° 1914 J Rockwell and Wetmore, Birds of Golden, Colorado. 319 



— This species was not found until the beginning of the fall migration. 

 On August 8 we saw two, one of which was taken, and from this date until 

 the end of the month they were fairly common, among the pines at about 

 7500 feet. They were found usually with flocks of Mountain Bluebirds 

 that were feeding there. The last was seen in Turkey Creek Canon on 

 August 29. 



30. Empidonax wrighti. Wright's Flycatcher. — A single bird 

 was taken in Chimney Gulch at an altitude of 6,000 feet on May 16. Small 

 flycatchers were practically absent from this region, and none of the species 

 common in the higher mountains were found. Another Empidonax how- 

 ever was noted above Guy's Gulch on June 6, but was not identified 

 with any degree of certainty. 



31. Otocoris alpestris leucolaema. Desert Horned Lark. — On 

 August 1 1 we found a scattering flock of these birds around an alkaU pool 

 on South Table Mountain. Two young birds about half grown and an 

 adult male in worn plumage were taken. On the two Table Mountains and 

 in their vicinity was the only country suited to these birds and they were 

 seen nowhere else. On November 14 numbers were observed passing over 

 in a snow storm and some of the flocks lit on the gravel bars in Clear Creek. 



32. Pica pica hudsonia. Magpie. — The large size, loud notes and 

 striking coloration of these birds made them a conspicuous part of the 

 landscape and when they were not in sight themselves, we could usually 

 see their bulky nests. There were full sets of eggs in many nests the second 

 week in April, and in the higher altitudes incubation was well under way 

 by May 1. By the middle of June the young birds were following the 

 adults about or sitting in the trees near their nests if still unable to fly. 

 The old birds were wise enough to keep beyond gun-range and not many 

 were taken. They were very inquisitive and usually when we sat down to 

 eat lunch one or two were in sight watching us. They would make a 

 complete circle around us and as soon as we left came down to investigate 

 our resting place. A hawk or an owl they followed with as much eagerness 

 as crows do in the east and they were even seen in pursuit of other birds. 

 One day when we had laid several birds in the shade beside a rock and 

 were a few rods away among the pines a magpie came down and seizing a 

 blue-bird made off with it. On another occasion three or four devoured a 

 Mourning Dove. One evening in November a long straggling flock of at 

 least fifty birds was seen flying across a valley, but usually we saw no more 

 than half a dozen together. The thickened anterior edge of the nictitating 

 membrane was colored a brilliant orange in adults though this could not be 

 seen unless the corner of the eye was pushed back. This .spot was more 

 brilliant in spring than in fall and was more noticeable in the males than in 

 the females though present in both. It served no apparent purpose and 

 was probably merely for ornament. 



33. Cyanocitta stelleri diademata. Long-crested Jay. — A com- 

 mon bird in the foothills above 7,000 feet. Rather a large series was 

 collected from April to November showing them in all stages of plumage. 



