Mar., 1906 | 
45 
Summer Notes From a Santa Barbara Garden 
BY JOSEPH MAlr.EIARD 
N EWER before has it been my good fortune to have such an opportunity to 
observe the birds in their relation to what might be called artificially natural 
conditions — such as a garden well-supplied with water in a dry country 
presents — as the past summer has afforded. A severe attack of pneumonia in the 
spring made an idle summer a necessity, and Santa Barbara was chosen as the 
place for my convalescence. 
During my previous sojourn in this locality bird life had been remarkably 
scarce on account of previous dry seasons. The rainy season of 1904-5, however, 
was a generous one, and in consequence the whole country put on a glorious 
aspect of prosperity.. The insect world appreciated this and luxuriated in it. hi 
turn the birds not only appeared in unusual quantities but the spring residents 
worked early and late, and most 
successfully, at rearing large 
families while the good time 
lasted. 
During the early summer 
birds were everywhere, busy 
as bees, and seemed reluctant 
to commence their southern jour- 
ney when the time was ripe. 
As water was running in the 
streams until well into the sum- 
mer such things as artificial 
pools were not greatly in de- 
mand at once, but as the 
season waxed and waned and 
the streams dried up, the feath- 
ered tribe became more and 
more appreciative of what kind- 
hearted and interested people 
did for them in the way of sup- 
plying liquid refreshments to 
the thirsty multitudes. Then it 
was that such things as old green-backed goldfinches 
Indian mortars under dripping hydrants became exceedingly popular, and, in fact, 
any leaky spot in an exposed pipe and every dropping faucet in a place even if 
only at intervals undisturbed by people passing, had its patrons. It was no un- 
usual thing to see a line ofgreen-backed goldfinches, for instance, awaiting their turn 
to hang upside down on the faucet and let the cooling water fall into their open 
bills, drop by drop. And often the drops came very slowly. 
Around these oases where the birds gathered, many interesting sights were to 
be seen, and the traits of different species could be readily compared. Even indi- 
vidual characteristics could occasionally be distinguished. During the absence 
of larger birds the Anthony towhee {Pipilo fuse us senicula) was the “boss,” and 
while in possession of a drinking fount it behooved smaller birds to stand aloof. 
Often one of these towhees would hop on that particular Indian mortar where 
most of my observations were carried on, doing everything very deliberately, take 
