Page:Condor17(2).djvu/37

Mar., 1915 FROM FII{LD AND STUDY 99 the nest. The food brought appeared to consist of a worm of some sort. After feeding one of the birds, which by this time had taken refuge on a small ledge near the water's edge, the adult flew off down the creek evidently in search of more food. A few mo- ments later it again appeared with food in its mouth and fed the same nestling. The method of feeding was typical of most passerine birds, the young bird fluttering its wings and calling as the food was placed in its mouth. The recipient of all of the par- ent's attention, after prolonged attempts, succeeded in climbing higher out of the water onto a ledge of rock where the sun soon dried its plumage. It was surprising to see how quickly this little bird gained strength. It would huddle up, sitting perfectly still for a few minutes. Then, appearing rested, it would attempt to climb the almost perpendicu- lar wall. The call of the parent was always a signal for a succession of "bobs", exactly similar to thbse so characteristic of the adults. Within an hour after leaving the nest this little Ouzel was walking around on a small ledge of rock searching in the crevices and pecking at the lichens and moss growing there. Six times the adult bird appeared with food, and each time fed but one of the young birds in spite of the persistent calls of the other fledgeling which had taken refuge be- neath a rock ?farther down stream. Finally the calls of the bird still in the nest attracted the parent's attention and it was rewarded with a mouthful. An excellent opportunity was afforded to see the parent bird dive to the bottom of the large pool for food. With a motion too quick for any observance of detail, the bird started head-first for the bottom. The water was clear enough to show that a perpendic- ular path was taken; on rising to the surface the bird was not more than two feet away from the place where it first dove. The time actually spent under water, observed by means of a watch, proved to be ten seconds. The water wa? about ten feet deep. Pre- ference seemed to be shown for the swirling water just beneath the fall. On arriving at the surface the oily feathers seemed to shed the water like magic. In swimming, the bird paddled with its feet, using them alternately. The body seemed very buoyant and the unwebbed feet appeared to furnish plenty of power. Our interest in seeing the fledgeling birds dive and swim led us to again attempt to frighten the remaining bird from the nest. A long stick and a number of pokes at last drove it to take to water. Instead of diving and swimming, this one fluttered along the surface of the water to the rocky wall on the north side of the canyon and then started to climb up the reck. Within ten minutes it had climbed to a height of twelve feet. By approaching slowly, crawling close along the rocky wall, we almost succeeded in catch- ing it. At one time one of us was within arm's length of it. The above account is interesting as showing the actions and instincts of young birds the first few hours after leaving the nest. The fact that the observations relate to so ,nique a bird as the Water Ouzel lends added interest.--HAROLD C. BRYANT and AlvIY M. BRYANT, Berkeley, California. Notes from the Sea-coast of Southern California.--On July 15, 1914, while hunting along the beach at Corona del Mar (opposite Balboa beach) I noticed a Barn Swallow (Hirundo erythrogastra) flying through the air with a feather in its mouth. The swal- low entered a small cave which at low tide is partially filled with water. On entering I found, on a small projection, a nest containing two fresh eggs. The parent bird was ap- parently still building the nest. This appears to be a late nesting record for this bird. July 6 this year (1914) I collected a Long-billed Dowitcher (Macrorhamphus griseus scolopaceus) on a sand-spit in Balboa bay. As Mr. Willett does not record these birds as occurring in the summer time I consider this an early fall migrant. While collecting at Laguna Beach the same summer I found a small grassy glade at the top of the hills surrounding the town of Laguna, where the Western Yellow- winged Sparrow (Ammoc?ramus savannarum bimaculatus) was extremely common. With the exception of two birds I saw at Laguna lakes, one of which I collected, I did not find these birds at any other place. Young birds predominated in number, over two-thirds of the specimens I collected being young of the year. In speaking of this Mr. Swarth says: "The Western Yellow:winged Sparrow is a good take. The species has been recently ascertained to breed in this region, but it is not at all common, and there are not many records. The captu.re of a young bird at the date on which you took your specimen [June 27, 1914] is pretty good evidence of breeding, and I think the fact is worth recording."--LF?o:? LLOYO GAR?):?r?R, Claremont, California.