Farallon Islands and Surrounding SF Bay Area, v4278

Field Notes of Chester Barlow 1898-1902

Property of Museum of Vertebrate Zoology Purchased from Mrs. Wilhelmina Bennett, by Requisition No. 64, December 20, 1929, with Notebook for 1892-1894, Pp. 1-144, Circular soliciting orders for California Murre eggs, 1894, Barlow and Osgood, and original data for sets of eggs, and 165 photographic negatives.

Mon 24/98. Went to Kites at Almaden Marsh this p.m. I had seen them about a certain tree several times so thought they would nest in it. Today no birds were in sight when I arrived so went to this tree and looked for the nest, which I finally decided upon as a small dark spot in the top of the tree. There was a strong wind and a hard gale, which I overcame with the use of some large nails. The bird fluttered from the nest when I was 10 feet

below it and flew to a tree 100 yards away where she remained all the while, never once returning near the nest tree. She was not observed at all. Nest 57 ft up in top of live oak in a grainfield. Composed of oak leaves + about 12 inches across and deeply cupped. Depression of nest 8 inches across and 6 inches deep at center. lined entirely with dry straw. A new pair of birds. Eggs four and well marked. Incubation about one quarter along. Eagle's nest not used. 4-90 167 7 123 173 8 123 191 4 124 194 8 127

Mon 26/98 Went to Targents this p.m. Visited Dreasing Canyon but saw no eagles any where. Went to 1st line of oaks but the eagle's nest seemed ruined. Tried to locate my kites but could not and darkness soon came on. Got back about 8 o'clock p.m. Sunday, Mon 27th Was up at 6 and went to Daily Kites locality. Scared up an eagle among the trees. The kite was in the grove but changed his position so frequently that he could not be relied upon

to reveal the nest. He would leaver over one tree and then another. I had selected their last year's tree as the probable nesting site and as it was of craggy foliage I noticed their last years nest and then a new one on the East side of the tree. I decided to climb it, and had to go up by- a limb, as I did in 1897. The female flew only when I was almost to the nest, when she left- and was joined by the ♂, both flying about near by, and occasionally calling.

Nest - 42 feet up in live oak in granfield. Measured 12 inches across and depression 4 inches deep. Eggs 174 x 150 172 x 130 168 x 131. A peculiar nest - composed almost entirely of long dead straw and tough weed stems, with a very few small sticks in the make up. Eggs three - incubation fresh. Det con- tained one very bright egg - I took asch-14 from a nest in sarnette Apr 11/98. Collected at 8 am After breakfast - I took horse and went through Ward hills for several hours. Hark extremely abundant.

387 Scared up an Eagle near Ward's Queen but the old nest was unused. Saw our Kite but could find no Eagles nests. Redtails were very common. On my way back I found a Redtail's nest but the birds were not around. I climbed the tree and found four eggs in the nest—quite a surprise! The birds arrived at once, screeching vociferously. Probably the ♀ was off for her morning exercise. Nest was 4ft up in top of a live oak on rolling hills. ↓ Nest 2 ft in

diameter and composed of our sticks. Nest flat on top with a slight depression at center and depression lined with dry grass. One egg smaller than others. Egg measure, 2 60 x 1 81 - 2 34 x 1 50 - 2 50 x 1 90 - 2 47 x 1 87 Sunday, Apr 3/98 - Went to Mt. View to both Rile localities. No birds in sight. Went to Palo Alto locality but spent little time looking for birds.

389 Saturday Apr 9/98 Went to Hilroy this pm Visited the Pyeannoy egl nest but it was not in use. Went to Daisy nest from which I took set 1/3 on May 12th/91. They were using same nest and bird flew when I was well up the tree. Nest same as before and had a newly killed squirrel in it. Nest 49 ft up. Comp of oak sticks flat- 3x5 ft. Sep, 1 foot across 6 inches deep at center.. lined with straw and a little moss.

Sunday Apr 16/98 Went up Treasure Camp on but egles were not there, nor went the Kites On a hill I climbed to a Magpies nest in an oak 40 ft up. It held 5 eggs which were fresh. The eggs were afterwards groken Nest round, made of oak sticks. Measured 1 1/2 ft across, with hole in the side. Interior depression 6 in. across & 5 inches deep, lined with roots.. In the canetree was another old magpies nest from which a Sparrow hawk flew. It held 5 fresh handsome

391 eggs - nest practically same as last but rather more loose, with an old lining... 40 ft up. Magpies were quite numerous, and sets were hardly complete. I took a set of 7 fresh eggs (one very large) from a nest 60 ft up in top of live oak which also held an eagles nest. Magpie nest round 12 ft. across. Depression deep and lined with roots. Another set of 5 (incomplete was taken & broken). Climbed to eagles nest but none were in use.

a very warm day - Kazuki Bullfinch + Bullock's Oriole heard for first time April 12/98 heard low Wood Pewee on Alameda today. May 1/98 Went to Marsh to look for Kites but could not find them. Tomorrow - Owls nesting.

393 May 1/98 Mentor went to Milroy for me. He took a set of Sparrow Nests from same tree as that from which I took set April 10/98. She was a 2nd laying, but birds had used the other nest. The nest held also one Magpie egg, probably the finish of the former Magpie set. Eggs 1/3 in- cubated. He also- took a set of 5 Magpies from live oak 30 ft up. Eggs well begun in incubation. Nest as usual. One egg broken. River eagles not making nests. He found

a Sparrow hawk's nest with small young which were white. Sunday May 8/97 Went to Mayfield today. At the same I found Mr. Chip Sparrow's nest and four incubated eggs. Nest of weed stems lined with horse hair. Placed in thick cypress ledge 3 feet up. A hinned Sparrow swallow's nest- both held small young. Coming home, I examined 3 nests of Cat Blackbird, brick-

395 in grainfield near road. Two were just complete and one field 4 fresh eggs. Nest 3 feet up in a tall weed. Made of- tough weed stems and lined with coarse grass. Several Honey Hawks been

Wed. May 11/98 Went to Guadalupe Creek at Hicks Mills this afternoon. Thrushes, Yellow Warblers r common. Found nest of Pileated Warbler, built as usual, containing 3 small young.

