The Gull

M&O
Serials
QL 671
- G84

monthly

Volume 16

SAN FRANCISCO, MAY, 1934

Number 5

Behavior of Birds at Deserted Nests

Birds are said to lose interest in the nest once the family has been raised and
the nest deserted. There are always exceptions to any general statement upon
the behavior of birds, however. In the case of birds that nest in holes in trees or
in bird boxes, there are, of course, many instances where one of a pair of birds
will use the old home for a winter shelter.

A male Northwest Flicker used the bird box in which his family were raised
as a winter home for himself for two winters in my yard in Seattle. Western
Winter Wrens have been known to crowd into nesting boxes to the number of six
or seven on cold winter nights. At a friend’s on Mercer Island in Lake Washing-
ton, Western Bluebirds were observed “hanging about” the nesting box long after
they had grown, going in and out as though in play and remaining nearby even
after the parent birds were busy with a second nesting.

On October 9, 1932, in Berkeley, we had another opportunity to observe birds
in relation to their deserted nest. For three years Bush-tits have nested in the
black acacia ( acacia melanoxylon) in the back yard, each time choosing a different
part of the tree. Last year, on the above date, we decided to cut the nest of that
spring down in order to find out just what materials were used in its construction.
Immediately the ladder was placed near the nest, two Bush-tits appeared and
kept as close as they could on a near limb, watching our every move and making
just the tiniest sounds as if in protest.

Whether these very soft alarm notes were communicated to other birds or
not we cannot say. But something still more odd happened. We began to take the
nails out of the support to a bird house nailed to the fence. We wanted to cut the
hole larger in the hope that Plain Titmice might use the box since Wrens, for
which it was originally made, had never used it. Before the house was quite loose
from its fastenings, two Plain Titmice appeared from nowhere. We had neither
seen nor heard any about for weeks. One lit on the top of the house and the other
clung to the side and poked his head in the hole. Maybe it was her head, I do not
know. They stayed around for some time after the box was down. This spring we
saw the Bush-tits, but if they built in the same acacia, we did not find their nest.
The Titmice were not seen again.

Mrs. Norman C. Compton ("Mary I.), Berkeley, California. October 25, 1933.

Nesting of Guillemots

Guillemots, of which I believe there are five recognized species, are repre-
sented in the new world on the Pacific Coast by the Pigeon Guillemot, which
ranges from the Behring Sea to Santa Barbara County, differing from the Black
Guillemot of the Eastern coast only in having the white wing patch divided by a
black bar.

Little seems to have been published on its nesting habits, probably owing to
the foresight of the parent birds in placing their eggs in crevices in the rocks,
although sometimes in burrows. One nest which was in a crevice in plain sight.
I watched for two years.

[May

THE GULL

1934,]

Of the sixteen references to the number of eggs to a clutch, twelve say two;
one, two and rarely three; and another, one or two. The eggs I have examined
differ greatly not only in their markings but in their basic coloring.

My first meeting with the Guillemot was May 8, 1916, at Monterey. I was
sitting on the edge of Fisherman’s wharf, watching Eared Grebes catching sar-
dines, when a black bird with white wing patches rose to the surface, tossed its
catch in the air and showed a flaming red mouth while swallowing the fish. In
diving, this bird then showed me a beautiful pair of red feet. I recognized my first
Pigeon Guillemot.

From time to time I saw them from this same wharf, but it was not until May
18, 1922, on the Farallon Islands that I had the opportunity to examine a nest, and
this experience was not all pleasure. By removing several rocks I was able to
reach the eggs, two in number, and each time I secured an egg I received a sharp
nip from the parent bird. After admiring the clutch, I returned them to the bur-
row, receiving the same vigorous thrust from the parent’s bill, and I believe, if
1 were to examine another nest, I should like to choose one that held a single egg,
for it was evident that the small diameter of the burrow saved me from an ex-
tremely sore hand. May 24, 1930, on the Farallon trip I did not observe this
species on the island, although several adult birds were in evidence near the
landing.

On June 28, 1931. near Land’s End, San Francisco, several pairs were in
mating antics. On July 4, it was evident that nesting was in progress on the side
of the camel back rock in an open crevice. July 19, one young and one egg were
observed. The last of the young left the nest between August 23 and 30.

