CALIFORNIA WATER BIRDS. 29 



of paucity and abundance. Adults were easy to secure 

 during a high wind; carrying so much sail, they were 

 reluctant to seek safety in flight. 



Merganser serrator. Red-breasted Merganser. — 

 At the outset no drakes were seen, but later they began 

 to make their appearance along the rocky shore, where 

 the females were common. Both sexes were shy. 



Aythya collaris. Ring-necked Duck. — A drake was 

 captured by my boatman at the larger reservoir near 

 Pacific Grove on the day of my coming. 



Charitonetta albeola. Buffle-head. — Females were 

 quite common on the reservoir mentioned. Only one 

 male was seen. 



Oidemiadeglandi. White-winged Scoter. — Although 

 they were very common, there were days when none were 

 met with. Unlike their near relatives, the Surf Scoters, 

 they always gave the boat a wide berth, probably because 

 they were esteemed an edible duck by the Portuguese 

 fishermen. 



Oidemia perspicillata. Surf Scoter. — The great 

 abundance of Surf Scoters and Loons gave an aspect to 

 the ornis of the bay wholly wanting in summer. For 

 ducks, these Scoters were tame, and it was without diffi- 

 culty that a series was secured. 



Erismatura rubida. Ruddy Duck. — About twenty 

 were on the reservoir with the Coots on the day of my 

 visit. Like the other denizens of the place they would 

 not leave it when harassed. 



Ardea herodias. Great Blue Heron. — Two were 

 seen on the stranded kelp, one in the cove near the Labo- 

 ratory and the other on the ocean at Point Pinos. A 

 third was noted at Seal Rocks. 



