74 Bulletin No. ly. 



Redheads would perhaps roost in their nesting holes. A rap on the tree 

 after sunset will start them out. 



J. C. Galloway, Montgomery, Ohio. 



Some Common Birds of New Mexico. — The following were a few of 

 the commoner birds of south-western New Mexico this last summer : 



Curve-billed Thrasher, Harporhynchus curvirostris . — This bird 

 was the commonest Thrasher, although the Crissal Thrasher was seen 

 occasionally. It is rather a quiet bird, but has a sweet voice when it 

 wishes to use it, and it is sometimes kept as a cage-bird. It is fond of 

 building in the cactus bushes, and in nearly every bush one of the nests 

 or one of the House Finch may be found. One day, while lying in the 

 hammock on the porch, I saw a young Curve-billed Thrasher fly down to 

 the steps and then up to the railing ; from there it hopped along and 

 onto the hammock, when I reached out and caught it.. After examining 

 it for a while I let it loose, but it was in no hurry, and the next day it 

 repeated the performance. I did not see it afterward, and I am afraid 

 if it did not get Over its curiosity that the cat had a nice meal some day. 



Cassin's Kingbird, Tyrannus vocifercuis. — This was one of the most 

 common birds, replacing the Kingbird which it resembles in habits, and 

 it is commonly called the Kingbird. It has a shrill, rasping cry, which 

 it utters constantly, especially just before alighting. They will attack 

 birds of prey, and I have several times seen them drive away hawks, but 

 they are not as brave in the defense of their nests as is the Kingbird. 

 There was a row of large Cottonwood trees in front of our house, and in 

 the evening these birds would gather there in large numbers to roost, and 

 for about an hour there would be constant fighting and shrieking. 



Roadrunner, Geococcyx californiamis . — It was quite a common oc- 

 currence, when out driving, to see one of these queer looking birds appear 

 in the road a little way in front of us and dart on ahead of the horses, 

 and after running a little way turn off into the bushes, usually going off 

 on the up-hill side. The ones I shot all had stomachs full of insects. 

 While collecting a set of eggs the bird allowed me to approach within a 

 few feet of the tree before hopping off on the opposite side and running 

 away. 



House Finch, Carfiodacus mexicanus frontalis. — This bird replaces 

 the English Sparrow (of which there were none where I was). They 

 live principally around the houses, building in holes in the porches and 

 are also very fond of the cactus bushes. They lay four to six bluish eggs, 

 marked on the larger end with black ; and raise several broods a year. 



