Field notes, v600

Dixon, Keith L. (Keith Lee), 1921-
Unknown
Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley
Original Source
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Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Contributed by Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley. | www.biodiversitylibrary.org

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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA MUSEUM OF VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY
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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from CLIR https://archive.org/details/fieldnotesv60000dixo
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Dixon, Keith L. 1947 - 1950 1. Montana, June 13 - Aug. 1, 1947 Catalog Plant specimen catalog Journal Species accounts 2. Local and miscellaneous, Aug. 28, 1948 - April 16, 1949 Catalog Journal Species accounts 3. Arizona, April 19-May 1, 1949 Catalog Plant catalog Journal Species accounts 4. Local and miscellaneous, May 14- Dec. 20, 1949. Catalog Journal Species accounts 5. Local and miscellaneous, Jan. 19 - Dec. 26, 1950 Catalog Journal Species accounts
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Dixon, K.L. Montana, June 13-Aug. 1, 1947 Catalog nos. 19-261 Plant specimen catalog Journal Species accounts
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KDixon 1977 Catalogue 2. Yellowstone River, 7 mi. NE Glendive, 2000 ft., Dawson Co, Montana. June 16, 1947 19 Coluber constrictor 20 ♂ Spizella pusilla Testes 6 mm. Wt. 14.0 gms. 21 ♂ Setophaga ruticilla Testes 5 mm. Wt. 9.2 gms. June 17, 1947 22. ♂ Vireo olivaceus Testes 8 mm. Wt. 16.5 gms. 23. ♀ Spizella pusilla Brood patch Wt. 12.4 gms. 24. ♀ Passerina amoena Brood patch Wt. 16.4 gms. June 18, 1947 25. ♀ Vireo olivaceus Brood patch Wt. 16.4 gms. 26. ♀ Parus atricapillus Brood patch Wt. 10.4 gms. 27. ♀ Geothlypis trichas Brood patch Wt. 10.3 gms. 28. ♂ Passerina amoena Testes 8 mm. Wt. 14.2 gms? June 19, 1947. 29. ♂ Setophaga ruticilla Testes 6 mm. Wt. 8.0 gms. 30. ♂ Mniotilta varia Testes 6 mm. Wt. 9.9 gms? 31. ♂ Seiurus aurocapillus Testes 10 mm. Wt. 17.4 gms. 32. ♂ Wendroica aestiva Testes 7 mm. Wt. 8.9 gms? 33. ♂ Geothlypis trichas Testes 5 mm. Wt. 9.1 gms? 34. ♂ Pipilo maculatus Testes 10 mm. Wt. 40.3 gms. June 20, 1947 35. ♂ Passerina amoena Testes 8 mm. Wt. 15.4 gms? 36. ♀ Setophaga ruticilla Brood patch Wt. 7.6 gms. 37. ♂ Mniotilta varia Testes 5 mm. Wt. 9.4 gms. 38. ♂ Passerina amoena Left testis 10 mm; right, 4mm. Wt. 14.2 gms? 39. ♂ Toxostoma rufum Testes 14 mm. Wt. 67.1 gms?
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K Dixon 1947 Catalogue Yellowstone River, 1 mi NE Glendive 2000 ft. Dawson Co., Montana. June 20, 1947. 40. Rana pipiens 41. ♀ Icterina virens Brood patch Wt. 33.2 gms. 42. ♂ Icterina virens Testes 8 mm. Wt. 240 gms. 43. ♀ Passerina amoena Ova 7 mm. Wt. 15.9 gms. June 21, 1947 largest ovum 2mm. 44. ♀ Passerina amoena Brood patch developing Wt. 14.9 gms. 45. ♂ Setophaga ruficilla Testes 8 mm. Wt. 9.1 gms. June 22, 1947 46. ♀ Tyrannus verticalis Brood patch; largest ovum 2mm. Wt. 35.9 gms. 47. ♀ Melanerpes erythrocephalus Brood patch Wt. 75.0 gms. 48. ♀ Wendroica aestiva Brood patch Wt. 10.6 gms. 49. ♂ " " " Left Testis 9mm., right 0.5 mm. Wt. 9.8 gms. 50. ♀ " " " Brood patch; mate of 49. Wt. 8.9 gms. 51. ♂ Sturnella neglecta Testes 16 mm. Wt. 116.8 gms. June 23, 1947 52. ♂ Chondortus grammacus Testis 11 mm. Wt. 28.2 gms. 53. ♀ " " Brood patch Wt. 33.0 gms. 54. Hyla 55. " 56. " 57. " 58 ♀ Spinus tristis Brood patch Wt. 11.8 gms. 59. ♀ Colaptes cafer Brood patch Wt. 146.2 gms. [illegible] [illegible] [illegible]
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K Dixon 1947 Catalogue 2 mi Wt Howe R S, 7000 ft, Powder River Co Montana. June 25, 1947 60. ? Salpinctes oboletus Brood patch Testes 6 mm. w.t. 16.3 gms. 61. ♀ " " Brood patch largest orum 4 mm. w.t. 18.7 gms. 62. ? Sitta carolinensis Brood patch w.t. 17.5gms 63. ♂ 1mm" Sialia currucoides w.t. 28.2gms. 64. ♂ Molothrus ater Testis 6 mm. w.t. 45.3 gms. June 26, 1947 65. ♂ Troglodytes aëdon Tester 6 mm. w.t. 11.6 gms. 66 ♂ " " Tester 7 mm. w.t. 10.5gms. 67 ♂ Dendroica aestiva Testes 7 mm. w.t. 9.7 gms. 68 ♀ " " Brood patch; mate of 67. w.t. 11.0 gms. 69. ♂ Tyrannus vociferans Testes 13 mm. w.t. 47.8gms. 70 ♀ Toxostoma rufum Brood patch; ova 9mm. w.t. 67.9gms. 71. ♀ Agelaius phoeniceus largest ovum 2 mm w.t. 73.3 gms. June 27, 1947 72. ♂ Tyrannus tyrannus Brood patch Testis 12 mm. w.t. 42.0gms. 73. ♀ Quiscalus quiscula Brood patch w.t. 70.6 gms. 74 ♂ Agelaius phoeniceus Testes 12mm. w.t. 64.0gms. 75 ♂ Cyanocephalus cyancephalus Testes 4 mm. w.t. 115.7 gms. June 28, 1947 76. ♂ Spizella passerina Testes 8 mm. w.t. 11.8gms. 77 ♀ Sitta carolinensis Brood patch refleshing w.t. 18.9 gms. 78 ♂ Ne. " " Testes 2 mm, w.t. 18.2 gms. 79 ♂ Junco aikenii Testes 10mm. w.t. 21.2gms 80 ♂ Chondeates grammacus " 12mm w.t. 29.1 gms 81 ♂ Agelaius phoeniceus " 10 mm, w.t. 68.7gms.
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R Dixon 1947 Catalogue 2 mi W Ft Howe R.S., 4000 ft, Powder River Co., Montana. June 28, 1947 82.♀ Agelaius phoeniceus Largest ovum 2mm. Mate of 81. Wt. 44.8 gms. June 29, 1947 83.♂ Quiscalus quiscula ova 8 mm. Wt. 93.9 gms. 84.♂ Dendroica aestiva Testes 4mm. Wt. 9.2gms. 85.♂ Dryobates villosus Testes 2 mm. Wt. 81.7 gms. 86.♂♀ Lorius curvirostra Testes 2mm. Wt. 36.3 gms. 87.♂ Tyrannus tyrannus Testes 14 mm. 4 mi W Ft Howe RS 4400 ft. Powder River Co., Mont. Wt. 44.0 gms. June 30, 1947 88.♀ Empidonax minimus Brood patch. Wt. 11.5 gms. 89.♂ Empidonax wrightii wrightii Testes 6 mm. Wt. 11.9 gms. 90.♂ Vireo solitarius " 6mm. Wt. 17.0 gms. 91.♀ Myiochanes richardsoni Laying Wt. 45.8 gms. 92.♀ Molothrus ater Laying Wt. 38.1 gms. 2 mi W Ft Howe RS, 1000 ft., Powder River Co., Montana. July 1, 1947 93.♀ Tyrannus vociferans Laying Wt. 52.7 gms. 94.♂ Agelaius phoeniceus Testes 3 mm. Wt. 70.4 gms. 95.♂ Troglodytes aedon " 6mm. Wt. 11.2 gms. 96.♂ Dendroica aestiva " 7mm Wt. 10.5 gms. 97.♂ Agelaius phoenicens " 13 mm. Wt. 74.7 gms. 98.♀ Sayornis sayas Laying Wt. 28.9 gms. July 2, 1947 change dates on labels {99.♀ Coerezus erythrothalamus Laying Wt. 55.7 gms. 100.♂ " " Testes 7mm Wt. 42.3 gms. 101. Tyrannus vociferans " 15mm. Wt. 48.8 gms.
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KDixon 1947 Catalogue 6 2mi W Ft. Howes R.S, 4000 ft., Powder River Co., Montana. July 2, 1947 102. o Pipilo maculatus Testes 11 mm. wt. 37.7 gms. 103. ♂ Quiscalus quiscula " 14 mm. wt. 71.2 gms. 104. ♀ Molothrus ater Laying wt. 32.9 gms. 105 Crotalus (collected July D.) 106 Nest of Tyrannus vociferans (see Journal p. 75). 107 Eggs of Tyrannus vociferans (3 eggs, incomplete set) 2 mi E Shiver, 6500 ft., Carbon Co., Montana July 4, 1947 108. ♂ Parus gambeli Testes 5 mm. wt. 13.0 gms. 109. ♂ Dendroica auduboni " 9 mm. wt. 13.8 gms. 110 ♀ Regulus rathapa Brood patch wt. 6.5 gms. July 5, 1947 111 ♀ Junco mearnsi larger oval green 2mm. wt. 17.79 gms. Brood patch refathering; 112 ♀ Bonasa umbellus oval 15 mm., largest oval 2 mm. wt. 46.5, 7 gms. 113 ♂ Regulus Testes 7 mm wt. 6.49 gms. 114. ♂ Dendroica auduboni " 8 " wt. 11.59 gms. 115 ♂ Spinus pinus " 5 mm. wt. 12.6 gms. 116 ♀ Dendroica auduboni Brood patch wt. 12.5 gms. July 6, 1947 117 ♂ Empidonax wrightii Testes 6 mm. wt. 16.2 gms. 118. ♂ Vireo gilvus " 9 mm. wt. 16.3 gms. 119 ♂ Parus atricapillus " 5 mm. wt. 12.0 gms. 120 ♀ Melospiza melodia Coll. H.C. Perwolski Brood patch wt. 24.8 gms. 121 ♂ Passerina amoena Testes 7 mm. wt. 13.97 gms. Coll. H.C. Rayvold 122 ♂ Dumetella carolinensis Testes 9 mm. wt. 33.9 gms.
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K Dixon 1947 Catalogue 2 mi E Shriver, 6500 ft, Carbon Co., Montana. July 6, 1947 123 Thamnophis July 7 124. Thamnophis 125. ♂ Melospiza melodia Collected by N.C. Reynolds Testes 10 mm Wt. 22.2 gms 126 ♀ " " Brood patch laying Wt. 26.79 gms 127. ♂ Geothlypis trichas Testes 6 mm. Wt. 9.9 gms 128 ♀ " " largest ovum 5 mm. Mate of 127. Wt. 10.9 gms 129 ♂ Empidonax wrightii Testes 7 mm. Wt. 11.9 gms 130 ♂ Sphyrapicus varius Testes 5 mm. Wt. 57.3 gms July 8, 1947 131 ♀ Oporornis tolmiei Brood patch Wt. 11.1 gms 132 ♂ Dendroica aestivalis Testes 5 mm. Wt. 9.0 gms 133 ♂ Melospiza melodia " 9 mm Wt. 20.6 gms 134 ♂ Junco mearnsi " 10 mm Wt. 17.4 gms 135 ♂ " " " 7 mm Wt. 18.1 gms 136 ♀ " " Brood patch Wt. 21.3 gms 137 ♂ Spizella passerina Testes 9 mm. Wt. 13.3 gms July 9, 1947 138 ♂ Troglodytes aedon Testes 5 mm. Brood patch Wt. 9.7 gms 139 ♀ Junco mearnsi Mate of 140 Wt. 23.3 gms 140 ♂ " " Testes 10 mm Wt. 21.0 gms 141 ♂ " " " 10 mm. Wt. 19.3 gms 142 ♂ Melospiza lincolni " 9 mm. Wt. 18.3 gms 143 ♀ Sphyrapicus varius Brood patch Ova 7 mm. Wt. 43.7 gms.
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X Dixon 1947 Catalogue 8. 2 mi NE Cooke, 8500 ft., Park Co, Montana. July 12, 1947 149. ♂ Carpodacus Testes 9mm. Wt. 26.5gms. 195. ♀ Melospiza lincolnii " 11mm. Wt. 17.3gms. 146. ♀ Dryobates villosus Brood patch Wt. 64.3gms. 147 Arthur Wt. 23.2gms. 2 mi N Cooke, 9000 ft., Park Co, Montana July 12, 1947 147 ♀ Arthus Brood patch Wt. 23.2 148 ♂ " Testes 12 mm. Wt. 22.0gms 149. ♂ Zonotrichia leucophrys Testes 13 mm. Wt. 28.7gms 2 mi NE Cooke, 8500 ft., Park Co, Montana July 13, 1947 150 ♀ Melospiza lincolnii Brood patch Wt. 16.5gms. 151. ♂ Carpodacus cassinii Testes 8 mm. Wt. 28.7gms. 152 ♀ Junco meanaei Brood patch Wt. 19.2gms. 153 ♂ Dendragapus Testa 12mm. Wt. 1152.4gm 154. ♀ Pinicola Brood patch Wt. 55.5gms. 155 ♀ " Brood patch Wt. 59.7gms. July 14, 1947 156 ♂ Clethionomys 123-36-17-15 Wt. 21.0gms. 157. ♂ Zapus 201-120-29-13 Wt. 19.3gms. 158 ♀ " 8emb. x 16mm. 235-193-30-16 Wt. 36.8gms. 2 mi N Cooke, 9000 ft., Park Co, Montana July 14, 1947 159 ♂ Lencosticta Testes 10 mm. Wt. 25.6gms.
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K'Dixon 1947 Catalogue 2 mi NE Cooke, 8500 ft., Park Co., Montana. July 14, 1947 160. ♂ Junco mearnsi Testes 10 mm. wt. 17.4 gms 161. ♀ Carpodacus cassinii Brood patch wt. 28.7 gms. July 15, 1947 162. ♂ Peromyscus 163. ♀ 4emb x 9 mm " 164. ♂ Zapus 165. ♀ Junco mearnsi Brood patch; size 8 mm. 166. ♂ Parus gambeli Testes 2 mm. 167. ♀ Junco mearnsi Brood patch 168. ♂ " " Testes 11 mm 169. ♂ Picoides tridactylus Testes 8 mm. July 16, 1947 170. ♀ Microtus 171. ♀ 6emb x 11mm Zapus 172. ♂ Melospiza lincolni Testes 10 mm. 173. ♀ Putamias 174. ♀ Dendroica auduboni Brood patch, July 17, 1947 175. ♂ Peromyscus 176. ♀ Last Putamiae 177. ♀ " 178. ♂ Zonotrichia leucophrys Testes 11 mm. 179. ♂ Dryobates villosus " 3 mm. 180. ♂ Picoides tridactyla " 3 mm.
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K Dixon 1947 Catalogue 2 mi NE Cooke, 8000 ft., Park Co., Montana July 18, 1947 181. ♂ Peromyscus 144-55-21-16 wt. 19.7 gms. 182 ♀ Sorex 99-47-13-8 wt. 7.2 gms. 183 ♀ Wilsonia brood patch; male ♀ 194 wt. 7.5 gms. 184 ♂ " Teats 3 mm. wt. 7.3 gms. 185 ♀ Cyanotis Ova 8mm wt. 122.2 g. July 19, 1947 186 ♂ Clethrionomys 139-39-19-15 wt. 22.3 gms 187 Rana 188 " 189 ♂ Nyctichla guttata Teats 11mm. wt. 31.6 gms. 190 ♀ Dendroica auduboni brood patch wt. 15.2 gms. 191 ♀ Melospiza lincolni Ova 8mm; (largest ovum 2mm) wt. 16.1 gms. 2 mi NE Cooke, 8500 ft., Park Co., Montana. July 17, 1947 192 ♀ Zonotrichia leucophrys brood patch 27.4 gms. July 19, 1947 193 ♂ Rod Carpodacus cassinii Teats 2 mm. wt. 30.7 gms. 194 ♂ Cutamias 213-92-32-17 wt. 52.7 gms. 2 mi NE Cooke, 8000 ft., Park Co., Montana July 19, 1947 195 ♂ Nyctichla uticulata Teats 10mm. wt. 30.4 gms. July 20, 1947 196 ♂ Sorex 102-45-13-8 wt. 5.4 gms. 197 ♂ " 108-18-13-8 wt. 5.2 gms. 198 ♂ Zapus 215-127-30-15 wt 24.7 gms.
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K Dixon 1947 Catalogue. 2 mi NE Cooke, 8500 ft, Park Co, Montana. July 18, 1947 Cole N.C Reynolds wt. 21.2 gms 199. ♂ Zapus July 19, 1947 232-137-30-18 200 ♂ Microtus 140-34-22-10 Cole H Reynolds wt. 24.6 gms. Birch Creek, 18 mi NW Dillon, 7100 ft, Beaverhead Co, Montana. July 22, 1947 201 Rana? July 23, 1947 202 ♂ Zapus 222-131-30-16 wt. 28.3 gms. 203 ♂ " 233-137-33-16 wt. 32.8 gms. 204 ? Fact " 252-151-33-16 wt. 33.2 gms. 205 ♂ " 224-136-30-15 wt. 27.3 gms. 206 ♂ Peromyscus 119-(34)-20-18 wt. 21.1 gms. 207 ♂ Vireo gilvus Testis 3 mm wt. 10.9 gms. 208 ♂ Empidonax wrightii " 7 mm wt. 13.3 gms. Cole H.C. Reynolds 209 ♂ Peromyscus 161-76-20-16 wt. 21.1 gms. 210 ♂ Sorex 120-51-13-8 wt. 6.7 gms. July 24. 211 Bufo 212 ? Sorex 90-37-11-7 wt. 3.2 gms. 213 ♂ Zapus 221-129-31-16 wt. 23.8 gms. 214 ♂ Peromyscus 154-64-20-17 wt. 20.2 gms 215 ? 7 amb x 44 mm. Snowshoe 453-29-135-83 wt. 1854.7 gms. 216 ? Empidonax wrightii Broad patch wt. 10.7 gms. 217 Sorex 115-41-13-8 wt. 5.2 gms. 218 ♂ Sphyrapicus Testis 2 mm wt. 49.2 gms. 219 ♂ Melospiza melodia Testis 9 mm Cole H.C. Reynolds wt. 20.8 gms. 220 ? Junco maornai Broad patch wt. 16.6 gms.
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Catalogue July 24, 1947 221. Perisoreus wt. 59.0 gms. 222. Junco hyemalis Testes 7 mm wt. 16.7 gms. July 25, 1947 223. Microtus 159-52-20-13 wt. 29.3 gms. 224 O Peromyscus 176-78-21-17 wt. 23.3 gms 225 Rana 226 Thamnophis July 26, 1947 227 Bufo 228 ♀ Sorex 96-41-12-8 wt. 4.6 gms. 229 ♀ " 114-44 -13-8 wt. 4.9 gms. 230 ♀ Sorex palustris 146-74-20-9 wt. 10.7gms. 231. ♂ Zapus 227-132-31-14 wt. 27.1 gms. 232. ♂ Empidonax wrightii Testes 6 mm. wt. 10.3 gms. 233. ♂ imm. Passerella wt. 27.6 gms. 234. Thamnophis 235 ♂ Melospiza lincolnii Testes 3mm. wt. 17.5 gms. 236 ♂ Zonotrichia leucophrys 4 5mm wt. 26.7gms 237 ♀ Piranga Osa 6 mm wt. 26.8gms July 27, 1947 238 ♂ Microtus 183-66-20-14 wt. 37.0 gms. 239 Peromyscus 158-64-20-17 wt. 21.2 gms. 240 " 151-61-19-17 wt. 22.1 g. 241 ♀ Dryobates villosus Brood patch refathering wt. 69.1gms.
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R Dixon 1947 Catalogue Birch Creek, 18 mi NW Dillon, 7100 ft., Beaverhead Co., Montana. July 28, 1947 242 ♀ Sorex 105-41-12-8 Wt. 5.0 gms. 243 ♂ " 101-42-13-8 Wt. 4.7 gms. 1 mi SW Dillon, 5100 ft., Beaverhead Co., Montana July 29, 1947 244 ♂ Peromyscus 149-68-20-16 Wt. 18.4 gms. 245 ♀ x13mm " 147-58-20-16 Lact. Wt. 20.5 gms. 246 ♀ Eutamias 198-88-31-13 Wt. 44.4 gms. 247 ♂ " 196-88-31-14 Wt. 35.7 gms. 248 ♂ 201-88-31-14 Wt. 40.2 gms. 249 ♀ " 195-88-31-13 Wt. 38.0 gms. Birch Creek, 18 mi NW Dillon, 7100 ft., Beaverhead Co., Mont. July 29, 1947 250. ♂ Borana umbellina Taste 7 mm. Wt. 479.4 gms. 251. ♀ Empidonax wrightii Brood patch Wt. 10.4 gms. 252 ♂ Borana umbellina Taste 7 mm. Wt. 477.3 gm. July 30, 1947 253 ♂ Sorex 104-48-13-8 Wt. 4.8 gms. 254 skull only ♂ " 87-40-12-7 Wt. 3.8 gms. 255 skull only ♂ " 91-40-11-7 Wt 3.0 gm 256 ♂ Sorex palustris 188-68-19-8 Wt 10.4 gm 257 ♀ Microtus 197-64-25-14 5emb x13 mm Wt. 81.1 gm 258 ♀ " 4emb x8mm. 210-66-25-14 Wt. 80.3gm 259 ♂ 9mm: Sitta canadensis Wt. 10.1 gms. July 31, 1947 260 ♂ Microtus 190-[7]-26-14 Wt. 69.4 gm
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Dixon 1947 Catalogue. 14. Bird Creek, 18 mi NW Dillon, 7100 ft, Beaverhead Co., Mont. July 31, 1947 26/ 5 Microtus 172-53-26-13 Wt. 55.6 gm
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Plant specimen catalog.
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KDixon 1947 Plant Specimen Catalogue COPY Yellowstone River, 7 mi. NE Glendive, 2000 ft., Dawson Co., Mont. June 21, 1947 310. Prunus virginiana var demissa growing as large understory shrub under box elders along streambottom. Soil sandy. 2 mi. W Ft. Hawle R.S., 4000 ft., Powder River Co., Montana July 2, 1947 311. Prunus growing on rocky area of south-facing slope in pine hills country. Associated with Rhue tribbata; Pinus ponderosa and Juniperus nearby 312. Fraxinus lanceolata Bork. growing along streamcourse associated with Populus, Salix, and Acer. 313. Acer segundo L. Same as 312; soil fine grained loam, pale brown. 314. Linum lewisii growing in open with grasses along banks of stream. Soil as with 313. 315. Populus sargentii Dode = P. occidentalis Rydb. 316. Salix amygdaloides 317. Rosa woodsii Lindl. growing along banks of brook, often as underbrush of deciduous trees. 318. Ribes setosum Lindl. as 317. 319. growing in meadow between brook and pine groves - other grasses and Artemisia tridentata. 320 } Juniperus scopulorum Sargent 321 yellow pine woodland 322. Pinus ponderosa dominant tree of area covering hills of entire area.
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K Dixon 1947 Plant Specimen Catalogue COPY 2 mi. E Shiver, 6500 ft., Carbon Co., Montana July 4, 1947 323 Juniperus sibirica prostrate shrub as understory (broken) of Douglas Fir forest 324 Picea Engelmannii growing along stream in canyon - associated with Populus tremuloides; Pseudotsuga or higher nearby. 325. Salix Bebbiana associated with Populus tremuloides on banks of brook. July 9, 1947 326. Abies lasiocarpa (probably) on open hillside with Pseudotsuga also along dry stream course 327. Pinus as with 324 - specimen lacks number 328 Probably Geranium viscosissimum growing on grassy slopes at edges of coniferous forest. 329. Neraclem lanatum Coll. H.C. Reynolds 330. Thlaspi arvense L. 331. Acer glabrum Torr. 2 mi. NE Cooke, 8500 ft., Park Co., Montana July 21, 1947. 332. Vaccinium scoparium undergrowth of coniferous forest 333 Mertensia alata ? Herb in meadows with Thalictrum Note writing
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KDixon 1947 Plant Specimen Catalogue Birch Creek, 18 mi NW Dillon, 7100 ft., Beaverhead Co. Mont. July 31, 1947. 334. Shepherdia canadensis (L) Nutt. undershrub of Pinus montana forest; berries preserved in formaldehyde. COPY
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INDEX 1947 Index to Species Mentioned in Journal Turkey Vulture. Red-tailed Hawk Marsh Hawk Scourge Hawk Sharp-tailed Grouse Ruffed Grouse Blue Grouse Sage Grouse Ring-necked Pheasant Hungarian Partridge Kestrel Spotted Sandpiper Houning Dove Cuckoo Spruce Owl Hermit Owl Poorwill Night-hawk Hummingbird Yellow-shafted Flicker Red-shafted Woodpecker Ps. headed Stork Red-eyed Vulture Hebrew Wren Snowy Warbler Duck Journal
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Dixon 1947 Index to Species Mentioned in Journal Turkey Vulture 54, 63 Red-tailed Hawk 61, 63, 105 Marsh Hawk 52, 64, 107 Sparrow Hawk 60, 63, 64, 67, 70 Sharp-tailed Grouse 62 Ruffed Grouse 82, 83, 104, 108 Blue Grouse 93, 94 Sage Grouse 79 Ring-necked Pheasant 58 Hungarian Partridge 79 Killdeer 107 Spotted Sandpiper 102, 106 Mourning Dove 62, 75, 78 Cuckoo 57 Black-billed 79 Screech Owl 107 Horned Owl 53, 58, 73, 74, 75, 78, 96 Poorwill 71, 75 Nighthawk 55, 58, 67, 70, 71, 102, 107, 109 Hummingbird 85 Rufous 106 Yellow-shafted Flicker 52, 61 Red-shafted Flicker 61, 63, 67, 77, 78, 90, 95, 103 Red-headed Wdpkr. 52, 58, 61, 90 Red-naped Sapsucker 85, 87, 88, 89, 103 Hairy Wdpkr. 54, 72, 91, 95, 97, 106, 107, 108 Downy Wdpkr. 54, 84 American 3-toed Wdpkr. 96, 97 Eastern Kingbird 58, 60, 64, 68, 69, 72, 78, 80
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Dixon 1947 Western Kingbird 69, 61 Cassin Kingbird 67, 68, 69, 75-76, 77, 77 Say Phoebe 67, 69, 77 "Traili" Flycatcher [= E. wrightii] 73 Least Flycatcher 74 "Western" Flycatcher 84, 97 Wright Flycatcher 74, 84, 86, 102, 103, 105, 108 Wood Pewee 67, 68, 69, 71, 73, 74 Olive-sided Flycatcher 90, 97 Canada Jay 103 Steller Jay 98 Magpie 59, 62, 78 Crow 62 Piñon Jay 70 Clark Nutcracker 91, 92, 93 Black-capped Chickadee 53, 54, 69, 71, 84, 85, 87, 105, 108 Mountain Chickadee 81, 82, 87, 90, 95, 96, 103, 108 White-breasted Nuthatch 66, 71, 72 Red-breasted Nuthatch 89, 91, 93, 95, 108 House Wren 52, 53, 60, 67, 68, 69, 73, 74, 77, 89 Rock Wren 67, 78, 107 Catbird 85 Brown Thrasher 54, 57, 62, 69 Sage Thrasher 109 Robin 55, 67, 69, 71, 77, 81, 86, 90, 91, 92, 93, 102, 106 Hermit Thrush 81, 82, 84, 86, 96, 97, 99, 102 Swainson Thrush 97, 100 Mountain Bluebird 67, 68, 70, 73, 78, 89, 92, 94
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Dixon 1947 Eastern Bluebird 63 Golden-crowned Kinglet 81, 90, 94, 96 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 82, 88, 95, 96 American Pipit 92 Cedar Waxwing 58 Solitary Vireo 74 Red-eyed Vireo 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 59, 60, 62 Warbling Vireo 83, 85, 87, 102, 103 Black-and-white Warbler 54, 55, 56 Yellow Warbler 55, 57, 59, 60, 61, 62, 67, 68, 72, 74, 76, 78, 84, 85, 86 Audubon Warbler 73, 74, 81, 82, 83, 87, 89, 96, 99, 105 Ovenbird 52, 54, 55, 56, 59, 68, 73, 74 Tolmie Warbler 84, 85, 86, 89, 106 Yellowthroat 52, 53, 54, 55, 59, 62, 84, 85 Chat 52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 59, 60, 62 Pileolated Warbler 99, 102, 105 Redstart 50, 52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 59, 60, 85 Western Meadowlark 52, 59, 61, 62, 63, 71, 80 Redwing 68, 69, 72, 77, 84, 86, 107 Bullock Oriole 67, 68, 69, 77 Black-headed Grosbeak 57 Lazuli Bunting 52, 53, 56, 57, 59, 60, 83, 84, 85, 86 Cassin Finch 91, 92a, 93, 94, 99 Pine Grosbeak 91, 92a, 93 Black Leucosticte 94 Pine Siskin 82, 83, 87, 90, 92 American Goldfinch 52, 54, 58, 62, 63
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Dixon 1947 Red Crossbill 66, 72, 74, 76, 87, 90, 106 Spotted Towhee 52, 55, 57, 59, 62, 67, 68, 74, 78, 99 Lark Bunting 61, 80 Vesper Sparrow 107 Lark Sparrow 62, 63, 66, 67, 69, 72, 73, 76, 79 White-winged Junco 71, 73 Pink-sided Junco 81, 82, 87, 88, 89, 91, 92a, 94, 95, 96, 102, 103, 105, 106, 108 Chipping Sparrow 66, 69, 71, 72, 78, 82, 88, 93, 96, 100, 103 White-crowned Sparrow 92, 92a, 97, 105 Fox Sparrow 105 Lincoln Sparrow 89, 92a, 96, 99, 102, 105, 106, Song Sparrow 84, 85, 86, 87, 89, 102 MAMMALS Sorex palustris 104, 108, 109 Sorex vagrans 98, 100, 103, 104, 105, 106, 108 Sorex cinereus 102, 108 Sorex sp. 102 Bats 71, 72, 75, 77, 107 Eutamias minimus 107 Eutamias amoenus 96, 97 Citellus lateralis 106 chickaree 82, 88 Zapus 94, 95, 96, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104 Peromyscus maniculatus 94, 95, 97, 98, 101, 102, 104, 105, 106, 107 Clethrionomys gapperi 93, 99 Microtus richardsoni 96, 108, 109 Microtus longicaudus 104, 105
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Dixon 1947 Porcupine 59, 109 Cottontail 61, 70 Snowshoe Hare 97, 103 Pika 92 Moose 99 White-tailed Deer 58, 61 Badger 109 REPTILES Coluber constrictor 50 (73) Thamnophis ordinoides 84, 104, 105 Crotalus viridis 77 rattlesnake 63 AMPHIBIANS, general 86 Bufo boreas 102, 104 Pseudacris nigrita 64 Rana pipiens 58 Rana pretiosa 99, 101 frogs 59
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K Dixon 1947 Journal 50. June 16. Yellowstone River, 7 mi NE Glendive, Dawson Co., Montana. Partly cloudy, sunshine intermittent, Calm in afternoon. Valley of river about 2 miles broad with bluffs rising on both sides to prairie beyond. Cottonwoods in groves close to the stream; vegetation of other bottomland either meadows of coarse grass ± 1 foot high bordered with low rose and Symphoricarpos thickets and groves of low, somewhat shrubly deciduous trees. In the latter situations, the growth was somewhat open with the meadow, shrubbery and trees intermixed. Collected Coluber constrictor on grassy bluff above river (elevation 2000 ft) at 16:00 in afternoon. Collected adult Spizella pusilla in tree at edge of meadow. Bird in tree moving about, giving chip call repeatedly, had food in bill. Collected adult ? Setophaga ruficilla singing from exposed perch near top of a tree which was commencing to leaf out, at 18:00. June 17. Yellowstone River, 7 miles NE Glendive, 2000 ft., Dawson Co., Montana. Completely overcast following light rain during night. No breeze. In wooded area, chiefly box elder, within ¼ mile of camp from 05:30 until 08:30. Light rain fell between 05:30 and 06:00 and intermittent light showers afterward. Noted
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KDixon 1947 Journal June 17. Yellowstone River, 7 mi. NE Glendive, 2000 ft., Dawson Co., Montana. American Redstart ♂♂ active and singing, perhaps the most common bird in these woods. Experienced difficulty in collecting, in part attributable to ammunition (W.C. Russell). Collected Red-eyed Vireo singing in box elders which were only beginning to leaf out. Song of this species liquid, melodious. Another singing ♂ heard an hour later 60 yards distant from where first was taken, closer to meadow. Collected Field Sparrow in lone tree in meadow on slope rising gradually to the bluffs. 2 birds were present, both giving call-note “tsip”. One flew to Artemisia shrub 35 yards to west. The other moved up in the tree and I shot it. Collected 2 Lazuli Bunting in large tree at edge of clearing. ♂ had been seen in vicinity earlier. Noted the following species in addition: American Goldfinch, Yellowthroat, Yellow Warbler, Chat, Spotted Towhee, Marsh Hawk ♂♂, Yellow-shafted Flicker, Western Meadowlark, House Wren, Cowbird, Red-headed Woodpecker, Oven-bird. Located nest of House Wren in pocket formed by loop of roofing paper hanging down from roof of cupboard on south side of cabin. Bird flew out to woods nearby. Nest built upon layer of sticks brought to tunnel-like site by wren presumably.
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K Dixon 1947 Journal 53. June 17. Yellowstone River, 7 mi NE Glendive, 2000 ft., Dawson Co., Montana. Hear[d] Horned Owl in area to west of camp at 07:30 PM. Sun had not set; was visible through break in overcast. June 18. Yellowstone River, 7 mi. NE Glendive, 2000 ft., Dawson Co, Montana. Completely overcast, raining steadily with only intermittent lulls. Calm until 08:30 when wind came up from east, shifting to southerly and then to westerly by noon. Velocity up to 8 mph. In field from 06:00 until noon. Few birds singing during rain, Red-eyed Vires and Lazuli Bunting being most conspicuous. Worked in area of almost solid birch elder woods (occasional elme), many dead stumps and no undergrowth. Continuous the [illegible] of wild rose 2 1/2 feet high bordered this wooded area along entire boundary with meadow to north. Height of trees in woodland was 20-25 feet. I experienced difficulty with .38 shells; on several occasions these failed to kill birds such as Horned Vireo and Chat at ranges less than 15 yards when direct hits seemed to be indicated. Collected a F Red-eyed Vireo in woods in tree adjacent to [illegible] of this species. Collected Black-capped Chickadee (see species account) and F Yellowthroat. Latter was with O which had been pursuing her in apparent attempt at copulation. Collected Lazuli Bunting 5 in a clearing at east edge of these woods (see species account). Later shot a ? which I was not able to recover.
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KDixon 1947 Journal June 18. Yellowstone River, 7 mi NE Glendive, 2000 ft., Dawson Co., Montana. Noted 2 Black and White Warblers in these woods, both singing. One pursued the other twice, each time after the latter had sung, and drove latter from the area. I shot at the first bird twice but either failed to kill it or lost it in herbaceous undergrowth. Other species noted in this woodland: American Redstart, Ovenbird, Spotted Towhee, American Goldfinch (on borders), Brown Thrasher (at border). June 19. Yellowstone River, 7 mi NE Glendive, 2000 ft., Dawson Co., Mont. Cloudy in east at 04:30 PM, later clearing completely, becoming warm. In field from 05:30 to 10:00 AM. Calm until 09:00 when westerly breeze up to 8-10 mph came up. Hunted in tract of box elder woods between meadows (locality collected in yesterday), until 08:00 AM. Collected ♂ Redstart (No [illegible] 29) in those woods singing song similar to that of Black and White Warbler. Collected Ovenbird ♀ (No31) in same area, attracted by my hiasing. Also took ♂ Yellowthroat (No33) at edge of these woods a few yards from the river. Noted Turkey Vulture and probable Hairy Woodpecker flying overhead, heard Downy Woodpecker in woods. Other species noted within this tract of woods 75 yards wide and several hundred yards long were Black-capped Chickadee, House Wren, Red-eyed Vireo Chat. Yellowthroat was not found in the center of the woods where undergrowth was only grass there.
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KDixon 1947 Journal 55. June 19. Yellowstone River, 7 mi NE Glencoe, 2000 ft, Dawson Co, Mont. I proceeded along east bank of stream to some willows beyond the meadow. Willows were slender trees 12-15 feet high forming a very dense stand. The only birds present were Redstarts, several of which I called up by hissing. I proceeded inward away from the stream into a floodplain growth of the same willow (more widely spaced) and a tangle of Rosa, Ribes, and tangled dead limbs and branches many of them prostrate, with tall Cottonwoods above. Here I noted a pair of Yellow Warblers & collected the singing 07. This species, like the Redstart is attracted by hissing. I also called up an Ovenbird, which hopped up on the ground, but failed to collect it. I collected a ? Black & White Warbler which was singing in a dead tree. Its song was preceded by a call note 'trip'; the song was dry and did not carry far 'kee-sa'-'see'. When skinned, this bird (no 30) had white cysts about 1/8" long in muscles of legs, back and facial area. In this habitat, I also noted Redstarts, Red-eyed Vireo, Chat, but no Yellowthroats. In thicket of Prunus, I collected a Spotted Towhee (no 34) singing from perch to which it dropped from higher on the shrub after hissed. Noted a Robin flying past camp in late afternoon and a Nighthawk flying a yard or so above grass at dusk. Cloudy and windy in evening. Nocte head.
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KDixon 1947 Journal June 20. Yellowstone River, 7 mi. NE Glendive, Dawson Co., Montana. Completely overcast, threatening, calm as I left camp at 06:00 AM. Proceeded west toward river to area where I had collected yesterday. Area along east bank consisted of willow and box elder beneath a row of tall cottonwoods with tanged undergrowth of Ribes, Rosa, Rubus (unintelligible) and Vitex (unintelligible) and dead funke of willow, both standing and fallen. In this area I squeaked up an Ovenbird and collected a Redstart ? (no 36) and a Black and White Warbler (no 37) and a Lazuli Bunting (no 35). The latter bird I called up, both ? + ♀ appearing. Also seen in this habitat were Chat, Red-eyed Vireo and Black-headed Grosbeak, the latter two in the cottonwoods. Toward the bluff there was a swale, possibly an overflow channel parallel to the river. In this belt there was a dense growth of closely spaced young willow trees. The only birds noted were Redstarts. At the edge of this area I collected another Lazuli Bunting ♂ (no 38). Inward from the willows was another belt of cottonwoods with undergrowth as previously described. In some places the bluff joined this association directly while in others a stand of box elder was intervening area. In these cottonwoods I noted a Cowbird which I was unable to collect. I left this area at 09:00, proceeding out to
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KDixon 1947 Journal 57. June 20. Yellowstone River, 7 mi NE Glendive, 2000 ft, Dawson Co., Mont. a meadow leading east from the river. Here I noted 2 Magpies which flew across the river to a cottonwood-covered island. Field Sparrows were noted in the bushy portion adjacent to the river. I proceeded along the edge of the boxelder woods to a clearing at the edge of the woods near camp where I shot at a Chat which apparently was only knocked down, since I was unable to find it. A light rain fell during early afternoon. At 2:30 PM I heard a cuckoo and saw the bird in a box elder west of camp. From 3:15 PM to 3:45 PM I worked in the area east of camp and collected a Brown Thrasher, one of a pair which I squeaked up (δ; no 39). I also noted a Yellow Warbler and a Black-headed Grosbeak in the area. From 6:05 – 6:15 PM I hunted along the streamcourse south of camp in a row of cottonwoods (young trees ± 30 ft) with scattered thickets of Prunus to 10 ft and low patches of Rosa. I squeaked up (hissing) pairs of Spotted Towhees, Red-eyed Vireos, Redstarts and Lazuli Buntings, collecting the ♀ of the latter and later collected a pair of Chats. I shot one of the latter which was attracted by my hissing. This bird was ♀ presumably. The mate remained in the tree overhead & gave a whining call before flying to the next cottonwood.
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R Dixon 1947 Journal 58. June 20. Yellowstone River, 7 mi NE Glendive, 2000 ft., Dawson Co, Mont. This bird remained in the tree for about one minute before I collected it. Also collected me Rana [illegible] (No 40) pipiens in grass nearby. Overcast & calm at 8:00 PM. Heard 2 Horned Owls in woods across meadow to north. Saw Nighthawk fly past & attempted to collect it as it flew back & forth over clearing above rose thickets & among trees - bird left area at 8:15PM. Commenced raining at this time. Comments on bird life in addition: many Ring-necked Pheasants in area, calling occasionally from meadows. Red-headed Woodpeckers heard occasionally; one collected by W Russell today. Cedar Waxwings common in area in flocks of 3-12 in numbers. Russell noted Eastern Kingbird in camp today. American Goldfinch common in area in small flocks - ?? or greater number than ??; birds restless & hard to approach. June 21. Yellowstone River, 7 mi NE Glendive, 2000 ft., Dawson Co, Montana. Stormy throughout day, wind gustily up to 15 mph; rain intermittent, often falling for an hour or more; generally cold and uncomfortable. Surface run- of f considerable. I was in the field from 12:15PM until 2:00 PM in the woods to east, south, and west of camp. Noted 2 white-tailed deer foraging in the meadow. From a position in shrubs at
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X DIXON 1947 Journal 59. June 21. Yellowstone River, 7 mi. NE Glendive, 2000 ft. Dawson Co., Mont. the edge of a meadow, I speckled up a Spotted Towhee, Yellowthroat or Redstart or Chat and a pair of Lazuli Buntings. I took the ? of the latter species. At this time there was a lull in the rain which commenced soon afterward and continued until I returned to camp. The wind blew strongly and few birds were active. Red-eyed Vireos were not seen nor heard. Towhees would call in answer to a hiss but kept well to cover. Redstarts were most active. I found a porcupine (dead for several months) at the edge of the big elder woods at the base of a bluff - skull not in area. I noted a Yellow Warbler singing in a willow during a lull, heard Meadowlark singing at this time and noted three swallows (in silhouette) flying south of camp. I called up a chat, Ovenbird and Redstart near my camp & collected the Redstart. A ? Lazuli Bunting was singing in this area during a lull. Frogs of unknown identity were heard calling from time to time during lulls (heard in draws of camp where flood stream was running). June 22. Yellowstone River, 7 mi NE Glendive, 2000 ft. Dawson Co., Montana. In field from 06:00 AM until 09:15 AM - completely overcast; calm until 06:30 when wind came up from North, steady 8 mph, occasional gusts to 15 mph. I proceeded north across meadow toward
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A Dixon 1947 Journal June 22. Yellowstone River, 7 mi NE Glendive, 2000ft, Dawson Co, Mont. Cottonwoods. At the edge of a meadow, brush waist high chiefly Symphoricarpos extending ±100 feet toward dense stand of young willow. Many dead branches above bushes. I noted an Eastern Kingbird frightened from its perch on one such branch as I approached. When 25 yards past this point I heard a call & noted the Eastern Kingbird and a Western Kingbird perched on adjacent branches. I collected the latter (♀ no 46). Possibly nesting in nearby cottonwoods although mate or neither bird seen in area. I worked through an area of cottonwoods which grow more or less in rows parallel to the river. Undergrowth variable, either willow staves a waist high Symphoricarpos - Rosa. Red-eyed Vires singing in Cottonwoods. Noted a Sparrow Hawk at the edge of the meadow & gave perched in cottonwood. Lazuli Bunting or singing from higher perch in brush patch. Collected a ♀ Yellow Warbler (no 51) in dense stand of young willow. Missed shot at mate. At this time called up pair of HouseWrens, Chats, Redstarts as well as of Yellow Warbler. Found nest presumably of this Warbler as I collected within a few yards of it and ♀ remained in area. Nest cup-shaped similar to nests of this species seen previously - located in fork of willow 2" in diameter about
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KDixon 1947 Journal 61. June 22. Yellowstone River 7 mi NE Glendive, 2000 ft. Dawson Co. Montana, eight feet above ground contained 2 eggs. F with brood patch. Collected F Red-headed Woodpecker calling from top of dead Cottonwood in brushy clearing. Mate appeared at this tree 10 minutes later. I collected a pair of Yellow Warblers in similar situation (No. 79450) at the edge of a willow stand. Overbird heard calling in this area. Cowbird flew overhead. Noted imm Cottontail Rabbit in Symphoricarpos. Saw Yellow-shafted Flicker in one dead cottonwood and a pair of Red-shafted Flickers in cottonwoods in meadow. Collected a Western Meadowlark perched in a cottonwood in the meadow and saw a Red-tailed Hawk overhead at this time. Flushed White-tailed Deer at edges of meadows on several occasions. Commenced raining in early afternoon, continuing steadily into evening. June 23. Yellowstone River, 7 mi NE Glendive, 2000 ft. Dawson Co. Montana. Partly cloudy, sun shining, breeze 5 mph northerly as I left camp with HC Reynolds, proceeding southeast into grass-covered hills. Noted a pair of Dark Buntings fly from Cottonwood-willow along draw to grass beside road. One bird with object in bill, possibly nesting material. Both flew together back toward brook. Reynolds took Western Ring-bill along road on fence. Proceeded up creek
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X Dixon 1947 Journal 62. June 23. Yellowstone River, 1 mi NE Glendive, Dawson Co, Montana. 1/4 mile and took left fork; now going singly. Birds noted along stream were Spotted Towhee, Goldfinch, Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow Warbler, Field Sparrow. Meadowlarks only birds noted in grassy fields. Farther upstream noted Lark Sparrows abundantly in Artemesia or in box eiders along the stream edge - these birds were on grassy slopes at the stream border and on up or down slopes - probably foraging closer to stream. Mourning Doves common in this area. Crows heard farther to west. Flushed a large bird probably 2 Sharp-tailed Grouse from shrubby at edge of grass-streamside growth. Three chicks the size of Bobwhite with adult - all scattered in bush on opposite side of stream and I was unable to locate them again. Cowbird singing from tree top. I collected adult Lark Sparrow (2052,?) with grasshopper nymph in beak. Several young magpies in tree along stream called raucously, yellowthroats & Yellow Warblers singing along stream. Flushed Brown Thrasher in Shepherdia along stream. I proceeded uplope onto grassy area - short grasses, scattered low Opuntia of pancake variety and a few Artemesia makes low & stubby. The only bird in this
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KDixon 1947 Journal 68. June 23. Yellowstone River 7 mi NE Glenmore, 2000 ft. Dawson's, Mont. area was the Meadowlark. Turkey Vulture and Red-tailed Hawk overhead and Sparrowhawk seen along one fence. Saw Listerina on top of a hill; snake went into barrel before it could be captured. Only reptile seen. Noted Field Sparrow singing in grassy patch. Returned to area along creek and collected 9 American Goldfinch, located nest of Field Sparrow a rather deep cup of grasses suspended between two upright stems in Shepherdia bush, about 1 foot above ground. 2 flushed, no eggs in nest. Located another Field Sparrow nest in grass at base of low Artemisia 25 yards from streamside shrubbery. Nest contained 5 newly hatched young; 2 flushed from nest - one of waited in Shepherdia nervously, uttering occasional sharp note "pit". Collected Lark Sparrow, (♀ no 53) of pair which flew up to area on slope dotted with Artemisia bushes. Collected Red-shouldered Flicker which flew up from ground to perch in cottonwood. Crop contents were black ants and white grubs. I met Reynolds and returned to camp with him. He collected a ?? Western Bluebird on fence along main road. Returned to camp at 11:30 - weather conditions unchanged. 3:15-7:15 PM - ran transect from camp
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A Dixon 1947 Journal June 23. Yellowstone River, 7 mi. NE Glendive, 2000 ft., Dawson Co., Montana. on line bearing 315° T directly to river. See next page. Noted Eastern Kingbird harassing ? Marsh Hawk; squealing cry at same time. Kingbird perched and Hawk continued calls. First time I seen in area although ? had been noted several times, beating back & forth across meadows. Few mammals taken possibly correlated with infrequency of visits. Located pair ? Sparrow Hawks in dead cottonwood at edge of meadow - no shot afforded. Located group 2 Hyla calling at 7:30 PM in pool (permanent) near spring. Frog cases singing at my approach. I located several clinging to grass near edge of pool by five feet with heads above surface. Singing was resumed and I watched one move forward and group grasps culm with right hind leg, distend vocal sac with half 2 body above surface and sing. Caught this ? and another frog and caught one ? mounted on back 2 & clashing same; pair had been clashing for several minutes. June 24. Yellowstone River, 7 mi. NE Glendive, 2000 ft., Dawson Co., Mont. Broke camp at about 7:00 AM, proceeding to Glendive. Departed at 11:15 proceeding through Miles City to Roschnd and hence south to Ashland.
