FROM FIELD AND STUDY
Western Robin and Sierra Junco Nesting in Alameda County, California.—On May 15, 1917, while strolling through the Claremont Country Club grounds in Oakland a number of Cooper Club members became interested in the presence of Western Robins (Planesticus migratorius propinquus). Our interest was increased when we found a nest about twenty-five feet above the ground in a deciduous oak tree with the brooding Robin in full view. The same morning we came upon a nest of the Sierra Junco (Junco oreganus thurberi), containing four young partly feathered.
On May 18, I made a second visit to the same part of the grounds. The Robin was still brooding, but the Junco's nest had been pulled out of its snug hollow and was empty. Not far away I found Sierra Juncos trilling in the cypress trees.—Amelia S. Allen, Berkeley, California, September 4, 1917.
Sierra Junco Breeding at Berkeley.—On September 3, 1917, while walking along the road at the back of the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology building on the University of California campus, my attention was attracted by the insistent calling of Juncos (probably Junco oreganus thurberi). I discovered two streaked young on an oak limb about ten feet directly above my head, and at the same time I heard the call of another Junco higher up in the same tree. This last proved to be the female parent which flew to the road, followed by one young begging to be fed. It was given a worm by the parent, after which both continued feeding on the road within fifteen feet of me for about ten minutes. All this time the other young Junco remained in the tree calling. The parent then flew to this one and fed it several times with something from the limbs of the oak.—Margaret W. Wythe, Berkeley, California, September 6, 1917.
That Goshawk Invasion Again.—Apparently the first record of the Eastern Goshawk (Astur atricapillus atricapillus) for Los Angeles County was made by Dr. I. D. Nokes, of Los Angeles, who took an adult female of this variety November 26, 1916, in Placerira Canyon, near Newhall.—L. E. Wyman, Los Angeles, August 24, 1917.
The Goshawk in Southern California and Arizona.—Apparently there was a general flight of this species last winter through the southern counties of California, and even extending to Arizona points.
According to my records, I received four specimens in the flesh, one of which was shot at Walker, Arizona, December 10, 1916, by Mrs. A. F. Carlson, who writes me that she also "saw its mate". The other three specimens, all females, were taken in the vicinity of Los Angeles, as follows: November 24, 1916, Chatsworth; December 18, 1916, Malibu district; December 27, 1916, Whittier.
Mr. Roth Reynolds, taxidermist, reports one bird taken in Arizona, close to the California line, but has no exact data. Mr. Andy Booth received two specimens, one of which I purchased and later donated to the Museum of History, Science and Art. I also saw three mounted specimens which had been recently prepared in the taxidermy shop of Mr. Melvin Phillips, Fillmore, California. He reports that all of them were killed in Ventura County and that several others were taken during the winter months.
I personally dissected the four specimens I received, and ascertained that three of the stomachs contained undigested parts of Valley Quail, the other being empty.—A. E. Colburn, Los Angeles, California, September 15, 1917.
Some Field Notes for 1917.—
Elanus leucurus. White-tailed Kite. During the spring and summer of 1917 a pair of White-tailed Kites nested near Lake Merced and succeeded in bringing their brood to maturity. This is the first record in many years for San Francisco County. I noted these birds on several occasions in Marin County during June, and found one nest near Kentfield on June 5. It is my opinion that the species is slowly but surely re-establishing itself in the bay region where it has been nearly extinct for several years.
Oceanodrom kaedingi. Kaeding Petrel. On May 7 I saw two petrels, evidently of this species, on San Francisco Bay, near the entrance to Oakland harbor. The presence of these birds of the open sea is rare enough with us to be worthy of note.
