212 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XVIII 
the branches of a bush. At another time I was watching a small flock of spar- 
rows as they busily fed in the brush, when I noted a Road-runner stealing up like 
a cat, taking advantage of every bit of cover. When at the proper distance, it 
rushed out and sprang into the air at the retreating sparrows. Its expression 
of keen disappointment, and the way in which it glanced around, as if fearing 
ridicule of a possible observer, was one of the most comical things I have ever 
seen. With this taste for small feathered folk, the species, in this locality at 
least, may work havoc among the breeding quail, as well as among the inexperi- 
enced fledglings of the smaller brush-nesters. 
Mearns Gilded Flickers ( Colapt es c. mearnsi ) were widely scattered during 
the first part of December, but on the fifteenth, a cold snap brought them into 
the cottonwoods. Here they remained, with a few of their red cousins, until the 
first part of March, at which time they began to pair, and were soon standing 
guard over favorite sahuaros. They are commoner here at this season than 1 
have elsewhere seen flickers, though rather wary. The plumage of those taken 
even during December, was considerably worn. These birds can carry a great 
deal of shot, and when finally secured, are often so covered with blood that one 
hesitates to take more than the very smallest number necessary. No sapsuckers 
at all were seen. 
With the exception of a couple of undetermined hummers seen at long 
range, no members of this family were encountered until the Broad-bills (Cy nau- 
tilus latirostris) began to arrive. This was on March 13, after which two or 
three were almost always to be seen in a small, sheltered patch of mesquite near 
the mouth of one of the canyons. They favor the top twig of a tree, and are 
rather conspicuous anyway, but quite shy. Their long tails are especially notice- 
able whether they are at rest or on the wing, and while in flight, give them a 
decidedly ‘ ‘ bottom-heavy ’ ’ appearance. Other summer visitants to arrive before 
I left were the Arkansas Kingbird ( Tyrannus verticalis ) March 16, Arizona 
Hooded Oriole ( Icterus c. nelsoni) and Lucy Warbler ( Vcrmivora luciae ) March 
17, Arizona Least Vireo ( Vireo b. arizonae ) March 13, and Tree Swallow ( Jndo- 
procne bicolor ) March 23. 
This locality is a little high for Vermilion Flycatchers ( Pyroceplialus r. 
mexicanus ) during the winter, although at Phoenix, they are rather common 
during this season. I saw but one near camp until the first week in March, when 
they began to arrive in some numbers, and soon became abundant. Two speci- 
mens of what IT. S. Swarth pronounces to be typical Empidonax griseus were 
preserved, taken December 30 and February 22, and several more were noted. 
Meadowlarks were very abundant, all taken proving to be Sturnella neglecta. 
One small flock of Pale Goldfinches (. Astragalinus t. pallidus) was noted 
during February. The Green-backs ( Astragalinus p. hesperophilus) were rather 
uncommon also. I watched a pair engaged in nest-building March 17. Near 
Tucson, Savannah Sparrows were common in the weed fields, but near camp 
there were very few suitable places for them. The only one collected proved to be 
Passerculus s. nevadensis. Two birds that were present in some numbers were 
Brewer and Lincoln sparrows ( Spizclla breweri and Melospiza l. lincolni). Dur- 
ing the first of March they became very common; in fact almost every little 
clump of weeds seemed to shelter an individual of the latter species. The only 
juneo encountered was J unco connect ens, which was not particularly common, 
a fair-sized flock being met once in a week or ten days. No Sage Sparrows were 
seen, and I am sorry to say, no Rufous- wings ( Aimophila carpalis) . 1 read 
