46 
THE CONDOR 
| Vox,. VIII 
a sip of water and then take a rest, another sip and another rest, finally settling 
himself in the water for a good bath. After splashing about to his heart’s content 
he would come out to preen himself for awhile, and if no other birds were about 
would take his departure in due course of time. But if smaller birds came around 
he would repeat the whole performance, while perhaps around him — but not too 
near — stood a thirsty group of house finches ( Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis ), and 
the bush overhanging the bowl supported an equally impatient crowd of green- 
backed goldfinches (Astragalinus psaltria hcsperopliilits). The poor things often 
had to wait a good long while, and now and again a more adventurous one would 
dare to approach the water only to receive a vigorous attack from Mr. Towhee for 
his temerity. It was a veritable case of “dog in the manger.” 
The most amusing of all the birds noted in this garden were the wren-tits 
( Chamcca fasciata'). These little fellows seemed to be actually clown-like in their 
antics, and in this spot had but little fear of human beings, often feeding within 
three or four feet of persons who were sitting comparatively still, tho perhaps 
MOCKINGBIRD SWALLOWING 
conversing in an ordinary tone of voice. The berries of the pepper tree seemed to 
have a great attraction for them and they would stuff themselves with these until 
it seemed as if they would burst. And apparently the berries made them very 
thirsty, for they would often stop the stuffing process long enough to fly to the 
nearest water for a drink. 
Close to the ground and near one of the pepper trees under which I often sat 
in the afternoons was a two-inch fire hydrant which was at such a height that a 
wren-tit standing on tiptoes could just reach up to it. The leakage was almost im- 
perceptible, but it was enough for a sip or two every now and again. Apparently 
a special pair and their young — or perhaps friends — claimed ownership to this 
hydrant, and visited it frequently when indulging in pepper berries. Any person 
having the temerity to place himself within five or six feet of this private 
drinking place was sure to receive a terrific scolding from the whilom owners, 
but by moving my chair gradually and keeping very quiet I succeeded in sitting 
not over three feet away without preventing the birds from making use of it, tho 
they always made a good deal of fuss before approaching and never tarried very 
