152 East and West 
whose outer edge flows the shallow Santa 
Inez—nominally a succession of cattle ranches 
but in reality Elysian Fields. 
White oaks here intermingled with the 
live oaks—stately trees of majestic propor- 
tions and standing at a distance apart which 
enhanced their dignity. California wood- 
peckers were chattering and flying from trunk 
to trunk, describing beautiful parabolas in the 
air. The trunks of some trees were peppered 
with acorns placed there by these birds. 
Magpies were also abundant and from time to 
time was heard the sweet note of the plain 
titmouse, resembling the ringing call of the 
Carolina wren of Southern swamps. Above 
the river rose cliffs of redand yellow sandstone, 
and beyond them, arid hills dotted with sage- 
brush and yucca, fading in the distance into 
the colours of the desert—pale opaline tints 
melting into the horizon. 
Such is the fair setting of this noble park 
whose smooth floor was dotted with oaks 
and was literally carpeted with yellow tidytips 
and golden baeria, while the roadside was 
often a bank of lavender collinsias, blue 
lark spurs, and white forget-me-nots. With 
the exception of daisy fields and possibly the 
Devil’s paint-brush in limited areas in the 
