112 THE CONDOR Vol. XVIII missed taking several eggs by their being knocked from the nest by the startled bird as she flew off. This fine pigeon is not uncommon in the various mountain ranges of Cochise County, Arizona, and there seems to be a general willingness on the part of hunters to observe the closed season. This is not so true among the farmers, but comparatively little damage is done thereby, as the class of farmers is not a very numerous one with us. I hope the observance of the closed season will lead to an increase in the number of pigeons, but I think two years more at least should be added to it. An effort will be made next year to secure such legislation in this state. Tombstone? Arizona, February 25, 1916. THE SPEED OF FLIGHT IN CERTAIN BIRDS By ALEXANDER WETMORE URING early November, 1914, while carrying on field work around Tulare and Buena Vista lakes, California, in company with Mr. Tipton Matthews, Deputy Game Warden of Kern County, I had excellent oppor- tunity for observing the speed of flight of certain birds. We had our head- quarters at Lemoore while in the northern part of the area, and daily made trips back and forth to the shore line of Tulare Lake iIi Mr. Matthews' auto. Work around Buena Vista Lake was carried on with Bakersfield as a base. In the open valley birds of various species were abundant, and in traveling about I had leisure to watch them. Often Horned Larks or other birds flew up close at hand and maintained a course parallel to that of the car. On such occa- sions Mr. Matthews increased our speed gradually until we were travelling at a rate equal to that of the bird.. At the same time I kept close watch of the bird and the speedometer. In this way we were able to gauge the speed of flight of these individuals with a fair amount of accuracy. Following is a summary of the observations made. Unless otherwise stated the-notes refer
to a single individual.
Species Locality Ardea herodias Tulare Lake, Buteo b. calurus Bakersfield, Cerchneis s. phalaena " Colapres c. collaris Tulare Lake, Otocoris a. actia .... " " " (several) " " ...... (2) .... ...... (3) ' .... ...... (several) Bakersfield Corvus c. slnuatus Foot of Tejon Pass, Lanius l. gainbell Tulare Lake, Date Rate of flight in miles per hour Calif. November 7, 1914 28 " " " ?' 28 " " 10," 22 " ..... ' 22 .... 8," 25 .... 6," 23 .... 7," 28 ' ....... 26 " " 8," 22 " " " " 24 " " 10," 27 " " " " 24 " " 6," 28
