18 'THE .CONDOR VoL XX Another surprise, and rather an exasperating one on account of not having had a sufficiently good view for positive identification, was the sight of a small 1ock of Red-winged Blackbirds flying up river on September 3.' The writer was occupied with some efforts at photography at the moment, and just happened to turn in time to see a flock of some twenty or thirty individuals as it was swiftly disappearing around a bend in the river. There was time enough to notice the shoulder patches, which seemed to be red and white, and the supposition that they were Tricolored Blackbirds (Agelaius tricolor) was all but confirmed by their manner of flight, which is particularly rapid and what might be called more "businesslike" than that of the other red-wings. The foregoing notes have been selected for an article as probably being the most interesting among the writer's observations, and have been strung together without any attempt at system, as one thing seemed to lead to another in the au- thor's mind, the main idea being not to tire the reader. Appended is a list of birds noted that have not heretofore been recorded from Yosemite Valley--thai is, from the floor of the valley--to the author's knowledge. Eared Grebe (Coly?bus nigricollis californicus). One seen on Mirror Lake, Aug- ust 21, and a few days after. Great Blue Heron (Arclea heroelias heroelias). Tracks noticed in river mud on several occasions, and one individual seen September 28, at Mirror Lake. Marsh Hawk (Circus huclsonius). One seen September 26. Cooper Hawk (Accipiter cooperi). Two seen September 21 below the village. California Pigmy Owl (Glauciclium gnoma californicum). Heard. first time at daybreak September 8, but frequently heard at any time of day later in the month. None seen. Red-breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus tuber ruber). An immature bird seen Aug- ust 28. Five or six seen at various times. Two taken. Lewis Woodpecker (Asynclesmus lewisi). One noted September 22, and either same one or other single individuals seen at various times. Vaux Swift (Chaetura vauxi). One or two often seen, and quite a flock at times. Anna Hummingbird (Calypte anna). Several individuals noted at different times, mostly immature. One taken. 4-. Arkansas Flycatcher (Tyrannus verticalis). One seen in El Capitan Meadow'Sep- tember 2 and 3. Hammond Flycatcher (Empiclonax hammoncli). One taken September 23. There may have been others, but not easily identified among other Empiclonax, especially im- lnature birds. California Jay (Aphelocoma californica californica). One seen near Lost Arrow camp on September 25. Tricolored Red-wing (Agelaius tricolor). A small flock, apparently of this spe- cies, seen September 3. Nevada Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sanclwichensis nevaclensis). One taken September 27, and possibly two seen a short time previously. . Gambel Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambeli). First noted September 18. Increased in numbers daily until quite large flocks had gathered.. Brewer Sparrow (Spizella breweri). The only one identified was taken on Septem- ber 18. Modoc Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia fisherella). A song sparrow easily identified as being of this form was taken on September 2.7. Only two other song spar- rows seen in the six weeks observation, and their subspecific rank remained unknown. Forbush Sparrow (Melospiza lincolni striata). Several Lincoln Sparrows Seen at different times after September 18. Of three.taken, two proved to' be striata and one lincolni. Lutescent Warbler (Vermtvora celata lutescens). First one seen and taken on September 18. Increased slowly in numbers after that date until September 26, when a ?mall migratory wave apl?cared. The next few days not many were seen.
