May, 1913 
NOTES FROM BUENA VISTA LAKE AND FORT TEJON 
119 
Families of Westen Bluebirds (Sialia in. occidentalis) were much in evi- 
dence. The Picidae, represented by Cabanis (Dryobates v. hyloscopus) , Wil- 
low ( Dryobatcs p. furati), Nuttall {Dryobates niittalli). and California {Mcla- 
nerpes f. bairdi) woodpeckers and Red-shafted Flickers {Colaptcs c. collaris) 
were busy among the oaks and cottonwoods. In a grove of pines well up the 
side of the canyon, a pair of Golden Eagles [Aqiiila- clirysactos) were guarding 
a couple of great nests, one at the top of a tall pine, and the other half way up 
in the same tree. We did not ascertain which nest was occupied, as neither of 
us felt equal to climbing the tree. Other old friends were two pairs of Thurber 
Juncos (Jnneo o. thiirberi), and many Slender-billed Nuthatches {Sitfa c. acn- 
leata), two full grown young of the latter being secured, and a nest full of young- 
sters located in a knot hole. Western House Wrens { 7 'roglodytes a. parkniani) 
seemed to be as thick as bees, and it was but rarely that a likely looking stub 
could be passed wu'thout arousing' keen interest in one of these diminutive song- 
sters. 
We saw but a single Long-tailed Chat {Ictcria v. longicauda) and one Traill 
I'lycatcher {Binpidovax t. trailli). 
Black-headed Grosbeaks (Zainclodia inclanocepliala ) were singing in the 
canyons: and an occasional California Towee (PipHo c. cnssalis) w^as noted. 
A cold wdnd arose during the night of the 12th, bringing rain, so, as there 
was no sign of the gale abating, we broke caiiip the next da) . Four miles above 
Tejon, at about four thousand feet, we met a Lewis Woodpecker {Asyndcsnius 
Iczvisi), and during an hour’s stay at Lake Castac several more were seen. The 
lake w^as unusually high, and besides the ever present Coots {Fnliea aincricana) 
and Ruddies, four Pintails and a number of Eared Grebes (Colyinbiis n. cali- 
forniens) were observed. Northern Violet-green Swallows ( Tachycincta t. tep- 
ida) were darting about the shores, and on a large dead oak were many Western 
Martins {Prague s. hesperia), no doubt nesting in the many holes in this tree. 
This was the only place where the above species w'as seen. 
Our next breathing spell was in the yucca forest of Antelope Valley, where 
the bird life was very scarce as to species, for it consisted almost exclusively of 
Linnets {Carpodacus m. frontalis), an occasional Arkansas Kingbird and a few 
Western Lark Sparrows {Cliondcstcs g. strigatiis). i\tr. Lamb here succeeded 
in obtaining two close views of a Scott Oriole {Icterus parisornin) , which, how- 
ever, he was unable to secure. 
It might not be amiss to insert here a few mammal notes, or rather an ob- 
servation on the Valley Coyote {Canis ochropus) . While passing through a par- 
ticularly level region, the wind blew off a sun-helmet which one of us was wear- 
ing, and took it bounding and rolling over the short grass at an amazing speed. 
L"pon heading it off in the machine and then making a regular football tackle at 
it, it was secured. A Coyote was regarding this scene with, we imagine, rather 
amused contempt. Our sporting blood being aroused by the pursuit of the hat, 
we decided to give the animal a run also, and accordingly started in his direc- 
tion. This move interested him but mildly until a charge of number eights at 
long range helped his decision. He made for a rise of ground, and because of 
the grade and rough going we were unable to do better than thirty miles an hour. 
At this speed he seemed unable to gain on us, and after reaching the crest of the 
hill we began drawing up on him. Due to the untimely interference of a barbed 
wire fence he managed to escape, but not without taking a few more leaden sou- 
venirs with him. 
We reached Elizabeth Lake about two o’clock and spent the rest of the day 
