15 July 81 Gymna Ariz. Had a very uncomfortable trip down the Gila. The thermometer has been above 100° every day since we left Tucson, often reaching 115° and 117°. Roads were sandy, water scarce and bad. The Gila had water only in a few holes for the last 40 miles, and it was so alkaline that my horses got sick. Both here yesterday. Took a walk near town this morning. Found birds few in species and with two or three exceptions in numbers ales. Petrochelidon lumifrons is breeding abundantly along a bluff above town opposite Fort Gymna (Cal). Polioptila plumbea seems to be common. Melospiza lincolnii also.