Pacific Coast Avifauna 07

COOPER

ORNITHOLOGICAL

PACIFIC

COAST

AVIFAUNA

NUMBER

7

BIRDS OF THE PACIFIC
SOUTHERN

CLUB

SLOPE OF

CALIFORNIA

BY

GEORGE

HOLLY

WOOD,

WILLETT

CALIFORNIA

PUBLISHEDBY THE CLUB
July 25, 1912


Edited by
JOSEPH

GRINNELL
and

HARRY

S.

SWARTH

at the

Museum

of Ve’ertehzte

Zoo logy

Ur2i71ersity of Cal~fomzia

NOTE
PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA NO. 7 is the seventh of a series of publications
issued by the Cooper Ornithological Club for the accommodation of papers whose
length prohibits their appearance in THE CONDOR.
The publications of the Club consist of two series: THE CONDOR, which is
the bi-monthly, official organ, and the PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA.
Both publications are sent as issued, free to honorary members and to active members in
good standing.
For information as to either of the above series, address the
Club Business Managers, either J. Eugene I,aw, Hollywood, California, or W.
Lee Chambers, Eagle Rock, California.
The printing of PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA NO. 7 has been made possible
through prompt and liberal donations from many members of the Southern
Division of the Club.


CONTENTS
PAGES
5-6
7

.._

Introduction
Acknowledgments
Main

List

Hypothetical
Index

__
I,ist

.._....

9-110
110-l 13
115122


INTRODCCTION
In February,
Ornithological

i910,

Club,

at the request of the Southern

1 began the compilation

It was finally

published in 1898 by the Pasadena Xcatlemy

decided, however,

to extend

the boundaries

Santa Barbara

County.

to the Mexican

of the mountains to the ocean, also including
group.

This

counties,

Los

ains, Sierra

territory

comprises

Angeles

County

I’elona

and west from

and Sierra

the Sierra

County,

Riverside

County

west from

County

all

of the territory

the Volcan

San

and Cuyamaca

San Nicolas,

By vote of the Southern

and

ranges;

Divisibn

Mount-

county

ranges,
Kange,

\‘entura

Liebre

soutl1

all of Orange
and San Diego

also the eight islands of

and San Clemente.

In some cases

to records outside the limits

above in order to show certain connecting

from,

Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz. Anacapa,

Santa Catalina

I have deemed it advisable to refer

the

L%ernardino

the San Jacinto

the Santa Barbara group, namely San Miguel,
Santa Earbara,

Barbara

west from

and San L~ernartlino

west from

cov-

California

line, and from the summit

Santa

and

San Gabriel,

Rladre

of

of Sciences.

all the islands of the Santa Earbara
of

south

herewith.

Birds of the Pacific Slope

ered by that list so as to take in the Pacific slope of southern
and including,

of the Cooper

of the paper presented

The first idea of the Club was to revise Grinncll’s

LOSA~zg~clcs Cou~~ty,

Division

features in distribution

as described
or migraticn.

of the Club, it was recommended

that

T

adhere closely to the nomenclature

employed in the latest edition of the Aqmerican

Ornithologists’

of North

1:nion

Check-List

Avzericn~t Birds,

In some instances I have been led to differ
as given in the Check-List.

Committee,

species and subspecies.

In such

published

in 1910.

from the tlecisions of the .A. 0.

in regard

to the tlistrihution

cases T have given

U.

of certain

reasons for my cantrary

opinion.
I have endeavored
rence recorded

without

to treat

conservatively

that have appeared to me to be most unlikely,
identification,
locality,
apparently

I

although

have

omitted

appearing

authentic

all instances of unusual

absolnte evidence of their
entirely,
doubtful.

and

authenticity.

ant1 probably
others

is supported

whose
by

the result of misoccurrence

a certain

evidence. I have assigned to the hypothetical

In the case of the rarest breedin g birds,
at least several, breeding

records.

occur-

Some of these

1 have attempted

in

this

amount

of

list.
to give all, or

In case of species tli:lt breed commonly,

I

have given the earliest and latest nesting dates that have come to my attention.
The dates given for migration

and nesting are, T believe, practically

correct.


6

PACIFIC

COAST

AVI‘FAUNA

No.

7

However, there will be found exceptional instances, particularly as to times
of migration, which will not come within the dates as given here. This, of
course, is to he expected, as it is a well-known fact that individuals or small
behind the main migracompanies of many species either precede or stra,,4e
tory body.
Especially is this true in the case of many of the water-birds, which are
frequently noted along our coast at times when, according to the general dates
as given here for their migrations, they should be engaged in incubating their
eggs or raising their young in a more northern latitude.‘ Some of these stragglers may have dropped behind the main body of their species as the result
of wounds or disease which render them incapable of making the long northward journey to their breeding grounds. In some instances where the species
does not mature the first year, many of the immature birds may remain wit11
us, while the mature birds of their species go north to perform their reproductive
duties. This is particularly noticeable in the case of the scoters.
In some other species, ordinarily migratory, there seem to be a consi:lerab!c
number of individuals that are non-breeders. These non-breeding birds are
frequently noted with us during the summer months. Especially is this true
with the turnstones, tattlers and many other waders. There is also a consitlerable variation from year to year in the dates of the migrations of many specie?,
probably due principally to the condition of the weather and the food supply.
Some species, also, maintain different routes of migration in spring ant; frill.
They may be abundant in a certain locality during the fall migration and Far-c
in the spring, or vice-versa.
Taking all these facts into consideration, it is easily seen that migration

dates, while they may be substantially correct, are bound to be far from infallible.
and exceptional instances, instead of being regarded as surprising, are to be
expected.
The number in parenthesis at the right of the running number in the list is
that given the species in the A. 0. U. Check-List.
I have aspired to make this list as complete and as correct as possible;
and with this end in view I have gone over all obtainable literature on the
birds of this region and have culled thoroughly my own notes and those of
many other students of the birds of the region. For all errors of commission
or omission I ask the indulgence of the reader, and freely invite correction or
criticism, realizing that absolute freedom from error in a list of this kind is
an impossibility.


ACKXOWLEDGMENTS
I am under great obligations to Joseph Grinnell, G. ITrean Morcom, Robert
Ridgway and Harry S. Swarth, who have at all times been ready with advice
on perplexing questions, many of which I would have been entirely unahlc
to solve without their help.
I am deeply indebted to W. Lee Chambers and Harry J. Lelande for the
unrestricted use of their fine libraries, to the Los Angeles Public Library and
to the Library of the cniversity of California for the loan of books, and to
William and George Cline of Los Angeles for the privilege of examining their
fine collection of mounted birds.
To the following members of the Cooper Club my thanks are due for the
use of specimens and notes: J. S. :4ppleton, Louis 1:. Bishop. J. Hooper Bowles.
William Brewster, Homer C. Burt, W. Lee Chambers, Wells W. Cooke, Frank
S. Daggett, Evan Davis, W. Leon Dawson, Edwin W. Gifford, M. French Gilman, Joseph Grinnell, Alfred B. IIowell, Ozra W. Howard, :4lbert M. Ingersoll,
Alphonse Jay, Xntonin Jay, W. I-:. Judson, J. Eugene Law, Harry J. Lelande,
Clarence B. Linton, Leverett 31. Loomis, Loye II. Miller, Harry C. Oberholser.

Virgil W. Owen, Richard M. Perez, LawrencePeyton, Sidney I’eyton, Wright
M. Pierce, Roth Reynolds, Howard Robertson, Frank Stephens, Kate Stephens.
Harry S. Swarth, John E. Thayer, Adriaan van Rossem, Harry E. Wilder and
Howard W. Wright.
GEORGE
WILLETT.
Los Alzgeles, California,
February

I, 1912.


9

BIRDS

OF THE

PACIFIC

&chmophorus

1. (1)

C0111mon winter

SLOPE

occidentalis

part of April,

A single \hrestern
Santa

Barbara

August,

on

Grebc

(2)

Arrives

WESTERN

GRETSE.

about September

by Bradford
during

the summer.

on the

months

(Reinhardt).

of

ocean near

June,

July

and

Ho~,~oEI~I, GREIIE.

Observed at Santa Barbara
and C. B. Nordhoff

bird at Elsinore

during

Torrey

the

Occa-

and leaves generally

1910, 204).

Colymbus holboelli

R. R. Rep. X, 1859, 76),
XIX,

noted

occasions

XII,

Rare winter visitant.
immature

(Lawrence).

but may be seen occasionally

was

several

1910 (Condor

3
-.

CALIFORNIA

visitant to the ocean and salt lagoons along the coast.

sional on bodies. of water inland.
by the latter

OF SOUTHERN

Lake,

Riverside

by A. L. Heermann

records finding
County,

in

(Pac.

the remains of an

February,

1902

(Auk.

