304 Willett, Birds of Forrester Island. [j^ 



Sphyrapicus varius ruber. Red-breasted Sapsucker. — A single 

 bird seen near camp May 26. For reasons pointed out by Swarth (Univ. 

 Cal. Pub. Zool., 10, 1912, pp. 35-38) I have used the above name rather 

 than S. ruber notkensis of the A. O. U. Check-List. 



Empidonax difficilis difficilis. Western Flycatcher. — Rather 

 common in the woods all over the reservation and undoubtedly breeding, 

 though no nests were found. 



Corvus corax principalis. Northern Raven. — Common in the 

 timber on all parts of the reservation. I was unable to locate the nest of 

 this bird but it undoubtedly breeds, probably in the dense timber. Fully 

 fledged young appeared with their parents early in July. 



Although this bird in outward appearance is very similar to the more 

 southern form, C. c. sinuatus, its notes, actions and, apparently, its nesting 

 habits are so entirely different that it is difficult for me to regard the two 

 forms as only subspecifically distinct. 



Corvus caurinus. Northwestern Crow. — Very plentiful, especially 

 in the vicinity of the sea bird rookeries. Two or three nests examined were 

 placed in spruce thickets near the beach. The young left the nests about 

 the middle of July and joined their parents in their egg raids. 



This was the one bird on the reservation in which it seemed impossible 

 to see a single redeeming quality. It is a pest and a robber of the worst 

 type. Although possibly doing no more damage, bird for bird, than does 

 the duck hawk, it is much more abundant. It also lacks the speed and 

 fighting qualities of the latter which, however misplaced, one cannot help 

 but admire. 



Loxia curvirostra minor. American Crossbill. — Occasionally 

 seen in small flocks during the early summer, becoming more plentiful 

 about July 20. Whether or not this species breeds on the reservation, I 

 am unable to say. No nests were found and the birds seen were always in 

 small companies, never in pairs. 



Spinus pinus. Pine Finch.— Rare during the early summer, at which 

 season it was noted only on Petrel and Lowrie islands. About July 9 it 

 began to appear in the vicinity of the camp and after July 20 was abundant. 



Junco oreganus oreganus. Oregon Junco. — During the early 

 summer evidently confined to the scrub timber and open meadows on top 

 of the island. First appeared in the vicinity of camp July 9 during stormy 

 weather, at which time adults and full grown young appeared together. 

 After this date it was common. 



Melospiza melodia rufina. Sooty Song Sparrow. — Common in 

 grassy locations open to the sunshine, not occurring in the dense woods or 

 more shady portions of the island. Most plentiful on Petrel Island but 

 occurring in smaller numbers in favorable localities on the main island, 

 Lowrie Island and Cape Horn Rocks. The nest is difficult to locate, 

 being placed on the ground and carefully concealed among the grass. It is 

 built entirely of grass, coarse outside and fine inside. One found June 13 

 contained four newly hatched young, and another found July 22 contained 

 an addled egg and three young just leaving the nest. 