On March 3, 1933, two Guillemots were seen near the old wreck. On May 8,
there were thirty-five to forty birds present in the water nearby. Mating was in
progress and the whole colony were intensively active. When a member of the
colony seemed to be too closely pursued, it would dive into the ocean from the air,
the pursuing bird alighting on the water awaiting its reappearance, then more
diving and splashing.

May 6, 1933, the old crevice on the camel back rock was again occupied, and
on June 9 there were two young; on August 20, one young, and on the 27th the
crevice was empty.

These few facts leave considerable doubt in my mind and I would welcome
any information on nesting and length of incubation.

Carl R. Smith, San Francisco, California. October 27. 1933.

■M

The April field trip was taken on Sunday, the 15th, to Lake Merced. Our
customary route through the once beautiful ravine, popularly known as “Dr.
Bryant’s canyon,” always abundant in both land and water birds, having been
destroyed in the process of highway construction, we had to choose another
approach to the lake. Meeting at the entrance to the Fleishhacker playground,
thirteen members and six guests visited first the pond, where almost all the com-
mon species of ducks in pairs are to be seen.

Entering the eucalyptus grove, the first interesting object was a Bush-tit's
nest hanging quite low over the path. At the lake a female Mallard with nine
very young ducklings swam near the shore, and later another Mallard with seven
ducklings was seen. Many Eared Grebes in their mating plumage were present.
Three Black-crowned Night Herons flew toward us and perched in a cypress tree.

One member watching an Allen Hummingbird saw it alight on its nest in an
acacia tree. Further investigation revealed two eggs in the nest. Allen Humming-
birds were very numerous and exceedingly active. The songs of House and Purple
Fi iclies filled the air, and all day long we enjoyed the weird call of the Western
Grebe.

Only three or four Rough-winged Swallows were seen, whereas on former
visits we have recorded five additional species. Perhaps the most outstanding
observation of the day was seven or eight Cinnamon Teal on south lake. This

THE GULL

1934]

| May

species lias been observed by us only once previously on our April trip in the last
ten years; that record was in 1927.

I art of our group made a complete circuit of the south lake, returning to the
oiiginal starting point. It was a perfect day and an enjoyable trip, although the
actual number of species observed (42) was the smallest on any of our April trips
to Lake Merced in several years. The following is the complete list for the day:

Eared Grebe
Western Grebe
Pied-billed Grebe
Farallon Cormorant
Brandt Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Black-crowned Night Heron
Mallard
Baldpate
Cinnamon Teal
Surf Scoter
Ruddy Duck
Red-breasted Merganser
Sharp-shinned Hawk

Coot
Kill deer

Glaucous-winged Gull
Western Gull
Mourning Dove
Anna Hummingbird
Allen Hummingbird
Flicker

Western Flycatcher

Rough-winged Swallow

Chickadee

Bush-tit

Tule Wren

Robin

Albert B.

Audubon Warbler
Yellowthroat
Pileolated Warbler
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer Blackbird
English Sparrow
Purple Finch
House Finch
Pine Siskin
Willow Goldfinch
Spotted Towhee
Junco

Nuttall Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Stephens, Historian.

The April week-day trip was taken on the 24th to Alameda and Bay Farm
Island under the leadership of Mrs. G. Earle Kelly. An ideal day brought out nine
members and five guests. Twelve species of shore birds were observed, with
Long-billed Dowitchers predominating. Among the sandpipers were found the
Red-backed, many of which showed black bellies.

In addition to shore birds a number of land birds were also seen, making in
all a total of twenty-eight for the trip, as follows:

Red-throated Loon
Clapper Rail
Snowy Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Killdeer

Black-bellied Plover
Long-billed Curlew
Hudsonian Curlew
Western Willet
Red-backed Sandpiper

Long-billed Dowitcher
Western Sandpiper
Marbled Godwit
Sanderling
Glaucous-winged Gull
Herring Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Bonaparte Gull
Forster Tern

Horned Lark
Barn Swallow
Robin

Meadowlark

Red-winged Blackbird

Brewer Blackbird

English Sparrow

Bryant Savannah Sparrow

Alameda Salt Marsh Sparrow

Early Dates for Summer Visitants

Cliff Swallow
Warbling Vireo
Black-headed Grosbeak
Pileolated Warbler
Western Flycatcher
Black-headed Grosbeak
Bullock Oriole

