l2! 4 
'THE CONDOR 
; Vol. vn 
of the old roads used may still be seen in many places, though nearly overgrown 
with underbrush. At that time there seemed also to be a good deal of mining go- 
ing on, and there were probably many people living in the mountains. Now they 
seem almost deserted except for a few wandering prospectors and hunters. In 
many places we found the remains of old adobe houses, and about three miles be- 
low our camp was the site of the old abandoned Fort Buchanan. 
Under ordinary circumstances this should have been a place rich in bird life, 
and indeed Mr. Stephens found it so on a previous visit to the mountains in 1884, 
when he found several species then new to our fauna. We were much disap- 
pointed, however, in the great scarcity, both of birds and small mammals, the 
cause of which was not hard to surmise, for, for several years past the country had 
been suffering from a prolonged drought, the marks of which could be plainly seen 
in the numerous dead trees scattered along the canons. The last winter, however, 
had left plenty of snow on the mountains, and the heavy rain storm that occurred 
just before we reached them started the streams running in good shape, so there 
was plenty of water in the mountains while we were there; but many species of 
birds that had been driven away by the dry weather had not yet returned to their 
old haunts, and others that should have been abundant were very scarce. One 
effect of the drought was to cause many birds to refrain from breeding altogether; 
for individuals were taken of many of the species found in the mountains, that had 
evidently not been breeding, nor showed any intention of doing so. 
I have thought it best, the two localities being so entirely different, to make 
separate lists of the species seen along the Santa Cruz River, and in the Santa 
Rita Mountains. The first mentioned list is, I think, fairly complete, for I know 
of hardly any species that might be expected to occur in this region during the 
summer months that we failed to meet with. During the migrations it is different, 
for at such times there should be a great variety and number of birds found pass- 
ing through this region. The river valley runs practically due north and south, 
and, presenting an abundance of food, water and shelter in a comparatively re- 
stricted area, with a barren, practically desert, country on all sides, it forms a nat- 
ural highway, along which the majority of the birds passing through the region 
would naturally travel. 
The list of the Santa Rita Mountain birds is anything but complete, for we 
explored but a small part of the range, under very unfavorable circumstances. 
Many species have been taken that we failed to meet with, and still others, not 
yet recorded from the range, will probably be found there later. Such notes as 
were made, however, present some points of interest, and I give the list for what 
it is worth. 
BIRDS SEEN IN THE PAGAGO INDIAN RESERVATION 
Ardea v. anthonyi. Anthony Green Heron. Several that were seen along 
the Santa Cruz River were probably breeding somewhere in the vicinity, though 
no nests were found. 
Nycticorax n. naevius. Black-crowned Night Heron. Several seen in the 
same place as the last. 
Callipepla gambeli. Gambel Partridge. Breeds in considerable numbers 
throughout the mesquite forest. Broods of young were continually being met 
with, most of the juveniles being about the size of sparrows, though able to fly, 
and presenting a curious appearance as they buzzed away in all directions through 
the trees, like overgrown bumble bees or beetles. 
Zenaidura macroura. Mourning Dove. Quite abundant, but so overshadowed 
by the following species as hardly to be noticed. 
