Thirteenth Report of the California Bird Records Committee

WESTERN BIRDS

Volume 23, Number 3, 1992

THIRTEENTH REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

PETER PYLE, Point Reyes Bird Observatory,4990 ShorelineHighway, Stinson Beach, California 94970 GUY McCASKIE, 954 GroveStreet, Imperial Beach, California 91932

Western Field Ornithologistsand the California Bird RecordsCom- mittee are againpleased to thank Bushnell,a divisionof Bausch& Lomb, for its continued generoussupport in sponsoringthe publication of our reports. This report contains376 recordsof 96 speciesthat have recentlybeen reviewedby the California Bird RecordsCommittee (hereafter,the CBRC or the Committee).The 321 acceptedrecords of 83 speciesand 55 rejectedrecords of 36 speciesrepresent an 85.4% acceptancerate. Re- portswere receivedfrom 37 of the state's58 counties,including all coastal counties.As in past years, the best-representedcounties were San Fran- cisco(44 acceptedrecords including 36 from SoutheastFarallon Island), San Diego (35), Santa Barbara (31), Monterey (25) and Marin (21). Al- though the dates of the records extend from 30 August 1969 to 9 September1989, the great majorityof them (339) are from 1 December 1986 to 28 February 1989, representinga very high percentageof the recordsof CBRC Review-Listspecies (see below) from Californiapublished in American Birds(hereafter AB) duringthis period. In 1991, the Commit- tee received 236 records, an increase of 15 from 1990. The Committee greatly appreciatesthe increasinginterest by the birding communityin submittingdocumentation of rare birdsin the state. We continueto encouragebirders and ornithologiststo support the CBRC processby submittingwritten reports and/or photographsto Michael A. Patten, CBRC Secretary, P.O. Box 8612, Riverside,CA 92515. We believethat the decisionsof the CBRC are highly qualified, standardizedassessments of the validityof recordsbut not alwaysthe final word on whether or not an identification is correct. "Final" Committee decisionsare always re-reviewablegiven new information;historically, Western Birds 23: 97-132, 1992 97 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS decisionsboth to acceptand to rejecthave been overturnedupon further Committeereview. Additionalconsequences of the Committeeprocess includethe archivingof all revieweddocumentation and the accumulation of much usefulinformation concerning the identificationand statusof Review-Listspecies in the state,through the consolidationand synthesisof commentsby ten or more membersof variousdisciplines and with a wide rangeof fieldexperience. See Roberson(1990) and Bevier(1990) for more on the evolution,functioning, and benefitsof the Committeeprocess. All recordspublished in CBRC reportsare archivedby LloydKiff at the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology (439 Calle San Pablo, Camarillo,CA 93010) and are availableto anyoneinterested in reviewing the documentationand assessmentsof the CBRC. All voicerecordings are kept at the CaliforniaAcademy of Sciences,Department of Ornithology and Mammalogy,Golden Gate Park, San Francisco,CA 94118. The Committeecontinues to reviewboth currentand pastrecords of birdson its ReviewList; with the publicationof our upcomingsummary of old records in the fourteenthreport, over 92% of all publishedrecords of Review-List specieswill have been evaluated.The Committee continuesto solicit documentationof unreviewedpast records, published or not. State List and CBRC Ret•iewList. This report providesdetails on four additionsto the Californiastate list: Terek Sandpiper(Xenus cinereus), Long-toedStint (Calidris subminuta),Xantus' Hummingbird (H91ocharis xantusii), and Gray Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea). The earliestaccepted recordof the RuddyGround-Dove (Columbina talpacoti) is alsopublished here. Patten (1991) noted the CBRC acceptanceof three additionalspe- cies- Murphy's Petrel (Pterodroma ultima), Common Pochard'(A9th9a retina), and White-tailedPtarmigan (Lagopus leucurus). Recent acceptance of a Smith's Longspur(Calcarius pictus) photographedat Moss Landing, Monterey County, 13-18 September 1990, a Cave Swallow (Hitundo fulva) photographednear Westmorland,Imperial Co., 8 August 1987, and a Red-flankedBluetail (Tarsiger c9anurus) photographed in hand at SoutheastFarallon Island, 1 November 1989, bringsthe current statelist to 579 species.Recent reports of the CrestedCaracara (Po19borus plancus), Green Kingfisher(Chlorocer91e americana), and Eyebrowed Thrush (Turdus obscurus)were not accepted. Details of these recent decisionswill appearin the fourteenthand fifteenthreports. In addition,the CBRC is now evaluatingrecords of a numberof speciesthat wouldincrease the state list, includingthe Arctic Loon (Gayla arctica), Solander'sPetrel (Pterodroma solandri), Townsend's Shearwater (Puffinus auricularis), CaribbeanCoot (Fulicacaribaea), Band-tailed Gull (Larusbelcheri), Black- tailedGull (Laruscrassirostris), Iceland Gull (Larusglaucoides), Swallow- tailed Gull (Creagrus furcatus), Oriental Turtle-Dove (Streptopelia orientalis), Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum), Little Bunting (Emberiza pusilia), Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna), Oriental Greenfinch (Carduelis sinica), and Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus). The most recently publishedstate checklist(Field List of Califo rn ia Birdsby the CBRC, 1991) contains578 species(Cave Swallow acceptedafter publication)and is availablefrom the l•VesternBirds circula- tion managerfor $1.00 postpaid.

98 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

The list of speciesand speciescomplexes that the CBRC reviewswas publishedby Roberson(1989) andupdated by Langham(1991). In general, the Review List comprisesspecies of which there are fewer than 100 recordsin Californiaor fewer than 40 recordsin the stateduring the most recent 10-year period.At the Committee's1992 annualmeeting held 18 January at Goleta, three specieswere deletedfrom the Review List: the Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula), Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis),and Red-throatedPipit (Antbus cervinus).The CBRC will continueto review recordsof these speciesthrough 1991 (throughthe winter of 1991/92 for the Tufted Duck), but subsequentreports will not be reviewed.At thismeeting the CBRC decidedalso to maintaina supplemental list of speciesof uncertainnatural occurrencethat have been docu- mentedin California.Species shall be placedon this listby a majorityvote at an annualmeeting of the Committeeafter a givenrecord has completed its normalcirculation and wasnot acceptedbecause the naturaloccurrence was questioned. Format. The format of this report is very similarto those of recent Committeereports (Dunn 1988, Bevier 1990, Langham1991). Records are generallylisted chronologically according to firstknown date of occurrence;exceptions occur in specieswith many records,including several at the same location, or to allow better understandingof CBRC decisions. Those speciesnames preceded by an asteriskare no longeron the Review List. The total numberof CBRC-acceptedrecords through this report is givenin parenthesesfollowing the speciesname. For specieswe no longer review,this numberreflects only CBRC-acceptedrecords during the period in whichthe specieswas on the ReviewList. Two asterisksfollowing this numberindicate restrictions on the periodfor which the specieshas been reviewedor the inclusionof someolder reports not formallyaccepted (see Roberson1986). Eachrecord includes the locality,a standardabbreviation for the county(see below), and fulldate spans.In mostcases, the datesare from the seasonalreports in AB. Datesdiffering from thoselisted in AB are italicized,indicating that we believeours to be correct.Enclosed in paren- thesesare the initialsof the reportingobserver(s), listed in alphabetical sequenceby last name and followedby the CBRC recordnumber. If the observer(s)who initiallyfound or identifiedthe bird provideddocumenta- tion, their initialsare listedfirst and are separatedfrom the otherobservers' initialsby a semicolon.If an observersubmitted a photograph,a dagger followsthe initials.Specimens are indicatedby cataloguenumber (see below for museumacronyms). Unless indicated by a dagger,a specimennumber, or mentionof voice or video recordings,all evaluationswere basedon written documentationof sight reports.When individualbirds return to a locationafter a lengthyor seasonalabsence, each occurrenceis reviewed undera separaterecord number, and Committee members indicate whether or not they believe the bird is the same individualas one previously accepted.Such decisions follow the opinionof the majorityof Committee members. All annotationsare ours,although the informationis often derivedfrom the Committee'sfiles. The CBRC doesnot specificallyreview the age, sex, or subspeciesof rarities;however, Committee members often provide 99 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS commentson the designationof theseclasses where appropriate.Many of the opinionson age, sex,and subspeciesof the individualsassigned in this report reflectthose of the Committeeas a whole. We have taken the opportunityto commentmore thoroughly on the ageand sex of passefines, primarilyon the basisof informationprovided by Pyle et al. (1987). Abbreviations.The Committeehas adoptedstandard county abbreviations;those listed in this reportare as follows:ALA, Alameda;CC, Contra Costa; DN, Del Norte; HUM, Humboldt;IMP, Imperial;INY, Inyo; KER, Kern; LAS, Lassen; LA, Los Angeles; MRN, Marin; MEN, Mendocino; MER, Merced; MOD, Modoc; MNO, Mono; MTY, Monterey; ORA, Or- ange; RIV, Riverside;SAC, Sacramento; SBT, San Benito; SBE, San Bernardino;SD, San Diego; SF, San Francisco;SJ, San Joaquin;SLO, San Luis Obispo; SM, San Mateo; SBA, Santa Barbara; SCL, Santa Clara; SCZ, Santa Cruz; SHA, Shasta; SiS, Siskiyou; SON, Sonoma; STA, Stanislaus;TEH, Tehama; TRI, Trinity; VEN, Ventura; YOL, Yolo. See Langham (1991) for a list of all 58 county abbreviations.Museums that house specimensof recordsreported here, that have permitted CBRC membersaccess to their specimensor are otherwisecited, are abbreviated as follows:AMNH, AmericanMuseum of NaturalHistory, New York; CAS, CaliforniaAcademy of Sciences,San Francisco;HSU, HumboldtState University,Arcata; LACM, Los AngelesCounty Museumof Natural His- tory; LSU, Museumof Natural Science,Louisiana State University,Baton Rouge; MVZ, Museum of VertebrateZoology, Universityof California, Berkeley;SDNHM, San DiegoNatural History Museum; UCSB, University of California,Santa Barbara. Other abbreviationsinclude I., island;L., lake; NM, National Monument; NP, National Park; NS, National Seashore; NWR, National Wildlife Refuge; R., fiver; SB, State Beach; SR, State Reserve.

ACCEPTED RECORDS

YELLOW-BILLEDLOON Gaylaadamsii (40). An adultin alternateplumage was at PacificGrove, MTY, 10 Oct 1987 (BSt;265-1987). The rottingcarcass of one recoveredfrom a beachin Monterey,MTY, 24 Dec 1987 (AB; 129-1988) hasbeen preservedas a skeleton(CAS 84051). One found dead on a beach near Trinidad Harbor, HUM, 2 Nov 1988 (ScS;GSL; 267-1988) was made into a life mount and placedin the coffeeroom of HumboldtState University's Wildlife Building (accession S. W. Harris 1189). One wasseen in CrescentCity Harbor,DN, 13 Dec 1988 (ADB; 49-1989). LEAST GREBE Tachybaptusdominicus (1). One was presentat the Imperial Warm Water Fish Hatchery near Niland, IMP, 19 Nov-24 Dec 1988 (BBr, JLD•', KLG, MJL, CM, GMcC, MAP, DR'[',ASm•'; 234-1988); a photographhas been published(AB 43:166). This is the secondaccepted record for California,the first beingby McMurryand Monson(1947). MOTII.ED PETREL Pterodromainexpectata (18). Three were seen on 8 Dec 1988 from a researchvessel between 102 and 123 nauticalmiles WSW of Pt. Arena, MEN: one at 37ø50'N, 125ø58'W (PP; 278-1988), anotherat 38ø58'N, 125ø55'W (PP;279-1988), andthe thirdat 38ø21'N, 125ø47'W(PP; 280-1988). Thisspecies will probablyprove to be regularover theseoffshore waters in winter.

lOO CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

WEDGE-TAILEDSHEARWATER Puffinus pacificus (2). The secondrecord for Californiawas of a dark-morphindividual off the WhitewaterR. mouth,N end of the Salton Sea, RIV, 31 Jul 1988 (REW'•; GMcC; 150-1988). McCaskieand Webster (1990) publishedfull details; a photographalso appears in AB (42:1225). The firstof thisspecies to be foundin North Americanorth of Mexico,a light-morphindividual, was photographedabout 4 nauticalmiles due W of Pt. Pinos,MTY, on 31 August 1986 (Stallcupet al. 1988). *WILSON'S STORM-PETREL Oceaniresoceanicus (102). Up to 16 were seen 2 to 5 milesNW of the CordellBank, off Pt. ReyesNS, MRN, 15-16 Aug 1987 (SFB, JM; 236-1987). One was about 30 milesW of San Gregorio,SM, 6 Sep 1987 (JM; 372-1987). Two were midwaybetween San MiguelI. and Pt. Conception,SBA, 18 Sep 1987 (RRV; 270-1988). One wasrafting with otherstorm-petrels on Monterey Bay off MossLanding, MTY, 4 Oct 1987 (JML; 393-1987). One was in the Santa BarbaraChannel, just S of Pt. Conception,SBA, 20 Aug 1988 (RRV; 83-1989). One was about 25 miles W of Pt. Loma, SD, 28 Aug 1988 (GMcC, MAP; 159- 1988). One was over the Cordell Bank, MRN, 23 Oct 1988 (KFC; 87-1989). One was at 37ø53•I, 123ø21'W, 16 nauticalmiles NNW of N FarallonI., SF, 10 Jun 1989 (PP; 106-1989). This speciesis found off the coastof Californiaalmost every fall, with most observationson MontereyBay but the largestnumbers reported around the Cordell Bank. One on MontereyBay on 1 May 1978 (Roberson1986) and the one listed abovefor 10 June 1989 are the onlyindividuals recorded in spring.In autumn,birds havebeen found as earlyas 13 Julyand as late as 7 November. BROWN BOOBY Sula leucogaster(22). A sub-adultroosted on the rocksat Pt. LobosSR, MTY, 15-19 Jun 1988 (PM, MTr; CM, MJL, MAP, DR; 132-1988). An adultwas attractedto a boat 2 to 3 milesSE of Santa BarbaraI., SBA, 15 Oct 1988 (JKA, KCM'•; 77-1989). Most occurrencesin Californiahave been at the Salton Sea, but theseobservations bring to six the numberof recordsfor the coast. RED-FOOTED BOOBY Sula sula (8). A subadultof the white morph was observedaround fishing boats off Pedro Pt., SM, and at the mouth of San FranciscoBay, SF, 14-20 Aug 1987, and at Pier 45 in San Francisco,SF, during the first two weeksof September1987 (PB•';SFB, JLD, RAE, MJL, GMcC, JM, CM, DR, LT?,SW'•; 224-1987, 39-1988). An immature(one to two yearsold; see Nelson1988), photographedon and aroundfishing vessels between San Francisco Bay, SF, and Pt. Bonita, MRN, 13-18 Oct 1987, was found in a weakened conditionat the San FranciscoAquatic Park, SF, and taken to the Marin Wildlife Centerfor treatmenton the lastdate (Figure 1; MG?;JM'•, SEF'•,SP'•; 275-1987); it never recovered,and was sent to Seattle for permanent care. An immature landedon a researchvessel on MontereyBay off MossLanding, MTY, 8 Oct 1987, and remainedaboard to the entranceof Moss Landing harbor (JK'•; 276-1987). Anotherimmature was photographedabout 1.5 milesE of SantaBarbara I., SBA, 11 Oct 1987 (KLG?, MCa'•, DGu?, ALH?, ASm; 262-1987). A dark immature was photographedabout 7 milesW of Santa CatalinaI., LA, 15 Nov 1987 (NBB, JLD•', ALH; 361-1987). An unprecedentednumber of Red-lootedBoobies appeared along the coastof Californiaduring the late summerand fall of 1987, morethan doubling the number recordedfor the state.Birders were alertedto the presenceof the firstbird off Pedro Pt. by a memberof the crew of the Red Baron, PeggyBeckett, who contactedthe SanFrancisco Rare Bird Alert by ship-to-shoretelephone, then maneuvered her boat to enablebirders on PedroPt. to seethe bird,which was still feeding around the boat. The plumagesof Red-lootedBoobies are complex(Nelson 1988). None of the birdslisted here were adults,making confident assignment to race or geographical originimpossible with currentknowledge. Most Committeemembers felt that these

