Page:Arthur H. Harris Field Journal 1965.pdf/18

1965 AHH Journal 7 Sept. (p.2) cottonwoods & salt cedar along cotton fields. Also partial skele. Canis familiaris. Unidentified hawk seen; many mourning doves. Drove on N (not E and then N) to a portion of La Union (a short distance W of N. M. 28); continued on N, onto dirt road which then swings W out of the valley. Drove a short distance W, then returned to N of La Union—covey of 15-20 or more scaled quail seen here. Returned home, arriving at about 5 pm. 8 Sept. Left shortly after 7 am for near La Union, Dona Ana Co., N. Mex. Shot a Cactus Wren and a female House Finch. Saw Mourning Doves, a thrasher, scaled quail, Blacktailed Jack Rabbit. Approx. position Ca. ½ mi. N & ½ mi, W La Union, Dona Ana Co., N. Mex. At about 8:30 am, heard toad call—similar to large, brassy fly buzz. Followed to a rain pool (heavy rain last nite) where eventually (despite call stopping) found several toads—captured 2 pair in amplexus, one pair of Scaphiopus hammondi, one pair of S. couchi. Drove on west to margin of Rio Grande Valley (chasing Turkey Vulture part of the way). A cap-rock situation appears to be present, with the “caprock” of calichi up to 3 ft. thick or more. Appears to be little or nothing other than blow sand over this hard layer. A possible lower layer of calichi is present many feet below the upper.