wire. I suspect the cypress-trees across the way of harboring the tiny nest. If so, I hope that it has been as safe from hawks and jays as from any intrusion on my part.
The only flycatchers I have noticed in the western tract are the Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) and the Say Phoebe (Sayornis sayus). The Black Phoebe often makes its presence known by its call, but I seldom hear an answering call. One spring day, however, I surprised two indulging in courtship antics. The Say Phoebe was noticed once in the winter of 1912-13, and has been seen repeatedly this winter.
The Flickers (Colapres caret collaris) and Jays (principally Aphelocoma californica californica) are continually flaunting their bright colors in the cypress and red-wood trees. Occasionally a Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius naevius), in its quiet dignity, puts them both to shame.
A few Meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta) still nest in the old orchard, but encroaching civilization has driven most of them to the other side of the canyon.
Many of the members of the sparrow family seem to choose the western area, either for winter feeding or summer breeding. In the winter of 1912-13, Mosswood Road was being graded and macadamized. This of course meant that men and horses were taking their noonday meal there; and afterward a feast of bread-crumbs and grain was left for the birds to enjoy. The little Rufous-crowned Sparrows (Aimophila ruficeps) from the canyon to the south joined the Intermediate (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambeli) and Nuttall Sparrows (Z. l. nuttalli) at mealtime. Add to these three species a stray Harris Sparrow (Z. querula), which seems to have come with his cousins from the north to enjoy a California winter—could a bird-lover ask for a more interesting group to study? In the old orchard trees, the Linnets (Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis), Green-backed Goldfinches (Astragalinus psaltria hesperophilus), Black-headed Grosbeaks (Zamelodia melanocephala capitalis), and a Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena) fill the summer air with rapturous song. A few ornamental olive trees with fruit ungarnered assure Purple Finches (Carpodacus purp?treus californicus) all the year. Their spring sunset song, from the top of the tallest cypress tree, certainly evens up the account for the whole olive crop. Flocks of Pine Siskins (Spinus pinus pinus) circle from weed patches to pine trees, while Sierra Juncos (Junco oreganus thurberi) feed on the rag-weed under the cypress trees and the chick-weed under the oaks. Both the California and San Francisco Towbees (Pipilo crissalis crissalis and P. maculatus falcifer) range over the whole hillside, the latter being more numerous in the oak forest.
One of the few remaining colonies of Cliff Swallows (Petrochelidon lunifrons lunifrons) in Berkeley still nests at the top of the western slope. Their main source for nest-building material has been destroyed this winter; and unless another unknown base can be developed or an artificial one substituted, we may miss their circling flight next summer.
During the winter months Audubon Warblers (Dendroica auduboni auduboni) abound in the old orchard, Nuthatches (Sitta canadensis) sound their reeds in the pines and oaks, Ruby-crowned Kinglets (Regulus calendula cineraceus) chatter and sing and glean through the trees, and the Hermit Thrush (Hylocichla guttara haunts) makes himself a familiar garden companion.
In the summer-time two pairs of House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon parkmani) do enthusiastic housekeeping behind the shingles of hillside cottages. Vigors Wrens (Thryomanes bewicki spilurus), Bush-tits (Psaltriparus minimus minimus), and Wren-tits (Chamaea fasciata fasciata) are permanent residents.
