the San Francisco peninsula. I was consequently interested when my friend. Mr. Cloud Rutter, told me of seeing one near the Battle Creek Salmon Hatchery in October, 1898. I have no doubt as to his identification being correct. Another friend reported the species from Stillwater, twenty miles north of Redding, but I do not consider this reliable.
Poæcetes gramineus affinis.—Grinnell (Bads. Pac. Slope. L. A. Co., p. 36.) records this form as a common winter visitant of Los Angeles County, and Willard (Bull. C. O. C., I, 30) has taken it in Alameda County. I have a bird of the year taken at Berryessa and an adult taken at Battle Creek in October. In winter, probably, it is to be had throughout the state in suitable localities.
Carpodacus mexicanus clementis.—In measuring a series of finches from the southern coast islands. I find that those from Coronado and Todos Santos Islands are referable to clementis, thus extending the range of the sub-species into Lower California. Four from Todos Santos Island have the bill longer than in mainland birds and more slender than in clementis from more northern islands. The differences are very slight and do not warrant separation at present. Mr. Ridgway says that he refers to clementis specimens from all the Santa Barbara islands, although they differ to a greater or less degree on different islands.
Astragalinus psaltria arizonæ.—I believe this race has been taken by Emerson at Haywards. Two examples from about fifty or seventy-five goldfinches collected at Palo Alto may be called arizonæ, There is a great variation in a large series, and perhaps more extended collecting would produce typical examples of this southern form.
Melospiza lincolni striata—The type of this subspecies came from British Columbia, so we may reasonably expect to find it in Northern California. A female taken at San Geronimo, Marin county. February 10, 1899, is marked "striata" by Mr. Ridgway. An October female from Battle Creek, and a December male from Saint Helena are heavily streaked, and if not siriata, are very near that race. All these northern skins are much darker than winter San Diego county skins. Mr. Chase Littlejohn has two birds, taken at Redwood City, which were identified by Washington authorities as striata.
Ammodramus sandwichensis.—This species seems to have been rarely taken in California, and it is therefore a pleasure to record two specimens at least; one male taken December 9, 1884, at Gridley by Mr. Belding and a female which I secured at Battle Creek. October 13, 1898. The Sandwich Sparrow is doubtless a regular winter visitant to northern California, but as it associates with the commonest species (alaudinus), is usually overlooked. It may be known by the longer wing, longer and deeper bill. On a fence, as I went to work each morning at Battle Creek, there were always from six to a dozen Western Savanna Sparrows. Had more of these been taken it is probable that more of the larger bird as well would have been taken.
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With the second volume of the Journal of the Maine Ornithological Society, J. Merton Swain of Portland, Me, assumes the duties of editor as successor to Mr. C. H. Morrell. The January issue contains a report of the society's annual meeting, an interesting paper by Ora W. Knight on certain sea birds of the Maine coast and other articles of merit. We congratulate our Maine brethren upon the neat appearance of their Journal.
Mr. Joseph Grinnell of the Southern Division has begun a two years' course at Stanford University, and his presence will grace the meetings of the Northern Division for some time to come.
Raven Arnold writes from Stanford University under date of Feb. 25, that he has thus far found two nests of Anna's hummingbird this year, both containing young.
Wm. L. Atkinson of Santa Clara. Cal., reports California Shrike 1-6. Arkansas Goldfinch 1-4 and Barn Owl 1-7, all taken on March 5 while out after birds. This would seem to indicate an early season.
