May, 1916 
NESTING OF THE TOLMIE WARBLER 
127 
closed the third bird still in it. Desiring to secure a photograph of a young 
Tolmie Warbler, I hastened for my kodak, and on returning found that the 
laggard, too, had left the nest. It was found in the grass nearby; but after 
a short time it fluttered into the bushes where the others had already gone. 
The noisy demonstration by the parent warblers did not last very long, and 
after it had subsided nothing more was heard from the Tolmie family except 
the singing of the male at intervals from the brush around camp. 
To sum up the important points I learned in regard to the nesting of this 
family of Tolmie Warblers: The nest was discovered on June 13, 1915, and at 
the time of finding contained four, probably fresh, eggs ; two eggs were hatched 
on June 23, eleven days after the discovery of the nest ; a third egg hatched 
on June 24, twelve days after the discovery of the nest ; the fourth egg proved 
infertile ; the three young birds left the nest on July 2, nine and eight days, 
respectively, after hatching. 
Oakland, California, February 15, 1916. 
SOME DISTRIBUTIONAL NOTES ON CALIFORNIA BIRDS 
By H. E. WILDER 
I T IS to be expected that Grinnell’s most welcome Distributional List of the 
Birds of California will call out numerous records of birds found beyond 
the limits therein defined. Many of us have withheld notes bearing upon 
distribution for reasons of diffidence, indifference, or sheer inertia, but most 
of all for lack of just the knowledge now supplied in the above mentioned pub- 
lication. Even though such contributions lack elaboration of detail they may 
still be worth while so far as they go. Several such cases are detailed beyond, 
as of possible interest in this connection. 
Mergus americanus. American Merganser. As there seems to be no record of 
the nesting of this fish duck in the coast region of northern California, it may be worthy 
of mention that it occurs at all seasons along the rivers of Humboldt County. The young 
have often been observed before they were able to fly. 
Parabuteo unicinctus harrisi. Harris Hawk. Confirming Mr. Dawson’s report of 
finding this Arizona species common along the Colorado River, I found them in numbers 
in the river bottom near Palo Verde during the first three days of December, 1902. Like 
ourselves, they were evidently seeking shelter in the timber from the terrific sand- 
storm that prevailed, and were sitting all about in the trees. As the wind abated they 
took wing, and ten to twenty could be counted in the air at a time. Two specimens 
were taken. 
Aquila chrysaetos. Golden Eagle. More common in portions of the humid coast 
belt north of Marin County than is indicated by the records. It is a source of considera- 
ble annoyance on the sheep ranches of Humboldt and Mendocino counties, and I see 
the birds occasionally within a few miles of the coast. 
Aluco pratincola. American Barn Owl. Although not reported heretofore from the 
coast region north of Marin County, this owl is, nevertheless, rather common in the 
dairy region of Humboldt County, where moles and gophers for its sustenance abound. 
The birds are frequently seen about our home at Carlotta, and when living at Fern- 
dale we observed them about the tower of the town water-tank, where a colony of them 
lived and made the night hideous with their cries. 
Strix occidentalis caurina. Northern Spotted Owl. Rare enough, but hardly limited 
to the two specimens now in the Museum at Berkeley. On January 11, 1913, I secured a 
