256 BIRD STUDIES IN CALIFORNIA 



temperature, the prevailing, moisture-laden, westerly air 

 currents are condensed, with a resulting heavy rainfall, (60 

 to 80 inches annually), and a consequent luxuriant forest 

 growth. This is the region of the redwoods. In southern 

 California, while the prevailing winds are still off the ocean, 

 they meet a usually higher land temperature ; condensation 

 rarely follows and the rainfall averages only from 10 to 20 

 inches annually. 



Finally, there are the islands off the coast. On the larger 

 ones, between twenty and thirty species of land birds have 

 been found nesting. In many instances, as a result of insu- 

 lar isolation, they have become sufficiently changed from the 

 mainland stock to be described as new races or species. The 

 smaller islands, some of which are mere rocks, are often the 

 home of great gatherings of sea-birds. 



My own experience in this great territory, so roughly 

 outlined, was gained between the dates May 12 and July i, 

 1903 ; June 8 and July 18, 1906. Obviously this is too limited 

 a period to permit me to speak with authority of the bird- 

 life of any part of California. I have, however, seen enough 

 of the state to be impressed by the opportunities it offers to 

 the ornithologist; and it is this impression, together with 

 some appreciation of California's manifold attractions for 

 the nature lover, to which it is hoped this sketch will give 

 form. 



THE ENTRANCE TO THE STATE 



Whether naturalist or tourist, one should enter Califor- 

 nia through its deserts, from Arizona ; reserving the Sierras 

 as a climax to his journey through the state. 



If traveling on the Southern Pacific railway, a stop may 

 be made at Yuma, on the Arizona side of the Colorado River. 

 I have never visited a more barren place. The creosote bush 

 was almost the only vegetation on the mesa, and this grew 

 sparsely. While an occasional Shore Lark was the only bird 

 seen on a morning's outing. 



In the willows of the river bottom, birds are more com- 



