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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 buffy 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 griddied buckwheat cake for color. The jauntlest 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 Aimo13hila humera/is. 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 J. 13h?eonotus group. Another sparrow of the same genus dwells in similar locations, but was much shyer, and less frequently observed, Aimo13hila 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that must have occurred numerously, for as a rule appetites were soon appeased and scratching for the pleasure of noise superseded eating.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 (Coelig?ena- clemenci?e) 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 Ph?e- ol3tila 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 January and Feb- ruary, but disappeared about March 6. when I imagined they sought higher country.