jag., 1921 FROM FIELD AND STUDY 35 
these months birds that habitually nest at lower elevations migrate higher into the 
yountains. Some worth-while evidence in this regard was obtained this summer in the 
Yosemite Valley, by keeping a daily bird record. Following are a few notes on the 
“erratic stragglers” that drifted into the Valley during the last few days of July and the 
months of August and September, 1920. 
The first bird of this class to appear was the California Jay (Aphelocoma califor- 
nica). One lone bird was seen on July 26, in the meadow near old Camp Ahwahnee. 
From this date until September 11, when they were last seen, the birds were found in 
this locality on every visit. 'Their numbers increased here, yet they were never seen 
in any other section of the Valley. On the morning of August 26, ten were counted. 
The next wanderer to appear was the Black Phoebe (Suyornis nigricans). An 
individual of this species was first noted July 28. By August 5, there were a number 
of phoebes scattered along the stream within a mile of the village. One of these ap- 
peared one hundred yards above the Sentinel Bridge, selecting a dead stump which stood 
out of the river as his favorite perch. This bird held down the last patrol; no other 
phoebe was found up stream beyond this point. During the month of August and the 
first two weeks in September, phoebes were fairly common along the river below the 
village. Gradually their numbers decreased and on September 25 the Black Phoebe was 
noted for the last time. . 
On August 18, a Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) was discovered in the 
meadow below the village. When first seen he was perched on a pile of dry sticks. He 
flew often, diving into the dry grass for grasshoppers. By moving cautiously, the bird 
was approached to within twelve feet, and identification was made positive. This 
meadow was visited on several following days, but the bird was not seen again. 
On the morning of September 4, in the meadow of our many bird adventures, a 
Solitary White-rumped Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides) was noted. Two days 
later the bird was again seen. This time we were able to approach within six feet of it. 
{t was a handsome bird in full plumage and a clear view of its distinct rump patch was 
obtained. 
A pair of English Sparrows (Passer domesticus) were noted September 2, in the 
barnyard at ‘“Kinneyville’. 
August 29, a flock of fifteen California Bush-tits (Psaltriparus minimus califor- 
nicus) was seen in the Kellogg oaks on the north side of the Valley. Again, on Sep- 
tember 8, a small flock was seen. On September 12, a flock was seen in TIllilouette 
Canyon, three thousand feet above the Valley floor. 
On September 28, while we sat eating Junch, a strange bird flew out of the wild 
coffee bushes and lit in the branches of a Kellogg oak some twenty feet above our heads. 
We both thought it a waxwing. The actions of the bird were right, but the silhouette 
was a trifle off—the head did not appear to be crested. The strange bird sat quietly 
until a flicker flashed by, then, as though frightened, it crouched and sidled along the 
branch just as waxwings do when crowding together on a limb. In the course of a 
half hour the bird came three times to the coffee bush. The first two trips it stopped 
some distance away. As it pulled off berries, with its back towards us, we could plainly 
see two distinct white streaks, one on either side of the rump. The last time the bird 
came down from the oak we were able to get within six feet of it, and to identify it as 
a Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrula). We were greatly surprised to see the Wax- 
wing swallow eight large coffee berries in the few minutes that he stayed in the bush. 
Many other interesting birds were seen during our stay in the Valley, some that 
passed through in early spring on their way to the higher country, and birds that were 
driven down into the Valley during storms.—CuarLes W. MicuarL and Exp MICHAEL, 
Yosemite, California, March 10, 1920. | 
The Harlequin Duck in the Yosemite Valley.—On arriving in Yosemite, on June 
‘2 I was informed by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Michael that a pair of Harlequin Ducks (His- 
trionicus histrionicus) had been seen along the Merced River, near the Sentinel Hotel 
on May 11 and May 26. On June 4, Mrs. Amy M. Bryant watched a pair of Bevieqaies 
for some time as they swam about in the river, and as they preened their feathers while 
perched on an old log. The birds were observed by other visitors in the Valley on sev- 
eral different occasions. 
