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Bird - Lore 



without stirring. When I opened the porch door and stepped out he only hitched 

 a few inches away. Quite evidently he did not mind mankind. A loud 'yank, 

 yank, yank' from a neighboring tree proclaimed that he was not alone and con- 

 firmed my behef that I was looking at a Slender-billed Nuthatch, western 

 representative of the White-breasted Nuthatch. He finally climbed about on 

 the tree, inspecting crevices before he flew away. His cousin, the Red-breasted 

 Nuthatch, has also been reported in the valley. 



California Purple Finches are in my yard earlier than usual this year. They 

 forage mostly on the ground, also eating the pepper berries fallen there. Later 

 in the season they are fond of fruit buds and some complaint has come because 

 of this habit. I notice, however, in my own yard, that I have plenty of fruit 

 after they have feasted in my blossoming trees. Perhaps it is only insects that 

 they molest. At any rate, I always welcome them in my garden. 



Varied Thrushes, large cousins of the Robins, have been seen this winter 

 in the valley, as has also that gorgeous creature, the Red-breasted Sapsucker. 

 As yet, these two birds have not visited my garden when I have been at home 

 to receive them, but as about eighty species of California birds have done so 

 at some time of the year, I shall live in hopes that they will not pass me by when 

 they are making their southern calls, but will show my garden the same con- 

 sideration that so many other birds have shown. 



MALE PHAINOPEPLA 

 Courtesy of The Condor 



