555, ♀ juv., first plumage, Camp Lowell, June 21. Length, 11.30; extent, 12.20; wing, 3.73; tail, 5.65; culmen, 1.42.
10. Cinclus mexicanus Swains. American Water Ouzel.—The following notes relate to the only specimen met with:
“My attention was called to the song of some bird which came from the mountain brook running past camp. There was a steep, rocky wall on the further side, and the notes echoing from it, and mingling with the purling of the water, sounded exquisitely sweet. On looking for the author, I noticed some ripples rolling out from behind the willows that fringed the nearer shore, and soon discovered an Ouzel dabbling in the shallow water. My shot wounded the bird, but did not disable its wings, for it repeatedly dived, using them as propelling agents when beneath the surface. The sun shining on the air-bubbles that clung to its plumage made it look like a ball of silver flying through the water. On the surface it paddled along very much in the manner of a Phalarope.”
79, ♂ ad., Morse’s Mill, Chiricahua Mountains, March 20. Length, 7.90; extent, 12.10; wing, 3.85; tail, 2.50. “Iris hazel. The flesh was dark and tough with a fishy smell. The inside of the skin looked like that of a small Wader. Stomach contained insects.”
11. Sialia mexicana Swains. Western Bluebird.—A single pair, taken in the Chiricahua Mountains in March, are accompanied by the note, “abundant in all kinds of timber.”
12. Sialia arctica Swains. Arctic Bluebird.—This species is noted as “rare in the low valleys” among the Chiricahua Mountains. A small flock was also seen near Galeyville on “grassy plains,” where “they flew from one weed-stalk to another.” They were “restless and rather shy.” The single specimen obtained was shot on this latter occasion.
13. Myiadestes townsendi (Aud.) Caban. Townsend’s Solitaire.—Three specimens were obtained in the Chiricahua Mountains, where they occurred sparingly among piñons. “They are rather tame, and have a habit of sitting perfectly still for several minutes at a time. Flight slow. Food insects.” A fourth, taken May 13, in the Santa Rita Mountains, completes the series.
14. Phaïnopepla nitens (Swain.) Scl. Black-crested Flycatcher.—The life history of this singular bird has been so fully given by Dr. Coues in “Birds of the Colorado Valley,” that there is little chance of adding anything new. Most of the specimens obtained by Mr. Stephens are from Camp Lowell and Tucson, but he did not find it abundant at either of these points. He speaks of it as having “a sweet but not loud song,” and remarks on its known fondness for mistletoe berries. “Iris red.”
15. Polioptila cærulea (Linn.) Scl. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.—Eight specimens, representing the following localities: Chiricahua Mountains (two ♂, two ♀, April 1–6); Tombstone (♂, April 5); Cienega Station (♂, April 16); Tucson (♂, April 20); Santa Rita Mountains (♂, May 20).
16. Polioptila plumbea Baird. Black-capped Gnatcatcher.—This Gnatcatcher was observed at Tucson, Camp Lowell, and near Yuma, specimens being taken in all these localities. A female shot at the first-named point on April 23 had evidently finished laying, but a nest found June 27 near Camp Lowell contained a perfectly fresh egg, while another taken at Yuma, July 15, had a single egg of its owner and one of the Dwarf Cowbird. These dates indicate that the species breeds at least twice during the season.