272 Dr. E. Coues.— From Arizona to the Pacific. 
after that come L. californicus and L. smithsonianus. The latter, 
first brought, I believe, from the Pacific coast by the United 
States’ Exploring Expedition under Commodore Wilkes, is now- 
recognized as a regular inhabitant of that region. Blasipus 
heermanni was common, as usual assiduously devoted in his 
attentions to the Pelicans. 
Connecting the Gulls with the Terns, came the little Chroi- 
cocephalus Philadelphia , everywhere so abundant, and here one 
of the most common of the longipennines. Terns of several 
species were dashing about over our heads; I could identify 
positively only Thalasseus regius. But I think I also saw Sterna 
acuflavida , which has not, to my knowledge, been as yet recorded 
from the Pacific coast of North America, though Mr. Salvin has 
it from Pacific Central America. A small Tern, not very com¬ 
mon, was in all probability S. forsteri ; and here I must make 
the passing remark that the more I see of the immature stages 
of this changeable species, the more thoroughly I am convinced 
that Sterna havelli is not a valid species. 
Our generally received impression regarding the Loons and 
Grebes is that they are exceedingly difficult to shoot, in conse¬ 
quence of their wariness joined to unparalleled powers of rapid 
diving. Now this depends, I think, altogether upon the extent 
to which they are annoyed and persecuted. The tamest Ducks, 
or even Coots, could not be more unwatchful and unsuspicious 
than were the Loons and Grebes here at San Pedro bay. As 
our boat sailed along they would rarely move off before giving 
me a fair shot; and I almost invariably killed my bird, since 
they did not dive so quickly as to avoid the shot. And about 
the wharf, and among the boats moored near it, they swam as 
unconcernedly as tame Ducks. I remember once when I could 
have struck a Colymbus pacificus with a boat-hook. And leaning- 
over the taffrail of some vessel, with several of these Loons 
quietly disporting in the water below me, I felt that indeed I 
was a favoured ornithologist; for how many of my brethren 
have been able to study Loons in their native wilds, only a few 
feet from the eye, and to note every motion, when in, or on, or 
over the water ? Their appearance when returning to the surface 
after a long dive is peculiar; and really they look more like fish 
