The Gull

VOLUME 1 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, JUNE, 1919 Number 6

JUNE MEETING: Tlie next regular monthly meeting of the Asso-

ciation will be held on Thursday evening, the 12th inst., at 8 o’clock, in the
lecture hall of the California Development Bo'ard, I'erry Building.

The evening will be devoted to the personal narrations of our own mem-
bers of their obesrvations and experiences in bird sport and study. In
addition to those on the iirogram, others ,0'f those present who may wish to
tell of their own experiences will be afl’orded opportunitv to do so.

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JUNE FIELD TRIP will be taken to Tennessee Cove, Marin County,
on Sunday, 15th inst. Take 8:45 a. m. Sausalito ferry. Purchase round trip
tickets to Mill Valley, 40c. Bring lunch and canteens.

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PROCEEDINGS OF THE MAY MEETING: The twenty-eighth

regular meeting was held on the 8th of May in the Ferry Building, Presi-
dent Lastreto in the chair.

Encouraging progress in the Junior Department, under charge O'! Mr.
Hansen, was reported. The need of volunteers to take charge and to in-
struct clubs being organized was emphasized.

A particularly interesting letter was read from Mr. Newsom showing
how far from lonesome he is in the otherwise lonely Farallon Islands find-
ing interesting co'inpanionship with the birds there.

The Board of Directors had met at 7:30, arranged for the next monthly
lecture to the Boy Scouts and elected to membership Miss Helen Flyn and
Mr. Charles S. Cushing.

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ACTIVITIES OF THE JUNIOR ANNEX: The Lowell Junior Audu-
bon Club was organized two weeks ago, and is beginning the seaso'n with
a series of field trips and lectures. The Club’s headquarters are at the
Lowell High School. Mr. C. W. Fender, Instructor, and Collins Macrae,
Secretarv.

At the last lecture given to the Boy Scouts, Mr. C. R. Smith gave an
interesting talk on the prominent features of different families of birds, in
relation to their existence. Mr. Douglas will give tlm next lecture at the
Headquarters of Troop 54. Thursday evening, June 5, 1919.

A number of Junior Audubon members have reported the presence of
Red and Northern Phalarojies around the Chain of Lakes. A large flock of
cedar Avax Avings haA’e also been continuously seen until recently.

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SOME BIRD NESTS OF GOLDEN GATE PARK

During the latter part of Fehruary, this year, through the good offices
of Dr. F. W. D’Evelyn, about eight acres Avere set aside in Golden Gate
Park to be used as a Bird Preserve. Nesting houses were constructed, such
as flicker, linnett and chickadee boxes, and wren cans. The nesting houses
Avere placed in the early part of March by several Scouts of Troop 13 and
tliosc of Troop 20. Very little activity Avas noticed about the boxes until
April.

THE GULE

One bright Sunday morning (April 6), some moss was noticed hanging
on the outside of Scout Gutman’s chickadee box. A careful scrutiny showed
that a nest was in the course of construction; unfortunately the top had
been nailed tight, and we were forced to make our observation through
some cracks. Encouraged by our discovery we hastened to examine the
cans placed for the wrens, and found that one can contained a nest in the
course of construction, a third with the occupant evidently incubating.
Visiting Scout Vincent’s chickadee box wc discos'ered that a pair of the
birds were in possession and busily constructing their nest. The flicker and
linnett boxes showed no signs of being occupied at this time. _ On our way
home that afternoon, we visited a nest of the Hutton virco, which contained
two white eggs. This nest was built out of newspapers, moss and the like,
hanging from a crotcli of a branch about eight feet above the ground, in a
secluded Cypress. We also said “Hello” to a pair of flickers who had just
a few weeks before chiseled a nest in a semi-decayed tree near the buffalo
pen. The female was most likely nicubating, but upon our approach poked
out her beak and made a rapid exit.

Several weeks later another visit was made to the experiment grounds.
On our way over the nest of an Anna Hummer was discovered, which con-
tained young. A later examination showed that the bird had built her nest
over one of last year; this gave the nest a peculiar cone-like shape. Except
in one instance little activity was observed around the boxes, and we sur-
mised that most of the birds were incubating. This exception was Scout
Haskell’s linnett box, whicli had been placed Friday and now contained a
rapidly growing nest of the Vigor’s wren. All the boxes made by the boys,
and most of the wren’s cans were occupied. Sunday, May 18, we found
that our vireo nest had been deserted, that young in several of the chikadee
boxes were ready to leave, and in one case flew out of the box upon our
approach. The wren’s eggs in the linnett box had hatched, and the young
were keeping the adults busy.

