Nesting Time. 



the burrowing owl in her tunnel appro- 

 priated from a ground-squirrel, and the 

 sparrow-hawk in a deserted flicker's nest 

 or similar retreat. 



The eighth or tenth of the month 

 has now been reached and the green- 

 backed goldfinch and Samuel's song- 

 sparrow have begun nest building, or 

 even, if the season be favorable, laid an 

 ^gg or two. During the first half of 

 April few other species commence their 

 family labors, so that at this season the 

 list of breeding birds includes all the 

 hawks and owls ( the smaller ones just 

 starting, the larger, for the most part, 

 well advanced in their nesting duties), 

 the bush-tit and plain-crested titmouse, 

 the three species of humming-birds, the 

 jay, shrike, song-sparrow and goldfinch, 

 the last two named having barely com- 

 menced their tasks. 



By the middle of the month, or 

 shortly after, our Hst is extended by 

 several new species. Brewer's black- 

 birds, which have been holding meetings 

 206 



