Laguna Ratine Laboratory 187 



A PARTIAL ACCOUNT OF THE BIRDS IN THE 

 VICINITY OF LAGUNA BEACH 



LEON GARDNER 



The following ornithological observations were made from the 

 last of June to the middle of August. The country about Laguna 

 is mostly in the Lower Sonoran Zone with some Upper Sonoran, and 

 a few Transition Zone forms. The region is composed mostly of low 

 hills, either open, or covered with sage and chapparal. There are 

 some few small wooded spots in the canyons, especially in Aliso 

 Canyon. About four miles up Laguna Canyon there are two fresh- 

 water ponds bordered with tules ; here many water birds were seen. 

 Balboa Beach is a few miles up the coast, and at that point a good 

 many water birds congregate about the bay. 



In connection with the preparation of this study, especial thanks 

 are due Mr. Charles W. Metz, who assisted in the accurate determina- 

 tion of various birds in doubt. Also several birds, the determinations 

 of which were later questioned, were sent to the National Museum in 

 Washington where they were identified by Mr. H. C. Oberholser, to 

 whom acknowledgments are here made. 



Podilymbus podiceps ( Linn.) Lawr. Pied-billed Grebe. 

 A grebe was seen in the tule lakes, which appeared to be this 

 species. It was so quick to dive, that when shot at from a very short 

 distance, it succeeded in eluding the shot. 



Ptychoramphus aleuticus (Pall.) Brandt. Cassin Auklet. 

 Professor Baker picked up a specimen of this species on the open 

 beach. It had apparently met with some accident, as its head was 

 crushed. Infested by Nirmus iinirilinius. 



Larus occidentalis And. Western Gull. 



These birds occur in great numbers along the coast, especially at 

 Balboa. During this summer, no other gulls but occidentalis were 

 seen. At Balboa, flocks of these gulls, to the number of several hun- 

 dreds, congregate about the beach and pier. They are of great use- 

 fulness as scavengers. These gulls are very vicious when wounded, 

 and defend themselves with the greatest of vigor. Many of the darker 

 colored young were observed in the flocks during the summer. In- 

 fested by Docophorus lari. 



