THE SIERRAS 



My experience in the Sierras is limited to a few days 

 (June 24- July 5, 1903 ; June 8-10, 1906), passed at Price's 

 camp in Glen Alpine and on Fallen Leaf Lake near Lake 

 Tahoe, and a short trip from this point over the Tahoe-Pla- 

 cerville stage route to Silver Creek. Brief as was the time, 

 it was more than sufficient to impress me with the manifold 

 attractions of this region for the nature-lover. At this sea- 

 son rain is infrequent and the camper, with tent or without, 

 may hunt the world over for a more ideal climate or more 

 delightful surroundings. 



The country about Tahoe offers a most inviting field to 

 the ornithologist. It is accessible and diversified ; primeval 

 forests, marshes, and snow-capped peaks being in close 

 proximity; and as long as William Price and Walter Fisher 

 maintain their camp on Fallen Leaf Lake, the visiting nat- 

 uralist will be assured a congenial home and efficient 

 co-operation. 



With two other members of the American < )rnithologists' 

 Union's transcontinental party of 1903, 1 left San Francisco 

 the morning of June 23, and reached Tahoe Inn in the eve- 

 ning. Awakened by the emphatic come-right-here of the 

 Olive-sided Flycatcher, I arose for an early view of Tahoe, 

 its encircling mountains and forests, and found as well, a 

 male Hermit Warbler, and a nest of a Mountain Chickadee 

 which evidently contained young. On comparing notes at 

 breakfast, I learned that both of my companions had inde- 

 pendently found the same nest, though it is doubtful if an- 

 other guest of the hotel knew of its existence. I was remind- 

 ed of Thoreau's arrowhead. 



I know of no lake in this country comparable with Tahoe. 

 In size, in the intense blue of its surprisingly clear waters, 



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