were stuck to the feathers inside, the Bush Tit's nest must have been taken from the tree by the hawks and torn open afterward. On April 7 the hawk's nest held two eggs but the Bush Tit's nest was not then a part of the lining.
During the winter of 1896 I saw what I supposed was a Mountain Bluebird, but not until last winter was I positive that S. arctica could be placed on my list of Sonoma Co. birds. On December 8 I saw two and they were common in January and February, and several were seen on March 9. They remained in large open fields and seemed to find plenty of food as a male shot on Jan. 18 was in fine condition.
In the March-April Bulletin Mr. Slevin speaks of seeing some Swallows at Point Reyes on Dec. 31 which he took to be the Violet-green. I think the birds were Tree Swallows as I have never seen the Violet-green until late in February, while the Tree Swallow has been noted every month in the year. In winter they can often be seen flying about some warm springs along the foothills at the edge of the marsh off San Pablo Bay.Henry W. Carriger, Sonoma, Cal., April 16, 1899.
Eastern Junco and White-throated Sparrow in California. I have the pleasure to record the capture of three specimens of Junco hyemalis in California. The first, a male I took at Battle Creek on October 23, 1898, The other two were found at St. Helena, a male on the first of last February and a female three days later. Through the kindness of Mr. W. E. Bryant I may record four specimens of Zonotrichia albicollis for this state. One was taken at Los Angeles, Feb. 25, 1897 and is mounted in Mr. Bryant's collection. Three taken at Santa Rosa now belong to me. Dates of two are Oct. 13, 1898 and Nov. 23, 1898. The third one has not yet been forwarded to me. There appears to be no difference between these and eastern specimens of Z. albicollis.Richard C. McGregor, Palo Alto, Cal.
Notes from Alameda, Cal. Western Bluebird: For the last seven or eight years I have not met this never common bird as formerly. On frequent trips through the county and Contra Costa County in spring I have noticed from three to ten on each trip during the past five years and at times saw none at all. It is a sparse breeder in Alameda County. An acquaintance of mine took a set of eggs in this town about fifteen years ago.
The last Dwarf Hermit Thrush was seen, rather heard, April 6, a few miles from here. It was unusually common this winter. One made itself at home about my woodshed and became quite tame, eating grubs and bore worms when I was splitting wood.
Western Robins were very scarce up to January. In February they were quite abundant, singing freely. I heard one singing in December.
One Varied Thrush noted April 12, they have nearly all departed now. Observed the first one on Sept. 27.
A few Western Golden-crowned Kinglets wintered here in the live oaks and evergreens. I observed them occasionally from October to March. The Ruby-crowns were common, as usual, this winter, but not gregarious like the Golden-crowns.
On Sept. 27 I heard the "call" notes of a Russet-backed Thrush, and although the bird remained hidden, I knew I was not deceived by its indistinguishable voice. The late date is commentable.
Nuthatches are rarely observed any year. Perhaps they do not occur at all some years in this immediate locality. They were often seen this winter. A Red-breasted was the first one seen, Aug. 30. Took one Sept. 5 and one Oct. 10, and a Slender-billed Nov. 11. The last birds seen were in the middle of February. All the birds ever seen here were seen within a radius of 300 yards.