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KDixon 1947 June 22. Yellowstone River, 7 mile NE Glendive, 2000 ft., Dawson Co, Montana Journal 65. Left to right: (1) 15 yd. Brush (Symphoricarpos - Rosa 2 ft.) (2) 375 yd. meadow with scattered Artemesia and isolated cottonwoods and stumps at north end. (3) 120 yd. brush (Symphoricarpos, occasional Rosa, 2-3 1/2 ft.) (4) 35 yd. meadow and Artemisia patch (5) 425 yd. brush (same as 2 but with isolated cottonwoods) (6) 40 yd. broken box elder woods (7) 50 yd. brush (same as 2) (8) 35 yd. closed thicket of young willow (9) 5 yd bank of river River at point of transect apparently an overflow channel 50 yards wide. Meadow in area of transect composed of native grasses; elsewhere it was planted wheat grass.
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KDixon 1947 Journal June 24. 2 mi W Ft Howes R.S., 7000 ft, Powder River Co, Montana Arrived at this camp at 6:30 PM, joining Mr A.H Miller and family. Noted lone bat flying over brook at dusk; Nighthawk flying over pool at same time. June 25. 2 mi W Ft Howes R.S., 7000 ft, Powder River Co, Montana. Clear sunny day, warm enough that I wore no jacket when leaving camp at 7:15 AM. Light southerly breeze came up about an hour later. I proceeded up the hills in a northwesterly direction from camp, up a draw and onto a ridge following along the drainage of the next draw to the west. This whole area about the camp drains to the east into the Tongue River. The slopes on which I was hunting were covered with open forest: 2 Yellow Pine with occasional Lodgepole Pines; undergrowth herbaceous except for scattered Junipers, Prus trilobata and rarely Brunns and Collected a ? Cowbird, one of 3 perched in the top of a pine. Took a White-breasted Nuthatch in a pine at the edge of the grove on the slope where it dropped from the level surface atop the ridge. Ridge top area was often covered with grasses and Artemesia. Dark Sharnes were seen in this edge situation repeatedly. Chipping Sharnes were abundant everywhere, by far the most common bird hereabouts. Shot at a ? Crossbill in a tree - birds flew off giving Goldfinch-like calls. Heard and saw
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K. DIXON 1947 2 mi. W Ft. Howes R.S., 4000 ft., Powder River Co, Mont. View upstream (westward) from camp showing riparian willow, cottonwood, ash, and box elder ; Yellow Pine on hills in extreme background.
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K Dixon 1947 Journal 67 June 25. 2 mi. W F. House R.S. 7000 ft. Powder River Co. Montana. Mountain Bluebirds flying out over flat mesa top and returning to perch in top branches of pines at edge of ridge. Collected an immature bird of this species. Proceeded over edge of slope down a few yards to where a Towhee was singing among the juniper. Moved around slope to a rockpile where I collected a Rock Wren (No 67) perched in juniper stump where it had flown when I called it up. I moved closer and collected a wren which was singing the familiar ringing trill. This bird (No b1) proved to be a q. Both birds had good patches. In an area of rock 75 yards long and 25 wide there were about 4 pairs of these birds. NW 09:45 AM and I commenced return to camp. Noted 2 Red-shafted Flickers remaining in same area repeatedly, apparently paired. Nighthawk flying overhead giving screeching call and "booming". Sparrow Hawk perched in dead tree on ridgetop. House Wren in fallen timber apparently nesting. Robin flew over and perched in dead tree top. Stupied chipmunks seen frequently about fallen timbers. Returned to camp at wooded lake shore from nest at base of clump of grass, nest 10:15. Deep cup of grasses on ground, contained 7 newly hatched young. Noted Say Phoebe working on rocky slope north of camp throughout afternoon. Violet-green Swallow flying above same slope. Noted Yellow Warbler, Billcock Oriole, Cassin Kingbird, Wood Pewee, Robin,
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K Dixon 1947 Journal 68. June 25. 2 mi W Ft Hawes R.S., 4000 ft, Powder River Co, Montana Reliving. Strong wind blew from west at dusk; clouded in; calm by 10:00 PM. Bat seen flying through camp at this time. June 26. 2 mi W Ft Hawes R.S., 4000 ft, Powder River Co, Montana clear, sunny, warm as I left camp at 6:10 AM. Walked upstream in riparian box elder, cottonwood and willow. In area about 1/2 mile from camp collected a singing O House Wren (No 65) and another (O, no 66). Followed O Yellow Warbler for several minutes as it sang and foraged moving from tree to tree along the stream. Found that this O was fledgling & on nest near periphery J willow about 18 ft above ground. Collected the ? (No 67) and soon afterward, the O. Heard Ovenbird in pines to south singing - stopped song when H.H. Miller attempted to collect it. Noted Wood Pewee carrying food to nest (not located) in same grove where Yellow Warblers were taken. Mountain Bluebirds perched in pines and on wires; Larkbuds flew over. I proceeded downstream and collected a O Spotted Towhee, later discarded as it was damaged badly by shot. Noted pair Eastern Kingbirds in willows. On pines on slope NW of Camp, 2 pairs of Cassin Kingbird were quarrelling. Managed to collect one, a O no 70. Noted Western Tanager O in this ar
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KDixon 1947 Journal June 26. 2 mi W Ft Howee R.S., 7000 ft., Powder River Co, Montana. Found nest Jay Phoebe, evidently only partly constructed, in ledge beneath overhanging portion of rock a few yards NW J camp. Violet-green willows apparently nesting in cavity in rock on steep slope. Returned at 08:10 AM. Heard in cottonwoods about camp during late morning: Bullock Oriole, Black-capped Chickadee, Hummer Wren, Cassin Kingbird Redwing. I went out a few minutes before sunset - grass wet following heavy shower 6:15-6:45 PM. Collected ? Redwing and Brown Thrasher in willows 100 yards upstream from camp. June 27. 2 miles W Ft Howee R.S., 7000 ft., Powder River Co, Montana. Raining lightly as I left camp at 06:30 AM. Proceeded downstream ¼ and collected ? Redwing with ? in willow. Calling alternately with ? in cottonwood 25 yards upstream, evidently territorial boundaries. 50 yards downstream collected Eastern Kingbird. Went across flat into pines on north-facing slope, noting Robins, Clipping Grasshopper, Hummer Wren (1 pair nesting in dead tree), Wood Pewee, Dark Sparrow, Cassin Kingbirds in this area. Bronzed Grackle flew in from stream to perch in pines at edge of grove. Frightened then to Spanish trees from which they returned. I eventually collected the ? of another pair.
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K Dixon 1947 Journal June 27. 2 mi W Ft. Howe D.S., 1000 ft., Powder River Co, Mont. Noted a large flock of crow-like birds flying across draw on south-facing slope to perch in pines. Birds calling raucously, single notes. I commenced walking towards them. (now) 8:15 Noted pair of Cowbirds on wires. Violet-green Swallows flying from area I nest in rocks of cliff. I ascended cliff and failed in attempt to collect Jay. Entire flock took wing approximately 75 birds. They settled and stopped calling except for one bird, possibly wounded. I stalked the birds which were perched in yellow pines upslope among rocks. I shot the bird which was doing most of calling. An adult M., molting, Hates 4 mm (no 73). Returned to camp, noting Mountain Bluebirds and pair of Sparrow Hawks en route. Hailstorm in late afternoon - clearing at 7:00 PM. Ascended ridge in area 1/2 mile NE of camp - plateau top open - grass and scattered Artemisia to 1 1/2 ft. Arrived on top at 8:00 PM - noted Cotton tail at edge of pine woods at edge of slope. Nighthawks flying high - booming and calling. Sunset at this time. 15 minutes later the nighthawks commenced
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K Dixon 1947 Journal June 29 2 mi W Ft. Howes R.S. 4000 ft, Powder River Co, Montana. flying within a few yards of the ground, among the pines or over adjacent grassland. My efforts to collect the Nighthawks were if no avail. Wind sprang up at 8:40 PM - 6 mph Westerly. A bat flew around me circling several times and flew on. I left the area at 09:00 PM without seeing any more nighthawks after the wind rose. Poorwill had been calling to north before 08:30. Another bat circled around me as I descended slope. June 28, 2 mi W Ft. Howes R.S. 4000 ft, Powder River Co, Montana. Left camp at 07:00 AM proceeding to ridge 1/2 mi NE of camp. Efforts to find Nighthawk met unsuccessful. Clear, warm, calm. Worked along edge of woodland noting Meadowlark, Robin and Chipping Sparrows. Collected White-breasted Nuthatch (No 78) foraging in pine hunk in somewhat open stand of Yellow Pine on north-facing slope. Collected 2 White-winged Junco which was in juniper growth (shrub-like) with ?. "Thup" note given several times during course of observations. Pair in pine on low bowl at one time; ? chased Black-capped Chickadee family group away. Wood Pewee in area. Took immature White-breasted Nuthatch in this area. Walked west to edge of woods and collected Chipping
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K Dixon 1947 Journal June 28. 2 mi W FT Howells, 1000 ft., Powder River Co., Montana. Sparrow. Walked west along edge of pine and descended to area N.D. camp. Noted 2 pairs of Chihuahuas chasing PT on several occasions. Unable to get shot before birds flew again. Took White-breasted Nuttall's (No 77) and Dark Sparrow in area of open pine growth on steep slopes. Went down to am at noon, taking pair of Redwings in territory upstream from that I did taken June 27 (No 74). Bat flew over pool at camp at dusk. June 29. 2 mi W Ft. Howells DS., 4000 ft., Powder River Co., Montana Sunny morning, partly cloudy. Went downstream at 7:45 AM. Noted 3 Redwings in territory occupied by 3 (No 74) which was taken 2 days ago. Collected Bronzed Grackle in same tree in which that Redwing was taken. Collected Yellow Warbler 6 in ash 100 yards upstream. Took Hairy Woodpecker drumming in cottonwood in camp at 10:00 AM. Collected Crossbill in pines south of camp at 3:30 PM. Flushed 4 (7) Chipping Sparrow from nest 1 ft above ground in Artemesia on creek bank at edge of meadow - 3 eggs inside. Took Eastern Kingbird at 7:15 PM in cottonwood 3/4 mile downstream.
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R Dixon 1947 Journal June 30, 4 mi W F+ Howes RS, 7400 ft., Powder River Co, Mont. Rode to this area in truck with W Russell arriving at 06:10 AM. Horned Owl crossed road as we approached pine forest in which we were to hunt. Clear cool morning, dew on gress. This is an area of denser, better- developed yellow pine forest, cut over with many large trees (100 ft., 3 foot diameter) and considerable area of closely spaced pine reproduction. Undergrowth grass and other herbs, with scattered low shrubs, chiefly Rose. Area in same drainage as our camp, being near headwaters of creek flowing through camp. Overbird singing, silent when I tried to call it up. Noted White winged Junco in stand of young pine. House Wrens, Common singing. Followed Audubon Warbler in the tops but unable to get a shot. Wood Pewees abundant. Collected Trail Flycatcher in upper parts of pines. Noted Lark Sparrow at edge of meadow. Mountain Bluebird in tree tops. Heard Cowbirds several times and collected & - another pair flew away as I shot. Noted small snake probably immature yellow bellied Racer which entered hole in ground.
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KDixon 1947 Journal June 30. Tri W FT Tower RS, 1400 ft, Powder River Co, Mont. Moved back to area near main branch I stream. Was following some crossbills when I flushed the horned owl which flew to nearby pine and then to another perch as I approached. Immature perched in tree nearby flew away. Heard Spotted Towhee - sang but could not approach within range when I called. I moved down to the creek, which was flat-bottomed, grassy, bordered with low shrubs and then pines on either side. Collected Least Flycatcher (No 88) in dense bush at edge of this dry streambed. Saw Yellow Warbler D' in one of 2 ashtrees 75E yards downstream. I worked upstream along edge of pines, looking for Arbolum Walkers. Took Solitary Vires in pine a few feet from streambed. Vires was singing and moved up closer to afford clear shot when I spoke. I went back up slope to NE and eventually flushed horned Owl twice. Collected Wood Pewee in open pine growth. The overbird, which had been singing earlier, resumed song and I slipped up to a point where I could see the bird walking on the ground in a stand of young pines. Bird sang every 3 or 4 minutes
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K Dixon 1947 Journal June 30. 1 mi W Ft Howers, S., 4400 ft., Powder River Co., Mont. and did not respond to my squeaker hisses. I was not sure whether the ? was present or not as there was a squeaky call given immediately after the ? sang. I had not chance to take the ? and was unable to locate nest on ground in vicinity. Flushed Horned Owl again as I was moving downstream to clear area. I attempted to stalk it but owl flew again so I departed at 10:20 AM. 2 mi W Ft Howers, S., 4500 ft., Powder River Co., Mont. Clear, calm evening. Sunset about 8:00 PM. Mom free. 8:39 Poorwill flew into pool at camp, dipping to surface. I fired at it but bird circled and apparently flew on. One bat flew over pool and among trees. Efforts to collect it unsuccessful. Flushed Morning Doves from willows upstream at 07:00. July 1. 2 mi W Ft Howers, S., 4500 ft., Powder River Co., Mont. Clear cold morning; frost on tarpauline. Walked across meadow S of camp at 6:45 AM to edge of pines where I flushed ? Cassin Kingbird (no 93) from nest. I collected bird, breaking a fully formed egg inside her when squeezing body to kill bird. Climbed tree and examined nest which was
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K. DIXON 1947 2 mi. W Ft. Howes R.S., 4000 ft, Powder River Co., Montana. Artemesia in foreground; Yellow Pine in background. Second pine from left one from which nest of Tyrannus vociferans (♀ No 93) was taken July 2, 1947 (nest with 3 eggs, catalogue numbers 106-107).
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K Dixon 1947 Journal July 1. 2mi W.F. Howards, 1000 ft., Powder River, Mont. saddled in the fork of a limb of a pine at the edge of the grove (open growth of Yellow Pine). Next about 16 feet above ground and 7 feet out from trunk. Branches below nest on that side 2 yrs were dead and needleless. Nest made up of outer portion of pine needles and grass culms lined with roots of fine grass stems. 3 eggs in nest. F flew by as I was in tree and perched in adjacent pine, giving Keelan call and song. Shifted perch twice before I approached closely enough to shoot but I failed to kill bird. Noted immature Crossbills (2 couples begging) and Bob-tailed Lark Sparrows in these same woods. Collected F Redwing in territory domination from that of 5 No74 taken June 27. Followed Bronzed Grackle in this area and stalked it in pines but failed to collect it. (collected singing M House Wren in willows up stream from camp at noon. Took M Yellow Warbler in fox elder in same area at 1:30 PM. Warm in heat of day with few birds active; Wrens & Yellow Warblers
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K Dixon 1947 Journal July 1. 2 mi W Ft Hawes C.S. 7000 ft., Powder River Co, Mont. singing; Robins disturbed when I shot latter; Bullock Oriole singing infrequently and keeping to cover. Red-shafted Flickers active. Took 57 Redwing (No 97) in cottonwood below camp. Shot Say Phoebe on wire near camp at 6:00 PM. Found small rattlesnake in road at sunset - very aggressive, striking frequently at sticks - Russell shot at it twice with .22 scattershot wandering snake slightly and causing it to withdraw head into fold formed by loop of body. Snake struck again when prodded. Held it while Russell picked it up with forceps and placed it in can. Small bats flying over pool at dusk. efforts to collect same unsuccessful. One bat (apparently) dipped at surface of pool repeatedly - possibly after aquatic insects (?) July 2. 2 mi W Ft Hawes R.S. 7000 ft., Powder River Co, Montana. Clean cold morning, calm at 5:00 AM. Proceeded up steep rocky slope to north of camp following a Cassin Kingbird as it shifted perches in scattered pines on this south-facing slope. Noted House Wren, 77.
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K Dixon 1947 Journal July 2. 2 mi W Ft Howe R.S., 1000 ft, Powder River Co, Montana Rock Wren, Violet-green Swallow in this same area. Moved around to north-facing slope and collected ? Cowbird perched in pine with adult ? Mountain Bluebird higher in same tree. Noted Chipping Sharrowe in this open growth. Proceeded upcreek at 6:15 AM, noting Yellow Warblers, Mourning Dove and Red-shafted Flickers. Did and attempted calling birds with Horned Owl notes. Magpies called and moved in to within 50 yards; other birds ignored me. Walked upstream among cottonwood, ash and willow along stream and took ? Spotted Towhee feeding bob-tailed immature while immature another begged. ? not in evidence. Returned to Camp and proceeded downstream. Took ? Bronzed Grackle in cottonwood in area where ? taken June 27. A ?, doubtless the mate, was present in the same area. Walked on to vicinity where Eastern Kingbird taken June 29, area about 3/4 mile from Camp. Walked up north-facing slope covered with pines, over lowridge into shallow valley running east and west, at a slight angle to that in which we are camped. South- facing slope gentle, covered with grasses 1-1/2 ft high and scattered low Artemisia bushes. Along the creek, and north-facing slope, there was an open growth of Yellow Pine and shrubby juniper, the ground being grass-covered. Two
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K Dixon 1947 Journal. July 2. 2 mi W Ft. Howes R.S., 4000 ft., Powder River Co., Montana. pairs of Cassin Kingbirds were quarreling in this area of tall pines. One Kingbird was perched in a pine and I commenced stalking it, then noted a long- tailed bird fly from the creek bed to a juniper a few yards south. I collected this bird, a Black- billed Cuckoo (♂, No 100.). A Cassin Kingbird was attracted by the shot apparently and perched nearby and I took it. Another Kingbird perched in the tallest pine (60 ft) and I shot it. However this bird was caught on a pine bough some 25 feet above ground. As I was looking for rocks to hit the bough with in order to dislodge bird, I noted a second Cuckoo fly along the creek and perch in a pine on the bank about 15 yards east. When the bird commenced calling first Cuckoo was seen first. I collected this bird (♂ No 99). Attempts to dislodge the Kingbird failed and one of the rocks thrown upward fell on my gun damaging the barrel. I returned to camp, noting a pair of Lark Sparrows copulating on a dead trunk at the edge of the pines. July 3. 2 mi W Ft. Howes R.S., 4000 ft., Powder River Co., Mont. Clear warm day. Departed from our camp at 7:00 AM driving toward Ashland. Hungarian Partridge flew from roadside into field 10 mi W of Ft. Howes R.S. One mile north of this point, noted 5 Sage-Hens in open sagebrush.
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2 mi. E Shriver, 6500 ft., Carbon Co., Montana View facing northerly toward Sage Creek.
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2 mi E Shriver, 6500 ft., Carbon Co., Montana View showing slope to west of camp; aspens to right and mixed conifers (Picea, Pseudotsuga, Abies, Pinus) to left and in background.
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2 mi. E Shriver, 6500 ft., Carbon Co., Montana View up canyon to south of camp; peaks in background rising to 8700 ft.
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K Dixon 1947 Journal 80. July 3. 2 mi W Ft Howes R.S., 4000 ft, Powder River Co., Mont. Drove from Ashland through Horse Deer to Cow Agency in Big Horn County. Generally open grass- land often dotted with Artemesia, mostly rolling hills with some more broken pine hill country. Common birds were Bronzed Grackle, Meadowlark, Eastern Kingbird, Magpie, and Cliff Swallow, Dark Sparrow. Dark Buntings seen occasionally, mostly in small colonies. Noted Flowered Larks 2 mi W Busby and sparingly thereafter - none seen previously since one taken by Purcel at first camp. Proceeded through Hardin to Billings and back toward Hardin, driving to Prior and camping on Prior Creek, 8 mi S Prior. July 4. Prior Creek, 8 mi S Prior, Big Horn Co., Montana. Drove south, leaving at 6:30 AM proceeded through gap in Prior Mts and thence east along Sage Creek to Shriver, Carbon County, in Gusta National Forest. Finally made camp in area 2 mi East. 2 mi E Shriver, 6500 ft, Carbon Co., Mont. Made camp on stream in N-S canyon on north-facing slope draining into Sage Creek. Area downstream along Sage Creek farmed by several persons, mostly livestock and alfalfa. Camp in area J montane coniferous
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K DIXON 1997 Journal July 4. 2 mi E Shriver, 6500 ft., Carbon Co., Mont. forest, chiefly Douglas Fir with some Engelmann Spruce and Bristle-cone Pine (Pinus aristata). Understory shrubs Ribes, Juniperus siberica, J. communis. Banks of creek grassy with scattered aspens extending up onto slopes. Creebed 50 yards across, stream 1-2 feet across. Peaks to S & SW above timberline and heavily timbered on lower slopes. Area had been logged half a century ago and recently (minor operations). Went out into woods near camp 12:30 - 2:00 - shot Empidory flycatcher in willow - bird seemed to prefer "inside" of vegetation. Left bird on log while chasing Andubon Warbler - chipmunks apparently removed flycatcher. Took Of Andubon Warbler in pines and ? Golden-named Tinglet in Douglas Fir. Noted Juncoes and Robins, and heard Hermit Thrushes singing. Took Mountain Chickadee at edge of firtrees. July 5. 2 mi E Shriver, 6500 ft., Carbon Co., Montana. Clear, cool morning, slight watherly breeze. Left camp at 6:40 PM, walking over low ridge into canyon to west, a narrower canyon with dry streambed. Timber had been cutover, mainly
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KDixon 1947 Journal July 5. 2 mi E Shriver, 6500 ft., Carbon Co, Montana. Douglas Fir with some fir (Abies). Collected Ruffed Grouse along streambed (see species acc't). Returned to camp and started out over same route again. Flushed another Ruffed Grouse on the path 100 yards upstream from where the other (no 112) was taken. Went up along east- facing slope of this draw, noting Pink-sided Junco's but never seeing members of one pair together. Took one of this species (no 111) in a patch of ashen on west side of creek; ? not in evidence. Took a Ruby-crowned Kinglet foraging in Douglas Fir on this slope. Noted pair of Chipping Sparrows on ground and others (?) singing in conifers. Walked upstream and up onto ridge to east above clearing about 3/4 mile S of camp. Called up what appeared to be a pair of Junco's and shot one which proved to be immature. Called up 3 Mountain Chickadees, all too close to shoot after which time I selected and shot Audubon Warbler (D), No 114. Had fleeing glimpse of Hermit Thrush attracted by my calling - bird did not afford a shot. Walked downslope into denser coniferous growth collecting Pine Siskin in fir overhead. Proceeded into canyon in which camp is located and took a young Chickadee
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X Dixan 1947 Journal July 5. 2 mi E Shriver, 6500 ft, Carbon Co, Montana. in Douglas Fir - Pine freat n west slope of canyon. Walked down to camp from this point. Harold Reynolds took a ? Ruffed Grouse in area where I took one this morning - probably mate of my bird (No 112). See his notes for data on crop contents. Walked downstream after 7:00 PM and collected ? Andean Warbler (No 116.) apparently about to be fed by ? which was repeating call note and moving closer to area in which I was. ? obviously disturbed by my presence; I called occasionally. July 6. 2 mi E Shriver, 6500 ft, Carbon Co, Montana Clear cool morning. left camp at 5:30 working in area 100 yards upstream for 15 minutes. Went downstream into grove of [illegible] where flock of Pine Siskins was active, birds calling + shifting perch frequently. Heard Warbling Vireo singing in aspen and squealed it up and collected the bird, a ? (no 18). Proceeded across ranchyard to another grove of aspen in which I called up a pair of Lazuli Buntings, taking the ? (no 12). Noted a warbler in aspens also, only a fleeting glimpse. Walked down across meadows to shrubby willows 10-12 ft high along streams.
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K Dixon 1947 Journal. 84. July 6. 2 mi E Shriver, 6500 ft, Carbon Co., Montana. Ground among scattered willows at junction of streams marshy with grasses and low sedges. Heard Long Sparrows singing and collected a juvenile. Noted 3 Lazuli Buntings singing and saw one F. Followed an Empidonax flycatcher as it flew from one singing post on dead branches at top of willows to another. Song suggestive of Western Flycatcher. Took this bird, O, no 117. Noted pair of Yellow Warblers in willow thickets, thc M singing but never had a clear shot. Noted several singing Long Sparrows but never was afforded a chance to take any. Heard Redwing and Krumit Thrush in area as well as Yellowthroat. Shot at and missed Tolmie Warbler 3. Attracted Black-capped Chickadee by squeaking and took bird, a male no 119. Saw young Thamnothis crawling across cowpath 4 feet wide, a few feet from willows and running creek. 8:00 AM, clear, sunny. Returned to camp noting 2 Downy Woodpecker on aspen trunk but had shotgun difficulties and could not collect bird. July 7. 2 mi E Shriver, 6500 ft, Carbon Co., Montana. Partly cloudy (cirrus and cirro-stratus, black in west) as I left camp at 5:10 AM; slight southerly breeze soon increased to 8 mph and
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K Dixon 1947 85. Journal July 7. 2 mi E Shiver, 6500 ft., Carbon Co., Montana died down after 7:30 AM. Birds noticeably inactive during height of wind. Walked down- stream 1/4 mile to area f willow thickets at junction of creeks; area worked in July 6. I entered middle of thickets and commenced speaking and hissing; called up pair of Yellow- throats, 3 Warbling Vireos and (presumably ?) Tolmie Warbler. Shot at latter & missed. Continued working in this area collecting a pair of Yellowthroats (no's. 127, 128) and an adult ? Song Sparrow (no 126). Noted Black-capped Chickadee & pair of Yellow Warblers but unable to get in shot. Catbird singing in area. Collected Red-naped Sapsucker (no 130) which flew in to trunk f willow slumb as I was hissing to call up chickadee. Attempts to collect ? Lazuli Bunting f no avail - only one which responded to call (pair together on July 6) rejected in favor of Tolmie Warbler. Shot immature Song Sparrow and lost a singing male in underbrush. Called up Setophaga ruticella &? in willow thickets. Noted a hummingbird dive down at a thicket including 2 dead willows. Bird made peculiar sound at bottom f dive, similar to small scale Nighthawk booming.
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A Dixon 1947 Journal July 7. 2 mi E Shiver, 6500 ft, Carbon Co, Montana. No sign of bird again nor evidence of male or nest in thicket. Collected a singing ? Empidonax flycatcher perched on dead twig atop willow thicket (see species account). Noted ? Agelaius phoeniceus in area. Returned to camp at 9:30 AM. Cloudy but calm in evening following mid-day showers. Arrived at willow area at 8:00 PM in search of Hermit Thrushes -- only one song in willow area, very infrequently. Sun set at about 8:00 PM; only birds singing were Song Sparrow and Robins. Latter singing as I departed at 8:25 -- Song Sparrow responded to my hooting with song at that time. No evidence of Amphibia in area. July 8. 2 mi E Shiver, 6500 ft, Carbon Co, Montana. Clear sunny morning. Left camp at 5:20 AM walking to same area of marshy willow thickets visited July 7. Easterly wind 6-8 mph died within an hour. Worked in willow thickets, calling up Dendroica aestiva ? (no 132). Male not in evidence. Unsuccessful in effort to spread up ? Lazuli Bunting. Took ? Oporris [illegible] in willow thicket near brook; shot at ? but lost it (not a pair, presumably the ? shot at July 6) No signs of Hermit Thrushes
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KDixon 1947 Journal 87. July 8. 2 mi E thrives, 6500 ft., Carbon Co. mont. Noted Warbling Vireo, Black-capped Chickadee in area and collected singing ♀ Melospiza melodia (no 133). Left this area at 7:00 AM and went to Aspen grove beside barn on ranch below camp. Located tree with two holes in it, tapped trunk causing adult ♂ Sapouche to fly out - bird perched for a few seconds but I couldn't get in a shot. Worked in area above camp 7:30-9:30 AM. Called up Mountain Chickadee but couldn't get in shot, noted pair of Indulion Warblers and flocks of Pine Siskins. Located small group of Crossbills feeding in pines on west slope. I was able to move underneath tree and knocked feathers off one bird causing the flock to fly. Flock in 3 adjacent trees. Waited 25 minutes but they did not return. Walked up slope and then down slope and up creek. Collected ♂ Pink-sided Junco (No 136) alone in Douglas Fir. Used Horned Owl calls from pine grove for 7 minutes - no response. Walked downstream to point 100 yards above camp, noting Siskins & Juncos feeding on ground beneath pines on shaded slope. Juncos' movements could be followed in 6
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K Dixon 1947 Journal July 8. 2 mi E Shiver, 6500 ft., Carbon Co. Montana. upslope and flushed a Junco which eventually worked in to a juniper thicket where it was joined by its mate. I collected the ♂ (no 137) and the ♀ which was identical in color pattern but too far damaged for preservation. Noted pair of Juncoes in pines 100 yards below camp at sunset. Collected singing of Chipping Sparrow in dead tree at edge of meadow at 8:00 PM. July 9. 2 mi E Shiver, 6500 ft., Carbon Co., Montana. Clear, cool, calm morning. Left camp at 5:30 AM proceeding to area at edge of slope 100 yards below camp. Noted group of 3 or 4 pairs of Ruby-crowned Kinglets in Douglas Fir calling and fluttering wings, shifting perch frequently. After several minutes during which time I was endeavoring to see cause of excitement, a clidharbe commenced descending from dense foliage to top of fir. Kinglets disturbed. Proceeded to nest of Red-naped Sapsucker in aspen in row along fence. Tapped tree and bird emerged and was collected, a ♂ no 143. Cavity about 12 ft above ground. Twittering of young heard inside but I was unable to climb tree. Presumably this bird is mate of ♂ no 130, taken July 7. Collected a 88.
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K Dixon 1947 Journal July 9. 2 mi E Shriver, 6500 ft., Carbon Co., Montana. singing of House Wren (no 138) in same row of ashens. Proceeded to conference ridge west of camp. Noted injury feigning behavior of F Audubon Warbler and noted nest in Douglas fir at edge of forest, 10 ft above ground. Returned later and found that nest contained 4 (possibly 5) newly hatched fledging. M & F later seen carrying food in area. Noted pair of Western Tanagers in area, the M singing. Saw pair of Pink-billed Juncos on ground; one, the M, flew to tree & I took it, no 141. Waited 10 minutes for returning mate but no sign of her. While picking up the M, another pair flew to area and I took the F, no 139. The M flew to her as she fluttered and I also took him, no 140. Heard Red-breasted Nuthatch but wasn't able to locate it. Washed to area along stream near row of ashens where Phylloscopus taken & squawked up a Tolmie Warbler; M had been singing earlier. Went down toward willows in marshy area, noting Mountain Bluebird on fencepost. Attempted to call up Song Sparrow but had no success. Eventually took a Lincoln Sparrow (no 142) the only one seen in area. 2 Tolmie Warblers were singing, one from area where I shot at M.
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KDixon 1947 Journal July 9. 2 mi E Shriver, 6500 ft., Carbon Co., Montana. yesterday. Returned to camp at 7:45 AM. Also noted in area today: Robin, Golden- crowned Kinglet, Pine Siskin, Crossbill, Flicker, Mountain Chickadee. July 10. En route from 2 mi E Shriver, 6500 ft., Carbon Co., Mont. clear sunny morning - heard Olive-sided Flycatcher up canyon. Broke camp about 8 AM, driving west through Shriver and Bowler to Bridger, Carbon Co. on U.S. Hwy . Noted Red-headed Woodpecker dead on road 4 miles N Fromberg, Carbon Co., Montana. Arrived at Billings at noon, leaving at 3:45 PM. Drove to Livingston arriving at 6:45 PM. July 11. En route from Livingston, Park Co., Montana. clear sunny day. Drove out of Livingston about 10:30 AM, proceeding south to Pray and driving b Mill Creek R.S. in Gallatin Nat. Forest. Returned to Pray and continued S to Hallatin and into Yellowstone National Park + lastly to Cooke, Park Co., Montana. Trudt broke about 2 mi NE Cooke and we established camp in area of broken timber, meadows and shrubby willows at 8500 ft. elevation. July 12. 2 mi NE Cooke, 8500 ft., Park Co., Montana. clear chilly morning; calm. Left camp at 7:00 AM walking up slope to
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K Dixon 1947 Journal July 12. 2 mi NE Cooke, 8500 ft., Park Co., Montana. Continued walking up slopes & across meadow covered with grasses & herbs b inches high with boggy areas of willow 2-3 ft high near running brooks. Coniferous forest cut-over of Bristle cone Pine, Abies, shrubs. Collected ? Pine Grosbeak feeding in herbage in meadow. Bird too badly damaged to retain. Took Male Finch (no 144) from flock feeding in similar situation. Noted Pink-sided Duncas & Red-beasted Nuthatches in this area also. At a somewhat higher elevation I saw a Clark Nuttacher in a fir tree & heard the call of a Hairy Woodpecker. I walked toward the source of the latter & the bird flew to a dead tree & moved about rapidly apparently scolding, giving "pick" calls repeatedly & drumming occasionally. Collected his bird, a ? (no 146). Continued up the steeper slope in a westerly direction, reaching timberline at 8:00 AM at an elevation estimated at 9000 ft. Noted no birds so continued across somewhat level & gradually sloping flats at base of Baren Peak. Meadows of low grass, with rock outcroppings & large banks of snow melting & giving rise to brooks. Walked on bench above a rockslide, flushing a Robin from the pool formed by a melting snowbank. Looked down
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K Dixon 1947 Journal July 12. 2 mi NE Cooke @ 500 ft, Park Co, Montana. at edge of rock slide & snow bank adjacent and saw a [illegible] moving down the rocks. The animal saw me and "froze" in plain sight. Shortly afterward it uttered a single bleat. I collected this individual (N.C. Reynolds No 671). I walked downslope and saw a bird perched on a fir tree about 12 ft high, the bird being at the top. I collected this individual which proved to be a pipit, a ♀ no 148. As this bird fell, its mate flew to perch in a young fir in this clump about 3 ft above ground. All efforts to collect this bird failed. I walked across the meadows and flushed 2 or 3 more pipits. On a grove of fir (Abies) and Pinus aristata at the edge of the slope I saw Mountain Bluebirds and Pine Siskins. I walked back across the meadow collecting another Pipit, a ♀ no 147. This bird was fired upon once yet circled and returned to same area (within 50 yards). Proceeded downward into pines & firs at timber- line where I noted Clarke Nuttallches & Robins & collected a white-crowned Sparrow in a figure (no 149). Pipits were using tops of conifers for nides at heights 20 ft above ground. Walked downslope to camp, noting no new species.
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KDixon 1947 Journal July 12. 2 mi NE Cooke, 8500 ft., Park Co., Montana. Collected Lincoln Sparrow (♂, no 145) in conifers at edge of willow scrub in bog 100 yds. east of camp which was situated on flat. July 13. 2 mi NE Cooke, 8500 ft., Park Co., Montana. Clear cold morning. Hunted in clearings on shallow slope west of camp 06:30-07:00 noting Cassin Finches in loose flocks feeding on ground in clearings or in trees; birds wary flying before I was within shotgun range. Noted Pine Grosbeaks in tops of firs. Collected Lincoln Sparrow in willows along stream bog (willows 3 high). Bird a ♀, no 150, with 5 crane flies (Tipulidae) in beak. Collected Cassin Finch ♂ no 151 singing from deal snag in spruce grove at edge of meadow. Also took Junco (♂ no 152) in patch of young firs in same locality (clearing in which camp is located). As I was retrieving the Junco, a pair of White- crowned Sparrows gave frequent “chip” notes from perches nearby. I discovered a fledgling perhaps one week old perched at the base of a willow shrub in this patch of firs and dwarf willow. Harold Reynolds found a nest of this sparrow in grass beside road. Young appeared to be newly-hatched. Left camp again at 9:00 AM - weather as before. Went up same slope where I had noted
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R Dixon 1947 Journal July 13. 2 mi NE Cooke, 8500 ft, Park Co., Montana. Cassin Finches this morning but was unable to take any. Noted Robin at edge of meadow & Clarkes Nutcracker flying downhill. Collected 2 Pine Grosbeak foraging in fir (Abies) at edge of meadow. Bird (no/157) had beetle in bill. Noted pair of Chipping Sparrows in adjacent tree; chased intruder away. Proceeded upslope through rather open forest with several brooks running down. Underbrush absent; few downed logs. Called up a pair of Pine Grosbeaks and took a F no/155. Shot at a Red-breasted Nutcracker & lost it. Walked up onto flat or bench somewhat below timberline but some 300 ft higher than camp. Area of open coniferous forest (Picea, Abies, Pinus aristata); no underbrush. Small patches of snow remaining. Collected lone S Blue Grosbeak (see sp acct). Returned to camp. 06:30 PM - 7:20 PM - set 15 mouse traps in area of fallen timbers in conifers 200 yards east of camp. Set 10 traps along creek. Baited all with rolled oats. July 14. 2 mi NE Cooke, 8500 ft, Park Co., Montana Clear morning, very cold. Ran trap lines at 06:30 AM. Caught Clethionomyx (no/156) under base of fallen log on moist, moss-covered
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R Dixon 1947 Journal July 14. 2 mi NE Cooke, 8500 ft., Park Co., Montana. ground 25 feet from water. Caught one immature Peromyscus out of 15 traps in dry forest I denuded logs. Caught Zapus (no. 157, 158) along creek in meadow (bordered with scull willow), the two traps being 30 feet apart. Left camp at 7:00 AM accompanying H.E. Reynolds up slope to west of camp. Collected Pink-sided Junco No 160 at edge of clearing. Took 4 Cassin Finches in flock feeding in fir trees near road; flock unusually tame. Went upslope with myself to berch in Lame - Fir forest where he had found Blue Grone; none in evidence. Noted pair of Golden-armed Kinglets in this area. 2 mi N Cooke 9000 ft., Park Co., Montana. Arrived in meadows above timberline at 7:00 AM. Walked NW along base of mountain ridge where snow banks were melting. Meadow dotted with occasional clumps of Abia and Tenzga. Pipits flushed occasionally; Mountain Bluebirds seen high on slopes where only tundra herbaceous growth + nearly melted willow were found among the snowbanks. Flushed 3 Black heneoctetes at edge of melting snowbank. Walked along ridge for one mile and returned, flushing group of 3 twice before locating pairs believed to be from that group foraging on ground below snowbanks.
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K Dixon 1947 Journal July 14. 2 mi N Cooke, 9000 ft., Park Co., Montana. collected the ? , no 157. Returned to camp at H:00 having noted Red-shafted Flicker and Red-breasted Nuthatch en route. 2 mi NE Cooke, 8500 ft., Park Co., Montana. Reset traps in evening, leaving 16 traps in dry woods area I downed timbers and setting 8 traps along creek in meadow area with dwarf willow + 8 in spruce fir forest along stream. Traps avg. 10 yards apart; all baited with rolled oats. July 15. 2 mi NE Cooke, 8500 ft., Park Co., Montana. Run traplines at 06:15. Took a duck (no 162) Peromyscus in woods area of downed logs and a Zapus (no 164) in the same trap in which Zapus no 157 was taken yesterday (trap along willow bordered creek in meadow). Took Peromyscus (no 163) at edge of stream in spruce fir woods. 08:30 - 09:30 hunted birds in dry coniferous forest (Pinus aristata, P. murrayana, Abies, Picea) (no underbrush) in area east of camp. Collected Batis gambeli and 2 Junco in this area. called up pair of Ruby-crowned Kinglets + saw Red-shafted Flicker and ?? Hairy Woodpecker. In evening checked traps along stream in meadow + spruce-fir forest - total 22 in these areas, the 16 from yesterday + 6 in forest.
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R Dixon 1947 Journal July 15. 2 mi NE Cooke, 8500 ft., Park Co. Montana. Set 3 in fallen timber near forest and 15 in meadow + edge of forest all along stream. Collected Picoides tridactyla in spruce fir forest. July 16. 2 mi NE Cooke, 8500 ft., Park Co., Montana. Cloudy and unsettled; had rained during night. Ran traplines 06:15-06:45. (caught Zapune (? no 171) in trap on willow (dwarf) bordered stream in meadow, 25 yards below trap sites where this species taken on previous days. Caught Microtus (no 170) in similar situation on a lower meadow. Both take at water's edge. Went into deep forest of spruce and fir and used Horned Owl calls - only response was from Golden-crowned Kinglets. In another location I hissed repeatedly and called up Juncoes, Chickadees (mountain), Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Audubon Warbler (took ?, no 174) and Clipping Sparrow. Collected Cutamiae (? no 173) on log in clearing in vicinity where Hermit Thrush was singing. Collected Lincoln Sparrow singing from spf fir tree (?, no 172). Hailstorm of brief duration in afternoon, clearing weather in evening. Reset 41 traps in essentially the same sites as on July 15.
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K Dixon 1947 Journal July 17. 2 mNE Cooke, 8500 ft, Park Co, Montana. Partly overcast early in morning; intermittent showers and flurry hail during morning. Left camp to run traplines at 6:30 AM. Caught Peromyscus (d, no 175) in trap set at base of fallen log on hillslope 50 yards from stream. Nothing else in 40 traps. Collected Eutamias (f, no 177) on log in open cutover coniferous woods. Attempts to stalk singing d Olive-backed and Hermit Thrushes unsuccessful. Noted one Snowshoe Rabbit and two others together (one larger than other; possibly the first individual seen). Noted Olive-sided Flycatcher and a small Empidonax which I was unable to collect. Bird remained in tree top; call similar to that of P. difficilis. Collected 2 Eutamias (f, no 176) climbing trunk of a fir tree. Collected White-crowned Sparrow (d, no 178) in willow patch near camp at 7:00 PM. Collected Dryobates villosum (d, no 179) in evening in open woods area where one had been seen previously. Bird drumming rapidly on dead snag, apparently "saw". Collected Picidae tridactyla (d, no 180) in same tree in which d, no 169 was taken two days ago. Found adult Zonotrichia leucophrys in trap in water; bird caught by one toenail apparently fluttered
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KDixon 1947 Journal July 17. 2 mi NE Cooke, 8500 ft., Park Co., Montana. fell into water and drowned. Relocated 25 traps in boggy area in dense coniferous woods 1/2 mile south of camp. Left 5 traps in downed logs and 4 in rocky area where trapping done previously. July 18. 2 mi NE Cooke, 8500 ft., Park Co., Montana. Clear cold morning. Left camp at 05:40. Cought one sub-adult Peromyscus in trap at end of log (trap in which Peromyscus no 175 was caught July 17). Other 8 traps in this area empty. 2 mi NE Cooke 8000 ft., Park Co., Montana. Area J dense Picea. Forest on flat; ground boggy with coarse grasses and moss near streams; many fallen logs. Caught Sorex (no 182) in trap at waters edge in area J Thalictrum, Ribes and Back of shrub had been chewed, apparently by another shrew. grasses under the spruce trees 80 ft in height. cought Peromyscus (no 181) in adjacent trap in similar growth. Collected Steller Jay (F, no 185), one of a pair in the tree tops. Took a young Peromyscus in a trap at the base of a fallen log 20 yards from the stream. Total 7 mammals for 34 traps. Rebaited all traps with rolled oats. Proceeded up slope to north across meadow to top of ridge. North facing slope shallow; young spruce fir & pine trees in belt 25 yards wide, stream and willow bog and fire break leading
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K Dixon 1947 Journal 99. July 18. 2 mi NE Cooke, 8000 ft., Park Co., Montana. Uplone to north 100 yards wide with downed logs and reproduction of conifers. Collected pair of Pileolated Warblers on shallow north-facing slope among young conifers. Returned to camp at 08:00 AM. Light showers in afternoon. July 19. 2 mi NE Cooke, 8000 ft., Park Co., Montana Clear cool morning. Left camp at 6:30 AM and ran trap lines in spruce forest. Caught one Clostho- nomys (♂, 186) in trap under fallen log 15 yards from stream. Herbaceous growth sparse in comparison to that I week area, chiefly Ribes. Reset 10 of the 25 traps in spruce woods and set 9 in willow bog area. Collected Hyloichla guttata (♂ no 189) in spruce woods; bird gave Spotted Towhee-like buzz and came to my hissing. Collected Dendrocia anduboni at edge of clearing in spruce-fir woods near willow bog. Took Melospiza lincolni in similar situation. Caught two Rasa in marshy area of sedges 1 foot high and mosses on ground - some willows in this boggy area. Returned to camp at 09:15 PM. Left camp in evening in company of HC Reynolds. Collected Cassin Fincha (♂, 193) in top of snag with another bird, presumably mate. Elevation 8500 feet at this point. Noted adult Bull Alces
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ADixon 1947 Journal July 19. 2 mi NE Cooke, 8000 ft., Park Co., Montana. with widespread antlers at edge of shrue- fir forest (clearing for firebreak 75 yards wide; conifers reproduction 12 ft high - herbaceous growth lush. Collected Hyloichus ustulata (♂ no 195) singing from top of snag at edge of firebreak clearing. Reset traps, some 1 which were sprung by hail storm in late afternoon. July 20. 2 mi NE Cooke, 8000 ft., Park Co., Montana. Clear cool morning. left camp at 9:00 AM. Took Sorex (♂ 196) in trap at edge of willow bog and coniferous forest and ♀ 197 in trap within bog at base of shrue (see species acc't). Caught Zapus (♀, 198) in trap set among Equisetum at base of fallen log 3 feet from pool 2 ft. across. Herbaceous vegetation Thalictrium, a ragweed, and an unidentified composite. This set at edge of 25 yard wide clearing in shrue forest. Found nest of Chipping Sparrow containing 3 eggs situated 1 foot above ground in shrue in area of young conifers. Returned to camp at 8:30 PM. July 21. 2 mi NE Cooke, 8500 ft., Park Co., Montana. Broke camp at 8:30 AM, driving through Yellowstone National Park via Gardiner to Livingston Montana. left Livingston at 3:15 PM, driving to Bozeman and through Whitehall, turning south on State highway 11.
