July, 1908 ANNOTATED TIST OF TPIE BIRDS OF MEvSA COUNTY, COLORADO 179 



were seen and one collected in early November, 1895, by A. H. Howell at Grand 

 Junction. This is the only record at hand for Mesa County. 



Penthestes atricapillus septentrionalis. Long-tailed Chickadee. Resident, not 

 uncommon. While this species is often seen during the winter in the lower parts 

 of the County, it is not nearly so common as the following species and is more 

 typically a bird of the lower altitudes than gaviheli. They probably nest in the 

 higher portions of the County, but the writer has not observed them during the 

 summer. 



Penthestes gambeli. Mountain Chickadee. Resident, common. The most 

 abundant chickadee in Mesa County, far outnumbering P. a. septentrionalis. Dur- 

 ing the winter they are common along the well wooded creek bottoms up to at least 

 7000 feet even during the most severe weather. As is the case with the two pre- 

 ceding species they are not much in evidence during the summer, but are undoubt- 

 edly common breeders from 9000 feet up. Mr. Sullivan says they occur from 

 October to April at Grand Junction. 



Psaltriparus plumbeus. I.ead-colored Bush-tit. Prof. Cooke says, "Several 

 were seen November 13, 1895, by A. H. Howell at Grand Junction." This is the 

 only record at hand for Mesa County; but during the summer of 1898 Mr. Wm. 

 Cross took a set of eggs at Glenwood Springs, within twenty miles of the northern 

 boundary of the County. 



Regulus calendula. Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Summer resident, not uncom- 

 mon. Owing to their quiet and retiring habits it is not improbable that these tiny 

 birds are much more common than general observations might lead one to believe. 

 They are typically birds of the higher altitudes during the breeding season, which 

 is at its height the latter part of June. The writer saw one bird June 15, 1897, at 

 an altitude of only 6500 feet, but this was evidently either a straggler or a late 

 migrant. 



[Regulus satrapa olivaceus. Western Golden-crowned Kinglet. Cooke states that this 

 bird occurs thruout the State in migration. There is probably no place in the County of suffi- 

 cient altitude to attract these birds during the breeding season.] 



Polioptila caerulea obscura. Western Gnatcatcher. There are three Gnat- 

 catchers in the collection at the State Capitol collected by Mr. W. C. Ferrill near 

 Grand Junction, May 17, 1906, which, altho they have not been positively identi- 

 fied, are probably referable to this sub-species. This is the first record for west of 

 the range. 



Myadestes townsendii. Townsend Solitaire. Resident, not common. During 

 the winter months they are occasionally seen in the lower parts of the County, but 

 seldom in any ntimbers. Their migration, which is largely if not wholly a vertical 

 one occurs late in April and by May 15 they have reached the extreme upper edge 

 of their range, where they breed during June and July. 



Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni. Olive-backed Thrush. Summer resident. On 

 August 1, 1905, the writer found a deserted nest containing two fresh eggs of this 

 bird at an altitude of about 6500 feet, on Grove Creek in Plateau Valley. I have 

 no further information regarding the occurrence of this species in Mesa County. 



Hylocichla guttata auduboni. Audubon Hermit Thrush. Summer resident, 

 common. The only Thrush occurring commonly in the County. Arrives late in 

 May, breeds in June and July and departs for the south in September. July 24, 

 1901, the writer found a nest containing three incubated eggs of this species on 

 Grove Creek at an elevation of about 6500 feet, but I am inclined to believe the 

 great bulk breed from one to three thousand feet higher than this. Frequents 

 well-timbered creek bottoms but on account of its retiring habits is seldom seen. 

 One of the most delightful songsters among American birds. 



