May, 1908 NOTES FROM SANTA CRUZ ISLAND 125 



are perhaps 40,000 sheep on the island, a few cattle, immense barley fields and 

 grape vineyards, several ran'ches, a large winery, and some 100 men employed dur- 

 ing the harvesting season. It was with the kind permission of Mr. Fred M. Caire, 

 owner of the island, that I was enabled to carry on the observations herein 

 chronicled. 



Our first camp was on the southern coast at Cochas Pietres (Hog Harbor ?). 

 The tiny streams in the wide canyons here were lined with an abundant growth of 

 willows and wild blackberry vines. The hills, sloping gradually to the higher 

 range, were covered with holly, manzanita, iron wood and wild cherry, with here 

 and there an oak, and, of course, cacti in abundance. We remained here until 

 November 30, Mr. Willett then leaving for lyos Angeles, via boat to Santa Bar- 

 bara. 



Our second camp was made at Northwest Harbor. This is the desert portion 

 of the island and is bordered by a rocky, precipitous coast. Ten days were spent 

 here before we could round the north end of the island, owing to severe storms. 



Our last camp was among the pines near Prisoners' Harbor, northeast coast. 

 Here we found the Santa Cruz pines, oaks, holly, manzanita, ironwood, cherry, 

 etc., in superabundance. The highest altitude is in this vicinity, about 2800 feet. 

 Deep inaccessible gorges and impenetrable thickets were encountered. In the lim- 

 ited time at my disposal I could only commence work here and hope to return soon 

 to continue the work planned. 



Mr. Grinnell has kindly examined many of the specimens secured and identi- 

 fied many of the, to me, doubtful ones. 



Colymbus calif ornicus. American Eared Grebe. One specimen secured by 

 Mr. Willett in November. 



Gavia pacifica. Pacific I^oon. Abundant in migration; several specimens 

 taken. 



Cerorhinca monocerata. Rhinoceros Auklet. Mr. Willett and I secured speci- 

 mens along the southern coast in November. In December I secured several at 

 Northwest and Prisoners' Harbors. Those observed were not especially shy and 

 were easily approached by boat, tho of course diving often and sometimes leading 

 us a merry chase. We were unable to flush one from the water. They were, how- 

 ever, sometimes seen on the wing, passing up and down the coast. One was seen 

 in the bay at Santa Barbara, within a few feet of a fisherman at work. Craws ex- 

 amined contained freshly caught sardines, 3 to 4 inches long; stomach contents: 

 meat and bones of small fish. 



Ptychoramphus aleuticus. Cassin Auklet. Common about Anacapa Island, 

 and in the channel between Anacapa and Santa Cruz. Several were taken along 

 south coast, and noted at other points. 



Synthliboramphus antiquus. Ancient Murrelet. I secured two specimens 

 near shore at Prisoners', December 17 and 18. This, I believe, is the southern- 

 most record for this species, Mr. lyoomis having taken them at Monterey. 



Brachyramphus hypoleucus. Xantus Murrelet. One taken by Mr. Willett 

 about one mile out from Cochas Pietres. 



Cepphus columba. Pigeon Guillemot. Reported breeding in Painted Cave, 

 northwest coast, by a fisherman. 



Larus occidentalis. Western Gull. Very common. 



Larus heermanni. Heerman Gull. Very common. Principal food consisted 

 of shrimps secured in the kelp fields near shore. November and December many 

 birds were just changing from "winter" to "summer" plumage, the heads being 

 mixed white and dark grayish. 