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K Dixon 1947 Journal 101. July 21. En route to Dillon, Beaverhead Co., Montana. Proceeded to Dillon via Twin Bridges, arriving in Dillon at 8:00 PM. Camped for night along river 1 mile west J Dillon. July 22. Dillon, 5100 ft., Beaverhead Co., Montana. Noted both Cliff Swallows and Bank Swallows flying over Artemesia above river at base of rocky cliff area. Departed from Dillon at 1:00 PM proceeding 12 miles north on US Hwy. 97, turning west and driving up Bird Creek to camp. Bird Creek, 18 miles NW Dillon, 7100 ft., Beaverhead Co., Mont. Arrived at camp (Winnertown Camp Ground, U.S. Forest Service) at 2:30 PM. Area in Pinus murrayana (Lodgepole pine) forest with scattered aspen groves and willows along Swift Creek. Caught Rana (No 201) at edge of Swift creek. July Set 20 traps in area along stream below beaver dams. Scattered willows 4-8 ft high, many fallen logs and grass to one foot high; many streamlets. Set 5 traps among willows away from stream, 5 at edge of water and 10 among fallen logs in lodgepole grove. July 23. Bird Creek, 18 mi NW Dillon 7100 ft., Beaverhead Co., Montana. Caught four Zapus (see species account) and one adult Peromyscus (Or. 206) in 70 traps. Walked into woods north of camp. Squeaked
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K Dixon 147 Journal July 23. Birch Creek, 18mi NW Dillon, 7100 ft., Beaverhead Co. MONT. up Hermit Thrush but couldn't get in a shot. Collected Vireo Gilsoni (♂, 207) singing in top of lodgepole pine at edge of aspen grove at base of hill. Shot immature Hermit Thrush and noted Pileolated Warbler in area. Chichadee heard. Collected Empidonax (♂, 208) singing from top of snag in same area. Song similar to that I bird taken at Shiver, Carbon Co. Also noted: Junco. Caught Sorey (♂, 210) in same trap in which Zapus (♀, 202) was taken this morning. Reset all traps. Noted nighthawks flying above creek. July 24. Birch Creek, 18mi NW Dillon, 7100 ft., Beaverhead Co. MONT. Clear cool morning. Ran traps at 6:00 AM. Caught 2 Zapus, one Sorey (no 213) and one Peromyscus and one Bufo, the latter in some fallen logs among willows 30 yards from the creek. Walked upstream among willows on the north bank. Willows shrubby to 15 ft in height; growth open with grassy areas (marshy), ponds, sandbars and lodgepole groves interspersed. Collected Melospiza melodia (♂, 219) in willow thicker. Noted Actitis macularia adult with one fledgling walking over sandbar. Another adult flew to perch in willow; nervous, bobbed tail, gave "squeak" call. Noted Lincoln Sparrows in area. Entered mixed aspen and lodgepole grove near creek; hissed and called up Robins.
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K Dixon 1947 Journal July 27. Bird Creek, 16 mi NW Dillon, 7100 ft, Beaverhead Co, Mont. Sphyrapicus varius flew into bend on ashen trunk and I took it (♂, 218). Did the bird fly there in response to my hooting? Melospiza lincolnii and Vireo gilvus singing in area. Collected Empidonax (♀, 216) in ash-grave; ♂♂ in area giving single phrase song sounding like "clip" of a wooden quality. Downstream song had been different (see spec. acct). Washed back toward camp, noting Chipping Sparrow and Red-shafted Flicker in addition to other species mentioned. Collected a Junco (♂, 225) in willow thicket near stream; bird with mate, had flown to lodgepole logs nearby. Noted Snowshoe Hare in grove of lodgepole pines 50 yards from stream; hare hopping among fallen logs in grove. Animal then "froze" and I collected it (♀, 213). Returned to camp at 8:00. Noted Mountain Chickadees in lodgepoles of campground. N.C. Reynolds collected Perisoreus in camp. Ran traps in evening, relocating 15. Caught Sorex (♂, 217) in grassy area among willow; trap baited with rolled oats and set in dense runway; within 15 ft I trap in which a Talus was taken.
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K Dixon 1947 Journal July 25. Birch Creek, 18 mi NW Dillon, 7100 ft., Beaverhead Co, Mont. Clear, cool morning. Ran traps at 6:15 AM. Took microtus (37, 223) in trap under log in grassy area among willows in beaver dam vicinity. Trap 6 ft. from one in which a Zapus was collected. Returned to camp at 6:45. Relocated 15 traps in same type of habitat trapped in previously (willow shrub - marsh grass or fallen logs in willow and lodgepole grove respectively). Flushed 2 Ruffed Groose immatures (quail size) in area of fallen log in lodgepole grove 30 yards from creek. Collected Tiamophis on sandy bank of creek in area of marsh grasses 6 to 8 inches high and scattered bad willow thickets. July 26. Birch Creek 18 mi NW Dillon, 7100 ft., Beaverhead Co, Mont. Clear, cold morning. Ran traps at 6:00 AM. Caught Sorex palustris (230) in trap under dead log in grass 1' high; fallen timbers and shrubby willows in area, trap set 7' from beaver dam. Caught immature Peromyscus under fallen log beside stream (at edge of lodgepole grove, area not grassy). Caught Buffs (227) in trap set at base of willow in same area where Sorex palustris trapped (mouse fork in trap baited with rolled oats). Caught Zapus (231) in trap in grass at base of downed log in beaver dam area. Caught Sorex (229) in trap at base of pine in grass-willow area 30 yards from creek.
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KDixon 1947 Journal July 26. Bride Creek, 18mi NW Dillon, 7100ft., Beaverhead Co., Mont. Caught Sorex (228) in dried up pools with Equisetum and low herbs at edge of lodgepole grove. Walked upstream in willow thickets at 7:30. Called up Black-capped Chickadee, too close to shoot. Noted Pileated Warbler in same area and Audubon Warbler also.. Saw Red-tailed Hawk perched in snag, screening. Walked to marshy area around beaverdam; navigated ash and lodgepole nearby. Shot young Lincoln Sparrow. Collected Zonotrichia leucophrys (? ) in willow and shot an immature. Saw Pink-sided Junco in same area. Collected Passerella (233) in willow shrub in same area near creek. Collected Embidomys (?) in willow shrub at edge of ash grove in same area. Returned 09:00. Reset traps in evening, relocating 10 traps. Collected Melospiza lincolni in willows near beaverdam. Caught Thamnophilus (234) in quiet pool beside creek; young Lanius in same pool. July 27. Bride Creek, 18mi NW Dillon, 7100ft., Beaverhead Co., Mont. Clear, calm morning. Left camp at 5:45 AM to run traps. Caught Microtus (238) in trap under log in marsh, same trap in which Microtus (?) was taken. Caught Peromyscus (240) in trap at base of willow in lodgepole clearing 20 yards from creek. Caught Peromyscus (239) in trap between 2 logs 18" from water in area of cleared lodgepole
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K Dixon 1947 Journal July 27, Birch Creek, 18 mi W Dillon, 7100 ft., Beaverhead Co., Mont. (stumps remaining after beaver workings) and coarse grasses. Caught immature Peromyscus at base of willow beside creek. Worked upstream in rocky, gravelly, floodplain with scattered willow, noting Western Tanager, Lincoln Sparrow, Junco, Tolmie Warbler 9 and Spotted Sandpiper. Walked upslope in area of burn (several years old) following edge of aspen grove. Rufous Hummingbird only bird noted; Citellus lateralis the only mammal. Entered aspen grove and flushed a grouse which I didn't actually see; bird 15 yards inside grove, permitted approach to within 20 ft before flying. I followed it downslope and heard it fly again at some interval after I collected Dryostates villosus (241) in the aspen grove. Noted Robin in bush at lower edge of Lodgepoles. Shot Crossbill which I could not locate; followed rest of flock but unable to collect any birds. Returned to camp at 7:15. July 28, Birch Creek, 18 mi W Dillon, 7100 ft., Beaverhead Co., Mont. Caught Sorex (242) in trap at base of willow 20 ft from creek. Caught Sorex (243) in trap between logs (8" from water) (trap in which Peromyscus (239) was taken yesterday.
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KDixon 1947 Journal July 28. En Route, Birch Creek to Dillon, 5100 ft., Beaverhead Co, Mont. left camp at 1:30 P.M., driving to Dillon. Noted Horned Larks, Lesser Sandpaws and ? Marsh Harts in grassland, Kildeer, Barn Swallow and Redwing beside marshy area. Inspected barns at ranch on river 1 mi W Dillon, where W Russell collected Screach Owl perched on rafters. Drove to area 1 mile east of Madison County line where we noted congregating Kools, Bank, Cliff and Barn Swallows at edge of marsh. Returned to Dillon and drove to area 1 mi W, where I set 39 mouse traps in area of rocky slopes sparsely covered with Artemesia tridentata and occasional Chrysothamnus, grass and Nighthawks. Noted Rock Wrens in area. Noted bats in area; flight apparently did not begin until complete darkness with 3/4 moon. July 27. 1 mi W Dillon, 5100 ft., Beaverhead Co, Mont. Ran traps at 5:20 A.M. Caught 6 Peromyscus and 7 Eutamias in 39 traps in area described above, all slope exposures and degrees of cover except that higher percentage of mammals taken in limited areas of taller, denser Artemesia. Birch Cr., 1 1/2 mi NW Dillon, 7100 ft., Beaverhead Co, Mont. on S-facing slope. Walked to aspen grove 1/2 mile W of camp. Noted ? Hairy Woodpecker drilling and giving "pick" call at edge of grove (25 yards from point where ?(241) 107.
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K Dixon 1947 Journal July 27. Bird Creek, 18 mi NW Dillon, 7100 Ft., Beaverhead Co., Mont. was taken July 27. Entered grove and flushed a grouse which flew about 25 feet and flushed again when I stalked it. I located this Bonasa about 50 yards downslope and collected the bird (250). Proceeded downslope about 8:45 and collected Empidonax (251) in willows near mixed aspen- lodgepole grove. Collected Bonasa 252 (see sp. act.) Set 33 traps in marshy area & several streamlet in aspen meadow area at base of S-facing slope. July 30. Bird Creek, 18 mi NW Dillon, Beaverhead Co., Mont. Ran traps at 6:00 AM. Caught 2 Microtus, one Sorex palustris, 3 Sorex sp. and one Zapus in 33 traps. Microtus and Sorex Palustris taken beside ricker of water bordered with herbaceous vegetation and mosses and liverworts. Shibot Dryptales villosus which I was unable to locate. Walked to clearing near aspen grove 1/2 mi W of camp. Set 5 mouse traps in this area of rocks and grass and 2 more beside road at base of this S-facing slope. Shot Black- capped Chickadee in aspen grove but failed in attempt to find bird. Collected Litta canadensis (259) in same grove; noted Rana gambeli and Junco meansi. Returned to camp at 7:30 AM, Ran traps 1/2 mi W of camp at 3:30 PM; none disturbed (traps set for Butaracías
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Dixon 1947 Journal July 30. Birch Cr., 18 mi NW Dillon, 7100 ft., Beaverhead Co., Mont. Reset 30 traps in area trapped in last night. Light rain at 7:45 PM. Watched for bats above clearing 08:40 - 09:00 PM - now seen flying although they had been seen on previous evenings. Saw immature porcupine (had seen adult earlier in evening). July 31. Birch Creek, 18 mi NW Dillon, 7100 ft., Beaverhead Co., Mont. Ran traps at 6:00 AM Caught 4 Sorex, 1 Sorex palustris, 3 Microtus in 30 traps. (S. palustris and one Microtus skinned by W.C. Russell; 1 Sorex discarded). Broke camp at 11:30 AM driving through Dillon and over Monida Pass to Pocatello. Camped 25 miles E Twin Falls, Idaho. August 1. En route Dillon, Mont., to Berkeley, California Left camp 25 mi E Twin Falls, driving to Twin Falls and south toward Wells, Nevada. 1 mi NE Rogerson, Twin Falls Co., Idaho Noted Taxidea on road in Artemesia area; also Ovis crenulates montanus (1) in same locality. Wells Co., Nevada Noted 9 nighthawks perched on top fenceposts along right hand side of road between Wells and point 17 miles west thereof. One 2 seen on adjacent fenceposts.
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X Dixon 1947 Journal August 1. En route Dillon, Mont. to Berkeley, Calif. Arrived Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada at 6:00 PM spending night here. August 2. En route Reno Nevada to Berkeley, Calif. Departed Reno at 8:00 AM driving to Berkeley via Sacramento. Arrived Berkeley 3:00 PM.
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Species Accounts
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Birds
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K Dixon 1977 Dendragapus July 13. 2 mi NE Cooke, 8500 ft, Parkelo, Montana Clear, calm morning; 10:00 AM. Bench 75 to 100 yards wide on SE facing slope about 300 ft higher than camp. Area of open coniferous forest (Picea, Abies, Pinus aristata), with no underbrush. Small patches of snow remaining. I walked into clearing where remains of shade were evident and saw grouse standing in shade on snowbank 1 ft high and 8 ft across. Bird acted unconcerned, walking down off bank and in between trees for perhaps 15 ft when it stopped. I collected this bird, a ? (153).
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K Dixon 1947 Bonasa umbellus July 5. 2 mi E Shriver, 6500 Ft., Carbon Co., Montana. Walked up narrow canyon running north and south, streambed dry. Entire area coniferous forest, the slopes of the immediate vicinity being covered with Pseudotsuga, Pinus flexata, and Abies sp. Under- brush broken & scattered, Juniperus sibirica, Ribes, Symphoricarpos, and Acer. I walked up path beside streambed and noted something walk- ing on other side of clump of Abies, going in opposite direction. I waited and a grouse appeared with neck ruff evident. Bird did not appear to be alarmed but paused and then continued walking farther. It stopped again, a few feet away at the base of another clump of fir. I collected the bird, an adult ♀, molting, broad patch refathering, Ova measured 15mm, largest ovum 2 mm. Noted patches of aspens on slope to west. Half an hour later I walked up same path and flushed a Ruffed Grouse about 100 yards upstream from area where I collected. Bird flew from fir along streamcourse into dense coniferous growth and I did not locate it again. Harold Reynolds collected a ♀ bird in this vicinity at 1:00 PM this date, presumably the mate of the ♀ (No 1/2). He was walking up the same path and the grouse flushed from a windfall in a clump of fir, flying 30 yards (paced)
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K Dixon 1947 2. Bonasa umbellus July 5. 2 mi E Shiver, 6500 ft, Carbon Co., Montana. to firs at base of slope. He collected this bird (N.C.R. 637) as it was walking away from place where it landed. He preserved the contents of the crop noting that they were of this individual. July 29. Bird Creek, 18 mi NW Dillon, 7100 ft, Beaverhead Co., Mont. Flushed grouse in aspen grove between lodgepole pine forest and burned clearing at 8:15 AM on sunny day. Bird flew 25 ft (approx) and dropped behind shrub, flying again as I advanced. Bird flapped wings 2 or 3 times and apparently set sail. I followed it down slope and sighted bird (♂R 50) and took it in area 50 yards down and around slope in open growth of lodgepole pine with little under- growth. Crop contents of bird ([illegible]). Flushed grouse in open grove of young aspens 12' high at 7:15 in evening. Stalked bird which I located and crept see dimly through brush, appearantly strutting and displaying ruff. I collected this grouse (♂, 252); crop empty. July 30. Bird Creek, 18 mi NW Dillon, 7100 ft, Beaverhead Co., Mont. Noted Ruffed Grouse, apparently ♀, in area in which ♂(252) was taken yesterday; grouse in grove of aspen and birch, gave clucking and morning notes apparently calling up young (peep heard in answer). Bird perched on limb 3 ft above ground.
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K Dixon 1947 Borasa umbellus July 30. Bridge Creek, 18mi NW Dillon, 7,500ft, Beaverhead Co, Mont. During this time. Bird dropped down to ground as I stepped forward; bird walked off on grass blades. Flushed [illegible] from root in same area at 7:45 PM - adult flew downslope in aspens about 25 yards. One immature approximately Lothotyps in size, flew to limb of pine, permitting me to approach within 10 ft before it flew. Adult gave clucking caw and another immature gave answering "peeps" as I left area.
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K Dixon 1947 Empidonax sp. July 7. 2 mi E Shiver, 6500 ft. Carbon Co., Montana. Noted song of flycatcher in willow thickets in marshy area at junction of creeks ¼ mile below my camp. Located bird singing from dead twig above foliage of shrubby willow 10 or 12 feet high. Song resembled quality of Western Flycatcher and was similar in other ways. Consisted of 2 phrases, the first rather dull and wooden, the second a sharp, unmusical whistle something like "ceip wheat" repeated at regular intervals. No call note given. I collected this bird, a ♂ no 129. Actions and habitat identical to ♂ 117 taken the day before in the same locality. No trace of ♀ in either territory, the birds having been taken in thickets 100 yards apart, 117 at the eastern edge (closest to that of 129) as I chased him 75 yards west along the creek, later collecting him at the east edge of the thicket.
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K Dixon 1947 Parus atricapillus June 17. Yellowstone River, 7 mi NE Glendive, 2000 ft, Dawson Co., Montana. Completely overcast; had rained during day; calm. While approaching nest previously located, I heard a "chickadee dee" call. Five minutes later, at 06:40 PM, I saw a chickadee approach the nest, enter, and leave, flying to the westward. 6 minutes later, a chickadee approached the nest from the north, landed on a nearby twig and entered, leaving shortly afterward and flying in direction from which it had come. A minute later another appeared from the south, entered the nest likewise with no calls and emerged, flying south. This bird carried no fecal sac; the other I could not see. The nest was located in a hollow formed by a rotten branch in an inclined trunk 4-10 feet above ground. Dead tree in grove of box elders June 18. Yellowstone River, 7 mi NE Glendive, 2000 ft, Dawson Co., Montana. Raining steadily all morning. I located the nest of a pair in the middle of box elder woods back from river, in area west of our camp. Nest was in a dead tree trunk (elm?) about 2 1/2 feet above ground. Both birds were bringing food to the nest, indicating that the young had hatched. I collected one of the adults which proved to be the ?. The adult birds gave no call when approaching the nest, but appeared reluctant
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KDixon 1947 Parus atricapillus June 18. Yellowstone River, 7 mi NE Glendive, 2000 ft, Dawson Co, Montana (cont'd) to approach closely, perching nearby and giving chickadee dee calls when I was in sight. June 19. Yellowstone River, 7 mi NE Glendive, 2000 ft, Dawson Co, Mont. Heard 2 different ?? giving phoebe song which I had not heard here before. At least one of these (in camp area) was still paired, having a nest with young nearby. Today was the first sunny day since our arrival.
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Passerina amoena June 18. Yellowstone River, 7 mi. NE Ellendive, 2000 ft., Dawson Co., Montana. Completely overcast, raining steadily, with intermittent breaks. I noted a ♂ singing singing from top of a boxelder in a clearing at one end of the woods (boxelder + elm) west of camp. Clearing was roughly 150 feet square with several isolated trees; undergrowth was almost entirely Symphoricarpe 2-2½ feet high with some Rosa and Ribes also. I was unable to collect this individual but later shot one (perhaps same bird). At 11:30 I noted 2 ♂♀ present at the south end of the clearing near a brush pile. A ♀ was perched on the brush pile and one ♂ dropped down beside the ♀, pausing momentarily and flying upward to perch. I was unable to see what happened then but shot the ♀ after the ♂ flew up. I couldn't locate ♀ & both ♂♂ left area. Another ♂ was singing at the edge of the woods adjacent to the meadow. He shifted his song perch frequently, keeping to trees within a few yards from the edge of the woods. The ♀ appeared once in rose thicket between the woods and meadow. June 21. Yellowstone River, 7 mi. NE Ellendive, 2000 ft., Dawson Co., Montana. I collected a ♀ (204) today, one of a pair called up by hissing. As also noted yesterday, the ♂ was more conspic- uous than the ♀; in the former case I was unable to get a shot at the ♀.
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Mammals
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KDixon 1947 Sorex July 18. 2 mi NE Cooke, 8000 ft., Park Co., Montana Caught ♂ (182) at edge of slowflowing brook 1-1½ ft wide in area of Picea engelmannii forest (trees 80 ft approx). Herbaceous vegetation of area was Thalictrum, Ribes, and grasses. Considerable moss on moist ground. The shrew had been chewed on the middle of the back, apparently by another shrew. July 20. 2 mi NE Cooke, 8000 ft., Park Co., Montana. Caught ♂ (196) in trap baited with oatmeal between two fallen logs 8 inches apart 10 ft from a running brook at the edge of Picea-Abies forest and a willow bog. Damp area with considerable moss; young conifers to 15 feet and dwarf willow 2 ft high in immediate vicinity. Took ♂ (197) in oatmeal-baited trap at base of 7-foot Picea beside a bog pool 3 feet across. Herbaceous vegetation entirely Carex about one foot high. Fallen logs 4 inches in diameter in vicinity of trap. Bog in clearing for firebreak, 75 yards wide with Picea-Abies forest on either side. Trap set 20 feet from stream and 50 yards from where ♂ (196) was taken.
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K Dixon 1947 Zapus July 23. 7:00 A.M. Birch Creek, 8 mi NW Dillon, Beaverhead Co., Montana. Caught Zapus (202) in grassy area between 2 willow bushes 5 ft from pond; grass 8" high. Caught 203 in trap under log in grass, 12"-15" high 2 ft from water (willow) area below beaver dam; willows 4'-8' high; many streamlets. Caught 204 in grass 8" high in willows 10 ft from stream. Caught 205 at base of willow brush 35 ft from where 204 was taken. 20 yards from stream; scattered Pinus murrayana in area.
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Local and miscellaneous Catalog nos. 262-303 are missing.
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2. Dixon, K.L. Local and miscellaneous, Aug. 28, 1948 - April 16, 1949 Catalog nos. 304-335 Journal Species accounts
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K Dixon 1948 Catalogue 3. Berkeley, 400 ft., Alameda Co., Calif. August 28 imm. 304 ♀ Chamaea fasciata Coll. R.E. Hilary U.C. Campus - struck window 13.2 gms. Oakland, Alameda Co., Calif. October 2, 305 ♀ Lophortyx californica Coll Mrs. M.V. Long ovary 10 mm. wt. 176.0 gm ½ mi S, 1 mi E Lafayette, Contra Costa Co., Calif. Nov. 21 306 ♀ Lophortyx californica wt. 171.2 gm. Berkeley, 400 ft., Alameda Co., Calif. Dec. 4, 307? Regulus pick-up by J.H. Connell not sexable wt. 5.6 gm. Dec 10. → wing and testes only 308 ♂ Lophortyx (adust - testes not measured) Dec 15. imm. wing and ovary only 309 ♀ Lophortyx ovary 9mm x 3 mm. Vallecito 1500 ft., San Diego Co., Calif. Dec 22. 310 ♀ Pipilo maculates ovary 2 mm. 4 mi WNW Dulzura, ± 1000 ft., San Diego Co., Calif. Dec. 23. 311 ♀ Pipilo fuscus ovary 6mm x 3mm 4 mi S Dulzura, ± 1300 ft., San Diego Co., Calif. Dec. 23 312 ♂ Pipilo fuscus testis 2 mm. 313 ♀ " " ovary 7mm x 3 mm 314 ♂ " " testis 3 mm 315 ♀ " " ovary 5mm x 2mm Coll. PA Dehnel
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K Dixon 1948 Catalogue 3 mi SE Boulevard, ±3400 ft., San Diego Co., Calif. December 28. 316 ♀? Pipilo fuscus coll. PA Dehnelt wt. 43.6 gm. 317 ♀ Aphelocoma " " ovary 9 mm. w.t. 71.1 gm. 3 mi W Boulevard, ±3500 ft., San Diego Co., Calif. December 28. 318 ♀ Aphelocoma ovary 11 mm coll PA Dehnelt wt 74.8gm. 8 mi W Boulevard, San Diego Co., Calif. December 28. 319 ♀ Aphelocoma ovary 8mm. coll PA Dehnelt wt. 69.9 gm 1 mi. W Campo, 2500 ft., San Diego Co., Calif. December 28 320 ♂ Pipilo fuscus testis 2 mm wt. 48.7 gm.
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K Dixon 1949 Catalogue 2 1/2 mi. SE Lafayette, Contra Costa Co., Calif. January 27. coll. H.E. Childs, Jr. 321. ♂ Lophortyx california wt. 160 gm Testis 3 mm x 3 mm. 322 ♂? Ixoreus naevius [? Teats (blood filled) 3mm] 83.5 gm Fat coll HE Childs Jr. 323 ♂ Aphelocoma caerulescens Testis 3 mm. wt. 113.8 gm. 324 ♂ Dendrocopus nuttallii Testis 2mm. wt. 40.1 gm 325 ♀ " " Ovary 6mm x 4mm wt. 38.6gm. 5 mi. N Davis, Yolo Co., Calif. Feb. 4 326 ♀ Spinus tristis ovary 3 mm. 2 1/2 mi. SE Lafayette, Contra Costa Co., Calif. Feb. 9 coll J.H. Connell 327. ♂ Lophortyx california wt. 194.1 gm. Rt. Testis 3mm. Left Testis slightly larger, dark (blood-filled?) 328. ♀ Aphelocoma caerulescens wt. 97.3gm. Ovary 9mm. Richmond, Contra Costa Co., Calif. Feb. ± 21 329 Bufo (coll. N. Cohen) 1/2 mi. W San Quentin Prison, Marin Co., Calif. Collected March 13 by OP Pearson; prepared Mch. 15. 330♂ Microtus californicus 186-52-2Φ-12 Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. (2411 Hillside Ave) Mch. 14 (prepared & weighed Mch 15) 331 ♂ Parus inornatus Left testis 6mm x 4mm, right disintegrating coll. by Mrs. F.F. Hall (Banded H-39593). wt. 16.2gm. 1/2 mi. W San Quentin Prison, Marin Co., Calif. Collected March 13, 1949 by OP Pearson; killed & prep'd March 17 332 ♂ Microtus californicus 160-36-22-13
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K Dixon 1949 2. Catalogue Strawberry Canyon, 500 ft., Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. March 13. 333. Rana aurora 2 1/2 mi. SE Lafayette, Contra Costa Co., Calif. March 21. skél. imm. 334 ♂ Lophortyx testis preserved in Bouin's Keithly Ranch, 6 mi. SW Lakeport, Lake Co., Calif. Apr. 3. (Coll. by R.D. Taber) body skel. 335 ♂ Oreortyx picta plumage imm.) Right testis 11mm x 6mm Left " 5mm x 2mm both testes blood filled on Apr 5 (date of prep.)
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Journal
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K Dixon 1948 Journal 26. Aug. 25. Bay Farm Island, Alameda Co., Calif. Accompanied R.W. Store, arriving on mudflats W Golf Course at 6:50 PM - cold NW wind 6-8 mph, sun shining, cloud or fog bank to W. Noted large flocks of Western Sandpipers all along N-facing beach, Marbled Godwits and Willets in small flocks feeding along shore with Dowithers and Black-bellied Plover about half of which were still in varying degrees of summer plumage. large-billed Curlew 1, Greater Yellowlegs 1, No. Phalarope 3, Sanderling 4, Killdeer 3, Semi- palmated Plover a few, Avocets a few large flocks. Proceeded to gravelly sandbar near bridge to island of Alameda at sunset (7:45) - noted here both East and Western Sandpipers, Willets, Black Turnstone (7), Hudsonian Curlew (2), Marbled Godwit, Western Yellowlegs. Pool E of Golf Course: Phalarope, yellowlegs (1) other large species (Plover, Godwit, Willet, Dowithers). (On large ship first visited, Pintail, Western and Ring-billed gulls; Forsters Terns overhead). Sept 18. U.C. Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. 5:00 PM, overcast. Swamson Thrush seen in Sequoia along creek near Faculty Glade - same bird had calloso and subsequently answered my whistle with single note call.
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R Dixon 1948 Journal Oct.3. Bear Cr., 2 mi. NNW Orinda, Contra Costa Co., Calif. Overcast; intermittent misty rain; calm. Noted coevy of 13 Lophortyx (♂♂, ♂♀) foraging at edge of grassy field and oak woods. One ♂ chased simultaneously by 2 other ♂♂ when former joined flock from edge of trees — pursuit occurred, the first ♂ circling among the foraging quail. Noted Lewis Woodpecker on telephone pole and another flying above adjacent peach orchard. Time 4:15 PM. Nov21 Stinson Ranch, 2½ mi. SE Lafayette Contra Costa Co., Calif. Clear mild day with wind from E, ± 10 mph (effect on skin noticeable). Reached ranch about 9:45 accompany- ing R. A. Stinton and Joe Connell. Stinton collected imm. Western Red-tail at gate of ranch. Noted pair of Pipilo fuscus which I failed to get shot at. We proceeded to a point on the eastern end of the ranch where Dr Stinton and his nephew left us. Connell and I proceeded to hunt separately in area which appeared as follows: Terrain was of steep, rounded hills with rather deep gullies, vegetation was open woodland of Q uercus agrifolia, Q wislizenii, Q. Kelloggii, Aesculus umbellaria with undergrowth of grass. On shaded slopes brush patches of Rhus Baccata, Phammus Diplacus and Rhus thickets on sunny slopes. Ground was moist from recent rains and grass was shooting.
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KDixon 1948 28. Journal Nov 21. Stinton Ranch, 2 1/2 mi. SE Lafayette, Contra Costa Co., Calif. Dr. Stinton and his nephew, R.E. Stinton, left about 9:45 AM and Cornell & I hunted separately first on a north-facing slope of an E-W trending ridge. Vegetation was mostly oak woodland where I was. Noted lepus and a single grail which took refuge in a brush pile. Passus inornatus the only bird calling. Flock of Zontichia coronate and pair of Pipilo fuscus moving from one blue patch to another ( batter way - I couldn't get a shot). We proceeded along west-facing slope after 10:30 noting the following birds : Sialia mexicana (overhead), Hylocicla guttata Regulus calendula, Vires huttoni in addition to those mentioned above. Pipilo fuscus on SE facing slope in Diplacus - wary. Aphelocoma + Glares in oaks. On shaded NW-facing Baccharis - Phamnus - Plus patch 4-5 acres in extent jumped flock of holhorts, numbering perhaps +50. Birds moved away from me on foot whereas I entered brush & flew individually from peripheral "denirulas" of brush entering grassland. Took several shots but obtained no birds. Cornell saw one Sylvilagus bachmani We left area at 12:30, returning to Berkeley. In general birds difficult to approach perhaps because of wind.
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K Dixon 1948. 27. Journal Dec 17. Stinson Ranch, 2 1/2 mi. SE Lafayette, Contra Costa Co., Calif. Cloudy, calm, soil soaked. Hunted quail with Hank Childs & Joe Cornell - 5:40 PM - 6:20 PM - see species acc't., Lophortyx Californica Dec 21. 4 mi E Alpine, San Diego Co., Calif. Cloudy afternoon, 2 PM - noted yellow shafted Fleicher flying across broad open valley - grass with Quercus argelmannii at borders & Salix on deep cut streamcourse. Drove up old Viejas grade to Descanso - noted complete absence of Calif. Jays - in one chaparral area I called up Chamaea, Junco, Pipilo maculates Noted 2 Calif. Jays in mixed pine - margarita area N of Cuyamaca Lake (area closed to hunting) 3 mi SW Ramona, San Diego Co., Calif. Area of live oak & Adenostoma chaparral along streamcourse 5:40 PM overcast, light dim. Heard Pair Brown Towhees calling chip in brush; birds wary and I couldn't get a shot - one kept calling and moved 50 yards into riparian Salix. Also heard Chamaea, Pipilo maculates Dewick Wren. Dec 22. Enroute to Vallecito, San Diego Co., Calif. left La Mesa at 9:15 accompanying TE Reed and R.J. Bowman. heaviest rain falling. Drove tim El Cajon to Descanso, rain continuing. Ran into light snowfall 4 mi S Cuyamaca Lake, snow continuing until the lake was reached.
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K Dixon 1948 Journal 30. Dec 22. En route to Vallecito, San Diego Co., Calif. Continued trip via Julian down Banner grade on State Hwy 78 - noted 2 Calif Jays in juniper area E of Banner. One Say Phoebe in open area of San Felipe wash (crosstle Bush - yucca mohavensis). Arrives at old stage station at 12:00 noon. Phainopselas and Western Bluebirds abundant, some flocked, the Bluebird Gregarians, both species perched on mesquite which had mistletoe berries for food supply. Noted lone mockingbird on mesquite, squeaked up Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Pipilo maculatus at edge of Pluchea thicket (plant coll. # 353) - took Pipilo (3/10) apparently alive. Quail called and 3 flew at sound of shot. R Bowman reported seeing Shrike, heard Verdins and saw flock of 6-8 White-crowned Sparrows. Several White-throated Swifts were flying overhead and Red-shafted Flicker was calling. Rain commenced at 2:00 PM and we started back to Julian. Attempts to collect Jays in junipers E of Banner to no avail. Rained steadily until our return to La Mesa at 5:00 pm. Dec 23. En route from La Mesa to Dulzura, San Diego Co., Calif. Clearing weather, clouds passing over from NW, light breeze from that direction. Had rained steadily yesterday; light showers in morning. Left La Mesa about 2:00 PM accompanied by
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K Dixon 1948 Journal Dec 23. En route from La Mesa to Dulzura, San Diego Co., Calif. Paul Dehnel, driving E on State Hwy 94 through Jamul. 4 mi WNW Dulzura, ± 1000 ft., San Diego Co., Calif. Hunted along road paralleling Dulzura Creek for ± 20 minutes after about 2:30 PM - scattered sycamores + live oaks along stream - north-facing slope with live oaks, Plus Lurina + coastal sage elements. Audubon Warblers plentiful, pair of Brown Towhees (1 collected), pair of Calif. Calif. woodpecker Jays in oaks very wary, Spotted Towhee. Rain commenced so we left. 4 mi S Dulzura, ± 1300 ft., San Diego Co., Calif. Hunted along small streamcourse from 3:15 til 4:30 - rain had ceased, weather as before but calm. Noted following species: Audubon Warbler, Rufous-crowned Sparrow (call "dear dear dear" heard), Brown Towhee (4 taken), Spotted Towhee, Red-shafted Flicker Nuttall Woodpecker (Dehnel took) Calif Jay heard. Situation here was of sycamore + live oaks along stream (latter predominant), the topography fairly steep rolling hills, the valley draining to the south (toward Marrone Valley?). Slopes had been burned perhaps 2 years ago. Plus Lurina coming out in new growth as was Salvia spiana. lotus scoparia seemed retarded + grasses were growing up. Soil wet, road slippery. This area on road to Artery Mine visited by PH/Kutza
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K Dixon 1948 Journal 32. Dec 23. 4 mi S Dulzura ± 1300 ft., San Diego Co., Calif. and myself in 1946, known to Kneitzsch as locality for Manotus. See species acc't Brown Towhee. No further incidents - left area & returned to La Mesa by same route. Dec 28. En route from La Mesa to Boulevard 3200 ft., San Diego Co., Calif. left La Mesa about 9:30 AM accompanied by Paul Wehnel. Drove to Jamul, then to El Cajon & via Hwy 80 to Boulevard. Noted nothing exceptional. 3 mi SE Boulevard ± 3400 ft., San Diego Co., Calif. Cool sunny day, breeze from E 6-8 mph. Area of steep rocky hills with decomposed granite soil moist from recent rains. Chaparral rather open chiefly of Adenostoma fasciculatum & the taller A. stafifolium, scattered Quercus dumosa, manzanita, juniper, Ceanothus sp., yucca whipplei, Y. mohavensis. Hunted in area 11:25 - 12:40. Birds quiet. Flock of a dozen Junco (pink-sided) in open area at junction of two brooks - heard one Rufous-named Sparrow. Scrub Jay (2) flew over. Wehnel shot one Brown Towhee (see species acc't). Heard Anna Hummingbird diving repeatedly over one spot. Heard Calif. Thrasher. I fired at Jay as did Wehnel another time but birds flew on in each case. Wehnel collected a Jay and reported seeing a Wren-Tit. We left area driving westward on Hwy 80. Turned left on State Hwy 94 toward Campo.
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K Dixon 1948 Journal 33. Dec 28 3 mi W Boulevard, ± 3500 ft, San Diego Co., Calif. Dehnol collected Scrub Jay (KD) in live oak near road - valley with grain on flat, chaparral on hills. Dehnol took another jay in shrub beside road 5 mi W of above locality. In this area on a farmer's pond we noted 2 coots and 4 American Magnums. Arrived at Campo passing through at 2:00 PM. 1 mi W Campo, 2500 ft, San Diego Co., Calif. In this area immediately downstream from an earth-fill dam, Campo Creek had cut down about 15 feet below the level of its banks. Cottonwoods, wilows and sycamores grew in the bottom, the wilows abundantly tangled close to the ground. The area on the NW side of the creek had been burned off perhaps 3-4 years ago it was recovering slowly. live oaks were in nearly normal foliage. Principal chaparral elements were scrub oak and Adenostoma fasciculatum the latter about 3 ft. high. Night breeze from NE increased to 12 mph at times. I crossed the creek some 3ft wide, and worked through scattered live oaks. located 3 Scrub Jays knocking one down with load of b's but it recovered & flew on. Heard Brown Towhee and collected another (see spec acct). Plain Titmouse pair in live oak giving location notes as they foraged. Other birds remarkably silent: 2 California Woodpeckers seen & one Flicker flushed. The Jays
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KDixon 1948 Journal 34. Dec.25 /mi W Campo, 2500 ft., San Diego Co., Calif. disappeared but I located them in some oaks 100 yards N of where I had seen them before. I knocked some feathers out of one and they disappeared again. One bird apparently remained in an oak for I did not see it leave yet could not see its perch. Saw Spotted Towhee in Eriogonum patch. Dehnel reported seeing Sharp-shinned Hawk but no other birds in Riparian woodland. We left area at 3:15, driving westward on Hwy 74. Cottonwood Creek, 2 mi N Barrett Jct., San Diego Co., Calif. Area where creek flows southerly through narrow canyon. Elev. about 1000 ft. Riparian growth of cottonwood, sycamore, and smaller willow. Hillsides with coastal sagebrush assocn of Eriogonum fasciculatum, Artemisia californica, Lotus scoparia, Phoebe laurina rather openly spaced. Some live oaks, Ceanothus & other chaparral on E-facing slopes. My impression is that this area has been burned over although perhaps not within the past 10 years. In area 4:00 PM until 5:10 PM. Dehnel went upstream & I went downstream along edge of hill. Heard Brown Towhees occasionally but saw none. Spotted Towhee absent. Heard California Jay once. Snaked up Ruby-crowned Kinglet but no other birds. Dehnel reported
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K Dixon 1948 Journal 35. Dec 28 Cottonwood Cr., 2 mi N Barrett Jct., San Diego Co., Calif. similar lack of bird life. We departed and drove back to La Mesa - no further incidents worthy of note. I have an impression of fewer Red-tailed Hawks seen on this trip than in the same area in previous winters. Dec 30. Alvarado Canyon, 1 mi N, 4 mi W La Mesa, San Diego Co., Calif. In area 1 mi E of junction with San Diego River from 5:15 until 6 PM - cloudy, calm. Broad canyon bottom with several small streamcourses. Vegetation Baccharis viminea and a composite of similar growth form a scattered canopas & Prunus ilicifolia in bottom; scattered sycamores & willows. Noted several Jadwalls on small ponds - several Coots also present which did not flush. Heard California Thrush singing on N-facing slope. Audubon Warblers abundant. Also noted White-crowned Sparow, Bran Towhee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet. See ahee acc't, Bran Towhee. Dec 31. Yagui Well, 18 mi E Julian, San Diego Co., Calif. Arrived at well about 5:15 PM accompanied by M Williamson. Waterhole for cattle located at mouth of draw leading north from San Felipe wash. latter runs E-W covered with smoke tree (Dalea) Several Ironwood trees & mesquite in waterhole area as well as smaller composite shrubs. Draw to N had typical desert shrubs, Larrea, Encelia, Acacia greggi,
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KDixon 1948 36. Journal Dec. 31 Yagi Well, 18 mi E Julian, San Diego Co., Calif. Opuntia bigelovii, Opuntia sp. (cholec). Noted Phainopepla ♀ + ♂ in ironwoods, latter would not fly but ducked slowly into mistletoe as if ill - certainly lethargic for I approached within 8 ft before bird moved. Also noted White Crowned Sparrows, lone Mockingbird, 2 couples at spring, cattle coming to water as we left at 5:40 PM (Daylight Saving Time). We noted no Scrub Jays along road E of Banner (Juniperus mesquite - chaparral) on either way as we drove thru - had seen 2 on previous trip.
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K Dixon 1949 Journal Jan 2. Blackwells Corner, Kern Co., Calif. Clear day, northerly winds estimated to be in excess of 20 miles per hour. Noted several Love Mountain Plover alongside road in scantily vegetated plains area. Also Shrike (one perched on Shingle) and Sparrows perhaps Vesper, and Ravens usually single. One mile N Coalinga, Fresno Co., Calif. Noted several White-throated Swifts flying above barren fields. Another flock of 6 or so in area 1/2 mile north was were 3 or 4 Western Bluebirds. I had noted dust storms to the north and we gradually drove into same. For 8 miles (15-23 miles by road N of Coalinga on Hwy 33) dust was blowing so steadily that visibility was reduced to 100 yards or less throughout the period. At a speed of 25 mph this would have been about 30 minutes. Evidence that dust had been blowing off the plowed land was provided by mud which covered all but a narrow center strip on this 2-lane paved highway. 3 mi E Los Banos, Merced Co., Calif. Noted Coot which seemed unable to make headway against wind eventually alighting in marsh. Two flocks of +6 White-fronted Geese alighted on bare ground. Some hunters in area along road. Jan 27. 21/2 mi SE Lafayette, Contra Costa Co., Calif. (Ranch on which R.E. Stinson resides). Clear calm afternoon. Snow clearly visible on north face of Mt. Diablo; on shaded slopes on ranch front was still on ground in midafternoon while ice on
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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.
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A. Dixon 1949 Journal Jan 27. 2 1/2 mi SE Lafayette, Contra Costa Co., Calif. back of Brown Towhees on the ranch may be due to character of brush which is largely deciduous except for about 3 large patches of Baccharis with a minimum of edge. I noticed some very dwarfed Adenostoma on the south face of overridge. Jan 29. South slope of Mt. Hamilton, Santa Clara Co., Calif. noted 3 Yellow-billed Magpies along road in area of deciduous oaks (valley oak?) 11 miles by road from Lick Observatory. Area was below level where Wigger Pines were encountered. Noted 2-3 Scrub Jays higher on slope in area where snows prevailed. Jan 31. Univ Calif Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. Henry Clifts called attention of several persons to presence of a Slate-colored Junco foraging with Oregon Juncos in area S of life Sciences Bldg. at 11:30 A.M. Feb 2. mid-afternoon; west side of MVZ. Heard squealing and noted Robins flying upward from shrubs on either side of loading platform. A minute or so elapsed, squealing stopped and a Sparrow Hawk flew upward & over trees to west. F.A. Pitelka had seen the hawk attempt to take one of the horde of Robins feeding on Cotoneaster & other berries. Hawk had borne Robin to ground beneath low brush but had been unable to kill it apparently. Robin did not leave & may have been injured.
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KDixon 1949 Journal Feb 4. 3mi S Woodland, Yolo Co., Calif. Picked up Barn Owl lead at side of road - farming area - rice fields. 5 mi N Davis, Yolo Co., Calif. Cold windy day, raining intermittently. Collected #326 & American Goldfinch from flock feeding at edge of road in rice field country - growth of weeds along fence row. In another field noted piles of rice hulls where threshing had been done - flocks of Brewer Blackbirds apparently feeding on rice grains; calls of Redwings heard. Noted flock of 5 or 9 Columbavivia at same locality. Pair of Marsh Hawks hunting over fields. Time 11:30 AM In one rice field with ditches freshly checked noted a flock of perhaps 1500 Snow Geese. Saw one Ross Goose, + 12 Mallards, + 6 Pintails, several White-fronted Geese. Also saw Crow, Sparrow Hawk, Flicker, Veery Sparrow along roads; also Blue Heron, Ring-necked Pheasant Univ. Calif. Campus, Davis, Yolo Co., Calif. Noted Calif. Jay on quadrangle of campus and one Mockingbird nearby. Feb. 8 NE Face San Pablo Ridge, Contra Costa Co., Calif. Drove to area with A.S. Leopold in University car, proceeding through Tilden Park to "Inspiration Point" overlooking San Pablo Reservoir. We left the car and proceeded on foot following the contour and working downslope, looking for a prospective
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K'Dixon 1949 Journal 5. Feb.8. NE Face San Pablo Ridge Contra Costa Co, Calif. quail population study area. The land on which we were walking was posted as watershed area by the East Bay Municipal Utilities District. This NE face of the ridge was cut by numerous side draws from the broad valley of San Pablo Creek, the smaller draws merging into several main stream courses closer to the creek (now the reservoir). Water level of the reservoir appeared to be 6-8 ft. below "normal". Vegetation was chaparral of Baccharis pilularis, Pinus diversifolia, and occasional Diplacus with woodland of live oak, laurel and Fesculus along the stream- courses in some places. Intervening ridges were grass-covered, principally on the south-facing slopes sketch above fairly typical of distribution of these types. This area was grazed moderately to lightly by cattle, several small dams with water being present, the largest pond perhaps 40-50 ft across. Water was running in most of the draws although not enough to indicate more than a temporary water supply. In the lower portion of one draw we found the remnants of a cabin. The N facing slope here was notably steep and the riparian growth included 2 Alnus and a maple with numerous laurels
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KDixon 1949 Journal 6. Feb. 8 NE Face, San Pablo Ridge, Contra Costa Co., Calif. extending up the creek. We flushed a Horned Owl in the laurels, droppings and pellets indicating rather permanent habitation. Above the wooded narrow portion, this draw widened out into a broad chaparral-covered triangle relatively isolated except for continuity with brush in other side draws via a southerly fork of the The lower portion had water piped to a cattle range, evidences of recentment usage. one in which we stood. After inspecting the lower portion in which we heard Calif Quail, we proceeded up the South edge to the head end over the crest to the edge of Wildcat Canyon. The above had taken place between 9:30 - 11:30 AM with weather calm, sky overcast. As we returned to the car, we noted increase in wind velocity and occasional droplets of rain. Noted 3 deer, all hornless, two in "good condition" (A.S.L.), all alone, foraging in or near edge of woods, one +/- 50 ft out in open. Red-tailed Hawk - several seen overhead Calif Jay - abundant Brown Towhee - several heard Plain Titmouse - one in alder; another heard in oak Flicker - several heard Brewer Blackbird +/- 12 near pond Calif. Quail one covey of +/- 22; another heard covey Horned Owl - noted above,
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KDixon 1949 Journal 7. Feb. 8. NE Face, San Pablo Ridge, Contra Costa Co., Calif. Robin - plentiful - in open grassland Bufo - one heard on dry chaparral slope Hyla - several heard in pond in Wildcat Canyon Scapanus - one found dead in grass-drowned? San Pablo Reservoir, Contra Costa Co., Calif. 1:00-1:30 PM - 2 flocks totalling 40 odd Canada goose noted on lake - several birds on bank out of water. Ferruginous Rough-leg perched on telephone pole, dropped to ground, returned to perch - prey (?) not seen. Feb. 9. 2 1/2 mi. SE Lafayette, Contra Costa Co., Calif. Drove part of way in on muddy roads toward ranch on which R.E. Stinton resides, parking car & walking last 1/2 mile. Accompanied by Joseph Cornell. Heard 2 white-breasted Nuthatchee in walnut grove area, one of these in tall deciduous trees (alder or willow). Arrived at area where collecting had been done previously at about 5:00 PM. High, thin overcast; calm; sun dim. Ground moist from recent rains, weather warmer impact few days, no ice on puddles, although snow remains on top of Mt Diablo. Cornell hunted the westernmost of 2 draws draining to the north from a ridge which may be the divide between San Pablo & Walnut Creek watersheds. I hunted the eastern draw, noting the following birds: Robin, Nuttall Woodpecker, Plain Titmouse, Hermit Thrush, Bluebird, Spotted Towhee, Golden-crowned Sparrow), Brown Towhee (1). Crossed over to draw to west at 5:40 - duck gathering.
