Nov., 1913 
FROM FIFJ.D AND STUDY 
227 
Nesting of the Band-tailed Pigeon. — On August 11, 1913, while on a fishing trip to 
Bear Creek, the stream that empties out of Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Moun- 
tains, I accidentally discovered a nest of the Band-tailed Pigeon (Columba fasciata fas- 
ciafa). The bird was flushed from the nest which was found to contain one nearly fresh 
egg. I waited for some time hut the bird did not return to her nest. The nest was situated 
about ten feet up in a small oak tree, growing among" pines on a very rugged mountain side 
at probably 5,000 feet altitude. The nest was a very flimsy affair, similar to the nest of the 
Mourning Dove but a trifle larger, and v/as composed of dry oak twigs. As this date of 
nesting seemed to me to be unusual I thought it of especial interest. The egg was collected 
and is now in my possession. 
On this trip I only noted two other individuals of this species, one near the mouth of 
the Santa Ana Canyon and the other at the In-take in the same canyon. 
During the summer of 1912 these birds were very common at Glenn Ranch Resort, 
Lytle Creek Canyon, San Gabriel Mountains, elevation about 3,500 feet. They were most 
common during August and the early part of September and were found feeding on the eld- 
er and coffee berries. This summer the birds were there only in limited numbers, although 
the feed was apparently more plentiful than in 1912. — Wright M. Pierce, Claremont, Cali- 
fornia. 
Late Nesting of Certain Birds in Arizona. — I believe we collectors of eggs are in- 
clined to stop active field work too early in the season, and thereby we miss a good many 
interesting and valuable finds. Last year I noted in the columns of The Condor several 
late nestings and have several more to report for the season of 1913. My work this year 
has kept me in the Huachuca Mountains since the middle of July and I have made the fol- 
lowing “finds” : 
Mearns Quail (Cyrtonyx inontc.ztimac mcarnsi) were found nesting regularly during 
August. Several nests were shown to me by Mexicans. Fresh eggs were found as late as 
August 22, when I collected a set of eleven. Newly hatched young were found August 17, 
when a nest was visited which the preceding day held thirteen eggs. About 8:30 A. m. 
on the 17th we made a very careful approach and were rewarded by a beautiful sight. The 
male sat in the entrance of the nest with his head ducked down, while from between one 
wing and his back a little striped head protruded. Stooping I looked into the nest and 
there sat the female with one small chick on her back and a row of them poking their heads 
out all around her. This picture lasted but a moment for both parents fluttered away and 
the young crawled off into the grass and among the rocks. They were too small to walk, 
but crawled along with their chins on the ground. In a few moments they were well hid- 
den and the nest held but the remains of thirteen broken egg shells. The last nest with 
eggs was found September 5 and held seven eggs on the point of hatching. 
Another species nesting regularly during August vcas the Scott Sparrow (Aimophila 
ntfi.ccps scolti). The last set was taken .'\ugust 15 and the eggs were nearly fresh. A set of 
three Arizona Hooded Oriole (Icterus cuciillatiis nelsoni) was taken July 29. Incubation 
had proceeded about one-half. On September 2 a set of seventeen Scaled Quail (Calh.pepla 
squamata) was brought to me with eggs in varying stages of incubation, from about 
fresh up to some far advanced. As these were laid during a rainy period I am inclined to 
think that the bird began to sit as soon as the first few eggs were laid, which would account 
for the great variation in incuhation. 
On August 25 I noted a family of three Arizona Jays (Apheloconia sicberi arizonae) 
as yet unable to fly. April is the regular month for the nesting of this species. On July 4, 
while looking for Sulphur-bellied Flycatchers’ nests, I found a set of four almost fresh eg.gs 
of the Ant-eating Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus fonmcivorus). Other nests of this 
species held young large enough to fly, or had already been deserted by the young. On 
August 11, I collected a set of three eggs of the Canyon Towhee (Pipilo fusciis mesoleucus) 
with incubation well begun. I have taken this species as late as October, however. 
The late nesting of the Mearns Quail and Scott Sparrow may be accounted for by the 
fact that our rainy season begins about July 10, and the weed and grass seeds become more 
plentiful thereafter. Mearns Quail shot in September had pieces of acorn kernels in their 
crops. The late nests of the other species must be considered as individual eccentricities. 
Frank C. Wieeard, Tombstone, Arizona. 
The Sabine Gull in the Santa Barbara Channel. — On August 11, 1912, I saw a flock 
of eight or ten Sabine Gulls (Xenia sabini) in the Santa Barbara Channel, about, ten miles 
from Santa Cruz Island. On August 1, 1913, I saw another flock between Santa Cruz 
Island and Santa Barbara ; and again on August 4 and 7 a flock was sighted. On the last 
