Nelson.] 342 [January 20, 



S3. Spheotyto cunicularia var. hypogsea Coues. A few 

 pairs had taken up their abode in some deserted " prairie dog " holes 

 near the Fort. The holes occupied by the owls can be readily dis- 

 tinguished from those occupied by the " prairie dogs " by the refuse 

 matter around the entrance. The owls were very expert in avoiding 

 capture, standing in the mouth of the hole and, when approached, 

 gradually sinking down until nothing but their eyes and the top of 

 the head was visible ; as soon as the gun was raised they would disap- 

 pear. If surprised away from the hole they would lie flat on the 

 ground and allow a person to pass within a short distance, but if ob- 

 served, they would fly off uttering a curious rolling cry. 



falconimj. 



34. Falco sparverius Vieill. Sparrow Hawk. Not common. 

 Frequented the sides of the "buttes." 



COLUMBIA. 



35. Zensedura carolinensis Bonap. Common Dove. Com- 

 mon. Found one nest composed of sticks laid loosely across two 

 branches where they crossed about four feet from the ground. 



TETRAONID.E. 



36. Centrocercus urophasianus Sw. Sage Hen. Abun- 

 dant. The young were about one-thi^l grown the last of June. We 

 found one nest that had been forsaken; it was situated under a sage 

 bush, and was merely a hollow in the dry dirt containing seven eggs. 



CHARADRIIDiE. 



37. iEgialitis vociferus Cassin. Killdeer. Abundant.] 



38. Eudromias montanus Harting. Mountain Plover. Saw 

 a few specimens on the tops of the "buttes" but they were so shy 

 that I could not get one. 



recurvirostrim:. 



39. Recurvirostra americana Gm. Avoset. A pair were 

 seen near a small alkali pond. 



scoLOPAcnm 



40. Totanus solitarius Wils. Solitary Sandpiper. Not com- 



