WESTERN BfRDS Jcmraal qf C*JSfpmia Field Ornitfe^fogwEi Prfsirtm Gtiy .VSeC^Ju: THmupit-j CUffnr4 R, Lyurit MrmbfrtfHp ^«*Pry. Cifoo 4 l $.-.'rr\-ury, Riwnh Jvn ViiMm 2 -. til n r- Ml * ft M, Ctw# l-hwnjl totunl i Afcn H*tJf idjCc., Witten ] I, Andrew h ^E^.UiUWcc f Iliiiffir 4 + iJivkS K toAR L, Gimlilm )fec)il) ^netifbcT^ Ned li lull i ms il, Viijjjhiu V- |tihniwsi, Brini. (IhsWti S. lirtnA Clifford M Lynps, t'Hin Mantdi*. CiiTf Harry E 5 . Nftih, ,1 V- Remurfi. Jr rttunm L. Ridgm, $ttpJwn M, Hti'irll OUtfEf K. SflWt* ^ Etond ^hriar, AmoSd SfPUlL i' 1 ; fmtsl W- |t|]k i up f Divli} St i r I log: C: Sb m : ' '■ -v Si Jiffs 1 1 , T e« £ 1 *£ c It- WM, Hi thjhJ E li -i it. Fi ik-c* Wtbbj ].tulc A Zirnnv fljn=fl luinc 4, Number 4, 3 J Thr Saatus. m the Hfiiwn Pdk.in in the Montezry Kegiofi of flaJjftjrtJL.i Fasi in d Pictem Akn BxUnrfg# i * - " ' Wj -. — ■C" M The CMUffamw Ficitl O^thoki|'b-ts RtxarxJi Com ti tit etc Report 1 970-19 72 Jon Miter NtTi ES V Mixed fciir nr Sa packers an ihc Sirrra Nc va d -i HVj ni r 1 j? 1 - tbWfSWf I ruinpeK-r Wm lenity in Skiui hwfiptjfrh * 4 *hmgwn R L “R+x- Vm W^mrf A I rum pci er Swim in Southern Ciii lamia BtJii Sibr^rn Neff A I nt u Lie Record foi MdUrd N&ring in Clidurnj.i *l.irirw L M**rlW a nj ftjfru i Mortmi bulletin BOARD Layouf irvj #cr de%H by Vitpnji l 1 . J^htli^iL WESTERN BIRDS Volume 4, Number 4, 1973 THE STATUS OF THE BROWN PELICAN IN THE MONT- EREY REGION OF CALIFORNIA: PAST AND PRESENT ALAN BALDRIDGE, Hopkins Marine Station, Pacific Grove, California 93950 The status of the Brown Pelican ( Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) in California up to 1968 has been summarized by Schreiber and DeLong (1969), to 1970 by Schreiber and Risebrough (1972) and to 1972 by Anderson and Anderson (unpublished). Central California’s Monterey Bay region is important to Brown Peli- cans, both as a former breeding area and as a very important feeding area during the northward post-breeding dispersal. It seems worthwhile to document their status there in more detail. HISTORY OF THE POINT LOBOS PELICANS Loomis (1895) visited Point Lobos in 1894 during an intensive study of marine birds in the Monterey area. Although he observed breeding cormorants, he did not report breeding pelicans. Williams (1927) was the first to report breeding in the area, on Bird Island in 1927, in what is now Point Lobos State Reserve. Some 10 nests with eggs were found on 25 May. A second visit on 16 June showed only 8 nests with eggs. Finally, 8 downy young were seen on 4 August. He indicated (1931) that no breeding took place in 1928, but that in 1929 55 nests with eggs were found on 29 May and 78 young counted on 30 June. In the years following, small numbers of young were seen in most years, although in some years no breeding took place. There is no evidence that nesting was ever attempted at any site at Point Lobos, other than Bird Island. Searches of offshore rocks to the south in Monterey County also failed to indicate any nesting activity (L. Williams pers. comm.). Williams’s notes for those years are listed in Table 1. In most years the actual nesting population at Point Lobos was considerably obscured by the usually large numbers of non- breeders, including immature birds, which arrived from the south in early July to use the former nesting area on Bird Island as a diurnal resting place and nocturnal roosting site (Grinnell and Linsdale 1936). Western Birds 4:93-100, 1973 93 BROWN PELICAN In addition to being located at the northern periphery of the breed- ing range of this sub-species, Bird Island is the only colony not located on an offshore island. It is separated from the mainland by a channel a few meters wide. The breeding history of this colony is perhaps better known than that of any other colony on the Pacific coast. Following the observations of Laidlaw Williams, the area became a State Reserve in 1933. It is readily viewed but also well protected and pelican ob- servations have been contributed by a succession of Park personnel. The data on nesting activity in Table 1 were compared with surface water temperature data (Skogsberg 1936, Skogsberg and Phelps 1946, Radovich 1961, Bolin and Abbott 1963). No clear correlation emerged, although the cold period from 1948-1956 was one of little or no pelican reproduction at Point Lobos. In 1958, at the start of a warm water period, an exceptionally large nesting was initiated (52 nests), however only one nest with young was noted. The relationship between high chlorinated hydrocarbon residue levels, consequent egg-shell thinning and declining nesting success in the spe- cies, has been discussed by Schreiber and Risebrough (1972). Cox (1970) demonstrated the increase in DDT residues in California marine phytoplankton from 1955 to 1969. The virtual absence of nesting success from as early as 1949 and throughout the 1950s coincides with this increase in DDT residues. MONTEREY BAY Regarding the Brown Pelican in Monterey Bay, Loomis (1895) stated that in June it was “...rather common. Through July and August it in- creased steadily in abundance, toward the last becoming one of the most conspicuous birds of the Bay.” He further stated (Loomis 1896) that in 1894 and 1895 “...they were more numerous in December and January than in August. The largest flock had upwards of a hundred birds in it.” In the fall of 1896 he found “Pelicans were conspicuous from the outset. On 3rd of October, it was evident that reinforcements had ar- rived. From that date they were very common” (Loomis 1900a). In the spring of 1897 “They were not common until June. Both white and dark breasted birds were present” (Loomis 1900b). R. H. Beck worked the area for the California Academy of Sciences at intervals from 1903 to 1910. He reported this species as “arriving from the south after the breeding season, they occur here commonly, remaining until the advent of the next season of reproduction” (Beck 1910). In addition to its importance as the. most northerly breeding site on the Pacific coast, the Point Lobos area has also served as an important roosting area. Grinnell and Linsdale (1936) reported 3000 birds present 94 BROWN PELICAN Table 1. Brown Pelican nesting activity on Bird Island at Point Lobos, Monterey County, California, 1933-1973. The figures for 1933-1945 are from L. Williams; those from 1949-1965 are from Dr. H. L. Cogswell’s notes and from Audubon Field Notes . Date 6 June 1933 7 July 1933 13 July 1933 17 May 1934 17 June 193 5 11 July 1935 29 May 1936 27 June 1936 6 July 1936 22 June 1937 1938 Early May 1939 1940 1941 21 July 1942 3 July 1943 24 June 1944 24 June 1945 1946-1948 17 July 1949 2 April 1950 18 March 1951 1951-1953 15 May 1954 23 June 1955 24 June 1956 1957 1958— precise date unknown 24 May 1959 1960 1961 1962 Remarks 44 well-formed nests with incubating birds. Only 5 broods seen, plus 8 birds on well-formed nests. 7 broods. 9 possible incubating birds, plus 358 others. No young observed in 1934. 9 adults on well-formed nests and 3 broods present. 20 downy young was the maximum counted. 24 adults in the incubating posture. 1 5 broods of young. 27 young. 7 broods counted. No reports. Indication of nesting (building?) activity. Failed to complete nesting. No reports. 10 young in nests, the first since 1937. 41 downy young. Maximum of 12 families with downy young. 2 1 downy young. No reports available. 700 estimated to be present, no nesting activity noted. 30 estimated to be present, no nesting activity noted. “Several, only, present, though 50 on 17 Mile Drive, Peb- ble Beach, and 80 at Point Pinos, Pacific Grove.” No reports published on nesting activity. None seen, though coverage thorough. 