Out of a score of boxes that were placed, twelve were, or had been
occupied, the occupants successfully bringing forth tlieir broods in every
case. The linnett and flicker boxes up to tliis writing have failed tO' attain
their object. So for the first time in San Francisco, a systematic placing of
bird houses in our public parks by our junior members had been attempted,
and met with greater success than we had hoped for.

Hakoi.i) E. Hansen.

[The success of this first work of our juveniles stands out in marked
contrast with this season’s experience of two of our members, Mr. Bick-
ford in Napa, and Mr. Lastreto in Menlo Park, who report a very low house
occupancy by their birds this spring. — Ed.]

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“CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME”

“The above is the title of the quarter!}- magazine dedicated to the “Con-
servation of Wild Life througli Education” and publi.'^hed by the California
Fish and Game Commission. The last issue, the April number, contains
man}'- very interesting items appealing to s]iortsmey and es])ecially to bird
lovers and conservationists. \\'c here give an epitome of articles related
to birds.

A very interesting communication on the Herring Gull quo-ting ob-
servers attesting to tlicir usefulness as insect caters and the possible utili-
zation of the California Gull in combating the grasshopper plague.

L'ndcsirable legislation i)cnding at .Sacramento.

How a “joint” (junta?) in Colusa Comity arranged to sell duck “limits”
to sportsmen and were cauglit with the goods just before the opening of
the season.

The need for a new migratory bird treaty with our southern sister
republics to protect tlieir winter visitants, and describing bird killing prac-
tices in Mexico that remind one of the wholesale killing inventions of our
late Hun enemies.

THE GULL

Rccoinnicncling tlic manicuring of t!ic nails on the fore ]iaws of cats to
disable them from catching birds.

Mow birds lly, in controversy against Mr. Loomis’ theory of how
migrating birds aehicve orientation, ascribing it to hereditary instinct and
oflering specific exampdes of homing ])igco'ns.

On the use of i)ropagated Mallard ducks in gardens to suppress unde-
sirable weeds, grasses and snails, slugs, etc.

We recommend our meml)crs to apply to the Commission to have their
names pilaced on the mailing list, c\'en if, as conteniidated, a fee is later
charged to meet the increased cost of the iniblicatiou. As Californians we
have reason to be piroml of this high class contribution by our State Com-
inission to jiractical wild life conservation, and it will be siDccially gratify-
ing to our members to know that our Past l lonorary President, l)r. Bryant,
is the editor in charge.

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OIL UPON THE WATERS

Through the courtesy of the IJ. S. Naval Service the following service
message was sent tO' our charter member, Mr. Samuel Newsom, on the
l^arallon Islands:

“Regarding floating oil that vicinity gather full information extent fre-
quency and duration also estimate bird destruction each species period Mr.
Kundcr [the lighthouse keeper] reports very serious period your interesting
letter received sig. Lastreto.”

Following is the letter received from Mr. Newsom in reply:

“Farallon Islands, May 11th, 1919.

Dear Mr. Lastreto:

In response to your attached radiogram of May ninth, Mr. Kunder and
1 made a very careful estimation of all things asked for, and I take pleasure
in submitting the following report. These facts, being gathered at first
hand are fairly accurate, and while ha\ing to confine ourselves to round
numbers, will be found accurate enough to base any calculations or com-
plaints upon.

First — As regards frecpiency of the floes o'f oil in the vicinity of the
Farallons. During the months of January, February, and March these oc-
curred on an average of every two or three weeks. During the latter part
of February, and in the middle of March, these floes were quite heavy, two
especially killing hundreds of birds. Mr. Kunder reports making a trip to
the western part of the islands during one of these periods, and found it
difficidt .to walk but a few yards without disturbing some unfortunate bird
that had become coated with oil. The source is the ballast of the tankers,
I)umped out just before the vessels enter the bay.

Second — Duration of the floes. From close observation these floes do
not generally last more than two tides. If an extra high tide is followed by
low water, most of the oil will adhere to the rocks. This, however, does
not prevent the birds from becoming co\'cred with the oil as quite a long
period passes before even one tide rises and falls. Although the flow may
last but half a day, hundreds of birds will undoubtedly be killed, as the
diving birds, and as before mentioned, especially the Murres, are contin-
ually alighting on the surface of the ocean about the islands.

