48 



THE OOLOGIST. 



During the winter season the valley is 

 free from snow, while gradually extend- 

 ing backward the snow line appears, 

 and finally the snow capped peaks of Mt. 

 Jeflferson and 'J'hree Sisters, appear in 

 the distance. 



Near the summit bird life is not plenty. 

 The Northern Shrike, Oregon C'hickatlee 

 are however often seen. A little further 

 down the White-winged Cross-bill is 

 found in countless numbers, together 

 wilh the Varied Thrush. This Thrush 

 is found in large flocks, numbering 

 thousands and generally ai'efouud feed- 

 ing in the dense tir thickets. 



In the vicinity of Sweet Home, may 

 be found the beautiful Mountain 

 Quail, Oregon Rutfed Grouse, Sooty 

 Grouse, Pileated Woodpecker, Ameri- 

 can Raven, California Crow, Western 

 Red-tail Hawk, and an occasional Bald 

 Eagle is seen. Only a few days ago, it 

 was my pleasure to see a fine adult 

 Eagle flying towards the mountains. 



In this vicinity may also be found 

 the Steller's, Blue-throated and Oregon 

 Jay, the latter is however rarely seen. 



The former are abundant, and we 

 can hear their noisy cries at any time of 

 the day. 



The Western Horned Owl, is also 

 abundant here, and Cal. Screech Owl, 

 are also seen but the latter is hard to 

 find on account of its small size. 



The Western Robin is a common 

 species, and is seen in large numbers 

 leaving their roosting places early each 

 morning, returning to the same locality 

 again at dusk, to spend the night. 



A little below Sweet Home, is found 

 a large swale orslough, known as Noble 

 slough, where during this season, the 

 Green-winged and Blue-winged Teal, 

 and Mallard spend the winter. 



Along the Santiam river, the Ameri- 

 can Dipper, Fish Hawk and an occasion- 

 al Blue Heron are seen. 



The Oregon Towhee, White-crowned 

 Sparrow, and Horned Lark, have been 

 noted in this vicinity during the entire 



winter, as have also the Western Blue- 

 bird, Wilson's Snipe, Kingfisher, Western 

 Meadow-lark. The latter can be heard 

 most any morning, singing its clear and 

 beautiful song, as it perches itself upon 

 some fence rail, or flying back and 

 forth over the n eadows. 



The Red-shafted Flicker is found in 

 all localities and the imported Ring 

 Pheasant is scattered over the entii'e 

 county and valley, except in the higher 

 altitudes. 



Rarely is seen an American Magpie, 

 but several have been secured in the 

 vicinity of Sodaville, while in Novem- 

 ber a fine specimen of the Yellow-head- 

 ed Blackbird was secured near Sweet 

 Home. This is the first specimen to my 

 knowledge, secured in this county at 

 least and I have never seen any in this 

 valley. They are abundant east of the 

 Cascade mountains, but this one was 

 alone and among a flock of Brewer's 

 Blackbirds. 



Rarely a Snowy Owl, is captured in 

 this vicinitj', and soon gi'aces the cabi- 

 net of some taxidermist. 



During December and January I have 

 also observed several specimens of the 

 California Purple Finch, which I have 

 not seen before until this season. 



The Turkey Buzzard can often be 

 seen on a clear day, sailing high over 

 the village in quest of their prey, and 

 the day after our election I counted 

 twelve at one time over this city, and it 

 was a general supposition that they were 

 looking for Democrats. 



We must not forget to mention the 

 small and lively West. Winter Wren and 

 Golden-crownedKinglet, which are found 

 everywhere, the latter generally in com- 

 pany with Oregon Chickadees. 



Brant and several species of Geese, 

 spend the winter in the sloughs and 

 marshes of the valley, and many a tine 

 days sport can be had among them. 



One specimen of the Kittiwake Gull 

 was secured by me along the Santiam 

 river on Dec. IG, '91. 



