54 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XVI 
the brush and rocks of the steep hillside. They were still unable to fly more than 
a short distance, but were safe from further handling on account of their large, 
sharp claws, and their ability to fly and scramble over the rough surface faster 
than one could easily follow. 
This pair of birds did considerable flying about and hunting on cloudy days. 
Their hearing was extremely good and their sight in the daytime was much bet- 
ter than I expected. An accurate account of food found in the nest at the time 
of the various visits gives us the following: parts of two brush rabbits, three 
wood rats, and five pocket rats. On only one occasion was there any indication 
of these owls feeding upon other birds, that being a small bunch of quail feathers 
at the base of the cliff, and I am sure that birds form but a very small percent- 
age of their food. Otherwise we would undoubtedly have found some evidence 
in the line of feathers in or around the nest. 
From all my observations of this pair of birds, extending over a long series 
of years, I would say that they were far more a benefit to the farmer and or- 
chardist than a menace, in spite of the unfavorable reputation this species gen- 
erally bears. 
Escondido, California, December 26, IQIS- 
DESTRUCTION OF BIRDS IN CALIFORNIA BY FUMIGATION 
OF TREES 
By A. BRAZIER HOWEEL 
F ew people realize, I imagine, to what a great extent certain passerine birds 
are destroyed by the fumigation of citrus trees in California. Probably 
more birds of this group are killed each year in the state by this, than l>y any 
other agency of human operation. From time to time articles have appeared 
registering a protest against the use of poisons in sprays because a few birds 
have been killed by eating the fruit or insects with which the poison has come in 
contact, but no one seems to have pointed in print to the destruction caused by 
fumigation practice. 
For those not familiar with the sight, it is necessary to explain that in order 
to kill the black scale, the greatest and most widespread citrus pest that we have, 
the trees are treated wiih hydrocyanic acid gas. As a covering to confine the 
gas the sheet tent is the type most often used. To one end of a long light pole 
is pennanently tied a rope, and here is affixed a corner of the tent. Two men 
working in unison and each with such a pole, brace the free end with their feet 
and pulling hard on the rope, hoist the tent sailing over the tree in but a few 
seconds, hardly touching it during the process. Beneath the tent is then placed a 
jug containing a mixture of water, sulphuric acid and potassium cyanide, and by 
this is generated the deadly gas. The whole outfit is allowed to remain m posi- 
tion for forty or fifty minutes. This is done only between sunset and sunrise 
because if attempted in the daytime, certain burning of the fruit and foliage 
would result. Fumigation is carried on from August until January. As the 
tree is not disturbed in any way until the tent falls in place, any bird roosting 
therein is sure to be killed. 
The exact location of a grove has much to do with the numbers of birds 
