1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 371 



"When first seen it was executing a nuptial flight over a willow. 



Later in the season the drying up of the iris and certain 

 pentstemons on the exposed hillsides, together with the invasion 

 of the region by bands of sheep, which caused an extensive 

 spoliation of the flora, apparently drove the hummers to the 

 neighborhood of the streams where flowers were more abundant. 



Frequently the flight of the hummer becomes bullet-like in 

 speed and directness, and it is truly surprising if not a little 

 disconcerting to have the little fellow shoot past close to one's 

 head. 



One individual was seen chasing a rock wren. It pursued 

 the wren persistently and belligerently, and at intervals appeared 

 to strike it with its bill. 



Our observations of the habits of this species accord in 

 nearly every particular with those of Eidgway (1877, p. 561). 

 Apparently the broad-tailed hummers make straight instead of 

 undulating flights. It is confessedly difficult, however, to follow 

 the course of such unusually rapid flyers, so perhaps a positive 

 statement is not justified. 



Selaphorus rufus (Gmelin) (?) 



Rufus Hummingbird 



A reddish hummingbird, presumably belonging to this species, 

 was noted August 3 on Leonard Creek. It hovered for a moment 

 near some willows by the stream about 6 :20 o 'clock in the even- 

 ing, then was away like a flash. A week later an individual 

 was seen buzzing about the alders at Big Creek Ranch. An 

 immature specimen (no. 9301), not with certainty identifiable, 

 was secured at Soldier Meadows, July 21. 



Tyrannus tyrannus (Linnaeus) 



Eastern Kingbird 



An eastern kingbird was almost the first bird noted as we 

 approached Big Creek Ranch, June 8. The bird was perching 

 on a fence near an alfalfa field. The next day two more were 

 seen, and one individual was taken. The other appeared to be 

 a Juvenal, but unfortunately it was not secured. The birds 



