IC-NRLF 
 
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LIBRARY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. 
 
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 GIFT OF 
 
 BIOLOGY 
 
 UBRAK" 
 
 G 
 
 Class 
 
Guide 
 
 to 
 
 <The Birds of the Pacific 
 Coast 
 
 Bm ' 
 
A Guide 
 
 TO 
 
 The Birds of the Pacific 
 Coast 
 
 BY 
 
 (. A. >trbbtttfi 
 
 * / 
 
 Supervisor of Nature Study, Training School 
 
 Ghico State Normal School 
 
 Chico, Calif. 
 
 PUBLICATIONS of THE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL 
 
 CHICO, CALIFORNIA, OCTOBER, 1908 
 
 BULLETIN NUMBER TWO 
 
 OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 ME dead body of a California woodpecker with the bruised 
 form showing only too plainly the work of the small boy 
 and his dangerous slingshot caused us to look into the 
 ways and means of handling such ever-occurring inci- 
 dents. A prominent attorney was consulted, and he re- 
 marked, "Of course if meadowlarks and woodpeckers 
 are killed, no one should care," whereupon we tried to 
 show him his error. 
 
 The ignorance regarding the economic value of our 
 songsters is woefully manifest. Selfish and faulty obser- 
 vation condemns many birds unjustly. Unfortunately 
 and unlike other animals, what little harm our birds do is done noisily, 
 while the good, results from quiet, busy work. 
 
 We are prone to have abnormally sharp eyes when touched in 
 a selfish way, but dull eyes when we are losing nothing. The opened 
 eyes of the farmer see the meadow larks gather a few grains during 
 the seeding season, but fail to see the same birds working -in the 
 field, day after day eating grasshopper after grasshopper, during the 
 other seasons of the year, and the birds are condemned to the rifle. 
 The selfish eye sees the woodpecker peck a hole in the barn, but fails 
 to notice the disappearing codling moths and other destructive insects. 
 The problem of arousing interest in bird life with the subsequent 
 change of a biased view is a large one, but can be solved if the school 
 children will help. 
 
 There are too many courses of study in the general school system 
 that seize the child on his first day at school, place him in a school- 
 room high chair, and feed him ever after on books. All roads lead to 
 the high chair. The schools should not wean the child from all large, 
 active things, but rather should center or focus such upon the child 
 continuously. 
 
 The aim of this booklet and supplement is to create an interest in 
 birds, toward the end of their protection, and to bring the children 
 from the schoolroom to the living outdoors. 
 
 Why Birds Should Be Protected 
 
 Do you know of anything that combines such joyous qualities, such 
 delicate and gorgeous colors Nature has drawn most lavishly from 
 her ^experimenting palette, the twilight sky such grace in movement, 
 and such gift of song as do the birds? 
 
 If you were one of these "sky gems" sitting in the morning light, 
 singing to your mate, and she secure in your love, answering in sweet 
 bird talk, when suddenly into this beautiful world should come the 
 dreaded "crack," and your mate with eyes full of agony should fall 
 
 [2 ] 
 
i'rqm the nest, would you not fly and fly until you dropped from exhaus- 
 tion, for nothing would matter now? 
 
 Can you solve the following problems? "Suppose there are 50 
 apples in a peck; how many might a codling moth spoil if she lay 
 50 eggs on as many apples, and half of these eggs hatch female moths, 
 and in the second brood again, each lay 50 eggs on as many apples?" 
 
 Ans. 26 pecks. 
 
 "If a Downy Woodpecker eats only one codling moth larva each 
 day from November to April inclusive, 180 days, what might be the 
 value of its work to an orchard if apples are worth 50 cents a bushel?" 
 
 Ans. $565. 
 
 It has been estimated that the damage caused annually in three 
 states alone by the codling moth amounts to nearly $8,000,000. The 
 moth spoils from 25 to 75 per cent of the apple crop of the United 
 States and Canada each year. 
 
 Statistics from the United States Department of Agriculture for 
 1904 show a tax of $1,195,000,000 imposed upon the people of the 
 United States by insects during that year. 
 
 "Certain moths deposit hundreds of eggs in a season and were 
 each egg to hatch and each insect to come to maturity and go on pro- 
 ducing at the same rate the entire earth in a few years would be car- 
 peted with crawling caterpillars and the moths in flight would cover 
 the earth like a blanket or fog," and in four years the foliage of the 
 United States would be destroyed. 
 
 In giving a description of conditions after a volcanic eruption, 
 which occurred in Guatemala, a coffee planted said: "One of our 
 greatest troubles was that of sickness, owing to the balance of nature 
 having been upset by the eruption, which, having killed all the birds 
 for some hundreds of miles, enabled the flies, mosquitoes and rats to 
 multiply to such an extent that life to man became nearly unbearable. 
 The immediate consequence was an epidemic of malaria, which cost 
 more lives than the eruption itself many times more. It has passed 
 away, happily; the birds having come again, the breeding of these 
 pests is checked, and the district again enjoys the excellent reputa- 
 tion for health that it deservedly had before." 
 
 Authorities have observed one pair of grosbeaks feed their young 
 in one day of eleven hours, 800 larvae of insects. Three thousand 
 ants have been found in the stomach of a "flicker" at one time. Five 
 hundred mosquitoes were counted in the stomach of a nighthawk. A 
 pair of nesting wrens took more than 600 insects from a garden in 
 one day. Swallows eat more than 1,000 flies a day. The stomach of 
 a quail held 100 potato beetles. Another had eaten 500 chinch bugs. 
 
