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violet -green swallixw. -The violet-green swallow was the second most abuik ane <br />species observed (average abundance of 6.0 individuals/km) . This species <br />was also observed in all five vegetation types and was tie second must abun- <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 />foraging on the eying 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 co m n 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. Crows, 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 />sparrow, 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 tarian. 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 />3 04 I , 498;1. <br />