VOL. IV. ] Random Bird- Notes. 181 
note, much like the notes of the purple finch. After singing 
several notes they would dive into the brush like the wren-tit. 
Spurred towhees were not uncommon all through the valley, 
and the green-tailed towhee (Pifzlo chlorurus) were seen about 
bushes near camp. Mr. Denton collected a number of them in 
his visit here in 1881. 
The black-headed grosbeak (Habia melanocephala) was very 
common all through the valiey. They came into camp in pairs 
and helped themselves from the table, not seeming afraid of 
anyone; no doubt had young near by.- The males were on good 
terms with each other, eating from the same piece. They 
repaid us by singing from the tree tops at first light of day and 
last at night. 
Lazuli bunting (Passerina amena) was not common in the 
valley and only seen about orchards. Louisiana tanagers were 
common all through the thickest forests, preferring the tall firs. 
I heard no notes from them and they did not appear to have 
paired off. 
The notes of the western purple martin (Progne subis hesperia) 
were heard in some old oaks near the Stoneman House, like the 
old farm-place of my eastern home. At two camping-places in 
the foothills I noticed youug martins. 
Violet-green swallows were seen in company with the two 
species of swifts high up on the Glacier Point trail. They no 
doubt nest in the cliffs as very few trees were suitable on the 
wall ledges. 
The only vireo observed in the valley was the warbling 
(Vireo gilvus). 
Lutescent warblers (Helminthophila celata lutescens) were not 
common and only twice observed along the river banks in thick 
brush. 
Andubon’s hermit and yellow warblers were seen but once 
during my short stay. ae 
A pair of Macgillivray’s warblers (Geothlypis macgillivrayt) 
were seen in thick azaleas near the river and acted as though they 
had a nest near the spot. 
American dipper (Czxclus mextcanus). The first bird to greet 
me on getting into the valley was this water spirit, at the foot of 
