RDixon 1949 Journal 2. Jan 27. 2 1/2 mi SE Lafayette, Contra Costa Co., Calif. puddles was not melted. Hills were noticeably brownish either lack of rain or cold weather or both factors retarding new growth of grasses. Henry Childs and I hunted the oak-woodland, poison oak-Buchania, or grassland habitats from 2:15 PM until 4:15 PM. I was looking for grail in particular but found none in a brush patch where I had seen them previously. Childs collected a ? in the next draw to the E (KD #321) I took a Scrub-Jay (#323) perched in a bruchage tree. Other birds noted in brush or woodland: Wren-tit (1), Hermit Thrush, Oregon Junco, Spotted Towhee, Golden-named Gleanow Plain Titmouse, White-breasted Nuttall. Ways were wary and not common. I met Childs and we returned to area where I had been hunting. Several Scrub Jays were present flying from one perch to another repeating a series of 2-pitched squealing calls, one bird often flying after a second. I heard a croaking call once. Heard a Nuttall Woodpecker, followed it and took it (#324) Took a ? (325) in a eucalyptus grove west of the ranch house. We noted lack of Brown Towhees in the area hunted although Childs took one along the edge of the orchards on the road NW of the ranch.