62 THE CONDOR Vol. XXIV 
Slight Extension of the Breeding Range of the Western Lark Sparrow.—As Lark 
Sparrows (Chondestes grammacus strigatus) are supposed to occupy the desert regions 
only in winter (Pacific Coast Avifauna no. 11, p. 116), it may be worth while to note 
that the species is a common breeder on the Mohave Desert, from Palmdale to at least 
twenty miles east of that point. Over this region, which lies along the desert base of 
the San Gabriel Range, their occurrence is general and not confined, as one might ex- 
pect, to cultivated areas. While perhaps slightly more common in the pear and other 
deciduous orchards, they are nevertheless distributed over the unsettled country as 
well. Many pairs were seen daily from May 3 to May 14, 1920, and were equally common 
in the same locality during late April and early May of the present year. One nest con- 
taining five apparently fresh eggs was found May 5, 1920. It was built on the ground 
under a small dense bush in the yucca-juniper association at considerable distance from 
the nearest tilled land.—D. R. Dickrky AaNpb A. J. VAN ROSSEM, Pasadena, California, De- 
cember 5, 1921. 
Albino Robin Returning to Former Nesting Site.—The following note is offered 
as a modest contribution to the mass of published data in support of the theory that 
birds return to a particular nesting site. A male robin showing patches of white on 
the wings and predominantly white on the under parts returned for three consecutive 
years to a garden in Summerland, British Columbia, where, each year, he acquired a 
mate and helped raise the ensuing family. His piebald appearance made him an object 
of suspicion to his brethren of conventional garb, and the garden witnessed frequent 
battles, from which he usually emerged victorious. He was known in the neighborhood 
as “Blewitt’s white robin’, and his non-appearance on the fourth year caused general 
regret in the little community. But four years would appear to be a relatively long span 
of life for a conspicuous albino.—J. A. Munro, Okanagan Landing, British Columbia, No- 
vember 26, 1921. 
Vermilion Flycatcher and Red Phalarope at Long Beach, California.—I wish to 
report the Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus mexicanus) trom the vicinity 
of Long Beach. I first saw the bird (a male) on November 20, and I saw it again on 
December 14. Some friends saw it December 11 and again December 17. Evidently 
just the one bird has taken up its abode there for the winter. Every time observed it 
has been within a radius of one-fourth mile. The habitat chosen is a slough with a few 
seattering willows and a few tules. For the most part the bird was observed perched 
on the top branches of willows but occasionally upon a fence post or tule. It displayed 
the usual flycatcher mannerisms by flying out, snapping up an insect, and then return- 
ing to the place from which it came. 
There was an unusual migration of Red Phalaropes (Phalaropus fulicarius) this 
past fall. I saw about three hundred within an hour on the ponds of the Long Beach 
Salt Works. This was October 30. There was a great mortality among them this year. 
Dead birds were brought to the schools picked up by children in the streets or elsewhere. 
On the ponds mentioned above, dead birds were washed up in windrows. I could count 
nineteen from one position and twenty-one from another. I counted seventy-five within 
half an hour. The birds had no shot holes in them, and showed no external evidences 
of having flown against wires, but all the birds examined were emaciated in the extreme. 
—L. W. Wetcn, Long Beach, California, December 24, 1921. 
Sonoma Thrasher in Humboldt County, California—While I was camping last 
October (1921) in company with Mr. Chester C. Lamb, near what is down on the current 
maps as “Thorn”, a few miles north of the southern boundary of Humboldt County, it 
was a matter of surprise to us to hear the notes of thrashers among the thick growth 
of white thorn (Ceanothus incanus) surrounding our camp. This was situated only six 
or seven miles from the ocean shore, about east of the landing called Shelter Cove, and 
somewhat protected from ocean winds by a range of hills. These birds were very shy 
but we succeeded in securing three specimens on October 5 and 6, only one of which, 
however, had completely assumed the new fall plumage. These specimens appear to 
