76 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XIII 
Sparrow Notes from Fresno County, California. — In my notes on the Brewer .Sparrow 
in the Noveniber-Deceniher Condor I might have statecl that these little sparrows are resident 
thronghoirt the entire winter, frequenting much the same area as does the Western Vesper Spar- 
row (Pooecetes gramineus conjinis) . December 26, 1910, I found several brezveri in an 
old weed-grown berry patch that was bordered on the south by a peach orchard and on the other 
three sides by vineyards. ( )ne specimen was taken and is now in my collection. November 20 
I observed two Slate-colored .Sparrows (Passerella iliaca schistacea) and on the twenty-fourth 
another which was secured. This bird was associated with a large flock of mixed sparrows. 
The day after Christmas 1 ahso found two or three Forbush .Sparrows (Melospizi lincohii striata) 
in a large brush pile at the edge of a weed}' pasture. One was collected. All these birds 
were found within a few miles of Fresno. 
Mr. Joseph Sloanaker informs me that on the plains near Raisin City, fifteen miles soirth- 
west of Fresno, he finds the California Sage Sparrow [Amphispiza zievadensis canescens) to be 
very common during the winter. I have a specimen from there taken December 11, 1910. — John 
Ct. Tyler. 
Brewer Sparrow Breeding in Simi Valley. — -I have fouiul the Brewer .Sparrow (Spizella 
brezveri) to be a rather common resident of the Simi \’alley, \'entura County, and have found 
many nests containing eggs and young in that vicinity. Two sets of eggs in my collection are 
as follows: .Set of five, fresh, taken with female bird May 21, 1899, and set of three slightly incu- 
bated, taken May 28, the same year. The birds are very shy, sneaking from the nest and run- 
ning through the grass instead of flying; consequently the nests are rather difficult to locate. All 
the nests that I have found have been on a south slope, sparsely covered with sage brush and 
cactns, with a thicker growth of smaller plants and shrubs between. The nests were in these 
smaller shrubs, generally not over a foot above the groxind. — J. .S, Appleton. 
Notes on Two Birds from Santa Catalina Island, California. — On B'ebruary 12, 1910, 
while coasting along the rocks near White’s Landing, Catalina Island, 1 saw and positively 
identifietl a Frazar Oystercatcher (Haeniatopus frazari) . At first sight of us the bird left its 
perch on an elbow of crumbling rock and circled toward the boat, but not near enough for a 
shot. It continued its rapid flight, uttering the familiar call, until it was lost to sight around a 
dangerous jutting reef. This is the farthest north record according to all available notes that 
have come under my notice, published or unpublished.. 
On the day following, an Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus), a rare bird in 
these waters at any season, was collected from a flock of eight, grouped about one-half mile off 
shore. The birds were exceedingly shy, and after one first dive of alarm were out of reach. The 
specimen obtained exhibited ability to swim under water, even after wounded. — Pingree I. 
OSBURN. 
Blue- winged Teal in Southern California. — The Blue-winged Teal (Oiierquediila discors) 
has been cpiite common in the marshes of Los Angeles County this winter up to the present 
time. I have seen many specimens that were brought in to the local taxidermists by hunters. 
Although this species has not been considered a common winter visitant to southern California, 1 
think it is safe to say that it is a fairly common visitant dirring some winters. Other winters, 
however, it is rare. This irregularity is probably due to meteorological conditions. — G. Willett. 
