OCCASIONAL PAPERS of the SAN DIEGO SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY J IfefcteKkfisfafekkl hMi.tiM4s1AM I No. 10 Birds of San Diego County, California: An Annotated Checklist By Maiiric Biological Laboratory AlH" 1 1)1959 WOODS HOLE, MASS. JAMES R. SAMS San Diego Natural History Museum and KEN STOTT, JR. Research Associate, San Diego Natural History Museum San Diego, California June 1, 1959 FOREWORD Few areas within the United States have avifaunas more impressive than that of San Diego County, CaHfornia. Varied topography and cH- mate permit a wide assortment of resident birds; and the County Hes within the non-breeding ranges of migrants from both north and south. Forty years ago Frank Stephens pubhshed an annotated checkHst of the birds of San Diego County (Stephens 1919a). Since then, however, the local avifauna has changed, and knowledge of it has increased. Some birds have become more scarce because of destruction of habitats. Others not listed then have since been recorded as vagrants, as rare migrants, or even as nesting forms: the additions doubtless are due more to an increase in the number of observers than to an influx of new birds. The present paper attempts to bring the list up to date by including all official records for the County. It has been difficult to decide whether to include sight records not substantiated by specimens. The validity of a sight record depends on the ability and experience of the observer, which we do not feel qualified to judge. Therefore, a species not otherwise known locally is admitted to the list on the basis of a sight record only when the record has been accepted and published in a zoological journal. Other sight records not supported by specimens have reluctantly been omitted. The scientific and common names used here are those of the fifth edition of the A.O.U. Checklist (1957). Although the current trend in regional bird lists is to use only binomials, we have used trinomials because the subspecies that occur here are for the most part well known. The subspecies, we feel, will be of interest to students of bird distribution and migration. We wish to express our appreciation to Dr. James E. Crouch of San Diego State College, to Mr. Laurence M. Huey of the San Diego Natural History Museum, and to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Morley, Jr., of the San Diego Audubon Society, for reading the manuscript and giving sugges- tions and additional data. Thanks are due also to Mrs. Mildred Meeder, Librarian of the San Diego Natural History Museum, for extensive aid with bibliographic problems, to Mr. C. Jackson Selsor for help with the manuscript and the proofreading, and to Mrs. Ann Sprigg for her careful typing of the manuscript. James R. Sams Ken Stott, Jr. Natural History Museum San Diego, California April 2, 1959 BIRDS OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY Gavia immer: Common Loon Common winter visitant on ocean front, bays, and estuaries; less common on inland waters. Peak of abundance: November through March; stragglers recorded in summer. Gavia arctica pacifica: Arctic Loon Common winter visitant on ocean front, bays, and estuaries, pre- ferring the ocean. Peak of abundance: November through March; stragglers recorded in summer. Gavia stellata: Red-throated Loon Less abundant winter visitant on ocean front, bays, and estuaries, preferring protected waters. Early arrivals: September; late departures: May. Podiceps grisegena holboliii: Red-necked Grebe Sparse winter visitant. Four specimens recorded at Glorietta Bay, December 21, 195 8 (Stott 1959a); sight records include Shelter Island. Podiceps auritus cornutus: Horned Grebe Common winter visitant on open coast, bays, and estuaries. Most abundant from October to April. Podiceps caspicus caiifornicus: Eared Grebe Common winter visitant on coastal salt-water bodies; occasional during summer. Breeds on mountain lakes (formerly on Lake Cuyamaca). Aechmophorus occidentalis: Western Grebe Common fall, winter, and spring visitant on all suitable bodies of water, fresh and salt. Flocks may usually be seen on open ocean (Sunset Cliffs). Nesting has occurred here: Sweetwater Lake, May 5, 1956 (Crouch 1956). Podilymbus podiceps podiceps: Pied-billed Grebe Resident; augmented in fall, winter, and spring by migrants from the north. In the non-breeding season, common on protected bodies of salt water. Breeds on fresh water lakes and ponds. 4 Birds of San Diego County Diomedea albatrus: Short-tailed Albatross Formerly of fairly common occurrence offshore; no recent local records. A specimen (San Diego Natural History Museum collection) was taken "ojBF San Diego" on January 9, 1896, by A. W. Anthony. Species close to extinction. Diomedea nigripes: Black-footed Albatross Fairly common offshore; more abundant in summer than in winter. Rarely observed from shore. Fulmarus glacialis rodgersii: Fulmar Common offshore from October to April; stragglers occasionally observed in summer. Sometimes seen near the entrance to San Diego Bay. Puffinus creatopus: Pink-footed Shearwater Common offshore visitant during spring, summer, and fall. Stragglers have been observed during the winter. Puffinus griseus: Sooty Shearwater Present offshore throughout the year. Grinnell and Miller (1944) gave two peaks of abundance, one in May and June, the other in Sep- tember. Puffinus tenuirostris: Slender-billed Shearwater Not uncommon late-fall and early-winter transient through offshore waters. May occur at other seasons. Puffinus puffinus opisthomelas: Manx Shearwater Varyingly common offshore throughout the year except from March to June when nesting on the islands of Baja California. Oceanodroma furcata plumbea: Fork-tailed Petrel May be seen sparingly at any time of year offshore as a wanderer from its more northerly breeding grounds. Local records based largely on dead specimens washed up on the beaches. Oceanodroma leucorhoa beali: Leach's Petrel Fall and spring vagrant. "Doubtless in spring and fall this species is widely scattered over the ocean the whole length of the state" (Grinnell and Miller 1944). Oceanodroma leucorhoa willetti: Leach's Petrel Occurs offshore, "at times probably common" (Grinnell and Miller 1944). Breeds on Los Coronados Islands and occurs over surrounding waters. Oceanodroma leucorhoa socorroensis: Leach's Petrel Sporadic visitant. Ranges north to San Miguel Island from its Guada- lupe Island breeding grounds. Albatrosses — Herons 5 Oceanodroma homochroa: Ashy Petrel Occurs offshore sparingly in spring and summer. One specimen washed up on the beach near Coronado (Huey 1925). Loomelania melania: Black Petrel Present offshore throughout the year. Breeds on Los Coronados Islands and elsewhere off Baja California. Halocyptena microsoma: Least Petrel Rare offshore visitant in late summer and early fall. Oceanites oceanicus chilensis: Wilson's Petrel Accidental offshore. One record: 2 5 miles west-northwest of Point Loma (Miller 1936). Phaethon aethereus mesonauta: Red-billed Tropic-bird Occasional postbreeding vagrant from Mexican waters. Rarely seen from shore. Pelecanus erythrorhynchos: White Pelican Fall, winter, and spring visitant on fresh water (Lake Henshaw) and protected bodies of salt water. Large flocks of migrating birds some- times seen overhead in spring. A small representation usually to be seen at the south end of San Diego Bay in mid-winter. Pelecanus occidentalis californicus: Brown Pelican Common resident along the coast. Breeds on islands offshore and sometimes on secluded mainland cliffs (La JoUa). Phalacrocorax auritus albociliatus: Double-crested Cormorant Common resident on all suitable bodies of fresh and salt water. Breeds on mainland cliffs (La Jolla), inland lakes (Lake Henshaw), and offshore islands. Phalacrocorax penicillatus: Brandt's Cormorant Common coastal resident. Breeds on offshore islands and mainland cliffs (La Jolla) . Not known to occur on fresh water. Phalacrocorax pelagicus resplendens: Pelagic Cormorant Resident but far less common locally than the other two species of cormorant. Breeds on Los Coronados Islands but is seldom seen on main- land coasts except in winter months. Not known to occur on fresh water. Fregata magnificens rothschildi: Magnificent Frigate-bird Sporadic visitant along the coast from Baja California. Seen at La Jolla, Carlsbad and Mission Bay, and offshore. Ardea herodias treganzai: Great Blue Heron Casual vagrant from the Colorado Desert. Collected near San Diego (Grinnell and Miller 1944). 6 Birds of San Diego County Ardea herodias hyperonca: Great Blue Heron Common resident west of the desert. Occurs around all suitable bodies of water, fresh or salt. Breeding colonies formerly many, now apparently few (San Onofre and Rancho Santa Fe). Butorides virescens anthonyi: Green Heron Fairly common resident along fresh water lakes and streams, but the winter population sparse. Formerly much more abundant, decreasing with destruction of its habitat. Dichromanassa rufescens dickeyi: Reddish Egret Rare vagrant from Baja California. Individuals seen at the south end of San Diego Bay, between Coronado and North Island, on Mission Bay, and at Otay Lake. Casmerodius albus egretta: Common Egret Present throughout the year, but more abundant during fall, winter, and spring. Occurs in the vicinity of all suitable bodies of water, fresh and salt. Not known to breed locally. Leucophoyx thula brewsteri: Snowy Egret Present throughout the year, but more abundant during fall, winter, and spring. Occurs in the vicinity of all suitable bodies of water, fresh and salt. Not known to breed locally. Hydranassa tricolor ruficollis: Louisiana Heron Occasional vagrant from Baja California, individuals sometimes re- maining in local salt water marshes for considerable periods. Before Mis- sion Bay "improvements," one or two nearly always to be found in the marshes of that area. Also to be looked for at the south end of San Diego Bay. Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli: Black-crowned Night Heron Common resident, to be seen anywhere, even overhead in downtown San Diego. Feeds about bays, lakes, and ponds. Roosts in large trees within the city. A large breeding colony in the center of Balboa Park. Ixobrychus exilis hesperis: Least Bittern Chiefly summer resident, but some remaining through the winter. Occurs in fresh or brackish water marshes or tules bordering ponds or lakes (Carlsbad Lagoon, Old Mission Pond, Campo Lake). Botaurus lentiginosus: American Bittern Marshland resident, commoner in winter than in summer. Formerly easily found in Mission Bay marshes, but now much reduced there be- cause of destruction of habitat. To be looked for in fresh-water marshes (Sweetwater). Probably breeds here though there is no known local nest- ing record. Herons — Geese 7 Mycteria americana: Wood Ibis Post-breeding visitant, sporadically common in late summer. Occa- sional in late spring and early summer. Occurs in coastal lagoons (Sor- rento, Cardiff, Carlsbad, etc.) and occasionally visits inland lakes. Most individuals here are immature. Plegadis chihi: White-faced Ibis Chiefly summer resident, although individual birds have remained through the winter. Occurs in both fresh- and salt-water marshes. Far less common now than formerly. Local nesting extremely limited; one record at Guajome (Sharp 1907). Eudocimus albus: White Ibis One local record: a single individual collected at the Sefton residence on Point Loma, November 20, 193 5 (Huey 1936). Olof columbianus: Whistling Swan Uncommon winter visitant. Usually occurs on fresh-water lakes (Cuyamaca, Sweetwater), but also visits salt water (Del Mar, south end of San Diego Bay). Branta canadensis mofifitti: Canada Goose Sparse winter visitant. May be seen on fresh- water lakes (Sweet- water), occasionally on bays (San Diego Bay, Mission Bay), and migrat- ing along the coast (Ocean Beach) . Branta canadensis leucopareia: Canada Goose Sparse winter visitant. Occurs on fresh-water lakes (Sweetwater). Branta canadensis minima: Canada Goose Occasional (formerly?) winter visitant (Willett 1933). Occurs on fresh-water ponds and lakes. Branta nigricans: Black Brant Common fall, winter, and spring visitant. Occurs on bays and salt- water lagoons usually where eel-grass is present. Winter flocks on Mission Bay are jeopardized by increased human activities such as dredging of feeding grounds. Anser aibifrons frontalis: White-fronted Goose White-fronted Geese, probably of this form, formerly common here during winter (Stephens 1919a). Few recent records. Chen hyperborea hyperborea: Snow Goose Uncommon winter visitant on bays or fresh-water lakes. Formerly here in considerable numbers (Stephens 1919a). Occasional small groups on coastal lagoons (Carlsbad) and bays. Large flocks sometimes observed passing over. 8 Birds of San Diego County Dendrocygna bicolor helva: Fulvous Tree Duck Sparse summer visitant to fresh-water marshes, formerly much more common. Has also occurred here in early winter and spring. The last record of nesting in the County in 1931 in the San Luis Rey Valley (WiUett 1933). Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos: Mallard Resident in small numbers on fresh-water ponds and lakes. Breeding records include nestings at Lake Henshaw. Anas strepera: Gadwall Sparse winter visitant, formerly more common. Occurs chiefly on fresh- water ponds and marshes (Sweetwater Lake) ; also observed on the margin of San Diego Bay at the south end. Anas acuta: Pintail Abundant fall, winter, and spring visitant; sparse resident. Occurs on both fresh and salt water, but breeds only near fresh water. Nesting observed at Lake Henshaw (Abbott 1928a). Anas carolinensis: Green-winged Teal Moderately common winter visitant, though not so abundant as formerly. Occasional individuals remain throughout the year, and there is a record of nesting in the San Luis Rey Valley (Willett 1933). Prefers marshes, irrigation ditches, and fresh-water ponds, but sometimes resorts to bays or even the ocean, near shore. Anas discors discors: Blue-winged Teal Rare winter visitant. To be looked for on fresh-water ponds and lakes. Anas cyanoptera septentrionalium: Cinnamon Teal Resident; may be observed at any time of year, although more com- mon in summer. Nests among tules and cat-tails on margins of fresh- water ponds and lakes (Escondido, Mission Gorge). Prefers fresh water but has been seen in brackish waters of coastal lagoons (Carlsbad). Mareca americana: American Widgeon Common winter visitant. Occurs both on fresh water and on pro- tected bodies of salt water. Begins to arrive in September and remains until April. Spatula clypeata: Shoveler Common winter vistant. Occurs both in fresh-water ponds and lakes and in bays and salt-water marshes. Arrives from late August on- wards and remains until April or sometimes May. Ducks 9 Aix sponsa: Wood Duck Rare winter visitant. Occurs on fresh-water ponds and lakes, includ- ing Lake Murray (Channing 1955). In January 1957 a pair remained several days on an artificial pond at Greenwood Cemetery. Aythya americana: Redhead Sparse winter visitant. Occurs on bays and coastal lagoons but more commonly on fresh water. Reported as nesting in the San Luis Rey Valley (Willett 1933). Aythya collaris: Ring-necked Duck Winter visitant. Chiefly on fresh-water ponds and lakes and rarely on bays. Aythya valisineria: Canvasback Fairly common winter visitant, occurring both on bays and coastal lagoons and on fresh-water lakes throughout San Diego County. Aythya marila nearctica: Greater Scaup Not uncommon winter visitant. Occurs on salt-water bays and lagoons. A few can almost always be found in winter on south San Diego Bay along the Strand or in Glorietta Bay. Aythya affinis: Lesser Scaup Abundant winter visitant. Occurs on bays and coastal lagoons in large numbers and may also be seen on inland lakes and ponds. Arrives in early fall and may be seen here as late as May. Bucephala clangula americana: Common Goldeneye Sparse winter visitant. Occurs mainly on salt-water lagoons and bays but occasionally on inland water (Sams 1959b). Each year a few individuals are to be found on San Diego Bay, and some have been seen on Mission Bay by Mr. Morley. Bucephala albeola: Bufflehead Common winter visitant. Arrives in October and remains at least until April. Occurs on bays, lagoons, brackish coastal ponds, and fresh water. Clangula hyemalis: Oldsquaw Rare late-fall and winter visitant. Observed on both Mission Bay and San Diego Bay. One apparently debilitated individual recorded here as late as June (Helmuth 1939). A dead specimen recovered near La Jolla (Morley and Sams 1958). Melanitta deglandi dixoni: White-winged Scoter Regular but moderately sparse winter visitant. Occurs on bays (espe- cially San Diego Bay) and estuaries and may be seen flying along the ocean front. 10 Birds of San Diego County Melanitta perspicillata: Surf Scoter Extremely common winter visitant. Occurs on bays and estuaries, along the ocean front, and rarely on inland waters: Julian (Harrison 1936); La Puerta Valley (Stephens 1922); Jacumba, according to Mr. Morley. Arrives mainly in October and remains through April. Oidemia nigra americana: Common Scoter Rather rare winter visitant. Occurs on bays and in the open ocean. Usually a few can be detected in midwinter among the other scoters on San Diego Bay. Oxyura jamaicensis rubida: Ruddy Duck Fairly common resident. During the breeding season occupies tule- bordered ponds and lakes; in other seasons occurs also on salt water. Lophodytes cuculfatus: Hooded Merganser Winter visitant; locally rarest of the three mergansers. Recorded on Sweetwater Lake (Abbott 1928b) and various other bodies of fresh and salt water. Mergus merganser americanus: Common Merganser Uncommon winter visitant. Occurs on both salt water (San Diego Bay) and fresh (Lake Cuyamaca; Sweetwater Lake). Mergus serrator serrator: Red-breasted Merganser The most abundant winter visitant of the three mergansers. Occurs in bays and estuaries, on the ocean, and less commonly on fresh water. Cathartes aura teter: Turkey Vulture Common resident, but numbers much reduced in winter. Occurs from the coast to the desert and nests in rock crannies or in protected depressions on steep hillsides. Gymnogyps californianus: California Condor Accidental; formerly resident. Recorded at Palomar Mountain in 1933 (Meadows 1933). Elanus leucurus majusculus: White-tailed Kite Fairly common resident. For nesting or roosting, prefers oak-covered hillsides or valleys, river-bottom growth, or suitable trees near meadows (Spring Valley, Sweetwater Lake, Camp Pendleton) ; but may even be seen near coastal bays (south end of San Diego Bay, Mission Bay). Once nearly exterminated locally, it has increased during recent years. Accipiter gentilis atricapillus: American Goshawk Rare winter visitant. Records include one for Lower Otay Reservoir (Stephens 1919b) and another for Mesa Grande (Abbott 1928a). Ducks — Eagles 11 Accipiter striatus velox: Sharp-shinned Hawk Fairly common in fall, winter, and spring. Occurs almost anywhere with the exception of open prairie and open desert. Follows small bird migrations. Accipiter cooperii: Cooper's Hawk Common resident; augmented in fall and spring by visitants from the north. Nests in river-bottom growth or live oaks. Buteo jamaicensis calurus: Red-tailed Hawk Common resident from the coast to the desert. For nesting, prefers inaccessible sites in trees or on cliffs. Buteo lineatus elegans: Red-shouldered Hawk Resident; less common than formerly. Occurs and nests in deciduous river-bottom growth (Sweetwater Lake; Fllnn Springs); also nests In eucalytpus trees in Balboa Park. Buteo swainsoni: Swainson's Hawk Fairly common summer visitant In open foothill country. Some- times seen migrating in large flocks. Buteo aibonotatus: Zone-tailed Hawk Rare fall and winter visitant from Mexico. Specimens collected near La Jolla (Willett 1933), San Diego (Grey 1917), and Chula Vista (Huey 1933a). Buteo lagopus s.johannis: Rough-legged Hawk Rare winter visitant. Recorded at Santee, at Warner Valley, and near Oceanside. Buteo regalis: Ferruginous Hawk Regular but not common winter visitant to foothills. Recorded at Camp Pendleton, Cuyamaca Mountains, and Borrego Valley. Parabuteo unicinctus superior: Harris' Hawk Rare vagrant in San Diego County from Baja California or south- eastern California. Recorded in Oceanside (Kent 1944) and In Mission Valley (Grey 1913), both times In November. Aquila chrysaetos canadensis: Golden Eagle Resident in fair numbers. Occurs In foothills, mountains, and desert. Seen at El Monte Oaks Park, Murphy Canyon, Spring Valley, Sweetwater Lake, Flinn Springs, Borrego, etc. Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus: Bald Eagle Rare vagrant; occasionally seen along the seacoast and mountain lakes (Lake Cuyamaca). Still to be seen on San Clemente Island. 