1 88 Ray, Land Birds of Lake Valley^ Cal. f 



Auk 

 Apr. 



had already started back for camp and, desiring to make a short cut, went 

 down the slope where it is very precipitous. Here, after some distance, 

 it became difficult to advance or retreat. A little distance away a pair of 

 leucostictes was observed in a rocky ledge. The pair was watched, and 

 soon one flew into a long, winding, impenetrable cavity among the huge 

 granite slabs of the ledge. On their approaching the spot the bird flew 

 out and began hopping about showing some anxiety. There is little 

 doubt that the birds had a nest there but it was impossible to reach it. 



64. Astragalinus psaltria. Arkansas Goldfinch. — A straggler was 

 shot by Mr. Price on the summit of Mount Tallac, August, 1S92. 



65. Spinus pinus. Pine Siskin.- — -Observed commonly by Mr. Price 

 at the head of Glen Alpine gorge where he has taken young in July and 

 August. 



66. Zonotrichia leucophrys.* White-crowned Sparrow. — This 

 sparrow is found sparingly about Bijou and Lakeside in Lake Valley, but 

 is abundant on the summit and about Pyramid Peak. It is a pleasing song- 

 ster, the song being similar to that of Z. I. fiutfalli, but the ending is 

 more abrupt. I have heard the male singing as late as nine o'clock at 

 night and at the first signs of daybreak. On June 10, 1901, scarcely fifty 

 yards from camp, my brother stumbled on a nest well concealed among 

 the grass at the foot of a small willow. We had passed this spot a num- 

 ber of times but the parent had been so alert as to steal off unnoticed. 

 The eggs, four in number, were fresh and measured .87 X .62, 86 X -62, 

 .83 X -62, .72 X •59- I'hey are greenish white with numerous small spots 

 of reddish brown. The nest is of weed stems and grasses, lined with 

 horse-hair. It measures 4I inches, over all, while the cavity is 2\ by 2 

 inches deep. I took the parents with this nest and the male, with a 

 broken wing led me a merry race over the meadow, as I had used the last 

 shell in my auxiliary barrel. 



67. Zonotrichia leucophrys gambeli. Intermediate Sparrow. — 

 Mr. Taylor secured three specimens about Glen Alpine and one at Meyer's 

 Station during the latter half of September, 1901, while in its migration 

 from the north. 



68. Spizella socialis arizonae.* Western Chipping Sparrow. — Veiv 

 common throughout the valley, nesting in pine and tamarack saplings, 

 usually five or six feet up. The nests are all very similar — of grasses 

 and vegetable fibres lined with horse or cow-hair, or both. They are 

 placed insecurely, owing to the character of the trees, near the end of the 

 branch. In Yosemite Valley, in the summer of 1898, I found most nests 

 placed in willows where they had a better foundation. The reason why 

 the birds do not select the willow as a nesting site here is probably 

 because they are not fully leaved when the breeding season commences. 

 Some nesting dates are as follows : June 10, 1901, Bijou, four eggs, fresh; 

 June II, 1901, Bijou, four, incubation just begun; June 11, 1901, Bijou, 

 four small young ; June 17, 1902, Bijou, four eggs, incubation just begun ; 

 July 2, 1902, Bijou, four fresh eggs. 



