I feeeahc ; tit iia ; Ga an eta HLM senate i hae on pie Haein Geis au ehlee pase set ah u oo Barty : a i a era th ehh : ce ‘ ha ri ene I th HHT ei at nats Hf ata PL Beta tHe ¥ a cia Heide vt Bi) at +h ie Vinh i? a iit i teat Hh sah i Bie t. ae ile Y sf ais Rpt an aol yy et Sint eae Caen rie iets ti paaateat Pape abs oat a e een a ad ee yi pettarar Duet its Re Watiqee es x wor sae Ie : Ha aa he ! Herein tert le atreaneeses Det resp) deat Cie ba aie paint) ALBERT R. MANN LIBRARY New YorK STATE COLLEGES OF AGRICULTURE AND HoME ECONOMICS AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY Cornell University Libra rnithology. UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION OF THE FORTIETH PARALLEL. CLARENCE KING, .GEOLOGIST-IN-CHARGE. —— ove Lv 5 PART III. ORNITHOLOGY. BY ROBERT RIDGWAY. 1919677 bareh. 1%, Ie (Oe ee ll ie poe Fbrrsary Eyfied ( Charen Fong /. Lew. byplaot D Kar pou Gk ne ee a Ze Sear taa. weaned ao we ee ae eee wee. Cee Pn. ectint We Fork O Meardkford , Coun. , fpr Pe ae Ore chery < we PMITHSONIAN JNstrrution, WASHINGTON, Pp. (,.dlee. 6, 185g, ttn Flak, mat nish on. gore i Be ES Le Mc's B07 fi 66 Mdrmiphes ols Leat—troy ther, ys Vergenea til) Pk. TA Ollie? tniedigan Ml elie eM regal te View. gitiall” vs terbnicby / tex 20. fo. vo J — buadk Fi BE We AG. Band. oe TABLE OF CONTENTS TO PART III. Page. INTRODUCTORY LETTER.......... Soe Gleam ens eau ica. pet Seize tsracaracee 307 GENERAL REPORT :— : DESCRIPTION OF THE ROUTE..........200.00 0000 c cece eee cee cee cues 309 PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE GREAT BASIN ..........2. ce ece sees 313 Local AVIFAUNZ OF THE GREAT BASIN...........-...2-02- 000s 316 DESCRIPTIONS OF LOCALITIES WHERE COLLECTIONS OR OBSERYVA- TIONS WERE MADE......-.-....0-eee0 0005 isos daeia (ceed a idcermianaureesos 328 GENERAL REMARKS ON THE AVIFAUNZ OF THE GREAT BASIN.... 377 CATALOGUE OF THE SPECIES COLLECTED OR OBSERVED.......-... 386 REPORT PROPER :— TURDID4#—THRUSHES......... icievg a erataretescteld eusterevecdytasiaxe atesieadess oss 391 SAXICOLIDA—STONE-CHATS .... 2.2.2 cee cee ce eee eee eee cece 402 CINCLIDH— WATER-OUZELS .... 0.0... 022 elec eee weet ee cece cece 406 SYLVIIDZ—TRUE WARBLERS..... siaeaeealecsaeienvauobae aisieseaiuaew nea cias 408 PARID#—TITMICE, OR CHICKADEES....--. 22. sce ce cece eee eee eee 410 SITTID.4 — NUTHATCHES...... 2.0.2.0. eee eee cee tne eens tetas 415 CERTHIIDA—CREEPERS .. 2... 00-20 ween ces cee cence eens crea eeee 418 TROGLODYTIDAZX— WRENS ..... 20-2 ek ce eee nes wee ee cece es aeeeee 418 MOTACILLIDAA—WAGTAILS AND TIT-LARKS, OR PIPITS............. 426 MNIOTILTIDZ—AMERICAN WARBLERS .........-... 0000000 eee ence 427 HIRUNDINID H—SWALLOWS . ... 2.0 ee ee eee cee cee een ence 439 AMPELID.Al—WAX-WINGS. . 2.2.20 een eee ete cee cent ee ce eeeenees 446 VIREONIDAi—GREENLETS, OR VIREOS. ...--.. 2-5 cece cee aeceaeee 448 LANIID2—SHRIKES, OR BUTCHER-BIRDS........ 2 « -eeeee cee eens 452 TANAGRIDM—TANAGERS......... veces ie Sonia eomenehots io Ge etree vavay iOS 454 FRINGILLIDZ—FINCHES, SPARROWS, AND BUNTINGS....... aigiciaveale 455 ALAUDIDH—LARES «occ coke seek beens ce ceeems tee pene cee el eee 498 IcTERID#—HANG—-NESTS, OR AMERICAN ORIOLES........- “eee 500 CoRVIDZ—CROWS AND JAYS.....-..---+----- Kiiierneiavexewiers Bide Wim ien ses 512 TYRANNIDH—TYRANT FLYCATCHERS...... 002000 ce cee e eset eneees 528 ALCEDINIDZ—KINGFISHERS...--.+----+-++ Siieadsmeamers wees 545 PiciIDA—W OODPECKERS.....-.....- nibs Saha phcabeucnabevece cere ica isittchanayseet ta 545 CUCULID Al — CUCKOO s aces. sc esejerastn aera ei aiees autinlecaeuny Gaseva ew rete eoaleietece ere 558 TROCHILIDAZE—HUMMING-BIRDS . ..----- 02 0 ee ee eee eee eee ee tees 558 CYPSELID Z—SWIPTS . 2.2.00 2-20 eee ee ee eee eee cn eee icasie exe, =DO4 CAPRIMULGID at—GOATSUOKERS . ......2.. 000 e cece eee n teen sence - 567 STRIGID B—O WLS. secudeestisveseee Se Geocities GieGaemis anaes -. 569 FAaLconip#—FaLcons, HAWKS, EAGLES, AND KITES..... ir aievaseie dd - 575 20 PR 306 TABLE OF CONTENTS. REPORT PROPER—Continued. Page. CATHARTID H#—AMERICAN VULTURES ..-.....--+ 0-20 cere ee Cebese we 593 COLUMBIDA—PIGEONS, OR DOVES....--.----. c- eee eee eee e enn teee 595 TETRAONIDA—GROUSE...... 002. 0 eee eee eee eer eneenenes aes» 598 PERDICIDH—PARTRIDGES AND QUAILS......--+ 0.0. cee ence ene eee - 601 CHARADRIIDAt—PLOVERS.....-..--.22+-¢5 go els RS sociales ste ats w---- 603 PHALAROPODID AI—PHALAROPES .....-...0-2-----085 cae Wale eae sie 604 RECURVIROSTRID#—AVOCETS AND STILTS........-- Meee ses eeee+. 605 ScOLOPACIDA—SNIPE, SANDPIPERS, ETC..........--0000- eee eees - 606 GRUIDAR—CRANES «20.0.2 s cece ecreeceereeeee evens Laisbacanatactartderaaes 611 RALLIDZ—RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS..... .2-s-.eeeeeececee - 612 TANTALID Al-—TBISES coc a0 '0\k ars caries ee oie bela op d ate ste Se ewe ibaa ealee tes wee = 615 ARDEID.A-—HERONS » ois ecessiave esate aie Sereten ne wie Se are ene Se wite imeaeeeoe, 616 ANATIDZ—SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS.............----0-- 6 oe ab - 619 ‘PELEGANID. Al — PELICANS sivas oaacs: wreis xe ue wie aw od Wis sie wer ae is es Ae - 627 GRACULID H—CORMORANTS .. .... 22.000. e eee ee cee e eee wis Ws bie we ae ace 635 LARIDZ—GULLS AND TERNS...... iiscsieteis ee eee bebe Maeno 636 PODICIPIDA—GREBES ............ see ieahencaeee ba de eS are 641 INDEX TO SCIENTIFIO NAMES. .......... ccc cece cece cence cuee ns seveccecce 652 INDEX TO POPULAR NAMES....... cc cece sce cece cece ccc c cece ee cent neenee 663 InDEX TO INDIAN NAMES.............000200005 see hagerde ase’ seretoaiesd eves 668 SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, Wasuinaton, D. C., November 18, 1876. Siz: I transmit herewith a report on the ornithology of the route explored by the United States Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel, based upon field-work from June, 1867, to August, 1869, inclusive, the time during which I had the honor to serve in the capacity of zodlogist to the expedition; the region investigated being that directly between Sacramento City, California, and Salt Lake City, Utah, including a few points directly to the eastward of the last-mentioned locality. The ornithological specimens preserved, and deposited in the National Museum, at Washington, number 1,522, of which 769 are skins, and 753 nests and eggs. This may seem a small collection proportioned to the time employed in its formation, but the making of protracted field-observations and the elaboration of notes therefrom were deemed of greater importance than the amassing of a large duplicate collection. Moreover, almost equal attention was given to other branches of zodlogy, particularly to reptiles and fishes, large series of which, representing very completely the fauna of the country, were placed, according to instructions, in the hands of specialists for identification.' The unusual facilities most generously afforded by you, and your kind encouragement at all times, aided very materially the successful operations of the zodlogist; so that whatever is creditable in the results attained by his labors, the merit is mainly due to yourself. Another friend deserves special mention in this connection for his valued assistance—Mr. H. G. Parker, of Carson City, Nevada (at the time of the writer’s connection with the expedition Superintendent of Indian Affairs for that State), whose frequent and gratuitous services contributed greatly to the completeness of the natural history collections. ‘The reports on these collections have not been received. 307 308 ORNITHOLOGY. Tn the preparation of this report, the valued facilities afforded by the Smithsonian Institution were availed of, through the courtesy and kindness of Professor Joseph Henry, the Secretary of the Institution; among the many advantages thus secured being frequent access to a splendid working library and an unrivaled collection of North American birds. The author wishes also to express himself as particularly indebted to Professor Spencer F. Baird, Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and Curator of the National Museum, for invaluable assistance kindly rendered throughout the progress of the work. I have the honor to be, _ Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ROBERT RIDGWAY. Cuarence Kine, Esq., United States Geologist, In charge of U. 8. Geological Explorations, 40th Parallel. GENERAL REPORT. DESCRIPTION OF THE ROUTE. The investigations on which the following report is based, were made almost wholly within the limits of that vast interior region of continental drainage known as the Great Basin, between the parallels of 39° and 42° north latitude, collections having been made at but one outlying locality, the vicinity of Sacramento City, California. As observations were extended along the entire course of travel, however, from San Francisco to points in Utah eastward of Salt Lake City, we shall not confine our treatise to the limited region noted, but shall describe each of the main points where observations were made and notes taken, in regular sequence.' All the way from Panama to San Francisco several species of pelagic birds followed our vessel, the Black-footed Albatross (Diomedia nigripes) and White-headed Gull (Blasipus heermanni) being daily companions until we entered the “Golden Gate.” No land-birds made their appearance, how- ever, until, when off the coast of Mexico, between Acapulco and Cape St. Lucas, a solitary Mourning Dove (Zenedura carolinensis) made its appear- ance one day about noon, and, although flying around the vessel for nearly an hour, did not alight, but finally disappeared to the eastward, where no land was in sight. 1 We reluctantly omit, as too far beyond the geographical province of our subject, some notes on the Isthmus of Panama, where, however, no North American birds were seen, excepting some waders, observed in the pools along the railroad, among which were the Purple Gallinule (Gallinula martinica) and the Little White Egret, or Snowy Heron (Garzetta candidissima). In the Bay of Aspinwall several Man-o-war Hawks (Tachypetes aquila) were observed sailing in circles overhead, much in the manner of Swallow-tailed Kites (Elanoides forficatus); and in the Bay of Panama, on the opposite (Pacific) side, Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus fuscus) were particularly numerous, and noticeable from their occupation of plunging from the air into the water after their re e Be 309 310 ORNITHOLOGY. Arrived in California, no peculiarly western bird was observed until we reached Sacramento City; since, after landing at San Francisco, only Purple Martins (Progne subis) and Cliff Swallows (Petrochelidon lunifrons), which swarmed about old buildings on certain streets, were seen, while the only notes of other species heard were the familiar songs of caged Canary Birds. The journey up the Sacramento River was equally disappointing in this respect, since, though we kept a vigilant look-out from our post of observa- tion on the hurricane deck of the steamer, none but familiar eastern species, most of which were water-birds (Coots, Florida Gallinules, and various species of ducks), were seen, the only land-birds being an occasional Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon) perched on an overhanging willow. During the first day at Sacramento, however, we became. familiarized with several of the species peculiar to the western portion of the continent, but as this locality brings us to the commencement of our observations in the field, we shall begin a resumé of the subject in another chapter. 1867.—The first camp of the survey was established at Sacramento City, California, on the 6th of June, from which date collections were made until July 4th, when the plains to the eastward and the Sierra Nevada were crossed into Nevada. It is much to be regretted that no opportunity was afforded for making collections along this route, especially in the western foot-hills and in the pine-region of the western slope, since a number of additional species and many valuable observations were thus lost to the collection and archives of the exploration. After entering Nevada, the Big Bend of the Truckee was selected for the first working-camp, and there we remained from July 24th until August 18th; a portion of the time being devoted to an excursion to Pyramid Lake, which was reached by descending the river in a batteau, the party returning on horseback, after about a week’s absence. During this trip the main island in the lake was visited. Our investigations from the main camp also included several visits to the dry cafions of the Virginia Mountains, about eight miles to the westward, across a very sandy mesa, This camp was abandoned on the 25th of August, when we started across the desert for Humboldt Lake; but upon reaching the latter place the writer became a victim of malarial fever, which for weeks inter- fered very materially with the prosecution of his duties. We next proceeded. DESCRIPTION OF THE ROUTE. 311 up the Humboldt River to Oreana, where a camp was fixed near the town, but our stay was short on account of the spread of the fever in a very malig- nant form, compelling the entire party to seek healthier water and purer air in the high mountains to the eastward. A camp was accordingly made in Wright's Cafion, on the western slope of the West Humboldt Mountains, a locality which proved to be well adapted for a collecting-ground. This camp was deserted, however, about the middle of September, for one on the eastern slope of the same range, for which the town of Unionville, in Buena Vista Cafion, was selected. This proved to be the best locality, for birds, yet visited. We left this place about the last of October, and moved westward again, along the same route, toward winter-quarters. At the Humboldt Marshes, on the 31st of October, several new species were added to the collection during the single evening of our stay, but no further collections were made until again at the Truckee Meadows, where we remained from November 7th until the 21st of the same month; and from which place an excursion to the Pea-vine Mountains, near the Sierra Nevada, was made on the 20th inst., in company with Mr. H. G. Parker. From this camp we repaired to Carson City, and remained there until the 5th of December, when, after first spending one day in the pine forests of the Sierra near Genoa, we revisited the Truckee Reservation near Pyramid Lake, through facilities extended by Mr. Parker, who accompanied the writer and assisted him in making his collections. This trip was made via the Carson River to below Fort Churchill, whence the desert was crossed to the Big Bend of the Truckee; but in returning the river was followed to the Meadows (at Glen- dale), thence to Hunter’s Station, and across the valley to the Steamboat Springs, and over the Virginia Mountains, to Virginia City and Carson. 1868.—Winter-quarters at Carson City were left early in May, for the Truckee Reservation, which was reached on the 14thinst. Large collections were made here, the most important being from the island and “pyramid” in the lake, which we were enabled to visit through the kindness of Mr. Parker, who placed his handsome yacht “Nettie” at our service, and assisted us to secure large numbers of the previously very rare eggs of several species of water-fowl breeding on these islands. Early in June we repaired to Virginia City, and thence to Austin, in the Toyabe Mountains, which were ol2 ORNITHOLOGY. reached on the first of July. Collections and valuable notes were made by the way, especially at the Carson River, seven miles above Fort Churchill (June 23d), Fort Churchill (June 24th), Nevada Station (June 25th), Soda Lake, on the Carson Desert, (June 27th), Sand Springs, (June 29th), Fairview Valley, (June 29th), and Edward’s Creek (June 30th). At Austin we remained only a few days, when, departing for Ruby Valley, we arrived there July 13th, and camped at the base of the mountains, some four miles uorthward of Fort Ruby. Toward the last of August we left this place and proceeded northward along the foot of the East Humboldt Mountains, pitching camps of a few days’ duration at intervals of the journey. Crossing the range through the pass known as Secret Valley, near Fort Halleck, we approached the upper portion of the Humboldt River, and in continuing northward camped on several of the streams flowing from the lofty Clover Mountains into the Humboldt. The month of September was principally spent in traveling northward to the Humboldt “Wells,” thence through Thousand Spring Valley to the Goose Creek Mountains, crossing which we entered the southern portion of Idaho at the “City of Rocks,” the most northern locality reached; from whence our course directed eastward toward Salt Lake City, where we arrived early in October. At intervals during the pursuance of the route traced, small collections were made, when opportunity permitted; the principal stations being—‘‘Overland Ranche,” Ruby Valley, (August 26-29), ‘‘Camp 22,” Ruby Valley, (September 4-5), Secret Valley (September 6-8), Dearing’s Ranche, Upper Humboldt Valley (September 10-12), Trout Creek, Upper Humboldt Valley, (September 16- 20), Thousand Spring Valley (September 21-24), “City of Rocks,” southern Idaho (October 3), and Deep Creek, northwestern Utah (October 5). 1869.—On the 20th of May of this year, collecting was begun at Salt Lake City, and continued until June 21st, when we proceeded to Parley’s Park, about twenty-five miles to the eastward, in the Wahsatch Mountains. In the meantime, Antelope, Stansbury, and Carrington Islands, in the Great Salt Lake, were visited. On the 2d of July an excursion was made, in company with the botanists of the expedition, eastward to the western spurs of the Uintah Mountains; there we remained from the 3d until the 8th instant, when we returned to the main camp in Parley’s Park via the Provo PAYSICAL FEATURES OF THE GREAT BASIN. 313 Cafion, Utah Lake, and Salt Lake City. Work was continued at main camp until August 16th, when collections and notes were packed and our field-work ended. PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE GREAT BASIN. While the region traversed by the survey after its equipment embraces the entire distance from Sacramento City, California, to points in Utah eastward of the Salt Lake Valley, the actual field-work began only at the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada, and was thus entirely confined to the interior area of continental drainage known to geographers as the Great Basin, and which we shall frequently refer to in the following pages by this name, as well as by that of the “Interior,” a convenient synonymous term. This vast area corresponds almost strictly in its geographical boundaries with the “Middle Province” of zodlogists. The route’ of the expedition was mainly across the middle portion of the Great Basin proper, so that the fauna encountered was that typical of the Middle Province. In few regions is the influence directed on the distribution of birds by that of the plants so manifest to the observer as in the one under consid- eration; and as vegetation is influenced so materially by configuration of the surface, conditions of the soil, elevation, etc., a brief description of the physical features of the country embraced within the limits of our trip is necessary to the intelligent understanding of the nature of the Middle Province avifauna, and the manner in which it is divided into bands of restricted range, according to conditions of environment. Such an excellent description of the field of our investigations has been given by Mr. Watson, the botanist of the expedition, that we cannot do the subject greater justice than to quote the following from “‘Geographical Notes,” on pages xiii-xvii of the Botanical Report:’— 1 Professional Papers of the Eugineer Department, U.S. Army, No. 18. Report of the Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel, made by order of the Secretary of War according to acts of Congress of March 2, 1867, and March 3, 1869, under the direction of Brig. and B’vt Major-General A. A. Humphreys, Chief of Engineers, by Clarence King, U. 8S. Geologist. Volume V, Botany. By Sereno Watson, aided by Prof. Daniel C. Eaton aud others. Submitted to the Chief of Engineers, and published by order of the Secretary of War under authority of Congress. Illustrated by a Map and Forty Plates. