300 Wabren, Birds of the Elk Mountain Region, Colo. [j,^iy 



begins in May, toward the latter part of the month. I cannot say just 

 when they descend to the valleys in fall; no doubt it depends much upon 

 the weather. I have seen them at timberline November 9, and at the 

 same altitude early in May. In winter the Ptarmigan seem to prefer to 

 frequent the creek bottoms which are overgrown with willows on whose 

 buds they largely feed. In such places their tracks can be seen going 

 from one clump of bushes to another, looking much as if a flock of chickens 

 had been wandering about. In summer they seem to eat anything, in- 

 sects, plant buds and seeds are all acceptable. 



Centocerus urophasianus. Sage Grouse. — Rare in the region, 

 coming but little farther north up East River than Jack's Cabin. 



Columba fasciata fasciata. Band-tailed Pigeon. — There used to 

 be a few Band-tails on the North Fork of the Gunnison, and on Muddy and 

 Anthracite Creeks, also on the lower west slope of Ragged Mountain. 

 I saw two May 27, 1901, a short distance west of the base of that mountain, 

 while surveying, and had an excellent opportunity to observe them with 

 the ti-ansit telescope. 



Zenaidura macroura marginella. Western Mourning Dove. — 

 A common summer resident in suitable country up to 9,500 feet. In June, 

 1915, dm-ing four weeks of field work I saw this species but once, though I 

 used to see it commonly in previous years in the very same localities where 

 I was working this year. I ascribe this scarcity to the cause mentioned 

 in the introduction, their sliiughter by foreigners. 



My earliest date is May 14, 1900, at Hillside Ranch, and latest October 

 9, 1910, at the same place, when one was seen. A nest with two eggs was 

 found on Ferris Creek, June 17, 1902, and one with two half-gi'own young 

 at KiUian's ranch July 24, 1902, both of these nests being on the gi-ound. 



Circus hudsonius. Marsh Hawk. — Common, especially in autumn, 

 when it is often seen hunting over the meadows; I am not sure if it breeds. 

 Seen as late as October 14, 1905; one seen at Hillside Ranch, June 26, 1903. 



Accipiter velox. Sharp-shinned Hawk. — One seen at Hillside 

 Ranch, June 9, 1915. 



Buteo borealis calurus. Western Redtail. — Common summer 

 resident. Earhest date of arrival April 1, 1901; latest autumn date 

 October 19, 1905. This useful large hawk seems well distributed over 

 the region, from the lower portions up to the highest mountains; it is 

 especially abundant in autumn. In May, 1901, in the country between 

 Muddy Creek and Ragged Mountain were several nests which I thought 

 belonged to this species, though but one was actually occupied, and I saw 

 a hawk perched on another nest, which, however, showed no signs of recent 

 use. This was in a scrub oak about 12 feet from the ground, a mere plat- 

 form of twigs. The occupied nest was in a dead Quaking Aspen, first noted 

 May 24. Rifle shots fired at the nest failed to drive the sitting bird off, 

 though some of the bullets tore through the twigs beneath her. The tree 

 was cut down June 30. The nest contained a half-grown young bird, 

 and there had been another which had died when very young, and whose 

 •dried-up body was in the nest. 



