INTRODUCTORY NOTES. 141 



were secured, and the Mexican Crossbill (Curvirostra mexicana) ascertained 

 to be a common resident of these mountains. 



From here our progress northward was by nearly the same route used in 

 coming- ; the lateness of the season preventing any very extensive collections 

 being made, the field work practically ending at Camp Apache about the 

 middle of October, a week's trip into the mountains at this date showing an 

 almost total absence of birds. The Dusky Grouse (Tetrao obscurus) was 

 ascertained to occur high up in the mountains, a fact of much interest, as 

 it has been stated that none of this family even entered the Territory. The 

 collection of birds made by the party during the season amounted to rather 

 more than one thousand specimens, while in other departments of zoology 

 the results were equally large. Eight species, new to our fauna, were 

 obtained, while a ninth (Urubitinga anthracina) was observed. 



In the report, I have endeavored to bring together all the material 

 gathered by the efforts of the different members of the survey, and to make 

 it a complete exponent of what has been added, as the results of the survey, 

 to our ornithological knowledge. No birds have been introduced that have 

 not actually been taken or observed by the expedition. In all cases where 

 I have utilized the notes of observers other than members of the survey, 

 attention is called to the fact. It is, of course, greatly to be regretted that 

 in so many instances the notes are meager, presenting, instead of a com- 

 plete biography, only a detached, and, in too many cases, a very unsatis- 

 factory, portion of the history. It will be remembered, however, that the 

 circumstances under which most of the collections have been made have 

 been in the last degree unfavorable to obtaining" a minute detailed 

 knowledge of the species which have fallen under observation. The char- 

 acter of a topographical survey necessitates frequent changes from one place 

 to another, and the naturalist must seize his opportunities as they occur, 

 while he is frequently compelled, by the exigencies of the general work, to 

 forego many excellent chances, and to pass rapidly over sections which 

 would well repay most careful scrutiny, or, in some instances, to forego all 

 work on account of the needed time, which, when it comes, may find him 

 in a region but little calculated to invite attention. Added to these consid- 

 erations is the fact that the time of year at which the parties have been able 



