STERN TANAGER^ Los Angeles Audubon Society Volumes£^\ Number^ *f December 1984

The Identification of Curve-Billed, Bend ire's and Gray Thrashers By Jon L. Dunn and Kimball L. Garrett

he family Mimidae, now thought to be closely allied to the starlings, Tperhaps at the family level (see Sibley andAhlquist, Auk 101:230-243,1984), includes ten species of thrashers of the genus Ioxostoma. These thrashers are all slender, predominantly brown or gray-brown birds with long, slender and often strongly decurved bills; they inhabit brushy country, often quite arid. The ten species appear to fit into three species complexes. One com- plex includes the Brown Thrasher (I. rufum), the Long-billed Thrasher (I. longirostre) and the endemic thrasher of Cozumel Island off the Yucatan Peninsula, I guttatum. Another complex includes the Crissal, California and Le Conte's Thrashers. These three species are primarily ground dwellers in brushy habitats; they are excellent runners. The Crissal (I. crissale)1 and California (I. redivi- vum) Thrashers are closely related and essentially allopatric (but beware near over- lap along the western edges of the Califor- nia deserts, such as in the upper Coachella

1 Called Toxostoma dorsale in most recent publications, including the sixth edition of the A.O.U. Check-List; a very recent decision by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature suppresses dorsal and mandates the adoption of crissale (see Auk 101:348, 1984). Artist: Jonathan Alderfer Santa Monica Top to bottom: Toxostoma curvirostre — Curved-billed Thrasher T.C. curvirostre, adult T. C. palmeri, adult T.C. palmeri, immature T. bendirei — Bendire's Thrasher T. — Gray Thrasher Valley and the western portion of the Bor- an desert regions of southern Arizona; most plumage. Also beware that, as thrashers rego Valley). The Le Conte's Thrasher (I. individuals of the species winter in north- have only one annual molt (in fall), there is lecontei) overlaps extensively with Crissal western Mexico. While long-distance vagran- a pronounced difference between fresh- and very locally with California, but prefers cy is virtually unknown in the Bendire's plumaged birds in fall and winter and worn a more arid, open habitat. These three spe- Thrasher, observers east and north of the birds in spring and summer. This may affect cies are almost totally sedentary, and an species' range should be alert for its the ventral spotting patterns described below understanding of distinction and habitat occurrence. to the point where such patterns are of little preferences should minimize identification The Curve-billed Thrasher is resident from or no use in identification. Bendire's in par- problems. central Arizona, central New Mexco, the ticular may appear essentially unspotted by The final group of thrashers is the subject extreme southwestern Great Plains, and spring and, especially, summer. of the present article. The Curve-billed south-central Texas south through central The overall plumage color of Bendire's is Thrasher (I. curvirostre) shows important Mexico. It breeds on the Sonoran Desert tannish brown, differing from the somewhat geographical variation, unlike most of the westward virtually to the Colorado River, darker gray-brown color of the Curve-billed. other species of thrashers. Though not highly but remains a strictly casual visitor to Cali- Both species have a whitish throat, but the migratory, it is given to wandering, and fornia. California records come from the throat of the Curve-billed appears a little vagrants have been recorded far out of Colorado River and Imperial Valleys, prim- more conspicuously set off from the gray- range. The closely related Ocellated Thrasher arily in winter (there are no valid winter brown chest and the dark cheek stripe (the (I. ocellatum) of the southern Mexican plat- records before late October). Unlike the white throat does not stand out as much on eau will not be discussed here. The Ben- Bendire's Thrasher, there are at present no the paler-breasted Bendire's). The color of dire's Thrasher (I. bendirei) differs from our proven records for the coast. Claimed Curve- the Bendire's is richest on the flanks and other thrashers (apart from the Brown billeds from west and north of the Imperial vent (though this color maybe obsolete on Thrasher) in being distinctly migratory; as Valley should clearly be substantiated with worn birds); Curve-billeds also show a ten- such, out-of-range vagrants are noted with detailed descriptions and, ideally, photo- dency toward cinnamon-buff in the vent some frequency. Closely related to the graphs. area. Bendire's is the Gray Thrasher (I. cinereum), The Curve-billed Thrasher is a larger, The breast and sides of the Bendire's are a species endemic to the Baja California bigger-headed, less compact bird than Ben- marked with short, fine inverted "V" marks, peninsula. Because the Gray Thrasher occurs dire's, and in this regard it suggests the loosely arranged in rows. In contrast, the within about 100 miles of the California shape shown by the California/Crissal com- Curve-billed shows larger, blotchier spots border, and because the Bendire's Thrasher plex. This similarity is heightened by the which do not form a distinct pattern. It must occasionally occur as a vagrant within long, conspicuously decurved bill. The much should be noted here that the eastern and its range, we have treated the species briefly shorter, straighter, and proportionately southern races of Curve-billed Thrasher in this article. (For a discussion of the prob- slightly thinner bill of the Bendire's is gen- (typified by nominate curvirostre) have able evolutionary history of the different erally an excellent field character. In the larger, more noticeable ventral spots on a Toxostoma species complexes, see Hubbard, Bendire's there is no decurvature to the paler background (see plate). The Sonoran J.P., "Avian evolution in the aridlands of lower mandible, in contrast to the definite Desert birds, palmeri, have less distinct ven- North America", The Living Bird 12:155-196, lower mandible decurvature shown by the tral spots on a darker background. The Chi- 1973). Curve-billed. Observers should be aware ricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona Because both Bendire's and Curve-billed that juvenile Curve-billeds, in their first form the dividing line between these two Thrashers are prone to wandering well out month or so out of the nest, have bills racial groups, although there is certainly of range, observers should be familiar with which may resemble those of Bendire's some intergradation in this area (Chirica- the characters which distinguish them. Field closely; these confusing individuals are not hua birds are closer to palmeri in appear- guides have traditionally emphasized bill likely to be seen away from the breeding ance); for more detail, see Phillips, A.R., et shape and eye color as important distin- grounds, but they may not be accompanied al, Birds of Arizona, 1964. Beware that many guishing features. Below we will caution by the more easily identified adults, and adult Curve-billeds do show smaller inverted that the former character can be confusing sometimes co-occur with Bendire's. Even "V" marks, although these are concentrated when juvenile Curve-billeds are considered, short-.billed Juvenile Curve-billeds show a toward the center of the lower breast, below