The Bullock Oriole 



revolutions. Av. size 23.9 x 16 (.94 x .63). Season: May-June; one brood. Extreme 

 nesting dates are: Claremont, April 25, 1901, by W. M. Pierce; and Pasadena, July 18, 

 1894, by H. A. Gaylord. 



General Range. — Western North America, breeding from southern British 

 Columbia and southern Saskatchewan south to northern Mexico, and from South 

 Dakota and western Kansas to the Pacific; wintering in Mexico south to Colima, 

 Guerrero, and Puebla. 



Distribution in California. — "Abundant summer resident in many parts of 

 the State — from the Nevada line to the seacoast, and from the Oregon line to the Mexi- 

 can boundary. Of very general zonal and faunal preferences; breeds from Lower 

 Sonoran up through Transition, and from the riparian association on the deserts (as 

 along the Colorado River) to the San Francisco Bay region. Of least abundance in the 

 northwest coast belt and on the Santa Barbara Islands, though there are records from 

 both. Occurs in migrations even on the arid portions of the southeastern deserts, and 

 up into the high mountains. Centers of abundance are the interior valleys north of 

 Tehachapi." (Grinnell). 



Authorities. — Audubon, Orn. Biog., vol. v., 1839, pp. 9-11 ;Gambel, Proc. Acad. 

 Nat. Sci. Phila., vol. iii., 1847, p. 204 (migration; song; nest); Heermann, Rept. Pac. 

 R. R. Surv., vol. x., pt. vi., 1859, p. 52 (habits, etc.); Illingworth, Condor, vol. iii., 1901, 

 pp. 98-100 (nests); Sharp, Condor, vol. v., 1903, pp. 38-42, 3 figs, (unusual nests); 

 Beal, Biol. Survey Bull., no. 34, 1910, pp. 68-71, pi. x. (food). 



THANK God for Wonder! What is it but a pleased interest in the 

 unfolding panorama of life? We consider it the special attribute of 

 childhood, because life is new to the child; but woe to us when we cease to 

 wonder! It is a sign that we have ceased to live. For in the last analysis, 

 Wonder is Worship — a recognition of the presence of God and ecstatic 

 joy thereat. 



I bring a chance acquaintance to view my collection of eggs. He 

 glances patronizingly at the painted ovals, murmurs, "I see," when I 

 point out an example of protective harmony, and stifles a yawn when I 

 discourse upon the niceties of hummingbird architecture. He isn't 

 interested. What I have proposed for common ground he cannot accept 

 as such. His thoughts are elsewhere. He does not wonder! Another 

 gazes with delight upon the unfolded treasures, gives little shrieks of 

 appreciation at each successive burst of color, and marvels ecstaticallv 

 over the exquisite traceries of the Oriole. He is manifestly interested in 

 that which interests me. I have given him pleasure. He wonders, and 

 is by so much more my friend. 



It is not otherwise with the soul and God. Our Heavenly Father 

 has devised the myriad show of Nature, and has brought us to view it. 

 If we gaze with unseeing eyes, if we turn quickly away, we offend him. 

 He has labored in vain, and the Creator's heart is in so far saddened. But 

 if, on the other hand, we enter with deep appreciation into the storehouse 



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