184 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XV 
A Correction — A female duck taken by the writer at Colnett, Lower California, April 
8, 1912, and recorded as Chatilelasmus strepems (Condor xv, 1913, p. 21), was wrongly 
identified, being in reality a Baldpate (Mareca aviericana). — G. WmLETT. 
A Note on the Plumage of the Linnet. — While looking up fruit prospects near Ma- 
dera, California, April 9, 1913, I noticed a male Linnet (Carpodacns mexicanus frontalis) 
in a large cage hanging under the porch of a farm dwelling. The brilliant yellow color of 
the head, throat and rump at once attracted my attention, it being only the second yellow 
linnet that I had seen in thirteen years observation in the San Joaquin Valley. 
Inquiry of the owner elicited the information that he had taken the bird from a nest 
in his orchard sixteen years ago, feeding it by hand for the first week or two. It was 
also stated positively that in the first adult plumage assumed by this linnet the colored areas 
were uniformly yellow, and at no time since had there been a trace of red feathering. Each 
spring the yellow coloring becomes very pronounced, but appears to gradually fade out as 
summer advances. This bird has recently become blind but appears to be in perfect health. — 
John G. Tyder. 
A Winter Home of the Anna Hummingbird. — I often wonder why so many of 
us neglect to send in notes which we must realize are of particular interest to others. In the 
May number of The Condor, I note the enthusiasm Mrs. Charlotte M. Wilder shows upon 
noting the appearance almost daily, of an Anna Hummingbird in her garden at Ferndale, 
Humboldt County, California. 
This beautiful hummer is a regular winter resident in Humboldt County. Its first 
appearance is about the 20th of August. From that date on until February or March the 
Anna Hummingbird (Calyptc anna) can be seen about various flower gardens, hovering 
over the brighter flowers or sitting at rest under the leaves of a bush in the shade, very 
seldom in the sunshine. 
On September 8, 1910, I took from the lower branches of a mock orange bush in 
Eureka a specimen of the Anna Hummingbird. It was an adult, and dissection proved it 
to be a male bird. Several days after, another of tliese birds took up residence in the 
garden, remaining through the winter. 
Seldom have I seen two of these birds remain in the same garden at one time. The 
Allen Hummingbird (Selasphonis alleni) can usually be seen about the same flowers in 
close proximity with C. anna. — C. I. Clay. 
Some 1913 Spring Notes from the Bitter Root Valley, Montana. — Sialia sialis. 
Eastern Bluebird. On March 10, this spring, I saw an Eastern Bluebird feeding with a 
flock of Mountain Bluebirds. Being familiar with the former species in Minnesota I could 
not have been mistaken in the identity as it was closely observed for some time. 
Pisobia bairdi. Baird Sandpiper. On May 18 I saw two Baird Sandpipers close to a 
slough. This is my only spring record for Montana, though they are common in fall. 
Steganopus tricolor. Wilson Phalarope. On June 7 I collected an adult female of 
this species. This is the only record for the valley as far as I know. — Bernard BailEy. 
The White-tailed Kite near Palo Alto. — On March 17, 1912, 1 observed a pair of 
White-tailed Kites (Elanns ieiicurus) at “Ravenswood,” a place about three miles north- 
west of Palo Alto. These birds circled around several times and did not seem at all wild. 
They uttered their peculiar cry continuously. About two weeks later I noticed a kite about 
a mile from this spot. The bird was on a post in the middle of a marsh and was very shy. 
On April 2, 1913, I noticed a White-tailed Kite about twenty miles north of Santa 
Barbara. This bird was fairly tame. — Howard W. Wright. 
Nighthawk Drinking. — While standing near a water trough last night (August 25, 
1913), a Texas Nighthawk (Cliordeiles aentipennis texensis) came and drank like a bat. 
Dusk was just beginning to come on and as near as I could see, the nighthawk just dipped 
its lower mandible in the water as it passed, rippling the surface of the water a little. In 
two or three minutes it, or another individual of the same species, came and drank as be- 
before. — Frank Stephens, Julian, San Diego County, California. 