 Bird authorities of Massachusetts estimate one day's work by the 
 birds in that state to be the destruction of 21,000 bushels of insects. 
 In Nebraska 170 carloads of insects are destroyed each day. While 
 thousands of insects are destroyed through other natural agencies, just 
 think for a moment of the number of insects all the birds in the whole 
 United States might destroy in one day and in one year. 
 
 [3] 
 
This chart shows the proportional amount of food the different 
 birds eat. 
 
 FOOD CHAPT 
 
 ROBIN GGO/v 
 
 How to Protect the Birds 
 
 Build bird houses, report any violations of the bird laws, watch 
 the cats, punish the blue jays and other harmful birds as the law 
 punishes human beings that take life, never put out poison, arrange 
 drinking and bathing places, girls should never wear birds in their 
 hats, never aid in long imprisonment of wild birds. 
 
 How to Study the Birds 
 
 First learn this quotation: "A bird in the heart is wortn more 
 than a hundred in a notebook." Second: Learn repose. Third: Learn 
 to listen. Fourth: Learn to see. 
 
 To study birds most successfully proceed to a spot frequented by 
 birds with your notebook and if possible a good binocular field glass 
 (eight to ten diameters). Sit quietly and patiently and you will be re- 
 warded by some shy but curious friend. Raise your glasses slowly 
 and take a detailed description, following the notebook outline given 
 in the supplement (a sample of the supplement is shown in appendix). 
 Having obtained this, open this booklet to the color and size key we 
 shall suppose that you have seen unknowingly the Steller's Jay and 
 
 [4] 
 
look for "Birds Having Blue Markings." Then look under sizes for 
 birds larger than the robin, turn to the. index, locate, and read the de- 
 scriptions of the birds, and you are formally introduced to the new 
 friend. 
 
 As opportunities offer, complete the study as suggested in the 
 separate supplement. 
 
 One of the greatest pleasures the birds may offer you is through 
 their songs, so learn to listen for and recognize the birds' voices at all 
 times, whether bird-hunting or at work. Whenever a new note is 
 heard, trace it to its maker. Accurate recognition is often dependent 
 upon the bird's song or call. If you are musically inclined, place their 
 songs to notes and try imitating their songs on musical instruments. 
 
 Learn to see correctly and to interpret wisely. Many see the 
 apple pecked and the wheat kernel disappear, -but do not see the quick 
 efforts of the same birds which mean the death of a codling moth 
 larva (the small "worm" found in apples) or a grasshopper. Culti- 
 vate sharp eyes for the good work done as well as for the evil and 
 you will have a good basis for economic judgment. 
 
 Life History of the Codling Moth. 
 
 <t 
 
 From drawings made by pupils. 
 
 Some Bird Laws 
 
 Federal laws: "The importation of the English sparrow and other 
 injurious birds is prohibited." 
 
 All hunting or killing, etc., in the Mount Rainier and the Yellow- 
 stone National parks is prohibited. 
 
 State laws: All wild birds, excepting the Cooper's Hawk, the 
 Sharp-shinned Hawk, the Duck Hawk, the Great Horned Owl, the Blue 
 Jay, the Linnet, and the English Sparrow are protected. 
 
 Any person who in the State of California, "shall at any time hunt, 
 shoot, shoot at, pursue, take, kill, or destroy, buy, sell, give away, or 
 have in his possession except those above mentioned or shall rob the 
 nest, or take, sell or offer for sale, or destroy the eggs of any wild bird, 
 other than those above named, is guilty of a misdemeanor" and is 
 
 [5] 
 
liable to a heavy fine or imprisonment. Game birds are not included 
 under this head, but are protected by the game laws. 
 
 Severe penalties are imposed for taking the eggs of quail and other 
 game birds. 
 
 The fine for killing a Blue Crane is not less than fifty dollars and 
 possible imprisonment of not less than fifty days. 
 
 Game Laws. 
 
 Duck. Open season, October 1st to February 15th. Bag limit, 
 per day, 35. 
 
 Wilson Snipe. Open season, October 15th to April 1st. Bag limit, 
 25 per day. 
 
 Valley Quail, Partridge, Rail, Curlew, Ibis, Plover or other Shore 
 Birds. Open season, October 15th to February 15th. Bag limit, per 
 day, 25. 
 
 Dove. Open season, July 15th to October 15th. Bag limit, per 
 day, 25. 
 
 Grouse or Sage Hens. Closed season until September 1st, 1909. 
 
 Swan, Pheasant, Bob White, Imported Quail. Unlawful to kill or 
 to have in possession at any time. 
 
 Mountain Quail. Open season, September 1st to February 15th. 
 
 Meadow Lark, Robin and other Wild Birds. Unlawful at any time 
 to take or kill. 
 
 Birds not protected. Which can be killed at any time. English 
 Sparrow, Sharp Shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Duck Hawk, Great 
 Horned Owl, Blue Jay, California Linnet and all fish-eating birds ex- 
 cept Sea Gulls and the blue and white Crane or Heron. 
 
 License to Hunt. On and after July 1st, 1907, every person must 
 have a license who hunts, pursues, or kills any of the wild birds and 
 animals protected by law. 
 
