Bird- Lore 



was once noted in January for two or three successive days, and Pigeon Hawks 

 are not infrequently observed. Horned Larks have been seen rarely. There 

 were at one time three Ring-necked Pheasants in the northern end of the park, 

 a cock and two hens; one of the latter disappeared, and at present I am not 



at all sure if there is 

 more than one bird 

 left. They attempted 

 to nest, but the nests 

 were broken up or the 

 young killed, possibly 

 by cats. 



The winter life of 

 the park, if not so 

 varied as in summer, 

 is always interesting, 

 and the observer can 

 always find some birds 

 to study, and the fact 

 that the birds vary 

 much in numbers adds 

 to rather than detracts 

 from the interest; it 

 gives a bit of chance 

 to the game. 



Usually in late February or early March the first Mountain Bluebirds and 

 Robins come, and for a while there is a mixture of the first of the spring and 

 the last of the winter birds, but presently the latter are all gone, except per- 

 haps for a few belated stragglers. 



MOUNTAIN TOWHEE 



THE SUMMER BIRDS 



Under this head I include not only the true summer residents but also the 

 migrants passing to and from their summer homes. Some of these migrants 

 or visitors are summer residents in the mountains, and foothills close by, and 

 even on the plains, but do not find the conditions they desire for breeding within 

 the park limits. As my list shows, several species of Ducks have been seen on 

 the ponds and reservoir, and I am hoping to see more make the park a refuge 

 and resting-place as the years go by. I have seen seven Mallards in one flock 

 on a pond on a stormy March day. The Spotted Sandpipers come about the 

 first week in May, and are gone by the middle or last of September. Last 

 July I saw a pair with at least one young bird in downy plumage; I have 

 always been quite sure they bred in the park, as they have been about every 

 summer, but this is the first direct evidence. 