1902, 212).
3.

(3)

Colymbus

Probably
inland

a fairly

auritus
common

bodies of water.

1885 (Orn.
Angeles

& 001.

County,

C. I’.

Linnaeus.
winter
Streator

_\dult

female

at Alamitos,

Los

female

at San Diego

Heller

took

Angeles

Bay,

a specimen

took a specimen at Santa

female,

uary 3, 1912; and adult male, January

County,
4.

Riverside

in
Los

10. 1911 ; adult male, Jan-

C. B. Linton

January
1906

on

Barbara

specimens at Hyperion,

March

8, 1912.

November

near

GREISIL

on the ocean, less plentiful

I have taken

1886, 90).

XI,

as follows :

HORNED

visitant

14,

(Condor

in the winter

took an immature
1907, and an adult
1907,

IX,

of

1893

E.

110).

(Condor

III,

1901, 100).
4.

(4)

Colymbus

nigricollis

californicus

(Heermann).

EARED

GREBE.

Common breeding bird on some of the lakes of higher altitudes, less common
In winter may
on ponds in the lower country, south to San Diego County.
be found plentifully

on ponds of the lower country, on the salt lagoons along the

coast, and on the ocean.
and abundantly

Breeds at Elizabeth

at Bear Lake

Lake, northern

in the San Bernardino

Los Angeles County,
At the latter

Mountains.

place I took fresh sets of eggs on June 22, 1907, at which date most of the nests
contained incomplete
According
every

year

County,

sets.

to Alphonse

at Railroad

and Antonin

Jay, a few pairs of these birds nest

Lake,

a short distance

a small lagoon near Wilmington,
Los Angeles
H. J. Lelande found a colony of
from the ocean.

about fifteen pairs nesting at Nigger

Slough, Los Angeles County,

July 8, 1911.

All of the nests contained eggs at this date.
A colony of more than a hundred
W.

B. Judson

at San Jacinto

Lake,

birds was found by A. M.
Riverside

they examined upwards of forty nests containing
of the Eared
Valley,
5.

Grebe, containing

seven partly

County,
eggs.

in 1897.

(6)

Podilymbus
breeding

podiceps

(Linnaeus).

species on fresh

and

On June 8.

C. S. Sharp found a nest

incubated eggs, in the San Pasqual

near Escondidoj San Diego County, April 22, 1906 (Condor

Common

Ingersoll

water

PIED-I:ILI.~

IX,

1907, 85).

GREMX.

ponds and lakes of the lower


PACIFIC

IO

country.

COAST

In winter occurs along the coasts as well as on inland bodies of water.

Breeds mostly
Antonin
Slough,

in May.
eggs, advanced

Jay took a set of eight

Los Angeles

commenced,

County,

May

in the same locality,

breeding plentifully

17, 1903,

has taken

from May

at San Jacinto Lake, Riverside

6.

fresh eggs in the vicinity

3 to June 24 (Condor

(7)

Gavia

Fairly

immer

I found

the latter part of April

County, May 27 and 28, 1911.

XIII,

(Condor

1911, 157).

of Escondido,

San Diego

COMMON LOON.

plumage

Occasional

in summer.

taken at Bolsa Chica, Orange

10, 1907, and an adult male in almost full breeding
Los Angeles

County,

this species in immature
Angeles County,

as late as May

7.

(10)

8.

pacifica
visitant

Islands.

(11)

Regular

Gavia
winter

abundant

No-

taken

at

I also saw two birds of

(Lawrence).

Arrives

stellata

(Beck,

in San Diego

W.B.N.A.

Beach, Los

(Pontoppitlan).

visitant along the coast.

LOON.

Particularly

in September

Bay, some re-

II, 1884, 447).

Pi\cl~lc

on the ocean.

the preceding species, but the majority
the spring

in winter

(B., Br. & Ridg.,

winter

Santa Barbara

4, the same year.

County,

plumage

plumage fishing near the pier at Manhattan

Gavia

Common

May

I have

July 6, 1911, and noted one bird at Balsa Chica, July 24, 1911.

J. G. Cooper found the Loon
maining

C. S.
County,

visitant

and firr;t part of May.

an adult female in winter
Alamitos,

incubation
the species

alon,m the coast south to Lower California;
lakes and ponds.
Arrives in October and leaves during

sometimes on inland

vember

at Nigger

seven,

IX, 1907, 86).

(Brtinnich).

common winter

in incubation,

and a set of

June 7, the same year.

At this date most of the eggs were hatched
Sharp

No. 7

4VIFA179h

abundant

and remains

until

around

the

late in May.

RED-TRRO.\TED LOON.
rlrrives

at about the same time as

appear to depart about a month earlier in

Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci., ser. 4, vol. III,

1910, 58).

I have taken
A.

several specimens of this loon along the Los Angeles County coast in winter.
1;. Heermann

obtained one example at San Diego

(Pac. R. R. Rep. x, 1859, 76).

and J. G. Cooper secured a male at Santa Barbara,
Riclg., W.B.N.A.
9.

(12)

II,

Lunda

Common

resident

cirrhata

H.

W.

Henshaw

and H.
June,

C. Burt
1910.

(Condor
Island

I

XII,

in May,

(Pallas).

on Anacapa,

probably also on Santa Rosa.

Santa

(15)

Cruz

and

San Miguel

Less common on Santa Barbara
on Santa Cruz

took fresh eggs on San Miguel
found

Br.

Kr

them

1910, 172).

breeding

commonly

C. B. Linton

Island,
there

Island

monocerata

saw a Tufted

also on Anacapa,

Puffin

on San Nicolas

June 23, 1911.

Tsland by various

(Pallas).

in the sum-

J. S. Appleton

June 6, 1906, and in
and

1910, and I saw one in the same locality,

Cerorhinca

islands and

and San Nicolas.

Rep. Ch. En. U. S. G. S., App. JJ, 1876, 278).

species has been noted on Santa Barbara
10.

27, 1863 (B.,

TUFTED PUFFIN.

noted this species nesting

mer of 1875 (Ann.

i-\pril

1884, 458).

The

observers.

RHINOCEROS AUKLET.

Arrives
Common winter visitant along the coast, south to Lower California.
I have taken many specimens
in October and may be found until early May.

1912

BIRDS

OF SOUTHERN

CALIFORNIA

11

of this bird around the Santa Barbara Islands where they are particularly
Frequently found dead along the beaches. Noted by H. W.
numerous.
Henshaw as abundant off San Diego during the winter of 1884 (Auk II, 1885,
387).
11. (16)
Ptychoramphus
aleuticus (Pallas). CASSIN AUKI.ET.
Common resident *along the coast. Breeds on Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz
and San Miguel islands and probably also on Santa Rosa. ‘In winter may be found
on the ocean everywhere. J. Grinnell and H. A. Gaylord took four nearly hatched
eggs of this species on Santa Barbara Island, May 16, 1897. At this date the majority of the nests found contained young of various ages (Pub. 1, Pasadena Acad.
Sci., 1897, 22). On visiting Santa Barbara Island in June, 1911. I found that
the old breeding colony of these birds was etitirely abandoned. From the bones
and feathers of the birds found all over the island, I concluded that they had
been exterminated by the cats with which the island is infested. On a detached
rocky islet about a quarter of a mile from the main island, I found a colony
of about a hundred pairs of Auklets nesting. Nine nests examined on June 14

contained far incubated eggs. R. H. Beck found incubated eggs and young near
Scorpion Harbor, Santa Cruz Island, June 5, 1895 (Bull. Cooper Orn. Club I,
1899, 85).
I found the Cassin Auklet breeding abundantly on small islands
lying off San Miguel Island in the summer of 1910. On June 15 I took two
fresh eggs, but most of the nests contained young (Condor XII, 1910, 172).
12. (21) Synthliboramphus
antiquus (Gmelin).
ANCIENT MURRE~ET.
Regular winter visitant along the coast, south at least to San Diego County.
C. B. Linton took two birds at Santa Cruz Island December 17 and 18, 1907
(Condor x, 1908, 125).
Linton also took several specimens at San Clemente
Island in December,’ 1908 (Condor XI, 1909, 102).
A. van Rossem took a
specimen from a flock of eight birds at Catalina Island, February 13, 1910
I found a bird of this species dead on the
(Osburn, Condor XIII, 1911, 76).
beach at Hyperion, Los Angeles County, March 17, 1910, and Howard Wright
found two dead at Terminal Island, Los Angeles County, January 23, 1908.
and another on February 8, the same year (Condor XI, 1909, 64). A male was
found dead by H. W. Marsden at Pacific Beach, San Diego County, April 25,
1904 (Bishop, Condor VII, 1905, 141).
13. (23) Brachyramphus marmoratus (Gmelin)
MARKLED MURRELET.
Winter visitant on the ocean, south at least to Santa Barbara. The A.O.U.
Check-List and other lists have repeatedly given the range of this species as
“south to San Diego in winter.”
There seems to be, however, no authentic record
south of Santa Barbara.

