The Summer Birds of Washoe Lake, Nevada

Abstract

ASHOE Lake, Washoe Co., Nevada, is a typical Nevadan lake, with an area of eighteen square miles and an altitude of 5,045 feet ab:ve sea level. Its shores are barren of anything approaching trees, except for a few clumps of willows here and there. Extending along the eastern shore lie a chain of sand dunes rising to a height of thirty feet, and cut through in many places by numerous 'wash-outs.' Here in the cliffs the bank swallows make their homes, and I have found many relics and arrowheads of the Washoe tribe of Indians who once made these small, wind-sheltered gullies their home. About half a mile back of these sand hills is the Washoe range of mountains, covered only with sage brush, the first of the desert ranges. Passing around to the west side of the lake we find a country entirely different; here lies the fertile Washoe valley and two miles distant rise the Sierra Nevada, its pine forests and snow-capped peaks making a strong contrast to the desert country to the east. The tule fields are at the north and extend four miles, ending in Little Washoe Lake. The following short notes were taken during the months of May and June of the last two years. 1Echmophorus occidentalis. Western Grebe. About ten noted in May, 19oo. I have tried shooting at them with a rifle but always with the result ot seeing them disappear under the water at the flash of the gun. Colymbus nigricollis californicus. American Eared Grebe. A set of nine eggs collected in June constitutes the first record of this grebe breeding at the lake. Larus californicus. California Gull. One seen on shore with white pelicans. Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis. Black Tern. Not uncommon. Several pairs noted flying over tules where they probably breed. Pelecanus erythrorhynchos. American White Pelican. About 50 pelicans were observed at the lake last year and the number had increased to 1oo this year. Three eggs were found a foot under water in June, but no nests have been found for a number of years. Anas boschas. Mallard. Breeds abundantly at the lake in May. Chaulelasmus strepera. Galwall. Not common. Only a few pairs noted this year. Nettion carolinensis. Green-winged Teal. Querquedula discors. Blue-winged Teal. Querquedula cyanoptera. Cinnamon Teal. All three of the above ducks were common breeders at the lake. Dafila acuta. Pintail. Mr. J. Steinmetz tells me that the pintail has been observed at the lake several times. Histrionicus histrionicus. Harlequin Duck. A male was taken at Frankstown near the lake and identified by Mr. Steinmetz. Erismatura jamaicensis. Ruddy Duck. Noted quite a number of tines in open lanes of water in tule fields, but appeared quite shy. Branta canadensis. Canada Goose. A number of nests of this goose have been found at the lake in past years. In May 1900oo a nest was discovered near the shore, containing the shells of eggs and was supposed to belong to this species. Branta nigricans. Black Brant. Accidental. Early in May a pair \was observed near shore of lake.