lol CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

birdsmay haveridden some distance on boats,but sincethere was no indicationthat they were restrained,this had no bearingon the acceptabilit9 of the records. Photographsof the birdsoff Pacificaand near Santa Barbara I. havebeen published in AB (42:18 and 42:128, respectively). NEOTROPIC CORMORANT Phalacrocoraxbrasilianus (3). An adultwas at the WhitewaterR. mouth, N end of the SaltonSea, RIV, 20 Jun 1987 and at the Alamo R. mouth,S end of the SaltonSea, IMP, 15-29 Aug 1987 (MAP; GMcC; 231- 1987). Singleadult Neotropic Cormorants have been seen at variouspoints around the SaltonSea sinceAugust 1982, beingreported every year through1987 except 1984. The Committee considersall reports to pertain to one individual(Morlan 1985, Roberson 1986, Dunn 1988, Bevier 1990). REDDISH EGRETEgretta rulescerts(22). An adultaround S San DiegoBay, SD, 25 Sep 1987-12 Mar 1988 (GMcC, DR; 303-1987) and again 11 Sep 1988-7 Feb 1989 (JLD, GMcC; 190-1988) wasthe samebird with an abnormalgrowth on itsbill that has been here every winter since 1982-1983 (Roberson1986, Dunn 1988, Bevier1990, Langham1991). An immaturefrequented the TijuanaR. mouth,SD, 3 Aug-26 Nov 1988 (JLD, GMcC; 191-1988). One aroundMission Bay and the San Diego R. mouth, SD, 20 Nov 1988-9 Sep 1989 (GMcC, MAP, DR; 41-1989) moltedfrom immatureto adultplumage during its stay. ReddishEgrets are of annualoccurrence along the coastof SanDiego Co. butare exceptionalelsewhere in California.The MissionBay bird is the first to have oversummered in C•lifornia.

YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON Nyctanassaviolacea (12). An adultat the ScrippsInstitute of Oceanography,La Jolla,SD, 16 Jan-15 Feb 1988 (GMcC,PEL; 81-1988) and 26 Apr-27Jul 1989 (GMcC, DR; 75-1989) was consideredthe same individualinitially found on nearbySan Elijo Lagoon in 1981 andseen intermittently there and in La Jolla since(Binford 1985, Morlan 1985, Dunn 1988, Bevier 1990, Langham 1991). This bird was paired with a Black-crownedNight-Heron (Nycticoraxnycticorax) during the springof 1989; the two birdsbuilt a nestand took turns sittingon it, but no eggsor youngwere observed. BLACK-BELLIEDWHISTLING-DUCK Dendrocygnaautumnalis (7). Single adultswere near the New R. mouth,S end of the SaltonSea, IMP, 1-4 Aug 1987 (GMcC; 229-1987) and alongthe S shoreof the SaltonSea, IMP, 2-10 Jul 1988 (GMcC; CM, MAP; 134-1988). All acceptedrecords to date are from the ImperialValley during the summerand fall, between28 May and 4 November.

TRUMPETER SWAN Cygnus buccinator (14). An adult was with about 3000 TundraSwans (C. columbianus)along Hwy. 12 near Terminous,SJ, 26 Dec 1987 (MJL;60-1988). Threecalling adults were seen in flightat the LowerKlamath NWR, SIS, 12 Feb 1988 (WEH; 295-1988). Two grayfirst-year birds were studied at the N end of HoneyL., LAS, 2-3 Jan 1989 (JTr;TDM; 79-1989). Recentinformation on the identificationof-swans by Tobish(1991) andBailey (1991) will help in our evaluationof TrumpeterSwan reports, especially those of immatures.

EMPERORGOOSE Chen canagica(41'*). One wasat Tule Lake NWR, MOD, 6- 13 Nov 1987 (BED;1-1988). One commuted between the Alamedashore and Bay Farm I., ALA, 19 Dec 1987-17 Apr 1988 (SFB, THK, PLaTt, CM, GMcC, JM, SWMt, EMt, MAP,DRt, DLS, RFT•';398-1987). Becauseyoung birds lose much or allof thedark leathering on the headand hindneck in fall,ageing individuals lacking thisplumage feature is not recommended.

102 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

Figure1. A subadultwhite-morph Red-looted Booby (275-1987) foundin a weakened conditionat San FranciscoAquatic Park and broughton 18 October 1987 to the Marin WildlifeCenter, where this interesting photograph was taken. Photo by JosephMorlan

103 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

BAIKAL TEAL Anas formosa (5). A male shot by a hunter at Tule Lake NWR, SIS, 14 Oct 1987 (BEDf; 175-1988) was made into a life mount and retained in a private collection. *TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula (49). A male on Quail L., LA, 19 Nov 1986-5 Mar 1987 (KLG, CM, ASm: 15-1987) and again 17 Nov 1987-5 Mar 1988 (KLG; 57-1989) is consideredto be the same bird seen here during the wintersof 1978- 1980, 1983-1984. and 1985-1986 and in nearby Cuddy Valley, KER, 15 Jan 1980 (Binford 1985, Morlan 1985, Roberson1986). Femaleswere near Petaluma, SON, 28 Feb 1987 (JA; 154-1987) and on Elkhorn Sloughnear Moss Landing, MTY, 25-27 Mar 1987 (BM; DLS; 91-1987). A male was on L. Cachuma, SBA, 30 Nov-6 Dec 1987 (PEL, JLD; 373-1987), and a female was on this same lake 18 Dec 1987-17 Feb 1988 (CM; SFB, LRBe, JLD•', PEL, GMcC, MAP, DR; 43-1988). Males were on Hesperia Lakes near Victorville, SBE, 6-11 Dec 1987 (SJM: JLD, CM; 3-1988) and at the Smith R. mouth. DN. 24 Jan-14 Feb 1988 (ADB; 100- 1988), returning 17 Jan-ll Feb 1989 (ADB; 50-1989). Femaleswere off Belve- dere, MRN, 2 Jan 1988 (DAH; 123-1988) and in Arcata, HUM, 16-17 Apr 1988 (SDF•', GSL; 203-1988). A male on the O'Neill Forebay,San Luis Reservoir,MER, 21-23 Feb 1988 (MJL; 209-1988) was consideredto be the samebird presenthere in Feb 1986 (Bevier 1990). A male in San Francisco, SF, 19 Nov 1988-27 Mar 1989 (Figure2; DM•'; SFB, PEL, MMcC, JM, SWM; 257-1988) was accompanied

Figure 2. A male (257-1988) and a female (253-1988) Tufted Duck in San Fran- cisco.5 February1989. The identificationof the male posesno problem.Because femaleslack head plumes they can be confusedwith scaups.Female Tufted Ducks, however, have unform dark brown to blackishbacks, show a noticeablecontrast betweenthe darkback and the palerflanks, normally have no whitearound the base of the bill (someindividuals show a smallamount of white here),and have the bilrs blacktip separatedfrom the blue-grayof the restof the billby a narrowband of white as on the maleTufted Duck, all charactersevident in thisphotograph. Photo by Mac McCormick 104 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS by a female26 Nov 1988-27 Mar 1989 (Figure2; JM; SFB, PEL, MMcC, SWI•!, DM, DRY',MS, RS; 253-1988). A malewas on CastaicL., LA, 4 Dec 1988 (KLG; 1- 1989). A male on Mallard Reservoir,CC, 31 Dec 1988 (RJR; 80-1989) was consideredthe sameindividual present here 27 Dec 1986-3 Jan 1987 (Langham 1991). Thisvisitor from Asiais now of regularoccurrence in winteralong the coast,with somereturning year after year to the samelocalities. The birdson ElkhornSlough and L. Cachuma,however, are the firstto be foundin Montereyand Santa Barbara counties,respectively, and the speciesis stillunrecorded in mostinland counties. The CBRC hasdiscontinued reviewing reports of TuftedDucks occurring after the winter of 1991-1992.

KING EIDER $omateria spectabilis(24). First-yearmales were at MossLanding, MTY, 9-29 Dec 1988 (DEG; SFB, JM, DRY';259-1988) and at PomponioSB, SM, 29 Apr-7 May 1989 (JM, RST; 88-1989). MISSISSIPPI KITE lctinia mississippiensis(19). A subadultwas at Huntington Beach,ORA, 5-11 Jun 1989 (JRG•-,GMcC, MAP; 92-1989). A colorphotograph of thisbird in flighthas been published(AB 43:396). Most recordsof thisspecies are for late spring,falling between 21 May and 21 June,and mostof thesehave been found inland in Inyo and Mono counties.The HuntingtonBeach bird is only the secondto be acceptedfrom alongthe coastat thistime of the year,although there is an unreviewedJune record from SantaBarbara Co. andtwo otheraccepted summer recordsfor San Diego Co.

ZONE-TAILED HAWK Buteo albonotatus (21). An adult seen over the Plano Trabuco, near Mission Viejo, ORA, 30 Jan-3 Feb 1988 (MAP; 90-1988) was consideredto be the samebird presenthere duringthe wintersof 1985-1986 and 1986-1987 (Bevier 1990, Langham 1991). An adult was near Laguna Beach, ORA, 22-30 Oct 1988 (BBc;BF, GF; 70-1989). A pair on Hot SpringsMt., SD, 4 Jul 1988 (GMcC; 135-1988) was believedto be nestingand was consideredthe samepair that nestedhere in 1986 and 1987 (Langham1991); the Committeelacks informationon the full 1988 date span.

GYRFALCON Falco rusticolus(4). A first-yearbird with a brokenwing captured by two huntersnear McArthur, SHA, 26 Dec 1987 (BYe'; 296-1988) has been retainedin captivityat the Los AngelesZoo. The previousthree recordsof this speciesare from the northernhalf of the stateas expected,with the first collected near Tule Lake, SIS, 23 Oct 1948 (Jewett1949), the southernmostphotographed E of Dixon, YOL, 17 Jan-8 Feb 1982 (Binford1985), and the thirdseen at Tule Lake NWR, SIS, 31 Oct 1983 (Bevier 1990). Two additionalmid-winter occurrencesin the NE portionof the stateare underreview by the Committee. YELLOW RAIL Coturnicopsnoveboracensis (60**). One at the S end of Tomales Bay, MRN, 2-21 Dec 1987 (RS; SNGH, PP; 399-1987), was caughtby a Great Egret (Casmerodiusalbus) on the latter date. The retrievedspecimen, a female, is now CAS 84063. One capturedalive during high tidesat the Palo Alto Baylands, SCL, 17 Jan 1988 was taken to an animalshelter, kept for two days,and releasedat the capturesite (Figure 3; JB, JMD•'; 78-1988). One was flushedby a huntingdog froma seasonalpond along the N spitof HumboldtBay S of Samoa,HUM, on 7 and 17 Feb 1987 (DAL; 79-1988).

MONGOLIAN PLOVER Charadriusmongolus (3). An alternate-plumagedadult was at Moss LandingWildlife Area, MTY, 14-16 Aug 1989 (DEG; MAP, RFT•-, BJW; 109-1989). A juvenilefound at thisexact location 13-19 Sep 1980 (Lutheret al. 1983) establishedthe first recordfor California. 105 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

EURASIAN DOTTEREL Charadrius rnorinellus(3). A juvenileon the Spalleta plateau,Pt. ReyesNS, MRN, 10-13 Sep 1988 (MJL;SK•', PLaTt: 170-1988) was in the samefield of shortgrass that attracted California's second Eurasian Dotterel 6- 9 Sep 1986 (Langham1991). A superbcolor photograph of the 1988 birdhas been published(AB 43:27). AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERHaernatopus palliatus (9). One photographed on Pt. Loma, SD, 11 Sep 1987 (TEC•':54-1988) is onlythe fifth to be recordedon the coastand the third for San DiegoCo. One on San NicolasI., VEN, 12 Sep 1987-11 Nov 1988 (TM; 272-1988) was on the ChannelIslands, site of most occurrences in California. Hybridsbetween the Americanand Black(H. bachrnani)oystercatchers have occurredin southernCalifornia; however, both of thesebirds appeared to be typical of the BajaCalifornia race of AmericanOystercatcher (H. p. frazari)as outlinedby Jehl (1985). SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus (5). A basic-plumagedbird was on Staten I., ,SJ,19-20 Nov 1988 (MJL'•;BBr, TDM, JM; 260-1988). One in alternate plumagewas near Oceanside on theCamp Pendleton marine corps base, SD, 19-23 May 1989 (EKD:DA•-, GMcC, MAP; 90-1989); a photographof thisbird appears in AB (43:396).

Figure3. A YellowRail (78-1988) releasedat the Palo Alto Baylandson 19 January 1988. This photographclearly shows just how darka YellowRail is, the lightbronze colorbeing restricted to the fringesof the blackishfeathers. Note how the white on the secondariescan be partially obscured. Photo by d. M. Danzenbaker 106 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

There are now three springand two fall recordsfor California,one springand three fall recordsfor coastalBritish Columbia (Campbellet al. 1990), and a winter recordfor Oregon(Schmidt 1989). suggestingthat thisspecies can occasionallybe expectedalong the Pacificcoast of NorthAmerica at almostany time of year. TEREK SANDPIPER Xenus cinereus (1). A basic-plumagedadult was at Carmel River SB, MTY, 28 Aug-23 Sep 1988 (BRH, EMW: SFB, JLD. WEHf, GWLf. PLaT?, MJL, CM. GMcC, JM, BDP, MAP, DRY'.RS•', DLS. RFT, BJW: 160-1988). Full detailsof this first staterecord were publishedby Wilsonand Harriman (1989). and photographswere publishedin AB (43:26). One photographedon Vancouver Island,British Columbia, 21 July-6 August1987 (Goodwilland Goodwill1988), one that spentJanuary 1988 at BuenosAires. Argentina (Pugnali et al. 1988), and one on 23 June 1990 in Massachusetts(Stemple et al. 1991) constitutethe only other recordsof this speciesfrom the Americasoutside of Alaska. HUDSONIAN GODWIT Limosa haemastica (6). A juvenile at the Carmel R. mouth, MTY, 28 Aug 1988 reappearedat the nearbySalinas R. mouth. MTY. 4 Sep-3 Oct 1988 (SEF; SFB. JLD. HG, WEHf. SLaE MJL. TM. CM, JM. BDP, MAP, DRY',DS, RFT; 162-1988). Anotherjuvenile was on San NicolasI., VEN, 5- 16 Sep 1988 (TM•-; 271-1988). Althoughthere are only six previousrecords (two springand four fall) of this speciesin California, it occurssomewhat regularly in BritishColumbia (Campbell et

Figure4. One of three RuddyGround-Doves (249-1988) at FurnaceCreek Ranch, Death Valley, 12 November1988. Note that thisfemale has a dark-tippedgray bill. lacksscaling about the headand neck,and that the blackmarkings on the greaterand median covertsform straightlines on the foldedwings. The tail is longer than a Common Ground-Dove's.