Diernas 397 Friday June 10/98 - I was at Dierns in the Diernas this morning, once more rambling through the forests and enjoying bird life. I went up the old saw mill road at 5 a.m. Bird life was at first quiet but increased as the sun came up. I saw almost all the Warblers and the usual quota of others. Heard Pileated Woodpecker. Olive sided, Leisuris & Warbling Vireos Wood Pewees, Spotted Dovekie, La Daneges - about as normal. Warbling Vireos about as usual. After breakfast - we

went down to the brush district for the forenoon. It was warm day. Audobons Warblers. Also Prince's with young learning to fly. May Melloways Warblers seen in deer brush. Found Clipping Sparrow nest incubated in deer brush. Nest placed in a small Spruce 3 ft up. Eggs marked with brown. In the afternoon we went down on the pond among the marguaritas to look for Warblers but found none. Followed along creek and came

Home. Saturday June 11th/98 Took gun and went up road and down the canyon. Dick Bill Pumpkins common and in full song but too wary to shoot. I shot a dove, which was in the young, spread plumage. Saw a Hermit Warbler at very close range but could not follow it to its nest. We found a Dove's nest & it up in crotch of kind of black oak. [illegible]

made of dried brakes (ferns) and pipe needles eggs 2 and fresh I took a photo of nest and eygs and then collected them. Coming home along road I shot a MT Chicadee on a low limb and on picking it up saw it had a large green worm in its bill. There was an old orange stub standing 30 ft from road about 9 inches through and 3 ft high. It was rotten and in the top was a nice little round hole about 2

nerves in diaries leading down into the darkness. On scratching the stub, a peculiar bird came forth denoting young. We tore open one side and saw a nest full of birds ready to fly. Three scrambled up the rough wall and flew out and were not found in the brush but the other six we managed to journal and they sat for their pictures as nicely as could be asked. In color they were just like the adults. She was calling near by so we patched up the hole and

came away. The following day I found they had all left the nest, so examined the cavity. The bed of the nest was 8 inches from the top of the cavity. The cavity had been about 1 foot deep and in this there were 2 nibbles of fine soft stripped spruce boughs and on this 2 nibbles of fine soft matted fur, not all identified but some being squirrels. Made two photos of nest and young. In the P.M. we went to the old

403 sawmill on edge of a meadow. Elot a Mac. Warley. R.B. Oapsneker, 2 Thickbill Sparrow, Junco and a Creeper. Donned robins nest- 30 ft up in top of pine, containing 3 eggs. Did sat very close. Skinned birds this evening.

Sunday - June 12/41 We drove 12 miles over the ridge toward Plum Creek to old saw mill. Life was plentiful near 14 mile house. Rob Sarnger in a tall cedar. Saw numerous Dapsuckers -- found used nest of Cassins Vireo -- the first for my stay. The Vireos have either not built or have changed their sites as we can not locate any.

405 Found Blue Sparrow in small pine with one fresh egg which I left. We went up to about 3000 ft. Bird life same as near Duffe but seemingly less abundant. At the old sawmill we made pictures. Found robin's nest 6ft up in cedar with 4 eggs which we photoed and took. Taylor found one 7 ft up in cedar with 3 eggs, rough on shell. Nest as usual. Coming home we heard several Houseins the tall pines.

Monday June 18/98 Rode to Dittie by wheel and got back at 9 o'clock. Had some pictures taken. We stop birds from every tree. We went up through the woods and around the ditch coming out way up the road. I got some yellow moss off a fallen cedar. Bird life quiet and apparently scarce. Made another picture of the W.H. Woodpecker nest near house in the top of the burnt stub.

the war bluebirds leave a nest. Soon after I focused my camera the F BP came with a grub in her beak-- alighting variously on fence and cedar tree stubs. She summoned courage enough to alight on the stump, when the bluebirds fiercely attacked her and she flew off to a pine on the edge of the woods. Soon she ventured to try again and alighted on the back of the stump. The moment she did so the young sat up their squeaky little notes, evidently hearing her alight. By

hopped around and approached the hole, and one little white head bobbed up and she thrust her head into the cavity, deposited her grub and was away to the forest once more. The little one remained at the hole until I walked toward the stub when he dropped from view. I made our picture of old bird feeding the young

409 Tuesday June 14/98 At half past 6 this morning I went down the hill hunting, shot a Cabanis W.P from a black oak. Saw several Warblers and shot a ♂ Audobon as he alighted on the ground. Found a Cal Bush dik nest hanging in a dense marganta bush 6- f't up. Bird left when I touched nest. The nest held 6 eggs, incubation begun. Nest a pretty one, having one entrance on top and our 2/3 way up on opposite side.

410 Both holes were well rounded. Inside lined with various feathers. Plumed Quail & H Grosbeak very. Nest and set collected. Carry back and skinned birds Hermit Warbler About 130 I took a walk into the woods north of House, following a trail. The day was rather cloudy, and birds seemed cammoner than usual. I watched several Warbles to no effect. La Damages were heard complacently. I was looking chiefly

411 in the pines for their nests when I thought I saw a small dark spot among the needles in a 5 foot pine. The tree stood in a clearing, a little ways off from the border. Next to it grew a black oak and at its base a few small cedars. I threw a stick at the tree but no bird flew so I climbed the tree. When I got well up I could see the spot was a small nest. Upon getting to it I saw 5 or 6 eggs and the red cedar lining.

and I felt sure I had found the 2nd known set of Kermi Marbles. Soon one and then both birds appeared, settling all doubt as to who owned the nest. Both hopped slowly about in the top of a black oak, occasionally uttering a very weak “treet”, but not appearing to be afraid. No song was given. I came down and watched the bird and soon she flew to the pine, and hopped now up and then down

413 picking at the nest here and there and finally went onto the nest. I took gun, camera and string and went back and climbed tree with camera. I found the nest at 2 o'clock. Made 1 instantaneous 3 short time exposures from top of tree working under difficulties. I then packed the eggs and cut off the nest with nest. This seemed to excite the birds, the f leaving flown off as I came up 5 ft below nest. Still they

"tseet" When I got down both birds hopped about the tree and to the place where the nest had been. Then one would fly to a large spruce nearby and launch into a weak song. The song is far from vivacious and the least so of any of the warblers. I shot the ♀ after which the ♂ disappeared. Nest was (measured) 45 ft up on a curved-up horizontal limb 4ft

415 from trunk and 18 inches forward of limb. Drill really on the pine needles at the junction of two small limbs. Composed of light gray pewed stems, mixing of fine red cedar bark and hairlike fibre of soap-root? Nest in yellow pile- eggs four incubation fully two fifths.

