Vol. XXIX 

 1912 



J Stafford, N^otes on Palmer's Thrasher. o63 



very much desired." We trust the present recital of records (not 

 usually encountered in the normal course of ornithologic investiga- 

 tions) will be only one of many answers to this earnest appeal, an 

 incentive to greater search both for other records and for living 

 representatives, and a worthy supplement of the interesting 

 articles already published. 



NOTES ON PALMER'S THRASHER (TOXOSTOMA 

 CURVIROSTRE PALMER!) . 



BY EARLE F. STAFFORD. 



Among the most noticeable and interesting birds about the ranch 

 I had taken in Tucson, Arizona, were a pair of Palmer's Thrashers. 

 The ranch was situated on the border of the creosote and cactus- 

 grown desert, of which this species is characteristic; and while 

 the birds were abundantly scattered among the cholla cactus 

 portions of the desert, especially about the ranches, each of which 

 appeared to have its two, these notes are based, in their details, 

 wholly upon the observation of my own pair. 



The Palmer's Thrasher resembles the eastern Brown Thrasher 

 (Toxosfoma rufum) in carriage, flight and general traits of behavior, 

 having the same nervous vivacity; flying low and rapidly, and 

 running with extraordinary speed on the ground, where most of 

 its food is obtained. I have seen my birds spend much time in 

 the yard half squatting, with braced feet, digging holes of con- 

 siderable depth (some as deep as two and a half inches) with quick, 

 powerful blows of their sickle-like beaks; or casting aside the mould 

 and parched soil with ner\'ous sidewise thrusts, in search of grubs. 

 On those parts of the desert, too, afi"ected by the birds the ground 

 usually shows plentiful signs of their probing. 



The song of this species suggests that of the eastern Thrasher, 

 but lacks its variety and separation into distinct phrases, and is 

 more in the nature of a loud, interrupted carol, clear, and melodious. 



