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54 THE CONDOR Vol. XVI the brush and rocks of the steep hillside. They were still unable to fly more than a short distance, but were safe from further handling on account of their large, sharp clahts, and their ability to fly and scramble over the rough surface faster than one could easily follow. This pair of birds did considerable flying about and hunting on cloudy days. Their hearing was extremely go9d and their sight in the daytime was much bet- ter than I expected. An accurate account of food found in the nest.at the time of the various visits gives us the following: parts of two brush rabbits, three wood rats, and five pocket rats. On only one occasion was there any indication of these owls feeding upon other birds, that being a small bunch of quail feathers at the base of the cliff, and I am sure that birds form but a very small percent- age of their food. Otherwise we would undoubtedly have found some evidence in the line of feathers in or around the nest. From all my observations of this pair of birds, extending over a long series of years, I would say that they were far more a benefit to the farmer and or- chardist than a menace, in spite of the unfavorable reputation this species gen- erally bears. Escondido, California, December 26, ?9?3 . DESTRUCTION OF BIRDS IN CALIFORNIA BY FUMIGATION OF TREES By A. BRAZIER HOWELL EW people realize, I imagine, to what a great extent certain passerine birds Cahmrma. Probably are destroyed by the fumigation of citrus frees in '? " more birds of this group are killed each year in the state by this, than by any other agency of human operation. From time to time articles have appeared registering a protest against the use of poisons in sprays because a few birds have been killed by eating the fruit or insects with which the poison has come in contact, but no one seems to have pointed in print to the destruction caused by fumigation practice. For those not familiar with the sight, it is necessary to explain that in order to k'ill the black scale, the greatest and most widespread citrus pest that xve have, the trees are treated with hydrocyanic acid gas. As a covering' to confine the gas the sheet tent is the type most often used. To one end of a long light pole is permanently tied a rope, and here is affixed a corner of the tent. Two men working in unison and each with such a pole, brace the free end with their feet and pulling hard on the rope, hoist the tent sailing over the tree in but a few seconds, hardly touching it during the process. Beneath the tent is then placed a jug containing a mixture of water, sulphuric acid and potassium cyanide. and by this is generated the deadly gas. The whole outfit is allowed to remain in posi- tion for forty or fifty minutes. This is done only between sunset and sunrise because if attempted in the daytime, certain burning of the fruit and foliage would result. Fumigation is carried on from August until January. As the tree is not disturbed in any way until the tent falls in place, any bird roosting therein is sure to be killed. The exact location of a grove has much to do with the numbers of birds