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July, 1908 ANNOTATED LIST OF THE BIRDS OF MESA COUNTY, COLORADO 173 months this is such an inconspicuous bird that I am unable to state in what abuts- dance they occur. I have found them breeding at Alexander Lakes just outside the County and they are undoubtedly not uncommon breeders thruout the County in the higher altitudes. Amphispiza nevadensis. Sage Sparrow. Summer resident, common. Miss Eggleston says this bird is found quite abundantly in the sage-brush covered mesas, nesting in the tufts of bunch-grass. Prof. Cooke states that it is quite common on the sage brush plains of western and southwestern Colorado. I am inclined to think that it is much more common in the lower parts of the County than in those portions above 7500 feet. l?e!ospiza melodia montana. Mountain Song Sparrow. Summer resident, common. Next to ?P. ?. con?z's this is the commonest sparrow during the sum- mer. Arrives as early as March 15 and is abundant by April 1. Breeds late in May up to at least 7000. Its favorite breeding ground is in boggy "draws" in cultivated fields, where it builds either at the base of a stunted willow or in a thick tuft of alfalfa. Mr. Sullivan says the bird is an occasional winter resident around Grand Junction. l?elospiza lincolni. Lincoln Sparrow. Prof. Cooke writes, "One found dead during the fall of 1895 by A. H. Howell at Grand Junction." There is no further information at hand regarding its occurrence in the County. [Passerella iliaea sehistaeea. Slate-colored Sparrow. Specimens of this species have been taken at Glenwood Springs, at the mouth of the Blue River in Middle Park, and in La Plata County, so it is not unreasonable to expect that it may be found in Mesa County, tho prob- ably of rare occurrence.] Pipi10 maculatus arcticus. Arctic Towbee. Prof. Cooke in his Birds o?' Col- orado states that arclz'cus comes west only to the eastern base of the Rocky Moun- tains but the writer has towhee notes on February 18 and 21, and March 16, 17, 20 and 26 which he has attributed to this form owing to the accepted belief that ?nontanus is strictly a summer resident. Mr. Sullivan also writes that he has ob- served towhees between December 22 and March 1. Miss Eggleston considers them rare at Grand Junction. Prof. Cooke in discussing this point says, "I have no record of the occurrence of arcticus in western Colorado, but it nmst be the form there for it breeds in Montana and is known as a common fall migrant in Utah and a common winter resident of southern Utah and southern Nevada. You are probably right but I wish you had a specimen to back it up." Pipilo maculatus toouranus. Mountain Towhee. Summer resident, abundant. Occurs abundantly thruout the County up to 10,000 feet during the entire stunruer and breeds abundantly thruout the upper half of its range. The great bulk arrive late in April and breed the middle of May. Frequents the open scrub-oak hillsides in well watered localities. Seldom met with in arid sections. 0reospiza chlorura. Green-tailed Towhee. Summer resident, abundant. Above 6000 feet this species is fully as abundant as the preceding but owing to its inconspicuous habits is not so often noted. Arrives late in April and asceuds at once to the higher portions of the County and by the middle of May is abundant up to 9000 feet. Breeds about June 15 and frequents open hillsides covered with low service-berry bushes which seem to be a favorite receptacle for the nests. Zamelodia melanocephala. Black-headed Grosbeak. Summer resident, com- mon. A common bird up to at least 7500 feet, frequenting the dense growth along streams, and nesting thruout its range. Arrives in May and breeds early in June. Departs south in September. Mr. Sullivan's extremes of arrival and departure at Grand Junction are Ap?:il 20 and October 2. Cyanospiza aretuna. Lazuli Bunting. Summer resident, common. A char-