ZION, BRYCE CANYON, CEDAR BREAKS Birds of Zion, Bryce and Cedar Breaks

THE BIRDS OF ZION, BRYCE, AND CEDAR BREAKS, UTAH
By RUSSELL K. GRATER,
Park Naturalist

INTRODUCTION

The areas to be considered in this bulletin are not especially large, but are representative of a vast amount of terrain common to the plateau country in southern Utah. Two of these areas, Zion National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument, are located on the Markagunt Plateau, and combine to present an accurate cross-section of the bird life of that region. The third area, Bryce Canyon National Park, is situated on the Paunsaugunt Plateau to the eastward, and affords the bird student a limited, but very rich ground for the study of the birds of the middle altitudes. Of these three areas, Zion is the largest, with 135 square miles. Then, in order, comes Bryce Canyon, with 55 square miles, and Cedar Breaks, with slightly less than 10 square miles.

In any region when bird studies are first inaugurated there is a great need for an initial list to be compiled, giving, insofar as possible, the names of the species known to occur throughout the area. With such a list as a basis, the status of each species can then be determined through careful field studies and the filing of data as they accumulate. From these data will slowly evolve the details regarding the occurrence of the bird, its breeding dates, local variations in habitat requirements, etc. It is after these data are collected that the next great need can be filled—the compilation of these data into a publication that can be easily utilized by the amateur, as well as the professional bird student.

In carrying on the bird studies in the Zion, Bryce and Cedar Breaks region, the first important step was taken by Mr. Clifford C. Presnall in 1935, when he prepared and published a check-list entitled "The Birds of Zion National Park." With this excellent work as a basis, additional material has been accumulated, until it is now possible to present a fairly comprehensive account of the birds of this region. Fine field notes on the Bryce and Cedar Breaks areas were available through studies and collections made by Clifford C. Presnall, Adrey E. Borell, L. F. Keller, W. S. Long and Gordon Y. Croft. These notes served as the basis for the studies carried on by the writer. I am also indebted to Dr. Alden H. Miller, of the University of California, for his work on study skin identification, and to Messrs. Edwin D. McKee and Natt Dodge for constructive criticism of the manuscript.

The names and sequence of species (with a few exceptions) are those of the "American Ornithologist's Union Check—List of North American Birds" (Fourth Edition, 1931). Exceptions to the 1931 list are taken from the "Nineteenth Supplement to the American Ornithologist's Union Check—List of North American Birds," published in " The Auk," Volume 6, July issue, 1944.

The closing date for all records was April 1, 1946.