12 Birds of San Diego County Circus cyaneus hudsonius: Marsh Hawk Resident, considerably augmented by migrants in winter. Occurs and nests about marshes. Pandion haliaetus carolinensis: Osprey Formerly a rare resident; now here only as a vagrant. Once nested in Mission Bay and San Diego Bay areas. Fairly recent records include Mis- sion Hills, San Diego River, Lakeside, and Tia Juana River Valley. Faico mexicanus: Prairie Falcon Rare resident in arid foothills and desert areas. More numerous in winter. Faico peregrinus anatum: Peregrine Falcon Uncommon resident; commoner winter visitant. A few probably still nest on local seacliffs (Point Loma) as well as on Los Coronados Islands. In winter occurs inland. Faico peregrinus pealei: Peregrine Falcon One record for San Diego Bay (Swarth 1933). Faico coiumbarius richardsonii: Pigeon Hawk Rare winter visitant. Records for Witch Creek (L. B. Bishop 1905), Mission Valley (Willett 1933), and San Diego (Huey 1926). Faico coiumbarius bendirei: Pigeon Hawk Uncommon winter visitant, probably more frequent than the pre- ceding form (Grinnell and Miller 1944). Faico sparverius sparverius: Sparrow Hawk Common resident. Occurs from coastal areas to the desert, generally in open country. Lophortyx calif ornicus caiifornicus: California Quail Common resident in chaparral from the coast to the western slopes of the mountains. In some areas, even close to habitation, still quite plentiful. Lophortyx gambeiii gambeiii: Gambel's Quail Resident in desert areas. Prefers thickets near water for foraging and nesting. From Yaqui "Well to Collins Valley. Oreortyx pictus eremophiius: Mountain Quail Resident in mountains, moving lower in winter. Can be seen or heard in the Cuyamaca and Laguna Mountains and on Palomar Mountain. Phasianus coichicus: Ring-necked Pheasant Introduced on both sides of the mountains. Aiectoris graeca: Chukar Introduced in Borrego Valley; sometimes seen about public camp grounds according to Mr. J. S. Roux. Hawks — Plovers 1 3 Grus canadensis canadensis: Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis tabida Uncommon migrant, to be watched for in mid-fall and mid-spring. Seen at Sweetwater Lake and Lower Otay in December according to Stott. The two races, almost indistinguishable in the field, both probably occurring here. Rallus longirostris levipes: Clapper Rail Fairly common resident, much more common before extensive de- struction of its habitat. Occurs in coastal marshes (Carlsbad, Cardiff, Torrey Pines, Mission Bay, San Diego Bay, Imperial Beach). Rallus limicola limicola: Virginia Rail Resident, the numbers increasing in winter. Occurs on both fresh- and salt-water marshes (Torrey Pines, Carlsbad, Lakeside), and nests within the County. Porzana Carolina: Sora Resident. Occurs in both fresh- and salt-water marshes (Sweetwater Lake, Barrett Lake, Carlsbad, National City), although fresh water is preferred for nesting. Lateralius jamaicensis coturniculus: Black Rail Formerly a nester along the tidal salt marshes of San Diego Bay (National City) . Now seldom reported because of destruction of marshes and pollution of the bays. Galiinula chloropus cachinnans: Common Gallinule Resident in small numbers, less common in winter. Occurs in tules on margins of fresh-water ponds and lakes (Old Mission Pond, Lakeside, La JoUa Shores) and brackish lagoons (Carlsbad) . Fulica americana americana: American Coot Abundant resident. Occurs on both salt and fresh water but prefers fresh-water habitat for breeding. Haematopus palliatus frazari: American Oystercatcher Formerly a vagrant or rare resident along rocky seacoasts; no recent records. Haematopus bachmani: Black Oystercatcher Formerly an uncommon resident of rocky seashores and islands (Stephens 1919a). Still occurs sparsely on Los Coronados Islands. Charadrius semipaimatus: Semipalmated Plover Common migrant and winter visitant. Stragglers may occur in sum- mer. Found mainly on beaches and mudflats, though some reported from inland waters. 14 Birds of San Diego County Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus: Snowy Plover Permanent resident. Occurs on sandy beaches along the ocean and bays and less commonly on the shores of brackish inland waters. Breeds locally (Mission Bay, Coronado Strand, Carlsbad Lagoon) but less than formerly because of destruction of breeding grounds. Charadrius wilsonia beldingi: Wilson's Plover Rare late spring or early summer visitant. Local records few: Im- perial Beach, Pacific Beach (Ingersoll 1918). Occurs on open sandy beaches. Charadrius vociferus vociferus: Killdeer Common resident. Prefers open country, irrigated fields, lawns, and meadows. Nests locally, as in open level areas in Balboa Park. Eupoda montana: Mountain Plover Vagrant winter visitant. To be looked for on mesas, in ploughed fields, or even on large lawns (Pacific Beach) . Pluvialis dominica dominica: American Golden Plover Rare late fall and winter visitant. Occurs on mudflats. Recorded at La Jolla (Michael 1934). Pluvialis dominica fulva: American Golden Plover A bird observed by Torrey (1909) on January 12, 15, and 20, 1908, on San Diego Bay near Coronado was probably of this race (Grinnell and Miller 1944). Squatarola squatarola: Black-bellied Plover Common migrant in spring and fall, fair numbers remaining through the winter and occasional stragglers through the summer. Occurs on mudflats and beaches. Aphriza virgata: Surfbird Not uncommon fall, winter, and spring visitant in suitable areas. Prefers rocky shores. Almost always to be found in winter on the rocks at the southern end of Ocean Beach. Arenaria interpres interpres: Ruddy Turnstone Fairly common migrant and winter visitant; stragglers seen in sum- mer. Occurs on beaches, mudflats, or rocky shores. Arenaria melanocephala: Black Turnstone Common fall, winter, and spring visitant; summer stragglers not uncommon. Prefers rocky places though occurring also on small beaches at the base of cliffs and at times on mudflats in Mission Bay and San Diego Bay. Plovers — Sandpipers 1 5 Capella gallinago delicata: Common Snipe Common spring and fall migrant, some remaining through the win- ter. Prefers fresh-water marshes, wet meadows, stream borders, and mar- gins of irrigation ditches. Numenius americanus americanus: Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus parvus Common fall, winter, and spring visitant, stragglers remaining through summer. Occurs chiefly on beaches or coastal mudflats but also may be seen in inland marshes. Both races occur in southern California in winter; they are indistinguishable in the field. Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus: Whimbrel Common fall, winter, and spring migrant on beaches, mudflats, and nearby cultivated fields. Occasionally occurs in the vicinity of fresh water. Actitis macularia: Spotted Sandpiper Common fall, winter, and spring migrant. Occurs on rocky ocean shores, pebbly beaches, and margins of fresh-water lakes and ponds. Tringa solitaria cinnamomea: Solitary Sandpiper Uncommon spring and fall migrant. Occurs on margins of lakes, ponds, and streams. Heteroscelus incanum: Wandering Tattler Not uncommon fall and spring migrant; less common winter visi- tant. Occurs on rocky ocean shores or pebbly beaches. Can often be seen in fall and spring below cliffs at Sunset Cliffs. Catoptrophorus semipalmatus inornatus: Willet Common fall, winter, and spring visitant. Occurs on open beaches, mudflats, and salt- and fresh-water marshes. Tetanus melanoleucus: Greater Yellowlegs Common fall, winter, and spring visitant. Occurs in salt mudflats as well as in the vicinity of fresh-water lakes and ponds. Tetanus flavipes: Lesser Yellowlegs Uncommon fall and spring migrant and occasional winter visitant. Occurs on mudflats and in marshes, both salt and fresh water. Winter records few; recorded by Stott on December 16 and December 29, 1956, at the south end of San Diego Bay. Calidris canutus rufa: Knot Fairly common fall and spring migrant; less common winter visitant. Occurs on beaches and mudflats and in salt marshes. 16 Birds of San Diego County Erolia acuminata: Sharp-tailed Sandpiper One local record: Mission Bay mudflats, September 16, 1921 (An- thony 1922). Erolia melanotos: Pectoral Sandpiper Rare fall migrant. Occurs on grassy ground near bays. Observed near National City in October (Kimball 1922). Erolia bairdii: Baird's Sandpiper Sparse fall and spring migrant. Occurs on upper portions of beacbes and on grassy borders of salt or fresh water. Erolia minutilla: Least Sandpiper Common fall and spring migrant and winter visitant. Occurs on beaches, mudflats, and salt marshes and on the margins of inland lakes and ponds. Erolia alpina padfica: Dunlin Common spring and fall migrant; less common winter visitant. Oc- curs on beaches and mudflats. Limnodromus griseus caurinus: Short-billed Dowitcher Common spring and fall migrant; less common winter visitant. Oc- curs on mudflats, salt marshes, and sandy beaches; also about inland fresh- water ponds and marshes. Limnodromus scolopaceus: Long-billed Dowitcher Common spring and fall migrant; less common winter visitant. Occurs on mudflats, salt marshes, and sandy beaches; also about fresh water. Less numerous than the preceding. Ereunetes mauri: Western Sandpiper Common winter and fall migrant; less common winter visitant. Inhabits open salt- or fresh-water marshes or mudflats, sandy ocean beaches, and shores of interior ponds and lakes. Limosa fedoa: Marbled Godwit Common fall, winter, and spring visitant, stragglers sometimes re- maining through the summer. Occurs on sandy beaches, mudflats, and salt marshes, less commonly on shores of bodies of fresh water. Crocethia alba: Sanderling Common fall, winter, and spring visitant. Customarily occurs on sandy beaches along the ocean front; occasionally to be seen on mudflats. Recurvirostra americana: American Avocet Resident, formerly more common than now. Occurs in open marsh- lands, either salt or fresh water, and in winter on the mudflats of coastal lagoons. Nesting reported by Mr. Morley at Carlsbad and San Diego Bay. Sandpipers — Gulls 17 Himantopus mexicanus: Black-necked Stilt Resident, less common in winter. Inhabits open marshlands, either brackish or fresh water, and mudflats. Has nested at Carlsbad and San Luis Rey Valley. Phalaropus fulicarius: Red Phalarope Common fall and spring migrant, sometimes wintering here. Most often seen on the open ocean (off Point Loma), but sometimes occurring in tidewater. Steganopus tricolor: Wilson's Phalarope Fall, winter, and spring migrant. Occurs here in both fresh and salt water but more common on fresh water. Lobipes lobatus: Northern Phalarope Common spring and fall migrant. Occurs along the coast as well as on inland waters. Stercorarius pomarinus: Pomarine Jaeger Migrant, generally in fall. Has been seen between Point Loma and San Clemente Island in September and November. Stercorarius parasiticus: Parasitic Jaeger Fairly common fall and spring migrant. Occurs in open ocean and is sometimes observed over outer reaches of San Diego Bay. Stercorarius longicaudus: Long-tailed Jaeger Rare fall migrant. Occurs in open ocean. One local record for Pacific Beach, September 19, 1904 (L. B. Bishop 1905). Larus glaucescens: Glaucous-winged Gull Common fall, winter, and spring visitant. Occurs along cliffs, beaches, and bays, and even inland on garbage dumps. Larus occidentalis wymani: Western Gull Common resident. Occurs along beaches, seacliffs, and bays, seldom straying far from salt water. Nests on cliffs, a few in La Jolla and large colonies on Los Coronados Islands. The only gull that nests locally. Larus argentatus smithsonianus: Herring Gull Fairly common winter visitant, some remaining until March or April. Occurs in the vicinity of salt water. Larus argentatus thayeri: Herring Gull Midwinter visitant. Same habitat preferences as the preceding race. Larus calif ornicus: California Gull Common fall, winter, and spring visitant. Occurs near both fresh and salt water; also on lawns, in parks, and about garbage dumps. 