THE NATURALIST IN CALIFORNIA. 183 


















enemy. But occasionally a Squirrel Hawk ( Archibuteo ferru- 
gineus) is seen sitting on the ground devouring one of these 
audacious burrowers. The White-headed Eagle and various 
smaller hawks, are also on the watch for these and any other 
small animals they can catch, such as Gophers ( Thomomys 
umbrinus), Jumping-mice (Dipodomys agilis and Perogna- 
thus parvus), Wood-mice (Hesperomys Sonoriensis), Hares 
(Lepus Californicus and -Audubonii), besides such birds as 
fall in their way. 
About the gardens are the omnipresent House Finch ( Car- 
podacus frontalis), the Black Pewee (Sayornis nigricans), 
Raven and Western Crow ( Corvus carnivorus and caurinus). 
The Western Flicker ( Colaptes Mexicanus) was the only one 
of its tribe observed in this nearly woodless plain. Large 
flocks of Gambel's Finch ( Zonotrichia Gambelii), and other 
species, flitted among the hedges, while the Golden-crowned 
Wren and Audubon's Warbler were the only insectivorous 
species that could glean a subsistance at this season among 
the dry willows. The Song Sparrow (Melospiza Heermannit) 
like its eastern representative enlivens the early morning 
with an occasional song, while the Rock Wren (Salpinctes 
obsoletus) and Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneica- 
pillus) chirrup loudly from the tiled roof or dense thickets. 
Flocks of Quails (Lophortyx Californicus) become common 
aS we get farther from the town, and the little Burrowing 
Owl (Athene cunicularia) is often seen sitting sleepily at 
the mouth of an old squirrel burrow. Meadow Larks and 
Horned Larks, as well as the little Pipit, are so numerous 
_ in places on the bare plains as to almost darken the air when 
_ they fly, and the curious Mountain Plover (Podasocys mon- 
| A nus) run in scattered flocks over the driest tracts, or wheel 
9 swift columns around the sportsman, their white under- . 
ats Sometimes shining like snow-flakes as they turn like 
their more aquatic cousins of the seashore. 
LE Thus it will appear that these plains have a great variety 
" animals, even as seen in a hasty journey and at a bad 

