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 Mar., 1919 OLIVE THORNE MILLER 73 chance," she exclaimed, for to her, her old work would always 5e, as she ex- pressed it, "the most delightful work in the world--stud7ing bird life." Washington, D.C., January 27, 1919. BIRD RECORDS FROM THE SACiAMENTO VALLEY, CALIFOlNIA By ALEXANDER WETMORE OR MOST of the period between August 17 and October 17, 1918, I was occupied in field work in the Sacramento Valley, California, between Marysville, Maxwell and Tehama, and, though not engaged primarily in the collecting of specimens, had daily opportunity: for observation of birds. Considerable areas in this region are now utilized for the culture of rice, and l he heavy irrigation necessary for this crop has made a condition favorable to water haunting birds over considerable tracts that formerly were entirely dry during the 'summer months. Small fishes brought down in the large irrigation canals were abundant in the flooded rice fields, and attracted many Great Blue Herons, Terns, Kingfishers and others, while water boatmen and aquatic in- sects of similar habit drew other smaller birds. The follow.ing brief notes of occurrence are those that seem unusual or of interest. For general informa- tion on the occurrence or range of birds in this area I have referred to J. Grin- nell's list of California birds (Pacific Coast Avifauna, no. 11, 1915). Dendrocygna bicolor. Fulvcus Tree-Duck. A flock of 18 observed October 12 on the property of the Sacramento Outing Club, west of Live Oak. $terna caspia. Caspian Tern. Individuals of this species were observed near Maxwell on August 21, and September 6, 7 and 8. On September 7 a bird, in Juvenal plumage, that was resting on a levee near a road, allowed me to approach within fifteen feet without becoming alarmed. Later I heard it giving the high-pitched whistled call characteristic of young tndtviduaIs of this species, a note entirely different from the harsh, raucous screams of adults. Ixobrychus exilis exilis. Least Bittern. One was flushed from a growth of cat- tails in a rice field near Butte Creek, west of Gridley, on September 14. Herodias egretta. American Egret. This species was of common occurrence in suitable localities in the rice fields and adjacent flooded areas. These herons were ob- served first near Maxwell on August 18. On the following day seven were seen in one flock and four in another, while solitary tndtviduaJs were observed elsewhere. A flock of seven frequented one area here for two weeks. Near Butte Creek, west of GridIcy, fifty were'seen in cne place scattered about over a rice field or in pools of water near by, the clear white of their plumage standing out in pleasing contrast against the green of the grain. Near Maxwell thirty were observed in one flock on September 8. Others were seen on Butte Creek, west of Live Oak, on September 10, and farther north in the same region, on September 15 and 17. From this time on they were less numerous. Two were noted near Maxwell on September 25, and two others seen in the same region on September 29 were the last that were observed. It would seem from these records that the Egret is increasing in number in this region. E.D. Ricketts, State Deputy Game Warden, stated that white herons breed in a rookery on the Butte Creek sloughs, so that it seems possible that these may be Egrets. Adult birds were observed on several oc- casions, on extensive mudfiats, driving immature individuals about, harrytrig them with vtcous thrusts of their bills, and harsh squawks, as these herons do when they have aban- doned their young to their own resources in securing food: an observation, however, of uncertain value as an indication that these young had been reared in the vicinity, as all were fully grown and strong on the wing.