15 nests counted, but no young at any time (J. Whitehead Supervisor) (Cogswell and Pray 1955). 2 pairs nesting, including one with dry chick (J. White- head). No reports. 52 nests, but only one nest containing (2) young (M. Frincke, Supervisor, and L. Williams). 27 nests counted (M, Frincke). J. Vandevere reports total for season of only 7 young, 2 nests with 4 young (Cutler and Pugh 1959). J. Vandevere (pers. comm.) reported 5 nests built, but no eggs or young seen. None attempted to nest (M. Frincke; Cutler and Pugh 1961). No reports. 95 BROWN PELICAN Table 1 (Cont.) 5 May 1963 28 June 1963 3 nests visible (H. L. Cogswell). 350 birds present, but only one nest remained with brood- ing bird (H. L. Cogswell; De Benedictis and Chase 1963). No reports. No evidence of successful nesting, although birds seen carrying nesting material (H. L. Cogswell; Chase and Pax- ton 1965). 3 birds on nests, disappeared by 15 June (H. L. Cogswell; Chase and Chandik 1966). No nesting activities (pers. obs.) 1964 25 June 1965 29 May and 15 June 1966 1967-1973 on 10 November 1935, an indication of its importance as a roost. With small numbers of birds present throughout the breeding season and a rapid build-up after the end of June, Bird Island at Point Lobos Reserve is still an important roost. Of 1768 birds counted on the annual Christ- mas Bird Count for the Monterey area, in December 1965, the vast majority were at Point Lobos (Highley 1 966). More recently I counted 270 birds on 9 October 1969. D. W. Anderson and I. T. Anderson (un- published) give a detailed analysis of the annual Christmas Bird Count data for this species. Other important roosts in the area include Elkhorn Slough at Moss Landing. Here the birds leave the Bay and fly across dunes and slough to the extensive salt evaporation ponds of the Monterey Bay Salt Co. Dykes between lagoons provide them with an undisturbed resting place. An idea of the seasonal variation in their numbers in the Bay is found in the water bird censuses done under direction of California Department of Fish and Game personnel by members of the Monterey Peninsula Audubon Society, Santa Cruz Bird Club and Moss Landing Marine Lab- oratories from January 1967 to June 1968 (D. Pine pers. comm., Brown- ing et al. 1972). Use commenced in mid-June and extended into De- cember, with a peak of 2243 on 23 August 1967 and 1000+ present from August to October. Peak numbers may be observed at sunset as streams of birds arrive from all points on the Bay to roost. I counted 2300 there on 15 September 1968. A marked reduction took place in 1969 when their peak showed 570 on 15 September. Laidlaw Williams (pers. comm.) indicated that Moss Landing has long had these large roosts; at least back to the early 1930s. The mouth of the Pajaro River, 5.5 km north of Moss Landing is al- so a major roosting site in the fall. J. and R. Warriner in recent years have reported large numbers (Table 2). During summer and fall, large roosts are also present on such offshore rocks as the Lobos Rocks off Soberanes Point, 8.5 km south of Point 96 BROWN PELICAN Table 2. Brown Pelican counts from the mouth of the Pajaro River, Santa Cruz County, by J. and R. Warriner. Date Total % Immature Remarks Source 1 Nov. 1970 1,100 25% imm. Over Monterey Bay off river mouth Chandik, DeSante and Pugh 1971 30 July 1972 862 39% 1st yr. 11% 2nd yr. — DeSante and Remsen 1973 25 July 1973 601 20% 1st yr. 15% 2nd yr. — Remsen and Gaines 1973 Lobos, and on other Big Sur coastal rocks. Bird Rock in Pebble Beach, offshore rocks at Point Pinos and Hopkins Marine Station, in Pacific Grove, and the sand spit at the mouth of the Salinas River are all im- portant as roosts, and at times up to 400-450 birds or more may be counted at any of these locations. PROPORTION OF IMMATURE BIRDS OBSERVED In view of the widespread breeding failure in southern California and Baja California waters in 1968 described by Schreiber and DeLong (1969) and in 1969 (Risebrough et al. 1971), observations were made in the Monterey region to determine the proportion of immature birds present in these visiting flocks. These are presented in Table 3. Although the birds are declining in northwestern Baja California (Jehl 1973), they are breeding successfully elsewhere (D. W. Anderson pers. comm.). Should declines take place elsewhere in the Mexican breeding population then we can expect regular dispersing populations to show similar trends in the Monterey region. Brown Pelicans regular- ly reach the mouth of the Columbia River in late fall (Palmer 1962) and a decline at the extremity of their northern wanderings would soon be apparent. Ainley (1972) summarized censuses for 1965-1972 from the Point Reyes-Farallon Islands area of north-central California, the figures show- ing a decline, “although the trend was not absolute.” General declines may be masked locally to some extent by the rather marked variation in numbers using a particular area. These variations may be brought about by anomalous oceanographic conditions causing marked fluctuations in their food supply. In the Monterey area birds will at times adopt a temporary roost close to a favored feeding area, only to abandon it should food no longer remain available close by. 97 BROWN PELICAN Table 3. Percentage of immature Brown Pelicans present in migrant flocks. Monterey Bay Area, 1968-1973. Date Place Total Percent Immature 7 July- 9 August 1968 Hopkins Marine Sta Pacific Grove ? Increased from 10% to max. of 33% 1 2 July-7 Nov. 1969 Same place 324 Varied from 10% to 42% (8 July), Av. during period 23% 1 June-28 Sept. 1969 Bird Rock, Pebble Beach 1098 Av. 21% 15 Sept 1969 Elkhom Slough, Moss Landing 570 12.5% 9 Oct. 1969 Bird Is., Point Lobos Reserve 270 11% 23 July 1970 Bird Rock, Pebble Beach 160 8% first year, 11% second year 27 Aug.-19 Sept. 1970 Hopkins Marine Sta. Pacific Grove 4922 Av. 32% first year Av. 8% second year 2 Oct. 1970 Bird Is,, Point Lobos Reserve 270 6% first year, 2% second year 27 Sept. 1971 Elkhom Slough, Moss Landing 250 —3 1972 — _ 4 — 25 Sept. 1973 Elkhom Slough, Moss Landing 600 — 25 Sept. 1973 Salinas River mouth 75 — 1. For 1968-1969 immature birds not separated into first and second year. 2. Included one marked with green streamer on right leg. Marked at Puerto Refugio (north end of Isla Angel de la Garda, Gulf of California.) 3. No immature/adult ratios were noted 1971-1973. During this period the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service undertook counts along the California coast (D. W. Anderson pers. comm.). Those of Warriner at the Pajaro River mouth have been noted in Table 2. 4. No figures, apart from early August indications of a large build-up in Monterey Bay, with many first year birds. It is suggested that observers pay particular attention to age ratios in future censuses and counts contributed to regional reports and Christmas Bird Counts in American Birds and other publications. Pre- liminary data indicate that there may be three or four identifiable age- classes, before full adult plumage is attained (D. W. Anderson pers. comm.). 98 BROWN PELICAN SUMMARY The known history of the occurrence and former nesting of the Brown Pelican in the Monterey region is discussed. The most successful nesting seasons recorded at Point Lobos were 1929 (79 young counted), 1936 (15 broods), and 1943 (41 young counted), 1959 was the last year in which young were seen. Sporadic nest building activity and some “in- cubating” birds were noted until 1966. Evidence is presented indicating the great importance of the Monterey Bay area to this species, particu- larly during the northward post-breeding dispersal. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to express special appreciation to Laidlaw Williams for exten- sive use of his observations, and to Howard L. Cogswell, Milton Frincke and Judson Vandevere for theirs. Daniel W. Anderson and Robert W. Risebrough provided encouragement, the former suggesting improve- ments in the manuscript. LITERATURE CITED Ainley, D. G. 1972. Brown Pelicans in north-central coastal California. Calif. Birds 3:59-64. Beck, R. H. 1910. Water birds of the vicinity of Point Pinos, California, Proc. Calif. Acad, Sci., 4th Ser„ 3:57-72, Bolin, R. L. and D, P. Abbott. 1963. Studies on the marine climate and phyto- plankton of the central coastal area of California, 1954-1960. Calif. Coop. Oceanic Fish. Invest. Rep. 9:23-45. Browning, B. 1972. The natural resources of Elkhorn Slough: their present and future use. Coastal Wetland Ser. No. 4. California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento. Chandik, T., D. DeSante, and E, A. Pugh. 1971. Fall migration. Middle Pacific Coast region. Am. Birds 25:100. Chase, T. and T. Chandik. 1966. Nesting season. Middle Pacific Coast region. Audubon Field Notes 20:596. Chase, T. and R. O. Paxton. 1965, Spring migration. Middle Pacific Coast region. Audubon Field Notes 19:508. Cogswell, H. L. and R. H. Pray. 1955. Nesting season. Middle Pacific Coast re- gion. Audubon Field Notes 9:398. Cox, J, L, 1970. DDT residues in marine phytoplankton: increase from 1955 to 1969. Science 170:71-73. Cutler, B. D. and E. A. Pugh. 1959. Nesting season. Middle Pacific Coast region. Audubon Field Notes 13:451. Cutler, B. D. and E. A. Pugh. 1961. Nesting season. Middle Pacific Coast region. Audubon Field Notes 15:490. 99 BROWN PELICAN De Benedictis, P. and T. Chase. 1963. Nesting season. Middle Pacific Coast re- gion. Audubon Field Notes 17:481. DeSante, D. and V. Remsen. 1973. Fall migration. Middle Pacific Coast region. Am. Birds 27:113. Grinnell, J. H. and J. M. Linsdale. 1936. Vertebrate animals of Point Lobos Re- serve, 1934-35. Carnegie Inst. Wash. Pub 1. No. 481. Highley, E., compiler. 1966. Christmas bird count, Monterey Peninsula. Audubon Field Notes 20: 369. Jehl, J. R. 1973. Studies of a declining population of Brown Pelicans in north- western Baja California. Condor 75:69-79 Loomis, L. M. 1895. California water birds. No. I— Monterey and vicinity from the middle of June to the end of August. Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., 2nd Ser., 5:177-224. Loomis, L. M. 1896. California water birds. No. II— Vicinity of Monterey in mid- winter. Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., 2nd Ser., 6:1-30. Loomis, L. M. 1900a. California water birds. No. IV— Vicinity of Monterey in autumn. Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., 3rd Ser., 2:277-322. Loomis, L. M. 1900b. California water birds. No. V— Vicinity of Monterey in May and early June. Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., 3rd Ser., 2:349-363. Palmer. R. S. ed. 1962. Handbook of North American birds. Vol. 1. Loons through flamingos. Yale Univ. Press, New Haven. Radovieh, J. 1961. Relationships of some marine organisms of the Northeast Pacific to water temperatures, particularly during 1957 through 1959. Calif. Dept. Fish and Game Fish Bull. 112. Remsen, V. and D. A. Gaines. 1973. Nesting season. Middle Pacific Coast region. Am. Birds 27:912. Schreiber, R. W. and R. L. DeLong. 1969. Brown Pelican status in California. Audubon Field Notes 23:57-59. Schreiber, R. W. and Risebrough, R. W. 1972. Studies of the Brown Pelican I: Status of Brown Pelican populations in the United States. Wilson Bull. 84:119-135. Skogsberg, R. 1936. Hydrography of Monterey Bay, California. Thermal con- ditions, 1929-1933. Trans. Am. Philos. Soc. 21:1-152, Skogsberg, R. and A. Phelps. 1946. Hydrography of Monterey Bay, California. Thermal conditions, Part II (1934-1937). Proc. Am. Philos. Soc. 90:350-386. Williams, L. 1927. Brown Pelicans nesting at Point Lobos, Monterey County, California. Condor 29:246-249. Williams, L. 1931. Further notes on Brown Pelicans at Point Lobos, California. Condor 33:66-69. 100 THE CALIFORNIA FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS RECORDS COMMITTEE REPORT 1970-1972 JON WINTER, Point Reyes Bird Observatory, Box 321, Bolinas, California 94924 In the first issue of California Birds (1:2-3, 1970) the formation of the Records Committee 1 was announced. The need for the committee and the format for the submission of reports has been outlined (Winter, Calif. Birds 2:109-110, 1971), and a list of species that the committee would review has been published (C.F.O. Field List of the Birds of California, 1972). The following is the first report from the Records Committee and includes the years 1970-1972. The committee system of reviewing rarities records seems, in retro- spect, to be the best method of establishing the scientific credibility of sight records. The care with which the records contained in this report were reviewed, often requiring many hours of individual research, seems to reinforce this position. The probability of erroneous data appearing in print is therefore greatly minimized. At a meeting in Death Valley on 24 November 1973, the committee members deleted a number of species previously acceptable for review and added a few others. It was agreed that if any species on the rarities list had a total of twenty established records in California it would be deleted from the list. The following species meet the aforementioned criteria and will no longer be accepted for review by the committee: Blue-footed Booby, Brown Booby, Magnificent Frigatebird, Little Blue Heron, Reddish Egret, Common Teal, Long-tailed Jaeger, Black Skim- mer, Craveri’s Murrelet, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Brown Thrasher, Red- eyed Vireo, Northern Parula Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Black -throated Blue Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Yellow Palm Warbler, Ovenbird, Orchard Oriole, Rusty Black- bird, Hepatic Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Dick- cissel, Clay-colored Sparrow, McCown’s Longspur,and Chestnut-collared Longspur. The following species have been added to the rarities list: Layson Albatross, Short-tailed Shearwater, and Black Rosy Finch. A revision of the C.F.O. Field List of the Birds of California is currently underway. Richard Stallcup was elected to the committee on 9 June 1973 to fill the seat vacated by Pierre Devillers. The rest of the com- mittee membership remains unchanged (Calif. Birds 2:109-110, 1971). 1. Variously called the Rare Bird Committee (Calif. Birds 1:2-3, 1970), and the California Rarities Committee (Calif. Birds 2:109-110, 1971). The official name adopted at a recent meeting is the California Field Ornithologists Records Com- mittee. Western Birds 4:101-106, 1973 101 RECORDS COMMITTEE The committee would like to thank all of the contributors listed at the end of this report for their cooperation in submitting records. In the first three years of operation, the committee found that less than 20% of the records submitted were unacceptable. This is a very good average (the British Rarities Committee in its first three years of opera- tion had an average rejection rate of about 23%) and in general seems to attest to the high quality of the records received rather than to an un- critical attitude of the committee. Most of the records found to be unacceptable to the committee were lacking in detail sufficient enough to make an adequate judgement on the reported species. We encourage the establishment of similar committees in other west- ern states and hope that the publication of rarities reports can become a regular feature of Western Birds. Arizona already has an operating com- mittee and hopefully other states will follow their fine example. As secretary of the California committee, I will lend whatever help can be offered to groups interested in establishing their own committees in their respective states. Records are grouped according to the year in which they were re- ceived regardless of the year of observation. The number assigned to each record is in parentheses. All the records are on file with the com- mittee secretary and are available to interested researchers upon request. The initials of the observers who submitted the record are in italics. Un- italicized initials are those of additional observers. 