Wednesday June 15/98 4:30 I rode by wheel to Cliff Sparrow's nest near 14 mile house. Rid on nest held 4 fresh eggs, I leaving been laid each day. Nest 7 ft up in small pine by mountain road. After breakfast Taylor and I went down road to Ha Darger's nest in black oak. Many photo in site and then collected nest with live: legs three. incubation commenced Bird noisy as usual

417 We went to brush district. Thick bills, flycatchers, greentail towhees +9 all common in brush. Heard several lempidornay (wrightii or hammondi) founded Mr Robins nest- just finished- in dogwood. Birds evidently have all almost fresh eggs or about to lay. Blew eggs 3:45 p.m. After supper took Grosbeak w/ k- 9 some deep brush, 9 1/2 up, new house. Incubation about one third adv. Nest collected. Z

Thursday June 16/98 This forenoon we went up Weber Creek looking for a Flycatcher nest. Found a low Robins nest just put up in crook of a tall slender maple. Bird on. Nest near creek in shaded spot. Eggs four, incubation begun. Collected. We found the Flycatcher nest built in cavity of a burnt out spruce. Saw Blue Hooted flys just out of nest and learning to fly. A bob-tailed little bird. Found Robins nest in low spruces.

419 with one newly-hatched young- & 3 eggs. Bird left quietly- and made no noise. A yellow Warbler's nest found in thick deep brush 3 ft up, held 2 advanced eggs & 1 infertile one which I left. Thick bill Sparrows Warblers common on the paletus. Saw several of the small Cincipidonapes on trees giving their weak note. Came down to dinner. About 4 o'clock we went up to Danage's nest in Ring on road. I climbed to it (50 ft up) and found young-

before and shot before we knew of this. watching Kermil Marbles along road. It evidently was nest in one of the pines but I could not locate it today. Friday June 17/98 spent the day packing up in order to leave for home in the morning.

421 July 11/98. Mr Daylor forwarded a nest of Wm. Wilder Wren with 5 eggs and sent them to me. They seemed addled as the yolk was hard in places and difficult to remove. He sent the appended notes in his letter.

Notes from the letter of Loren K. Taylor, Duffe & Norado Co. Cal. 422 The bird was called the 'Snow King' as it came only in winter and lived in the snow. From his description I thought it must be the Winter Wren so got him to show me the nest with a view to photographing it for you and collecting the nest. He said that he was prospect-ing and was "panning out" and heard a sort of drumming noise and looked up to see what caused it and saw it was caused by the "Snow King" which was feeding its young not more than two feet from his head. He watched the bird sometime and continued to work near by and to pan out in the same place. The bird soon be-came quite fearless and seemed to be not at all afraid of him. "The nest is built in the side of a perpendicular bank about four feet high and the nest is half way up and is set into the bank so the outer edge of the nest is even with the face of the bank and just shows the rim and a little moss on careful inspection. The entrance looks like a small hole in the bank. I could just reach the bottom of the nest with my fingers and I felt two eggs in it which puzzled me some time and I wondered if the bird was laying a second set in the same nest. While talking the matter over I saw a Wren fly down into a prospect hole a short distance away and not come out again, so went to the hole and stepping into it, flushed the bird off the nest, which proved to be situated just like the other one and contained as near as I could ascertain, four eggs. I could just reach the eggs with my finger and succeeded in getting one out of the nest and it proved to be fresh. "July 12th: The nest contained today five beautiful eggs which are in good condition for blowing. I got the nest out with some difficulty as it was held to the bank by many small roots. The cavity in which the nest was made was lined overhead with moss, making a roof for the nest."

423 Feb 12/49 Went to the ranch today. It was clear pleasant and I found new finch Hymmer's nest for '99. Placed 15 ft up in Cypress on an "inside" limb close to trunk of tree. Incubation was begun. Nest built as usual and like all early nests lined with feathers. Feb 88 Donated to Mrs Bell.

Friday - Feb 24/99 - Bees had found 1 egg in one of the Alumni Rock nests on 19th so I was to collect the set tonight. left Sawyer at 4:17 by wheel. Had a hard & hurried ride out to the Creek where I left wheel and went up for view of creek bottom. The sun sets early in such a deep canyon so I rushed along over roots and boulders to the falls which I reached about 6 pm. I could see the eagles' nest on the cliff and climbed into the branch through the brush below

tree - a white oak, tall and straight. The first crotch was 12 ft up and tiered as I was I tackled the tree, the maple leaving as I com- menced to "slim". I finally wriggled up into the crotch and began the long ~ limbs climb of 15 ft which led to limbs beneath the mesh. I made boat off of a b~ bed- could go no farther, and after one more trial I gave up and went down. It was useless in my exhausted state. Already~ it was dark and I hurried down the ~rillbe and picked my way down.

the 3/4 mile of creek to my wheel in darkness. Got home at 8 o'clock ending my fish and perhaps disappointing eagle trip for 1/899 Sunday Feb 26/99- this forenoon went with Flemmie and Fred drove out to Allan Rock. Pre- pared to storm the eagle stronghold. We all finally managed to reach the falls and Fred and I were its owners.

427 the tree had not dimunished at all but I was fresh and easily made the climbs. No bird flew and I was distrustful but concluded later that she never returned after being scared off at night on 24th. I nearer was in the top of the tree and placed so that I could only see into it by pulling myself up on a level with it by my hands. It was 4 feet across, evidently an old nest for many use, composed as usual of sticks and lined with grass.

There was a depression of perhaps 3 inches at their center. It was 48/ fth from the ground. Eggs two, incubation not- appreciable, eggs not- as finely marked as eggs from parquets but- a few with memories- Mel 4/99 Went to Parquets tonight. Went to the magpie nest but- no birds were there and nest was filled with green boughs & twigs showing it might- be a nesting place

of perhaps the male. Sunday - Feb 5/99 Went out at this morning. The two nests in Treasure canyon not in use but birds had the one over the hill newly lined. Whether they had been robbed or had laid I dont know. Saw one bird about. Nest in 1st live oak blown down, new nest on river marged and there in 2nd live oaks, the same. A wiry day

Dear Mother 18/49 Went to Dargents today. Visited Dairy Nest at once. One eagle flew up and the other left the nest when I hammered on tree. I climbed it and found one fine large egg which I left in a letter tip. Saw a hawk's nest building near by. Sunday. Feb. 19/49 Had breakfast at 7 and store open. Rain began falling at once and continued all day. I went to grove near RR track where a pair of hawks

431 were. They had a mesh which I could not climb until later with spikes. Week to the Magpie nest in a falling rain and found one eagle perched disconsolately beneath the mesh on a limb, trying to keep dry. He flew off in the rain reluctantly! Climbed the nest which was heaped up with green boughs. I fear the flies been sleek! Worked all through the magpie looms- but found no Magis nest. Magpis active and deparing their nests, I found a specimen of rock.

