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 July, 1908 A BIT O1 EARLY ALIlORNIA NATURAL HISTORY 137 cording to the manner of the Indians of New Spain, holding in its hand, a figure of the fun and moon. It happened, that when the foldiers came to fee this temple, they found within the laid circle, two crows, confiderably larger than ordinary; which at the approach of the Spaniards flew away, but alighted among the rocks in the neighbourhood. The foldiers feeing them of fuch uncommon fize, fired their guns and killed them. At this, an Indian, who had attended the Spainards as a guide, fell into an agony. I was informed that they believed the devil fpoke to them in thefe crows, and thence held them in great veneration. Sometime after, one of the foldiers going that way, law rome Indian women wafhing fifh on the shore, but rome crows came np to them, and with their beaks, took the fifh from their hands, whilst they observed a profound silence, not daring fo much as to look at them, much lefs frighten them away. Nothing therefore could feem more horri- ble to the Californians, than that the Spainards fhould fhoot at thefe refpectable birds'." Chicago, Illinois. SUMMER BIRDS OF THE UPPER SALINAS VALLEY AND ADJACENT FOOTHILLS By G. WILLETT HE following notes were taken from May 23 to June 3 of this year in the Upper Salinas Valley and surrounding hills along the Monterey and San Luis Obispo county line. Owing to the short time given me for observation the appended list is undoubt- edly very incomplete. Also owing to the semi-arid nature of this particular section many birds that are common a few miles away are found here rarely or not at all. For instance I did not note a single species of warbler altho I know that several species breed within a few miles. I visited this locality about fourteen years ago and I find the distribution of several species of birds considerably changed during that time. In the Salinas river bottom, which at San Miguel has an elevation of about 800 feet, are extensive groves of cottonwoods and willows; and the surrounding hills, which run up to an elevation of over 2500 feet, are covered with large oaks and scattering groves of pines. Ardea herodias. Great Blue Heron. Common in river bottom. Ardea virescens anthonyi. Anthony Green Heron. Green Herons probably of this species were common in river bottom but no specimens .were taken. JEgialitis vocifera. Killdeer. Common along streams. Lophortyx calffornicus vallicola ? Valley Partridge. Abundant, with half- grown young. Owing to close season I took no specimens and am in doubt as to subspecies as this must be about the dividing line between L. calzj?)rnicus and L. c. vallicola. Columba fasciata. Band-tailed Pigeon. A small flock seen in the hills on Monterey side at about 2500 feet. Zenaidura macroura. Mourning Dove. Abundant. Gymnogyps californiamrs. California Condor. I saw this species in this vicin- ity fourteen years ago but saw none at this time altho I kept a careful lookout for them.