and that eye color is of little or no use as an pronounced gonydeal angle on the lower the larger, more diffuse spots of the upper identifying character. We suggest additional, mandible, in contrast to the straight or very breast and sides. On adult Bendire's the more reliable characters. slightly angled mandible of the Bendire's. smallest spots are at the top of the center of The Bendire's Thrasher breeds locally Bill color characters (see below) appear to the chest, just below the throat. Keep in from southern Nevada and southern Utah be a diagnostic after the young Curve-billeds mind that juveniles of both species show south to southern Sonora. In California it is have lost the last traces of the pale flanges at fine, narrow breast streaking, and that the a locaJ breeder on the Mojave Desert, par- the gape. breast markings of worn adults (even by ticularly in Joshua Tree/juniper woodlands Bill color is consistently different between mid-spring) may be obsolete. As a further in eastern San Bernardino County. A very Bendire's and Curve-billed Thrashers and is footnote, we point out that extremely worn few breed south to the Yucca Valley and thus a critical indentifying character. The adult Sage Thrashers (oreoscoptes monta- Joshua Tree National Monument areas, and bill of the Curve-billed is entirely dark nus) in late summer may essentially lack singing birds have been recorded in spring (nearly blackish). That of the-Bendire's is apparent streaking below and superficially in the Antelope Valley. Transients are noted slightly paler (grayer) throughout and, most resemble the larger, longer-billed Bendire's only very rarely away from the breeding importantly, always shows some pale fleshy, Thrasher. grounds, but vagrants have been noted in fleshy-yellow, or horn color at the base of All members of the Bendire's/Curve-billed the interior as far north as Mono County. the lower mandible. While diagnostic, this Thrasher complex show some degree of Vagrant Bendire's Thrashers appear on the mark does require careful scrutiny in the paleness on the corners of the tail. Again coastal slope very rarely but regularly, pri- field. this is most pronounced in fresh birds, and marily in September and October. The spe- In discussing plumage characters separat- the character may become obsolete by mid- cies is casual in winter in California, with ing Bendire's and Curve-billed Thrashers, it to late spring. Bendire's Thrashers tend to records for both the coast and the interior. is important to realize that the latter species show prominent well-set-off whitish tail Farther east it winters regularly in the Sonor- shows noticeable geographical variations in corners (this mark is shown even more strongly by the related Gray Thrasher). between phrases. Both species may sing range of the Gray). Beware of potential con- Palmeri Curve-billeds show duller, more from a conspicuous perch but the Ben- fusion with wintering Sage Thrashers which, blurred pale tail corners which rarely appear dire's, especially, is given to choosing the however, have shorter tails and much shor- extensive or white. However, curvirostre- top of a tall yucca or juniper as a song perch. ter, straighter bills. The flanks and rump of type Curve-billeds do show pronounced The common call notes of the two species the Gray Thrasher are tinged rich cinnamon white tail corners. We remind observers are quite different. Curve-billeds give a loud, brown. Birds of the northern race mearosi that, in general, a dorsal view of the spread emphatic "whit-wheet?!" or "whit-wheet- are distinctly darker and richer brown above tail is necessary for these tail spot characters wheet?!". This is one of the characteristic and more heavily spotted below than the to be ascertained. Curvirostre Curve-billeds bird sounds of the Sonoran Desert. They southern nominate race. The bill of the also show thin white tips to the median and may also give a snappy "pi-pi-pi-pit", espe- Gray Thrasher is intermediate in length and greater wing coverts in unworn plumage, cially in the evening (Kenn Kaufman). Ben- curvature between that of the Curve-billed forming thin wing-bars. Wing-bars are evi- dire's, in contrast, are relatively silent birds and that of the Bendire's. dent in only some fresh-plumaged palmeri which occasionally give a blackbird-like Eye color of the Gray Thraser tends to be Curve-billeds and tend to be lacking in "chuck" note. golden-yellow. The black beak shows some Bendire's (or very thin, buffy and incons- The tendency of Curve-billed Thrashers pale flesh at the base of the lower mandible. picuous when present). to wander well out of range has already The song is said to be less repetitive than Most field guides imply that Curve-billed been noted. They have been noted north to those of other thrashers, and the quality has and Bendire's Thrashers may be separated South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minne- been likened to that of a Bell's Vireo (Short, by eye color (orange-red in the former, yel- sota, and east to western Florida. In light of LL. Jr. and R.C. Banks, Trans. San Diego Soc. low in the latter). We feel, however, that eye this wandering, this species should be Nat. Hist. 14(3):49,1965). color is generally of no use in identification. looked for west of extreme southern Cali- Gray Thrashers inhabit succulent scrub, In the western part of their range Curve- fornia. Vagrant records appear to pertain to being especially numerous in areas of tall, billeds frequently show an iris color as pale the race palmeri, somewhat suprising in succulent growth. The nearest place to San and yellow as that of Bendire's, and some light of the distribution of the races; further Diego where they may be reliably seen is individual Bendire's may tend toward orange. study is certainly needed. near Colonet. South of Colonet, along Mex- There may well be a cline of increasingly The Gray Thrasher is one of the few bird ico Highway 1, take the road going east to orange-red iris color toward the eastern species endemic to Baja California, and is San Telmo. The hillsides with cactus scrub (and southern?) parts of the range of the completely resident there. It is a dark, heav- within ten kilometers either side of San Curved-billed, although this point needs to ily spotted counterpart of the Bendire's Telmo harbor Gray Thrashers, with Califor- be verified. Certainly palmeri Curve-billeds Thrasher, ranging from the latitude of nia Thrashers also occurring in the stream- are not separable from Bendire's on eye Colonet on the Pacific Coast and Animas bottom areas (with much overlap between color alone. The eyes of Bendire's and Ben- Bay on the Gulf Coast south to Cabo San the two species). dire's Thrashers seem relatively large in Lucas. In general it is gray-brown above and size, unlike the proportionately smaller- whitish below, with bold, black triangular eyed Crissal. spots on the breast and sides. Even in worn Both species have a typical varied and individuals the intensity of the spotting We would like to acknowledge the kind rambling thrasher song. That of the Ben- should prevent any confusion with the allo- help of Kenn Kaufman and Richard Web- dire's is somewhat clearer and decidely patric Curve-billed and Bendire's Thrashers ster in the preparation of this article. more continuous, with few or no pauses (the latter a potential vagrant within the