18 Birds of San Diego County Larus delawarensis: Ring-billed Gull Abundant fall, winter, and spring visitant. Occurs along the coast and near inland waters. Larus crassirostris: Black-tailed Gull One specimen collected on San Diego Bay, November 28, 1954 (Monroe 1955). Larus canus brachyrhynchus: Mew Gull Not uncommon winter visitant, the numbers varying from year to year. Occurs along the ocean but is sometimes fairly common in San Diego Bay. Larus Philadelphia: Bonaparte's Gull Common transient and winter and spring visitant. Occurs along the coast and in bays, less commonly on interior water bodies: Cuyamaca, April 1947 (Crouch 1947). In midwinter seen in large numbers about ships in San Diego Bay. Larus heermanni: Heermann's Gull Common summer and fall visitant. Non-breeders seen here through- out the year. Occurs along the ocean front and bayshores. Rissa tridactyla pollicaris: Black-legged Kittiwake Irregular and uncommon winter visitant. Occurs on the open ocean. An immature bird observed at La Jolla, January 2, 1949 (Kenyon 1949). Xema sabini subsp.: Sabine's Gull Regular and sometimes common fall migrant; less common spring migrant. Occurs offshore (La Jolla). Two races, X. s. sabini and X. s. woznesenskii, migrate along the coast, and both are probably represented here. Sterna forsteri: Forster's Tern Common fall, winter, and spring visitant to bays and ocean front areas. Sterna hirundo hirundo: Common Tern Common fall migrant, less numerous in spring. Occurs along the coast. Sterna aibifrons browni: Least Tern Summer resident, less common than formerly. Occurs about bays and along the ocean front. Nests on sandy beaches along the ocean (Silver Strand) and around bays (Mission Bay). Because of human activities, local nesting colonies are undergoing serious reduction. Thaiasseus maximus maximus: Royal Tern Visitant from Mexico, recorded here every month of the year, but more common from September to March. Occurs along the ocean front, over bays, and on tidal mudflats. Gulls — Puffins 19 Thalasseus elegans: Elegant Tern Regular and common post-breeding visitant (Monroe 1956) from the south, not as rare as has been stated. Occurs along the shoreline and over bays, sometimes in considerable numbers. Hydroprogne caspia: Caspian Tern Present throughout the year and fairly common locally. Occurs along the ocean front, in bays, on tidal mudflats, and about inland waters (Sweetwater Lake, Murray Lake). Three or four breeding colonies at the south end of San Diego Bay. Chlidonias niger surinamensis: Black Tern Rather uncommon summer migrant; local records from May to August. Occurs along the coast, sometimes well off-shore, occasionally over coastal marshes and bays, and over fresh water. Uria aalge calif ornica: Common Murre Winter visitant, offshore. One specimen (San Diego Natural History Museum collection) collected near Cardiff, February 4, 1942 by E. N. Harrison, and another observed at Cormorant Cliffs, La Jolla, on Decem- ber 23, 1956, by J. S. Roux, C. J. Selsor, and Stott. Endomychura hypoleuca scrippsi: Xantus' Murrelet Resident. Breeds on Channel Islands and Los Coronados Islands and may be seen over the open ocean at any time of year. Endomychura craveri: Craveri's Murrelet Occurs late in summer and autumn on the open ocean. May be fairly common at times, but observations few. Reported between San Diego and Los Coronados Islands on August 13, 1914 (van Rossem 1915). Synthliboramphus antiquum: Ancient Murrelet Midwinter visitant offshore. Local records based on dead or dying birds washed up on the beach. Ptychoramphus aleutica aleutica: Cassin's Auklet Common resident offshore. Cyclorrhynchus psittacula: Parakeet Auklet One record: three dead specimens washed up on a beach north of La Jolla, found January 28, 1937 (Kenyon 1937). Possibly they drifted far south before coming ashore. Cerorhinca monocerata: Rhinoceros Auklet Offshore winter visitant. Local records few. Fratercula corniculata: Horned Puffin One record: a single dead specimen found on a beach three miles north of La Jolla, February 2 5, 1933 (Huey 1933b). It may have drifted far south before being washed ashore. 20 Birds of San Diego County Columba fasciata monilis: Band-tailed Pigeon Common resident of the mountains; in the foothills in winter. Breeds in conifer-oak forests. Zenaida asiatica mearnsi: White-winged Dove Late-spring and summer visitant to desert areas. May be seen in the Yaqui Well area from early May to late summer. Reported by Mrs. M. Heraty as breeding at Agua Caliente Springs. Occurs as a vagrant west of the mountains: Escondido (Dixon 1912), San Diego according to Huey. Zenaidura macroura marginella: Mourning Dove Common resident from the coast to the desert, leaving mountain areas in winter. Especially abundant in desert areas. Streptopelia chinensis chinensis: Spotted Dove Introduced. Fairly common in various southern California localities. Occurs in Spring Valley, the Oceanside area, and Balboa Park, among other places. Columbigallina passerina pallescens: Ground Dove Vagrant and rare resident. Recorded at San Diego, Escondido, and San Pasqual, and more recently in the Tia Juana River Valley, where two nests were discovered by Mr. Morley, May 2 5, 195 8 (Sams 1959a). To be watched for in riverbottom lands and in cultivated desert areas. Coccyzus americanus occidentalis: Yellow-billed Cuckoo Summer visitant; numbers varying locally from year to year. Can be heard more often than seen, in thick willow and cottonwood stands in riverbottoms (Sorrento Valley). Geococcyx californianus: Roadrunner Permanent resident of brushlands and open country in coastal low- lands and desert. Numbers steadily decreasing because of the inroads of civilization. Tyto alba pratincola: Barn Owl Common resident throughout San Diego County. May occur any- where. Nests in tree trunks, rock crevices, and abandoned buildings. Otus asio quercinus: Screech Owl Common resident west of desert lowlands but less plentiful than formerly. Occurs primarily in woodlands (live oaks, willow-cottonwood bottomlands). Bubo virginianus pacificus: Great Horned Owl Fairly common resident. Occurs in oaklands, washes, wooded river- bottoms, rocky canyons, and elsewhere (Balboa Park). Pigeons — Swifts 2 1 Glaucidium gnoma calif ornicum: Pygmy Owl Resident (rare?). Southernmost attested record station: Laguna Mountains (Willett 1933). Speotyto cunicularia hypugaea: Burrowing Owl Resident, formerly common in suitable areas. Occurs in open coun- try both in coastal lowlands and in the desert. Strix occidentalis occidentalis: Spotted Owl Resident in wooded country, chiefly in the mountains. Prefers woods near cliffs and usually nests in crevices in the cliffs. Local records include Cuyamaca State Park, Oceanside, and, according to Mr. Huey, Volcan Mountain. Asio otus tuftsi: Long-eared Owl Resident; less common than formerly. Occurs in willow-cottonwood bottomlands and in live oaks (Pauma Valley, Sweetwater River Valley). Asio flammeus flammeus: Short-eared Owl Resident, augmented by migrants in winter. Occurs in marshlands, both coastal and inland, lowland meadows, and irrigated fields (National City, Mission Bay). Aegolius acadicus acadicus: Saw-whet Owl Uncommon resident of high-mountain forests. Reported as occurring in Cuyamaca State Park (Grinnell and Miller 1944). Phalaenoptilus nuttallii nuttallii: Poor-will Casual. One record for Mission Valley (Willett 1933). Phalaenoptilus nuttallii calif ornicus: Poor-will Summer resident on the coastal side of the mountains; less common in winter. Prefers chaparral country, and nests and roosts on the bare ground. Phalaenoptilus nuttallii hueyi: Poor-will Resident of desert areas. A distribution map (Grinnell and Miller 1944) indicates that this is the form occurring in desert regions of the northeastern corner of the County. Chordeiles acutipennis texensis: Lesser Nighthawk Rather common summer resident, from March to September. Occurs over coastal plains and foothills and in desert lowlands. Nests on bare ground, usually on flat areas (Balboa Park). Cypseloides niger borealis: Black Swift Spring migrant, chiefly in late April and May. Chaetura vauxi vauxi: Vaux's Swift Chiefly a spring and fall migrant, though wintering as far north as central California. Sometimes occurs in great numbers. 22 Birds of San Diego County Aeronautes saxatalis saxatalis: White-throated Swift Resident. Occurs along rocky cliffs from the coast to the desert slopes of the mountains (La Jolla, Mission Gorge, Laguna Mountains). Archilochus alexandri: Black-chinned Hummingbird Common spring, summer, and fall resident. Occurs from the coast to lower edge of pine forests (Stephens 1919a). Some birds remain through winter according to Dr. Crouch. Calypte costae: Costa's Hummingbird Common spring, summer, and fall resident, some remaining through winter. Calypte anna: Anna's Hummingbird Common resident from the seashore to the mountains. Nests close to human habitation and seems to have benefited by man's introduction and cultivation of non-native flowering plants. Selasphorus rufus: Rufous Hummingbird Common spring and fall migrant. Often seen about flowering fruit trees (orange, lemon, peach, plum, etc.) Selasphorus sasin sasin: Allen's Hummingbird Common migrant from February through May (northward) and in July and August (southward). Stellula calliope: Calliope Hummingbird Spring and fall migrant. Occurs chiefly in the mountains though sometimes seen on migration in the lowlands (Balboa Park). Observed in Laguna Mountains in late summer. Megaceryle alcyon caurina: Belted Kingfisher Resident. Occurs along the coast, in bays and estuaries, and about fresh water bodies. Not so common as formerly because of widespread destruction by man. Colaptes auratus borealis: Yellow-shafted Flicker Rare winter visitant. Has been collected in San Diego (Huey 1932a) and observed in Escondido by Mr. Gander. Colaptes cafer collaris: Red-shafted Flicker Common resident. Occurs from the coast to the mountains. Nests chiefly in the foothills and mountains, moving down towards the coast in winter. Centurus uropygialis albescens: Gila Woodpecker One record: Jacumba, October 17, 1952 (Gardner 1959). Melanerpes formicivorus bairdi: Acorn Woodpecker Resident west of the desert. Occurs chiefly in the mountains and foothills wherever there are oaks. Swifts — Flycatchers 23 Asyndesmus lewis: Lewis' Woodpecker Winter resident of foothills and mountains; numbers varying from year to year. Occasionally occurs near the coast. Reported in La Jolla (Abbott 1928a). Sphyrapicus varius nuchalis: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Rare winter visitant to the foothills. Collected at Escondido and elsewhere in the County. Sphyrapicus varius daggetti: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Not uncommon winter visitant. May be seen in various habitats locally: willow-cottonwood growth (Dulzura), pepper trees (Spring Valley), mixed vegetation (Golden Hill Park). Dendrocopos villosus hyloscopus: Hairy Woodpecker Fairly common resident of higher mountains, sometimes moving to somewhat lower levels in winter. Occurs in oak-conifer forests. Dendrocopos pubescens turati: Downy Woodpecker Rare resident of coastal lowlands and foothills. Occurs in willow- cottonwood river bottoms, occasionally in oak or coniferus woods. Dendrocopos scalaris cactophilus: Ladder-backed Woodpecker Common resident of desert slopes, foothills (Yaqui Well), and flat- lands, wherever tree trunks are of suitable size for nesting. Dendrocopos nuttallii: Nuttall's Woodpecker Common resident in the coastal foothills and mountains. Often found in sycamores and willows but also occurring in stands of oaks. Dendrocopos albolarvatus gravirostris: White-headed Woodpecker Sparse resident of mountain forests. Recorded at Palomar, Volcan, Cuyamaca, and Laguna Mountains. Tyrannus verticalis: Western Kingbird Summer resident, seen from late March through September. Locally common in open country throughout the County. Tyrannus vociferans vociferans: Cassin's Kingbird Common resident in dry open valleys and coastal plains. Also occurs on mountain slopes, both coastal and desert, that are largely unforested. The only kingbird found here in winter. Muscivora forficata: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher One record: La Jolla, November 24, 1933, by C. W. Michael (Grin- nell and Miller 1944). Myiarchus cinerascens cinerascens: Ash-throated Flycatcher Common summer resident; occasional stragglers in winter. Usually occurs in bottomlands. 