ieee On oer aeu: DU BsO-N 405,026. lshv Ly 23 
The House Finch was the commonest bird on Catalina Island, 
with the exception, perhaps, of the Western Mockingbird who 
was ever present with his remarkable repertoire, singing as 
jubilantly during the night as in day-time. We found the nest 
of one of these birds in a small tree at a height of about six feet. 
The bulky pile of rocks contained four greenish-blue eggs spotted 
with reddish-brown. 
Numerous other birds were observed including the Canyon 
Wren, Cliff Swallow, Mourning Dove, Valley Partridge, Allen 
Hummingbirds, San Clemente Towhee, Man-o-war Bird. A trip 
to the isthmus of Santa Catalina afforded an opportunity to add 
two water birds to my list, namely the California Brown Pelican 
and the Brandt Cormorant. 
On July 17 in Hollywood we picked up a tiny baby humming- 
bird which had evidently fallen from its nest in the Bougain- 
villea vine. The wee bunch of feathers regarded me doubtfully 
with his beady black eyes but finally deciding that I would do him 
no harm he settled down contentedly in the palm of my hand. 
The little creature was as yet unable to fly, so fearing that prowl- 
ing pussies might here find a toothsome morsel we adopted him 
as our own. A small cage of fine wire with board bottom was im- 
mediately constructed. This we lined with cotton waste, placed 
our charge inside, and suspended it from the vines. 
The baby seemed nearly 
starved so when I offered 
him a solution of sugar 
and water his needle like 
tongue was soon busily 
darting in and out licking 
the sweet liquid from my 
finger. However, when I 
offered this food a second 
time although he sipped a 
few drops he showed no 
further enthusiasm and 
began to cry loudly. Then 
as I seated myself to con- 
sider, the problem was 
suddenly and _ effectively 
solved. I heard a loud 
buzzing of wings a few 
shrill squeaks of delight 
from the youngster, and 
who should appear but 
| : » mother hummingbird. She 
SHE FED HER BABY IN MY HAND darted about the cage 
and seemed very nervous. The entire top had been left open 
but she could not understand that there was an easy way of 
access. Finally, however, she alighted clinging to the side wires. 






