FIELD-DAYS IN CALIFORNIA 



peculiarly Northern species, finds its northern 

 limit in the southernmost corner of the United 

 States. No matter for that, however. You know 

 the reason of the name, and acknowledge it a 

 sound one. What you are thinking of now is not 

 the name, but the bird itself, and the bright 

 Texas day on which you saw it. 



You had sauntered a few miles out of the city 

 of San Antonio, spying to right and left for new 

 birds in that, to you, new part of the world, when 

 suddenly, up a little shaded brook, sitting on a 

 low branch overhanging the water, you beheld 

 this lovely little kingfisher. What a treat it was 

 to your eyes ! How glossy were its green feath- 

 ers ! And what a wide-awake, businesslike air it 

 had! 



That was many years ago, as years are begin- 

 ning to be reckoned in your lessening calendar, 

 and you have never seen one since. But reading 

 these few words about it here in the Check-List 

 brings the whole delightful scene before you al- 

 most as fresh as new. Memory is among the most 

 precious of an old man's treasures. 



Again you turn the leaves. You are nearer the 

 end of the book this time, among the warblers, 

 and near the top of the right-hand page are the 

 words, like magic in their effect : " Black-throated 

 Green Warbler." You have not seen the wearer 

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