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100 THE CONDOR Vol. XXIV 
accord, but much to my surprise and regret on the morning of the 20th, just a week 
after his capture, I found him dead in the bottom of his cage. 
I am recording these notes in the belief that some observer who has had the op- 
portunity of studying the Barn Owl in captivity would be interested in my experience 
with this individual. I have had Screech and Burrowing Owls in my possession for 
several days, but they all ate eagerly and voluntarily the food given them, and when 
released were in fine physical condition. I am wondering if the bird’s behavior as re- 
ported above, especially as regards difficulty in feeding, was peculiar to this individual 
or characteristic of the species when kept in confinement.—EMERSON A, STONER, Benicia, 
California, March 1, 1922. 
Bird Drives in the Yukon Delta.—In the spring of 1913, in company with Claud 
J. Roach, I made a trip by dog team from Bristol Bay, Alaska, to the Yukon River and 
back by way of the Kuskoquim River. The journey was made primarily to make cer- 
tain investigations of the fur-bearing animals of the region for the United States Bureau 
of Fisheries, but an opportunity was afforded to make observations on other forms of 
life as well. Bethel, a town near the head of tidewater on the Kuskoquim, was made our 
headquarters for nearly two months. While there, we were greatly impressed by the 
vivid accounts we heard of the great bird drives which are held annually out on the 
Yukon delta. The stories came from so many sources, apparently reliable, and all so 
agreed in the essential details, that there seemed to be little doubt of the accuracy of 
the main features. Nevertheless, the drives seemed to be so unique that I had hoped 
to be able to check the statements by personal observation before making any report 
of them. But the likelihood of my being able again to visit the region is growing more 
and more remote, so it seems best to call the attention of others to the matter. Perhaps 
someone may be able to visit the place at the proper time to witness one of these events. 
Therefore, the account is repeated as it was given to us by numerous residents. I can- 
not, of course, vouch for the accuracy of the statements, but those who gave the inform- 
ation seemed entirely reliable. 
The drives take place in the salt lagoons in the region south of Nelson Island. 
Apparently the borders of these are great breeding grounds for ducks and geese, and in 
August each year the young birds, almost grown but unable to fly, gather in large flocks 
in the quiet waters to await the maturing of the plumage before the southward flight. 
Their numbers are greatly increased by the adult birds, which at this season lose their 
wing feathers and are unable to fly. The cast-off feathers are so abundant that they 
form windrows on the shore lines. 
The drive is made by the natives in their kyaks. Fifteen to twenty of these skin 
boats take part, one man to each. They beat the grassy banks and the water with their 
paddles and gradually drive the birds by thousands into some pocket or head where 
they are killed with sticks and spears with a great hurrah and much excitement. One 
drive in 1912 was said to have resulted in the capture of fourteen boat loads. Just how 
many birds this would represent is difficult to determine, but it would certainly be more 
than a thousand. I have seen a native take his wife, three children and several dogs, 
as well as his camp outfit, from beneath the hatch of one of these boats, and an estimate 
might roughly be made from this of the number of birds taken. 
Some persons might be inclined to criticise the native for such wholesale slaugh- 
ter, but they are advised to await an impartial investigation before doing so. Pérhaps 
the people are entitled to them. The country is bleak and inhospitable; so much so that 
white men can scarcely get there at all. The inhabitants live much of the time upon 
raw food, chiefly the black fish of the interior delta lakes. Away from the coast they 
have no fuel whatsoever except a little seal oil which they take for their lamps. Yet they 
seem to be the healthiest, happiest, albeit the dirtiest, of all Alaska natives——G. DaLLas 
HANNA, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, March 23, 1922. 
Black and White Warbler in Southern California—I note that in Tue Connor of 
September, 1921, in the Field and Study department, the “sixth occurrence of the Black 
and White Warbler” in California is recorded. It may be of interest to Conpor readers 
to know that I saw a Black and White Warbler on the trunk of an old olive tree about 
fifteen feet from my window on October 14, 1908. Being an amateur at bird study I 
