Mar., 1912 
A WEEK AFIELD IN SOUTHERN ARIZONA 
59 
in the nest. The young Mourning Doves always face in the same direction. 
Those of the White-wing'ed and [Mexican Ground Doves always face in opposite 
directions. It would be interesting to know what position the young of the 
Inca Dove have in the nest. As I have figured it out, they should both 
face in the same direction like the Mourning Dove, not to keep the ratio even but 
because in many respects they remind me very much of the latter. I have never 
found them nesting and consequently have no data to refer to. 
Leaving the forest at about four p. m., a frail bridge over the Santa Cruz 
River nearly precipitated us into its muddy bottom. Mentioning this reminds 
me of an interesting phenomenon I have observed in connection with the above 
named river. Going in we crossed from the left bank to the right and followed a 
level road for several miles. While walking we found ourselves on the left bank 
again without having recrossed the river. It proved quite a puzzle to me until I 
discovered that it disappeared underground and reappeared further down in the 
shape of springs. 
On leaving the forest we stopped to look among some giant cactuses which 
covered a small hill, for the nest of a pair of Arizona Crested Flycatcher {Myi- 
P'ig-. 17. TYPIC.^n EnF OWE COUNTRY NE.-VR TUCSON. FEAT MESA, COVERED WITH 
CREOSOTE BUSHES, AND WITH SC.ATTERED CEUMPS OF GIANT CACTUS 
archils incxicanus magister) . They did not seem to have a nest and as I knew 
it was a little early for them we did not spend much time here, but pushed on back 
toward Tucson. A short distance from the village of Dos Reales I saw some 
Western Martins hovering around a large branching sahuaro, so we delayed our 
departure and went over to them. I examined all the holes carefully, but nest 
building had not yet begun. However, I secured a nice set of four Gilded Flicker 
in which incubation had started. I also found a completed nest of Arizona 
Crested Flycatcher but no eggs. The presence of a snake skin in the nest was 
of itself sufficient to distinguish this nest from that of an Ash-throat. The birds, 
also, were present. 
Continuing on to Tucson we went through the town and about eight 
miles farther to the east. Here we camped just in time to get settled before it 
was too dark to see. Next morning we pushed on a few miles to the Rillito, 
stopping to look at some giant cactus. A nice set of four Elf Owl eggs was our 
first reward. Incubation was far advanced, and as I climbed up my ladder the 
female peeked out at me and snapped her mandibles. She retreated as I got closer 