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1871. 40 314 ORNITHOLOGY. This region constitutes the northern portion of what was at first designated as the “Great Basin,” the high plateau, without outlet for its waters, separated on the north by low divides from the valley of the Snake River and continuing southward until it merges into the desert of the Lower Colorado. Geologically considered, how- ever, as well as botanically, the term is now properly made to include the whole similar arid stretch of country northward to the plains of the Columbia, in latitude 48°. The lofty and unbroken range of the Sierras bounds this section of the Basin on the one side by its steep eastern slope, entering Nevada at only a single point, where it throws over the border a high flanking-spur, the Washoe Mountains. On the opposite side lies the broad and nearly equally elevated system of the Wahsatch, broken through by the Bear, Weber, and Provo Rivers, which head among the peaks of the adjoining Uintahs. The intervening space, 460 miles broad in latitude 429, but narrowed by the convergence of the opposing mountains to about 200 miles in latitude 379, is for the most part occupied by numerous short aud somewhat isolated minor ranges, having a general north and south trend, and at average distances of about twenty miles. The bases of these ranges are usually very narrow, even in the most elevated, rarely exceeding eight or ten miles in breadth, the slopes abrupt and the lines of foot-hills contracted, the mesas grading at a low and nearly uniform angle into the broad uninterrupted valleys. Over the larger portion of the territory, aud especially in Nevada, the combined areas of the valleys and the area occupied. by the mountains and accompanying foot-hills are very nearly equal. The main depressions within this region are two, one at the base of the Sierras at a level of about 3,850 feet above the sea, into which flows all of drainage there is from the whole northern half of Nevada and from the eastern slope of the Sierras, the other the “Great Salt Lake Basin,” at an altitude 400 feet greater, close upon the base of the Wahsatch and receiving the waters from that range above latitude 40° and from the northeastern portion of the Uintahs. Into the first flow the Truckee, Carson, Quinn’s, and Huniboldt Rivers. The Truckee is a clear, cold stream, which issues from Lake Tahoe in the Sierras, and after a rapid descent breaks through the Virginia. Mountains and turning north soon empties into Pyramid and Winnemucca Lakes. These are much the deepest of all the lakes of the Basin, being hemmed in by mountains, and are moderately saline. The Carson River also rises in the Sierras farther to the south, but after leaving the base of the moun- tains is a less rapid stream and gradually becomes somewhat alkaline. Inclining more to the eastward it forms a small shallow lake on the border of Carson Desert, and thence issues in a number of devious channels, and is finally spent in an extensive “sink” or alkaline mud-plain of some twenty or thirty miles in diameter. Of a like character are the “Mud Lakes,” lying north of Pyramid Lake and fed by Quinn’s River, which has its source in southeastern Oregon. Beyond the limits of the survey to the south are Walker’s and some other smaller lakes, supplied by streams from the Sierras, but all strongly saline. From this western depression the general level of the country rises gradually to the eastward very nearly to the border of Nevada, where the valleys have an altitude of about 6,000 feet. Here in the northeastern part of the State the Humboldt River takes its rise, by far the most important river of the Basin, not only as the longest but as opening a passage for three hundred miles to the Central Pacific Railroad through the mountain ranges, that would otherwise have proved a serious obstruction. It is nowhere a large stream, receives few affluents, and in some parts of its course is very PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE GREAT BASIN. - 815 tortuous. It at length spreads out into Humboldt Lake, shallow and subalkaline, and from this the little remaining surplus water finds its way in a manner similar to the Carson River into the same sink. The descent of 2,000 feet from eastern Nevada into the Great Salt Lake Basin is almost immediate, nearly the whole northwestern portion of Utah being an alkaline desert, broken by fewer mountain or hill-ranges, and but little above the level of the lake. The lake itself is for the most part very shallow, in no place over 50 feet in depth, the waters a concentrated solution of salt. As with all these sheets of water the shore-line and consequent area vary greatly in different years. The intermediate ranges of the Basin are very similar to each other in character. They vary in altitude from one to 6,000 feet above the valleys, culminating in occa- sional peaks scarcely ever so rugged that they cannot be ascended from some direction upon mules. They are cut up by numerous ravines or ‘“‘cafions,” which are narrow, very rarely with an acre of interval or surface approaching to a level, the sides some- times rocky or precipitous, more frequently sloping to the summits of the lateral ridges. In geological structure these ranges are more or less complicated, showing rocks of all ages from the azoic to the glacial period, here metamorphic rocks, quartzites, slate, and limestones, there an outburst of granite or syenite, volcanic rocks of often the most diverse and picturesque colors, or broad table-lands of lava overflow. The erosion and decomposition of these various rocks have filled the valleys to a monotonous level with a detritus of gravel, sand or silt, and given to them that accumulation of alkaline salts which is so marked a peculiarity of the country. With few exceptions, also, these mountains are for most of the year wholly desti- tute of water, with but small rivulets in the principal cafions, frequently with only svauty springs here and there at their bases, irrigating a few square yards of ground. Even where the mountain supply is sufficient to send a stream into the valleys it is usually either soon entirely evaporated, sinks into the porous soil, or becomes demor- alized with alkali and is “lost” in the mud of the plain. The lowest portion of nearly every valley is occupied by some extent of alkali flat, where in the winter season the water collects and the softened clay-like mud is bottomless and impassable. As the moisture evaporates under the heat of coming summer the level naked surface becomes hard and pavement-like, or covered with a snowy incrustation or deposit of salt or carbonates. The springs and wells even are often more or less saline, and thermal springs are not rare. The chief exceptional ranges in northern Nevada, which from their greater altitude receive heavier snowfalls in winter, retained through the year in greater or less quantity in the more sheltered depressions of the higher peaks, and which in summer are subject to more abandant rains, are the West Humboldt Mountains, 100 miles east of the California State line, the East Humboldt Mountains, 75 miles from the Utah line, and the Toyabes, nearly intermediate between the two. Star Peak is the highest point of the first range, with an altitude of nearly 10,000 feet, but with little deposit of snow and the vegetation of the summit scarcely sub-alpine. Several constant streams here flow from the principal eastern caiions and reach the middle of the valley, where they supply irrigation for as many small ranches. The Toyabe Range, especially in its southern portion, is higher, several of its peaks having an altitude of from 10,000 to 12,000 feet, with more snow and fuller streams. The waters of the eastern slope are spent in Smoky Valley. On the western side lies Reese River, flowing northward toward the 316 ORNITHOLOGY. Humboldt, of which it is a reputed tributary. In the upper portion of its course of 150 miles it is reénforced to some extent by the drainage of the Shoshone Mountains, a rather high range west of the Toyabes, but as it nears Humboldt Valley it diverges into side-channels and seldom has volume sufficient to reach the main river itself. The East Humboldt Mountains are by far the most stern and alpine of all these ranges, the main peaks between 11,000 and 12,000 feet in height, precipitous and ragged, the deeper cafions evidently scooped out by glaciers, gemmed with snow-fed lakes beneath the peaks and carrying fall streams into the valleys. The southern portion, however, below Frémont’s Pass, is less rugged and of different geological structure, mainly of nearly horizontal strata of limestone. The cafions here, often mere gorges, with close precipitous walls, are perfectly dry on the eastern slope, the melting snows sinking almost immediately, but reappearing at the base in bold ice-cold springs. The water from these springs and streams reunites to form Ruby and Frank- lin Lakes, bodies of nearly fresh water, very shallow, and largely occupied by a dense growth of “Tule” (Scirpus validus). As usual in these ranges the western slope is much the more gentle, with a broader line of foot-hills. The streams upon this side form the South Fork. of the Humboldt. The ‘Clover Mountains’ of the Catalogue form the northern extremity of this range, isolated by a depression known as Secret Valley, but of equal height and similar character. Such is a general description of the country as far east of the foot of the Wahsatch in Utah. These mountains, upon a broad base of nearly fifty miles in width, and with an irregular crest-line 10-12,000 feet high, have a system of long, deep, well-watered cafions, often exceedingly rocky, and sometimes cleft like a gateway to the valley level,with perpendicular mountain-walls on each side, but usually opening out at some part of their course into meadow-like basins or “parks.” The prevalent western winds deposit their moisture, which they have gathered in the traverse of the Basin, in abundant snows in winter and at other seasons in frequent and occasionally heavy rains. The upper cafions and mountain slopes are to some extent timbered, much more generally so than in any of the ranges westward, and the naked peaks above have a truly alpine vegetation. The Uintahs, which connect immediately with the Walisatch and extend eastward on the line of the 41st parallel for a distance of one hundred and fifty miles to Green River, where they meet the outspurs of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, have more of the character of those mountains, with broad open cajions and extended lines of foot-hills, the peaks overtopping those of the Wabsatch, glacier-scored and polished at the northern base, but the declivity upon the opposite side stretching southward beyond the limits of vision in a high plateau broken only by the deeply-worn channels of numerous rapid streams, tributaries of the Uintah and Green Rivers. LOCAL AVIFAUNZ OF THE GREAT BASIN. We have gone thus into detail with regard to the more prominent characteristic features of the Great Basin for the reason that the distribu- tion of the birds depends so much upon that of the vegetation; and as we know that the latter is separated into several quite distinct groups, whose distribution depends upon altitude, humidity, proportionate amount of LOCAL AVIFAUNZ OF THE GREAT BASIN. 317 alkaline salts in the soil, and other causes, we may easily correlate the bird- fauna into corresponding sections. The boundaries between local floras of entirely different character are usually so abrupt in the Great Basin that often a single step will lead from one to the other; thus, the upper limit of the “pine belt” on the mountains marks a given line where the trees disappear almost immediately, and these begin almost as suddenly at the lower edge of the zone; narrow belts of mountain mahogany, western cedar, or cedar and pifion together, may fol- low in the order given, but there is usually no marked straggling of these trees where they meet the sage-brush, as if disputing possession of the ground. The sage-brush reigns supreme from the base of the foot-hills to the brink of the mesa, or over the elevated plain extending from the foot of the mountains to the narrow valleys of the streams, where only the steep, nearly naked bluffs separate the squalid growth of the higher level from the more thrifty growth of the same plants, first with grease-wood intermingled, which occupies the outer portion of the valley-floor; then follows the green- sward of salt-grass in the moister portion of the valley, while nearer the river are thickets of low willows, or in exceptionally rich valleys buffalo-berry and other shrubs, with cotton-wood trees interspersed. In a like manner the luxuriant shrubbery of the mountains is usually restricted to the margin of the brooks in the bottom of the cafions or ravines, where often the slopes so nearly meet that scarcely room is left for a trail. Such are the main features of the distribution of vegetation in this region, subject, of course, to numerous and sometimes, but not often, complicated local modifications. The strict correlation between the birds and plants in this matter of distribution was a fact immediately noticed, and the more firmly impressed toward the close of our long period of observations in the field; each local- ity of particular vegetation being inhabited by its own peculiar set of birds with almost unvarying certainty. In order to familiarize the reader with the local causes which govern the distribution of the birds within the Great Basin the accompanying arrangement of the more distinct types of locali- ties is given, followed by lists of the species of birds characteristic of each. It is of course to be understood that by characteristic we do not mean that a bird is found in the sort of locality to which it is assigned, and nowhere 318 ORNITHOLOGY. else, but simply that such a place is where it is most abundant, or most likely to be found; and also, that the arrangement presented is based upon the distribution of the species during the breeding-season. There are, however, certain species whose distribution seems to be in nowise connected with vegetation, the considerations which influence their range being the presence of water, of rocks, or of earth-banks; but these form a small proportion of the summer residents, most of them being the water-fowl, and of these many might be assigned to the meadow series, since they nearly all resort to the meadows to breed. The main natural subdivisions of the avifauna of the. Interior, as above determined, are the following :— I. Arboreal Avifauna. : 1. Birds of the pine-region, or higher coniferous forests. (18 species.) 2. Birds of the cedar or nut-pine groves. (9 species.) 3. Birds of the aspen groves or copses. (7 species.) 4. Birds of the cafion shrubbery. (7 species.) 5. Birds of the wooded river-valleys. (25 species.) II. Terrestrial Avifauna. 6. Birds of the sage-brush. (10 species.) 7. Birds of the mountain meadows, or parks. (9 species.) 8. Birds of the lowland meadows. (8 species.) TIT, Mural Avifauna. 9. Species strictly saxicoline. (2 species.) 10. Species saxicoline only in nesting habits. (5 species.) 11. Species nesting in earth-banks. (3 species.) IV. Aquatic Avifauna. 12. Water birds. (41 species.) 1. Birds of the pine-region, or higher coniferous woods.—Compared with the general extent of the Interior, the wooded portions are exceedingly limited, the only approach to a continuous forest encountered being that clothing the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, and the more scant and interrupted forests of the Wahsatch and Uintahs, on the opposite side of the Basin. Between these two distant forest-clad mountain systems no true forests exist, only a few of the loftier ranges supporting an extensive tree- growth on their higher summits, forming islands, as it were, in a sea of desert. LOCAL AVIFAUNZ OF THE GREAT BASIN. 319 Woods of Conifer form by far the greater part of the sylva of the Great Basin, and though differing somewhat in their character have much same bird-fauna wherever they exist, the only decided difference with locality being the replacing of species of one side by representative forms on the opposite side. On the Sierra Nevada these forests are much more extensive than anywhere to the eastward, and the growth far larger and more dense, consisting chiefly of Pinus ponderosa, but with which are mixed Abies grandis, A. menziesii, A. douglasii, Libocedrus decurrens, and perhaps some other trees. Of these species, only the latter did not occur to the eastward, where, on the higher ranges, as the East Humboldt, Wahsatch, and Uintahs, Pinus balfouriana, P. flexilis, Abies englemanni, A. amabilis (2), and Juniperus yirginianus occurred as additional species. The birds peculiar to these dark woods are far less numerous than those found only in the more open and sunny groves of the river valleys, but eigh- teen species being noted as peculiar to them, exclusive of those restricted to one side of the Basin. The strictly pinicoline species are the following :— 1. Cinclus mexicanus. Not arboreal. 10. Loxia leucoptera. 2. Regulus calendula. 11. Carpodacus cassini. 3. Parus montanus. 12. Chrysomitris pinus. 4, Sitta aculeata. 13. Picicorvus columbianus, 5. Sitta canadensis. 14. Contopus borealis. 6. Sitta pygmea. 15. Empidonax difficilis. 7. Certhia americana. 16. Sphyrapicus thyroideus. 8. Dendreeca auduboni. 17. Canace obscura. 9. Pyranga ludoviciana. 18. Bonasa umbelloides. The representative and peculiar species of the opposite mountain sys- tems are as follows :— Representative species. : Sierra Nevada. Wahsatch and Uintahs. 1, Junco oregonus. 1. Junco caniceps. 2. Cyanura frontalis. 2, Cyanura macrolopha. Peculiar species. 1. Turdus ustulatus. [None.] 2. Sphyrapicus ruber. 3. Picus albolarvatus. 10Of these species the two in italics are represented in the eastern ranges by closely allied forms, T. swainsoni and S. nuchalis, but they are not inhabitants of the pines, the former being confined to the cafion shrubbery and the latter to the aspen groves. 320 ORNITOOLOGY. 2. Birds of the cedar or nut-pine groves.