24 Birds of San Diego County Sayornis phoebe: Eastern Phoebe Rare or casual visitant. One observed at Catfish Cove, Lake Hen- shaw, from October 26, 1949, until January 3, 1950 (Beemer 1950). Sayornis nigricans semiatra: Black Phoebe Common resident. Occurs near water from the sea coast to the mountains and in the desert. Sayornis saya saya: Say's Phoebe Resident. Occurs in interior valleys and on desert slopes, and visits coastal regions during the winter. Sayornis saya quiescens: Say's Phoebe Fall and winter visitant (uncommon?) from Mexico. A specimen taken in Chula Vista, October 22, 1933 (Gabrielson 1934). Empidonax traillii brewsteri: Traill's Flycatcher Summer resident from the coast to the mountains. Nests largely restricted to willow thickets and not in the higher mountains. On south- ward migration, beginning in late July, invades higher mountain areas. Empidonax hammondii: Hammond's Flycatcher Fairly common migrant through the lowlands in spring. During fall migration, less common in the lowlands than in the mountains. Empidonax oberholseri: Dusky Flycatcher (formerly Wright's Flycatcher) Apparently a spring and fall transient, rarely observed (Grinnell and Miller 1944). Empidonax wrightii: Gray Flycatcher Uncommon winter visitant. Occurs in willow and cottonwood thickets. Has remained here as late as May 5th (Kearny Mesa). Empidonax difficiiis difficilis: Western Flycatcher Summer resident, from March to September, stragglers sometimes remaining in the San Diego area until winter. Breeds from foothill can- yons to the higher mountains, usually near running water. Contopus sordidulus veliei: Western Wood Pewee Common summer resident in the foothills and mountains. Most common in broken mountain forests though also seen in city parks (Pre- sidio Park, Balboa Park). Nuttallornis borealis: Qlive-sided Flycatcher Fairly common nester in the higher mountains. Occurs mainly in coniferous forests but occasionally strays to foothills and interior valleys (Spring Valley) . Pyrocephalus rubinus flammeus: Vermilion Flycatcher Rare but regular winter visitant; even rarer breeding resident. One or two usually reported in the Christmas Bird Count. Nesting record for Balboa Park by Dr. Leon H. Gardner and another for Santee (Crouch 1959). Flycatchers — Jays 2S Eremophila alpestris insularis: Horned Lark Vagrant. Recorded here in August 1914 (Behle 1942). Eremophila alpestris actia: Horned Lark Common resident. Occurs on open plains, alkah flats, grain fields, and mountain meadows. The common form west of the mountains. Eremophila alpestris leucansiptila: Horned Lark Common resident on the desert side of the mountains. Even recorded at Jacumba and Ramona. Tachycineta thalassina lepida: Violet-green Swallow Summer resident; some years a winter resident also. Breeds in the mountains, less commonly in the lowlands (Escondido). Iridoprocne bicolor: Tree Swallow Resident. The only swallow common here in winter. Nests locally in suitable localities (San Onofre, Lakes Henshaw and Hodges) (Willett 1933). Riparia riparia riparia: Bank Swallow Summer resident, seen from March to September. The least common swallow in California. Nesting limited to banks of sand or sandy loam. Breeding recorded at Oceanside (Carpenter 1918). Stelgidopteryx ruficollis psammochrous: Rough-winged Swallow Summer resident, observed as late as November 9 and as early as January 27 (Grinnell and Miller 1944). Occurs in coastal and desert low- lands. Breeds chiefly below 2000 feet. Hirundo rustica erythrogaster: Barn Swallow Summer resident, seen from April to September. Nests from sea level to the high mountains. In La Jolla nests on sea cliffs. Petrochelidon pyrrhonota pyrrhonota: Cliff Swallow Common summer resident, seen from March to October. Nests throughout the County wherever mud is available for construction. Progne subis subis: Purple Martin Fairly common summer resident, seen from March to September. Nests in hill and mountain areas and in favorable localities near the coast (San Onofre). Cyanocitta stelleri frontalis: Steller's Jay Common resident in the mountains. Occurs mainly in coniferous forests, less abundantly in adjoining oak forests. Harsh winters result in a general down-mountain movement. Aphelocoma coerulescens obscura: Scrub Jay Common resident from sea level to 6000 feet. Prefers mixed wood- land and chaparral but occurs also in thickly inhabited areas, even in towns. 26 Birds of San Diego County Corvus corax sinuatus: Common Raven Resident. Occurs in all types of country where human habitation is limited. Though less common than formerly, may still be seen near the city of San Diego (Mission Gorge). Corvus brachyrhynchos hesperis: Common Crow Fairly common resident. Occurs mainly in foothill valleys but may be found in mountains or desert. Gymnorhinus cyanocephala: Pinon Jay Sporadic visitant. Occurs generally in areas of pifions and junipers (Laguna Mountains) but has been observed in such unlikely spots as San Onofre. Nucifraga columbiana: Clark's Nutcracker Irregular vagrant to high mountains. Has been recorded in the Laguna Mountains in June, in the Cuyamaca Mountains in winter, and in Spring Valley in November. Parus gambeli baileyae: Mountain Chickadee Common resident of the mountains, found wherever there are mon- tane coniferous forests (Cuyamaca, Laguna, and Palomar Mountains). Parus inornatus transpositus: Plain Titmouse Common resident. Occurs mainly in oak groves of inland foothills but may occur near the coast (San Onofre). Auriparus flaviceps acaciarum: Verdin Common resident in desert regions only. Easily observed in Borrego Valley and at Yaqui Well. Psaltriparus minimus minimus: Common Bushtit Common resident throughout the County except in the desert. Occurs in chaparral, city gardens, parks, forests, and orchards. Sitta carolinensis aculeata: White-breasted Nuthatch Common resident of mountain oak and pine forests. In winter descends into the lowlands and may be seen in large trees of city suburbs. Sitta canadensis: Red-breasted Nuthatch Fairly regular fall and winter visitant from northern areas. May occur from the coast (Presidio Park, Balboa Park) to the mountains. Sitta pygmaea leuconucha: Pigmy Nuthatch Common resident of the mountains, in winter occasionally descend- ing to the lowlands. Occurs in open pine forests. Certhia familiaris zelotes: Brown Creeper Rather sparse resident of mountain forests, occasionally descending in winter to the lowlands, including the city of San Diego. Ravens — Thrashers 27 Chamaea fasciata henshawi: Wrentit Abundant resident, though more often heard than seen. Occurs and nests in chaparral. Cinclus mexicanus unicolor: Dipper Uncommon resident. Occurs in fast-moving mountain streams which, in this county, are few. Recorded along the San Luis Rey River between 2600 and 3 500 feet (Abbott 1927a). Troglodytes aedon parkmanii: House Wren Resident, but commoner in summer months. Occurs in desert areas only as a migrant or wintering bird. Inhabits chaparral, broken forest, and willow-sycamore riverbottoms. Troglodytes troglodytes pacificus: Winter Wren Rare winter visitant. Observed on Palomar Mountain on October 10, 1941, and near Pala on March 6, 1949 (Beemer 1949). Thryomanes bewickii correctus: Bewick's Wren Common chaparral resident. Occurs from the coast to mountain slopes and in winter invades the desert areas. Campylorhynchus brunneicapillum couesi: Cactus Wren Resident. Occurs chiefly in the desert though also found sparingly in the coastal lowlands (near San Diego). Telmatodytes palustris plesius: Long-billed Marsh Wren Winter resident in suitable localities. Occurs in fresh-water or brack- ish marshes (Tijuana River) (Grinnell and Miller 1944). Telmatodytes palustris paludicola: Long-billed Marsh Wren Resident in suitable localities. Occurs in permanent marshlands, fresh water or brackish (San Luis Rey) (Grinnell and Miller 1944). Catherpes mexicanus conspersus: Canyon Wren Scattered resident. Prefers areas in which there are boulders or rocky chffs. Salpinctes obsoletus obsoletus: Rock Wren Common resident, in rocky foothills on both the coastal and desert slopes and in the mountains. Reported locally on Cowles (Black) Moun- tain and Moro Peak. Mimus polyglottos leucopterus: Mockingbird Common resident at lower elevations west of the mountains, abound- ing in towns and cultivated regions. Occurs also in some desert localities and rarely in the mountains (Cuyamaca State Park) . Toxostoma rufum longicauda: Brown Thrasher Sparse winter visitant. One seen in Golden Hill Park November 25, 26, and 27, 1958 (Morley 1959b). One or two reported locally each year. 28 Birds of San Diego County Toxostoma redivivum redivivum: California Thrasher Common resident of chaparral areas. Also invades gardens in areas where chaparral still remains. Toxostoma lecontei lecontei: Le Conte's Thrasher Sparse resident of desert areas. Observed in San Felipe Valley (Stephens 1919b) and Coyote Canyon, Anza-Borrego State Park (J. Bishop 1958). Toxostoma dorsale coloradense: Crissal Thrasher Resident of desert areas. Observed in Borrego Valley (Stott and Sams 1959). Oreoscoptes montanus: Sage Thrasher Winter visitant to desert areas and coastal slopes. Sometimes seen in rural areas close to town (Sweetwater Valley). Turdus migratorius propinquus: Robin Occasional nester in the higher mountains; winter visitant to low- lands. Winter robin flocks in the vicinity of San Diego vary in size from year to year; sometimes present in great numbers. Records of breeding in the city of San Diego, July 16, 1951 (Mead 1952) and in Balboa Park in April 195 8 by Mr. K. C. Lint. Ixoreus naevius naevius: Varied Thrush Rare winter visitant. Ixoreus naevius meruloides: Varied Thrush Winter visitant, commoner than /. n. naevius. Occurs in heavy cha- parral or oak stands and is to be looked for in foothill valleys or moun- tain