84 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XVII 
food. He is so fond of California holly-berries, that he flew against the window 
twice one morning, in his effort to reach a bunch in a vase within. 
A pair of Vigors Wrens ( Thryomanes beivicki spilurus ) have nested about 
the house each year. This year the nest was under the edge of a tarpaulin 
which covered the water-tank. They raised five young. I sat down at the 
bottom of the tank one day when the young were being fed, to see if they would 
become accustomed to my presence. The female readily adapted herself to the 
situation, but she had to give very peremptory orders to her spouse, before he 
could be induced to bring his worms to the door-way and deliver them to her. 
The Plain Titmouse ( Baeolophus inornatus inornatus ) 1 see and hear very 
often. The Wren-tit is perhaps the least suspicious bird on the feeding-ground. 
While the other birds wait at a distance for me to close the door after putting 
out the food, he comes chattering through the bushes and begins his meal. He 
seems ill at ease on the railing, but I believe that this is due not so much to his 
proximity to the window as to the fact that he has no twig to cling to. He 
Fig. 34. Intermediate Wren-tits. The long, up-tilted tail and the compar- 
atively SHORT STRAIGHT BILL, AS WELL AS LARGER SIZE, ASSURES ONE THAT IT IS 
NOT A WREN 
Photos by T. I. Storer. 
always approaches the feeding-ground making the noise which Dr. Grinned 
has likened to the sound made by rubbing together two sticks. Bush-tits are 
all about us. During the hot days in the fall, it is a treat to watch them about 
the drinking fountain. As many as can do so get into the water; the others 
sit in the nearest bushes awaiting their turn. 
Ruby-crowned Kinglets are frequently seen and heard. Tavo of them 
come often to the drinking fountain to bathe or drink. The Golden-croAvned 
Kinglets ( Begulus satrapa olivaceus ) appear occasionally. For three winters 
1 have found the Western Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila caerulca obscura), but this 
year I have not heard its note. 
We enjoy the song of the Russet-backed Thrush ( Hylocichla ustulata 
vstulata ) through the summer, while the Hermit Thrush makes itself very 
much at home about the house during the Avinter. The fii’st year T was a little 
vexed when 1 found the Christmas Avreath on the front door minus all of its 
