82 Vol. X 



NOTES FROM SAN CI.EMENTE ISLAND 



By C. B. LINTON 



SAN Cleiiiente Island is twenty-two miles long by four miles wide. The 

 greatest altitude is about 1500 feet. The northwest one-half is very barren, 



supporting only scrubby sage brush and cacti, with an occasional holly bush 

 in the larger ravines. In this portion of the Island, about four miles from the 

 westerly end, is situated Rowland's Ranch, on Rowland's Bay. 



In the canyons of the northeast coast of the southeast half, is found an abun- 

 dant growth of holly, sage, ironwood and wild cherr^^ trees, the latter often reach- 

 ing a hight of twenty to thirty feet, and in many canyons forming dense miniature 

 forests. Most of the canyons in the vicinity of Mosquito Harbor are deep and pre- 

 cipitous and in places well-nigh inaccessible. 



It was in these larger canyons that most of the collecting was done, altho trips 

 were often made to other points. Smugglers' Cove is situated almost directly op- 

 posite Mosquito Harbor, on the southwest coast. The coast and adjoining hills 

 here are similar to the northwest portion of the island. Visits were made to Cle- 

 mente in January, February, March, April and October, 1907. 



I wish to tender my sincere gratitude to Prof. Joseph Grinnell for the time he 

 has devoted to the identification of the various specimens submitted; also for his 

 untiring patience in coaching and instructing a beginner. I am indeed deeply in- 

 debted to him for many favors extended and many suggestions offered during my 

 several trips to the Santa Barbara Islands. Mr. Grinnell has carefully examined 

 the specimens secured and pronounces the following identifications correct. 



Colymbus calif ornicus. American Eared Grebe. Earge flocks were seen near 

 the northwest end of the island. December to March inclusive, several specimens 

 preserved. 



Ptychoramphus aleuticus. Cassin Auklet. Frequently seen near shore; espec- 

 ially common near Ship Rock, west coast, and in the channel between Catalina and 

 San Clemente Islands. 



Larus californicus. California Gull. Fairly common in January and Feb- 

 ruary. 



Larus heermanni. Heerman Gull. Abundant everywhere. Those observed 

 in October were in winter plumage, gray heads; while those noted during Decem- 

 ber, January and February were all in summer plumage, snowy white heads. Ex- 

 amination showed the crops of many specimens to be filled with shrimps, obtained 

 from the kelp fields 50 to 300 yards off shore. 



Sterna maxima. Royal Tern. Very common near northwest coast and How- 

 land's Bay, during October, December and January; few seen after February 15. 



Fulmarus glacialis glupischa. Pacific Fulmar. Often seen while crossing the 

 channels; none observed near shore. 



Oceanodroma melania. Black Petrel. A dark petrel, probably of this species, 

 seen on several occasions while crossing the channel. 



Phalacrocorax auritus albociliatus. Farallone Cormorant. Fairly common 

 along the northeast coast. One flock of 200 or more seen near Rowland's Feb- 

 ruary 5. Several specimens preserved. 



Phalacrocorax penicillatus. Brandt Cormorant. During January and Feb- 

 ruary, immense flocks were seen daily, flying from their roosting places on the 

 rocks of the northwest coast to their feeding "grounds" along the northeast shore. 

 Both brownish young and adults were numerous. Specimens in full breeding 



