Arizona Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis superbus). On May 8, 1922, at Red Rock, Grant County, New Mexico, these Cardinals were abundant, at least a dozen being seen, and a pair taken. The Gila River comes out of a tight "box" just northeast of Red Rock, and at that point their distribution up the river seems to end.
White-winged Dove (Melopelia asiatica). At Red Rock on the same date as above. I took a male of this species. Ranchmen told me that these birds had appeared in this locality in the spring of the previous year (1921), but that they had never been noticed before that time.—R. T. Kellogg, Silver City, New Mexico, July 13, 1922.
Birds Eating Snails.—In connection with the survey of infested areas and subsequent clean-up of the European snail, Helix pisana, at La Jolla, it is interesting to note that two birds have been observed by the writer as feeding on this mollusk.
The infested territory was burned over about three years ago and at that time enormous numbers of snails were killed, a very strong odor of burning flesh being apparent. Immediately thereafter flocks of sea gulls came in and feasted on the roasted snails; but, although outside of the burned area many live snails were in evidence on low bushes and shrubs, no gulls were observed to feed on them.
Another infestation of this snail at La Jolla has now occurred, and while making a survey of the district last week with Mr. A. J. Basinger of the Pest Control Division of the State Department of Agriculture, I noted a male English Sparrow busily engaged in feeding on young live snails clustered on a small dead Monterey cypress tree. At this stage the shells are, of course, soft and easily broken. The English Sparrow has long been regarded as an undesirable immigrant, but it would seem that it has scored a point in its own favor if it is to be regarded as an enemy of this destructive snail.—R. R. McLean, County Horticultural Commissioner, San Diego, July 26, 1922.
The Snowy Egret in Los Angeles County, California.—While studying shorebirds at Playa del Rey, September 25, 1922, Mesdames C. H. Hall, A.. J. Mix, and F. T. Bicknell, members of the Los Angeles Audubon Society, were fortunate in having a close and unobstructed view of a Snowy Egret (Egretta candidissima candidissima). It was on a sand bar in the lagoon in company with a small flock of Western Gulls. Mrs. Hall was the first to sight the bird.
Standing in a semi-meditative attitude among the Gulls, not over two hundred feet from shore, the Egret offered a perfect opportunity for study. With field glasses as aids, though not a necessity, its pure white plumage, size, movements, graceful poses and other identification marks were carefully noted. We also observed the uplifting of one slender black leg, the opening and closing of the yellow toes, the stretching of the beautiful white wing, the opening of the long slender ebony bill with its yellow base, and the sleepy blinking of the eyes which enhanced the yellow of the iris. An occasional light puff of the sea-breeze raised and ruffled the snowy feathers on the bird's head and back, giving a momentary semi-nuptial plumage effect.
The encroaching waters of the incoming tide moistened the sand under the Egret's feet, which it resented by moving a few paces nearer the indifferent Gulls. For fully twenty minutes we studied this beautiful and rare bird, when suddenly, alone and without warning, it took flight above the lagoon and disappeared among the sloughs of the adjoining marsh lands.
The larger, American Egret (Herodias egretta) is a regular winter visitant on the San Pedro tide lands and Seal Beach salt marshes and is often studied by the Audubon members. Reporting the event to Mr. L. E. Wyman, Ornithologist at the Los Angeles Museum, he suggested, since the Snowy Egret has so few records in this vicinity, that it was well worth mentioning.—Mrs. F. T. Bicknell, Los Angeles, California, October 2, 1922.
Perching Pelicans.—Three times in the past three years I have seen individuals of the California Brown Pelican (Pelecanus californicus) perch on the wire stretched just above the top of the rail of our pier. This wire is about ⅛ inch in diameter and it is stretched fairly taut, being supported at intervals of about ten feet by upright spikes so that its height above the pier rail is about four inches.
At 7:52 a. m. on September 19, 1922, while working at the end of the pier I noticed a Brown Pelican alight on the rail about one hundred feet away. I quickly took
