376 Bird -Lore 



of Burrowing Owls, Brewer's Blackbirds, Kingbirds {Tyrannus tyrannus) 

 Cowbirds, Cassin's Kingbirds, Mourning Doves, Crows, and Ravens. Just 

 out of Pendleton, much to my surprise, I saw several Ring-necked (or Chinesfe) 

 Pheasants. 



On the 25th we went to LaGrande, crossing the Blue Mountains. The 

 birds were about the s;ame here, with the exception of another White-headed 

 Woodpecker. 



The following day we went on to Baker. The most common birds were 

 Brewer's Blackbirds, though Redwings, and Barn and Cliff Swallows were 

 abundant. 



On the 28th we started back for LaGrande but were marooned by the Rock 

 Creek flood caused by the dam breaking. The entire town of Rock Creek was 

 washed away, and the country for five miles around was flooded, so we decided 

 to return to Baker. The only things I noticed which were disturbed in bird-life 

 were the Barn Swallows. They seemed much disturbed over the flood and flew 

 about, dipping into the water now and then. On the way back to Baker, how- 

 ever, I saw something which made me feel well repaid even for being marooned 

 by the flood, and that was four Bobolinks not far from Baker. They were the 

 first ones I had ever seen, and I understand they are quite rare in Oregon. 

 I saw them very well, and had the good fortune to hear them sing. 



Today we came on to LaGrande, and saw the Bobolinks again. Another 

 bird I saw not far from Cove was the California Quail which I had not seen 

 before in eastern Oregon. 



So far this year (since Jan. i, 191 7) I have seen 112 varieties of birds, 

 and I'm going to raise that number before I get home. — Mary E. Raker, 

 Portland, Ore. 



II 



I live in Vancouver, Wash., on the Columbia River. 



Since the new interstate bridge is finished between Oregon and Washing- 

 ton, we often go to Portland in our automobile, it is such a lovely drive. As 

 we cross the sloughs of the river we see the Great Blue Herons catching fish. 

 They seem to like it there, and we usually see two or three every tirne we pass. 



Mother and I go out into the woods to watch the birds in summer. They 

 are so interesting. 



The Oregon Towhees are plentiful out here, and the Willow Goldfinches are 

 nearly as thick as the English Sparrows. I have two bird-houses on our garage, 

 and there is a family of Bluebirds that build there every year. They have been 

 building there for four years now. They usually raise several broods a season. 



The little Martins also build in one of my boxes. They go into my garden 

 and keep it clear of all insects that would harm my plants. Last summer I 

 raised and canned twenty-one quarts of tomatoes and had all we wanted to 

 eat fresh, from a dozen plants of tomatoes, while some of my neighbors had a 



