30. Anthus ludovicianus (Gm.) Licht. American Titlark.
271, ♀ ad., Tucson, April 23. Length, 6.50; extent, 10.60. “Bill brown, paler at base below; legs brown.” Several seen in marshes along the stream.
31. Helminthophila luciæ (Coop.) Ridgw. Lucy’s Warbler.—Although this diminutive Helminthophila has been known to ornithologists for nearly twenty years, few specimens have found their way into the cabinets of private collectors, and up to the present time the species has remained a very rare one. On this account the acquisition of a good series of skins was among the main objects of Mr. Stephens’ trip, and the success which rewarded his labors is very gratifying.
The first specimen was shot April 15 at Cienega Station, where, during the succeeding three days, six more were obtained. They frequented large willows along the banks of a stream and, like Kinglets, spent much of their time searching for food at the extremity of the branches. Although active and restless, they were not at all shy. The only note heard here was a sharp “tseep.” On April 18 Mr. Stephens reached Tucson, where almost the first birds met with were Lucy’s Warblers. During the early part of his stay they were more abundant among the mesquites than any other species, and their “tseeping” could be heard on every side. They were continually in motion, flying from tree to tree, and occasionally visiting some low brush in the vicinity. By the 28th their numbers became perceptibly diminished, but many remained to breed in the surrounding country. The presence of the species at Camp Lowell is attested by a single young specimen, barely large enough to fly, which was taken there on June 1st, but which is unaccompanied by any special remarks. An adult male from the Santa Rita Mountains, however, comes to me with the following comments, under date of May 19:—“This is the only one of the species which I have seen here. It was near the banks of a stream below the mouth of a cañon, where there were a few mesquites interspersed among the oaks. I watched it for some time. It lingered among the mesquites, seeming to prefer them to the oaks, in which, however, it occasionally alighted for a moment.”
In addition to the above, Mr. Stephens’ notes supply some very important information regarding the previously doubtful nesting habits of this species. A female taken April 25, proved on dissection to be about to lay, but no eggs were actually taken until May 8, when a full set of five was found near Tucson. After that date many nests containing either eggs or young were examined. Their sites were variable; the characteristic place, like that of the specimen discovered by Captain Bendire, was behind the loosened bark of a large tree, but use was frequently made of old Woodpeckers’ nests, knot-holes, and in short all sorts of crevices. A brood of nearly fledged young (one of which is before me) was actually taken from the deserted domicile of a Yellow-headed Titmouse, which had been appropriated by the new tenant without any apparent repairs or alterations. Among Helminthophilæ this Wren-like mode of nidification is, I believe, peculiar to this species.
I have the Tucson nest just alluded to. It is composed outwardly of twigs and weed-stalks; inwardly of hemp-fibres; while there is a scanty lining of horse-hairs and feathers. Like most hole nests it is rather flat, and the rim is thin in places where the walls of the cavity encroached on the space within. The eggs are white, handsomely wreathed about the larger ends with reddish-brown and umber spots, a few of which are also scattered over their general surfaces. They measure respectively .58×.46; .58×.46; .62×.46; .60×.47. The notes accompanying this set are as follows:—“Nest about six feet above the ground in a crevice nearly covered by bark. The bottom of the hole contained an old nest; over this were droppings of wood-rats, and the whole filled the cavity nearly to its top. The tree (a mesquite) stood within twenty feet of a frequented road. Female sitting. Eggs fresh; one had been broken and crowded in behind the nest by the parent bird.” None of the other sets found by Mr. Stephens contained more than three eggs and the present clutch is probably an exceptionally large one.
Juv., first plumage (♀ No. 471, Camp Lowell, June 1).—Wing-coverts and inner secondaries broadly tipped and edged with pale brownish-fulvous. Primaries and rectrices edged and tipped with hoary white. Rump and upper tail-coverts yellowish-chestnut. No chestnut on the crown. Otherwise colored like the adult.
Among a number of adults before me the range of individual variation is very limited, and is chiefly confined to the females. While it is true that some of the latter are indistinguishable from the brightest males, the majority have the rump and crown-patches considerably duller, the chestnut being either diluted in shade, or mixed with the color of the back. In No. 206 the crown-patch is concealed, the chestnut being restricted to the basal portion of the feathers.
225, ♂ ad., Tucson, April 18. Length, 4.40; extent, 6.70.
229, ♂ ad., Tucson, April 19. Length, 4.40; extent, 6.80.