Birds and Seasons 189 



readily will be a solid beginning in birdcraft for any one in this 

 region. 



In addition to these faithful dwellers in our hills and canons are 

 a number of other species which are nearly always with us, but in 

 greater or less abundance, indicating a more migratory habit. Among 

 these I may mention the Gambel's Sparrow, which nests here rather 

 sparingly, but comes in large flocks for the winter, the Lutescent 

 Warbler, Vigor's Wren, Western Goldfinch, California Shrike, Desert 

 Sparrowhawk and Western Red-tailed Hawk. The two Hawks and 

 the Shrike might be placed in the first list with almost equal propriety. 



In the months of December and January, then, the above-mentioned 

 birds may be confidently sought for in the canons and gardens. Asso- 

 ciating with them, however, is a host of winter visitants which are 

 equally abundant and peculiarly characteristic of the rainy season. The 

 most numerous and constant of these are the Golden-crowned Sparrow, 

 Oregon Junco, American Pipit, Audubon's Warbler, Dwarf Thrush and 

 Ruby-crowned Kinglet. The Western Golden-crowned Kinglet is less 

 common, although at times it may be found in considerable numbers in 

 the live-oak trees. Townsend's Sparrow is with us all winter, but its 

 retiring habits make it a less conspicuous element in the midwinter 

 company. The Red-breasted Nuthatch is irregular in its visits, it 

 sometimes being found in large numbers, and again being wholly absent. 

 The same may be said of both the Western Robin and the Western 

 Bluebird, which roam the country in large flocks and pass from one 

 locality to another. They are usually abundant after a heavy snowfall 

 in the mountains. The Varied Robin is perhaps more constantly with 

 us during the winter months, but is so shy and quiet that it is often 

 overlooked. Among the other less abundant winter visitants, which 

 are nevertheless not rare, are Hutton's Vireo, Pine Finch, Say's Pewee, 

 Red-breasted Woodpecker, Gairdner's Woodpecker, California Wood- 

 pecker and the Cedar Waxwing. 



Of midwinter birds which are rare or accidental in their visits may 

 be mentioned Levvis' Woodpecker, the Evening Grosbeak, and Town- 

 send's Solitaire. From the above lists it is evident that our winter 

 groves and cafions are teeming with bird-life. Some among these De- 

 cember and January species may even favor us with an occasional 

 snatch of song, although their call notes are most frequently heard. 

 The Golden-crowned, and Gambel's Sparrows are constant winter 

 singers; Samuel's Song Sparrow often sounds its ditty, and the note of 

 the Western Meadowlark is heard from time to time in the fields. The 

 Wren-Tit sings more or less in its simple fashion the year through, 

 and its characteristic strain may be heard ever and anon in the canon. 

 Thus it happens that we may find intimations of approaching spring 