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KDixon 1949 Journal Feb 9. 2 1/2 mi SE Lafayette, Contra Costa Co., Calif. Cornell had located 3 Calif Quail as I proceeded to the large brush patch on the NW face of this draw. Shot a Scrub Jay which flew apparently from its roost about 2 feet inside the periphery of a live oak. Bird flew 25 yards downslope where Cornell knocked it out of a tree with a second shot. I flushed several quail from the brush patch but failed to hit any. Cornell took a σ quail (KD #32) frightened from roost in a live oak along the brook. Attempts at others to no avail. Heard a Squirrel Owl in willows along creek bordering walnut grove as we returned to car, another owl calling 100 yards or so downstream. Our attempts to mimic the call were too crude for the owl ceased calling. Departed at 6:30 PM. Feb 19. Strawberry Canyon Univ. Calif. Campus, Alameda Co., Calif. Clear mild morning. Out with Zool 113 class in canyon studying habitats. Noted nothing exceptional. Mar 13. Walked up paved road to Strawberry Pool and down along canyon Rd to Stadium. Accompanied by M Williamson. Noted Black Phoebe singing from telephone wires, heard Ruby-crowned Kinglet singing in conifers near Stadium. Orange-crowned Warbler singing from a number of perches near the pool, the first this year. Collected 3 Triturus forosus and one Rana aurora trapped in old fence post hole near pool (Triturus given to W Cohen). Noted Downy Woodpecker drumming
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{ "text": "K Dixon\n1949\nJournal\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n [TRANSCRIPTION_TRUNCATED_DUE_TO_LOOP]
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K Dixon 1949 Journal Mch 26. Strawberry Canyon, Univ. Calif. Campus, Alameda Co., Calif. Clear, balmy day; breeze up canyon after 11:00 AM, 5 mph. With zoologist section (10 people) up Canyon Rd. & main road to Botanic Garden (9:15 AM). Total hours 8:15 - 12:00. Noted song of 6 Purple Finches subsided after 9:00. House Finch singing from dead tree on creek a few yards above Strawberry Pool. Downy Woodpecker "drilled" in same tree later; Western Flycatcher called from nearby. Bush-tit: two isolated pairs seen and a group of 4-5 individuals (count by ear) in another locality - no nests located. Orange-crowned Warbler singing, less energetically after 9:30. Ruby Crowned Kinglets singing involved long songs. Hutton Vireo - not heard during entire morning; (H. & E. Childs) made similar observation California Thrasher - one singing at NE edge of Botanic Garden. Plain Titmouse singing throughout morning Selasphorus hummingbird 18, 17 seen along creek. Steller Jay - group of 4 in laurel in Botanic Garden; 2 flew to conifers NW (one followed the other). Wildcat Canyon, Contra Costa Co., Calif. In area about Jewel Lake 4:15 - 5:00 accompanied by H. Williamson. Clear; breeze westerly 12 mph dropping almost to zero. Noted Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Orange-crowned Warbler, Steller Jay, Goshawk (1 on lake), Black Phoebe, Song Sparrow, Calif. Quail, Wigeon calling. Water flowing over spillway at lake.
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KDixon 1949 Journal Mar. 26 Wildcat Canyon, Contra Costa Co., Calif. New growth of cat tails less than 18" above water level. Evidence of increased clearing activity along creek (willow & landel being removed) and Baccharis being cut off in field NE of lake. Apr. 2 Strawberry Canyon, Univ Calif Campus Alameda Co., Calif. In canyon 8:15 - 12:4# with zool 113 class - 12 people. Clear calm with clouds passing over and downstream breeze 9-10 AM; clear thereafter although cool throughout morning. Proceeded up Canyon Rd to Boreky lab by 9:30; spent 10:15 - 11:00 in area upstream from Botanic Garden (NE of) - returned via main road. (Bush-tit confusion chowhead once) Plain Titmouse - see spec. acct; in song throughout morning Downy Woodpecker - see spec. acct. Western Flycatcher - call notes heard Warbling Vireo 2 or 3 individuals singing. Pileolated Warbler - song heard several places Orange-crowned Warbler " " Ruby-crowned Kinglet - one song; several birds (males largely gone to breeding grounds?) Bewick Wren - one song Steller Jay - "Red-tail scream" note En route Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif to Coral Hollow San Joaquin Co., Calif. left Berkeley at 1:30 PM accompanied by Robert L. Redd - drove via Walnut Creek, Dublin, Livermore and then SE on Tesla Rd. - clear with increasing cloudiness.
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KDixon 1949 Journal see U.S.G.S. topographic map "Tesla Quad., 1907 Apr.2. +2 mi. W Tesla, Alameda Co., Calif. - mid country on west side of hills N Mt. Hamilton range - deciduous oaks along creek - hills grass-covered. Noted pair of Say Phoebe along road in grass country with frequent rock outcrops. Coral Hollow Emi E Carnegie in San Joaquin Co., Calif. Met Dr. Stifton with 8 members of Paleontology U.C class at fossil localities. Coral Hollow at this point was a barren, windswept, narrow valley with frequent rock outcrops on the slopes. There was no riparian growth along the stream although +2 miles upstream we saw a grove of cottonwoods. Wind was blowing from west, varying from 0 to +12 mph. The entire aspect was of dry country clearly in rain shadow at western edge of San Joaquin valley. Lower limit of oak woodland could be seen about 1 mile up ravine draining from the south. Large bare patches and contractions gave evidence of overgrazing; sheep scarnous valley. Pipit - flock of + 100 on flat near creekbed. Bank Swallow - 2 seen near road Rock Wren - heard singing from outcrop areas Gopher Snake - noted one running self on barren slope about 4:30 PM - loose appearance of skin led me to believe that individual had just come out of dormancy. Ischnognathus multicarinatus - one collected by R.R. Stifton Vegetation low herbaceous: Erodium, lepidium, Amorinche other cruciferae, brages:
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K Dixon 1949 Journal Apr. 3. Coral Hollow, 2 mi. E Carnegie, San Joaquin Co., Calif. Killdeer (3) and one Brewer Blackbird flew overhead. Ted Downs found a Physosoma on barren slope where I found Pitophis yesterday. We drove down road to Castle Rock (about 1 mi E of above locality. Here canyon narrowed with me. seepage spring; Cottonwoods, willows, one buckeye & valley oak coming into leaf. Western-billed Sparrow - singing from conspicuous perches in trees - variable, wren-like song. Morning Dove - one flushed in trees; 4 upslope Meadowlark - are singing from fence in the more lush grass-herb growth House Finch - heard singing in trees Archer's Goldfinch - didto Rock Wren - singing from rock outcrops. Thyla - chorus heard once. Orange-named Warbler 1 in willow Bewick Wren one singing Departed 11:00, driving up stream 5 miles. Ascended draw leading northward - amid slope with low 'soft' sage' chaparral and scattered Juniperus along trickling streamcourse. Green-backed Goldfinch heard. House Finch & Audubon Warbler of? in breeding plumage in leafless Valley Oak at mouth of ravine; Lone Digger Pine nearby. Yellow-billed Magpie across valley, Sparrow/Hawk soaring over- head. Departed 12:15, return by same route.
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14 Dixon 1944 Journal Apr. 4. Emeryville, Alameda Co., Calif. Noted several Bonaparte Gulls flying over water off Bayshore Hwy. in mid-afternoon. Clear; water calm. Apr. 9. Wildcat Cr., Contra Costa Co., Calif. In area upstream from tennis courts in Tilden Park. With Zoo 113 class, 12 people, 8:00-12:00. Clear, calm, light breeze upstream after 11:00. Allen Hummingbird - δ diving; elsewhere ζ gathered within down 11:15 Berwick Wren - δ song in oak woodland (riverain border) American Goldfinch - singing along creek (willows) στβ pairs? Warbling Vireo - song & possible pairing - one bird followed a second closely into alder tree - one sang immediately and 2 stayed together. Pileated warbler - territorial defense in low willow thicket along stream. Plain Titmouse - see spec. acct. Arkansas Goldfinch - in pines at roadside; heard overhead. Purple Finch - in pines & oaks Steller Jay - in cool shaded bend upstream; tall alders "squeal call" given Rana aurora } Triturus torosus { along creek Glenkrustor coeruleus - one captured by Glaser as it emerged from creek. My impression was that territorial activity was intensified; Warbling Vireo, Amer. Goldfinch, Western Flycatcher, Titmouse, all singing vigorously throughout morning. S. Hullin reported Black-headed Grosbeak, Lawrence Goldfinch
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KDixon 1949 Journal AM 9. Wildcat Cr., Contra Costa Co., Calif. Solitary Vireo. Childs reported House Wren. I also saw Hermit Thrush, Audubon Warbler (breeding pl.). Strawberry Canyon, Univ. Calif. Campus, Alameda Co., Calif. In lower part of canyon 5:15 - 5:45. Clear, cool, calm. Noted Wilsonia, Western Flycatcher, House Finch, Hermit Thrush, Allen Hummer, Bewick Wren, Song Sparrow; only House Finch + Song Sparrow singing. Apr 10. Same loc. In alders along creek 11:30 - 12:00 AM. Clear, calm. Pileolated Warbler singing, Allen Hummingbird, Bush-tit (pair), Titmouse singing, Warbling Vireo singing. Orange-crowned Warbler + finches in oaks. Odocoileus & crossed highway and ran up N-facing slope opposite Pareky farm. Apr 16. Claremont Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. Clear warm day, 1:30 PM. Heard song of Olive-sided Flycatcher from eucalyptus at mouth of canyon - (first record this year)
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Species accounts
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KDixon 1948 2. hophortyx californica Oct. 3. Bear Cr., 2 mi. NNW Orinda, Contra Costa Co., Calif. Noted flock of 13 (♀♀♂) foraging in grassy field at edge of oak woods. One ♀ chased by 2 others simultaneously, the pursuit through the flock following a circular course. Chase occurred when bird walked out of trees toward flock. Overcast; misty rain; calm. Oct. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. (Reported by A.H. Miller on Oct. 4): "Half-grown quail" taken in sparrow trapping operations. Bird appeared to have been hatched "early in September." Nov 21. ½ mi S, 1 mi E Lafayette, Contra Costa Co., Calif. At ± 9:30 AM (daylight saving time) noted large flock perhaps 4 dozen quail at edge of road moving into walnut orchard. Took one bird, a juv ♀ prepared as skin #306 (ovary preserved). Clear, cool day, wind strong from east. Stirton Ranch, 2½ mi. SE Lafayette, Contra Costa Co., Calif. on shaded W-W facing Baccharis - Rhamnus - plus patch 4-5 acres in extent & jumped a flock of ±50 hophortyx. Birds moved away from me on foot whenever I entered brush and flew individually from peripheral "peninsulas" of brush entering grassland. I took several shots but obtained no birds. Time 11:00 AM 'til 12:15 PM.
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KDixon 1948. 3. Lophortyx california Dec 17. Stirton Ranch, 2 1/2 mi. SE Lafayette, Contra Costa Co., Calif. Off to a dirt start from Berkeley, accompanied by Hank Childs and Joe Cornell. Roads, almost impassable because of recent rains - ground very soft with grass sprouting. Had been completely overcast all day but no rain, and dead calm in late afternoon. Arrived at Ranch at 5:40 PM, found no one at home and walked over hill to N-S trending draw where we had hunted on Nov. 21. We split up and I proceeded to circle brush patch where I had flushed quail before. Passerines such as Chamaea, Hyllocichla, Pipilo maculatus etc: were calling but I heard no quail. Gathering dusk at 6:05 I heard Timophila rufescens call and then heard pit pit notes of quail along streambed (lower on slope than where I had been hunting). One or two birds flew from live oaks in which they were roosting but collecting was impossible. We left area at 6:20 PM - others didn't succeed in collecting any specimens.
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Dixon 1948 Calypso anna Dec 28, 3 mi SE Boulevard, +3400 ft., San Diego Co., Calif. Area of chaparral at base of steep rocky hill. Adenostoma fasciculatum, A. sparsifolium, scrub oak, manzanita, juniper, yucca (2 sp) 12:00 noon (daylight saving time). Clear, sunny, breeze SSW from E. Heard the "bump" noise of bottom of dive of hummingbird coupled with "song" of this species. Bird not seen although dive was repeated several times.
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K'Dixon 1949 Calyptra anna Mch.6. Univ. Calif. Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. Thin, high overcast; calm. Area south of Memorial Stadium with hedges of a low shrubby plant perhaps Ericaceous (small magenta berries) except for a small live oak and several small conifers. At 11:56 noted [illegible] hummingbird perched on branch of a pinon-like pine tree some 8-9 ft in height, the particular perch 15-18 inches below the top of this tree. This male was singing for a few seconds and then remained silent. Another male flew up from the shrubs on the bank below and took the uppermost perch in the pine. From a distance of about 20 feet the gorgets of both [illegible] were visible. Both birds remained for 2 minutes, both silent and inactive. The bird from the lower perch took flight proceeding north over the rim of the Stadium. The second flew westward toward sorority houses. Both returned in one minute, the same perches being occupied. The lower bird left and the second remained, singing for 20 seconds. The first returned to the empty tree, scanned the lower perch, and sang. The second returned after [illegible] 2 min., singing in flight but silent upon perching. Thereafter the birds left alternately on short flights with little singing taking place. There was no intolerance shown nor
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K Dixon 1949 Calyptra anna 2. Mch 6. Univ. Calif. Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. any evidence of disturbance on the part I are bird when the other flew in to its perch, although neither bird sang from the perch in the presence of the other. As far as M. Williamson and I could determine there was no exchange of perches although two perches were occupied by the bird which occupied the lower part of the tree. Mch 13. 10:25 AM clear calm. One ♂ Anna Hummer occupied perch in top of pine. Hummer took one short circling flight and returned, then flew to telephone wires 30 yards away and sang when Scrub Jay flew into pine to perch. Second ♂ not in evidence. Aug 20. Oakland, Alameda Co., Calif. Noted ♂ Anna Hummer which sings frequently from wires in our back yard (314 Atlantic Ave) chase another hummer of undetermined she or sex. Pursuit took place around a live oak tree twice; shortly afterward the ♂ returned to perch on the wire, singing (bzee bzee of alternating inflection)
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NDixon 1949 Dendrocopos pubescens Mar 13. Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. Noted woodpecker drumming on leafless maple tree on Bancroft Way at noon. Mar 26. Strawberry Canyon, Univ. Calif. Campus, Alameda Co., Calif. 9:00 clear calm morning. Heard woodpecker drumming in oaks N of Strawberry Pool; bird gave or whinny. About 9:15 a ♂ flew into dead willow where creek enters culvert above pool. This ♂ drummed, usually on protruding pieces of dead bark which provided better “sounding boards,” as shown → The bird also foraged. Calls given were a sharp pick and the whinny. After 3 minutes the bird gave another whinny and flew downstream in a direction leading slightly to south of the streamcourse. Apparently this post marked the eastern extent of this male's territory (written from memory Mar 27). Apr 2. 9:15 - noted ♂ actively foraging in elderberry, oak, willow near dead alder on creek opposite Poetry Fawnhome. Bird definitely ♂ gave whinny on two occasions – no evidence of ♀.
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KDixon 1949 Empidonax difficilis Mch 25. Univ. Calif. Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. Clear morning, 9:00 AM. Heard song of ♀ in oaks and laurels along Strawberry Creek below Cowell Hospital, the first song or record of the species this year. Apr 9. Wildcat Ln, Contra Costa Co., Calif. - flycatchers heard along creek (willow - oak - alder) throughout morning - secretive one seen high in alder at 10:30 - call & song alternated. Strawberry Canyon, Univ. Calif. Campus, Alameda Co., Calif. 5:30 PM, cool, calm, clear. Watched flycatcher for 10 minutes as it foraged in willow valley along creek, sallying after insects in open and also among branches of willow. Bird gave a dry note chit repeatedly while perched and typical species of rising inflection only 5-6 times during this period. No complete song.
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K. Dixon 1948 Parus inornatus Nov. 26. Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. 8:30 AM (D.S.T.) clear cool morning, wind from N, 5 mph. Heard whistled song sweet sweet sweet [[slowly at first and definitely 2 parts to each phrase. Shortly afterward the bird accelerated the song to sweet sweet, losing the 2-parted effect. I never saw the bird which sang from a Monterey pine at Bancroft & Piedmont although I tried to "whistle it" down to where I stood. Song was continued steadily for fully 3 minutes. Then the bird apparently moved to a point ± 50 yards NW from which song was faintly heard. No other titmice were present or at least no notes were heard. This area shared & well within the territory of the pair of birds which nested in a maple may 1948 75 yards down Bancroft, (nest from which nestling fell to street) although these birds may no longer be alive. Nov. 27. Heard titmouse singing in same locality at 07:45 (DST) same song as first heard yesterday. Weather conditions the same. Bird apparently in acacia S of house on NW corner Bancroft & Piedmont. At 8:20 the bird was singing from elderberry beside pine used as perch yesterday. At 08:50 the titmouse song was heard from trees on SW corner of intersection. Bird apparently alone.
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A Dixon 1948 Parus inornatus Nov 30 Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. Clear, cold morning, 8:30 AM (1/2 hr. after sunrise) Heard titmouse singing "Peter Peth" song from poplar(ornamental) on SW corner of Bancroft & Piedmont streets. Bird apparently alone ( no answering calls). Dec 10. Heard same bird singing at 8:45 AM (spewich song). Bird had sung at 8:05 (time of Sunrise) yesterday AM in same locality. Dec 13. 8:30AM rainy morning. Heard song in same area two notes "sweet sweet" and then a single note (the same) alternated. Dec 17. Song heard momentarily at 8:30 AM - same as noted above. Dec 18. Clear morning - 8:15 - titmouse giving sicaloe calls from Arancania tree at NW corner (Piedmont & Bancroft). Bird apparently alone again, called more vigorously at my crude imitation of whistled song, dropped lower in tree and did pendulum in the dim light from peering at me from directly overhead. Bird then flew over to adjacent tree. Two Regulus calendula present. 9:00 AM - titmouse on telephone wire 50 yds W (near nest tree 1948) singing "Spewich Spewid" Bird flew to Redwood on S side of Bancroft, still alone. I departed from Berkeley this date and so couldnt follow this case further.
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{ "text": "K Dixon\n1949\n\nParus rufescens\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n [TRANSCRIPTION_TRUNCATED_DUE_TO_LOOP]
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ADixon 1949 Parus inornatus Jan.6 Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. Clear day, slightly warmer after a cold spell but frost still on ground. Heard titmouse singing in campus area between College Ave and Piedmont Ave immediately south of Cowell Hospital. Song "sweet sweet sweet" Singer possibly the one which sang in November and early December about 100-150 yards to SE. Time of observation 8:30 AM (about 1 hour after sunrise). Lower campus, NW of Museum, 9:00 AM Heard Titmouse sing "sweet sweet sweet" song several times, mate responding with "sichadee" call. Jan 7. No calls nor song heard along Piedmont Ave. at 8:45 AM. At 12:00, bird was singing peter peter song in laurels opposite neat maple used in 1948. Jan 10. Heard song spewick spewick in area N of Bancroft Ave (same territory) a few minutes prior to 8 AM. Clear, cold (ice on ground). Jan 15. No song heard during past 2 mornings. At 4:45 PM heard sichadee dee calls from area in center of block bounded by Piedmont & College north of Bancroft. calls given persistently - Titmouse in feathery-topped acacia in vacant lot - fear calls given alternately whenever I moved in area beneath tree. I saw another bird present but did not definitely identify it as a second titmouse. Jan 16. Song heard south of Bancroft at intersection with Piedmont ave at 8:30 AM. I looked for answer to North
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KB Dixon 1949. Parus inornatus 2. Jan 16. Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. But heard none. At 9:30, one titmouse in magnolia tree on NW corner, gave fear call, did perdulum display or alarm reaction and flew NW around house. No evidence of second titmouse present. 2 Regulus calendula in tree location of titmouse Jan 15. x College Location Jan 16-9:30 x Redmont Bancroft * (Jan 17-8:45) International House Bancroft 1948 nest site in maple Jan 17. Titmouse singing from acacia tree at 8:15 on Bancroft St. (location marked on chart..... song spewick spewick always 2 phrases. At 9:00 AM, song peter peter peter heard from area about 75 yards S of Cowell Hospital. Did not seen. Jan 18. 4:45 PM - overcast, calm. Titmouse in acacia S of 1948 nest site. Calling siddee dee repeatedly but I heard no answer such as a mate would give. Apparently this individual still unmated. Possibly the acacia along Bancroft Ave are one of the roost sites of this individual as it was moving in dense foliage.
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3. A.Dixon 1949 Parus inornatus Jan 20. Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. About 8:15 AM heard bird singing in area approx 75 yards S of Cowell Hospital. In early afternoon Titmouse in eucalyptus NW Main library on U.C. Campus was singing clear peter peter peter, the accent distinctly on the first syllable of each phrase. Jan 29. 9:30 AM - Titmouse giving general call from area 20 yards NW 1948 nest site on Bancroft Way (see p. 2). Bird apparently alone. I have not heard song from this area for several days. Jan 30. 8:30 - song "sweet sweet sweet" heard from south side of International House. Feb 3. Song pa beat -- given from acacias mid way down Bancroft Ave on N side at 8:15 AM - bird then gave siskadee call, apparently alone. Feb 7th Male singing peter peter peter (very rapidly given) from leafless tree of S side of Bancroft ave. Another titmouse present in the same tree, presumably his new mate, the first indication of renating in this territory that I have seen. Time 8:10 AM. (see map, page 2). Feb 19. Strawberry Canyon, U.C Campus, Alameda Co., Calif, 9:30 AM Clear calm. Noted Titmouse (banded aluminum left leg, yellow/orange red on right) (F 12) of Territory 12(1948) west of Poetry lab - Pair along slope to W & singing in oaks, unbanded. Boundary the same as 1948 although pair to west.
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KDixon 1949 Parus inornatus Feb 18. Strawberry Canyon, Univ Calif Campus, Alameda Co., Calif. are different individuals. Mar 12. Univ. Calif. Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. 8:05 AM - high overcast; calm. Noted pair of titmice inspecting old Cliff Swallow nests above SE entrance to Life Sciences Bldg. One bird seemed to be inspecting more nests, although merely peering into entrance while clinging to nest. The other, entirely independent of the first, was active about the nests some 20 feet away and peered into one in the minute or so that I watched. I judged the latter to be a male. Soft "conversational" notes were given by the birds intermittently. No Cliff Swallows in area. Mar 15. Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. BE 7 - 4135 Received a titmouse found dead in garden at 2411 March 14. Hillside Ave by Mrs. FF Hall of Bird banded by me (41- 39593) near Botanical Garden June 1, 1947 as juvenile. It was a 8" weighing 16.2 gm. Apparent cause of death a broken neck and blood clots on brain, possibly the result of collision or perhaps being struck by another bird. Left testis measured 6 mm x 4 mm, right testis of equal size but disintegrating. Bird had traveled an air line distance of ± 1150 yards from point of banding. (Mr Hall on Apr 8 stated that neither he nor his wife had seen this individual prior to finding it dead).
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K Dixon 1949 Parus inornatus 5. Apr. 2 Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. + 8:30 AM - clear, cool, calm. Mule singing in oak uplope from elderberry at 55 Canyon Rd. Song sweet sweet sweet repeated (3 or 4 phrases) for several minutes; then began general call notes - scoolding answer from nest then I flew out of cavity in elderberry and into Pittosporum (?) nearby. Both? flew into oaks to NE. The cavity behind cut off stub in elderberry is the same site used for nest by titmice in his territory during 1947 and 1948. Neither bird banded. Class inspected nest - Archie Mossman counted 7 eggs. Bird returned to nest by way of several perches in elderberry - carried clump of cottony substance; remained inside Noted pair of titmice active in alders along creek opposite Poultry Farm residence - ? sang from tree adjacent to alder snag where birds nested last year. K.H. Whew observed copulation, ? banded blue above aluminum on left leg - (? of same territory in 1948). Elderberry cavity 5 ft.
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K Dixon 1949. Parus inornatus 6. Apr 9 Wildcat Cr, Contra Costa Co, Calif. 1:20 AM - H.E. Clies pointed out nest of titmice in willow on E bank of creek 50 ft below culvert under road, upstream from tennis courts. This cavity +/- 9 feet above ground was one which was used by a pair of titmice in 1948. One bird flew into tree and left only disturbed by people; a bird later entered hole and did not reappear; simultaneously o sang from oak to E. Presumably nesting well underway. Apr 9, Berkeley Alameda Co, Calif. Titmouse near corner of Bancroft and Piedmont began singing at 5:08 AM (relatively early for this species) This individual has been singing a great deal for the past 2-3 weeks and during this period has appeared alone - probably has lost second mate since November.
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K.Dixon 1949 Sitta canadensis Apr. 8. Univ. Calif. Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. Clear mild day, 1:00 PM. Heard 'enk enk enk' call several times from branch of eucalyptus free about 20 feet overhead - (tree at NW entrance of Life Sciences Bldg). Bob Rudd and I located bird which had stopped calling and was charching at an angle about 45° from the vertical taking mouthfuls of wood out of dead portion of horizontal branch. Excavation was such that bird could insert entire head into the cavity. The bird ceased digging after several minutes, flew to another branch, called 'enk enk enk', and flew across the stream to N, continuing to call from another perch there. From the light color of breast, I'd judge this bird to be ♀. No evidence of male in vicinity.
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NDixon 1949 Ixoreus naevius Jan 6. Univ. Calif. Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. Clear morning, frost on ground. 9:00 AM. Was surprised to see two Varied Thrushes on the lawn N of the museum. Robins also present seemingly paying no attention to the thrushes. Foraging of the latter in this instance was similar to that of the Robin, the birds running forward a few steps, stop[pi]ng to listen or to pick at some object. Howard Cogswell mentioned that the two birds had been present for several days since onset of a recent cold wave. Jan 17. Noted one Varied Thrush at edge of lawn north side of MVZ at 1:30 PM - clouding in from NW, weather warmer in past week.
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R. Dixon 1948 49? Carpodacus mexicanus Jan. 27. Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. Heard typical bubbling song of the House Finch in courtyard of International House, the first song I have heard this year.
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K.Dixon 1948 Pipilo fuscus Dec 23. [illegible] Dulzura, +/-1300 ft., San Diego Co., Calif. Area of rather steep rolling hills with small Creek descending steadily through valley opening to southward. Live oaks and a few sycamores along stream course with scattered shrubs beneath trees. Dirt road paralleling W side of stream apparently had acted for firebreak in fire which appeared to have been 2 years ago. Hills to east covered principally with Eriogonum fasciculatum 2-3 ft high. Burned over slopes covered with Lotus scoparia & grasses and scattered Rhus laurina and Salvia apiana, both with dead branches rising above renewed foliage. Clearing weather, soil most wet. In area (accompanied by Paul Dehnell) 3:15 - 4:30 PM. Ran across one pair in oaks along stream; I missed one bird and took the other. Further down the road we ran into another pair, both birds in some upslope - apparently they were out of range for #8 & #9 shells. Once they were fired at the birds took cover and could not be flushed. Members of a pair called (apparently to each other) in a hard chip, seeming to my ear to be sharper and more metallic than the call of birds in Berkeley. In returning up the road we ran across another pair in Rhus bushes upstream from where first bird taken. Dehnell took one
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KDixon 1948 Pipilo fuscus 2. Dec. 23 7 mi. S Dulzura, ±1300 ft., San Diego Co., Calif. (#315), the other disappearing. Farther up the road, 2 towhees flew up from the 1-ft high Lotus to perch & in dead upper branches of a sumac. I shot one and Dehnel wounded the other which had flown to the adjacent Rhus. I took the latter as he went after a Calif. Jay in the nearby oaks. Those birds were mixed in Dehnel's coat pockets but I believe that they were my numbers 313+314. (See Journal account for this date). Dec 28. 3 mi SE Boulevard, ±3400 ft., San Diego Co., Calif. Area of open chaparral (Adenostoma fasciculatum A. sparsifolium, principally; also Ceanothus marginata, yucca mohavensis + whipplei, juniper, scrub oak). at south base of rocky hill. Wind strong ENE from E. 1200 AM (DST) Pair of towhees flushed, the birds flying without giving call notes. Later Dehnel shot one in a red-stalk brush. I heard another call (a sharp "chip") from higher on slope but did not see the bird which kept to cover & didn't call again. In area 11:25-12:40 - spotted Towhees not heard. 1 mi W Campo, 2500 ft., San Diego Co., Calif. Chaparral chiefly Adenostoma fasciculatum 3ft high + scrub oak with scattered live oak trees. This area on NW bank of Campo Creek appeared to have been burned over 3 or 4 years ago. I heard a Brown Towhee call "chip" from
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KDixon 1948 Pipilo fuscus 3. Dec 28. 1 mi W Campo, 2500 ft., San Diego Co., Calif. Idenostoma as I fired at a jay. Bird silent thereafter. 50 yds to SE I flushed a bird which flew to a nearby knoll. I squeaked & it moved up into a buckwheat bush. I collected this bird, #320. I could locate no other Brown Towhees in this area but I called up one Spotted Towhee. Dec 30. Alvarado Canyon, 1 mi N, 4 mi W La Mesa, San Diegolo, Calif. Area about 1 mi E of junct'n with San Diego River. Canyon bottom flat, about 200 yards across. Several shallow ponds; scattered sycamore along the several brook courses. Vegetation of scattered arrow willow (Baccharis wiminea) and another composite of similar growth form 3-4 ft high. Scattered Phus laurina, Prunus ilicifolia and other chaparral species. Worked along base of south facing slope (Artemesia - Eriogonum - Phus laurina) but heard no towhees (5:15-5:30). Went out into flat area with arrow willow & Eriogonum when I heard Brown Towhees there. I also clock on one pair calling a distinct chip to each other. One bird flew to sumac 20 yds away, always keeping to cover. I saw its mate(?) on ground 30 ft from where first had flown - bird quick to dash for cover. I heard the first call and saw it fly up into sumac. I fired load of P2 a probable 35 yard shot & bird flew up. I didn't get shot
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K Dixon 1948 Pipilo fuscus Dec. 30 Alvarado Canyon, 1 mi N, 4mi W La Mesa, San Diego Co., Calif. at any other birds and left area at 5:50.
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KDixon 1949 Pipilo fuscus Feb.13. Univ Calif Campus Berkeley, Alameda, Calif. Noted one individual of pair which I usually see on the north side of MVZ chase a Spotted Towhee and later an Oregon Junco which approached as Brown Towhee was foraging on lawn. Mid- morning (Recorded at later date) Mar 13. 8:05 AM. Noted Banded Brown Towhee chase a pair of Spotted Towhees from open lawn into shrubbery 30 feet away and then saw a Brown Towhee follow a spotted as it flew to another clump of shrubbery some 20 feet beyond, area of parking lot S of Life Sciences Bldg. Apr. 10 Same loc. 3:40 PM - clear calm. Noted towhee on concrete ramp on west side of steps at N Entrance to Life Science Bldg. Bird held eucalyptus leaf in bill, the leaf rolled into a circular band. A second towhee emerged from shrubbery or ground beneath shrubbery on east side of wall and flew toward first bird carrying twig with 2 leaves on it. Second landed on ramp ± 2 feet from first, both dropped leaves and gave loud call "sccur scc-uu sccuu" (the "pair-reinforcement" call - N.E. Childs)
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Dixon, K.L. Arizona, April 19-May 1, 1949 Catalog nos. 336-384 Plant catalog Journal Species accounts
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KRixon 1949 Catalogue Cassadero Spring, Cassadero Springs, 23mi. ENE Globe, 4050ft, Gila Co., Ariz. April 20 336 ♀ Microthene whitneyi Largest ovum 2mm Ovary 9mm x 8mm wt. 49.2 gm. April 21 337 ♂ Vireo belli Testis 5mm. x 4mm. wt. 8.1 gm. 338 ♂ Vermivora luciae Testis 6mm x 4mm wt. 5.5 gm. Ovary 12mm 339 ♀ Richmondena cardinalis largest ovum 2mm wt. 42.7 gm. ovary 9mm 340 ♀ Dendrocopos scalaris largest ovum 2mm 31.4 gm 341. ♂ Tyrannus vociferans Testis 3mm 42.1 gm. Sawmill, 27mi. NE Globe, 5600ft, Gila Co., Ariz. Apr. 21: 342. ♂ Otus flammeolus - Testis 5 mm. 59.0gm Apr 22. 343. ♀ Dendroica gracei ovary 4mm 7.4 gm. 344 ♂ Myiarchus cinerascens Testis 4mm 26.8 gm. 345 ♂ Balanophyra formicivora Testis 4mm x 2mm 65.7 gm largest ovum 1.5mm 346 ♀ Aphelocoma ultramarina Ovary 12mm x 9mm 131.1 347 ♂ " " Testis 15mm x 10 mm. 142.5 348 ♂ Otus flammeolus Testis 6mm 63.2gm April 23 349 ♂ Parus wollweberi Testis 5mm 10.8 gm. 350 ♂ Sitta carolinensis Testis 6mm x 7mm 17.5 gm. 351 ♂ Spizella passerina Testis 5mm 10.5 gm. 352 ♂ Balanophyra formicivora Testis 10mm. 72.4gm. 353 ♂ Aphelocoma ultramarina " 10 mm. 136.5 skull only 354 Canis latrans pick up
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Catalogue 355. Sceloporus 356 ♂ Thyromanes bewicki Testis 6 mm. 10.0 gm. 357 ♂ Tyrannus vociferans " 6 " 42.3 gm. Brood patch 358 ♀ Cyanocitta stelleri Ova 11mmx7mm, largest 2mm 96.8gm 359 ♂ Aphelocoma ultramarina Testis 14mm 128.0gm *360 ♂ " " " 15 " 130.6 gm. largest ovum 3mm. 361 ♀ " " Ova 13mm x 7mm. 132.2 gm. 362 ♂ Tyrannus vociferans Testis 3 mm. 46.4gm April 25 363 Cro talus 364 ♂ Empidonax fulvifrons Testis 3mm. 8.7 gm. 365 ♂ Setophaga picta " 6 mm. 9.3 gm. 366. ♂ Vireo solitarius " 4 mm. 14.3 gm. 367. ♂ Accipiter atricapillus Testis 15mm x 5mm. 781.1gm. 368 ♀ Cyanocitta stelleri largest ovum coll. by 7 mm. F.A. Pitelka 125.8 gm. April 26. skull only 369 Erithizon pick up 8 mi. S Whiteriver, 6100 ft, Navajo Co., Arizona April 27 370 Sceloporus 371 ♂ Parus wollweberi Testis 4mm. 10.5gm. 372 ♂ Sitta carolinensis " 6 mm. 18.1 gm. Non breeding 373 ♀ Aphelocoma ultramarina Ovary 6mm x 4mm. 120.6gm. April 28 Ovary 5mm x 3mm Brood patch {374 ♀ Parus inornatus Had laid oviduct reading 15.7 gm. {375 ♂ " " Testis 6 mm 15.9 gm.
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K Dixon 1949 Catalogue 5 8 mi S White river, 6100 ft, Navajo Co, Arizona April 28 376 ♂ Parus inornatus Testis 7 mm. Ova 10mm / 5mm 16.5 gm. 377 ♀ Lanius ludovicianus Largest ovum 1mm. Fat 48.9 gm. 378 ♂ Aphelocoma coerulescens Testis 10 mm x 5mm. 76.6 gm. Skel 379 ♂ ad " " Testis 9mm x 6mm 71.6 gm. Ovary 10 mm x 4mm 380 ♀ Aphelocoma ultramarina non-breeding 122.7gm. Testis 40 mm x 20 mm 381 ♂ Sylvilagus 398-76-99-83 1014.0 gm 382 ♀ Spizella passerina ovary 4mm very fat 15.0 gm. largest ovum 2 mm. 383 ♀ Colaptes cafer ovary 10mm x 7mm 128.7gm April 29 384 ♀ Vireo solitarius ovary 6 mm. 16.7 gm.
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KDixon 1949 Plant Catalogue Sawmill, 27 mi. NE Globe, 5600 ft., Gila Co., Arizona April 26. 380 Quercus (grisea liebrn) growing on sunny slopes - chief associate Juniperus with scattered yellow pine. Tree 10-20 ft high. Bark whitish, checks in a rectangular pattern. 1 mi. S Salt River, Gila Co., Arizona April 26 381 Ceanothus (greggii A May) steep, rocky slopes above the river (1 mi. S of settlement) - piñon-juniper, oak oak (#383) 382 Ceanothus (greggii A May) as above 383 Quercus (turbinella Greene) as 381, 382 384 mallow (coll. by F.A. Pitelka) as above 8 mi. S White River, 6100 ft., Navajo Co., Arizona April 28 385 Quercus (gambeli Nutt.) 386 Ribes (cereum Doygl.) 387 Amelanchier (utahensis Koehne) 388 Quercus (grisea Liebrn) 389 Juniperus (pachyphloea Torr.) on N E facing slope with Pinus monophylla, P. ponderosa Quercus determined by J.M. Tucker May 5, 1949 Others " " MA Nobs June 8, 1949
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K Dixon 1949 Species noted in Journal pages 16-35 Amphibia - 17, 22, 30 Sceloporus - 20, 25, 31 Crotalus - 26 Sciurus aberti 30 Citellus 22, 26 Eutamias 22, 26, 27 Peromyscus 27 Thomomys 22 Erethizon 28 Sylvilagus 20, 22, 31, 33 Lepus 22, 25, 31, 33 Bats 17, 24 Peccary 20, 22 Mule Deer 28, 30 White-tailed Deer 28 Elk 30 Coyote 24 Turkey Vulture 21 Goshawk 27 Osprey 28 Sparrow Hawk 18, 29, 32 Gambel Quail 18 Turkey 23, 25, 27, 30, 31, 33 Band-tailed Pigeon 23, 25, 27 Mourning Dove 21, 25, 27, 33 Screech Owl 17, 19, 32 Flammulated Screech Owl 19, 21, 22, 26, 30 (+ Species acc't)
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K Dixon 1949 Species noted in Journal pages 16 - 35 ELF OWL 17, 32, 34 (t Species acc't) Red-shafted Flicker 21, 25, 27, 30, 34 Acorn Woodpecker 20, 23, 27, 33 Lewis Woodpecker 29 Sapsucker 27 Hairy Woodpecker 21, 23, 24, 25, 32, 33 Ladder-backed Woodpecker 18 Western Kingbird 33 Cassin Kingbird 18, 24, 26, 27, 29, 32, 35 Ash-throated Flycatcher 20, 25 Buff-breasted Flycatcher 26 Empidax sp. 31 Vermillion Flycatcher 18 Horned Lark 29 Violet-green Swallow 27, 31, 33, 34 Purple Martin 21, 27, 33 Steller Jay 22, 24, 27, 30 Scrub Jay 31, 33 (t Species acc't) Arizona Jay 20, 23, 25, 27, 31 ( " ) Crow 32 Raven 33 Pine Jay 31 Mountain Chickadee 30 Plain Titmouse 23, 31, 32, 34 (t species acc't) Bridled Titmouse 22, 23, 25, 27, 30, 31, 34 ( " ) White-breasted Nuthatch 23, 25, 31 Pygmy Nuthatch 21, 30 Bewick Wren 21, 25
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KDixon 1949 Species noted in Journal pages 16-35 Canyon Wren 18 Rock Wren 18 Robin 30 Western Bluebird 22, 33 Blue-gray Goatcatcher 34 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 23, 31, 33 Loggerhead Shrike 32 Bell Vireo 17 Solitary Vireo 27 Virginia Warbler 33 Lucy Warbler 18 Audubon Warbler 18, 23, 31, 34 Black-throated Gray Warbler 21, 25, 27, 31 Grace Warbler 21, 27, 34 Painted Redstart 27 Hooded Oriole 18 Bullock Oriole 18, 33 Western Tanager 34 Cardinal 17 Black-headed Grosbeak 25, 34 Arkansas Goldfinch 18 House Finch 18 Green-tailed Towhee 34 Spotted Towhee 21, 34 Lark Sparrow 29 Junco sp. 21, 23 Chipping Sparrow 21, 23, 25, 33, 34
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NDixon 1949 Journal Apr. 19. Enroute from Berkeley Hameda Co., to Needles, San Bernardino Co, Calif. left Berkeley at 5:30 AM accompanying F.A. Pitelka and W.C. Russell in the Chevrolet panel pick-up truck. Slightly overcast, increasing as we drove south; the day remained gray and bleak with little sun until late afternoon. We drove through Walnut Creek to Tracy and Modesto and then to Bakersfield, arriving there at 12:30. After lunch we drove east via Baistow to Needles, arriving at about 7:15 PM. Apr 20. Enroute from Needles, San Bernardino Co., Calif. to San Carlos, Gila Co., Calif. left Needles shortly after 6:00 AM, driving to Blythe and east to Phoenix by 1:00 PM. After car repairs left at 3:00 arriving at Globe about 5:00 PM. After short pause we drove to San Carlos, an Indian settlement and then climbed upward into the plateau country. We made camp about 7:00 PM at Cassadero Spring, 23 mi ENE Globe, 4050 ft, Gila Co., Ariz. The spring arises just above the point where the road crosses the stream course; several pipes lead from the spring. It is in a narrow north-south trending canyon lined with cottonwood, sycamore, walnut, and Celtis trees; occasional willow and Prosopis trees are there and I saw 2 oaks about 75 yrs. upstream from the spring. The spring gives rise to a brook which varies from 1-2 feet in width. This camp lies at the lowermost limit of the pinon-juniper-oak association. It is on the San Carlos (Apache) Indian
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K Dixon 1949 Journal Apr. 20 Cusadero Spring, 23 mi. ENE Globe, 4050 ft., Gila Co., Calif. Reservation which is heavily grazed as evidenced by comparison to occasional enclosures. (Elevation at spring taken from bench marks). There is a cabin and 3 fireplaces & concrete tables there. The Celtis, sycamore, and walnut trees were beginning to leaf out, showing a lag in comparison to conditions at lower elevations. The wind was calm and temperature warm. A late flow over the camp but flight was not begun until darkness had pretty well set in. Amphibian voices were not heard and search along the brook was not successful. In a distance of perhaps 20 yards I saw 4 anuran larvae (without hind legs); in each case they sought rather slow moving water and sandy bottom. Efforts to catch same were unsuccessful. Two types of owls were present, Elf Owl and Spotted Screech Owl. Russell took 3 of the former and one of the latter. I took one Elf Owl (No 336) Apr. 21. Hunted in the area within 50 yards upstream from camp from 6:25 - 7:30 AM, P. Kella & Russell moving downstream in the taller cottonwoods. I took a singing & Bell Vireo in celtis(?) tree (# 337); no mate in evidence. I noted a ? Cardinal carrying nest material into a leafless shrub and later collected her (# 339). (Brood patch beginning to form). No male in evidence. The nest consisted of a shallow ring of twigs; it was about 3 feet above ground and was screened by a wild cucumber vine. The bird was carrying an oak leaf when taken. I walked about 75 yards upstream where junipers line the rocky canyon
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K Dixon 1949 Journal Apr. 21 Cassadero Spring, 23 mi. ENE Globe, 7050 ft., Gila Co. Ariz. walls. Heard a Rock Wren here where a Canyon Wren had been calling the night before. Lucy Warblers were rather abundant in the walnuts and sycamores as were Audubon Warblers in breeding plumage. I took one singing ♂ Lucy Warbler (#338) midway up in a walnut tree. Heard a woodpecker drumming and saw a ladder back in hackberry - another flying from nearby and both flew across the brook. The ♂ was in a hackberry there and as I flew to him, he flew back across the brook. She moved up to the highest vertical branchlet and I took her (#346) The male drummed again from same tree as before but flew downstream. Several Cassin Kingbirds were in area and I shot at one in bushes up slope - this bird flew north calling as if angrily in flight, returning to perch in a tall walnut. No gave note "Kee-clear" and a longer call which I did not record. I took him from that perch (#341). Other birds seen: Wooded Oriole - paired; two pairs along creek showed no territorial behavior (F.A. Pitelka reported evidence to contrary; I saw chase with orioles unidentified) Bullock Oriole - one ♂ seen - no song. Green-backed Goldfinch - heard Sparrow Hawk - ♂ calling flew overhead, perched nearby Yambel Quail - common in area - "cow" and me "assembly" type call heard. House Finch - heard several times Vermilion Flycatcher - ♂ seen descending in slow flight
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KDixon 1949 Journal Apr 21. Cusadero Spring, 23 mi. ENE Globe, 7050 ft., Gila Co., Ariz. with fluttered wingbeats from tall cottonwood Departed at 8:00 AM and drove north toward Sawmill. Noted transition toward more dense shading of junipers, first on N-facing slopes & then general; oak appeared in canyon bottoms and mesquite etc. dropped out. Pines appeared soon with oak widespread with undershrub of (antinus & scmt oak. We continued climbing into yellow pine belt at top of plateau and arrived at Sawmill. We consulted Mrs Smith, wife of Indian Service grazing consultant, drove W to Murky Spring and then back to set up camp east of Smith residence. Sawmill, 27 mi NE Globe, 5600 ft., Gila Co., Ariz. Pocket of almost pure stand of Pinus ponderosa along creek bed on top of plateau. Oaks on low hills to north. back I underbrush a conspicuous feature of the forest. Has not been grazed often. Largest pines run about 18" diameter. I accompanied Russell on owl hunting expedition which resulted in my collecting one Flammulated Screech Owl (#342) See species account. The time spent was from about 9:00 - 9:30 No noon. PM. We started Flammulated's calling (in response to Russell's imitation) Several Flammulated's answered and on two occasions what was apparently the same Spotted Screech Owl. Apr 22. Brisk cold morning, clear and calm. I left camp at 6:40 AM and proceeded up ridge to SW on which the sun was shining. As soon as I left the floor of the basin, the
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K'Dixon 1949 20. Journal April 22. Sawmill, 27 mi. NE Globe, 5600 ft., Gila Co., Ariz. Timber became mixed instead of pure yellow pine. On these rocky slopes (small rocks 1/2 - 2 ft.) and on the top of the ridge, which ran NW-SE, there was a mixed growth of yellow pine, blue? oak and juniper with scattered lower shrubs (scrub oak, manzanita, ceanothus, a pale juniper etc.). Height of the trees varied from 15 - 25 ft. with some of the yellow pines taller. Herbs of various sorts were in flower and Agave [illegible] and a few scattered Mammillaria (pinushian cactus) were present. Some of the juniper trunks showed evidence of previous fire, examining April 23 - merely marks of cracking of bark. Perhaps local. I hunted on ridge from 7:00 - 10:00 a.m. Noted 2 cottontails but didn't get a shot at either. [illegible] Saw deer pellets and an old track. Noted one small lizard running over pine needles, perhaps Sceloporus. Arizona Jay - collected a ? (#346) out of a flock of 5 birds and another bird (#347) out of a flock of about a dozen. In the mixed woodland, these birds remained in the taller yellow pines. The kee? calling to one another incessantly but were rather wary. Myiarchus cinerascens. I heard a flycatcher in the taller pines but was unable to see it, assuming it was a Cassin Kingbird from its voice. I shot a ? (#34) in a tall yellow pine as it was calling ke twee?. No others were about but I heard one downlope to west later. From Woodchucks: Quite a few individuals in the woodland - difficult to stalk - I took one which flew into a tree near where I stood.
