Volume VII No. 1 - July, 1934

On Wizard Island are found the birds of the mainland with a few exceptions. In general, the forest-inhabiting species are found there as on the Rim, while those which feed in the meadows are scarce or absent. As one walks through the trees on the trail to the crater, Purple Finches are conspicuous, and their incomparable song livens the woods. The Golden-crowned Kinglet attracts the curious with a song which sounds like tiny bells high in the tree tops. These greenish midgets are not easily seen, for they spend their hours well up among the boughs, gleaning tiny insects from the needles. Occasionally they may be seen hovering up to the tip of a branch after the manner of a hummingbird. Keeping them company are the Audubon Warblers, whose merry "tsip" rings out as they fly through the forest - their yellow spots resembling patches of sunlight. If you are fortunate, you may see a family of them tramping through the woods. The juveniles noisily follow the adults who fill them with insect food. Red-Breasted Nuthatches climb up and down the trunk, vacuum-cleaning the crevices. Their nasal call may be heard at all times. With unexcelled industry, these fellows groom a large tree in very few minutes. Often associated with the Nuthatches are the Chickadees, with their cheery song - "chick-a-dee-dee."

Although flycatchers abound, one seldom sees them. The clear call of the Olive-Sides, "What-peeves-you?", follows one all the way up the cinder cone trail. Though it is not so noticeable, the "pee-ist" of the Western Flycatcher will be noted by the trained observer. The ease with which these birds catch insects in mid-air has led them to devote their whole time to the business, and their name is well earned. The Mountain Bluebird has followed their example and several may be seen at the top of the cone darting out from some vantage point at a helpless insect. Frequently heard in the deeper woods is the Hermit Thrush. Though a simple song of but three or four flute-like notes, the richness and the indescribable beauty of the sound make it a song unexcelled. Patient search will reveal that speckled-breasted virtuoso on a log or in some low tree.

Because of the dearth of meadows or grassy spots of any kind, Juncos and Robins are rare, although a few pair of each species breed on the island and in the afternoon their songs are sometimes heard. Chipping Sparrows, also ground-feeders, are absent or rare. The lack of soil, however, rather favors the Rufous Hummingbird, for its favorite flower, the Rock Mimulus, thrives in the loose lava slides. Often this nectar-feeding bird is the first bird seen on the island trip.

The bare rocky shores do not attract many waders - the only one which is at all common is the Spotted Sandpiper. The whistling "peetweet" of this bird may be heard up and down the shoreline, and towards, Skell Channel the species is quite abundant. As a person walks along the waters edge, these birds will often fly out over the water to land behind him, realizing better than their relatives the futility of running ahead of a man in an exploratory mood. Of the larger birds, Red-Tailed Hawks, Bald-Eagles, and Ravens have been seen, while a few ducks frequent the bays and inlets.