Clarke Nutcracker on the Colorado Desert
Clarke Nutcracker on the Colorado Desert
On October 17 and 18, 1919, I was hunting at Marchal's Ranch, which is ten miles west of Indio and about fifteen miles east of Palm Springs, Riverside County, California. It seemed strange to find Clarke Crows (Nucifraga columbiana) there. The birds were very tame and walked about almost in the camp. They seemed to be feeding on dates. I saw the crows flapping about the fruit clusters, and saw them flying overhead with what I took to be dates in their bills. There were probably a dozen birds about the ranch. A former student of mine, who is now teaching in the Coachella Union High School, told me of seeing the birds around the school buildings. The High School is probably twelve miles east of Marchal’s. Indio is 22 feet below sea level, according to the figures on the sign at the Southern Pacific depot there.
C. O. Esterly
Occidental College, Los Angeles, California, October 28, 1919