Clark P. Streator took several specimens near Santa Barbara during the winter of 1885-6 (Orn. & 001. XI, 1886, 90).
J. H. Bowles has a specimen taken
in the same locality. He found it dead on the beach July 30, 1910. On another
occasion he saw a bird of this species fishing around one of the piers at Santa
Barbara. L. M. Loomis and R. H. Beck have noted the Marbled Murrelet at
Monterey from late July (1894) until April 2 (1907).
The birds were very
irregular in their movements, being plentiful at certain seasons during some


12

PACIFIC

COAST

AVIFAIJXA

years and rare at the same seasons during other years (I’roc.
ser. I, vol. III, 1910, 59-60).

No. 7

Cal. rlcad. Sci.,

II.
(25)
Brachyramphus
Fairly common on the ocean
on several of the Santa Karbara

Howard Wright has noted

hypoleucus Xantus.
throughout the year. IIslands, north at least to A4nacapa.
this bird in summer at San Clementc Island
and believes that they were breeding there, although he failed to locate the
nests. J. G. Cooper states that he found it breeding rarely on Santa Barbara
Island in the 60’s (Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci. IV, 1868, 12). In June, 1911, I noted
several birds near this island and on June 15, 1 found an egg, the contents of
which had been eaten by a raven or gull. On June 5. 1910. I saw two pairs of
these Murrelets near the east end of _\nacapa Island (Condor XII, 1910. 170) ;
~~~’on this island, May 15, 1911.
and H. C. Burt took a slightly incubated ebb
*Inother fresh egg and a set of three eggs, also fresh, were taken for 1lr.
Burt in the same locality by H. B. Webster, May 29, the same year.
15. (29)
Cepphus columba Pallas.
PIGEON
Gc11.1.1x~or.
Common resident on Santa Barbara. Xnacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa
and San Miguel islands, breeding in May and June. Recorded south to San
Nicolas and San Clemente.
Noted breeding on Santa Cruz Island by TI. W. Henshaw in the snmmer
of 1875 (Ann. Rep. Ch. En. T_r.S. G. S., 1876, App. JJ, 278). J. Grinnell and FT.
A. Gaylord took four slightly incubated sets of eggs on Santa 1Zarhara Island
May 15, 1897 (Pub. 1, Pasadena ncad. Sci., 1897, 23) ; and I found fresh eggs
on San Miguel Island as late as June 23 (1910) (Condor XII, 1910. 172). On
June 26, 1911, I saw three birds at San Sicolas Island, where they were prohably breeding, and J. G. Cooper recorded the species from San Clemente (Proc.
Cal. Acad. Sci. IV, 1869, 79).

16. (30a)
Uria troille californica (13. Bryant). C~\LIFORNI.‘I RIUKKE.
Ilreeds on San Miguel Island in moderate numbers. South in winter at least
to coast of Orange County. Noted by C. I’. Streator as rather rare at Santa
Barbara in 1885 (Orn. & 001. XI; 1886, 107). Seen once in summer by B. W.
Evermann near the wharf at Ventura (Auk III, 1886, 88).
W. Lee Chambers
found a Murre in dying condition on the beach at Santa Monica, Los Angeles
County, November 3, 1900 (Swarth, Condor IJI, 1901, 17) ; and I found
one dead on the beach at Bay City, Orange County, March 9, 1910.
In June, 1906, J. S. &4ppleton and H. C. Burt found a colony of about
a hundred pairs of Murres breeding on a small island about half a mile from
the main island of San Miguel.
On June 6, they took fresh and slightly incubated eggs. In June, 1910, I visited this colony accompanied by Mr. Appleton
and other members of the Cooper Ornithological Club, and we found that the
colony had not appreciably increased or dirnini,shed since Mr. Appleton’s first
visit. Gy Jnne 15, some of the ‘eggs had hatched and most of the others were
advanced in incubation (Condor XII, 1910, 172).
This is, by far, the most
southern breeding record for the species.


1912

BIRDS

OF SOUTHERN

CXLJFORNIA

1.3

17. (36)
Stercorarius pomarinus (‘T’emminck).
POM.UUN~ J.\EGER.
Jaegers are frequently seen along our coast, but, as few specimens have been
taken, it is hardly possible to estimate the comparative abundance of this species
and the next. A?cording to the last A.0.l’.
Check-List, the I’omarine Jaeger
is a common fall migrant on the coast of California, wintering south to the
Galapagos Islands. It occurs at Point Pinos, Monterey County, every month
in the year, hut is really common only durin g the passage southward in August,
September and October (Beck, Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci., ser. 4, vol. III, 1910, 61).
We may safely conclude from the above that the species is rather common on
the ocean in the fall, and may occasionally be found at other times of the year.
18. (37) Stercorarius parasiticus (Linnaeus).
PAI~ASITIC JAEGER.
Fairly common fall and winter visitant along the coast. According to R. H.
Beck, most numerous on the coast of Monterey County in August and September
(I’roc. Cal. Acad. Sci., ser. 4, vo!. III. 1910, 61).
Noted by H. W. Henshaw
as common in December, 1884, from Santa Barbara north (Auk II, 1885. 232).
Recorded by B. W. Evermann as frequently seen in winter along the coast
above \‘entura
(Auk III, 1886, 88).
H. S. Swarth took a female at Santa
Monica, Los Angeles County, September 29, ,189s (Grinnell, Pub. 2, f’asadena
Xcad. Sci., 1898, 6). T took a male at Hyperion, I,os :ingeles County, December
15, 1911 ; and on December 18, following, 1 took two more specimens ant1
Antonin Jay secured one. in the same locality.

19. (38) Stercorarius longicaudus Vieillot.
ILONG-T.\Ir,m
JMXER.
One record, that of a young male taken by 1-I. W. Marsden at Pacific
Beach, San Diego County, September 19, 1904 (Bishop, Condor j.11, 1905,
141). sow no. 11682, collection L. R. Bishop.
20. (40a)
Rissa tridactyla pollicaris Ridgway.
PXIFIC
KITTIW.\KE.
Regular winter visitant in small numbers, south to Lower California.
A female in first winter plumage was sent to J. Grinnell from Playa de1 Rey, Los Angeles County, where it was found dead on the beach, January 9, 1906 (Condor
VIII, 1906, 57). Antonin Jay has an immature male found dead on the beach in
the same locality, December 30, 1911. C. I?. Linton took a female at Alamitos
Bay, Los Angeles County, April 14, 1907 (Condor IX, 1907, 199). A. W.
Anthony noted the Rittiwake as of regular, though not common, occurrence,
off San Diego and about the Coronados Islands (Auk s\‘, 1898. 267).
He
took a specimen near San Diego February 26, 1895 (Auk XII, 1895, 177).
Gr_.\ccous-wINc;En Gux.
21. (44)
Larus glaucescens Naumann.
Regular winter visitant in small numbers, south at least to San Diego. Rccorded by B. W. Evermann as a winter visitant at Ventura, though not common
(Auk, III, 1886, 88). J. Grinnell noted it at Catalina Island in December, 1897,
and W. B. Judson took an immature bird at Retlondo, Los rhlgeles County, in
winter (Pub. 2, Pasadena hcad. Sci., 1898, 6).
Several immatures were noted
by G. F. Breninger at San Clemente Island in February, 1903 (Auk XXI, 1904,
219).
I have an immature female taken by Antonin Jay at Hyperion, Los

Angeles County, July 4, 1910, and T saw an adult bird in the same locality,


PACIFIC

13

December 22, 1911.

COAST

No.

AVtFAUNA

7

Recorded from San Diego by J. G. Cooper (B., Br. & Ridg.,

W. B. N. A. II, 1884, 224)

and A. W. Anthony

(Auk

1906, 131).

XXIII,

Larus occidentalis

Audubon.
WESTERN GULL.
Abundant resident. Breeds in May and June on all &e Santa Barbara
During the breeding season most of
Islands.
Occasional inland in winter.
the Western Gulls seen along the shore of the mainland are immature birds.
22. (49)

HERRING GULL.
23. (51)
Larus argentatus
Pontoppidan.
Fairly common in winter along the coast, south to Lower California.
Occasional on inland lakes and ponds. Arrives about September and remains
until

May.

Cr\~,~~~~~~l\ GUI,L.
Larus californicus Lawrence.
Occasional
along the coast from September until early May.
Catalina
Island,
May
12, 1897
bird
was
noted

by
J.
Grinnell
off
inland.
One
(Pub. 1, Pasadena Acad. Sci., 1897, 23).
24.

(53)

Common

25.

(54)

Abundant

0x1.
RING-BILLED GULL.
Larus delawarensis
winter visitant along the coast from September to May.

sional inland.
County,
April

1 found

September

25,

this

17, 1907, and abundant
