70 HABITS OF THE ARIZONA THRASHER 



dire, who had already perceived that the bird differed ia its 

 habits as well as in its physical characters from either of the 

 two species {crissalis and palmeri) with which he found it asso- 

 ciated. These were soon afterward described in the " Ameri- 

 can Naturalist", and the head figured to show the peculiar 

 shape of the bill. 



The Arizona Thrasher appears to be less numerous than 

 either of its associates. Tlie only additional specimens which 

 have come to hand since the types were received are three 

 taken at Camp Lowell by Mr. Henshaw. The bird is said to 

 differ notably in its nesting habits from the Curve-billed 

 Thrasher; the latter building almost always in cactuses, while 

 Bendire's nests in trees and bushes, preferably mezquite, some- 

 times thirty feet from the ground. A nest containing two 

 fresh eggs was found July 19, 1872. The eggs are readily 

 distinguishable from those of H. palmeri. They are simply 

 grayish- white, instead of light dull green, marked with 

 numerous spots and larger blotches or dashes of two shades 

 of reddish-brown, with other markings of lilac or lavender. 

 The markings tend to aggregate about the larger end, instead 

 of being evenly distributed over the whole surface. There is 

 comparatively little inequality in the contour of the two ends ; 

 the size is about 1.00 by 0.73. A specimen measured by me 

 was only 0.96 by 0.70 ; others, according to Dr. Brewer, were 

 1.10 by 0.75. 



According to the observations recorded by its discoverer, 

 and also by Mr. Henshaw, the general habits of the species 

 are not peculiar in comparison with those of its congeners. 



ITuma Thrasher 



Harporhyncbus rcdivivns Iccontii 



Toxostoma lecontel, Law. Ann. Lye. N. Y. y. 1853, 181 (Port Yuma).— Bd. Stansbury'a 



Rep. 08L. 1852, 329. 

 Harporbynchns lecontel, Bp. " OB. xxviiL ie54, 57 ; Not. Delaltrs, 39."— Bd. BNA. 1858, 350 ; 



ed. of 1860, 350, pi. 50 ; U. 8. Mex. B. Snrv. U. pt. il. 18.i9, Birdu, 12, pi. 12.- Bd. RAB. 1864, 



47.— Couea, Pr. Phila. Acad. 1866, 65 (near Port Miijave, Ariz.).— Coop. Am. Nat. lit. 1869, 



188, 473.- Coop. B. Gal. i. 1870, 17. 

 Harporhyncbus lecontll, Sd. PZS. 1859, 339 (critical).- Cows, Ibia, 2d aer. ii. 1866, 259. 

 Harporhyncbus redlrlvus var. lecontll, Ooaet, Key, 1872, 75. 

 Harporhyncbus redlylvus var. lecontel, Ooues, Am. Nat. vli. 1873, 328.— B. B. tr R. NAB. i. 



1874, 44, pi. 4, f. a.—Hensk. List B. Ariz. 1875, 154. 



le Conte'8 Thrasher, u. cc. 

 Hab. — Immediate valley of the Colorado and Gila Rivers. 



