Sept., 1918 FROM FIELD AND STUDY 189 



An Albino Magpie. — An Albino Magpie (Pica pica hudsonia) was observed by the 

 writer near the Teton River, a few miles above Collins, Montana, on July 20, 1918. It 

 was associated with others of its species, and flew across the road, in front of me, to 

 alight on a fence post where it sat "singing" the characteristic magpie notes. It was en- 

 tirely of a grayish-white, or very pale gray color, and did not exhibit any definite mark- 

 ings so far as I was able to discern. — A. D. Du Bois, Button, Montana, August Li, 1018. 



New Records for Some of the Islands off the Coast of Southern California. — 

 Through the courtesy of the State Fish and Game Commission of California an expedi- 

 tion from the California Academy of Sciences was given the privilege of transportation, 

 and when necessary, even accommodation, on the new launch "Albacore" during a recent 

 patrolling and fishery investigating trip to some of the islands off our southern coast. 

 Captain Nidever and his crew did all in their power to make the trip a successful one 

 and to ensure the welfare of his temporary passengers, and hearty thanks are hereby 

 accorded to the Commission and its able assistants for the kindness and courtesy shown 

 to each member of the party. 



Under the leadership of Dr. Barton W. Evermann, Director of the Museum of the 

 California Academy of Science, the party consisted of the following besides himself: 

 Dr. John Van Denburgh, herpetology and oology; Joseph R. Slevin, herpetology; Joseph 

 Maiiliard, ornithology. Dr. Evermann was interested in botany and oology on this par- 

 ticulai trip. On its way to the starting point the party was joined at Los Angeles by J. 

 Eugene Law, who was interested in herpetology and ornithology. Santa Catalina, San 

 Clemente, San Nicolas and Santa Barbara islands were visited, though but a few hours 

 stay was made on any but San Clemente, where several days were passed at different 

 points, Wilson's Cove being the first landing made, on March 23, and which proved the 

 most prolific of results of any point visited. The oological part of the trip was a distinct 

 disappointment, but the other departments were very successful and many specimens 

 were secured. 



According to the lists in Howell's "Birds of the Islands Off the Coast of Southern 

 California" (Pacific Coast Avifauna no. 12), the following are new records for the islands 

 named. 



On San Clemente Island Dr. Evermann was positive that he saw several Cactus 

 Wrens (Heleodytes brunneicapillus couesi) , and he shot at one at quite long range with 

 a collecting pistol, but failed to secure it. We were lying at Wilson's Cove on March 24, 

 and started collecting early in the morning on the ridge above the sheep corrals. Dr. 

 Evermann at one time came over the top of a hill that separated us at the moment and 

 called to me that there were some Cactus Wrens up there. I went to the top of the ridge 

 as fast as possible and for some distance chased what I supposed were a pair of these 

 birds but did not succeed in approaching within shooting distance, or even near enough 

 for positive identification, before they disappeared. The next day Dr. Evermann saw 

 several near the same spot, shooting at one with the pistol as above mentioned, but none 

 of the rest of the party came across any of the birds nor were any signs of nests discov- 

 ered in the cactus. There have been no records of this species from any of the islands, 

 and it is unfortunate that no specimen was secured on this occasion, but it is hardly pos- 

 sible that any one with as much ornithological experience as Dr. Evermann could have 

 been mistaken under such circumstances as he related. 



On Santa Barbara Island, visited March 29, the Audubon Warbler {Dendroica audu- 

 ooni auduboni) was seen by several of the party at very close range, it being quite tame 

 around the house of the keeper of the island. Though no specimens were taken there 

 was no possible doubt as to its identity. A Junco was seen by myself but not secured, 

 probably Junco oreganus tliuroeri; and a Dusky Warbler (Vermivora celata sordida) was 

 noted by both Dr. Van Denburgh and myself, but was not shot as it was impossible to re- 

 trieve it among the thick cactus where seen, and from which it did not seem to care to 

 be separated. It was my good fortune to secure a Western Chipping Sparrow (Spizella 

 passerina arizonae) and a Lincoln Sparrow (Melospiza lincohii lincohii), neither of which 

 had been recorded from this island. It happened that several small sparrows popped up 

 out of a small heap of dead ice plant near me and stopped for a moment on top of it, long 

 enough for a snap shot. Two of these were secured and proved to be the Western Chip- 

 ping and Lincoln sparrows. No others of these species were identified. 



On Santa Catalina Island, March 30, a Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 



