Land=Birds Observed on San Nicolas Island. 
San Nicolas is the most remote of the Santa Barbara group, be^ 
ing oyer sixty miles from the nearest point of the mainland, Santa 
Barbara Island is nearest it, being twenty^eight miles distant. San 
Nicolas Island is seven miles long and three miles wide. The central 
portion consists of a broad plateau or mesa about 800 feet above sea 
level. This mesa drops abruptly on all sides, leaving a broad interval 
between its base and the beach* The west end of the island is scarcely 
more than a huge sand dune, with no vegetation whatever. The 
summit mesa is sparingly covered with grass, which supports a herd of 
sheep. Around the lower part of the island is an occasional small 
thorny bush, with scattering clumps of cactus and a few other plants. 
There are a few alkaline springs in the largest of the ravines which 
cut down from the mesa above. This is the most barren island of the 
group and consequently possesses the least animal life. Our visit ex* 
tended from May 19 until May 26. We camped at the east end, near 
the old ranch house, where there was a cistern of rain water. 
1. Zenaidura macroura —Mourning Dove. 
About a dozen doves were noted on this island; they were 
mostly on the east end. A single specimen, an adult female was 
secured. It is vety much darker than any specimen I have seen 
from the mainland. 
2. Haliceetus leucocephalus —Bald Eagle. 
Seen on several occasions along the southeast side of the island. 
8. Pctndion haliaetus carolinensis —^American Osprey. 
Tolerably common. 
4. Aeronautes melanoleucus —White-throated Swift. 
On May 25, I saw a single bird of this species flying in circles 
along the beach at the east end. It was shot, but fell into the 
surf and was lost. 
