Sept., 1914 
NOTES ON A COLONY OF TRI-COLORED REDWINGS 
207 
fast in the thick high tules that it was a difficult matter to procure a few for 
specimens to show growth and development. 
By June 15 the colony was greatly scattered, many of the young accom- 
panying their parents abroad in search of food. Yet there were still some on 
the original ground which were too young to fly, as shown by the number of 
old birds carrying food to that particular spot. Those old enough for flight 
seemed to return to the tules every night, and often for the purpose of finding 
rest and shade in the daytime as well. By July 1 the colony was beginning to 
disintegrate, and even before that date small flocks of old and young together 
could be seen working toward the north, while but few were noticed returning 
from that direction. 
San Francisco, California, July 2, 1914. 
BIRD NOTES FROM THE SIERRA MADRE MOUNTAINS, 
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 
By H. ARDEN EDWARDS 
D uring a recent trip, in June, 1914, to Barley Flats, a section of the Big 
Tujunga Range, of the Angeles Forest Reserve, I had the pleasure of 
observing an instance where the communal spirit was highly exemplified ; 
and although the conditions bringing about a cohesion of interests that were 
perfectly harmonious so far as I could see, were to a certain extent arbitrary, 
yet it is interesting to note that five out of the six species involved were con- 
stantly brought, in more or less degree, into active competition with one 
another; and that in a locality where timber conditions forced them into an 
area of restricted activities. 
The scene of this interesting bit of bird life was the bare stub of an im- 
mense fir tree, about eighty feet high, and probably six feet through at the 
base. The sole means of ascending it was afforded by several jagged cracks in 
the body wood (the bark being entirely gone) and an occasional slippery knot 
or stub, that indicated where long ago some mighty branch had swept outward 
and downward, bearing rich masses of dark green foliage. The members of this 
community which were of greatest interest to me were a pair of White-throated 
Swifts {Aeronautes melanoleucus) that had, or seemed to have, a nest in a large 
crack about thirty feet up. As I had never before found these birds nesting in 
trees, and all the data I have seen refers their nesting sites to inaccessible 
cliffs, etc., I was very properly “fussed up” about it. 
Climbing up to the fissure where the female had flown in and out several 
times, I tried to use my flashlight and mirror attachment, but found that the 
crack extended side-ways for several inches, and then ran at right angles 
again ; so there was nothing left to do but to take my pocket axe and pry off a 
section of the wood. To those who have had similar experiences, I need not 
describe my disappointment when nothing met my eager eyes, save the nest 
itself, which appeared to be completely finished. Now if I had not seen any 
birds around here and had opened this cavity, I should have said “a swallow’s 
nest” and gone my way with peace of mind; but that the swifts were interested 
in it, and that very closely, was made manifest, when they darted at me and 