 License must be carried at all times when hunting, and exhibited 
 to officers. License can be procured from the County Clerk or Fish 
 Commission. 
 
 License Fee Per Annum. 
 
 To residents of California, who are citizens of the United States. ...$ 1.00 
 To non-residents of California, who are citizens of the United 
 
 States , 10.00 
 
 To persons not citizens of the United States 25.00 
 
 Any person can hunt on his own land without a license. 
 
 Fine for violation of Game Laws: $25 to $500 and imprisonment". 
 
 Thanks are due Dr. B. M. Davis, Miss M. Crouch, the Audubon So- 
 ciety of California, and Chapman's "Key to North American Birds" for 
 many suggestions. 
 
 Chapman's "Color Key to North American Birds," Bailey's "Hand- 
 Book of North American Birds," and Lord's "First Book Upon the 
 Birds of Oregon and Washington" are recommended for further refer- 
 ence. 
 
 [6] 
 
BIRD GUIDE 
 
 Red-shafted Flicker Larger than robin; crown brownish; back 
 barred with black; throat bluish gray; lining of wings and tail red- 
 dish; large black crescent on a spotted breast; large white spot on 
 rump. 
 
 California Woodpecker About the size of the robin; crown red; 
 sides of head and upper parts black; rump and wing patches white; 
 breast with black band; at rest the bird presents a mass of black 
 with a red cap, in flight one sees bars of black and white. 
 
Gairdner Woodpecker Size of the English sparrow. Upper parts 
 black, marked with white; forehead white; white patch down back 
 and rump; outer tail feathers white, barred with black; crown with 
 red stripe or crescent. 
 
 Harris Woodpecker Not quite so large as the robin; upper parts 
 black, with scarlet nape; white patch down back; wing black, or pos- 
 sibly lightly marked with white; outer tail feathers plain white; under 
 parts dingy gray. 
 
 Willow Woodpecker Similar to Gairdner woodpecker, but smaller; 
 tertails always more or less spotted with white. 
 
 Red-breasted Sapsucker Not quite so large as the robin; crown, 
 head, nape, throat and breast dull red; back, wings and tail black 
 marked with white; abdomen yellowish. 
 
 Nuttall Woodpecker Smaller than robin; nape red; back barred 
 with black and white; under parts a soiled white; sides spotted with 
 black. The convict stripes on back make the bird easily recognized. 
 
 Climbers, Npt Woodpeckers. 
 
 Slender-billed Nuthatch About the size of the English sparrow; 
 back of head and nape banded with a wide black stripe; back and 
 shoulders grayish; white bars on wings; outer tail feathers white; 
 breast light gray. He runs up and down the tree trunk regardless of 
 position. 
 
 Red-breasted Nuthatch Smaller than English sparrow. Head and 
 neck black; white stripe passing through and over the. eye to the 
 shoulder; upper parts bluish gray; tail, dark with white on tips of outer 
 tail of feathers; below, reddish-brown. Call, a drawn-out nasal "Yna, 
 yna." 
 
 California Creeper Smaller than English sparrow; head and 
 upper parts generally rusty brown, becoming brighter at rump; long 
 curved bill; under parts white. He climbs persistently in a spiral 
 about limbs and branches. The tail feathers are stiffened and pointed 
 to assist his creeping. 
 
 Sierra Creeper Smaller than English sparrow. As its name sig- 
 nifies it is a mountain resident. Similar to California creeper, but 
 colors are darker. 
 
 Louisiana Tanager Smaller than robin; head, nape and throat 
 reddish; wings black with yellowish bar; tail black; rest of body 
 yellow. These birds are numerous during the fruit season. 
 
 Northwestern Red-wing Size of robin; shoulders tipped with scar- 
 let and white; the rest of the body is black. 
 
 Bicolored Blackbird Similar to Northwestern red-wing, but shoul- 
 ders are tipped with scarlet, scarlet only, thus giving the bird its name 
 two-colored bird. 
 
 [8] 
 
Housefinch or Linnet 
 
 House Finch or Linnet About size of English sparrow; upper 
 parts brownish and white marked; head, throat and shoulders sprin- 
 kled with red; under parts white streaked with red. The linnet is 
 sociable and seeks his home place near dwellings. 
 
 California Jay Larger than robin; upper parts blue, middle of 
 back grayish brown, under parts a dirty white, except a blue band 
 on breast, white line over the eye. 
 
 Steller's Jay Larger than robin; fore part of body bluish black, 
 rear part bluish; indefinite white stripes on forehead. The bird has 
 a striking dark blue crest which he lowers during flight. 
 
 Western Bluebird Smaller than robin. Upper parts bright blue 
 with indefinite rusty markings on foreback; throat blue, breast rusty 
 brown, abdomen gray. 
 
 Lazuli Bunting Smaller than English sparrow; throat, head, and 
 other upper parts blue, wings and tail black, breast banded with 
 brown, under parts white, wings barred with white. 
 
 Belted Kingfisher Larger than robin; bluish above, banded with 
 fine white lines; head large and crested; chin, throat, and band around 
 the neck white; band on breast blue; abdomen a beautiful soft white 
 shaded into brown on the lower part of breast. 
 
 Summer or Yellow Warbler Smaller than English sparrow; upper 
 parts yellow, tinged with olive green; under parts lighter yellow. 
 
