i8o Random Bird-Notes. [zoe 



Western flycatcher {Empidoriax difficilis) was observed but 

 once along the bushy banks of the Merced River. 



I heard the notes of the olive-sided flycatcher [Contopus 

 borealis) on several occasions in the high tree tops along the high 

 trails of the valley. 



The western wood pewee [Contopus richardsonii) was not 

 uncommon, usually in pairs. A nest was being built in an oak 

 near my tent. 



Blue fronted jays were tolerably common in the deep forests 

 and canons, preferring the cedars and firs. 



Clarke's nutcracker {Picicorvus columbianus) was seen on two 

 occasions, once on Sentinel Dome, 8122 feet altitude. 



A single female blackbird (Agelaius) was twice seen flying 

 across the meadow by the river, and a western meadow-lark 

 {Stuniclla magna ncgleda) was noticed in the same locality. 



Bullock's orioles {Icterus bullocki) were seen in the oaks 

 near camp. 



Brewer's blackbird {Scolccophagus cya7tocephalus) was nesting 

 in trees near the lower hotel. 



In the forenoon of June 25th, while camping near the old 

 saw mills not far from Mr. Hutchings' cabin, a pair of evening 

 grosbeaks {Coccothraustes vespertinus montamis') came to our table, 

 placed beside a white oak, to pick up crumbs for their young. 

 They were not afraid of anyone in camp. 



The purple finches also came to camp every day for food. 



Western chipping sparrows {SpizcUa socialis arizoncE) were 

 noted several times about camp. I think they had young in an 

 old apple orchard near by. 



Juncos were met with only in the deep forests of pines, cedars, 

 and firs, and were not paired as far as I could judge. 



A variety of song sparrow was not fully identified. Mr. 

 Shelley Denton collected specimens there in 1881, which I am 

 sure were Melospiza fasciata viontana. 



Lincoln's Sparrow {Melospiza lincolm') was seen in the 

 meadow. 



Thick-billed sparrows were seen several times. I sat by the 

 trail to Glacier Point where it passes through a stretch of manza- 

 nita to hear the song of this species. It is a loud, clear, whistling 