a hard clay with shells imbedded in it on top of a high hill I worked all the canons north to Bargetts and saw some Redtails not yet nesting. Also one Eagle and a Bald Eagle flying rapidly. As I came over a hill to a canon then sitting on some bushes was an array of color-- the birds trying to dry their plumage in a stray ray of sunshine. There were several robins with red breasts, a brilliantly yellow meadowlark, a

433 Chicken with exposed primaries and several Bluejays. It seemed as if all the garden birds had gathered there. Crows were seen flying about. Reached Parents empty-handed. Evening Grosbeaks at Sta Clara. ♂ Santa Clara 1/15/01 Atkinson ♂ y.y. " " 1/15/01- " ♀ " " 3/4/01- Worrall ♀ " " 3/4/01 to No,

SIERRAS, 1900. SUNDAY, JUNE 3. Reached Placerville this evening. MONDAY, June 4th:- Saw Western Martins (progne) flying about the Cary House and chattering loudly. Tay- lor and I left Placerville about 1 o'clock for Fyffe. Very hot going up. The Californian Towhee appeared as high up as 2,500 ft. Reached Fyffe at 7 o'clock. TUESDAY, June 5th:- Taylor had taken on May 21 a set of Calaveras Warbler 1/5 along a small irrigating ditch. Went out early in the morning but found nothing. We went down the ditch. Found Black-headed Grosbeak's nest with three eggs which we left. The nest was 10 feet up in a deer-brush. Down the road at about 3500 ft. Audubon's Warblers were common. Also saw a Hermit there among the pines. Shot a Hutton's Vireo (female) in a black oak and thereafter heard the bird frequently, showing it to be common at Fyffe. I saw an Audubon's Warbler with food in its bill and shortly after found the nest 20 feet up on a dropping limb of a large pine. On climbing up the four young flew from the nest. We collected them all and also both parents. The male was in high breeding plumage. I skinned all six and sent them to Beck. Collected nest on limb. Leroy arrived at noon. After dinner we struck out up the road. Saw a good many birds. Came back and after supper went down the Crocker trail. As we were coming out thro' the timber Leroy found a Black-th. Gray Warbler's nest in a small cedar sapling, four feet up. It held three eggs which he left. Nest of usual grayish material and feather lining. It is evis- ent that the Audubon Warbler is most common near the turnt district at 3500 feet. WEDNESDAY, June 6th:- We were up early this orning and down the road. Went north and found a lack-headed Grosbeak's nest 10 feet up in a deer rush, holding four fresh eggs which I took. Shot a emale Louisiana Tanager and saw several juncos. Heard two Cassin's Vireos and found the nest 10 feet up in black oak on a drooping limb, but incompleted. Leroy

435 found a Spurred Towhee's nest with young. Thick-billed Sparrows were common. Heard a singing Cassin's Vireo and found nest IO feet up in a black oak. It held five eggs. We shot female parent. Heard Empidonax hammondi, Piranga ludoviciana, Contopus borealis, Carpodacus cassini etc. Saw several Cyanocitta pursued by vireos. Saw a Western Redtail and also a Turkey Buz- zard. I shot a Cal. Purple Finch (male) where it was drinking. Saw a Lazuli Bunting. Warbling Vireos common in the black oaks. After dinner we went out to photograph milk weed. Leroy took his set N/4 Black-throated Gray Warbler, incubation fresh. This morning I made photos. of the locality of Calaveras Warbler nest and another of the nest and eggs in situ. This afternoon Taylor took up the nest and foliage in a box and we made two plates of the operation, making a series of four in all. Skinned birds in afternoon, preparatory to starting for Pyramid Peak in the morning. DESCRIPTION OF CALAVERAS WARBLER SET: Nest 3 inches outside diameter, composed of weed-stems grasses and bark. Lined with fine bark and soap-root fibers. Eggs spotted quite heavily at large end, tending to confluency. Eggs, 5. THURSDAY, June 7th:- Travelled from Fyffe to Sugar Loaf, where we camped over night and enjoyed a trout supper. FRIDAY, June 8th:- From Sugar Loaf to Forni's. eard several grpuse at 6,000 feet. After a long ride ver a rough and steep road we reached Forni's after o'clock, near the base of Pyramid Peak. Going in hrough the tamarack forests patches of snow were pparent in all shaded parts and the willows were just oming into leaf. On the lower meadow wild flowers nd vegetation were growing in rank profusion. We eard the beautiful song of the Big Tree Thrush while ing through the woods about dusk. We found the dairy uildings situated at the head of a meadow and when e arrived the air had an extremely chilly feeling. d Pyramid, snow-capped, stood out coldly in the gloam g.

436 SATURDAY JUNE 9th:- We arose late this morning and I went out for a stroll. The country about us is great meadow full of little streams which work down from the snow-fields and the ground is soaked through out. About the meadow is a border of tamaracks and re fir. The tamaracks are abominable to climb as the limbs all droop because of the pressure of the winter's snow. Rocks and bowlders are strewn everywhere through the trees. This morning I found two nests to which I did not climb. Along the road I saw a nest in a 12-foot tamarack near its top. On shaking the tree a Blue-fronted Jay flew off. Contents four incubated eggs. Nest large and made of a foundation of sticks, plenty of mud and horse manure and a lining of coarse roots, with a few pine needles. The old bird kept at a distance though rather remonstrative. Shot a whistling marmot, a small colony of which were located on a knoll. I saw a Mountain Chickadee clinging to a hole in the side of the cabin, beneath the floor and on looking in saw the female on the nest. Contents 8 eggs incubation begun. The birds seemed to spend their time in a tamarack tree near the house, calling industriously. A number of Pine Siskins were flying about the barn and corral and were quite tame. Identity certain. We shot two White-crowned Sparrows. Plumed Quail and Olive-sided Flycatchers were heard calling rather commonly. Leroy found a Blue-fronted Jay's nest in a red fir with small young. We saw a magnificent male Pine Grosbeak in bright red plumage in a tamarack swamp, feeding. He was remarkably tame. Also got close to a Williamson's Sapsucker which was drilling in a red fir. In the afternoon we went up a ridge, one-third of the way to Pyramid, the rock formation being principally of granite. On the southeast slope of the peak at 8,500 feet altitude snow was plentiful and a cold, stiff wind blowing. Flocks of Purple Finches and Pine Siskins were feeding on the edge of the snow. Shot a male Cassin's Purple Finch. A flock of Clarke's Nutcracker were cawing in a canyon of hemlocks, spruces and pines and several were seen. Also a pair of

