Notes on Two Birds from Santa Catalina Island, California
Notes on Two Birds from Santa Catalina Island, California
On February 12, 1910, while coasting along the rocks near White's Landing, Catalina Island, I saw and positively identified a Frazar Oystercatcher (Haematopus frazari) . At first sight of us the bird left its perch on an elbow of crumbling rock and circled toward the boat, but not near enough for a shot. It continued its rapid flight, uttering the familiar call, until it was lost to sight around a dangerous jutting reef. This is the farthest north record according to all available notes that have come under my notice, published or unpublished.
On the day following, an Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus), a rare bird in these waters at any season, was collected from a flock of eight, grouped about one-half mile off shore. The birds were exceedingly shy, and after one first dive of alarm were out of reach. The specimen obtained exhibited ability to swim under water, even after wounded.