Oakland Scout Camp
Oakland Scout Camp
Oakland Scout Camp
Oakland Scout Camp
Oakland Scout Camp
San Anselmo
San Anselmo

March 4
March 1G
March 17
March 18
March 26
April 6
April 6

Robert Taylor
Robert Taylor
Robert Taylor
Robert Try] or
Robert Taylor
Mrs. Otis H. Smith
Mrs. Otis H. Smith

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1934]

| May

Audubon Notes

May Meeting: The regular meeting

will be held on Thursday, the 11th, at
8 p. m., room 19, Ferry Building.

The speaker of the evening will be
Dr. V. W. von Hagen, who will tell us
something of the Darwin Memorial
Expedition to the Galapagos Islands,
which he is to lead. He will also de-
scribe various phases of animal and
bird life found there.

J*— <£— J*

May Field Trip will be taken on Sun-
day, the 13th, to St. Mary’s, Contra
Costa County. San Francisco members
will take 8 a. m. Key Route Ferry and
Sacramento Northern Railway train.
East Bay members may take train at
Fortieth Street and Shatter Avenue at
8:30 a. m. Purchase round-trip tickets
to St. Mary’s; fare from San Francisco
75c, from Oakland 50c. Bring luncheon
and filled canteens. Joseph J. Webb,
leader.

Week Day Trip will be taken on
Thursday, the 17th, to University of
California campus, Berkeley. Take the
9:15 Southern Pacific boat and train to
University Avenue, walk to Oxford
Street, where party will meet at 10
o’clock. Bring luncheon. Leader, Mrs.
H. P. Bracelin.

<5* —

Livermore: Tentative plans are being
made for an extra trip to be taken on
Sunday, May 27, to McCoy’s Ranch,
Livermore. The trip will be made in a
Gray Line bus, provided enough mem-
bers express their desire to go. The
rates are as follows: for a party of 25.
$1.75 each; 33, $1.55 each; and 50, $1.20

each. This trip will be for members
only. Those wishing to take advantage
of this opportunity will kindly send a
postal to Mr. Joseph J. Webb, 519 Cali-
fornia Street, San Francisco, as soon as
possible so that final arrangements can
be completed.

April Meeting: The 201st regular

meeting was held on April 12, in room
19, Ferry Building, with forty-six mem-
bers and guests present. President
Joseph J. Webb in the chair.

The following observations were re-
ported :

John Cushing, Jr.: Inverness, Febru-
ary 10, pair of Spotted Owls.

Eddie McClintock: Moraga, April 7,
Cowbird.

Commander Parmenter: San Mateo
Bridge, March 13, fifty-three Least
Terns.

Mrs. Otis H. Smith: Ross, March 7,
Lutescent Warbler; 18th, Pileolated
Warbler; April 12, San Anselmo, White-
throated Sparrow.

Mrs. Albert B. Stephens: North Lake,
Golden Gate Park, April 7, Greater
Yellow-legs, a record for the park.

Robert Taylor: Oakland Scout Camp,
February 28, Allen Hummingbird;
March 16, Hermit Warbler; April 1,
Rufous Hummingbird.

Dr. Carl S. Duncan delivered a very
instructive talk on insects. In addition
to the many interesting phases of this
subject presented by the speaker, the
importance of insects to bird life was
stressed.

Audubon Association of the Pacific

Organized January 25, 1917

For the Study and the Protection of Birds

President Joseph J. Webb 519 California St., San Francisco

Corresponding Secretary C. B. Lastreto 260 California St., San Francisco

Treasurer Mrs. A. B. Stephens 1695 Filbert St., San Francisco

Monthly meeting second Thursday, 8 P. M., Room 19, Ferry Building.

Address Bulletin correspondence to Mrs. A. B. Stephens, Editor, 1695 Filbert St., San Francisco.

Subscription to monthly Bulletin, $1.00 per year. Single copies, 15c.

Membership dues, payable January 1st, $3.00 per year.

Student memberships, $1.50 per year. Life memberships, $50.00

Members are responsible for dues until written notice of resignation is received by Treasurer.