Photo by don L. Dunn 107 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

Figure 5. DuskyWarbler (6-1988) on SoutheastFarallon Island, 14 October 1988. Note the shorttenth primaryvisible along the leadingedge of the wing. Possessionof a tenth primary distinguishesthe genusPhy!!oscopus from the wood warblersof North America. Photo by Phil Henderson

Figure6. NorthernWheatear (64-1989) on SoutheastFarallon Island, 6 November 1988.

Photo by Scot Anderson 108 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS al. 1990) and hasbeen found in Washington(Roberson 1980) and Oregon(Schmidt 1989), includinga flockof 16 at BayoceanSpit, Tillamook Co., Oregonon 17 Aug 1980. This patternof recordsmay supportspeculation by Kesseland Gibson(1978) thatAlaskan breeders of thisspecies use a trans-Pacificmigration route to getto and from winteringgrounds in SouthAmerica. BAR-TAILEDGODWIT Lirnosa lapponica(7). Juvenileswere seenat the Salinas R. mouth, MTY, 11 Sep 1988 (SFB; 171-1988) and at BolinasLagoon, MRN, 20 Sep 1988 (KHa; 177-1988). Anotherjuvenile was photographedat the marshat PescaderoSB, SM, 20 Aug-9 Sep 1989 (RSTI'; GHF, SEFI', AGI', MJL, JM, BDP, MAP, MTa•', IT; 110-1989). Like the precedingspecies, the Bar-tailedGodwit has been recordedalong the entire Pacificcoast south to California,with eight fall recordsfor BritishColumbia (Campbell et al. 1990), at leastseven (five fall and two spring)records for Washington(Roberson 1980), andnine (six fall and three spring) recordsfor Oregon(Schmidt 1989). LONG-TOEDSTINT Calidrissubrninuta (1). A juvenilewas well photographed at the Salinassewage ponds, MTY, 29 Aug-2 Sep 1988 (BD, MAP; SFB, JLD, GWL•', PLaTt, MJL, GMcC, JM, BDP, KR, DS, DLS, RITI', JTrf, BRZI', KJZ; 161-1988). Pattenand Daniels(1991) publisheda full account,including photographs, of this firstrecord for California;other photographs appear in AB (42;1226 and 43:27) and in Birding (20:384). This Asiaticbreeder had long been considereda likely candidate to reach the state.

Figure7. YellowWagtail (240-1987) at the MalibuCreek mouth, Los Angeles County, 6 September1987. Sketch by Kimball L. Garrett 109 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER Calidris fuscicollis(10). An alternate-plumaged bird was at the Santa Clara R. mouth, VEN, 11-12 Jun 1988 (JSR; NBB, CM, MAP; 149-1988). A photographof it has been published(AB 42:1226). CURLEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea (13). An adult was at the Salinas sewageponds, MTY, 10 Jul 1987 (DEG; 222-1987). Most occurrencesof this speciesin Californiahave been in latesummer and fall,with the earliestadult being at San ElijoLagoon, SD, 4 Jul 1981 and the earliestjuvenile being at Fort Dick, DN, 28-29 Aug 1981 (Binford1985). *BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER Tryngitessubruficollis (55). Two were at Afio Nuevo SR, SM, 27-31 Aug 1987 (MAS; SFB, JM; 244-1987). One was on the Spalettaplateau, Pt. ReyesNS. MRN, 6-7 Sep 1987 (DAH, BDP; 241-1987). One was near Santa Maria, SBA, 6 Sep 1987 (A & JC, BP; 374-1987). One was photographedon SE FarallonI., SF.8-14 Sep 1987 (PH. RDH•': 5-1988). One was at Abbott'sLagoon, Pt. ReyesNS, MRN, 11-24 Sep 1987 (WEH'I',JM; 370-1987). One was near Fort Dick, DN, 15-17 Oct 1987 (ADB; 287-1988). One was photographedon EdwardsAir ForceBase, KER, 5 Sep 1988 (JLD'I',JWl'I'; 164- 1988). Two were photographedat L. Talawa, DN, 7 Sep 1988 (ADB'I';63-1989). One was on San NicolasI., VEN, 5-11 Sep 1988 (TM; 2-1989). Up to nine birds were on the Spalettaplateau, Pt. ReyesNS, MRN, 9-18 Sep 1988 (DAH, MJL, JM, BDP, MAP; 165-1988). One was photographedon L. Shastina,SIS, 16-17 Sep 1988 (MFR: RE•-;61-1989). One was at HaywardRegional Shoreline Park, ALA, 18-19 Sep 1988 (PG; JM, RJR; 219-1988). One wasat the Hollistersewage ponds, SBT, 30 Sep 1988 (KVV; 62-1989).

Figure8. GrayWagtail (180-1988) at the SalinasRiver mouth, Monterey County, 10 October 1988. Photo by Stephen F. Bailey

110 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

All recordsappeared to be of juveniles,as expectedin fall. Nine on Pt. Reyeson 12 Sep 1988 was the largestnumber ever to be foundtogether in Californiaand may have includedtwo or three unsubmittedobservations from elsewhereon Pt. Reyes immediatelyafter this date (AB 43:163). The inland recordsfrom Siskiyou,San Benito, and Kern countiesare notable as most previousindividuals have occurred alongthe coast.Reports of thisspecies (1992 and later)are no longerreviewed by the CBRC. LIq"rLE GULL Larus minutus (36). One was on Crowley L., MNO, 6 Aug-28 Sep 1987 (JLD•'; GMcC, CM; 283-1987); a photographappears in Gaines(1988, p. 141). A first-winterbird was photographedat the TulareLake DrainageDistrict's evaporationponds near Lost Hills, KER, 27 Sep 1987 (CVP•'; 49-1988). One in first-summerplumage was near SaltonCity, IMP, 8 May 1988 (WDS; 42-1989). An adultwas at the WhitewaterR. mouth, N end of the Salton Sea, RIV, 13 Sep 1988 (JLD; 242-1988). One in first-winterplumage was photographedon Monterey Bay, MTY, 16 Oct 1988 (DAS; RLB•', RER; 291-1988). An adult on the Lodi sewage ponds, SJ, 16 Nov 1988-18 Jan 1989 (DGY; 8-1989) was consideredthe same birdas one seenjust to the W of Lodi, SJ, 12 Feb 1 •8• (AK; 47-1989) and present on the Stockton sewage ponds, SJ, 24 Jan-2 Apr 1989 (JM; 46-1989). This was alsoconsidered one of a maximumof five birdsthat havebeen presentin Stockton each winter sinceMarch 1979 (see Langham 1991).

Figure9. Yellow-greenVireo (181-1988) at Point ReyesNational Seashore, Marin County,30 September1988. Note the dullplumage and brightred eye, characteristics of an adult.The large bill, relativelydull supercfiiary,and lack of a prominent blacklateral crown stripe are featuresuseful in distinguishingthe adultYellow-green Vireo from the Red-eyedVireo. Photo by Peter LaTourrette 111 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

When the CrowleyLake bird was foundon 6 Augustit was clearlymolting from first-summerplumage into adult basicplumage and was associatingwith two sum- meringBonaparte's Gulls (L. philadelphia);thus we assumeit had spentthe summer at this locality.The Tulare Lake bird is the first to be found in the southernSan JoaquinValley.

COMMON BLACK-HEADED GULL Larus ridibundus (13). An adult was at the Hayward RegionalShoreline Park, ALA, 28 Aug 1988 (RJR; 297-1988). There are two previoussummer records, of one in Arcata,HUM, 16-23 Jul 1972 (Winterand McCaskie 1973) and another near Manchester, MEN, 18-20 Jun 1984 (Dunn 1988).

LESSERBLACK-BACKED GULL Larus fuscus(6). An adultwas seensporadi- callyat the the Alamo R. mouth, S end of the SaltonSea, IMP, 25 Oct 1986-1 Mar 1987 (RH; MJL, GMcC; 29-1987), and a basic-plumagedadult frequented the same place 13 Dec 1986-24 Feb 1987 (GMcC; 28-1987). These two birdshad very differenthead markings,the latter havingheavier, more extensivemottling, the formerhaving finer, more restrictedstreaking. They were seentogether on 24 Feb 1987. Photographsof the birdwith the fine headmarkings have been published (AB 41:329); it was possiblythe same as one presenthere 18 Dec 1984-5 Jan 1985 (Dunn 1988) and at the N end of the SaltonSea 14 Sep-5 Oct 1986 (Langham 1991), but the Committeefelt it besttreated as a separateindividual.

PARAKEETAUKLET Cyclorrhynchuspsittacula (31'*). Two were at 38ø34'N, 125ø41'W,95 nauticalmiles W of Pt. Arena,MEN, 8 Dec 1988 (LBSfide PP;281- 1988) and anotherwas observedon the same date at 39ø15'N, 125ø27'W, 78 nauticalmiles W of Pt. Cabrillo,MEN (PP; 282-1988). A weak-lookingbird in alternateplumage was swimming along a currentline at 37ø01'N, 122ø30'W, 11.7 nauticalmiles WSW of Aao NuevoSR, SM, 6 Jun 1989 (PP; 105-1989). Theseare thefirst live birds to be foundin Californiawaters since January of 1908, whenRollo H. Beck (1910) collectedat least 14 individualson MontereyBay. It is possible, however,that thisspecies is at leastirregular in winterand early spring in offshore Californiawaters, especially where the outeredge of the CaliforniaCurrent mixes withthe warmer central Pacific water mass, 50-200 nauticalmiles from shore (Pyle pers.obs.), an areathat hasreceived very little ornithological coverage. RUDDY GROUND-DOVEColumbina talpacoti (9). A malewas photographed at China Ranch, near Tecopa,INY, 31 Aug-29 Sep 1984 (JTa•';231-1988), and a femalewas photographedthere 17-20 Sep 1987 (JTa; JLDt, JML, MJL, CM, MAP; 257-1987). At FurnaceCreek Ranch, Death Valley NM, INY, a male was present 17 Oct 1987-4 Jan 1988 (BD; CC, JLDt, CM, GMcC, MAP; 293-1987), anothermale was present 21 Oct-3 Nov 1988 (GMcC,MAP, DRY';205-1988), and up to three femaleswere there 3 Nov 1988-2 April 1989 (Figure4; SFB, JLD•', KLG•, GMcC, SM, MAP, ASc, FT; 249-1988, 250-1988, and 251-1988). The malephotographed at ChinaRanch established the firstaccepted record for California;one reportedearlier near Fillmore, VEN, waspresumed by the CBRCto havebeen an escapee(Binford 1985), but the recordmay be recirculated.Photo- graphsof the FurnaceCreek Ranch females have been published in AB (43:169) and by Dunnet al. (1990), who providean excellentaccount of how to distinguishthe Ruddyfrom the Common(C. passerina)Ground-Dove. BLACK-BILLEDCUCKOO Coccyzus er•thropthalm us (12). First-year birds were bandedand measured on SE FarallonI., SF, 26 Aug 1987 (PP'•';246-1987) andat LamphereDunes W of Arcata,HUM, 9 Sep 1987 (CJR•';139-1988). One wasseen on Pt. ReyesNS ("NewWillows"), MRN, 12-17 Sep 1987 (JM, BDP; 242-1987). 112 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

CaliforniaBlack-billed Cuckoos have occurredin fall between26 Aug and 18 Oct, with most duringSeptember. A photographof the FarallonI. bird, the earliestfall migrantrecorded in California,has beenpublished (AB 42:130). GROOVE-BILLEDANI Crotophagasulcirostris (4). One photographedat Galileo Hill, KER, 14-15 Oct 1988 (JWlt; GHRt, PR; 284-1988) wasthe northernmostof four thus far recorded in California. *BARRED OWL $trix varia (6). Single birds heard calling near Willow Creek, HUM, 26 Dec 1987 (SDF; 98-1988) and at HowlandHill, near CrescentCity, DN, 22 Feb 1989 (ADB; 51-1989) were consideredthe samebirds first foundat these localesin 1983 (Binford1985, Morlan 1985, Bevier 1990, Langham 1991). Two birds,presumably a pair,were heardcalling near the S endof RuthReservoir, TRI, on twelvenights between 25 Apr 1988 and 13 Jun 1989 (GR; 207-1989). Thesebirds are assumedto be colonizingextreme northwestern California, where there are now severalresident birds. The Committee no longer reviewsrecords after December 1989. CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW Caprimulguscarolinensis (2). A freshlykilled bird was foundon a road near Loleta, HUM, 4 Jan 1989 (RAEt; 102-1989). The specimen (HSU 7749) was made into a life mount and displayedin the WildlifeBuilding at Humboldt State University.Full details were publishedby Harris and Hawkins (1990). BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD Cynanthus latirostris(32). An adultmale was at Turtle Rock Nature Center, Irvine, ORA, 29-30 Sep 1982 (DRW; 194-1988). First-yearmales were in MissionViejo, ORA, 30 Nov-12 Dec 1987 (DRW; JLD, GMcC; 50-1988), and Ventura, VEN, 22 Nov 1987-4 Mar 1988 (VJKt; SFB, LRBe, JLDt, THK, PELt, CM, GMcC, MAP, DR, JSR; 45-1988). A femalewas at the same site in Ventura, VEN, 31 Jan-4 Mar 1988 (GMcC; THK, CM, MAP; 72- 1988). XANTUS' HUMMINGBIRD Hylocharis xantusii (2). An adult male was at Yaqui Well, Anza-Borrego SP, SD, 27 Dec 1986 (RK; 174-1987). A female was in Ventura, VEN, 30 Jan-27 Mar 1988 (KHb, JSR; SFB, LRBet, JLDt, KLG, VJKt, THK, PELt, CM, GMcC, MAP, DR, ASmt; 65-1988). Full detailsof theserecords are publishedelsewhere in this issue.

VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRD Amazilia violiceps(2). One at a feeder in BouquetCanyon. near Saugus, LA, 25-29 May 1987 (JLD, KLG, JML, CM, GMcC, MAP, ASmt; 143-1987) was the secondto have occurredin California, the first havingbeen at a feederin SantaPaula, VEN, between6 July and late December 1976 (Johnsonand Ziegler 1978). There was no questionas to the specificidentity of this bird, but one Committee member felt the nominatesouthern race couldnot be excludedand was therefore unwillingto considerthe bird positivelya genuine vagrant. Photographslater obtained by the Committee, however, show that the colorationon the upper sideof the tail was not bronzyor copperas is typicalof nominatevioliceps (S. N. G. Howellpers. comm.). A colorphotograph of thisbird has been published(AB 41:380).

RED-HEADED WOODPECKER Melanerpes erythrocephalus(3). An adult was presentin WinchesterCanyon, Goleta, SBA, 14 Sep 1988-23 Apr 1989 (KB; SFB, DCt, JLDt, KLG, PELt, MJL, CM, GMcC, MAP, DRt; 168-1988); photograph published(AB 43:53). An adultnear Niland, IMP, 17 Jul-22 Aug 1971 (Cardiffand Driscol11972)and another on Pt. St. George,DN, 9 Jun 1986 (Bevier1990) are the only previousaccepted records for the state;a report of one found dead near La Puente, LA, 20 May 1962 (Marqua 1963) is currentlybeing reviewed.

113 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

GREATER PEWEE Contopus pertinax (21). One at the San Diego Zoo, San Diego,SD, 20 Feb-30 Mar 1988 (GMcC;92-1988) returnedto thesame eucalyptus grovethe followingwinter, 6 Dec 1988-1 Mar 1989 (GMcC,MAP; 5-1989). YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER Empictonaxflaviventris (4). A first-yearbird was caught,banded, and carefullymeasured on SE FarallonI., SF, 3-5 Sep 1986 (PPt; 56-1987). One was seenand photographedin Carpinteria,SBA, 16-17 Oct 1987 (PEL; LRBa, CDB, CB, JAJ, JEL, RM, CM, JSR, LSt, ASm; 261-1987). Both of these recordswere acceptedby the Committee on the secondround. Minor concernsabout the Farallonbird duringthe first roundincluded the fact that the wing formula(Phillips et. al. 1966) suggestedthat the bird was a male whereas the wingand billlengths were small,suggesting a female, that the differencebetween the wing and tail lengthsof 11 mm was 1 mm shyof a publishedrange (12-20 ram; Pyle et. al. 1987), and that the bird may have been a CordilleranFlycatcher (E. occidentalis),which at the time had not yet been split from the Pacific-slope Flycatcher(E. ctifficitis;A.O.U. 1989) and was not as well known by Committee members.During second-roundcomments it was pointedout that the published measurementswere basedon specimensand might differ slighfiyfrom those obtained on live birds,and that Pacific-slopeand Cordilleranflycatchers are similarif not identicalto each other in the plumagecharacteristics useful in separatingthem from the Yellow-belliedFlycatcher. Plumage features charcteristic of the Western Flycatcher(Empictonax ctiffi½itis in the broadsense) include olive or brownishtones to the upperparts,a prominenfiyalmond-shaped eye ring that is weak or broken abovethe eye, mustard-coloredunderwing linings, duller yellow underparts without the appearanceof an olive breastband, and, especiallyin the immature, brownish wingswith bullyfeather edges and wing bars. The Farallonand Carpinteriabirds, like fall Yellow-belliedFlycatchers, had greenerupperparts, rounder eye ringsthat were full abovethe eye, lemon-yellowunderwing linings, generally brighter yellow underparts with diffuseolive breastbands, and black wingscontrasting markedly with brightlemon feather edges and wingbars. On the basisof these characteristics,Committee memberswere satisfiedthat the Carpinteriabird was not a WesternFlycatcher, but the questionarose whether or not a fall first-yearAcadian Flycatcher(E. virescens)had been adequatelyeliminated. Outsidereviewer Steven W. Cardiffprovided a lengthyanalysis based on examination of the specimencollection at LSU, cautioningthe Committeethat noneof the noted characteristicson its own eliminatedthe Acadian Flycatcher.Most Committee membersagreed with thisanalysis but felt that the combinationof all charactersruled out Acadianto their satisfaction,as did outsidereviewers Kenn Kaufman,Greg W. Lasley,Bret Whitney, and Alan Wormington.With suchdifficult identifications it is alwaysbest to synthesizeall criteriasimultaneously. The Committeeespecially thanks the outsidereviewers for their input on this record. The Farallonbird was the third and earliestfor the islandand for California (see DeSanteet al. 1985 for detailson the previoustwo); the Carpinteriabird was the first for mainland and southern California.

DUSKY-CAPPEDFLYCATCHER Myiarc!•us tuberculifer (15). One winteredin MissionViejo, ORA, 21 Nov 1987-3 April 1988 (JLD, CM, GMcC, MAP, DRW•; 375-1987). One alongthe Alamo R. near the S end of the SaltonSea, IMP, 22-30 Dec 1987 (JLD, CM, GMcC, MAP; 44-1988) was the first record for Imperial County. One was near Aptos, SCZ, 21 Jan-10 Mar 1988 (DLS; MJL, DR; 61- 1988). One was in BalboaPark, San Diego, SD, 16 Fe/•-7 Apr 1988 (GMcC; 91- 1988). These four recordscontinue to supportthe winter pattern of occurrenceof this speciesin California.All 15 acceptedindividuals have been foundbetween Novem- ber and March.

114 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER Myiarchus crinitus (24). Individualswere observedon SE Farallon I., SF, 13 Oct 1970 (DDeS; 17-1989), 18 Sep 1971 (DDeS; 18-1989), and 27 Sep 1974 (DDeS; 19-1989). One was in Arcata, HUM, 13 Oct 1978 (SWH; 214-1987). One was on Pt. Loma, SD, 25 Sep 1987 (GMcC; 288-1987). One was at PismoSB, SLO, 6-7 Oct 1987 (JLD, PEL, CM, DR, KJZ•'; 253-1987). One was at the Carmel R. mouth, MTY, 9 Oct 1988 (MCM; 218-1988). The bird at PismoSB, a photographof whichappeared in AB (42:137), was only the 5th of 24 acceptedindividuals in Californiato have been observedat the same localefor more than one day. THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD Tyrannus crassirostris(7). The bird at Peters Can- yon, nearLemon Heights, ORA, returnedfor itsfifth andsixth winters, 4 Nov 1987- 5 Mar 1988 (MAP; 89-1988) and 29 Nov 1988-5 Mar 1989 (GMcC; 74-1989). It haspreviously been acceptedby the Committeeas havingoccurred each winter since 1982-1983 (Morlan 1985, Bevier 1990). SCISSOR-TAILEDFLYCATCHER Tyrannusforficatus (49). A moltingadult was at Ramer L., ImperialValley, IMP, 29 Aug 1987 (GMcC; 280-1987). Adult males wereat FurnaceCreek Ranch, Death Valley NM, INY, 24 Oct 1987 (PEL;JLD, CM, GMcC; 295-1987), at MossLanding Wildlife Area, MTY, 21-22 Jul 1988 (BN; CS•'; 157-1988), and near Arroyo Grande,SLO, 17-26 Aug 1988 (VH; JLD•', MAP; 158-1988). It is interestingthat all four of theseindividuals were adults,the July and August birdsbeing worn andthe Octoberbird being fresh. This species typically molts on its winter grounds,suggesting that the worn birdswere southboundmigrants whereas the Octoberbird may havemolted locally or wasan earlywinter wanderer. DUSKY WARBLER?hylloscopus fuscatus (3). A first-yearindividual was captured,banded, and carefully measured on SE FarallonI., SF, 14 Oct 1987 (Figure5; DBe, PH'•; 6-1988). Remarkably,this is the third recordof this Siberianvagrant in the state and secondfor SE FarallonI. See Madge (1987) and Round (1988) for recentinformation on the identificationof thisspecies. NORTHERN WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe (4). One was well seen and photographedbetween Orland and Kirkwood,TEH, 13-15 Oct 1988 (SFB, JLD•', EH, CM, GMcC, JM, BDP, MAP, DRY';197-1988). Anotherwas photographedon SE FarallonI., SF, 6-10 Nov 1988 (Figure6; SA•', PH; 64-1989). These are the first records for California since 1977 and the second and third fall records;a photographof the TehamaCounty bird appears in AB (43:164). It wasnot possibleto determinethe ageor sexof eitherbird, except that relatively pale plumage indicatedthat theywere not adultmales (Svensson 1984). The Committeealso felt it bestnot to speculateon the raceof eitherbird. The nominaterace breeding across Eurasiaand in Alaskawould be expected,but the only infallibleway to distinguish immaturesand femalesin basicplumage from thoseof the Greenlandrace (O. o. leucorhoa)is by measurements(Cramp and Simmons1988). A reassessmentof the 11 June 1971 specimenfrom SE FarallonI. (Manuwaland Lewis 1972) basedon measurementspublished by Cramp and Simmons(1988) indicatesthat thisbird was of the nominaterace (J. Morlan in litt.). VEERYCatharus fuscescens (7). Onewas observed at thelighthouse on Pt. Reyes NS, MRN, 15 Oct 1988 (DDeS; 292-1988). GRAY-CHEEKEDTHRUSH Catharusminirnus (7). A first-yearindividual of the nominaterace was bandedand measuredon SE FarallonI., SF, 17-18 Oct 1987 (JC; PHi'; 7-1988). GRAYCATBIRD Dumetella carolinensis (41). One wasat SnowCreek Village, nearCabazon, RIV, 23 Sep 1987 (TJG;51-1988). One wasat ScottysCastle, Death 115 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

Valley NM, INY, 16 Oct 1987 (JLD; GMcC; 292-1987). One was at Rancho Palos Verdes, LA, 16-18 Oct 1987 (JKA; 363-1987). One was at Furnace Creek Ranch, Death Valley NM, INY, 7-8 Nov 1987 (MTat; JLD, KLG, GMcC; 376-1987). One was seenat Los Osos,SLO, 14 Feb 1988 (MCo; 142-1988). Individualswere found at CabrilloNM, Pt. Loma, SD, 11-17 Jul 1988 (GMcC, MAP; 136-1988) and $-26 Oct 1988 (EEP; GMcC, MAP; 192-1988 and 222-1988). One was at Furnace Creek Ranch, Death Valley NM, INY, 21-22 Oct 1988 (GMcC, MAP, DR; 206- 1988). One was at Paso PicachoCampground in the CuyamacaMts., SD, 29 Oct 1988 (DA; 71-1989). The July bird at CabrilloNM was moltingand may have summeredlocally. The secondbird at this heavilybirded locality was seenvery intermittenfiy,prompting speculationthat there was more than one individual.Because the speciesis secretive and the birdwas always observed in the samearea, the Committeedecided by an 8- 2 vote that observationson 3 and 9 October 1988 (192-1988) and 21-26 October 1988 (222-1988) were mostlikely of the samebird. That all nine of theserecords are for southernCalifornia is not surprising;only nine of the 41 acceptedGray Catbirds have been in northern California. YELLOW WAGTAIL l•1otacillaflava (7). One wasat the MalibuCreek mouth, LA, 6 Sep 1987 (Figure7; WC; JKAt, NBB, KLG•, RCR; 240-1987). Unlike previous YellowWagtails in California,this bird had brightyellow underpartsand lacked extensivestreaking on the upper breast,suggesting that it may have been an adult male in basicplumage (see Svensson 1984, Cramp and Simmons1988; pertaining to the Europeanraces). Because the plumageof eachage/sex class varies with race, and the race of this bird couldnot be determined,the Committeefelt it best not to specifythis bird's age or sex until more is known about variation in the eastern Palearcticsubspecies of the YellowWagtail. GRAY WAGTAIL l•1otacillacinerea (1). California'sfirst was observed and photographedat the SalinasR. mouth,MTY, 9-10 Oct 1988 (Figure8; DAS; SFB•, JLD, SEF•, MJL, GMcC, JM, MAP, DRY, RSt; 180-1988). This representsthe firstNorth Americanrecord of this speciesS of the outer Aleutianand St. Lawrenceislands, Alaska;there is a sightreport from the NorthwestTerritories (AOU 1983). The Gray Wagtail'soccurrence in Californiawas not entirelyunexpected given the tendencyof other Siberianwagtails to occuralong the Pacificcoast. The Committeecould not ascertainthis individual'srace, age, or sex, althoughthe brightnessof the plumage suggestedeither a first-yearmale or an adultfemale, and the shorttail (relativeto the Europeanrace) suggested the expectedSiberian form, •/. c. robusta. WHITE WAGTAiL l•1otacillaalba (2). An adult, probablya male, winteredat Oxnard, VEN, 22 Nov 1987-6 Mar 1988 (JSR; JKA, LRBa, NBB, JLD•, CM, GMcC, MAP, DR; 362-1987) and returnedto the samelocality 16 Oct 1988-4 Mar 1989 (JLD, GMcC; 248-1988). A photographwas publishedin AB (42:322). The prominentblack eyeline and grayishback indicate the expectedrace I•1. a. ocularisof the eastern Palearcticand Alaska (Morlan 1981, in litt.). BLACK-BACKED WAGTAIL l•1otacillalugens (4). An adultwas well studiedat Port Hueneme, VEN, 2 Aug-7 Sep 1987 (JKA•, JLD, KLG, MJL, CM, GMcC, MAP; 230-1987). *RED-THROATED PIPIT Antbus cervinus (59). One was at Furnace Creek Ranch,Death Valley NM, INY, 19-20 Sep 1987 (JLD; MJL, CM, MAP; 258-1987). Separateindividuals were foundat Goleta, SBA, 6 Oct 1987 (JLD; 378-1987), 15 Oct 1987 (HPR; 379-1987), 2-3 Oct 1988 (SEF; PEL; 210-1988), 8 Oct 1988 (HPR; 273-1988), 9 Oct 1988 (PEL, GMcC; 199-1988), and 17-27 Oct 1988 (JLD; 244-1988). One to two birdswere in the TijuanaR. valley,SD, 7-10 Oct 1987 (GMcC; 289-1987). One was near Morro Bay, SLO, 9-17 Oct 1987 (CM;

