THE CONDOR 
1 Vol. Ill 
1 68 
the chase. On the Forni meadow at the base of Pyramid Peak a nest of this 
species was found on June 9, 1900 containing four incubated eggs. The nest was 
near the top of a 12-foot tamarack and was largely composed cf mud and manure, 
but a few sticks being used as a foundation. Mr. Atkinson found a nest well up 
in a red fir tree on the same date, containing small }'oung. At Fyffe on June 7, 
1901 I found a nest in the extreme top of a 30-foot yellow pine, conspicuously 
situated as are most of the robins’ nests. It proved to be a jay’s nest and held 
four fully-feathered vociferous young. 
Aphelocoma californica. California Jay. A common species of the chaparral 
belt and observed on the hillside about four miles east of Placerville. 
Corvus americanus. American Crow. Observed in the region frequented by 
the yellow billed magpie near Latrobe. 
Nucifraga Columbiana. Clarke Nutcracker. A small colony was found in a 
grove of hemlocks at 8,500 feet altitude on the southeast slope of Pyramid Peak 
on June 9, 1900. The birds kept well out of the range, cawing contentedly, while 
the cold wind of the peak did not conduce to following them up. Mr. Pratt, tlie 
genial proprietor of Sugar Loaf Hotel (altitude about 4,000 feet) tells me that dur- 
ing the winter the Clarke crows appear quite often about the hotel, readil)' coming 
within in a few feet of him to secure food. He states that this species and the 
blue-fronted jays help immensely to liven the long winter days, when the heavy 
snowfall prevents communication with the outside world. 
[Common almost everywhere above 8000 feet. They proved exceedingly 
annoying on Mt. Tallac, where they continually pilfered my traps set for small 
mammals. I caught several in July 1892 in steel traps baited with 
meat.— W. W. P.] 
Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Yellow-headed Blackbird. Observed b}" 
Mr. Beck nesting in the marsh near Bijou on the shore of Lake Tahoe in June 
1896. 
[A hock of six or eight were observed in a meadow in June 1896 a few miles 
east of Placerville, and several were collected. It is hardly pos-ible they were 
breeding there, but rather were resting from their flight over the mountains. — 
W. \V. P.] 
Agelaius gubernator californicus. Bicolored Blackbird. I was told it nested 
in a meadow at Sly Park, a short distance south of the 14-mile house. Reported 
as nesting commonly on the foutherly -shore of Lake Tahoe. Mr. Pratt of Slippery 
Ford told me that the various blackbirds migrate down the American River can- 
yon in the fall, often in large numbers. 
Agelaius tricolor. Tricolored Blackbird. Observed nesting on the shores of 
Lake Tahoe by Mr. Beck, who collected a set of five eggs on June 12, 1896. 
Sturnella magna neglecta. Western Meadowlark. Mr. Forrest S. Hanford 
observed five in a meadow near Smith Flat on Maj^ i, 1901. Mr. Taylor sent me 
a specimen shot at Meyer’s Station in Lake Valley on Sept. 30, 1901, at which 
date he stated they were going about in flocks. Recorded by Mr. C. A. Swisler at 
Placerville. 
[Observed in 1896 at Placerville, Six-mile House and Pacific House. I have 
never seen this species in any of the meadows above 5000 feet. — W. W. P.] 
Icterus bullocki. Bullock Oriole. Three individuals were noted in Placer- 
ville on May i, 1901 by Forrest S. Hanford, while on his journey from Placerville 
to Carson City. Recorded by Mr. Chas. A. Swisler at Placerville. 
Scolecophagus cyanocephalus. Brewer Blackbird. A flock was obser ed at 
