BIRD NOTES AFIELD 



on the breast, the sides being tinged with pale yellow. A dull 

 white ring around the eye and its yellowish tone of coloration 

 will serve to distinguish it from Cassin's vireo, another Cali- 

 fornia member of the family. 



Both in February and March the birds have a rather per- 

 plexing time in regulating their conduct according to the 

 weather. At this season a hot spell occasionally visits us, and 

 I fancy the puzzled state of mind of the varied robins, the 

 Oregon juncos, and the American pipits. It is not yet time by 

 at least a month for migrating to begin, yet here is midsummer 

 full upon us. Or again, the humming-birds have commenced 

 nest-building, when a long, protracted spell of rain follows the 

 spring days. The nest is abandoned and the tiny builders seek 

 shelter amid the dense cypress boughs, disconsolate at their 

 misfortune. But spring is proverbially fickle and must be taken 

 in good part, for its sunshine warms more quickly than its cloud 

 can chill, and every day brings some measure of surprise and 

 change. 



1781 