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K Dixon 1949 Journal 21. April 22 Sawmill 27 mi NE Globe, 5600 ft, Gila Co., Ariz. Red-shafted Flicker - present; giving territorial kuh-kuh-kuh and rarely drumming - difficult to approach. Turkey Vulture - one flew overhead Black-throated Gray Warbler - common - singing in oaks; ?? also present. - sang throughout morning Bewick Wren - I called up a pair in woodland on sunny slope - area which I thought had sparse brush cover for this species - ? had sung rarely earlier. Purple Martin - overhead at irregular intervals. Tunics sp. - one singing at edge of clear strip indian; nothing further seen of him. Pygmy Nuthatch, - one noted in yellow pine Flammulated Screech Owl - one jumped in oak-juniper (#34B) See species account. Grace Warbler - next to Dendroica nigrescens in abundance. Male song ---- -- or --- --- similar in quality to D. nigrescens Spotted Towhee - 2 ?? seen 50 yards apart inside fenced area of ridge top where underbrush was heavier. Song:
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K Dixon 1949 22. Journal April 22. Sawmill, 27 mi NE Globe, 5600 ft, Gila Co., Ariz. Bridled Titmouse - song heard twice on ridge top. One singing individual seen in mixed woodland. Steller Jay - seen in basin in pure yellow pine stands. Western Bluebird - as above. Heard Flammulated Screech Owl calling 'coop or bo-boop' from top of snag in camp. Answer from area about due south of camp. I thought I caught a shine in the top of the tree and fired - nothing further heard & no owl seen - owl from woods to south still called. April 23. Clear calm. Hunted on ridge SW camp from 7:00-11:00 Am. This morning was noticeably warmer than last, the night having been warmer. Breeze from South after 9:00, ever more than 5 mph. I was again impressed with the dryness of this country - found wet sand at head of draw leading SW from ridge top - No amphibians taken here to date. Noted gopher workings some probably this morning. Saw one Jackrabbit and 2 cottontail rabbits. Saw a clintmunk very way, I have heard them but this was first sight of one. Saw a ground squirrel in rocks (large slab, outcroppings); animal did not seem especially wild so I did not take it. About 10:00 I was walking along flat top of ridge, (oak-juniper-pine, some low underbrush) I saw 3 wild boars or peccaries. They were standing in more or less linear order, apparently hesitant of what to do at my approach (I was downwind from them). The gruntet perhaps as means of keeping contact and one started
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KDixon 1949 Journal 23. April 23. Sawmill 27 mi. NE Globe, 5600 ft., Gila Co., Ariz. Trotting across an open space crossing the ridge. It stopped and looked at me, raising hair of its back, finally trotting onward slowly. A second started across and the third went in the opposite direction, I made a hissing noise and this second one bounded away downslope much as a deer would. The third crossed the ridge and apparently joined the others after I went south; they had kept contact by grunts and another call I did not record at the time. I spent some time chasing a Hairy Woodpecker without success. Collected a white-breasted Nuthatch (♂, #350) calling from a yellow pine branch; the only individual seen during the morning. Took an Acorn Woodpecker and an Arizona Jay, the latter a straggler from a large flock. I noted a Junco in scrubby oaks after 10:00; a Chipping Sparrow flew into an adjacent tree and commenced singing a trill from a strut. I collected this bird for a Junco. I followed Bridled Titmouse and took one at 11:00-(see Skeris account) No song nor calls of Plain Titmouse heard. Band-tailed Pigeon - heard and seen in mixed wood land; a pair flushed from pine near camp at sunset. Wild Turkey - one called (gobble) from ridge S of camp before sunrise - others on Spear bridge before 10:00 - one calling at sunset. Anderson Warbler - several seen, ♂ + ♀ Ruby-crowned Kinglet - song heard twice
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KDixon 1949 Journal April 23. Sawmill, 27 mi. NE Globe, 5600 ft., Gila Co., Ariz. Caris latrans - I found a skull in yellow pines of basin floor, a few feet from road. lower jaw still articulating to skull; probably not moved since death. Hairy Woodpecker - I started stalking individual which has been in area near on camp, following it as it shifted from one ponderosa to another. It was foraging about 60 feet up in a pine when suddenly it flew to another pine perhaps 20 yds. away - I missed the cue, but saw copulation occur on horizontal branch. Before I could maneuver into position to shoot, the ♂ flew to trees to west - I followed his flight, then went back only to see ♀ fly up slope to west following the ♂. (Time near to sunset). A bat flew through camp at dusk; we heard a click-ing noise characteristic of a bat at 8:30 along road. April 24. Clear calm morning. left camp about 6:10, walking along rocky creek bed across floor of basin. Was unable to find Hairy Woodpecker but collected Cassin Kingbird, one of 2 perched in snag at edge of meadow and a Steller Jay (#358). Returned to camp in half an hour and walked up slope to NE of camp. This hill was dry and rocky with oak and juniper 10-12 ft high the principal cover. Interspersed among these trees were shrubs, chiefly Cercocarpus now out in leaf. Yellow pines were not at all common; they occurred singly, most not more than 20-25 feet high.
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KDixon 1949 Journal April 24 Sawmill, 27 mi. NE Globe, 5600 ft., Gila Co. Ariz. Birds noted on this slope; 7:00 - 10:30: Wild Turkey - heard throughout morning, ? call? Cook Ash-throated Flycatcher - one at edge of clearing Chipping Sparrow - several pairs Bewick Wren - several pairs - most common passerine Arizona Jay - flock ± 12 Hendroica nigrescens several pairs White-breasted Nuthatch - one in yellow pine Red-shafted Flicker - heard Mourning Dove are flushed Bridled Titmouse - see species acc't. Breze from E came up after 7:30 - 5-6 mi/hr now intermittent. I was struck with the low density of birds here in comparison to the ridge SW camp. Noted several chipmunks and one jackrabbit. Collected a Sceloporus from a fallen log near the base of the hill about 10:30 - individual crawled up surface of logs, did "push-ups", then "froze" as I clicked chamber of shotgun closed. Heard a Black-headed Grosbeak at noon, perhaps a new arrival from the lowlands. There seemed to be more Bluebirds than usual in the evening. Brief thunder shower in mid-afternoon. Circled up through oak-juniper where I was this morning 6:00 - 6:45 - saw Hairy Woodpecker, Band-tailed Pigeon. Bewick Wren the only active singer. Found dead Arizona Jay which apparently had wounded
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K Dixon 1949 Journal 26. April 24. Sawmill, 27 mi. NE Globe, 5600 ft., Gila Co., Ariz. this morning. Dropped down into yellow pine for next half hour and collected Cassin Kingbird in dead snag. Sunset about 7:00. Heard first Flamm- ulated Screech Owl at 7:15. April 25. Clear early; later high clouds moved in from east - overcast by evening. Left camp at 6:30 proceeding west perhaps 1 mile beyond Heltz Ranger Station. I hunked along a rocky stream course until about 9:15. Vegetation chiefly yellow pine of good size (60-80 ft.); some blue oaks. The latter everywhere in this country seem to be yellowing as though about to shed leaves. Brook bottom rocky and sandy; occasional small pools remain. Some greasy openings were present, seldom more than 100-150 yards across. A few cattle were grazing in this area. Buff-breasted Flycatcher - one taken in small pine at edge of clearing - bird took short sallies for insects, call note whist repeated at short intervals. Crotalus - I nearly stepped on a coiled rattlesnake in hollow in sand beside which a pile of pine needles had been deposited by water action. It was 7:30 and the snake was cold; when prodded with a stick, it moved its head forward in rather an S-shaped position but didn't rattle tail. I took this snake with .22 gun. (#363) 6 rattles - 30" in length. Ground squirrels & chipmunks were in rocky outcrop
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27. NDixon 1949 Journal April 25 Sawmill, 27 mi. NE Globe, 5600 ft., Gila Co., Arizona a few yards away. Painted Redstart - one & collected in yellow pines . Bird gave a Black Phoebe - like note gleeb Bridled Titmouse - heard on sunny slope (oaks) Solitary Vireo - one taken, & giving disconnected series of song phrases. Russell reported seeing one yesterday. Wild Turkey - at 6:35 I saw an individual which I took to be a hen walking upstream from a pool in Candy Creek bottom - bird must have gone up since- crossed N-facing slope although track to water led from oak-covered S-facing slope. Examined small grove of Castanos - trees mostly about 4-6 inches in diameter and had no Sapauder drilling marks.. I proceeded up a draw leading to the south to investigate some screaming noises heard (I thought possibly a parrot). Found a dead Peromyscus, well decayed. I heard the call again and sawa Goshawk fly into a snag. I took this bird (& #367) crop contents not recognizable. Other birds present: Acorn Woodpecker, Arizona Jay, Pygmy Nuthatch, Grace & Black-throated Gray Warbler, Red-shafted Flicker, Violet-green Swallow, Purple Martin, Mourning Dove, Band-tailed Pigeon, Cassin Kingbird. Notably absent was Steller Jay. In walking back to camp I scared up a Chipmunk in rocks of retaining banks along road. The chipmunk ran along side of me, hiding, then resuming his flight for a brief distance of 25 yards.
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KDixon 1949 Journal 28. April 25. Sawmill, 27 mi. NE Globe, 5000 ft. Gle 60., Ariz. The chipmunk then ran along a fallen sapling perpendicular to the road and took a circular course back in the direction from which he had come. The distance 95 yards may represent minimum diameter of this individual's home range. See F.A. Pitelka's notes for complete bird list for locality. April 26. Calm warm morning after a warm night; completely overcast. Birds very quiet. We proceeded to break camp and left by 8:30 AM. I found a porcupine skull (cranium only) in sand beside the stream. Noted an Osprey on road below the ranger station. We drove NW on dirt road toward U.S. Hwy 60. As we went up out of basin we came into country which was largely juniper with some open grassland. Here and there we saw evidence that juniper is moving into clearings & meadows (result of disturbance). The reservation grazing advisor, Wallace E. Smith (trained at Colo. A&M), spoke of this matter as one of their problems. He anticipated difficulty in forcing the Araches to cut the numbers of stock down to a figure which would be compatible with sustained yield on grassland available. Smith said that the last cutting in this vicinity took place in 1934 & 1935. He seemed like a very reliable observer and a clear thinker on matters pertaining to his field although his knowledge of vertebrates is not extensive. He had seen few deer here (2 white-tails & one mule deer since Feb. 1, 1949) At one point along this road (Sycamore Tank)
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K Dixon 1949 Journal April 26. En route, Sawmill, Gila Co., to Globe Gila Co., Arizona. I noted hewis Woodpecker, Cowbird, Cassin Kingbird and lark Sparrows in willows or adjacent grassland. We drove along a plateau to Hwy 60 + turned S toward Globe. As we dropped lower, Pinons appeared and soon a chaparral of manzanita, scrub oak and ceanothus (+ other unidentified spp) along with pinon and juniper. Still lower down, the more open spacing & height of this association reminded me of desert foothills of Southern California. Arrived in Globe about 10:30. En route Globe Gila Co., Ariz. to Whitewater, left Globe about 12:30 via Hwy 60. We stopped at Salt River Canyon where I collected several plant specimens. After rising out of the canyon we came into pinon juniper country in nearly pure culture. We turned off the Hwy at Canizo + took a dirt road into Whitewater. New on Fort Apache Indian Reservation, we saw evidence of clearing of majority of juniper trees in several fields some at least at edges of natural meadows. There were also considerable erosion evident. In other meadows young junipers appeared to be establishing themselves; here eradication would be economical + feasible for easiest recovery of grazing land. The commonest roadside bird in the juniper area was the Cassin Kingbird. In more open grassland areas we saw Horned Larks, Lark Sparrows, Sparrow Hawks. We reached Whitewater about 3:30 PM and went to the Indian Agency Heights, where we talked to Mr. Moffat,
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KDixon 1945 Journal April 26. Whiteriver, Navajo Co., Arizona Forester for this reservation. He had been here for 15 years and told something of the game situation: Elk which were taboo for thachos, Deer which they ate, and Turkeys, the latter plentiful. 1939, a year of little meat and turkeys heavy snow cut the population estimated at 20,000 in half; recovery has been slow. We proceeded STE to Bonito Creek & then east of there when camping spots on the creek did not look promising. We camped temporarily on a ridge beyond Bonito C. about 6:08 PM. April 27. ±1 mi. S Bonito Creek, 6750 ft., Apache Co., Arizona Area of small yellow pine (50 ft x 1½ ft dia), mature juniper and live and deciduous oaks - level. Russell called up a Flammulated Screech Owl last night. Heard Steller Jay Purus gambeli Robin Red-shafted Flicker Bridled Titmouse, Pygmy Nuthatch We drove E after 6:30 climbing upward into pure stand of yellow pine above 7000 ft (this 6-8 mi E of above locality). At 7:00 we saw 4 mule Deer and 5 wild Turkeys in pine woods near natural waterhole. (1,350 ft.) Albert Squirrels were rather common in this same area. We stopped at a pond ±30 ft across with new growth of a rush-like plant (flat leaves) 4-5 inches tall. No amphibians evident. We drove back down, crossed Bonito Creek and camped at a point .5 mi by road westerly of Chino Spring at 9:00. 8 mi S Whiteriver, 6100 ft., Navajo Co., Arizona Area in vicinity of camp a shallow valley draining southerly toward Black River. Plant cover yellow pine
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K Dixon 1949 Journal April 27. 8 mi. S Whiteriver, 6100 ft., Navajo Co., Arizona + 2 feet in diameter and blue oak with yellowing leaves. Trees are rather widely spaced with low bunch grass in between. on hills to north woodland of piñon, juniper, blue oaks, and a few yellow pines. I walked up this hill about 10:15; warm, breeze gusty to 10 mph, clouding in from north (cumulus or nimbo-cumulus). Saw Scrub Jay which I missed. Other birds noted: Audubon Warbler - most abundant bird Black-throated Gray Warbler Violet-green Swallow - several seen overhead Plain Titmouse - see species acc't Arizona Jay - took one bird out of group of 3 or possibly 4 in piñon-juniper-oak area. Bird first year (F.A. B. tolds) non-breeding (oviduct a thread, no ovum more than 0.5 mm). Bridled Titmouse - one taken, see species acc't. White-breasted Nuthatch - took a ♀ in junipers + piñons (only one heard) Piñon Jay - one flew over Ruby-crowned Kinglet - several seen Enicognathus - one seen Also saw jackrabbit and several cottontails - no squirrels. Collected Sceloporus on dead stump about 11:00. Returned to camp at 1:30 PM. Also heard Wild Turkey gobble on hilltop about noon. I left camp about 6:15 proceeding south along edge of meadow - streamcourse deep cut (+ 10 ft wide + 4 ft deep) 31.
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ADixon 1949 Journal 32. April 27. 8 mi. S Whiteriver, 6100 ft., Navajo Co., Ariz. Hell slope to W covered chiefly with low oaks with considerable taller yellow pines; few junipers little undergrowth. Meadow J variable width often with pines on it. Cover drying bunch grasses including side oats grama; juniper seedlings widely established. Only bird heard was a crow; then Cassin Kingbirds. Sunset about 6:57; at this time I scared up a Hairy Woodpecker from an oak. Followed this way bird to perch in a tall snag where I shot at it. The bird was shaken up but flew out of sight track of it. Noted Sparrowhawk perched in top of snag about 10 minutes after sunset. 3 Elf Owls congregated in yellow pines after dark (are species acc't. Also heard Spotted Screech Owl. Clear April 28. Calm morning; light clouds to E & S; wind from S after 9:00. left camp at 5:55 AM going up hill to NE where I hunted yesterday. Collected pair of Plain Titi Mouse (see species acc't). Heard others; a fairly common breeder here. hogheadeal Shrike - noted lone bird perched atop isolated juniper in opening in woodland. Took this bird (& not breeding, fat #377). I proceeded N to rim overlooking a tributary running approximately SW into the White River. This steep NE- facing slope had pines + junipers of mesa top extending downward on it but in addition had a deciduous oak (Plant Cat. # 385) a white-flowering currant (# 386), Lencocarpus + a scrub oak. Some yellow pines were scattered along this slope; I noted
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K Dixon 1949 Journal 33. Apr. 28 8 mi. S Whiteriver, 6100 ft., Navajo Co., Arizona that this ridge crest was apparently a migration route for I saw 4 Ruby-crowned Kinglets almost together (no song) and an almost steady stream of Audubon Warblers, some feeding on the ground beside juniper bushes. Virginia Warbler - 1 singing in top of deciduous oak at west - I crippled bird which got away. Wild Turkey - one walking at edge of rim - flew down- ward as I approached about 7:30 AM. Violet-green Swallowa - overhead Saur Jay - see species acct. 2 taken in this area. Chipping Sparrow - present in juniper & pierno on mesa Bluebird " " " Catontail - rather frequently encountered in this juniper-piñon-oak- I collected 1 (#381) I walked down a draw to E of where I had gone before & eventually reached the road 1/2 mile of camp at 10:30. There were more oaks and yellow pines along this stream- course (dry except for 2 residual pools). Bullock Oriole - or noted in oaks Morning Dove - several paired & single nearwater bepue at edges of meadows In yellow pine along road I noted Raven, Purple Martin, Hairy Woodpecker, Acorn Woodpecker, pair of Western Kingbirds I went along slope W of camp after 6:00 PM - noted flock of Sparrows feeding on ground among junipers, apparently migrants; collected one, a Chipping Sparrow (#382)
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K Dixon 1949 34. Journal April 28 8 mi S White river, 6100 ft, Navajo Co. Arizona. I proceeded up draw [illegible] of camp and noted Bredled Titmice in oaks & junipers - collected Red-shafted Flicker (#383) Returned to camp at 7:00. Off Owls in snag nearly especially silent, calling only a few times after 9:00 AM. April 29. Clear + calm early (clouds at time of sunrise soon cleared, after 7:00) Wind from NE, up to 8 mph shifted to S and increased to 12 mph after 8:00. I hunted in draw N of camp from 6:10 AM until 10:30 AM, spending some time observing Bredled and Plain Titmice (see species acc'ts). Audubon Warblers - myriads almost underfoot - seemingly in every bush. - not bothered by wind. Chipping Sparrow - migrants passing through - once I saw apparent established bird chase off one of these newcomers, proceeding at edge of a loose flock. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - one foraging in low shrubs Black-headed Grosbeak - & singing from conspicuous perch Spotted Towhee - 2 or 3 ?? in oak brush - singing Green-tailed Towhee - 1 in similar habitat Western Tanager - & flew by heading N Violet-green Swallow - overhead; seemingly more numerous than on previous day Grae Warbler - one singing in yellowbrier Wind continued steadily throughout day - birds generally inactive although Audubon Warblers and Chipping Sparrows remained flocked in bushes and
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R Dixon 1949 Journal 35. Apr. 29. 8 mi. S Whiteriver, 6100 ft., Navajo Co., Arizona. Other birds foraged in protected places. Cassin Kingbirds were silent; one individual noted took successive pecks all within 3-5 feet of ground as I approached him. We broke camp in late afternoon and left about 6:00, driving to Globe where we arrived at 9:30. Apr. 30 En route, Globe, Gila Co., Ariz. to Bakersfield, Kern Co., Calif. Departed from Globe about 5:30 AM, driving via Phoenix to Blythe (11:45) Needles, (3:15) and Barstow (6:15) to Bakersfield. May 1. En route Bakersfield, Kern Co., Calif. to Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. left Bakersfield at 5:15, driving via Modesto and Tracy to Berkeley; arrived there at 12:00 AM.
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Species accounts
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K Dixon 1949 Otus flammeolus April 21. Sawmill, 27 mi. NE Globe, 5600 ft., Elevation, Az. Hunted with Russell from 8:00 - 9:30 PM in area near camp; bottom of basin with nearly pure stand of yellow pine of moderate size. Ward called and obtained answers from several quarters almost at once. One individual flew down to perch 6 feet above ground in a scrubby pine in response to the calls. I took this bird, a ♂ (#342). Working upstream, Ward located another male calling steadily, not merely in response to his calls. This individual remained in the taller dense portions of the pines, shifting perch 4 times within about 20 minutes yet never showing itself. The last perch was ± 175 yards easterly of the first. This individual continued calling after we left although we did not prompt it further. We were unable to locate any other individuals; activity seemed to subside after 8:30. April 22. While hunting through low woodland (oak, juniper, yellow pine) 15-18 feet in height I saw a brown-backed bird fly into a juniper tree. I couldn't find it then but later flushed a bird of similar appearance from an oak - I saw the owl perched in the juniper looking at me and I took it (♂, #348).
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K Dixon 1949 Microthera whitneyi Apr. 20 Cassadora Spring, 23 mi. ENE Globe, 4050 ft., Gila Co., Ariz. (Account written up April 21). Heard calls of this species in riparian trees (cottonwood, walnut, sycamore, hackberry, willow) after darkness had set in. Calls high-pitched (not recorded at time); one a long series of notes. Another a single whistled note reminiscent of Stellar Jay "whistle". F.A. Pletka and I paid particular attention to one bird which moved about in hackberry trees shifting perch frequently and calling, often using the whistle and another type of note but never the long series as described in Peters's guide. On at least one occasion another owl flew into the tree and the first shifted perch simultaneously. Once when I imitated the whistled note, I saw the owl on a branch directly overhead peering down at me. As I fumbled about shifting loads the owl flew on. Eventually I collected one owl which Pletka saw silhouetted. This bird was a ♀ in breeding condition although we had thought it to be a juvenile because of its unsusppecting behavior. Russell Pletka collected a ♂ in the same tree a few minutes later. The action described above took place between 9:00 and 10:30 PM. Apr. 27. 8 mi. S Whitewater, 6100 ft., Navajo Co., Arizona Several Elf Owls active about our camp in yellow pine evergreen oak country after complete darkness had set in. At least 3 present, concentrating activity around a snag with many cavities in it. Whistled note (see you very high at first), trashing off. Also --- chattery attempts to collect these were to no avail.
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K Dixon 1949 Apheloceoma coerulescens April 28. 5mi. S White River, 6100 ft., Navajo Co., Arizona Heard occasionally in Pinon-Juniper - Birds wary for most part + difficult to see (♂ #379 an exception, perched on dead limb; permitted close approach). Call notes a nasal creak of rising inflection (ending not as high pitched as in coastal Calif. birds). Then a squealing call often given when leaving perch: sciu sciu sciu uttered very rapidly. I took another ♂ before 8 AM in this same area near rim above tributary to White River. Half an hour later I scared up a group of 7 Scrub Jays on the slope below this rim (Pinon-Juniper- deciduous oak). Birds worked further downslope giving calls listed above,
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K Dixon 1949 Aphelocoma ultramarina April 23. Sawmill, 27 mi. N.E Globe, 5600 ft., Gila Co., Ariz. Ridge SW of camp - mixed oak and juniper 12-15 ft high, with liberal intermingling (yellow) pine 25-50 ft high. yesterday I was of the opinion that the jays stayed mainly in the pines and today they flew from pine to pine to some extent but still used junipers and oaks as perches. Once I happened upon a flock of perhaps 5-9 birds which were in a rather dense stand of oaks. Several flew up from the ground (few undershrubs) where they may have been feeding.. This flock moved SE parallel to axis of the ridge while ahead and to the west there was a larger flock of perhaps 12-14 birds. Flock organization seemed quite loose and stragglers were appearing from time to time. I took one such in a clump of yellow pines while 2 more then flew in but flew back S rather than N to join the flock. Call notes given almost as a chorus when birds flew as a group or settled were a nasal 'drek' or 'rink', and occasionally a throaty 'ink'. April 24. Hunted on hill N.E of camp. Largely oak - juniper. I was impressed by similarity in habits to those of the Scott Jay - such as bobbing the body up and down while perching. The birds gave most of their calls while beginning flight, during flight & after perching. Often while they were perched they would remain silent for several minutes. I collected bad blood patch; once or twice birds while in the flock flew together.
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KDixon 1949 2. Aphelocoma ultramarina April 25. Sawmill, 27 mi. NE Globe, 5600 ft., Gila Co, Ariz. I noted several individuals of a flock drop to the ground in open oaks & pines at base of the hill - little underbrush. One individual hopped about, pecking several times at some object, then flying uplope several yards, seemingly quite restless. April 27. 8 mi. S Whiteriver, 6100 ft., Navajo Co., Arizona. Collected an immature jay (bill whitish) & a group of 3 or possibly 4 individuals in pinon-juniper area (bird in a lone yellow pine). Individual ?, non-breeding (oviduct a thread, no ovum more than 0.5 mm). April 28. In draw E of mesa where I had hunted in past 2 days. Just bird in streamcourse with somewhat broad alluvial crescent covered with small oaks; yellow pines on bluff (20 ft higher) to east. yellow river 40 ft high. (sketch drawn from memory.) I heard calls ("jake rake" ) and saw one bird fly up from ground under oaks; other bird (at least one) called from nearby, then all were silent. I followed the first and took it (? first year, non-breeding); shortly afterward calls of 2 other birds upstream were heard. April 29. I saw one bird about 7:00 Am in draw N of camp. I originally an of the impression that there was but one group of 4 Arizona Jays in this area & of food during our stay; I remain this date.
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K Dixon 1949 Parus inornatus April 27. 8 mi. S Whiteriver, 6100 ft, Navajo Co, Arizona low hill NE of our camp along dry stream course. Over juniper - pinon with some blue ? oaks with yellowing leaves. About 10:30; cloudy to N & W, strato-cumulus with wind from N 10 mph, gusty. Perhaps raining further north. I happened upon a lone Plain Titmouse in a juniper and followed this bird from tree to tree as it kept ahead of me. Bird gave no calls for some time, then, probably alarmed at my persistence, gave a low rattling pruh-dub-dub-dut somewhat like Nuttall Woodpecker but lower pitched (a note never heard in coastal P. inornatus). Bird kept this "scold" up for some time and I ceased following. Presently I heard a dry peta-peta-peta similar to Bridled Titmouse. After repeating this song, the bird gave a whistled peta-you-peta-you not as melodious as other titmouse songs (coastal) I was unable to collect this individual. Half an hour later somewhere to N but perhaps in same territory I heard call tee-dee-dee purra-purra-purra the latter 3 phrases an insect like trill. Answered dub-dub-dut apparently from nest (given several times) or moving in a small oak, position not ascertained. Sawed shortly afterward at 11:17, there was a more pronounced chatter (? off nest ?). Silence until 11:28 when I was looking into tree where I had been and saw pair in pinon 60 ft to S. I moved back to vantage point and heard call pruh-dub-dit from E at 11:30. No further notes by 12:00 so I left. I checked all trees in the
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K Dixon 1949 Parus inornatus April 27 8 mi. S Whiteriver, 6100 ft. Navajo Co., Arizona vicinity but found cavities only in oaks 15-25 yards to E. April 28 6:05 Sun just coming over hill - heard song, unmusical ridelly ridelly ridelly in pinon juniper - oak of S-facing slope - sub dub dub then more of a chatter from ? (called off nest). She flew NW toward my position while I sang then joined her in juniper where he may have fed her. ? then flew to open perch to pick at object held between feet & I took her. ? returned & sang from near by ridelly + peta peta peta (dry, unmusical) I shot & broke his wing - bird dropped to ground, gave a cold continually, hopped up into leaflera shrub & did "pendulum" bobbing head and body up and down while pittering 45 degrees to left & right of midline. I took this bird ?, #375. The female showed every indication that she had laid several eggs; brood patch was well developed. 6:50 - place where I had seen pair yesterday at 11:15 Song of ? Triddle-it triddle it 5 times very fast whistled but not a clear whistle. Song alternated with tame song by ? in next territory to North - silent after 2 min. About 7:30 pm in area of pinon & juniper (scattered) near Nedge mesa. Songs of ? peta you peta you whistled and a call (?) (trilled) (chased) see-deaaa see deaaa see deaaa always in groups of 3. Still another ?, clearly seen to be a Plain Titmouse, gave a liquid whistle troi troi troi troi troi (in 5's)
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K Dixon 1949 Parus inornatus April 27 8 mi. S White river, 6100 ft., Navajo Co., Arizona This bird was quite wary; it was as others this morning located on mesa top in juniper-piñon with a few scrubby oaks. I took a ♂ of a pair in a clump of 5 piñons + one juniper (#376). I could not locate his mate afterward. Plain Titmouse seemed to be pretty numerous in the particular habitat mentioned. In no cases have I noted overlap with territories of Biddled Titmouse. April 29. E-facing slope of draw N of camp - piñon-juniper-oak 7:50 AM - windy (from E 45 - 8mph) Heard call spitta spitta shitta and song(?) squeedle ink (5 times). Plain Titmouse in territory north of one in which Biddled sang an hour ago. Birds (both in piñon) flew 50 yards to N and there I saw what may have been a sexual chase. The pursued bird (??) went to trees south while the ♂(?) stayed in oak where pursuit occurred but did not sing. Time 7:56. I whistled sweet -- (mouth dry). There was no answer by 8:00 so I left. 391 10:10 - locality where Biddled ♂ taken April 27 - heard peto peto peto (Plain Titmouse?) I could not locate singer. Left at 10:30. FA Pitelka reported that Plain Titmouse he collected this date was foraging on juniper bark See spec. acc't. of Biddled Titmouse for discussion of ecological relationships of the two species.
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KDixon 1949 Parus wollweberi April 22. Sawmill, 27 mi NE Globe, 5600 ft., Gila Co., Ariz. 9:45 AM - clear, warm. Ridge SW of camp; mixed growth of yellow pine, blue (?) oak and juniper with some underbrush. Heard a chickadee call not at all authoritative, resembling Parus gambeli somewhat. The call was given again several times with a gurgling effect, and once a trill, at the end. I saw the bird which promptly flew upslope; when relocated it was singing a song somewhat reminiscent of that of the Wren but with no such piercing quality. Evenly spaced pip-pip-pip 6-7 phrases. I was unable to collect this individual. I recognized the song as one I had heard twice on top of the ridge earlier. April 23. On same ridge - gently sloping area on top - oaks predominate low trees 10-12 ft high with yellow pines 20 ft or more and scattered 5-12 ft junipers. Heard song which sounded to me as pi-ta pi-ta pi-ta - 5-7 phrases given rapidly and spaced evenly - dry, not musical. I saw bird fly past to a juniper, giving call chickadee in flight, then see see see very similar to "fear call" of P. inornatus - bird heard later 50 yds or more upslope. Time 8:30. 9:15 - male singing continually in area where seen above pi-pit-pit and the faster pi-ta pi-ta both of same quality alternated irregularly ? answered intermittently si-si-si-sic much softer than song. I stopped after about 10 minutes and I saw and heard nothing further. The two seemed to be separated by perhaps 25 yards. The ? moved 15 yards or so during the time - could not pick a definite sex.
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K Dixon 1949 Parus wolweberi 2. Apr 23 Sawmill, 27 mi. NE Globe, 5600 ft., Yola Co., Ariz. After 10:00 AM I followed a pair of birds on the ridge top in juniper and oak not more than 12 ft high, scrubby yellow pines scattered. I saw the female hanging from bottom of a cavity peering in, then out then in again. I shot at her & missed. The male simultaneously was singing from a position 10 yards to NW. The pair foraged in an oak 10 yards north I prospect position following which I lost them. The most frequently used note was a soft somewhat plaintive see see dee and occasionally a soft pit, notes which I take to be contact or location notes, practically indistinguish- able from those of the Plain Titmouse. These birds flew from oak to oak. Perhaps half an hour later I was calling to a Slate Warbler downstate a few yards to the west. A Bewick Wren was answering and 2 Brittled Titmice appeared in a young pine beside the wren giving a call see see see dee (high pitched) and one individual gave a chattering note which I cannot transcribe. I collected one individual (#349 ) and the other remained in the vicinity calling occasionally but I was unable to take it. My impression was that the vocabulary is more like that of the Chickadees with none of the harshness nor the strength of the calls of the Plain Titmouse. Note with collection of #349. One of the titmice gave call see see see dee apparently antagonistic toward Bewick Wren in print with them. In general this species seems less pragmatic than P. inornatus.
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K Dixon 1949 3. Pama wollweber Apr 24. Sawmill, 27 mi. NE Globe 5600 ft, Gila Co. Ariz. Clear, mild morning; intermittent breeze 5-6 mph from E after 7:30. I worked hill north of camp beginning at 7:50 AM. General exposure SE -> SW, rather dry with somewhat wider spacing & plants - chiefly oak and juniper, yellow pine rare - shrubs chiefly Cercocarpus dispersed among oaks & junipers which ranged mainly from 10-12 ft in height. Heard no titmice until 9:15 when I heard a call see see see dee very similar to P. inornatus - then another call mickadee dehdeldh deli do (m-- ----) repeated with an ending that was almost filled and somewhat nasal, a call I had taken to be that of a Bewick's Wren a few minutes before. The two titmice were in an oak perhaps 9 feet above ground. A Black-throated Gray Warbler and a Chipping Sparrow flew in almost immediately as if this were an "owl mobbing" signal. The titmice led the way upslope continuing to give the nasal tuell, the warbler and sparrow following as though in a flock for a while. I lost track of the titmice by 9:21 without seeing anything of their foraging habits. Both before and after I heard light tapping on wood much as heard cracking of Plain Titmouse in California but couldn't determine the source on any occasion. About 10:00 I hear a titmouse singing downslope near the edge of a large grassy clearing. As I approached the bird stopped his song (pit-pit-pit, titmit like) and gave a high-pitched thin see see see as it
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KDixon 1949 Paris wallweberi Apr 24 Sawmill 27 mi NE Globe, 5600 ft. Gila Co., Ariz. flew to a nearby scrubby oak. This call is identical to that given by a Plain Titmouse which is frightened. This bird then picked something from the foliage of the blue oak with yellowing leaves and, holding it between his feet, hammered at it with 4-5 blows then flew to another perch half a foot higher. As I fired the bird moved, then fell to the ground. When I started to pick it up, it flew off to the west and I never found it. Head was bloody on one side so survival is doubtful. (See NW ranger station) Apr 25 About 8:15 AM I heard a singing a song similar to the Wren's while his mate (presumably) answered with a rickadee note. After a few minutes the birds were silent and I heard them no more during the 15 minutes that I walked over this oak-juniper S-facing slope. An hour later I heard the singing from the same slope but there was no song from a rival male. I have never heard such in the case of 4 or 5 males I have heard here. Pairs must be distributed thinly in locally favorable habitat. The Bridled Titmouse I have seen have always used the oaks. I have seen no Plain Titmouse here although Russell collected one and saw another about 75 yards from a pair of Bridled Titmice in oak-juniper woodland. In this particular habitat the Bridled Titmouse appears to be present in greater numbers for reasons which need further study.
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K. Dixon 1949 Parus wollweberi April 27. 8 mi S Whiteriver, 6100 ft, Navajo Co., Arizona In pinon-juniper-oak-yellow pine woodland after 12:00 noon. Heard pit-pit-pit song and also a song riddley riddley which I think was that of the Plain Titmouse. There was also a call see-see-na-nat, the first notes thin, high-pitched, the latter nasal, Bewich Wren-like (which if the 2 species gave this call I do not know). Possible competition - I followed up song of Bridled Titmouse & found pair in oaks at E end of patch of scrubby oaks where battle? had occurred. Eventually I took the ?? of this pair (# 371). April 28. Working over the same area 6:00 - 10:00 I encountered no Bridled Titmouse although Plains were abundant. In the evening (6:30-6:45) I met one Bridled Titmouse in a draw N of camp and perhaps another pair to N. April 29. E-facing pinon-juniper-oak slope in draw N of camp. 6:40 AM. Song pit-pit-pit (6+7 phrases) and answer kink kink (woodpecker-like) - was answer from a titmouse? location was to S where I had seen a Bridled Titmouse last night. The singing ?? which I saw was alone in pinon which may have been an outpost of his territory. By 6:44 he was singing 75 yards to N around a crescent shaped clearing.... pit-pit-pit - answer from across draw to E sweet-sweet --- (Plain Tit or Bewick Wren?) The Bridled ?? moved farther to NW & was silent after 6:49. I heard no more song from this territory although I went S to road & back twice and stayed within hearing distance until after 9:00 AM.
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KDixon 1949 6. Parus wollwekeri April 29 8mi. S Whiteriver, 6100 ft., Navajo Co., Arizona At 7:50 I ran onto a pair of Plain Titmice on this same E-facing slope (no vegetation real) in what I took tobe the adjacent territory to the north. This pair did not appear to be nesting and I saw what I took to be a sexual chase. At 8:45 I heard song of Bridled N W-facing slope opposite point where Bridlot had sung at 6:47. This B sang contin- uously from 8:47 until 9:09. He was apparently alone as I followed and watched him during this time. Once I saw him kick at a drying oak leaf. After 9:09, I heard a grating, finger-like call dub dub dub dub dick duft which I thought was from the F but at 9:15 the bird gave pet pet song then resumed call. Bird also gave soft tuist uit and a "fear call" see see see when I moved. Then a more grating gra aa at (nasal) The bird sang again in this same oak (since 9:09) and flew downslope at 9:20.5. He worked N along lower edge of the woodland bordering on grassland. I lost him at an (outpost?) junct at 9:24 but later heard him sing farther to the south. Was this continuous singing an indication of an unmated bird? Wind since 8:00 has been strong from S (up to ±12 mph). Is it possible that this is the bird which sang from the West side? Up slope to west again and N of Plain Titmouse territory Pet pet song 9:40 - 9:46; then bird flew upslope. Another to alone apparently (Bird had given a fear call in the middle of his song when a Sparrow Hawk passed close
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KDixon 1949 Parus wollweber! April 29. 8 mi. S Whiteriver, 6100 ft., Navajo Co., Arizona overhead. ♂ moved up slope to N but stopped singing at 9:52 and I lost him. I crossed over to point where I took Bridled ♀ 2 days ago - very windy - no activity. One observation: On E-facing slope as at Sawmill there were Spotted Towhees whereas here are none on pinyon-juniper mesa to E where Plain Titmice abound. likewise Arizona Jays seem more likely to appear in this Bridled Titmouse habitat - does this indicate denser shading of plants and more oak?
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Dixon, K.L. Local and miscellaneous May 14-Dec. 20, 1949 Catalog nos. 385-392 Journal Species accounts
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A.Dixon 1949 Catalogue Univ.Calif. Campus, Berteley, Alameda Co., Calif. June 7 385 ♀ Molothrus ater (Coll.by H.E.Childs,Jr) ovary 11 mm. 2 eggs in oviduct 36.5 gm Potah Creek, ½ mile SE Davis, Yolo Co., Calif. November 24 skuel inn 386 ♂ Aphelocoma coerulescens Testis 2 mm. 387 ♂ " " Testis 3 mm Potah Creek, 2.7 mi by road W Yolo Co. line, Napa Co., Calif. November 25 ol skuel 388 ♂ Pipilo fuscus Testis 2 mm. sea level, Imi NE Alviso, Santa Clara Co., Calif. (spartina-salicornia) December 17 389 ♂ Porzana carolina Testis 4mm. x 2mm. coll by very fat C.G.Sibley 87.3 gms. 390 ♀ Rallus limicola not fat ovary 12 mm. x 5 mm. " 74.4 gms. moderately fat 391 ♀ " " ovary 10 mm x 4 mm " 78.5 gms. very fat 392 ♀ Porzana carolina ovary 11 mm x 3 mm " 96.9 gms.
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Journal
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K Dixon 1949 Journal 36. May 14. Wildcat A., Contra Costa Co, Calif. Cold morning Heavy rain began at 8:30 and continued intermittently until 11:00. In area from tennis courts to Bevell Lake, 8:30-12:00 with zooL 1/3 class, 12 people. See species acc't Lophortys, Parus rufescens Also noted: Western Tanager 1 ? Wood Pewee - ?singing Morning Dove - 2 immatures near ccc Bldgs; tails about, flight awkward; one perched for several minutes on eucalyptus log, other flew to branch 20 ft. up. Red-winged Blackbird - nesting underway at lake - 3? spaced so that territories were paced at 22-25 yards along lake margin. Territorial defense not rigid; birds did not appear too active (10:30). Coot - adult + 3 tiny fledglings noted. Black Phoebe - nest in eaves J bldg had 4 eggs. House Finch - in tall eucalyptus Pine Siskin in same trees, ? flying in exaggerated manner, circling trunk of tree, note for me set given Rough-winged Swallow noted Noted no yellowthroats at margin of lake Olive-sided & Ash-throated Flycatchers heard. Orange-crowned Warbler heard singing once May 21. Same locality. Clear, sunny, cold. In area N of golf course (quarry) 8:45-10:00 - southerly slope, grassy with some patches of mustard. Eucalyptus grove to W. Song Sparrow, Calif Quail, White-crowned Sparrow, Arkansas Goldfinch in grassland, Pine Siskin, Bellbird Doodle,
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R Dixon 1949 Journal May 21. Wildcat Cr., Contra Costa Co., Calif. Black-headed Grosbeak in Trees. Sceloporus on rock outcrop, Skinks under rock (soil too dry to form cast when pressed). Anolis lugubris under rock in grove of eucalyptus - cool situation. Sceloporus occidentalis - 2 lowered on wild oat noose 18" from a 2 on his territory. latter compressed sides and did push-ups several times but did not attack "intruder" Presence of people a possible factor - Defender in rock cluster - other Sceloporus found on old logs. Thamnophis - one taken in grass under tree along stream - h. Alcora forced it to disgorge a slug which it had eaten -( snout vent length 2 snake 2 feet) Cedar Waxwing flock about 2 dozen in laurel on rock - some "flycatching" - one bird on branch beside another - first hopped laterally to position beside latter which was stationary, moving back and forth several times thus - no further action - courtship? Aug 2. Univ Calif Campus Alameda Co., Calif. Clear day. My impression through walking on campus is that the only bird to be heard singing by mid-morning is the Purple Finch. Aug 3. NE far Sa-Pablo Ridge, Contra Costa Co. Calif. See species acct, Lophortys californica Aug 8 " " " " " Aug 11 " " " " "
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KDixon 1949 Journal Aug 15 NE face San Pablo Ridge Contra Costa Co, Calif In draw where cattle trough is located north of Inspiration Point 10:30 AM - 3:00 PM. Wind from west 5-7 mph through period; clouds passing overhead. See species acc'ts Calif. Quail, Mule Deer, Carpodacus mexicanus. Noted a flock of ~15 Horned Larks on grassy ridge at 10:30. One Brown Towhee in willows at noon and another at edge of brush to E. Other bird species noted in this draw: Turkey Vulture Mourning Dove Sharnaw Hawk American Goldfinch Flicker Green-backed Goldfinch Downy? Woodpecker Bewick Wren - Song 2:45 Scrub Jay Wren - h't Plain Titmouse (in willows) Pileolated Warbler. 2 Spotted Towhees in poison oak thicket fighting in "rosater" fashion rising together to 3 ft ~ 3 times. Aug 23. Overcast, wind 8 mph from W. In draw where cattle trough located 6:50-8:15 See spec. acc't Lophortyx californica. Noted House Wren in upper part of ridge at edge of road. Bewick Wren singing there. Flushed a Horned Owl roosting in laurel on ridge NE of cattletrough. Saw a second Owl perched on end of horizontal branch of oak ~8 feet from any foliage; ears erect. Bird flew as I raised binoculars and a Calif Jay pursued it in flight. Bird perched across draw downstream. Heard song of Orange-crowned Warbler in willows. Saw 3 Brown Towhees in next draw to W at edge of Bachen's
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Y Dixon 1949 37. Journal Aug 23. Univ. Calif. Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. 12:30 PM of a calm sunny day. Noted 2 Chestnut-bated Chickadees in oak SW of life Sciences Bldg. Aug 25. NE face San Pablo Ridge, Contra Costa Co., Calif. In area of quartz study 2:40 - 4:30 PM accompanied by NE Childs, Jr. Sunny; light breeze increased after 3:30. See species acc't of Lophortyx. Noted Lone Horned Lark in grassland, Red-tailed Hawk, Spotted Towhee in addition to chaparral dwellers usually met. Oct 5. In study area 8:30 - 10:00 AM - persistent low fog and wind up to Smpl. See spec. acc't hophortyx. Oct 8. Clear, breezy day. In area 4:45 - 6:10 PM. See species acc't. Saw group 5-6 Brewer Blackbirds flying W at 5:05. Noted probable Cooper Hawk in brush & woodland. At 5:50 (+/-10 min after sunset) I saw +/6 swallows foraging in flight and moving southward slowly (tails too short for Barn Swallows) At 6:05 (calm) I saw 2 large bats flying NE across crest of ridge - bats flying individually, flight powerful, fast, direct (Antozona???) Oct 23. Has Trampas Creek, Contra Costa Co., Calif. (Dam at St. Mary's College). Clear, mild morning. Noted following species on pond 11:15 - 11:30: Eared Grebe, Ruddy, Coot, Lesser Scaup, Canvasback (2), Baldpate (4) Egret (1), Killdeer (3). Oct 29. Oakland, Alameda Co., Calif. (1 mi. S of Univ. Calif.) Clear morning, 8:00. Heard a few Cedar Waxwings overhead but could not see them. Nov 16 NE face San Pablo Ridge Contra Costa Co., Calif. On ridge 9:00 until 10:15 - see spec acc't Lophortyx californica for weather data on plant growth, list of animals noted at:
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K Dixon 1949 Journal Nov 18. NE face San Pablo Ridge Contra Costa Co., Calif. On ridge 8:55 - 10:00 studying grail (see spec. acct). Noted nothing exceptional except soaring hawks on ridge crest (see under bophorty). At 10:00 saw 6-8 cedar Waywings and afterward 7 Robins flying E at Inspiration point (low saddle in hills ?) Nov 21. Foggy morning; in area 8:40 - 9:20 ± visibility low. Birds quiet except for Golden-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia flosse seemed larger than previously seen as did grail corps on 2 occasions. See bophorty spec. acct. Nov 24. Putah Creek ½ mile SE Davis, Yolo Co., Calif. Noon of sunny day; calm. Noted 39 Crows in freshly ploughed field and about 20 more perched in walnut tree at edge of grove adjacent. In cottonwoods oaks and walnut trees along creek noted Oregon Juncoz, White-crowned X Song Sparrow, Acorn Woodpecker and Scrub Jay. A loose group of 6 of the latter in tree; 3 took one splitting the group, 3 moving E & two west. I collected one of the latter later on, Also saw one Sparrow Hawk overhead and heard a Flicker. Nov 25 En route from Davis Yolo Co., Calif. Martha & I drove W from Davis toward Winters at 10:00, how fog was clearing. We contin- ued through Winters and on State Hwy 28. About 5 miles W of Winters the road enters the foothills of the inner Coast Range. The road follows the canyon of Putah Creek into the hills. Vegetation along the creek was chiefly cottonwood, Black Walnut and willows with scattered Valley Oak. Higher on the slopes were Blue Oak and Digger Pines with some Live Oaks. In some level areas orchards were seen.
