122 University of California Publications in Zoology [Vol. 12 



una, April 26 ; Potholes, April 28 ; five miles northeast of Yuma. May 

 2. In the last four cases the behavior of the birds at the time aroused 

 the supposition that they were nesting' in the respective vicinities. 

 But recalling the tattler-like actions of the killdeer on occasions at 

 other seasons, I do not now consider the evidence at all conclusive. 

 Two killdeers were preserved, nos. 12659, 12660. 



Lophortyx gambeli Gambel 

 Desert Quail 



Desert quail were numerous on both sides of the river almost con- 

 tinuously down to the Picacho region. Below this they were notably 

 scarce, in fact apparently wanting at several of our stations. A few 

 were seen at Pilot Knob. Along the whole course of the river the 

 quail are close associates of the mesquite and quail-brush (Atriplex 

 lentiformis) . They also forage widely on the adjacent desert, espec- 

 ially up the washes lined with catclaw and ironwood. But in all 

 cases the river is their base, as they apparently need to drink both 

 morning and evening. Stomachs of birds shot contained masses of 

 mistletoe berries, and, at the time the mesquites were just coming into 

 leaf, quantities of the tender green foliage of this plant. Nineteen 

 specimens of the desert quail were preserved, nos. 12661-12679. The 

 combined weight of three males shot February 21, five miles south 

 of Needles, was sixteen ounces ; of three females fifteen ounces. 



There are in the Museum four skins (nos. 4446-4449) taken by J. G. 

 Cooper at Fort Mohave in 1861. 



Zenaidura macroura marginella (Woodhouse) 

 Western Mourning Dove 



First seen February 2."). on the Arizona side above Mellen; a flock 

 of about seventy-five were scattered out feeding on the ground among 

 the creosote and bushes of Atriplex polycarpa. Doves were not again 

 noted until March 18, near Riverside Mountain; but thenceforth they 

 were seen at nearly every station, and sometimes in considerable num- 

 bers. As elsewhere in desert regions, doves visited the water at dusk, 

 arriving from a distance over the mesas. Up to May 13 in the vicinity 

 of Pilot Knob, the species was still in evidence ; it is probably resident 

 in the region. 



Four specimens were secured, nos. 12680-12683. 



