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 May, i9oi I THE CO11DOR 79 singing; as any near approach would not only mean the cessation of the song, but the disappearance of the birds into the bushes. At last, however, perseverance con- quered, and on two or three occasions I managed, with the aid of good field glasses, to discover the individual and to identify it with absolute certainty. This song only seems to be given in cer- tain states of the weather, notably be- fore or after a rain, and is repeated again and again, often being taken up by other birds of' the same species with- in call. People living in country towns often call this the rain-bird, and have asked me what bird it was that made these sounds. They were familiar with the song and associated it with rain, but had never discovered the author of it. JOSEPH MAILLIARD. San Geronimo, ,,hrarin Co., Cal. In reply 'to Mr. Belding's query in the March CONDOR (p. 44) concerning the song of Zonolrichia coronala in Cali: fornia, I would state that the species sings regularly and frequently about Palo Alto. This spring I have noticed the song particularly, and on April 4 Mr. Barlow and myself heard the char- acteristic notes at Sargent, Santa Clara Co. Mr. Grinnell tells me the song is indistinguishable from that used during the breeding season in the Kowak Val- ley, Alaska. The bird says, it is sug- gested, "Oh dear--me!" W. K. FISHER. StanJbrd University, Cal. The captive Californian Condor owned by Frank H. Holmes of Berryessa, Cal. and known familiafly as 'Ben Butler' died recently from some undetermined cause. This condor had been in captivity for several years, having been secured when a nestling, and many Coast ornithologists had journeyed to Mr. Holmes' aviary at various times to watch the great bird, which captivity had subdued into a confiding pet. Summer School of Zoology at I'acific Grove. The tenth session of the Hopkins Seaside Laboratory will begin Monday, June xo, at Pacific Grove, Cal, the course of instruction continuing six weeks and closing July 20. The following courses will be offered during the term: x. A Course in General Zoology by Prof. Geo. C. Price of Stanford University; 2. An Elementary Course in Botany by Prof. Geo. J, Pierce; 3. An Advanced Course on the Structure and Physiology of the Algae by Prof, Pierce; 4. A Course in Embryology by Prof. Price; 5- A Course in Comparative Morpho- logy and Histology of the Nervous System and Sense Organs by Prof. Frank M. McFar- land; 6. An Adwnced Course in Zoology by Prof. McFarland; 7. General Ornithology by Joseph Grinnell. Ornithologist of the coast will be particularly interested in the last-named course, and the an- nouncement that Mr. Grinnell will act as iu- structor carries with it the assurance that orni- thology will be presented i.n its most interest- ing phases, together with a keen appreciation of its salient points, such as has always char- acterized Mr. Grinnell's work. Laboratory work will consist of practice in the identification of specimens and preparation of study-skins; study of plumage structures; and disseqtions to demonstrate the gross anatomy of a typical bird. Field excursions will be undertaken to ac- quaintstudents with the notes atd habits of the more common California species. Lec- tures will be given on distribution, migratiofi, moult classification, and economic relations of birds. The endeavor will thus be to conduct a practical course of especial value to teachers in Nature Study. Pacific Grove is a seroside resort on the southen shore of Monterey Bay, two miles west of Monterey. It is reached by the Coast Division of the Southern Pacific Railway, and is about four hours distant from San Francisco. The coast line at this point offers every variety of rocky and sandy shores, and the variety and abundance of marine life is exceptionally great. The Laboratory is lo- cated on a low bluff immediately overlooking the beach. In its immediate vicinity are ex- ceptionally fine collecting grounds. We earnestly commend the course to Club members, as well as others interested in gener- al zoology. Wm. Steinbeck and A. W. Johnson on an outing into San Benito County during March, collected an interesting series of eggs of the Goldeu Eagle, their take consisting of  and 6-2.