^Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 57 



hill pockets. Willows (Salix humilis) are less frequent 

 here than in the river thickets, Ash (Fraxinus lanccolata) 

 occurs commonly, and the growths of Symphoricarpos and 

 other low shrubs add their quota to the list of residents. 

 As these thickets are intermediate between the sandhill 

 and river growths, they possess something of the char- 

 acter of both and have little that is truly characteristic. 

 The regular residents are the Screech Owl, Yellow-billed 

 and Black-billed Cuckoos, Blue Jay, Pale Goldfinch and 

 Long-tailed Chat in common with the riverside habitat, 

 Western Blue Grosbeak in common with the sandhill 

 pockets. Western Field Sparrow in common with both, 

 and the Arctic Towhee and Black-and- White Warbler 

 more plentiful here than elsewhere if not entirely confined 

 to this environment. 



A possible subliead under the above might be entitled 

 Woodland. At various places the trees are large and the 

 ground beneath is cool and shaded. Mossy springs may be 

 present although the Vv'ater does not flow far before it 

 gradually seeps into the sand. Such situations may tempt 

 the more arboricole birds during migrations, for it was 

 there that I noted the Robin and Audubon Warbler, there 

 the Olive-backed and Willow Thrushes were the most abun- 

 dant, and there the Redstart and Black-poll Warbler were 

 seen the most frequently. So far as I could learn, how- 

 ever, there were no characteristic breeders in this partic- 

 ular territory. 



6. Open Country. 



a. Grassland. — The grass-covered portions of the valley sup- 

 port but one species distinct from those of the open sand- 

 hills — the Dickcissel. Other breeders in the habitat are 

 the Upland Plover, Burrowing Owl, Desert Horned Lark 

 and Western Lark Sparrow. The Western Meadowlark 

 and Western Grasshopper Sparrow may also breed there 

 but good evidence is lacking. 



b. Sandy Stretches.— These patches of bare sand occur fre- 

 quently in the region where the wind has persistently 

 blown away the loose soil and prevented vegetation from 

 taking hold. Plowed fields often form a base for such 

 operations. The Sennett Nighthawk (rarely), Killdeer 

 and Desert Horned Lark (more frequently) are S3eu there 



