6 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XIV 
found in the following species: Red Phalarope, Northern Phalarope, Wilson Phalar- 
ope, Pectoral Sandpiper, Baird Sandpiper, Red-backed Sandpiper, Western Sandpiper, 
Killdeer, Semipalmated Plover and Snowy Plover; the plovers in particular had 
eaten very little else. Hence it may be seen how exceedingly beneficial these birds 
are from an economic standpoint, making it of doubtful wisdom to include them 
among the gamebirds. 
Under each heading is given the earliest and latest dates, in both spring and 
fall, at which the species was observed. 
We wish especially to acknowledge our indebtedness to Mr. Bradford Torrey, 
of Santa Barbara, for numerous important dates which are noted in our list. The 
illustration kindly donated by Mr. W. Reon Dawson is only one of many that he 
took in preparation for his coming work on “The Birds of California’’. 
Phalaropus fulicarius. Red Phalarope. Irregular spring and fall migrant; 
rare, except during late fall of 1911. Spring: May 25, 1911 (Torrey) to May 31, 
1911 (Torrey). Fall: September 26, 1910, to November 30, 1911. 
Of the three phalaropes the present species is by far the most interesting; 
indeed its habits are more varied than those of any other shore bird. The fall of 
1911 was a most unusual one for many of the Limicolae, including Red Phalaropes. 
Mr. Torrey recorded their arrival on October 29, and they gradually became more 
numerous until November 8 when the heaviest flight occurred. The day was 
overcast, with a strong southwesterly wind, and Mr. Bowdes visited both Carpen- 
teria and Santa Barbara flats. Phalaropes were everywhere, in the ocean kelp half 
a mile from shore, on the beach, and swiming about on the inside esteros, six or 
eight hundred being a very conservative estimate of their numbers. The flight was 
evidently a very large one, extending over a considerable stretch of coast, as a few 
days later they were found to be equally abundant at Goleta. This flight must 
have originated at a great distance, as all birds examined upon their arrival, were 
in a most pitiable state of emaciation, with the merest scrap of flesh on the breast. 
Many were so exhausted that they lay on the beach with only the smallest attempt 
to get out of the way, while several were picked up dead that showed no signs of 
injury. A careful examination of the intestines showed no evidence of tapeworm 
or disease of any kind. 
Their feeding habits were varied and most interesting. They could be found 
on the wet mud flats with the Pipits and Least Sandpipers, on the ocean beach 
with the Sanderlings, or swimming and “whirling” on the esteros in true phalarope 
style. In obtaining their food in deeper water they frequently thrust their heads 
well beneath the surface, occasionally tilting their tails skyward and dabbling like 
so many little ducks. Neither of the other phalaropes were seen to much more 
than dip the tip of the beak below the surface. Their diet may truly be called ani- 
mal, mineral and vegetable, for in their stomachs was found an abundance of 
beetles, bugs, flies, mud larvae, tiny snails, seeds, and small particles of sand. 
Considering that they are rather maritime, they show a great adaptability when 
ashore. 
Lobipes lobatus. Northern Phalarope. Not common in the spring migration, 
but swarming in the fall. Rare in the tide marshes. Spring: May 8, 1911 (Torrey) 
to June 16, 1911. Fall: August 4, 1911 (Torrey) to November 16, 1911. 
Soon after their arrival in numbers, which occurred late in August this year, 
they began the practice of “whirling” to obtain food. As would seem obvious, it 
was done only in shallow water in order that the miniature whirlpools thus created 
would disturb the food at the bottom and draw it to the surface. However, for 
this practice to be a success certain conditions must be propitious; for example, on 
