winting range. The only identification problem is subspecific and this is best solved down a gun barrel. Ashy Petrel Oceanodroma homochroa Still a mystery bird on the Grid. This is the closest breeding Storm Petrel to the Grid (in low numbers, albeit), but it hasn't turned up in Grid collections or even been tentatively seen. I think the non- breeding birds must stay very close to the coast all year round; in such areas as Monterey Bay perhaps. It remains a possibility though, espe- cially around Points Ash or Dogwood perhaps in late summer. Identifica- tion, especially from a large ship where the upperwings are often obscured, is difficult, and the possibility, perhaps very remote, of con- fusion with a Dark-rumped Leach is (for me) the most touchy identification problem among the local Storm Petrels. Wilson's Storm Petrel Oceanites oceanicus Just barely even expectable. Identification is not difficult to experienced observers, and is not seriously included among the abbreviation "WRSP" for "White-rumped Storm Petrel." Least Storm Petrel Halocyptena microsoma Highly unlikely at any distance from land let alone as far north as the Grid. Not impossible but I would be highly sceptical without the specimen. Black Storm Petrel Oceanodroma melania Erratic, but evidently on the Grid. Can be confused with large nominate Leach's if flight pattern is used as main field mark. Next to Ashy the only other bird that causes specific identification problems with Leach's. Leach's Storm Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa Taxonomically a mess. Upon carefully glassing a Storm Petrel on the Grid, Fork-tailed, Black, Least, and (by mostly common sense) Ashy can be eliminated quickly. Which leaves only Leach's. Thus far it appears that virtually (but not quite all!) dark-plumaged Storm Petrels are indeed Leach's, but the possibility of the others occurring must not be entirely overlooked. ADP coding is a problem because of rather artificial sub- specific nomenclature. In the field any one of the three or four southern forms may appear dark-rumped. The taxonomic problem should not be decided on the bow however and nothing is lost if all Leach's are coded 123409 and their plumage, behavior, size, etc., recorded under remarks for future tabu- lation in the report. The species reliability code should be left to your judgment or conscience. I would use "0" 95 percent of the time.