FEAZAPv OYSTER CATCHER 319 



difference between H. haclimani and the black phase in the south. The former 

 is decidedly darker than tlie latter, especially on the back, whereas true 

 Eaematopus fraisari from both ends of the Gulf appear to be tl)e same as those 

 in Scammons. 



We found and photographed a pair of downy young not over a few days old. 

 These youngsters are obviously of the white and black types, respectively ; we 

 have the skins to show that there is no photographic illusion here. So we 

 have veiT strong evidence that the black and the white phases do mate and 

 do produce fertile offspring and that the young have partaken of the coloring, 

 one of one parent and one of the other. These little birds are not mongrels, 

 though we know from some adults that occasionally there are chicks which do 

 inherit from both parents. Comparison shows that the white-breasted downy 

 do^ not differ at all, at a cursory glance, from a baby taken on Coronado 

 Island in the Gulf. 



B'eliamor. — The same observer writes: 



Scammons Lagoon is a haven for oyster catchers, or appears so to such of us 

 as are accustomed to but an occasional pair scattered along the various islands 

 and rocky projections in the more northerly Pacific Ocean. There are at least 

 two or three hundred oyster catchers fairly evenly distributed over the islands 

 we visited, with an occasional pair or so on favorable mainland strands. When 

 the tides are going down vast stretches of hard flats are exposed and become 

 feeding grounds. The birds pursue the receding water even to the point of 

 wading, and there they hunt the small marine life on which they live. When 

 the tide turns they use the black levels as a lounging place until driven ashore 

 by the sea. They are markedly indolent and slow in movement and, when 

 undisturbed, never appear the least bit busy. 



Walter E. Bryant (1890) says: 



I found this oyster catcher tolerably common at Jlagdalena Bay and north- 

 ward, and on Santa Margarita Island. They were mated in January. They 

 were rather shy, running rapidly on the beach, and if approached, taking wing 

 with loud, clear, whistling notes, and after flying some distance, alighting again 

 at the water's edge. Their food was chiefly small bivalves found in the 

 gravelly beach. 



DISTRIBUTION 



Range. — Pacific coast of Mexico and southern California. The 

 Frazar oyster catcher is confined chiefly to Lower California (San 

 Quintin Bay, Cedros Island, Natividad Island, San Eoqne, Ascimcion 

 Island, Los Coronados Islands, Carmen Island, San Jose Island, La 

 Paz, and Todos Santos) ; and the mainland coast of Mexico; Sonora 

 (Quotla) ; Sinaloa (Altata) ; Nayarit (Maria Madre Island, Maria 

 Cleofas Island, Tres Marias, Isabela Island, and San Bias) ; and 

 Guerrero (Sihiitanejo, and Acapulco) . The species is of casual occur- 

 rence (formerly more common) on the coast and islands of southern 

 California (San Diego, Santa Barbara Island, San Clemente Island, 

 and Ventura County). Breeding records for California are not 

 satisfactory. 



Egg dates. — Lower California: 39 records, March 2-i to June 24; 

 20 records, April 22 to May 13. 



