CACTUS DESERT BIRD-LIFE 245 



by the peculiarity of its form and the beauty of its blossoms. 



During the ten days of our stay, the mercury ranged 

 from 48 degrees at 5 a. m v to 103 degrees in the early after- 

 noon; going below 60 degrees and over 90 degrees daily. 

 But in spite of the fact that our tent was poorly adapted for 

 this kind of weather, we suffered but little from the beat. It 

 was the surprising dryness of the climate which most im- 

 pressed us. No matter how violent the exertion it was 

 impossible to perspire. Even draught horses did not wet a 

 hair, and a ridge of salt on their coat bore testimony to the 

 rapidity of evaporation. We were almost constantly thirsty 

 and consumed quantities of water, never leaving camp with- 

 out a filled canteen. 



Judged from its inflorescence, vegetation was at the 

 height of its spring development, closely corresponding, 

 indeed, to conditions at the same season near New York 

 City; but considered from only an ornithological standpoint, 

 the season was more advanced. The song of some birds had 

 evidently waned. The Cactus Wrens had already reared 

 one brood, only one nest, among scores seen, containing 

 young; and many nests of Palmer's Thrasher contained 

 young nearly ready to fly. I regretted not hearing this 

 species at the height of its season of spring song, for it is 

 evidently a musician of exceptional gifts. 



Experience leads us to expect Wrens to be highly musi- 

 cal, when, judged from its size, the Cactus Wren would rank 

 first among the many sweet singers of its family, but its 

 repetoire appears to be limited to harsh, scolding notes, and 

 one is attracted only by the trimness of its appearance, the 

 vigor of its actions, and its ability as a nest-builder. 



Both Thrasher and Wren almost invariably placed their 

 nests in Opuntia cholla, the most spiny of the cactuses and, 

 with the Thrasher particularly, it was difficult to under- 

 stand how the bird went to and from its home without 

 becoming impaled. 



These two birds were abundant near our camp where 



