58 
THE CONDOR 
VOL. XI 
Botteri Sparrow in the United States; and if, as authorities state, it occurs only in 
limited numbers over the line, I can surmise the principal reason why this sparrow 
is noted so rarely. Besides the ground-sparrow ability to hide, they rival the wren 
at getting in and out of rock-piles and fences. They often attempt to sing, and 
then is about one’s only opportunity to size them up; noting the huffy under parts, 
and brown-streaked and black-spotted back, which those that read this can compre- 
hend, when I liken it to nothing so much as a well griddled buckwheat cake for 
color. 
The jauntiest dressed sparrow that dwells about Cuernavaca suburbs is a 
species which I can give no common name to, unless I call it White-chinned Spar- 
row. Scientifically it is labeled Aim op hi la humeralis. If on the A. O. U. list, it 
might have gained distinction, but here has to divide honors with many interesting 
birds. Not listed until the early days of April, the first I ran across was found 
singing in an able manner. Later on, the brush along the fence rows harbored the 
majority. Their appearance was not a daily occurrence — a week might pass with- 
out the sight of one, tho on the alert to find them at all times. Never gathering 
in flocks, three or four were as many as I came across at one time. Allowing a 
close approach they present an elegant form, having much about them to suggest a 
junco, especially the members of the./, p/uvonotus group. 
Another sparrow of the same genus dwells in similar locations, but was much 
shyer, and less frequently observed, Aimophila rufescens. When I secured my first 
specimen, imagination pictured an overgrown Scott Sparrow with Pipilo tendencies. 
Several miles from town was a secluded and deep barranca, the bottom of which 
was covered in places by fallen leaves, from trees growing on the rough sides of the 
barranca. These formed deposits, often knee-deep, that were the special delight 
of A. rufescens. Here they would scratch and delve for worms, that must have 
occurred numerously, for as a rule appetites were soon appeased and scratching for 
the pleasure of noise superseded eating. During the latter part of the perform- 
ance the clickity-clickety note of the bird was uttered. To observe them I had to 
use great circumspection in approaching, for if alarmed they would seek refuge in 
the crevices of the rocky sides of the barranca, where it was impossible to dislodge 
them. 
The same barranca harbored a few paltry individuals of Delattria henrici 
brevirostris , a very large hummingbird with a rose gorget, somewhat resembling 
the Blue-throated Hummingbird ( Cceligena clemencice ) of the same territory, but 
of a little higher altitude. I cannot recall meeting a Blue-throat under 6000 feet, 
but from that elevation up they could be found in small numbers. A blue Salvia 
was a favorite flower of this dark giant, and the lure of the plant caused this hum- 
mingbird to be very indifferent to human presence at such times. A low, soft pit- 
pit-pit, slowly uttered, was about their only vocal effort; and this was smothered 
at times by the heavy hum of the wings. Several species of hummingbirds oc- 
curred in numbers in Cuernavaca gardens. Probably the Blue-headed ( Cyanomyia 
verticalis ) could be classed as most conspicuous, owing to size, and immaculate 
underparts. Consequently, casual observers might overlook the plain little Phcr- 
optila sordida of equal abundance, and generally associated with the Blue-crowned. 
Liliputian in size, but with proclivity for fighting that made him master of Hum- 
merland, was the Lucifer ( Calothorax lucifer) . The Devil ought to be proud 
of his own; scrapping is the Calothorax emblem, and to find a quiet member was 
the exception. Lucifer Hummingbird was about the city' during Januarj^ and Feb- 
ruary, but disappeared about March 6. when I imagined they sought higher 
country. 