—These groves are generally found on the lower slopes and foot-hills of the desert ranges, between elevations of about 5,000 and 7,000 feet, and occur even in the most barren and arid districts. In general, two species, the western cedar (Juniperus occidentalis) and the nut-pine, or pifion (Pinus monophyllus), are mixed together, but often only one species, the former, is the sole constituent of these groves, this being usually the case on the more barren mountains in the absolutely waterless districts; the latter, on the other hand, prevailing on those ranges which have copious streams in the cafions. These trees are of low, compact habit and unshapely form, their height rarely exceeding 15 feet, while the branches are characteristically crooked and the trunks short, rugged, and twisted... Along the upper edge of this gelt occur, more or less plentifully, trees of the ‘mountain mahogany” (Cercocarpus ledifolius), equally stunted and scraggy, but with scant, deciduous foliage. These monotonous groves are seldom inhabited by many birds, but, on the other hand, are often so nearly devoid of animal life that an entire day may be spent among the gnarled and stunted trees without a single living thing being seen, or a sound heard except the far-away croak of a solitary raven from some distant hills. Sometimes, however, the profound silence is broken for a moment by the chattering of a Gray Titmouse (Lophophanes imornatus) or the twittering of a straggling troop of the diminutive ‘Fairy Titmice” (Psaltriparus plumbeus), while the intruder may be suddenly startled by the piercing whistle of a little Chipmunk (Tamias quadrivittatus). Occasionally, a solitary Myiadestes townsendi flies silently by, and more frequently a flock of querulous Pifion Jays (Gymnokitta cyanocephala) sweeps overhead, when all is again silent. In case these woods occur on 10On the foot-hills or lower slopes of the Wahsatch these woods are represented by the dwarf-oak “‘scrub”—the western cedar having disappeared far to the westward. This scrub consists of a dense growth of oak bushes about 5-15, rarely 20, feet high, the species being considered by botanists a dwarf form of Quercus alba. The birds inhabiting these oaks are much the same as those found in the cedar and nut-pine groves, with the exception of Gymnokitta cyanocephala and Myiadestes townsendi, the first of which appears to be peculiar to the cedars, while the other occurs elsewhere only in the high coniferous woods. In addition to these species, Helminthophaga vir- ginie, Pipilo megalonyx, and Cyanocitta woodhousii may be regarded among the most characteristic species of the oak thickets. LOCAL AVIFAUNA OF THE GREAT BASIN. o2l the foot-hills and lower slopes of the higher and more fertile ranges, they may be occasionally visited by several species from the pine-region higher up, or from the adjacent cafion shrubbery. The following, however, are particularly characteristic of the cedar and nut-pine groves: — 1, Myiadestes townsendi. 6. Spizella arizone. 2. Sialia arctica. 7. Scolecophagus cyanocephalus. 3. Lophophanes inornatus. 8. Gymnokitta cyanocephala.! 4. Lanivireo plumbeus, 9. Empidonax obscurus. 5. Collurio excubitoroides. 3. Birds of the aspen groves and copses—The aspens (Populus trem- wloides) occur only on the higher, well-watered ranges, commonly in the upper cafions, in moist and sheltered situations just below the fields or patches of perpetual snow. The slender trees coniposing these groves or copses are seldom large, never, except perhaps on certain of the more eastern ranges, exceeding 30 or 40 feet in height, and usually not more than half so tall. They are of straight, clean habit, however, with a smooth whitish-green bark, and are carpeted underneath by a varied herbaceous growth, among which beautiful ferns are sometimes conspicuous. The characteristic birds of the aspens are not numerous, the following being all that were noted: — 1, Turdus migratorius. 5. Empidonax hammondi. 2. Progne subis. 6. Picus gairdneri. 3. Helminthophaga celata. 7. Sphyrapicus nuchalis. 4, Empidonax obscurus. Several of the above, or all with the exception of the last three, and Helminthophaga celata, are rather to be considered as species of general and variable range, since they may sometimes be found in very considerable abundance in other wooded localities. 4. Birds of the canon shrubbery.—Several of the higher ranges of the Interior receive sufficient precipitation, or retain throughout the summer snow enough near their summits, to supply the main ravines and cafions with constant streams of water; and these nourish a thrifty or often luxu- riant shrubby growth along their banks, where many species of birds resort, 1This species we believe to be entirely peculiar to these woods, its food appar- ently consisting exclusively of the seeds and berries of the nut-pine and cedar. 21PR 322 ORNITHOLOGY. as their favorite haunt. These shrubs are of various species, different ones of which predominate in different localities, the more common kinds being Cornus pubescens, upon the berries of which many birds feed almost exclu- sively in the fall, Sambucus glauca, Prunus demissa, Ribes irriguum, Alnus incana, and, more rarely, Crategus rivularis, while in many localities species of Salix are also a common component of the thickets along the cafion streams.| The birds particularly characteristic of this section are: — 1. Psaltriparus plumbeus. 5. Melospiza fallax. 2. Geothlypis macgillivrayi. 6. Cyanocitta woodhousii. 3. Hedymeles melanocephalus. 7, Empidonax pusillus. 4, Cyanospiza amcena. In addition to these, Turdus swainsoni,? Galeoscoptes carolinensis, Seto- phaga ruticilla,? and Passerella schistacea were found in the Wahsatch region. 5. The Birds of the wooded river-valleys—As a rule, the valleys of the rivers in the Great Basin are destitute of trees, like the adjacent mesas; but in the “ western depression” are two notable exceptions in the Truckee and Carson Rivers, both of which are bordered ‘along the lower portion of their course by inviting groves or scattered clumps of large and beautiful cotton- wood trees (Populus monilifera) and dense copses of a smaller species, P. trichocarpa. The buffalo-berry (Shepherdia argentea) and willows (Sali, species) form the greater part of the shrubbery, but they are associated with numerous other woody plants. In the possession of these features the lower portions of the valleys of both the above-named streams share in common, but the timber along the latter is less regularly distributed, although in places equally extensive. Localities so inviting as these being extremely rare and distant from each other, it follows as a natural consequence that the birds are found greatly multiplied both in species and individuals in these restricted oases. 1In the East Humboldt Mountains, but more especially in the Wahsatch, other species, belonging to the Rocky Mountain region, are added, the number being small in the first-named range, but in the latter very considerable, and embracing several eastern species. In the cafions of the Wahsatch, for instance, are found Betula occi- dentalis, Rhus aromatica, R. glabra, Acer grandidentatum, Negundo aceroides, and Sam- bucus racemosa. [See Watson, Botanical Report, p. xxxvii.] * Found also as far west as the East Humboldt Mountains, in September. 3 Noticed only in the lower portion of the cafions, and more commonly in the valleys, as was also the case with Galeoscoptes carolinensis. LOCAL AVIFAUNZ OF THE GREAT BASIN. 323 Indeed, to realize how attractive the river-valleys must be to the feathered tribe, one has but to cross the almost limitless desert on either side, with a scorching sun overhead and little else than glaring, heated sand beneath his feet, and after thus suffering all day come suddenly to the verge of one of these lovely valleys, with the fields and groves of verdure close by, while the refreshing breeze brings to the ear the rippling of cooling waters and the glad voices of the birds! The merry little Wood-Wrens (Troglodytes parkmanni) gabble and chatter among the trunks and massive branches of the old cotton-wood trees; black-and-orange orioles (Icterus bullocki) and crimson-headed linnets (Carpodacus frontalis) whistle plaint- ively or chant a cheerful ditty as they sport among the leafy branches, while from the willows or the more open thickets is heard the mellow flute- like song of the Black-headed Grosbeak (Hedymeles melanocephalus). The birds most characteristic of the wooded river-valleys are the following :— 1. Sialia mexicana. 14. Pica hudsonica. 2. Troglodytes parkmanni. 15. Tyrannus carolinensis. 3. Dendreeca estiva. 16. Tyrannus verticalis. 4, Geothlypis trichas. 17. Myiarchus cinerascens. 5. Icteria longicauda. 18. Contopus richardsoni. 6. Myiodioctes pusillus. 19. Empidonax pusillus. 7. Tachycineta bicolor. 20. Coccyzus americanus. 8. Vireosylvia swainsoni. 21. Nepheecetes borealis. 9. Carpodacus frontalis. 22, Chetura vauxi. 10. Chrysomitris tristis. 23. Otus wilsonianus. 11. Cyanospiza amcena. 24, Falco sparverius. 12. Pipilo oregonus. 25. Zenedura carolinensis. 13. Icterus bullocki. 6. Birds of the sage-brush.—The term “sage-brush” is the western vernacular for that shrubby growth which prevails over the valleys, mesas, and desert mountain-slopes of the Great Basin to the utter exclusion of all other vegetation, except in isolated and extremely restricted places. One species, the “everlasting sage-brush” (Artemisia tridentata), composes by far the larger part of that growth, “covering valleys and foot-hills in broad stretches farther than the eye can reach, the growth never so dense as to seriously obstruct the way, but very uniform over large surfaces, very rarely reaching to the saddle-height of a mule, and ordinarily but half that 324 ORNITHOLOGY. altitude.” The species just mentioned is not the exclusive component of the “‘sage-brush” however, for quite a number of other shrubs, belonging to many genera and several widely-different orders, are mingled with it in varying abundance, according to the nature of the soil, some prevailing on the most arid or sandy places, and others thriving best where the soil is strongly alkaline. Those additional to the species given above, are mainly the following, named in the order of their abundance: Obione confertifolia (“‘erease-wood”), O. canescens, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, Linosyris viscidiflora, Grayia poly ygaloides, Halostachys occidentalis, Linosyris. graveolens (‘‘broom- sage”), Artemisia trifida, A. spinescens, Eurotia lanata, Purshia tridentata, Ephedra antisy yphilitica, and Tetradymia canescens. [See Botanical Report, p. xxvi.] The genera named above belong to the following orders: Artemisia, Linosyris, and Tetradymia to the Composite; Obione, Sarcobatus, Grayia, and Eurotia to the Chenopodiaces; Purshia to the Rosace, and Ephedra to the Gnetacer. The general aspect of these plants is quite the same, however, in the different species, all having a similar scraggy, stunted appearance, with dull-grayish foliage in which there is but the slightest suspicion of green, and a characteristic, disagreeable, pungent odor; and in the utter absence of other shrubs over areas hundreds of square miles in extent, they constitute a most miserable apology for vegetation. The most numerous animals of these arid wastes are the various species of lizards, which are startled at every step as one walks along, and run nimbly to one side—-some kinds disappearing like a flash, so swift are they, while the larger species in their flight scatter the fine gravel and sand so as to make it fairly rattle. These reptiles were most numerous in the western depression, and it was found that they abounded most on the burning deserts, farthest from water. The birds characteristic of the sage-brush are not numerous, either as to species or individuals, but several of them are peculiar to these districts; the characteristic or peculiar species are these: — 1. Oreoscoptes montanus. 6. Eremophila alpestris. 2. Amphispiza nevadensis. 7. Antrostomus nuttalli. 3. Amphispiza bilineata, 8. Chordeiles henryi. 4. Spizella breweri. 9. Speotyto hypogea. 5. Chondestes grammaca. 10. Centrocercus urophasianus. LOCAL AVIFAUNZ OF THE GREAT BASIN. SoD * 7 Birds of the mountain-meadows or “parks."—On the higher ranges of the Interior, the gentle slopes of the upper cafions support the richest or most varied vegetation of the entire region; especially is this the case when they incline so gently as to form broad and nearly level meadows on either side of the main stream, with pine forests and snow-fields on the higher ridges and a copious volume of water in all the brooks and rivulets. Here the streams are bordered for their whole length with a luxuriant shrubbery, the bushes consisting of numerous species, and overtopped here and there by occasional trees of the narrow-leafed cotton-wood (Populus angustifolia), sometimes of 50 or 60 feet in height. The higher slopes are densely matted with low but vigorous bushes of “laurel” (Ceanothus velutinus, C. sorediatus, and, in some ranges, Arctostaphylos glauca), with coriaceous, shining, deep- or dark-green foliage. The greater portion of these upper slopes, however, are mainly covered with a rank herbaceous growth, composed of very numerous species, and in season brilliant with a variety of flowers of beautiful or showy appearance, among which the blue spikes or panicles of Lupinus and Pentstemon, the orange-red bracts of Castilleia, and the lovely scarlet blossoms of Gilia aggregata are among the most conspicuous. Species of Geranium are also very prevalent in places, while, in many localities, low bushes of Symphoricarpus montanus are scat- tered through the herbage. The birds most characteristic of these flowery slopes are not numerous, but among them are several fine singers, whose clear and musical voices are among the pleasant memories of these salubrious spots. The following are the most characteristic species :— 1. Zonotrichia intermedia. ( Western ranges.)| 6. Pipilo chlorurus. 2. Zonotrichia leucophrys. (Hastern ranges.)| 7. Stellula calliope. 3. Passerella schistacea. 8. Selaspborus platycercus. 4. Pooecetes confinis. 9. Trochilus alexandri. 5. Melospiza lincolni. 8. Birds of the lowland-meadows.—The lowland meadows include the bright sward of “salt-grass” (Brizopyrum spicatum, var. strictwm) of the low river-valleys, the “bunch grass” (Poa tenuifolia and Eriocoma cuspidata’, scattered over the foot-hills, the patches of ‘“rye-grass” (Elymus condensatus?) 326 ORNITHOLOGY. near the entrance to the cafions, and also the sedge and tule marshes, in the neighborhood of the lakes and rivers. The birds most characteristic of the meadows are all mostly peculiar to them, being seldom if ever found in other localities. Besides the land-birds here enumerated, a multitude of the water-fowl resort to the meadows during the breeding-season, but these are best given in a separate list. The most characteristic birds of the meadows are the following: — 1. Telmatodytes paludicola......-. Marshes. 2. Coturniculus perpallidus........ Dry meadoves. 3. Passerculus alaudinus ........- Wet meadows. 4. Ageleus phceniceus...... sioner Marshes. 5. Xanthocephalus icterocephalus.. Marshes. 6, Sturnella neglecta...... paeege Everywhere except in marshes. 7. Pediccetes columbianus.. ....- Dry meadows. 8. Grus canadensis .........------ Wet meadows. 9-11. Mural Avifauna.—This group is a rather heterogeneous one, part of the species being saxicoline, while others nest in vertical banks of earth; and of the former only two species keep altogether among the rocks, the others merely breeding there, the greater part of their time being spent in obtaining their food in other localities. They may be grouped as follows: — a. Species strictly saxicoline. _1. Salpinctes obsoletus. 2, Catherpes conspersus. Modifying their habits in neighborhood of settlements. b. Species saxicoline only in nesting habits. 3. Tachycineta thalassina.—(In other districts said to be arboreal.) 4. Petrochelidon lunifrons. 5. Hirundo horreorum. Habits modified in settled districts. 6. Sayornis sayus. 7. Panyptila saxatilis. c. Nesting in earth-banks. 8. Cotyle riparia. 9. Stelgidopteryx serripennis. 10. Ceryle alcyon. To group “b” of this list might be added such species as Aquila cana- densis and Falco polyagrus, since these species usually build their eyries on LOCAL AVIFAUNZ OF THE GREAT BASIN. 327 the narrow ledges or in niches on the face of cliffs, but their nesting-habits are too variable. The same objection might be urged in regard to Tachy- cineta thalassina, since in some localities this species nests in hollow trees, but along our route we found it to be everywhere strictly saxicoline. 12. Aquatic birds—This group includes the vast multitude of water- fowl, both waders and swimmers; these inhabit chiefly the valleys, the following being the species which breed in the interior:— 1, Agialitis vociferus. 22. Branta canadensis. 2. Aigialitis nivosus. 23. Anas boschas. 3. Steganopus wilsoni. 24, Chaulelasmus streperus. 4. Recurvirostra americana. 25. Dafila acuta. 5. Himantopus mexicanus. 26. Spatula clypeata. 6. Numenius longirostris. " 27. Querquedula discors. 7. Tringoides macularius. 28, Querquedula cyanoptera. 8. Rbyacophilus solitarius. “29. Nettion carolinensis. 9. Tringa bairdi. 30. Mareca americana. 10. Tringa minutilla. 31. Aix sponsa. 11. Ereunetes pusillus. 32. Erismatura rubida. 12. Falcinellus guarauna. 33. Larus californicus. 13. Falcinellus thalassinus. 34. Sterna regia. 14. Ardea herodias. 35. Sterna fosteri. 15. Herodias egretta, 36. Hydrochelidon lariformis. 16. Nyctiardea nevia. 37. Pelecanus erythrorhynchus. 17. Botaurus minor. 38. Graculus floridanus. 18. Ardetta exilis. 39. Podiceps occidentalis. 19. Rallus virginianus. 40. Podiceps cristatus. 20. Porzana carolina. 41. Podiceps californicus. 21. Porzana jamaicensis. ? In the preceding lists of the species characterizing special faunal sub- districts of the Great Basin, we have included mainly those which are common to the entire breadth of the Province. Other species, which might properly be assigned to these lists with respect to their habitats, are excluded, from the fact that they belong to only one side or the other of the Basin. The western series was lost almost immediately after our departure from the Sierra Nevada, very few being found even so far to the eastward of that range as the West Humboldt Mountains. The eastern series, however, presented itself much more gradually, additional species being met with in each successive high range to the eastward, the first of them appearing on 328 ORNITHOLOGY. the lofty Toyabe Mountains, while a more decided accession of ‘Rocky Mountain and Eastern forms was noticed on the Ruby and. East Humboldt ranges, where, however, the number was far less than that encountered on the Wahsatch and in the Salt Lake Valley. DESCRIPTION OF LOCALITIES WHERE COLLECTIONS OR OBSERVATIONS WERE MADE. 1. Vicinity of Sacramento City, California (June 6-29, 1867.)