"WHY DIDN'T With all these good things going for it, we might expect Malibu lagoon to be simply Conservation Conversation overrun with great birds in great numbers. Not quite. Good but not great. There has been a nice variety of species the last two years, but little that sends the ardent birder by Sandy Wohlgemuth zooming off to a possible rarity. And small sandpipers have been in short supply. There has been some unofficial speculation on the reasons for the relatively bland bird spectrum of the lagoon. The most obvious Malibu Revisited reason is that it is simply too soon to expect t has been two years since Malibu After a long and sometimes bitter strug- a miraculous appearance of hundreds of lagoon was restored. The last es- gle, the good guys won out and the State shorebirds, waders and ducks. The habitat, I tuary in Los Angeles county—and Park Department began to change the face though it looks better all the time, is still one of the few remaining in southern of Malibu lagoon. What has emerged from new and unconsolidated. A stable growth of California—on the ropes. The once-thriving all our labors has been the construction of marsh plants and a rich area of mudflats marsh on its edge had become not much several inlets into the deteriorated marsh- should attract a wider variety and a greater more than a pathway from the Pacific Coast land, removal of the Caltrans debris and number of birds and other wildlife. There is Highway to Surf-Riders Beach adjacent to leveling the land surrounding the inlets so concern that for some shy species the path the affluent Malibu Colony. The marsh plants tidal flushing is restored. A permanent raised through the marsh brings people too close were trampled by the beach traffic; dogs, wooden pathway curves gracefully from the to possible resting and feeding areas, so horses and motorcycles invaded the area at grassy interpretive center, over the inlets that the birds will not appear. It has been will; rusting shopping carts cluttered the and out to the beach. To form the inlets, suggested that it takes time for birds to lagoon like lobster traps. The trash and gar- most of the existing vegetation had to be accept a new habitat and that the drastic bage level may have been the highest in the bulldozed out, and when the restored lagoon face-lift at Malibu may be responsible for state. Two Little league baseball fields had was dedicated in April 1982, the site looked the reluctance of some birds to feel at somehow been gouged out of the marsh. raw and naked. Since then, although the home. The prevailing attitude is that it is The coup de grace—the most significant usual vacant-lot weeds are thriving, the marsh still early; given a few more years to mature blow to the habitat—had been the ruthless plants are making a splendid comeback and mellow, Malibu with a well-developed dumping of debris into the marsh by Cal- along the edges of the inlets. It is predicted marsh and a healthy lagoon, may approach trans following a landslide on the coast that, in time, the mixture of salt and fresh Ballona wetlands and Morro Bay as a first- highway in 1969. This raised the level of the water will eliminate the exotic weeds and class wildlife refuge. marsh several feet and effectively kept out stimulate luxuriant growth of the indigen- tidal water that nourished the natural vege- ous marsh plants. tation. All these elements conspired to So where is Malibu lagoon as a wildlife An exciting new program is afoot for change the habitat for the worse, substitut- sanctuary today? First, it is losing the barren Malibu lagoon. A state agency, the Topanga- ing weedy interlopers for salicornia and look it had when the project was com- Las Virgenes Resource Conservation District, other natives, driving out the endangered pleted. The inlets and the inaccessible is- is setting up a marine environmental educa- Belding's Savannah sparrow and the few lands are almost covered with a mixture of tion program built around the resources of remaining rails. weeds and natives. The walkway, providing the lagoon. The goal "is to provide children an easy path to the beach, has successfully with a better understanding of the marine blocked the urge to take a short-cut across environment, the fluctuating nature of estu- the marshland. As there is no incentive to aries, the importance of wetland habitats as leave the path and intrude on the inlets or nursery areas, and the need for careful man- the peninsulas they form, birds and other agement of this resource." The District wildlife are not disturbed. The bridges over expects about 4600 fourth-through-sixth the inlets offer excellent points of vantage graders to participate in the program from to the birder. One of the best observation next February to June 1986. Teacher work- areas is the long spit of land along the west- shops are contemplated, so that teachers ern shore of the lagoon proper, going south can carry forward the environmental ideas from PCH bridge. (Directions here can be into the classroom. Docents will be trained confusing: facing the ocean, the west side is in ichthyology, invertebrate biology, orni- on your right.) The baseball fields are gone, thology and estuarine studies. This will not horses and motorcycles have no right-of- be another lecture-demonstration affair but way, and the dog population seems to have a hands-on experience with children look- decreased considerably. Recently, the park ing at specimens under the microscope, department has been opening the channel learning to identify birds with binoculars, to the ocean frequently. Previously, when taking water samples. Data collected by the this was not done often enough, the lagoon students will be given to California Fish and would become too full and mudflats disap- Game and conservation organizations. Any- pered under water, discouraging foraging one who has attended a school science fair shorebirds. State parks is working on a pro- understands that sophisticated creative gram to monitor the water level and open material can be produced by ten and twelve- the channel on a regular basis. Los Angeles year olds with the proper guidance. Audubon has suggested that it be opened at In the past Malibu lagoon has been used least once a week. as a study area for all educational levels. Rarely has there been such a serious attempt to cover all aspects of the biology of an estuary by school children. The Resource Conservation District is asking for help. They are looking for donations of micro- Third Annual scopes and binoculars. There may not be too many microscopes hiding away in Audubon Membership Slide Contest closets but there is an excellent possibility For the third year in a row, our January that a modest hoard of old, honorable but meeting (Tuesday the 8th) will be devoted retired binoculars is there. Many birders to the showing of slides of wild and free start with a small investment of a sporting- birds by our members and guests. Show off goods store 7 by 35's and, as enthusiasm your best work in the spirit of fun and art. and affluence take over, go on to more Or just come and enjoy the work of our expensive optics. If there is a worn but usa- amateur and professional bird photogra- ble pair of binoculars gathering dust in the phers. S recesses of your home, would you be wil- ling to part with it in a good cause? The binoculars can be brought to Audubon 1) All slides must be received in the Meet- House