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Show 270 H^ EMATOPID^:.- OY8TER- CATCHERS. 148.- Hormatopi8 niger, Pallas.- Black Oyster- catcher. Hcematvpis niger, Pallas,' Zoog. Rosso- Asiat., ii, 1811,131.- Towns., Karr., 1839,348.- Cass., B< 1. B. N. A, 1854, 700.- Coop. & Suckl., P. R. R. Rep., xii, pt. ii, 1860, 233.- Cones, Key X. A. B. 1872,24fi. Hcemctiopi* towntendii, Heerm., P. R. R. Rep., 1859, 65. This curious bird is found in considerable numbers on the island of Santa Cruz, and, as I was informed, on the others of the group. They much of the time frequented the little islets which were separated from the main islands by narrow channels, probably finding on them breeding- grounds safe from the intrusion of all enemies. Their short, extremely stont legs ana feet would seem to adapt them for a life among the rocks, and they probably do obtain much of their food among the kelp and sea- weed that covers the slippery rooks and shelters all sorts of crustaceans and mollnsks. The long, strong, wedge- like bill is admirably adapted for the purpose of prying open the bivalve shells. On the island, however, they seemed to obtain a plenteous supply of food by a much easier and readier method, and did not resort to this mode at all. They fed much of the time on the sandy beaches piso, where the Sand- pipers, had there been any, would have resorted, and, like them, found all they wanted on the surface, where it was cast up by the waves. Their stout robust form would not seem to indicate much agility, and their movements wereratber clumsy, as though they felt a little out of place. On the level beaches, they were quickest when they followed the retreating waves to the lowest point, whence they would have time to snatch a titbit and run back in season to avoid the on- coming surf. The birds were not at all shy, and would permit me to approach easily enough within 30 yards of them as they rambled along the beach, pausing now and then, aud looking back as if not quite assured of my intentions. Of all the feathered tribe that frequented the island, they were the noisiest, and their harsh vociferous cries could be heard all day long, coming from their island strongholds. After some search, I succeeded in finding two nests: the first containing a single freshly laid egg was taken June 6, on the extreme, point of a high cliff jutting over the sea; the second, a few days later, was found on one of the islets adverted to. The nests proper were rude enough affairs, being simply slight hollows made in the pebbly detritus, which in each case had been added to by bits of stone brought from elsewhere. In neither case was there any grass or other lining softer than the stones themselves. The two effgs in one case were slightly incubated, and probably were all that would have been laid. These are indistinguishable from those of the better known species E. palliatus. Their ground- color is a faint, grayish drab, profusely spattered with irregular blotches of black. They measure 2.27 by 1.59 ; 2.29 by 1.48; 2.18 by 1.52. The Surf- bird ( Aphriza virgata) was not found by us on the island of Santa Cruz, and I do not think it breeds on this group. Heermann mentions finding numbers on the Far-allone Islands in June, and here it is likely it remains all summer. Mr. Gruber showed me a fine specimen which he obtained at Santa Barbara in spring. It seems to be a rather uncommon species on the Galifornian coast, and one whose Habits are very little known. No. 8 797 728 790 730 Sex. ? ad. $ ad. rfad. d" ad. ? ad. Locality. do do do Date. I Collector. June 4 June 4 do 1 . Tune 5 H." W. Henshaw. .... do do .... do .... do Wing. 9.75 10.25 9.50 10.15 10.50 Tail. 4.73 5.03 4.70 4.63 1 Bill. Tarsus. 3.00 1 2.03 3.12 2.12 2.73 1 LF7 2. 88 2. 05 5.02 2.75 2.04 1 149. Strepsilas mekinacephalus, Vigors.- Black Turnstone. This bird occurs on the islands, and all along the coast of California, during the spring and fall migrations. All pass to high northern latitudes to breed. The S. inierpr€ 8 also occurs along the coast. EKCURVIROSTRID^ E.- AVOCETS ; STILTS. 150. Eccurviro8tra americana, Gmel.- American Avocet. The Avocet occurs in California, though not, I think, in such extreme abundance as in many sections in the interior. On the island of Santa Cruz I saw several, and these had paired, and were probably breeding. As there were no ponds they were driven to |
