Transcribing the field notes of the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology

Collector: Grinnell - 1925 Location: Mineral, 4800 ft. Date: July 7 Page Number: 2524

6289 Snow-shoe rabbit [male symbol] ju. 132.5 g. 180x18x55x49.

This afternoon about 2:30, Mrs. G and I were crossing an open part of the willow bog near camp, when we were startled by a diminutive stream; and in the grass at our feet was a squirming injured little rabbit, as above. I was in front a step or two and missed it; but Mrs. G. put her foot right on it, wholly by accident, of course The animal was in a little, parted opening in the grass ^^{which was} here about 6 inches tall and rather dense; alone, as we looked all about for companions. Clumps of willow and white alder were within 25 feet of the spot; and a little farther, on either hand (?), were lodgepole pines and aspens fringing the deeper woods beyond. But the rabbit was evidently crouching out in the open meadow, even though the brilliant sunshine was beating down - rather than seeking safety under^and shade and^under seemingly better cover. It may be assumed that others of the litter were similarly located, apart from one another - the whole arrangement being the one of greatest measure of safety. This place is about 150 yards from where Dixon and I each, on separate occasions, saw a Snow-shoe about three weeks ago.

July 8 Last night and this morning we have been watching a pair of Hammond Flycatchers in the strips of lodge pole pines margining the willow bog near camp. Just shot one, which verifies the species to which these

Collector: Grinnell - 1925 Location: Mineral, 4800 ft. Date: July 8 Page Number: 2525

observation apply. We have often ^^before head or seen one or both old birds here within a 100 yards radius. For the most part they stay up in the trees above the 25-foot level, but occasionally they forage. For example, last evening I watched one fly-catching down about the bases of pines and firs, and within the rank ground vegetation, often stooping to the very ground to snap up an insect, with a little bill-click. This bird all the while uttered the faint soft "pit" of the species. this morning I located the pair by hearing the rather sharp "see-put" or "see-pert" of the male, and then the "pit" of the female. Soon I located the objects of their interest, four young out of the nest, tails not yet full length, perching near together among the branches toward the center of a lodgepole about 25 feet up. The old [female symbol] I shot, unintentionally, instead of a young one. The latter, now one and then the other, fly out after him, there is a melee, and evidently it is fed. The "pit" note has not been given since I shot the [female symbol], only the "see-pert." Just shot one of the young Hammond Flycatchers out of a lodgepole, fully 40 feet up; the others are similarly aloft. I can heard a faint food-call from them - "chlip."

One or more Crossbills just flew over, saying "chup - chup - chup" - sharp notes in 3's, somewhat after the manner of a Willow Goldfinch.

Repaired to the place where the Calliope

Collector: Grinnell - 1925 Location: Mineral, 4800 ft Date: July 8 Page Number: 2526

Hummingbird's nest was found July 2 (p. 2513). With glasses saw the bird siting; then I climbed. Set 1/2 and nest taken. Female shot after I came down, as she buzzed about the vacant site. She had left the nest, when I had gotten within 4 feet below her.

Sierra Junco's nest with five eggs taken: ^^{[incubation advanced]} completely sheltered from above under awning found by broken-off end of 8 inch log overgrown by tall grass and herbage. Nest, taken, well above ^^{(45 mm. to rim)} level of surrounding sod; in fact, nothing on ground, not in hollow, as is often the case: [illustration of nest and log] Grass grows up all about it: [illustration of nest and log continued]. Bird flushed only when I happened to put my foot down scarcely ten inches from her. In meadow, in partial shadow of numbers of smallish lodgepole pines in a tract.

Mountain Chickadee's nest with 5 half-grown young; in ^^small burnt stub standing in edge of meadow; cavity apparently natural, rotted out, inside a vertical split, 25 mm., at widest; lower edge at bottom of split, 1580 mm. (only) above ground; nest-cavity inside about 175 mm. lower. Looking down in through the entrance crevice, one could see in the darkness only the five yellow bill-edges (corners of the mouth chiefly), shining forth.

Wood Pewee's nest, saddled in forking of live lodgepole pine limb about 30 feet above the ground; limb extending south, out over meadow. Adults seen

Collector: Grinnell - 1925 Location: Mineral, 4800 ft. Date: July 8 Page Number: 2527

Taking food to young in this nest.

6290 Hammond Flycatcher (?) ju. 10.4g. 6291 [Hammond] [Flycatcher] [female symbol] ad. 9.5g. Mother of above. 6292 Calliope Hummer [female symbol] ad. 2.3g. with set 1/2.

July 9 Returned to Berkeley last night.