1970 ACCEPTED RECORDS CLAY-COLORED SPARROW ( Spizella pallida). One immature (7-1970) banded (No. 121-89689) on 26 September 1970 at San Pedro, Los Angeles Co. (SWO. 1970 UNACCEPTED RECORDS COOK’S PETREL ( Pterodroma cookii). One (6-1970) on 21 September 1970 SE Farallon Island, San Francisco Co. BAR-TAILED GODWIT ( Limosa lapponica). One (1AB-1970) on 26 September 1970 Lower Tubbs Island, Sonoma Co. FIELD SPARROW ( Spizella pusilla). One (4-1970) on 10 September 1970 Palos Verdes Peninsula, Los Angeles Co. 1971 ACCEPTED RECORDS OLIVACEOUS CORMORANT ( Phalacrocorax olivaceous). One adult (1-1971) on 13 April 1971 at West Pond 0.25 mile west of Imperial Dam, Imperial Co. ( LJ , BC, RMacI); first state record. PYRRHULOXIA ( Pyrrbuloxia sinuata). One adult male (2-1971) on 24 and 28 February 1971 (same bird) at Heise Springs, 8 miles west of Westmorland, Im- perial Co. (GMcC, JF, GSS, LJ). CLAY-COLORED SPARROW ( Spizella pallida). One immature (3-1971) banded (No. 129-98170) on 18 November 1971 at San Pedro, Los Angeles Co. (SW). 102 RECORDS COMMITTEE 1972 ACCEPTED RECORDS YELLOW-BILLED LOON ( Gavia adamsii). One (7-1972) on 11 and 12 March 1972 at Monterey Harbor, Monterey Co. {GMcC). OLIVACEOUS CORMORANT ( Pbalacrocorax olivaceous). One immature (13- 1972) on 22 and 23 April 1972 at West Pond 0.25 mile west of Imperial Dam, Imperial Co. ( JW, GMcC , ST). MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD ( Fregata magnificens) . One adult male (6-1972) on 20 February 1972 at the mouth of the Whitewater River, Salton Sea, River- side Co. {EC, TAS). One immature (58-1972) on 17 June 1972 near the mouth of the New River, Salton Sea, Imperial Co. {GMcC, SLi, BRa). One female (69-1972) on 6 July 1972 at Del Mar, San Diego Co. (SS). One immature (74-1972) on 10 July 1972 at the mouth of the New River, Salton Sea, Imperi- al Co. {GH, RLeV). One immature (93-1972) on 6 August 1972 two miles south of Davenport, Santa Cruz Co. {BE). LITTLE BLUE HERON {Florida caerulea). One adult (24AB-1972) on 12 and 13 June 1972 at the mouth of the Santa Margarita River, San Diego Co. {GMcC, GSS, AF). REDDISH EGRET {Dicbromanassa rufescens). One adult (11-1972) on 16 April 1972 in the SW portion of San Diego Bay, San Diego Co. {GMcC). One im- mature (81-1972) on 9 October 1972 at the salt works 0.5 mile NW of Imperi- al Beach, San Diego Co. {RS, ST); this bird was present from 19 September 1974 until the end of the year (GMcC). ROSEATE SPOONBILL {Ajaia ajaja). Two immatures (75-1972) on 10 July 1972 at the mouth of the New River, Salton Sea, Imperial Co. {GH, RLeV); up to 7 were present in the area between 8 July and 8 October 1972 (GMcC). TUFTED DUCK {Aythya fuligula). One immature male or adult female (?) (5- 1972) on 20 February 1972 at Stow Lake, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, San Francisco Co. {GMcC, KG, JD, RW); the bird was present from 15 Febru- ary to 3 March 1972 (GMcC). ZONE-TAILED HAWK {Buteo albonotatus). One (94-1972) on 27 and 28 August 1972 at Big Pine, Inyo Co. {TH, GSS, LJ). LONG-TAILED JAEGER ( Stercorarius longicaudus) . One adult (72-1972) on 16 September 1972 about 15 miles south of Anacapa Island {GSS). BLACK SKIMMER {Ryncbops nigra). One adult (15-1972) on 24 April 1972 at Ballona Creek channel, Playa Del Rey, Los Angeles Co. {HB, JD, KG, et al.). Two adults (36-1972) on 29 May 1972 at the mouth of the Whitewater River, Salton Sea, Riverside Co. {GMcC, ST). Eleven (601972) on 17 June 1972, six birds (and a nest with four eggs) at the mouth of the New River, Imperial Co., two in the southeast corner of Salton Sea, Imperial Co., and three at the mouth of the Whitewater River, Salton Sea, Riverside Co. {GMcC, SLi, BRa). Six adults (76-1972) on 10 July 1972 at the mouth of the New River, Salton Sea, Imperial Co. {GH, RLeV). THICK-BILLED MURRE ( Uria lomvia). One (90-1972) on 23 September 1972 approximately 13 miles southwest of Santa Cruz {RS, DS). WHIP-POOR-WILL {Caprimulgus vociferus). One male (8-1972) on 20 March 1972 at Coronado, San Diego, San Diego Co.; the bird was present since late December 1971 or early January 1972 {GMcC). Two (29-1972) on 28 and 29 April 1972 in the area around Lake Fulmor, San Jacinto Mts,, Riverside Co. (LJ, JD, KG, HB). CHIMNEY SWIFT {Cbaetura pelagica). One (22AB-1972) on 20 May 1972 at Oasis, Mono Co. {GMcC, GSS, BB). SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER {Muscivora forficata). One (25AB-1972) on 28 May 1972 at Covington Park, Morongo Valley, San Bernardino Co. {GMcC, LJ, ST, JM, RW). 103 RECORDS COMMITTEE BROWN THRASHER (Toxostoma rufuni). One (1-1972) on 15 January 1972 at Heise Springs 8 miles west of Westmorland, Imperial Co. ( GMcC , JW, ST). One (3-1972) on 12 and 13 February 1972 at San Diego, San Diego Co. ( GMcC ). WHITE WAGTAIL ( Motacilla alba). One (104ABC-1972) from 18 to 20 October 1972 at McGrath State Park, Santa Clara River estuary, Ventura Co. (VP, RP, RD); first state record. GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER ( Vermivora cbrysoptera). One female (56AB- 1972) on 5 June 1972 at Deep Springs College, Deep Springs, Inyo Co. (RS, JG ). NORTHERN PARULA WARBLER ( Parula americana). One female (44-1972) on 19 May 1972 at Covington Park, Morongo Valley, San Bernardino Co. (RS, GMa, JL, SL). One male (68-1972) on 25 July 1972 at Waddell Creek (near coast), Santa Cruz Co. (BE). One immature male (?) (84-1972) from 19 to 25 September 1972 at Esplanade Park, Pacific Grove, Monterey Co. (RS, VY, AB, LB, BRe). MAGNOLIA WARBLER (Dendroica magnolia ). One (85-1972) on 15 September 1972 at El Carmelo Cemetery, Pacific Grove, Monterey Co. (RS, GMa, KK, AW); the bird was reported to have stayed through 17 September 1972 (BRe). CAPE MAY WARBLER (Dendroica tigrina). One female (26AB-1972) on 27 May 1972 at Oasis, Mono Co. (GMcC, LJ, JD, RW, ST, JM). BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (Dendroica virens). One immature (?) (80-1972) on 20 and 21 October 1972 atCrespi Pond, Point Pinos, Monterey Co. (RS). BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER ( Dendroica fusca). One adult male (62-1972) on 6 August 1972 four miles southwest of Haskins Resort, Bucks Lake, Plumas Co., elevation 5000 feet (RS, TM). YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Dendroica dominica albilora). One (102- 1972) on 21 October 1972 at the Southwest Botanical Gardens, Rolling Hills, Los Angeles Co. (GM, LM, GSS, et al.). BAY-BREASTED WARBLER ( Dendroica castanea). One adult male (46-1972) on 28 May 1972 at Oasis, Mono Co. (RS, PA, DD, JFa). PRAIRIE WARBLER (Dendroica discolor). One (probable male)(78ABCD-1972) on 6 September 1972 on Point Reyes (Mendoza Ranch), Marin Co. (RS, JL, SL, GMa). OVENBIRD (Seiurus aurocapillus). One (82-1972) on 9 October 1972 at Cabrillo National Monument, Point Loma, San Diego, San Diego Co. (RS, ST). HOODED WARBLER (Wilsonia citrina). One female (35-1972) on 10 June 1972 at Deep Springs College, Deep Springs, Inyo Co. (GMcC). One male (65AB- 1972) on 22 August 1972 at Wildcat Creek, near Jewel Lake, Tilden East Bay Regional Park, Contra Costa Co. (RS, GH). CANADA WARBLER (Wilsonia canadensis). One male (?) (86-1972) from 15 to 17 September 1972 at Crespi Pond, Point Pinos, Monterey Co. (RS, AW). ORCHARD ORIOLE (Icterus spurius). One immature male_(21AB-1972) on 21 May 1972 at Deep Springs College, Deep Springs, Inyo Co. (GMcC, GSS, JW, BB, ST). One female or immature male (67-1972) on 19 June 1972 on the Jewel Lake Nature Trail, Tilden Park, Contra Costa Co. (GH, RS, DE, ST). One female (88-1972) on 20 September 1972 at the Asilomar Sewage Plant, Point Pinos, Monterey Co. (RS, BRe). RUSTY BLACKBIRD (Euphagus carolinus). One male (103-1972) on 16 Novem- ber 1972 at Eureka, Humboldt Co. (RD). SCARLET TANAGER ( FHranga rubra). One adult male (66-1972) on 24 May 1972 at Palo Alto, San Mateo Co. (TL). 