slopes. Hylocichia guttata guttata: Hermit Thrush Common winter visitant, occurring west of the desert and below the snowline. With the other two races, the commonest thrush during the winter. All forms prefer vegetation that makes an overhead canopy. Hylocichia guttata nanus: Hermit Thrush Winter resident west of the desert. Hylocichia guttata slevini: Hermit Thrush Migrant. Recorded at Campo in April (Huey 1925). Hylocichia ustulata ustulata: Swainson's Thrush Summer resident; common spring and fall migrant, sometimes in considerable numbers. Occurs below 4000 feet. Sialia mexicana occidentalis: Western Bluebird Common resident of the mountains, descending to the lowlands on both desert and coastal slopes in winter. Occasionally nests in lowlands, as at Balboa Park and Rose Canyon (Abbott 1927) and at Santee and Miramar. Thrashers — Shrikes 29 Sialia currucoides: Mountain Bluebird Fairly common winter visitant. Occurs on coastal mesas and in foot- hill and desert areas. Myadestes townsendi townsendi: Townsend's Solitaire Fall, winter, and spring visitant, usually in the mountains (Palomar). Observed occasionally in the desert (Borrego Valley) and in city parks (Golden Hill) in winter. Polioptila caerulea amoenissima: Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Resident. Occurs mainly in chaparral areas, sometimes ascending the mountains in summer (Julian) and commonly invading desert areas in winter. Polioptila melanura lucida: Black-tailed Gnatcatcher Common resident of desert areas (Borrego Springs, San Felipe, Vallecito) . Polioptila melanura californica: Black-tailed Gnatcatcher Resident of mesas and washes on the coastal drainage. Less common than formerly. Regulus satrapa subsp.: Golden-crowned Kinglet Sparse winter visitant. Specimen banded, northern boundary of San Diego County near San Clemente on October 17, 195 8, by Mr. Kirby Wolfe of San Clemente. One or two reported locally each winter; both K. s. olivaceus and R. s. amoemis have been recorded in southern Cali- fornia. Regulus calendula cineraceus: Ruby-crowned Kinglet Common winter visitant in the m.ountains and lowlands. Anthus spinoletta pacificus: Water Pipit Common winter visitant. Occurs in open country from the coast inland. Bombycilla garrula pallidiceps: Bohemian Waxwing One record for Vallecito, March 29, 1920 (Stephens 1920). Bombycilla cedrorum: Cedar Waxwing Common winter visitant to all parts of the County. Number varies from year to year from fairly common to overwhelmingly abundant. Phainopepla nitens lepida: Phainopepla Common resident. Occurs in deserts and in coastal foothills and lowlands. Lanius ludovicianus sonoriensis: Loggerhead Shrike Common resident east of the mountain crests. A characteristic desert form. Lanius ludovicianus gambeli: Loggerhead Shrike Common resident west of the mountain crests. 30 Birds of San Diego County Sturnus vulgaris: Starling First recorded in the County in downtown San Diego, February 1959 (Stott 1959b). The species has already been reported as nesting in Los Angeles County (Rainey, Van Hoose, and Tramontano 1959). Vireo huttoni huttoni: Mutton's Vireo Fairly common resident of willow-oak contact area. In winter in- vades coastal areas. Vireo bellii pusillus: Bell's Vireo Summer resident, seen from March through August; less common than formerly. Occurs in riparian growth exclusively, in coastal low- lands, higher mountains, and desert. Vireo vicinior: Gray Vireo Rare summer resident, March through August. Occurs in low bushy growth in mountains and in foothills of the coastal slope. Vireo solitarius cassinii: Solitary Vireo Summer resident in the mountains; spring and fall migrant else- where west of the desert. Breeds in forests of oaks and conifers. Vireo olivaceus: Red-eyed Vireo One local record: San Diego, October 6, 1914 (Huey 1915). Vireo gilvus swainsonii: Warbling Vireo Summer resident and migrant. Nests mostly in deciduous trees but forages in conifers. Mniotilta varia: Black-and-white Warbler Rare migrant and winter visitant. Local records few but from the coast to the desert. Vermivora celata celata: Orange-crowned Warbler Fall and spring migrant; rare winter visitant coastally but more abundant in desert areas. Vermivora celata orestera: Orange-crowned Warbler Migrant in mountain areas; probably winter visitant to desert areas. Vermivora celata lutescens: Orange-crowned Warbler Summer resident and breeding bird in the foothills and mountains; spring and fall migrant and winter resident in the lowlands. Vermivora celata sordida: Orange-crowned Warbler Resident. Breeds only near the ocean. Vermivora ruficapilla ridgwayi: Nashville Warbler Common migrant in spring and fall. Occurs in the mountains and foothills. Starlings — Warblers 3 1 Vermivora virginiae: Virginia's Warbler One record: a single specimen collected in Lemon Grove, September 3, 1931 (Huey 1932b). Dendroica petechia rubiginosa: Yellow Warbler Spring and fall migrant, seen in May and in September and October. Occurs on both coastal and desert slopes. (Grinnell and Miller 1944). Dendroica petechia morcomi: Yellow Warbler Summer resident, seen from April to August. Breeds in riparian growth on the deserts, mountains, and coastal slopes. Dendroica coronata hooveri: Myrtle Warbler Sparse winter visitant. Observed in various parts of the County including Borrego Valley (Willett 1933). Dendroica auduboni auduboni: Audubon's Warbler Common fall, winter, and spring visitant in all parts of the County. Locally the most abundant warbler in winter. Dendroica nigrescens: Black-throated Gray Warbler Summer resident in the mountains (Cuyamaca) ; common spring and fall migrant; sparse winter visitant. Dendroica townsendi: Townsend's Warbler Spring and fall migrant; winter resident. Occurs on migration in the lowlands; commoner in the mountains. Dendroica occidentalis: Hermit Warbler Spring and fall migrant; uncommon in the lowlands, sparse but regular in mountain areas. Dendroica castanea: Bay-breasted Warbler One offshore record: 24 miles due west of San Diego, October 6, 1956 (Avery 1957). Dendroica palmarum: Palm Warbler Accidental. A specimen recorded in Balboa Park, October 31, 1958 (Morley 1959a). Seiurus noveboracensis limnaeus: Northern Waterthrush Rare fall migrant. Three records for San Diego County, all in Sep- tember (Grinnell and Miller 1944). Oporornis tolmiei tolmiei: Macgillivray's Warbler Fairly common spring and fall migrant. Commoner in the desert and mountains than in coastal lowland areas. Geothlypis trichas sinuosa: Yellowthroat Rare winter visitant in salt marshes. Geothlypis trichas scirpicola: Yellowthroat Resident, common in suitable localities. Occurs in fresh- or salt- water marshes. 32 Birds of San Diego County Icteria virens auricollis: Yellow-breasted Chat Fairly common summer resident, seen from April through August. Occurs in dense riparian growth in foothill valleys (Sorrento Valley, Mission Valley, El Capitan Dam). Wilsonia pusilla pileolata: Wilson's Warbler Fairly common spring and fall migrant; rare winter visitant. Wilsonia pusilla chryseola: Wilson's Warbler Common spring and fall migrant; fairly common summer resident. Occurs in both the mountains and the lowlands. Breeds in thickets close to water. Setophaga ruticilla tricolora: American Redstart One record for Balboa Park, December 23, 19 5 0 (Huey 1954); another for Escondido, September 22, 195 5 (Gander 195 6). Setophaga picta picta: Painted Redstart One record: Spring Valley, September 22, 1951 (Thornburgh 1953) ; but recorded in the Los Angeles area on several occasions. Passer domesticus domesticus: House Sparrow Introduced; abundant resident. Sturnella neglecta confluenta: Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta neglecta Common resident. Occurs on grassy plains and meadows. These two forms intergrade in San Diego County. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus: Yellow-headed Blackbird Occasional nesters, but not common. A few records of breeding locally (Murray Reservoir). Occasionally observed on city lawns (Balboa Park). Agelaius phoeniceus californicus: Redwinged Blackbird Rare vagrant. Observed at Witch Creek (Grinnell and Miller 1944) and at Lakeside according to J. S. Roux. Agelaius phoeniceus neutralis: Redwinged Blackbird Common resident. Occurs in the vicinity of tule-bordered lakes, ponds, and marshes throughout the non-desert sections of the County. Agelaius phoeniceus sonoriensis: Redwinged Blackbird Straggler west of the mountains but probably commoner in the desert. Specimen taken at Jamacha. Agelaius tricolor: Tricolored Blackbird Resident. Occurs in the vicinity of tule-bordered lakes, ponds, and marshes. A fair-sized colony in Mission Valley. Warblers — Grosbeaks 33 Icterus cucullatus californicus: Hooded Oriole Common resident from March through September; sparse resident in fall and winter. The commonest oriole in the city of San Diego. Nests chiefly in the lowlands. Icterus pustulatus microstictus: Scarlet-headed Oriole One record: Murray Dam, May 1, 1931, collected by F. F. Gander (Huey 1931a). Icterus parisorum: Scott's Oriole Fairly common in summer in desert foothills; rare winter visitant west of the mountains. Yaqui Well is a good place to look for this bird. Icterus bullockii parvus: Bullock's Oriole Common summer visitant. Occurs in the mountains and foothills. Prefers riparian and oak woodlands for nesting. Euphagus carolinus carolinus: Rusty Blackbird One record: Jamacha, November 14, 192 5 (Sefton 1926). Euphagus cyanocephalus: Brewer's Blackbird Common resident. Occurs throughout the County on lawns, in meadows, and on lake or stream margins. Invades desert areas only during the winter. Molothrus ater artemisiae: Brown-headed Cowbird Migrant. Recorded at Borrego Springs, April 30 (Grinnell 1915). Molothrus ater obscurus: Brown-headed Cowbird Common resident. Occurs in all parts of the County and at all levels. Increasing in numbers in southern California. Piranga ludoviciana: Western Tanager Summer resident; spring and fall migrant; rare winter resident. Breeds in higher mountains, descending to lower levels in fall and spring. Sometimes common in San Diego suburbs. Piranga rubra rubra: Summer Tanager One specimen taken on Point Loma, September 19, 1932 (Huey 193 3a). Several local sight records for either this tanager or P. r. cooperi. One such bird, an immature male, observed in Golden Hill Park, January 7, 1957, by J. S. Roux, C. J. Selsor, and Stott. Pheucticus melanocephalus maculatus: Black-headed Grosbeak Common summer resident, from April to September. Prefers riparian woodland, oak forests, and coniferous stands, but also nests in cultivated trees. Breeds in mountains, foothills, and coastal valleys; invades deserts on migration. Guiraca caerulea salicaria: Blue Grosbeak Summer resident, from late April through September. Occurs in the neighborhood of grain fields. Nests in foothills and mountains. 