376 ANIMAL LIFE IN THE TOSEMITE 



Others were met with in dry places where the sagebrush was naturally 

 sparse. Some at least of these east-side birds wander westward in the 

 fall and winter seasons, though this movement is not so general as to 

 constitute a real migration. On October 11, 1915, three Horned Larks 

 were seen on an open level spot at an altitude of 9700 feet, above Ten 

 Lakes. The one taken here proved to belong to the race merrilli, as did 

 another bird collected at Smith Creek, six miles east of Coulterville, on 

 January 20, 1916. 



At Snelling and Lagrange, Horned Larks (of subspecies actia) are 

 to be found in considerable numbers throughout the year. In December 

 and January they were seen on the open rolling tableland back from the 

 Merced River on common ground with Pipits. In one instance the two 

 species were mingled in the same flock. On January 8, 1915, Horned 

 Larks at Snelling were darting about erratically, at dusk, in pairs, giving 

 the trilled pursuit notes which mark the beginning of the courting season. 



The breeding season in the San Joaquin Valley is early, beginning 

 in early April ; and by the latter part of May fully grown young are to 

 be seen in numbers. On May 28, 1915, fully 50 birds, adults and juveniles, 

 were recorded in an hour and a quarter's census at Snelling. East of 

 the mountains the breeding season is somewhat later. The first young 

 bird observed there in 1916 was seen on June 26. 



Black-billed Magpie. Pica pica hudsonia (Sabine) 



Field characters. — Decidedly larger than any of our jays. Total length about 18 

 Inches. Tail much longer than head and body, streamer-like. Plumage black except 

 for abruptly white belly (pi. 56a) and large white area on hind part of each wing, the 

 latter area showing best in flight. Voice: Not jay -like; various low, chuckling sounds. 



Occurrence. — Common residentsi of Transition Zone east of Sierra Nevada, from 

 near Walker Lake eastward to eastern boundary of Yosemite section and beyond. Fre- 

 quents vicinity of trees and thickets in open country. More or less socially inclined. 



The Black-billed or American Magpie is likely to be one of the first 

 birds to meet the eye of the traveler upon his arrival in the plains-like 

 arid territory east of the Sierra Nevada. In a region where many of the 

 birds and mammals reflect the general tone of their environment by wear- 

 ing plumage or pelage of a generally pale color, the strikingly contrasted 

 jet black and pure white coloration of the magpie stands out strongly and 

 renders the bird impossible of confusion with any other species in the 

 region. 



21 The Yellow-billed Magj^ie (Pica nuUalli), found in various parts of western 

 California, has been recorded from the west base of the Sierra Nevada both north and 

 south of the Yosemite section and is thus likely to occur \vithin our area; but we did 

 not see or hear anything of it. It differs from the Black-billed Magpie chiefly in the 

 possession of a yellow bill, instead of a black one. 