104 RECORDS COMMITTEE HEPATIC TANAGER ( Piranga flam). Two adult males (18-1972) on 21 July 1972, three males and three females (probably paired) on 11 May 1972, and three males on 31 May 1972 (same record) three to four miles east of Baldwin Lake, San Bernardino Co.; on 18 June 1972 a nest was found about 50 feet up in a large Ponderosa Pine ( Pinus ponderosa) along Arrastre Creek ( GSS , KG, JD, BB). One adult male (30-1972) on 14 May 1972 three miles east of Bald- win Lake, San Bernardino Co. (GAfcC, JD, HB). PYRRHULOXIA ( Pyrrbuloxia sinuata). One adult male (2-1972) on 15 January 1972 at Heise Springs, 8 miles west of Westmorland, Imperial Co. ( GMcC , JW, ST); probably the same bird reported by McCaskie (Calif. Birds 2:99-100, 1971) , present from 31 December 1971 to March 1972. ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK ( Pbeucticus ludovicianus). One adult male (27AB- 1972) on 28 May 1972 at Kelso, San Bernardino Co. ( LJ , GAfcC, ST, JD, et al.). One male (31-1972) on 20 and 21 May 1972 at Furnace Creek Ranch, Death Valley National Monument, Inyo Co. (GAfcC, JW, ST). One adult male (43-1972) on 21 June 1972 at Arrastre Creek four miles east of Baldwin Lake, San Bernardino Co. (GSS, KG, SW). One adult male (47-1972) on 20 May 1972 at Hayfield Lake 32 miles east of Indio, Riverside Co. ( RS ). One im- mature male and one female (48-1972) on 26 May 1972 at Deep Springs Col- lege, Deep Springs, Inyo Co. (RS, DD, PA, JFa). Two immature males (49- 1972) on 2 June 1972 at Furnace Creek Ranch, Death Valley National Monu- ment, Inyo Co. (RS, GMa, JG). One adult male (61-1972) on 27 June 1972 at Glendale, Los Angeles Co. (GSS). One immature male (83-1972) on 9 October 1972 at the Cabrillo National Monument, Point Loma, San Diego, San Diego Co. (RS, ST), One male (95-1972) banded (No. 78-135339) on 25 September 1972 at San Pedro, Los Angeles Co. (SW). One adult male (99-1972) on 22, 23 and 24 June 1972 two miles northwest of Sunol, Alameda Co. (AfS). INDIGO BUNTING (Passerina cyanea). One adult male (17-1972) on 26 May 1972 at Point Loma, San Diego, San Diego Co. (AS, RMacI). One immature male (19-1972) on 27 May 1972 at the Yucca Valley Golf Course, Yucca Val- ley, San Bernardino Co. (GSS, JF). One female (23-1972) on 10 June 1972 at Furnace Creek Ranch, Death Valley National Monument, Inyo Co. (GAfcC). Two to three males (28AB-1972) on 27 May 1972 at Deep Springs College, Deep Springs, Inyo Co. (LJ, GMcC, JD et al.). One female (33-1972) on 20 May 1972 at Oasis, Mono Co. (GAfcC, JW). One adult male (41-1972) on 21 May 1972 at Furnace Creek Ranch, Death Valley National Monument, Inyo Co. (GAfcC, JW, ST). One adult male (50-1972) on 26 May 1972 at Batchelder Springs (on the west slope of Westgard Pass), Inyo Co. (RS). One male (51- 1972) on 26 May 1972 at Deep Springs College, Deep Springs, Inyo Co. (RS, PA, DD). One female (52-1972) on 27 May 1972 at Panamint Springs, Inyo Co. (RS, PA). One immature male (54-1972) on 2 June 1972 at Furnace Creek Ranch, Death Valley National Monument, Inyo Co. (RS, GMa, JG). One immature male (55-1972) on 5 June 1972 at Deep Springs College, Deep Springs, Inyo Co. (RS, GMa, JG). Two females (63 and 64-1972) on 25 August 1972 at Scotty’s Castle, Death Valley National Monument, Inyo Co. (RS, TM, VR, JT). One adult male (73-1972) on 27 May 1972 at Kelso, San Bernardino Co. (SC). One female (89-1972) on 14 September 1972 near the mouth of the Carmel River, Monterey Co. (RS). DICKCISSEL (Spiza americana). Two females (45-1972) on 27 May 1972 at Furnace Creek Ranch, Death Valley National Monument, Inyo Co. (RS, PA, DD, JFa). One immature male (?) (98-1972) on 2 October 1972 on the Yucca Valley Golf Course, Yucca Valley, San Bernardino Co. (GSS). 105 RECORDS COMMITTEE CLAY-COLORED SPARROW ( Spizella pallida). One (87-1972) on 17 Septem- ber 1972 at Crespi Pond, Point Pinos, Monterey Co. (RS, RB, DD, JFa, et al.). One (91-1972) on 24 September 1972 at Crespi Pond, Point Pinos, Monterey Co. (RS, BRo). McCOWN’S LONGSPUR (Calcarius mccownii). One (16-1972) on 9 January 1972 seven miles northwest of Calipatria, Imperial Co. ( BB , HC, OC). CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR (Calcarius omatus ). Four (4-1972) on 19 February 1972 five miles south-southeast of Litchfield, Lassen Co. (GMcC, KG, JD, RW). 1972 UNACCEPTED RECORDS BLUE-FOOTED BOOBY (Sula nebouxii). One (14-1972) on 8 January 1972 ten miles southwest of Ventura, Ventura Co. MISSISSIPPI KITE (Ictinia tnisisippiensis ). One (79-1972) on 28 September 1972 at Mill Valley, Marin Co. BROAD-WINGED HAWK (Buteo platypterus). One (105-1972) on 12 October 1972 near the mouth of the Big Sur River, Monterey Co. RUFOUS-NECKED SANDPIPER (Calidris ruficollis ). One (9-1972) on 5 May 1969 at Humboldt Bay, Eureka, Humboldt Co. CHIMNEY SWIFT (Chaetura pelagica). One (59-1972) on 24 and 26 May 1972 at Encino Reservoir, Encino, Los Angeles Co. GREAT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarcbus crinitus). One (92AB-1972) on 24 September 1972 at Point Lobos State Reserve, Monterey Co. EASTERN PHOEBE (Sayomis pboebe). One (101-1972) on 17 and 18 October 1972 at Palos Verdes Peninsula, Los Angeles Co. YELLOW-GREEN VIREO (Vireo flavoviridis). One (70-1972) on 4 September 1972 at Finney Lake, Imperial Co. BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER (Dendroica caerulescens). One (96-1972) on 9 September 1972 at San Pedro, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Los Angeles Co. One (100-1972) on 14 October 1972 at China Lake, Inyo Co. ORCHARD ORIOLE (Icterus spurius). One (15-1972) on 5 December 1971 at Palos Verdes Peninsula, Los Angeles Co. PAINTED BUNTING (Passerina ciris). One (10-1972) on 18 April 1972 at Imperi- al Beach, San Diego Co.; nearly all committee members agreed that this bird was an escaped cage pet. One female (71-1972) on 4 May 1972 at Covington Park, Morongo Valley, San Bernardino Co. CONTRIBUTORS Peter Alsing (PA), Alan Baldridge (AB), Laurence Binford (LB), Ron Branson (RB), Bruce Broadbooks (BB), Henry Rrodkin (HB), Steven Cardiff (SC), Edward Chalif (EC), Herb Clarke (HC), Olga Clarke (OC), Bill Clow (BC), Dave DeSante (DD), Bruce Deuel (BD), Ruby Drapeau (RD), Jon Dunn (JD), Bruce Elliott (BE), Dick Erickson (DE), Jim Fairchild (JF), Janet Farness (JFa), Alice Fries (AF), Kim Garrett (KG), Jim Ginestra (JG), Thomas Heindel (TH), Gene Hunn (GH), Lee Jones (LJ), Kenn Kaufman (KK), Ron LeValley (RLeV), Steven Liston (SLi), Tom Lund (TL), John Luther (JL), Susanne Luther (SL), Richard Macintosh (RMacI), Gerald Maisel (GM), Laurette Maisel (LM), Georgianne Manolis (GMa), Tim Manolis (TM), Guy McCaskie (GMcC), John Mencke (JM), Ruth Parker (RP), Virginia Puddicombe (VP), Bill Rapeley (BRa), Bill Reese (BRe), Van Remsen (VR), Bob Rodrigues (BRo), Ann Scales (AS), Milton Seibert (MS), David Simon (DS), Richard Stallcup (RS), G. Shumway Suffel (GSS), Steven Summers (SS), Tucson Audubon Society (TAS), Jerry Tangren (JT), Scott Terrill (ST), Art Wang (AW), Richard Webster (RW), Shirley Wells (SW), Jon Winter (JW), Vern Yadon (VY). 