The Orange-crowned Warblers 



ond. Anyhow, these momentary offerings are the very life of Santa Cruz 

 and Santa Catalina, — and of all the other saints whose good fortune it 

 is to be entirely surrounded by water. 



Anybody can find a bird's nest by accident — a cow might — but the 

 achievement of discovering a Dusky Warbler's nest always flatters the 

 hunter's vanity. The bird has risen silently from the ground, and less 

 visibly than a fluttering leaf. When twenty or thirty feet removed, 



wim&m 



Taken on Sar. 



A NESTING SITE OF THE DUSKY WARBLER 



THERE IS A NEST WITH FOUR EGGS SOMEWHERE ON THE GROUND BEFORE YOU, BUT NOT EVEN THE PHOTOGRAPHER 



REMEMBERS THE EXACT LOCATION 



a sharp "chip" breaks out, and by this token alone can you follow the 

 earlier movements of excited revolutions in the treetops. Presently, the 

 bird, long cramped on the nest, bethinks herself of her toilet, pauses 

 to stretch and preen and ruffle, never omitting dutiful chips the while. 

 Then, if you are well "frozen" and not by accident too near the nest, 

 the bird begins a slow and, to you, a very painful return. A crackling 

 twig, a waving hand, a suspicion even, sends her off to begin all over 

 again. Maddening pauses ensue. Will the creature never move? Yes; 

 a little nearer, a little lower. Presently you suspect the particular bush 

 she has her eye upon. Long she hesitates to pass from tree to bush. 



449 