Third — Destruction of birds by oil. During the above mentioned heavy
floes of oil, the destruction of birds was appalling. Flundreds if not thou-
sands of Murres could be seen about the islands trying in vain to free them-
selves of the oil. Many could be seen splashing in the water, trying to
wash the oil from their plumage, while most perched dejectedly on rocks
and pecked at their black, oily breasts and wings. It certainly is a pitiful
sight to see a handsome bird in the prime of its life slowly die of starvation
because someone was thoughtless enougli to pump this oil on the sea, and
this happens not only in isolated cases, but hundreds and hundreds of these
poor birds have been killed in this manner. As to the species destroyed,
the Murres undoubtedly come first — large quantities of these being de-
stroved during each flow. 1'he cormorants come next, and the puffins come

THE GULL

last, but few of the latter two species being destroyed, on account of their
limited numbers on the islands. 1 hcse are the only birds that are affected.

Fourth — In conclusion, we may summarize the situation as follows. Od
floes are occuring on an average of at least once a month, if not oftener,
hundreds and perhaps thousands of birds are being destroyed by this oil
and every means possible should be taken to stop this exceedingly haimful
practice.

Hoping this will prove of help in any such effort, T remain,

Sincerclv yours,

S. Nkw.so.m."

The joint committee of the Audubon Association of the Pacific and the
Cooper Ornithological Club may report sIoav but promising progress in
their intercession with the oil companies in inducing them to discontinue
their destructive practice of pumping oil on the waters of the ocean. It is
almost certain that this important matter will be discussed in an appro'-
priate meeting during the coming convention at Pasadena of the American
Association for the Advancement of Science.

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THE MAY FIELD TRIP took us again to charming Lafayette, with
its assurance of a long list and a most interesting one. The weather was
clear and warm but the birds claimed our attention the instant we alighted
from the train and, as the ground is all level, the comparatively short walk
imposed no burden. One section of the party located a place where coffee
might be made, but the others lunched on the creek bank, as usual, sur-
rounded by songsters and nesting families. The chat sang for us in full
view during the entire luncheon hour. The party left Lafaj’-ette shortly
after four o’clock, but a few enthusiasts remained over for a later train.

San Francisco' members saw California, Western and Bonaparte gulls, a
Hudsonian curlew and Western sandpipers. In Lafayette were found
meadow larks, red-winged and Brewer blackbirds, cHff and bank swallows,
Western flycatchers, green-hacked goldfinches, linnets, bluebirds, black-
headed grosbeaks, quail and mourning doves; warbling vireo, California and
Nuttall woodpeckers; Bullock orioles, asliy-throated flycatcher, Anna hum-
mers and slender-billed nuthatches; titmouse, lutescent and yellow war-
blers; wood pewee, lazuli bunting, chipping and song sparrows; red-tail and
sparrow hawks; cedar waxwings, San Francisco and California towhees;
long-tailed chats, house and Vigors wrens; pine siskin, flickers, bush-tits
and willow goldfinches; shrike, lark sparrow, russet-hack thrushes and Cali-
folmia jays; forty-seven species.

Members present were the Misses Ames, Ayer, Flynn, Griffin and Gunn;
Messrs. Bell, Michael, Wehb and George Wright; Mr. and Mrs. Smith and
Mr. and Mrs. Kibbe. As guests, we were accompanied by Mesdames Allen,
Freeborn and Mead; Miss Brown and Miss Mackay.

AUDUBON ASSOCIATION OF THE PACIFIC

FOR THE STUDY AND THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS

President, C. B. Lastreto

Corresponding Secretary, C. N. Douglas

Superintendent of Juniors, Harold E. Hansen
Treasurer, A. S. Kibbe

260 California St., San Francisco

Kohl Building, San Francisco

870 Forty-third Avenue. San Francisco
.1534 Grove St., Berkeley

Meets second Thursday of each month in Lecture Room of California Development Board,

Ferry Building, San Francisco.

Everyone weloome. Active Membership, $3.00 per year, including Bulletin.
Address Bulletin correspondence to President.

Subscription to Bulletin alone, 35o per year.

Single copies, 5c.