The Dolores star., 1901-07-05
MANY VARIETIES OF
BIRDS in COLORADO

bne Of the reasons for selecting Col
ldo for the coming convention in
gust Of the American Association
the Advancement of Science is Its
butation for affording excellent op
rtunities for the collection and study
birds. 1t Ii somewhat remarkable
ut this state Is exceeded by but one
lite In the Union, Nebraska, In the
mber OF species of birds. Nebraska
credited with nearly 400 species.
dorado has at the present time about
species, of which about 23O are
own to breed. This number could
Dbably be increased, should we in,
bde the uncOnhrmed discoveries
bde by individual observers, a num-
Of which will finally be added to
r present list.
The reasons for this great variety of
rds IL due to the varied physical con-
lions of the state and to Its geo
nphical position. Clustered about
dome of the North American con.
lent, the Rocky mountains of Colo,
do, are n number of widely different
illogical provinces. From the Allan
ocean to the commencement of
hat was formerly known as the great
nerican desert, there are practically
barriers to separate the avifaunas
different regions. The decreased
infall and the growing altitude lin.
the westward dispersal of many
ecies, while the necessity for adapt
( themselves to new conditions has
Oduced such change in some well.
(own eastern birds, such as the rob-
and meadow lark, rs to cause our
dorado birds to be regarded us new
rieties or even new species.
The base of the foothills of the
bcky mountains prove an insur.
Duntable barrier to other species,
ch as the eastern bluebird In the
uthern portion of the state we have,
fds belonging to the tropical or semi
bpical regions of Mexico ranging
rthward until they strike the colder
mate of the Rockies. The climate or
r higher mountains is practically
Mt of the Arctic regions. and hence
iny birds that in the east of the
hited States do not cross the Cana.
nm boundary will be found living and
sting on the higher peaks of the
nge. To our west we have the some
hat peculiar avifauna of the dry des-
country of Arizona and Utah. The
ried conditions of arid PLAN and for
ted mountains, numerous ponds and
kes, creviced rocks and SNOW clad
(aks AFFORD congenial homes to va
fty of birds of radically different
bitats.
Colorado is to u large extent vir.
n field for archaeological research.
lph nj
y where any considerable amount of
servations have been taken is along
e eastern base of the Colorado or
Dnt range from Fort Collins ana
reeley to Colorado Springs. In this
untry have worked +. Il. Everett of
plden. I. NJ. Trip Of Idaho Springs,
g. Smith and Osborn at Loveland,
fenninger and w. w. Cooke at Fort
pllins, r. NJ. Ollie at Greeley ana
80 y. u. Snyder of that same place.
essrs. Henshaw, Anthony, DIR. Berg.
id, A. NJ. Collett. A. G. Felger, w. G.
brill and Horace q. Smith, Jr., are
iong the ornithologists of Denver.
the south of this area Beckham,
ash. Low and Aiken have worked ar
ieblO. Tue last gentleman took ex-
nded observations In and around
mon City and Colorado Springs.
veral of these men have been lib
Tll contributors to the OrnithOlOgical
lrnals of the country and have pub
he'd number of well-written, pop
pr descriptions of Colorado birds.
The first bird that has always ut.
pcted the attention of eastern visit
from the time of Lieutenant Pike
til the present time is the black and
bite Rocky Mountain magpie. This
hd, noted for its garrulOus habits,
always formed a conspicuous OBJ
ct In the landscapes of our adjoin,
foothills. Congregating always IN
fge numbers about slaughter houses
wherever carcass OF n fallen steer
yes them an opportunity to sing the
lows Sa, on a Tree" While this
pssic ballad. There Were Two
rd does not differ very much in form,
lor or conversational powers from
magpie of Europe, 1t does not seem
have generally adopted the notorious
ieving habits of the European form.
enormous nest of interviewer twigs
spended in. cottOnwoOds or box elder
ees, Is always an object of interest
strangers.
one of the most beautiful of the
pcky mountain birds Is the deep blue
Flmaged jay, SO abundant In the
ountain forests, and which occasion.
y ranges far out on the plains. 1t
the one species of bird which should
perhaps receive the protection of
\ bird law, because of Its notorious
lDit of destroying the eggs of other
ldS of birds md thereby annreciohIy
furnishing the number of birds In
ming generations. This habit Of eat
eggs sometimes renders the Jay
object of attack by swarms of other
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Underground Wireless Telegraphy.
COUNT Pilsoudski of the Russian
my experimented with his new sys-