Cogswell 1950 Journal 9 Apr. 5 (cont.) There was a sprinkle of rain about 3:30 - 4:00 am., causing us to fold up the tail Gate of the car, in which we were sleeping. One Burrowing owl was heard calling before the rain started, & also a Coyote. The only vertebrates seen after dawn were a few Ravens & Jack Rabbits. The mountain flowers noted a few mi. N of here on Dec. 20, 1948 (g.v.) could not be located today; they apparently are regular here only in late fall, winter. Apr. 5 Coalinga, Avenal, Lost Hills, Fresno, Tulare, & Kern Cos., Calif. - noted English Sparrows in each of these small towns in arid W. side of San Joaquin valley as we drove thru them. In the low hill country just N of Coalinga 5 Swainson's Hawks were seen. (see also g. acct. by anthus) Along Highway 33 about .8 mi. NNW Blackwall's Corners (= the Lost Hills junction) I picked up a Horned Lark D.O.R. (my#135). & noted numbers of others in the sparse low shrubland there. About 1.4 mi. S of Lost Hills we stopped to observe & photograph (828 kodachrome) a Rattlesnake which was crossing the road. While there a Leconte's Thrasher flew in low over the very sparse shrubland; the shrubs average 2 ft. high, & there is about 50% low herb cover in the inter- stices. A small yellow composite was in bloom. This type of vegetation extends far off to SE, but barren dirt flats were encountered several mi. S of this.