Page:Bird-lore Vol 01.djvu/417

Rh readily will be a solid beginning in birdcraft for any one in this region.

In addition to these faithful dwellers in our hills and canons are a number of other species which are nearly always with us, but in greater or less abundance, indicating a more migratory habit. Among these I may mention the Gambel's Sparrow, which nests here rather sparingly, but comes in large flocks for the winter, the Lutescent Warbler, Vigor's Wren, Western Goldfinch, California Shrike, Desert Sparrowhawk and Western Red-tailed Hawk. The two Hawks and the Shrike might be placed in the first list with almost equal propriety.

In the months of December and January, then, the above-mentioned birds may be confidently sought for in the cañons and gardens. Associating with them, however, is a host of winter visitants which are equally abundant and peculiarly characteristic of the rainy season. The most numerous and constant of these are the Golden-crowned Sparrow, Oregon Junco, American Pipit, Audubon's Warbler, Dwarf Thrush and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. The Western Golden-crowned Kinglet is less common, although at times it may be found in considerable numbers in the live-oak trees. Townsend's Sparrow is with us all winter, but its retiring habits make it a less conspicuous element in the midwinter company. The Red-breasted Nuthatch is irregular in its visits, it sometimes being found in large numbers, and again being wholly absent. The same may be said of both the Western Robin and the Western Bluebird, which roam the country in large flocks and pass from one locality to another. They are usually abundant after a heavy snowfall in the mountains. The Varied Robin is perhaps more constantly with us during the winter months, but is so shy and quiet that it is often overlooked. Among the other less abundant winter visitants, which are nevertheless not rare, are Hutton's Vireo, Pine Finch, Say's Pewee, Red-breasted Woodpecker, Gairdner's Woodpecker, California Woodpecker and the Cedar Waxwing.

Of midwinter birds which are rare or accidental in their visits may be mentioned Lewis' Woodpecker, the Evening Grosbeak, and Townsend's Solitaire. From the above lists it is evident that our winter groves and canons are teeming with bird-life. Some among these December and January species may even favor us with an occasional snatch of song, although their call notes are most frequently heard. The Golden-crowned, and Gambel's Sparrows are constant winter singers; Samuel's Song Sparrow often sounds its ditty, and the note of the Western Meadowlark is heard from time to time in the fields. The Wren-Tit sings more or less in its simple fashion the year through, and its characteristic strain may be heard ever and anon in the cañon. Thus it happens that we may find intimations of approaching spring