116 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

JLD, PEL, KJZ; 377-1987). One was at Virgin Creek SB, MEN, 10-13 Oct 1987 (KFC; BK•-; 173-1988). One at the Carmel R. mouth, MTY, 11 Oct 1987 (JML; 394-1987) is previouslyunpublished. One was at the SalinasR. mouth, MTY, 3 Oct 1988 (GHR; 184-1988). Individualsvisited SE FarallonI., SF, 6-7 Oct 1988 (PPi; 212-1988) and 27 Oct 1988 (PPi; 286-1988). One was near Oxnard, VEN, 11-15 Oct 1988 (JSR; 85-1989). A bird at the Santa Maria R. mouth, SBA, 16 Oct 1988 (PEL;274-1988) wasflushed into San Luis Obispo County, and another was found 2 miles up the Santa Maria R., SBA, 45 minuteslater (PEL; 275-1988). One was observedfrom a researchvessel 69 nauticalmiles SW of San MiguelI., SBA, 21 Oct 1988 (RRV; 84-1989). Two were foundin the TijuanaR. valley,SD, 23 Oct 1988 (GMcC; 223-1988). The birdat FurnaceCreek Ranch was only the secondto be recordedaway from the coastin California;the first, at the same locale on 5 Oct 1985, was recently accepted.Unprecedented numbers were detected along the coastduring the fallsof 1987 and 1988, in part reflectingthe increasedability of birdersto discoverthis speciesby itsdistinctive call note. Several of therecords above were based entirely or almostentirely upon this vocalization, as described by observersfamiliar with the call and those of similar-soundingspecies. All 59 acceptedrecords fall between9 Septemberand 17 November.The CBRC hasdiscontinued reviewing records of this speciesafter 1991. SPRAGUE'S PIPIT Ar•thusspragueii (20). One wasat Goleta,SBA, 5 Oct 1987 (CDB; JLD; 380-1987). One on SE FarallonI., SE 16 Oct 1987 (JC; PH; 8-1988) wasonly the thirdfor northernCalifornia, all at thislocale. WHITE-EYED VIREO Vireo griseus(15). One was at Carpinteria,SBA, 21-30 Oct 1987 (RPH; JLD•-, PEL•-, CM, GMcC, MAP; 296-1987). One at GlassCreek near Mammoth Lakes, MNO, 2 Sep 1988 (WDS; 43-1989) is previouslyunpublished.One was on Pt. Loma, SD, 16-25 Oct 1988 (GMcC, MAP, EEP; 200-1988). Theseare the firstaccepted fall recordsfor the state.By eye colorthe GlassCreek bird was an adult,the other two were first-yearbirds. The earlydate for the Glass Creekbird alongwith its age suggeststhat it may havesummered locally, as did one seenat Goleta, SBA, 18 May-14 Sep 1982 (Morlan 1985). YELLOW-THROATED VIREO Vireo flavifrons (30). A singingmale found at Nicasio,MRN, 31 May 1987 (JE; 121-1988) is previouslyunpublished. One wasby Mono L., MNO, 26 Aug 1987 (ES; 277-1987). One was at Goleta, SBA, 18-19 Nov 1987 (CDB, JLD, PEL•-, CM; 381-1987). One was at Scotty'sCastle, Death ValleyNM, INY, 19 May 1988 (BD; 145-1988). One was near Oxnard,VEN, 24 Sep 1988 (JSR;86-1989). PHILADELPHIA VIREO Vireo philadelphicus(64). One was on SE FarallonI., SF, 14 Sep 1977 (RLeV;6-1989). One wasat the lighthouseon Pt. ReyesNS, MRN, 26 Sep 1980 (DDeS; 12-1989). One wasin the TijuanaR. valley,SD, 23-29 Oct 1987 (GMcC; 297-1987). One wasat PismoSB, Oceano,SLO, 1 Nov 1987 (TME; CM; 2-1988). One wasobserved and tape-recorded singing in GoldenGate Park, SF, 15-17 June 1988 (SFB,JM, SWM, RR; CAS recordingCBRC-5; 130-1988). One was near the lighthouseon Pt. ReyesNS, MRN, 22 Sep 1988 (SPC;216-1988). One was at Carmel, MTY, 3 Oct 1988 (DAS; JLD; 243-1988). One was at HuntingtonBeach, ORA, 5-6 Oct 1988 (MAP,DRW; 254-1988). YELLOW-GREEN VIREO Vireo flavoviridis (24). One was in Big Sycamore Canyon,VEN, 21 Sep-5 Oct 1987 (NM; JLD•', KLG•',PEL, CM, GMcC, BP,MAP, JSR; 287-1987). One was at Goleta, SBA, 24 Sep 1988 (HPR; 276-1988). One wasin the TijuanaR. valley,SD, 25-26 Sep 1988 (GMcC; 189-1988). An adultwas at the Nunesranch, Pt. ReyesNS, MRN, 30 Sep 1988 (Figure9; PLaT•-; 181- 1988). One was at Irvine, ORA, 1 Oct 1988 (GMcC, MAP; 188-1988). One was at

117 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

Pacific Grove, MTY, 9-12 Oct 1988 (SEF•'; DR, RFT'•; 183-1988). One was at La Jolla, SD, 21-23 Oct 1988 (GMcC; 221-1988). One was on SE FarallonI., SF, 25 Oct 1988 (PP•'; 285-1988). The sevenduring fall 1988 representthe highestannual total so far recordedin California;the next highestwas four in 1982. The bird on Point Reyeswas the first adultreported from California.

BLUE-WINGED WARBLER Verrnivorapinus (9). One was near FinneyL., IMP, 13 Sep 1988 (JLD; 241-1988). One was at Long Beach, LA, 17-18 Sep 1988 (JKA, SHD, KLG, KJ; 176-1988). Both birdswere reportedas males(AB 43:170) becauseof their bold blackeye linesand extensiveyellow crowns with the greenof the upperpartsextending only to the extremehind nape. The age/sexclasses of thisspecies are not distinct;rather, as in manypasserines, the plumageof eachclass overlaps with another's so that there is continuousvariation from the dullestfirst-year females to the brightestadult males. Both descriptionsindicate bright birds that were probablymales but possiblyadult females.

GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER Verrnivorachrysoptera (32). A male was found alongDeChambeau Creek, near Mono L., MNO, 16 Aug 1987 (JHH; 278-1987). A femalewas at Mojave,KER, 21-22 May 1988 (JLD, MF, CM; 140-1988). Males were at Newport Beach,ORA, 30 Sep-1 Oct 1988 (GMcC, MAP, DRW; 187-1988) and Irvine, ORA, 26-30 Oct 1988 (DRW; JLD; 245-1988).

YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER Dendroica dorninica (55). One was on SE FarallonI., SF, 16-19 Sep 1974 (DDeS; 13-1989). One was near Murrieta,RIV, 8 Sep 198•7 (JH; IPL; 285-1987). One was at StinsonBeach, MRN, 29 Nov 1987 (KHa; RS; 59-1988). Singingmales were at CaliforniaCity, KER, 28 May 1988 (WC, GT; 120-1988) and near Trinidad,HUM, 14 Jun 1989 (KI; GSL; 95-1989). The StinsonBeach bird had a largebill andextensive yellow in the supraloralzone andthus was of eitherthe nominaterace or the poorlydefined and local race D. d. stoddardi.This is only the thirdconfirmed record of a "yellow-lored"bird in the state, the previoustwo alsobeing for late fall or winter(Craig 1972, Dunn 1988). One of thesewas of a birdthat wintered in 1984-1985 at Olema,just 13 milesN of Stinson Beach (Dunn 1988). The Farallonand Murrieta birdswere seen to have white above the lores, indicatingthe subspeciesD. d. albilora. The other two individualswere likelyalbilora, as suggested by the descriptionsand the factthat all previousspring Yellow-throatedWarblers in Californiahave been of thisrace. Although albilora can havesmall amounts of yellowabove the lores,this area is mostly white, as opposed to mostlyyellow in the nominaterace. As with the Blue-wingedWarbler, the Yellow- throatedWarbler's plumage varies continuously with age and sex.

GRACE'S WARBLER Dendroica graciae (20). Individualsreturned to winter at Montecito, SBA, 4 Oct-10 Dec 1987 (JLD, PEL, BDP; 273-1987) and at Ventura, VEN, 25 Oct 1987-25 Mar 1988 (LRBa, MAP; 87-1988). One was found at La Jolla, SD, 13 Feb-4 Apr 1988 (PEL, CM, GMcC; 82-1988). A singingmale was foundon Santa Cruz I., SBA, 22 Mar 1988 (HPR; MAH; 116-1988). This was the ninth and last winter for the Montecitobird (acceptedall eight previous winters: Binford 1985, Roberson 1986, Dunn 1988, Bevier 1990, Langham1991) and the fourthwinter for the Venturabird (acceptedpreviously: Dunn 1988, Bevier1990, Langham1991). The SantaCruz I. birdwas supposed by somemembers to havewintered on the islandbecause 22 Marchis too earlyfor a migrant,but in mostyears the Montecitoand Venturabirds were lastreported from late Februarythrough March, so the date itselfis not conclusive.

118 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

PINE WARBLERDendroica pintas (34). First-yearfemales were near Briceland, HUM, 25 Sep 1985 (RWS; 218-1987), at the Mendozaranch, Pt. ReyesNS, MRN, 15-17 Oct 1987 (RS; AGt, JML, JM; 268-1987), in the TijuanaR. valley,SD, 1 Nov 1987 (GMcC; 299-1987) and 22-23 Oct 1988 (GMcC, MAP; 224-1988), at GaviotaSB, SBA, 5 Nov 1987 (PEL; 382-1987), and at AckersonMeadow, TUO, 22 Nov 1987 (JWn;391-1987). First-yearmales or adultfemales were at Riverside, RIV, 1 Oct 1987 (DGo; GA; 52-1988) and on SE FarallonI., SF, 18-19 Nov 1987 (PHt; 9-1988). A first-yearmale at MorroBay SP,SLO, 19 Dec 1987-29 Mar 1988 (JSR;CM•, MAP; 4-1988), was frequentlyheard singing before its departure.First- year malesor adultfemales were on Pt. Loma, SD, 24-25 Oct 1988 (GMcC; 225- 1988) and in PresidioPark, San Diego, SD, 6-7 Nov 1988 (GMcC; 228-1988). A female,probably first-year, was at Hope Ranch,Santa Barbara, SBA, 31 Dec 1988- 28 Feb 1989 (JLD, KLG, PEL, CM, GMcC, MAP, DR; 4-1989). The Bricelandbird was previouslyunpublished. Although there is overlapin the plumageof this species'age/sex classes,most individuals can be recognizedin the fieldas either first-year females, first-year males/adult females, or adultmales by the brightnessand amountof greenand yellowin their plumageand the distinctnessof the streakingon their underparts. CERULEANWARBLER Dendroica cerulea (10). A first-yearmale was on the campusof the Universityof California,Irvine, ORA, 1-3 Oct 1988 (PEL, GMcC, MAP; 186-1988). •PROTHONOTARY WARBLER Protonotaria citrea (73). One was along the coastat San Francisco,SF, 30 Aug 1969 (RWS; VGD; 232-1987). One was at the WhitewaterR. mouth,N end of the SaltonSea, RIV, 3 Sep 1987 (DLD; 281-1987). One wasat the New R. mouth,S endof the SaltonSea, IMP, 5 Sep 1987 (MCM; 53- 1988). One was at FurnaceCreek Ranch,Death ValleyNM, INY, 5-11 Sep 1987 (JLD•, GMcC, GHR•; 284-1987). A singingmale was foundat Oasis,MNO, 22 May 1988 (NBB, MAP; 146-1988). One was at Morro Bay, SLO, 4 Sep 1988 (GPS; 236-1988). One wasat the lighthouseon Pt. ReyesNS, MRN, 29 Sep 1988 (SPC; 217-1988). One was at Pismo SB, Oceano, SLO, 12 Nov 1988 (MTH; 72-1989). The ProthonotaryWarbler resembles the Blue-wingedWarbler in that the age/sex classesoverlap in the amountof green wash on the nape and crown. Unlike Blue- winged Warblers,however, Prothonotary Warblers can be reliablysexed by the amountof white in the tail. Malestypically have five rectrices on eachside of the tail with white patches,whereas females have two or three suchrectrices on each side, andthe whitepatches on the rectricesare largerin malesthan in females(see Pyle et al. 1987). Once a Prothonotaryis sexedin the fieldby the whitein the tail, its age mightbe inferredby the amountof greenon the nape and crown.Records of this species(1990 and later)are no longerreviewed by the CBRC. WORM-EATING WARBLER Helrnitheros t•errnt•orus (49). Individualswere bandedand measuredat LamphereDunes, W of Arcata, HUM, 3-7 Dec 1982 (CJR•; 138-1988), and on SE Farallon I., SF, 16 Oct 1987 (PHt; 10-1988). Winteringindividuals were foundon Pt Loma,SD, 17 Oct 1987-27 Feb 1988 (CM, GMcC; 298-1987) and at HuntingtonBeach, ORA, 21 Oct 1987-3 Feb 1988 (JLD, CM, GMcC, MAP; 294-1987). One was at the Carmel R. mouth, MTY, 25 Oct-3 Nov 1987 (DR, BJW; 264-1987). One was near Morro Bay, SLO, 19 Dec 1987-31 Jan 1988 (MTH; SFB, JLD, CM, MAP, DR; 64-1988). One was found at Malibu, LA, 20 Dec 1987 (HB; 107-1988). One wasat PacificGrove, MTY, 21 Mar-l$ Apr 1988 (KS•; 109-1988). One was at Irvine, ORA, 11 May 1988 (DRW; 148-1988). One was at Pt. ReyesNS ("RoadForks Pool"), MRN, 9 Sep 1988 (PP, RS•; 167- 1988). One was at Oasis, MNO, 2-12 Nov 1988 (SFB, JLD, KLG•; 238-1988). One was at Half Moon Bay, SM, 3 Dec 1988 (DJK; 262-1988). A photographof the HuntingtonBeach bird appears in AB (42:138). 119 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