 [9] 
 
Calaveras Warbler Back olive, green running to yellow on rump; 
 throat and breast bright yellow; head and cheeks bluish gray with 
 chocolate crown patch; song something like the chipping sparrows. 
 
 Western Yellow-throat Forehead and cheeks black, back olive- 
 green; throat and breast a rich yellow; black mask bordered with 
 white. He is a shy songster and frequents the banks of creeks and 
 marshes. 
 
 Lawrence Goldfinch Smaller than English sparrow. Crown, 
 throat and front of cheeks black; body gray; back gray and yellow; 
 outer tail feathers with white spots near the end. 
 
 Audubon Warbler 
 
 Audubon Warbler Smaller than English sparrow; crown, rump, 
 shoulders and throat yellow; back blue-gray, streaked with black; wing- 
 bars white; breast light, marked with black. 
 
 Willow or California Goldfinch Smaller than English sparrow; 
 crown, wings and tail black; tail and wings marked with white; back 
 and under par"ts yellow. 
 
 Arkansas Goldfinch Similar to willow goldfinch, but back is 
 tinged with dark green and the yellow is not so bright. 
 
 Ruby-crowned Kinglet Smaller than English sparrow; ut>per parts 
 grayish olive; red crown patch; white ring around small black eyes; 
 under parts gray tinged with yellow; crown patch sometimes undistin- 
 guishable. 
 
 Western Golden-crowned Kinglet Smaller than English sparrow; 
 upper parts olive green; crown yellow; under parts whitish tinged with 
 brown; white line over the eye. 
 
 [10] 
 
Bullocks Oriole 
 
 Bullock Oriole Smaller than robin; cheeks, line over eye, and 
 most of under parts orange running to yellow on rump and outer tail 
 feathers; center of throat, top of head, forehead, and wings black; 
 wings and tail marked with white. 
 
 Western Evening Grosbeak Smaller than robin; all parts brown- 
 ish yellow except black tail and wings; large white wing patches; fore- 
 head yellow; large stubby bill. 
 
 Western Meadowlark About size of robin; upperparts black, mot- 
 tled with chestnut and buff; under parts yellow with black crescent on 
 breast; white bars on wings. 
 
 Arkansas Kingbird Smaller than robin; throat white, running to 
 yellow on stomach and under tail. Upper parts dark gray. Crown 
 patch orange; outer part of outer tail feathers white; tail feathers cut 
 straight across. Often seen chasing other birds such as jays and 
 hawks. 
 
 Long-tailed Chat Larger than English sparrow; upper parts olive 
 gray; head dark with white line over the eyes; breast and throat a 
 beautiful rich yellow; abdomen white; tail somewhat longer than ordi- 
 nary; has several individual calls. 
 
 Bohemian Waxwing Smaller than robin; body soft fawn color; 
 rump and tail grayish; throat and eye stripe black; tail tipped with 
 yellow; wings marked with a few red spots; abdomen grayish; crested. 
 
 Cedar Waxwing Smaller than robin; similar to above, but abdo- 
 men yellowish, not quite so much white on wings. 
 
 [11] 
 
Water Ouzel or American Dipper Little larger than sparrow; 
 slate-color with brown head and neck; frequents water, particularly 
 rapids or falls. His song is remarkably sweet and lively, and he never 
 hesitates when singing to dive into the water and swim away at a 
 lively rate. 
 
 California Towhee 
 
 California Towhee About the size of a robin; body generally dark 
 brown all over except red under tail feathers. Scratches for its food 
 and lives near the ground; tail unusually long. 
 
 Black-headed Grosbeak Smaller than robin; head black; neck, 
 lower back, breast, and abdomen orange; center of abdomen yellowish; 
 white patches on black wings; large stubby bill; splendid songster. 
 
 Female Head marked with white bars; color less bright. 
 
 Western Blue Grosbeak Smaller than robin; body bright blue; 
 darker on back; shoulders tipped with chestnut; large stubby bill. 
 
 American Crow Larger than robin; whole bird glossy black. 
 
 Yellow-billed Magpie Larger than robin; wings, tail, and most of 
 body black; shoulders and stomach white, bill yellow. 
 
 Brewer Blackbird Smaller than robin; whole plumage glossy 
 black; usually found in flocks. 
 
 Western Black Phoebe Smaller than robin; breast and head 
 black; back grayer; rear abdomen and under tail-coverts white; head 
 sometimes seems crested, but is not. Frequents water and bridges. 
 Long, slender bill. 
 
 [12] 
 
Oregon Towhee Smaller than robin; head, shoulders, and throat 
 inky black; wings black, marked with white; tail black with white 
 thumb marks on outer tail feathers; sides brownish; abdomen white. 
 Is usually found on the ground scratching for its food. 
 
 yr* 
 
 Oregon Towhee 
 
 Cassin Vireo Smaller than sparrow; upper parts gray, under parts 
 white; sides slightly tinged with greenish yellow; white lores and 
 ring around eyes; two white wing bars. 
 
 Mutton Vireo Smaller than sparrow; upper parts dusky olive 
 green; under parts grayish white, with a yellow tinge; eye ring con- 
 spicuous; white line over the eye. 
 
 California Shrike Smaller than robin; under parts white; rump 
 and upper tail-coverts paler; wings and tail black marked with white; 
 bill slightly hooked. 
 
 Plain Titmouse Smaller than .sparrow; upper parts olive gray; 
 under parts running to white on abdomen; head crested. 
 