—The period of our stay at Sacramento being the midst of the dry season, when the valleys of California are parched by the excessive and protracted drought, the bird-life was found to be comparatively scant, and, as in the Interior, though not to so great an extent, confined within the very restricted limits where the vegetation was nourished by the presence of water— either that of natural streams or that derived from artificial irrigation. But even there the abundance of ‘the birds was due to the number of individ- uals of each kind, rather than of the ‘species themselves. Away from the vicinity of the city, the country at the time of our sojourn presented a scorched appearance, the rolling plains being destitute of rivulets or pools, all the surface-moisture having been long since extracted by the excessive and prolonged heat; the ground itself was baked to a tile-like hardness except where ground to dust, and what remained of the grass and herbage was burnt to a dingy yellow, while the scant foliage of the scattered oaks was desiccated to a russet-brownness. In the moister locations, near the river, the aspect of the landscape was more inviting, however, for green meadow-lands prevailed, with woods of good-sized trees along the river bank (among which the western plane tree, Platanus racemosa, was con- spicuous from its white branches), with a pleasing variety of oak, willow, and cotton-wood copses, interspersed with cultivated farms, with here and there isolated large cotton-wood trees left in the fields for shade. Exten- sive marshes, connected with the river, were filled with tall rushes, or éule (Scirpus validus), and other aquatics, many of them being hemmed in by skirting jungles of willows and other shrubs, having a dense, often impen- etrable, undergrowth. Waste places were overspread by a rank growth of wild chamomile, or dog-fennel (Maruta cotula), and large thistles, the latter standing chiefly in the fence-corners, where they presented to the DESCRIPTION OF CAMPS. 329 intruder a repellent front of frightful thorny spines. Upon the whole, but forthe blue mass of Monte Diablo looming mm the south, the long dim range of the: Sierra Nevada bounding the eastern horizon, its crown of snow- fields glittering in the sunlight, and tle brown Coast Range visible to the westward, one might readily imagine a familiar scene in the Mississippi Valley, so similar is the general aspect of the vegetation, in all its charac- teristic features, to that of a semi-prairie district, during the corresponding season. Not less striking was the likeness between the bird-fauna of the vicinity of Sacramento and that of a locality in the same latitude in the Mississippi Valley, although, as regards the number of species, the latter is by far the richer, since in Illinois, Missouri, or Iowa, an area having a relative proportion of prairie and woodland corresponding to the locality under consideration, will be found to possess at least one hundred species of birds during the breeding-season, many more having been found in certain districts.’ Our camp was established in a very favorable locality, the outskirts of the city, where the surroundings were a pleasing variety of meadow and thicket, with the best collecting spots at convenient distance. The charac- teristic birds were the Red-head Linnet (Carpodacus frontalis), Gold-Finch (Chrysomitris tristis), Yellow Warbler (Dendreca estiva), Chipping Sparrow (Spizella arizone), and Wood Pewee (Contopus richardsoni), among the oaks; the Black-headed Grosbeak (Hedymeles melanocephalus), Traill’s Flycatcher (Empidonax pusillus', and Least Vireo (Vireo pusillus), in the willow and cotton-wood copses; the Blue Grosbeak (Guiraca caerulea), Lazuli Bunting (Cyanospiza amena), Brewer's Sparrow (Spizella breweri), and Lark Bunting (Chondestes grammaca), in the fields; Western King Bird (Tyrannus verticalis) and Bullock’s Oriole (Icterus bullocki), in the large isolated cotton-wood trees; the Long-tailed House Wren (Thryomanes spilurus), and, if near water, the Black Pewee (Sayornis nigricans), about dwellings, with a great variety of water-fowl, identical in species With those inhabiting similar places in the Eastern States, found in the tule sloughs. 1TIn the lower Wabash Valley, of Indiana or Illinois, more than one hundred and fifty species are known to breed. [See Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., XVI, 1874.] 330 ORNITHOLOGY. The following is a complete list of the birds found breeding at Sacra mento between June 6th and July 4th :— 1, Thryomanes spilurus.......... Wanelanahe Wesue due moilaces ays Common. ? 2. Dendroeca estiva... 2.22.20 cee cee eee ee ee eeee Abundant. 3. Geothlypis trichas........ 2. eee cee eee e ee eee - Abundant. 4. Icteria longicauda...... 0.2.2.2... 2 eee eee eee ...- Abundant. 5. Hirundo horreorum.........-.. 2... eee e eee cere Abundant. G.“PrOgG SUDIS os os serene sels ae gel eee weletene'd eee ee ee Abundant. 7. Petrochelidon lunifrons.......-.-------2-++-e--+: Abundant. 8: Cotylé riparia evens is ee ee eens he see ooleteee'sies Common. 9. Stelgidopteryx serripennisS.........6-.-6 eee eee eee Common. 10. Vireosylvia swainsoni............-..-- sodas Mouers aa ss Common. U1. Vireo pasillag: ss cis cccueicced ees se nsec as oo eee owe Common. 12. Collurio excubitoroides......-.....-.5..--------- Common. 13. Carpodacus frontalis............ 00.220 seee eee eee Abundant. 14, Chrysomitris tristis......... 000.222 eee eee eee eee Abundant. 15. Coturniculus perpallidus...... ........26..eee eee Common. 16. Chondestes grammaca ......-..--..----.-- eee eens Abundant. 17. Melospiza heermanni...............---. 0-20-22 eee Common. 18, Spizella breweri................ sata ua Tans ane Gibialie ate ets Common. 19. Spizella arizon®...... 2.20.2... cece ween ee eee ees Common. 20. Hedymeles melanocephalus............--.-...-.4- Common. 21. Guiraca caerulea. ........2.0 2 ee eee cee scene scene Common. 22. OCyanospiza amoena...... d ieiifa's bra iota Susiaus Sere ‘aie isheisieee Common. 23. Pipilo oregonus...... 00.02. cece cence cece et eens Common. 24, Agelazus gubernator...... ised sapeeenG ewes aS nei Abundant. 25. Agelzus tricolor ...........-......06 pene ise ca okie Abundant. 26. Xanthocephalus icterocephalus .........-.......-- Abundant. 27. Sturnella neglecta.... 2.0.2... 2. cee eee ee eee eeee Common. 28. Tctems DUNOGKL) 4s cece hive os ceen ee cece cere eee ess Abundant. 29. Tyrannus verticalis..............--0.. 000.00 ---- Abundant. 30. Sayornis nigricans..........2.0 cece. cece ee wees Rare. 31. Contopus richardsoni ......-......00eeceeeeeeeees Abundant. 32. Empidonax pusillus .............. 2.0. cence eee Abundant. 33. Coceyzus americanus. ... 12.2... cee cece ee cece eens Rare. 34, Calypte ann® ......... cece cee cece ee eee e cence Common. 35. Trochilus alexandri........ 2.2... 0.202 cece ceneeess Common. 36. Colaptes mexicanus ............ cece cece neces Rare. 37. Otus wilsonianus......... deel sige-a ae ae am sie Ste wis ate dies Common. 38. Speotyto hypogaea ........... 0. ec eee cee ce cee eee Abundant. 39, Falco sparverius.............0.0200 eseeueaaiesgcs Abundant. 40. Zenzedura carolinensis............ ......e200eeee- Abundant. 41, ADZIAMS VOCUOCES anon esis iva duis ca wa done ave'ees Abundant. 42. ATC TNOROGIAS sewed sted Sos ces np sieye cded shade Common. 43. Herodias egretta ........... a aiatavaisate ote gta beatae Rare. DESCRIPTION OF CAMPS, 331 44, Butorides virescens............. leis apo Sane Oho ee ae Abundant. 45. Nyctiardea nevia....... isa. git ale sieiers atieta wears he ace Common. 46. Gallinula galeata............6 cece eee ceeceseeaee Abundant. 47. Folica americana............0 cceceeececcecccecess Abundant. 48. Anas boschas ....-........ ete esac ese ewan Abundant. 49. Chaulelasmus streperus.................2-0eeeeee Abundant. 50. Querquedula cyanoptera.............-.2000eeeee Abundant. 51. Aythya —— sp.?..... 2.2. cece cee cee cece eee Abundant. 52. Larus —— sp.?...-...... arden Sieraiareie eis cieeie eye cie oie 6 Abundant. 53. Sterna forsteri? ............22..06- aie wideiae aes se Abundant. 54. Hydrochelidon lariformis.................0...000- Abundant. Having alluded to the close similarity between the bird-fauna of tne vicinity of Sacramento City and that of a locality of corresponding latitude in the Mississippi Valley, we select from the above list the species not belonging to the latter locality, they being as follows :— : 1. Vireo pusillus. 9. Tyrannus verticalis. 2. Carpodacus frontalis. 10. Sayornis nigricans. 3. Spizella breweri. 11, Contopus richardsoni. 4, Cyanospiza ameena. 12. Calypte anne. 5. Hedymeles melanocephalus. _| 18. Trochilus alexandri. 6. Pipilo oregonus. 14. Colaptes mexicanus. 7. Ageleus tricolor. 15. Speotyto hypogea. 8. Icterus bullocki. 16. Querquedula cyanoptera. Twelve of the above species are repesented east of the Rocky Mount- ains by species so similar in appearance or habits that, to the common observer, they might readily pass for the same birds. These represent- ative species are the following :— Western representatives. Eastern representatives. Vireo pusillus, representing...... .-- jaeseeaee Vireo belli. Spizella breweri, represénting ..... Ss Srergns Zee 4 Spizella pallida. Hedymeles melanocephalus, representing.....- Hedymeles ludovicianus. Cyanospiza amoena, representing... .+-+..-+.-- Cyanospiza cyanea. Pipilo oregonus, representing ....... Sepsya Sin dears Pipilo erythrophthalmus, Icterus bullocki, representing.......------+--: Icterus baltimore. Tyrannus verticalis, representing ... ....----- Tyrannus carolinensis. Sayornis nigricans, representing ........--.--: Sayornis fuscus. Contopus richardsoni, representing......-...-. Contopus virens. Trochilus alexandri, representing.... .---.-.-- Trochilus colubris. Colaptes mexicanus, representing... ......--: Colaptes auratus. Querquedula cyanoptera, representing..---..-- Querquedula discors. 332 ORNITHOLOGY. It will thus be observed that the general facies of the avian-fauna of the two remote regions is so similar that out of a total of 54 species noted at Sacramento, only 4 are unrepresented in the eastern locality !' 2. From the Sacramento River to the -foot-hills of the Sierra Nevada (July 4-5).—This route lay across a rolling plain, of a character similar to that described before, except that the monotony of the dusty landscape was more frequently relieved by groves of low, spreading oaks, while occa- sional spots near springs or along running streams were quite refreshing from the cool shade they afforded. Such places were usually the site of a ranche, and called to mind a country-place in one of the iess-thickly wooded portions of the Eastern States, the oak trees which, almost exclusively, composed the groves being exceedingly similar in size and general appear- ance to the white oak (Quercus alba). Among these trees sported the California and Nuttall’s Woodpeckers (Melanerpes formicivorus and Picus nuttalli), whole troops of chattering Yellow-billed Magpies (Pica nuittallt), and an occasional screeching Valley Jay (Cyanocitta californica). “The other species seen in these groves were the Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens), Lewis's Woodpecker (Melanerpes torquatus), Black-capped Chickadee (Parus occidentalis), House Wren (Troglodytes parkmanni), Com- mon Crow (Corvus ‘americanus), Barn Owl (Strix pratincola), Mottled Owl (Scops asio), and Red-breasted Hawk (Buteo elegans); while on the plains, the Horned Lark (Eremophila chrysolema), Burrowing Owl (Speotyto hypogea), and Turkey Buzzard (Rhinogryphus aura) were observed. Nearly all these 1 The winter fauna would, of course, be considerably different from that observed by us, on account of accessions from the ranks of species which spend the summer in the mountains or farther northward, as well as by the absence of some of the summer visitors. An esteemed correspondent, Mr. Gilbert R. Lansing, of San Francisco, has furnished a list of birds collected by him at Sacramento in March, 1873, which includes the following species not in our enumeration of summer birds:— 1. Chameea fasciata. March 23. 5. Cyanocitta californica. 2. Hesperiphona vespertina. March 16. | 6. Zonotrichia intermedia. 3. Junco oregonus. 7. Zonotrichia coronata, March 23. 4. Corvus carnivorus. 8. Melospiza guttata. March 16. Of the above, specimens were sent of Nos. 1, 2,6, 7, and 8, DESCRIPTION OF CAMPS. 339 species were noticed from the very beginning of the open country, on the outskirts of the city, to the first foot-hills of the Sierra Nevada. 3. The Sierra Nevada (July 6-12).—The rolling plains became so gradually modified into more pronounced undulations, and these so imper- ceptibly into decided hills, that there was no abrupt change noticeable in either the fauna or the flora. With the first pine trees, however, were observed the Robin (Turdus migratorius), the California Bluebird (Sialia mexicana), and Brown Creeper (Certhia americana); while among the thick chaparral of the ravines and hill-sides the following species were seen for the first time:— a. Western foot-hills (July 6-7). 1, Psaltriparus minimus. 4, Pipilo crissalis. 2. Polioptila (carulea?) 5. Lophortyx californicus. 3. Chrysomitris lawrencii. These species were not seen near the summit, but were gradually left behind as we ascended the now steeper slopes and entered a denser forest, where large and lofty coniferse became exclusive. The three species pre- viously mentioned, however, continued with us during the journey. As was the change from the plains to the foot-hills a very gradual one, so did the mixed. woods and chaparral of the latter, in which deciduous trees and shrubs abounded, become as imperceptibly transformed into denser and loftier forests, where conifers first greatly prevailed and then constituted the entire sylva. The change was indeed so gradual that we could detect no well-defined point where there was a marked difference in the birds observed; one species after another being left behind, while one by one new ones made their appearance, so that it was found impossible to fix a bound- ary-line between two regions. The “Mountain Jay” (Cyanura frontalis ) was met with long before we lost sight of the “Valley Jay” (Cyanocitta californica), and the “Valley Quail” (Lophortyx californicus) was common, and leading its young, in ravines, beside which the pines resounded with the screams of the Mountain Jay and Nutcracker (Picicorvus columbianus) and the tapping of pinicoline Woodpeckers (Sphyrapicus ruber and Picus albolarvatus). 334 ORNITHOLOGY. b. The western slope. At an altitude of about 5,000 feet, all the species characteristic of the foot-hills were lost sight of, the Louisiana Tanager (Pyranga ludoviciana) and Audubon’s Warbler (Dendraca auduboni) made their first appearance, the Mountain Jay and Nutcracker and the Woodpeckers above mentioned became more numerous, while the dark ravines below the road echoed with the carols of Townsend’s Solitaire (Myiadestes townsendi) and the Oregon Thrush ‘ Turdus ustulatus), and the chattering of the Dippers (Cinclus mex- icanus). ce. The summit (July 9). At an altitude of about 7,000 feet snow lay, even at this season of the year, in situations protected from the sun. The pine forests continued, but were more interrupted, with occasional park-like openings, in one of which, known as the “Summit Meadows,” we established our camp. Snow-capped peaks were in sight on every hand, while around the borders of the broad meadow snow-banks lay, protected by the shade of the majestic pines; and a strange sight it was to see, almost touching the snow, beds of flowers which, in variety of form and splendor of coloring, might vie with the choicest to be seen in our gardens or conservatories; while the park itself was so overspread by a plant bearing bright-yellow blossoms, that this was the prevailing color of the surface. Scattered over this meadow were clumps of low spreading dwarf-willow bushes, from the tops of which numerous White-crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia intermedia) were singing beau- tifully during the evening, and now and then throughout the night. The other more conspicuous birds of this charming spot were the Common Robin (Turdus migratorius), the California Bluebird (Sialia meaicana), and the Oregon Snow-bird (Junco oregonus).* 1Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of our opportunities for studying the avifauna of this interesting and exceedingly rich district, our notes are necessarily meager. It is therefore with great pleasure that we avail ourself of the experience of Mr. E. W. Nelson, of Chicago, who made collections on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, chiefly in the vicinity of Nevada City. We quote from Mr. Nelson what is of direct interest in this connection: [See Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. XVII, Jan. 20, 1875, pp. 355-365. “Notes on Birds observed in portions of Utah, Nevada, and Cali- fornia.” “IV. Notes on Birds observed in the vicinity of Nevada City, Cal., between DESCRIPTION OF CAMPS 335 ad. The eastern slope (July 10-12). The descent from the summit down the eastern slope was much more rapid than had been our ascent of the other side. The forest, however, continued much the same, but the trees were appreciably smaller, becoming more so as we descended. ‘The only new bird detected during our hurried August 15 and December 15, 1872.”] ‘This locality has an intermediate situation between the lofty peaks and the foot-hills of the Sierra Nevadas, and is in the midst of the gold-mining region. My visit being in the last of the dry season, when the vegeta- tion is dried up by the hot sun, probably many of the spring and early summer residents had gone farther down, where the farms are more numerous and less parched than the uncultivated hills surrounding Nevada. In November, while collecting twenty miles farther down, we found many species abundant which were rare at Nevada; among which may be mentioned, Sturnella ne- glecta, Zonotrichia coronata, and Glaucidium californicum, which assembled in numbers around our camp-fires every night and serenaded us with their curious notes; [Note.—— Mr. Henshaw suggests that this owl may have been Scops flammeola, which has this habit, while the Glaucidium is diurnal and crepuscular.] also, Lophortyx californicus, Oreortyx pictus, and many others, were observed on the cultivated flats, which were rare at Nevada.” We give below a full list of the species found by Mr. Nelson at Nevada City, those which we did not see in ascending the western slope in July being distinguished by an asterisk :— 1. Turdus migratorius. Aug.—Oct. 2. Turdus ustulatus. Common; Aug.—Nov. *3. Oreoscoptes montanus. Oct.; two pairs. 4. Sialia mexicana. Last of Sept.—last of Nov. 5. Regulus calendula. Last Sept.—first Dec. *6. Chamea fasciata. Nov.; one pair. *7, Lophophanes inornatus. First Oct-Nov. *8, Parus occidentalis. Nov.; high mountains. *9, Psaltriparus minimus. Oct.—Dec.; very abundant. 10, Certhia americana. Aug.—Dec. #11, Thryomanes spilurus. Aug.—Nov. #12. Troglodytes parkmanni. Oct.; one spec. *13. Helminthophaga ruficapilla. Last Sept.; one spec. 14. Dendreeca estiva. *15, Dendreeca nigrescens. Sept.-lst Nov.; common. 16. Dendreeca auduboni. Abundant after Oct. 1st. *17, Geothlypis macgillivrayi. Sept.; two specs. *18, Myiodioctes pusillus. Last Sept.; one spec. 19, Pyranga ludoviciana. Oct.; rare. 20. Hirundo horreorum. Avug.—Sept. *21, Carpodacus californicus. First two weeks in October; common. 22, Chrysomitris pinus. Last Sept—first Nov. *23, Chrysomitris psaltria. Aug.—Sept.; very abundant. 336 ORNITHOLOGY. trip was a solitary Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) perched upon a boulder, in a rather open region, soon after passing the summit of the Pass. 4, Glendale, or Truckee Meadows (July 16-20; November 7-21. Alti- tude 4,372 fect.—The Truckee Meadows, so called from the fact that hay 24, #25, 26. 27. #28, *29. *30. *31. 32. 33. 34. #35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. *42. 43. 44, 45. #46. *47, *48, 49. *50. 51. #52. 53. #54, *55, 56. #57 *58, *59. 60. *61. 62. *63, 64, Passerculus alaudinus. Oct. 1st. Melospiza heermanni. Not common. Junco oregonus. Azug.—last Nov. Spizella arizone. Abundant. Spizella breweri. Sept.