272 Dr. E. Coues. — From Arizona to the Pacific. 



after that come L. californicus and L. smithsonianus. The latter, 

 first brought, I believe, from the Pacific coast by the United 

 States' Exploring Expedition under Commodore Wilkes, is now- 

 recognized as a regular inhabitant of that region. Blasipus 

 heermanni was common, as usual assiduously devoted in his 

 attentions to the Pelicans. 



Connecting the Gulls with the Terns, came the little Chroi- 

 cocephalus philadelj)hia, everywhere so abundant, and here one 

 of the most common of the longipennines. Terns of several 

 species were dashing about over our heads ^ I could identify 

 positively only Thalasseus regius. But I think I also saw Sterna 

 acuflavida, which has not, to my knowledge, been as yet recorded 

 from the Pacific coast of North America, though Mr. Salvin has 

 it from Pacific Central America. A small Tern, not very com- 

 mon, was in all probability S.forsteri; and here I must make 

 the passing remark that the more I see of the immature stages 

 of this changeable species, the more thoroughly I am convinced 

 that Sterna havelli is not a valid species. 



Our generally received impression regarding the Loons and 

 Grebes is that they are exceedingly difficult to shoot, in conse- 

 quence of their wariness joined to unparalleled powers of rapid 

 diving. Now this depends, I think, altogether upon the extent 

 to which they are annoyed and persecuted. The tamest Ducks, 

 or even Coots, could not be more unwatchful and unsuspicious 

 than were the Loons and Grebes here at San Pedro bay. As 

 our boat sailed along they would rarely move ofi" before giving 

 me a fair shot ; and I almost invariably killed my bird, since 

 they did not dive so quickly as to avoid the shot. And about 

 the wharf, and among the boats moored near it, they swam as 

 unconcernedly as tame Ducks. I remember once when I could 

 have struck a Colymbus pacificus with a boat-hook. And leaning 

 over the taffrail of some vessel, with several of these Loons 

 quietly disporting in the water below me, I felt that indeed I 

 was a favoured ornithologist; for how many of my brethren 

 have been able to study Loons in their native wilds, only a few 

 feet from the eye, and to note every motion, when in, or on, or 

 over the water ? Their appearance when returning to the surface 

 after a long dive is peculiar; and really they look more like fish 