 Oregon Junco Sparrow size; head, neck, throat, and foreback 
 black; back dark brown; abdomen white; outer tail feathers white; 
 bill usually yellow. 
 
 Mourning Dove Larger than robin; upper parts brownish; back 
 and wings marked with black spots; top of head gray; under parts 
 brown tinged with pink on breast; outer tail feathers slate color; 
 tail long and rounded. Flies with peculiar musical noise. 
 
 Ash-throated Flycatcher Size of robin; back grayish brown, outer 
 web of outer tail feathers whitish; throat and breast ashy gray; 
 feathers rough on head, giving the appearance of a crest. 
 
 [13] 
 
Varied Thrush About size of robin; similar to robin generally, 
 but with black breast band; rusty brown line over each eye; breast 
 not so reddish; call, a mournful whistle. 
 
 Varied Thrush 
 
 Pipit or American Tit-lark Sparrow size; upper parts grayish 
 brown, somewhat streaked; under parts buff, breast with indefinite 
 black collar. After lighting tetters up and down. Has a soft dee-dee 
 in flight. 
 
 Western Gnatcatcher Smaller than sparrow; upper parts bluish 
 gray; under parts grayish white; outer tail feathers white. 
 
 Park man Wren Smaller than sparrow; upper parts brown; all 
 but head streaked with dusky lines; under parts buffy; tail held pertly 
 in the air. 
 
 Tule Wren Smaller than sparrow; crown and forehead black; 
 forehead streaked; white streak over eye; rump brown; under parts 
 brownish white; outer tail feathers dark. 
 
 Northwestern Vigor's Wren Smaller than sparrow; similar to 
 Parkman Wren, but with a white line over the eye. 
 
 California Thrasher Larger than robin; upper parts grayish 
 brown; abdomen buff; breast gray; white throat; long curved bill. 
 
 Coast Wren-tit Little larger than English sparrow; upper parts 
 brownish, under parts pinkish, streaked with gray; sides and back 
 dark. 
 
 [HI 
 
Western House Wren Smaller than English sparrow; upper parts 
 grayish cinnamon brown; under parts grayish tinged with brown; 
 back barred; tail held at an abrupt angle with body; call, a scolding 
 ker-ring. 
 
 English Sparrow Throat and upper breast black; crown gray; 
 band behind eye and on nape brown. Under parts dirty white; back 
 wings and rump brown streaked with black. Black patch on breast 
 very distinct. 
 
 Western Robin 
 
 Western Robin Head dark; upper parts slate gray; wings and 
 tail darker; breast rust-brown; abdomen white. Found usually feed- 
 ing near the ground. 
 
 Western Chipping Sparrow Smaller than English sparrow; un- 
 der parts streaked gray, brown streak on head; light under parts. 
 
 Heerman Song Sparrow Size English sparrow. Above brownish 
 olive-gray with distinct black streaks; tail without a decided rufous 
 tinge; black and brown stripes below radiating from throat. 
 
 San Diego Sparrow Similar to Heerman song sparrow^ but lighter 
 and smaller. 
 
 Thick-billed Sparrow Larger than English sparrow. Above and 
 spots below brownish gray; wings and tail brown; bill large. 
 
 Western Lark Sparrow Upper parts brownish gray streaked with 
 black; head and throat marked with black streaks radiating from bill; 
 chestnut patch on side of head; under parts white; black spot on 
 breast. 
 
 [15] 
 
White-crowned Sparrow Size, English sparrow. Head black with 
 three white stripes; stripe over eye not reaching bill; upper parts 
 gray, streaked with brown; rump browner; under parts whitish. 
 
 Western Tree Sparrow Sparrow size. Upper parts rufous, also 
 space between eyes on the head; middle of back buffy -streaked with 
 black and red; white bars on wings; under parts light; small dark 
 spot on breast often indefinite. 
 
 California Bush-Tit Smaller than sparrow. Back grayish brown; 
 crown lighter; under parts paler. The Bush-Tit builds its nest low in 
 trees. It is a long, pendent affair, much larger than seems necessary 
 for so small a bird. He is our most expert architect and builder. 
 
 Dwarf Hermit Thrush About sparrow size. Upper parts olive 
 brown; top of head and rump browner than back; tail burnt amber; 
 under parts buffy; breast spotted brown; legs very slender. A very 
 tidy, graceful bird. Call, a peculiar low chuck. 
 
 Russet-backed Thrush Larger than English sparrow. Upper 
 parts rufous; cheeks and under parts buffy; breast marked with 
 brown, wedge-shaped spots. Call, a round, short whistle (pint). Also 
 sings a melodious thrush song, particularly as evening draws near. 
 
 Golden-crowned Sparrow Back brown, streaked with black; two 
 white bars on wings; under parts grayish white. Golden spot on a 
 rather dark head; breast tinged with brown. 
 
 California Horned Lark Back of head and neck cinnamon; back 
 streaked with brownish black; throat yellow, with black patch on 
 breast; two erect feathers on head give the appearance of horns. 
 Found in open fields. 
 
 Western Martin Nearly rob.in size. Upper parts shiny black; 
 under parts somewhat lighter. Builds nest in trunks of trees and 
 eaves of buildings. 
 
 Barn Swallow Larger than English sparrow. Upper parts blue- 
 black, forehead chestnut; chin and throat chestnut; abdomen whitish; 
 tail forked. Builds nest under eaves of buildings. 
 
