Drew on Birds of San Juan County , Colorado. 1 4 1 
68. Picus pubescens gairdneri, Coues. Gairdner’s Woodpecker. — 
Common ; resident. 
69. Picoides americanns dorsalis, Bd. Striped-backed Wood- 
pecker. — Formerly rare, but has become a not uncommon resident in the 
past two years. 
70. Sphyrapicus varius nuchalis, Bd. Nuchal Woodpecker. — 
Rare, and very shy; breeds. Its taps cause a peculiar, rattling sound, 
quite different from the ordinary “rat-tap-tap. ” and several times led me 
long chases after a “rare bird” which I only knew by its supposed notes. 
71. Colaptes mexicanus, Sw. Red-shafted Flicker.— Common 
from April to November ; breeds. 
72. Otus vulgaris wilsonius, Allen. Long-eared Owl. — But one 
found. 
73. Symiurn cineieum, And. Great Gray Owl. — One evening in 
February, just at dark, I saw a pair of large, gray, tuftless Owls which I 
think were of this species. Its “hoots” were different from those of Bubo 
virginianus. 
74. Circus cyaneus hudsonius, Sc/il. Marsh Hawk. — A pair was 
found in September, at 14.000 feet. 
75. Accipiter fuscus. Gray. Sharp-shinned Hawk. — Occasionally 
found ; breeds ? 
76. Accipter cooperi, Gray. Cooper’s Hawk. — Occasionally met 
with. 
77. Astur atricapillus, Jard. Goshawk. — A rare resident. 
78. Falco sparverius, Linn. Sparrow Hawk. — Common. Abun- 
dant in fall near the summit, where they live on mice and grasshoppers. 
Breeds. 
79. Buteo borealis, Vieill. Red-tailed Hawk. — Breeds. Was very 
common in September, in the grassy parks above timberline. 
80. Buteo borealis calurus. Ridg. Western Red-tailed Hawk. — 
Breeds; resident? 
81. Aquila chrysaetus, Linn. Golden Eagle. — Not uncommon; 
resident. 
82. Cathartes aura, III. Turkey Buzzard. — Seen in fall in consid- 
erable numbers. 
83. Zenaidura carolinensis, Bp. Carolina Dove. — Rare ; breeds. 
84. Lagopus leucurus, Sw. White-tailed Ptarmigan.— Very com- 
mon ; breeds. They are only found above timberline in summer, where they 
feed on the leaves and flowers of Caltha leptoseyala. During winter 
storms they descend to the valleys, hiding amongst the willows and eating 
willow buds. They are usually quiet during the day, but active and noisy 
in the evening, making a cackling like Prairie Chickens. Part of the 
usual description of the Ptarmigan is “tail always white.” This, in so far 
as my observations extend, is not correct in regard to the first, or nestling, 
plumage, when the tail is like the back, — white, with grayish-brown 
blotches. They have from eight to ten youngat a brood. A number I have 
taken this winter (1880) have the usual white plumage suffused with a 
delicate pink flush, enhancing their beauty wonderfully. 