Arctic Bluebirds. I found an egg in an open space surrounded by snow. Probably a junco's. Shot a junco and robin. Skinned birds. SUNDAY June IO:- This morning I collected N/8 of Mountain Chickadee from nest built on a joist of the cabin. The space had been filled with material. Nest 10 inches long and 7 I/2 inches wide and rectang- ular in shape. A solid mat of cow-hair, squirrel's fur and hemp picked up around the dairy. Nest 2 I/2 inches high. Cavity 2 I/2 inches across and I I/2 deep. I egg spotted, one with a trace and six pure white. Eggs 3 or 4 days incubated. Female parent collected. We struck out for Pyramid Peak at 9:30. Just out- side the corral I shot a female Audubon's Warbler which had been flying about with its mate. It lodged in a red fir and in looking for it I saw the nest about I5 feet up near the end of a drooping limb. Collected the nest and four eggs; incubation a few days only. Eggs more heavily marked than is usual with this spec- ies. Nest measured 5x4 inches outside. Cavity I 3/4 in diameter and I I/4 deep. Outside composed of weed and plant stems; inner section of fine bark strips and fine grass; lining of horse-hair and feathers, one jay feather being quite conspicuous. Eggs marked with umber and lilac, heavily confluent about the large ends. Shot a Junco and then we began the ascent. It was very rough climbing. Took a view of the Peak from down the hill. Leroy found a Red-shafted Flicker's nest in a pine stub at about 9,200 ft. altitude, with six eggs, almost fresh. Also an Arctic Bluebird's nest with one egg; nest also in a stub. The Clarke's Crows were as noisy as ever in their particular canyon of hemlock. The red firs give out at 9,000 ft. and hemlock and the white-bark pine,- the latter extending up to within a mile of the summit, becoming smaller and smaller. The last eighth of a mile is boulders,- a mass of great rocks scattered about in confusion, over which one must climb slowly. We all felt the alti- tude, the worst symptom being a headache. On the rocks ve saw two pairs of Gray-crowned Leucostictes flying about uneasily. Secured one pair. We reached the summit t 3 o'clock and remained an hour, enjoying the superb

438 view. Many mountain lakes, including Tahoe could be seen and the crest of the Sierras could be traced south as far as one could see. Took five photos; one looking northwest; I of Mt. Tallac and Lake Tahoe; one of Lake of the Woods; one of party on summit; one of a great snow-bank. It was interested to look down on the pools of snow-water at the base of the cliffs and see them apparently light blue in color. We left the Peak at 4. Reached camp at 6 very tired. Shot a Pine Grosbeak which came to a tree near the cabin. MONDAY MORNING, JUNE IIth:- Skinned I2 birds this morning. Purple Finches common. A male Pine Gros- beak appeared in the tamarack but we missed him. Left Forni's at IO;30 and Dunkum and I struck out over the ridge for Echo, while Atkinson and Taylor drove out by road. Siskins common in the meadow. At 8,000 feet on a hillside I flushed aWhite-crowned Sparrow and found a nest and one egg. Nest I8 inches up in a small ceanothus (oak?) bush. Nest outside of very few fine sticks, with lining of fine grasses and roots. Measured outside 4 I/2 x 3 I/2 inches. Depth one inch. Reached Echo at I2;30 and had a good square meal. Coming down Leroy shot a Thick-billed Sparrow at 5,000 feet. A few miles above Slippery Ford we saw several Western Evening Grosbeaks in the road. They had a shrill call-note but we failed to secure any in several shots. BIRDS OBSERVED AT FORNI'S. 7500 FT. White-cr. Sparrow; Wn. Wood Pewee; Mt. Chickadee; Pygmy Nuthatch; Olive-sided Flycatcher; Plumed Quail; Warbling Vireo; Cassin's Purple Finch; Cal. Pine Gros- beak; Wn. Chipping Sparrow; Hermit Warbler; Wn. Robin; Thurber's Junco; Blue-fronted Jay; Pine Siskin; Wil- liamson's Sapsucker; Louisiana Tanager; Tachycineta?; Clarke's Crow and Arctic Bluebird (8,000); Gray-cr. Leucosticte (IO,000); Flicker (9,200) and Audubon's Warbler. FINIS.

439

Mon 12/1901 A & I and I visited Verguts today. Found a dead Swainson's Hawk in the road. The dairy eagles were nesting in the gulch where I found their eggs hatching last year. They had built a new nest in a scrub oak at head of gulch. Contents two large eggs - almost fresh. We had a perfect day. Migrants noted- Warbling Vireo - Ark Kingbird Blu Flycatcher & War hawk Sparrow.

March 3/01. Skinner & I went to Dargents today on the first through Coast- train. We went up the Treasure Creek canyon. saw a Melanerpes torquatus- near Dargents lounge. Also an Apilebecoma californica. We went as far as the first line of oaks looking for the former small colonies of magpies, but beyond a few battered trees no trace of the birds could be found. Bird life of all kinds seemed unusually scarce. Returning we found a Ww Redtails

nest in Dreamy Gulch which I clipped. It contained four eggs. Nest large and lined with an abundance of Spanish moss. This was the only take of the day.

443 Apr 1/1901 This morning found us at Glenwood on the coast side of the Santa Cruz range. This country is principally of redwood type though there are barren and chaparral-covered hills intermixed. Vegetation is rank in the shaded places and ferns, brakes and vines grow in luxuriance. Thus there is a pleasing natural retreat offered ground-nesting species, as also those preferring a preference for underbrush. About

the house the Capodacus m. frontalis were singing, and Spinus psaltria and, Dialis in occidentalis were noted. I climbed a beautiful mountain to to the summit of a peak and found birds plentiful through little woods. The following were either seen or heard on the hills: Troglodytes aedon parkmanni Junco h. (var. pinosus?) Wilsonia pusilla pileolata Helminthophila e. lutescens_ Cireo s. cassinii " gilvus " lutoni

445 Cyanoecilla f. s. frontalis- Melanerges f. bairdi Caloptes cafer. Paris r. barlowi Psalliparas m. californicus Calypte anna Pipilo m. falcifer " f. cristalis Eframaea f. intermedia Hesperocichla n. naevia hoplostyx californicus~ impidouna? difficile? Carpodacus p. californicus? Calliope aur. Frites b. caurus- It is also possible that of the many weak impidouna- notes heard, some were referable to either

hammondi or wrighti, migrating through but I could not secure any birds as they kept high up in the redwoods- I shot specimens of: Hesperocichla nigra ♀ Pipilo m. falcifer - ♀ Clamarea j. intermedius ♀ Junco hy. pinosus ♂ Parus s. varlowi ♂ Wilsonia p. pileolata ♂ Heligintleophila c lutescens ♂♀ Vireo cruttoni ♂ The rich wabbling song of the Purple Finch was heard commonly from the

tall redwoods. I also heard a loose, rattling note at intervals in the redwoods, and could not satisfactorily attrib- te it to the Cyanocitta, but what else it could have been I am unable to guess. We returned home at 2 o'clock after very enjoyable outing