Immature

1910.

as late as May

species common
birds

were

at Alamitos

at Hyperion,

rather

plentiful

Bay,

Occa-

Los

Angeles

Los Angeles

County,

in the

latter

locality

24 (1910).

26. (55)
Larus brachyrhynchus
Richardson.
SHORT-BKLED GULI,.
Rather rare winter visitant along the coast, south at least to San Diego. I
have never met with this species in southern California, but it has been recorded
as follows: B. W. Evermann found a specimen dead on the beach near Ventura
in December, 1879 (Auk III, 1886, 88). According to H. W. Henshaw, it was
not uncommon along the coast of southern California during the winter of 1884
(Auk II, 1885, 232). In the Salvin-Godman collection in the British Museum are
a male adult collected by Mr. Henshaw at \‘entura in November and a pair of
iuvenals collected at San Diego in December (Saunders, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus.
xxv,

1896, 284).
According

to E. W.

specific characters
(Beck,

Proc.

27.
May

Larus

the

California

heermanni

Academy

of

Sciences, the
in Ltrrus canus

are all to be found

Cassin.

1910, 63).

HEERMANN GULL.

common along the coast and amon,0 the islands from the last week in

until the middle of March.

Acad.

of

to this form

Sci., ser. 4, vol. III,

Cal. Acad.

(57)

Very

Gifford,

ascribed

Nat.

Sci. Phil.

\‘I,

1852,

along our coast every month

Originally
187).

in the year.

their breeding

grounds

return

the last week in May

during

This

of? the Mexican

described from
interesting
The

majority,

coast during

San Diego

(Proc.

species may be found
however,

the month

and the month of June.

leave for

of March

and

This

is the only

(Orcl). BONAPARTE GUT-L.
Common along the coast in fall, winter and spring. Frequently

seen on in-

species of the genus on our coast that goes south to breed.
28.

(60)

Larus

Philadelphia


1912

BIRDS

OF SOUTHERN

land bodies of water, mostly during

migrations.

I have found this gull plentiful

along the Los Angeles County coast from August
and have noted immature
San Diego
29.

Bay during
(62)

mainland
Island,

sabini

a fairly

coast.

Recorded

the winter

Xema

Probably

by H. W.

(Sabine).

W.

Henshaw

S_~BINE

to May

II,

as not

in

u~~con~n~o~~

1885, 232).

GULL.

on the ocean; so far not noted along our

Wright

took a male and female near Santa Cruz

6, 1909, and a female near Los Coronados

1910: now nos. 2466, 2467, 2468, collection of Howard
breeds in the far north and is known to winter
of South America.

10 (1910),

Slough, Los Angeles County,

of 1884 (Auk

common migrant

Howard

August

20 (1910)

birds common at Nigger

as late as June 2 (1910).

15

CALIFORNIA

Islands,

W. Wright.

August

20,

This species

in abundance on the Pacific coast

L. R/I. Loomis and R. H. Beck have found it to occur in con-

siderable numbers

at Monterey

at this season from

during

the fall migration.

only spring
1907 (Proc.

30.

(64)

Sterna

Although
species
it

is

men

the
“from

as

apparently
at

1908,

the

and

M.

California,

January

1902, 23).

So far

in the territory
Museum,

of

Lake,
Frazar

25,

1887

Brit.

by II.
Mus.

(65)

J. Grinnell
head.

Sterna

1897, 24),

maxima

Tern

a few

secured (Condor

1910, 173).

32.

the summer

(66)

months

Sterna

female,

a

speci-

(Condor

La

Paz,

Camp.

x,

Lower

Zool.

XLI,

Tern

taken

in the British

now

in December

(Saunders,

records seeing eight

December

he was very

of

27, 1908 (Condor

close to the birds
FI. S. Swarth

and

saw one

ROYAL TERN.

September

Island,

to May.

immatures

saw several

in summer.
1, Pasadena

at San Nicolas

as breeding

Island,

on San Miguel

In June, 1910, T went over that island
there

noted on June

at that time.

17, one of which

The
was

I believe that the birds seen along our coast

are mostly

elegans Gambel.

common off Monterey,

Occasional

June 9, 1897 (Pub.

has been reported

As this species breeds on the Mexican
to be fairly

at

this

California,”

took

1907

Mus.

and am positive that it was not breeding

only birds seen were
during

female

Bull.

Boddaert.

Island, but I consider this very doubtful.

XII,

26,

as to their identity.

and C. B. Linton

The Royal

Lower.

of

16, 1901.

along the coast from

June 17, 1910.
thoroughly

adult

County,

tells me that

noted one bird at Catalina

Sci.,

May

C. B. Linton

Bay. Los Angeles

Linton

to

range

C. B. Linton

at San Diego

1896, 32).

bird in the same locality, May
31.

an

(Brewster,

Henshaw

XSV,

Mr.

1909, 68).

W.

winter

the only specimen of the Caspian

is not likely to have been mistaken

Common

County,

took

the

California

California.

Kern

4
‘.

gives

Central

southern

as I know,

these birds at Alamitos
XI,

CASPIAN TERN.

covered by this list is an immature

taken

Cat. Birds

Pallas.

coast
in

Vista

1910, 63).

LT. Check-List

0.

rare

Buena

196))

caspia

A.

6 (1909).

have noted it

record is of eleven birds, all seen between the 15th and 21st of May,
Sci., ser. 4, vol. III,

to October

They
Their

Cal. Acad.

July 22 (1907)

immature.
ELEGANT TERN.
coast and was found by L. M. Loomis

California,

in September

and October,

1906


16

PACIFIC

(Beck,

Proc. Cal. &ad.

COAST

AVIFALJNA

Sci., ser. 4, vol. III,

No.

1910, 64),

it is probably

7

of more or

less regular occurrence along our whole coast. So far as I know, only one specimen has been recorded from southern California,

an adult male taken by H. W.

Marsden

September

at Pacific

(69)

Common

21,

1904

(Bishop,

Sterna

forsteri

Nuttall.

FORSTER TERN.

along the coast and on inland lakes and ponds in fall, winter

Occasional

spring.

County,

1905, 31) ; now no. 11683, collection of Louis B. Bishop.

Condor VII,
33.

Beach, San Diego

during

the summer.

Most abundant

and

along the Los Angeles

County coast in the fall from September

1 to October 20, and in the spring from

March

birds

at Nigger

found

them common

10 to May

County,

May

Riverside

15.

I saw several

25, 1907, and E. Heller

County, June 2, 1896 (Condor

III,

daily at Bear Lake in the San Bernardino
1905 (Univ.

Calif.

Publ.

1901, 100).

Mountains,

Zool., v, 1908, 52).

(70)

Sterna

hirundo

Linnaeus.

Los Angeles

at Elsinore

J. Grinnell

Lake,

noted them

from July 28 to August

Although

been reported as breeding in southern California,
34.

Slough,

the Forster

Tern

2,
has

I know of no authentic records,

COMMON TERN.

This species on sight being so easily confused with the last, its comparative
abundance is difficult to determine accurately,
along our coast in limited
principally

numbers.

but it is probably a regular migrant
fall migration

in September and the spring migration

H. Bowles found the Common Tern
tember,

The

1911.

C. B. Linton

in May.

fairly plentiful

at Santa Barbara

took five specimens at Alamitos

County, September 25, 1907 (Willett,

Condor x, 1908, 50).

three adult males at Pacific Beach, San Diego County,
1904 (Bishop,

Condor

fifteen or twenty
at Hyperion,
35.
Terminal

1905, 31).

Sterna

paradisaea

Los Angeles

(74)

Briinnich.

Sterna

antillarum
resident

mostly in September.
are generally

H.

October

(Lesson).
along

Playa

de1 Rey,

Sunset

12 (Grinnell,

Hydrochelidon
migrant

E. Heller

from

April

observed

Arrives

There

S. Daggett
v, 1903, 17).

in April

nigra

are substantial

Ileach,

Newport

and leaves

Orange

County,

surinamensis

(Cmelin).

Eggs

breeding

and Pacific

coloBeach.

as early as May

Pub. 2, Pasadena Acad.

Los Angeles County,

10, 1910; and the birds were plentiful

County,

13, 1902 (Condor

Sci., 1898, 8).

BLACK

TERN.

along the coast and on inland lakes and ponds.

this species abundant at Hyperion,
tember

took a male at

1901, and F.

LEAST TERN.

Evan Davis has found fresh eggs at Newport,

(77)

sewer

Nests in suitable localities along the sandy beaches.

20 and as late as August
37.

S. Swarth

30,

the coast.

deposited in June and July.

nies ai Hueneme,

Common

a flock of

ARCTIC TERN.

