156 ANIMAL LIFE OF CARLSBAD CAVERN 



they build their nests and raise their young among the 

 vines and shrubbery of the dooryard or in the nearest 

 trees about the houses. To some extent they seem to 

 crowd out or successfully compete with the greatly 

 disliked English sparrow and to hold their own in close 

 proximity to man. 



Goldfinches, western vesper sparrows, western lark 

 sparrows, western chipping sparrows, white-crowned 

 sparrows, jnncos, black-throated sparrows, and rock 

 sparrows were all more or less abundant during April 

 about the cave, some on their way to higher or more 

 northern breeding grounds, and some waiting only for 

 warmer weather to begin nest building in the cave 

 region. 



The green-tailed and arctic towhees are common in the 

 canyons and thickets and occasionally seen in the 

 brushy doorway of the great cave, while the brown 

 canyon towhees are common and friendly birds around 

 the cave buildings. These last-mentioned birds were 

 generally to be seen picking up crumbs about the door- 

 yards and woodpile, and were quick to come to grain 

 scattered out for the quail. They also came to my 

 porch and doorstep where I swept out the seeds and 

 rolled oats that the kangaroo rats had scattered about 

 my room. When my door was left open, they even 

 ventured in to pick up such food as their bright eyes 

 were quick to see, while watching me with cautiously 

 friendly expression. They are very talkative among 

 themselves, and often uttered little chirps and call- 

 notes seemingly to attract my attention, evidently 

 considering me a harmless and rather interesting and 

 useful addition to the fauna of the cave region. 



