the mainland, such as Allen's Hummingbird (Selasphorus alleni), Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna), Lawrence's Goldfinch (Spinus lawrenci), Arkansas Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria), Western Chipping Sparrow (Spizella socialis arizonæ), Western Flycatcher [which has been separated into a new species by Oberholser in the Auk, Vol. XIV, No. 3, July, 1897, and designated as Empidonax insulicola. This has not yet been allowed by the A. O. U. Committee. It was commonly heard on the island, but during my stay was very shy and seldom seen] and two pairs of Shrikes, one of which was building, while the other was already occupying a nest. This latter was inaccessible in a tall slim gum sapling and the bird would always slip off and disappear among the trees before more than a glimpse of it could be had. This Shrike has been separated by Mearns and stands in the list as Lanius ludovicianus anthonyi, Island Shrike, the type being taken from the Santa Cruz Island.
Naturally enough a sight of the Santa Cruz Jay (Aphelocoma insularis) was eagerly desired, but it was some days before one was seen. There were no Jays within a mile or two of this harbor but some were found where the first brush commenced on the steep hillsides toward the head of Scorpion Canon. In fact they were quite numerous among the brushy hills but were very difficult to approach, more from the nature of the ground than from their wariness, though they were here comparatively shy. Their harsh notes could be heard on all sides among the bushes, but seldom near enough to shoot. Two were taken at last in the canon, but all the rest that fell to my lot were captured at Laplaya. The notes of this Jay are much harsher than those of the California Jay (Aphelocoma californica), the screech being more like that of Cyanocitta stelleri and the bird much larger and of brighter and deeper plumage.
At the head of this canon an occasional Towhee (Pipilo maculatus oregonus) or a closely allied form, was heard and one taken, but they were exceedingly wild and difficult to obtain. Scattered all through the cactus, among the volcanic rocks in this part of the island, were numbers of Mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos) singing most melodiously, while an allied form of Vigor's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii spilurus) could be heard piping away every few yards. This wren has been separated also by Oberholser but as yet provisionally. These birds were also very difficult to obtain as they mostly frequented the the very steep rocks among the cactus and when a specimen was shot at it was usually impossible to find it and often even to reach the spot where it fell. In fact only a few were taken, as at least two-thirds of those killed were not recovered. A few Dusky Warblers (Helminthophila celata sordida) were found in this part of the canon and several taken. Their note is much longer and stronger than that of the Lutescent Warbler (H. c. lutescens) and has two more and louder notes at the end of the trill. The song of Thryomanes seemed to be also different from that of T. bewickii spilurus, for while the latter has quite a variety of actual songs, the Santa Cruz Island species has only one and this sounded somewhat unfamiliar.
While prospecting among the rocks an occasional Bald Eagle (Haliæetus leucocephalus) would swoop down near one though seldom within shot. In fact the only shot I could have taken was in a place so rough and so far from headquarters that it would have been a difficult undertaking to carry the bird in and its life was spared. A week was spent in prospecting and exploring around Scorpion Harbor and on April the move was made for Laplaya, or the main ranch. There being no wagon road the trip was made on horseback, the baggage going by schooner. Owing to adverse winds the latter did not show up at Prisoner's Harbor for three days,—a rather unpleasant contingency. As it was to be a long, rough and hot ride—100° in the shade—even the gun was sent by schooner. However nothing was seen in the four hours' ride that was to be regretted, and in fact very few birds of any kind were to be found on the tops of the ranges. The trail led over and along the backbone of the island which in that part attains an elevation of 2,000 feet, with the sea
