Four general types of nesting sites were noticed, in the following order of frequency: in natural cavities, under loose bark, in woodpecker holes, and in deserted Verdins' nests. Of 23 nests observed, 12 were in natural cavities, 4 under loose bark, 4 in woodpecker holes, and three in the Verdin's nests. Natural cavities were of various kinds. Some were where a limb had been broken off; others in the crack made by a large branch splitting from the trunk; and again a decayed spot furnisht a sufficient hollow to conceal the nest. In all cases the site was in a sheltered or protected position; that is, the trunk leaned enough to shade the entrance from above. A mesquite tree was usually selected, tho others were taken. Of the nests observed, 15 were in mesquites, 5 in palo verde, 2 in ironwood, and one in catsclaw. And speaking of ironwood, I have the most profound respect for the perseverance, endurance and bill-power of the little Texas Woodpecker who drills his nest hole in one of these trees. After cutting into one with a pocket knife, I am willing to give him all possible credit.
The nests were usually not far from the opening of the cavity, three or four inches in most cases, tho exceptions were noticed. One nest was in a deep crack about seven inches from the entrance, and another was six inches deep. The woodpecker hole chosen must have been incomplete as the Warblers nest was only three inches below the entrance. The Verdins' nests used were male winter nests re-lined to suit Mrs. Warbler, and were about six feet from the ground.
Usually a tree standing out by itself was selected, and in no instance was the nest found in a thicket or dense grove. One bird had the home in a dead palo verde, the only dry tree I saw so used. Generally the home tree was not far from water, tho some nests I found were two and three miles from a drink.
The nests were small and compact and well hidden in their cavity. Only twice did protuding material betray the location. In one case nesting material protruded from a woodpecker hole, and the other was a bulky nest that showed from each side of a split branch. This last nest I thought must belong to a House Finch, but investigation showed warbler owners. hip. Nests were made of bark, weeds, and mesquite leaf-stems, and lined with fine bark, horse and cow hair, a few feathers, and sometimes a little rabbit fur. The site averaged six and one-half feet from the ground, the lowest being 18 inches and the highest 15 feet.
The earliest completed nest found was April 10, and the latest, May 15. Complete sets of 3, 4, and 5 eggs were found. In June and July, family groups of the Warblers were seen about the mesquite trees, tho at the present writing, July 16, the groups seem to be breaking up and scattering.
NOTES ON SOME BIRDS OF KERN COUNTY
By HARRY H. SHELDON
A MINING trip last summer (1908) took me into a region where I found bird life to be exceptionally interesting, for the reason that the country was in two district faunas. A desert-like country abruptly cut into by a mountain range caused the desert and mountain species to mingle in peculiar association. The notes obtained were mostly taken at random as I had but little time to devote