106 NOTES A MIXED PAIR OF SAPSUCKERS IN THE SIERRA NEVADA WARDENE WEISSER, P. O. Box 26, Bonita, California 92002 On 26 June 1973 I saw an adult Red-breasted Sapsueker ( Spbyrapicus ruber) fly across a small meadow accompanied by another sapsueker so different from the former that it aroused my curiosity. The meadow is near Lee Vining Creek at about 7200 feet elevation on the east side of the Sierra Nevada and only a short distance off the Tioga Pass Road in Mono County, California. On 1 July I again located this pair in dense Quaking Aspen ( Populus tremu- loides) and Lodgepole Pine ( Pinus contorta) along Lee Vining Creek. It was ap- parent I had a mixed pair of birds, the mate being a Red-naped Sapsueker (S. nucb- alis). The latter was identified as a female by its white chin and upper throat. After watching them for a short time I located their nest in an Aspen (Figure 1). The nest cavity was about four feet off the ground on the south side of the trunk and had clearly been made that year since the ground below was heavily littered with fresh wood chippings. Both birds were seen entering the nest cavity with food, and the voices of young birds were heard. I set up my blind and photographic equipment hoping to record this pair on film. As soon as I entered the blind the Red-breasted bird was at the nest with food for the young. He continued to bring food at an average of once each ten to fifteen minutes, undisturbed by the click of the camera and sudden burst of light from the electronic flash. However, the Red-naped bird appeared very timid and was reluctant to feed the young even though she could see her mate entering the nest cavity. The following morning the female had become accustomed to the blind and photographic equipment and came regularly to feed the young. It was interesting that during these two days it was always the male who removed the sawdust covered fecal sac. The nest was last checked on 6 July at which time both parents were still feeding the noisy young. In 1973 Laurence Weisser and I found five pairs of Red-breasted Sapsuckers nesting within 0.5 mile of this mixed pair. Devillers (Calif. Birds 1:47-76, 1970) recently reviewed the status, distribution and identification of three forms of sapsueker in California. These three forms are treated as races of the Yellow-bellied Sapsueker (S. varius) by Howell (Condor 54:237-282, 1952) and by the A.O.U. Check-list (1957). The Red-naped Sap- sucker nests in the mountains from southeastern British Columbia and southwest- ern Alberta south to central Arizona and southern New Mexico. The Red-breasted Sapsueker nests in the extreme West from southeastern Alaska to southern Cali- fornia. In California the Red-naped Sapsueker is recorded nesting in the extreme northeast comer (Warner Mountains, Modoc County), and along the eastern bor- der intermittently to Inyo County (White Mountains). Mixed pairs of S. nuchalis and S. ruber have been recorded in Modoc and eastern Mono counties, but hy- bridization appears to be infrequent. The Lee Vining Creek nesting is another documented record of hybridization between S. nuchalis and S. ruber, in an area where normally the Red-breasted Sapsueker is virtually alone. Western Birds 4:107-108, 1973 107 108 Figure 1. A male Red-breasted Sapsucker (left) and a female Red-naped Sapsucker (right), members of a mated pair raising young on the east slope of the Sierra Nevada in Mono Co., California, 2 July 1973. Photos by Wardene Wetsser TRUMPETER SWANS WINTERING IN SOUTHWESTERN WASHINGTON R. L. “REX” VAN WORMER, Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, Ilwaco, Wash- ington 98624 Historically, both Whistling and Trumpeter swans (Olor columbianus and O. buc- cinator) wintered in southwestern Washington and on the Columbia River, Lewis and Clark reported an abundant swan population and noted the difference in the abundance of the two species (Allen, P., History of the expedition under the command of Captains Lewis and Clark to the sources of the Missouri, thence across the Rocky Mountains down the River Columbia to the Pacific Ocean, per- formed during the years 1804-1805-1806. By order of the Gov. 0fU.S.,BrancI- ford and Inkeep, Phil. 2, 1814). Jewett et al. (Birds of Washington State, Univ. Washington Press, Seattle, 1953) gave the status of the Trumpeter Swan as “Formerly migrant and winter resi- dent both east and west of the mountains; no record in recent years.” In December 1967, a bird from a flock of 21 swans was shot near Clear Lake, Skagit County, Washington. It was dissected and identified as a Trumpeter Swan by Washington State Game Department biologists (Crowell and Nehls, Audubon Field Notes 22:469, 1968). In following years, confiscated swan kills suggested that the annually increasing flock in DeBay Slough, adjacent to the Skagit River, was predominantly Trumpeters (T. R. Wahl pers. comm.). Since 1968 Washington State Game Department waterfowl population inven- tories have included the following Trumpeter Swan sightings: Skagit Bay (DeBay Slough area, Barney Lake, Beaver Lake, Clear Lake and surrounding areas), 1968- 46, 1969-33, 1970-17, 1971-51, 1972-94, 1973-97, and 1974-92. (Winter Water- fowl Population Summary Sheets and 1973-74 Skagit Game Management Area wildlife observations, Washington State Game Department). According to Larrison and Sonnenberg (Washington Birds Their Location and Identification, 1968), one report had been received from Grays Harbor, Wash- ington, and the species was considered very rare. In December 1970, a dead juvenile Trumpeter Swan was found near Leadbetter Point (Lat 46° 37' N, Long. 124°03' W) on the north end of Long Beach Penin- sula, Pacific County, Washington. The specimen was identified by trachea and sternum examination by the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge staff. In mid- January 1971, a second juvenile mortality was found on Loomis Lake, approxi- mately 8 miles south of the first mortality. Identification of both specimens was confirmed 26 February 1971 by the Bird and Mammal Laboratory, Washington D.C. On 22 February 1971, a flock of 26 swans was closely observed on the sand dune ponds at Surfside Estates near the south boundary of Leadbetter Point Wild- life Refuge. Eleven of these were tentatively identified as Trumpeters. Of these 11,3 adults and 2 juveniles were further identified by their calls. During the winter 1972-73, a flock of 80+ swans wintered on the ponds and sloughs of Long Beach Peninsula. Of these, 10-15 were tentatively identified as Trumpeters, although no positive confirmations were made. On 28 December 1973, three adult swans in a flock of 15 on the sand dune ponds near Surfside Estates, were positively identified by call as Trumpeters. The other 12 were suspected to be Trumpeters, but not confirmed. During the summer of 1972, Dr. W. J. L. Sladen banded and color marked Trumpeter Swans in Alaska. On 16 December 1972, a juvenile banded 30 July 1972 near Cordova, Alaska (blue neck collar 340 Y) was sighted on Loomis Lake by Willapa Refuge Staff. On 18 December, the same bird was found dead by Wash- ington State Game Department personnel. Another neck-banded bird banded on Western Birds 4:109-110, 1973 109 NOTES the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska in June 1972 (08VY-adult female), was present with six other swans at Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, 8-27 December 1972 (James Morris; Crowell and Nehls, Am, Birds 27:653, 1973). In the winter 1972-73, the DeBay flock in Skagit County included one Trum- peter Swan marked by Sladen; and the following winter two appeared (Reade Brown fide T. R. Wahl). U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service census data on the Lower Columbia River and Long Beach Peninsula indicate that southwest Washington is an important swan wintering area. Populations have been counted ranging from 800 in 1968 to 3,000 in 1971. Field and confirmed identifications on Long Beach Peninsula indicate that this area may support a number of wintering Trumpeter Swans. However, until more marked birds appear, or better aerial identification marks are dis- covered, the Trumpeter Swan incidence in the Lower Columbia River will remain speculative. Although suspicion as to swan identification is justified, both past and present, the confirmed sightings indicate that the number of Trumpeters appear to be definitely increasing. The origin and possible inter-relationship between western Washington wintering populations would be of interest and worth further investi- gation. 110 A TRUMPETER SWAN IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BRAD SCHRAM, 763-E Birch Walk, Goleta, California 93017 On 22 January 1973 my family and I were on the Carrizo Plain at Soda Lake in San Luis Obispo County. At Ramer Lake, a small pond approximately 0.2 mile south of the town of California Valley, I saw two white birds on the opposite shore, little more than 100 yards distant. Training a 20x telescope on the birds, I saw them to be swans, both apparently mature in plumage. As the swans swam about I could see that one was significantly larger than the other. The larger swan had a head much the shape of a Canvasback’s ( Aythya valisinerta ) . It became ob- vious the smaller bird was the expected Whistling Swan ( Olor columbianus), and the larger a Trumpeter Swan ( Olor buccinator). Desiring to get a photographic record, I returned to the car and put a 640mm lens on my camera, and getting as close as I dare to the birds, took a half dozen pictures. The pictures clearly show a Whistling Swan with a Trumpeter Swan (Figure 1). An interesting feature was that in bright sunlight the Trumpeter Swan’s white plumage shaded faintly towards cream, while the Whistling Swan’s plumage tended toward a bluish cast. This was noticeable on the entire body of both birds. Neither of these subtle shades would be easily discernible without direct comparison be- tween the two, but this was possible as they swam or walked the shoreline in one another’s company. Grinnell and Miller (The Distribution of the Birds of California, 1944) indicate the last southern California record occurred in the 1890s. Dawson (The Birds of California, 1923) states the last authenticated record was in 1898. Pyle and Small (Annotated Field List, Birds of Southern California, 1961) do not mention the Trumpeter Swan. McCaskie (American Birds 27:662,1973) cites a report which indicates that the bird at California Valley was present from at least 13 January. Figure 1. A Trumpeter Swan and Whistling Swan on Ramer Lake near California Valley, San Luis Obispo County, California, 22 January 1973. Photo by Brad Schram 111 Western Birds 4:111, 1973 NEW ALTITUDE RECORD FOR MALLARD NESTING IN CALIFORNIA MARTIN L. MORTON, Department of Biology, Occidental College, Los Angeles, California 90041 GALEN A. MORTON, 1555 N. Ave. 46, Los Angeles, California 90041 The Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) is a year-around, widely distributed resident of California. It is known to breed at a great range of altitudes, from seacoast marshes to mountain lakes of the Sierra Nevada. Nests have been found as high as 1897 m (6225 ft) near Lake Tahoe (Grinnell, Bryant and Storer, The Game Birds of California, Univ. Calif. Press, 1918) and 2286 m (7500 ft) in Yosemite National Park (Grinnell and Miller, The Distribution of the Birds of California, Pacific Coast Avifauna No. 27, 1944). We have found no additional records indi- cating that Mallards breed higher than this in the Sierra Nevada. Therefore, we report herein our observations of a Mallard nest found in a subalpine meadow on the east side of Tioga Pass, Mono County, at an altitude of 3002 m (9850 ft). The nest was discovered on 23 June 1973 when the female flushed from it as we walked by. The nest contained eight eggs. It was constructed primarily of dried grasses and sedges, lined with down, and located on the ground in a seepage area among clumps of scrub willow ( Salix sp.). The site was about 600 m south of Tioga Lake and within 500 m of several small tarns. During the 15 days following the discovery of the nest we checked it 12 times, always during the daytime. On five of these visits the female was incubating. On the other visits she was absent and the eggs were covered with nest material (four times) or uncovered (three times). Eight eggs were always present. When checked for the last time, on 8 July, the clutch showed signs of predation. Five eggs were gone without trace, one was empty and had a hole about 2.5 cm 2 on one side, and two were intact. The latter were taken as specimens and measured 4.14 x 5.57 cm and 4.23 x 5.76 cm. We have spent six summers working on vertebrate populations in the Tioga Pass area and this is the first duck nest of any kind that we have found. Although Mallard nests at these heights must be considered rare, our observation does in- crease the altitude at which the species is known to breed in California by more than 2000 ft. 112 Western Birds 4:112, 1973 BULLETIN BOARD PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP MEETING The Pacific Seabird Group will hold its first annual meeting in Seattle, Washing- ton, 6-8 December 1974. A symposium on The Ecology and Biology of Alcids will be co-chaired by Dr. M. D. F. Udvardy and Dr. Spencer Sealy. Papers on the biology-ecology of other sea birds will also be presented. Individuals interested in attending the meeting or presenting a paper should contact the chairman of the local committee on arrangements, Dr, David A, Manuwal, College of Forest Re- sources, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195. J. Michael Scott, Chairman, Pacific Seabird Group. PAN-AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS This continent is now fairly well served with organizations and journals devot- ed to the study or appreciation of birds, at most levels from the most casual to that of the serious research worker. Many birders, however, both amateur and professional, have often voiced the need for an organization concerned primarily with the protection of birds. They will therefore welcome the announcement of the recent formation of the Pan-American Society for the Protection of Birds, with offices in Baltimore and Victoria. The Society is particularly concerned with the avoidable and deliberate dan- gers to birds caused by man, and current response and enthusiasm for its aims indicate how widespread is the feeling for the need of such a Society. I would be glad to furnish further particulars of the Society to concerned birders who may be interested. Dr. J. B. Tatum, Department of Physics, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. INDEX ORNITHOLOGORUM This 112-page soft cover booklet, compiled by W. Rydzewski and published as Vol VI, Nos. 71-73 of The Ring (1972), is divided into two parts. First is a Personal Index which lists the name, address, occupation, principal