Nov., 1920 | FROM FIELD AND STUDY 205 
were noted that remained in the vicinity of their nests throughout the entire winter, 
eggs being laid in April. 
As to the difference of a few millimeters in wing length: How much value should 
be attached to this feature in considering an individual of a race known to show such a 
vast amount of variation in size, individually? The writer has measured several extra 
small adult birds killed in southeastern Alaska that, if considered from point of size 
alone, would necessarily have to be referred to the southern form. It is improbable that 
any Conpor reader would consider even momentarily the recording of the southern bird 
from Alaska on this evidence; so, would not the old saying “It’s a poor rule that won't 
work both ways” pertain to this case? 
The fact is that there is no hard and fast line of demarcation between the two 
forms of the Bald Eagle. The size difference is only an average difference. The northern 
form averages larger than the southern form, and individual variants may be found 
within the known range of either form that, if considered from a standpoint of size 
alone, could be referred to the other subspecies. 
In view of these facts it seems to the writer that the preponderance of evidence 
points to the fact that Mr. Fleming’s Lakeport bird is an unusually large individual of 
the Southern Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus) and may not he 
properly considered as demonstrating even the “probable” occurrence of the northern 
form in California.—G. WILLETT, Forrester Island, Alaska, August 5, 1920. 
Eastern Fox Sparrow at Seattle——On February 15, 1920, at Renton, a small town 
a few miles southeast of Seattle, Washington, a typical Eastern I*ox Sparrow (Passerella 
iliaca iliaca) was secured as it fed in a thicket bordering an open field with a miscei- 
laneous gathering of Rusty Song Sparrows and Oregon Towhees. Even before it was 
shot its dissimilarity to the several subspecies of Fox Sparrows that occur here was 
easily noticeable, and once in the hand there was no question as to its identity. This 
is as far as I know, the first record for this species for the state of Washington. The 
specimen itself is now in the collection of Mr. D. E. Brown, of Seattle-—Tnuos. D. 
BuRLEIGH, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, September 6, 1920. 
The Yellow-headed Blackbird Flocking with Brewer Blackbirds.—While passing 
through Lake Valley on August 12, 1920, about two miles north of Meyers, El Dorado 
County, a flock of about seventy-five Brewer Blackbirds (Euphagus cyanocephalus) 
flushed from the road and flew to a lodgepole pine tree in the adjoining field about a 
hundred yards distant. In their midst was a single Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthoce- 
phalus xanthocephalus) showing in striking contrast. I took the bird, which proved 
to be a young male. 
The Yellow-headed Blackbird is frequently associated with Red-winged Blackbirds, 
and Coues (Birds of the Northwest, 1874, p. 190) mentions them flocking with Cowbirds, 
but its presence with Brewer Blackbirds seems rather unusual, and all the more strange 
as there were no Redwings seen in the vicinity—FranxK N. Bassett, Alameda, Califor- 
nia, August 27, 1920. 
Note on the Nesting Habits of the Osprey in Yellowstone Park.—On the spires of 
rock which stand up perpendicularly from the steep sides of the Canyon of the Yellow- 
stone River in the Yellowstone National Park are a large number of nests of the Osprey 
(Pandion haliaetus carolinensis). All nests observed from the side of the canyon were 
without any shelter or protection of any kind. They were great collections of sticks 
resting on the rock, and apparently a new nest was built on top of the nest of the pre- 
ceding year or years. At the time of our visit to the Yellowstone, in July, 1920, a young 
bird was observed flopping about in one nest, and an adult bird was standing on the side 
of the nest with the back to the sun so as to project its shadow directly into the nest. 
We watched this nest for fully an hour and during all‘that time the adult bird's shadow 
was thrown into the center of the nest. The parent bird was clearly keeping the young 
in the shade. During all the time of the observation the sun was shining brightly and 
the weather was warm.— CLAUDE Gianoux, Berkeley, California, September 8, 1920. 
