64 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XI 
ately, all four species are considered game by the inhabitants, and only lack of fire- 
arms, and poor marksmanship, allow the birds to hold their own. 
The most valued cage bird in southern Mexico is Melanotis ccerulescens , a 
songster that cannot be excelled; also with great ability as a mimic. It must thrive 
well in captivity, from the numbers possessed by the people. Personally I never 
found it in numbers sufficient to call common, only running across them now and 
then in the heaviest of stream-side growth; the clue to its presence was usually 
the song. 
The Solitaire of this region is Catharus melpomene darns. It is another 
wonderful singer. I have heard it in a high and narrow barranca, where the tones 
were confined and producing effects that I wish all readers of this could share 
with me. It is a shy thrush and keeps to cover much, but can be easily recog- 
nized by the bright orange bill and golden brown upperparts. 
The Western Mockingbird ( Mimas polyglottos leucopterus ) is a native. But 
they can poll nothing like the numbers that they occur in over the United States 
border. It frequently loses its liberty in order to adorn some rude wooden cage. 
Bird catching is an industry not to be scoffed at in Mexico. Many species are 
trapped. Even the Cedar Waxwing ( Ampelis cedrorum ) must pay tribute during 
the short time it spends here. Occurring in flocks of a hundred or more, they are 
easy victims for trappers. Their monetary value is small, owing to inability to 
live in confinement for more than a few days. I was offered a pair for thirty-five 
cents, Mexican currency. Already the length of this article precludes reference to 
the Raptores and water-birds I met with. In closing, however, I do intend to 
make mention of a real game bird, Colinus graysoni nigripectus — a true Bobwhite. 
Unlike our native kinds they seldom seek brush cover, preferring the open fields, 
where nothing could be more inconspicuous, the plumage blending perfectly with 
the brown earth. A hard bird to flush, they will fly but a short distance, then 
alight, to repeat the tactics again if necessary. 
The Bobwliites of the C. graysoni group are black-chested birds; in this var- 
iety the throat is white with black chin. The natives are not very well acquainted 
with it; and I found none in captivity. It probably never could be as popular a 
game bird as our eastern Bobwhite, owing to the difficulty in securing it, together 
with its moderate numbers. 
Acknowledgments are due Mr. E. W. Nelson and Dr. C. W. Richmond, of 
the United States National Museum, for identifying many of the species named in 
this article. 
Brownsville , Texas. 
FROM FIFLD AND STUDY 
Chestnut-sided Warbler at Sherwood, Mendocino County, California. — While collect- 
ing at the above place in the fall of 1908, I secured on September 21st a Chestnut-sided Warbler 
(. Dendroica pensylvanica) , juvenal male. It was taken in a pine tree in the edge of the redwood 
forest and was apparently alone, as no other was noticed. The skin is now in the collection of 
Dr. L. B. Bishop, New Ilaven, Connecticut, whoidentified it, and believes it to be the first record 
for the State.— Henry W. Marsden, Witch Creek, California. 
An Ancient Murrele^ at San Pedro, California. — On January 28, 1908, I went to San 
Pedro and spent about an hour on the beach looking for dead birds which had been cast up by 
the recent storm. I walked about a mile toward Long Beach and in this distance I found several 
Rhinoceros Anklets (Ceror/rinca monocerata), several Cassin Auklets (Ptychoramphus aleuticus ) , 
one Sanderling ( Calidris leucophcea) , one Xantus Murrelet ( Brachyramphus hypoleucus) and 
