io6 
THE CONDOR 
VOL. VI 
Hylocichla ustulata. Russet-backed Thrush. The song of this bird was 
heard among the leafless willows at Caleb, June 13, at dusk which is the favorite 
hour for its concerts. An hour was spent in vain effort to stalk this wary fellow 
in order to make the identification absolute. The failure was most unfortunate as 
the song and call note were both slightly different from that of this species in 
Berkeley. 
Merula m. propinqua. Western Robin. This was one of the first species 
noted May 24. In full song song at The Dalles about the yards in town. May 25, 
Cherr}^ Creek hill — “Robins have been common all along the road; they are 
probabably nesting already.” May 30, Bridge Creek — “A nest was observed in 
low bush by roadside; contained four large young. It was so near the road as to 
enable one to look into it easily from the saddle without turning from his course.” 
These birds were quite plentiful in the sage of Bridge Creek, where they fed upon 
a small caterpillar found there. We observed them at all points on the road and 
in all sorts of country up to the pine belt at Spanish Gulch. At the Cove they 
were observed feeding on cicadas on dry hillsides. 
Sialia m. occidentalis. Western Bluebird. This species was abundant in 
flocks with large young among the pines above the Rower Basin . June 27. 
Sialia arctica. Mountain Bluebird. A single specimen was observed at Currant 
Creek hill on May 29, and one other at base of the fossil beds on Bridge Creek, 
June 3. 
Berkeley, Califor?iia. 
Nesting Habits of the Caracara 
.A.I)OI,PH E. SCnUTZE 
T he caracara, {Polybonis cheriway) is an abundant bird throughout southeast 
Texas. Since it came under my observation, about five years ago, I have 
paid considerable attention to its nesting habits and food. It has been my 
good fortune in recent years annually to make extensive trips into the surround- 
ing country, namely Travis, Bastrop and Caldwell counties, thus enabling me to 
become quite familiar with the general habits of the bird. This peculiar creature 
possesses both the characteristics of a hawk and vulture, but is more frequently 
seen in company with the latter. Its flight resembles that of neither hawk nor 
vulture, but is very straight and rapid and I am inclined to believe that it will often 
go many miles for its food. On a hot summer’s day it can sometimes be seen cir- 
cling high overhead after the manner of a hawk. 
In central Texas it is also abundant, and is met with everywhere in open 
country, especially in chaparral and mesquite regions where food abounds and is 
easy to secure. The prairies which comprise vast areas of this great state are cov- 
ered in most parts by a dwarf growth of mesquite, and distributed among these are 
elm, oak and hackberry trees of normal height, which afford good nesting places. 
I have found them breeding in heavy timbered creek bottoms, but on few occasions. 
Its food consists of a vast amount of carrion, lizards, small snakes, various 
rodents and the cotton-tail rabbit. This rabbit is abundant throughout the chap- 
arral regions of the state, and I can safely say that it forms about one-half the diet 
of this bird. Occasionally the remains of a rabbit is found in the bird’s nest. I 
have often seen it in company with vultures while feeding on carrion, and on sever- 
