A List of Birds Observed in Cochise County, Arizona

Abstract

FROM November I, 1894, to June I, 1895, I was located in Sulphur Spring Valley, near Willcox, Cochise County, Arizona. During this period of seven months I devoted as much time as could be spared from other duties to making a collection of the birds of the region. The following list is intended to give a condensed record of this work without attempting to detail special notes that were taken on the habits of many species and thus to render accessible whatever may be of interest in connection with the study of geographic distribution, migration, dates of nesting, etc. My headquarters was at the stock ranch of Mr. Thomas Allaire, a cattleman and a cultured gentleman, to whom I am indebted for exceptional courtesies. The Allaire house is situated in a rather dreary place about ten miles south of Willcox; on one side is a dry alkali 'lake' seven miles long and three miles wide and with no vestige of vegetation on its surface; on the other side, toward the east, a scattered growth of low mesquite stretching away for miles presents an outlook a trifle more inviting. About the house and corrals are a few clumps of cottonwoods which attracted wandering flocks of birds on many occasions. The elevation of Sulphur Spring Valley is about 4500 feet, but conditions of considerable aridity prevail and in a general way the fauna and flora is that of a desert region. The only natural water supply in the valley is the small spring called Sulphur Spring about seven miles south of Allaire's ranch. Several groups of low mountains are scattered along the sides of the valley and at either end are more extensive chains, the Graham mountains on the north and the lofty Chiricahuas on the south. Most of my collecting was done within a radius of five miles from Allaire's ranch, but occasional trips were made to Sulphur Springs and to the Dragoon and Chiricahua mountains. In the Dragoon mountains, which are about ten miles southwest of Allaire's ranch, I spent some little time in Cochise canyon and in the Chiricahua mountains, I collected in Hunt Canyon a few miles from the post-office of Rucker. Except where other localities are mentioned, records of specimens or observations apply to Allaire's ranch. Specimens were shot and preserved of all species included in the list, unless otherwise stated. Anas boschas. Mallard. Common at Sulphur Spring in March. Nettion carolinensis. Green-wing Teal. Taken at Sulphur Spring. Querquedula discors. Blue-wing Teal. A pair taken April I3 near Allaire's ranch.