26 THE CONDOR Vol. XXII 
Although this was the largest number of Phalaropes observed, smaller flocks 
were noted on the lake for about ten days, seventy or more being found in the 
cove of the Ruddies the middle of August. A small band was discovered one 
afternoon when the lake was lovely with the reflection of blue sky and creamy 
clouds, the spirit-like Phalaropes swimming around among the mirrored clouds. 
So many rare pictures were exhibited in this lake region, alive with water- — 
fowl and with its swift alternation of sun and cloud, its broad mirror and its re- 
splendent sunsets whose canvas hung to the level prairie horizon, that it was 
difficult to say which was the most beautiful; but two striking pictures stand 
out from among them. One was of a sunset when, with a clear sky above, three 
great thunder head masses of creamy cloud stood out on the horizon—northeast, 
east, and southeast. One mass with concave, shell-like salmon and pink interior 
suggested the Flight from Pompeii, the robe drawn protectingly high above the 
heads of the tender fleers. While no storm came from the thunder heads, light- 
ning played over their salmon surfaces, and the sunset as it grew, painted them 
with delicate tints of evanie pink and blue. 
In the other sunset, the west showed the clear red tone which is a familiar 
home-like background; but in the east, horizontal parallel lines of gray blue 
cloud carried the mind far out over the ocean. Then gradually the warm tones 
spread from the west by roseate slanting scorings till, growing rich and ragged, 
the color passed on, softly permeating the gray blue of the east, producing ex- 
quisite color harmonies on the face of this cloud-born ocean. 
(To be continued) 
NOTES ON THE LIMICOLAE OF SOUTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA 
By ALLAN BROOKS 
HESE NOTES were inspired by Mr. J. H. Bowles’ paper on ‘‘The Limi- 
colae of the State of Washington’’ (Awk, vol. xxxv, 1918, pp. 326-333). No 
group of birds has been so neglected by the ornithologists of the western 
states prior to the last ten years or so, and the paper cited is the best evidence of 
the increase of interest in these fascinating birds. 
In the notable work on ‘*The Game Birds of California’’, recently pub- 
lished, the authors deal in full with all the shorebirds known to occur in that 
state; and the impression to be gathered is that they consider the state to have 
heen fairly exhaustively worked. With all deference, it would seem to the pres- 
ent writer that a great deal of work is still needed to bring the records of the 
Limicolae up to anything like the standard of those of the birds in all the other 
orders. If a few collectors and observers of the caliber of Mr. R. H. Beck could 
work the coast-line and inland waters of California as Beck worked the waters 
off Monterey, not only would a number of species now considered searece be 
proved to be of regular occurrence, but several species would be added to the 
state list, and in all WEISEL stragelers from Asia would add species to the 
North vende list. 
Of the species to be added to the Californian list the Semipalmated, Stilt, 
