1% THE CONDOR Vol.. X 



This peculiar condition so far as I can ascertain does not exist on any of the 

 other streams flowing from the mountains out onto the plains, and its cause can 

 only be accurately ascertained by an exhaustive study of the vegetation, climate, 

 and other conditions upon which faunal distribution depends. — R. B. RocKw^KLL.] 



Denver, Colorado. 



NOTES FROM BUENA VISTA EAKE, MAY 20 TO JUNE 16, 1907 



By C. B. LINTON 



BUENA Vista Eake is about thirty miles southwest of Bakersfield, Kern 

 County, California; it is twelve miles long by eight miles wide and very 

 shallow. There is no vegetation along the southern and western shores ex- 

 cepting here and there a patch of salt or devil-grass; on the north for several miles 

 is a stretch of alkaline desert with an occasional patch of mesquite and sage. At 

 the northeast corner where the Kern River empties into the lake (and where is also 

 the outlet, the mouth of the Kern River and the Lake outlet being separated only by 

 a narrow levee) is found an abundant growth of tules and willows, the latter bor- 

 dering the Kern River in dense thickets and groves for miles. About two and 

 one-half miles from the lake, along the river, is quite an extensive marsh caused by 

 the overflow of the river during the winter months. It is near this marsh and in 

 the vicinity of the mouth of the river that all collecting was done, small canoes be- 

 ing used for transportation. 



In the limited time at my disposal here, very little could be done, the field 

 being a little too large for one man to work in so short a time. 



^chmophorus occidentalis. Western Grebe. Common on the lake. Would 

 undoubtedly have bred, had not the plume hunters been present. 



Podilymbus podiceps. Pied-billed Grebe. Fairly common in the lake and 

 river marshes. Breeding. 



Larus calif ornicus. California Gull. Several immature Gulls w^ere seen about 

 the lake, probably this species. 



Sterna caspia. Caspian Tern. Two seen. One secured. May 26, in Kern 

 River marsh. 



Sterna forsteri. Forster Tern. Fairly common near breeding colony of Black 

 Terns. None found breeding. 



Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis. American Black Tern. Earge colony 

 nesting in river marsh. 



Phalacrocorax auritus albociliatus. Farallone Cormorant. Breeding in im- 

 mense numbers in the partly submerged willow trees in the lake; two to six nests 

 to the tree w^as the rule. Fully fledged young and fresh eggs were found in 

 late May. 



Pelecanus erythrorhynchos. American White Pelican. Two large colonies 

 were visited; one of about 250 nests, on a small sandy island in the river mouth; 

 the other of perhaps 500 nests, on the lake shore. The nests of the latter colony 

 were mostly well constructed of tules and marsh grass covering about two acres. 

 The nests on the island were merely holes scooped in the sand. 



Nettion carolinense. Green -winged Teal. Several seen. 



Querquedula cyanoptera. Cinnamon Teal. Fairly common. Breeding. Fresh 

 sets and young noted in late May. 



