Sept., 1917 SOME BIRDS OF THE DAVIS MOUNTAINS, TEXAS 163 



Phalaenoptilus nuttalli nuttalli. Poorwill. Seen almost daily during my stay at 

 Limpia Ranch. Several times heard in early October at Highland Springs Ranch, at an 

 altitude of 7000 feet. 



Aeronautes melanoleucus. White-throated Swift. There are some rugged cliffs 

 near the ranch house at Highland Springs Ranch, at the base of which several large 

 springs issue. This produces an abundant growth of trees and shrubs, within limited 

 areas, upon otherwise barren hillsides. About these cliffs on October 5, a large flock of 

 Swifts was flying, descending at intervals to feed upon the minute insects swarming 

 above the water's surface. They seemed to be frolicing, chasing one another high and 

 low, through the foliage of the trees even, and were uttering strident calls every few 

 moments. 



Selasphorus rufus. Rufous Hummingbird. This was the only hummingbird pres- 

 ent in any numbers during my visit. Of general distribution. Very few adult males 

 were seen. Present at 6500 feet altitude October 3. 



Tyrannus vociferans. Cassin Kingbird. Next to the Western Chipping Sparrow, 

 this was the most abundant bird I encountered. It was everywhere at Limpia Ranch, 

 and ascended to 6500 feet, at which altitude it was present October 6. Practically all 

 were molting during September. 



Empidonax minimus. Least Flycatcher. Occurred as a transient, September 2 to 

 18. Usually flushed from some low perch in the brush lining the Limpia. 



Empidonax wrighti. Wright Flycatcher. Met with in the pine zone; also in cool 

 brushy groves in the deeper canyons above 6500 feet. Last seen October 4. Individuals 

 displayed great variation in the shade and amount of yellow on the underparts. 



Otocoris alpestris leucolaema. Desert Horned Lark. Congenial situations for 

 Horned Larks occurred on the many flat-topped hills of the range, but it was only during 

 a trip from Fort Davis to Marfa that any were met with. 



Cyanocitta stelleri diademata. Long-crested Jay. The numbers of this species are 

 limited owing to the circumscribed area of the pine zone. Only once or twice was it 

 found in the dwarf oaks that border the pines. Molt completed late in September. 



Aphelocoma texana. Texas Jay. Aphelocoma woodhousei. Woodhouse Jay. The 

 distribution of the several forms of Aphelocoma accredited to Texas is perplexing. Tex- 

 ana is reported as occurring west to this group of mountains, and should presumably be 

 the breeding form, yet all specimens in the series I took seem typical woodhousei. They 

 are very common and noisy in the oak regions from 5000 to 7000 feet. The molt was 

 completed between September 15 and 30. 



Corvus cryptoleucus. White-necked Raven. This species occasionally approached 

 Fort Davis, and on the road between that place and Marfa it was to be seen any day. No 

 ravens were seen in the mountains. 



Nucifraga columbiana. Clarke Nutcracker. On September 10, near the base of 

 Mount Livermore at an altitude approximating 7000 feet, I came upon a pair feeding in 

 a leisurely manner in a scattered growth of yellow pine. I watched them for several 

 minutes and was at times not more than sixty feet from them. I found them quite as 

 noisy as is usual. This is perhaps the first record for the state. 



Astragalinus psaltria psaltria. Arkansas Goldfinch. I never met with Goldfinches 

 in greater numbers than about the corrals at Highland Springs Ranch. They were fre- 

 quent at lower elevations as well. Young barely able to fly were recorded September 19, 

 at Limpia Ranch. The breeding birds approached the form mexicanus in having dark 

 backs, but nearly all individuals composing flocks at higher levels had the top of the 

 head much darker than the mantle. 



Spizella pallida. Clay-colored Sparrow. Mixed with the large flocks of Western 

 Chipping Sparrow, that could be continually flushed from brushy coverts, were a num- 

 ber of the present species. It was not found after September, nor at an altitude greater 

 than 5500 feet. 



J unco montanus. Montana Junco. Found October 1 in Wahoo Canyon, one of the 

 deepest and roughest ravines in the mountains, at an altitude of perhaps 6500 feet, feed- 

 ing about loose piles of brush. The Biological Survey identified specimens taken as of 

 this form. 



Aimophila ruficeps scotti. Scott Sparrow. Oftener heard than seen. Quite vigor- 

 ous in its nuptial song, until the middle of September. The nesting season must cover a 



