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Violet -green swallow. The violet -green swallow was thu eecand =1St abthk nt <br />s;t:cies observed (average abundance of 6.0 individuals/km). This species <br />wes also observed in all five vegetation types and was the second irost aLw�- <br />dant species observed in the alfalfa field, grassland,pasture, juniper and sage - <br />brush types. However, in all instances, this species was observed as a "flyover ", <br />!oraci_ng on the flying insects above each vegetation type. Since the study <br />area is small and the passerine transects were placed within h mile of <br />each other, the same individuals were probably observed over each vegetation <br />type. Thus, the relative abundance indices for the violet -green swallow may <br />be inflated. The violet -green swallow exhibited a definite affinity for the <br />alfalfa field. <br />Common crow. The common crow was the third most abundant species observed. <br />Although the common crow was not found in high numbers in any habitat type <br />(1.6 individuals /km over all transects), it did have a wide distribution <br />among habitats in the study area. It was found in all vegetation types but <br />as a result of the low number of observations, an affinity for any one habi- <br />tat was not apparent. C ous,like red - winged blackbirds, tend to occur in <br />flocks. <br />Western meadowlark. The western meadowlark is a year -round resident of the <br />study area and was the fourth most abundant species observed during the breed- <br />ing bird surveys, averaging 1.5 individuals/km over all types. This species <br />was observed in the alfalfa field, grassland, pasture, and juniper habitats <br />and exhibited an affinity for the juniper type. <br />Winter Passerine Habitat. A total of six avian species were observed during <br />the winter passerine surveys in the Nucla study area. The four passerine <br />species in decreasing order of relative abundance were: white- crowned <br />saarrow, Oregon junco, western meadowlark and raven. Non- passerine species <br />observed during the winter transects were the marsh hawk and ring- necked <br />pheasant. <br />R.?arian. Mere passerine species were observed in the riparian type than <br />any other type surveyed during the winter passerine surveys (4). Accordingly, <br />this type had the highest species diversity index of any type surveyed (0.91). <br />This habitat also supported the highest avian population (90.7 individuals/ <br />-34- <br />3u %t1°sea. <br />