Wintering Mountain Bluebirds on the Santa Barbara Coast
Wintering Mountain Bluebirds on the Santa Barbara Coast.-While stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station, Goleta, Santa Barbara County, California, I was surprised to find the Mountain Bluebird (S&&z cur~ucoides) wintering along the seashore. On December 18, 1945, while observing a flock of Western Bluebirds (Si&z nzeticamz), I noted a bird of striking blue color. Upon closer examination it was found to be a Mountain Bluebird. Further observation showed that there was a mixed flock of Mountain and Western bluebirds here, numbering about 25 birds. The two species were about equally represented. They were usually seen perched on and foraging from some telephone wires on a bluff about one hundred yards from the coast, although on several occasions they were observed on the sand within a few feet of the ocean. These two species were seen together nearly every day until my transfer from this station on January 19, 1946.-GEORGE S. MANSFIELD, Atascadero, California, June 15, 1946
