Laguna @arine 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 
erushed. Infested by Nirmus maritimus. 
Larus occidentalis Aud. 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. 