34 Birds of San Diego County Passerina amoena: Lazuli Bunting Common summer resident, seen from April through September. Occurs in chaparral from the coastal mesas to the western slopes of the mountains. Hesperiphona vespertina brooksi: Evening Grosbeak Uncommon and irregular winter visitant. Occurs in the mountains (Julian), the foothills (Ramona, Barona Indian Reservation), and the lowlands (Sweetwater Lake). Carpodacus purpureus californicus: Purple Finch Resident. Breeds sparingly in higher mountain areas and descends to coastal lowlands in winter. Winter visitants to the vicinity of San Diego vary in number from year to year. Carpodacus cassinii: Cassin's Finch Sparse winter and early spring visitant. Much scarcer than the pre- ceding but recorded at Presidio Park, Spring Valley, and elsewhere. Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis: House Finch Common resident throughout the County. Spinus pinus pinus: Pine Siskin Winter visitant. Best seen in coniferous forests of mountain areas, but occasionally in the San Diego area in large numbers. Spinus tristis salicamans: American Goldfinch Common resident in suitable localities. During nesting season, seeks riparian growth in foothills and valleys (Escondido) ; of wider distribu- tion in non-breeding months. Spinus psaltria hesperophilus: Lesser Goldfinch Common resident. The commonest goldfinch locally. Occurs from the coast to desert areas wherever sufficient water is available. Spinus lawrencei: Lawrence's Goldfinch Summer resident and sporadic local breeder; less common winter resident. In summer, may be seen in mountain areas; in winter, seen only in foothills and lowlands. Loxia curvirostra grinnelli: Red Crossbill Irregular vagrant. Recorded in Escondido, March 1, 1920 (Sharp 1920) and at Campo, March 6, 1877 (Willett 1933). Chlorura chlorura: Green-tailed Towhee Spring and fall migrant in all parts of the County; fairly uncommon winter visitant. Occasionally remains through the winter in the western lowlands (Spring Valley, Lemon Grove, Pauma Valley, Presidio Park). Pipilo erythrophthalmus megalonyx: Rufous-sided Towhee Common resident. Occurs in thick chaparral and river bottom thickets from the coast to the mountains. Buntings — Sparrows 3 5 Pipilo fuscus senicula: Brown Towhee Common resident. Occurs in the coastal lowlands, foothills, and mountain slopes. Inhabits brushlands, riparian growth, oak groves, and gardens. Calamospiza melanocorys: Lark Bunting Uncommon winter visitant; more common spring and fall migrant. Prefers open terrain on either coastal or desert slopes. Recorded in Campo, Poway, El Cajon, National City, and San Diego. Passerculus sandwichensis brooksi: Savannah Sparrow Fairly common winter visitant. Recorded at Poway, Pacific Beach, San Diego, and Tijuana River Valley. Passerculus sandwichensis nevadensis: Savannah Sparrow Fairly common winter visitant. Specimens taken in San Diego and Pacific Beach. Passerculus sandwichensis alaudinus: Savannah Sparrow Rare winter visitant. Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi: Savannah Sparrow Common resident. Occurs in Salicornia association in tidal mudflats. Passerculus sandwichensis rostratus: Savannah Sparrow Common winter visitant, from August to March or April. Occurs on salt marshes and beaches. Ammodramus savannarum perpallidus: Grasshopper Sparrow Sparse resident. Occurs where dry grassland provides cover for nest- ing and suitable forage. Pooecetes gramineus confinis: Vesper Sparrow Winter visitant, but never common. Prefers level open grasslands or country with sparse brush. Pooecetes gramineus affinis: Vesper Sparrow Winter visitant, but never common. Occurs in open country. Chondestes grammacus strigatus: Lark Sparrow Fairly common resident throughout the County. Aimophila ruficeps canescens: Rufous-crowned Sparrow Fairly common resident. Occurs in chaparral from near the coast (Kearny Mesa) to the lower mountains (Campo). Not easily seen. Amphispiza biiineata deserticola: Black-throated Sparrow Common resident. Occurs only in desert areas. Amphispiza belli belli: Sage Sparrow Resident. Occurs sparingly in chaparral of the coastal mesas and the western slopes of the mountains. Less common than formerly. Winter visitants in desert areas would be either A. b. nevadensis or A. b. canescens. 36 Birds of San Diego County Junco hyemalis hyemalis: Slate-colored Junco Rare winter visitant. Collected "40 miles east of San Diego" (Grin- nell and Miller 1944). Junco hyemalis cismontanus: Slate-colored Junco Uncommon winter visitant, but commoner than /. h. hyemalis. Col- lected at Dulzura (Grinnell and Miller 1944). Junco oreganus mearnsi: Oregon Junco One record: 4 miles southwest of Ramona, December 18, 1930 (Huey 1931b). Junco oreganus thurberi: Oregon Junco Resident. Breeds in mountain areas (Palomar, Laguna Mountains) and descends to lowlands in winter. Some years occurs in fair numbers within the city of San Diego. Junco caniceps caniceps: Gray-headed Junco Rare winter visitant, usually to higher mountain areas. Has been observed or collected, however, in Mission Gorge, La Puerta Valley, Witch Creek, and Pine Valley, as well as at Julian and Cuyamaca State Park. Spizella passerina arizonae: Chipping Sparrow Resident. Occurs in mountains and foothills during the summer and descends to coastal and desert lowlands in winter. Spizella breweri breweri: Brewer's Sparrow Sparse winter visitant. Occurs in coastal lowland areas and, accord- ing to Dr. Crouch, in the desert (Yaqui Well). Spizella atrogularis cana: Black-chinned Sparrow Summer resident; rare winter visitant. Occurs in chaparral, usually on sloping ground. Recorded at Cuyamaca Mountains, Witch Creek, Escondido, Poway, Bonita, and San Diego. Zonotrichia querula: Harris' Sparrow Rare but regular winter visitant. Recorded in various parts of the County, including Encinitas (Cozens 1928). Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii: White-crowned Sparrow Common winter visitant. Occurs in both coastal and desert areas. Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha: White-crowned Sparrow Rare winter visitant. Recorded at Volcan Mountain (L. B. Bishop 1905). Zonotrichia leucophrys pugetensis: White-crowned Sparrow One record: La Jolla (Grinnell and Miller 1944). Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalli: White-crowned Sparrow Winter visitant: not common. JuNcos — Sparrows 37 Zonotrichia atricapilla: Golden-crowned Sparrow Fairly common winter visitant. To be looked for among flocks of 2. leucophrys, Zonotrichia albicollis: White-throated Sparrow Three birds entered San Diego Bay on a ship (Buckley 1946). Re- ported here in winter on several occasions. Passerella iliaca iliaca: Fox Sparrow One record for Poway, January 3, 188 8, collected by Bryant (Grin- nell and Miller 1944). Passerella iliaca altivagans: Fox Sparrow One record each for Flinn Springs, Escondido, and Volcan Mountain (Willett 1933). Passerella iliaca unalaschcensis: Fox Sparrow One record for Escondido (Grinnell and Miller 1944); two for Ballena (Stephens, San Diego Natural History Museum collection). Passerella iliaca insularis: Fox Sparrow One record for Volcan Mountain (Grinnell and Miller 1944). Passerella iliaca schistacea: Fox Sparrow Winter visitant. Recorded at Dulzura and Dehesa (Grinnell and Miller 1944). Passerella iliaca fulva: Fox Sparrow Rare winter visitant. Recorded from Volcan Mountain in February (Grinnell and Miller 1944). Passerella iliaca megarhyncha: Fox Sparrow Common winter visitant. Recorded as occurring in Escondido, Mission Gorge, and Hidden Springs (Grinnell and Miller 1944). Passerella iliaca brevicauda: Fox Sparrow Winter visitant. Collected at Ramona and Mission Dam (San Diego Natural History Museum collection). Melospiza lincolnii lincolnii: Lincoln's Sparrow Winter visitant. Recorded at Volcan Mountain and Witch Creek (Grinnell and Miller 1944). Melospiza lincolnii gracilis: Lincoln's Sparrow Sparse winter visitant. Favors dry weed patches. Recorded at Witch Creek, National City, and the mouth of the Tijuana River (Grinnell and Miller 1944). Melospiza georgiana ericrypta: Swamp Sparrow One collected at Sweetwater Lake, November 4, 1943 (Huey 1944). 38 Birds of San Diego County Melospiza melodia morphna: Song Sparrow Rare winter visitant. Collected at Yaqui Well, October 13, 1936 by Huey (San Diego Natural History Museum collection). Melospiza melodia cooperi: Song Sparrow Common resident. Occurs in coastal, montane, and desert areas. Breeds in river bottoms, marsh margins, and gardens (Balboa Park). Other races of M. melodia probably occur in the County, but specimens have not been taken. Calcarius lapponicus alascensis: Lapland Longspur One record: Mission Bay, October 2, 1909 (Stephens 1910). 39 LITERATURE CITED Abbott, Clinton G. 1927a American Dipper established as a breeding species in San Diego County. Condor 29: 117, 118. 1927b Western Bluebird nesting in the City of San Diego. Condor 29: 165. 1928a Bird notes from San Diego County. Condor 30: 163. 1928b Another Hooded Merganser in San Diego County. Condor 30: 326. American Ornithologists' Union 1957 Check-list of North American birds. Fifth edition, i-xiii, 1-691. Baltimore. Anthony, Alfred W. 1922 The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in southern California. Auk 39: 106. Avery, M. Dale 1957 Bay-breasted Warbler off California coast. Condor 59: 268. Beemer, Eleanor Guyer 1949 Winter Wren in San Diego County, California. Condor 51: 233. 1950 Eastern Phoebe in San Diego County, California. Condor 52: 274,275. Behle, William H. 1942 Distribution and variation of the Horned Larks (Ofocoris alpestris) of western North America. Univ. Calif. Publ. Zool. 46: 263. Bishop, John W. 1958 Audubon Field Notes 12: 307. Bishop, Louis B. 1905 Notes on a small collection of California birds with description of an apparently unrecognized race of Hutton's Vireo. Condor 7: 142. Buckley, John L. 1946 Land birds at sea. Auk 63: 440. Carpenter, Nelson K. 1918 Observations in a swallow colony. Condor 20: 90, 91. Channing, C. Howard 195 5 Audubon Field Notes 9: 28 5. 40 Birds of San Diego County Cozens, Harold H. 1928 Fifth record of Harris Sparrow in California. Condor 30: 164. Crouch, James E. 1947 Audubon Field Notes 1: 164. 1956 Audubon Field Notes 10: 409. 1959 Vermilion Flycatchers nesting in San Diego County, California. Condor 61: 57. Dixon, Joseph 1912 White-winged Dove in the San Diegan District. Condor 14: 196. Gabrielson, Ira N. 1934 The San Jose Say Phoebe at San Diego, California. Condor 36: 249. Gander, Frank F. 1956 Audubon Field Notes 10: 59. Gardner, Leon L. 1959 Gila Woodpecker in San Diego County. Condor. In press. Grey, Henry 1913 Harris Hawk in California. Condor 15: 128. 1917 Zone- tailed Hawk at San Diego, California. Condor 19: 103. Grinnell, Joseph 1915 A distributional list of the birds of California. Pacif. Coast Avif. 11: 101. Grinnell, Joseph, and Alden H. Miller 1944 The distribution of the birds of California. Pacif. Coast Avif. 27: 1-608. Harrison, Ed N. 1936 Surf Scoter in the Cuyamaca Mountains, California. Condor 38: 169. Helmuth, William Tod, III 1939 Old-Squaw and American Scoter in San Diego Region. Condor 41: 167. Huey, Laurence M. 1915 Two birds new to California. Condor 17: 5 8. 