Apr 14/01. Fisher, I went to Dargents this a.m. and visited the banner eagles nest from which taylor I took finish set on 5/17. It contained 1 boldly marked egg. We photoged the nest and I made photo of Fisher. We visited the magpie country on Dargents lanes. Saw two but secured neither. Fisher shot 2 Melospiza 1 Zyrannus, 1 J. Coronata which was singing and a o + f Otocaris a Chrysolaima from

449 the top of the bleak grassy grills - day windy. Heard Seterus bullocki, and Pamelodia melanophala today Apr 21/01- Again visited Parents eagle nest today, and to my surprise the old bird flushed and formed the second egg- a washy specimen. Brewst leards in the brush- a pair of Dyanmus verticalis seen at head of canyon. Brewer's blackbirds and kinnets abundant in the gulches, evidently

about to mesh. Formed a Redtails nest with three young / grown. A few Dipits and Horned Hawks seen A Golden - or Sparrow was sing daily in our back yard up to- Apr 26th not heard. Sunday 27th. The note is the one of three peculiarly low, sad syllables.

451 Sunday, Apr 27/01- This forenoon Walter Fisher, Mr Selding & I drove out above Congress Springs. A strong south wind threatening rain was blowing! In the canyon an Olive sided Flycatcher was heard. Buttecent Warblers and Cassin's Vireo were both singing freely in the live-oaks. We returned home early.

Sunday May 5th - Jen and I spent the day above Congress Springs - a perfect day. Hear several Wood Pewees, an Hermit thrush and a Musket-backed Thrush. Pileated Warblers were very common, evidently migrating into the valley. Shot two ♂ in fine plumage - Also secured 2 ♂ Blk-th. Gray Warblers in the Oaks on a hillside. From hearing the same some I judged they were quite numerous, probably migrating

453 but possibly intending to breed as the region, although of comparatively little altitude, corres. cords in some respects to the transition-zone of the Sierras. I shot also 2 Ark Goldfinches. Saw an Orzel, and listened for sometime to the subdued, rollicking mockery of a Cal Thrasher- Saw 1 Ash-throated Flycatcher. All three Vireos were heard commonly-

Sunday May 12/01 Fisher & I left Palo Alto at 7:30 a.m. for King- Mountain and had a beautiful drive, and a splendid view from up the mountain side. Bird life was plentiful on route but on the mountain they were scarce. We went down a canyon where redwoods & ferns grew plentifully - then we heard a Western Winter Breeze singing with great vigor! A piece flew over!

455 of the creek side and I soon coming to the nest-- and its four fresh eggs-- flesh in the bark. The rim of the nest was of moss, giving a pretty effect. I should like to see at J.W. Pinsons. Fisher collected a Darrow's Chickadee. We saw nothing particularly new in birds. On the road home between Redwood and Palo Alto Cal Purple Finches were singing from the tops of pines and oaks-- like a scale-- This ended the day--

Tuesday May 14/01- Heard a Cal Purple finch singing in the pines just the Santa Clara plaza today~

457 SIERRAS, 1901. THURSDAY JUNE 6th, 1901. Went to Fyffe by stage with Jen, reaching there at 7 a. m. We went up the old wood-road with Taylor to the site of the old saw-mill. Bird life quite plentiful. Saw a Mountain Chickadee fly into a stub, the hole about 8 feet from the ground. Taylor opened the hold and 8 young chickadess flew out one by one. Found a Chipping Sparrow's nest with young, which flew. Shot a Yellow Warbler and also a female White-headed Woodpecker. Found a Hermit Warbler feeding a flying young bird in a pine. I collected the female bird. The young bird examined was of an entirely gray color with two white bands showing on the wings. In the afternoon we went over to the point. FRIDAY JUNE 7TH. We photographed the Junco's N/4 which Taylor found among the brakes near his cabin in May. We then went down the hill and found two Chipping Sparrow's nests, one in a small bush about three feet up,- the other in a black oak tree, which I collected. In the afternoon I went down the Crocker Road and found a Blue-fronted Jay's nest 30 feet up in the top of a yellow pine. It held four young, fully-feathered and very vociferous. SATURDAY JUNE 8TH. We went north this morning. Found a Black throated Gray Warbler's nest six feet up in a small cedar containing large young. Also a Cassin's Vireo nest 15 feet up on drooping limb of black oak. Shot a male and a young Sierra Creeper from a cedar and saw a band of Kinglets (Golden-crowned), from which we shot an adult and one young, showing them to breed at Fyffe.

458 SUNDAY JUNE 9. Jen and I drove to Slippery Ford (Sugar Loaf Hotel) this forenoon. At Dunkum's I found a Louisiana Tanager's nest building. Heard a Winter Wren and a Russet-backed Thrush in the gulch near Pacific. Near Suger Loaf I shot a Sparrow Hawk off of a 150-ft. fir tree and later climbed the tree after him. MONDAY JUNE 10. Taylor and I were out on the hill this morning. Birds were fairly plentiful. The country about Sugar Loaf is precipitous in general, the hill sides being given to the usual timber, with black oaks intermixed. Shot a male Mt. Chickadee and then found its nest in the top of a little oak snag six feet up. The female was very persistent remaining in the hole and hissing like a snake. The nest contained small young. Mrs. Meigs found a Calaveras Warbler's nest on the side of a ravine, placed under a deer- brush and beneath the leaves. This we collected with its five eggs and the female parent. Eggs advanced in incubation. Purple Finches and male tanagers abundant near the house. Tanagers espec- ially were seen abundantly through the woods, all that were noticed being males. TUESDAY JUNE 11. This morning Taylor and I went to Brown- ell's and up to the top of Peavine Ridge.,- a hard climb. No particularly new birds seen. Shot a fe- ma le Olive-sided Flycatcher near Cedar Rock, while it was sitting in a low limb of an oak. The bird contained a very handsome egg about to be laid, but unfortunately it was broken in skinning the bird. At Brownell's a pair of Barn Swallows had a nest inside the barn. We noted the Lazuli Bunting al- m ost up to Brownell's. California and Cassin's Finches were shot in this vicinity. From Brown- ell's a trail lead up through quite an extensive pasture to a sort of plateau, which was finely covered with large timber. From this it was a long, abrupt ascent to the top but we made it and found a thick growth of Ceanothus cordulatus,

