in the more arid interior of British Columbia and Northwest Territory, where the species has been found on the headwaters of the Yukon in July. Parallels seem to be afforded in the cases of Ixoreus n. nævius and I. n. meruloides, Melospiza l. striata and M. I. lincolni, and Regulus c. grinnelli and R. c. calendula. The differences in wing and tail lengths are not due to wear, for the spring birds show the most wear and yet exhibit the greatest measurements. Nineteen males of the Townsend warbler from the Santa Cruz District average: wing 2.57 in. (65 mm.); tail 2.x 9 in. (55.6 ram.); the 7th primary longest (7-8-9-6-5-4-3-2-I), counting the innermost as the first as recently recommended by Ridgway[1]. Forty males from Pasadena average: wing 2.64 in. (67 min.), tail 2.23 in. (56.6 mm.); the 8th primary largest (8-7-9-6, etc.).[2]
Mr. Wells W. Cooke in his recent account of the "Distribution and Migration of North American Warblers"[3] has the following to say of Dendroica townsendi: "The Townsend warbler is one of the widest ranging of the western warblers, breeding from the mountains of southern California north to Sitka, Alaska, [etc] * * ? A few sometimes winter as far norlh as southern California." [Italics mine.] I hope that I may not be judged over-critical if I venture the assertion that both of these statements are decidedly misleading. One would infer that the species is well known as a regular breeder in the "mountains of southern California"; whereas we know of not one authentic instance of the species nesting anywhere within the State! Of course it is possible there remains nnrecorded some instance known to Mr. Cooke; but this, if true, could reasonably be considered exceptional, judging from the comparative thoroughness with which the "mountains of southern California" have been explored ornithologically within the past few years. Again, that a few individuals sometimes winter in southern California, is quite true, but it gives no hint of the fact that the Townsend warbler winters regularly in the Santa. Cruz District of central California in such numbers as to be considered common! Recourse to readily-available literature would have disclosed a series of records beginning in 1879.[4]—Joseph Grinnell.
Rufous-crowned Sparrow near Stanford University.—During the week from August 29 to September 4, I9O4, I was camped in a ravine among the hills opposite Hidden Villa, which is on an old ranch near the base of Black Mountain, Santa Clara County, and about six miles from Stanford University. Here I heard the peculiar notes of the rufous-crowned sparrow phila ruficeps) almost daily, and saw several of the birds. On August 3 I procured a specimen, which is No. 5965 of my collection. The species was noted only on a southern hillside covered with a low growth of greasewood brush (Adenostoma). In this same place the Bell sparrow and dusky poor-will were also common.—Joseph Grinnell.
Aerial Battle of Red-tailed Hawks, Buteo borealis calurtts.—On December 8th, 1904, Rev. Thomas J. Wood of this place whilst feeding his chickens heard a loud, shrill sound overhead. On looking up he saw two large hawks fighting fiercely. Continuing to watch them he saw they were in some way fastened together and, going about in circles, were gradually nearing the ground. In a few minutes they dropped within a few feet of where he stood. As they struck the ground they become separated, but being somewhat exhausted from their struggle did not take immediate flight or attempt to until Mr. Wood started towards them when one started but was easily overtaken and fearlessly grasped by the neck by Mr. Wood who turning quickly, caught the other in a like manner. He brought and kindly presented them to me. They were the western red-tail (Buteo borealis calurus) in the intermediate plumage and both males. Their skins are now in my ColIection.—Heny W. Marsden, Witch Creek, Cal.
Colapres auratus luteus in Los Angeles County, Cal.—A female specimen of Colaptes auralus luteus has lately come into my possession. It was taken near Alhambra, Nov. 4, 1904, by A. Williamson of this city, and so far as I have been able to obtain information is the second record for Los Angeles County. Our other record is of an adult male specimen taken in the same locality, Feb. 7, 189O, by E. C. Thurber.—C. H. Richardson, Jr., Pasadena, Cal.
Double Nest of Arkansas Kingbird.—During the past summer I made the acquaintance of what was to me an unknown trait in any flycatcher, that of building a double nest. A pair of Arkansas kingbirds (Tyrannus verticalis) built their nest near the top of a dilapidated windmill tower on an abandoned ranch near Turlock. On May 5, there were three eggs in the nest. I did not handle the eggs, nor even touch the nest, but left them as I wanted to study the feeding of the young. About two weeks later I climbed to the nest and found that the birds had built another nest on top of the first and had already laid three eggs. Two of these were afterwards hatched, the third being infertile.—J. S. Hunter, Berkeley, Cal.
(Continued on page 55.)
