42 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



16. Merganser serrator. 



Red Breasted Merganser.— One bird was taken by Mrs. 

 Eugg. 



17. Oidemia perspicillata. 



Surf Scoter.— A few seen feeding near the island. 



18. Plegadis guarauna. 



White-faced Glossy Ibis.— One bird was shot in the 

 spring of 1884, from a flock of half a dozen. 



19. Ardea herodias. 



Great Blue Heron. — A few are seen on the island every 

 winter. 



20. Ardea candidissima. 



Snowy Heron. — They have been noticed only on one oc- 

 casion, when three were seen. 



21. Rallus obsoletus. 



California Clapper Rail.— A female bird was shot No- 

 vember 18th, 1886. 



22. Porzana jamaicensis coturniculus. 



Farallon Rail. — Regarding the claim of the unique 

 specimen of this bird as a valid variety, there does not 

 appear to be suflicient grounds for its retention as a sep- 

 arate form. In the light of Mr. Emerson's investiga- 

 tions, and that of others who have visited the islands and 

 found no rails or suitable places for them to live, there 

 seems to be but one conclusion to draw concerning it, and 

 that is that it is an abnormal specimen of P. jamaicensis. 



23. Fulica americana. 



American Coot. — One was caught alive in the spring of 

 1884, and kept in a coop for several days before it was al- 



