1920 Wetmore, Birds of Lake Burford, N. Mex. o97 



there was a considerable influx of migrants so that about twenty-five were 

 seen. The species was fairly common until May 28 and then decreased 

 in numbers. Single birds were seen on June 1, 3 and 5. On June 18 an 

 adult appeared, probably a bird come from the breeding grounds nearby, 

 the forerunner of the summer migrants. 



29. Oxyechus vociferus (Linnaeus). Killdeer. — One pair of Kill- 

 deer nested on the western shore of Lake Burford and another pair bred 

 at the Laguna de la Puerta. 



30. Meleagris gallopavo merriami Nelson. Merriam's Turkey. — 

 Old Turkey sign was seen in a gulch east of the lake on May 26 and the 

 birds were reported as fairly common farther south. 



31. Zenaidura macroura marginella (Woodhouse). Western 

 Mourning Dove. — The Western Mourning Dove was an abundant 

 breeding species in the forested hills surrounding Lake Burford and often 

 was seen along the rocky shores or in the sage brush. Pairs came down 

 to water on the open beaches, or occasionally flew out and alighted upon 

 floating masses of dead tules and walked down the edge to drink. Males 

 were heard cooing and were seen in the short sailing flights, made with 

 stiffly spread wings that are characteristic of the breeding season. In 

 the early morning many came down on the floor of the open canyon below 

 the lake and sometimes two or|three hundred were gathered in a small 

 space. They seemed to prefer the shaded side of the canyon, even though 

 the mornings were crisp and cool. The birds were very nervous here, 

 frequently flushing and flying for short distances perhaps through fear 

 of predatory hawks. Later on in the day they rested in Pinyons or cedars 

 or fed on the ground in the shadow of these trees. 



One was found that had been killed by a Sharp-shinned Hawk. 



32. Cathartes aura septentrionalis Wied. Turkey Vulture. — The 

 Turkey Vulture was fairly common about Lake Burford and individuals 

 often were seen soaring above the hills or about the broad sandstone ledges 

 in the canyon below 



On June 15 six pairs of these huge birds were seen walking about on a 

 rocky beach where apparently they were looking for dead axolotls that 

 often were washed up here by the waves. I drifted up in the boat until 

 I was within thirty yards of one pair, and others showed little fear even 

 when I landed and walked about. Two walked solemnly down to the 

 water's edge and drank, dipping in the water and then raising the head 

 (but not throwing the bill up) in order to swallow. They clambered over 

 the piles of Potamogeton and algae cast up last year and left on the shore, 

 pecking at it experimentally, pulling off the surface and digging into the 

 interior with their bills as they would into carrion. One, suddenly feeling 

 the warm sun extended its wings and spread its tail, remaining thus for 

 several minutes. On the following day a pair came to search for bird 

 bodies and other refuse at the cabin. It is probable that food was scarce 

 at this time as bands of sheep that had been grazing here had all been moved 