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RDixon 1949 Journal Nov. 25. Putah Creek, 2.7 miles by Road W of Yolo Co. line Napa Co Calif. Populus-Salix-Quercus area along creek Blue Oak-Pines- Cloantime on slopes. Noted Red breasted Sapsucker in Blue Oaks. Collected Brown Towhee from pan foraging close to poison oak shrubbery on bank of creek. Also saw here Ruby-crowned Kinglet, White crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Cook, Spotted Towhee. Putah Creek 1 mile E of county line, Yolo Co, Calif. Vegetation along creek similar; noted Audubon Warbler, Downy Woodpecker, Arkansas Goldfinch. In Niostane saw Lora & Anna Hummingbird. Along road we noted Black Phoebe (1) several Love Jay Phoebe, 4-6 Western Bluebirds in telephone wires. Heard Brown Towhee About one mile from mouth of canyon we saw Acorn Wood- pecker & heard Plain Titmouse in Blue Oaks. Heard Nuttall Woodpecker & Robin, saw Scrub Jay, Red tailed Hawk and heard Brown Towhees. Oregon Junco flocked, foraging in Valley Oak. House Finch calling overhead. Also Audubon Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet & Arkansas Goldfinch. Dec 9. NE face San Pablo Ridge, Contra Costa Co, Calif. High fog overcast. In area 9:20-10:20 AM, baiting quail. ? Marsh Hawk, Bush-TT flock, Wren - fit song. See spec. act. Lophortyx Dec 11. Sunny day. In area 4:20 PM - 4:50 PM - baiting quail, see act. Dec 14. Clouding in, calm. In area 8:50 - 9:40. Noted & Stalridge orchids as well as gulls (Calif.?) flying to + from San Pablo Res. Dec 17. Benete Berkeley, Alameda Co, to Alvino Santa Clara Co, Calif. Left Berkeley, accompanying R.L. Rudd, at 6:15 AM. We drove via Hayward & Milpitas to Alviso where we met Chas J Sibley at 8:20 AM.
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KDixon 1949 Journal Dec 17 1 mi NE Alviso, Santa Clara Co., Calif. Sibley, Rudd and I left the South Bay Yacht Club, Alviso at 9:15 taking rowboat on Trailer towed by Rudd's car. It had been raining intermittently since midnight. We drove out 'Esteri' road and entered a locked gate to the San Jose garbage dump and surround- ing marshes owned by Leslie Salt Co. We launched the boat in main channel of the slough and proceeded inward into the marsh composed of Salicornia and Spartina. The tide was still rising then (about 10:00 Am). Passerines such as Song Sparrow, Pipit, Savannah Sparrow were perching atop the vegetation still emergent. On one duck hunter's blind there were 5 or 6 Song Sparrows perched on posts + 2 feet above surface. One Sparrow chased another off as the latter attempted to perch. Paintail - individuals scattered throughout marsh - also in small flocks Green-winged Teal - noted occasionally - singly or in flocks 4-5 Coot - scattered individuals Mallard (1-CGS) (Ruddy-1) Cinnamon Teal (1) California Gull fairly common Willet - small flocks + single individuals - abundant Avocet - one small flock Least Sandpiper a few in flight (notes ID by Sibley) At 10:43 (calculated high for Alviso) tide was still rising. There was about one hour lag where we were.
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N Dixon 1949 Journal Dec 17. 1 mi. NE Alviso, Santa Clara Co., Calif. We noted one Rattus clinging to Spartina about this time and shortly afterward 3 on a plank in the same vegetation (Salicornia covered by still-rising tide by this time). One of the Rattus taken by Rudd. Yellow-throate & Marsh Wrens became more noticeable at this time as Spartina was their only refuge & they were forced to fly from time to time by our approach. After 11:00 as tide thus exceptionally high Virginia Rails were seen flying rather far & could be seen in emergent Spartina here & there. Clapper Rails were seen & heard in a distance; one was swimming in open water outside shotgun range. Sibley took 2 Virginia Rails and we saw 2 others. Then he shot a Sora Rail and another Virginia and then 2 Soras with one shot as a Virginia flew from the same shot. He took in total 4 Sora and 5 Virginia rails; we saw half a dozen more of each. We came upon one Sora Rail which dived several times in succession, remaining under for from 15 to 25 seconds (timed by Sibley). Sibley finally took the Sora by hand, the bird being water-logged & too tired to dive again apparently. [We kept the Sora in the boat where it revived about 1/2 hour later & flew away]. We saw a Microtus clinging to a Spartina blade; it swam ~40 feet to another clump when disturbed. We saw a Rattus apparently drowning in a channel; we hauled it aboard but it died after crawling about. (Rudd plans to dissect this rat.) Later we saw a rat on a
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K DIXON 1949 Journal Dec 17 1 mi NE Alviso, Santa Clara Co, Calif. jindelia frog which had not been submerged; the rat apparently dry was killed by Rudd as he attempted to dislodge it. In a distance, a gull picked up something from the surface of the water & dropped it; other gulls swooped over the spot for 1-2 minutes - exposed vertebrate animal the prey ??? The water level dropped rapidly after 12:00. We found a Perithodantops in Spartina; the rodent appeared to have remained dry (Rudd took it with .22 duot shot). A Rallus nearby was shot & left lying. As the vegetation emerged birds other than ducks weren't much in evidence. We returned to levee & road & loaded boat on trailer & departed by 1:15. Estimated height of tide + 9 feet. Predators weren't much in evidence other than gulls noted above. One Short-eared Owl & one Marsh Hawk & both near garbage dump. No rain except + 11:15- 12:00. Breeze light, northerly. Seave Point Road, Dec 19. 6 miles NW Vallejo, Solano Co, Calif. Left Berkeley about 7:00?! accompanied by R.D. Rudd driving via Vallejo and N of Mare Island, 3:00 at arriving at a Salicornia marsh where Rudd had trapped mammals previously. The water level was much higher than he had found it previously and apparently nearly all the Salicornia had been inundated recently. At the edge of the marsh two kinds of saltbrush (Australian Stipley?) and Bermuda grass were growing and Baccharis shrubs were growing on higher ground. I set out 3 traps on each of 12 Salicornia
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K'Dixon 1949 Journal Dec.19 Sears Point Road, 6 mi NW Vallejo, coved mounds rising 2-3 feet above the general level of the marsh and other traps along the edge of the marsh, total of 70 traps. Rudd set out about the same number on the mounds and each of us set out four traps in a small marsh inward for a Baccharis-covered bank. Noted western gull (1) Marsh Wren, Song Sparrow, and a flock of +20 House Finches in Bacchasis. At sunset (5:00 PM) flock of 16 White Pelicans in marsh across road. Flocks of Pintail & Shoveller + one Canvasback. Dec 20. Rudd picked up the traps; I did not go with him. The catch in his traps was microtus 1 Sorex 8 Reithrodontomy 17 mus 6 while mine on the mounds was Reithrodontomys 8 mus 9 Sorex 2 microtus 1 and on the edge of the marsh, Reithrodontomys 1 } mus + { 33 traps Total 57 (my total for 74 traps was 25) Rudd set his traps more carefully, specifically seeking Sorex runways or placing the traps deep in the Salicornia whereas I placed many of mine on open ground. There was ice on some of the brackish pools according to Rudd. The mounds were an estimated 30 feet from the edge of the marsh perhaps closer to 30 feet in some places.
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Species accounts
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Birds
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A Rixon 1947 Zenaidura m. Aug 11 NE face San Pablo Ridge Contra Costa Co., Calif. 9:30 AM high fog overhead, wind 7-8 mph chiefly from west. Dove flew into draw with cattle trough and perched on branches of dead Phammus near shingal base of hill. After 7 minutes the dove took flight, acting as though alarmed, flying upslope due south + over ridge. I had seen 2 white domestic pigeons overhead today as well as on August 8. See species acc't of Lophortyx californica for details of setting. Aug 15 Dove perched on fence near spring at 11:05, then dropped to ground. Aircraft overhead apparent cause for bird taking flight to E from point on ground 15-20 yards E of spring at 11:17.
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NDixon 1949 Nuthallornis borealis Apr. 16. Claremont Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. Heard song of this flycatcher from tall eucalyptus at mouth of canyon at 1:30 PM - clear warm day - first record this year. July 9. Univ. Calif. Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. Clear warm day. Heard song of Olive-sided Flycatcher repeatedly from eucalyptus grove west of Life Sciences Bldg. 8:30 - 8:45 AM. July 27. Heard song in area about Greek Theatre at 9:30 AM. Cloudy.
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K'Dixon 1949 Parus inornatus May 2. Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. Titmouse near Piedmont & Bancroft was heard singing before 7:00 AM on foggy morning. Individual probably unawaked. May 4. Visited Titmouse nest in elderberry at 55 Canyon Rd. (Terr. 7 & 8 of my Titmouse paper). This same cavity was used by Titmouse in this territory in 1947 and 1948. The juveniles were gone from the nest at this time (sunset). Robt. D Bowman reported that they were present on the previous evening. May 24. Heard singing on Bancroft Way at 8:00 - same apparently widowed bird. Singing seems to have diminished in past few days. June 1. Heard singing in same locality at 7:50 AM - clear, warm. June 6. Foggy morning following 3 hot days. Heard sica-see-dee-dee call repeated over & over by one bird on Bancroft Way near Piedmont. (Vol heard song briefly yesterday morning). Aug 1. Univ Calif. Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. Noon hour of clear, sunny day. Heard chattery calls of Titmouse and soft whistled peter peter peter. Following this three Titmouse flew overhead to a live oak ± 60 feet west of oak where they had first called. Calls and particularly song were continued for a couple of minutes before birds became silent. Apparent expulsion of a wandering juvenile. Aug 2. Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. V.E. Childs, Jr. reported that at about 5:30 PM August 1, 1949 he saw an adult Plain Titmouse feed an immature bird. A third bird present was not identified for certain as to age.
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YDixon 1949 Parus inornatus Aug. 2 Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. This incident took place at Childs' residence at 741 Boynton Ave. Berkeley. Sept 26. Clear morning, 11:00 AM. I watched two Plain Titmice for 4 or 5 minutes as they moved through two walnut-like dead-wood trees at corner of Bancroft & College. My attention was called to the birds by repeated 'sip' notes such as are given for 'contact' purpose (apparently) by members of a pair. I noted both birds in the uppermost leafy branches of one tree, both individuals vibrating their wings but uttering no sounds at any time except for occasional 'contact' notes. I am not certain whether these were given by one or both birds. Suddenly a pursuit occurred following which both birds took perch several feet apart, lower in tree. I had an impression that the pursued individual vibrated its wings more noticeably. A second pursuit consisted of a short flight outward from the foliage with return to nearby leafy branches. Soon a third flight led to the tree adjacent to the south (on NE corner of intersection, I watched from SW corner). There was further shifting of perches in this tree and I had one view (of the pursuer?) perch'd near periphery of tree. My departure on a bus halted observations. Whether this represented territorial defense or possible preliminary pairing behavior, I am unable to say from limited observation. (written during evening, Sept 26).
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K DIXON 1949 Psaltriparus minimus June 24. Univ. Calif. Campus Berkeley, Alameda Co., Caly. Overcast; 8:00 AM. Noted Bush-tit fly out toward sidewalk from low hedge along S wall of Baseball field. Bird was followed, struck and borne to ground by an English Sparrow. The Sparrow struck the Bush-tit (apparently in the back) with its bill and apparently held it with its feet. The bush tit flew upward with fluttering flight and was brought down by the Sparrow in a similar fashion. The same action was repeated about 3 more times the Bush-tit flying in a different direction each time apparently aimlessly. Finally the Bush-tit followed by the Sparrow reflew out toward the street between 2 cars & was lost from view - I had to leave. Apparently the Bush-tit was an immature although tail length was approximately normal.
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KDixon 1949 Hylocichla ustulata May 8. Univ. Calif. Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. Heard full song of Swainson Thrush along creek near Music Bldg at 7:00 - light cloud overcast (had sprinkled last night & this morning. Song not heard previously (only single note while).
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K Dixon 1949 Vireo huttoni May 13. Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. - cloudy day, cold. Heard hutton Vires singing in trees along Bancroft way, the first song I have heard in several weeks. May 15. 1 mi. N Boulder Cr., Santa Cruz Co., Calif. Redwood border association: Seguioa, Pseudotsuga, Acer, Quercus agrifolia around clearings which were grassy. Heard Hutton Vireo singing about 1:00 PM. Solitary & Warbling Vireos also singing.
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K. Dixon 1948 49? Carpodacus mexicanus Aug 15. NE face San Pablo Ridge, Contra Costa Co., Calif. High fog clearing; breeze 5 mph from W. House Finches seemed more abundant than usual for in draw where cattle trough is located (See notes on topography for details). Small flocks of a dozen or so seemed centered about spring as always. Finches mostly in 2 plumage were lined up on both sides of cement watering trough. During the minute I watched them I saw one drink from water surface about level to top of trough and saw one dip into water while in flight (bathing?). Other individuals fed on heads of dried thistles with heads of 1" diameter or more. They were active on bench where 200+ 100 yards N of spring, feeding on thistles, mustard and in some cases active on ground but too far away for me to determine type of foraging.
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K. Allison 1949 Pipilo fuscus June 8. Pair of Brown Towhees with nest in poplar north of my office showing concern over presence of 2 dogs in shrubbery immediately below my window. Both birds in shrubs giving sharp note toot at intervals. One flew to [illegible] oak 5 yards free nearby and other flew to open lawn beside oak. As one dog left shrubs this bird ran first, then flew a foot or so above ground actually leading the dog to
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KDixon 1949 Pipilo fuscus June 8. Univ. Calif. Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. Shrubbery 10 yards NE of nest poplar. However when this bird flew back to join mate in oak, dog followed. Latter eventually departed. 11:30 clear day. During past 2 days one towhee has been foraging in the oak tree a good deal whereas other forages on lawn to considerable extent. Apparently both are feeding young in nests. HE Childs told me that young had left nest and were in bushes beneath window where observations were made. Nov 25. by road Putah Cr., 2.7 mi W Yolo Co line in Napa Co, Calif. Took ad. male #388 from pair feeding at edge of plums on bank of creek. Vegetation Blue Oak, Cottonwood Cercis, willow. (Leanothue-Digger Pine up slope) Putah Creek 7 mi by road E of county line Yolo Co, Calif. Cottonwood-Willow-Black Walnut (Blue Oak-Digger Pine up slope, lst locality down canyon where Brown Towhees were heard at noon of clear sunny day. (See journal acct.)
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Mammals
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KDixon 1949 Odocoileus hemionus Aug 15. NE face San Pablo Ridge, Contra Costa Co., Calif. Noted a doe walking across open space between maple tree and enclosure in bottom of draw at 10:57. She watched me intently as I sat in open 100 yds north of spring. She worked along edge of brush slowly, looking up frequently, apparently at me. At 11:00 she started across flat to water trough and disappeared from view behind willow trees. At 11:05 she appeared NW of willows crossing to W side of draw. Wood 5-6 miles from Wolf South all this time. At 11:05 she started up slope N of willows still looking at me; she stood there facing me until wind shifted slightly (she was due east of me). Suddenly she whirled and bounded to eastward and disappeared around the slope. She looked in good condition, nose shiny black. I saw a second doe smaller than 1st in clearing beside willows at 12:20.
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5. Dixon, K.L. Local and miscellaneous Jan. 19 - Dec. 26, 1950 Catalog nos. [393, missing] 394-466 Journal Species accounts
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K Dixon 1950 Catalogue Putah Creek, 1/2 mi. SE Davis, Yolo Co., Calif. March 4 given to Larry Richards 394 Aphelocoma coerulescens 395 & Balanophyra formicivora ovary 6mm. Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. March 27 396 & Junco oreganus pick up by Jack Bechtel (follicles minute) ovary 5mm. 17 mi. NW Reno, Nevada, in Lassen Co., Calif. April 2 397 Canis (mandible only - pick up in junipers 150 yards off hwy.) Univ. Calif. Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. April 7 pick-up by Wm. E. Ferguson - given to 398 o? Passerella iliaca MNZ on Apr. 20; skinned that day; fat. 1 mi. NW Davenness, 100 ft., Marin Co., Calif. April 30 fat accumulated in pocket at 399 & Testis anterior end of sternum 10,6 gena. 8mm. x 6mm. Parus rufescens
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K Di Xon 1950 2. Catalogue Boca Spring, 6000 ft, Nevada Co., Calif. May 26 400. Thamnophis Cole Robt Bailey 401. ♀ Sitta pygmaea ovary 5mm x 3mm W: 10.3gm 402 ♀ " " Brood patch Had laid 12.3gm, 403 ♂ Junco oreganus testis 8mm. May 27 Testis 9mm Skel 404 ♂ Chlorura chlorura 27.1 gm. 405 ♂ Troglodytes aëdon Testis 6mm 10.0 gm 406 ♀ Parus gambeli largest ovum 1mm no brood had not laid patch 11.9gm. 407 ♂ Sitta pygmaea Testis 6 mm no brood patch 10.9gm. skull only 408 Canis pick up skull + 2 mandibular rami 409 ♂ Dendroica auduboni Testis 8mm 13.1 gm, 410 ♂ Falco sparverius Testis 8mm. collected and skinned by R.E. Bailey May 28 411 ♂ Sitta carolinensis Testis .6mm. 18.1 gm. 412. ♂ Empidonax Testis 4mm 12.4gm. 413 ♂ Parus gambeli Testis 9mm. 13.5 gm 414 ♂ Dendrocopos villosus Testis 10mm Broodpatch 76.9gm. 415 ♂ Picoides arcticus left Testis 8mm right 4mm " " 71.7gm 416 ♂ Certhia Testie 7mm. 8,2 gm 417 Sceloporus land 2 mi E Steamboat Springs, , Washoe Co, Nevada may 29 418 Sceloporus graciosus 419 Sceloperus 420 ♂ Polioptila Testis 4mm. 5.6 gm 421 ♀ Dendroica nigrescens prep. by GW Seat largest ovum 1mm. 8.9gm
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K DIXON 1950 3. Catalogue 6 mi S & 2 mi E Bridgeport, 6900 ft. Mono Co. Calif. May 30. 422 ♀ Petrochelidon ovary Brood patch 8mm parvifex 24.4gm. 423 O? " no brood patch Big Springs Public Camp, & 9½ mi. S Mono Mills, Mono Co. Calif. May 30 Skel. 424 ♂ Myadestes townsendi 31.9 gm. 425 ♂ Sitta pygmaea Testis No brood patch 5mm. 11.6 gms. 426 ♂ Carpodacus cassinii Testis 7 mm. 24.8 gms. Skel. 427 ♀ Piranga ludoviciana Largest ovum 1.5 mm. 31.2 gme. coll. by G W Salt 428 ♂ Sitta pygmaea Testis 6 mm. 10.5 gms. Skel. 429 ♀ Tachycineta thalassina ovary 7mm x 4mm. Mouth Rush Cr., Mono Lake, 64/5 ft., Monoco, Calif. May 30 Skel. coll. by G.W. Salt 429 ♀ Tachycineta thalassina ovary 7mm. x 4mm. 15.1 gms
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A Dixon 1950 Catalogue Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. Died in captivity on June 12. 430 ?? juv. Pimus inornatus of MS about 3 weeks out of nest Bird of brood of Territory 34 wt. when captured June 11 = 13.1gm. This bird had malignant bone growth on left tibia-tarsus which prevented flexion of tendons & hence bird could grip perch only with rt. leg. Robinson Cr., 7 mi. SW Bridgeport, 6900 ft., Mono Co., Calif. June 21 431 Bufo 3 miles SW Bodie, ~8000 ft., Mono Co., Calif. June 22 432. ? Scalesia curvicauda largest ovum /mm (had laid, brood patch) 5 mi. S & 1 mi E Bridgeport, ~6900 ft., Mono Co., Calif. June 22 Skel. 433 ?? Salpinctes obsoletus [discarded] 4 mi. N & 2 mi. E Bridgeport, ~7200 ft., Mono Co., Calif. June 23 434 (Discarded) 9 Chordeiles v largest ovum 3mm. 435 ??? Aphelocoma Tarsus 3mm 436 O? ?? " Robinson Cr., 7 mi. SW Bridgeport, 6900 ft., Mono Co., Calif. June 24 437. Thamnophis 3 1/2 mi W & 3 1/2 mi S Benton, 7000 ft., Mono Co., Calif. June 24 438 ? jr. Pimus inornatus Skel. 439 ? adult " " ovary 3 mm 440 Sceloperus
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KDixon 1950 Catalogue East San Benitos Island, Baja California, Mexico (coll. by S.B. Benson) July 22, 1950 (prep. August 16, 1950) Largest ovum 1.5 mm. 441. ♀ Ovary 7mm x 5 mm loomelania Incubation patch Egg in burrow well incubated wt. 67.5 gms. 442 ♂? jr. sk. Passerculus wt. 23.1 gm 443 ♂? jr. sk. "" wt. 21.8 gm 444 ♀ largest ovum 2mm. Occasodroma Incubation patch ovary 8mm x 5 mm wt. 540gm 445 ♂ jr. sk. Passerculus Testis 1 mm. 20.6 gm. 446 ♀ ovary Puffinus 562.4 gms 447 ♂ jr. sk. Passerculus 22.7 gm. West San Benitos Island, Baja California Mexico July 21 (coll. by S.B. Benson) 448 ♂ Testis petrel incubation patch cut. 55.0 gm 4mm. 449 ♂ Testis " " " 58.9gm 5mm. Pinole Creek, 3 mi. SE Pinole, 250 ft, Contra Costa Co., Calif. August 29 450 ♀ ad. sk. Vireo huttoni 11.0gms. 451 ♂ jr. sk. Parus inornatus Testis Coll. by H.E. Childs, Jr. 16.8 gm 1mm. 452 ♂ jr. sk. " " ovary " " 15.3 gm. 2mm. Nortonville, 700 ft., Contra Costa Co., Calif. Sept. 10 453 ♀ ad sk Oporornis Ovary 3 mm. Fat wt 10.4gm. Univ Calif Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif Sept. 20 19 454 ♂ ad. Melandrisia aestivala pick up by Stewart Landry wt. 9.6 gms
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K Dixon 1950 Catalogue 3 1/2 mi. S and 3 1/2 mi W Benton, +7000 ft., Mono Co., Calif. September 22. 455 ♀ al Parus gambeli ovary 3mm. 456 ♀jr al " " gray 2mm 457 ♀ jr al Psaltriparus iris yellow 458 Sceloporus [Queen Canyon, 7800 ft.] N Base White Mtns., 11 1/4 mi. NE Benton Station, Calif., in Mineral Co., Nevada Sept. 23 459 ♂ jr Parus gambeli ovary 3mm 460 ♀ jr Dendroica ovary 3 mm fat RF Johnston 461 ♀jr al Parus gambeli 14 mi by road SE Gardnerville, Douglas Co., Nevada Sept. 24 462 ♀ jr. al. Vireo fat +3 mi. SW Genoa, Douglas Co., Nevada Sept. 24 463. ♀ al al Certhia familiaris ovary 2mm Oakland [Rockridge Dist.] Alameda Co., Calif. Sept. 21 464 ♂? ad. sk. Dendroica aestiva pick up by H. Ryker and G. Trimbach Nov. 4 (pick up) very fat (skinned Sept. 25) skel. 465 ♂? jr. sk. Nylicichla guttata wing 85 mm. pick up by Harrison Ryker Univ Calif Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. Dec 10 (died in captivity, Dec 13) skel. ad. 466 ♂ Zonotrichia leucophrys (nuttalli)
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Journal
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K Dixon 1950 Journal Jan 17. NE face San Pablo Ridge Contra Costa Co, Calif. On ridge 8:45- 9:50. Overcast with fog hanging on ridge top, fog clearing by 9:30. Calm. Walked N to Cattletrough Draw, left bait for hophornbys and returned. On the slope east of a waterhole SE of the cattletrough there were ±250 Canada Geese spread over about ½ acre; they were looking considerably possibly from seeing me ¼ mile away. Little bird activity; following species noted: Flicker, Wren- it, Plain Titmouse, Scrub Jay, Meadowlark (Roof ±35). Jan.21 7:45-8:45. Overcast with intermittent Southerly breeze. Ground Dian, left grain for grail. Saw Red-tailed Hawk, heard Wren-it and Calif. Thrasher singing (Latter from slope S of string). At 8:25 1/5 California (?) Gulls flew over ridge to lake (actual count, 98+17). Steller Jay heard lower in draw. Tilden Regional Park, Contra Costa Co, Calif. Noted about ½ dozen Trithurus (tornacis) dead on ½ mile of road near the Arboretum. Salamanders must have been moving toward the creek which was nearby. Movement was taking place at 7:30 AM when I saw 2 of the newts crossing the road going toward the creek in which direction most of them seemed to be going. Jan 24. NE face San Pablo Ridge Contra Costa Co, Calif. In grail study area 8:45-9:45. Noted mixed flock of 50 or 60 small passerines, mostly Zonotrichias (both species) and Oregon Juncos; one Slate-colored Junce, 2 House Finches (10) 4 Yellow-backed Goldfinches (20+? 28), Brown Towhee(1). Jan 25. In area 8:45-9:55. Clear, cold, calm. Ice on puddles, frost on ground which was frozen where mud was saturated with water. Large flock of juncos; sparrows seemed separate from them. Sparrow Hawk or lone Barchanin
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K Dixon 1950 Journal Jan 25. NE slope San Pablo Ridge, Contra Costa Co., Calif. here Say Phoebe on sunny grass-herb slope. In woodland near old cabin-site I heard Winter Wren and Purple Finch, latter only single notes not full song. House Finch seen not singing. Returned to area 4:45 - 5:40 to revisit lophotyx feeding stations. (Routine trip - see spec. acct) Jan 26. Clear, calm, colder than yesterday. By 10:00 partial overcast of strato-cumulus clouds. In area 8:45 - 9:50. See spec.acct lophotyx. Noted adult Sharp shinned Hawk in area but nothing else of note. Oakland, Alameda Co., Calif. Noted a F Merganser (probably Red-breasted as throat not conspicuously white) on riverwon at Claremont & Russell stls. Bird swam along with bill under water raising head intermittently Time 10:00AM Jan 27. NE slope San Pablo Ridge Contra Costa Co., Calif. Overcast; no frost. In area 8:50 - 9:50. See acct Lophotyx c. Saw a flock of 24 Canada Geese on ridge E of watering pond SE of old cabin site. Birds flew as soon as I rounded the slope into view. Jan 28. Martha & I took grail trap into study area at 5:30 PM Clear, cold, calm, moonlit evening. Ground soaked following rains yesterday. We heard Canada Geese honking intermittently also Horned Owl. Departed after 6:00 PM. Jan 29. In area 8:30 AM - 10:40 AM, proceeding down main gulch past watering hole to slope E of cabin site, thence to cabin site and cypress there then S up slope through woodland to path E of watering hole at 9:40. Then I crossed over to draw to
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KDixon 1950 Journal 3 NE slope San Pablo Ridge, Contra Costa Co., Calif. [=4 1/4 mi² NW Oracle] W=woodland C=chaparral S=singing (6):flock of 6 Jan 29-AM Jan 31 AM Feb 6 2 AM Feb 6 2 PM Feb 7 8PM Feb 7 AM Feb 9 AM Feb 11 AM Mar 20 AM (9) Canada Goose Hawk Sharp-shinned 200 +- v ? Sparrow Hawk v v8 v8 v8 v Anna Hummer vS Red-sh. Flicker v v v v v v v Hairy Woodpkr. Downy Woodpks. v Say Phoebe 1 v Steller Jay v v v v v Scrub Jay v v v v v v v v v Plain Titmouse v v v 6 v v Bush-tit Bewick Wren S S,C C C S S S S Cal. Thrasher C S S S Audubon Warbler v Myrtle Warbler v Meadowlark (5) v v 35 35 +- v v v Purple Finch v v v House Finch v v vS v Gr-b. Gold Finch v v v v v Spotted Towhee v S Junco, Slate-colored Junco Oregon v v v v v v 6 v West Bluebird (6) v Brown Towhee v v v Hermit Thrush v O-c Warbler S
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H Dixon 1950 Journal 4. Jan 29. NE slope San Pablo Ridge, Contra Costa Co, Calif. north, proceeding to its head, then across to 2nd side draw W of cattletrough. See species acc't Lophortyx and check list p 3 for details. [Clear, cold, calm]. Returned at 5:40 to check trap. Scared up a junco from a Baccharis brush 10 feet from main brush patch where a skunk had been rooting the night before. Jan 30. Checked trap at 5:56 PM. No birds roosting in trees mentioned in paragraph above. Cloudy following shower at 5:00 PM. Jan 31. Clear, calm; frost + ice; slight haze of high clouds increasing. In area 8:40 - 10:15. See spec acc't Lophortyx, Aphelocoma Saw flock of Junco's foraging on dead flower heads of Baccharis while crowded Sparrows nearby foraged on ground. See also journal p.3 Terminology of trail study area to be used subsequently: main canyons perpendicular to axis of ridge, i.e. running to E, are to be called gulches; tributaries will be referred to as side draws. Gulch II is the one in which spring, watering trough, cabin site and pear orchard are found (known previously as Cattletrough Draw); Gulch I is immediately to the S and Gulch III to the north. Feb 1 Cold (crust of soil frozen); overcast with cirrus clouds; breeze from S & E 4-5 mph. In area 8:45 - 9:40 See check list p.3 and spec acc't Lophortyx calif. Feb 2. Cold; hazy from ciro- stratus overcast; breeze from E, 3-5 mph. In area of Gulch II, 5:05 til 6:05. Near California Throated singing on slope E of 1st side draw 5:05 - 5:10
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KDixon 1950 Journal Feb 2. NE slope San Pablo Ridge, Contra Costa Co., Calif. See spec. acct hoploptyx. Feb 3. Entered area of Gulch II at 9:00 AM Overcast, threatening; breeze cold front, ±6mph. Ground not frozen although scatter d cakes of ice remained as in hoof-prints etc.: Rain (light) after 11:10. See species acct's Hoploptyx, Falco sparverius Colaptes. Willow trees with staminate catkins appearing. A few Raccharis coming out in bloom. Snowberry bushes coming out in new leaf. In Gulch III I noted a colony of poison oak with statulale twigs, a deformity apparently genetic. I noted a striped Skunk ambuling through chaparral at 10:30 AM (see Hoploptyx C., page 9). Cooper(?) Hawk noted at same time. Varied Through along stream in woodland, lower part of Gulch III Feb 5. Davis Yolo Co., Calif. Noted Mockingbird in Phoenice bush. Absence of Robin this year commented upon by the Williamson family. Feb 6. NE slope San Pablo Ridge, Contra Costa Co., Calif. In area 5:30- 6:10 PM. Partly cloudy; dead calm. See species acct Hoploptyx In Gulch II at 5:45 choruses of Myla originated from 2 ponds (near watering trough and near 2nd side clear). This is the first time this year I have noted congregation of these foods; previous calling has been of isolated individuals or smaller groups. I saw a Horned Owl in eucalyptus tree near E entrance to Tilden Park - owl flew from one tree to another and perched nearly vertical on horizontal branch. Horns visible (6:05, ½ hour after sunset)
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K Dixon 1950 Journal 6. (= 4 1/4 mi NW Driven) Feb. 7. NE slope San Pablo Ridge, Contra Costa Co., Calif. Sunny; partly cloudy, deep calm; no frost. Entered Gulch II at 8:40 AM, working down to area around old orchard, then back to watering trough by 9:50. See under Lophortyx and check list p 3. Hyla chona in pool near watatrough at 7:00 startled upon my approach and was [illegible] not resumed. At 10:05 House Finch singing incomplete song from Baccharis; Downy Woodpecker nearby. Feb. 9. Partly overcast (high clouds); no frost, fog over very; breeze from E &-3 mph; sun hazy. Entered Gulch II at 7:00 AM - see species acct Lophortyx, Toxostoma and checklist journal p 3. 2 Crows flew over going N at 10:50 AM - Hyla chona from pond E of watering trough at this time. Other birds noted: Red-tailed Hawk, Horned Owl. I departed at 1:45 by which time a light shower had begun (complete overcast by 11:00 AM). Feb 11. Clear & sunny after rain of Feb 10; no frost; breeze from E+N 3-4mph diminishing. In area 8:00 - 8:40 (Gulch II). See acct Lophortyx c. also checklist journal p.3. In addition, I noted one Brewer Blackbird of Feb/12. Clear & mild; calm. In area 10:55 - 11:25 (Gulch II). See acct Lophortyx & Toxostoma. Feb 19. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. In canyon 7:00 proceeding up Canyon Rd (accompanied by Martha) in vicinity of pool & partly bath until 10:00; after this we walked up road S of Botanic Garden as far as 2nd Tributary, returning to mouth of canyon by 11:00. High, thin over- cast, sun not bright, calm. Alder + willows with catkins, north- western oaks coming out in new foliage; leaves appearing on thimbleberry, Ribes in flower. See species accounts for
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M.Dixon 1950 Journal 7. Feb 19. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. Plain Titmouse, Hutton Vireo. Noted following species: Sharp-shinned Hawk Purple Finch singing Anna Hummer & song Pine Siskin in alders Steller Jay Arkansas Goldfinch & combat Bushtit (small flocks) prologued chase in oaks on 5 boundary of Botanic Garden Red-breasted Nuthatch (1) Brown Towhee pair N of pool Wren-tit (song) Oregon Junco Bewick Wren (song) Song Sparrow Mch 4. Petal Cr., 1/2 mi SE Davis, Yolo Co., Calif. mid-afternoon, partly calm. hunted in streamside cloudy with sun shining dimly; calm. hunted in streamside (leafless) woodland of valley oak, maple & walnut adjacent to newly-planted barley field 3:30 - 4:15 PM. See species accounts Balarospiza & Meloloma for details. yolo By-pass, mi. W Sacramento in Yolo Co., Calif. At sunset noted 2 separate flocks of 1-36 [illegible] cross on grass not near water nor vegetative cover. Sparrow Hawk on telephone wires at this time. Mch 12. Lake Temescal, Oakland, Alameda Co., Calif. Clear day; light breeze from N. On brush-covered, partly wooded slope W of Lake 3:30 - 5:00 PM, accompanied by Harrison Pyker. Brush consisted of Rhue, Coylue, Ceanothus Baccharis and Cercocarpus? willow (in catkin stage), River (in flower). Birds noted: Mallard 1 pr. Coot Mourning Dove Anna hummingbird in eucalyptus (blossoming); still active Rufous hummingbird at sunset
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Dixon 1950 Journal Mar 12. Lake Temescal, Oakland, Alameda Co., Calif. Allen Hummingbird on territory, visiting song posts in willow, elderberry, pine. Red-shafted Flicker Purple Finch Scrub Jay Green-bk. Goldfinch Busk-tit (small flocks) Spotted Towhee Wren-tit Brown Towhee Hermit Thrush Oregon Junco Orange-crowned Warbler {weak song} Fox Sparrow Song Sparrow Mar 19. Artists Camp, 1600 ft., Mt. Diablo, Contra Costa Co., Calif. Clearing weather following rain of 1 M. (sunny, light breeze from N). Martha and I spent about an hour 3:50-4:45 PM watching nice vother birds in an area largely live oak with scattered digger pines. Observations were made at a point at 2100 ft. elev (see sp. account, Parus inornatus) 5:00-5:20 PM. In nearby City of Rocks area observations were made 5:30-5:45 PM. Species noted: Turkey Vulture (2) Mexican Bluebird Acorn Woodpecker Cedar Waxwing Flicker ("wick-up" call) House Finch ({o congregating in top of tall wide oak) Scrub Jay Oregon Junco Busk-tit ? Swallow (white bellied) White-breasted Nuthatch The Chestnut-backed ? Chickadee seen in this vicinity by Dana Abel 6 weeks ago were not in evidence during our brief period of observations.
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K Dixon 1950 Journal Mar 20. San Pablo Ridge, 4 1/4 mi., NW Orinda, Contra Costa Co., Calif. Overcast (high fog); wind up to 8 mph from W. Ground soft from recent rains. Vegetation: Snowberry fully leafed out; willow in various stages of foliage with & catkins well-formed. Blueleafed out. Herbs such as dandelion and Lepidium in flower, grass growing well, many other herbs leafed out also. Birds noted in area in addition to those checked on Journal p.3: Orange-crowned Warbler abundant; song from brush everywhere. Song of Spotted Towhee also voluminous. House Finch in greater numbers than previously this spring. Button Vireo singing continuous "breet" from oaks woods NW cattle watering trough. I combed willows around trough but found no evidence of other migrants or spring arrivals. Wind may have decreased birds' singing tendencies. Nyla clowns sporadic; no eggs found. Observations from 8:40 - 9:30 AM. Mar 27. Univ. Calif Campus, Alameda Co., Calif. Clear day, gusty wind. Noted 2 Cliff Swallows flying about SW part of life Sciences Bldg. Each entered an old nest. 8:30 AM. Prepared as study shen an Oregon Junco picked up dead on Channing Way by Jack Bechtel. Bird at with no enlarged follicles and slightly fat along pterylae, saved because outer primary of one wing was white. Apr. 2. Davis Yolo Co., Calif. to Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada. Matthew & I left Davis about 10:30 AM. Warm, sunny day. Noted lone Barn Swallow flying over Yolo Causeway Drove NE out of Sacramento on U.S. Hwy 40. Valley oaks breaking out first leaf as were sycamores which had fruit formed.
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R Dixon 1950 Journal Apr 2. Davis Yolo Co., Calif. to Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada By the time we had reached 1000 ft. elav., we were into Bigger Pine - horse oak - Blue-oak, the latter only slightly leafed out. This belt appeared to have a narrow range altitudinally, since scattered yellow pines began to appear about 1500 ft. We reached Donner Summit about 2:30. Snow pack in this area varied from 1ft - 5 ft roughly; snow appeared soft. At Donner lake approx 6000 ft several Robins and one Say's Thrasher noted. Vegetation Ponderosa and Lodgepole pines; apparently the upper limit of Great Basin sagebrush. Ponderosa extends downward to about the level of the Nevada line at Verdi (below which there is sparse sagebrush growth. Pinon-juniper seems to be absent along Hgwry 40 at this point. Arrived in Reno about 4:15 after leisurely drive. 17 mi. NW Reno, Nevada, , in Lassen Co., Calif. We left Reno at 4:40 PM driving NW on US/Hgwry 395. A few miles out of town the sagebrush appeared denser and taller, perhaps less grazed. (No cattle in evidence today). We stopped inside Calif. about 2 miles N of the Lassen-Sierra county line, where there were scattered junipers or a sagebrush slope (scattered Pursila also). Neostoma - saw one nest in each of two lovejunipers perhaps 25 yards apart. Nest spherical, compact, one with dried juniper leaves. Caris picked up lower jaw (2 rami fused) of coyote or dog about 100 yds. off highway. We drove in east of highway on a dirt road to a point 1.3 miles E of highway. Here I looked for Plain T...
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K. Dixon 1950 Journal Apr. 2 17 mi. N of Reno, Nevada ___________, in Lassen Co., Calif. in a patch of junipers. Saw one Paur and 2 Western Bluebirds (see other act Pauri innovator). Cow dung dried on ground among trees. Deer tracks plentiful (one incomplete skeleton found; I picked up a tick apparently from sagebrush). Martha saw 3 deer up slope. Cactus had not been browsed recently; Artemesia had fairly fresh flower stalks and apparently hadn't been fed on either. No other animal life seen; dead hares on roads frequently met. We were in area 5:25-6:15 then returned to Reno for the night. See species acc'd of Cyanocitta stelleri and Carpodacus purpureus for this date. Apr 3. Reno, 4500 ft., Washoe Co., Nevada Clear, calm day. Noted the following species in ranch area at south edge of town (scattered groves of leafless cottonwoods): House Finch (singing), Robin, Killdeer, English Sparrow. Along Truckee River, Cliff Swallows and 2 d Mallards. 7 mi S of Reno Redwing s & s stationed in marshy area. At point 10 mi S of Reno (junction U.S.395 and Nevada Hwy 1) no amphibians found in search along stream and adjacent seepage area. ~2 mi E Steamboat Spire, Washoe Co., Nevada Area of pinon, juniper and yellow pine about 5000 ft. elev. crossed 10:00 - 10:30 AM, noted: Black-billed Magpie (2) Mountain Chickadee 2 in yellow pine Rock Wren singing Robin
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KDixon 1950 Journal Apr 3.-2 mi E Steamboat Spr., Washoe Co, Nevada. Bush-tit - lone bird giving explosive call notes no others heard Western(?) Bluebird Beelopers - on warm rocky slope piñon-juniper Sparrow Hawk seen on road farther on +6000 ft. Virginia City, 6250 ft., Storey Co, Nevada 12:00-2:00 PM Piñon Jay - 4 in area of sparse juniper growth Flicker (1) House Finch Singing heard in leafless cottonwoods in town - unmistakable ending with rising inflection. English Sparrow - in town Rock Wren On road E of Carson City, noted that junipers extended to lower elevation than did piñons. Carson City, Ormsby Co Nevada to Placeville, Calif. Noted no piñon juniper on E slope of Sierra on U.S. Hwy 50 (Yellow Pine extended down into sagebrush) In area slightly above lower edge of yellow pine at about 5300 ft (+6 mi SW Carson City) noted Steller Jay, Flicker, Pygmy Owl, Creeper, Clarke Nutcracker. Vegetation Yellow pine + Aspen. Along shore of Lake Tahoe Robins in meadows at edges of snowbanks. Snowpack here also appeared sparse although +6-7 ft high over Echo Summit.
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KDixon 1950 Journal Apr. 9. Strawberry Canyon Univ Calif Campus Alameda Co, (Calif. 9:30 - 10:45 in lower part of canyon. Sunny; breeze from W 5 mph after 10:00, cloud over sun after that time. Downy Woodpecker - 3 drummed on telephone pole near Poultry lab in one position 10:08 - 10:21, then flew to broken stumps of alder where this species had roosted in 1947 and 1948 and foraged on bark there. Fruit not in evidence. Western Flycatcher call not "peet" heard often Plain Titmouse - see species acc't. Hutton Vires Warbling Vireo - in song, common in willows and alders O-c Warbler - song heard occasionally chiefly on S slope Pileolated Warbler - several 3's in willows only - no song Purple Finch - in song, chiefly in oaks House Finch - 3 overhead in clearing along road Brown Towhee pair on telephone wires E of Poultry farmhouse Fox Sparrow 1 in oak underbrushes Green-becked goldfinch - song and calls in oak woodland Apr. 16. Monterey Bay of Point Pinos, Monterey Co., Calif. left Municipal Wharf in Monterey about 8:AM on excursion with ±100 Cooper Club members aboard the "Siocco", a converted 110 foot subchaser. Common loon noted singly in harbor Brandt Cormorant " Pelagic Cormorant one in bay Sea becoming rougher (ground swell); ship followed by Western Gulls joined by one imm Plaisance-wing The gulls dropped out at greater distance perhaps 8 miles offshore. At this distance we found Fulmar
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KDixon 1950 Journal 14. Apr. 16 Monterey Bay, off Point Pinos, Monterey Co, Calif. flying by singly, all plumage stages from milky white to dark gray with wing feathers white. Sooty Shearwater usually in small groups 2-5 Pacific loon flying by in small groups My impression was that we moved nearer shore after first Black-footed Albatross was sighted. We circled in one spot where fish oil and tachers were spread on water. Next 3 albatrosses followed the ship and Western and California Gulls were present as were Sooty Shearwaters but no Fulmars. A small alced flying by was not identified Pacific loon still passing; 1 Common loon. The area of these observations appeared to me to be ± 4 miles off Monterey Peninsula (to NW). On return trip about 11:30, Surf Scoter flock ± 6 seen and closer to shore, lone Pigeon Guillemot in breeding plumage. Hummingbird (unidentified) several seen flying across bay. California Murre in harbor, singly, NW of Hopkins Marine Station. Brandt Coronante with auricular plumes noted. Eared Grebe in breeding plumage near pier. Clear sunny day, breeze from NW [written up Apr 20] KD Apr 20 Strawberry Canyon, Univ Calif Campus, Alameda Co, Calif. Clear, sunny day. Martha and I walked up Canyon Rd. at 5:30 PM, returning to Stadium about 7:00 PM. Noted these birds: Cooper Hawk (?) flew down canyon toward trees upslope + SE of Bently farmhouse calling "kuk kuk kuk". Smaller hawk (♂?) flew toward her from those trees, then accompanied her as she went out of sight beyond trees about 6:00 PM.
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KDixon 1950 Journal Apr 20. Strawberry Canyon, Univ. Calif. (campus), Hayward Co., Calif. Anna Hummingbird, Allen Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker, Western Flycatcher Swainson Thrush - abundant in oak woodland, giving single wheee "faint"; one on N-facing slope at 6:45 gave two "swirling" phrases of song several times but never a full song. Hutton Vireo (singing), Warbling Vireo, Orange-crowned and Pileated Warblers, Yellow Warbler (song) "chi" "chuh" Black-headed Grosbeak - see spec. acct. Purple Finch - singing almost continuously. Green-bellied Goldfinch - heard in woodland (calls) Apr 23. Wildcat Creek, Contra Costa Co., Calif. Calm, sunny morning. Martha & I worked along a tributary leading in from the E at the level of the baseball diamond in Tilden Park (near tennis courts), 7:40 - 9:15. Birds noted in addition to the usual residents: Rough-winged Swallow - 3 flying over meadow; flying over stream near culvert, perhaps drinking. Black-headed Grosbeak - songs heard from several sites in oak woods American Goldfinch - pairs scattered along willow-bordered stream & singing. Tolmie Warbler - ? in willows and also singing one slope in woodland where understory dense. Orange-crowned Warbler - 2 noted in willows not singing Calif Quail - both "kow" notes (single) and "assembly" call heard.