which proved an abomination through which to travel. Aside from a few favored spots, birds seemed scarce on the Ridge. Thick-billed Sparrows were numerous and probably nesting in the thick brush. A Sparrow hawk flew screeching about the pines at 5,500 ft. alititude. Three grouse were heard. WEDNESDAY JUNE 12. Skinned birds all forenoon. The Cassin's and California Purple Finches shot yesterday were both about to lay. Mrs. Meigs found a Wn. Wood Pewee's nest 40 feet up in a black oak, containing two eggs. Apparently most of the birds are begin- ing to nest, save the Jays and Chickadess which are early nesters. Shot a Calaveras Warbler (male) and saw a pair of Black-throated Gray's toward evening. THURSDAY JUNE 13. This morning we collected the Wood Pewee N/3, 40 feet up in the black oak. I preserved the nest on limb. BIRDS OBSERVED AT SUGAR LOAF. Golden Eagle (Pratt, fall of 1899). Sparrowhawk. Blue-fronted Jay. Western Robin. Wn. Wood Pewee Kingfisher. Bicolored Blackbird Brewer's Blackbird Clarke's Crow(Pratt. In winter). Warbling Vireo Cassin's Vireo Louisiana Tanager. Calaveras Warbler. Red-shafted Flicker Hummer ?? Flycatcher (Empidonax) sp? Red-breasted Sapsucker Chipping Sparrow Cal. Creeper Mt. Chickadee Cal. Purple Finch Cassin Finch.

Lazuli Bunting Olive-sided Flycatcher Spurred Towhee Plumed Quail Black-headed Grosbeak Barn Swallow (Brownell) Red-breasted Nuthatch Thick-billed Sparrow Audubon's Warbler Sparrowhawk (at 5,500) Thurber's Junco Black-throated Gray Warbler Cabanis' Woodpecker THURSDAY JUNE 13. We left Sugar Loaf at 12:30 for Echo. Shot a Thick-billed Sparrow and a Macgillivray's War- bler at Shingle Mill, the latter being interesting Birds were abundant along the road in the buck- brush. Saw a Redtail along the road. Reached Echo at 5 p. m. It began to drizzle soon after. FRIDAY JUNE 14. This morning Taylor and I went down the road. A pair of Arctic Bluebirds were flitting about the edge of the meadow, preparing to nest. I walked over to the River and was surprised to find a pair of West. Evening Grosbeaks in a swampy spot. Shot at the male but missed. The birds had a sharp, musical note quite unlike any of the othe common bird notes. The female was probably build- ing but could not be traced. We found a Tanager's nest building in a red fir. Shot two Calaveras Warblers in the brush where they were common. Shot a male Macgillivray's Warbler showing this valley species to extend up to at least this elevation. Thick-billed Sparrows and Green-tailed Towhees were common in the brush, and a Spurred Towhee was also heard. A sparrowhawk was heard. The Echo country is interesting. Great rocky ridges radiate in all directions, being gen- erally well-covered with thorn-brush (Ceanothus

cordulatus). A little deer-brush and willows grow in the moist locations and in forest trees the red firs here predominate with occasional mountain firs, cedars and a few pines. The oaks give out near the Junction. BIRDS OBSERVED AT ECHO. Western Redtail Golden Eagle (Watson) Macgillivray's Warbler Thick-billed Sparrow (Common) Olive-sided Flycatcher Western Wood Pewee Blue-fronted Jay Western Robin Arctic Bluebird Red-br. Sapsucker Mt. Chickadee Green-tailed Towhee Louisiana Tanager Thur er's Junco Plumed Quail Sooty Grouse Warbling Vireo Calaveras Warbler West. Evening Grosbeak Red-shafted Flicker Spurred Towhee California Creeper Sparrowhawk. FRIDAY JUNE 14. We left Echo about I p. m. for the summit. Taylor and I walked and Jen drove. The country is excessively rocky to the top of Slippery Ford hill. Here the junipers start in, followed a short distance farther up by tamaracks. Quaking asp began at 10:30. Thick-billed Sparrows and Green-tailed Towhees were our only birds for a distance. At about 7200 feet I shot a Williamson's Sapsucker

(female) which flew across the road in front of us. Bird life was abundant at a meadow west of Philipps Station, where we found a veritable bird paradise. Big Tree Thrushes were heard singing melodious (4 p. m.) and in apparent numbers. Robins and small birds were abundant in the tamaracks, giving one the feeling that he would like to linger until he had fully explored the region. I shot at a bird which I am positive was a Slender-billed Nuthatch. With customary good luck in such cases I missed the bird. Rarely have I seen a place where birds were so abundant. A few rods further on we came to another meadow. A pair of Pileolated Warblers were seen here and I shot the female. White-crowned Sparrows were also seen here. At Philipps Station the keeper described the Pine Grosbeak to me, having found three quartered in the house when he moved up a few days before. At this place we saw a Hummer (S. calliope ?). As we walked along the road a Junco flushed from her nest beneath a tiny tamarack along a ditch which followed the road. Contents 4 beautiful eggs. Shot female. Taylor found a robin's nest and four incubated eggs six feet up in a tamarack. I shot a White-crowned Sparrow near the summit (female) and Taylor shot at another hummer. We then journeyed on in earnest and crossed the summit about 6 o'clock. Here the country changes. The east slope is chiefly of brushy hillsides with a few tamaracks scattered about, the timber having all been cut off. Just after starting down the grade a Grouse was noticed in the road and Taylor took two shots at it with the auxiliary before it flew. It lit in a tamarack and a #8 dropped it. (female). The rest of the journey was cold, over a sandy road. We reached Meyers Station about 7. By far the finest country for bird life is from 7,000 feet to the summit. SATURDAY JUNE 15. Lake Valleyis, I should judge, a fore-runner of the Nevada plains. Here it was sandy with sage brush and tamaracks. The valley bordering the Little Truckee River is quite well timbered. Last night Nighthawks familiarized me with

463 their calls. Mountain Bluebirds were noted about the house. Barn and Cliff Swallows were nesting about the barn. The meadows between Meyers and Tallac are typical, White-crowned Sparrows and similar species being common. The forests are principally tamarack and asp. Left Tallac at 12:45 and reached Truckee at 5:30, after a beautiful ride up the Lake. BIRDS OBSERVED FROM ECHO TO TALLAC. June 15 and 14. Grouse (summit) Quail, all the way Blue-fronted Jay, all the way. Pine Grosbeak (Phillips Station) Cassin's Purple Finch (6300) Mountain Chickadee, all the way. Williamson's Sapsucker (about 7,000) Green-tailed Towhee (Echo and Tallac) Flicker, all the way Thick-billed Sparrow, all the way Nighthawk (Meyers) Brewer's Blackbird, Meyers Cliff Swallow, Meyers Barn Swallow, Meyers. Mt. Bluebird, Echo and Myers. Olive-sided Flycatcher, all the way. Wood Pewee, all the way Kinglet, Summit Pileolated Warbler, 7,000 Slender-billed Slender-billed Nuthatch, 7,000. California Hummer ?, 7,000. Sparrowhawk, Echo.

