^2 8 Blake on Birds of Santa Cruz Island, Cal. 



October 



Ardca cyanirostris Cory, Bds. Bahama I, p. 168 (18S0). — Allen, Bull. 



Nutt. On. VII, p. 21 (iSSi).— Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 28 (18S5). 

 Ardea tricolor ruficollis Cory, Auk, III, p. 502 (1SS6). 



Common in the Bahama Islands and Greater Antilles (breeds). 



In originally naming A. cyanirostris I considered it distinct 

 from A. riijicollis, from the totally different coloration of the 

 bill and legs supposed to occur only in the breeding season. 

 Since that time specimens have been taken in the winter months 

 representing this same state of plumage. A. tricolor undoubt- 

 edly assumes a yellow bill during most of the year, even if 

 Audubon was wrong in his statement to the effect that it had 

 a yellow bill in the breeding season. It is probable that the 

 two birds are identical, but it is also possible that the Bahama 

 bird may be distinct, and colonies occasionally wander to Flori- 

 da, where it has been found breeding. This would account for 

 the blue-billed specimens being taken in Florida, and would not 

 prove its specific identity with A. tricolor. 



SUMMER BIRDS OF SANTA CRUZ ISLAND, 

 CALIFORNIA. 



BY ELI WHITNEY BLAKE, JR. 



The island of Santa Cruz is the second in size of the Santa 

 Barbara group ; it is twenty-four miles in length by about six in 

 breadth, and lies twenty-three miles off shore, directly opposite 

 the town of Santa Barbara. In general character the island is 

 mountainous with a' comparatively l; level valley between c two 

 lofty ridges near its centre ;. the, h^ghesj. peaks are, ,2600,, feet 

 above the sea. Santa Cruz is of course^very ,dry jn, summer, 

 although there is .water, an some of the canons throughout the 

 year. It is owned by a stock company and is used as a sheep 

 ranch.; the herders constitute the only human inhabitants. My 

 stay upon the island comprised two visits, extending from July 

 4 to July 24, and from August 6 to September 3. Our camp 

 wasiina cailon-near Platts' Harbor, on the northern side of the 

 island. . - 



i. ! Ctepphos-Columba. Pigeon Guillemot. — Common along the 

 rocky shores up to July 24; none seen during my second visit. . RrobabJy 

 breeds. ,eiH .JfcW o.?. - ao 