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K. Dixon 1950 16. Journal Apr. 29 Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. Clear, mild, calm. I entered via Canyon Rd. at 6:15, walked up path to S, then E on slope S of pool, along this path for 50 yards, then returned. leaving pool at 6:45 up Main road and road S of Botanic Garden to horse shoe bend at creek crossing at 8:00, returning to Stadium at 9:00. Oliver-sided Flycatcher - call ("hip three cheers") from N of Stadium Downy Woodpecker - drumming in vicinity of pool and telephone pole near Poultry Farm residence where seen April 7 Black Phoebe - 1 on wires near Vet. Science Bldg. Western Flycatcher - one bird in willows S of Botanic Garden giving 3-parted song "whip-peet-dick"; others elsewhere giving 2-syllabled peet (middle element of song) only. Busch-hit pairs only noted but no nests observed Robin - seen only between pool and Poultry Farm Swainson Thrush - generally quiet or gave single note one burst of song from slope S of alder-lined creek prior to 7 AM. Tolmie Warbler - one only noted - along creek S of Bot. Garden Yellow Warbler - 1 (full plumage) seen; chased by another bird, latter unseen but presumed to be Tolmie Warbler which drove yellow from tree in which Tolmie sang. Arboreal Goldfinch - heard in oaks American Goldfinch ♂ + ♀ seen individually in oaks bordering on creek where willow thicket occurs S of Botanic Garden - they stayed along this edge & did not penetrate woodland here. See also species acc 'ts: Sciurus niger, hoploryx
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K' Dixon 1950 Journal Apr. 29 Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. (Species acc'ts cont) Perce inornatus, Viscio huttoni, Oporornis. Insect life appeared abundant with caterpillars of several types seen on the ground, dead Tipulidae at the roadside and many bumblebees in flowers such as Thimbleberry. All the deciduous plants seemed to be leafed out in full. As I stood for 30 minutes in one place in oak woodland, several small larvae fell from canopy above and struck my shoulders & head; I heard others striking Rubus leaves here & there intermittently. Foraging adults biding their time would have little trouble finding food for nestlings. Apr. 30. Beginning this date, all times noted are PACIFIC DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME Foggy day. Martha & I drove N over Golden Gate Bridge and won State Hwy 1, passing through Stinson Beach at 12:20. Bolinas Bay, Marin Co., Calif. 12:30 - 12:50. Overcast. Noted Egret, Kingfisher, Ruddy (6, ??? in breeding plumage) American Golden-eye, Caspian Tern(1), Western Gull. 1 mi NW Inverness, 100 ft, Marin Co., Calif. Collected one chestnut- backed Chickadee of a pair in live oak - madrone woodland - Western (?) Flycatcher (no calls given) seen but out of range. Hutton Vires not seen San Francisco Bay on route of San Rafael - Richmond Ferry. Strong W wind, overcast. Noted Western Gull in adult plumage Ring-billed gull (adult), California Gull (mostly 2nd year), Greater Scaup (one), Forster Tern(3).
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KDixon 1950 Journal 18. May 3. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co, Calif. In canyon 8:30 - 11:30 AM Clouds passing over but no rain (rained in past 2 days). Cool (breath condensed as steam). I worked in area along stream opposite Poultry lab to E end of pool and parts of the three draws on N side of canyon from Poultry lab W (see spec. acc't laus inornatus for details) My impression is that understory growth in woodland of 1st draw W lab, particularly poison oak, is less dense than it was in 1947 but that poison-oak-Baccharis-elderberry of some of the upper, treeless slopes is more dense. Likewise, some areas along the creek as S of Botanic Garden are more overgrown; the bridge across the creek there is impassable except on hands + knees. Birds noted: American Goldfinch in willows upsteam from pool - not singing. Species absent from extensive willow growth along brook N of lab. See spec. acc'ts: Oporornis, Psaltriparus May 4. In canyon from 2:45 PM - 4:10 PM Sunny; breeze ± 9 mph from W. See species acc'ts laus inornatus, Oporornis, Phoenicurus Pipilo fuscus May 5. In canyon 8:20 AM - 11:30 AM. Clear, generally calm. I spent most of morning in area along creek and S part of Botanic Garden, visiting draw W of lab at 8:20 and again at 10:50. See species acc'ts laus inornatus, Oporornis, Phoenicurus, Pipilo fuscus. Other birds of note: Wood Pewee perched in sunlight on Bot. Garden fence at 9:35 had shifted perch a few feet by 9:50 and was still in same place at 10:45 - only note a plaintive "peru" Western Tanager (?) in oak in Botanic Garden
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K Dixon 1950 Journal May 5. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. Cedar Waxwing - flock of a dozen + others in oaks perhaps migrants as I have not seen them in area recently. Horned Owl - one inside Botanic Garden along 1st tributary joining creek from N. 10:30 AM. American Goldfinch - foraging in oaks inside Garden Grass seems to have taken over middle portion of ridge between the 2 tributaries - a few dead stalks of mustard and Conium in center but these plants still occur near edge of this clearing - shade a possible factor? May 6. In canyon 7:35-45 and 9:15-10:10 AM - sunny; light breeze from W. See species acc'ts Parus inornatus, Phleucterus, hoplothrys, Pipilo fusceus. Lazuli Bunting or singing from oak & willow SW of Botanic Garden Robin - seen carrying nesting material into nest in laurel on E bank of tributary (2nd) S of Botanic Garden fence. Returned at 11:50 and Harrison Pyher, who was with me saw a Warbling Vireo on nest. Bird sang from nest several times. Nest in twig in upper part of alder on N side and + 20 feet above ground. Bush-hit pair building NE of pool. May 7. Martha & I walked through area along creek 10:00-12:30- Olive-sided Flycatcher heard W of Botanic Garden Wood Pewee near where seen Friday Cedar Waxwing plentiful See accounts of Parus inornatus, Vireo gilvus
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K Dixon 1950 Journal 20. May 8. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. In canyon 8:05 AM-8:40; 7:45-12:15; 1:30-2:00 See spec. acc't Paus inornatae, Passeina amoena, Vireo olivaceus. Cedar Waxwings numerous in oaks in vicinity of Bot. Garden Black-throated Gray Warbler & foraging in oaks W Poetry lab cell not trip given In canyon 8:00-8:40-impressed with extremely late singing of Black-headed Grosbeak even after activity of Swainson Thrushes had diminished. May 9. Sunny, calm. I was in canyon briefly at 7:45, returning 9:15-9:45, 10:30-11:10. See specia acc't Paus inornatae Pipilo fuscescens, Acolbortyx Cedar Waxwings present in some numbers. Returned to set traps 7:45-8:35. Noted Horned Owl in small oak SW Botanic Garden-nore seen in vicinity of Poetry lab this year. May 10. In canyon at 7:50 AM. Sunny, calm. Details given under Paus inornatae. Cedar Waxwings have departed for most part-flock of 18 SO of creek at 9:00 AM. Solitary Vireo singing in oaks of draw W lab at 10:30 Red-breasted Nuthatch in oak-lower upper part of draw Nob at 10:45 Olive-sided Flycatcher in oaks inside Garden at 10:00 Yellow Warbler seemed more numerous than previously singing in the oaks. Green-backed Goldfinch in oaks away from stream but much less common than American
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Journal 21. May 10. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. I was gone from 12:15 - 1:30. Weather: Clear & calm in PM. Cedar Waxwing seemed more numerous in PM but not so much as on Monday (oaks in Botanic Garden). Hermit Warbler in oaks of Titmouse Territory 34 at 3:00 & bird silent Solitary Vires in same place Pileated Warbler near along road at edge of madrones Next a few inches off ground suspended & also covered by leaves of a blackberry vine. (4 eggs inside) Downy Woodpecker st. along 2nd Tributary inside garden Swainson Thrush on S bank of creek repeatedly chased 2 Robins through woodland 1:20 - 3:20. May 12. Foggy, dead calm. In canyon 7:45 - 8:40, 9:55 - 11:20, X See Junco, species acc'ts, Parus, X Cyanocitta, Athelcoma, Empidorax. Fresh gopher workings in draw W lab, first seen recently. May 13. Foggy, cold. In canyon at 7:50 and again 9:25 - 9:50 and 11:25 - 11:45. See species acc't Parus inornatus. House Finch - flock + 25 in mustard patch near Veterinary Science Bldge (along road) at 10:00. Pine Siskin 3 in oak along creek opposite lab at 2:30 PM as I stopped briefly in that area. May 14. Davis Yolo Co., Calif. Clear sunny day. Driving around town, noted Brewer Blackbird chasing Sparrow Hawk on one occasion and several Brewers mobbing a Crow. Cedar Waxwing seen and one Swainson Thrush in clump of trees in residential area.
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K Dixon 1950 22. Journal May 15. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. Overcast (high fog) in canyon to set traps and returned 11:50 - 1:35 PM See species acc't of Passer innominatus May 16. Foggy all day - cold. See species acc't Passer innominatus for details - also Pipilo fuscus, Junco House Finch flocks seen chiefly in thistles + mustard & also in salses May 21. Foggy evening, fog hanging low on slopes. Cliff Swallows seen flying low over slopes. May 22. Foggy all day. Flock of 51 House Finches on slopes of canyon N of road between 1st and 2nd side draws W of Parilly Lab.
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K Dixon 1950 Journal May 26. Berkeley, Calif. to Boca Spring, Nevada Co., Calif. I left Berkeley driving the Museum Chevrolet truck at 5:15 accompanied by Bill Salt. We picked up Robert Bailey in Richmond and proceeded via Vallejo, Sacramento and Donner Summit, arriving at Boca at 12:30 PM. We encountered fog until we reached vicinity of Fairfield Solano Co., where I noted Burrowing Owl on pasture fence- post. First seen encountered below Cisco on Yuba River S fork about 6000 feet and last seen about same elevation on E side. We noted Vesper Sparrow on flat covered with Artemisia adjacent to Boca Reservoir. After considerable difficulty with slippery, steep parts of the road we reached Boca Spring, 6000 feet, Nevada Co., Calif. The spring lies on a gentle westerly slope, the west slope of the Carson Range draining into the little Truckee River. The dominant vegetation form is a Jeffrey Pine forest with some openings, the largest in the vicinity being the meadow below the spring. The more open exposed slopes are covered with a sparse growth of knee-high Artemisia tridentata with scattered Purshia shrubs of similar height and the principal herb, Mule ear. (Wyethia). This growth extends into the open pine stands (including scattered ponderosa); in more shaded areas where pine needles have formed a carpet there are scattered procumbent squaw mat (Eriophus ___) now in flower. I hunted through such an area 3:30 - 4:10 PAC DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME. Only bird active at this time was a singing Green tailed Towhee. 6:50-7:50 PM- I hunted in area similar to that of the whole area. I collected a Boggy Nightshaker (T 402) one
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May 26 Boza Spring, 6000 ft., Nevada to Calif. Of a pair feeding young in cavity ± 45 feet up in dead pine Took junco ♂ 403 one of 3 in Artemesia of clearing. Robin heard scattered individuals Morning Dove one seen Flicker one drumming on stump Hairy Woodpecker - calling Mtn. Chickadee, Audubon Warbler heard. 8:45 - 2 Poorwill ± 100 mi apart calling - silent after a few minutes. I saw no bats although Scott said one flew over camp. Clear, calm all evening. I set out 10 aluminum live traps at borderline of grassy meadow and Artemesia. Checked at 7:30 PM - all unvisited (traps set 10-15 paces apart, baited with oatmeal) May 27 Clear, cold, calm. I saw traps - all un sprung except one under Salsic beside spring which held a shrew (prepared by Bailey, cat. no. 77) Bailey caught 3 Peromyscus in 20 traps set in meadow. I left camp about 7:30 PM (daylight time) proceeding W toward little Truckee River. In Jeffrey pine open forest I heard Steller's Jay, Flicker, Mountain Chickadee, Audubon Warbler, Chloris, Robin. I worked down to the E bank of the river about 8:30. The stream was a fast torrent ± 40 ft wide narrowly lined by willow in new leaf & cattails 6-8 ft high. A road runs along the E bank - Artemesia & pine extending up slope. Stream runs N and S; noted Chloris, Song Sparrow pair, one Orange-crowned Warbler which flew across stream, one Dipper near wood fence in flight, 2 Clark Nutcrache. I shot a House Wren (singing ♂ No 403), saw Audubon Warbler, collected Chloris (♀o 404)
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{ "text": "25.\nMay 27. Boca Spring, 6000 ft., Nevada Co., Calif. Working back\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n [TRANSCRIPTION_TRUNCATED_DUE_TO_LOOP]
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May 27. Boca Spring, 6000 ft., Nevada Co., Calif. Two kinds (size classes) seemed to be present, than terrorized by flight also and probably referable to Myotis & Eptesicus? Their period of maximum activity lasted about 15 minutes. Heard Horned Owl in distance while I was in bed. May 28 Clear, calm, cold (ice formed on bottoms of some of the aluminum live traps. I ran line & picked up traps. One placed beside a log in the meadow held a Peromyscus - 7 placed around string were empty except for one beneath other willows (contained Permyscus) I left camp about 6:30 AM - bird activity not conspicuous for first hour as I walked N perhaps 500 yards. I followed a small streamcourse into slightly higher elevation where White Fir and juniper were met more commonly and where the frost was not so open. Undergrowth species chiefly squawmat, Parahia, and manzanita. Much pine reproduction in evidence as were burnover & logging (latter perhaps about 1900 as stumps completely rotted). Mountain Bluebird & flew into snag in which Pyggy Nuthatch nesting - it joined her - she inspected one cavity & left, followed by ? - I was out of range. Townsend Solitaire - one of song similar to Robin's Flycatcher - I took one (?, 4/12) singing from snag in denser forest, chiefly Jeffrey pine. Song of 3 parts - chip chee weet zee the second 2-part note sounding somewhat vireo-like, the other two definitely flycatcher. Hairy Woodpecker ? and White-breasted Nuthatch
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Boca Spring, 6000 ft., Nevada Co., Calif. View westward from spring across south border of meadow. Sagebrush at left and among Jeffrey Pines at rear. Photograph taken May 28, 1950.
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Boca Spring, 6000 ft., Nevada Co., Calif. View northwestward across meadow downslope from spring. Artemesia tridentata and Mule's Ear (Wyethia) in foreground. Area shown was part of territory of a Gray Flycatcher. Photo taken May 28, 1950.
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27. May 28. Boca Spring, 6000 ft., Nevada Co., Calif. Taken in same general locality. Green-tailed Towheebird infrequently as was Flicker. One Steller Jay and a Buleo seen. About 10:00 in denser woodland (much young pine), to S, I ran across a pair of Arctic Three-toed Woodpeckers, and was able to collect the ♀♀. Junco, Pygmy Nuttall's & Chickadee the only other species seen here. Creeper - song
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28 Boca Spring, 6000 ft., Nevada Co., Calif. Bird list Red-tailed Hawk (Salt) Sparrow Hawk House Wren Mourning Dove Bewick Wren (Bailey) Poorwill Horned Owl Dipper Hairy Woodpecker Red-shafted Flicker Robin Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker Townsend Solitaire Wood Pewee Mtn Bluebird Flycatcher Flycatcher Audubon Warbler Violet-green Swallow (Salt) Orange-crowned Warbler Steller Jay Red-winged Blackbird Clark Nutcracker Meadowlark (Bailey) Mtn Chickadee Cassin Finch White-breasted Nuthatch Green-tailed Towhee Pygmy Nuthatch Oregon Junco Creeper Chipping Sparrow Song Sparrow May 29. 1 mi. Sand 2 mi. E Steamboat Spr., Washoe Co, Nevada Black-billed Magpie Pine Jay - 3 + flock heard in distance Plain Titmouse (see spec acct) Rock Wren (heard) Black-throated Gray Warbler Not singing, at least 3 dispater seen; 4 collected, apparently paired Chipping Sparrow seen in pairs
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K Drxon 1950 Journal 29. May 29. 1 mi S and 2 mi E Steamboat Spre., Washoe Co, Nevada House Finch - several pairs flew over area; song sparrow These birds may have flown in from creek Turkey Vulture. I hunted along a willow bordered brook with cottonwoods yet seen 12:20 - 12:35 - Took 6 or 6 rather of a pair, saw Kildeer Bullock Goose and took 2 Geese. Enroute to Mono Lake - we drove S through Gardnerville through Bridgeport (5:00 PM) to the Lake, arriving there about 6:00. here Anelosoma about 11 mi S SE Gardnerville Several miles N of Bridgeport we saw a flock of California Gulls in a flooded pasture along the road - Bailey tried to collect some but all rose from the ground outside shotgun range. They soared and circled and eventually flew S. We took again about one mile farther S. We moved in along the lake shore and I took one California Gull and Laet took 4 more. We drove S and camped at Big Spring Public Camp, 9 1/2 mi. S Mono Mills, Mono Co., Calif. We set up camp about sunset and shinned after that. Heard one Poorwill. May 30. Sunny, calm. Sal and I hunted in area 8:00 - 10:00 AM. Forest here chiefly Jeffrey Pine with Artemisia understory; the trees are taller than those at Bora. Elev somewhat under 8000 ft. This area has a stream running through it, headwaters of the Owens River system. Flicker, White-headed Woodpecker, Williamson Sapsucker Wood Pewee The only tyrannid; widespread over area. One seen diving on a ? Williamson Sapsucker.
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K Dixon 1950 30. May 30. Big Springs Public Camp, +/- 9 1/2 mi. S Mono Mills, Mono Co., Calif. Steller Jay - heard lone individual about 9:45 giving woaking "kraaa" almost identical to Scrubjay call. Also a rather quiet "owk owk owk" in addition to the loud "kuk kuk kuk" call. Only 2 of these jays seen. White-breasted Nuthatch - one a few yards from camp foraging on ground for several minutes. Pigmy Nuthatch - one taken Mtn. Bluebird Violet-green Swallow Robin Mtn. Chickadee Townsend Solitaire Yellow Warbler Warbling Vireo singing in pines 100 yds from stream Western Tanager Chipping Sparrow Greentailed Towhee Cassin Finch - several singing in pines - often difficult to see - when disturbed, would fly up to several hundred yards distance. One taken at edge of pines - bird sang repeatedly & was answered by another 300 yds to north. This individual (M, 426) flew down to perch on cone at base of tree, then perched on branch +/- 4 feet off ground when I took it. Bird in "9 plumage" (testis 7mm.) had what appeared to be abdominal segments of a stapheplined beetle (brown + black) in bill. North Rush Creek, Mono Lake, Mono Co., Calif. We took 10 adult California Gulls in about 15 minutes during noon hour. Yellow Warbler in willows? (dense thickets) outposts for singing of M were 1/5 yards apart (paced). Violet-green Swallow also present.
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Dixon 1950 Journal 31. May 30. Mono Lake, Mono Co., Calif. Noted California gulls singly and in small flocks resting on water and actively picking at objects on surface. Brewer Blackbird Warbling Vireo, Yellowthroat, Yellow-headed Blackbird and Redwings in willow-bordered marshes. 6 mi. S and 2 mi. E Bridgeport, 6900 ft., Mono Co., Calif. We stopped about 2:15 at junction of Bodie Rd in area where dredging mining operations had formed ponds. I collected 2 Cliff Swallows and Salt took 3. Also in vicinity: Killdeer Violet-green Swallow Morning Dove Rock Wren Barn Swallow (1) Yellow Warbler Redwing Scrub Jay in pinyons +/- 1/2 mile N of Turnoff. We drove N through Minden and up Hwy 50 to Lake Tahoe, stopping near there to shoot Cassin Finches. Drive via Placerville (10:00) and Sacramento, arriving in Berkeley about 2:00 AM on the 31st
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June 8. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. Sunny day. In period from 10:00 - 11:30 AM (clear) following species singing: Warbling Vireo (vigorously, continually), Orange-crad & Tolmie Warblers, Amer. Goldfinch, Purple Finch, Swainson Thrush. Notably silent were Pileated Warble. (although active feeding juv.) and Black-headed Grosbeak (heard once). This in Oak woodland S of Botanic Garden. In evening (7:30) when-'it heard singing June 21. Martha & I left Berkeley about 5:30 AM, driving to Davis to see the Williamsons. After breakfast & with borrowed items of camping gear, we proceeded to Sacramento. Afterfan- belt repairs, we left there at 10:30, proceeding via Placerville over Echo Summit & down to the Carson City Jctn. at 3:00. From there we drove to Bridgeport with a stop in Pinon-juniper 10 mi SE Gardenville, Douglas Co., Nevada. No birds seen in 15 minutes of hunting. Pinos seemed to be dying out, having a browned appearance as though flash-burned. We reached Bridgeport about 5:30, had dinner (rib steak & $2.00), talked to Mrs. Cain at the general store (mostly about Bodie) and then, about 7:00 pm) drove 10 miles to the Forest Service Campground called Horngsrom Flat on Robinson Cr., 7 mi. SW Bridgeport, 6900 ft., Mono Co., Calif. We camped along a creek perhaps 20 feet across, a rapid stream which was rising to overflow its bank at one point where it made a sharp bend. The creek was wooded on both sides with aspen, willow, and lodgepole pine and there were scattered low clumps of willows in the grassy rush-covered meadow nearby. Stream flowed to N at this point - hills to E covered with sagebrush as were
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K Dixon 1950 33 Journal June 21. Robinson Cr., 7 mi SW Bridgeport, 6900 ft., Mono Co., Calif. slopes to W which had pine forest higher up. I collected a California (?) Toad (#431) at dusk in grass & saw others. June 22. We got up & had breakfast. Noted common birds: Brewer Blackbird (carrying nesting (?) material), Wood Pewee, House Wren, Yellow Warbler, Cassin Finch. See account of Mustela vison for this date. We left camp about 8:45 am & drove to Bridgeport and then to the old mining town of Bodie, 8300 ft., Mono Co., Calif. an area of shallow valley surrounded by higher sagebrush-covered hills. Here we noted Belting? ground Squirrels and Red-shafted Flicker (heard) Mtn. Bluebird Say Phoebe Green-tailed Towhee Cliff Swallow White-crowned Sparrow Rock Wren Brewer Sparrow House Finch We left Bodie about 11:30 and drove back down the dusty road to, 3 mi SW Bodie, 8000 ft., Mono Co., Calif at place where a brook about a foot across crosses the road and an old cabin stood beside the road. A pair of Mountain Bluebirds had a nest wedged between the window frame and the sheet tin covering the win on the west side of the two-room building. I saw 2 young which looked & acted as though ready to leave the nest. The parents were feeding the young & I took the white-headed ? (#432). A pair of Say Phoebes had a nest inside the cabin in a ledge in one corner. The young in this nest seemed to be a Buff?, Zenaidura, Oreoscopy? few days old only. Also in this area: Salpinctes.
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K Dixon 1950 Journal June 22. 5 mi S & 1 mi E Bridgeport, + 6400 ft., Mono Co., Calif. Pinon stand on steep SW- facing slope of canyon of East Walker River. I hunted upslope to point about 400 feet above floor of canyon 1:30 - 2:00 PM. Only bird encountered was the Rock Wren. I located a pair(?) and took a bird which sang, shooting it as it sang from a rock. The bird proved to be a juvenile (S?) and I saved it as a skeleton (# 433). Bridgeport, 6465 ft., Mono Co., Calif. In the broad green valley in which the town lies, Brewer Blackbird was the common bird of the pasture lands. Redwing occasionally seen and Yellowheaded Blackbird only one. Cliff Swallow abundant. Also noted California Gull, Marsh Hawk (1S) & Turkey Vulture. We returned to camp + moved tent to avoid seepage due to rising stream. June 23. A windy day, velocity up to 25 mph at times. We drove West of Bridgeport at 9:30 + turned E at point 1 mi N of town, going toward Masonic. We got car hooked on rock + finally freed the vehicle + stopped to hunt at point 4 mi N & 2 mi E Bridgeport, + 7200 ft., Mono Co., Calif. Wind strong here in area largely of pinon with some juniper. There was a good stand of trees which had been cut selectively for firewood I presume. There were some clumps where branches of pine juniper were interlaced with branches of the next. Birds noted: Scrub Jay: I ran on to what apparently was a family group and took a juvenile (# 436) and an adult (# 437), 2 which apparently was not breeding since (block-filled) testis measured 3 mm. Others of group scattered.
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K Dixon 1950 Journal June 23. 4 mi. N & 2 mi E Bridgeport, 7200 ft., Mono Co., Calif. (10:40 - 12:00) Nighthawk - one seen overhead & another flushed from low shrubbery among juniors - I scared up what was apparently the same bird which flew into wind & then paused as though turning to fly downward. I hit bird at this point perhaps 35 feet above ground. I made it into a skin (# 434) which I discarded since bird was riddled with shot. Black-throated Gray Warbler - scattered birds Green-tailed Towhee - several singing Bush - tit ?? heard while I watched jay - not located again Cliff Swallow overhead several times We drove down along one of the East Walker River into Nevada for several miles & then southerly back up into the pinyon - juniper country near Masonic. We never succeeded in finding this "locality" exactly although we sighted one mine & saw a sign on a road leading to another mine. I hunted from 2:30 - 3:10 in pinyon - juniper woodland near Masonic in Mono Co., Calif. This was the best pinyon-juniper country I have seen hereabouts yet animal life was scarce perhaps due to the strong wind. Plain Titmouse? - 2 gray birds of this size seen as one: they flew silently from one pinyon to next. A bird then flew away from tree to tree & other also disappeared. Chipping Sparrow one pair Black-throated Gray Warbler ?? seen Steller Jay ? fleeting glimpse Sparrow Hawk one seen
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36. June 23. near Masonic in Mono Co., Calif. Red-tailed Hawk one overhead Mountain Bluebird in more open country, No reptiles, 1 chipmunk, 1 cottontail. We returned over same route to Bridgeport. Pinon juniper occurs in good tracts in canyon of East Walker as part of a belt extending around Bridgeport Valley to E and on lower slopes of Sweetwater Mtns. to N & W. Perhaps Edmice occur sparingly here + were silent + inactive due to wind. Robinson Cr., 7 mi SW Bridgeport, 6900 ft, Mono Co., Calif. We reached camp about 5:30 pm - wind still strong & continued so well into night. Yellow Warbler, House Wren & Warbling Vireo persisted in song. June 24. I shinned at the jays this a.m. & walked through gray area & collected garter snake (# 437). Saw body of Rana fluttered in roadway but no others encountered here. We left about 11:00 & drove to Bridgeport & then to Mono Lake and Lee Vining. From there (1:00 pm) we drove S & then E through cut over Jeffrey Pine to area which used to be Mono Mills & then decided to follow State Hwgy 120 E toward Benton. In the vicinity of Granite Mtn. I saw a Loggerhead Shrike, the only one I had noted in this country. We drove to Benton Station and left there at 2:30, returning through Benton & turning S off highway after driving 4 miles out of town. We proceeded about 2 miles in valley W Benton Range & then another mile on side road,
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37. June 24. 3 1/2 mi W and 3 1/2 mi S Benton, 7000 ft., Mono Co., Calif. In country here which was almost entirely pines, I found family group of Plain Titmice (see specs acc't). Pinon jay flock in pines on this slope Bush-tit 2 seen together Clark Nuttall one individuals seen Sparrow Hawk one No WIND Snatcher heard Green-tailed Towhee (in Artemesia away tree) Western Tanager one or worked up canyon. I took a Sceloporus (#440) in sagebrush clump. We left here at 3:45 after getting stuck in sand. As a last resort, I drove madly down a brushy slope to get car back on road headed downhill. We returned to camp after dining in Bridgeport. Robinson Cr. 7 mi SW Bridgeport, 6900 ft., Mono Co., Calif. Calm evening. Robin in camp feeding full-grown juvenile. Poewill heard calling from sagebrush slope near tree after dark. Trailor(?) Flycatcher in willow clump, meadow, aspen grove area at dusk made descent giving flight song which I recorded as "whip-a-dee-ah". Bird at height about 20 feet when first seen + flew into clump of young fir perhaps 15 feet above ground. Toads didn't seem so active this evening. We talked to fishermen from time to time. Most had mediocre success which they blamed on high water. One man had taken three trout in
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K Dixon 1950 Journal June 25. Robinson Cr., 7 mi SW Bridgeport, 6900 ft., Mono Co., Calif. Noted what may have been territorial squabble: chase of one ♀-plumaged Bullock Oriole by a similarly-plumaged bird. Total species list for area about camp. Poorwill Calliope(?) Hummingbird Hairy Woodpecker Wood Pewee Trail (?) Flycatcher Gray (?) Flycatcher Mtn. Chickadee House Wren Robin Warbling Vireo Brewer Blackbird Red-winged " Bullock Oriole Western Tanager Cassin Finch Yellow Warbler Song Sparrow ----- Cittellus lateralis, Eutamias, Citellus ______, Mustela vison, Myotis sp?, Peromyscus maniculatus, Microtus Bufo ______, Thamnophis, Rana We broke camp at 9:00 & drove to Bridgeport & then past Mono Lake to Lee Vining (11:00 am). Then up Lee Vining Canyon & over Tioga Pass. We noted Pike's cross road near (on E side of) Tioga Pass. We drove down into Yosemite Valley, warm & dry in mid-afternoon with Stellar Jay calls conspicuous. From there we drove to Merced, Modesto, Tracy, Byron Natl Spz & Oakland without unusual event.
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K Dixon 1950 Univ. Calif. Campus, Alameda Co., Calif. July 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 July 20 21 **22** * 23 24 25 26 27 **28** * 29 **30** * July 31 Western Flycatcher C C C Chestnut-bkd. Chickadee v C Plain Titmouse H H S V V C c S C e Bewick Wren S V V C Robin S V V V V V V V c V Swainson Thrush S V S S S S S C C C Hutton Vireo S C O-c Warbler V V Pileolated Warbler V V V cowbird Purple Finch S B S S C C C House Finch S V V S S CV c V C V C C C Amer. Goldfinch S* Sr S s Arkansas Goldfinch CV V Spotted Towhee S S S S S S C C C Oregon Juncos V V V V V V V V White-crad Sparrow S* V Song Sparrow S 5* V V V Cliff Swallow V V V V C V V Red-breasted Nuthatch c c c C c c c Olive-sided Flycatcher C c c Hazelii Bunting V Blk-hd. Grosbeak S Tolmie Warbler V Warbling Vireo S S This daily check-off list was made on the basis of observations made on the lower part of the Campus, usually while I was on my way to or from the Museum. Routes followed were (most frequently) past the Forestry Bldg. or to S or W of HSB Legend S = song heard C = call heard V = seen * = Gill Tract (Hearst #) ** Records for this date From Strawberry Canyon only
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R Nixon 1950 Journal 28 39. July 2. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. Sunny, calm. Somewhat cooler than previous days. In area S of Botanic Garden 6:50 pm to 7:55 pm. Birds heard singing: Swainson Thrush and Warbling Vireo vigrnomoly; others occasionally (American Goldfinch, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Wren-fit, Bewick Wren, Paleolated Warbler Purple Finch). July 22. In canyon 3:00 - 4:50 pm - sunny - are under Parus inornatus & checklist on yellow sheet. July 28. In canyon 9:30 - 11:30 pm. Sunny, cool. See yellow check-list & shec. accto: Parus inornatus, Empidmax, Passerina, I henctricus, Vireo gilvus July 30. In canyon 7:25 - 8:25 am. See check-list, accto of Parus inornatus Aug. 1 Univ Calif Campus, Alameda Co., Calif. Foggy, calm. I walked over lower part of campus [S & W of Life Sci Bldg] 9:40 - 10:40 am. accompanied by Bob Fehl from Philadelphia. Noted Pine Siskin foraging & feeding full[illegible] gronjuv? along creek. Brush Rabbit immature about 6" total length (body + head) hopping along near the bage along creek. Two Norway rata in same area. See notice on Parus mornatus and check list and acct of Myiochila ustulata Aug. 12 4'4 mi NW Orinda, Contra Costa Co., Calif (San Pablo Ridge) I went to prail study area with Richard Gendelly leaving Inspiration Point at 8:30 am. Fog hung over edge of ridge although sun shown on areas to E. We noted a flock of prail on open-grassland & another in brush - see shec acct. Also noted:
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K Dixon 1950 Journal 39. 40. Aug. 12 San Pablo Ridge, 4 1/4 mi. NW Orinda, Contra Costa Co., Calif. Red-tailed Hawk Western Meadowlark Anna Hummingbird House Finch Red-shafted Flicker Pine Siskin near spring Dendroicae sp (heard) Amer Goldfinch abundant Scrub Jay Arkansas Goldfinch heard once Steller Jay bob-tailed young Plain Titmouse (calcd) Song Sparrow Wren-tit (song) Bewick Wren (song) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (2) Brush Rabbit near Spring - Jackrabbit at edge of thistle patch & grass "froze" at our approach with nose close to ground & ears laid back but fled at our approach. 1 spike buck deer seen. Amer. Goldfinch abundant but House Finches scattered & few in numbers, perhaps 12-15 total seen. We worked through draws N & S as well as one where spring is situated. Little surface water in evidence in comparison to last year; restricted to area about spring & that above watering trough. A small pool stood beside tank in gulch to d, fed by pipe from upslope. We left at 10:00.
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K Dixon 1950 Journal 41. Aug. 16. Egg being incubated by loomelania ♀ (K.L.D. #44) taken from burrow on East San Benitos I., Baja California, Mexico on July 22, 1950 was reported by A. H. Miller to be in an advanced stage of incubation and that the egg cracked upon handling. Both this ♀ and ♀ 444 gave appearance of having laid from what I judged to be corvua lutea - (one on ovary of 444). Both had incubation patches. The shearwater (# 446) had no incubation patch and its ovary was inactive, no follicles being distinguish- able or granular surface of the ovary. Aug. 20. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. Clear calm morning. I was in area along neck S of Botanie Garden, 7:30-8:30 am (DAYLIGHT TIME). See account of Plain Titmouse check-list on yellow sheet. Swainson Thrush several calling from dense shubby Orange-crowned Warbler - one singing from oaks S of neck - others actively foraging Pileolated Warbler - more numerous than preceding Four of 5 individuals examined closely had shiny black caps. Solitaire Vireo - one foraging in oaks (silent) Western Flycatcher only one heard American Goldfinch - in brownish plumage of winter Aug. 23. Wildcat Cr., Contra Costa Co., Calif. Clear calm evening. 7:20-7:40 Martha P O walked from picnic grounds down road to Jewel Lake & returned. Sun near setting, shining only on
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K Dixon 1950 Journal Aug. 23 Wildcat Cr., Contra Costa Co., Calif. crest of San Pablo Ridge to E. Birds quiet generally; we noticed Steller Jay, Whin-tit, Brown Towhee, Plain Titmouse (loud) and Swainson Thrush (call only). From the picnic grounds we could hear the chorus of Red-winged Blackbirds from the margin of the lake. The water appeared to have evaporated, leaving the soft mud covered with aquatic plants. Rough estimate would have been 500-600 birds, most apparently males which had undergone body molt. The birds were gathering or had gathered to roost on cat tails at the eastern end of the lake. Aug 29. Pinole Creek, 3 mi. SW Pinole, 250 ft., Contra Costa Co., Calif. Foggy and calm 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.; cleared & breeze blew down canyon thereafter. Henry Childs and I hunted on the property of a Mr. Simas from 8:00 - 10:00, in an area of brushy & wooded slope S of road & creek. The lower slope was clothed with Baccharis and Plus with a few Willows & Fraxinus scattered thru; where brush had been cleared, tall mustard stood. Higher on the steep slope where I hunted 8:40 - 9:40 there was a woodland of Laurel - Oak - Buckeye with scattered low underbrush of Rhue, Osmanonia, snowberry, hazel, etc.: I found fewer birds in this woodland than at the edge of the brush below, both in total numbers and species representation. I saw no mammals other than one Odocoileus doe; the only reptiles were some lizards in brush, probably fence lizards. I took only me bird, a Hudson Vireo (# 450) Turkey Vulture Red-tailed Hawk
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K. DIXON 1950 Univ. Calif. Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. Aug 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Aug 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 *Aug 20** 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Aug Aug Flicker Downy Wdpkr. C C C C C C Western Flycatcher C C Olive-sided " Cliff Swallow V V V V Plain Titmouse S C C C C C C C C C C B C C C Ch-bckd ChickadeeV C C C C C eV C c Red-br. Nuthatch C C C V C Bewick Wren S Swainson Thrush C V C C C Hutton Vireo V vc Cowbird Amer Goldfinch V Purple Finch V House Finch C V C V V V C C V vc C C v O-c Warbler Bv Pileolated Warbler B c Tolmie Warbler B/ v = seen C=call heard S = song heard X = Gill Tract * = Strawberry Canyon
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Flicker Dowry, Mbp/yr [illegible] Drive-sized "" Cliff, simulation Plain Tintwee & Dr. Jacka, [illegible]s Red-PR, [illegible] Bentley, 1870 Dawson & co. Hunt, 1945 Cowling Auer (1936) [illegible] [illegible]
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K Dixon 1950 43. 250 ft. Aug 29. Pincle Creek, 3 mi SE Pincle, Contra Costa Co., Calif. Sparrow Hawk Western Bluebird California Quail Wren-hit (singing) Horned Owl Hutton Vireo (KLD #450) Anna Hummingbird Spotted Towhee Nutshell Woodpecker Brown Towhee Red-shafted Flicker Purple Finch calls & Cupidonary free song Steller Jay (more common) House Finch no song Scrub-Jay Green-backed Goldfinch Plain Titmouse Oregon Junco Bush-hit (1 flock, ±15) Song Sparrow Bewick Wren (singing) White-crowned Sparrow Chicks collected a juv. Yellow Warbler, an Allen Hummingbird and a Western Flycatcher, juv., an adult & Hutton Vireo and the 2 Plain Titmice which I prepared. Sept. 10. Nortonville, 700 ft., Contra Costa Co., Calif. clear & sunny. Martha & I were in area of old coal mining operations from about 5:00 - 5:30 pm. Upslope S of main road (leading to Somerville) hillside (N-facing) covered with scattered live oaks and digger pines and brush (Baccharis, Artemesia, currant and a lupine) I saw Scrub-Jays here and collected a Tolmie Warbler and heard Plain Titmouse upslope. lower on slope I saw Say Phoebe, Rock Wren, Brown Towhee & Western Bluebird. (On road below Somerville, I saw flocked hark Sparrows and one Thrush) West of Nortonville on the Kircher pass road (± 1 mi N Clayton) we saw a Sparrow Hawk flying perhaps 3 feet above ground.
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KDixon 1950 Journal 44. Sept. 10. 1 mi. N Clayton, Contra Costa Co., Calif. An unidentified sparrow was flying a foot or so above the stubble in this field. The sparrow dropped to the ground and the hawk appeared to turn through 90° of arc to its own left in dropping to the ground where the sparrow stopped. The hawk flew up into an oak tree, apparently carrying bird in one foot (I had no binoculars). I wasn't able to follow subsequent events. Four Acorn-crested Woodpeckers in this oak. Sept. 21. En route from Berkeley to Benton, Mono Co., Calif. I left the campus about 1:10 pm in my Ford accompanied by Richard F Johnston. We drove via Sacramento and Placerville over Echo Pass and Spooner Summit (dusk). Thence south on Hwy 395 through Gardnerville and Reevining. We turned E on Calif. Hwy 120 and drove toward Benton. Several times the car flushed birds which I think were Poorwills from the roadside. The headlights gave us a glimpse of one of these birds fluttering with rapid wingbeats almost hovering in one place. We ran into a Black-tailed Jackrabbit which may have been blinded by headlights. At midnight we arrived at a locality which I had visited on June, 1950. Sept 22. 3½ mi. S and 3½ mi. W Benton, ± 7000 ft, Mono Co., Calif. During early morning hours, I heard call of Horned Owl repeated several times. Our camp was situated at the mouth of a narrow canyon which was at the base of a gentle talus slope which extended downward into a valley whose long axis lay in a N-S direction. The pinyons here were rather scattered and the Benton Range lay to the east. ranged to 25 feet in height. Higher on the rocky slopes, they were 18-20 ft for most part. Artemisia Tridentata was prominent in the shrub-layer, Purshia and Ephedra being conspicuous, however,
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K Dixon 1950 Journal 45. Sept 22. 3 1/2 mi S and 3 1/2 mi W Benton, +7000 ft. Mono Co, Calif. An unidentified shrub of the Compositae, perhaps 12" high, bore yellow flowers. A cactus (Platy opuntia) grew in scattered clumps. I left camp at 7:45 am (DAYLIGHT time) working along the slope which led N. Some migratory movement was in progress. I saw 3 white-crowned Sparrows moving southward & several non-descript warblers, singly. I missed a shot at a probable Hermit Warbler. Later I saw a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. I flushed a Poorwill from a rocky, Pinon-covered, E-facing slope. The bird flew perhaps 60 feet; I missed the shot as it flew again. I ran onto a flock of 4 Mountain Chickadees and later took a lone individual (ad ?, #455). I found no indications of Plain Titmouse presence. In a dense patch of piñons, a Scrub Jay worked stealthily downslope & disappeared. Pinon Jays in small numbers passing over and heard in distance. I returned to camp at 9:45. Heard or saw catcatcher upslope. 10:15 - 11:15 I worked up creek for half an hour, noting an Empidonax Flycatcher and a slanting Bewick Wren. I worked back & onto the slope where I had taken Plain Titmouse in June. I saw one gray bird, silently moving ahead of me, possibly this species. A pair of Mtn. Chickadees here. One Townsend Solitaire on this slope leading & me Clark Nuttalia. In the afternoon I heard Plain Titmouse but didn't get hunting together when able to scare it up. Out on the flat to the E I ran into a flock of Bushtits (all species acc't). Several Mtn Chickadees with them. We broke camp at 6:45 (sun had set) and drove to Benton Station. A stockman there directed us to an area to the NE where we might find "pinion birds"
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K Dixon 1950 Journal Sept.22 3 1/2 mi S, 3 1/2 mi W Benton, I7000 ft., Mono Co., Calif. Bird list Horned Owl Rock Wren Poorwill Bewick Wren Chipping Sparrow Red - shafted Flicker Empidonax sp. Wh- and Sparrow Pine Jay R-c Kinglet (1) Oregon Junco Scrub Jay Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Clark Nuttacher Townsend Solitaire Plain Titmouse(1) Orange - and Warbler Mtn. Chickadee Hermit Warbler Bushtit Red-tailed Hawk Scioporus - all age classes seemed to be present, darkness increasing with size. One adult taken (#458) Black - tailed Jackrabbit seen. Johnston shot a chipmunk, a ? with considerable fat on belly - skull broken so not saved Dier sign noted. 2 mole runaways seen in soft earth. Plant growth along creek: wild rose and a small alder; willow the only deciduous plant with yellow leaves. In planning a change of campsite we noted that Pines did not seem to grow much below 7000 ft. No juniper at this camp. We left Benton Station about 7:30 pm, driving North on U.S. Hwy 6 into Nevada. We took the first dirt road leading to the right (2.3 mi E of State line) after crossing the state line and followed this road about 3 miles up into the pines, arriving at a campsite at 8:00. Sept.23 N base White Mtn. The area into which we had moved last night was several hundred feet above the lower limit of the pines. The trees for the most part were 8' -10' feet in height; their density reminded me of the
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47 Sept. 23 N base White Mtns. Steamboat Springs area of Washo Co, Nevada. In places, the pinyons were more closely spaced than "average" for this area; in those cases shrubs were fewer in number. Artemesia was the only shrub present except for scattered Ephedra & pancake cactus clumps. In contrast to the Benton Range area, the sagebrush appeared to be past blooming. Heights of these shrubs seldom exceeded 15". In one canyon there were scattered junipers apparently sprouts from cut stumps. I hunted on a series of parallel N-S ridges leading upward from the gentle slopes where we had camped, 7:45-9:45 and then downslope along a dry shallow stream course 10:15-11:30. Red-tailed Hawk Flicker (1) on ground at base of a pinyon Scrub Jay - few individuals noted; called occasionally Pinyon Jay - most prominent member of avifauna, active throughout day. About 8:30 am, I saw a flock of 30 fly overhead & simultaneously saw 3 more down- slope. Johnston took one. Clark Nutcracker - individuals encountered frequently, numbering perhaps 1/3 the total of Pinyon Jay in area. Mtn. Chickadee 3 pairs seen during a.m. One sang "chee phse be bee" in answer to "chickadee" call of another. Townsend Solitaire - one flew through camp. Ruby-c-r-Kinglet one seen Blue-gray Gnatcatcher one heard Chipping Sparrow - one at three pinyons
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48. Sept. 23. Queen Canyon, 11 1/4 mi. NE Benton Sta., Calif., +7200 ft., in Mineral Co., Nev. Shortly before noon, I walked along the stream N of camp; N boundary of Inyo Nat. Forest camp X+ road crest of 1st ridge stream courses some water escaped from pipes presumably leading to land in valley below. Growth of willow and other shrubs was dense. I noted Robin, Western Tanager & dead Cooper Hawk and Orange- crowned Warbler here. Johnston took one of latter + a Yellow Warbler here. From 3:00 until 5:30, I followed a deer trail upslope as shown by row of XX's.. judging from depth of deer foot- prints & dampness of soil in shade, rain must have fallen in this area a 10 days or so previously. While air was generally calm, clouds moved in from W from whence we heard thunder - overcast was never complete but afternoon was cool. Vegetation was denser on slope near west of E-W trending ridge. I saw no mammal sign other than deer.
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Sept. 23 Queen Canyon, '7200 ft., 1 1/4 mi NE Benton Sta., Calif., in Mineral Co., Nevada. Pinon Jay - singly as a rule Clark's Nutcracker - I watched one individual hammer at a green pinon cone, sever it from the tree & carry it away. At another place, a nutcracker was tecking at a cone when a Scrub Jay drove it away & proceeded to pick at the cone for itself. Scrub Jay - a few seen Mtn Chickadee - flock of 4 seen at 3:15. 2 hrs later, 2+2 A flock of about 9 (one taken, #461). I took a White-breasted Nutcracker (RFJ # ) foraging in pinon with several chickadees but & not seen to be a member of the flock. One chickadee sang repeatedly a song with Meadowlark gracuity to ending - - sicha see lee a pleer I wasn't able to collect that individual. At the bottom of the hill I flushed a Borwell which kept moving & afforded me to chance to shoot. We noted Black-tailed Jackrabbits on the slope below camp. Sagebrush lizards were few in number, the myriads of young individuals seen at the other camp being not at all in evidence. We broke camp at 8:00 and drove to Benton Sta. and then to hearing, Bridgeport & camped on the West Walker River below the Sonora Pass road junction.
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K Dixon 1950 Journal Sept 24. 14 mi by road SE Garnerville, Douglas Co, Nevada. Johnston & D hunted from 8:00 - 8:50 a.m. STANDARD TIME on this clear calm morning in an area of denser pinyon than we had encountered previously in more northerly areas. Scrub Jay Johnston took 1 and saw flock 8 or 10 Pinyon Jay - one flew over Flicker - one seen Mtn. Chickadee - one seen. I heard the dee dee dee notes (ending of a pair's "general call") and a rapidly uttered "pitta pit tut" probably of this species. Solitary Vireo - 2 in pinyon came up as did Chickadee when I squealed. I took a vireo (#462) Audubon Warbler one seen Orange-crowned Warbler one seen 3 mi SW Genoa, Douglas Co, Nevada Jeffrey Pine-White Fir with manzanita and Castanopsis. 10:30 - 11:00. Red-shafted Flicker Steller Jay (heard) Mtn. Chickadee Creeper / taken Ruby-crowned Kinglet one singing Audubon Warbler Turkey Vulture Chipping Sparrow Johnston took one. The above-mentioned collecting was done on a dirt road from Minden to Lake Tahoe, 6 mi by road from Stateline. We drove home via Placerville, arriving in Berkeley at 5:00
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K Dixon 1950 Univ. Calif. Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. Sept. 1 * ** 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Sept. 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Flicker Downy Wdpr. Ch-bkd Chickadee c c c c c c c v v v r c c c Plain Titmouse c c c c c c c c c v c c c c c R-br. Nuthatch cr Bewick Wren Hermit Thrush Swainson Thrush c c v v c c R-c Kinglet Hutton Vireo c Yellow Warbler Purple Finch Golden-ct. Sparrow * = Strawberry Canyon c = call s = song v = seen
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# # = [illegible] N = [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] Purple Frock [illegible] Hutton Vito R - Kinglet [illegible] [illegible] Bewick wren 7-PC Nuttall Plain Titmouse 36 CA-PPD California [illegible] [illegible]
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KDixon 1950 Journal Nov. 14 Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. I was in canyon from 9:25 -- 11:00 am, proceeding as far as point where road crosses creek S of Botanic Garden. COLD; WIND up canyon for most part, up to 6 mph.; OVERCAST with sunshine intermittent; shower 10:47 - 11:00. See op acc't, Pains inornatus; other birds seen: Steller Jay R-c Kinglet Scrub Jay Hutton Vireo Bush-tit BLK-thd Gray Warbler Wren-tit (heard) Townsend Warbler dull plumage Bewick Wren Spotted Towhee Hermit Thrush Brown " Varied Thrush Oregon Junco Robin Golden-crd Sparrow (heard) Song Sparrow Dec 7. I set 5 traps around brush patch (myrtaceae) # on edge of Baccharis - Artemesia on E side of 2nd draw W lab. at 7:15 - 7:30 am -- clear & pink sunrise. Area baited twice previously in last 3 days. Returned 10:00 - 10:20 -- caught 1 each of Fox Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Brown Towhee, Golden-crn. Sparrow (dm) Returned 11:20 -- nothing in traps.