migrations.

County,

summer

took

8, 12 and 15,

1910, 174).

took three specimens near San Pedro, September

Common

Sep-

H. W. Marsden

September

J took a pair of adults from
XII,

along the coast during

Island,

36.

during

Bay, Los Angeles

birds that were feeding around the Los Angeles out-fall

May 24, 1910 (Condor

(71)

Occurs

VII,

appears to take place
A. B. Howell and J.

22 to May
the Black

9, 1910, a few
Tern

at Elsinore

from August

at Nigger
remaining
Lake,

Slough,

I found
20 to Sep-

Los Angeles

as late as May

Riverside

County,

18.
June


BIRDS

1912

2, 1896 (Condor III,
Lake,

OF SOUTHERS

1901, loo),

San Bernardino

ti

CAI,IPORNI~\

and one bird was noted by J. Grinnell

Mountains,

July

30, 1905

(Vniv.

Calif.

at Tiear

F’ubl.

Zool.

1..

1908, 52).

a~ breeding

This bird has been reported
but I know

of no authentic

nesting

at Elsinore

Lake, May 28, 1911. They gave no signs of breeding
glers (Condor XIII,
1911, 158).
There are nesting
and Tulare
38.

(81)

Diomedea

summer
39.

and were probably

strag-

colonies at Cuena

Vista

lakes.
nigripes

Con~mon out at sea during
early

and San Jacinto lakes,

I saw two birds at San Jacinto

records.

are probably

(82)

Diomedea

Audubon.

I:L.\cK-FOOTED

I:irtls

the entire year.

~~BA'L.ROSS.

seen during

spring ai:tl

immature.
albatrus

Pallas.

SIIORT-T.\IIXD

hI3ATIKJSS.

Occasionally
seen close iii-shore
during
Fairly common on the ocean.
severe weather.
Two specimens taken near Santa Earbara arc recorded by C. 1’.
One of them,

Streator.

which

was in his collection,

sea about the middle

of March,

by E. W.

from

Evermann

the bay in winter
C. Rutter,
ford

April

(Auk

1885 (Orn.

Ventura

as frequently

(McLain,

Auk

xv,

July 26, 1892 (Oologist
near Newport,

C. B. Linton

1898, 8).
captured
Linton

1893, 88).

Evan

County

(Grinnell,

has the head

Davis

He

afterwards

stated that

40.

Bay in December

(86b)

Common
September

(I:.,

Fulmarus

glacialis

and October,

ones.

Those
Large

in the dark

numbers

(86.1)

Irregular
San Diego.

Fulmarus
fall,

Not

County

plumage

winter

the winter
rodgersi

and spring

nearly

so numerous

G. X.

Stejneger.

and spring.

that

was

1, 1909.

A. II,

Mr.

the bird and
appetiz-

July first,

and at

1884, 354).

l'L\c~~~~

Generally

1 have taken

many

FULMAR.

arrives

in

specimen:

coast and around the Santa Barbara

generally

of this and the

dead on the beaches dnring
41.

glupischa
winter

and leaves in April.

of this bird along the Los Angeles
Islands.

W.

was
Sci.,

he did not find it particularly
Islantl

a

County,

Acad.

Albatross
April

and his man killed

I?r. & Ridg.,

on the ocean in fall,

2, Pasadena

Island,

J. G. Cooper noted this species at San Nicolas

San Diego

found

has a specimen that

I’ub.

of a Short-tailed

was absent at the time of the capture

by

at Stan-

Jr.,

near Lon g Geach, Los Angeles

alive by his camp cook on San Kicolas

cooked it.
ing.

x,

Orange

Department

M. L. Wicks,

1898, 267).

bird of this species dead in the surf
killed

miles at
Recorded

seen along the coast and in

3, 1898, was presented to the Zoological

University

fifty

1886, 90).

X specimen taken at San Pedro

1886, 89).

III,

was taken

& 001. XI,

greatly

following

out-number

the light

species are frequently

seen

and spring.

Cassin.
visitant

RODGERS FULMAR.

on the ocean, south at least to

as the last.

I have two specimens of
this bird that I picked up dead on the beach near :\nahcim Lantling, Orange
CoUI7ty. March

1, 1908.

stages of decomposition
at Hyperion,

Many

more were seen at the same tinie in different

(Condor

Los Angeles

County,

XII,

1910, 46).

I also took an adult female

December 29, 1911, and Antonin
two specimens in the same locality the following day.

Jay t(;ok


13

PACIFIC

COAST :2VIPAUNA

No. 7

Many ornithologists are of the opinion that Fulwzams yodgersi ,is the extreme light phase of Fulnlavus glacialis glwpisclza and is not entitled to recognition as a separate form. I am inclined to believe that this conclusion is the
correct one, as I have seen birds in every stage of plumage from the lightest
of the former to darkest of the latter.
42. (91) Puffinus creatopus Coues. PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER.
Common along the coast in summer and fall.
Leaves in December and
January, and returns during the latter part of May and the month of June.
Originally
described from San Nicolas Tsland (T’roc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil.
XVI, 1864, 131).
H. S. Swarth has a male that he found dead on the beach
at Redondo, Los Angeles County, May 10, 1901. I have frequently found
them dead on the southern California beaches in summer and fall, and saw
them near Anacapa and Santa Cruz islands in November and December, 1907.

During the first part of June, 1910. I saw occasional birds of this species in
company with Sooty Shearwaters, around the northern islands of the Santa
Barbara group. By June 23 they had become quite numerous (Condor XII,
1910, 173).
J. G. Cooper saw the species near San Nicolas Tsland in July,
1863 (Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci. IV, 1868, 11).
43. (93)
Puffinus opisthomelas Coues. BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATER.
At the close of their breeding season on the islands off the coast of Lower
California, these birds migrate in large numbers northward along the coast of
southern California.
They are very irregular as to the time of their arrival,
sometimes appearing as early as May 10, and at other times not being noted
They also vary a great deal in numbers, some years
mitil July or August.
being much more abundant than others. A. W. Anthony says: “Their presence
along the coast of southern and Lower California seems to be governed veq
largely by the food supply. They are particularly abundant during late July,
August and September, when they follow the large schools of herring and
other small fish that come in-shore at that season” (,luk XIII, 1896, 223).
The return journey to the breedin g grounds is made in February, March ant1
April.
J. Grinnell observed immense numbers of these birds resting on the water
about a mile out from San Pedro Harbor, May 11. 1897. Ten specimens were
secured. They all. males as well as females, had bare spaces on their breasts,
and the state of the reproductive organs showed that they must recently have
bred (Pub. 1, Pasadena Acad. Sci., 1897, 24).
H. S. Swarth took a specimen
at Redondo, Los Angeles County, May 26, 1899, and W. Lee Chambers found
them abundant at Santa Monica, December 21 to 25, 1900. Several specimens

were secured. There are four eggs of the Black-vented Shearwater in the National Museum, supposed to have been collected on Santa Barbara Island in
1873 by Cap&n C. M. Scammon. This record is regarded as doubtful by
most ornithologists of this section.
SOOTY SHEARWATER.
44. (95)
Puffinus griseus (Gmelin).
Common on the ocean throughout the year. Most abundant

from

late


RIRnS

1912
April

until

southern
45.

I have taken

November.

California
(96)

01: SOUTHERS
many

coast and around

Puffinus

specimens of this bird

the Santa

tenuirostris

10

C,\LIFOKNTA

I:arbara

along

the

Islands.

SLENDER-BILLED SHEAR-

(Temminck).

LVATER.

An

inhabitant

California

of

southern

coast in winter.

ber 17, 18 and 19, 1895 (Auk
and December
vol. III,

The

of a specimen taken

(105)

There

only

from

9, 1896 (Auk

46.

XV, 1898, 197),

2, 1907, and January

1910, 66).

January

oceans, occurring

XIII,

The

birds

grations,

and there

are not enough
The

i:I.

Acad.

southern

difficult

I’etrels
from

It is recorded
was taken

(Proc.

from
there

It

The

Oceanodroma

the impression
California

kaedingi

Anthony.

in migrations

(Auk

and pre-

Mr.

Grimiell

Cooper’s

of Calihan(lwrit-

Exch.”

KAEDING PETREL.

described this species from Lower

that it bred there and occasionally

by J. G.

LTniversity

label in Dr.

along

Cal. Xcad.

