70 EXPLORATIONS AND SURVEYS WEST OF 100TH MERIDIAN. 



westward stretches away for many miles, presenting the same unvary- 

 ing characteristics, but to the north and east is broken up by volcanic 

 ridges, which are soon lost in the foot-hills of the mountains. The foot- 

 hills are well clothed with pinons and cedars. From May 24 till June 3 

 the time was spent in making collections in the immediate vicinity of 

 the fort, more particularly upon the creeks which flow through the plain 

 and are well timbered with cotton woods, and in many places skirted by 

 heavy brush. As might be expected, the immediate neighborhood of 

 these streams affords a home for large numbers of birds ; the number of 

 species, however, not being great, and of these by far the larger part 

 are of the smaller insectivorous kinds. The almost total absence of the 

 large rapacious birds was very noticeable, and during my whole stay in 

 the region I saw but two (Buteo calurus and Buteo proticus}. A week's 

 camp in the pine-woods at the base of Mount Baldy, some twelve miles 

 to the north of the fort, at an approximate elevation of 9,500 feet, added 

 numerous varieties to the list, many of which were not met with at all 

 farther down, and also afforded an opportunity of observing the vertical 

 range of many of the species. The timber consists mainly of the yel- 

 low pine, which here attains a large size, interspersed with more or less 

 spruce. Of the deciduous trees the aspens were the only numerous 

 representatives ; these grew in thick groves on slopes of the mountains, 

 and often attain a great elevation, sometimes, indeed, forming the tim- 

 ber-limit above the pine. The small streams are thickly skirted with 

 many deciduous bushes and shrubs, prominent among which are the 

 willows and alders. The fauna at this point is analogous to the Cana- 

 dian. On returning to Garland I was afforded an opportunity of making 

 a week's trip to the summer cavalry-camp established on the banks of 

 the Eio Grande, ninety miles northeast of the fort. Here I was most 

 kindly received by Captain Carraher and Lieutenant Pond, officers in 

 charge, who extended to me every courtesy and aid. The number and 

 variety of the birds found along the Rio Grande at this point did not 

 differ in any noteworthy respect from those in the vicinity of Garland, 

 and the collecting trips made into the mountains, which rise a few miles 

 from the banks, gave similar results to those obtained at Mount Baldy. 

 Returning to the post June 19, a short trip was made to a series of alkali 

 lakes, thirty miles northwest, and some interesting facts obtained regard- 

 ing the nidiflcation of the water-birds. The remaining time, till July 2, was 

 occupied in making daily excursions from the fort. In conclusion I can- 

 not refrain from mentioning the uniform courtesy I received from each 

 and allhe officers of the post. To Colonel Alexander, the commanding 

 officer, ro Captain Jewitt, and to Lieutenant Hartz, whose hospitality I 

 enjoyed during my stay at the post, I am greatly indebted. E yery pos- 

 sible aid in the prosecution of my work was extended. 



TUEDID^E (the Thrushes). 



1. Turdus migratoriuSj L. Eobin. 



Moderately common in this locality ; nests in the cotton woods along 

 the streams. A number of nests were examined, which were composed 

 largely of sheep's wool, which the birds find clinging to the bushes. 



