The Townsend Warbler 



Taken in Santa Barbara County 



Photo by the Author 



THE BEARDED OAKS OF HOPE RANCH 



A WINTER STATION OF THE TOWNSEND WARBLER 



ranks of unfallen leaves on the willow and sycamore trees. Its rarely 

 uttered tsip or tsiip, although a little sharper and more clean-cut than 

 Audubon's note, passes so easily for that of the more abundant bird 

 that townsendi habitually escapes notice the season through. 



During the spring migrations, which occur in late April or full May, 

 townsendi attracts more attention. It is driven to lower levels in its 

 search for aphides or worms, and in a land where all is sunshine and teem- 

 ing life it does not so fear exposure. A bird sighted in the North during 

 the last week in May haunted a pine and a balm tree at the foot of a 

 lake, singing constantly. The song ran, dzwee, dzwee, dzwee, dzwee, 

 dzweetsee, the first four notes drowsy and drawling, the fourth prolonged, 

 and the remainder somewhat furry and squeaky. The bird hunted 

 patiently through the long needles of the pine, under what would seem 



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