May, 1921 87 
A BIRD CENSUS AT PRESCOTT, WALLA WALLA COUNTY, 
WASHINGTON 
By LEE RAYMOND DICE 
WITH ONE PHOTO 
HE following article is a report on a series of counts made of the birds on 
a small area. The birds on the selected area were counted five times each 
day for a period of ten days. Information was obtained about the varia- 
tion in the number of species and of individuals at the different times of day as 
well as about the average number of birds per unit area. The method of study 
was outlined by Dr. R. M. Strong, and the work was performed by the author 
during June, 1908. 
The area chosen is located in the Touchet Valley, two miles east of Prescott, 
Walla Walla County, Washington. The region is a high rolling prairie through 
which the valley runs in a general direction from east to west (see Dice, Univ. 
Calif. Publ. Zool., vol. 16, 1916, pp. 293-326). The valley at this place is about 
one-half mile in width, and the hills rise abruptly on either side. On account of 
the relatively scanty rainfall, trees, under natural conditions, are confined to the 
geround along the small river and along a little slough. Irrigation now is prac- 
ticed in the valley, and numerous orchards and groves of trees occur. The soil, 
both in the valley and on the hills, is rich and supports without irrigation an 
abundant growth of grasses or cereals. 
The census area is nearly square, being a little over 200 yards on a side. Its 
area is 9.1 acres. It extends north from the small river, including the stream and 
a strip of gravel bar. Just east of the area is a group of farm buildings, and one 
small barn was located near the middle of the area. About one-half of the area 
was an open field planted in potatoes and beardless barley ; a small strip near the 
river and along the west side of the area had been allowed to grow up thickly to 
trees, brush, and briers; most of the remainder was in orchard and garden. The 
conditions in general are typical of those found along the valley at the presen: 
time, and differ considerably from the natural state. 
The native trees and shrubs are willow, wild cherry, dogwood, cottonwood. 
alder, birch, thorn, and elderberry. Introduced trees and shrubs growing on 
the area are apple, pear, plum, peach, apricot, cherry (in fruit), locust, hazelnut, 
walnut, chestnut, and osage. The cottonwoods and locusts attain a height of 80 
to 100 feet. 
The method of taking the census was to pursue a definite course back and 
forth through the area, going slowly and covering it quite thoroughly, a strip at 
a time. The time occupied in taking each census was about one hour. The 
times of starting were: 4:30 a. mM., 7:30 a. M., 10:30 a. M., 2 Pp. M., and 5 Pp. M. 
A field glass was used and all birds possible were identified. No bird was in- 
cluded in the count unless its identification was certain, and as great accur- 
acy as possible was used in counting. Some birds move so rapidly from place 
to place that an absolutely accurate count is impossible; with these, all were 