Lorquin

Cal. Acad. Sci., IV, 1868, 10).

Zoology.

mi-

was noted 1~~

1903 (Proc.

by Mr.

conr

abundance

off San Pedro

ing says “San Pedro Bay, Cal., 914, J. G. C., Shot by Lorqnin.
(105.2)

is

this locality

Petrel occurs in migrations

in June, 1895, and November.

of Vertebrate

A. W. Anthony

along

to collect during

me that this specimen is now no. 4470, collection

47.

ser 4,

California

FORKED-TAILED PETREL.

specimens in collections

who saw a specimen that

Museum

Sci.,

14

near San Diego,

study of the

arc very

I’orked-tailed

1910, 66).

sented to the State Museum
fornia

Cal.

coast, south at least to Los .%ngeles County.

Beck at Monterey

the

Decem-

Beck, October

at a definite conclusion as to the comparative

species.

Sci., ser. 4, vol.

informs

tl.

rinthony,

(Gmelin).

no systematic

coast.

Cooper,

(Proc.

I have seen for

furcata

California

R. H.

along

1896, 171).

southern

the California

1908

north

by J. Mailliartl,

and by R.

a small flock by A. W.

Oceanodroma

of the different

30,

record

has been practically

to enable us to arrive

irregularly

It was noted at Monterey

California,

straggled

XV, 1898, 37, 38):

to southern

investigations

have

shown, however, that it breeds to the north of us, and occurs in migrations

along

the whole California
male which
March

coast, south to Lower

Recent

and was under

north

California.

flew on board the ship 4
‘ lbatvoss,

L. H. Miller

has an adult

while off San Clemente

IslamI,

22, 1904.

48.

(107)

Common
August,

Oceanodroma

out at sea during

melania

HLACK PETREL.

Least plentiful

Straggles

(108)

Oceanodroma

homochroa

An adult from
W. Henshaw

San Miguel

Island

by Captain Forney

bred on San Miguel

(now

(Codes).

in British

of the Coast Survey,

Califor-=

ASHY

PETREL.

throughout

I\Tuseum),

the year.

was given to T-I.

who stated that the specie;

(Ann.

Rep. Ch. En. U. S. G. S., 1876, App.

In June, 1910, I made particular

search for this bird on San Miguel

but failed to find it.

in great numbers

July and

north at least to llonterey.

Probably occurs on the ocean off the coast of California

JJ, 277).

during

at which season it breeds on the islands off the coast of Lower

nia, from Los Coronados southward.
49.

( Bonaparte).

the entire year.

I may possibly have overlooked

it or it may not occur there


L. H. Y1’1
I 1er 1las. an adult female taken near Santa Bar-

until later in the season.
bara Island,

April

10, 1904; in June, 1911, 1 found the species plentiful

channel between Santa Isarhara and San Nicolas islands.
I made careful search over all of the former

Although

in the

at this time

island and part of the latter,

I was

unable to find any evidence of the species breeding.
50.

(108.1)

Oceanodroma

socorroensis

C. 11. l‘?ownsend.

SOCORRO

PETREL.
Breeds on the islands off the coast of Lower
south.

Straggles

northward

California

at least to San Diego,

from Los Coronados

where A. W. Anthony

found

it to be fairly common during April and Alay, 1895, at which time he took a small
series of specimens (Auk

XII,

1895, 387).

with Oceanodrovtza monorhis
Japan (Mon.
51.

Petrels,

a race found on the coast of China and

1907, 32-33).

Phalacrocorax

(12Oc)

Godman considers this form identical

(Swinhoe),

auritus

albociliatus

FARAILON

Ridgway.

CORMORANT.
Common
May

resident along the coast.

and June.

J. Grinnell

and II.

Santa Barbara

Island,

building

1, Pasadena Acad.

(Pub.

species breeding

May

15, 1897.

commonly

fresh eggs to half-grown

Breeds on the Santa Carbara

A. Gaylord

At this date most of the birds were nest

Sci., 1897, 25).

on San Miguel
young

Islands in

took two sets of fresh eggs on

(Condor

June 15, 1910, I found the
Nest contents varied

Island.
XII,

1910, 173).

In

from

some instances,

probably where previous sets have been destroyed by the gulls, eggs may be fount1
as late as August.
52.

(122)

Common

Phalacrocorax

penicillatus

resident along the coast.

rlpril,

May and June.

April

3, 1910, and I took four sets of fresh eggs on Catalina

1904.

J. Grinnell

Island,

May

C. B. Linton

BIL~NDT CORMORAKT.

(Brandt).

Greeds on the Santa Uarbara

noted incomyletc

and 1-l. A. Gaylord

15, 1897.

They

took thirty

(Pub.

nests contained

ages (Condor
53.

April

11,

and several nests

1, Pasadena Acad. Sci., 1897, 25).

several large colonies nesting on San Miguel
of the month,

Island,

Islalltl,

sets of eggs on Santa Barbara

were in all stages of incubatioq

contained newly hatched young

Islands in

sets on San Sicolas

Island in June, 1910.

fresh and incubated

I found

On the 15t1,

~‘7s and young
ebb

of vario11.i

XII, 1910, 173).

(1231~)

Phalacrocorax

pelagicus

resplendens

Audubon.

EAIRD

CORXUOR~NT.
Common

resident on ;he Santa Carbara

two preceding

species.

in May and June.
Santa Barbara

J. Grinnell

Island,

Islands,

but less plentiful

Occasional along the mainland
May

Breetls

and H. A. CGaylord noted this species breeding
15, 1897 (Pub.

1, l’asadena

Acad.

and I found them nesting commonly on Anacapa and San Miguel
1910.

than the

shores in winter.

on

Sci., 1897, 26),
islands in JUIIC,

Fresh eggs were taken on the latter island as late as June 19 (Conclor XII,

1910, 170, 174).
54.

(125)

Regular

Pelecanus

visitant

erythrorhynchos

Gmelin.

to the marsh lands in fall, winter

WHITE

PET.IC,YN.

and spring.

Arrives

in


October and November and leaves mostly in ;\Iay. Recorded by I:. W. l?vermann
as often seen on the lagunas of \‘entura County in winter (Auk III, 1886, 89).
F. S. Daggett noted a flock of ahout 125 birds flying over Pasadena, November
2.;, 1900. One of them was secured at long range with a high-power rifle (Condor
III, 1901, 15).
Howard Robertson saw thirty-five or forty birds flying along
the Los Angeles River, near I,os Angeles City, April 27, 1900. Alphonse Jay
saw about 250 birds flying in a northerly direction over Sierra Madre, Los Anxeles County, May 22, 1910, and I saw a single bird at Nigger Slough, Los .\ngeles
County, May 25, 1907.
According to J. G. Cooper, few of this species reach San Diego, most of them
veering to the eastward toward the Gulf of California [B., Er. Pr Ridg., W. E. N.
A. II. 1884, 136). A male was taken at San Diego in the early 50’s by X. Cassidy
(Lawrence, Pac. R. R. Rep. IS. 1858, 869).

cALIPoI:D;I.\ r,IPelecanus californicus Ridgway.
CAK.
Common resident along the coast. Ereeds irregularly on several of the
Santa Earbara Islands, the largest nesting colony north of the Mexican line beingundoubtedly the one on Anacapa Island.
During some seasons, however, the
birds apparently do not nest there at all. The Anacapa colony was first described
by C. F. Holder, who visited it in August, 1898. At this time the young were
nearly full grown (Museum v, 1199, 71). In June, 1899. H. Robertson and V.
TV. Owen went over Anacapa thoroughly, but the Pelicans were apparently not
nesting there &t that time. On June 5, 1910. I visited this islantl in company with
several other members of the Cooper Ornithological Club. We found about 500
nests of the Pelican containing eggs and young. Fresh eggs were taken from
some nests, and nearly full-grown youn,m were noted in others (Condor x11, 1910.
170). In May, the following year, H. C. Burt visited this locality and reports
that, while there were a few birds present, they were not nesting.
H. Wright found several nests of this species, all of which contained young
birds, on Santa Cruz Island, in July, 1909. June 15, 1910. I noted five nests con
taining young on San Miguel Island (Condor XII, 1910. 173). and on June 14,
1911, I found a colony of about twenty-five pairs breeding on Santa Earbara
Island. All of the nests contained newly hatched young at this date.
56. (128)
Fregata aquila (Linnaeus).
~‘T.~~-o’-w.~R-BIRD.
Resident of southern T,ower California and Mexico. Occasionally straggles
north along the coast of California.
J. G. Cooper was told of a single specimen
