Pa a7 
74 THE CONDOR Vol. XXI1 
Unusual Birds of My Garden.—The three closing months of the year 1919 have 
been memorable ones in the bird world in my garden. Never in my twenty-one years 
residence in Los Angeles, have | had so many species so early in the season. On October 
first a large flock of Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) appeared in my pepper 
trees, several weeks earlier than usual. I am sure that I heard them a few days before 
this, also. On the 24th of October the first Robin (Planesticus migratorius propinquus ) 
arrived, to be soon followed by a large flock that is still here (January 7, 1920), eating 
pepper berries, drinking at my bird baths and singing the regular Robin song. 
November 9, a Mountain Chicka- 
dee was about for a short time. The 
only other time that I have had one 
in the yard was two winters ago when, 
later in the year than the present 
time, one was about for two or three 
weeks. November 12, a Crested Jay 
(Cyanocitta stelleri frontalis) was 
seen. This was not in my garden but 
a little farther up the Arroyo Seco in 
Pasadena (under California St. 
bridge); two of these birds were in 
my yard on January 13, 1920. 
November 19 a Slender-billed Nut- 
hatch (Sitta carolinensis aculeata) 
rested on the elder tree, head down- 
ward, for about five minutes and 
searcely budged when I came out on 
the porch near him. 
On November 25 a male Phaino- 
pepla (Phainopepla nitens) appeared 
in the pepper trees and came to a 
drinking basin. December 7, and 
once a day or two later, a female of 
this species was about. I have not 
seen her since, but on the 9th the 
male was again seen and has been 
an almost daily visitor ever since (up 
to January 18, 1920), defying the Rob- 
ins at the bird bath and withstanding 
the onslaughts of the meddlesome 
Mockers. 
December 6 a Dusky Warbler 
(Vermivora celata sordida) visited my 
food shelf. On December 11 a flock 
of Purple Finches were first noticed 
in the yard. These birds are fond of 
the fallen pepper berries as well as 
the fruit buds. They are still here 
and usually stay until March, at 
least. 
Besides the birds mentioned, almost daily visitors in my garden are the Plain Tit- 
mice, Wren-tits, Kinglets, Audubon Warblers (which are not so abundant as usual), a 
Spurred Towhee, Alaska Hermit Thrush, Gambel Sparrows, Black Phoebes, Anna Hum- 
mingbirds, Greenbacked Goldfinches, Willow Goldfinches, Mockingbirds, Linnets, An- 
thony Towhees, Song Sparrows, Bush-tits. Less frequent recent visitors are California 
Jays, Gnatcatchers, Chipping Sparrows, Flickers, California Woodpeckers (on posts along 
the walk), Willow Woodpeckers, Pasadena Thrasher, Valley Quail, and the despised Eng- 
lish Sparrows. 
For the last month the Waxwings have not been so much in evidence, although 
there are still plenty of pepper berries, which are their especial delight—Harrirr WIL- 
LIAMS Myers, Los Angeles, California, January 18, 1920. 
Fig. 13. MaALe PHAINOPEPLA, PHOTOGRAPHED 
BY Mrs. MYERS AT THE DRINKING BASIN IN 
HER YARD IN LOS ANGELES. 