ornithological interests and organizational affiliations of 711 ornithologists responding from 59 countries of the world. Following is a Subject Index, listing those individuals from the first part under a broad range of subject headings, including specialties in various taxo- nomic groups, geographical distribution, banding, behavior, conservation, field ornithology, migration, parasitology, territoriality, vocalization and a variety of other subjects. Designed as a medium for information exchange for people with similar inter- ests, this Index should prove a valuable directory for individuals seeking personal contacts around the world. Orders with check ($3.00 U.S.) payable to the Polish Zoological Society should be addressed to: The Editor of The Ring, Laboratory for Ornithology, Sienkiewicza 21, Wroclaw, Poland. Bruce Webb 113 BULLETIN BOARD BIRD ALERT PHONE NUMBERS For a tape recorded bird alert phone message in northern California phone (415) 843-2211; report sightings for the recording to JoeMorlan, (415) 654-1358; Bud (Mrs. Hubert M.) Fry, (415) 731-2874; or Golden Gate Audubon Society, (415) 843-2222. In southern California phone (213) 874-1318 for the message and report sightings to Los Angeles Audubon Society, (213) 876-0202. When reporting sightings include complete details, especially the precise location. Bill Principe ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The advice and constructive criticism of the following individuals who have refereed manuscripts for Western Birds is gratefully acknowledged: Alan Baldridge, Laurence C. Binford, David F. DeSante, Pierre Devillers, Joseph Greenberg, Patti Greenberg, Thomas R. Howell, Joseph R. Jehl Jr., Paul A. Johnsgard, Ned K. Johnson, Charles S. Lawson, Tim Manolis, Guy McCaskie, Andrew J. Meyerriecks, Harry B. Nehls, Thomas L. Rodgers, Stephen M. Russell, Arnold Small, Richard W. Stallcup, Terence R. Wahl, Roland H. Wauer, Bruce Webb, Bob Yutzy, Carol Yutzy. Special thanks also go to Jeanne Conry and Bruce Webb for countless hours of invaluable editorial assistance, to Tim Manolis for contributing numerous bird sketches, and to Virginia P. Johnson, layout artist, Shirley and Earl Talken of Earl Talken Graphics, and Doyle V. Blackwood of Crest Offset Printing for final production of the journal. AMC 114 W^- Here’s the definitive book # on the diverse and beautiful bird life of the Golden State THE BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA by Arnold Small, President, Los Angeles Audubon Society Here’s the most complete, authora- tative, up-to-date book available on the natural habitats of California and the birds that inhabit them. BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA is the cul- mination of 25 years of research and observation by Arnold Small, college professor, noted ornithologist and President of the Los Angeles Audu- bon Society. The lucid, well organized text fea- tures a comprehensive, annotated list of the more than 500 birds that have appeared in California since 1900, with distribution, seasonal status and habitat preference noted for every bird. In addition, each of the 25 major habitats is described as to range, climate,, topography, and bird life. Also included is an intro- duction to bird study on the sub- professional level, with valuable ad- vice on equipment, techniques, and places to go during different seasons of the year. Accompanied by maps and over 300 photographs illustrating 280 species, BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA is a volume that belongs in the book- case of every bird lover. $12.50 MORE THAN 300 MAGNIFICENT PHOTOGRAPHS ILLUSTRATING 280 CALIFORNIA BIRDS IN THEIR 25 NATURAL HABITATS Availab e at Pickw ck E Daltor a-fi-ff orrer Ire nookstcres o r n, -a tr cri r*tB c ..b' s u e ■ 1 A-1ZO I l WINCHESTER PRESS s 460 Park Ave., New York, N Y. 10022 j * Please send me: s I copies BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA | { @$12.50 ■ I I enclose check or money order for J ! $ If not satisfied I may return | j the books within 10 days for a full refund, j | NAME I J ADDRESS | 1 CITY | 2 STATE ZIP I | (New York State residents add sales tax.) I Please add 35£ for postage and handling. f 115 Manuscripts should be sent to Alan M. Craig, Box 98 Nimshew Stage, Chico, CA 95926. For matters of style consult Suggestions to Contributors to Western Birds (6 pp. mimeo available at no cost from the Editor) and CBE Style Manual , 3rd ed., 1972 (available from American Institute of Biological Sciences, 3900 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016 for $6.00). Papers are desired that are based upon field studies of birds, that are both under- standable and useful to amateurs, and that make a significant contribution to scientific literature. Appropriate topics include distribution, migration, status, behavior, ecology, population dynamics, habitat requirements, the effects of pollution, and techniques for identifying, censusing, sound recording and photo- graphing birds in the field. Papers of general interest will be considered regardless of their geographic origin, but particularly desired are papers dealing with studies accomplished in or bearing on Rocky Mountain states and provinces westward, including Alaska and Hawaii; adjacent portions of the Pacific Ocean and Mexico; and western Texas. Authors are provided 50 free reprints of each paper. Additional reprints can be ordered at author's expense from the Editor when proof is returned or earlier. Good photographs of rare and unusual birds, unaccompanied by an article but with caption including species, date, locality and other pertinent information, should be submitted to Arnold Small, 608 N. Camden Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Send rare bird reports for California to Jon Winter, Point Reyes Bird Observatory, Box 321, Bolinas, CA 94924; see Calif. Birds 2:109-110. For Arizona, send re- ports to Robert A. Witzeman, 4619 E. Arcadia Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85018, Membership dues and changes of address should be sent to Clifford R. Lyons, Treasurer, Post Office Box 369, Del Mar, California 92014. Classes of member- ship (all include subscription to Western Birds): Patron, $1000; Life, $150; Supporting, $20 annually; Contributing, $10 annually; Regular, $5 annually. Make checks payable to California Field Ornithologists. Dues and contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Back issues of California Birds are available at $6.00 for Volume 2 (1971) and $5.00 for Volume 3 (1972). The CFO Field List of the Birds of California (1972), a 16 page checklist designed for recording 10 field trips, can be obtained at a cost of $1.00 for 4 copies (additional copies, 254 each), including tax and postage. Back issues and field lists may be ordered from Clifford R. Lyons, Treasurer, Post Office Box 369, Del Mar, California 92014. Make checks payable to California Field Ornithologists. WESTERN BIRDS ADVERTISING RATES AND SPECIFICATIONS Full Page 4 x 6-3/4 inches $60 per issue $200 per year Half Page 4 x 3-3/8 inches $40 per issue $130 per year Quarter Page 4 x 1-11/16 inches $30 per issue $110 per year Offset printing, one column per page, 4 inches wide. Glossy, black and white photos are acceptable; half tone screen size: 133 line. Photo-ready copy is re- quested, If this is not possible, extra charges for typesetting will be made as follows: $15 full page, $10 half page, $5 quarter page. Send copy with remit- tance to Clifford R. Lyons, P. O. Box 369, Del Mar, Calif. 92014, and make checks payable to California Field Ornithologists. A 15% commission is allowed for agencies. 116