20 
the: condor 
I VOL. VIII 
Professor Cooke, in his Second Appendix to the “Birds of Colorado,’’ speaks 
of what he calls “a queer state of affairs” regarding the occurrence of this species 
in this State, and notes that at first it was supposed to be very rare, and 
then it was found to be common in the cedars, and at the time of the publication 
of this appendix the birds had found their way to the Arkansas River at Rocky 
Ford. My observations show that they are common in the cedars and that they 
are still working east. 
13. Tympanuchus Sp. Prairie Hen. I was told there were but few prairie 
hens in Baca County. One was killed near Springfield early in 1905, and Mr. 
Arthur Johnston told me he had seen one near the ranch at Motion. These birds 
may have been either americanus or pallidicinctus , or even not prairie hens at 
all, but sharp-tailed grouse, but I am inclined to believe they were some species of 
prairie hen. 
14. Meleagris Sp. Wild Turkey. I made many enquiries about turkeys 
while in Baca County, and was told there were a few in the rough country to the 
southwest, which would be in the southern part of Las Animas County. Of course 
nothing could be ascertained as to the species or subspecies. 
15. Zenaidura macroura. Mourning Dove. Common. First seen April 17. 
Found a nest with two young near Springfield, May 30. The birds were found 
everywhere, out on the prairie as well as along the streams among the trees. 
16. Cathartes aura. Turkey Vulture. One was seen April 10, between 
Lamar and Springfield. They were common in the cedars and about Gaume’s ranch. 
17. Circus hudsonius. Marsh Hawk. The most common, in fact, the only 
common hawk. Seen frequently on the plains about prairie dog towns. I caught 
one in a dogtown, in a “Climax” rat trap baited with meat. 
18. Accipiter velox. Sharp-shinned Hawk. Two taken, both on Bear 
Creek, near Springfield. One taken May 1 1 had a freshly killed lark bunting in its 
talons which it dropped when shot at. It was so loth to leave its pray that a sec- 
ond shot was easily secured, also the bird. Its stomach seemed absolutely empty, 
which might account for its anxiety. 
19. Falco sparverius. Sparrow Hawk. Seen at Lamar, Springfield and 
Monon. Have no note of its being seen later than May 3. 
20. Asio wilsonianus. American Long-eared Owl. One was taken April n 
in the cottonwoods along Bear Creek, north of Springfield; the only one seen. 
Enquiries were made about screech owls, but I could not find a person who had 
ever seen one. 
21. Bubo virginianus pallescens. Western Horned Owl. I think it is rather 
common. One was seen at Buffalo Creek north of Monon, and I thought I saw 
one amoug the trees on Bear Creek, near Springfield. At Gaume’s ranch a pair 
had a nest in a hole or small cave in the sandstone bluffs back of the corrals; the 
bluffs in fact formed the back wall of the corrals. From below, the old one and 
sometimes two young could be seen at the mouth of the hole. May 24, while on 
the hill above and back of the nest I found a young owl dead. Its body was still 
covered with down and the quills were about half grown out. There was nothing 
to indicate the cause of death. After that I was unable to see any of the birds 
about the nest. 
22. Speotyto cunicularia hypogaea. Burrowing Owl. Seen about prairie 
dog towns at Lamar, and at every place in Baca County which I visited. 
23. Geococcyx californianus. Roadrunner. Only seen at Gaume’s ranch, 
but reported to me as found all over the county, but not common. Almost al- 
ways spoken of as “chapparal.” 
