The state herald., 1901-07-05
MANY VARIETIES OF
BIRDS in COLORADO


One of the reasons for selecting Col
orado for the coming convention in
August of the American Association
for the Advancement of Science Is Its
reputation for aff0rding excellent op
portunities for the collection and study
D.. Of birds. 1t Is somewhat remarkable
that this state is exceeded by but one
state in the Union, Nebraska, in the
number Of species of birds. Nebraska
is credited with nearly 400 species.
Colorado has at the present time about
375 species, Of which about $50 are
known to breed. This number could
probably be increased, should we in,
clude the unconfirmed discoveries
made by individual observers, num-
ber of which will finally be added to
our present list.
The reasons for this great variety OF
birds Is due to the varied physical con-
ditions of the state and to its geo,
graphical position. Clustered about
the dome of the North American con-
tinent, the Rocky mountains OF Colo.
RADIO, are n number of widely different
geological provinces. From the Allan.
tic ocean to the commencement of
what was formerly known as the great
American desert, there are practically
no barriers to separate the avifaunas
Of different regions. The decreased
rainfall and the growing altitude lin.
Its the westward dispersal of many
species, while the necessity for adapt,
ing themselves to new conditions has
produced such change in some well.
known eastern birds, such as the rob-
In and meadow lark, as to cause our
Colorado birds to be regarded as new
varieties or even new species.
The base of the foothills of the
Rocky mountains prove an insur.
pountable barrier to other species,
such us the eastern bluebird. In the
southern portion of the state we have
birds belonging to the tropical or semi
tropical regions of Mexico ranging
northward until they strike the colder
climate Of the Rockies. The climate OF
our higher mountains is practically
that of the Arctic regions, and hence
many birds that in the east of the
United States do not cross the Cana.
dian boundary will be found living and
nesting on the higher peaks of the
range. To our west we have the some
what peculiar avifauna of the dry des-
ert country Of Arizona and Utah. The
varied conditions of arid PLAN and for
ested mountains, numerous ponds and
lakes, creviced rocks and snow clad
peaks afford congenial homes to a yn
riety of birds of radically different
habitats.
Colorado is to large extent vir
gin field for ornlthological research.
Perhaps the only portion OF the coun.
try where any considerable amount OF
observations have been taken Is along
the eastern base of the Colorado or
front range from Fort Collins and
Greeley TO Colorado Springs. In this
country have worked +. l.. Everett OF
Golden, 4. NJ. Trip OF Idaho Springs,
w. G. Smith and Osborn at Loveland,
Brenninger and w. w. Cooke at Fort
Collins, II. NJ. Ollie mt Greeley ana
also y. u. Snyder OF that same place.
Messrs. Henshaw, Anthony, DR.. Berg.
told, "A. NJ. Collett, A. G. Fclger, w. G..
Ferrill and Horace q. Smith, Jr., arc
among the ornlthologists of Denver.
To the south OF this area Beckham,
Nash, Low and Aiken have worked ut
Pueblo. The last gentleman took ex-
tended observations In and around
Canon City and Colorado Springs.
Several of these men have been lib.
cral contributors 10 the ornithologlcaI
Journals OF the country and have pub
lished a number OF ell-written, pop.
ular descriptions OF Colorado birds.
The first bird that has always NJ
tracted the attention of eastern visit
ors from the time OF Lieutenant Pike
until the present time Is the black and
white Rocky Mountain magple This
bird, noted for Its garrulous habits,
has always formed conspicuous OBJ
1ect In the landscapes OF our adJoln,
Ing foothills. Congregating always In
large numbers about slaughter houses
or wherever carcass of a fallen steer
gives them an opportunity TO sing the
Crows Sa, on Tree" While this
classic ballad. There Were Two
bird does not differ very much In form,
color or conversational powers from
the magplc OF Europe. Il does not seem
TO have generally adopted the notorious
thieving habits Of the European form
Its enormous nest OF interviewer twigs
suspended In cottonwoods or box elder
trees. Is always an object OF interest
TO strangers.
One OF the most beautiful OF the
Rocky mountain birds IN the deep blue
plumnged jay. No abundant In the
mountain forests. and which occasion.
ally ranges far out on the plains. II
is the one species OF bird which should
not perhaps receive the protection OF
our bird law. because OF Its notorious
habit OF destroying the eggs OF other
kinds OF birds and thereby apprcclably
diminishing the number OF birds In
coming generations. This habit OF cat.
ing eggs sometimes renders the jay
mn object OF attack by swarms OF other
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