-Oct.; abundant. Zonotrichia coronata. Last of October ; common. Chondestes grammaca. Aug.—Oct.; very abundant. Passerella townsendi. Aug.—last Oct.; abundant. Hedymeles melanocephalus. Aug.—last Sept. Pipilo oregonus. Auwg—middle Nov. Pipilo crissalis. Oct. 1st; one spec. Pipilo chlorurus. Common. Sturnella neglecta. Common. Icterus bullocki. Oct.; one spec. (@). Scolecophagus cyanocephalus. First November. Corvus americanus (givenas C. caurinus, but probably not). Last Nov.; 1 flock. Cyanura frontalis. Very abundant. Cyanocitta californica. Very abundant. Sayornis nigricans. Aug.—last Nov.; common in Sept. Contopus richardsoni. Sept.; rare. Empidonax pusillus. Last Sept.; one spec. Antrostomus nuttalli. Last Oct.; one spec. Calypte anne. Aug—middle Oct.; common. Geococcyx californianus. Rare; not seen. Hylatomus pileatus. Not common. Picus albolarvatus. Common until last Nov. Picus nuttalli. Common. Picus harrisi. Rare. Picus gairdneri. Common until last Nov. Sphyrapicus ruber. Oct.—Dec.; common. Melanerpes formicivorus. Very common. Melanerpes torquatus. Middle Oct.~Dec. Colaptes mexicanus. Abundant. 2 Scops asio. Not seen. Glaucidium gnoma. Rare. Nisus fuscus. Common from Aug.—Dec. 1st. “Buteo, sp.” [Probably B. borealis calurus or B. swainsoni]. Haliaétus leucocephalus. Nov.; one spec. “Cathartes, sp.” [Probably Rhinogryphus aura Oct.]}. Columba fasciata. Oct.; one flock. Zenedura carolinensis. Common until middle Nov. DESCRIPTION OF CAMPS. 337 for the Virginia City market is the chief production of the settlement, lie on the eastern side of the valley, between the Sierra Nevada and the Comstock, or Virginia Mountains, the first of the desert ranges. Through the middle portion of these extensive meadows the Truckee River courses, its banks being fringed with dense thickets of rather tall willows, growing about fifteen feet high. During the summer these luxuriant meadows were the abode of numerous water-fowl, while in the thickets Magpies (Pica hudsonica) and smaller birds were abundant. The species found in this locality were the following: — 1. Telmatodystes paludicola. 23. Pica hudsonica. 2. Dendreeca estiva. 24, Empidonax pusillus. 3. Geothlypis trichas. 25. Chordeiles henryi. 4, Icteria longicauda. 26. Ceryle alcyon. 5. Pyranga ludoviciana. 27. Colaptes mexicanus. 6. Hirundo borreorum. 28. Circus hudsonius. 7. Petrochelidon lunifrons. 29. Zeneedura carolinensis, 8. Stelgidopteryx serripennis. 30. Aigialitis vociferus. 9. Cotyle riparia. 31. Recurvirostra americana. 10. Vireosylvia swainsoni. 32. Himantopus mexicanus. 11. Collurio excubitoroides. 33. Rbyacophilus solitarius. 12. Passerculus alaudinus. 34, Tringoides macularius. 13. Pooecetes confinis. 35. Botaurus minor. 14, Melospiza heermanni. 36. Porzana carolina. 15. Chondestes grammaca. 37. Anas boschas. 16. Hedymeles melanocephalus. 38. Chaulelasmus streperus. 17. Cyanospiza ameena. 39. Mareca americana. 18. Pipilo oregonus. 40. Dafila acuta. 19. Xantbocephalus icterocephalus. 41. Spatula clypeata. 20. Agelaus pheeniceus. 42, Querquedula cyanoptera. 21.’ Sturnella neglecta. 43. Nettion carolinensis. 22. Icterus bullocki. *65. 2 Canace obscura. [* Canace canadensis, var. franklini.” Probably C. obscura, which is abundant on the Sierra Nevada.] *66. Oreortyx pictus. Abundant after Oct. 1st. 67. Lophortyx californicus. Abundant. 68. Aigialitis vociferus. Oct. *69. Gallinago wilsoni. Mov.; two specs. *70. Branta canadensis. Nov. *71, Anas boschas. Not seen. *72, Pelecanus erythrorhynchus. Oct.; one flock passing over. The more noteworthy of the above species are Chamea fasciata, Sayornis nigricans, and Calypte anne, which would hardly have been supposed to occur so high up among these mountains. 22? R. 338 ORNITHOLOGY. In November, the following additional species were found, while many of the above were wanting: — Anthus Judovicianus. Colaptes (?) [a yellow-shafted species, Turdus migratorius. probably C. auratus.] Cinclus mexicanus. Falco columbarius. Spizella monticola. Archibuteo sancti-johannis. Eremophila alpestris. Gallinago wilsoni. Ageleus gubernator. Columba fasciata. ?? Corvus carnivorus. Branta hutchinsi. Corvus americanus. Podilymbus podiceps. The most abundant of these were Anthus ludovicianus, Ageleus phe- niceus, A. gubernator, Archibuteo sancti-johannis, and Branta hutchinsi. 5. Big-Bend of the Truckee (altitude, 3,995 feet; July 24-August 18,)— After emerging from its deep,narrow gorge through the Virginia Mountains, the Truckee River bends abruptly to the left, and flows toward the north- west into Pyramid Lake, about thirty miles distant. The vicinity of our camp at this place proved a rich locality for birds, for the narrow valley of the river was very fertile, supporting a rich and varied vegetation, while the arid sage-brush plain stretched off on one side to the Humboldt Desert, and in the opposite direction to the Virginia Mountains. Only the very few birds characteristic of the desert could exist upon the surrounding sandy wastes, and, as a consequence, the fertile valley was rich in the number of species and. individuals crowded within the narrow limits embraced between the steep earth-walls. Along the bank of the river, and surrounding the sloughs connected with the stream, were exceedingly dense willow-jungles, the sloughs themselves being filled with rushes, flags, and other aquatic plants; but most of the valley consisted of meadow-land, interspersed with velvety swards of “salt-grass” and acres of beautiful sun-flowers (Helianthus giganteus), studded with tine large cotton-wood trees (Populus monilifera and P. trichocarpa), which were here and there grouped into delightful groves, sometimes unincumbered, but generally with a shrubby undergrowth, amongst which the “‘buffalo-berry” (Shepherdia argentea) was conspicuous. No birds, excepting Mourning Doves 1A single specimen of what was probably this species was observed, flying over, on the 19th of November. . DESCRIPTION OF CAMPS. 339 (Zencedura carolinensis), were breeding at the time of our sojourn; nor was the fauna particularly interesting, except from the occurrence of swarms of the Rufous Hummer (Selasphorus rufus) among the sun-flowers, and of several pairs of the Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus carolinensis), which appeared to have bred in the cotton-wood trees, a few individuals of Coccyzus ameri- canus and Myjiodioctes pusillus, and several families of Sialia mexicana, being the only other birds of note which came under our observation. 6. Truckee Reservation, near Pyramid Lake (August 10-16, 1867; Decem- ber 9-19, 1867; May 15-June 6, 1868).—Investigations along the lower portion of the Truckee Valley extended from the shore of Pyramid Lake several miles up the river, and embraced several trips across the desert mesa to the northern end of the Virginia range, fronting on the southern shore of the lake, besides occasional visits to the islands within the lake. The fertile valley of the river received the principal attention, however, on account of the abundance of its birds; and, as respects the character of the locality where our observations were mostly made, there was no material difference from the surroundings of our former camp at the Big-Bend, twenty-five miles above, except that the valley was consider- ably broader and the cotton-wood groves proportionately more extensive. During our sojourn here, from May 15th to June 6th, one hundred and two species were observed in the valley of the river, most, if not all, of them breeding in the locality. The following are the species observed: — 1. Turdus ustulatus..............---. ep eostaladdaceiies One specimen. 2. Oreoscoptes montanus.........e ee eee cere ee eee . Common. 3. Troglodytes parkmannDi .......--...--- esses eee: Abundant. 4, Telmatodytes paludicola ........-..--.---+----e- Abundant. 5. Dendroeca estiva...---- 2... eee eee eee eee Abundant. 6. Geothlypis trichas.............-+---- jae ee ela ai Common. 7. Icteria longicauda.......-...6 6. eee eee eee eee . Common. 8. Pyranga ludoviciana..-..-.----..+.0-- sees eee eee Common. 9. Hirundo horreorum....... ..----- seen eee eee Common. 10. Tachycineta bicolor. .......--.---+--++ee eee eee Abundant. 11. Tachycineta thalassina........ 6.0.0. ceee een e eee Common. 12. Progne subis......-.-----+---++05- Buia) aictaysreysyeravaras Rare. 13. Stelgidopteryx serripennis .......-.-----+-.+--+-- Abundant. 14, Cotyle riparia..:-.-....-- gyavaiadelainytieis canon Re aracona hes Abundant. 15. Petrochelidon lunifrons ......-.......-0-eeeeeeee Abundant. 16. Vireosylvia swainsoni ..... -. 0. -s-e eee e eee es Abundant. 340 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22, 23. 24, 25. 26. 27, 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49, 50. 51. 52. 53. 54, 55. 56. 57, 58. 59, 60. 61. 62. 63. ORNITHOLOGY. Collurio excubitoroides . ..-...-...---++---+-- «Common. Carpodacus frontalis....-....--.--6+- svc gud soncce aie Common. Chrysomitris tristis.........-. 02. -ee cee e ee eeeeee Rare. Passerculus alandinus .......-...---+--+-seeee- Common. Pooecetes gramineus ..-...-.-.. 020 e eee cree ees Rare. Melospiza heermanni ...........0..-20 e222 ce eeee Abundant. Amphispiza bilineata .....-.....------ ee cere eee Common. Amphispiza revadensis ..............-+2eeee- eee Abundant. Spizella arizon®@...... ....-22- cece ee eee eee eee: Abundant. Spizella breweri........------02 022s eeee cece cee Abundant. Chondestes grammaca ...........- LSaeaseraiWenctsinees Abundant. Hedymeles melanocephalus.......-....----2000+- Common. Cyanospiza amcona .......-.-.-. seal G seuteiateediaig SH Rare. Pipild OFOFONUS nic wie vinennie seearrete pene ieee cect Common. Pipilo: ChlOrarus ieee csie se osc aie ule nw wae ee eeeeare ane Rare. Mol Othriis Aten wocanve lies pve tcoetoe td tle sire pieeiers Rare. Ageleus phoniceus ....... ash aiyarsovavaielamisiereiers aia eseters Abundant. Xanthocephalus icterocephalus.............-.-.. Abundant. Sturnella neglecta ...... 22-0. cece ee eee eee ee Abundant. Icterus bullocki............ sa Saud ee tei Ieieeewiwie ares Abundant. Pica Dudsonilear. ac 00 .i-0eievesieie cteeie a eGeeeesereaes Abundant. Tyrannus verticalis................006- a asavst tits shee Abundant. -Myiarchus cinerascens .........-..-200 eee e ee eee Rare. Sayornis sayus..... dapat caaiaisJeaulbzvesusie eo eee init Rare. Contopus richardsoni ....... Lai fs). Thy elsp hae leaharalate. Abundant. Empidonax pusillus. .. 2.2... 0... cc cece cee eee eee Abundant. Chordeiles henryi .... 22.2... . ce eee e ee cee eee ene Common. Nepheecetes borealis.............2 002 cee eee eens Rare. ChetUra VaURI eos oh. cs neseeseeweue se aees eee Common. Trochilus alexandri. ...... 0.0026 -0- 2-2 ee eee eee Abundant. Geryle aley One s.s2. 5 ceeded winwisieieiorg iaceseivinleishnieielsiecaes Common. PiGusHArrishs sec aie cssie lind ecaargnae stiseekes Common. Colaptes mexicanus...........0..e0. 00s oanacee Abundant. Bubo subarcticus. .......... 22.22 ee eee eee Common. Otus wilsonianus -...... 6.22. ee eee eee Common. Circus hudsonius ...............2-.005 faceiare Gale ie x Abundant. Faleo 8parverius .. .2.6..csedv os ee ssereacuas auaees Abundant. PaleO: NBVIOSosocisnes naw cea awiatininne Bee vw clos One pair. Buteo calurug 2.2.2.0... ee eee cee ee eee ses Common. Buteo swainsoni..............00.06 ninta toveaann Aare aig Common. Haliaétus leucocephalus. .........--. 0-2-0. 02-005 Rare. Pandion carolinensis............. enilbeta atc Rare. Rhinogryphus aura...........0.0.22 cee cee e eee Abundant. Zeneedura caroliuensis ....... ha da ciate atta aire Extremely abundant. Algialitis vociferns .......2. 2.0 cece ee eee eee ee Common. Recurvirostra americana ...........0.0. scene eens Common. Himantopus mexicanus ..... .......... sisinni seas Common. 64, 65. 66, 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73, 74, 75. 76. 77. 78. 79. 80. 81. 82. 83. 84. 85. 86. 87. 88. 89. 90. 91. 92. 93. 94, 95. 96. 97. 98. 99. 100. 101. 102. DESCRIPTION OF CAMPS. 341 Steganopus wilsoni...............-. noceeaesoier Rare Tringa americana ................. sauuidiate siete te vies Rare. PMSA OBU 2c4. Abundant. Herodias egretta .. 2.2. cece cee e ee ce seee ceceas Rare. Nyctiardea nevia .......... 20.20 cee ce eee e en eee Rare. Botaurus minor +..........--. 02.2 e cece ee eens Common. Ardetta. exilis:as ccc. edocs neice sane teweee. Rare. Falcinellus thalassinus ................--00200-- Fare. Grus canadensis..-.......22 020. cece cece eee eee Rare. Rallus virginianus...... 2.0... 0.2200 e ee eee econ Rare. Poreants Cargunes nose hey winea-ean aviraiew neue way Common. Fulica americana. ...... 0.2... .2202. eee eee eee Very abundant. Branta canadensis...-...-......-.-.------ yieie eis Common. AMAS DOSCHAS sae ciscaye wie ate ate al aicke ad ace ae vies sista sie Abundant. Chaulelasmus streperus..... ......-.-.-- fortes . Abundant. Mareca americana ......-...2. 006 se ceeee eee eeee Abundant. Querquedula discors......--....-... cee ee eee eee Rare.? Querquedula cyanoptera ..... Biss Cadets Tinie ences. ae cues Common. Dalilasdeu tal ricci ic isei siiteteip mereka ators Mahia lakes Rare. Spatula clypeata ....... 2.6... 0.2. eee eee eee eee Common, Aythya vallisneria...... 0.2... 0-+ 220 ee eee nee Rare. Aix sponsa ........ Re uncieg. coment men Se yee asia Rare. Lophodytes cucullatus .......--.-.-+---+--0--e-- Rare. Erismatura rubida........... ‘deiatGie @Sistosie eater Rare. Pelecanus erythrorhynchus....-.....-----.22--0- Very abundant. Graculus floridanus.............--.-..-6- Soinisires Abundant. Larus californicus .........- 00.202 cee eee ece sees Very abundant. Sterna regia: <4 ss02 os as ve ce ae wees Kase reas ee: --- Rare. Sterna forsteri.......-...---2+00045 heaton eee eh Rare. Podiceps occidentalis ........0.... 2. eee ee ee eee Abundant. Podiceps californicus ....... 2... eee ee eee eeee Common. Podilymbus podiceps .........--0.+ cee ceeeeeceee Common. In the above list are the following species which were not observed during the preceding July and August at the Big Bend:— 1. Turdus ustulatus. ; 4. Nepheecetes borealis. 2. Carpodacus frontalis. 5. Cheetura vauxi. 3. Molothrus pecoris. 6. Trochilus alexandri. 342 ORNITHOLOGY. All of these were undoubtedly breeding, except the first, a mountain bird, of which only a single individual was seen, probably the last lingering one from the spring migration. It is also a noteworthy fact that Tyrannus carolinensis, Myiodioctes pusillus, and Selasphorus rufus, found at the Big Bend in July and August, were not observed in the lower portion of the valley in May and the early part of June. ' As the above list embraces only those species found within the valley proper of the river, including the marshes at its mouth, other localities produced additional species; thus, on the mesa stretching from the valley to the Virginia Mountains, Eremophila alpestris, Antrostomus nuttalli, Speotyto hypogea, and Centrocercus urophasianus were found. This locality was visited the previous winter, when the fauna was quite different, the following species, not in the summer-list, having been observed:— 1. Regulus calendula..... 2.2.2.2... 2222s e eee eee Abundant. 2. Anthus ludovicianus ... 2.2... 2.26 cece ee ee ene Very abundant. 8. Dendreeca auduboni.............. 0.2. ce eee eee Abundant. Ae Plaliar AT CHCA «0:2 kip 6 ue a able vie: Sieiavleea ne ie hs Babee 4 Rare. 5. Troglodytes pacificus..........-....006 united Rare. 6. Certhia americana.......-.... 2.2.22 eee eee eee ee Rare. 7. Zonotrichia intermedia.......-.--. 22.22.0220 eee Abundant. $. THWCO OPE CONUS pes ones cave bssegdenseekjeasces Abundant. 9. Spizella monticola ............ 22. cc. cece ee ee eee Common. 10. Falco columbarius........ Mei ihe reo Ses devencevete ee aioe Rare. 11. Archibuteo sancti-johannis.................----. Rare. 12. Cygnus (buccinator?)...-.. Jae SB ew ee Dee er ewisle wees Abundant. 1s. Anser albatus: oo s6 sees was wowed ee ci caeecees Abundant. 14. Branta hutchinsi......... dl ahs inh Mara otal he? Sd cepa ewes Abundant. 15. Branta nigricans. ...... 0.2... eee ene eee eee eee Rare.? 16. Aythya americana............ 020. cc cece eee ee eee Common. 17. Aythya vallisneria....... .......000.0 cee eee eee Common. 18. Fulix marila....... 0.2... 0.0.2.2 200 wise aes Abundant. 19, Fulix aff nis. coc ieee ain ieee cease wesw eeewe wad |. Abundant. 202: FUlix cOMATIS 62 i.e wee weiiebs viele eieecused au ice Abundant. 21. Bucephala albeola...... ue te Waniwee sik ses eiewdleies Abundant. 22, Bucephala americana. ...... 2.2.20. ccceeee eee ees Abundant. 23. Mergus americanus..-........ 0... 00. sce eeee eee Common. Be, MOPEUS ROITALOl ac acne me we Hs taco deus nbc ueuseahen Common. 25. Erismatura rubida ............2...0 0c eee eee eee Common. 26. Larus delawarensis........... 0.200. cc ewcececce Common. DESCRIPTION OF CAMPS. 343. Besides the land-birds marked as abundant in the above list, the other more characteristic winter residents were Amphispiza nevadensis, Melospiza heermanni, and Pipilo oregonus. Turdus migratorius, Troglodytes parkmanni, Ceryle alcyon, Nettion carolinensis, and Mareca americana were also among the winter residents. | 7. Islands of Pyramid Lake (August, 1867, and May, 1868).—The two islands investigated ornithologically are the main island and the one known as ‘The Pyramid,” from the latter of which the lake receives its name. The former is about ten miles distant from the mouth of the Truckee River and about two miles from the nearest point on the eastern shore. Its shores are, for the most part, abrupt and precipitous, though not high, there being but two convenient landing-places, each a pointed beach of sand extending far out into the water. The island is about three miles in circuit, while in the niddle it rises into two bold peaks, each about five hundred feet in height. In May, 1868, we found the limited shore near the southern beach thickly covered with remarkably large grease-wood bushes, on the top of each of which, at the height of about five feet from the ground, was the immense, elaborate nest of a pair of Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias). Not a hundred yards distant, in an oven-like recess in the face of the precipitous rock forming the shore, and inaccessible, was the deserted eyrie of a Bald Eagle (Haliaétus leucocephalus); on the elevated portion of the northern beach several hundreds of Pelicans (P. erythrorhynchus) were breeding; on a rocky plateau between the northern peak and the shore an immense colony of Gulls (Larus californicus) had their nests, while swarms of Violet-green Swallows (Tachycineta thalassina) were passing into and out of the crevices’ of the high cliffs near by. ‘The Pyramid” is close to the eastern shore, and appears as a huge rock of very regular pyramidal shape, rising about three hundred feet above the surface of the lake. Its base is a nearly perfect triangle, each side being a sheer precipice from the water to the height of a hundred and fifty feet, while only one of the three corners was found to be easily accessible from the boat. Tempted by the sight of numerous nests near the top, among them being one belonging to a pair of Falcons (7. nevius), which flew, clamoring, around, we ascended this corner, and, after a careful climb without looking about, reached the almost 344 ORNITHOLOGY. pointed summit. The view toward the water was a frightful one. In nu direction could be seen more than the upper third of the rock, and thus the only one possible path by which we had ascended was lost to view. Looking down into the depths of the deep-blue water, three hundred feet. below, we could see the pointed ends of similar pyramidal rocks submerged many feet below the surface, and only visible from this height. The descent was finally accomplished by exercising the utmost caution in selecting the path, in which indispensable aid was furnished by our boat- men, who, having watched us ascend, often directed us when we were at a loss which way to proceed. The only species breeding on this isolated ‘cliff were the Great Blue Heron and Peregrine Falcon, there being of the latter but one pair in the vicinity. Along the neighboring shore were many rocks of peculiar form and structure, styled by our geologists “ tufa-domes;” these usually had rounded or domed tops, and were thickly incrusted with calcareous-tufa, while beneath they were honey-combed with winding passages and deep grottoes. Among these rocks several birds were nesting, conspicuous among which were the Barn Swallow, Say’s Pewee, and the ‘‘ House Finch” (Carpodacus frontalis), the nests of the latter, placed on shelves of projecting rock inside of caverns, affording another, and very remarkable, instance of the ease with which this species accommodates itself to circumstances in selecting a site for its nest. 8. Comstock or Virginia Mountains, near Pyramid Lake (December 24-27, 1867).