in Plummer Park - 7377 Santa Mon- ing Room in Plummer Park by 7:45 p.m. ica Blvd., West Hollywood. If this is difficult Please label each slide with your name and the desire is there, call Sandy or Marge (though all slides will be judged anon- Wohlgemuth at (818) 344-8531 and we'll ymously). work something out. A letter of appreciation will be sent to all donors, suitable for fram- 2) We can accommodate up to five slides ing or submission to the IRS. If no gift per individual. Judging will be by three binoculars are available, monetary donations non-participating members, but the will be accepted to help buy an inexpensive audience is encouraged to vocally guide pair. the judges! Los Angeles Audubon was in the forefront in the arduous drive to restore Malibu lagoon. We feel good about the future of the lagoon. We hope that this portion of our 3) Slides are to be judged on the basis of endangered coastal habitat that has been set originality and composition. EVERYBODY aside for beleaguered wildlife will be free is encouraged to participate, regardless forever. If our young people can absorb our of experience. enthusiasm for a place like Malibu lagoon 4) No entry fee or notice required. and grow with it, with luck our worries will 5) Subjects must be wild and unrestrained. be over. 6) Photographers must bepresentto enter. 7) Winners will be chosen through a sequential elimination process. PRIZES will be awarded!!! Winter Birds A UCLA Extension Course offered by Arnold Small. Includes 5 class meetings Wednesday 7 — 9:30 PM and 4 full-day Saturday Field Trips. Renew Your Membership Through LAAS For Info. Call UCLA Extension, (213) 825-7093. When you receive your annual renewal Before forwarding your renewal to Nation- notice from National Audubon, we strongly al, we will photocopy your form and check, urge that you complete the form and send it and make sure that our records are current. along with your dues check to Audubon By renewing through L.A. Audubon you will House rather than directly to National be sure not to miss any issues of the TAN Los Angeles Audubon Headquarters, Library, Audubon. National has been having difficul- AGER. We will also be able to confirm that Bookstore and Nature Museum are located ties with the data processing firm handling National has placed you in the correct at Audubon House, Plummer Park, 7377 membership. This has led to may errors in membership category. Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90046. chapter records across the country, includ- Telephone: (213) 876-0202. Hours: 10-3, We care about your membership, and are Tuesday through Saturday. ing ours. It has also resulted in some of our willing to make this extra effort to serve you members missing issues of the WESTERN better. TANAGER. By sending your renewal directly to us, many of the problems should be avoided. Cranes in the Carrizo by Joan Easton Lentz

either the roar of the car heater nor the lukewarm cup of coffee N being passed around can stir us from the early morning torpor. It is cold and very dark at 4:30 a.m., as we speed through the foothills northeast of San Luis Obispo. We are on our way to visit a hauntingly beautiful and long-forgotten corner of Southern California known as the Carrizo Plains. Lying between the transverse ranges of the Caliente and Temblor Mountains (the latter so named because the famed San Andreas earthquake fault forms its southern- most escarpment), this arid valley stretches desolate and treeless, with only a few lonely homesteads. But the bird life is abundant, and strikingly different from the wintering species of coastal California. Thousands of Sandhill Cranes, as well as Rough-legged Hawks, Mountain Plover, flocks of Vesper and Lark Sparrors, Ferruginous Hawks, pos- sible Lark Bunting and McCown's Longspur: these are the lure of the Carrizo this January Photos by Herb Clarke day. Vesper Sparrows are a novelty, so we The Horned Lark, on the other hand, has The first stop is memorable. We scare up scrutinize this pale sparrow carefully, not- a hunkered-down shuffle from side to side a crowd of ravens feeding on a carcass near ing the white eye ring, grey cheek patch as it searches the grassy fields for insects the road and with them two Golden Eagles enclosing two darker dots, and pronounced and seeds. All the larks have the distinctive fly slowly off. In a minute we are out of the white collar setting off the cheek. It is paler black and yellow face pattern, but the car with the scope on the eagles. The rising below than Savannah and has less streaking. "horns" are only erect in the mating season, sun highlights their golden hackles—a bit- The rufous wing patch at the shoulder isn't so all these birds appear like females. I try ter wind is blowing one bird about as it tries always apparent. As far as I can see, Savan- to distinguish larks and pipts in flight, as to remain perched atop a tall transformer nahs are the most variable of the three. But they wheel and circle overhead to land tower. The yellow talons grip tighter. With there is always more contrast in the striped again on the other side of the road. Larks are the temperature in the low 30's, I shiver and Savannah's head pattern of whitish-yellow whiter underneath and have dark tails from grab an extra parka from the car. On the supercilium and dark head stripes than in below. They give a melodic, tinkling call. next two power poles we see two raptors. Vespers, and Savannahs have darker streak- Pipits give the harsher "pip-it", "pip-it" call One, a melanistic Ferruginous Hawk, appears ing below. (I have learned not to count on and lack dark tails from below. a uniform dark cinnamon brown with a tiny the central spot in the breast because We are always listening for the rattle call bill. The other is a Red-tailed Hawk. whether you see it or not depends on how of a possible longspur. Here in southern Before descending into the plains, we the feathers arrange themselves. This is true California it would be a real treat, but long- pause to savor the view of the flat agricultu- of many sparrows.) Lark Sparrows have white spurs are invariably mixed in with large ral land lying before us. Some fields are in the outer tail feathers as well as at the tip, flocks of larks which must be sifted through. dark brown and freshly plowed, waiting for while Vespers show white only in the outer The sun is warming us a little, filling a the winter rains to sprout the wheat in thin tail feathers. crisp blue sky with light and serenity. It is so blades of green. On either side of the valley, A unique aspect of birding the interior quiet. People rarely have occasion to come the contours of the bare round hills stretch agricultural valleys of California is the enor- to this hidden valley. It is too remote and to the horizon, unbroken by a single tree or mous flocks of wintering Horned Larks and holds nothing of interest. But we fortunate shrub. Water Pipits. Focus your binoculars on an to be here. The fences are alive with wintering spar empty plowed field and you will discover Heading southeast we approach a tiny rows, and we cruise slowly along, using the the dirt clods are alive with larks and pipits settlement named California Valley. It is a car as a blind. Western Meadowlark songs walking about. dilapidated motel/restaurant/gas station com- dominate the air, while Vesper and Lark The pipit is a strange "stuck-together" plex