Jan. 1902 
THE CONDOR 
19 
proved to be a female in well worn plumage; crop filled with fragments of aquatic insects. — Frank 
S. Daggett, Pasadetia, Cal. 
A Rare I^and Bird Taken at Sea. — November 13, 1901, while on U. S. S. Pathfinder, 
making the run from Nagasaki to Manila, I killed a female specimen of Calliope kamtschatken- 
sis (G/n.) which had come aboard and was resting in the rigging. The position of ship at the 
time of capture was 127 degrees, 20 minutes E., 29 degrees, 40 minutes north. The bird was 
not very fat and not storm driven, as we had experienced only mild weather since leaving port. 
It was in all probability on its fall migration. The species occurs as a rare winter visitant to the 
Philippines, Grant having recorded several specimens from northern Luzon and Worcester hav- 
ing killed a single specimen in Mashate. — Richard McGregor, Manila, P. I. 
Cryptoglaux acadicaacadica in Placer County. — February 7,1902, while collecting near 
Bear River, I observed a small owl, apparently asleep, sitting on a fallen log. I had watched 
him for several minutes when with surprising quickness he flew from the log to a brush pile 
eight feet distant. Fearing I might lose him, I shot just as he alighted. He proved to be a saw- 
whet owl, and lying near him was a mouse still struggling. Evidently Mr. Owl was sleeping 
with one eye open. This is the only specimen I have met with in this county. 
Pigmy owls (Glaucidium g. cahfornicinn) are occasionallj’ seen here. I shot one on March 
24th just at dusk. It flew from a cypress where a member of linnets were going to roost. Ern- 
est Adams, Clipper Gap, Cal. 
Tate Nesting of Arkansas Goldfinch. — On November 22, 1900, I found the nest of an 
Arkansas goldfinch among the leafless branches of a boxelder. At first glance I thought it was 
a nest of the previous summer but closer examination showed the tail of the sitting bird stick- 
ing over the edge. The nest contained a clutch of four fresh eggs. Being interested in a case of 
such unusual nesting I kept close watch of the little doniocile. All went well for a week when 
several days of hard rains wrecked the nest. I noticed no further attempt on the part of the 
parent birds to resume their late housekeeping. — John M. Mii.i.er, Parlier, Cat. 
The Snowflake and Other Unusual Birds at Marysville. — In the winter of 1872 or 
1873, at Marysville, during the memorable snowstorm, when snow was six inches deep, a flock of 
forty or fifty snowflakes {Passeri?ia nivalis) stayed fearlessly two or three days on the steamboat 
landing at the foot of D street, and caused much comment. They were mentioned in the local 
column of the Appeal by someone who gave their latin name. I have not heretofore mentioned 
their occurrence because I did not get a specimen, and was not positive of the form or species. 
Although nearly the same list of species can be found in Central California every winter, that was 
a notable exception. At the same locality in the comparatively cold winter of 1877-78 the 
northern shrike was quite common. I have not seen it at any other time in 
this state. Fine examples of the so-called hybrid flicker were very common there that winter, 
and their presence was apparently due to cold weather, for I have scarcely seen one like them 
since that time. I sent a large fine series to the Smithsonian where, Mr. Ridgwa}- told me, as I 
remember, they were mounted and placed on exhibition. 
The resident species remained and included the mockingbird, Pacific yellow-throat, Law- 
rence goldfinch, Parkman wren, and many other species. I doubt if the residents had a particle 
of the migratory instinct. Perhaps they never had any. During snowstorms at Murphys I have 
been unable to ascertain that the storms drove the residents away from the locality. I once saw 
a fine male Anna hummingbird feeding in manzanita ( Arctostapliylos) on the mountain side 
above Murphys when the ground was covered with snow. Snowstorms seldom occur in the val- 
leys or foothills, and any snow that falls is certain to melt in a day or less. — Lvm.\n Bedding, 
Stockion, Cal. 
Peculiar Habits of a Black Phoebe. — For six years or more, I am told, a phnebe (.S'ai'- 
ornis n. seiniatra) has lived alone at this place and roosted, summer and winter on a branch of 
a rosebush under a porch. This year from Januarj’ to June it could be found any night on its 
perch and seemed no wise disturbed by 1113' frequent visits. In June the rosebush was torn down 
and for three weeks I could find no trace of the bird. Then it reappeared, alone, and ever since 
has divided its time between the house and barn. Why has it remained so long unmated ? In 
former years they nested here regularly but the nearest nest this summer was over a mile from 
here. — Erne.st Adams, Clipper Gap, Cal. 
Destruction of Birds’ Tggs: A Query. — I have been greatly puzzled at the wholesale 
destruction of birds’ eggs here, and vigilant watch during the nesting period failed to find the 
culprits. Early in the season I found shells of three black-headed grosbeak’s eggs in a road, at 
least three yards from any suitable nesting place. The contents of the eggs had been removed 
through irregidar holes about three-sixteenths of an inch in diameter. A few days later eggs of 
