 

 Several families of young birds seen on June 11, 1900. 



62. Pipilo erythrophthalmus. Towhee. — Once at Hot Springs, in 

 1 899- 