—From the south end of Pyramid Lake a wide cafion leads up into these: mountains, and this was ascended for a considerable distance on three occasions—twice in December and once in June. The slopes of this cafion were dotted with scattered cedar and pifion groves, and in many places were covered with bunch-grass meadows, while along the stream was the fringe of shrubbery usual to the banks of mountain-streams in the Great Basin. In December, Myiadestes townsendi was found in the cedar groves, while Oreortyx pictus was common in the open portions. 9. Washoe Valley (April 25-May 9, 1868).—This valley is one of the most beautiful in Nevada. Its form is that of an amphitheater inclosed DESCRIPTION OF CAMPS. 345 on all sides by mountains, the lofty, snow-capped, and pine-clad Washoe spur of the Sierra Nevada on the west, and the high desert range known as the Comstock or Virginia Mountains on the east, with ranges of elevated hills connecting the two on the north and south sides of the valley. Enter- ing this park from the south, Washoe Lake is seen, shining like silver, to the right, while the steep slopes of the dark-green Sierra form an abrupt wall on the left, the pine forests projecting, in places, upon the grassy valley in beau- tiful groves, destitute of undergrowth and carpeted by a clean green-sward. In these groves Purple Finches (Carpodacus cassini) sweetly warbled, and the Robins sang their mellow carols, while Magpies and Woodpeckers (Pica hudsonica and Melanerpes torquatus) sported among the trees. Higher up in one of these groves, where alder thickets grew along the stream, the Thick- billed Sparrow (Passerella megarhyncha) delighted us with its rich and pow- erful song, while Blue Jays (Cyanura frontalis) and Woodpeckers (Picus albo- larvatus and Sphyrapicus thyroideus) were seen on every hand. After leaving these pine groves and crossing the valley to the edge of the lake, we noticed numbers of Terns (Sterna regia, S. fosteri, and Hydrochelidon lariformis) flitting and hovering over the water, while the surface of the lake itself was dotted with swimming-birds, among which were identified the Coot (Fulica americana), Grebes (Podiceps occidentalis and. P. californicus), besides several of the commoner ducks. 10. Steamboat Valley (January 3-5, 1867; May 9, 1868)—On account of an accident to our vehicle while returning from Pyramid Lake, we were obliged to stop at the way-side hotel in this valley for repairs. The delay, however, was compensated by the pleasure of making some desira- ble additions to our collection. The ground was covered with snow, so that many birds flocked to the neighborhood of the buildings for food, and from among these were obtained specimens of Eremophila alpestris, Sialia arctica, Colaptes mexicanus, C. “ hybridus” (one specimen), and Pica hudsonica ; while from a willow thicket in the meadow near by were secured a pair of Otus wilsonianus. Another portion of this valley, the narrow cafion of a stream flowing from Washoe Peak, we passed through on the 9th of May, 1868, after 346 ORNITHOLOGY. leaving Washoe Valley, and observed, for the first time that spring, Den- draca estiva, Cyanospiza amena, and Icterus bullocki.. 11. Carson City, Nevada (November 25-December 4, 1867; January 13—April 29, 1868).—Carson City (altitude 4,700 feet) constituted a central point from which investigations radiated to localities of very dissimilar char- acter; the pine-forests of the Sierra Nevada to the west, and the scant groves of low gnarled cedars and pifion on the otherwise bare ranges to the eastward; the grassy valley of the Carson River, with its thickets of small willows; the cultivated fields, and the general open waste of sage-brush plain. a. Pines of the Sierra Nevada. The pine-forests of the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada had origin- ally extended from the timber-line, near the summits of these high mount- ains, down to their very base, ceasing abruptly where the valley began, except in a few places where they stood out in scattered groves upon the edge of the gentle slope at their foot; and, although composed of trees far less tall and massive than those on the western slope, were yet quite as dense and continuous, where left untouched by the hand of man. But, ! The dates of arrival of spring birds in western Nevada, in 1868, were as follows, so far as noted :— Along the shore of Washoe Lake. 1. PUNCA AMCTICA NA 6 soe serce es he wee ee wits ie ex May 9. 2. Sterna regia ........-. 0.2200 0 eee eee Sea dai igiiatekis May 9. 3. Hydrochelidon lariformis ..............2. sees. eee May 9. In Steamboat Valley. 4. Dendroeca @8tiva.s...... eee ce eee ccc eee nee eee May 9. 5. Cyanospiza amcena...-.....-...... Solaygee sha o's Stamens May 9. 6. Icterus bullocki............ Bean Oe ene oe ere ee ok May 9. Along the Truckee, at Truckee Meadows. 7. Geothlypis trichas...... 0.0 22. eee ce eee cece eens May 10. 8. Icteria longicauda....... 2.0.2.2 ..ce sce ecee neee cece May 10. 9. Pyranga ludoviciana ...-...2... 6626. eee eee ee eee May 10. In the lower Truckee Valley. 10. Carpodacus frontalis................... pieSok ese May 13. 11. Amphispiza bilineata.............00...0 00.0. c2. cee May 18. 12. Rhyacophilus solitarius...........0...0 000.2020 eee May 13. 13. Hedymeles melanocephalus .............. 00....4. -. May 14, DESCRIPTION OF CAMPS. 347 unfortunately, the most accessible portions of this forest had been almost completely destroyed by the incessant cutting of timber to supply the market of western Nevada. These woods were composed of several species of pines and spruces, but the Pinus ponderosa was the prevailing growth. We have no notes respecting the size of the largest timber, but probably few trees exceeded 150 feet in height, and we saw none of more than four feet in diameter. The undergrowth was in places very dense, and consisted mainly of a shining-leafed evergreen Ceanothus and other bushes of similar appearance. Owing to the distance to the base of the mountains and the difficulty of ascending to the dense pine timber of the higher portions of the mountains, we seldom penetrated farther than to the edge of the uncut forest, where the characteristic birds of the pines were found to be abundant. The most common species were the Mountain Jay (Cyanura Jrontalis), Clarke’s Nutcracker (Picicorvus columbianus), Nuthatches (Sitta aculeata and S. pygmea), Mountain Chickadees (Parus montanus), and, in the early spring, Carpodacus cassini. The winter residents of the pines, besides those named above, were the following: — Sialia mexicana.............. Common. | Colaptes mexicanus.......... Common. Certhia americana............ Common. | Bubo subarcticus ............ Common. Regulus satrapa.............. Rare. Falco sparverius ....-......... Common. Lophophanes inornatus....... Common. | Nisus cooperi..-.........-... Rare. Picus harrisi............-..-. Common. | Aquila canadensis............ Common. Picus albolarvatus ........... Common. | Archibuteo sancti-johannis.... Abundant. Picoides arcticus............. Rare. Buteo calurus .......-.....-. Common. Sphyrapicus thyroideus....... Common. | Oreortyx pictus.............. Common. Sphyrapicus nuchalis ..... .. One spec. In the spring, besides Carpodacus cassini, the following species were added to the list:— Pipilo chlorurus (ravines).........-.-+2-+eeee cree eee April 25. Melanerpes torquatus (scattered pines).......-..-+-+--- April 25. Cyanocitta californica (foot-hills)...-.........--05005- April 29. Melospiza lincolni (foot-hills). 01. 2. see eee ccc eee ees April 29. Myiadestes townsendi (pine forests).....--.---+-----. May 4. b. Cedar and piiion groves of the desert mountains. The scant groves of stunted cedars and pifion on several ranges to the eastward are the only approach to woods on the desert mountains. In 348 ORNITHOLOGY. these scattered groves the two trees above named are mingled, their relative abundance varying with the locality, one or the other of them sometimes alone constituting the entire growth, the greater sterility of the soil being indicated by the prevalence of the Juniperus. These trees are usually diminutive, rarely exceeding fifteen feet in height, while their average is hardly more than ten or twelve feet; their trunks are usually large in pro- portion, however, and twisted and gnarled into an unsightly shape. In such woods, near Carson City, we found only the Blue Nutcracker (Gymno- kitta cyanocephala), Sialia arctica, Pica hudsonica, Lophophanes inornatus, and. Oreortyx pictus, with an occasional Spizella breweri, Collurio excubitoroides, and Colaptes mexicanus, with now and then a straggling flock of Psaltri- parus plumbeus, the.latter, however, most usually seen in the ravines. The Empidonax obscurus was an additional summer resident, arriving about April 20. ‘ce. The meadows and sage-brush plains. The plain upon which Carson City is situated consists of the usual sage-brush waste, changing, however, to meadows along the foot of the Sierra Nevada, where the soil is watered by brooks and rivulets from the mountains. The winter residents of this section were: Anthus ludovicianus, Collurio excubitoroides, Plectrophanes lapponicus, Eremophila alpestris, Amphispiza nevadensis, Sturnella neglecta, Speotyto hypogea in the sage-brush and meadows of the plain, and Turdus migratorius, Sialia mexicana, Regulus calendula, Troglodytes parkmanni, Collurio borealis, Zono- trichia intermedia, Junco oregonus, Spizella monticola, and Pipilo oregonus among the more bushy fields at the base of the Sierra. Besides the foregoing, Corvus carnivorus and Pica hudsonica were abundant about the slaughter-houses, while Xanthocephalus icterocephalus and Scolecophagus cyanocephalus frequented the vicinity of corrals. In the spring, the follow- ing species were added to this fauna:— Sayornis sayus (about buildings). .........2.0 0.00000. March 12. Salpinctes obsoletus (rocky places). .....-.0...0.00005 March 20. Oreoscoptes montanus (sage-brush)....-..... 2 ceeeee March 24. Tachycineta bicolor (about buildings)................. March 25. Passerculus alaudinus (meadows)..............2. 000. March 28, Pooecetes confinis (sage-brush and meadows).......... April 1. DESCRIPTION OF CAMPS. 349 Rhinogryphus aura (everywhere). ...... 2.20.2 0.00 ees April 2. Hirundo horreorum (about barns)..........22.020000- April 8. Spizella breweri (sage-brush)......0. 22... cceee sees April 9. Stelgidopteryx serripennis (ravine banks) .........--. April 15. Progne subis (about buildings)..... 00 .ee eee eee eee April 23. Zenedura carolinensis (everywhere)... 2.2. .2ee sees April 23. Chondestes grammaca (sage-brush)....... ..2-.. c000-- May 3. Petrochelidon lunifrons (about barns)........... -.+-. May 4. d. Valley of Carson River. The prominent characteristics of the valley proper of the Carson River consisted of meadow-lands, with dense willow thickets near the river. In the latter, the winter birds were the following species: Turdus migratorius, Regulus calendula, Certhia americana, Troglodytes parkmanni, T. hyemalis, Dendraca auduboni, Zonotrichia intermedia, Melospiza heermanni, Passerella schistacea, Pipilo oregonus, Pica hudsonica, Picus harrist, Colaptes mecicanus, and Otus wilsonianus. “The marshes were inhabited by Zelma- todytes paludicola, Melospiza heermanni, Circus hudsonius, and Botawrus minor. The water-fowl of the valley were, Branta canadensis, B. hutchinsi, Anas . boschas, Aythya americana, A. vallisneria, ‘Bucephala americana, B. albeola, Fuliz marila, F. collaris, Erismatura rubida, Podiceps occidentalis, P. cali- Sornicus, and Podilymbus podiceps; while along the streams were found Angialitis vociferus and Cinclus mexicanus, with the addition of Tringoides macularius after April 29. 12. Virginia City, Nevada, (January 5, 6, and June 10-20, 1868).— Virginia City is situated on the southern slope of Mount Davidson, one of the highest peaks of the Virginia or Comstock range, about midway between the base and summit of the mountain, at a total altitude of near 6,200 feet. The surrounding mountains are of an arid nature, the nearest timber being the few cotton-woods along the bank of the Carson River, several miles distant. The birds observed in the town or its vicinity were exceedingly few in number, those occurring during the breeding-season being species which build their nests in caves, old buildings, or similar places. The most common species was the House Finch (Carpodacus Jrontalis), which was abundant about all old buildings, even in the most populous portions of the city; while the Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) was 350 ORNITHOLOGY. . to be found about every abandoned shaft or dilapidated building. Stalia arctica was also frequently seen on the houses, particularly in the outskirts of the town, and neste] in the eaves or in any suitable place, in company with the House Finch. All the Swallows were extremely rare, but one individual, a solitary Purple Martin (Progne subis), having been seen or heard during the time of our residence, although it is said to be common -at times. During winter time, all these birds disappear, by descending to the milder valleys, excepting the Sialia, which itself leaves during severe storms. Snow Birds (Junco oregonus) and Sparrows (Spizella monticola and Zonotrichia intermedia) resort to the door-yards for crumbs, and on one occasion (January 6, 1868) we observed a large flock of Gray-headed Purple Finches (Leucosticte littoralis) gleaning over the snow‘in the outskirts of the city. 13. Carson River, seven miles above Fort Churchill (June 23, 1868).—The valley of the river was here heavily wooded with cotton-woods (Populus monilifera and P. trichocarpa), with the usual undergrowth of willows, buffalo- berry bushes, etc. Near by, a range of hills fronted the river in a bold cliff of basaltic rock, while the general surroundings were the usual sage- brush plains, hills, and mountains. The birds observed here were the following :— Turdus migratorius. Sialia mexicana. Salpinctes obsoletus. Catherpes conspersus. Troglodytes parkmanni. Dendreca estiva. Icteria longicauda. Petrochelidon lunifrons. Collurio excubitoroides. Carpodacus froittalis. Chondestes grammaca. Cyanospiza amoena. Pipilo oregonus. Amphispiza bilineata. Amphispiza nevadenses. Sturnella neglecta. Icterus bullocki. Contopus richardsoni. Myiarchus cinerascens, Tyranuus verticalis. Picus harrisi. Colaptes mexicanus. Antrostomus nuttalli. Nephecetes borealis. Falco sparverius. Buteo swainsoni. Tringoides macularius. Nephacetes borealis was the most abundant species, flying over the cotton- wood trees in the morning in immense numbers. Antrostomus nuttalli and Icteria longicauda both sang throughout the night. DESCRIPTION OF CAMPS. 351 14. Fort Churchill, Carson River’ (June 21, 1868)—In general character the valley at this point resembled the place just described. The species observed here were as follows: — Troglodytes parkmanni. Sturnella neglecta. Sialia mexicana. Scolecophagus cyanocephalus. Dendreca estiva. Tyrannus verticalis. Icteria longicauda. Myiarchus cinerascens. Myiodioctes pusillus. Contopus richardsoni. Vireo swainsoni. Picus harrisi. Amphispiza bilineata. Colaptes mexicanus. Amphispiza nevadensis. Falco sparverius. Spizella breweri. Buteo swainsoni. Cyanospiza amena, Buteo calurus. Pipilo oregouus. All these species seemed to be breeding, but, owing to the fact that the valley was mostly inundated from a late freshet, it was found-to be impos- sible to explore the locality for nests. 15. Nevada Station (June 25, 1868).—This place was merely a stage- station in the midst of an inhospitable desert, upon which a few stunted grease-wood bushes constituted the only vegetation in the immediate vicinity. The only birds seen about the station were the ever-present Mourning Doves (Zenedura carolinensis) and a single pair of Sayornis sayus, the latter having a nest in one of the out-buildings. The former was particularly abundant about a hill of calcareous tufu, containing many caverns, some distance from the house, the Salpinctes obsoletus being also common there. On the plain, only Eremophila alpestris, Amphispiza bilineata, and Rhinogryphus aura were found. 16. Soda Lake, Carson Desert (June 27, 1868. Altitude, 3,906 feet)— This most remarkable spot consisted of a cistern-like depression in the midst of the desert, containing a nearly circular lake of about a mile in circuit, and with nearly vertical walls seventy-five, or perhaps a hundred, feet high. Seen from the top of this wall the water appeared very clear, while the bottom was distinctly visible far out toward the center, where the depth seemed to be immense, since the floor of pure white borate of soda ended abruptly, aftcr which the water was a deep, dark blue. Springs of fresh 1 Altitude, 4,284 feet. 352 ORNITHOLOGY. water issued from the walls at several places, and upon their borders the vegetation was excessively luxuriant, in consequence of protection from winds by their great distance below the general surface of the desert, as well as the constant moisture of the spot; this vegetation consisted chiefly of tall tule, rank grasses and sedges, and rose-briers. Elsewhere, the entire country was a sandy waste, with a scant growth of the ordinary desert shrubs, which within the walls of the lake were more thrifty than elsewhere. The most abundant bird of this place was a very small, and clamorous, grebe (perhaps Podiceps californicus), which kept out of gunshot from the shore; next in numbers were the Avocets (Recurvirostra americana), multitudes of which ran along the beach, scooping up the dead insects which blackened the water around the margin of the lake; mixed with these were a few Stilts (Himantopus mexicanus). A few pairs of Gulls (Larus californicus), which were nesting on a large rock away out in the lake, completed the list of water-birds of this locality. Among the land-birds we noticed only the Oreoscoptes montanus, Amphispiza bilineata, and a remarkable species, probably Pheenopepla nitens, which we tried in vain to secure. A few rods distant. was another somewhat similar, but smaller and shallower, lake, where large numbers of Avocets and a few Stilts were breeding on the numerous islands of borax in the shallow water. 