Mar., 1919 OLIVE THORNE MILLER 73 
chance,’’ she exclaimed, for to her, her old work would always be, as she ex- 
pressed it, ‘‘the most delightful work in the world—studying bird life.’’ 
Washington, D. C., January 27, 1919. 
BIRD RECORDS FROM THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA 
By ALEXANDER WETMORE 
OR MOST of the period between August 17 and October 17, 1918, I was 
F occupied in field work in the Sacramento Valley, California, between 
Marysville, Maxwell and Tehama, and, though not engaged primarily in 
the collecting of specimens, had daily opportunity, for observation of birds. 
Considerable areas in this region are now utilized for the culture of rice, and 
ithe heavy irrigation necessary for this crop has made a condition favorable to 
water haunting birds over considerable tracts that formerly were entirely dry 
during the summer months. Small fishes brought down in the large irrigation 
vanals were abundant in the flooded rice fields, and attracted many Great Blue 
Herons, Terns, Kingfishers and others, while water boatmen and aquatic in- 
sects of similar habit drew other smaller birds. The following brief notes of 
occurrence are those that seem unusual or of interest. For general informa- 
tion on the occurrence or range of birds in this area I have referred to J. Grin- 
nell’s list of California birds (Pacific Coast Avifauna, no. 11, 1915). 
Dendrocygna bicolor. Fulvcus Tree-Duck. A flock of 18 observed October 12 on 
the property of the Sacramento Outing Club, west of Live Oak. 
Sterna caspia. Caspian Tern. Individuals of this species were observed near 
Maxwell on August 21, and September 6, 7 and 8. On September 7 a bird, in juvenal 
plumage, that was resting on a levee near a road, allowed me to approach within fifteen 
feet without becoming alarmed. Later I heard it giving the high-pitched whistled call 
characteristic. of young individuals of this SPOTS, a note entirely different from the 
harsh, raucous screams of adults. 
Ixobrychus exilis exilis. Least Bittern. One was flushed from a growth of cat- 
tails in a rice field near Butte Creek, west of Gridley, on September 14. 
Herodias egretta. American Egret. This species was cf common occurrence in 
suitable localities in the rice fields and adjacent flooded areas. These herons were ob- 
served first near Maxwell on August 18. On the following day seven were seen in one 
fleck and four in another, while solitary individuals were observed elsewhere. A flock 
of seven frequented one area here for two weeks. -Near Butte Creek, west of Gridley, 
fifty were seen in cne place scattered about over a rice field or in pools of water near _ 
by, the clear white of their plumage standing out in pleasing contrast against the green 
of the grain. Near Maxwell thirty were observed in one flock cn September 8. Others 
were seen on Butte Creek, west of Live Oak, on September 10, and farther north in the 
same region, on September 15 and 17. From this time on they were less numerous. Two 
were noted near Maxwell on September 25, and two others seen in the same region on 
September 29 were the last that were observed. It would seem from these records that 
the Hgret is increasing in number in this region. E. D. Ricketts, State Deputy Game 
Warden, stated that white herons breed in a rookery on the Butte Creek sloughs, so that 
it seems possible that these may be Egrets. Adult birds were observed on several oc- 
casions, on extensive mudflats, driving immature individuals about, harrying them with 
vicous thrusts of their bills, and harsh squawks, as these herons do when they have aban- 
doned their young to their own resources in securing food: an observation, however, of 
uncertain value as an indication that these young had been reared in the vicinity, as all 
were fully grown and strong on the wing. 
