Galapagos field notes, v579
Page 681
Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Contributed by Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley. | www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Transcription
xBenedict: Ji: 1964 10 June Oasis, Mono Co., Calif. Flycatchers were conspicuous here as at Deep Springs, being present in about the same proportions. The only Empidonax identified were Wiesternos, giving its "purr" and "clap" notes. Western Kingbirds were fairly common here, and I heard one Cassin's calling. Orioles, Grosbeaks, and Yellow Warblers were less common (briefly) birds of this area, along with House Finches & House Sparrows. However, there were a few (?Vagrants) here also; the first warbler I looked at proved to be a Redstart in the same plumage as the one we saw at Deep Springs - it was working high as a cottonwood. In the only suitable habitat for buntings, we flushed 3 birds, two of which landed in clear views directly before me. One was a ♀ bayuli, the other was rich brown on the back, with distinctly forked tails to the feathers, and no wing bars (just the borders as mentioned). Below it became pale tan, even on the breast, and the sides of the breast were clearly though lightly streaked. The breast pattern, lack of wing bars, and bright back color are indicative of ?♂ a ♀ Indigo Bunting. However, I felt better about having seen the species when we were able to find the third bunting, a well marked ♂, with no orange on the breast and no wing bars (wing feathers edged with brown).