40 BIRDS OF THE PAPAGO SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT. 



comparisons, but in the field, seeing one bird at a time, it is easy to 

 make mistakes. This is especially true in a desert region where 

 atmospheric conditions are sometimes such that a coyote may appear 

 as large as a steer or a soaring swallow like an eagle. There is no 

 certain criterion for distinguishing at all times between these two 

 closely-related flycatchers, but a majority of the birds seen may be 

 placed with reasonable certainty. Where both species occur the 

 ash-throat is not as common as the other. In favorable light, or at 

 close range, either species may be readily distinguished by its size. 

 There are differences in the call notes, but both species are noisy, and 

 each has a variety of notes that must be learned by experience to be 

 distinguished one from the other. 



The Arizona crested flycatcher is in Arizona a summer visitor 

 'only. As during the nesting season it is apparently restricted to the 

 immediate vicinity of giant cactus, its range in the United States is 

 practically restricted to southern Arizona and to only those sections 

 of Arizona where the big cactus occurs. Egg laying takes place 

 early in June. During the first two weeks in June, 1903, the writer 

 examined some 8 or 10 nests found in the vicinity of Tucson. These 

 were all in woodpecker holes in giant cactus from 15 to 25 feet from 

 the ground and contained each from three to five eggs. The nests 

 were composed mainly of hair taken from dead horses and cattle, 

 the cavities in consequence reeking of carrion rather overpower- 

 ingly. Usually there were pieces of cast snake skin in the nests, as so 

 often occurs in all the flycatchers of this genus, and occasionally a 

 mummified owl or woodpecker underneath. 



The Arizona crested flycatcher was seen on the Papago Saguaro 

 Monument, but not commonly, perhaps 8 or 10 individuals, all told, 

 being observed. About Roosevelt Lake the species seemed scarce. 

 One was seen in the canyon below the cliff dwellings nearest the 

 lake, and one or two others on the mesa between the lake and the 

 foothills of the Sierra Ancha. 



DESERT QUAIL. 



Lophortyx gambeli Gambel. 



Recognition marks. From the other birds with which it is asso- 

 ciated the desert quail is, of course, distinguished by all the attri- 

 butes common to the quail family, of which the strong, whirring 

 flight is most apt to first draw the observer's attention. Among the 

 several species of quail occurring in Arizona it is at once recognized 

 by its club-shaped top knot. In general appearance, color, and mark- 

 ings it is sufficiently like the California quail so that the two are 

 frequently confused, but the latter does not occur in Arizona, and 

 need cause no trouble in this connection. 



