The Biros of El Paso County^ Colorado 599 



few days." Aiken, in note book. One take by Aiken north of 

 Roswell, May 22, 1904, is the only record for El Paso County 

 besides the preceding. It has never been seen in the breed- 

 ing season in the County though the nest was taken by Nash 

 at Pueblo. 



Myadestes townsendi. Townsend's Solitaire. 



Resident ; common. 



The Solitaire is a breeder in the mountains at the higher 

 altitudes, coming lower in winter and spreading all over the 

 region. A solitary bird in summer, but sometimes they con- 

 gregate in flocks of 20 or more in warm, sheltered cafions and 

 gulches in winter. Early in 191 1 Solitaires were seen in the 

 residence portion of Colorado Springs several times, which is 

 something unusual. 



Solitaires descend from the mountains about September 

 first, and soon become quite plentiful in the foothills. As the 

 season advances they seek the warmer sheltered nooks and 

 remain there through the winter, often in small scattered 

 flocks. Aiken first found them in Barnes's Canon, November 

 1, 1871, frequenting the cedars and pinons of the hillside. 

 Their flight and habit of alighting on the topmost twigs likened 

 them to bluebirds. They were feeding mostly on cedar ber- 

 ries, but on bright warm days were often noticed on the 

 ground beneath a bush or tree in search of insect food. At 

 this season they seemed in full song and their notes were 

 varied and melodious and akin to such famous songsters 

 as the Wood Thrush, Meadowlark and Oriole. Later they 

 were less musical and late in April when they had separated 

 m pairs singing had ceased. At about this date, unless de- 

 tained by storms, they ascend the mountains where parent 

 birds with flying young were seen late in July. 



