122 EXPLORATIONS AND SURVEYS WEST OF 100TH MERIDIAN. 



91. Seolecophagm cyanoceplmlus, (Wagl.) Brewer's Blackbird. 



A generally well-distributed species, both in New Mexico and Arizona. 

 Unlike its eastern congener, the Rusty Blackbird, which is pre-eminently 

 a swamp and marsh loving species, the Brewer's seems little inclined to 

 prefer such localities, but is often found, especially in the fall, on the 

 outskirts of settlements, haunting the corrals and barn-yards. 



CORVID^E (the Crows). 



92. Corvus corax Z/., var. carnivorus, Bartr. American Raven. 



An ever-present species throughout our route. In the fall and winter 

 they congregate just outside the settlements, frequenting the corn-fields 

 and the ranges, where horses and cattle are pastured. In the wilder- 

 ness they were most often met with in pairs, and here seemed shy and 

 suspicious. Their sharp eyes were quick to spy out our presence, and 

 always in early morning the croakings of one or two pairs were heard 

 from the neighboring trees or rocks, where they were impatiently await- 

 ing till our departure should enable them to swoop down into the camp, 

 and quarrel over any stray morsels left behind. 



93. Corvus cryptoleucus, Couch. White-necked Crow. 



I did not detect the presence of this bird in either New Mexico or 

 Arizona. A large flock was seen near Colorado Springs in December, 

 in which region the observations of Mr. Aiken show it to be a very 

 abundant species. 



94. Picicorvus columbianus, (Wils.) Clarke's Crow. 



About the middle of August this species was apparently not uncom- 

 mon in the White Mountains, Arizona, where a specimen was obtained 

 by Dr. New berry, jr. At this season it was very restless and shy. 



95. GymnoMtta cyanocephala, Pr. Max. Maximilian's Jay. 



A large flock of these jays were seen near Silver City, N. Mex., Octo- 

 ber, busily engaged on the ground feeding upon grass-seeds. Those in. 

 the rear kept flying up and alighting in the front rank, the whole flock 

 thus keeping in continual motion. Near Tulerosa late in November, I 

 found the species an abundant one, and chiefly frequenting the pinico- 

 line trees. Their habits here, however, seemed to imply a scarcity of 

 their favorite food, which are the various seeds of the coniferous trees, 

 for I saw a large flock engaged in catching insects on the wing, and in 

 this novel occupation they displayed no little dexterity. From the tops 

 of the pine-trees they ascended to a considerable height, when, hover- 

 ing for an instant, they would snap up an insect and return to near the 

 former position, remain for a moment, and again make an essay. 



