178 THE CONDOR Vol. X 



6500. Not common enough at any time to ascertain migration dates. Mr. Sulli- 

 van, speaking of one observed July 3, 1904, classes it as probably accidental." 



Salpinctes obsoletus. Rock Wren. Summer resident, common. Wherever 

 suitable breeding grounds are available the Rock Wren is sure to be found. It is 

 equally abundant about sand-stone ledges in the dry winter range country and 

 along the stone fences in cultivated sections. Arrives about May 1, breeds three 

 weeks or a month later and leaves the County early in October. Mr. Warren re- 

 ports them as common near Grand Junction the first week in October. 



Catherpes mexicanus conspersus. Canyon Wren. The only absolute record at 

 hand is one bird taken at Grand Junction by H. G. Smith March 3, 1906, which is 

 now in the collection at the State Capitol; but there is every reason to believe that 

 this species is more common in Mesa County than in an}^ other county in the 

 State. Mr. Sullivan saw a pair of Wrens May 4, 1904, which he attributed to this 

 species. Prof. Cooke reports them as common around DeBeque early in October, 

 1906, and several seen at Grand Junction in November, 1895. 



Thryomanes bewicki leucogaster. Baird Wren. Prof. Cooke says, "Several 

 seen and one collected November 2, 1895, by A. H. Howell at Grand Junction." 

 This is the only Mesa County record at hand. 



Troglodytes aedon parkmani. Western House Wren. Summer resident, abun- 

 dant. A common bird thruout the County, but much more abundant about 6500 

 feet than below and thruout the quaking-asp regions is one of the most abundant 

 breeders. Arrives early in May, breeds about the middle of June and as soon as 

 the young are able to fly ascends to 9 or 10,000 feet in search of insect food. Dur- 

 ing the month of August they are more abundant than any other bird on the Grand 

 Mesa. Depart for their' winter home late in September. Their choice of a nesting 

 site varies greatly. Nearly ever}^ deserted cabin has its pair of Wrens, nesting in 

 the crevices between the logs. Gate-frames, boxes, old woodpecker holes, natural 

 cavities and deserted mud nests of the Cliff Swallow are favorite sites. 



[Telmatodytes palustris plesius. Interior INIarsh Wren. "Occurs in Routt County 

 where it winters in the hot water swamps" (Cooke). Probably occurs in i\Iesa County as a rather 

 rare summer resident] 



Certhia familiaris montana. Rocky Mountain Creeper. Regarding this bird 

 Miss Eggleston says, "Occasional visitor. This bird's visits are uncertain as to 

 time or occasion around Grand Junction. Sometimes in midwinter its cry is heard 

 and a little investigation will locate him creeping up the vines on some of the large 

 buildings or working around the cracks in the bark of the fruit trees. It is not 

 shy and can be watched closely after being located." 



Sitta carolinensis nelsoni. Rocky Mountain Ntithatch. Resident, not uncom- 

 mon. Much more in evidence in winter than in summer, when it is rather com- 

 mon in the cedars and pinyons from 6000 to 8000 feet. During the stimmer when 

 they retire to heavy timber in the higher altitudes, they are very unobtrusive and 

 are rarely seen, but it is reasonable to suppose that they are fairly common 

 breeders. There is one bird at the State Capitol collected by Mr. H. G. Smith at 

 Grand Junction, November 17, 1903. Mr. Stillivan only saw it twice in Grand 

 Junction in three years' observations, one of which was the above mentioned bird. 



[Sitta canadensis. Red-breasted Nuthatch. Cooke gives this bird as resident in the 

 mountains tho not so conunon as nelsoni or pyguuca. It is probably of regular tho uncommon 

 occurrence in eastern ^Nlesa County.] 



[Sitta pygmaea. Pigmy Nuthatch. An abundant bird thruout the mountain region of the 

 State. It undoubtedly is a rather common resident in Mesa County and has simply been con- 

 fi;sed with S. c. nelsoni by field workers.] 



Baeolophus inornatus griseus. Gray Titmouse. Prof. Cooke says that several 



