THE CONDOR [ Vol. IV California Pygmy Owl in Lake Co., Cal. BOUT 4 v. M. in the afternoon of Dec. 9, 19Ol, I secured a Califor- nia pygmy owl (Glaucidiurn ?noma californicum) at Hasting's Ranch, Upper.Lake. The bird, a female, is the first of the species I have seen here. When out with my small collecting gun, a 28 bore, a few days before the 9th, I saw a couple of canvasback ducks in a pond near the northern end of Clear Lake. Thinking I might find a canvasback or some mallards in the pond if I paid it another visit, I took my m-bore and re- visited the place on Dec. 9. Not a duck of any description was there. Coming out of the tules and into a fringe of white oaks growing on the hillside, I stood awhile looking around. A commo- tion among a flock of small birds in a mistletoe-covered oak attracted my at- tention. Suddenly a bird flew through the tree and to the ground carrying along with it in its talons a sparrow or other small bird. Being quite close to the two I saw at once that the bird was a pygmy owl. It crouched over its prey with its face turned full in roy direction, and we gazed at each other a few moments be- fore I started to walk backwards to widen the distance between us. Un- fortunately I had cartridges loaded with a heavy charge of No. 4 shot, but I raised my gun and awaited a change of position on the owl's part, fearing to damage its face if I fired at once. After a little it flew off carrying the small bird and alighted in an oak-, its flight being rapid and hawk-like and its long tail very noticeable as it flew. I tried a long shot,--too long in f:mt-- and missed. The owl seemed more startled than frightened and contented itself with a quick flight into a larger tree, dropping its prey en route. I fol- lowed, and getting a little nearer than before brought the bird down. Upon skinning the .?pecimen ? [ound that ?he large shot had done considerable damage. A. W. Jox?so?. Lrjbjber Lake, Cal. Two specimens of Nyctala From l?arin County, California. N December it, 19ot I received a box from Thos. Irving, game keeper at Point Reyes Station, about ten miles from here, containing, besides a beautifully-marked partially albino western robin, a fine specimen in the flesh of saw-whet owl (JV. yc- tala acadica) which proved to be an adult female. I was greatly surprised at this take partly because this bird has been but seldom recorded from this state and then mostly from the higher ranges, and also because I have never heard any bird sounds that would cor- respond to the published description of the notes of this owl. Since writing the above note I have received another specimen of Afyclala acadz?a, also a female, from the same party and locality, shot on Dec. 23. It is strange that two specimens should have been taken within a few days of each other when no former record has been made, nor the note of this bird heard or its presence even suspected 'in this county, asthis species is not sup- posed to be a migrant. Both birds were fat, though the stomachs were empty. They had probably wandered in this direction in search oe food, but in all likelihood from some not far distant lo- cality. Jos?:mt MAILLIARD. San Geronimo, Cal. The Elf Owl in California. T may interest California ornitholo- gists to know that the National Museum possesses a specimen of the elf owl (,?icropallas whitne. yi) from Cali- fornia, the species being previously un-
