14 2 Drew on Birds of San yuan County, Colorado. 



85. Tetrao obscurus, Say. Dusky Grouse. — Common ; breeds. The 



Grouse, as it is called in contradistinction to the "Mountain Quail," or 

 Ptarmigan, hugs the very border of timberline throughout the year; 

 wandering above in fall after " hoppers," and coming down a little into the 

 thick woods during severe winter weather. In summer their food con- 

 sists of insects and berries, and at this time their flesh is excellent: but as 

 soon as early frosts cut short this diet they teed on spruce needles, whence 

 their flesh acquires a strong flavor. 



86. .SJgialitis vociferus, Bp. Killdeer Plover. — Found in spring; 

 breeds. 



87. Gallinago wilsoni, Bp. Wilson's Snipe. — Found in spring and 

 fall ; breeds. 



88. Tringoides macularius, <i><tv. Spotted Sandpiper. — Common: 

 breeds. The noisy "Peet-weet" is found on nearly every sandy flat in 

 (he river. Remains until late in August. 



89. Grus canadensis, Temtn. Sandhill Crane. — I saw a large 

 flock pas^ over in September, at an elevation of 15,000 feet. They breed 

 in the upper part of Animas Park, at 7000 feet. When on the ground the 

 Sandhill is not an object of beauty, but a prettier vignette is not pro- 

 duced anywhere than you can find in autumn on the plains of Kansas, 

 where you see hundreds of these Cranes high in air, their long bodies 

 en silhouette against the sky, with fleecyclouds near by formingthe bound- 

 aries of the enchanted circle. 



90. iinas bochas, Linn. Mallard. — Common. 



91. Chaulelasmus streperus. dray. Gadwall. — A small flock 

 found in September. 



9:. Querquedula discors, Stcpli. Blue-winoed Teal. — An au- 

 tumnal visitant. 



93. Fuligula marila. Step//. Greater Blackhead. — Seen in De- 

 cember. 



<;4- Fuligula affinis, Eyton. Lesser Bi u kiii dad. — Found occasion- 

 ally in winter. 



95. Histrionicus minutus, Cones. Harlequin Dick. — Common; 

 said to breed. 



Some of the following are accredited to the county by local observers, 

 while the others may possibly range as high up as the pines, which just 

 reach into San Juan. If they come at all, however, it is hut rarely. 



1. Turdus swainsoni, Cab. Swainson's Thrush. — " At 9200." 



2. Sitta canadensis aculeata. Allot. Slender-billed Nuthatch. 

 — I found this Nuthatch very rare all through southern Colorado, from 

 6500 to 8000 feet. In June I found the bird in New Mexico, at 8000 feet. 

 My experience with it coincides exactly with Mr. T. M. Trippe's account 

 given in "Birds of the North-west." page 230. Its song gave me no clue 

 to the author, and more than once I thought it was a Flicker's call. 



3. Deudrceca graciae, Cones. Grace's Warbler. — A dainty little 

 inhabitant of the pines up to 7500 feet, and perhaps higher. Common on 

 the tributaries of the Rio San Juan. 



