July 30 1971 journal Washington Ranch, adjacent to Rattlesnake Springs park of Carlsbad Caverna National Park. Eddy Co., New Mexico. Elevation 3650 feet July 30- Goldfinches were far less numerous today. Their favorite August food sources, thistle and wild sunflower (Helianthus), are abundant (contrast) here this year. Disappointing was my not success for goldfinches today, but I caught lots of birds. Weather July 30 was sunny dawn til noon, then mostly sunny to 14:30, then ½ clear ½ cloudy to 19:00, after which skies per- gressively cleared. Temperature ranged from 65°-95°F. There was little breeze in the morning, intermittent 5-10 mph S. winds in the afternoon. Dusk was still. July 31- I caught no goldfinches early, and moved my nets twice before beginning to catch my study organisms. Beginning about 11:30, I started catching goldfinches steadily. I should note that goldfinch numbers halved again today. They're really moving out of area. Those remaining show any evidence of continuing breeding (S.D.). After this morning's slow start, I visited nearby Daughter Canyon, C.C.N.P., approx 10 miles W. of Washington Ranch. I spent about 45 minutes there, ending at 10:15. Lower Daughter Canyon is about 250-400 yards wide, I several scoured dry channels in it. Fairly recently the vegetation burned over a large area of the lower canyon. There are many dead mesquite snags and yuccas. Vegetation is of catclaw acacia, yucca, prickly pear, cholla, other cacti, scotiller, desert willow, desert Holly, and this year lots of even green 3'-wild- flowers. There are many other plants I can't identify, but the aspect is one of much fine crabbe, most vegetation 3-5' high, scattered evergreen yuccas (spikes), scotiller, mesquite & other larger trees & bushes. Lower wash vegetation is taller and more densely grown, and