being shot at San Diego. It had entered the bay anal alighted on the mast of an
old hulk anchored there. He was also told that the species is common at some
seasons outside the bay (B., nr. Sr Ridg., W. E. N. .I. II, 1884, 130). T saw a

female that was shot by A. C. Parsons at ,“llamitos Ray, Los Angeles County.
June 17, 1906, and on June 13, 1911, two immature birds were caught with hook
and line by a fisherman on the pleasure pier at Long Reach (Linton, Condor XIII,
1911, 168). An immature specimen was shot by I,. Price at North Pasadena in
August, 1892 (Lawrence, Auk s, 1893. 362), and T-T. S. Swarth saw three birds
circling overhead near Los Angclcs in December, 1897 (Grinnell, Pub. 2, Pasa-


dena Acad. Sci., 1898, 10). J. S. Appleton saw the head, wings and tail of cne
of these birds that was shot by L. Myers from the wharf at Hueneme, l’entura
County, about 1895.
57. (120)
Mergus americanus Cassin. AMEKIUN MEKANSEW.
I’airly common winter visitant on the ocean and the salt marshes near the
coast. F. Stephens took a male at Alamitos Bay, Los Angeles County, December
15, 1879 (Grinnell, Pub. 2, Pasadena Acad. Sci., 1898, lo), and I noted one in
the same locality, March 9, 1910. H. S. Swarth saw a male near Long Beach,
Los Angeles County, May 17, 1901, and another near Redondo, April 25, 1899,
and secured a female from a flock of eight, near Los Angeles, December, 27,
1894. H. J. Lelande took a female near Long Ceach, January 17, 1912. Ithave
seen the species occasionally on the ocean along the Los ‘Angeles County coast
and have seen several specimens that were taken by hunters in various sections
of southern California.
58. (130)
Mergus serrator Linnaeus.
RED-UREASTEDMERGANSER.
Fairly common along the coast in fall. -winter and spring.
Arrives in
October and leaves mostly in April.
J. Grinnell noted this species at Catalina

Island in December, 1897 (Pub. 2, Pasadena Acad. Sci., 1898, lo), and T
noted it in the same locality in March, 1905. C. B. Linton found it fairly conman at San Clemente Island during October, 1908, and at San Nicolas Island
during January, February and March, 1909. He also saw one at the latter
island April 1, 1910, and another on May 3, following.
He took a female at
Santa Cruz Island, December 2, 1907 (Condor x. 1908, 126).
H. S. Swarth
took a specimen near Long Beach, May 17. 1901.
HOODED MERCANSER.
59. (131) Lophodytes cucullatus (Linnaeus).
Rather rare winter visitant.
Although B. W. Evermann recorded this
species as common in Ventura County during the rainy season (Auk III, 1886,
89), few have been noted of late years. 12. Stephens took a male at Alamitos
Bay, LOS Angeles County, December 23, 1879 (Grinnell,
Pub 2, Pasadena
Acad. Sci., 1898, lo), and J. E. Law took two females near Fillmore..Ventura
County, December 31, 1905. H. J. T,elande has taken the species occasionally
near Los Angeles, and in the Cline collection of mounted birds are several
specimens taken in Los Angeles County in the early 80’s.

MAI,LARD.
60. (132)
Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus.
Common winter visitant, arriving in October and leaving mostly in March.
A few remain through the summer and breed around fresh water lakes and
ponds. Found breeding near Santa Barbara by C. 1’. Streator (Orn. 8r 001.
XI? 1886, 90), and near Saticoy by J. G. Cooper (Auk IV, 1887, 93).
H. C.
Burt found a nest containing eleven partly incubated eggs, near Hueneme, Ventura County, May 1, 1910. F. Stephens noted the species breeding at Bear

Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains, in June, 1886 (Morcom, Bull. Ridg.
Orn. Club, no. 2, 1887, 38), and C. S. Sharp records a nest found near &con
dido. San Diego County, in 1896 (Condor IS, 1907, 86).


61.

(135)

Chaulelasmus

Comii~on

winter

Occasionally

and leaves in R4arch.
in fresh

water

(Grinnell,

l’ub

County,

A.

marshes.
2, l’asadena

a set of twelve

streperus (Linnaeus).
Arrives

visitant.

Il.

mostly

remains
Shields

:1catl. Sci..

eggs, with

through

bird,

lo),

and October

the summer

has taken

1898,

the female

G.\UIVALL.

in late September
eggs near
and A.

1I.

at San Jacinto

and breeds
I,os

Angeles

Ingersoll
Lake,

took

Riverside

June 7, 1897.

62.

(136)

Mareca

penelope

EUROPE,IN WIDGEON.

(I,,innaeus).

One record, that of a male taken by C. H.
County,

February

16,

N ow

1904.

in

1lears

collection

of

at Eixby,
J.

Los Angeles

Grinnell

(Auk

XXI,

1904, 383).
63.

(137)

The

American

everywhere

Mareca

in southern

part of September,
October.

They

64.

California.

Nettion
winter

(140)

Fairly

I:z\IBPATE.

winter

visitant

carolinense

arrive

mostly

in the latter

until

in early

GRIXN-WINGED

mostly in the latter

well into

March.
TEAL.

part of September

and leaves in March.

during

In parts of the United

(Gmelin).

i\rrives

Querquedula

common

breedin g gronnds

visitant.

to lakes and ponds

A few appear from the north

but the main body does not generally

and the month of October,
65.

(Gmelin).

is a common

leave for their

(130)

Abundant

americana

Widgeon

discors

(Linnaeus).

some winters

States, where

B:LUE-WINGED TEAL.

and apparently

it winters

absent during

abundantly,

others.

it is found

to be

one of the earliest arrivals

in the fall and one of the last to leave in the spring

(Cooke.

Rull. 26, 1906, 33).

U. S. Biol. Surv.

Torrey

near Santa

Tiarbara

cember 6, 1908, to 1larch
by J. H.

from

January

16, 1909 (Condor

Eowles in the same locality,

1896

A female was taken by W.

(Grinnell,

Pub.

2, Pasadena

was taken by I-1. S. Swarth
1900, 14).
1900.

Mr.

Swarth

F. S. Daggett

12, 1897 (Grinnell,
a male taken

5, 1910.

in March,

female at National
66.

(141)

Abundant
Breeds rather
Diego
(Torrey,

in the same locality,

Pub. 2, E’asadena

1881.

Acad.

Orange

1886 ( Belding,
City, October

commonly
and
XI,

11).

October

October

September
County,

\‘alley.

16, 1907.

L.

winters

about fifteen miles from
San Diego

1891. 971, and C. E. Linton

Less

(Vieillot).
plentiful

grass-bordered

in small numbers

1910, SO).

has

Eelding

took a

25, 1906.

cyanoptera

around

II,
28.

March

Sci., 1898, 111, and J. Grinnell

October

31.

female

3, 1898 (Condor

near Los Xngeles.

County,

Zoe II,

seen

by local

and another

F. Stephens took a pair at Agua Caliente,

Querquedula

Condor

1 have frequently

took a male near El Pllonte, Los .\ngeles

in spring and fall.

County,

1898,

De-

males noted

8. Judson near Los Xngeles,

A\cad. Sci..

saw an adult male that was shot in El Cajon
County,

Two

in to Los l\ingeles taxidermists

also took a female

at I:olsa Chica,

San Diego, in April,

1. 1908. and from

XI, 1909. 173).

January

birds of this species that were brought
hunters.

S een several times by Bradford

21 to hlay

in

CINNAMON
summer

and

TEAT,.
mid-winter.

lakes and ponds, south to Sxn
as far north

I have noted young

as Santa

birds

in Los

Barbara
Angeles


24

r’,\ClFIC

COXST

AVIP_4U.\TA

No. 7

County by the middle of h!ay, and 0. W. TIowartl found an incomplete set of five
fresh eggs at Nigger Slough, Los Angeles County, May 25, 1911. r foun:l the
species common at San Jacinto Lake, Riverside County, May 27, 28, 1911 (Condor XIII, 1911, 15S), ‘and C. S. Sharp records it as breeding near Escondido, San
Diego County (Condor IX, 1907, 86).
67. (142).
Spatula clypeata (Linnaeus).
SIIovEr*LER.
The Shoveller is an abundant winter visitant, arriving mostly in October and
leaving in March and early April.
A few remain through the summer and unpms having been taken in this locality.
doubtedly breed, but I know of no sets of ebb
1 have frequently seen the birds on fresh water ponds of Los -2ngeles County in
summer, and on May 27, 28, 1911, I noted several pairs at San Jacinto Lake, Riverside County (Condor XIII, 1911, 158). E. E. Eckdale informed I-1. J. Lelande
that he has seen Shovellers accompanied by youn g in the vicinity of Los Angeles.
68. (143)

Dafila acuta (Linnaeus) . PINTAIL.
