^"''1^16^"^] Warren, Birds of the Elk Mountain Region, Colo. 305 



few feathers. I noted a few breast feathers from a Robin among the latter. 

 The outside diameter of the nest was 85 inches; the inside 2 inches; the 

 depth outside approximately 3 ins., being quite irregular; and inside If ins. 

 It was in some rather large willows, built in a fork made by the trunk and a 

 small branch. 



Otocoris alpestris leucolaema. Desert Horned Lark. — A common 

 summer resident, living in the open valley, and also above timberline on 

 the grassy slopes. The time of arrival in the spring no doubt varies with 

 the season and amount of snow. The winter of 1901-2 was rather a mild 

 winter, with little snow and early spring, and February 24, 1902, a Horned 

 Lark was seen by the roadside below the town, though the snow had not 

 yet gone, and March 17 several were seen at the same place. The latest 

 date I have recorded, September 23, 1902, 1 collected one at about timberline 

 on the ridge above Elk Basin, and there was a good bit of snow there at 

 that date. The following year I saw it in the same region the last of June, 

 and on the thirtieth of that month I found a nest with four eggs on the 

 slope at the head of Elk Basin. This nest was on the ground with practi- 

 cally no protection in the way of surrounding or overhanging vegetation. 

 In 1915 the species did not seem to be as common as of old; possibly its 

 habits of frequenting the roads and roadsides have made it an easy prey 

 for the foreigners. 



Pica pica hudsonia. Magpie. — Common resident and breeder. 

 Nests mainly along streams, building largely in the willows, but also in the 

 coniferous trees, and in the cottonwoods when there are any. Judging 

 from the data at hand difference of altitude does not make much difference 

 in the time of breeding. Thus at Crested Butte, 9,000 feet, I found newly 

 hatched young May 27, 1900, and on West Muddy Creek, 7,000 feet, 

 I found young of the same age May 28, 1902. The young at Crested 

 Butte were observed closely, and were out of the nest in the branches at 

 the age of four weeks, though as yet unable to fly, and when 5 weeks old 

 could fly a little, and quite well at 6 weeks of age. On W^est Muddy Creek, 

 June 20, 1903, young about four weeks old were found. I am doubtful 

 if it breeds above 9,500 feet. The Magpie sometimes goes to timberline, 

 one being seen at that elevation above Independence Basin, September 23, 

 1902. It is a nuisance in winter when one is trying to trap about animal 

 carcasses as they are continually getting into the traps. 



This is another of the species which I found to be rare about Crested 

 Butte in 1915, and I saw very few during four weeks in June. I was told, 

 however, that there were many about that spring; perhaps they also went 

 into the pot with the other birds. 



Cyanocitta stelleri diademata. Long-crested Jay. — Not uncom- 

 mon; probal>ly breeds as notes indicate its presence throughout the sum- 

 mer. I think it must go somewhat lower diu-ing the most severe portion 

 of the winter as I have no records for that season. The latest is November 

 24 and 25, 1899, at the Keystone Mine, west of Crested Butte, 10,000 feet. 

 One or two seen frequently about Hillside Ranch in June, 1915. In late 