Sunday. July 15/01- Today while at the ranch I found a Wm Wood's Dewey mesh 25 ft up on a cypress limb, containing 5 fresh eggs. July 15/01 heard Purple Princes about the house today.

1902 March 16/02 Today Jen, M Reyes & I drove to Alum Rock to try for eagles. We found none- Observed Bavenna Sparrows on the wires along the road. On the creek road almost at the mouth of the canyon I saw a pair of Aimophila ruficeps- in the sage brush. On dismounting both became very secretive but finally I saw one sitting motionless in the center of a dense sage bush- I shot

it, securing a male in light plumage- Testes large. I think the species will mesh very soon. Keyes reported seeing a flock of Aeromutes melanoleucus about some cliffs on the hill road. Rufouwer No 06/94

March 18/02 This afternoon about sunset as I sat writing, I was deluged by a chorus of Zonostrictica songs- (Z. l. intermedia) in the back yard. It was a cloudy, chilly evening but the plaintive notes even given with a vim- A quaint little song it is and I could scarcely feel that I was not on one of the high Sierran meadows, where the lovely song of Z. leucophrys flavirostris

across the lilly shadows at sunset. The songs an apparently very similar. Monz/12 For days I have been hearing a rasping note from the will tree about town but could not satisfactorily see the bird. Today I heard it in the back yard and it came from a varied shrub. It sounds like a rasping "ch-e-e-e-e-es"

469 Sunday, Feb 25/1901 This morning Jen and I drove over to Lagunitas school-house. The day was made bitterly cold by a north wind. Between Alviso & Milpitas in a sheltered glen small birds were very numerous--especially those given to the willows. I shot a light-colored song-sparrow there. Near Milpitas I collected a ♂ Otseoris a. lurysolenta in bright plumage-- A pair of Redbails gave a rush in a pine in Lagunitas.

cemetery, but evidently no eggs as yet. Saw a pair of Roadrunners in fine nuptial plu- mage. At the Rufous-grouser colony I was first greeted by a female (?) on the stone wall, which I approached within 15 ft. Then its mate came to view and both hopped about in the grass near the sage-brush and I moved within 10 ft of them. On going up the hill I saw two more

pair, but I decided they were not nesting. My presence of numbers, Laniotrichia in the sage made a search for a nest impracticable- I had an excellent chance to hear and verify the song of Aimophila. It was given frequently - a wearing song, well expressed but te-a-te-tree-e-e. The last note was as long as the preceding syllables together. Shoh a Mocking bird on the way home. It was wild, flying

from willow to willow beside the road- It was wounded and lived a day- Sunday March 30/6 Today Jan + I drove to the Calaveras Sparrow district. It was a fine warm day but the sparrows were very secretive. I heard once twice but saw none there. After trying to flush a f. in the scattering sage 2

473 gave it up. On the way back two tufoous crowns were seen sitting outlie sagebrush on the hill near the mouth of the canyon. On the Alviso road five sixins were in flocks, feeding intle leafless poplar and out the weed- stalks. I shot three. Ollies were seen in @alaveras Canyon and some along the Brokaw road near Santa Clara.

April 13/01.- For a week yash the mule quodbon quarbles have been in full song in the orchard behind us. All disappeared tonight 6 and were not seen later- Sunday, April 20/02 A flock of Evening Grosbeans and my old Parrots Scratch went about to day-

475 April 21/02 (Sunday) Jen and I drove over to the Baguma district today after thurs-or. Sparrows- It was a fine day for bird-life. We both went over to the hill and along the stone wall & in the sage could be heard the shrill call notes of the sparrow, and occasionally its song. Apparently five or six pairs are breeding in the patch. Arkansas goldfinches were flitting & twittering about the hill and one flushed

from a sage brush where formed its nest & 4 eggs in a crotch three feet up. Incubation begun. Wetter beat back & forth at random in the sage, now and then catching a glimpse of a Rufous- crowned or screaming its song. But any attempt (at) watching one to its nest seems a most improbable thing. At this season the birds are very secretive and while I can work up to within gun-shot, the birds were ready to

change positions at the least alarm. The males evidence some interest for although they would sit out a tense 15 yards away, using noble apparent nonchalance for 5 minutes, eventually they would flit across to the sage, somewhere near the intruder, and watch his movements. I was tiring of the rather monotonous beating through the sage when suddenly called to my side and told me of a nest four white

eggs on the ground. I went over & looked in under a small sage where the nest was easily seen when you knew where it was! The nest was sunk flush in the ground, being built partly in under a sage root, and contained four eggs: with a very perceptible bluish tinge. Upon blowing one was infertile and the others may be described as "bloody" The nest was ordinarily

479 well concealed- Composition Measurements We sat down at a distance but not a birds sound came from the female - After perhaps 10 minutes of quiet watching the bird appeared up the tree perhaps 25 feet

away but was extremely ndry. She flew past the brush and a lighter but would not go to the mesh. Then she flew up the hill a short way, the other side of the mesh when I shook her. She full set had been laid,- I then took the mesh and pulled up the sage bush- Further search failed to reveal any more nests. This sparrow was an-

an alarm, quirk quirk quirk very similar to the Rock Wren_ SW is uttered also as a spontaneous note at times. The war song has been likened to that of the Lapuli bunting, but I see little resemblance, save the general trilling style. The sparrow's note is much stronger, a combination of warble & trill which it would be useless to attempt to write. It seems to me quite distinct from other

bird songs and is uttered from a perch, in the sage or when the bird is on the ground. May 11/02- Went to Laguna again today. But found no more nests. Two or three males were singing and showed the usual anxiety. I flushed a Lawrence Goldfinch from her nest.

483 I feel up in the sage. She laid 5 eggs, live- begun. On the way home I shot a ? Rufous crow near the mouth of the canyon- May 15/02 Heard my first brush-backed Thrysh today.

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Ornithological Note book of C Barlow - Beginning with the season of 1892. No. 325. with. Original Observations only Book I.