waiting automobile; sped for home, installed it in giant case No. 24, and set out 

 again upon our adventure, only six hours behind the schedule. 



We examined many scattering and decadent colonies of these magpies en- 

 route to and from the falcon country, as well as isolated nests tucked away in 

 lateral canyons. In default of mud the birds use cow-dung for the modeling of 

 the bowl proper; and, oftener than not, they introduce an added refinement by 

 making the brim of the bowl dip gracefully at the entrance. In much of the coun- 

 try traversed the trees are tormented by mistletoe, and clumps of this parasite 

 so closely resemble the "bushel basket pile" of the magpie, that detection of the 

 of the latter is not always easy. All the nests found, but one, were in white, or 

 "valley" oak trees; and I remember retrieving in person a handsome set of seven 

 eggs from a nest eighty feet up, after the youngster had volubly declined the 

 offer of a dollar to make the ascent. By way of getting full measure, I took the 

 nest itself; and it proves to be not over one-sixth the bulk of the first example 

 taken. 



The temptation is almost overwhelming to linger in reminiscence over a 

 trip through country whose every detail is singularly dear to the writer; but 

 there are many eggs to gather this season, and I will incorporate only three 

 thumbnail sketches of typical camps, with attendant horizons. The "horizons," 

 or local bird lists, are taken, in each instance, early in the morning before the 

 work of the day has begun, or at least before the party has moved on. 



April 8: Camp under valley oak (Ouercus lobata) in flat-bottomed but nar- 

 row and waterless valley west of Los Olivos; luxurious grass, but little or no low 

 cover besides; and everywhere, upon bottoms and hillsides alike, stately and 

 diffusely isolated oak trees. 



Horizon — noted in order of recognition, or associational attention: Pacific 

 Horned Owl; Barn Owl; Western Crow; Western Meadowlark; Bullock Oriole; 

 Western Mourning Dove; San Diego Redwing; Greater Yellowlegs (migrant), 

 Plain Titmouse; Slender-billed Nuthatch; California Woodpecker; Nuttall 

 Woodpecker; Red-shafted Flicker; Cassin Kingbird; Lawrence Goldfinch; 

 House Finch; Golden-crowned Sparrow (migrant); Western Lark Sparrow: 

 Sierra Junco (migrant); Tree Swallow; Willow Goldfinch; Anthony Towhee; 

 Western Bluebird; California Jay; Western House Wren; Western Kingbird; 

 Western(?) Savannah Sparrow (migrant). 



April 9: Camp in a little draw opening out on the Salinas River at a pic- 

 turesque spot midway between Santa Margarita and Pozo. Rugged cliffs 

 frown upon the scene, and the half-open woods are formed by a pleasing mixture 

 of oaks of three sorts, digger pines (P. sabini), and chaparral. 



Horizon: Great Blue Heron; Pacific Horned Owl; Dusky Poorwill (heard 

 singing almost all night); Red-bellied Hawk; Mexican(?) Cooper Hawk; Western 

 Crow; California Jay; California Thrasher; California Woodpecker; Red-shafted 

 Flicker; Nuttall Woodpecker; Willow Woodpecker, Slender-billed Nuthatch; 

 Plain Titmouse; Pallid Wren-Tit; Western Gnatcatcher; Western House Wren; 

 Black-headed Grosbeak; House Finch; California Purple Finch; Gambel Spar- 

 row (migrant); Golden-crowned Sparrow (migrant); Sierra Junco; Green-backed 

 Goldfinch; Kingfisher; Mountain Ouail; Valley Quail; Western Robin (migrant); 

 Western Bluebird; Dwarf(?) Hermit Thrush (migrant); Violet-green Swallow; 

 W.Mourning Dove ; Audubon Warbler (migrant) ; Black Phoebe ; Spurred Towhee ; 

 Anthony Towhee; Western Kingbird; Bush-tit; Turkey Vulture; Humming- 

 bird(sp). 



April 10: In camp on San Juan Creek near La Panza, San Luis Obispo 

 County. Bounding hills to west grassed, with scattering white oaks. Hillsides 

 immediately to hand oozy with spring waters; hence a growth of wild goose- 

 berry, elder, willow and oaks. Valley floor open, sandy, grassy, or with a few 

 stunted cottonwoods much rubbed by cattle. Broken hills to east covered with 

 grass or sage association and deeply penetrated by steep walled washes or bar- 

 rancas, which sometimes rise to the dignity of canyons. 



Horizon — early morning only: Tule Yellowthroat; Cassin Kingbird; 



46 



