CALIFORNIA WATER BIRDS. I95 



near Pt. Pinos there was a great gathering of them, evi- 

 dently attracted by a school of " blue fish " that were 

 leaping to the surface. As I came in from the ocean at 

 two o'clock, a succession of small flocks passed the Sea- 

 side Laboratory, closely following the shore-line in the 

 direction leading southward. On no previous day of the 

 season was this species so abundant. In all situations 

 the majority were dark birds, showing that the migration 

 of the young was fully under headway. Young birds 

 outnumbered the adults Aug. i, 1892. Although it was 

 foggy during the morning, the only Dark-bodied Shear- 

 waters seen were one small flock and a few couples. 

 Northern Phalaropes were common, but no rush took 

 place. A female Surf Bird, apparently a bird of the 

 year, was shot at Seal Rocks. Two others were with it. 

 There was also a large flock of Black Turnstones on these 

 rocks. The tide of migration was in the ascendency in 

 the California Murre. Besides single birds and com- 

 panies in Indian file, one large wedge-shaped flock was 

 seen, the first of the kind for the season. All came from 

 the northward, passed quickly by, and disappeared to the 

 southward, following the Ime of the coast in their flight. 

 On the 4th it was foggy during the morning, but after- 

 ward the fog retreated several miles out to sea, leaving a 

 clear highway along the shore. Northern Phalaropes and 

 California Murres were the only birds to appear in num- 

 bers to take advantage of it. Numerous small parties of 

 the former species and some large ones came from 

 the northward and passed down the coast. Migration 

 in the Marbled Murrelet and Dark-bodied Shearwater 

 was very feeble. Only a few individuals of either were 

 noticed. Over two miles out from land several Surf Birds 

 were seen flying southward. The Parasitic Jaeger was 

 added to the list of the migrants from boreal regions, two 



