May, 1913 NOTES FROM BUENA VISTA LAKE AND FORT TEJON 119 Families of Westen Bluebirds (oCialia m. occidentalis) were much in evi- dence. The Picidae, represented by Cabanis (Dr?bates v. hyloscopus), Wil- low- (Dr?bates p. turati), Nuttall (Dryobatcs uuttalli). and California (Mcla- ncrpcs f. bairdi) woodpeckers and Red-shafted Flickers (Colaptos c. collaris) were busy among the oaks and cottonwoods. In a grove of pines well up the side of the canyon, a pair of Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) were guarding a couple of great nests, one at the top of a tall pine, and the other half way tip in the same tree. We did not ascertain which nest was occupied, as neither of us felt equal to climbing the tree. Other old friends were two pairs of Thurber Juncos (J?tnco o. thurberi), and many Slender-billed Nuthatches (??itta c. acu- lcata), two full grown young; of the latter being secured, and a nest full of young- sters locafed in a knot hole. Western House Wrens (Troglodytes a. park?nani) seemed to be as thick as bees, and it was but rarely that a likely looking stub could be passed without arousing keen interest in one of these diminutive song- sters. We saw but a single Long-tailed Chat (Icteria v. longica,?da) and one Traill Flycatcher ( Empido?a.,' t. traLlli). Black-headed Grosbeaks (Zamelodia melanocephala) ,arere singing in the canyons; and an occasional California Towee (Pipilo c. cr?ssalis) was noted. A cold wind arose during the night of the ?2th, bringing rain, so. as there was no sign of the gale abating, we broke camp the next day. Four miles above Tejon, at about four thousand feet, we met a Lewis Woodpecker (Asyndesmus lewisi), and during an hour's stay at Lake Castac several more were seen. The lake was unusually high, '?and besides the ever present Coots (Fulica americana) and Ruddies, four Pintails and a number of Eared Grebes (Colymbus n. cali- fornicus) were observed. Northern Violet-green Swallows (Tachycineta t. ida) were darting about the shores, and on a large dead oak were many Western Martins (Progne s. hesperia), no doubt nesting in the many holes in this tree. This was the only place where the above species was seen. Our next breathing spell was in the yucca forest of Antelope Valley, where the bird life was very scarce as to species, for it 'consisted almost exclusively of Linnets (Carpodacus m. frontalis), an occasional Arkansas Kingbird and a few Western Lark Sparrows (Chondestes g. stri,?at?s). Mr. Lamb here succeeded in obtaining two close views of a Scott Oriole (Icterus parisorum), which, how- ever, he was unable to secure. It might not be amiss to insert here a few mammal notes, or rather an ob- servation on the Valley Coyote (Canis ochropus). While passing through a par- ticularly level region, the wind blew off a sun-helmet which one of us was wear-. ing, and took it bounding and rolling over the short grass at an amazing speed. Upon heading it off in the machine and then making a regular football tackle at it, it was secured. A Coyote was regarding this sdene with, we imagine, rather amused contempt. Our sporting blood being aroused by the pursuit of the hat, we decided to give the animal a run also, and accordingly started in his direc- tion. This move interested him but mildly until a charge ot number eights at long range helped his decision. He made for a rise of ground, and because of the grade and rough going we were unable to do better than thirty miles an hour. At this sp.eed he seemed unable to gain on us, and after reaching the crest of the hill we began drawing up on him. Due to the untimely interference of a barbed wire fence he managed to escape, but not without taking a few more leaden sou- -eenirs with him. We reached Elizabeth Lake about two o'clock and spent the rest of the day
