Black-And-White Warbler, Dickcissel, and Tree Sparrow in Nevada
Black-and-white Warbler, Dickcissel, and Tree Sparrow in Nevada-We report here with observations on three species that are rare or little known ln the state of Nevada. All observations were made in Clark County in the southern part of the state.
Mniotilta vuria. Black-and-white Warbler. On September 30, 1951, Allan R. Phillips found an immature female of this species foraging in a cottonwood tree in Boulder City. Gullion observed a full plumaged bird at his residence on January 21, 1952. This bird was feeding on the ground, foragmg on the lawn and among fallen leaves much as Chipping Sparrows do. Pulich watched one of these warblers on February 9, 1952, feeding nervously from the smaller branches and along the main trunk of a cottonwood. The bird fed capably upside down but it did not work up or down the bark of the tree. After feeding at a particular spot it would fly off and return to another spot on the tree trunk. On the following day, February 10, this bird was collected and proved to be an adult male. These records and specimens supplement the previous sight record reported by M. Sullivan for Boulder City (Monson, Audubon Field Notes, 1950:256).
Splzo omerfcuna. Dickcissel. Mrs. Nora Poyser first recorded a flock of about six Dickcissels at her residence near the Boulder Boat Dock on the shores of Lake Mead on September 18, 1949. These birds remained around her house for several days. On September 6, 1951, Mrs. Poyser again reported the presence of six Dickcissels at her residence. She had first seen this flock the day before. One bird was trapped and banded and was carefully examined ln hand by Pulich. Thii small flock of birds remained around the banding station until .September 8, but unfortunately no others were captured. These two occurrences mark the first report of the Dickcissel in Nevada.
Spi,eUa arborea. Tree Sparrow. Two of these sparrows were seen by Gullion on April 11, 1951, near Sheep Spring at 4000 feet elevation on the northwest side of the Virgin Mountains. On January 24, 1952, Mrs. Poyser reported the presence of a Tree Sparrow at her residence. Thii sparrow was taken by Pulich on January 27 and proved to be a male of the race S. a. ochracea. Subsequently, Mrs. Poyser reported the occurrence of a lone Tree Sparrow from March 19 through April 5, 1952, at Boulder City. These reports of the Tree Sparrow are the first records for Clark County.
We are sincerely grateful to Mrs. Nora Poyser and Allan R. Phillips for making their records available to US.-WARREN M. PULICR and GORDON W. GULLION, Boulder City, Nevada, July 1, 1952.