KENTUCKY WARBLEROporornis formosus (44). Maleswere capturedby cats and eventuallydied at Claremont,LA, 9 May 1985 (KLG, DGut; LACM 104915; 133-1988) and, previouslyunpublished, at MammothLakes, MNO, 15 June 1985 (DAG; CAS 84059; 256-1988). A second-yearmale was bandedand measuredon SE FarallonI., SF, 14-17 July 1987 (PPt; 247-1987). A male was near Mono L., MNO, 13 Aug 1987 (DAG; 279-1987). An adultfemale was bandedand measured near Alviso, SCL, 18-27 Sep 1987 (LRM•; 272-1987). On SE FarallonI., SF, a femalewas present17 Jun 1988 (PP•; 154-1988) and a first-yearmale was banded and measured9-10 Sep 1988 (SFB•; 300-1988). An immaturefemale was at the Pt. Loma lighthouse,SD, 12 Oct 1988 (JNW; REW; 50-1990). A male was at ButterbredtSprings, KER, 19-21 May 1989 (GMcC, MAP; 91-1989). The Julybird on SE FarallonI., althoughoriginally thought by the observerto be a female(AB 41:1485), waslater judged a worn 2nd-yearmale after a reevaluationof the photograph.Sexing this species in the fieldcan be difficultas the plumageof first- year malesapproaches that of adultfemales, although there is littleif any overlap betweenthese two age/sex classes.The Mono Lake recordwas the lastdescription receivedfrom the late David Gaines;the Committeewishes to acknowledgethe many contributionsof this excellentfield observerto the CBRC and to California ornithology. CONNECTICUT WARBLEROporornis agilis (37). A first-yearfemale was banded and measurednear Alviso, SCL, 2 Sep 1987 (LRM•; 271-1987). Birdsbanded and measuredon SE FarallonI., SF, were an adultfemale 21-24 Sep 1987 (RAE, PHt; 11-1988)and a first-yearfemale 12 Oct 1987 (PHi; 12-1988).One wasat Big SycamoreCanyon, VEN, 27 Sep 1987 (PEL; LS•; 383-1987). One was at the lighthouseon Pt. ReyesNS, MRN, 9 Oct 1987 (RS; 58-1988). One wasat Montana de Oro SP,SLO, 23-25 Sep 1988 (GPS;JLD, PEL, MJL, GMcC, MAP; 178-1988). Photographsof the two Farallonbirds appear in Pyle and Henderson(1990). Ageingand sexing fall females and immatures of thisspecies in thefield, by plumage alone, is not feasible(Pyle and Henderson1990). MOURNING WARBLEROporomis philadelphia (49). Individualswere banded andmeasured on SE FarallonI., SF,27-28 Aug 1987 (PP•; 248-1987, probablya male),13 Sep 1987 (two birds,both PHi; 13-1988, probablya female,and 14- 1988, a male),13 Oct 1987 (PHt; 15-1988, probablya male);14-15 June 1988 (PPf; 153-1988, a male),30 Aug 1988 (PP•; 166-1988, a female),and 8-11 Sep 1988 (SFB•;299-1988, a male).Others were found at Goleta,SBA, 15-16 Sep 1988 (PEL;LRBa; 277-1988) andat the CarmelR. mouth,MTY, 8 Oct 1988 (DR; GMcC;182-1988). All werefirst-year birds except the femaleon 30 Aug 1988. Somefirst-year birds in fall, suchas 14-1988, maybe reliablysexed as malesby the presenceof blackfeathers on the upper breast,however, those without black feathersare not necessarilyfemales. On suchbirds, males tend to havebrighter underpartsand a darkerand moreextensive gray wash to the napeand head,but sexingin the fieldof first-yearbirds without black in the breastis not advisable(Pyle andHenderson 1990). The adult female on 30 August1988, thefirst of thisage/sex classdocumented in Californiain the fall,was interesting in thatit hada whitethroat, a fieldmark of fallimmature MacGillivray's Warblers (O. tolmei).Photographs of this birdand the first-yearmale of 8-11 September1988 werepublished by Pyleand Henderson (1990). SCARLETTANAGER Piranga olit•cea (58). A femalewas banded and measured on SE Farallon I., SF, 22 Oct 1976 (RLeV; 7-1989). Adult males were in the HollywoodHills, LA, 15-17 July1982 (CF;58-1989) andat the CarmelR. mouth, MTY, 11-17 Oct 1987 (PEL;DRy; 259-1987). First-yearmales were on Pt. Loma, SD, 14-18 Oct 1987 (CM, GMcC; 291-1987) and 23-30 Oct 1988 (DBa;JLD, GMcC, MAP; 226-1988). A femalewas at HuntingtonBeach, ORA, 7-15 Nov 120 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

1987 (LRH; JLD•', CM; 385-1987). At Goleta,SBA, a first-yearmale was seen 10- 12 Nov 1987 (CDB;JLD% PEL; 384-1987) anda first-yearfemale hit a windowand perished,12 Nov 1987 (UCSB 20302; 386-1987). Femaleswere at Ventura,VEN, 15 Nov 1987 (JSR; 47-1988) and on SE FarallonI., SF, 26 Nov 1987 (PH; 16- 1988). PAINTED BUNTING Passerinaciris (20). Dull first-yearbirds were near Santa Maria SBA, 8 Sep 1987 (GHR; JLD; 389-1987) and on Pt. Loma, SD, 4 Oct 1987 (PEL; CM; 387-1987). A first-yearmale was at Goleta, SBA, 21 Nov 1987 (JLD, PEL•-;388-1987), and a probablefirst-year female was there 4-5 Nov 1988 (PEL; JLD, MAP; 247-1988). Immaturesof thisspecies molt their body feathers twice in the fall, oncebetween Juneand August when they shed the juvenalplumage, and againbetween September andNovember when they acquire first basic plumage (Thompson 1991). Thissecond or "supplemental"molt includes3-6 outer primarieson each wing. The sexesare very similarbefore the supplementalmolt, so dullbirds seen from Augustthrough early Octoberare not necessarilyfemales. After the supplementalmolt, first-year malescan be distinguishedfrom femalesby their brighterlime-green plumage and blueedges on the newlyreplaced outer primaries.

CASSlN'S SPARROW Airnophila cassinii(31). One was on SE FarallonI., SF, 13 Sep 1988 (DDK; 211-1988). LE CONTE'S SPARROW Amrnodrarnus leconteii (14). Individualsin juvenal plumagewere on SE FarallonI., SF, 18-19 Sep 1987 (PHi-; RAE; 17-1988) and 20-24 Sep 1987 (RAE, PHi-; 18-1988). One wasat China L., KER, 27 Nov 1988- 2 Jan 1989 (DVB•-, JLD, MJL, GMcC, MAP; 258-1988). One wasat Fort Dick, DN, 5 Jan-ll Feb 1989 (ADB, RE, RAE, GSL, LPL; 48-1989). Photographsof the China Lake and Fort Dick birdsappear in AB (43:171 and 43:232, respectively),and a photographof the secondFarallon bird (alongwith a discussionof juvenal-plumagedLe Conte'sSparrows on migration)appears in Pyle and Sibley(1992). RUSTIC BUNTING Ernberizarustica (2). One near Half Moon Bay, SM, 25-27 Nov 1988 (DJK, RST; JM, MAP, DR; 237-1988) makesthe secondrecord of this speciesfor the state;the firstwas at Stone Lagoon,HUM, 7-8 Jan 1984 (Morlan 1986). SNOW BUNTING Plectrophenaxnioalis (26). A male was near Del Rio, HUM, 29 Nov 1987-5 Jan 1988 (FJB; AD, SDF, GSL, LPL; 402-1987). An adult male, the firstof thisage/sex class reported in California,was on SE FarallonI., SF, 27 Oct 1988 (PP; 213-1988). COMMON GRACKLEQuiscalus quiscula (19). One wasat Baker,SBE, 14 Nov 1987 (MAP; 56-1988). A male was at Santa Barbara,SBA, 29 Dec 1987-2 Mar 1988 (SFB,LRBa, JLD•-, PEL•-, CM, GMcC, MAP, DRy-;46-1988). A femalewas at theMendoza ranch, Pt. ReyesNS, MRN, 21-22 May 1988 (RS•-;JM; 124-1988).A femalewas at FurnaceCreek Ranch, Death Valley NM, INY, 22-23 May 1988 (MAP;147-1988). A malewas at CrescentCity, DN, 10-12 Nov 1988 (RAE,LPL; 268-1988). This specieshas a nearlycomplete first prebasicmolt, retainingonly a few underwingcoverts, so fall birds can not be agedin the field.The Pt. Reyesbird was singingand displaying,suggesting to someobservers that it was a male. As females are knownto displayon occasion(Ficken 1963), andthe birdhad a brownishbelly and flight feathers,we believeit to have been a female. All individualsnoted above showedcharacters of the expectedrace, the BronzedGrackle, Q. q. oersico/or.

121 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED, IDENTIFICATION QUESTIONABLE

YELLOW-BILLED LOON Gavia adamsii. One reported at the Waddell Creek mouth,near SantaCruz, SCZ, 7 May 1986 (271-1986) wouldrepresent one of the latest spring recordsin California;many Committeemembers felt that this basic- plumagedbird may havebeen an odd CommonLoon (G. iramet). WEDGE-TAILED SHEARWATER Puffinus pacificus. One was reported on MontereyBay, MTY, 11 Sep 1988 (298-1988). Most Committeemembers felt the observationwas too brief to sufficefor sucha rarity.Sight reportsshould include extensivedescription ruling out the Pink-lootedShearwater (P. creatopus) and Flesh- looted (P. carneipes)shearwaters for light-and dark-morphbirds, respectively; see Stallcupet al. (1988) and McCaskieand Webster(1990). WEDGE-RUMPED STORM-PETREL Oceanodroma tethys. Details of three reportedfrom the generalarea of 32ø45%1122ø15•V, about120 nauticalmiles SSW of Pt. Conception,SBA, 9 May 1987; one at 33ø40%1121ø50•V, about80 nautical miles SW of Pt. Conception,SBA, 11 May 1987, and three more at 33ø30•1 122ø10•V,about 100 nauticalmiles SW of Pt. Conception,SBA, 11 May 1987 (all 190-1987) were felt inadequate,especially for a specieswith only four accepted recordsin California.Some membersfelt that the mannerof flightand frequent patteringreported for thesebirds better fit the Wilson'sthan the Wedge-rumped Storm-petrel. BROWN BOOBY Sula leucogaster.One reported about 10 milesW of Moss Landing,MTY, 22 Jun 1987 (221-1987) was felt to be a boobyby virtuallyall committeemembers; however, the detailsof plumagecoloration and pattern,along with the colors of the soft parts, did not eliminatethe immatureMasked ($. dactylatra)or Red-lootedBooby. One reportedfrom the S end of the SaltonSea, IMP, 27 Apr 1989 (66-1989) was seenonly brieflyat somedistance, and lacked substantiatingdetails. TRUMPETER SWAN Cygnusbuccinator. An immatureswan photographedin Modesto, STA, 20 Jan 1988 (208-1988) was initially reported as this species. Informationon the identificationof immatureswans presented by Tobish(1991) and Bailey (1991), however,led the committeeto considerit more likely an immature TundraSwan, an identificationwith whichthe observerlater agreed. GARGANEY Anas querquedula.A female-plumagedteal with a stronglypat- terned facewas in Arcata, HUM, 30 Jan-10 Feb 1987 (73-1987). The description suggesteda Garganeybut couldhave pertainedto Green-wingedTeal (A. crecca), especiallythe nominate(Eurasian) race, which, like the Garganey,has two pale bordersto the speculum.Viewing conditions during the periodwere poor (persistent rain accompaniedby miserablelight conditions), and some observers looking for the bird are knownto have misidentifieda femaleGreen-winged Teal as the reported Garganey.The Committeefelt that there were too many discrepanciesamong the descriptions,that the upperwingpattern was not well described,and that the species is otherwisetoo similarin appearanceto many Blue-winged(A. discors)and Green- wingedteals to confirmthis significant record. TUFTED DUCK Aythyafuligula. Individuals reported from Salinas, MTY, 15 Nov 1986 (47-1987) and Larkspur,MRN, 16 Feb 1987 (196-1988) maywell have been Tufted Ducks, but the documentationwas inconclusive.

MISSISSIPPIKITE Ictinia rnississippiensis.An immaturereported in flight at MossLanding, MTY, 17 Sep 1988 (169-1988) was seen too brieflyto warrant acceptanceby mostCommittee members. The speciesis muchrarer in California

122 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED, identificationquestionable, Cont. during fall than spring, so especiallyextensive documentation is requiredfor fall records. YELLOW RAIL Coturnicops noueboracensis.One was reported from Upper Newport Bay, ORA, 12 Apr 1989 (60-1989). Most Committee membersfelt the observationwas too briefto supportsuch a significantrecord. COMMON RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula. An odd plover near Lakeview,RIV, 7-14 May 1988 (143-1988) was felt by most Committeemembers to be a SemipalmatedPlover (C. sernipalrnatus)with a wider than averagebreast band.Reports•of Common Ringed Plover ideally should be accompaniedby detailed descriptionsof at leastthe breastband, the facialpattern, the extentof webbing betweenthe toes and, if at all possible,a comparisonof the bird'scall with that of SemipalmatedPlover. UPLAND SANDPIPERBartrarnia longicauda.One wasreported from the beach at San ElijoLagoon, SD, 14 Nov 1987 (302-1987). The mid-Novemberdate and the habitatboth weighedagainst its beingaccepted as an Upland Sandpiper. RUFOUS-NECKED STINT Calidris ruficollis. A juvenilesandpiper in Eureka, HUM, 20 Aug 1987 (86-1988) was submittedas possiblythis species.The record, includingphotographs, was reviewedby Lars Jonssonand RichardR. Veit, both of whom concludedthat the bird was a SemipalmatedSandpiper (C..•usilla); the Committeeunanimously agreed. WHITE-RUMPEDSANDPIPER Calidris fuscicollis. Individuals were reported from the CacheCreek settling basin, near Woodland,YOL, 15 Aug 1987 (371- 1987) andat the S endof the SaltonSea, IMP, 13 Aug 1988 (67-1989). The Cache Creekbird was not observedin flight,hence the rumpwas never clearly seen. Half of theCommittee members felt the bird was more likely an adultWestern Sandpiper (C. rnauri)or a Wilson'sPhalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) than a White-rumpedSand- piper. COMMON BLACK-HEADEDGULL Larus ridibundus.One wasreported at MalibuLagoon, LA, 26 Nov1988 (252-1988).This record was rejected, on a split vote, becausethe documentationwas inconclusive. LESSERBLACK-BACKED GULL Larus fuscus. Individuals were reported from the SantaMaria R. mouth,SBA, 25 Sep 1984 (321-1986), from the WhitewaterR. mouth,N endof the SaltonSea, RIV, 4 Apr 1987 (266-1987), andfrom the Carmel R. mouth, MTY, 27 Oct 1987 (270-1987). The birdat the SantaMaria R. mouthstimulated much discussion, generating useful information on the identificationof immature Lesser Black-backedGulls. Photographsshow most feathers to beworn, indicating faded first-summer plumage, with some fresh dark gray second-winterfeathers on the mantle. Two outside consultantsdisagreed on the bird's identity, with one expert stating emphatically that it wasa LesserBlack-backed Gull, the otherfeeling it was not thisspecies. Most Committeemembers felt that the identification was most likely correct, but only three endorsedit as such.The one member who saw the bird felt it best left unidentified. The birdat theSalton Sea was an adultin summerplumage, but the description failedto specifythe shape and exact pattern of thebill and the color of the eyes, and mostCommittee members felt therewas a possibilitythat it wasa CaliforniaGull (L. californicus)in breedingcondition with vivid orange-yellow legs and the black in thebill obscured. The Carmel bird was in 3rd-winterplumage and compared directly withWestern Gulls (L. occidentalis),but as it wasreported to havepinkish legs and 123 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED, identificationquestionable, Cont. to lackdusky head markings, most Committee members felt that it wasprobably a small female Western Gull. RUDDY GROUND-DOVE Columbinatalpacoti. One was reportedin Encinitas, SD, 15 Oct 1988 (220-1988A). Most Committee membersfelt the documentation was insufficientto eliminatea CommonGround-Dove. See Dunn et al. (1990) for informationon separatingthese two species. BROAD-BILLEDHUMMINGBIRD Cynanthuslatirostris. A femalewas reported from Oceanside,SD, 24 Sep 1986 (43-1987).The observerdid not submitany details;the only description available for review by the Committee was written during a telephoneconversation with the observer.The Committeewas reluctant to accept thisrecord based on second-handinformation, especially since hybrid hummingbirds can presentidentification problems. EASTERNWOOD-PEWEE Contopus virens. Wood-pewees giving repeated clear upslurredwhistles were observedin Los Osos,SLO, 21 Oct 1986 (26-1987) and at the Carmel R. mouth,MTY, 11-14 Dec 1986 (457-1986). Thesetwo recordswere circulatedtogether, provoking lengthly discussions among Committee members on variationin thevocaliz.ations and appearances of Easternand Western (C. sordidulus) wood-pewees.The identificationsof bothbirds relied heavily on the calls,which were consistentlydescribed by the four LosOsos observers as a clearshort "pee-wee" and by three observerssubmitting descriptions of the Carmel bird as a clear rising "pweeee"lasting about one second.A tape recording,sonograph, and photographs of the Carmelbird accompaniedthe record.The Los Ososbird alsogave many "chip"or "pit" notes,and the Carmelbird was heard on one occasionto givea short seriesof light"chips." The LosOsos bird was described as appearinglike a typical Western Wood-Peweeand havinga dark mandible,whereas the Carmel bird was describedessentially as being dark gray above with a uniformgrayish wash across the breast,pale undertaftcoverts, and an orangemandible with a blacktip. The identificationof wood-peweesthat are not in full songis one of the most difficultfield-identification challenges for NorthAmerican ornithologists. Most Com- mitteemembers felt that, with curre,atknowledge, neither of thesewood-pewees couldbe identifiedto species,although the calls,appearance, and late date of the Carmelbird suggestedto mostmembers that it was likelyan EasternWood-Pewee. The recordsprompted several members to describeclear calls of varyinglength, strength,and inflectionthat they had heardfrom otherpewees in California;these includedbirds in Committee-memberRoberson's backyard in late April and early May 1987, taperecordings and sonographs of whichwere circulated with the record. Outsideconsultant Marie Mans also providedthe Committeewith recordingsof WesternWood-Pewees from LundyCanyon, Mono County,that gavevarious clear upslurredcalls, some sounding much like the bird at the Carmel R. mouth,and she furtherrelated that shehad heardthis call many times from WesternWood-Pewees. She believedthat they might be given most often by birdsin their first spring. Although"chip" notes were generallyconsidered to be givenmore frequentlyby the Easternthan the WesternWood-Pewee, there was disagreementon this, as well as on the exactquality of thesenotes. Members had frequently heard similar notes from Western Wood-Pewees. Differencesin the appearanceof the two specieswere alsodiscussed. Although there is much overlapbetween the plumagesof the two species,Eastern Wood- Peweestend to have greenerbacks that contrastslighfiy with darkercrowns, paler, streakierunderparts, and mandibles entirely orange or mostlyorange with a blacktip; WesternWood-Pewees tend to have uniformbrownish or sootybacks and crowns, darker,more uniform underparts, and mandibles mosfiy dark with orange at the base. 124 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED, identificationquestionable, Cont.