straight out of a Texas movie. Doris, Sparrows "tseep" and "buzz" as they fly bird, to me. It seems a composite of so the pleasant chain-smoking motel owner, away from the approaching car. We stop to many other species: a slim warbler-like bill, assures us reservations for tonight are practice separating Savannah from Vesper rounded shorebird head, a slender sparrow- unnecessary. No wonder. The only traffic is from Lark Sparrow on the barbed wire. Lark like bird of open country. The Pipit moves an occasional pick-up truck with cowboy. A is the "Aztec bird" with the distinctive chest- its head forward every time it takes a step, few abandoned houses stand forlornly near nut face pattern and plain grey breast, usu- and it really does "walk" through the fields, what has become the predominant mode of ally with a stick pin. pumping its tail for emphasis when stopping. shelter—a ramshackle mobile home. Suddenly, an eerie, gutteral croaking A slim sandy-colored Prairie Falcon takes cranes—all three thousand of them. Stream- sound carries from over the hills to the off and swirls in the air as it chases a lark. It ing in from the hills in tiny dots and specks south. Four Sandhill Cranes fly in, long is pale underneath, almost white. Turquoise and growing larger and filling the sky with straight necks and legs outstretched, their Mountain Bluebirds hover above the brown that strange, gutteral croaking, they fly in to huge black and grey wings flapping rhyth- earth as they catch insects. Much sleeker roost. The noise is deafening as they circle mically. than Western Bluebirds, they like to perch lower and lower to land by the calm lake. We find Soda Lake nearby. Here every on the wire fences that form crude corrals The lake itself is a blue mirror reflecting the winter the large gray cranes wth crimson for flocks of sheep here. I am intrigued with mountain behind, bathed in a sunset glow. caps come from the northern flatlands of the way the white, fluffy sheep's wool clings It is stark and simple: a desert painting of Canada to forage in the fields of the Carrizo to the fence lines, softening them. peach and purple, and gray... the gray Plains. It is one of only 3 places in southern At the end of the Carrizo Plains looms the cranes gathering. We watch as these prehis- California where Sandhill Cranes winter— great mass of Mt. Pinos, the highest point for toric birds settle in for the night, safe from some at the Salton Sea and a few at the many miles around. When Chumash Indians predators in the shallow water of that dead Colorado River. inhabited this area, they considered Mt. lake. Through the cope, we enjoy the magical Pinos a holy spot. The Carrizo Plains itself sight of these birds as they preen and jump. was a meetng place for those tribes from the They are practicing their special dance, coast with those from the San Joaquin Val- As the sun rises over the shoulder of Mt. which will be perfected during mating sea- ley. The centuries-old stillness that pervades Pinos the next morning, we are prepared to son. In groups of two or four they stand the plains may emanate from the Indian search through the sparrows to find a female opposite each other and gently flap their spirits, whose influence remains behind in Lark Bunting. Although we've been told wings enough to lift themselves off the one giant rock. It is a massive rock, the size approximately which stretch of road the ground in a series of graceful bouncing of a two-story building, whose hollow cen- bird prefers, a huge grassy field lies for hops. ter forms a perfect amphitheater. The black miles on one side of the barbed wire fence, Cranes are an ancient group of birds, dat- and red and white Chumash pictographs are and across the road is an equally vast culti- ing back to Eocene times. Perhaps for cen- still visible in caves around the inside of the vated expanse. It seems an impossible task. turies they have wintered by this lake, which rock, though badly marred by vandalism. Vesper, Savannah, Lark and White-crowned is so alkaline that crystallized foam covers A grumpy Barn Owl screeches as we Sparrows are landing on the fences, then the shores in thick white layers. Wherever arrive at the rock, then circles overhead with a flutter of wings quickly taking off. you are in the Carrizo, the distant sound of soundlessly. Ravens depart. We sit and eat They land again, a few yards up the fence. cranes croaking can be heard; the bird's and soak up the noon sun. The Chumash We inch the car forward slowly. We stop. very long trachea, coiled like some prehis- spirits are smiling on our birding day. Another group of sparrows has alighted toric French horn, gives the honking its far- Flocks of cranes become tiny floating even further along. We coast on, brake, and reaching resonance. specks in wavy lines high in the distance. all binoculars go up. This is the grind of Reluctantly, we leave the cranes and ap- It's a fine place to study Lark and Vesper birding. We have to check out every bird, proach a flat, grassy field where Mountain Sparrows, as they wander up the rock face a making sure each individual fits a mental Plovers are tamely running about. Their few feet away. The ledges and crevices on test pattern for that particular species, before large dark eyes give them a child-like the back side of the rock hold the Barn looking at the next one. We turn around appearance. The Plovers run a few steps and Owl's mate, and more pictographs and mor- and start over. There is lots of sitting in the pause, run and pause, just like other shore- tar holes. car and waiting while the flocks settle back. birds in this family. But this particular species Twilight is falling as we hurry back to Notebooks in hand, we settle for jotting rarely comes near our coasts, and nests in Soda Lake. We stand waiting in the thin, down obscure field marks on yet another the high grasslands of Wyoming and eastern chilly air. Out of nowhere they come—the Savannah. Colorado. Meanwhile, an unfamiliar dark raptor is staring down at us from a nearby phone pole. In the scope, we note the small bill, feathered tarsus and mottled light head and upper breast. We haven't seen this species before. It jumps and flies directly away, showing a good patch of white on the broad, buteo-like tail, bordered by several dark terminal bands. The hawk is large, and exhibits dark markings at the wrist of the wing and in the other primaries from below. We have come up with a Rough-legged Hawk at last! A life bird for me! We will see five of these hawks on the Carrizo. They are fond of hunting from the ground, especially since trees are so scarce. Red and white Ferruginous Hawks out- number Red-tails and Rough-legs in this val- ley. We marvel at the white-headed appear- ance of Ferruginous Hawks, the extensive white on the belly, and the rufous leggings. This is the largest of the western buteos. Numerous ground sqirrels provide all these wintering raptors with ample food. As last someone has the good sense to look behind us on the right rear fence post. Unbelievably, there she is! Probably one of the drabbest most uninteresting-looking birds around. But she is bigger than the sparrows and shows a large blue-gray bill, a buffy line through the eye, white malar stripe setting off the gray cheek, nice pale wing patch, and a streaked breast. As though in answer to the sheer force of our collec- tive will, finally the bunting begins to feed on the ground right in front of the car, square tail cocked up and wings drooping slightly. Mingling calmly with the other sparrows, she is unaware of her status as a rare bird in southern California. By now it is noon, and we realize it is time to leave. Tracing the escarpment of the San Andreas fault on our left, we follow the dusty road out of the narrow mouth of the valley. Deep in this timeless place, with its green fields and treeless hills, huge hawks and flocks of larks, we have shared the beauty of the land and the bird life. We leave the Carrizo Plains, with memory of the stillness broken only by the honking of the Sandhill Cranes,