17. Sand Springs Station (June 29, 1868).—This locality is in the midst of the desert, the country being extremely barren, with an immense hill of shifting sand near the station. Only the ordinary desert birds were found here, the following being the species: Amphispiza bilineata, Evremophila alpestris, Corvus carnivorus, Zencedura. carolinensis, and Rhinogryphus aura. 18. Fairview Valley (June 29, 1868).—This locality presented the usual characteristics of a sage-brush valley, with no conspicuous or interesting features. The entire region was so dry that water for the use of the station had to be hauled in wagons the distance of twelve miles. The only birds observed. were the following: Amphispiza bilineata, A. nevadensis, Chon- destes grammaca, Eremophila alpestris, and Speotyto hypogea. 19. Edwards Creek (June 30, 1868).—At this camp, where there was no shrubbery along the stream other than a more thrifty growth of sage-brush DESORIPTION OF CAMPS. 353 and grease-wood than that elsewhere upon the plain, only the following species of birds were observed: Oreoscoptes montanus, Spizella breweri, and Speotyto hypogea. 20. Humboldt Marshes, near the ‘‘ Sink” (Altitude, 3,893 feet ; August 26- October 31, 1867).—Although a week was spent at this camp, the state of our health permitted the use of but one day for collecting, which is much to be regretted, since we have never seen another locality where water-fowl so abounded. ‘The writer was a victim of malarial fever, which was only aggravated by the nature of the surroundings. The marshes were miles in extent and almost entirely covered by a dense growth of tule, except where the river meandered through, now and then expanding into a small lake. These marshes were surrounded by a bare plain, consisting in the winter season of mud, but at this time baked perfectly dry and hard by the heat of the sun, except-in the more depressed portions, which were covered by a deep deposit of snow-white “alkali.” From these extensive flats, desert plains lead away to the barren mountains on either side, whose summits are bare and rugged eruptive rocks, of weird forms and strange colors. Upon the whole, the entire region was one of the most desolate and forbidding that could be imagined, and in these respects is probably not surpassed by any other portion of the land of “alkali” and the “everlasting sage-brush.” The effuvium from the putrid water and decaying vegetation of the marshes was at times sickening, while at night the torments of millions of the most voracious mosquitoes added to the horrors of the place.!. The land-birds of this desolate locality were very few, a solitary raven, hoarsely croaking, being now and then seen winging his way to or from the distant mountains, an occasional Desert Lark (Eremophila chrysolema) in the scanty sage-brush or on the bare plain, or a few Savanna Sparrows in the salt-grass of the meadows, comprising all that were seen. The water-fowl, however, were extremely numerous, and consisted of many species, of which the following were identified: Tringa bairdi, T. minutilla, Ereunetes pusillus, Symphemia semipalmata, Recurvirostra americana, Himantopus meaicanus, Falcinellus 1 The reader may be surprised, if not incredulous, when told that the mosquitoes and other insects sometimes came in such swarms about the candles in the camp as to extinguish the lights in a few moments! 23 PR 304 ORNITHOLOGY. thalassinus (extremely abundant); Fulica americana, Erismatura rubida, Sterna, regia, and S. forsteri. This, however, is but a small proportion of the species inhabiting these marshes, since without a boat we had no means of invading the haunts of the more wary kinds. On the 31st of October the same place was again visited, and several birds not seen during our summer stay were noted. Crows (Corvus americanus) were walking about the door-yard with the familiarity of domesticated birds; a Falcon (Falco poly- agrus) was seen to dash into a flock of tame pigeons belonging to the station, while from an Indian we obtained the fresh skin of a Lesser Snow-Goose (Anser albatus). 21. Humboldt River, at Oreana (August 30-September 3. Altitude, 4,036 feet).—At this place the valley of the Humboldt was, as usual, destitute of trees, the only woody vegetation near the river being the thick clumps of small willows on the points and around the sloughs. The greater por- tion of the valley consisted of meadows of salt-grass, but back toward the mesa this gradually gave way to an unusually tall and vigorous growth of grease-wood and sage-brush. In the latter, the most common bird was the Oreoscoptes montanus, another abundant species being Amphispiza nevaden- sis; on the meadows, Xanthocephalus icterocephalus, Molothrus ater, Ageleus pheniceus, and Sturnella neglecta; in the willows, Melospiza fallax, Den- draeca estiva, Vireosylvia swainsoni, and Collurio excubitoroides ; Swallows, particularly H. horreorwm, were common in the air, while large flocks of the Green Ibis, or ‘‘ Black Curlew” (Falcinellus thalassinus), were almost con- stantly passing up and down the river, now and then alighting to feed for awhile in a slough hidden among the willows. This camp was finally aban- doned on account of a severe form of malarial fever having attacked nearly the entire party, the disease having been contracted at our previous camp— the Humboldt marshes. 22. Wright’s Canon, West Humboldt Mountains (September 3-13, 1867. Altitude, 4,881 feet)—Wright’s Cafion was supplied with a brook, which, though of considerable volume during the rainy season, was inter- mittent through the dry summer months. The water ran briskly at night and in the cool hours of morn and evening, but during the hotter DESCRIPTION OF CAMPS. 35D portion of the day could be found only in pockets of the rocks, the bed of the stream, or cool nooks completely shaded by overhanging bushes. Bordering this stream, in its entire extent, the vegetation was lux- uriant, compared to that of other sections, the shrubbery consisting princi- pally of a thick growth of a small cornel (Cornus pubescens), from six to ten feet high, often canopied by the trailing stems and delicate foliage of a species of Clematis. There were also clumps of wild roses and a few willows, interspersed at intervals with patches of elder (Sambucus glauca) and thickets of choke-cherries (Prunus andersoni and P. virginianus). No woods were in sight, but on the slopes of the cafion were small, scattered cedars (Juniperus occidentalis), while a few isolated small aspens were distributed far apart along the’stream. During midday the water of the brook being confined to small pools where shaded by the overhanging shrubbery, or in “ pockets” of the rocks in the bed of the stream, the birds resorted to these little reservoirs to refresh themselves in the shade of the thickets or by bathing in the cool water. The characteristic birds of this cafion were Woodhouse’s Jay (Cyanocitta woodhousii), Little Titmouse (Psaltriparus plumbeus), and Swainson’s Vireo (Vireosylvia swainsont). Besides these, the following species were found: Salpinctes obsoletus, Icteria longicauda, Myiodioctes pusillus, Amphispiza bilineata, Pipilo chlorurus, Troglodytes parkmanni, Zonotrichia inter- media, Hedymeles melanocephalus, Lanivireo cassimi, Geothlypis macgillivrayt, Pica hudsonica, Ectopistes migratoria (!), and Sayornis sayus. The most abun- dant birds of the locality were the Psaltriparus, Vireosylvia, Myiodioctes, and Zonotrichia, above mentioned, the specimen of Ectopistes being the only one observed during the entire exploration. 23. Buena Vista Canon, West Humboldt Mountains (September 17- October 23. Altitude, 5,169 feet)—The general aspect of this locality was that of Wright’s Cafion, on the opposite side of the range, except that its stream was constant and much larger, with a wider extent of level land on each side, and correspondingly more extensive shrubbery, which, at the same time, was more vigorous and varied. This consisted chiefly of a thick growth of buffalo-berry bushes, willows, and wild-rose briers in the lower portion of the cafion, and higher up of choke-cherry and rose bushes, mixed with extensive copses of small aspens. The slopes on each side 356 ORNITHOLOGY. were sparingly covered with scattered groves of “cedar,” pifion, and “mountain mahogany,” while the summits of the mountains were for the most part bare and rocky, but not sufficiently high to retain snow during summer, their elevation ranging from 8,000 to 10,000 feet. The birds found at this locality during our stay were the following: — Turdus migratorius ..:.... Abundant. Passerculus alaudinus. .... Common. Cinclus mexicanus ......-. Common. Pipilo oregonus.....-..--- Rare. Regulus ealendula .. ..... Common. Pipilo megalonyx ....----- Common. Regulus satrapa ...--. ...- Rare. Scolecophagus cyanocepha- Sialia arctica ..........--- Abundant. MWShecc ccccees ica rnitiescia'she Very abund’t. Salpinctes obsoletus....... Abundant. Agelazus pheeniceus. ....-. Common. Psaltriparus plumbeus..... Abundant. Ageleus gubernator ...... Rare. Anthus ludovicianus ...-.-- Rare. Icterus bullocki........... Rare. Helminthophaga celata.... Abundant. Sturnella neglecta ........ Common. Helminthophaga Iutescens. Rare. Pica hudsonica ........... Abundant. Dendreeca auduboni....... Abundant. Cyanocitta woodhousii -..Common. Myiodioctes pusillus.....-- Abundant. Corvus carnivorus ........ Common. Lanivireo solitarius ....-... Rare. Eremophila alpestris .-.... Common. Lanivireo cassini........-. Rare. Sayornis sayus...-.. Sresgeetaes Common. Carpodacus frontalis ...... Common. Empidonax obscurus ...... fare. Zonotrichia coronata...... One specimen,| Colaptes mexicanus. .. .. Common. Zonotrichia intermedia .... Very abund’t.| Colaptes auratus?. ... .... One specimen. Junco oregonus.......-... Very abund’t.| Nisus cooperi-..-.--- pines Rare. Melospiza fallax .......... Very abund@t.| Zeneedura carolinensis. .... Rare. Melospiza guttata......... Very rare. Centrocercus urophasianus. Rare. The most abundant of these was the Scolecophagus cyanocephalus. 24. Toyabe Mountains, near Austin (July 2-5, 1868).—On the western slope of this lofty range, near its northern extremity, at an altitude of about 6,500 feet, our camp was established in a cafion adjoining the out- skirts of the above-named town. The cafions and principal ravines in this neighborhood were well watered by brooks and rivulets, whose course was followed by shrubbery from their sources to the valleys. At the heads of these cafions extensive copses of small aspens and choke-cherry bushes prevailed, while 2,000 feet below, or near our camp, thrifty bushes of Symphoricarpus montanus were the predominating growth. Corresponding in altitude with the aspens, were scant groves of stunted mountain mahogany, growing upon the summits or ridges of the mountains; but on the lower slopes a thin wood of cedar and pifion prevailed. In sight, to the south- . DESCRIPTION OF CAMPS. 357 ward, the magnificent snow-capped peaks of the higher portion of the range were seen to be timbered with pine and fir forests, but no opportunity was afforded‘to visit these. The species observed in the neighborhood of our camp were the following: In the lower portions of the cafion, Pipilo chlorurus among the snow-berry bushes, Pooecetes confinis on the weed-clad and grassy slopes, Spizella brewert, Cyanospiza amena, Antrostomus nuttalli, Oreoscoptes montanus, Eremophila alpestris, Chondestes grammaca, Amphispiza nevadensis, and Stur- nella neglecta in the sage-brush—from the valley-level tu 2,000 feet above camp; Empidonax obscurus and Vireosylvia swainsoni in the aspen copses; Hedymeles melanocephalus, Icterus bullocki, and Pipilo megalonyx in the shrub- bery along the streams; Tyrannus verticalis, Myiarchus cinerascens, Spizella arizone, Scolecophagus cyanocephalus, and Gymnokitta cyanocephala in the cedar and pifion groves, while Turdus migratorius occurred in all wooded localities; Sialia arctica, Hirundo horreorum, Tachycineta thalassina, Petrochelidon -luni- Jrons, and Salpinctes obsoletus nested about out-buildings or in old mining- shafts, while species of indiscriminate distribution were Rhinogryphus aura, Buteo calurus, B. swainsoni, Archibuteo (ferrugineus?), Aquila canadensis, Chordeiles henryi, Collurio excubitoroides, Corvus carnivorus, and Zencedura carolinensis. It was here that we met with the first specimen of Panyptila saxatilis, a solitary individual having been observed to pass swiftly over one of the higher hills. 25. ‘Camp 19,” Ruby Valley and Ruby Mountains (July 12-September 5.) Altitude of Camp, 6,300 feet—This camp was the base of extensive researches in all directions, both the mountains upon whose foot-slope we were encamped and the valley below us being included within the field of investigation. The valley was of the same character that sage-brush valleys usually are, except that its depressed center was occupied by an extensive marsh, known as ‘Ruby Lake,” the receptacle of the numerous springs of pure, cold water which burst from the base of the limestone mountains on the western side of the valley. This marsh is so filled with tule that the meandering channels of clear water can only be seen from the mountains, from which they appear as narrow silver threads in the dark-green rush- 358 ORNITHOLOGY. meadows. The birds observed in the valley adjacent to this camp were the following species: In the sagebrush, Oreoscoptes montanus, Chondestes grammaca, Spizella breweri, Amphispiza nevadensis, Antrostomus -nuttalli, Chordeiles henryi, and Zenedura carolinensis; on the meadows, Passerculus alaudinus, Coturniculus perpallidus, and Grus canadensis; in the brier thickets, Geothlypis trichas; and in the marshes, Telmatodytes paludicola, Xanthocephalus icterocephalus, Fulica americana, Anas boschas, and Sterna forsteri. The mountains above this camp are exceedingly complicated in their varied characteristics and in the distribution of their bird-life. The main caiions, at right-angles with the trend of the range, become contracted in their lower portion, where their sides consist of vertical limestone cliffs, many of which are 200 to 300 feet in height; similar cliffs also crop out, in places, near the summit of the range, standing singly, like immense walls, from each side of which the slopes lead down to the bottom of the cafions. The altitude of the valley at the base of the mountains is about 6,000 feet above sea-level, while the summits of the range are from 9,000 to upwards of 12,000 feet high. The cafions here support nearly all the shrubbery and herbaceous vegetation, while only the spurs and higher slopes are wooded. The lower portion of the streams within the cafion is followed by the usual shrubbery of cafion streams, which here consisted chiefly of choke-cherry, snow-berry (Symphoricarpus), and. service-berry (Amelanchier canadensis) bushes, the remainder of the cafion, where not occupied by rocks, being covered with the ordinary sage-brush plants. About half way to, the summit, however, the cliffs cease, the cafion sides gradually become less abrupt and wider apart, and at this elevation the gently-inclined slopes are overspread with a luxuriant meadow in which various plants with showy flowers abound. The sage-brush still predominates, however, until the lower edge of the side-slopes of the ‘‘saddles” between the peaks of the range are reached, when the vegetation is transformed into a garden, as it were, so numerous and showy are the flowers, among which the scarlet Castilleias and Gilias, and blue Pentstemons and Delphineums are most conspicuous, from the circumstance that they give the prevailing hues to the meadows. These flowery slopes reach up to the fields of snow, which are found in all shaded spots, and, at a proper elevation, even in places DESCRIPTION OF CAMPS. 359° constantly exposed to the sun. The woods of this range begin at the base of the “spurs” between the cafions, and continue, in successive belts, to the timber-line, as follows: From the valley level, thick and extensive woods, composed exclusively of cedar and pifion, extend for 2,000 or 2,500 feet, when they gradually give way to more scant groves of mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius), which, however, scarcely extend higher than 3,500 feet above the valley. Beyond this altitude no trees of these species are met with, for on the higher peaks they are replaced by forests of pines (Pinus flexilis and P. balfowriana), with an undergrowth of. hardy shrubs. These pine trees are not tall, the highest not exceeding thirty or forty feet, but they have trunks of comparatively large size; and it was observed that when growing in situations where exposed to the wind, which here constantly blows from one direction, all the branches of these trees are bent away from the wind, or, indeed, grow only upon that side, while the shrubs underneath are pressed flat to the ground in the same direction. During our investigations among these mountains, the following species were observed, between July 12 and the 5th of September :— Shrubbery of cation streams. Icteria longicauda......... Rare. Cyanospiza amoena.......- Common. Geothlypis macgillivrayi...Abundant. Pipilo megalonpyx. ........ Very rare. Myiodioetes pusillus......- Rare. Pipilo chlorurus........-.. Common. Dendreeca estiva.......... Common. Icterus bullocki........... Common. Melospiza fallax .........- Rare. Empidonax pusillus....... Common. Hedymeles melanocephalus. Common. Tower woods. Turdus migratorius........ Common. | Iecterus bullocki. ......... Common. Parus montanus...... .... Rare. Scolecophagus cyanocepha- Psaltriparus plumbeus..... Rare. MOSH as Bones ceed Common. Psaltriparus melanotis? ...One specimen.| Picicorvus columbianus. ... Rare. Troglodytes parkmanni... Common. Gymnokitta cyanocephala. . Rare. Helminthophaga virginiz.. Common. Cyanocitta woodhousii. .... Rare. Dendreeca nigrescens. --... Common. Tyrannus verticalis........Abundant. Pyranga ludoviciana. ...... Common. Myiarchus cinerascens. .... Common. Lanivireo plumbeus......- Common. Contopus richardsoni...... Common. Vireosylvia swainsoni..... Common. Empidonax obscurus ...... Common. Collurio excubitoroides. . ... Common. Chordeiles henryi......... Abundant. Carpodacus cassini(Aug.10) Abundant. Picus harrisi....-......... Rare. Loxia leucoptera (Aug. 12).One specimen.| Colaptes mexicanus ....... Rare. Spizella arizonz ..... te crores Very abund’t.| Zenzdura carolinensis. ..-. Abundant. 360 ORNITHOLOGY. Alpine woods. Turdus migratorius.. ..... Common. Chrysomitris pinus....-... Abundant. Sialia arctica. ...... ...-.. Abundant. Spizella arizonz.......... Common. Carpodacus cassini........ Abundant. Pipilo chlorurus........... Common. Cliffs and rocky places. Salpinctes obsoletus...-.-.. . Abundant. Falco polyagrus........--- Common. Catherpes conspersus...... Common. Falco nevius ........--+-- Fare. Tacbycineta thalassina .... Abundant. Falco sparverius ...-.-..-. Abundant. Hirundo horreorum........ Common. Aquila canadensis.. ...-.. Common. Petrochelidon lunifrons.... Very abund’t.| Buteo calurus....... dees Common. Sayornis sayus......-..-.- Rare. Buteo swainsoni .....-..-. Common. Panyptila saxatilis...... .. Very abund’t, Open meadows. Pooecetes confinis. Common. | Trochilus alexandri......-.. Common. Chondestes grammaca... .Common. Selasphorus platycercus ... Very abund’t. Stellula calliope....