110 EXPLORATIONS AND SURVEYS WEST OF lOOTII MERIDIAN. 



Southeastern Arizona and Southwestern New Mexico. They move 

 about in companies of hundreds, and when on the ground run nimbly 

 among the grasses searching for seeds and insects. When approached^ 

 the whole flock squats silently among the herbage, and remains so quiet, 

 and their colors blend so nicely with the surrounding tints, that it is 

 almost impossible to detect them, though but a few feet distant. On 

 taking wing, each bird emits a number of short, quavering chirps, which 

 they repeat constantly as long as on the wing. Their flight is erratic 

 and wild, and, once startled, they are apt to keep on the wing a long 

 time, flying hurriedly about. I have occasionally seen a flock start from 

 the ground, and, after circling excitedly about, suddenly start off in a 

 straight line till nearly out of sight, and then, as if urged by some new 

 impulse, suddenly wheel about and take a direct course back, alighting 

 within a few feet from the starting-point. 



Iris brown ; bill plumbeous-brown above, lighter beneath $ feet dusky- 

 brown. 



58. Plectroplianes maccoivnii, Lawr. Chestnut-shouldered Longspur. 



Found throughout much the same region as the preceding, and with 

 very similar habits. 



59. Centronyx bairclU, (Aud.) Baird's Sparrow. 



The interesting fact of the discovery of Baird's Bunting in large num- 

 bers in Northern Dakota has been announced by Dr. Coues. Additional 

 light is thrown upon the range of this almost unknown species by its 

 discovery in Southeastern Arizona and Southwestern New Mexico. I 

 found it in immense numbers, from September 20 till late in October, 