The Great ... Laterallus Roundup by Harold Swanton t is stretching the metaphor to its thatch and reed. You'll hear its dididedunk even though the threats were in English. He outermost limits, but when I pon- call now and then of a tropic evening, but was nowhere to be found all the next day I der Gary Stiles and laterallus exilis don't waste your time trying to flush it. and into the night, though the members I think of Ahab and Moby Dick. Laterallus is Laterallus is evidently not uncommon covered the neighborhood, guns at the ready, not your everday great white whale, of along the northern edge of South America with the spotlights they had used collecting course, but a scrawny little bird about the and in parts of the Amazon basin, but you nightjars and such. Still fuming, they gave size of a malnourished meadowlark that can count the records for Central America up and went to bed. lives in the tangled stoloniferous grass on your fingers: The next morning, stretched out on a the meadows of Tropical American from Nica- Honduras — one specimen (1968) front door mat, pristine, unruffled, killed by ragua to the Amazon. Belize — one specimen (1966) a single fang through the skull, was the first Gary Stiles, Professor of Biology at the Panama — two specimens (1956, 1963 specimen of Laterallus exilis taken in Nica- University of Costa Rica, however, is not bad and a third astonishingly, purchased alive in ragua in half a century. casting for Ahab. Six feet, gaunt, with a thin the Panama City market in 1961. Nobody Instead of the deep six, the cat got a plate beard, Gary has a pair of pale blue eyes seems to know where it came from, but it of chopped liver. under the brim of his shapeless hat that lived in the Summit Garden Zoo at least Laterallus exilis, as of February 1983, had catch fire when the dididedunk of Lateral- until 1964. never been reported from Costa Rica—a bur lus floats up through the drizzle drenching Nicaragua listed one record, in 1893, but under the saddle of Gary Stiles' view of the meadow at La Selva. there's a postscript. Tom Howell-, current things. He knew they were there. He'd Thar she blows. Your time ivill come, president of the A.O.U. , was down there on heard them in the meadow across the river friend, Gary mutters, and he isn't smiling. a collecting trip in the fifties, based at an from the La Selva Biological Station. A word about Laterallus exilis. The Gray- agricultural experiment station on the Rio Lateralluswas a personal challenge. He'd breasted Crake is a tiny rail, about the size Escondido. Things were going swimmingly stalked the meadow, collecting gun in hand. of a Black Rail, but even more secretive in until one night a feral cat somehow got into He'd borrowed a bird dog. One year he'd habit. The swampy meadows it frequents a shed where several days' collected speci- recruited the help and guests at the Station are matted tangles six or more inches deep, mens were set out to cure. The cat did a and they'd marched across the swale and it lives its entire existence in runways thorough job of disembowelling them. shoulder to shoulder. Another year, he'd and tunnels below the surface—feeds, mates, The members surveyed the wreckage and dragged the meadow with a heavy cable. builds its dome-shaped nest and raises its swore vengeance. And, more often than not each time, as they young there in the dim light of tangled The culprit must have sensed something were packing to leave, the dididedunk call from the bottom of the swamp as the dark- We pulled up the poles, slogged upslope ness closed in. Laterallus was laughing. forty yards and planted the net again. This Melville would have scoffed at the little time Gary and Doug carefully thrust the bot- crake, but he'd've understood Gary. The tom margin of the net into the wiry grass quarry differed somewhat in size, but the and weighted it down. psychology was identical. It was getting dark, and the drizzle was We'd had squally weather at the Station now a steady, drenching rain. 1 was soaked during our stay—torrential downpours at to the skin. Tramp, tramp, tramp, starting in night that turned the Rio Puerto Viejo choc- a wider arc this time, taking in more terri- olate brown, drizzles and showers during tory. Not much different, I was thinking, the day, and today was no exception. Dur- from the snipe hunts of my summer camp ing the afternoon we had mist-netted and days, when we'd take some poor rookie out banded a Cinnamon Becard, Broad-billed into the woods and leave him with a bag Motmots and assorted tanagers. When it was and a lantern while we beat the bushes. We over, Gary had rolled up the nets and we'd moved closer and closer to the net. Then it headed for the meadow across the river for happened. one more go at Laterallus. Twenty feet from home, the bird flushed, A new ploy this time: the idea was to set headed straight for the net, then made a up the mist net in the probable line of flight U-turn as it somehow saw the gossamer and try to flush the bird into it. Six feet high webbing and headed downslope toward the and forty or fifty feet long, virtually invisi- swamp. ble, the net had trapped all manner of other Gary and Doug made stabs at him. Ozzie The female gave her all to the cause and birds and should work equally well on Smith of the St. Louis Cards might have is now a specimen in the University of Costa Laterallus. made the play, but he gets over a million a Rica museum, the data tag recording date We crawled through the barbed wire fen- year for such things. Gary and Doug both and location and sundry other information ces and headed down the sloping swale, missed as the bird shot past. but not the liveliest part of the story nor the boots squishing in the marshy grass. There What we did see was a tiny rail, darkish sogginess of the meadow and the wetness were six of us: Gary and Doug, one of the gray with rufous on the nape, maybe three of the trampers nor the mea culpa of the staffers at La Selva, Bill and Maria Eddison, seconds of him. Then he was gone. He had author, who did not get going when the Ellen Brennan and I. A hundred yards down- the good grace not to give us his didi- going got tough. slope from the fence, Gary stopped. Didi- dedunk. Gary brought the male to the mess hall dedunk thirty yards ahead. We froze in Well—what to do? Gary was all for setting after dinner and we photographed him, a place. The drizzle was turning to rain, drip- up shop yet again fifty yards downslope, handsome little bird, gray with the cin- ping off my hat brim. Dididedunk. The bird where the bird had plopped into the grass namon nape and the characteristic flank was forty yards downslope, in a swampier and was out of sight. I was all for a cup of stripes