ORNITHOLOGY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY. 425 



Thrashes were seen. On entering the Santa Isabel Valley 

 next day, the Arkansas Kingbird was found in pairs perched 

 upon dry weed-stalks. Crimson House Finch, Western 

 Lark Sparrow, Western Meadowlark and Brewer's Black- 

 bird, were common through the green fields, while the air 

 above was merry with the twitter of many Clitf Swallows. 

 Lower in the valley the following were seen: American 

 Sparrow Hawk, Western Bed-Tail, Bullock's Oriole, Purple 

 Martin, Andubon's and Pileolated Warblers. On the plains 

 I noticed Western Savanna Sparrow, Western Lark Sparrow, 

 Crimson House Finch, Yellow-headed and Bicolored Black- 

 birds, flocks of Mountain Plover and Ruddy Horned Lark. 

 A few pairs of Ash-throated Flycatchers, a species which ar- 

 rives late, showed that the spring migration to San Diego 

 county was far advanced. Cliff Swallows had commenced 

 building under the eaves of an adobe house, and about a 

 moist spot of ground several Killdeers were feeding. The 

 lonesome notes of the Poor-will could be heard almost con- 

 tinually throughout the night. 



In the following list of the birds of Poway Valley, seen or 

 taken by me in April, I have included in their order those 

 noticed in January. Such \viuter birds are indicated by *. 



1. JEgialitis vocifera. 



KLLLDEER. Tolerably common. Breeds. 



*2. Callipepla californica. 

 CALIFORNIA PARTRIDGE. Very plentiful among the cacti. 



*3. Zenaidura macroura. 

 MOURNING DOVE. Tolerably common. 



4. Pseudogryphos californianus. 



CALIFORNIA VULTURE. I hardly expected to have the good 

 fortune to see this rare bird, but one day I heard a sound, 

 as of wind coming through the oaks, and saw a large shadow 

 passing over the ground. Soon this bird of immense wings 



