112 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XVIII 
missed taking several eggs by their being knocked from the nest by the 
startled bird as she flew off. 
This fine pigeon is not uncommon in the various mountain ranges of 
Cochise County, Arizona, and there seems to be a general willingness on the 
part of hunters to observe the closed season. This is not so true among the 
farmers, but comparatively little damage is done thereby, as the class of 
farmers is not a very numerous one with us. I hope the observance of the 
closed season will lead to an increase in the number of pigeons, but I think 
two years more at least should be added to it. An effort will be made next 
year to secure such legislation in this state. 
Tombstone, Arizona, February 25, 1916. 
THE SPEED OF FLIGHT IN CERTAIN BIRDS 
By ALEXANDER WETMORE 
D URING early November, 1914, while carrying on field work around 
Tulare and Buena Yista lakes, California, in company with Mr. Tipton 
Matthews, Deputy Game Warden of Kern County, I had excellent oppor- 
tunity for observing the speed of flight of certain birds. We had our head- 
quarters at Lemoore -while in the northern part of the area, and daily made 
trips back and forth to the shore line of Tulare Lake in Mr. Matthews’ auto. 
Work around Buena Vista Lake was carried on with Bakersfield as a base. In 
the open valley birds of various species were abundant, and in traveling about 
I had leisure to watch them. Often Horned Larks or other birds flew up close 
at hand and maintained a course parallel to that of the car. On such occa- 
sions Mr. Matthews increased our speed gradually until we were travelling 
at a rate equal to that of the bird. At the same time I kept close watch of the 
bird and the speedometer. In this way we were able to gauge the speed of 
flight of these individuals with a fair amount of accuracy. Following is a 
summary of the observations made. Unless otherwise stated the notes refer 
to a single individual. 
Species 
Ardea herodias 
locality 
Tulare Lake, 
Calif. 
Date 
November 7, 
Rate of flight 
in miles per 
hour 
1914 28 
6 6 6 6 
6 6 6 6 
6 6 
6 6 
6 6 
6 6 
28 
B ut co b. cal urns 
Bakersfield, 
6 6 
6 6 
10, 
6 6 
22 
Cerchneis s. phalaena 
6 6 
6 6 
6 6 
6 6 
6 6 
22 
6 6 6 6 66 
6 6 
6 6 
6 6 
6 6 
6 6 
25 
Colaptes c. collaris 
Tulare Lake, 
6 6 
6 6 
8, 
6 6 
25 
Otocoris a. actia 
6 6 6 6 
6 6 
6 6 
6, 
6 6 
23 
66 66 66 
6 6 6 6 
6 6 
6 6 
7, 
6 6 
28 
“ “ “ (several) 
6 6 6 6 
6 6 
6 6 
6 6 
6 6 
26 
“ “ “ (2) 
6 6 6 6 
6 6 
6 6 
8, 
6 6 
22 
“ “ “ (3) 
6 6 6 6 
6 6 
6 6 
6 6 
6 6 
24 
“ “ “ (several) 
Bakersfield 
6 6 
6 6 
10, 
6 6 
27 
Corvvs c. sinuatus 
Foot of Tejon Pass, 
6 6 
6 6 
6 6 
6 6 
24 
Lanins l. gambeli 
Tulare Lake, 
6 » 
6 6 
6, 
6 6 
28 
