I, 
4 
species. The size, flight pattern, and contrasting upper and lower body 
colors were noted, but the bird was not seen close enough to be sure. 
Black Petrel Loomelania melania 8 
Five of the birds were seen at sea on two different days. The remain¬ 
ing were seen on 5 May just off the Coronado Islands where they breed. 
Leach Storm Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa 12 
Subspecific identification of 0. leucorhoa is perplexing if not impos¬ 
sible. There are definitely three subspecies (0. 1. beali, chapmani , 
soccorroensis ) which breed in the area and are found at sea. There are an 
additional two subspecies (0. 1. willetii and kaedingi ) occurring in the 
area — the subspecific status of which has not been resolved. The nominate 
race may also occur here at times. 
Five birds were definitely identified as being of this species. All 
of these had little or no white on the rump. An additional eight birds 
were seen and recorded only as storm petrel sp. It' is probable they are of 
this species but I am not familiar with the Ashy Petrel ( Oceanodroma 
homochora ) which breeds in the Coronados and north and some of the sightings 
may possibly belong to this species. 
Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus 1 
The Red-billed Tropicbird was seen on 24 April at 29°30'N, 117°l8 ! W. 
This bird flew around the ship for some time giving several people a very 
good look at it. At sunset another tropicbird was seen. The bird was over 
a mile away but as we were still in the same area it is probable that it 
was the same bird. 
Cormorants sp. Phalacrocorax sp. 
One bird was seen on 5 May off the Coronado Islands. 
Glaucous-winged Gull Larus glaucescens 1 
One bird was seen on 20 April at approximately 31°50 ! R, 117°49 I W. 
Western Gull Larus occidentalis 441 
Western Gulls were seen most days while at sea. All birds present in 
the area at this time appear to belong to L. o. wymani . 
Sabine Gull Xema sabini 22 
This small arctic breeder was in migration through the area during the 
entire period of the survey. All birds seen were flying in a northerly 
direction and low to the water. One exception was a group of five birds 
which flew to several hundred feet above the water and swirled for several 
minutes. These birds then returned to just above the surface and continued 
north. 
i 
