102 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XI 
The American Redstart in Southern California. — On December 27, 1905, while collecting 
on the shore of Kewen Lake, near Pasadena, California, I found an American Redstart ( Seto - 
phaga ruticilla ) female, dead among the tales under a cottonwood tree. As far as I have been 
able to learn, this is an unusual record for the bird. Upon the suggestion of Grinnell the speci- 
men was sent to Robert Ridgway and was identified as of this species. — PingrEE I. Osburn, 
Pasadena, California. 
Ancient Murrelet at San Clemente. — During December, 1908, I secured several Ancient 
Mnrrelets ( Synthliboraniphus antiquus ) about San Clemente Island. Oftentimes while “work, 
ing” the coasts, I observed the remains of Ancient Mnrrelets and Cassin Anklets {Ptychoramphu s 
aleuticus) among the other victims of the storms. The southern (winter) range of Synthli- 
boraniphus antiquus includes the entire group of .Santa Barbara Islands. — C. B. Linton, Long 
Beach , California. 
The small American Crossbill in California. — This museum has recently accpiired a 
California-taken crossbill, which is apparently identical with the eastern form -^Loxia curviros- 
tra minor. It is a adult (full red plumage, in color exactly like the average of eastern exam- 
ples) ; no. 7199, Univ. Calif. Mus. Vert. Zool.; Nicasio, Marin Co., Calif.; Feb. 21, 1909; collected 
by Louise Kellogg. Measurements: wing, 79.7; tail, 51.7; tarsus, 14.8; cidmen, 13.3; bill from 
nostril, 11.9; depth of bill, 7 .9. 
This is the first example I ever saw of this form from the State, the usual race being L. c. 
bendirei (or if this be not recognized, L. c. stricklandi) . A specimen of the latter secured in 
the same locality, but at another time, has kindly been sent to me by Joseph Mailliard. It is a 
adult (fidl red plumage, but of lighter, pinker hue than in eastern birds); no. 5652, Coll. J. & J. 
W. Mailliard; Nicasio, Marin Co. , Calif.; March 5, 1895. Measurements: wing, 96.2; tail, 63.8; 
tarsus, 16.6; culmen, 17. 8; bill from nostril, 15.8; depth of bill, 10.1. 
The great discrepancy in size between the two forms, as shown by the above measurements, is 
not bridged over by variations in the material at hand. One other example from California refer- 
able to minor has just come to light (no. 5654, Coll. J. & J. W. M.). This is very like no. 
7199, tho a trifle larger. It seems probable that the small form is merely an irregular winter 
visitant to the State, in the same role as east of the Rockies. Certainly the resident and breed- 
ing bird is always the larger race, judging from many summer birds from various parts of the 
transition and boreal zones in California. — J. Grinnell, University of California, Berkeley, Cal- 
ifornia. 
Winter Notes from Clipper Gap, Placer County. — Sturnella neglecta. The Western 
Meadowlark has appeared in large numbers the past winter, feeding almost entirely in grain 
fields. I have heard complaints on all sides as to the damage done by this bird this winter. 
Carpodacus purpureus californicus. The purple finch takes the place, to some extent, of the 
house finch here during the winter months, and this year is more common than usual. I have 
never found the purple finch breeding here, tho it is reported at Colfax in summer. 
Carpodacus cassini. Cassin Purple Finch. Not often noted here; but common during two 
weeks of cold weather in December, 1908. 
Loxia curvirostra bendirei. I took my first crossbill at this elevation (1750 feet) December 
16, during a severe snowstorm. A flock of six was noted. 
Chondestes grammactis strigatus. Western Lark .Sparrow. Feb. 15, I noted a flock of seven 
of these birds, the earliest spring record I have. 
Ixoreus ncevius meruloides. The Varied Thrush and Sierra Junco ( J. h. thurberi) are 
unusually numerous this winter. The thrush is all over our hills, while commonly restricted to 
small numbers in the deeper canyons. 
Merula migratoria propinqua. Western Robin. Only two or three seen up to January; later 
they have become more common, tho far below their usual numbers. — E. Adams, Clipper Gap, 
Placer County, California. 
Behavior of a Young Rivoli Hummingbird. — During the early part of July, 1908, three 
young relatives of mine, while camped in Ramsey Canyon, of the Huachuca Mountains, Arizona, 
had an interesting experience with a young Rivoli Hummingbird ( Eugenes fulgens) and its 
mother. 
After a heavy rain one afternoon, they noticed a large hummingbird flying about as tho 
much excited and on investigating found a half fledged and half drowned young one lying on the 
ground near the creek. 
One of the girls picked it up and warmed it in her hands. It soon revived and was fed with 
honey on the end of a toothpick. The honey was pushed well down its throat and was 
evidently quite appreciated. To make it open its bill they would tickle it on the corner of 
