ISLAND SHRIKE 181 



Mr. Ridgway (1904), in comparing it with the eastern bird, calls 

 it the "darkest of all the forms of this species. Similar in coloration 

 to L. I. Iudovicia7ius, but gray of upper parts still darker (nearly slate 

 color), especially on pileum, and more miiform, the scapulars almost 

 wholly deep gray ; white spot at base of primaries much smaller ; under 

 parts of body much more strongly tinged with gray, becoming dis- 

 tinctly gray (about No, G) on sides and flanks; lateral rectrices with 

 much less of white, this extending only about 22 mm. from the tip on 

 inner web of exterior rectrix." 



He restricts this form to Santa Cruz Island, and names a new sub- 

 species from San Clemente Island L. I. mearnsi, which he characterizes 

 as "similar to L, I. anthonyi, but upper tail-coverts abruptly white, 

 more white on scapulars, white spot at base of primaries larger, and 

 under parts of body much less strongly tinged with gray. In white 

 upper tail-coverts, greater extent of white on posterior scapulars and at 

 base of primaries, similar to L. I. gambeli., but gray of upper parts 

 very much darker (quite as dark as in L. I. anthonyi) , and with much 

 less of white at base of primaries and on lateral rectrices." 



Ridgway's new form, mearnsi^ was at one time accepted by the 

 A. O. U. Committee on Nomenclature, but after its validity had been 

 questioned by a number of writers the name was discarded, and it never 

 appeared in the Check-list, The latest authority on this group. Dr. 

 Alden H. Miller (1931), however, recognizes mearnsi as the bird of 

 San Clemente Island, remarking : "Of all the subspecies of L. liido- 

 vicianus^ mearrisz is the most isolated race and is among the most 

 sharply characterized subspecies of the species. Although not to be 

 considered as a distinct species, it is surprising to note the doubts 

 that ornithologists have entertained concerning the valdity of this 

 race." 



He says of the range of anthonyi: 



The islands of Santa Catalina and Santa Cruz off the coast of southern Cali- 

 fornia comprise most of the range of this subspecies. Santa Rosa Island may 

 possess a considerable population but thus far few records for this island have 

 appeared. Parts of Santa Cruz Island are forested with live oaks and the Mon- 

 terey pine. In August 1022 I found shrikes in the pines and acacias at Pris- 

 oner's Harbor and also in the scattered live oaks in the caiion leading from this 

 point toward the interior of the island. Much of the habitat, however, consists of 

 grasslands with small bushes in the canons. The hills and canons which the 

 shrikes frequent are often exceedingly precipitous. Likewise, on Santa Catalina 

 Island much of the habitat consists of steep hillsides covered with scrub oak, 

 toyon, ironwood, and, in places, dense stands of opuntla cactus. * * * San 

 Clemente Island is more arid than those islands of the Santa Barbara group on 

 which anthonyi occurs." 



Nesting. — Dr.. Joseph Grinnell (1897) found a shrike's nest on 

 April 2, 1897, on San Clemente Island : "The nest was in a small bush 

 growing out from the side of a canon, and was composed mostly of 