 Cliff Swallow Smaller than barn swallow. Upper parts black; 
 back streaked with white; throat, forehead and rump brownish: ab- 
 domen light; tail not forked to any extent. Builds in cliffs. 
 
 Tree Swallow About size of English sparrow. Upper parts me- 
 tallic blue or green; under parts white; tail slightly forked. Builds 
 nests in holes of trees. 
 
 Bank Swallow Smaller than English sparrow. Under parts white, 
 grayish-brown band across breast; upper parts olive brown. 
 
 Anna Hummingbird Much smaller than English sparrow. Upper 
 parts glistening green; crown and throat shiny pink; feathers at side 
 of throat lengthened (male) ; below white and green. 
 
 Rufous Hummingbird Upper parts reddish-brown; upper back 
 sometimes greenish; tail brown with black band at base. 
 
 Black-chinned Hummingbird Upper parts greenish, chin and 
 upper throat black; tail forked, feathers pointed. 
 
 [16] 
 
California Chickadee Smaller than English sparrow. Upper parts 
 grayish, tinged with brown; head and throat black; abdomen white; 
 sides slightly tinged with brown. 
 
 Lutescent Warbler Smaller than English sparrow. Upper parts 
 olive green; underparts yellow; wings darker with indications of white. 
 
 Traill Flycatcher Smaller than English sparrow. Upper parts 
 light olive brown or dark gray; under parts grayish; indications of 
 white around eyes. 
 
 Western Gull Larger than crow. Head, neck, tail, and under 
 parts white; back gray; outer parts of wings black; bill long and en- 
 larged near end. Found about San Francisco bay. 
 
 Western Nighthawk Robin size. Upper parts brown, black, and 
 white spots; under parts with same color, but more uniformly ar- 
 ranged; tail slightly forked; bill very short, and broad at base. 
 
 Valley Partridge or Quail Robin size. Upper parts grayish brown; 
 under parts white and black, washed with brown; forehead and throat 
 black with white border. Plume falls forward toward bill. 
 
 Mountain Partridge or Quail Little larger than robin. All of 
 upper parts brownish-gray; throat chestnut with white band; breast 
 grayish; sides and abdomen washed with brown. Plume long and 
 slender, droops toward back. 
 
 Turkey Vulture or Turkey Buzzard Larger than crow. Black all 
 over except head and neck, which are red and unfeathered. 
 
 Great Blue Heron 
 [17] 
 
Great Blue Heron Much larger than crow. Generally blue; center 
 of crown white; crest, legs black, black markings on under parts; neck 
 and legs very loHg. In flight the neck is doubled. 
 
 Sandhill Crane Much larger than crow. -Body brownish-gray; 
 long legs and bill. 
 
 Barn Owl or Monkey-faced Owl Larger than robin. Upper parts 
 grayish-brown spotted; under parts white speckled with brown; large 
 white eye-rings nearly hiding bill; eyes black. 
 
 California Pigmy Owl Smaller than robin; upper parts grayish 
 brown, with rusty spots; top of h^ead spotted. 
 
 Snowy Owl Much larger than crow. Body white with some black 
 markings. 
 
 Killdeer Robin size. Rump and upper tail feathers rusty; other 
 upper parts grayish-brown; under parts white with two black bantis on 
 breast; white band around neek. x 
 
 Western Red-tail (Hawk) Colors vary, usually sooty-brown, and 
 rusty mixed. Tail red with- black bars. 
 
 Red-bellied Hawk Upper parts rusty brown; under parts white, 
 washed lightly with brown; breast unbroken brown; under tail whitish 
 marked with black bars. 
 
 18 
 
Color and Size Key 
 
 English Sparrow. Length, 6.3 inches,. 
 Robin. Length, 10 inches. 
 Crow. Length, 19.3 inches. 
 
 (R) size of robin; (Rx) larger than robin; (R-) smaller than robin; 
 (S) size of sparrow; (Sx) larger than sparrow; (S-) smaller than spar- 
 row; (C) size of crow; -(Cx) larger than crow; (C-) smaller than crow. 
 
 CLIMBERS AND WOODPECKERS. 
 
 Red-shafted Flicker (Rx) 
 
 California Woodpecker (R ) 
 
 Gairdner Woodpecker (R-) 
 
 Harris Woodpecker (R-) 
 
 Willow Woodpecker (R-) 
 
 Sierra Creeper (S-) 
 
 Red-breasted Sapsucker (R-) 
 
 Nuttall Woodpecker (R-) 
 
 Red-breasted Nuthatch ( S-) 
 
 Slender-billed Nuthatch (S ) 
 
 California Creeper (S-) 
 
 BIRDS WITH RED MARKINGS. 
 Not in I. 
 
 Louisiana Tanager ( Sx) 
 
 Northwestern Red-wing (R ) 
 
 Bi-colored Blackbird (R ) 
 
 House-Finch (S ) 
 
 BIRDS WITH BLUE MARKINGS. 
 
 California Jay (Rx) Western Blue Grosbeak 
 
 Steller Jay (Rx) Belted Kingfisher 
 
 Western Bluebird (R-) Great Blue Heron 
 
 Lazuli Bunting (S-) 
 
 (R-) 
 
 (Rx) 
 
 ....(Cx) 
 
 [19] 
 
BIRDS WITH YELLOW OR ORANGE MARKINGS. 
 
