Page:Condor17(3).djvu/25

 May, 1915 FKOM FIELD AND STUDY 131 A Remarkable Flight of Sparrow Hawks.--While travelling north on the Santa Fe Railway above Albuquerque, New Mexico, along the Rio Grande River, in the late after- noon of September 13, 1914, an enormous flight of Western Sparrow Hawks (Falco spar- vcrius phalocna) was passed. Thousands sailed by in a continuous stream, all working leisurely south, often a hundred or more in sight from the car window at one time. Indi- viduals frequently alighted on convenient trees and telegraph poles, and all seemed on the lookout for food. The flight seemed to be confined to the vicinity of the river and its adjacent'thickets of rank weeds and willows interspersed with stretches of green meadow and alfalfa. A very few larger hawks were seen, but whether migrating with the Sparrow Hawks, or not, could not be determined. Of these, a Prairie Falcon, a dark Swainson Hawk, and a male Marsh Hawk were identified. As no specimens were taken it is probably presuming to state positively that these were the Western variety. Why shouldn't they be Eastern, or even both Eastern and Western, drawn together from a vast expanse of barren territory along the converging tributaries of the Rio Grande River, and held in a concentrated flight by the grasshop- pers and mice so abundant in this oasis strip? Travelling south along the Rio Grande river on the morning of September 15th, two days later, in the vicinity of Rincon, New Mexico, some two hundred miles farther south, not a trace. of this flight was left. Or had the birds not yet arrived?--J. EUGENE Lxw, Hollywood, California. Black-and-White Warbler at Berkeley, California.--March 18, 1915, a female Black- and-White Warbler (Mniotilta varia) was noted in a large live oak tree on the lower part of the University of California campus. When first seen, against a strong light, its colors could not be made out, but its actions resembled those of a creeper. Later it was seen under more favorable conditions. The strikingly contrasted black and white strip- ing on the upper surface and the unmarked under parts (indicative of the female), the zigzag hopping movement along the larger limbs and short circling flights were all then clearly noted. Compared with other warblers occurring on the campus it seems to spend more of its time on the under surface of large limbs. A faint call note was the only sound heard. Mr. A. C. Shelton and Mr. E. P. Rankin were present at the time the bird was seen and we all immediately repaired to the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology and verified the identification by examining skins of this and other species To my knowl- edge this is the fifth record of the species for California.--TRxcY I. STORr, R, Berkeley, Calilornia. Early Spring Notes from West-Central California.--The following are some data picked up this spring (1915) at odd moments during my regular work along rat]road lines. February 19. On train along south shore of San Pablo Bay from Oakland to Port Costa. Estimated number of ducks seen feeding close to shore, 5920. About 90 per cent of these appeared to be Canvas-backs, the remaining 10 per cent Blue-bills. This estimate did not include the thousands lying out on the bay, but only those close to shore. March 18. A little east of Altamont, Alameda County. Nest of California Shrike in eucalyptus at deserted farm; placed ab6ut seven 'feet above the ground upon the main trunk, which had been cut off, and between the surrounding aftergrowth; contained six young about one week old. March 31. Eliot Gravel Pit, near Pleasanton, Alameda County. A nest of the Mourning Dove built on the steeply sloping gravel surface of the steam shovel cut; sit- uation notably exposed; contained two eggs about to hatch. On same day saw a pair of Yellow-headed Blackbirds in vicinity of a railroad barrow-pit filled with water. April 7. Cayley, near Altamont pass, Alameda County. Young California Horned Larks barely able to fly, indicating an early date of nesting. April 8. Altamont, Alameda County. Nest of Mourning Dove on the ground, con- taining two incubated eggs.--L. P. BOLANDE,