118 



YOSEMIl E NATURE NOTES 



in dense mature stands. Redwoods, in- 

 cense-cedars, and pines arc frequented. 

 R. in the Transition and Canadian life- 

 zones, dispersing irregularly to lower 

 elevations in winter. Common in Yo- 

 semite Valley, especially in dense stands 

 of incense-cedar and ponderosa pine. 



WREN-TITS: Family Chamaeidae 



WREN-TIT (Chamaea jasciata): 

 6/2 in. Above brown, darker on head; 

 below buffy, tinged with pink; long 

 slender tail; iris white; rufHed appear- 

 ance of feathers gives bird a chubby 

 shape. Song, phu- phu- phu- phu- phu- 

 phu-phu, the first two- to four notes 

 given deliberately, the others following 

 in quick succession all essentially on the 

 same pitch. Sometimes gutteral scold- 

 ing notes are heard as the birds "float" 

 through the brush. 



Seeks broken or continuous tracts of 

 brush where it is more often heard than 

 seen. Usually travels in pairs. An inhab- 

 itant of the Upper Sonoran and Tran- 

 sition life-zones west of the Sierran 

 divide. In the Yosemite region to be 

 found chiefly at low elevation in the 

 western part but in late summer and 

 fall ranges u]j into Yosemite Valley. 



DIPPERS: Family Cinclidae 



AMERICAN DIPPER (Cinclus 

 mcxicanus): Also known as water ouzel. 

 7-8/2 in. Body slate-gray, tinged with 

 brown above: short, stubby tail. Upon 

 alighting on a rock in a stream, it usu- 

 ally bobs up and down. It frequently 

 dives into the water, and walks along 

 the bottom, the wings assisting. Such 

 excursions are to procure small aquatic 

 anini.ils for food. Nest of moss, with 

 oprning at the side. 



Frequents cool, shaded, clear, swift- 

 flowing mountain streams, especiallv 

 where there are rock walls or clifTs that 

 provide nesting sites. Sometimes places 

 nest behind a waterfall. R. in the Tran- 

 sition to the Hudsonian life-zone. May 

 be seen in Yosemite Valley, where it is 

 one of the most interesting and best 

 loved birds. 



WREN-TIT 



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 AMERICAN DIPPER 



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HOUSE WREN 