 Lutescent Warbler (S-) 
 
 Yellow Warbler (S-) 
 
 Calaveras Warbler ( S-) 
 
 -Western Yellowthroat ( S-) 
 
 Lawrence Goldfinch (S-) 
 
 Audubon Warbler (S-) 
 
 Willow Goldfinch (S-) 
 
 -Arkansas Goldfinch (S-) 
 
 Ruby-crowned Kinglet ( S-) 
 
 Western Golden-crowned King- 
 let (S-) 
 
 Bullock's Oriole (R-) 
 
 Western Evening Grosbeak (R-) 
 
 Arkansas Kingbird (R-) 
 
 Long-tailed Chat (R-) 
 
 Bohemian Waxwing (R-) 
 
 Cedar Waxwing (R-) 
 
 Western Meadowlark.... ....(R ) 
 
 BIRDS WITH REDDISH BROWN MARKINGS. 
 
 Western Robin (R ) California Towhee (R ) 
 
 Varied Thrush (R ) Oregon Towhee (R-) 
 
 Black-headed Grosbeak (R-) 
 
 BIRDS WITH BLACK OR BLACK AND WHITE MARKINGS. 
 
 American Crow (C ) 
 
 Yellow-billed Magpie (Rx) 
 
 Turkey Vulture (Cx) 
 
 Western Martin (R ) 
 
 Brewer Blackbird (R-) . 
 
 W T estern Black Phoebe (R-) 
 
 Red-winged Blackbird (R-) 
 
 Barn Swallow (R-) 
 
 Cliff Swallow (R-) 
 
 Tree Swallow (R-) 
 
 BIRDS WITH SLATY OR GRAY MARKINGS. 
 
 Cassin's Vireo (S-) 
 
 Chipping Sparrow (S-) 
 
 Button Vireo (S-) 
 
 San Diego Sparrow (S-) 
 
 Plain Titmouse ,... (S-) 
 
 Traill Flycatcher (S-) 
 
 Western Gnatcatcher ( S-) 
 
 California Chickadee ( S-) 
 
 California Shrike (R-) 
 
 Thick-billed Sparrow (R-) 
 
 English Sparrow (S ) 
 
 White-crowned Sparrow (S ) 
 
 Oregon Junco (S ) 
 
 Western Lark Sparrow (S ) 
 
 Pipit (S) 
 
 Heerman Song Sparrow (S ) 
 
 Sandhill Crane (Cx) 
 
 Mourning Dove (Rx) 
 
 Western Gull (C ) 
 
 Snowy Owl (Cx) 
 
 Ash-throated Flycatcher (R) 
 
 BIRDS MARKED CHIEFLY BROWN AND STREAKED 
 
 Parkman Wren (S-) 
 
 Tule Wren (S-) 
 
 Northwestern Vigor's Wren....(S-T 
 
 Western House Wren (S-) 
 
 Water Ouzel (S-) 
 
 Bank Swallow (S-) 
 
 Coast Wren-Tit (S-) 
 
 Dwarf Hermit Thrush (S ) 
 
 Russet-backed Thrush (Sx) 
 
 Golden-crowned Sparrow ( Sx) 
 
 California Horned Lark (Sx) 
 
 California Pigmy Owl (Sx) 
 
 Nighthawk (R ) 
 
 Valley Partridge or Quail ,.(R) 
 
 Mountain Patridge (R ) 
 
 Killdeer (R ) 
 
 Western Red-tail (Rx) 
 
 Red-bellied Hawk (Rx) 
 
 Barn Owl (Rx) 
 
 Cal. Thrasher (Rx) 
 
 HUMMINGBIRDS. 
 
 Anna Hummingbird (S-) Rufous Hummingbird (S-) 
 
 Black-chinned Hummingbird.. ( S-) 
 
 [20] 
 
NOTES 
 
 (To be used with bird study outline) 
 
 Size. Compare with English sparrow, robin and crow. 
 
 Description. Follow points as indicated on the cut, giving colors of crown, 
 . nape, back, rump, etc., indicating differences between male and female. 
 
 Movements. Hop, run, bob head or tail or both, sit quietly or flit about con- 
 tinuously, nervous or deliberate. 
 
 Song. Harsh, sweet, notes long drawn out or in series, variety of notes, 
 one or more calls, call in flight or at rest or both, what does the bird 
 seems to say in our words. 
 
 Flight. Direct, zigzagging, diving, sailing, undulating, or combinations of 
 these. 
 
 Habitat. Trees (high up or low do.wn), shrubs, ground, buildings, water. 
 Localities Frequented. Meadows, forests, orchards, homes, foothills. 
 Food. Insects, grain, fruit, seeds, vegetables. (Determine economic value.) 
 
 Points Peculiar to This Bird. Bill short and stubby, seed eater; or long and 
 slender, broad at base, insect eater; or long and very slender, nectar 
 gatherer; or stout and hooked, flesh tearers; or long and chisel-shaped, 
 woodpecker. Feet, wide toes, webbed toes, arrangement, toes for 
 climbing, scratching, perching, or grasping. 
 
 Tail. Feathers stiff and pointed, forked or rounded. 
 
 Remarks.- Points not covered by the outline: Striking characteristics 
 in color, habits, food, etc. Birds seen in flocks, pairs, or single; nest 
 building"; raising of young; food of nestlings, etc. 
 
