



O v *^w w 



THE SCIENTIFIC MONTHLY. 



BIRDS OBSERVED IN THE VICINITY OF OAKLAND, CAL.\ 



DECEMBER 23, 1872. 



. NELSON OF CHICAGO. 



The following observations were made during a day's collecting, in the [ 

 vicinity of . Oakland. Cal.1 where myself and friend, Mr. W. Wentw.orth, were ^ 

 stopping for a few days, the last of December, 1872. t 



The principal portion of the day was spent on an arm of San Francisco ) 

 Bay and the adjacent marshes, which are extended along south of Oakland. A 

 dense fog covered the bay early in the morning and confined us to the shore. 

 The time was pleasantly spent, however, in examining the town, which is pleas- 

 antly situated on a slope commencing at the bay, on the south and west, 

 rising-gradually to slight hills, just back of town, and a few miles to the north 

 increasing to a low range of mountains. 



The only timber to be seen was the belt of oaks extending along near the 

 bay, and in the midst of which, the town is situated. 



It seemed very curious to us to see the plants in the gardens full of blos- 

 soms at this season of the year, and as though to mimic summer still closer, st 

 Anna Humming Birds (Calypte Anna) were darting about among the flowers. 



As we proceeded toward the outskirts of the town a small flock of Pi 

 finches (Carpodacus fyntalikar rhodocolpus) lit in an oak and looked unsus- 2 

 piciously at us as we passed underneath. 



On the edge of the town we found a small lake made by building p. 

 across the outlet of an arm of the bay, which extended back a mile or more 

 from the main body of water. This lake appeared to be the home of numerou- 

 water fowl, notwithstanding there were several residences on its banks and I 

 much frequented road extending along one side. 



On two oak trees near the lake several White Pelicans (Pekcanus trader- 

 hvnchus) were pluming themselves. In the centre of the lake a large flock o. 

 ducks were splashing about, seeming to well understand that they were unde:' 

 the protection of the law. On the shore near by a flock. of Semi-palmated S 

 pipers (Ereunetes pusillus) ran nimbly about, and on the opposite shore a Whit- 

 Heron ( Ara a egretta var. Calif ornica) stalked sedately along. 



The fog showing signs of dispersing, we hastened back to our boat. As we 

 walked out on the wharf we saw several grebes (including the two species Podi 

 ceps occidentalis and P. Auritus var. Calif or nic us] swimming near. Observing tha 

 they had not seen us, we concealed ourselves and watched their movements 

 They appeared to be intently soanning the surface of the water about them, 

 which was soon explained by the movements of one of the grebes. A school of 

 minnows passing near them was at once seen, when the grebe quietly disar - 

 peared and suddenly there was a great commotion among the minnows. It 

 evident from the manner in which they leaped from trje water and darted about 

 that they well understood their danger. Presently the grebe reappeared with a 

 struggling victim which he quickly swallowed, ano^, noting the direction taken v/ 



