1 82 Ray, Land Birds of Lake Valley, Cal. [^^^ 



to places west of the summit, like Echo, Slippery Ford, and R' 

 ton. This is no doubt due to the fact that species of many zones 

 occur here, owing to the diversified character of the country. The 

 breeding season is very early for the altitude of 6220 feet, it being 

 about the same as Slippery Ford, west of the summit, at 4000 feet 

 elevation. 



It is a noticeable fact that even 500 or 1000 feet make a differ- 

 ence in nesting dates, allowing for the usual variation. For in- 

 stance, at Bijou on Lake Tahoe, on June 7, eggs oijunco hyemalis 

 thiirberi were well along in incubation, and by June 15 most nests 

 contained young. At Phillip's Station eggs slightly incubated 

 were found June x6, and on July 3, 4 and 5 we observed young 

 birds flying about at Wright's Lake and various other plac on 

 this mountain plateau; while at 9000 feet, on July 6, while ascend- 

 ing Pyramid Peak, two nests of eggs were found in which incuba- 

 tion had just commenced. The lateness of the season also delays 

 nesting, but only of certain species, it having little effect on birds 

 breeding in protected situations, like woodpeckers, bluebirds and 

 chickadees. 



List of Species.^ 



17. Oreortyx pictus plumiferus. Painted Partridge. — Rather 

 scarce on the floor of the valley although a number were seen near Tallac 

 in June, 1901. It is common on the mountain sides, especially on the 

 road to Star Lake. 



18. Dendragapus obscurus fuliginosus. Sooty Grouse.— This bird 

 is more often heard than seen. It is not uncommon on the ranges sur- 

 rounding Lake Valley. On July 4, 1902, on the road to Pyramid Peak, a 

 parent with j^oung about the size of a Valley Qiiail, was flushed from the 

 brush along the road. In her solicitude for the young she could have 

 been hit with a driving whip. Mr. Price states they remain in these high 

 altitudes all the year, and also records a set of seven eggs, well advanced 

 in incubation, found at Glen Alpine, June 7, 1900. 



19. Zenaidura macroura. Mourning Dove — Common, especially 

 about Bijou. I am inclined to think these birds do not breed here until 

 late in July, as notwithstanding their abundance I found no nests. 



1 Asterisk signifies skin tdken 



Sixteen water birds have !),.-en iisteil, so this list starts with Xo. [; 



