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Notes from the Vicinity of Los Angeles

L. E. Wyman

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Aphrizn virgata. Surf-bird. May 1, 1916, I took a bird of this species close to the pier at Hyperion, where it was feeding with a flock of gulls. On my approach the gulls flew, while the Surf-bird practically ignored my presence.

Calamospiza melanocorys. Lark Bunting. One taken October 29, 1914, on Rancho La Brea, not far from the fossil beds. This furnishes an early fall record of a species that is far from common in this part of the state. It was in company with Gambel Sparrows and Linnets.

Stercorarius longicaudus. Long-tailed Jaeger. On January 26, 1916, I took an immature female of this species from the pier at Hyperion. This is apparently the second record for the California coast south of Monterey Bay, and the seventh for the state.

Oidemia americana. American Scoter. A female was taken November 24, 1916, on the sand under the pier at Hyperion. It was caught alive while napping, with head under wing, but was in good condition as to plumage and flesh. This is the most explicit record we have of the species for this part of the coast, but I suspect that if systematic work were done among the sea-ducks, this scoter would be found less rare than it is supposed to be.

Rissa tridactyla pollicaris. Pacific Kittiwake. A dead bird was found oh the beach near Hyperion, on March 8, 1916. It had been torn to pieces by buzzards, but one wing and the skull were saved. On the same date I saw three birds that I am certain were Kittiwakes; they kept by themselves, usually over the surf close to the beach, but were too wild to be taken.

Puffinus tenuirostris. Slender-billed Shearwater. Remains of one bird were found on the beach near Hyperion, on December 16, 1916, and the skull saved. Buzzards had destroyed the skin. On December 5, 1916, a picnic party found a dead bird of this species on the beach some miles north bf Santa Monica, and brought it, with apologies, to Dr. John Hornung. He has given me permission to record the occurrence here.

Museum of History, Science and Art, Los Angeles, California

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