80 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XVII 
wire. I suspect the cypress-trees across the way of harboring the tiny nest. 
If so, I hope that it has been as safe from hawks and jays as from any intrusion 
on my part. 
The only flycatchers I have noticed in the western tract are the Black 
Phoebe ( Sayornis nigricans ) and the Say Phoebe ( Sayornis sayus). The Black 
Phoebe often makes its presence known by its call, but I seldom hear an answer- 
ing call. One spring day, however, I surprised two indulging in courtship antics. 
The Say Phoebe was noticed once in the winter of 1912-13, and has been 
seen repeatedly this winter. 
The Flickers ( Colaptes cafer collaris ) and Jays (principally Aphelocoma 
calif ornica calif ornica) are continually flaunting their bright colors in the 
cypress and red-wood trees. Occasionally a Varied Thrush ( Ixoreus naevius 
naevius) , in its quiet dignity, puts them both to shame. 
A few Meadowlarks (*S 'turnella ncglecta) still nest in the old orchard, but 
encroaching civilization has driven most of them to the other side of the canyon. 
Many of the members of the sparrow family seem to choose the western 
area, either for winter feeding or summer breeding. In the winter of 1912-13, 
Mosswood Road was being graded and macadamized. This of course meant that 
men and horses were taking their noonday meal there; and afterward a feast of 
bread-crumbs and grain was left for the birds to enjoy. The little Rufous- 
crowned Sparrows ( Aimopliila ruficcps ) from the canyon to the south joined 
the Intermediate ( Zonotrtchia leucophrys gambeli) and Nuttall Sparrows ( Z . 1. 
mitt alii) at mealtime. Add to these three species a stray Harris Sparrow (Z. 
guerilla), which seems to have come with his cousins from the north to enjoy a 
California winter — could a bird-lover ask for a more interesting group to study? 
In the old orchard trees, the Linnets ( Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis), Green- 
backed Goldfinches (. Astragalinus psaltria h esperophilus) , Black-headed Gros- 
beaks ( Zamelodia melanocephala capitalis), and a Lazuli Bunting ( Passcrina 
amoena) fill the summer air with rapturous song. A few ornamental olive trees 
with fruit ungarnered assure Purple Finches ( Carpodacus purpureas calif orni- 
cus) all the year. Their spring sunset song, from the top of the tallest cypress 
tree, certainly evens up the account for the whole olive crop. Flocks of Pine 
Siskins ( Spinus pinus pinus) circle from weed patches to pine trees, while 
Sierra Juncos ( Junco oreganus thurberi) feed on the rag- weed under the 
cypress trees and the chick-weed under the oaks. Both the California and San 
Francisco Towhees ( Pipilo crissalis crissalis and P. maculatus falcifer) range 
over the whole hillside, the latter being more numerous in the oak forest. 
One of the few remaining colonies of Cliff Swallows ( Petrochelidon luni- 
frons lunifrons) in Berkeley still nests at the top of the western slope. Their 
main source for nest-building material has been destroyed this winter; and unless 
another unknown base can be developed or an artificial one substituted, we may 
miss their circling flight next summer. 
During the winter months Audubon Warblers ( Dendroica auduboni auclu- 
boni) abound in the old orchard. Nuthatches ( Sitta canadensis) sound their 
reeds in the pines and oaks, Ruby-crowned Kinglets (Reg ulus calendula cinera- 
ceus) chatter and sing and glean through the trees, and the Hermit Thrush 
( Hylocichla guttata nanus) makes himself a familiar garden companion. 
In the summer-time two pairs of House Wrens ( Troglodytes aedon park- 
mani) do enthusiastic housekeeping behind the shingles of hillside cottages. 
Vigors Wrens ( Thryomanes bewicki spilurus), Bush-tits ( Psaltriparus minimus 
minimus), and Wren-tits ( Chamaea fasciata fasciata) are permanent residents. 
