1S90.] Mearns, Arizotia Mountain Birds, Cj 



could not have flown to any other body of water, as it was barely able to 

 rise from the surface when closely pressed. 



Anas discors. Blue-winged Teal. — Several were seen on each of 

 the mountain lakes that we visited, but no positive proof of their breeding 

 there was obtained, although it is probable that they do. 



Anas cyanoptera. Cinnamon Teal.— This remarkably handsome Duck 

 was found breeding abundantly on the small lakes of the Mogollon 

 Mountains during May and June. 



Spatula clypeata. Shoveller. — Very abundant in the lakes of the 

 Mogollons during May and June. They were probably breeding, al- 

 though I obtained no other proof of it than their presence there in num- 

 bers at that season. 



Dafila acuta. Pintail. — We learned from persons living near the 

 Mormon Lake, that several kinds of Ducks breed in such considerable 

 numbers on the lake that the Mormon settlers make a practice of gather- 

 ing their eggs. The best season is during the latter part of May, and we 

 were informed that an egg hunt had taken place about a week before our 

 arrival, which perhaps accounts for our lack of success as eggers, they 

 having gone over the same ground that we did. Although several species 

 of Ducks, including the present one, were abundant, we found no 

 eggs save those of the Teal. 



Erismatura rubida. Ruddy Duck. — A number of these beautiful 

 Ducks were shot on Stoneman's Lake, at an altitude of 6200 feet, late 

 in the month of May. They had acquired their full nuptial plumage, and 

 undoubtedly would soon have been nesting, as a female taken contained 

 an egg of considerable size. On Mormon Lake, also, a few were shot 

 about the first of June ; and we met with it again at Duck Lake, near 

 Flagstaff, later in the season. 



Plegadis guarauna. White-faced Glossy Ibis. — On the last day of 

 May, 1887, we rode entirely around the Mormon Lake, exploring the edge 

 as far as possible. Large flocks of these Ibises were found, and they were 

 probably on their breeding ground. A wounded one was carried along 

 by a member of the party, but it died, presumably of cold, on San Fran- 

 cisco Mountain. 



Botaurus lentiginosus. American Bittern. — Breeds commonly in 

 suitable places throughout these mountains. It was especially abundant 

 at Mormon Lake, where it finds a most congenial home. 



Nycticorax nycticorax naevius. Black-crowned Night Heron. — 

 Several were shot at Mormon Lake during the last days of May. There 

 are several rookeries of this species in the canons of the upper Verde and 

 its tributaries. It is a permanent resident in the Verde Valley. 



GruS" mexicana. Sandhill Crane. — A few pairs breed at Mormon 

 Lake, where a Mormon settler took its eggs in 1SS6. 



Porzana Carolina. Sora. — The Soras were abundant and very tame at 

 the time of our visit to Mormon Lake. They were also found in several 

 of the smaller lakes, and probably bred at Stoneman's Lake, where I 

 took a pair on May 24. 