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Species accounts
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Birds
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A.Dixon 1950 Falco sparverius Feb 3. NE slope San Pablo Ridge, Contra Costa Co., Calif. Cloudy, cold day; wind from E 16 mph. Gulch II of gravel study area. At 10:30 AM I entered gulch from N and saw an immature Cooper Hawk (large for A. striatus) perched atop a Phleomnus on lower part of ridge between 1st & 2nd side draws. A Sparrow Hawk which inhabits this upper part of the gulch regularly flew low over the perched hawk giving its shrill kelee kelee kelee kelee kelee . The Falco then returned toward the westward again making a pass at the Cooper Hawk. A third pass was silent as the second had been. After the fourth pass (how many before I entered draw?) the Sparrow Hawk ceased and the Accipiter flew down canyon. Back brownish; much white near rump. Sept. 10. +1 mi. N Clayton, Contra Costa Co., Calif. see Journal p. 43-44 for brief account of taking of a sparrow in a grainfield by a Sparrow Hawk.
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KDixon 1950 Hophortyx Apr.28 Clement Canyon, Oakland, Alameda Co., Calif. A few minutes after sunset (clear) 6 quail flew across road in front of car onto N-facing slope. Apr.29. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. Clear morning 7:30 - 8:30 both single note "kow" and flock assembly calls heard intermittently from mixed woodland and brush on north facing slope S and SW of Botanic Garden. May 6. At 10:00 I flushed 2 quail (pair?) part way up 1st draw @ Cemetery Lab. Birds flew up draw and around to E. A few moments later I heard call "kow" repeated and saw 1 perched part way up elderberry in notch calling. This was in brook on E side of draw as shown. May 8. Pair seen at sunset W of 2nd tributary leading from Botanic Garden. May 9. Flock either 4 or 5 in same place 7:45 AM (sunny)
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Y Dixon 1950 Otus asio Mar. 1. Univ. Calif. Campus, Alameda Co., Calif. In the course of a number of evenings on Campus, I have not heard Screech Owl calls where these owls have been active in previous years, such as in the oaks S of Life Sci. Bldg. Lois Taylor also reported a similar impression of absence of this species. At this time of the year in 1947 and I believe also in 1948 Screech Owls could be heard or seen at dusk on the cornices of South Hall. I have not noted them there this year. Are the activities of gardeners and/or tree surgeons responsible in part? Nov. 20 Clear evening 8:15 heard Screech Owl calling from cypress-like trees N of plane tree grove to N of Campanile. Dec 20. Clear, calm night. - I heard a Screech Owl call twice from oaks S of Life Sciences Bldg. as I walked past at 11:00 pm. Dec 21. 6:30 clear evening. Heard "bouncing-ball" calls from trees along Strawberry Creek SW Life Sci Bldg.
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K Dixon 1950 Megaceryle alcyon Apr 30. 1 mi NW Stinson Beach, Marin Co., Calif. Overcast (high fog) 12:30 PM (DST). As we drove along State Hwy #1 which follows the east shore of Bolinas Bay at this point, a kingfisher, which was perched on telephone wire at edge of bay, flew ahead of the car. The bird perched momentarily twice on the wire at distances of perhaps 100 feet ahead of its previous position. After being frightened for the third time, the kingfisher flew steadily parallel to the road, a few feet above the water, north along the shore of the bay. It flew thus for a distance of not less than 300 yards; we matched its speed in the car, the speedometer register- ing 26 miles per hour, unchanged during this time. Finally, with the car alongside its position, the bird swooped upward to perch on the wire as we moved past. July 30. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. sunny, cool morning. I heard a sequence of calls indicating that a kingfisher was flying up the canyon in area S of Botanic Garden at 8:00 am.
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K Dixon 1950 Colaptes californianus Jan. 12. Univ Calif Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. Clear sunny morning after 2 rainy days. 9:25 AM. At this time I noted a Red-shafted Flicker perched on the concrete wall of Life Sciences Bldg. (west-facing wall, above 4th story windows). The bird was propped against the wall by its tail in the same fashion as when moving up a tree trunk. This flew in short jumps to different sites at this level on the wall apparently inspecting the rough surfaces for food. No foraging motions seen although the bird peered about considerably from each of the 5 or 6 positions taken. After about 1 1/2 minutes, the bird flew to an Atlantic Cedar at the NW corner of the Museum. (if the wall had been warmed by the mid-afternoon sun, foraging might have been successful, for a Black Phoebe often feeds at that site in the afternoons). Jan. 29. NE slope San Pablo Ridge, Contra Costa Co., Calif. Clear, cold, calm. At 9:00 AM I saw (in the course of about 2 minutes) 8 Flickers fly up from Baccharis at lower edge of brush covering on a slope, all 8 being dispersed over a linear distance of not more than 50 yards. Two birds flew simultaneously, the others singly. All flew from near ground, perhaps from bases of shrubs (2 days ago I saw 2 fly up from nearby ground). Soon after they flew toward old cabinsite (from slope E of there) I heard "weck-up" calls. About 20 minutes later four were in flight around tall cypress tree there, giving whinny call and soon dispersing. At 7:45 one flew up from ground beside a Baccharis shrub and another flew from an upright branch of the shrub about 2 feet above ground. Shortly afterward I saw a male and a female together in the top of a Phormium 50 feet downslope.
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H.Dixon 1950 Colaptes cafer 2. Feb 3. NE slope San Pablo Ridge Contra Costa Co., Calif. Cloudy, cold day; breeze ~6 mph from E. At 10:00 I noted 7 Flickers perched in upper branches of alder (?) near cypress tree at old cabinsite in lower part of Gulch II.
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KDixon 1950 Balanosphyra f. Mch.4 Putah Creek, 1/2 mi. SE Davis, Yolo Co., Calif. partly cloudy; sun dim ; calm. I collected a lone woodpecker in streamside deciduous woodland (maple, walnut, valley oak) about 3:45 PM. Previously 2 Acorn-storing Woodpeckers seen in same area (one left as the other flew in to perch in same tree. [leaves had not yet in appearance on trees ; no catherine either]. Other birds in area : Audubon Warbler Scrub jay, Brewer Blackbird, Crow, Domestic Pigeon, Flicker.
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K Dixon 1950 Sayornis nigricans Oct. 5 Univ. Calif. Campus Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. Today at about 2:00 pm I noted a Black Phoebe at the NW corner of Life Sci. Bldg. I have not noticed the species here prior to this date although that corner of the building is an afternoon foraging site used frequently in winter.
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K Dixon 1950 Empidonax difficilis May 12. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co, Calif. Found nest in groove in trunk of laurel on W bank of 2nd tributary of creek inside Botanic Garden south fence. F flushed from nest which contained 4 eggs, which appeared pinkish from a distance of several feet. Sketch from memory. grove 3-4 inches deep & perhaps skittle wide nest set in depression at bottom of groove at height 1 3/4' above ground approximately NW-facing part of trunk. May 22. Found nest in clump of grass on E bank of brook in 1st draw W Paletty lab. Nest of grass, perhaps not completed (no eggs); bird making frequent trips to it. Nest at edge of 3-4 foot drop in steep bank- (oak woodland). June 18. Martha & I visited this nest about 6:20 PM; clear, calm. Nest contained 3 blind young with feather tracts well-developed. Flycatcher appeared in oak along brook to S and perched on "inside" of a bough. Bird nervous at our presence, shifting perch, jerking tail. We moved down toward road 140 feet & bird flew to herbage on W bank, then to nest & did not reappear (brooding?). The nestlings were quiet and did not raise heads or move otherwise as we moved grass aside to look at them. July 22. Sunny afternoon. In canyon 3:05 - 4:45 pm in area along creek from pool to E end Botanic Garden. Heard only one flycatcher of this species call from along 2nd tributary at S fence of Botanic Garden.
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K DIXON 1950 Empidonax difficilis July 28. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. Sunny, cool; breeze from W 1-3 mph. I located a pair of Western Flycatchers feeding young in the nest at 10:40 am. Both birds were feeding. I waited nearby with food in beaks but would not approach nest as I stood in open nearby. Nest was located in an oak near S fence of Botanic Garden on ridge between 1st & Second tributaries flowing in from N here. The easterly trunk (vertical) of the oak had 2 scars where branches had fallen off - this trunk was riddled with decay, yet still bore a crown of foliage. The nest was in the upper one of these about 15 feet above ground. Nest appeared to be behind a remnant of trunk, facing SE.
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K DiXon 1950 Petrochelidon June 16. Univ. Calif. Campus, Flameda Lo., Calif. one of several foggy days. Two juvenile Cliff Swallows were brought in to the Museum in the early afternoon, having been found in rather helpless condition on the ground outside the Bldg. They appeared to be intact but perhaps too weak to fly. hoiz Taylor & I fed one a mealworm & left it caged to rest. Bill harghuret captured it as it flew around the room about an hour later. I fed this bird another worm & banded it 41-39559 and left it caged. I fed the second & left it caged also. The first would not fly from my finger when I held it out the 7th story window. I released it about 2 hours after it first was brought in. I banded the second 41-39558 I released it also 2 hours after its feeding. Both birds flew well when released from 3rd floor window although the second (apparently a younger bird) lost altitude before it flew out of sight into glade N of W branch of creek N of LSB. Aug 9. Cliff Swallows not seen yesterday or today although I looked for them - last one seen on campus evening Aug 7. Aug 16. This evening as on August 12, I saw Cliff Swallows flying about the NE corner of the Men's Gymnasium. There is one nest here above the window on the E side, top story, perhaps a focal point for activity. None seen on S side of Life Sci Bldg for over a week.
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K Dixon 1950 Cyanocitta stelleri Apr. 2. Cold Spr., 4 mi. by road W Soda Spr., in Placer Co., Calif. 6000 ft. large area of lodgepole pine (trees somewhat strunked); snow cover 2-3 ft deep. Group of 5 Steller Jays in grove of pines giving 3 types of call notes: a chorus of nasal notes "aark aark aark", a rapid sequence of sharp notes "wick wick wick" and the harsh "ray ray ray" sequence heard only once. Apparently other Steller Jays nearby as calls heard there. 2:15 PM, clear, sunny, light breeze. Slope E Donner Pass, 6800 ft. 2:35 PM; wind strong from W. Saw Steller Jay moving about in juniper tree - blueback and blackishhead unmistakable (Martha heard call notes also). Vegetation scattered, mostly Jeffrey pine. Apr. 3. 6 mi. SW Carson City Ormsby Co. Nevada (or Hwy 50) lower edge of yellow pine belt. Heard calls "kuk kuk kuk" and saw 3 or 4 Steller Jays in pines at 5300 ft. elev. (No snow on ground). Vicinity of Strawberry at 6200 ft., El Dorado Co., Calif. Area of yellow pine & incense cedar - snow on ground. Heard call "wick wick wick" at about 5:00 PM on clear day. (Area on Hwy 50 about 3 mi. W of Phillips). May 12. Strawberry Canyon, Placards Co., Calif. Sunny afternoon 2:15 Steller Jays on S bank of creek opposite Botanic Garden (in oaks near nest in Tutmanne Ten 34). One bird perched on branch holding woolly horn caterpillar 1" long in bill, rubbing bill on limb first right side, then left, as if wiping bill. Bird flew to perch a foot lower & repeated action, then
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R Dixon 1950 Cyanocitta May 12. Strawberry Canyon flew to S end of woodland. Both Steller and Scrub Jays seemed to be loitering in this area; they probably heard cries of young Stornice in nest. June 21 +3 mi E Fales Nat Spres, 7050 ft, Mono Co., Calif. lone Steller Jay noted in roadside aspen - bird flew upslope into pines. June 23. East Walker River, 8.3 mi by road N Bridgeport, Mono Co., Calif. In midafternoon noted lone Steller Jay in streamside growth beside road which lies on W bank of river here. Growth willed-like, somewhat resembling the composite Phuchea. Bird flew weathward across road about 2 feet above ground affording clear view of black crown in contrast to blue back. Jay flew into juniper & worked up to top & flew to next tree before I could get a shot. Bird disappeared upslope in pinons & I could not relocate it. Strong wind blowing down canyon.
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KDixon 1950 Aphelocoma c. Jan 24. NE face San Pablo Ridge, Contra Costa Co., Calif. Partly cloudy, cool morning, 7:30. Heard prolonged "croak" call of this species from woodland in draw where watering trough situated, the first instance this year. Jan 31. 9:30 - clear, calm. Jay perched in branches ± 18 inches from top of dormant willow on chaparral slope. Sparrow Hawk flew to perch in top of willow and jay dropped down rapidly and into adjacent coffee berry. Feb 7. 4 on SE of sking flew up and to W by twoe - "croak" call given prior to my approach & their flight. Feb 9. Group of 5 in woods E of watering trough, Guilds II - 2 + 2 flew off; single bird remaining skulked off in different direction, Mar 4. Putah Creek, 1/2 mi. SE Davis, Yolo Co., Calif. Partly cloudy with over dimmed; calm. Streamcourse vegetation of leafless trees - valley oak, maple, black Walnut. 7 Scrub Jays sighted. birds calling "sqriel sqriel sqriel" very way. After 1/2 hour I hunting on the Williamson property I shot one jay which flew away after dropping a few contour feather. A few minutes later at 4:00 PM, I saw a jay perched motionless on lower branches of a willow(?) This bird seemed lifeless and I took it with a load of 10's at close range. Preserved as an alcohol #394 May 12. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. 2:15 - S bank of creek opposite Botanic Garden. Two Scrub Jays in woods near titmouise (near 34) nest. I have not noted them here during the past 2 weeks. Cries of young titmice in nest are audible & perhaps attract jays. One of jays gave "roak" "kra a aa", a call heard often during the next few minutes.
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KDixon 1950 Parus gambeli May 28. Boca Spring, 6000 ft., Nevada Co., Calif. Clear, sunny, calm morning. I was in area ± 500 yards N & E of camp in slightly higher elevation. Here forest was more dense with scattered juniper & white Fir trees as well as Jeffrey & Yellow Pine. After 7:30 (ie 1/4 hrs after sunrise) chickadees became more active. Once I heard exchange of the clearly whistled song "chee phe-be" on part of two individuals perhaps 50 feet apart separated by a partial break in the vegetation. Another time, 3 birds in scattered localities were exchanging this song. I was unable to actually see a singing bird to collect it. Once I startled a chickadee which repeated over and over "chicka tica tica tica tica pee peedee" the first phrases run together rapidly. The chickadees in this area were always in pairs and seemed to be located on territories. However none seemed to be nesting and I found no activity such as nest site selection. However Bailey collected a ? with a watery incubation patch. See account of Sitta pygmaea for this date. May 30. Big Spr. Public Camp, ± 9½ mi. S Mono Mills, Mono Co., Calif. I hunted 5:00 - 10:00 AM in forest of tall Jeffrey Pines with Artemisia meadow below. My impression was that nesting was not so far advanced as at Boca - several pairs were seen (but there was little singing "chee - phe-be").
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KDixon 1950 Psaltriparus minimus May 2. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. - rainy - 5:20 pm - noted family group of Bush-tits in oak-lauel grove about 100 feet N of Poetry Research Lab. - one bob-tailed juvenile and 2 parents seen and from calls, at least two other young birds were present. May 3. Family group in willow at E end of pool. 5 bob-tailed juveniles tended on branch huddled as if for warmth (three faced E one week, next E) 6th juvenile (bob-tailed) hopped about as if foraging for itself. One adult seen during 2-3 minutes I watched. 8:40 AM, cloudbursting over; cold enough that one's breath condensed. Sept. 22. 3 1/2 mi. S and 3 1/2 mi. W Benton, ±7000 ft., Mono Co., Calif. about 4:00 pm (cloudy) I ran onto a flock of about 15 Bush-tits in pinons NE & down talus slope from our camp. The birds were accompanied by four Mountain Chickadees which sometimes moved independently but seemed to rejoin the Bush-tits, at least after one separation. The Bush-tit moved rapidly, foraging in one pinion or a group of trees then flying on to other trees. The trees here were widely spaced (Junipers not present). The Bush-tits did not utilize the low Artemesia shrubs for forage during the 20 minutes or so of my following the flock. I took one bird; subsequently the birds were shy of me and would not perch in sight of me, being particularly frightened if I swung the gun barrel in their direction. Their flight from open perch to cover was a frantic dive; half a dozen birds remained on the "inside" of a tree for several minutes & I wasn't able to collect any.
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K Dixon 1950 Sitta pygmaea May 27. Boca Spring, 6000 ft, Nevada Co, Calif. Windy in PM, clouding in. At 2:43 I approached nest area where I had taken ?, 402 last night. A nuthatch called excitedly from juniper to SE of snag and flew toward E. He returned 25 minutes later and I collected him (♂, 407) This bird presumably was the male of 402 since two birds were making frequent trips to the nest cavity ± 45 ft above ground last evening. On one occasion one bird gave food to the other who reentered the cavity with the food. The ? had laid and had a well-developed brood patch which he fledged. May 28. I located near(?) a nuthatch ± 40 feet up in dead snag. Only one bird appeared to be visiting the cavity and it invariably left in < minute or less. I judge that this was a ♂ and that the ♀ was still incubating. 7:30-8:00 AM. At 8:15 I noted a nuthatch pursuing a Mountain Chickadee in and out among branches of ? junipers ± 50 feet NE(?) of this nuthatch. The nuthatch gave no calls, the chickadee gave a loud call "chickadee" as if disturbed. The latter then flew south into dense stand of young juniper & I lost track of the action.
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NDixon 1950 Otocompsa emeria Chinese Red-whiskered Bulbul June 29 400 Taurus Ave., Montclair Distr. Oakland, Alameda Co., Calif. In response to a phone call, Martha & I visited Mr. Robert Potte, an entomologist, at the above address. We arrived at 6:30 p.m., at his home on a S-facing slope at the head of a draw in an open woodland of Monterey pines. The bird about which he had called was perched on a wire in the front yard and I had a clear view from below & one side. The bird sat partly erect on the wire; it appeared to be of the size and proportions of an Olive-sided Flycatcher. From this view, I was impressed with the erect black crest and amount of chestnut on lower belly. The bird flew down slope; soon we heard a call given at irregular intervals of several minutes. The call was loud and clear [illegible] or - - churr chee keure keure combining elements introductory portion of meadowlark's song and something of the quality of calls of the Ash-throated Flycatcher. We saw the bird hopping up from one branch to a higher one in a pine on the edge of the street & saw it give the call. Bird flew to tree in Potte's yard; its flight being noticeably direct and fairly swift. Bird moved up in tree & disappeared & was heard no more although we searched neighborhood for it. Potte had seen it on June 26 & 28; on both these occasions it had appeared at about 6:30 p.m. Once it alighted on a small area of lawn among shrubbs on terraced part of hillside & on this evening remained perched longer & was generally less active than formerly.
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KDixon 1950 Otocompsa emeria 2. June 27. 400 Taurus Ave, Montclair Distr., Oakland, Alameda Co, Calif. The bird seemed flycatcher-like in some of its habits & I considered its affinities might be muscicapid. crest long, erect, jet black cap black, limited by line through eye gray black lines back: Dusky or olivaceous Outer tail feathers may be white Belly: buffy on sides, fading to white in mid-line Under tail coverts about as in Brown Towhee (color & extent) Tail probably as back color at least above
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KDixon 1950 Toxostoma redivivum Feb 9. NE slope San Pablo Ridge, Contra Costa Co, Calif. overcast, slight breeze from E. Thrasher singing in Baccharis intermittently from one point (ridge between 2 side draws of Gulch) from 9:15 - 9:40 and another point to E later. Songs recorded phonetically: chura chura chura chee chee chee wump che uh clip chura chee (rapid) clip chura chee wurink wurink trailing off in a snarl. The element repeated most often was the "clip chura chee" sequence. Most notes were repeated twice before some other theme was introduced. Many other notes hard to transcribe were given. Thrasher singing on willows (not seen) in upper part of 2nd side draw at 11:30. Feb 11. Sunny, mid day. Thrasher singing from perch atop Baccharis in upper part of 1st side draw near road (Gulch II). Time 11:25.
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K Dixon 1950 Hylocichla ustulata Aug 23. Wildcat Cr., Contra Costa Co, Calif. - clear calm evening. Between 7:20 to 8:40 pm (speak in shadow) I heard 2 or perhaps 3 thrushes along a 200 yard long willow strip between picnic area & Jewel lake. Aug. 28. Univ. Calif. Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. A cool day, fog having cleared by 9:00 am. At 10:15 and again an hour later I heard several whistled "whit" notes, unmistakably calls of this thrush, from Acaculus outside my window on the N side of MV2. Sept. 1. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. Warm day. From 12:30 - 12:50 I heard at least 2 Russet-backs calling from along creek upstream from mouth of 1st tributary (south of Botanic Garden) Sept 13. Univ Calif Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. Cool morning - high fog overcast. About 9:45 I heard call note & later saw thrush in blackberry about 50 ft SE of West gate entrance - bird repeated call several times. A few minutes later, saw 2 thrushes along creek SW of eucalyptus grove - no calls - backs russet, no tail contrast - birds secretive. Sept. 14 One along creek W eucalyptus grove repeatedly flitting to pick something from trunk back of tree (usually at crotch) - bird active but silent - evergreen broad-leaf tree. Sept 15. I was in my office on N side of MV2 - throughout morning I heard no calls. At 12:40 pm a Swainson Thrush repeated its "whick" all several times from oak or Anceyge outside. Is this an influx of migrants or do some individuals reside along creek to W, being silent after early August?
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K Dixon 1950. Hylocichla ustulata July 17. Univ. Calif. Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. Completely overcast (high fog) and cool throughout day. At 10:30 am. Three thrushes along Strawberry Creek W. of Life Sciences Bldg. were singing full songs ('trill effect') At least 3 others were [illegible] (single notes) in the same area. July 20. Sun breaking through thin cover of high fog - two thrushes singing sporadically in area outlined above 10:05-10:10 am. July 22. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. I was in area from pool to point S of Botanic Garden where road crosses creek from 3:00 pm to 4:45 - single call notes of thrushes heard but no full songs. July 25. Univ. Calif. Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. For the second consecutive day I missed hearing calls of this species. I walked along creek S of Life Sci. Bldg. 6:15-6:30 # weather [illegible] heard this thrush. (Overcast throughout day) Aug 1. This morning (9:40-10:40) I noted several Swainson Thrushes along creek & edge of eucalyptus grove W of Life Sci Bldg. On several occasions (single) call notes were given. Although I saw & heard this thrush in the canyon on July 22, 28, & 30, I have neither seen nor heard it on the lower campus since July 23. total [illegible] or migratory influx? I heard one calling from Buckeye N of Museum at 7:40 pm. Aug 2. Thrush calling where W branch of creek goes underground (N of Life Sci Bldg) at 5:10 pm. If this species was here last week, it was unusually silent. - Individuals up the canyon were calling intermittently when I was up there (see above)
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K Dixon 1950 Sialia mexicana. 1. Mar. 19. 'Artists' Camp', 1600 ft. Mt. Diablo, Contra Costa Co., Calif. For details of antagonism shown a pair of Plain Towhee over a nesting cavity, see species acct of the latter. Both ♂ + ♀ bluebird were involved at different times in attempts to drive the Towhee away. Apparently the open-ness of the woodland (here largely live oak) and proximity of grassland made this site attractive to the bluebirds. Apparently the Towhees were slightly more advanced in their nesting cycle for the ♀ carried materials, while the bluebirds were interested in selection + defense of a site but perhaps not ready to build. I did not see either bluebird enter the cavity; probably it was large enough to accomodate the bluebird. See species acct, Paurus. Apr. 15. Seilomar, Monterey Peninsula, Monterey Co., Calif. 8:00 AM Pair of Bluebirds seen perched in dead upper trunk of cypress tree. Nest-cavities apparently occupied by Violet-green Swallows - no sign of contest over cavities in one or two minutes of watching.
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KDixon 1950 Vireo huttoni Jan 28. Univ. Calif. Campus, Berkeley Alameda Co., Calif. Clearing after rain of yesterday. During the morning I heard song of vireo from trees W of Museum as I have occasionally during the past week. Feb 11. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. Sunny morning, calm. Heard one singing in oaklands along creek opposite Poultry ranch house at 9:45 and in same vicinity at 10:40, alternating with shrill song of Plain Titmouse. Another singing along creek (2nd tributary) south of Botanic Garden at 10:25. Third alternating song with Plain Titmouse W of pool at 10:50. All songs the same "burr"set" of rising inflection. Apr 1. Univ. Calif. Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. Sunny; fog clearing. 8:00 AM. Heard vireo singing burree (very dry) from land along creek W of Life Sci. Bldg. Song continued for several minutes quite monotonously while I was in vicinity; position of singer apparently did not change although I did not see the bird. Apr 9. Strawberry Canyon, Univ Calif. Campus, Alameda Co., Calif. Two types of song given in oak woodland but not alternate "zieen" or "bjeet" and the usual "greet", both of same quality repeated incessantly. 6:45, sunny day. Song not heard in area along creek opposite Poultry lab. Apr 11. Univ Calif. Campus, Alameda Co., Calif. Song heard W of MUZ about 1:00 PM, sunny day. Apr 20. Strawberry Canyon Song heard about 6:00 PM in area S of pool. Apr 29. Song at 8:40 from willows along stream near SE corner of Botanic Garden - oak woodland 25 yards away. Song heard infrequently 6:15-8:45 AM
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Vireo huttoni May 18. Strawberry Canyon 11:55 - vireo in laurel calling a harsh note byaaw over to me - bird close at foraging Steller Jay twice apparently trying to drive it away - I was unable to follow action further. July 22 mid afternoon on ridge W Parley lab - hutton Vireo with only one rectrix left came up when I squeaked & gave song za weep za-weep.
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K Dixon 1950 Vireo gilvus May 7. Strawberry Canyon, Harvard Co., Calif. Sunny; light W breeze. Nest #1 (discovered May 6 by Harrison Ryder) in alder S of Poultry Research Lab - ± 20 feet above ground. Bird singing on nest at 10:05 AM (facing NW) and singing at 12:20 (facing S, tail only visible) Nest #2 (found by Martha Dixon today) Nest in laurel on 2nd tributary flowing into creek from Botanic Garden. Bird apparently singing from nest (which was not completely visible) at 10:45 and again an hour later as we walked by. Nest about 20 feet above ground on S side of an upright branch. At Nest #1, 7:25 PM - bird on nest not singing although other vireos within earshot were. Bird faced N. May 8. 10:08. Bird on nest, facing S; ?(?) sang from alder to E. (silent) (Nest #1) May 10 8:40 AM - Vireo on nest facing N, silent. Song from whistream about where titmouse nest located. May 18. During the morning I noted that the nest was hanging away & appeared to be partly shredded - evidently some predator had located nest. July 28. At 11:40 vireo sang in laurels along 2nd tributary S of Botanic Garden fence, the only song I heard all a.m. long. Several young individuals noted; one group ~ parent & 2 juv both begging in willow along creek.
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KDixon 1950 O-c Warbler Vermivora celata May 7 Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. 10:15 (sunny) pair of Orange-crowned in Willow-Bacchana along road below bridge S of Bot. Garden - I gave note tick sharp (song Sparrow-like). I apparently chasing her thru brush, displaying orange crown. 2 min later I on S bank giving tick tick tick and finally ti ti ti tick (rapid) in increased agitation at our presence. No activity here at 11:30.
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K Dixon 1950 Oporornis tolmiei Apr. 23. Wildcat Creek, Contra Costa Co., Calif. Sunny, calm morning, 8:30 PM. Tolmie Warbler seen in willows on tributary joining Wildcat Creek E of baseball diamond. A few minutes later a male sang repeatedly from understory vegetation (Plums, willow, Sambucus) of oak woodland at base of north facing slope of hill to south of this creek. Song not melodious, 3 or 4 introductory notes followed by 2 of lower pitch as tsee - - - suh do giving a “clipped off” effect This bird's song was not answered by any other male. Apr. 29. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. - A singing from several perches circumscribing a diameter of perhaps 50-60 feet along creek, ±100 feet E of SW corner of Botanic Garden. Bird secretive, difficult to observe, singing usually from near top of willow or oak tree, however. This bird believed to have chased silent St. yellow warbler from willow in which it sang at 8:45 AM. Song (repeated at regular, fairly frequent intervals): cheedle cheedle cheedle chee awee see - - ~ - rapid May 3. Singing males appeared to be established in 3 places: one heard on N-facing slope to W of alder-growth along creek (ie: SE of pool); One heard in poison oak - Baccharis - elderberry W-facing slope of 1st draw W of Poultry hab, 9:00 – 10:40 AM and a third in similar growth in next draw W at 10:15. The last 2 sang persistently throughout morning. My impression is that fewer Tolmie Warblers were there in 1947. No PP noted.
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KDixon 1950 Oporornis 2. May 4 Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. 2:45 - 3:00 no sounds from Tolmie Warbler in draw N of pool. At 3:00, bird gave a weak "tsee tsee" or "tsee tsee", repeated then gave three notes -- -- repeated this, then tsee tsee tsee sit sit". Bird sounded as though "warming up" after inactivity of mid day. No further song however as I worked downslope. Bird sang from brush at upper part of W-facing slope. May 5. Sunny day. 8:20 I singing in draw W Lab- 8:45 I singing on slope SE of pool and later one on S bank of creek near bridge of Botanic Garden. May 6. No song along creek 7:30 P.M., a few minutes before sunset
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K Dixon 1450 Pheucticus melanocephalus Apr. 20 Strawberry Canyon, Univ. Calif. Campus, Alameda Co., Calif. Clear, sunny. Took 1st walk into canyon this week 5:30-7:00 PM. Found no grosbeaks until I reached area south of Botanic Garden. At junction of 2nd tributary flowing thru garden into creek three ♂ grosbeaks were exchanging song at 6:30. In one case one ♂ was chasing another in an oak overhanging the road while a third sang downstream. Song sounded more rapid than that of Robin with less range in pitch of introductory phrases. No females in evidence. May 4. Singing ♂ at SW corner of Botanic Garden (3:15) and oaks S of creek + NW of old Forest Station Bldgs. (3:30 PM). At 4:05, ♂ singing in alders SE of Farmhouse and another ♂ perched on telephone wire on N side of road there. May 5. ♂ singing in oaks W of pool at 8:40. ♂ singing along 1st tributary S of Botanic Garden fence 8:45, 9:45. ♂ singing on S bank of creek E of tributary from 9:00-9:45. Nest in oak overhanging road on E side of 2nd tributary (outside garden fence) "Sric" calls heard; no bird seen. May 6. ♂ left nest as I passed underneath at 9:30 AM ♂ singing in alders SE Farmhouse + another used road S at 9:50
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K Dixon 1950 Pheucticus May 6. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. Map of singing males poste ± 10-20 minutes after sunset. [illegible]hab [illegible]Farmhouse July 28. "Spic" notes given repeatedly and a few phrases of song from oak on slope W of 2nd tributary in Botanic Garden area at 9:40 a.m. Bird not seen & calls not given subsequently.
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K Dixon 1950 Passerina amoena May 6. Strawberry Canyon, 9:20 - ♂ singing from willow, alder, oak along creek S of junction of main road and dirt fire trail S of Botanic Garden. Song: we see ti di da sub do later song: tsi tsi si se ya seeya tsuh do May 8. ♂ in oak SE farmhouse sang Bird then flew directly S to tall alder on stream & sang again. ♂ not noted upstream where seen May 6. Pair seen along brook in draw W Penlety Lab at 2:00PM (Oak woodland) May 10. ♂ singing from chaparral, upper part of draw W Lab at 8:30. ♂ singing from oak S bank of creek SW Botanic Garden 8:45 (no song opposite farmhouse) July 28 Noted lone ♂ in oak W bank of 2nd tributary draining from Botanic Garden in mid morning.
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K Dixon 1950 Carpodacus purpureus 1. Mch 20. Oakland, Alameda Co., Calif. Partly overcast. Heard a Purple Finch singing in back yard (residential area with scattered fruit trees & shrubs) at 6:30 AM. This is the first occurrence of this species I have noted this winter and spring although House Finches pass through occasionally. This must have been a wandering ♂ since Purple Finches have been singing for a month & I have never heard one in this neighborhood previously. Mch 26. I have heard Purple Fincher (at least ♂ singing ♂) in the same area during the last few mornings. Mch 31. Saw a purple Finch (? coloration) in English Holly in yard; bird identified by call note "pit" given singly at irregular intervals, perhaps more frequently if bird was mildly alarmed or uneasy. Accompanying the finch was an English Sparrow of undetermined sex (light poor due to complete overcast; 5:45 PM). when the finch flew, it was followed closely by the sparrow. Apr 1. 7:00 AM; overcast; calm. Heard Purple Finch song in backyard and saw ?-plumaged individual foraging on oak foliage and definitely saw this bird sing. In the same tree was an English Sparrow which appeared to be ♂ Apr 2. ±5 mi E Colfax, , Alameda Co., Calif. Area of yellow pine - Incense Cedar about a mile W of grove of Pinus attenuata on U.S./Hwy 40. About 1:30 PM heard typical rolling song of purple finch; also call note churred by. Warm, sunny day.
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K Dixon 1950 Carpodacus p. Apr 8. 314 Alcatraz Ave., Oakland, Calif. Flamedo Co. ♂ singing in side yard at 9:00 AM - not seen. Apr 20. I have not heard song of this species here this week. May 23. ♂ heard singing in back yard in mid-afternoon but bird flew in SW direction only 1 yard before I could see it. June 11. Subsequent to the above date & including today, I have heard Purple Finch song in vicinity of 62nd & Helligass Streets, Oakland, 2 blocks south & one block west of the above locality. I have not seen the bird, which sings most often from a large deciduous tree on that corner. Bird seemed to be alone. House Finches heard occasionally in vicinity. Question whether this may be the "♀-plumaged" ♀ still exists. July 27. Univ Calif Campus, Berkeley, Flamedo Co., Calif. Several times during morning I heard melodious call "chur see dee" from edge of eucalyptus grove W life Sci Bldg. This is the first sunny morning in a week or so but I have not heard or seen much of this species on the lower campus as shown by checklist on yellow sheet with journal section of notebook. Dec 26. Davis, Yolo Co., Calif. the third cold foggy day in a row. At noon I saw four finches in an alpinus tree in the residential part of town. One gave the "pit" note of this species several times. The four flew together to a tree 40 feet away when disturbed
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K Dixon 1950 Carpodacus mexicanus May 7. 314 Alcatraz Ave., Oakland, Alameda Co., Calif. (Continued from Martha Dixon's banding notes). ? House Finch trapped and banded on window ledge in our back yard January 29. 5 ?̇̇ and 4?? color-banded (no govt aluminum bands used) between March 19 and April 18. Most of these birds were seen in the back yard at one time or another but no consistent pair relationships were evident. During the last week in April, these birds were less visible in the backyard and eventually left altogether. On May 2 several unbanded birds were seen in the area. This group consisted of 3 ?̇̇ & one ?, all unbanded. One of the ?̇̇ was banded 2 days ago & the other two today. These birds appear as a rule either in the morning or evening but no nesting activity is evident. Vines growing on an old shed in the yard appear usable by finches but as yet are not occupied. Disappearance of the group of 10 banded birds & their replacement by an influx of new individuals may indicate that the area does not provide all the factors necessary for breeding of this species here - too few trees perhaps?
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Dixon, K. 1950 Jan 28. Oakland, Alameda Co., Calif. [314 Alcatraz Ave.] Martha trapped a Towhee at feeding station on platform built or our kitchen window about 3:00 PM. I banded it 48-223173? on her later red above aluminum on right leg. Feb 9. NE slope San Pablo Ridge, Contra Costa Co., Calif. For past several weeks I have seen & heard a pair of Brown Towhees near 2nd side draw of Gulch II (above cattle trough, see journal p. 4). Today at 12:45 I saw a towhee on ridge between Gulches II and III below cow path. I am not certain this isn't the one from Gulch II. I know of no other Brown Towhees in area of concentration I avail study to date. Mar 26. Oakland, Alameda Co., Calif. [314 Alcatraz Ave] Overcast after rain of last night. A towhee entered Trap about 6:10 AM. I banded it while about aluminum 48-223172 on right leg. The bird appeared to be alone, flying to roof of shed in yard N of house and thence toward E. It was not met by a mate so far as we could see. Mar 28. Brown Towhee in trap at 6:20 AM slipped out of my grasp as I was removing it from the trap. Of four instances of trapping this species here, twice individuals have escaped, perhaps four individuals involved. Mar 29. Univ Calif. Campus, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Calif. At 7:00 I saw Brown Towhee chase Song Sparrow & later Spotted Towhee away from broad ledge below windows on west side of office, 2593 LSB. Towhees appear to monopolize the feeding tray & surrounding area. Mar 30. Oakland, Alameda Co., Calif. Martha & I watched Brown Towhee preening in oak tree for 2-3 minutes. She had binoculars and reported that 2 feathers dropped from bird's plumage separately. Apr 5. 9:45 AM Cloudy, sun dim. Bird banded red over aluminum on stone-paved yard next door hopping about on ground giving call chip chip chi chi -- --- --- --- chi, two introductory chips followed by a series of about 12 notes with tempo increasing then decreasing at end.
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K Dixon 1950 Pipilo fuscus 2. Apr. 7 314 Alcatraz Ave. Oakland, Alameda Co., Calif. Rainy morning Cought a Brown Towhee on kitchen window sill trap at 5:00 PM. Two other Brown Towhees were together in live oak and later on fence. One banded red above aluminum, the other unbanded. Birds according to Martha were quite agitated with feathers ruffled; she said the red-banded bird was giving calls chip chip chi ---- (recorded on page 1) and also "pain - reinforcement" calls ("skyyr skyyr skyyr"). She was not sure that both birds gave this call. Calling continued for some time as we had difficulties with colorband - eventually we banded the towhee in trap yellow over aluminum (48-223171) on right leg. Apr. 20. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. 6:40 PM (our setting) Pair of Towhees along second tributary leading into Botanic Garden. 2 of Black-headed Grosbeaks in pursuit in oak tree; towhee in same tree gave rapid pip ---- call while mate foraged on ground - elicited by grosbeak action ?? Apr. 23. 314 Alcatraz Ave, Oakland Alameda Co, Calif. 6:45 PM, a few minutes after sunset. Brown Towhee (0?) banded red over aluminum on right leg which had been seen 2-3 minutes earlier in large shrub north of our house, flew up from it to perch atop a chimney on house N of that shrub. This bird assumed an unusual pose with tail held nearly vertical and head slightly above horizontal, wings drooping somewhat and vibrating slightly. A series of single notes were audible at a distance of about 100 feet (not known whether from this bird or another hidden bird)
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X Dixon 1950 Pigolo f. 3. Apr 23. 314 Alcatraz Ave, Oakland 9, Alameda Co., Calif Individual relaxed to normal horizontal posture, then resumed this attitude for a few seconds. (all notes given chip chip etc: approx 3 every 2 seconds Bird flew down into this small leafed shrub, moved to several perches in turn, then disappeared. At 6:55 a towhee, (too dark to see band) was perched momentarily on chimney and chip notes of two birds were heard simultaneously calls continued for several minutes after this bird flew down out of sight. May 3. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. Brown Towhee pair noted in lower part of 2nd draw W Poultry lab and in willows near head of brook N of Poultry hut 8:30-11:30 AM. May 4. Individuals called from area at SW corner of Botanic Garden (3:15 PM) and NE of pool (4:05 PM) May 5. Towhees seen on 2nd tributary N of Reed (S of Garden Fence) at 9:35 and another at SW corner of Botanic Garden at 10:50. May 6. 10:08 towhee calling from oaks along creek near farmhouse road. 2 min later towhee seen at edge of road on N side of pool. Calls of towhees noted after sunset 8:00 - 8:20 PM as follows: lab Farmhouse wooden bridge old Forestry Station
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K Dixon 1950 Pipilo fuscus 4. May 9. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda Co., Calif. 9:40 AM - towhee in brush on W-facing slope of 1st draw W Lab at lower edge of brush (southernmost). At 10:50 towhee foraging silently further S where curve slopes around to SE. 5 minutes later towhee calling chip from edge of road on W side of draw then flew across road toward pool. I suspect 2 pairs here. May 10. 8:00 Brown Towhee at edge of Botanic Garden E of S Gate - bird from 2nd tributary? 8:30 - pair reinforcement calls peak of ridge W of Lab. 10:45 towhee on slope E of water tank 10:50 pair in oak canal of upper part of draw N of lab. Along road between 2 tributaries - 2 Robins & one towhee foraging together - Robin darted at towhee which took to shrubbery nearby. Robin moved on at my approach, towhee later calling chip. On ridge between tributaries inside garden - towhee repeatedly chased S Song Sparrow which sang later. Towhee silent. Same chase at 2:15 PM - one Pipilo in oak W of grassy part of ridge - other calling from W slope in clear patch with dead Conium stalks etc. This pair not the same ones seen along road 100 feet to S 9 feet. May 11. 7:40 PM - towhee calling along creek E of mouth of 1st tributary from Botanic Garden and another up road W garden. One on E bank of 2nd tributary but now up road leading past Old Forest Station.
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Pipilo f. May 11 Strawberry Canyon 7:55 PM Towhee calling from N end of grassy glade on ridge between tributaries. 2 minutes later towhee calling at lower end of ridge - same individual I feel - Verified a moment later. 8:10 - Towhee giving rapid pip pip pip --- from W of main road and simultaneously another on E bank of 1st tributary calling. Fence 2nd Tributary 8:17-8:20 glade gate Creek Fence = "pip pip pip" rapid X = single phased "pips" Sunset about 8:00 PM bird heard here at 8:35 May 12. 8:10-8:15 PM - foggy. Towhees calling as follows : 1 east of Farmhouse; one up S slope in clearing W lambs S of lab ; one E of pool along creek ; 1 on W facing slope of draw W lab & one considerably farther upslope in brush.
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K. Dikou 1950 6. Pipelo f. May 16. Strawberry Canyon, Alameda (o), Calif. Overcast, breeze from W. In draw W lab, I noted Brown Towhee in chaparral of upper E side (3:15), heard 2 midway up in oaks and another in oaks N of pool (3:25) Above chart shows location of calling Brown Towheea 7:55 - 8:10 PM - cloudy, cold as I walked from base of 2nd draw W lab to area opposite farmhouse and returned. 7 towhees represented, presumably indicating 7 "territories" if not mated pairs.
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May3 40 50 6x 9+ 10= 11Y May12 16 repeat for that date 17 pairs of Brown Towhees KLD Census of Pipilo fuscus May 3-16, 1950 KL Dixon Strawberry Canyon : Woodland Br. Fresh Grass unmarked 500' 700' Pool br. Stadium 900' 400' Pine Br. Br. N Feet Pine Y Botanical Garden 700' Y Y Y Y Y X = = = = Pool Br. 225' Br. Br. Pine Br. Br. Br. Pine 900' * Towhees seen along S tributary June 4-11 may be linked to other occurrences as shown by dotted lines.
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K Dixon 1950 Pipilo maculatus Apr, 29 Univ. Calif. Campus, Alameda Co., Calif. 11:30 - sunny day. Spotted Towhee at feeding on outside west-facing window of secretary's office, MV2. Bird "shadow-boxed", apparently flying against its own reflection in the window, rooster-fashion. This is the first time I have seen this species fight its image although Brown Towhee does so regularly.
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K Dixon 1950 Jonco hyemalis Jan 24. NE face San Pablo Ridge, Contra Costa Co., Calif. I noted one individual in a mixed flock of passerines (White-c. & Golden-c. Sparrows, Oregon Junco, Green-backed Goldfinch (4) and House Finch(2), total 50 - 60 birds which flew from grass to nearly edge of Baccharis chaparral. This slate colored junco was less restless than the Oregon junco or appeared so, remaining in one shrub; answering my squeak by appearing in plain view, and finally flying to rejoin the flock when it alone remained in that brush.
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KDixon 1950 Junco oreganus Apr 29 Univ Calif, Campus, Alameda Co., Calif. M singing from top rung of bleachers on E side of Memorial Stadium wididit wi-di dit — in fume, a dry rapid song. 9:08 AM May 12. Found junco in trap in last sed m E bank of brook in lower part of 1st draw W Poultry Lab (Titmouse Territory 32). Bird adult, M plumage. I banded it 4/-3958/ on right leg (no color band). May 16. 3:15 PM overcast, windy. At edge of brush + grazing land head of draw W Lab — juvenile (spotted breast) forced to fly by direct flight approach of adult. When juvenile perched on ground after short flight, another adult flew at it casing another flight. Third threat by adult caused young bird to fly out of territory of adults.
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K. Dixon 1950 Mustela vison June 22. Robinson Cr., 7 mi S W Bridgeport, 6900 ft., Mono Co., Calif. N-S trending valley at E base of Sierra - some lodgepole pine on slope to W - sagebrush on low range of hills to E. Trees along stream were Lodgepole Pine & aspen with some scattered clumps of willow up to 10 ft in height. About 8:00 am we noted increased number of chip notes of Song Sparrow on W bank of creek which was about 20 feet across at this point. Then we saw a mink climb out of the creek and move with what resembled a flowing motion through the grass and [illegible] perhaps 6 inches in height. A House Wren moved over into a pine nearby and also gave a "s-colding" call. The mink returned to the edge of the stream and slipped quietly into the water and swam downstream. It reappeared about 30 feet down-stream in quiet water behind an [illegible] log. The Song Sparrow was there to greet the mink which did not leave the water but disappeared downstream. The House Wren moved over nearby but soon left & calls of the sparrows also subsided. (Written from memory June 26)
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K Dixon 1950 Sciurus niger Apr 29. Strawberry Canyon, Pasadena, Calif. 8:30 AM sunny. Saw Fox Squirrel in woodland on slope of creek - oaks here form a continuous canopy which would permit a squirrel to cover considerable area without goin' down to ground. I do not recall having seen this squirrel so far up the canyon before (one on slope S of pool, April, 1947) Botanic Garden fence Strawberry Creek ROAD path N X = area where squirrel seen
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