178 BIRDS OF THE ROCKIES 



following chapters will be, first, to note the diversities 

 in the avian fauna of the two regions ; second, to give 

 special attention to such birds as either were not seen 

 in my first visit or were for some cause partly overlooked ; 

 and, third, to trace the peculiar transitions in bird life 

 in passing from the plains about Denver to the crest of 

 Gray's Peak, including jaunts to several other localities. 



In my rambles in the neighborhood of Denver only a 

 few species not previously described were observed, and 

 yet there were some noteworthy points of difference in 

 the avi-fauna of the two latitudes, which are only about 

 seventy-five miles apart. It will perhaps be remembered 

 that, in the vicinity of Colorado Springs and Manitbu, 

 the pretty lazuli buntings were quite rare and exceed- 

 ingly shy, only two or three individuals having been seen. 

 The reverse was the case in the suburbs of Denver and 

 on the irrigated plains between that city and the moun- 

 tains, and also in the neighborhood of Boulder, where 

 in all suitable haunts the lazulis were constantly at my 

 elbow, lavish enough of their pert little melodies to 

 satisfy the most exacting, and almost as familiar and 

 approachable as the indigo-birds of the East. It is pos- 

 sible that, for the most part, the blue-coated beauties 

 prefer a more northern latitude than Colorado Springs 

 for the breeding season. 



At the latter place I failed to find the burrowing owl, 

 although there can be little doubt of his presence there, 



