Page:Condor10(3).djvu/27

 May, 1908 NOTES FROM SANTA CRUZ ISLAND 125 are perhaps 40,000 sheep on the island, a few cattle, immense barley fields and grape vineyards, several ranches, a large winery, and some 100 men employed dur- ing the harvesting season. It was with the kind permission of Mr. Fred M. Caire, owner of the island, that I was enabled to carry on the observations herein chronicled. Our first camp was on the southern coast at Cochas Pietres (Hog Harbor ?). The tiny streams in the wide canyons here were lined with an abundant growth of willows and wild blackberry vines. The hills, sloping gradually to the higher range, were covered with holly, manzanita, iron wood and wild cherry, with here and there an oak, and, of course, cacti in abundance. We remained here until November 30, Mr. Willett then leaving for Los Angeles, via boat to Santa Bar- bara. Our second camp was made at Northwest Harbor. This is the desert portion of the island and is bordered by a rocky, precipitous coast. Ten days were spent here before we could round the north end of the island, owing to severe storms. Our last camp was among the pines near Prisoners' Harbor, northeast coast. Here we found the Santa Cruz pines, oaks, holly, manzanita, ironwood, cherry, etc., in superabundance. The highest altitude is in this vicinity, about 2800 feet. Deep inaccessible gorges and impenetrable thickets were encountered. In the lim- ited time at my disposal I could only commence work here and hope to return soon to continue the work planned. Mr. Grinnell has kindly examined many of the specimens secured and identi- fied many of the, to me, doubtful ones. Colymbus californicus. American Eared Grebe. One specimen secured by Mr. Willett in November. Gayla pacifica. Pacific Loon. Abundant in migration; several specimens taken. Cerorhinca monocerata. Rhinoceros Auklet. Mr. Willett and I secured speci- mens along the southern coast in November. In December I secured several at Northwest and Prisoners' Harbors. Those observed were not especially shy and were easily approached by boat, tho of course diving often and sometimes leading us a merry chase. We were unable to flush one from the water. They were, how- ever, sometimes seen on the wing, passing up and down the coast. One was seen in the bay at Santa Barbara, within a few feet of a fisherman at work. Craws ex- amined contained freshly caught sardines, 3 to 4 inches long; stomach contents: meat and bones of small fish. Ptychoramphus aleuticus. Cassin Auklet. Common about Anacapa Island, and in the channel between Anacapa and Santa Cruz. Several were taken along south coast, and noted at other points. Synthliboramphus anfiquus. Ancient Murrelet. I secured two specimens near shore at Prisoners', December 17 and 18. This, I believe, is the southern- most record for this species, Mr. Loomis having taken them at Monterey. Brachyramphus hypoleucus. Xantus Murrelet. One taken by Mr. Willett about one mile out from Cochas Pietres. Cepphus columba. Pigeon Guillemot. Reported breeding in Painted Cave, northwest coast, by a fisherman. Larus occidentalis. Western Gull. Very common. Larus heermanni. Heerman Gull. Very common. Principal food consisted of shrimps secured in the kelp fields near shore. November and December many birds were just changing from "winter" to "summer" plumage, the heads being mixed.white and dark grayish.