ISS 



TIIK CONDOR 



Vol. X 



]:)ack edge of the beach, there were 236 nests; and in the largest division, that on 

 the southern hill-top there were 700 nests containing eggs, not exactly, but ap- 

 proximately, for we got confused in one place. Thus there were 980 occupied 

 nests, besides many others in process of construction. At the very minimum there 

 were 2000 pelicans here assembled. 



We collected five sets of two eggs each to save as specimens, a very modest 

 representation from the standpoint of the old-fashioned egg-collector! But these 

 few were recorded with great care, and photos of the nests secured. The eggs at 

 this date (April 19) were largely either fresh, or incubated but slightly. One set 

 was far advanced in incubation, but no hatched young were seen on this island. 

 Probably on this account no freshly caught fish were to be seen about the nests. 





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TYPICAL NEST OF WHITE PELICAN FROM SOUTHERN HILLTOP OF ECHO ISLAND, SALTON SEA 



tho several very large dried carp were noted, doubtless left over from last year's 

 nesting time. A few dried-up young of last year were also seen. The usual num- 

 ber of eggs in a nest was two; several sets of three were seen, and one of four. 

 (Donham later arranged a surprise for me, and I found a set of ten!) 



The nests varied greatly in size and composition, according to location. A 

 nest on the drift line just at highest water mark was a tall, steep-sided affair, like 

 the pictures I have seen of flamingo's nests. Appropriate material was plentiful, 

 consisting of sections of plant stems, chips and chunks of pumice. Planks and 

 railroad ties sometimes interfered with the symmetry of the nests. The finer 

 material had evidently been heaped up by the bird as she sat on the nest. For the 

 nests were often surrounded by radiating spoke-like grooves, plainly bill marks. 



