Drew on Birds of San ytian County, Colorado. 141 



68. Picus pubescens gairdneri. Cones. Gairdner's Woodpecker. — 

 Common ; resident. 



69. Picoides americanus dorsalis, Bd. Striped-backed Wood- 

 pecker. — Formerly rare, but has become a not uncommon resident in the 

 past two years. 



70. Sphyrapicus varius nuchalis, Bd. Nuchal Woodpecker. — 

 Rare, and very shy; breeds. Its taps cause a peculiar, rattling sound, 

 quite different from the ordinary " rat-tap-tap " and several times led me 

 long chases after a "rare bird" which I only knew by its supposed notes. 



71. Colaptes mexicanus, S-v. Red-shafted Flicker. — Common 

 from April to November; breeds. 



72. Otus vulgaris wilsonius, Allen. Long-eared Owl. — But one 

 found. 



73. Symium cineieum, Aud. Great Gray Owl. — One evening in 

 February, just at dark, I saw a pair of large, gray, tuftless Owls which I 

 think were of this species. Its "hoots" were different from those of Bubo 

 virginianus. 



74. Circus cyaneus hudsonius. Sc/il. Marsh Hawk. — A pair was 

 found in September, at 14.000 feet. 



75. Accipiter fuscus. Gray. Sharp-shinned Hawk. — Occasionally 

 found; breeds? 



76. Accipter cooperi. Gray. Cooper's Hawk. — Occasionally met 

 with. 



77. Astur atricapillus, Jard. Goshawk. — A rare resident. 



78. Falco sparverius, Linn. Sparrow Hawk. — Common. Abun- 

 dant in fall near the summit, where they live on mice and grasshoppers. 

 Breeds. 



79. Buteo borealis, Vieill. Red-tailed Hawk. — Breeds. Was very 

 common in September, in the grassy parks above timberline. 



So. Buteo borealis calurus, Ridg. Western Red-tailed Hawk. — 

 Breeds; resident? 



81. Aquila chrysaetus, Linn. Golden Eagle. — Not uncommon; 

 resident. 



S2. Cathartes aura. III. Turkey Buzzard. — Seen in fall inconsid- 

 erable numbers. 



83. Zenaidura carolinensis, Bp. Carolina Dove. — Rare; breeds. 



84. Lagopus leucurus, Szv. White-tailed Ptarmigan. — Very com- 

 mon ; breeds. They are only found above timberline in summer, where they 

 feed on the leaves and flowers of Caltha leptosefala. During winter 

 storms they descend to the valleys, hiding amongst the willows and eating 

 willow buds. They are usually quiet during the day, but active and noisy 

 in the evening, making a cackling like Prairie Chickens. Part of the 

 usual description of the Ptarmigan is "tail always white." This, in so far 

 as my observations extend, is not correct in regard to the first, or nestling, 

 plumage, when the tail is like the back, — white, with grayish-brown 

 blotches. They have from eight to ten young at a brood. A number I have 

 taken this winter (18S0) have the usual white plumage suffused with a 

 delicate pink flush, enhancing their beauty wonderfully. 



