42 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XIV 
of Take Tahoe al)ont 5 p. M. on June 24, 1911. This was in a little cove occupied by fishermen at 
the source of the Tnickee River between Tahoe Tavern and Tahoe City. At this particular spot 
the walk stood out over the water and on either side the willow marsh extended out to a like 
distance. 
Suddenly we heard a coarse masculine “quack” almost under our feet and a beautiful adult 
American IMerganser, with glossy auburn head and crest, glided out, followed by eighteen or 
twenty babies not over a week old. The water was as smooth as glass, and this pretty procession 
paid no attention to us as it passed the length of the short walk within five feet of where we 
stood. The little ones kept close in the wake of the mother, moving quickly here and there, never 
quiet a minute, and changing positions so rapidly that it was impossible to accurately count them. 
The mother’s commanding “quack” seemed to keep the little ones in perfect obedience and they 
behaved like a company of little soldiers. They were a pretty golden brown, each with a con- 
spicuous white spot on each wing. Evidently they were after their supper and all working hard. 
They passed quickly on, then tacked back a little farther out, then gradually worked across the 
cove and into the willows a few hundred yards along the shore. 
Several times the mother raised almost out of the water and dashed quickly along for fifty feet 
or so, every chick rising and skipping after her, flapping their little wings and paddling the sur- 
face of the water with their little feet. After three of these spurts the youngsters seemed' to tire, 
and one climbed on its mother’s back; and soon several had done so, and rode securely there as 
long as they were in sight. Eortunately we had a good pair of Zeiss glasses and were able to 
watch everyjniovenient till they disappeared into the willows. 
The fisherwives said this little family had heen abotit the cove for two or three days and there 
were twenty chicks, but I could only’.be sure that there were eighteen. Did anyone ever see a 
more beaiitiful picture than this, with beautiful Lake Tahoe and its snow-topped mountains 
beyond as a backgroiuid, and the stately pine forests all about down to the very water’s edge ? 
The fisherwives said the hens stole the youngsters from each other, and sometimes had more 
than at others, but these were undoubtedly different families with varying numbers. 
On the 28th w-e skirted the west shore, north some six miles, in search of other mergansers. 
Several adtilts were seen, twice in pairs, and on the lake side of “The Island” a female with six 
chicks, slightly larger than the “18” family, was observed and chased in a launch in an effort to 
get pictures. Time and again all rose on the surface and dashed along for a short spurt, fifty 
feet or so. The femalefw'ould not leave them, nor did any show any tendency to dive. — J. E. Law. 
Concerning Nesting Sites of the California Jay.^ — In recent conversation with two 
experienced oologists, the nesting sites of Af>Jielocoma c. californica were discussed, and state- 
ments were made that observations iipon their nest building habits were difficult in that birds of 
this common species were seldom seen carrying nesting material. An experience of the writer’s, 
covering both subjects, was related, and the disctission that followed led to this paper as perhaps 
being worth while. 
An abundant resident of IMarin County, California, our nesting notes aipon this species 
established the following sites for the eighty-three nests observed: oaks 69; bay 3; wild coffee 4; 
elder 2; madrona 1; gooseberry 1; toxon 1; poison oak 2. And yet in Belvedere, Marin County, 
where live-oaks are most plentiful, a nest has been built almost yearly, for seven or eight years, 
in a clematis which climbs up the side of oiir sr;nmier home. The nest has usually been placed 
within reach of, as well as observation from, the window of a constantly occupied bed room, a 
window opening out and frequently opened and closed daily. 
A lucky observation on May 26, 1909, caught one of the nest builders with an oak twig held 
crosswise in its bill, and aboirt to dart to the nest from the limb of a live-oak a few feet distant 
from, Imt slightly higher than, the nesting site in the clematis. The sudden appearance in the 
window of the observer caused the bird to resume its perching position, but more throtigh curi- 
osity than alarm, judging from the many “jay bobbings” then indulged in. After numerous 
interchanges of such morning salutations between the observed and the observer, the former 
deliberately put down its head and, bringing the twig in proper contact with the perch, placed 
one foot over the twig and thus securely held it in its perching grasp. The renewed bobbings 
were then accompanied by the bird’s familiar and prolonged scolding note or squawk, in its 
rising crescendo. 
This play was repeated a nimiher of times, the observer retiring from the open window and 
reappearing at the critical moment of contemplated flight to the nest, already well along in con- 
struction. 
To the foregoing notes upon nesting sites in IMarin County, may be added the following 
which came under our observation in San Benito County, California: oaks 4; elder 1; willow 7; 
honeysuckle 2; sage 2; chaparral 1; greasewood (black willow) 1. — ^John W. Maii^i^iard. 
