16 THE CONDOR Vol. XX 



tiva brewsteri), Western Warbling Vireos (Vireosylva gilva swainsoni), and 

 Willow and Green-backed goldfinches (Astragalinus tristis salicamans and A. 

 psaltria hesperophilus) , with a hummingbird or two, were feeding, singing, or 

 just enjoying life about the trees and bushes. The last observations were made 

 on the morning of September 29 at the same spot, when the make-up of the feath- 

 ered assemblage was quite different. On that last morning there were noted two 

 Western Yellowthroats (Geothlypis triclias occidentalis) , four Lutescent Warb- 

 lers (Vermivora celata lutescens), several Western Chipping Sparrows, G-ambel 

 Sparrows, Mountain Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches (Sitta canadensis) 

 and some Audubon Warblers (Dendroica audiiboni), these latter having ap- 

 peared in the valley September 20, in company, as is often the case, with West- 

 ern Bluebirds (Sialia mexicana occidentalis) . 



On August 19 the Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula calliope) had already 

 taken its departure, and but few representatives of the hummingbird group were 

 seen during the subsequent period of observation, the Anna Hummingbird 

 [Calypte anna) being the only one positively identified. Several of these were 

 noted at various times, and the others met with Avere probably Selasphorus rufus, 

 but this was not proved. Through the courtesy of Mr. H. M. Albright, Assistant 

 Director of National Park Service, and Mr. W. B. Lewis, Supervisor of Yosemite 

 Park, the writer was permitted to collect specimens of birds difficult of sight 

 identification, but no hummingbird except the Anna was procured, though oth- 

 ers were seen. 



Thanks are due to the two above gentlemen for their permission to procure 

 specimens for identification, and to Chief Ranger Townsley and his assistant 

 rangers for their courtesy and aid in making these observations worthy of record. 

 Vaux Swifts (Chaetura vauxi) would occasionally appear from nowhere 

 and career around in rapid evolutions, but never a swallow was seen, all having 

 taken their departure prior to August 19. Nor were any of the White-throated 

 Swifts found on the lower levels, though reported as very numerous among the 

 higher cliffs. 



While the Cabanis Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus hyloseopus) was quite 

 common along the river, the Willow Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens iurati) 

 was seen only once. Where there were large oak trees out in meadows the Cali- 

 fornia Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus bairdi) was very much at home ; 

 yet, strange to say, among the oaks growing on the talus, even on the north side 

 of the valley where the full force of the sun was felt, he was seldom seen. 



The Blue-fronted Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri frontalis) is a very common bird 

 in the valley, but does not seem to be as bold there as it is in other places, in spite 

 of the numerous camps and accompanying temptations to pilfer and make trou- 

 ble. Although a few were seen wandering around rather disconsolately in places 

 from which camps had just been removed, and acting as if they had lost their last 

 means of support, they seemed on the whole to be rather suspicious and wild — 

 just the opposite of what one would suppose the effect of non-molestation and 

 association with human beings would be — and utterly lacking in their usual 

 audacity. 



One of the sources of amusement during the writer's stay were the comments 

 of tourists concerning an Eared Grebe (Colymbus nigricollis calif ornicus) that 

 had taken up its abode on Mirror Lake, and had become so tame as to approach 

 within a few yards of visitors. It was usually spoken of asa" duck "ora" mud- 

 hen", and once or twice was mistaken for a fish as it was seen in pursuit of its 



