428 Edson, Birds of the Bellingham Bay Region. Von 



rainfall, which is much less than at most other points in western 

 Washington, and even less than in the eastern States. That of 

 New York City, for example, is about 40 per cent, greater than 

 the rainfall at Bellingham. This phenomenal deficiency of precipi- 

 tation at this point is accounted for by the windward position of the 

 Olympic Mountains. 



My observations of the birds of this region have extended over a 

 period of eighteen years, though not as systematic and thorough as 

 might be desired. Bellingham and its immediate environs, includ- 

 ing the adjacent water-front, have been my principal field of work. 

 The Nooksack Marsh has often been visited, and the islands west 

 of the bay a number of times. Excursions have occasionally been 

 made to various points in the surrounding country. There have 

 been a number of expeditions into the mountains, where the deep 

 canons and highest peaks alike were visited. Some of these trips 

 have extended as far as fifty miles east of Bellingham. It will be 

 noticed that this territory lies almost wholly within the Transition 

 life zone, the higher mountains only coming within the Boreal. 



The following list refers to 212 species and subspecies, besides 

 17 others which I have added hypothetically. Except in the case 

 of those last mentioned, identification has been made from speci- 

 mens in hand in nearly all cases. In the field it is usually difficult 

 to distinguish between subspecies, hence the relative abundance 

 of such is in many instances hard to determine. 



1. /Echmophorus occidentalis. Western Grebe. — An abundant win- 

 ter resident, also occasionally seen in summer. 



2. Colymbus holbcelli. Holboell Grebe. — Common in winter and 

 sometimes appearing in summer. 



3. Colymbus auritus. Horned Grebe. — Common in winter and occurs 

 sparingly in summer. 



4. Podilymbus podiceps. Pied-billed Grebe. — I have seen it a num- 

 ber of times in spring and autumn, also in July, I think. 



5. Gavia imber. Loon. — Frequently seen throughout the year. 

 Breeds about lakes. 



6. Gavia arctica. Black-throated Loon. — On more than one occa- 

 sion I have seen what I am quite confident was this species in spring plum- 

 age. 



7. Gavia pacifica. Pacific Loon. — Frequent in winter, I believe, 

 though its plumage is hard to distinguish from that of arctica or lumme 

 at that season. 



