A List of the Birds of Tacoma, Washington, and Vicinity

Abstract

THE city of Tacoma is situated upon Puget Sound at the southern extremity of Admiralty Inlet. The land bordering upon the city is somewhat varied in its physical construction, which must account for the local restriction of several species. It may perhaps be best described as an extensive prairie, in many parts densely wooded, and split open at intervals by deep, heavily wooded gulches. At the bottom of these gulches run small fresh water brooks, bordered by a dense growth of nettles and viciously spined devils-club. The maximum altitude is only 410 feet, and there is no appreciable rise in elevation for fifty or more miles on any side until the foothills of the Cascade Mountains are reached. The section to be treated is bounded on the east by Admiralty Inlet and the Puyallup River, a glacial stream running through a rich valley, on the north and west by Puget Sound, and on the south by numerous small lakes, streams and marshes of fresh water. Extensive tide-flats, with their surrounding marshes, form attractive feeding grounds for the Limicolae. The timber consists largely of the Douglas fir, which grows to a height of 250 feet and more, and is found everywhere. Cedar and spruce are also well represented. In the vicinity of water are to be found the cottonwood, maple, alder, and other deciduous trees and shrubs, while numerous parts of the dryest prairie are plentifully dotted with oak. The temperature is moderate throughout the year, seldom reaching much below the freezing point in winter, and averaging about 65? during the summer. This will probably account for many of the winter residents, as well as for some of the mountain-loving summer residents. The following list is the result of personal observations of the author during a period of nine years. Several most interesting species, such as the California Clapper Rail (Rallus obsoletus), have been shot and accurately described by friends, but have been