of a rail. patch of Australian grass than where we coffee back at the station, along with a The next day we ceremonially released were standing. Gary motioned. We split, change of clothes. To my eternal shame, I him at the edge of the meadow. Curiously, three on each wing in a kind of pincers bugged out. Alas, the old adage: winners he did not disappear immediately, but movement, meeting below the spot where never quit and quitters never win. stopped to drink first. we imagined the bird to be. An hour later Ellen steamed into the mess Considering his habits, he must have Now we put up the net, driving the poles hall with the news they had captured not whomped up a real thirst during the night. into the muddy ground upslope from the one but two Gray-breasted Crakes! bird until we had a gossamer wall fifty feet The third time had been the charm. One long and six feet high. had flown fair and square into the net, the The idea was to swing out from each other went through a gap but was somehow wing in an arc, passing in the middle, then induced to flush again, into the backside of reverse directions, each pass a few feet the net, and they had taken both. nearer the net, hoping to drive the bird toward the net until he would at last be forced to fly into it. The march began. Squish, squish, squish, Ellen, Doug and I on one wing, Gary and the Eddisons on the other. We passed in the middle, edged toward the net, reversed directions. A cold rivulet was running down my back. I wondered how to explain what we were doing to the locals if any happened by and inquired what was going on. The half-circles narrowed, we edged closer to the net. Twenty feet now from the top of the arc to the webbing. A sudden movement in the grass under the net. Gary stopped, heaved a sigh. The little rascal had found the one gap on the bottom side of the net and slipped through it. He was upslope from us now. 10

major coastal plains by early October; closer Birds of the Season to home was one at Seal Beach on 10 October (Brian Daniels). Merlins were at by Hal Baxter Malibu Lagoon (Don Gali, 24-30 September) and along the Santa Ana River in Anaheim andKimball Garrett (Doug Willick, 9 October). A juvenile Sabine's Gull was at the Piute Ponds north of Lancaster on 4 October (Onik Arian and Richard Webster). A Black Skimmer was at Bolsa Chica on 29 September (Bob Neuwirth). outhern California birding in late The L.A.A.S. pelagic trip from San Pedro Slightly out of range was a Common September and early October was out beyond Santa Barbara Island on 14 Ground-Dove at Big Sycamore Canyon on Sas productive as predicted, with October was highlighted by sightings of 8 October (Guy Commeau). Well out of several noticeable waves of our normal Black-footed Albatross and Buller's range, or perhaps more likely, out of a cage, western migrants and the now expected Shearwater, both rarely seen in Los Angeles was a male Ruddy Ground-Dove at Iron smattering of vagrant species. Perhaps the County waters. There were no other "pela- Mountain Pump Station on about 11 October highlight of the period was the unexpect- gic" reports off southern California, and the (Bill Wagner and Bob McKernan). This spe- edly long stay of the Little Curlew near organized trips in Monterey Bay were rather cies is unrecorded in Arizona, and all records Santa Maria. As reported last month, the bird routine ("routine" is on a very high plane in the southwest north of West Mexico are was initially found by Paul Lehman on 16 up there, however). The adult Yellow- best treated as pertaining to escapees. The September; its presence at least through the crowned Night-Heron which now appears Ruddy Ground-Dove could not be refound, second week of October enabled it to be to be a fixture at San Elijo Lagoon north of but Larry Sansone found an Inca Dove at very widely seen. Such a lengthy migratory San Diego as enjoyed by participants on the the same locality on 13 October. While not stopover seems unusual for a species that 29 September L.A.A.S. trip led by Richard far out of range, this bird's origin must per- normally winters well south of the equator. Webster. Thirteen White-faced Ibis were haps be questioned as well. A Yellow- The Santa Maria Curlew Sandpiper coop- at the San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, on 22 Sep- billed Cuckoo, an extremely rare migrant erated with very few birders during its short tember (Doug Willick), and one was at near the coast, was seen briefly in the wil- stay in mid-September, but two others were Malibu Lagoon on 25 September (Don Galli). lows at Tapia Park on 6 October (Carroll found through the course of the period. A male Wood Duck was at Malibu Lagoon Holland). Mary Thompson surprised a One was seen by Norm and Maggie Mellor from 18 September at least into early October Common Poorwill in her small Santa at the Santa Clara River estuary on 22 Sep- (Don Galli). Monica yard on 9 October. Spectacular con- tember, and another was at the north end of For the sake of his insurance premiums, centrations of up to 20,000 Vaux's Swifts the Salton Sea 13-15 October (Guy McCas- the erratic driver on the Santa Monica Free- were found over the Los Angeles River in kie). Both of these birds were juveniles, and way at Centinela Ave. on 11 October shall the vicinity of the Los Angeles Zoo from 5 to the latter appeared to be stricken by botu- go unnamed, however, his behavior can be 11 October (Candy Dean, Dave Richardsn, lism poisoning when seen on the 15th. explained by the immature Broad-winged Larry Sansone). A Calliope Hummingbird Rounding out the list of exceptional shore- Hawk which was perched on a nearby light along lower Zuma Creek on 30 September birds during the period was a juvenile Sharp- standard. Rush hour traffic thwarted the •was a nearly unprecidented coastal fall tailed Sandpiper seen at Piute Pond, north refinding of the bird, and the driver is still record (Kimball Garrett). This may be at of the Avenue C dike, 12-14 October (Jerry after 502 in the county (... driving under least a minor flight year for Lewis' Wood- and Laurette Masel). the influence of birds?). Scattered Ferrug- peckers, with one near the Eaton Canyon Nature Center on 8 October and five at Chi- Two exceptionally rare landbirds were inous Hawks were on the deserts and seen to the north of us during the period. An odd little warbler seen by John Luther near Hayward, on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, was soon identified as a Dusky Warbler, an Old World warbler previously recorded only once in California. The bird was seen by throngs of birders on 29 September, the day after its discovery. One suspects that these many dozens of observers would have materialized even if the Western Field Ornithologists' biennial convention had not been scheduled in near- by Marin County during the same weekend. The warbler was seen by only a few lucky observers on 30 September, and not refound after that date. Somewhat closer to home was another confusing "White/Black- backed" Wagtail, this time at Arroyo de la Cruz, north of San Simeon (Brad Schram, et al). The bird, present 5-8 October, appeared to be an adult, and the concensus of the observers was that it was most probably a White Wagtail (only the Black-backed Wag- tail is currently reliably recorded from Cali- fornia, although both forms occur in west- ern Alaska. 11

