--On September 22, 1928, the writer
left San Francisco on the Mexican steamer "Bolivar" for La Paz, Lower California,
via Mazatlan, Mexico, this being the first stage of a year's collecting trip in the
interests of the California Museum of Vertebrate Zoology. It may be of interest
to CONDOR readers to hear of the land birds that actually came on board the steamer,
or were seen in close proximity to it, during the fifteen days it took to complete
this journey. The steamer kept at a distance of from eight to twenty miles off-shore
most of the way. The weather was windless and the sea calm the whole distance.
Burrowing Owl (Speotyto cuniculria hypugaea). When I went on deck at
7:00 a.m., September 22, I saw the owl It was quite wild and would not a]Jow a
close approach. When disturbed, it would fly off the vessel and, skimming low over
the water, would soon alight on another part. This owl came aboard when we were
some eight miles off southern Monterey County, California, and remained with us
all day. At 5:00 p.m., off Santa Barbara County, another Burrowing Owl came
aboard, but stayed only a few minutes.
Audubon Warblew (Dendroica auduboni). At 7:30 a.m., September 25, as we
were passing about two miles to the westward of Los Coronados Islands, Mexico, I
noticed five of these birds flying on and about the steamer. They remained about
an hour.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula, subsp.?). At 9:00 a.m., the same
day, four were seen on the steamer, and they were with us till the anchor was dropped,
off Ensenada. None of these birds seemed at all exhausted, but were sprightly,
flitting around in search of food.
Western Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwlchensis alaudinus). At 6:00
a.m., September 26, when I went on deck, two were seen hopping around the deck
cargo. At this time, the steamer was about ten miles off San Antonio del Mar.
Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas [occidentalis?]). A fine male was seen among
some potted plants on deck, at the same time that the Savannah Sparrows were
noted.
Western Mourning Dove (Zenaidura macroura marginella). At 9:30 a.m., a
single bird came aboard, o stay only a short time; it took off, flying high, toward
shore.
Western Flycatcher (Empidoax difficilis). At 3:30 p.m., some ten miles off
Rosario, a tailless, though energetic, individual was seen busily catching flies among
the deck cargo.
The two Western Savannah Sparrows were not seen after 10:00 a.m., but the
flycatcher and the yellowthroat remained on the steamer the rest of the day. Septem-
ber 28, at 8:00 a.m., off Magdalena Bay, another Western Savannah Sparrow came
aboard, but stayed only two hours.
Turkey Buzzard (Cathartes aura). While lying off San Jos del Cabo, I could
see, at most any time, twenty-five or more sailing about or sitting on the beach.
Yellow Warbler (Dendroa aesti'va, subsp.?). Some twenty-five miles off San
Jos del Cabo, at 2:00 p.m., one was seen. It was still on deck just before dark. The
next morning the same bird, or a similar one, was seen.
Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon). Soon after daylight, September 30, some
eight miles off Mazatlan, one flew past the steamer. On account of the steamer's
crew going on a strike, we remained at Mazatlan five days.
3/4iolet-green Swallow (Tackycineta tkalossiw). Many of these flew about the
steamer as we were lying off the town of Mazatlan.
Black 3/4ulture (Coragyps urubu). In sight constantly; often to be seen flying
about with the Frigate Birds.
Western Lark Sparrow (Ckondestes gro/mmacus strigatus). On October 2, one
visited the steamer for a few minutes.
American Duck Hawk (Falco pere/rinus awtum). In the eariy morning of
October 5, the steamer still in the harbor, I looked over the side of the vessel and
saw a Mourning Dove sitting on the water. A few minutes later the hawk saw
the dove, but was afraid to come so close to the steamer. It circled around wice
and then disappeared. After the hawk was out of sight, the dove arose lightly
from the water and flew safely to shore.
As we were passing Ceralvo Island, on the morning of October 6,. a Yellowthreat
(Geotklypis trickos, subsp.?) was seen aboard.--CHgs C. LAMB, La Paz, B.C.,
Mexo, November 11, 198.