Occurrence of American White Pelican and the American Avocet at Haywards, California
Occurrence of American White Pelican and the American Avocet at Haywards, Cal.
During the week of Nov. 17-24, 1899, large numbers of Avocets (Recurvirostra americanus) could be found feeding in the shallow salt ponds along the bay shore below Haywards. Several hundred could be seen bobbing up and down on the water, as they feed at the bottom of the ponds, which are only eight or nine inches deep. They are seldom seen in large flocks about the marsh ponds.
On Dec. 24, 1899, an adult male White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) was noted in a vacant lot in the center of the town of Haywards. It was first seen sailing low over the buildings at dusk and was followed by a band of small boys. One, a lad of great courage, told me he was afraid at first to tackle such a bigbilled bird, but using one arm as a guard for his face, he made a center rush and put his arm around the big fellow, and bore off his prize! Two others were seen to alight in a field near town. Another was brought to me on Dec. 30, a lad having shot it in Redwood Canyon Creek, some six miIes from Haywards. The bird was alone in the creek bottom. A thick fog was hanging over the valley, no doubt causing the pelicans to lose their bearings along the bay shore. This is the first time the species has been recorded from this locality.
A female Lewis Woodpecker (Melanerpes torquatus) was shot in my orchard Jan. 4, 1900, and I have noticed it but twice in twenty years in this vicinity.
W. OTTO EMERSON
Haywards, Cal.
