May, 190T I 
THE CONDOR 
79 
singing; as any near approach would 
not only mean the cessation of the song, 
but the disappearance of the birds into 
the bushes. 
At last, however, perseverance con- 
quered, and on two or three occasions I 
managed, with the aid of good field 
glasses, to discover the individual and 
to identify it with absolute certainty. 
This song only seems to be given in cer- 
tain states of the weather, notably be- 
fore or after a rain, and is repeated 
again and again, often being taken up 
by other birds of the same species with- 
in call. People living in country towns 
often call this the rain-bird, and have 
asked me what bird it was that made 
these sounds. They' were familiar with 
the song and associated it with rain, 
but had never discovered the author of 
it. 
Joseph Mailliard. 
San Gei'onimo, Marin Co., Cal. 
In reply to Mr. Belding’s query in 
the March Condor (p. 44) concerning 
the song of Zonotrichia coronata in Cali- 
fornia, I would state that the species 
sings regularly and frequently about 
Palo Alto. This spring I have noticed 
the song particularly, and on April 14 
Mr. Barlow and myself heard the char- 
acteristic notes at Sargent, Santa Clara 
Co. Mr. Grinnell tells me the song is 
indistinguishable from that used during 
the breeding season in the Kowak Val- 
ley, Alaska. The bird says, it is sug- 
gested, “Oh dear — me!” 
W. K. Fisher. 
Stanford University, Cal. 
® ® ® 
The captive Californian Condor owned by 
Frank H. Holmes of Berryessa, Cal. and 
known familiarly as ‘Ben Butler’ died recently 
from some undetermined cause. This condor 
had been in captivity for several years, having 
been secured when a nestling, and many 
Coast ornithologists had journeyed to Mr. 
Holmes’ aviary at various times to watch the 
great bird, which captivity had subdued into a 
confiding pet. 
Summer School of Zoology at Pacific 
Orove. 
The tenth session of the Hopkins Seaside 
Laboratory will begin Monday, June 10, at 
Pacific Grove, Cal, the course of instruction 
continuing six weeks and closing July 20. 
The following courses will be offered during 
the term: i. A Course in General Zoology by 
Prof. Geo. C. Price of Stanford Universit}'; 2. 
An Elementary Course in Botany by Prof. 
Geo. J, Pierce; 3. An Advanced Course on the 
Structure and Physiology of the Algae by Prof, 
Pierce; 4, A Course in Embryology by Prof. 
Price; 5. A Course in Comparative Morpho- 
logy and Histology of the Nervous System 
and Sense Organs by Prof. Frank M. McE'ar- 
land; 6. An Advanced Course in Zoology by 
Prof. McFarland; 7. General Ornithology b}’ 
Joseph Grinnell. 
Ornithologist of the coast will be particularly 
interested in the last-named course, and the an- 
nouncement that Mr. Grinnell will act as in- 
structor carries with it the assurance that orni- 
thology will be presented in its most interest- 
ing phases, together with a keen appreciation 
of its salient points, such as has always char- 
acterized Mr. Grinnell’s work. Laboratory 
work will consist of practice in the identification 
of specimens and preparation of study-skins; 
study of pluiuage structures; and dissections to 
demonstrate the gross anatomy of a typical 
bird. 
Field excursions will be undertaken to ac- 
quaint students with the notes and habits of 
the more common California species. Lec- 
tures will be given on distribution, migration, 
moult classification, and economic relations of 
birds. The endeavor will thus be to conduct 
a practical course of especial value to teachers 
in Nature Study. Pacific Grove is a seaside 
resort on the southern shore of Monterey Bay, 
two miles west of Monterey. It is reached b}' 
the Coast Division of the Southern Pacific 
Railway, and is about four hours distant from 
San Francisco. The coast line at this point 
offers every variety of rocky and sandy shores, 
and the variety and abundance of marine life 
is exceptionally great. The Laboratory is lo- 
cated on a low bluff immediately overlooking 
the beach. In its immediate vicinity are ex- 
ceptionally fine collecting grounds. 
We earnestly commend the course to Club 
members, as well as others interested in gener- 
al zoology. 
® ® ® 
Wm. Steinbeck and A. W. Johnson on an 
outing into San Benito County during March, 
collected an interesting series of eggs of the 
Golden Eagle, their take consisting of 5^ and 
6-2. 
