ZooL.— Vol. II.] LOOMIS— CALIFORNIA WATER BIRDS. 295 



were seen hovering over the breakers, perhaps feeding on 

 the wheat that had formed a part of the unfortunate ship's 

 cargo. 



Noveinber ^. The day opened with a clear sky and an 

 easterly breeze, a heavy surf being the only reminder of 

 the storm. As the land warmed, the breeze became a 

 northerly one. Before sunrise flocks of Heermann's Gulls 

 (adults and juveniles) were passing down the coast near 

 the Laboratory. Among them were a few immature West- 

 ern Gulls. The flight continued through the forenoon, 

 slackening at midday. There was no dallying, not even 

 over sardines. A school coming in the way of a large flock, 

 several hesitated, but only for a moment and then went on. 

 All the forenoon, particularly during the morning. Surf 

 Scoters were going south in bands varying in size from a 

 dozen birds to upwards of a hundred. Like the Gulls they 

 hugged the shore. Several individuals came into the bay 

 from below. There was migration also in other Ducks. 

 Five White-winged Scoters, however, were the only ones 

 fully determined. Black-vented Shearwaters traveled south- 

 ward in large numbers near shore. Companies and single 

 birds frequently dropped out of line and circled about, 

 forming a slight counter movement. It was an off day in 

 Loons. A few Royal Terns and two Red Phalaropes were 

 seen — all on wing heading down the coast. 



November 5. A great migratory movement occurred in 

 Heermann's Gulls and Surf Scoters. From half past six 

 until half past ten there was an almost unbroken procession 

 of companies and individuals of the former, chiefly older 

 birds, moving down the coast close to land. Mingled with 

 them were a few Western and California Gulls. In the lat- 

 ter part of the afternoon, when there was a northwesterly 

 wind that made whitecaps plentiful, a second flight took 

 place, rivalling the one of the forenoon. There were many 

 Western Gulls, largely birds having white under parts. As 

 on the day before slight disposition was manifested to linger 

 over sardines. During the forenoon the movement in Surf 



