This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
16
THE CONDOR
Vol. XX

tiva brewsteri), Western Warbling Vireos (Vireosylva gilva swainsont), and Willow and Green-backed goldfinches (Astragalinus tristis salicamans and A. psaliria hesperophilus), with a hummingbird or two, were feeding, singing, or just enjoying life about the trees and bushes. The last observations were made on the morning of September 29 at the same spot, when the make-up of the feathered assemblage was quite different. On that last morning there were noted two Western Yellowthroats (Geothlypis trichas occidentalis), four Lutescent Warblers (Vermivora celata lutescens), several Western Chipping Sparrows, Gambel Sparrows, Mountain Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches (Sitta canadensis} and some Audubon Warblers (Dendroica audubont), these latter having appeared in the valley September 20, in company, as is often the case, with Western Bluebirds (Sialia mexicana occidentalis).

On August 19 the Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula calliope) had already taken its departure, and but few representatives of the hummingbird group were seen during the subsequent period of observation, the Anna Hummingbird (Calypte anna) being the only one positively identified. Several of these were noted at various times, and the others met with were probably Selasphorus rufus, but this was not proved. Through the courtesy of Mr. H. M. Albright, Assistant Director of National Park Service, and Mr. W. B. Lewis, Supervisor of Yosemite Park, the writer was permitted to collect specimens of birds difficult of sight identification, but no hummingbird except the Anna was procured, though others were seen.

Thanks are due to the two above gentlemen for their permission to procure specimens for identification, and to Chief Ranger Townsley and his assistant rangers for their courtesy and aid in making these observations worthy of record.

Vanx Swifts (Chaetura vauri) would occasionally appear from nowhere and career around in rapid evolutions, but never a swallow was seen, all having taken their departure prior to August 19. Nor were any of the White-throated Swifts found on the lower levels, though reported as very numerous among the higher cliffs.

While the Cabanis Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus hyloscopus) was quite common along the river, the Willow Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens turatt) was seen only once. Where there were large oak trees out in meadows the California Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus bairdi) was very much at home; yet, strange to say, among the oaks growing on the talus, even on the north side of the valley where the full force of the sun was felt, he was seldom seen.

The Blue-fronted Jay (Cyanocitta stellert frontalis) is a very common bird in the valley, but does not seem to be as bold there as it is in other places, in spite of the numerous camps and accompanying temptations to pilfer and make trouble. Although a few were seen wandering around rather disconsolately in places from which camps had just been removed, and acting as if they had lost their last means of support, they seemed on the whole to be rather suspicious and wild—just the opposite of what one would suppose the effect of non-molestation and association with human beings would be—and utterly lacking in their usual audacity.

One of the sources of amusement during the writer’s stay were the comments of tourists concerning an Eared Grebe (Colymbus nigricollis californicus) that had taken up its abode on Mirror Lake, and had become so tame as to approach within a few yards of visitors. It was usually spoken of as a "duck" or a "mudhen", and once or twice was mistaken for a fish as it was seen in pursuit of its