 [21J 
 
Bird Study Outline 
 
 Date 
 
 Description: Forehead 
 
 Nape Back- 
 Tail . Bill- 
 
 -Size- 
 
 ,rown- 
 
 Rump 
 Chin 
 
 Throat 
 Breast- 
 
 Lores 
 
 Ahdomen 
 
 Movements 
 Song 
 
 Flight 
 
 Habitat 
 
 Localities Frequented- 
 Food 
 
 Points Peculiar to this Bird 
 
 [22] 
 
This supplement for field study is a separate book containing pages as illus- 
 trated here. There is room for the careful study of twenty birds in outline 
 and in drawing. Price 10 cents. 
 
 Name of Bird 
 
 NOTE. A crayon drawing or a painting should be made of the bird being studied and pasted 
 lightly to this page. The outline may be traced, but the markings should be taken from the 
 bird in the field. 
 
 [23] 
 
INDEX 
 
 Page 
 
 American Crow 12 
 
 Anna Hummingbird 1<> 
 
 Arkansas Goldfinch 10 
 
 Arkansas Kingbird 11 
 
 Ash-throated Flycatcher 13 
 
 Pank Swallow 16 
 
 Barn Owl 18 
 
 Barn Swallow 16 
 
 Belted Kingfisher 9 
 
 Bi-colored Blackbird 8 
 
 Black-chinned Hummingbird 16 
 
 Black-headed Grosbeak 12 
 
 Bohemian Waxwing 11 
 
 Brewer Blackbird '. 12 
 
 Bullocks Oriole 11 
 
 Calaveras Warbler 10 
 
 California Bush-tit 16 
 
 California Chickadee 17 
 
 California Creeper 8 
 
 California Horned Lark 16 
 
 California Jay 9 
 
 California Pigmy Owl 18 
 
 California Thrasher. 14 
 
 California Towhee 12 
 
 California Woodpecker 7 
 
 Cassin Vireo 13 
 
 Cedar Waxwing 11 
 
 Coast Wren-tit 14 
 
 Dwarf Hermit Thrush 16 
 
 English Sparrow 15 
 
 Gairdner Woodpecker 8 
 
 Golden-crowned Sparrow 16 
 
 Great Blue Heron 18 
 
 Harris Woodpecker 8 
 
 Heerman Song Sparrow 15 
 
 Housefinch or Linnet 9 
 
 Mutton Vireo 13 
 
 Killdeer 18 
 
 Lawrence Goldfinch 10 
 
 Lazuli Bunting 9 
 
 Long-tailed Chat 11 
 
 Louisiana Tanager 8 
 
 Lutescent Warbler... 17 
 
 Mountain Partridge 17 
 
 Mourning. Dove 13 
 
 Nighthawk 17 
 
 Northwestern Vigor's Wren 14 
 
 Northwestern Red-wing or Red- 
 winged Blackbird 8 
 
 Notes, to be used with Supple- 
 mentary Outline 21 
 
 Nuttall Woodpecker ... S 
 
 Page 
 
 Oregon Junco 13 
 
 Oregon Towhee 13 
 
 Parkman Wren 14 
 
 Pipit 14 
 
 Plain Titmouse 13 
 
 Quail 17 
 
 Red-bellied Hawk 18 
 
 Red-breasted Nuthatch.... 8 
 
 Red-breasted Sapsucker 8 
 
 Red-shafted Flicker.... 7 
 
 Red-winged Blackbird or North- 
 western Red-wing 8 
 
 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 10 
 
 Rufous Hummingbird '. 16 
 
 Russet-backed Thrush 16 
 
 San Diego Sparrow.. 15 
 
 Sandhill Crane 18 
 
 Sierra Creeper 8 
 
 Slender-billed Nuthatch 8 
 
 Snowy Owl 18 
 
 Steller's Jay 9 
 
 Sunplementary Pages, Bird Out- 
 line :..22- 23 
 
 Thick-billed Soarrow 15 
 
 Traill Flycatcher 17 
 
 Tree Swallow 16 
 
 Tule Wren 14 
 
 Turkey Vulture 17 
 
 Valley Partridge or Quail 17 
 
 Varied Thrush 14 
 
 Water Ouzel 12 
 
 Western Black Phoebe 12 
 
 Western Blue Grosbeak 12 
 
 Western Bluebird 9 
 
 Western Chipping Snarrow 15 
 
 Western Evening Grosbeak 11 
 
 Western Gnatcatcher 14 
 
 Western Golden-crowned Kinglet 10 
 
 Western Gull 17 
 
 Western House Wren 15 
 
 Western Lark Sparrow 15 
 
 Western Martin 16 
 
 Western Meadowlark 10 
 
 Western Red-tail 18 
 
 Western Robin 15 
 
 Western Tree Sparrow 16 
 
 Western Yellow-throat 10 
 
 \Yhite-crowned Sparrow 11 
 
 Willow Goldfinch 18 
 
 Willow Woodpecker 8 
 
 Yellow-billed Magpie 12 
 
 Yellow Warbler.... 9 
 

 THIS 
 
 DATE 
 
 AN INITIAL FINE OF 25 CENTS 
 
 WILL BE ASSESSED FOR FAILURE TO RETURN 
 S B^OK ON THE DATE DUE. THE PENALTY 
 
 w,LL INCREASE TO so CENTS ON THE FOURTH 
 
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