74 
VOL. XII 
A GLIMPSE OF BIRD LIFE ON THE WEST COAST OF MEXICO 
By CHESTER LAMB 
O N MARCH 27, 1909, the writer was one of a party of three that embarkt 
from San Diego on a little wind-jammer, bound for San Bias, Territory of 
Tepic, Mexico, some 1200 miles southeast of Los Angeles. On account of 
some misunderstanding about our quarters we were compelled to share them with 
two cows and a dozen chickens, which, as some of us were suffering from mal-de- 
mer at first, was not very pleasant. Just at dusk we passed the Coronado Islands, 
the northernmost known breeding place of the Xantus Murrelet, ( Brachyramphus 
hypoleucus) and the recipient of an occasional visit from the Frazar Oyster-catcher 
( Hanna/opus frazari) . 
The first few days out Western Gulls ( Lams occidentalis ) and two or three 
Black-footed Albatross ( Diomcdea nigripes) were following in our wake, but on 
the 31st, just off Magdalena Bay, our last gull left us, and we did not see another till 
we reaclit San Bias, and then only three or four individuals. We saw the last 
albatross just before we past Cape St. Lucas. Before we reacht the Cape, 
Cassin Auklets ( Ptychoramphus aleuticus) , Black Petrels ( Oceanodroma melania) 
Least Petrels ( Halocyptena microsoma) , shearwaters and a few migrating shore 
birds going north, were frequently observed. We did not make acquaintance with 
the Irrigate Bird ( Fregata aquila) till the day after we past the Cape; from then 
on our hopes were high that we would become acquainted with many birds new to 
us, and we were not disappointed, altho we met many of our California friends 
as well. 
On April 4, while about seventy-five miles from the Tres Marias Islands a 
couple of Red-billed Tropic Birds (Phaethon aethereus) flew slowly over us, the 
only ones 1 saw on the expedition. The next day Blue-footed Boobies (Sul a 
nel/ouxi) could be seen on all sides busily fishing. They fish much like a tern, 
plunging from a great height head first into the water. Brewster Boobies (S/iIa 
brewsteri) were not plentiful but those seen evinced considerable interest in us, 
flying about the ship and trying to alight in the rigging. M}^ first impression of 
them was of their awkwardness in alighting. One finally managed to perch on the 
forecastle. After carefully photographing him we thought we would see how close 
we could get to him without his flying, and were indeed surprised when he allowed 
us to pick him up. He could not rise from the deck but after hopping around for 
awhile finally succeeded in climbing upon the railing, where he sat for awhile before 
he flew away. 
On the tenth day out we reacht San Bias, and, landing at just about dusk, 
our ears were greeted with a terrible din and some melody, as if we were in an 
enormous aviary. After investigating we found the source to be great numbers of 
Colima Boat-tails ( Megaquiscalus major obscurus) and Mexican Crows (Corvus 
mexicanus) . The Boat-tails were present in great numbers and it seemed as if 
they were all trying to use the same tree to roost in. They are very bold and cause 
considerable annnoyance by coming into the houses and carrying off food. The 
Crows are much smaller than ours and have quite a pleasant and peculiar call. 
The next most conspicuous birds are the Black Vultures, (Catharista urubii ) with 
an occasional Turkey Vulture, (Cathartes aura) flying around, tho they do not in- 
fest the market places as I have seen them in Acapulco, several hundred miles farther 
south. On April 7 I found a young Black Vulture about two days old, in a ruined 
stone building near the town. After the vultures in noise if not in numbers are the 
