White-Throated Swift Nesting in Active Quarry
White-throated Swift Nesting in Active Quarry.-In June, 1941, I located a small colony of White-throated Swifts (Abowutes sax&is) breeding on the face of an abandoned rock quarry at Rockaway Beach, 15 miles south of San Francisco, San Mateo County. The fateful day of December 7, 1941, also had an effect on the swifts, as the quarry was re-opened. Upon returning there this year on June 27, I was surprised to find approximately eight pairs of swifts still there. I located six nesting sites of swifts along with those of a Barn Owl (Tyto a&a) and two Rock Wrens (Salpinctes obsoletes). The birds have withstood the constant blasting and roar of caterpillar bulldozers and compressors. The noise of war has also entered the bird world and the birds appear to be taking it in stride!-C. ANDRESEN, San Rafael, California, July 2, 1943.
