190 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XIV 
ten or even fifty years ago, as most of this stretch of coast is not only unin- 
habited but almost entirely luivisited. 
Aluco pratincola. Barn Owl. April 16 I found a nest in a deep cleft of 
the rocks, twenty feet above the sea, which contained a single nestling two-thirds 
grown. This site was newly occupied, but on a ledge four feet above the floor 
of a cave on the higher ground was a nest that must have been used for genera- 
tions. Beneath it was a pile of refuse and pellets two or three feet high. 
Colaptes cafer collaris. Red-shafted Flicker. One of these birds was 
making himself very much at home on the hillsides. As there was no tree or 
bush higher than four feet upon this island, he seemed rather out of place. Either 
this bird or another one must have been here the year before, as there was a 
weather-worn feather in an Osprey’s nest that showed no signs of having been 
repaired recently. 
Phalaenoptilus nuttalli californicus. Dusky Poorwill. A single bird was 
flushed twice during the bright part of the day. Not seen or heard at dusk. 
Aeronautes melanoleucus. White-throated Swift. Along the backbone of 
the island were a number darting to and fro. 
Calypte anna. Anna Hummingbird. Several seen. 
Selasphorus rufus. Rufous Hummingbird. A single Selasphorus per- 
mitted a close enough view for me to be fairly sure that it was this form. 
Tyrannus verticalis. Arkansas Kingbird. Two pairs had staked off their 
claims and were standing guard to keep off intruders. They showed every indi- 
cation of intending to remain and raise a family in some scrubby brush later on. 
Sayornis nigricans. Black Phoebe. A pair was seen daily about a rocky 
strip near the shore. 
Myiochanes richardsoni. Western Wood Pewee. One of these birds, 
looking very much out of place, w'as seen on the eighteenth. 
Corvus corax sinuatus. Raven. Several of these kept vigilant watch over 
camp. Occasionally they could be seen surreptitiously sneaking into certain 
holes along the cliff. 
Carpodacus mexicanus dementis. San Clemente House Finch. This 
species presented a rather interesting problem. On the northern end of the 
south island nesting was far advanced. Only a couple of nests were found con- 
tainiiig eggs, these almost on the point of hatching, while perhaps a dozen were 
found with young in all stages, the oldest of which flew out of the nest when I 
became too familiar. On the southern end, fresh eggs and incomplete sets were 
the rule, no young at all being noted. The difference was most pronounced and 
exactly contrary to what one would be led to expect, for at the northern end 
the slope was northwest, facing the cold winds and getting the full sweep of the 
sea fogs, while the other end was sheltered and comparatively warm, facing 
toward the southeast. The majority of nests were in cholla cactuses, but a few 
pairs had set up housekeeping in suitable crannies among the rocks. 
Passerculus rostratus. Large-billed Sparrow. One or two individuals 
seen. Evidently the rear guard of the general migration. 
Zonotrichia leucophrys gambeli. Gambel Sparrow. Several birds present. 
Melospiza melodia siibsp. Song Sparrow. The only specimen secured 
was destroyed by the rats. Song sparrows seem never to have been noted on 
any of .the islands south of Los Coronados. If this bird was a resident, as I be- 
lieve was the case, it was probably cleineiitac, but it may have been a visitor from 
the mainland. 
