1914 



BIRDS OF ARIZONA 



91 



Otocoris a. adusta 

 Otocoris a. pallida 

 Corvu.s cryptoleucus 

 Molothrus a. obsciiru? 

 .\mphispiza b. deserticola 

 Aimophila carpalis 

 Melospiza m. saltonis 

 Pipilo aberti 

 Cardinalis c. superbns 

 Pyrrhuloxia s. sinuata 

 Phainopepla nitens 

 Toxostoma c. palmeri 

 Toxostoma bendirei 

 Toxostoma 1. lecontei 

 Toxostoma crissale 

 Heleodytes b. couesi 

 Auriparus f. flaviceps 

 Polioptila plumbea 



The Lower Sonoran zone occupies a larger portion of tlie state than any 

 other of the faunal subdivisions. It includes the vast desert area of western Ari- 

 zona, and extends as long-, narrow ribbons far up the valleys of the Gila River 

 and its tributaries, and along the Colorado River to. and including, the desert 

 of the Little Colorado River, in the northeastern corner of the state. In these 

 Lower Sonoran valleys of Arizona many of the distinctive southwestern desert 

 types attain their greatest development. The group of thrashers is a good ex- 

 ample of this class : w-hile there are distinctive low zone species of doves, quails, 

 and woodpeckers, several species of each, with great abundance of individuals. 



The various associations found within the Lower Sonoran zone present com- 

 binations of species quite as distinctive as those inhabiting different zones. 

 Among these may he mentioned the association of the mesquite-bordered streams, 

 in which are found the White-winged Dove. Vermilion Flycatcher. Crissal 

 Thrasher. Lucy Warbler, Sonoran Yellow Warbler and Verdin ; that of the giant 

 cactus, with the Sahuaro Screech Owl, Elf Owl, Gilded Flicker, and Arizona 

 Crested Flycatcher; and that of the creosote and cholla cactus covered mesa, 

 with the Black-throated Sparrow, Palmer. Bendire and Leconte thrashers. Cactus 

 Wren, Plumbeous Gnatcatcher and Texas Xighthawk. These lists, of course, 

 are not at all complete, but include merely some of the most conspicuous and 

 tyi:)ical birds of each association. The subject is deserving of careful study, 

 such as cannot be attempted in this connection, and should include consideration 

 of the mammals and reptdes of the regions as well as of the birds. Many of the 

 correlations noted even in a cursory survey of the available data, are extremely 

 interesting. 



SpEciks Ocx'i'RKTxr, IX THE Upper Soxok.xn Zone 



SUMMER VISITANT 



1. Cynanthus latirostris 



2. Myiarchus 1. olivascens 



3. Myiochanes r. richardsoni 



4. Icterus pansorum 



5. Vireosylva g. swainsoni 



6. Vireo vicinior 



