ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND. 281 



The feet, cere and ophthalmic region, yellow in all four. 

 No. 2410.— Moulting. Blue of wings almost unspotted. Gizzard contained 



beetles only. 

 No. 2520. — Contained insects. 

 No. 2519. — Very fat. Gizzard contained caterpillars. 



7. Polyborus lutosus. 



Guadalupe Caracara. — In January, 1885, during a two 

 days' excursion about the central part of the island, but 

 four " Quelelis " were seen. By 1886 their number had been 

 reduced by more than a score .by the island agent, who 

 never missed an opportunity to kill one. Arriving on the 

 island in the summer time, when, the birds came to the 

 shallow pools to drink, the agent would lie in wait behind 

 a boulder and pick them off with a rifle. The birds, if 

 missed, heeding not the shot, or, if but slightly wounded, 

 not realizing the danger, remained near, making certain the 

 destruction of all that came to drink at the fatal spring. 



During my rambles I frequently came upon the weather- 

 beaten carcasses of '•' Quelelis " lying where they had fallen. 

 In one place, four were found lying dead together. 



In regard to their numbers and destructiveness towards 

 the goats running wild there, the facts noticed by Dr. Pal- 

 mer in 1875, thoroughly substantiated by information given 

 me by sea-captains and seal-hunters, are not apparent at 

 the present time. Dr. Palmer's assistant, Mr. Harry Stew- 

 art of San Diego, writes me that he is unable to say how 

 many were on the island at the time he was there, but 

 that they were in great numbers. 



Their range extends over the entire island, from beach to 

 summit. I believe that the killing of several goats each 

 week near the central part of the island, attracted almost 

 the entire number of " Quelelis " to that vicinity, 



Being of an unsuspicious character, they will allow a per- 

 son to walk directly towards them until within shooting dis- 

 tance, merely watching the intruder until the distance be- 

 comes less than agreeable. If they happen to be upon the 



