::::::::3e CAMPING IN A BARRANCA m:::::::: 



small insects ; these in turn drew the birds, so that the 

 fringe of damllinas above the camp was a favourite 

 place for many species. As early as six o'clock the 

 blossoms of these trees, because of their lofty position, 

 flashed back the first rays of the rising sun, while we 

 below were in shadow until two hours later. A Louis- 

 iana or Western Tanager used to perch high up among 

 the flowers each morning, and pour forth a harsh, un- 

 musical trill with as earnest a manner as if he thought 

 the world was listening, charmed by the grating sounds. 

 What a contrast to the musician of an hour before, — 

 the Canyon Wren, — garbed in mottled hues of dark 

 brown, singing its incomparable strain, is this tanager, 

 brilliantly feathered in red, yellow, and black, but utter- 

 ing jarring discords. The law of compensation is indeed 

 a just one. 



Orioles soon made their appearance, a flock of them, 

 somewdiat like our Baltimores, but larger and with jet 

 black wings and tail — the Wagler Oriole. Their gaudy 

 costume of orange and black is not acquired until the 

 third year, and during the first two seasons, the imma- 

 ture birds have to be satisfied with more sombre tints 

 of light yellow and green. These birds, too, have re- 

 nounced song for their coat of many colours, and can 

 only rattle harshly. Their alarm-note is hard and metal- 

 lic, like that of a nuthatch. 



The tanagers and orioles clamber over and around 

 the stamen-blossoms, sometimes hanging by their feet 

 «4 149 -^ 



