224 Bird -Lore 



liberally in the park. These little evergreens, now from four to seven feet 

 high, have dense foliage, which usually conceals a small nest so well that one 

 has to search closely, and investigate each individual tree, if he would make 

 anything like an accurate census of the householders. I discovered a nest in 

 19 1 5 in the same place where one had been in 19 14, both evidently second 

 nests, as they were found in July; and both were unfortunate, for I do not 

 think a brood was raised either time. Tragedies occur; a friend showed me 

 an old nest in which were the mummified remains of two or three nestlings. 



Catbirds are abundant in summer, but they hide their nests so well in the 

 dense tangles of shrubbery that it is practically impossible to find them. The 

 birds are not afraid to show themselves, however, and may be seen courting 

 and singing lovesongs. Brewer's Blackbirds also are common, but I have never 

 happened to find one of their nests in the park, though six were located by a 

 friend in 19 15. When nesting, and especially, I think, when they are feeding 

 young, they display much anxiety if an intruder comes around, and it is merely 

 necessary to walk along a path to have one or more Blackbirds fluttering 

 about, perching on bushes and trees and making a fuss generally. If you are 

 quick with your camera, you may catch a good pose or two. 



These four species are probably the most numerous breeders, but there are 

 always one or more pairs of other species raising families. Usually several 

 pairs of House Wrens have homes, some in old Flickers' holes, some in crevices 

 behind the bark on the tree trunks, some in knot-holes, and this last spring a 

 Wren box was put up in a tree at the rear of the premises of a bird-loving family, 

 but inside the park, and promptly occupied. Several pairs of Yellow Warblers 

 raise families. Black-headed Grosbeaks do the same, and Mountain and Green- 

 tailed Towhees, and Kingbirds. The Arkansas Kingbird, though a common 

 bird in the region, is but an occasional visitor in the park. Lazuli Buntings 

 are usually about in summer and I suppose must breed, though I have not seen 

 their nests. Bullock's Orioles hang their nests from the ends of the cottonwood 

 boughs, and several pairs bring up families. One or two pairs of Mourning 

 Doves usually attempt housekeeping, but I am doubtful as to their success 

 in raising families; at least one nest I knew of was broken up. 



A number of pairs of Red-shafted Flickers are always about in summer. 

 In one case which came under my observation early in May they excavated 

 a hole high up in a cottonwood where the wind in winter had broken ofT a 

 large branch leaving a long white scar. I saw the Flickers about the place 

 frequently and photographed them at the hole. The last of the month I dis- 

 covered a pair of Red-headed Woodpeckers were in possession. I was away 

 most of June and July, but September 10 I saw a Flicker feeding young at the 

 hole, an unusually late date. This was in 1913. In 19 14 a pair of Sparrow 

 Hawks were in possession. 



Not far from that nest in 1914, Red-headed Woodpeckers made a hole in a 

 dead bare stub and raised young there. In May, 191 5, Flickers were located 