192 5 Unpublished San Diego records. Condor 27: 72. 1926 Two unrecorded occurrences of the Richardson Pigeon Hawk in Cahfornia. Condor 28: 102. 1931a Icterus pustulatus, a new bird to the A.O.U. check-list. Auk 48: 606, 607. Literature Cited 41 1931b Notes on two birds from San Diego County, California. Auk 48: 621. 1932a Boreal Flicker in San Diego County, California. Condor 34: 140. 1932b Two noteworthy records for California. Auk 49: 107. 1933a Further occurrence of sporadic visitors in southern California. Condor 35: 125, 126. 1933b Southernmost record of the Horned Puffin. Condor 35: 23 3. 1936 Noteworthy records from San Diego County, California. Con- dor 38: 121. 1944 Notes on four sporadic visitants in California. Condor 46: 201. 1954 Notes from southern California and Baja California, Mexico. Condor 56: 51. Ingersoll, Albert M. 1918 Second occurrence of Wilson Plover in California. Condor 20: 187. Kent, Wyatt A. 1944 Rare birds seen in southern California. Condor 46: 129, 130. Ken YON, Karl W. 1937 Two sea-bird records for southern California. Condor 39: 2 57. 1949 Distribution of the Pacific Kittiwake in November and De- cember of 1948. Condor 51: 188. Kimball, H. H. 1922 Bird records from California, Arizona, and Guadalupe Island. Condor 24: 96, Mead, Gertrude H. 1952 Robin breeding in San Diego, California. Condor 54: 64. Meadows, Don 1933 California Condor in San Diego County. Condor 35: 234. Michael, Chas. W. 1934 The Golden Plover on the beach at La Jolla. Condor 36: 247, 248. Miller, Loye Holmes 1936 Maritime birds off San Diego> Condor 38: 13. Monroe, Burt L., Jr. 195 5 A Gull new to North America. Auk 72: 208. 1956 Observations of Elegant Terns at San Diego, California. Wil- son Bulk 68: 239. MoRLEY, Arthur G., Jr. 1959a The Palm Warbler in San Diego County, California. Condor. In press. 1959b Brown Thrasher in San Diego. Condor. In press. 42 Birds of San Diego County MoRLEY, Arthur G., Jr., and James R. Sams 1958 Oldsquaw found at La Jolla, California. Condor 60: 337. Rainey, Dennis G., S. G. Van Hoose, and John Tramontano 1959 Breeding of the Starling in southern California. Condor 61: 57, 58. Sams, James R. 1959a Ground Dove nesting in San Diego County. Condor 61: 155 1959b An inland occurrence of the Common Goldeneye at Brawley, Imperial County, California. Condor. In press. Sefton, Joseph W., Jr. 1926 A third Rusty Blackbird to be recorded in California. Condor 28: 99. Sharp, C. S. 1907 The breeding birds of Escondido. Condor 9: 91. 1920 Notes from Escondido, California. Condor 22: 159. Stephens, Frank 1910 The Alaska Longspur in California. Condor 12: 44. 1919a An annotated list of the birds of San Diego County, California. Trans. San Diego Soc. Nat. Hist. 3: 1-40. 1919b Unusual occurrences of Bendire Thrasher, Forked-tailed Petrel and Western Goshawk. Condor 21: 87. 1920 Bohemian Waxwing in San Diego County. Condor 22: 159. 1922 Occurrence of the Surf Scoter on fresh water. Condor 24: 134. Stott, Ken, Jr. 1959a The Red-necked Grebe in San Diego County, California. Con- dor. In press. 1959b The Starling arrives in San Diego, California. Condor. In press. Stott, Ken, Jr., and James R. Sams 1959 A record of Crissal Thrashers in San Diego County, California. Condor. In press. SWARTH, H. S. 1933 Peale Falcon in California. Condor 35: 233, 234. Thornburgh, Margaret M. 195 3 Painted Redstart near San Diego, California. Condor 55: 318. VAN ROSSEM, A. J. 1915 Notes on Murrelets and Petrels. Condor 17: 74. WiLLETT, George 1933 A revised list of the birds of southwestern California. Pacif. Coast Avif. 21: 1-204. INDEX 43 Accipiter cooper it, 1 1 gentilis airicapillus, 10 striatus velox, 11 Actitis macularia, IJ Aechmophorus occ id en talis, 3 Aeronautes saxatalis saxatalis, 22 Agelaius pboeniceus californicus, 32 phoeniceus neniralis, 32 pboeniceus sonoriensis, 32 tricolor, 32 Aegolius acadicus acadicus, 21 Aimophila ruficeps canescens, 35 y4/x sponsa, 9 Albatross, Black-footed, 4 Short-tailed, 4 Alec tor is graeca, 12 Ammodramus savannarum perpallidus, 3 5 Amphispiza belli belli, 3 5 bilineata deserticola, 3 5 A«a5 /c^7/j ercmophilus, 12 Oreoscoptes montanus, 28 Oriole, Bullock's, 3 3 Hooded, 33 Scarlet-headed, 3 3 Scott's, 33 Osprey, 12 Otus asio querciuus, 20 Owl, Barn, 20 Burrowing, 21 Great Horned, 20 Long-eared, 21 Pygmy, 21 Saw-whet, 21 Screech, 20 Short-eared, 21 Spotted, 21 Oxyura jamaicensis rubida, 10 Oystercatcher, American, 13 Black, 13 Pandion haliaetus carolinensis, 12 Parabuteo unicinctus superior, 1 1 Varus gambeli bailey ae, 26 inornatus transpositus, 26 Passer domesticus domesticus, 32 Passerculus sandwichensis alaudinus, 3 5 sandwichensis beldingi, 3 5 sandwichensis brooksi, 3 5 sandwichensis nevadensis, 3 5 sandwichensis rostratus, 3 5 Passerella iliaca altivagans, 37 iliaca brevicauda, 37 iliaca fulva, "^7 iliaca iliaca, 37 iliaca insularis, 37 iliaca megarhyncha, 37 iliaca schistacea, 37 iliaca unalaschcensis, 37 Passerina amoena, 34 Pelecanus erythrorhynchos, 5 occidentalis calif or nictis, 5 Pelican, Brown, 5 White, 5 Petrel, Ashy, 5 Black, 5 Fork-tailed, 4 Leach's, 4 Least, 5 Wilson's, 5 INDEX 47 Pefrochelidon pyrrhonota pyrrhonota, 2 5 Pewee, Western Wood, 24 Phaethon aethereus mesonauta, 5 Pbaiuopepla nitens lepida, 29 Phainopepla, 29 Pbalacrocorax auriius albociliahis, J pelagicus resplendens, 5 penicillatMS, 5 Phalaenoptilus nuttallii californicus, 21 nuttaUii hueyi, 21 nuttallii nuttaUii, 21 Phalarope, Northern, 17 Red, 17 Wilson's, 17 Phalaropus fulicarius, 17 Phasiamis colchicus, 12 Pheasant, Ring-necked, 12 Pbeucticus melatiocepbahis macvlatus, 3 3 Phoebe, Black, 24 Eastern, 24 Say's, 24 Pigeon, Band-tailed, 20 Pintail, 8 Pipilo erythropbthahmis megalonyx, 34 fuscus senicula, 3 5 Pipit, Water, 29 Piranga hidoviciana, 33 rubra rubra, 3 3 Plegadis cbibi, 7 Plover, American Golden, 14 Black-bellied, 14 Mountain, 14 Semipalmated, 13 Snowy, 14 Wilson's, 14 Pluvialis dominica dominica, 14 dominica fulva, 14 Podiceps auritus cornutus, 3 caspicus californicus, 3 grisegena bolbollii, 3 Podilymbus podiceps podiceps, 3 Polioptila caerulea amoenissima, 29 melanura calif ornica, 29 melanura lucid a, 29 Pooecetes gramineus affinis, 3 5 grainineus conjinis, 3 5 Poor-will, 21 Porzana Carolina, 13 Progne subis subis, 2 5 Psaltriparus minimus minimus, 26 Ptycborampbus aleutica aleutica, 19 Puffin, Horned, 19 Puffinus creatopus, 4 griseus, 4 puffinus opistbomelas, 4 tenuirostris, 4 Pyrocepbalus rubinus flammeus, 24 Quail, California, 12 Gambel's, 12 Mountain, 1 2 Rail, Black, 13 Clapper, 1 3 Virginia, 13 Rallus limicola limicola, 13 longirostris levipes, 13 Raven, Common, 26 Kecurvirostra americana, 16 Redhead, 9 Redstart, American, 32 Painted, 32 Regulus calendula cineraceus, 29 satrapa, 29 Riparia riparia riparia, 2 5 Rissa tridactyla pollicaris, 18 Roadrunner, 20 Robin, 28 Salpinctes obsoletus obsoletus, 27 Sanderling, 16 Sandpiper, Baird's, 16 Least, 16 Pectoral, 16 Sharp-tailed, 16 Solitary, 15 Spotted, 15 Western, 16 Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied, 23 Sayornis nigricans semiatra, 24 pboebe, 24 say a quiescens, 24 saya saya, 24 Scaup, Greater, 9 Lesser, 9 Scoter, Common, 10 Surf, 10 White-winged, 9 Seiurus noveboracensis limnaeus, 31 Selaspborus rufus, 22 sasin sasin, 22 Setopbaga ptcta picta, 32 ruticilla tricolor a, 32 Shearwater, Manx, 4 Pink-footed, 4 Slender-billed, 4 " Sooty, 4 Shoveler, 8 Shrike, Loggerhead, 29 Sialia currucoides, 29 mexicana occidentalis, 28 Siskin, Pine, 34 Sitta canadensis, 26 carolinensis aculeata, 26 pygmaea leuconucba, 26 Snipe, Common, 15 Solitaire, Townsend's, 29 Sora, 13 48 Birds of San Diego County Sparrow, Black-chinned, 36 Black-throated, 3 J Brewer's, 36 Chipping, 36 Fox, 37 Golden-crowned, 37 Grasshopper, 3 J Harris*, 36 House, 32 Lark, 3 5 Lincoln's, 37 Rufous-crowned, 3 J Sage, 3 J Savannah, 3 5 Song, 38 Swamp, 37 Vesper, 3 5 White-crowned, 36 White-throated, 37 Spatula clypeata, 8 Speotyto cunicularia hypugaea, 21 Sphyrapicus varhis daggetti, 23 varius nuchalis, 23 Spintts lawrencei, 34 pinus pjnus, 34 psaltria hesperophilus, 34 truth ialicamans, 34 Spizella atrogularis cana, 3 6 breweri breweri, 36 passerina arizonae, 3 6 Squatarola squat arola, 14 Starling, 30 Steganopus tricolor, 17 Stelgidopteryx ruficollis psatrtftiochrotis, 25 Stellula calliope, 22 Stercorarius longicaudus, 17 parasiticus, 17 pomarinus, 17 Sterna albifrons browni, 18 forsteri, 18 hirundo hirundo, 18 Stilt, Black-necked, 17 Streptopelia chinensis chinensis, 20 S/r/x occidentalis occidentalis, 21 Sturnella neglecta confluenta, 32 neglect a neglecta, 32 Sturnus vulgaris, 30 Surf bird, 14 Swallow, Bank, 25 Barn, 25 ClifF, 25 Rough-winged, 25 Tree, 25 Violet-green, 25 Swan, Whistling, 7 Swift, Black, 21 Vaux's, 21 White-throated, 22 Synthliboramphus antiquum, 19 Tachycineti thalassina lepida, 25 Tanager, Summer, 33 Western, 33 Tattler, Wandering, 15 Teal, Blue-winged, 8 Cinnamon, 8 Green- winged, 8 Telmatodytes palustris paludicola, 17 palustris plesius, 17 Tern, Black, 19 Caspian, 19 Common, 1 8 Elegant, 19 Forster's, 1 8 Least, 18 Royal, 18 Thalassens elegans, 19 maximus maximus, 1 8 Thrasher, Brown, 27 California, 2 8 Crissal, 28 Le Conte's, 28 Sage, 28 Thrush, Hermit, 28 Swainson's, 28 Varied, 28 Thryomanes bewickii correctiis, 17 Titmouse, Plain, 26 Totanus flavipes, 15 melanoleucus, 1 5 Towhee, Brown, 3 5 Green-tailed, 34 Rufous-sided, 34 Toxostoma dorsale color adense, 28 lecontei lecontei, 2 8 rediviv7im redivivum, 28 rufum longicauda, 17 Tritiga solitaria cinnamomea, 15 Troglodytes aedon parkntanii, 17 troglodytes pacificus, 17 Tropic-bird, Red-billed, 5 Turdus migratorius propitiquus, 28 Turnstone, Black, 14 Ruddy, 14 Tyr annus verticalis, 23 vociferans vociferans, 23 Tyto alba pratincola, 20 Vria aalge calif ornica, 19 Verdin, 26 Vermivora celata celata, 30 celata lutescens, 30 celata orestera, 30 celata sordid a, 30 ruficapilla ridgwayi, 30 virginiae, 31 Vireo bellii pusillus, 30 gilvus swainsonii, 30 huttoni huttoni, 30 olivaceus, 30 solitarius cassinii, 30 vicinior, 30 INDEX 49 Vireo Bell's, 30 Gray, 30 Hutton's, 30 Red -eyed, 30 Solitary, 30 Warbling, 30 Vulture, Turkey, 10 Warbler, Audubon's, 3 1 Bay-breasted, 31 Black-and-white, 30 Black-throated Gray, 31 Hermit, 31 Macgillivray's, 31 Myrtle, 31 Nashville, 30 Orange-crowned, 30 Palm, 31 Townsend's, 31 Virginia's, 31 Wilson's, 32 Yellow, 31 Waterthrush, Northern, 31 Waxwing, Bohemian, 29 Cedar, 29 Whimbrel, 15 Widgeon, American, 8 Wihonia pusilla chryseola, 32 pusilla pileolata, 32 Willet, 15 Woodpecker, Acorn, 22 Downy, 23 Gila, 22 Hairy, 23 Ladder- backed, 23 Lewis', 23 Nuttall's, 23 White-headed, 2 3 Wren, Bewick's, 27 Cactus, 27 Canyon, 27 House, 27 Long-billed Marsh, 27 Rock, 27 Winter, 27 Wrentit, 27 Xanthocephalus xanthocephalns, 32 Xema sabini, 18 Yellowlegs, Greater, 15 Lesser, 1 5 Yellowthroat, 31 Zenaida asiatica mearmi, 20 Zenaidura macroura marginella, 20 Zonotrichia albicoUis, 37 atricapilla, 37 leucophrys gambelii, 36 lencophrys nuttalli, 36 leucophrys oriantha, 36 leucophrys pugetensis, 3 6 querula, 3 6 MBL WHOI Libra 5 WHSE 00004