The “sprig” is the most abundant of the larger ducks during the winter season. A few arrive from the north in September, but the main body does not show
up until well along in October. It leaves mostly in March.
Breeds in small
numbers at Bear Lake in the San Eernardino Mountains, and also on some of the
lakes at lower altiudes, south to San Jacinto Lake, Riverside County.
1 have
noted this bird at Xigger Slough, Los Angeles County, in summer, and found it
rather common at San Jacinto Lake in May, 1911. On May 28, a female accompanied by four young was seen at the latter point (Condor XIII, 1911, 158).
69. (144)
Aix sponsa (Linnaeus).
WOOD DUCK.
Occasional in winter, but much rarer than formerly.
According to C. P.
Streator, occasionally met with in 1885, beyond the Santa Yncz Mountains,
about ten miles from Santa Barbara (Orn. & 001. XI, 1886, 90).
Formerly
recorded by B. UT. Evermann as breeding in Ventura County (Auk III, 1886,
89).
Antonin Jay informs me that twenty-five or thirty years ago he occasionally saw the species near Los Angeles and shot several specimens. The
following records are all that T have seen in late years. Male of the year in
nearly adult plumage, received by R. Reynolds, the Los Angeles taxidermist, killed
near Oxnard, Ventura County, about November 6, 1905 (Grintiell,
Condor
I-III.
1906, 29).
Adult male, also mounted by Mr. Reynolds, taken by W. B.
I’owers near Redlantls, San P,ernardino County, October 2, 1909. Adult male,
now in collection of M. F. Gilman, shot by his brother at Banning, Riverside
County. in April, 1907. RTale, seen by C. S. Sharp, shot at Ramona, San

Diego County, in November. 1905 (Condor VIII, 1906, 75).
70. (146)
Marila americana (Eyton).
REDHEAD.
Common winter visitant. Less plentiful in summer. The majority arrive
in October and leave in March. A few remain through the summer and breed
on fresh water marshes in May and June. I found a nest containing nine
pipped equy
s h‘ at Nigger Slough, Los Angeles County, May 13, 1911; and Antonin
Jay found a nest containing eleven fresh eggs of the Redhead and four eggs
of the Ruddy Duck, in the same locality, May 31, 1903. On May 28, 1911, I


found the Redhead breeding commonly at San Jacinto Lake. Riverside County.
Four nests examined on that date contained fifteen, seventeen, eighteen and
twenty-seven eggs respectively. The last was probably the product of at least
two females (Condor XIII, 1911, 158).
M ax-1
‘1 a valisineria (Wilson).
CANVAS-RACK.
71. (147)
Common winter visitant to the marshes. Arrives late in October and leaves
mostly in March.
72. (148)
Marila marila (Linnaeus).
SCAUP DUCK.
is an occasional winter visitant, mostly near the
The larger “blue-bill”
J. G. Cooper recorded this species as
coast. South at least to San Diego.

common in his time along the whole coast of California. from October to April
(C., Er. & Ridg., W. 1::. N. A. II, 1884, 19), but in recent years they have been
noted only occasionally. H. J. L e1an de informs me that he secures a few of
these birds each year on the gun clubs cf Los Angeles County. F. S. Daggett
has a male taken by Ex-Governor Markham at Bixby, Los Angeles County,
A specimen was taken near San
December 20, 1899 (Condor II, 1900, 19).
Diego by A. Cassidy in the early 50’s (Baird, ,Pac. R. R. Rep. IX, 1858, 791))
and C. I:. Linton took a male at National City, San Diego County, November
9, 1906.
73. (149)
Marila affinis (Eyton).
LESSER SCAUP DUCK.
The smaller “blue-bill” is a common winter visitant along the coast and
Arrives late in October and remains well
on larger bodies of water inland.
into April.
Two birds, a drake and duck-*r
young male-were
noted by
Bradford Torrey, June 6, 15 and 16, 1910, on a small fresh water lake near
Santa Carbara (Condor XII, 1910, 204).
74. (1.50) Marila collaris (Donovan).
RING-NECKED DUCK.
Rare winter visitant.
H. S. Swarth took a male and three females near
Mr. Swarth also saw
Los Angeles. October 15, 1898 (Condor II, 1900. 14).
one bird in the same locality December 14, following. and took a pair January
8, 1900. These are the only southern California records I have seen.

75. (151)
Clangula clangula americana Eonaparte.
GOLDEN-EYE.
Although J. G. Cooper reported this duck common in his time along the
whole coast of California in winter (E.. P,r. & Ridg., W. Ii. N. A. II, 1884,
46), it has only been noted occasionally of late years. L. Peyton has taken a
few specimens in the marshes of Ventura County, and H. S. Swarth has noted
it in the vicinity of Los Angeles (Grinnell, Pub. 2. Pasadena Acad Sci., 1898,
12).
A. M. Shields took a male at T:allona, Los Angeles County, December
14, 1894 (Grinnell, 1. c.), and A. Fenyes took a pair near Newport, Orange
County, January 5, 1901 (Daggett, Condor III, 1901. 47).
W. E. Judson took
a female near Huntington Beach, Orange County, December 28, 1911.
76. (153) Charitonetta albeola (Linnaeus) . EUFFLE-HEAD.
Generally a comtnon winter visitant, especially on salt water lagoons. Arrives in late October and early November and leaves mostly in March and early


Rare

;\pril.
Nigger

during

Slough,

Los Angeles

in the same locality,

abundant
,I.

I

some winters.
May

at San Diego

County,

found

April

this

species fairly

22, 1910, and saw an athilt

J. G. Cooper

1. following.

common

from October

to April

Harelda

hyemalis

(Linnaeus)

visitant.

south to San Diego.

20 (C.,

at

male

noted the Bufl-le-head
Br. & Ridg.,

W.

B. N.

1884, 49).

11,

77.

(,154)

Rare winter

of this species at Santa Barbara,
1876, App. JJ, 274).
taken in Los Angeles

Diego,
78.

Oidemia

Occurs occasionally
the other surf ducks.
by R. H.

~II, 1901, 15).

13. 1896 (Anthony,

(163)

Henshaw

Auk

americana
in winter

birds are two males

near Newport,

L. Belding

Orange

County,

took a specimen at San

x111, 1896, 172).
AMERICAN

Swainson.

along the California

South rarely

took a female

Rep. Ch. En. U. S. G. S.,

A male and female in the col-

in the early 80’s.

were shot by E. R. Hull

28, 1900 (Condor

January

H. W.

June 9, 1875 (Ann.

In the Cline collection of mounted
County

lection of F. S. Daggett,
November

OLD-SQUAT.

to Catalina

SC~TER.

coast, in company

Island.

Two

with

pairs were noted

Beck at Monterey in November, 1909 (Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci., ser. 4,
II. W. Henshaw took a specimen at Santa Cruz Island in

vo1.111, 1910, 69).

the summer of 1875 (Ann.

Rep. Ch. En. Y.

G. Cooper records this species as occurring
(B.,

Br. & Ridg.,

W.

R. N. A. II,

had taken it at Catalina
is our most southern
79.

(165)

Island

S. G. S., 1576, ,4pp. JJ, 275).
J.

alon,w the whole coast of California

H e informed

1884, 89).

(Pub.

2, Pasadena Acatl.

J. Grinnell

that he

Sci., 1898, 12).

This

record.

Oidemia

deglandi

Bonaparte.

WHITE-WIN~XD

SCOTER.

Very common winter visitant along the coast and around the Santa Barbara
Islands.

Arrives

breeding

birds of this and the next species are plentiful

in September

and October

and leaves mostly in April.

Non-

on the ocean through-

out the summer.
80.
Most

(166)

Oidemia

abundant

perspicillata

of the surf

from the north in October

(167)

Erismatura

The little “wire-tail”
out the year.
I

found

County,

an incomplete

of

this

and leave in April.

jamaicensis

(Gmelin).

species arrive

I noted an adult

RUDDY DUCK.

is a common resident of southern

a set of seven half-incubated
May

SURF SCOTER.

majority

June 8, 1910.

It breeds in tule marshes
1, 1910, and another

in the same locality,

The

and November

male at Santa Rosa Island,
81.

(Linnaeus).

ducks.

from

the middle

eggs at Nigger

set of seventeen

June 2, following.

Antonin

set of three eggs near Wilmington,

California

through-

of April’ until
Slough,

slightly

Jay found

June.

Los Angeles

incubated

eggs,

a nest containing

Los Angeles

County,

June

10, 1900.
82.

(169)

Common

Chen hyperboreus hyperboreus (Pallas).
winter

visitant

to the lowlands,

rives about the first part of October

LESSER SNOW Goose.

south to Lower

and leaves mostly

California.

in March

Ar-

and April.