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The Pigeon Guillemot Nesting in San Francisco

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Having read with interest Mr. Joseph Mailliard's record of the Scaup Duck breeding within the confines of San Francisco (CONDOR, vol. XVII, p. 235) and which, by the way, I should like to confirm, having observed, in early July of 1913, a female Aythya affinis, with three young, swimming about Stowe Lake, the following may also be worthy of note. During the summer of 1911, my attention was called by a friend, to a species of “duck” nesting in an inaccessible cleft on the high, rocky bluffs that border the ocean at the entrance to the Golden Gate. Investigation disclosed the fact that a pair of Pigeon Guillemots (Cepphus columba), had tenanted the cavity, and were, at that date, the first of July, busily engaged in carrying food to their young.

About June 1 of the following year, 1912, Mr. H. W. Carriger and the writer, having noted several birds in the vicinity, proceeded with aid of a rope to examine the nesting locality of the previous year. The cranny, a very deep and well adapted site, proved, however, to be unoccupied.

Some five days later, on June 5, the writer returned alone, and in climbing around a precipitous promontory, flushed a Guillemot from a cave near the water’s edge. The nest contained a set of two eggs, almost fresh, which are now in my collection. Further search disclosed the occupancy of another hole above an unscalable ledge, and still another pair apparently breeding on a small detached island, the last, however, being unestablished.

Since then, close watch has been kept, but for some reason, probably the disturbing of their secluded homes and the collecting of two specimens, the birds have entirely absented themselves from this locality, and during the past three years, have never again been seen.

San Francisco, California

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