Committeemembers reported having seen both Easternswith entirelydark man- diblesand apparent Westerns with entirely orange mandibles. As the appearances of the two Californiabirds were not diagnosticof the EasternWood-Pewee, most membersfelt it bestto withholdacceptance until the callsof the two specieson migrationare better understood. The bird at theCarmel R. mouthwas the first wood- peweerecorded in Californiain December. ALDER FLYCATCHER Empidonax alnorum. An otherwiseundescribed Trailrs Flycatcherwas heard giving a sharpcall note, described as "peet,"at Oasis,MNO, 6 Sep 1987 (282-1987).Most members felt that there was a goodchance this bird was an AlderFlycatcher but required more substantial documentation, including a detailed plumagedescription, measurements, and preferablyaudiospectrograms of vocaliza- tions,before accepting a firststate record of thisenigmatic species. Members having experiencewith the callsof both Willow(E. traillii) and Alder flycatchersfelt that thereare diagnosticdifferences between them that could be usedto identifyvagrants of eitherspecies. There was concern, however, that the fullrange of variationin the callsof Willow Flycatcher,typically described as "whit," is not well known. Several membersmentioned that they had heard occasional"peet" notes from Willow Flycatcherson theirbreeding territories in California,although the softer"whit" was the predominantnote givenby thesebirds. The circulationof this recordprompted several members to report other migrant TrailrsFlycatchers in Californiathat had been heardgiving "peet" call notes,all of whichwere observedin Juneor from lateAugust to mid-September.There havealso beenfour birds banded on SE Farallon I. between27 Augustand 4.September (Pyle and Henderson1991) and a fifth on 21 August1991 that had measurementsand plumagesuggesting the AlderFlycatcher but did not call.Observers in Californiaare urgedto submitdescriptions of TrailrsFlycatchers giving "peet" calls so that patterns in occurrenceand appearance of thesebirds can be ascertained.The acceptanceof a non-singingAlder Flycatcher in Californiacan only follow a concertedassessment of all identificationcriteria on many individuals,as precededacceptance of the Least Flycatcher(E. minimus)as a regularvisitant to the stateand its removalfrom the CBRC Review List (Winter and McCaskie 1975, Luther et al. 1979). SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER Tyrannusforficatus. One was reported near Linden,SJ, 2 Jan 1988 (151-1988). This individualwas describedas a juvenile,with a notchedbut shorttail, whichwould be unlikelyduring early January. Most members felt that this individualwas a NorthernMockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) or a Say's Phoebe (Sayornissaya) with an atypicallynotched tail. VEERY Cat!•arusfuscescens. A Cat!•arusthrush at the Nunesranch, Pt. Reyes NS, MRN, 24 Oct 1987 (77-1988), was seen in the deep shadeby a numberof observers,all of whomfelt that the upperpartsappeared redder than is typicalof a Swainson'sThrush (C. ustulatus).There wasalso general agreement that the flanks of the bird were gray, withoutbrownish tones, and that its breasthad smallround spotsthat changedfrom brownabove to graybelow. All three of thesecharacters suggestedthat the birdwas a Veery.The descriptionsof the eye ringvaried, however, with mostobservers perceiving it as thin but fairlyprominent and full or nearlyfull, more like the eye ring of Swainson'sThrush than that of Veery. The principal observerwas not fully confidentthat this bird was not a Swainson'sThrush, but submittedit as a possibleVeery to elicit furthercomment from the Committee,a practicethat the CBRC encouragesin caseslike this. Committeemembers along with outsidereviewer Claudia Wilds generally agreed that the birdcould have been a Veerybut that the identificationwas inconclusive owing to the descriptionof the eye

125 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

RECORDSNOT ACCEPTED,identification questionable, Cont. ring. Two membersfelt that the birdwas possibly from westernpopulations of Veery (C. f. salicicola),which resembleSwainsoffs Thrush more closelythan do eastern populationsand are not as well knownby the observersand Committeemembers. EYEBROWED THRUSH Turdus obscurus.Although descriptionsof birds at YaquiWell, SD, 3 Mar 1990 (31-1990) and San Rafael, MRN, 6 Mar 1990 (32- 1990) suggestedthis species,neither was detailedenough to eliminatean atypical AmericanRobin (T. migratorius),particularly of the westernrace (T. m. propinquus), which is dullerthan other subspeciesand often has a distinctsuperciliary. Neither observersaid why the bird was not an American Robin. We encourageobservers to rule out similarspecies, particularly when they are reportingprospective first records for the state. RED-THROATED PIPIT Antbus cervinus. One was reported near Pt. Mu•u, VEN, 11 Oct 1987 (44-1990). The bird was not heard callingand the description wastoo brief to eliminateother Asianspecies of pipits. WHITE-EYEDVIREO Vireogriseus. A tapedrecording of a singingbird at the Big Sur R. mouth, MTY, 27 Sep-3 Oct 1987 (239-1988) was submittedas possibly pertainingto this species.Outside consultants Donald J. Borror and RichardA. Bradleyboth made audiospectrographsof the tape, and commentedthat the bird couldhave been a White-eyedVireo. Borror,however, had neverheard or recorded a White-eyedVireo so.unding quite like the Californiabird, and Bradleythought that the songcould also have been that of an immaturewren, possiblya HouseWren (Troglodytesaedon). These commentsresulted in unanimousrejection by the Committee on the second round. PHILADELPHIA VIREO Vireo philadelphicus.Descriptions from Blue Lake, HUM, 20 Sep 1988 (263-1988) and the Nunesranch, Pt. ReyesNS, MRN, 30 Sep 1988 (215-1988) were too brief to eliminatethe possibilitiesthat thesebirds were Yellow-greenor Warbling(V. gilvus)vireos. BLUE-WINGEDWARBLER Vermivora pinus. One wasreported from Butterbredt Springs,KER, 9 Oct 1988 (68-]1989).As thiswould represent the latestrecord for California,most Committee members required more substantialdocumentation than was provided. SWAINSON'S WARBLER Limnothlypis swainsonii. One was reported in the Tijuana R. valley, SD, 1 Nov 1987 (300-1987). This bird, which would have representeda firstCalifornia record, was well seenby two observers,both of whom submitteddetailed descriptions, but the recordwas rejected by the Committeein the secondround by a 3-7 vote.Although some members felt that the descriptionsfit Swainson'sWarbler better than any other species,Committee membersBailey and Marantzcompared the bird'sreported plumage with goodseries of museumspeci- mensat CAS and LSU, respectively,and foundseveral small discrepancies between the skinsand the descriptions.These discrepancies plus the latedate for thisrelatively early migrantwere the main pointsprecluding acceptance. MOURNING WARBLEROporornis philadephia. A yellow-throatedOporornis warblerbanded and measuredon SE FarallonI., SF, 8 Sep 1984 (118-1987) was judgedto be eithera MourningWarbler with atypicallybold eye crescentsor a hybrid betweenMourning and MacGillivray'swarblers; in either case,too much uncertainty existedfor the recordto be accepted.A photographof thisbird, along with further discussion,appears in Pyle and Henderson(1990). One was reportedfrom the Oxnard plain, VEN, 27 Sep 1986 (42-1987). The identificationof thisbird reliedheavily upon its yellowthroat. Committeemembers

126 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED, identificationquestionable, Cont. felt that the descriptionwas otherwise too briefto eliminateother warblers, such as a yellow-throatedMacGillivray's Warbler (see Pyle and Henderson1990). SCARLETTANAGER Piranga olivacea.One was reportedfrom Bolinas,MRN, 10 Sep 1987 (274-1987). This individual,described as an immaturefemale, was seenbriefly by an experiencedobserver who had justarrived in Californiaand was unawareof the rarityof ScarletTanagers in the state.Uncertainty about the length and qualityof observationand the extremelyearly date, especially for an immature female,caused members to shyaway from acceptance(by a 3-7 voteon the second round). YELLOW GROSBEAK Pheucticus chrysopeplus. One was reported in Carmichael,SAC, 10 Aug 1989 (33-1990). Althoughthe reportwas intriguing, not enoughdescription was submittedto documentwhat would be, pendingconsider- ation of naturaloccurrence, a first state record. The descriptionof thisbird was submitted on a standardrare-bird sighting form. We discouragethe useof theseforms as they do notpresent an organizedaccount of a sightingor of the field marksobserved. We recommendusing these forms as a referencefor what to includebut submittingdetails in the form of a writtenaccount. FIELD SPARROW $pizella pusilia. One was reportednear Mt. Shasta,SlS, 17 Dec 1988 (44-1989). Althoughthe descriptionof the bird'splumage suggested a FieldSparrow, there was no indicationof the bird'sshape or size in the write-up. Most memberswere concernedthat the bird may have been an unusullybright immatureWhite-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys). LE CONTE'S SPARROWArnrnodramrnus leconteii. One was reportedfrom Elk Head, HUM, 10 Oct 1987 (400-1987). At the time there were no recordsof the speciesnorth of SE Farallon I., so most Committee membersrequired more substantialdocumentation than was provided. COMMON GRACKLE Quiscalusquiscula. A pair was reportedfrom Pacifica, SM, 21 May 1988 (288-1988), one was reportedfrom CrescentCity, DN, 10 Jul 1988 (264-1988), anda flockof twelvebirds were reportednear Oceanside, SD, 16 Nov 1988 (73-1989). Grackleswere suggested by all threedescriptions but noneof themadequately eliminated the possibilityof the Great-tailedGrackle (Q. mexicanus). COMMON REDPOLL Carduelisflarnrnea. One was reportedfrom Berkeley, ALA, 4 Jan 1988 (80-1988). The Committeeunanimously felt that thisbird was not a redpollbut was likely another species with a faceblackened by nectaror pitchfrom eucalyptustrees.

RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED, NATURAL OCCURRENCE QUESTION- ABLE (IDENTIFICATION ACCEPTED)

JACKASSPENGUIN $pheniscus dernersus. One was observednear Chimney Rock, Pt. Reyes NS, MRN, 3-16 Feb 1981 (KFC; 172-1988). Bailey (1981) suggestedthat the descriptionof this bird favoredthe HumboldtPenguin ($. hurnboldti);however, the Committeeand Baileylater agreedwith the observer's identification.The Jackassor Black-flipperedPenguin has been kept in captivityin California;birds are legallyimported into the U.S. fromSouth Africa (Nilsson 1981). No Committee member felt that this individual reached California as a natural vagrant. 127 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

RECORDSNOT ACCEPTED,natural occurrence questionable (identification accepted),Cont.

PAINTED BUNTING Passerinaciris. Adultmales were seennear ImperialBeach, SD, 13 Sep 1987 (TEC; 55-1988), in San LuisObispo, SLO, 21-25 Jan 1988 (MA; 118-1988), at HuntingtonBeach, ORA, 11-12 Nov 1988 (GMcC; 283-1988), and in Santa Barbara, SBA, 14 Feb-9 Apr 1989 (P & JMcCt; PEL; 55-1989). The ImperialBeach bird had yellowishunderparts, the San Luis Obispobird had bright red underparts,the HuntingtonBeach bird had "funny-lookingbright burnt orange" underparts,and the Santa Barbarabird initially had brightred underpartsthat began to fade to orangebefore it waslast seen. The rejectionof theserecords is consistent with the philosophyof most Committeemembers that winter adult males and/or malesshowing less than brightred underpartsin Californiaare more likelyescaped cagebirdsthan true vagrants,although the two individualswith brightred underparts were acceptedby two memberswho felt that enoughwinter recordsaccumulated of PaintedBuntings had to suggesttrue vagrancy.Examination of museumspecimens at LACM and CAS by Committeemembers Garrett and Bailey, respectively,sup- portedthe contentionthat aviarybirds of thisspecies were more likelythan wildbirds to have faded underparts(apparently due to diet deficiencies),although a male specimenfrom South Carolina (CAS 52927), presumablynot an escapee,also showedunderparts suffused with yellow. Accordingly,the naturaloccurrence of the Imperial Beach and Huntington Beach birdswas unanimouslyrejected, although it waspointed out in commentsthat a wild birdmay sufferdiet deficienciesfrom being out of range,as happenedwith the Santa Barbarabird. It was alsosuggested that second-wintermales may regularlyshow more orangein the underpartsthan adults, but this point needs confirmation.Adult male Painted Buntingsare common in captivityin Mexico(Pyle pers. obs.), and illegalimportation into Californiais known to occur (Nilsson1981).