Redstart was near Malibu Lagoon 30 Sep- Waxwings and Pine Siskins in the coastal tember to at least 4 October (Kimball Gar- lowlands, and Red-breasted Nuthatches rett, David Ledder). A Canadian Warbler were scattered through the desert lowlands. was at Irvine Park on 7 October (Arleta Pat- It is still too early to determine the status of terson). A Scarlet Tanager was in the many of our "irregulars", although as you Point Loma residential area in mid-October. read this we should have an excellent idea Male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were at how our Christmas Bird Counts are going to Malibu Lagoon 1-3 October (Barbara Elliott unfold. Early December is prime time to et at) and at Forest Lawn Hollywood 7 scout for these counts, and we look forward October (David Grindell). A scattering of to reporting results to you soon. Dickcissels included one in the Furnace Creek date palm groves on 7 October (Kimball Garrett and John Karges). Between 15 August and 23 September Mike San Miguel banded an amazing total of 425 Lazuli Buntings and 5 Indigo Bunt- ings in a wash in lower Santa Anita Canyon. lao in the San Gabriel Mountains 11-12 Such studies help point out the magnitude October (Gayle Benton). An Acorn Wood- of migration through our region. A Lark pecker at Deep Springs College on 7 Bunting was at Malibu Lagoon on 30 Sep- October (John Karges) was east of its nor- tember (Sandy Wohlgemuth). An immature mal California range. Grasshopper Sparrow was at Mojave Nar- Tropical Kingbirds were at the San rows Regional Park on 30 September (Rick Joaquin Marsh 22-26 September (Doug Wil- Clements). Send any interesting bird observations to: lick) and at Huntington Beach Central Park By mid-October it was shaping up as a Hal Baxter on 8 October (also D.W.). A Gray Catbird "non-invasion" winter for many of our erratic 1821 Highland Oaks Drive was at Stovepipe Wells, Death Valley, on 6 montane/boreal species, although many Arcadia, CA 91006 October (Richard Webster and OnikArian), birders pointed out the abundance of Cedar Phone * (818) 355-6300 and another was near Baker 12-14 October (Doug Willick). A Sprague's Pipit off Pat- terson Road in Goleta (Brian Daniels, 21 October) was the only one reported this fall. A Yellow-throated Vireo was in New- port beach on 23 September (Doug Willick). Warblers captivate the interest of birders ANNUAL BANQUET during the fall season, and this year pro- duced a good variety. The following sight- celebrating ings are probably but a sample of what was actually found this year; a more complete report graces the Fall Season regional reports LAAS' 75TH ANNIVERSARY published in American Birds. A North- ern Parula was at Morongo Valley on 13 October (Barbara Carlson). Tennessee Warblers were reported from Malibu Tuesday, February 12, 1985 Lagoon (4 October, Kimball Garrett), Hun- tington Beach Central Park (10 October, at Channel Islands Ballroom Brian Daniels), and Newport Beach (10 October, Doug Willick). A very rare Golden- Marina City Club winged Warbler was near La Jolla 7-14 October. Chestnut-sided Warblers were 4333 Admiralty Way in Huntington Beach Central Park (22-24 Marina Del Rey September, Steve Ganley) and in Anaheim (25 September, Doug Willick). Black- Cocktails 6 p.m., Dinner 7 p.m. throated Blue Warblers were at Iron Mountain Pump Station (11-13 October) Cost: $20.00 per person and Big Sycamore Canyon (17 October, Jon Dunn). A Black-throated Green Warbler was at Huntington Beach Central Park 23-24 Speaker: Dr. James F. Clemens September (Wayne Gochenour), and another was reported at Cabrillo Beach on 14 October ADVANCE RESERVATIONS REQUIRED! (Arthur Howe) would be only the second NO TICKETS SOLD AT DOOR! record for Los Angeles County. Three Pro- thonotary Warblers were found on the Send check with stamped self-addressed envelope to deserts: one at Scotty's Castle, Death Valley, LAAS no later than Tuesday, February 5th. on 5 October (Richard Webster and Onik Arian), and two at Baker on 13 October (Gene Cardiff). An adult male American ^CALENDAR

CALL THE TAPE! TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11 — Evening Meet- ing at 8 p.m. in Plummer Park. Program Before setting out for any field trip, Chairman Bob Van Meter will share more of his WESTERN call the Audubon Bird Tape world travels with a film on Some Birds of the (213) 874-1318 South Pacific. TANAGER^ for special instructions or last-minute SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15 - David White EDITOR Dexter Kelly changes that may have occurred by will lead a walk at Whittier Narrows Regional DESIGN etc. graphics, inc. the Thursday before the trip. Park in search of a wide variety of both and and PRINTER Artisan Press water birds. Meet at 8 a.m. at the Nature Center, CONSERVATION EDITOR Sandy Wohlgemuth Watch for half day pelagic/whale watch 1000 Durfee Ave., So. El Monte near crossing of ORNITHOLOGY CONSULTANT Kimball Garret! trips In late January to early February. freeways 60 and 605. Published ten times a year by the Los Angeles Audubon Society, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., Los SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1 — Reserve space on CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS a bus trip to the Carrlzo Plains with Ornitholo- Angeles, CA 90046. gist Stewart Janes, whose speciality is raptors. SAT., DEC. 15 — Antelope Valley PRESIDENT Bob Shanman Our main goal is to find the wintering Sandhill (Compiler: Fred Heath) Cranes and raptors—11 species were seen on one 1st VICE PRESIDENT Ellsworth Kendig December day! $22 per person. SUN., DEC. 16 — Malibu (Compiler: Jean EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Marge Wohlgemuth Brandt & Kimball Garrett) Audubon membership (local and national) is SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8 — Join Bob Shan- $30 per year (individual), $38 (family), $15 man (545-2867 after 6 p.m.) for his monthly walk SUN., DEC. 30 — Los Angeles (Compiler: (student) or $17 (senior citizen), including in the Ballona Wetlands. We should see a wide Bob Shanman and AUDUBON Magazine and THE WESTERN TANA- variety of birds, particularly water and shore Ian Austin) GER. To join, make checks payable to the birds. Take Marina Fwy (90) west to Culver Blvd.; National Audubon Society, and send them to turn left to Pacific Ave., then right to footbridge at SUNDAY, JANUARY 6 — Reserve a space to tour Audubon House at the above address. Members end. Meet at 8 a.m. ($3 parking fee) Norconian Lake on the limited access Naval facility with Pat and Paul Nelson. A wide var- wishing to receive the TANAGER by first class mail iety of ducks is the highlight. Space limited; $5 must send checks for $5 to Los Angeles Audubon CARPOOLING: As conservationists, let's per person, refundable to attendees at facility. Society. try to reduce gas consumption and air pol- Subscriptions to THE WESTERN TANAGER lution whenever possible. In sharing costs, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8 - Annual Photo separately are $8 per year (Bulk Rate) or $13 (First remember that a typical car journey costs Contest in Plummer Park. Details in next Class, mailed in an envelope). To subscribe, 20

Kr. & Mrs. George Venatta Los Angeles Audubon Society 3/78 Non Profit Organization 7377 Santa Monica Blvd. P.O. Box 161 U.S. Postage Los Angeles, CA 90046 Palos Verdes Estates PAID Palos Verdes, CA 90274 Permit No. 26974 Los Angeles, CA