60 Lincoln, Birds of the Clear Creek District, Colo. [j^ 



BIRDS OF THE CLEAR CREEK DISTRICT, COLORADO. 



BY F. C. LINCOLN. 



While it is probably true that local lists are more or less tire- 

 some to those entirely unacquainted with the region treated, it is 

 nevertheless, quite as obvious that to the workers of any given 

 territory, an accurate resume of any portion of it, is of a distinct 

 value. Particularly is this the case when the time comes for the 

 ultimate comprehensive work which will sum up and combine the 

 efforts of many individuals in many districts. 



Recent years have seen several of these lists from Colorado, some 

 of them containing much valuable data relative to the State's 

 ornithology, and graphically contradicting the statement that 

 Colorado has been "well-worked," although to those intimately 

 associated with Colorado and her birds the fallacy was perfectly 

 apparent. To fully appreciate this condition one had only to 

 consider the extent of the State, the greatly varied topography and 

 environment, coupled with the numerous life zones; all of which 

 combine to produce an area where conclusive results are obtainable 

 only after long and arduous activities. 



Accordingly, with the feeling that he is adding to the knowledge 

 of Colorado's ornithology, the author submits the following an- 

 notated list of the birds of the Clear Creek District. 



Clear Creek valley proper extends from its junction with the 

 South Platte River in Adams County, near Denver, to the mouth 

 of its canyon in the foothills at Golden, Jefferson County. At the 

 union of the creek with the Platte River the valley is approximately 

 a mile and a half in width, narrowing gradually westward to about 

 a quarter of a mile before passing between the North and South 

 'Table Mountains,' immediately east of Golden, the old terri- 

 torial capital. West of the Table Mountains and separating them 

 from the foothills, lies a narrow, steadily ascending lateral, or 

 " paradox " valley, known as ' Hogback Valley,' in which the town 

 of Golden is located, and of which about four miles to the north 

 and the same to the south is tributary to Clear Creek. Beyond 

 this are the foothills of the Front Range, marking the dividing line 



