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?iar., t9o6 I 45 Summer 1%tes From a Santa Barbara Garden BY JOSEPH MAILLIARD EVER before has it been my good fortune to have such an opportunity to observe the birds in their relation to what might be called artificially natural conditions--such as a garden well-supplied with water in a dry country presents--as the past summer has afforded. A severe attack of pneumonia in the spring made an idle summer a necessity, and Santa Barbara was chosen as the place for my convalescence. During my previous sojourn in this locality bird life had been remarkably scarce on account of previous dry seasons. The rainy season of x9o4- 5, however, was a generous one, and in consequence the whole country put on a glorious aspect of prosperity. The insect world appreciated this and luxuriated in it. In turn the birds not only appeared in unusual quantities but the spring residents worked early and late, and most successfully, at rearing large families while the good time lasted. During the early summer birds were everywhere, busy as bees, and seemed reluctant to commence their southern jour- ney when the time was ripe. As water was running in the streams until well into the sum- ruer such things as artificial pools were not greatly in de- mand at once, but as the season waxed and waned and the streams dried up, the leath- ered tribe became more and more appreciative of what kind- hearted and interested people did for them in the way of sup- plying liquid refreshments to the thirsty multitudes. Then it was that such things as old GREEN-BACKED GOLDFINCHES Indian mortars under dripping hydrants became exceedingly popular, and, in fact, any leaky spot in an exposed pipe and every dropping faucet in a place even if only at intervals undisturbed by people passing, had its patrons. It was no un- usual thing to see a line of green-backed goldfinches, for instance,awaiting their turn to hang upside down on the faucet and let the cooling water fall into their open bills, drop by drop. And often the drops came very slowly. Around these oases where the birds gathered, many interesting sights were to be seen, and the traits of different species could be readily compared. Even indi- vidual characteristics could occasionally be distinguished. During the absence of larger birds the Anthony towhee (Pipilo fiacus senicula) was the "boss," and while in possession of a drinking tount it behooved smaller birds to stand aloof. Often one of these towbees would hop on that particular Indian mortar where most of my observations were carried on, doing everything very deliberately, take