G 12 Provincial Museum Report. 1914 



These birds do considerable damage to the smaller birds' nests. On several occasions they 

 were found plundering the homes and destroying the eggs of the goldfinch and western 

 chipping-sparrow, which are usually found common in the peach and apple orchards throughout 

 the valley. 



*Clarke's Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana, Wils.). 



The bird found common in the foot-hills from Penticton to Osoyoos Lake, more abundant 

 on the east side. Birds were taken at Penticton (Four-mile Creek) on April 10th, and at 

 Schoonover Mountain, 4,000 feet altitude, on April 20th. Birds have been known to breed 

 in the latter part of February, when the thermometer often registers 20 degrees below zero. 

 From the size of the young birds taken in June, it is without doubt that the birds lay some 

 time about the middle of March. Search for the nests was made daily from April 20th to 

 25th on Schoonover Mountain, 4,000 feet altitude ; only one deserted nest was located in a 

 pine-tree 25 feet from the ground. The nest is a large bulky affair composed of sticks and 

 lined with bark, etc. 



*Bobolink (Doliclwnyx oryzivorus, Linn.). 



Fairly common. Ten specimens taken at Penticton on June 20th. Located a female 

 building a nest on the ground in the meadow near Penticton on June 18th, and on my return 

 a few days later found the nest deserted. A pair was seen at Okanagan Falls on May 20th. 



*Cowbird (Molothrus ater ater, Bodd.) 



Birds taken at Penticton on June 25th. Flock of about seven were seen at Okanagan 

 Falls on May 21st. On June 25th a single egg was found in the nest of a Pacific yellow- 

 throat, which contained two eggs, slightly incubated. 



*San Diego Redwing (Agelaius phceniceus neutralis, Ridg.). 



Very abundant in marshes and swamps throughout the valley. Seen only in the bottom 

 lands. Specimens were taken at Penticton, April 12th ; Okanagan Falls, April 15th and May 

 10th ; and Vaseaux Lake and Osoyoos in May. Nests and eggs were taken at Dog Lake on 

 May 21st, also several fine sets at Vaseaux and Osoyoos on May 24th. 



*Western Meadow-lark (Sturnella neglecta, Aud.). 



Common at Penticton and Okanagan Falls ; abundant nearly everywhere, in the fields 

 and meadows throughout the valley. Breeds. 



*Bdllock's Oriole (Icterus bu.Hocki, Swains.). 



Abundant throughout the valley. Birds taken on May 27th at Penticton, and on June 

 6th at Vaseaux Lake. Breeds commonly close to water. Nests placed usually in deciduous 

 ■ trees, resembling a hanging basket in shape. Fresh eggs were taken at Penticton on June 

 15th. Eggs four in number, pale bluish white, streaked and lined with black, brown, and 

 grey ; size, 0.95 x 0.60. Nest containing four young was found at Dog Lake on June 20th. 

 The chatter of these birds can be heard from morn till night ; and they are very busy during 

 the nesting season. 



^Brewer's Blackbird (Enphagus cyanocephalus, Wag.). 



One of the commonest birds in the valley. Large flocks were seen at Penticton on April 

 12th, and also at Okanagan Falls during the months of May and June. On May 29th a nest 

 containing six eggs was taken. Eggs were slightly incubated. The nest was situated on a 

 haystack in an open meadow — rather an unusual nesting-place. Another fine set was collected 

 at Okanagan Falls on June 15th. Nest was placed on the ground and contained six dull 

 greyish eggs, blotched and spotted with brown and black ; size, 1 x 0.75. Incubation fresh. 



^Western Evening Grosbeak (Hesperiphona vespertina montana, Ridg.). 



During the first week in June a flock of about twenty birds frequented our camp at 

 Schoonover Mountain (3,500 feet). The birds were watched closely in order to try and locate 

 their nesting-place, but our observations proved in vain. The birds showed no signs of pairing 

 up to June loth. Several birds were collected on June 12th, and on close examination of the 

 ovaries three females showed no sign of breeding whatever ; therefore it is without doubt that 

 these birds lay well on into July. Mr. Blurton mentioned the fact that he once saw a female 

 feeding young birds near Mara during the latter part of July. From observations, it is 

 believed that the birds nest near the tops of tall conifers, 100 to 150 feet high, otherwise an 

 old nest would have been found. 



