196 THE STORY Of A BIRD LOVER 



able heights, and are difificult of access. In the 

 desert I have frequently looked from the ground 

 into the nest of the red-tailed hawk set low in 

 some low mesquite, or in the branching arms of a 

 giant cactus. 



A number of species of doves were also con- 

 spicuous" both on the drive and in the streets of 

 Florence, noticeable among which was the white- 

 winged pigeon. These birds were generally- 

 gregarious, and frequented clumps of giant cactus 

 in the vicinity of water, though also met with far 

 out on the desert. Now and then that fleet-footed 

 bird, the road-runner, " chaparral-cpck," or ground 

 cuckoo passed across the road in front of the 

 wagon, and quickly disappeared with his rapid, 

 gliding gait into the nearest cover. I did not 

 see one fly. Generally they would stand for a 

 moment to look, with erected crest, at the coming 

 vehicle, and then, with outstretched neck and 

 long tail all in a line with the back, the whole 

 reminding one of a race-horse at his extended 

 pace, these birds would bear out the common 

 name given them. 



In the mesquite growths, pairs of yellow-headed 

 titmice were always present, and bush-tits in com- 

 panies might be seen in similar locations. About 

 growths of palo verde, that well-named tree with 

 microscopic leaves, which was then adorned with 

 its golden bloom, many humming-birds congre- 



