July, 1915 
NOTES ON SOME BIRDS OF SPRING CANYON, COLORADO 
149 
down the canyon and destroyed the spring, so that it has not flowed since. 
The flood, to some extent, ruined the beauty of the canyon, for huge blocks of 
sand-stone were washed down from the side walls. One of these was moved 
about fifty yards, and weighed several tons. The canyon proper is about one- 
half mile through. The Auto Stage road to the famous Estes Park now runs 
through the canyon, which is the first bit of rugged scenery the eastern tour- 
ist sees after leaving Fort Collins. 
These bird notes were taken in the canyon, and on the two quarter sec- 
tions lying just outside on the plains. On both sides of the road, including 
the canyon, is the Dawley ranch, joined on the east by the Berry ranch. On 
the south side of the road is a pasture of native grass, with a small reservoir 
which is filled with flood water. In dry seasons this has little or no water 
in it, therefore water birds are scarce. 
There is a small stream, known as Spring Creek, flowing through the can- 
yon, taking a northeasterly course past the Berry house, which stands about 
three hundred yards outside. Along this stream, between the canyon and the 
Berry house, is a small growth of cotton-wood {Fop ulus angustif olia) and wil- 
low ( Salix , sp. ?), and underbrush of various kinds, including wild plum ( Pru - 
nus melanocarpa) , choke-cherry ( Prunus pennsylvanica) , mountain maple 
{Acer glabrum), wild goose-berry {Kibes purpusi), black currant {Kibes flori- 
dum ?), haws {Crataegus occidentalis) , wild rose {Rosa sayi ), etc. 
On the walls of the canyon is found yellow pine {Pinus scopulorum ) and 
cedar {Sabina scopulorum) . As this is the only timber and underbrush to speak 
of between the Big Thompson river to the south, and the Cache La Poudre 
river to the north, it is a favorite spot for birds, especially so in migration. 
Along Spring Creek on the Dawley ranch is some back water and a small patch 
of swampy ground, but not enough to be of much attraction to the birds usu- 
ally found at such places. 
Through the courtesy of the Dawleys and Berrys, I have had the privilege 
of shooting, trapping, and building campfires on both places, and in a way mak- 
ing myself a general nuisance. Mr. Berry, while not an ornithologist, is a keen 
observer, and familiar with most of the common birds of the region, and he 
has been of assistance to me in locating nests, etc. The dates on spring migra- 
tion, as given in this list of birds, are averages compiled from records kept 
for several years for me by Mr. Berry. The dates following the word “breeds” 
are those on which full sets of eggs have been found. 
Rallus virginianus. Virginia Rail. Uncommon; breeds (May 30). 
Oxyechus vociferus. Killdeer. Common in the canyon and out. Arrives March 10; 
breeds (June 2). 
Zenaidura macroura carolinensis. Mourning Dove. Common. Arrives April 15; 
breeds (May 29). We have two winter records for this bird, January 15, 1901, and No- 
vember 24, 1903. 
Cathartes aura septentrionalis. Turkey Vulture. Not common; one taken in the 
spring of 1902. 
Accipiter velox. Sharp-shinned Hawk. Not uncommon. One taken in the canyon 
April 13. 
Buteo borealis calurus. Western Red-tail. Common in migration. 
Falco columbarius columbarius. Pigeon Hawk. Not common. Two specimens 
taken on the Berry ranch, September 9 and 18. 
Falco sparverius sparverius. Sparrow Hawk. Common; breeds (May 21). Arrives 
April 28. 
Asio wilsonianus. Long-eared Owl. One or two seen almost every trip made to the 
canyon. No doubt breeds, but we have no record. 
