Page:Condor11(4).djvu/24

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130 THE CONDOR VOL. XI a few feet from the trail in Miller'Conyon fit an altitude of 8000 feet, and was placed under a bunch of ferns and grass. The female sat close and was very tame after being fiusht, coming within a few feet of me. These are common characteristics of the species, particularly when the eggs are incubated, as in this instance. Both birds come around when a nest is disturbed and are very noisy. Their outcries frequently bring other species to their assistance. On one occasion a pair each of Plumbeous and Western Warbling Vireos, Red-faced and Black-throated Gray Warblers, Bridled Titmouse, Western House ?rren and a small female hummer responded and added their voices to the clamor. The Juncos build their nests very fast, gathering the material nearby and carrying it in huge mouthfuls to the nest. The female alone does the nest building and, as far as I have observed, assumes all the duties of incubation. The nest is NEST AND EGGS OF ARIZONA JUNCO always well concealed, no hint of its presence showing from the outside. In feeding on the ground they usually go in couples, hopping around under logs, stones and brush, uttering an: occasional contented "chip". They also feed warbler-like iu the trees, usually singly. They possess a very pretty little song, the strongest part of which closely resembles the song of the Olive Warbler. This is most noticeable when heard at such a distance as to lose the softer passage. When sing- ing they frequently sit motionless on a lower branch of a pine or fir, uttering their short song from time to time with such ventriloquistic effect as to completely deceive the listener as regards their position and distance. The birds are quite fearless and will come right up to a person who remaius still. Their confiding ways make them great favorites with the prospectors who frequently feed several pairs around their camps. The Juneos get along well With the other birds but are quite quarrelsome among themselves.