CORRIGENDA TO ELEVENTH REPORT (BEVIER 1990)

Under Accepted Records,p. 148: The Observerfor record 225-1986 (Yellow- billed Loon) was Jon Winter, not John Wilson.

CORRIGENDA TO TWELFTH REPORT (LANGHAM 1991)

Under AcceptedRecords, p. 115: The Grace'sWarbler reportedly in Irvine, ORA, 21 Feb-27 Mar 1987 (169-1987) was actuallyin Newport Beach,ORA.

CONTRIBUTORS

Contributors,identified by their initialsin the text (acceptedrecords only), are as follows:Doug Aguillard,Jonathan K. Alderfer,Janice Andersen, Gene Anderson, ScotAnderson, Martha Arnold, Ben Bacon(BBc), Stephen E Bailey,Alan Baldridge, Larry R. Ballard(LRBa), Alan D. Barron, Bruce Barrett (BBr), Dave Batzler (DBa), DaveBeadle (DBe), Peggy Beckett, Chris D. Benesh,Barbara Berton (BBe), Louis R. Bevier (LRBe), David V. Blue, Clyde Blum, Fred J. Broerman, Ronald L. Branson, Karen Bridgers,N. BruceBroadbooks, Henry Brodkin,J. Broyles,Kurt F. Campbell, Scott P. Carey, Mary Carmona (MCa), Clay Coler, Mildred Comar (MCo), Wanda Conway,Dick Collett,Troy E. Corman,Art and Janet Cupples,Jon Curson,Valeria G. DaCosta, Brian Daniels, J. M. Danzenbaker,David DeSante, Anthony Desch, Bruce E. Deuel, Earl K. Dore, Stephen H. Ducatman,Jon L. Dunn, Tom M. Edell, Ray Ekstrom,Richard A. Erickson,Jules Evens, Marc Fenner,Alan and Marjorie 128 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

Fiers, RichardFilson, George H. Finger,Shawneen E. Finnegan,Sam D. Fitton, Carol Friedman,Brenda Fugle, Gary Fugle,David A. Gaines,James R. Gallagher, Kimball L. Garrett, A1 Ghiorso, Theodora J. Glenn, Douglas E. George, Dave Goodward(DGo), Phil Gordon, Michele Greco, Helen Green, Kevin Guse,Stephen Gustarson,Dan Guthrie (DGu), Kem Hainebach (KHb), Keith Hansen (KHa), Michael T. Hanson,W. EdwardHarper, Joe Harris,John H. Harris, RogerD. Harris,Stanley W. Harris, Bettie R. Harriman, Ed Hase, Loren R. Hays, Phil Henderson,Ronald P. Hirst, Mark A. Holmgren,David A. Holway, Arthur L. Howe, SteveN. G. Howell, Valerie Hubbartt, Kenneth Irwin, Jerome A. Johnson, Karen Johnson, Durrell D. Kapan,Bob Keiffer,Dan J. Keller,Virgil J. Ketner,Richard Klauke, John Klusmire, SanfordKomito, TheodoreH. Koundakjian,Andy Kratter,Serge LaFrance,Jeri M. Langham,Greg W. Lasley,Peter La Tourrette,David A. Leal, PaulE. Lehman,Joan E. Lentz, Gary S. Lester,Lauren P. Lester,Ron LeValley,Michael J. Lippsmeyer, Isabel P. Ludlum,Timothy D. Manolis, Curtis Marantz, Guy McCaskie,Paul and Janny McConnell, Mac McCormick (MMcC), Mary S. McKinnon, L. Richard Mewaldt, Mark C. Miller, Steven Mlodinow,Kathy C. Molina, Mike Morgan, Nan Moore, RandyMoore, Bryan Mori, JosephMorlan, Scott W. Morrical,Michael H. Morris, Paul Mosimann,Dan Murphy, Kathleen Murphy, Tom Murphy, EllisMyers, SteveJ. Myers,Bill Niendorff,John M. O'Leary, Bob Pann, BenjaminD. Parmeter, MichaelA. Patten,Cliff V. Peterson,Edwin E. Post,Steve Pringle, Peter Pyle, Kurt Radamaker,C. John Ralph, Hugh P. Ranson,G. Reid, Robert J. Richmond,Don Roberson,Robin E. Roberson,Michael F. Robbins,Rick Rocco, Gary H. Rosenberg, Philip Rostron,Michael Rothkopf, Jim S. Royer,Russell C. Ruffing,Larry Sansone, Alan Schmierer(ASc), Brad Schram (BSc), Scott Shannon (ScS), K. Shepard,Shirley Shephard(ShS), W. David Shuford,David A. Sibley,Martin A. Sidor, Dan Singer (DS), Arnold Small (ASm), Gregory P. Smith, Mark Solomon, Robert "Woods" Sutherland,Larry B. Spear, Rich Stallcup,Emilie Strauss, Bengt Stridh(BSt), Craig Strong, David L. Suddjian,Jan Tarble (JTa), Monte Taylor (MTa), Larry Thompson, RonaldS. Thorn, RobertE Tinfie, FrancisToldi, Gerald Tolman, Marguerite Trocme (MTr), John Trochet (JTr), Kent Van Vuren, Richard R. Veit, Richard E. Webster, Brian J. Weed, Gilbert West, DouglasR. Willick, Steve Williams, Erika M. Wilson, John Wilson (JWl), Jon Winter (JWn) JosephN. Worley, David G. Yee, Bob Yutzy, Barry R. Zimmer, Kevin J. Zimmer.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Committeeis mostgrateful to the 205 contributorslisted above, the mostever in one Committeereport. Non-CBRC members who deservemention for the extent of their contributionsare: Phil Henderson(16 records),Jim S. Royer(10), Benjamin D. Parmeter (9), Rich Stallcup (9), and Alan D. Barron (7). The Committee also appreciatesthe reviewof certaindifficult records by the followingoutside consultants: DonaldJ. Borror, RichardA. Bradley,Steven W. Cardiff, Steve Hilty, Steve N. G. Howell, Ned K. Johnson,Lars Jonsson,Kenn Kaufman,Greg W. Lasley,Marie Mans, RichardR. Veit, Bret Whitney, ClaudiaWilds, and Alan Wormington.David F. Abbott also providedcomments based on photographsthat appearedin Birdir•g magazine.Former members Louis R. Bevier,Jeri M. Langham,and CurtisMarantz voted on a substantial number of records. Current or recent members who reviewed an earlierdraft of this manuscriptand made many usefulcontributions and correc- tionsare StephenF. Bailey,Jon L. Dunn, RichardA. Erickson,Kimball L. Garrett, Matt T. Heindel,Paul E. Lehman,Michael J. Lippsmeyer,Joseph Morlan, Michael A. Patten, and Don Roberson.We thank Jeri Langhamfor providinga computerized copyof the introductionto the twelfthreport, from which we appropriatedselected standardsections. The followingcurators or collectionsmanagers provided members or outsidereviewers access to their collections:Mary LeCroy (AMNH), Luis E 129 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

Baptistaand Stephen E Bailey(CAS), Stanley W. Harris(HSU), Kimball L. Garrett (LACM), J. V. Remsen,Jr. and StevenW. Cardiff(LSU), Ned K. Johnsonand BarabaraStein (MVZ), and Amadeo M. Rea and Philip Unitt (SDNHM). This is contribution528 of the Point ReyesBird Observatory.

LITERATURE CITED

AmericanOrnithologists' Union. 1983. Check-listof North AmericanBirds, 6th ed. Am. Ornithol. Union, Washington,D.C. AmericanOrnithologists' Union. 1989. Thirty-seventhsupplement to the American Ornithologist'sUnion Check-listof North AmericanBirds. Auk 106:532-538. Bailey,S. E 1981. Februaryobservations. Gull 63:44-46. Bailey, S. F. 1991. Bill charactersseparating Trumpeter and Tundra swans:A cautionarynote. Birding23:89-91. Beck, R. H. 1910. Waterbirdsin the vicinityof Point Pinos,California. Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. 3:57-72. Bevier,L. R. 1990. Eleventhreport of the CaliforniaBird RecordsCommittee. W. Birds 21:145-176. Binford,L. C. 1985. Seventhreport of the CaliforniaBird RecordsCommittee. W. Birds 16:29-48. Campbell,R. W., Dawe, N. K., McTaggart-Cowan,I., Cooper,J. M., Kaiser,G. W., and McNall, M. C. E. 1990. The Birdsof BritishColumbia. Vol. 1. RoyalBritish Columbia Museum, Victoria. Cardiff, E. A., and Driscoll,A. T. 1972. Red-headedWoodpecker in the Imperial Valleyof California.Calif. Birds3:23-24. Craig, J. T. 1972. Two fallYellow-throated Warblers in California.Calif. Birds3:17- 18. Cramp,S., and Simmons,K. E. L., eds. 1988. The Birdsof the WesternPalearctic. Vol. 5. OxfordUniv. Press,Oxford, England. DeSante, D. E, Johnson,N. K., LeValley,R., and Henderson,R. P. 1985. Occur- rence and identificationof the Yellow-belliedFlycatcher on SoutheastFarallon Island, California. W. Birds 16:153-160. Dunn, J. L. 1988. Tenth report of the CaliforniaBird RecordsCommittee. W. Birds 19:129-163. Dunn, J. L., Garrett, K. L., and Alderfer,J. K. 1990. Identificationof Ruddyand Common ground-doves.Birding 22:138-145. Ficken,R. W. 1963. Courtshipand agonisticbehavior of the CommonGrackle. Auk 80:52-72. Gaines, D. A. 1988. Birds of Yosemiteand the East Slope. ArtemisiaPress, Lee Vining,CA. Goodwill,M. E., and Goodwill,J. E. V. 1988. Terek Sandpiperin BritishColumbia, Canada. Am. Birds 42:177. Grinnell,J., and Miller, A. H. 1944. The distributionof the birdsof California.Pac. Coast Avifauna 27. Harris, S. W., and Hawkins, B. 1991. A specimen of Chuck-will's-widowfrom HumboldtCounty, California. W. Birds21:77. Jehl, J. R. Jr. 1985. Hybridizationand evolutionof oystercatcherson the Pacific coastof Baja California.Ornithol. Monogr. 36. 130 CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS

Jewett, S. G. 1949. Gyrfalcontaken in California.Condor 51:233. Johnson,J. A., and Ziegler,F. R. 1978. A Violet-crownedHummingbird in Califor- nia. W. Birds 9:91-92. Kessel, B., and Gibson, D. D. 1978. Status and distributionof Alaska birds. Studies Avian Biol. 1. Langham,J. M. 1991. Twelfthreport of the CaliforniaBird Records Committee. W. Birds 22:97-130. Luther,J. S., and McCaskie,G. 1979. Third report of the CaliforniaBird Records Committee. W. Birds 10:169-187. Luther,J. S., McCaskie,G., and Dunn, J. 1983. Fifth report of the CaliforniaBird Records Committee. W. Birds 14:1-16. Madge, S.C. 1987. Fieldidentification of Radde'sand Duskywarblers. Br. Birds80: 595-603. Manuwal, D. A., and Lewis, T. J. 1972. A wheatear on SoutheastFarallon Island, California. Auk 89:895. Marqua, D. G. 1963. Red-headedWoodpecker in southern California. Condor 65:332. McCaskie,G., and Webster,R. E. 1990. A secondWedge-tailed Shearwater in California. W. Birds 21:139-140. McMurry,F. B., and Monson,G. 1947. LeastGrebe breeding in California.Condor 49:125-126. Morlan,J. 1981. Statusand identificationof formsof the White Wagtailin western North America. Continental Birdlife 2:37-50. Morlan,J. 1985. Eighthreport of the CaliforniaBird RecordsCommittee. W. Birds 16:105-122. Nelson,J. B. 1988. The Sulidae.Oxford Univ. Press,Oxford, England. Nilsson,G. 1981. The Bird Business:A Studyof the CommercialCage Bird Trade. AnimalWelfare Inst., Washington, D.C. Patten, M. A. 1991. An update from the CaliforniaBird RecordsCommittee. W. Birds 22:95. Patten, M. A., and Daniels, B. E. 1991. First record of the Long-toedStint for California. W. Birds 22:131-138. Phillips, A. R., Howe, M. A., and Lanyon, W. E. 1966. Identificationof the flycatchersof eastern North America with specialemphasis on the genus Empidonax. Bird-Banding41:190-197. Pugnali,G., Blanco,D., and Rodriguez,H. 1988. [A recordof the TerekSandpiper, Xenus cinereus(Aves, Scolopacidae) at Punta Rasa, on the Arianticcoast of BuenosAires Prov., Argentina.]Not. Faunisticas13:1-2. (Spanishwith English summary). Pyle, P., and Henderson,P. 1990. On separatingfemale and immatureOporornis warblersin fall. Birding22:222-229. Pyle, P., and Henderson, R. P. 1991. The birds of Southeast Farallon Island: Occurrenceand seasonaldistribution of migratoryspecies. W. Birds22:41-84. Pyle, P., Howell, S. N. G., Yunick,R. P., and DeSante, D. F. 1987. Identification Guide to North AmericanPasserines. Slate Creek Press,Bolinas, CA. Pyle, P., and Sibley,D. 1992. Juvenal-plumagedLe Conte'sSparrows on migration: Are theybeing overlooked? Birding 24:70-76.

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Roberson,D. 1980. Rare birdsof the West Coast.Woodcock Publ., PacificGrove, CA. Roberson,D. 1986. Ninth report of the California Bird RecordsCommittee. W. Birds 17:49-77. Roberson,D. 1989. News from the California Bird RecordsCommittee. W. Birds 20:269-271. Roberson,D. 1990. NorthAmerican bird records committees. Birding 22:276-285. Round,P. D. 1988. Field identificationof Radde'sand Duskywarblers. Br. Birds 81:532. Schmidt,O., ed. 1989. Rare Birdsof Oregon.Ore. FieldOrnithol. Spec. Publ. 5. Stallcup,R., Morlan,J., and Roberson,D. 1988. Firstrecord of the Wedge-tailed Shearwater in California. W. Birds 19:61-68. Stempie,D., Moore, J., Giriunas,I., and Paine, M. 1991. Terek Sandpiperin Massachusetts:First record for eastern North America. Am. Birds 45:397-398. Svensson,L. 1984. IdentificationGuide to EuropeanPasserines. 3rd ed. Lars Svensson,Stockholm, Sweden. Thompson,C. W. 1991. The sequencesof moltsand plumages in PaintedBuntings and implicationsfor theoriesof delayedplumage maturation. Condor 93:209- 235. Tobish,T. 1991. Noteson immatureswans in spring.Birding 23:88-89. Wilson,E. M., and Harriman,B. R. 1989. Firstrecord of the TerekSandpiper in California. W. Birds 20:63-69. Winter, J., and McCaskie,G. 1975. 1973 report of the CaliforniaField Ornitholo- gistsRecords Committee. W. Birds6:135-144.

Accepted 27 October 1991

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