MiNOT on Colorado Birds. 229 



Swallows their wings seemed to me of a different cut, and more used in 

 motion. Their notes are distinct : a chip, almost Finch-like, and others not 

 unlike the Cliff Swallow's. The seemingly white rump is characteristic. 



25. Vireo plumbeus, Cones. Plumbeous Vireo. — A summer resi- 

 dent. About Boulder, common up to 9,000 feet, frequenting shrubbery, 

 and groves of pines or cottonwoods. About Manitou, infrequent. Song 

 not so sweet as the Solitary Vireo's ; ordinary note week, not ank, but 

 seemingly just as petulant ; scold, or chatter, generic. Nest usually higher 

 than the Solitary's. Without comparing specimens, I regard the Plum- 

 beous Vireo as a distinct species. 



26. Vireo gilvus swainsoni, Coues. Western Warbling Yireo. 

 — At Boulder, I did not observe it till the last of May. About Manitou 

 an abundant summer resident, frequenting chiefly the oak-scrub, but occur- 

 ring up to 10,000 feet. Notes : a cJiip, a petulant quee, and a chatter. Song 

 not so continuous, varied, or sweet as the Eastern bird's, but generally the 

 repetition of a somewhat set and very definite phrase. Nest usually within 

 ten feet of the ground. 



27. Carpodacus cassini, Baird. Western Purple Finch. — To 

 the northward a common summer resident up to 10,000 feet, often singing 

 from a high perch almost identically with the Eastern bird. May 31, a 

 large flock appeared at Boulder in the fields, feeding on the ground, 

 springing up with a che'-u-ive'-u as they flew, and all alighting in one tree, 

 where, in a subdued way, they warbled, or almost twittered, in a confused 

 chorus. The crown is gloriously carmine. 



28. Loxia curvirostra mexicana, Coues. Mexican Crossbill. — 

 An irregular resident. I first observed these birds between Nederland 

 and Black Hawk, in a pine wood, where they were uttering the most 

 extraordinary notes I ever heard (the first harsh, like the sound of some 

 machine, and the last hurried, like obstreperous kissing !) : " Hang it ! 

 Hang it ! Hang it ! chup-chup-chup-chup-chup ! " It may have been a 

 matrimonial dispute, for the birds did not allow a close approach, but 

 flew off" with their usual chattering. 



29. Melospiza lincblni, Bahxl. Lincoln's Sparrow. — A sum- 

 mer resident in high swamps : not numerous. These birds do not like 

 familiarity, but may be seen, now and then, perched erectly on top of a 

 bush, and heard singing. Their song, to any imagination less vivid than 

 Audubon's, could hardly suggest the English Wood Lark's. Were I to 

 describe it, at its best, fancifully, I should say it was a cross between those 

 of the Song Sparrow and Parkman's Wren. At times it is inferior. 



30. Zonotrichia leucophrys, Sw. White-crowned Sparrow. — 

 Abundant in summer in high swamps. Common about Boulder up to 

 June 1 at least. These Sparrows mount to sing their song, of which the first 

 two notes are generic, though frequently not clear, and the latter a hur- 

 ried little phrase, not falling, as with the White-throat, but suggesting 

 rather the Bay-wing. Besides their tsip, and an almost metallic chipy 



