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July, 1915 NOTES ON SOME BIRDS OF SPRING CANYON, COLORADO 149 down the canyon and destroyed the spring, so that it has not flowed since. The flood, to some extent, ruined the beauty of the canyon, for huge blocks of sand-stone were washed down from the side walls. One of these was moved about fifty yards, and weighed several tons. The canyon proper is about one- half mile through. The Auto Stage road to the famous Estes Park now runs through the canyon, which is the first bit of rugged scenery the eastern tour- ist sees after leaving Fort Collins. These bird notes were taken in the canyon, and on the two quarter sec- tions lying just outside on the plains. On both sides of the road, including the canyon, is the Dawley ranch, joined on the east by the Berry ranch. On the south side of the road is a pasture of native grass, with a small reservoir which is filled with flood water. In dry seasons this has little or no water in it, therefore water birds are scarce. There is a small stream, known as Spring Creek, flowing through the can- yon, taking a northeasterly course past the Berry house, which stands about three hundred yards outside. Along this stream, between the canyon and the Berry house, is a small growth of cotton-wood (Populus angustifolia) and wil- low (Satix, sp. ?), and underbrush of various kinds, including wild plum (Pru- nus melanocarpa), choke-cherry. (Prunus pennsytvanica), mountain maple (Acer glabrum ) , wild goose-berry (Ribes purpusi) , black currant (Ribes flori- durn ?), haws ( Crataegus occidentalis ) , wild rose (Rosa sayi ) , etc. On the walls of the canyon is found yellow pine (Pinus scopulorum) and cedar (Sabina scoputorum). As this is the only timber and underbrush to speak of between the Big Thompson river to the south, and the Cache La Poudre river to the north, it is a favorite spot for birds, especially so in migration. Along Spring Creek on the Dawley ranch is some back water and a small patch of swampy ground, but not enough to be of much attraction to the birds usu- ally found at such places. Through the courtesy of the Dawleys and Berrys, I have had the privilege of shooting, trapping, and building campfires on both places, and in a way mak- ing myself a general nuisance. Mr. Berry,. while not an ornithologist, is a keen observer, and familiar with most of the common birds of the region, and he has been of assistance to me in locating nests, etc. The dates on spring migra- tion, as given in this list of birds, are averages compiled from records kept for several years for me by Mr. Berry. The dates following the word "breeds" are those on which full sets of eggs have been 'found. Railus virginianus. Virginia Rail. Uncommon; breeds (May 30). Oxyechus vociferus. Killdeer. Common in the canyon and out. Arrives March 10; breeds (June 2). Zenaidura rnacroura carolinensls. Mourning Dove. Common. Arrives April 15; breeds (May 29). We have two winter records for this bird, January 15, 1901, and No- vember 24, 1903. Cathartes aura septentrionalis. Turkey Vulture. Not common; one taken in the spring of 1902. Acclpiter velox. Sharp-shinned Hawk. Not uncommon. One taken in the canyon April 13. Buteo borealis calurus. Western Red-tail. Common in migration. Falco colurnbarlus colurnbarlus. Pigeon Hawk. Not common. Two specimens taken on the Berry ranch, September 9 and 18. Falco sparverlus sparverlus. Sparrow Hawk. Common; breeds (May 21). Arrives April 28. Aslo wllsonianus. Long-cared Owl. One or two seen almost every trip made to the canyon. No doubt breeds, but we have no record.