Quaternary Bird Life of the McKittrick Asphalt, California

Abstract

Fossil bird remains from the Quaternary asphaltic lenses near McKittrick, California have been discussed in a number of papers during the past twenty years. Two avifaunas in the collection of the University of California were described in detail by L. H. Miller (1925, 1935). The first of these included a large number of aquatic or semiaquatic species, and therefore presented a definite contrast with the Pleistocene avifauna of Rancho La Brea. The second consisted predominantly of birds of nonaquatic habitat, and showed greater similarity to that of the asphalt deposits in Los Angeles. In addition to a general account of the McKittrick avifaunas, special studies have appeared which relate to new species identified in the collections of the University of California (L. H. Miller, 1924, 1927). Thus far no comprehensive study has been made of the McKittrick avifauna based on the collections of the California Institute of Technology, although certain species among the fossil birds have in the past received individual attention. For example, L. H. Miller described some stork material in 1932 and 1938. A new genus and species of pygmy goose was described by Ross in 1935, and the species was later reassigned by Howard (1936). In 1938, Howard also identified remains of the caracara. L. H. Miller (1935) states that his account of the avifauna from McKittrick is based on the remains in the collection of the University of California, but notes that an examination was likewise made of some of the bird bones in the collection of the California Institute of Technology. Since the fossil materials in the collections of the latter institution represent the largest number of specimens thus far obtained at McKittrick, it seems desirable to survey this important Quaternary bird assemblage in order to determine additional facts regarding its constitution, and to establish its ecologic and age relationships. Fortunately, recent studies make available more information regarding the avifaunas of Rancho La Brea and Carpinteria, and thus furnish a basis for closer comparison between these and the McKittrick assemblage than has been possible heretofore.