iMar., 1911 
75 
FROM FIFLD AND STUDY 
Bobolink Again Noted in Idaho. — In the ]\Iarch-April, 1910, Condor, INIr. II. C. Tracy 
notes the occurrence of the Bobolink [Dolichony.v oryzivorus) near Meridian, Idaho, a point 
about eight miles east of my home ranch. I wish to confirm the presence of the Bobolink in 
this section by my own observations. In July, 1909, at a place some seven miles west and two 
miles north of where Mr. Tracy noted the species, I saw a male in full nuptial dress perform- 
ing his characteristic aerial gyrations close by the roadside, over an alfalfa field, doubtless for 
the benefit of the lirooding female. The bird was scarcely twenty yards away and could not 
possibl}' be mistaken for any other species. This single specimen, however, is the only one 1 
have seen in Idaho during a residence of two years. — L. IC Wyman. 
Pinyon Jay at Salem, Oregon. — On December 21, 1910, two specimens of Pinyon Jay 
(Cyanocephaltis cyanocep/talus) were taken at .Salem by Mr. II. S. Peck, and given to the writer 
for preservation. They were shot out of a flock of six, which had been seen for some time about 
the same locality. Both were males and in good condition. They had evidentl)' been feeding on 
the ground, as their feet and plumage were much soiled with reddish clay. — M. E. PECK. 
The California Shrike as a Reptile Destroyer. — On May 12, 1910, I was waiting at the 
isolated station of Bixby, Dos Angeles County, when a California Shrike was seen to hover for an 
instant over an object in the grass across the road, and strike with a vigorous downward thrust, 
almost immediately returning to its position above, to repeat. As I advanced to find the object 
of its attention, the bird struck again and arose with a snake in its talons and started off down the 
road. I shouted and the bird dropped its trailing burden and flew to a nearby telegraph pole. 1 
examined the reptile a moment later and found it to be a specimen of California garter snake, 
18 inches in length, with the neck severed directly behind the skull. — PiNGREE 1. O.SBURN. 
The Spotted Owl in Northern California. — On the night of August 28, 1910, Mrs. Clay 
and myself spent the night in camp on the north branch of Elk River, at a point ten miles a lit- 
tle east of south from luireka. A maple flat, in the heart of the redwoods, shaded, and right on 
the edge of a stream, it was a most charming spot to spend a night. Soon after darkness fell 
over our camp, we were attracted by an odd, nerve-racking noise. It would start in with a kind 
of long-drawn-out whining, gradually increasing to a more grating sound, which gave ri.se to un- 
certain thoughts, as to its source. It first seemed on the hill-side across the creek, then came 
nearer, all the while increasing in distinctness, and finally seemed to be double, with ever in- 
creasing loudness, until the woods seemed uncanny. AI}- curiosity was aroused to a nervous 
pitch, and I found it hard to induce my wife to follow me with a paper torch. 1 took my collect- 
ing barrel from the twelve gauge and slid in a shell of number sixes. After following in the di- 
rection of the noise for some little distance, I located the ghostly racket nearly over my 
head in a large maple tree. The noise never ceased, but was continuall}' repeated; and save the 
smooth branches, sparingl}' tipped with rustling leaves, as they swayed under the strain 
of the gentle night breeze, nothing could be seen except the twinkling blue background. 
Finally, I remarked, “It’s an owl’’. A spread of wings was jilainly visible now, and right on a 
bare limb, not over three feet above my heail, sat an inquisitive owl with craning neck. Then 
came another from higher up and perched beside the first. They were attracted b}- the light, 
and sat there stretching their necks, with as much curiosity as I had shown, at the sound of a 
noise that seemed almost panther-like. In a few seconds the collecting tube replaced the num- 
ber sixes, and after stepping back a few feet, I took aim as best 1 could and fired. A hurried 
flapping of wings and a rustling in the branches was none too promising. The number twelve 
shot were not as effective as I expected, for in a moment everything was still, and not an owl fell 
to earth. 
Early the next morning, I started a systematic search of the nearb}’ trees. After an hour’s 
hunting, both in the brush and on the ground, I cast my eyes on a half-dazed and blinded owl. 
It proved to be an immature female of the Northern .Spotted Owl {Sirix occidejitalis caiirina) . 
Although we heard several owls in the night, it was my first experience with the .Spotted Owl. — 
C. I. Clay. 
Early Spring Arrival of Bullock Oriole in Los Angeles. — On January 27, 1911, I was 
much surprised to see a male Bullock Oriole {Icterus bullocki) in a tree in my front yard. On 
January ,30, I also .saw a male in the same place. I believe that they were two different birds 
as the plumage of the second one seen was much brighter than that of the first. — Antonin J.ay. 
