Nov., 1901. I 
THE CONDOR 
167 
Empidonax difficilis. Western Flycatcher. Not uncommon in the beds of the 
deep canyons, where it nests along the stream in up-turned logs and similar sites. 
One nest taken by Mr. Taylor at Fyffe on May 27, 1897 contained four eggs, 
about one-third incubated and was placed in the end of a moss-grown, up turned 
log. On June 16, 1898 we found a ne.st built in a cavity of a burnt-out spruce in 
Weber canyon. 
Empidonax hammondi. Hammond Flycatcher. This little flycatcher is found in 
the open country where brush is plentiful, though usually near timber. Its 
peculiar weak note calls one’s attention to its presence. In 1897 Mr. Carriger 
found two nests of this species at Fyft'e, built not more than 100 feet apart. The 
first was found on June 15, and was built on a horizontal limb of a dogwood tree 
sixteen feet up. It held two eggs, in which incubation was begun. The female 
parent was collected and determined later by Dr. C. W. Richmond. The second 
nest was built in an upright fork of a manzanita bush four feet from the ground 
and held four eggs. Thus the nesting sites seem to vary, and the general actions 
of the birds ver\^ much re.se mble those of E. trailli. 
[Fate in the summer the young of this flycatcher are common in the tamarack 
thickets along Silver Creek and on the slopes of Pyramid Peak. They are usually 
associated with the young of two or three warblers and Cassin vireo. I have 
noted this congregation each sea.son previous to the migration. The large scatter- 
ing flocks are often miles in extent, and probably contain thousands of birds. 
— W. W. P.] 
Empidonax wrighti. Wright P'lycatcher. One specimen shot by me from a 
bFck oak in a clearing on June 20, 1896. Its pre.sence at P'yft'e atthisdate may be 
regarded as evidence of its nesting there. In the undergrowth of deer brush, in- 
terspersed with black oaks, at the Fourteen mile house a small Empidonax was 
very common, but as no specimens were secured 1 do not know whether the birds 
were referable to this or to the preceding species. 
Otocoris alpestris leiicotema. Pallid Horned Lark. On October 6, 1901, 
Mr. F. IF Taylor collected a female horned lark at Meyer’s Station in Fake Val- 
ley from a group of three birds. October 9 near Fake of the Woods at 8,900 feet 
altitude Mr. Taylor writes that he saw a flock of several hundred horned larks and 
secured one by a long shot. Mr. Joseph Grinnell has kindly compared the two 
specimens with his series and pronounces them referable to leKColremu, mentioning 
at the same time that so far as he is aware this constitutes the first record of this 
subspecies for California. 
Otocoris alpestris rubaa. Ruddy Horned Fark. Observed commonly on the 
plains of the Sacramento valley and up as far as Fatrobe. It probably does not 
occur as far up as Placerville but its occurrence at Fatrobe seems to justify giv- 
ing it a place in the list. 
Pica pica hudsonica. American Magpie. Reported as common about Meyer’s 
Station during the fall of 1901. .Mr. Taylor sent me a male bird which was 
caught in a coyote trap on Sept 22. Observed by va'ious other workers about 
Fake Tahoe. 
Pica nuttalli. Yellow-billed Magpie. Noted from the train a short distance 
west of Fatrobe. Probably occurs farther up in the blue oak belt. 
CyanD;itta stelleri frontalis. Blue-fronted Jay. A common species, its hoarse 
cries resounding through all the canyons. It seems to keep close to the timber. 
•At Fyffe on June t6, 1898 I found 3"Oung just out of the nest, presenting a ludi- 
crous, bob-tailed appearance. A number of vireos were observed pur.ouing seve- 
ral marauding jays, the sharp, rasping notes of the former drawing attention to 
