ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM THE WEST. 343 
The observations herein detailed, were made during a journey 
from Denver through the mountains to South Park, by way of the 
usual stage road to Fairplay, and thence up the South Platte to 
Mount Lincoln. Retracing our steps to Fairplay, we struck east- 
ward across the Park to the eastern spurs of the main chain, cross- 
ing these near the northern base of Pike’s Peak to Colorado City, 
and thence to Denver along the western edge of the Great Plains 
The journey occupied about five weeks, and, as we left Denver July 
6th, was chiefly made during the nesting season of the birds. We 
entered the foothills at a point about fifteen miles southwest of 
Denver, where Bear Creek emerges from the mountains and enters 
the Plains. Leaving immediately this stream, however, we crossed 
a low divide and struck Turkey Creek, and for many miles wound 
along its ‘wild cañon up into the mountains. We afterwards 
crossed another divide and reached the North Fork of the South 
Platte River, and continuing our southwesterly course, through 
valleys and over moderate heights, finally entered South Park 
at its northeastern extremity, by a pass about ten thousand feet 
above sea-level. The vegetation of the foothills was scanty, and 
the hills themselves sparsely wooded, the aridity of the climate 
along the eastern base of the mountains being nearly as great . 
as that of the adjoining plains. Along Turkey Creek rain in 
summer is evidently far more frequent than to the eastward, the 
Country here being well forested. The slopes of the mountains 
are heavily clothed with different kinds of pines and spruces, 
Whilst the streams are densely fringed with willows, alders, and 
several small species of poplars and birches. Here thousands of 
right flowers everywhere dot the valleys, so that with the pic- 
turesqueness of the scenery, the beauty of these mountain glens 
8 doubtless rarely equalled elsewhere on the continent. Here 
‘Sa spot of fascinating interest to the ornithologist ; this 
or region being apparently one of the richest in _bird-life 
oe found in this part of the Rocky Mountains. _ 
: ‘it assing on to the North Fork of the South Platte, we find a 
— Siiewhat less varied fauna and flora, we having left behind us 
3 may Species of both the birds and flowers that made Turkey 
valley so attractive. Herë and there the valley of the 
: cc = Spreads out into broad grassy bottom-lands, which 
A eady the homes of enterprising mountaineers, whose rude 
°S-Cabins one meets with unexpected frequency. Further on, the 
im 
North 
