S88 Colorado College Publication 



Anthus rubescens. Pipit. 



Summer resident at high elevations ; common. Arrives 

 on the plains the last of April and departs the last of September. 



The Pipits breed mainly above' timberline on the open 

 grassy slopes, placing the nest in a hollow in the ground, often 

 protected by a tuft of grass. They, however, in some instances 

 breed below timberline on open ground. Aiken observed Pipits 

 just below the lowest of the Seven Lakes in June. In migra- 

 tion this species often occurs on the plains in large flocks. 



Cinclus mexicanus unicolor. Water Ousel. Dipper. 



Resident on the streams in the mountains ; not uncommon. 

 In winter a few come somewhat lower down along the streams, 

 outside the foothills. 



Water Ousels are interesting birds, and if one takes into 

 consideration the fact that the species apparently numbers but 

 comparatively few individuals, might be termed common. It 

 prefers the rapid mountain streams for a residence and only 

 in winter does it come out of the foothills, and but few of the 

 birds do this, most of them stay in the mountains the year 

 round, always finging a little open water even in the coldest 

 weather. It is regularly seen in winter in Ruxton Creek just 

 below Lake Moraine, at 10,000 feet. One December after- 

 noon I was there, it was cold and windy and I was resting 

 in a sheltered place close to the creek, which had much fall 

 at that place. An 'Ousel came to a rock a few feet away; 

 the bird was down below the rushing water which splashed on 

 it continually, and the rock was wet and slippery, but the 

 Ousel did not mind a bit. Once it was down on a little twig 

 which was just out of the water and all wet; it looked like a 

 cold place to me, and I wondered how those delicate little feet 

 could possibly keep from freezing. Then the bird flew upon 

 the wet rock again and began to sing, and after singing 

 a little there went to another rock and stood there bobbing and 