-..--.-. Abundant. - 26. Overland Ranche, Ruby Valley (August 28-September 3).—The characteristics of both valley and mountains were quite different from those at “Camp 19,” although both were a continuation of the same. The lime- stone formations of the southern portion of the range had become trans- formed to steeper and more rugged granite peaks, the highest. of which towered to an altitude of about 12,000 feet, while, owing to their granitic structure and extreme ruggedness, their slopes and spurs were almost desti- tute of vegetation. The cafions, however, supported a luxuriant growth of shrubs and other plants, with here and there small copses or groves of aspen and narrow-leafed cotton-wood (Populus angustifolia), the copses and thickets having usually an undergrowth of briery rosaceous shrubs, but these, in places, were replaced by a carpeting of beautiful ferns. Unlike localities farther southward in this valley, this shrubbery was continued across the valley, on the borders of the stream, to the meadows which extend to the shores of Franklin Lake. The meadow-lands of the valley had become transformed by cultivation into broad fields of grain, more than a thousand acres of the valley being thus reclaimed. The lake, which occupied the more depressed portion of the valley, was simply an enlarge- ment of Ruby Lake, containing in its central portion a wide expanse of open water, in which thousands of water-fowl dwelt secure from the gunner— DESCRIPTION OF CAMPS. 361 _the lack of a boat rendering them inaccessible. During the short season of our stay at this locality the following species were identified: — In the marshes and meadows. Geothlypis trichas ........ Common. Grus canadensis :.-....... Common. Passerculus alaudinus..... Very abund@t. | Botaurus minor. .......... Common. Coturniculus perpallidus ..Common. Falcinellus guarauna.. ... Abundant. Dolichonyx oryzivorus .... Abundant. Fulica americana ......... Abundant. Xanthocephalus icterocepha- Branta canadensis ........ Common. HS Gu bac teres se yet Abundant. Anas boschas............. Common. Agelzeus phosniceus.... .. Abundant. Sterna forsteri.. ... ..... Common. Sturnella neglecta. ......., Abundant. Hydrochelidon lariformis .. Abundant. Circus hudsonius....... .. Common. Podiceps cristatus ........ Common. . Along the stream. AXgialitis vociferus........ Abundant. Tringoides macularius. .... Common. Gallinago wilsoni......... Common. In the sage-brush. Spizella breweri .......... Abundant. Oreoscoptes montanus .... Common. Chondestes grammaca.... . Common. Zenedura carolinensis. .... Abundant. Pooecetes confinis ........ Common. In the cation. Turdus migratorius . ..... Abundant. Melospiza fallax .......... Common. Turdus swainsoni ........ Common. Cyanospiza amo@ua ....... Common. Trolodytes parkmanni... .Common. Pipilo chlorurus .......... Common. Dendreeca estiva ......... Common. Icterus bullocki....... ... Common. Dendreea occidentalis ....Rare. Cyanocitta woodhousii .... Rare. Dendreeca townsendi...... Rare. Tyrannus verticalis ....... Abundant. Myiodioctes pusillus ..... Common. Contopus richardsoni.. .... Common. Geothlypis macgillivrayi ..Common. Empidonax pusillus....... Common. Geothlypis trichas ........ Rare. Empidonax hammondi .... Common. Iecteria longicauda .. .... Rare. Selasphorus platycercus ... Abundant. Vireosylvia swainsoni ..... Abundant. Ceryle aleyon............. Rare. Loxia americana. ........ Common. Nisus cooperi..-.......... Rare. Loxia leucoptera ......... Common. All of the species in the latter list were found along the entire length of the stream, from the lower end of the shrubbery away out in the valley to the upper portion of the caiion, with the exception of Dendreca occidentalis, D. townsendi, Loxia leucoptera, and Empidonax hammondi, which we found only in the aspen copses, far up the cation. Turdus migratorius, T. swainsoni, Loxia americana, and Selasphorus platycercus were also more abundant high up the.cafion than elsewhere. 362 ORNITHOLOGY. On the foot-hills of the range, on each side the cafion, were a few scattered mountain mahogany and cedar trees, and among these we found Helminthophaga virginic, Contopus borealis, Empidonax obscurus, and Picicorvus columbianus. A decided step toward a different faunal district, besides the addition of Dolichonyx oryzivorus, Podiceps cristatus, Turdus swainsoni, Dendreca townsendi, D. occidentalis, Loxia americana, L. leucoptera, E’mpidonax ham- mondi, and Contopus borealis to our list of birds, was the circumstance that the large white-tailed hare, Lepus campestris, replaced the black-tailed L. callotis, which, up to this time, had been the only one observed. Species of general distribution observed at this locality were as follows: Rhinogryphus aura........-- Common. Hirundo horreorum.......... Common. Aquila canadensis . .-.....Common. | Scolecophagus cyanocephalus. Abundant. Buteo swainsoni ..........-..Common. Colaptes mexicanns. ........ Common. Archibuteo sancti-johannis. .. Common. Corvus carnivorus........... Common. Collurio excubitoroides ...... Common. Zeneedura carolinensis....... Abundant. 27. “Camp 22,” Ruby Valley (September 4-5, 1868).—The surroundings of this camp were much the same as those at the Overland Ranche, except that the valley was uncultivated, while the foot-hills were higher; besides, we had left the marshes behind. The stream was bordered with willows entirely across the valley, while in a marshy spot stood quite an extensive grove of very tall willows and alders. In the latter, considerable numbers of Loxia americana and L. leucoptera were found, besides Dendraca estiva, Empidonax pusillus, and Contopus richardsoni, while Gallinago wilsoni was abundant on marshy ground, where was also a small black Rail, supposed to be Porzana jamaicensis. In the sage-brush were Collurio excubitoroides, Oreoscoptes montanus, Spizella breweri, Pooecetes confinis, and Chondestes grammaca, while along the stream we found Passerculus alaudinus and Melospiza fallax. In an elevated park, at the head of the main cafion in the foot-hills, the following species were observed: Empidonax hammondi, Contopus richardsoni, Chrysomitris pinus, Canace obscura, Ceryle alcyon, Colaptes mexicanus, Buteo swainsoni, Falco sparverius, Zencedura carolinensis, Selasphorus platycercus, Pooecetes confinis, Chondestes grammaca, Spizella breweri, and Pipilo chlorurus. DESCRIPTION OF CAMPS. 363 28. Secret Valley, East Humboldt Mountains (September 6-8, 1868).—. Secret Valley is a small park nestled among high hills, with the East Hum- boldt Mountains proper on the west, and the equally lofty portion of that range. known as the “Clover Mountains” to the eastward. The higher slopes of this valley, especially near the sources of the streams, were clothed with by far the most varied and extensive vegetation we had yet seen east of the Sierra Nevada. The aspens along the streams were from 40 to 70 feet high, some of them being 14 to 2 feet in diameter; while in places they were so numerous as to form considerable groves. Accompanying these aspens, were dense thickets of varied and luxuriant shrubbery, tall alders and willows predominating in the swampy spots, while the slopes were covered with a nearly impenetrable growth of “laurel” bushes (Cean- othus velutinus). On the ridges the mountain mahogany formed groves, while in the lower valleys Amelanchier canadensis, or service berry, grew in great abundance, furnishing food for many species of birds. The birds observed at this place were the following: Among the aspens, Melanerpes torquatus, Colaptes mexicanus, Turdus migratorius, Chrysomitris pinus, Loxia americana, L. leucoptera, Contopus richardsoni, and Empidonaz hammondi. In the shrubbery along the streams, Selasphorus rufus (!\, S. platycercus, Turdus swainsoni, Troglodytes parkmanni, Geothlypis trichas (lower portions), G. mac- gillivrayi, Myiodioctes pusillus, Dendreca cstiva, D. townsend, Empidonax hammondi, Helminthophaga ruficapilla, H. lutescens, H. celata, Vireosylvia swainsoni, Chrysomitris tristis, Melospiza fallax, Zonotrichia intermedia, Cyan- ospiza amena, and Pipilo chlorurus. In the sage-brush, Oreoscoptes montanus, Collurio excubitoroides, Eremophila alpestris, Pooecetes confinis, Chondestes grammaca, Spizella breweri, Sturnella neglecta, Zencedura carolinensis, and Centrocercus urophasianus. Among the mahoganies, Hmpidonax obscurus was the most common species. Salpinctes obsoletus was found in all rocky places, particularly on the ridges; a single individual of Ceryle alcyon was seen along the brook, while Corvus carnivorus, Buteo calurus, Circus hudsonius, and Falco polyagrus were species of irregular distribution. 29. Dearing’s Ranche, Upper Humboldt Valley (September 10-14).— After crossing the East Humboldt range through the pass called Secret 364 ORNITHOLOGY. Valley, we found.the country along the western base of the Clover Mount- ains to be similar to the upper portion of Ruby Valley in its general char- acteristics. As along the eastern base of the East Humboldt range, the streams from the main cafions were of considerable volume, while their bordering shrubbery continued with them across the valley to the river. The shrubbery along the main streams of the Upper Humboldt valley was more extensive and vigorous, however, the cotton-woods and aspens being more numerous, and constituting extensive groves, other spots being occu- pied by dense thickets of thorn-apple (Crategus rivularis), wild-cherry (Prunus andersoni?), and willows (Salix, species). At this place the following species were observed:— Turdus migratorius......... . Common. Passerella schistacea ...... Common. Turdus swainsoni... .- .....Common. Corvus carnivorus........ Common. tegulus calendula..... ..--- Common. | Pica hudsonica........---- Common. Troglodytes parkmanni...... Common. Contopus richardsoni...... Common. Sitta canadensis -.........-. Common. Empidonax hammondi..... Common. Helminthophaga celata....... Abundant. | Ceryle aleyon.. .....-.--- Rare. Helminthophaga lutescens. .. Rare. Colaptes mexicanus ....... Common. Dendreeca estiva ....- .-.. Common. Melanerpes torquatus..... - Rare, Dendreeea auduboni......... Abundant. | Picus gairdneri....... ..-. Rare. Myiodioctes pusillus......... Abundant. | Otus wilsonianus ......... Rare. Ampelis cedrorum.... .....- Common. Falco sparverius. ...-..-.. Common. Vireosylvia swainsoni. ....- Abundant. | Falco columbarius......... Rare. Lanivireo solitarius..... .-.. Common. Circus hudsonius.......... Rare. Pyranga ludoviciana..... .- ... Common, Nisus cooperi. ........... Rare. Zonotrichia intermedia. ...... Abundant. | Nisus fuscus...........-.. Common. Melospiza fallax............. Abundant. | Buteo calurus............. Rare. Spizella breweri...........-. Abundant. | Buteo swainsoni......... Rare. Cyanospiza amoona........-. Common. Aquila canadensis.....-... Rare. Pipilo chlorurus .........-..- Common. Rhinogryphus aura..... .. Rare. Scolecophagus cyanocephalus. Abundant. | Zenedura carolinensis. .... Abundant. 30. Trout Creek, Upper Humboldt Valley (September 16-20, 1868).— This locality was very similar to the last, a large brook, with an accompany- ing growth of shrubbery and thickets of small trees, extending across the valley from the Clover Mountains to the Humboldt River, the plain itself being covered by the usual sage-brush plants; but the upper portion, next to the lower foot-hills of the mountains, was clothed with rye-grass meadows, interspersed with willow and aspen copses. In these rye-grass meadows DESCRIPTION OF CAMPS. 365 the.Sharp-tailed Grouse (Pediacetes columbianus) was very abundant. The principal species met with along this creek were, besides that above-named, the following :— Turdus guttatus..... eee One specimen.| Passerculus alaudinus..... Abundant. Parus septentrionalis.... .. Rare. Empidonax obscurus ...... Common. Zonotrichia intermedia. ... . Abundant. Sphyrapicus nuchalis ..... Rare. Junco oregonus....... .--.- Abundant. Picus harrisi.............. Rare, Melospiza fallax......... Abundant. Picus gairdneri ........... Rare. Melospiza lincolni... .. .. »- Abundant. Antrostomus nuttali....... Common. Pipilo chlorurus........... Common. 31. Clover Mountains (September 19, 1868).—On the above date, a trip was made to near the summit of the main peak of this range by follow- ing Trout Creek from our camp up the cafion to its head, returning by another cafion to the southward., The summit of this peak is very lofty, rising considerably above the timber-line, or to an altitude of near 12,000 feet. Large fields of perpetual snow lay in the ravines and behind masses of rock, and in several places below the bare summit were quite extensive pine woods. Nothing of interest, ornithologically, resulted from this exceed- ingly laborious day’s work, however, only the usual species being observed. The commoner species of the alpine woods were Sitta canadensis, Parus montanus, and Junco oregonus, while at the head of one of the caiions, where pines and aspens were intermingled, Canace obscura was very abundant. 32. Holmes’s Creek, near’ Thousand Spring Valley (September 22-26. Altitude, about 6,000 feet).—Observations at this camp were confined chiefly to a small valley nestled among a fange of low hills separating the valley of the upper Humboldt from Thousand Spring Valley. Around a spring, which supplied the camp with water, grew a thicket of tall willows and aspens, while along the rivulet from this spring grew willow bushes. Else- where, only the ordinary sage-brush plants flourished. In the thickets above mentioned, Dendreca townsendi, Sphyrapicus nuchalis, and Nyctale acadica were obtained. 33. “ Oity of Rocks,”* Southern Idaho (October 2, 1868).—The hills 1This locality derives its name from a remarkable valley among the mountains close by, where immense piles of granite, rising from the floor of the valley, vaguely rep- resent a city of castles, domes, and mosques. 366 ORNITHOLOGY. about this locality were extensively covered with unusually luxuriant woods of cedar and pifion, among which Gymnokitta cyanocephala and Cyanocitta woodhousis were more abundant than we had ever seen them elsewhere. Corvus carnivorus and Centrocercus urophasianus were also abundant. 34, Deep Creek, Northwestern Utah (October 5, 1868).—At this point of our route, the nearly level sage-brush plain was intersected by a narrow valley considerably below the general level, through which flowed, with a sluggish current, a very narrow but remarkably deep creek, a tributary of the Great Salt Lake. The banks of this creek were lined with rushes, while in the valley itself were willow thickets. The principal birds observed here were the following: — Amphispiza nevadensis. Melospiza lincolni. Zonotrichia intermedia. Telmatodytes paludicola. Melospiza fallax. Geothlypis trichas. 35. Vicinity of Salt Lake City, Utah'(May 20-June 1, and June 14-21, 1869).—Owing to its diversified character, the vicinity of Salt Lake City proved exceedingly favorable to the objects of the exploration; the scrub- oaks of the hill-sides, the luxuriant and varied shrubbery along the stream in City-Creek Cafion, the meadow-lands, both wild and cultivated, between the city and the lake, the tule sloughs along the Jordan River, and the extensive marshes about the lake-shore, having each their peculiar species» besides those found in the sage-brush, and others of general distribution. The species noted in the vicinity of Salt Lake City during the months of May and June were those given in the annexed list, most, if not all, of them having been found breeding in the neighborhood. The asterisk placed in one or more columns after the name of a species indicates its center of abundance, the columns representing the following types of localities :— . Sage-brush plains and mesas. . Meadows, chiefly toward the lake. . Tule sloughs and marshes near Jordan River. Open ponds, shore of the lake, etc. . Thickets along the streams, valley, and lower part of City Creek Cafion. . Scrub-oaks, slopes of City Creek Cafion. Rocky places, City Creek Cafion. ; . Of general distribution. . Mountain mahoganies and scattered cedars on lower spurs of mountains. WOHNAOMTPwWDe 1 Altitude about 4,000 feet. DESCRIPTION OF CAMPS. 367 1.) 2) 3 | 4) 6] 6] 7. 9. 1. Turdus migratorius............... éeslsnne|iece|earaiaces] ® | ® lee : 2. Turdus auduboni.........-...--.-+.. seg eadealamarellacael 2 : 3. Turdus swainsoni ....-...... oe aera aera ar ai | # lawweles : 4. Oreoscoptes montanus ..............- * seetlidaaie te] evane ch ec tanc ost as 5. Galescoptes carolinensis ..... ....-.. Pee * 1, aca 6. Cinclus mexicanus. ........-....--.6- seve! Pave sell SP as Z oni q. Sialia arctica......0 22... ..-.66 eee waieileca| ces wie as * 8. Troglodytes parkmanni........ baie anaes — ote : 9. Telmatodytes paludicola ............. oe Mo [be cclecot’ ler 10. Dendroeca estiva ..............5665- ae Zacclevaier [ois - “11. Helminthophaga virginiea............. simieis| ears eles * é 12. Geothlypis trichas...........-.....+- ereage | cAles's ae Lipa 13. Geothlypis macgillivrayi ............. sisiax | sista los stl Me oer 14. Icteria longicauda.........-...------ soci |ete Sel eaniaae| i ae 15. Setophaga ruticilla .. ...,...--..----. eee sas 3 paces beats 16. Pyranga ludoviciana.....-.....---+-- see ieaia ae : * 17. Progne subis......-.-... -.-2. eee wisiews| ane aac: |e Sesiinee as soy 18. Petrochelidon lunifrons .........----. segieea eee cael] ule al aici | aaa wi 19. Hirundo horreorum..... .....-----++ ware He hs shee * de 20. Tachycineta thalassina..-.......----- esyse ons ai [toe 4 aul sine 21. Tachycineta bicolor..........-..------ alae Ssuleceatiece| ses see 22. Cotyle riparia ......-.----+--2+-+ 6 sccfeweslecasleeseleeeeleneelace aia! 23. Stelgidopteryx serripennis.....-...--- goats 6 elec, sae'] es aie 24, Vireosylvia swainsoni.....---. --+-++ sibuela waaclsaws] B |wemellaes Siioe 25. Lanivireo plumbeus....:.-..--.--2---|.---|--+-[----[e-e-[eee-]| ™ [e-- * 26. Carpodacus cassini ..--..-.-.---+-+5: aise ectdal Sierereliaraiel a ae srece * 27. Carpodacus frontalis ...--..---.--+-+- jail edie feawsalee [mee ite 28. Chrysomitris tristis.-.....----------- waisielveid [see |feewia] > lies ae 29. Chrysomitris psaltria.........-.--+--- amines dyeljeeney |, Re pee : are 30. Chrysomitris pinus ...-..--------++-+ apiaisifinerss|omcate|| deiainl| acaie'n| were elfets * 31. Passerculus alaudinus...-....----+---- wene| B [occefewee [soe cfeeeelee- 5 $2. Coturniculus perpallidus ........---+e/s-20] * [osee[eeeeferecfer refers ware 33. Zonotrichia leucophrys. .-.---------++ sega paee |sande| acicepeces |) ° on 34. Melospiza fallax .....--------- Seeeews Bical eee e|eene|se WS crates euays we 35. Amphispiza bilineata .......-.+.--+-- ® LL fe ew elec eelew cele e ee fenee sania 36. Spizella breweri .....-.-+---eee cece eel BM lececleseclececleceslececlers wicca 368 ORNITHOLOGY. 1) 2) 38/4/56) 6) 7] 8&1 9. 37. Spizella arizon®@ ......... sarees ister ered die sais er a heeneral OM acetal a 38. Chondestes grammaca ............... Poles wa tieoeis eee 62] beds 39. Hedymeles melanocephalus........... - aie Se diseleee wis| aa ae 40. Cyanospiza amoona ........-.-.....65 sidjotel|onttoue lovapecul toue abe saopate leases 41. Pipilo megalonyx.................4. ant |lareee | eae) aos al ® se[sewe 42. Pipilo chlorurus ....... siwinwenecisureeiaate che Suleeke ahaa | : - 2 43. Dolichonyx oryzivorus ......-....... Me les 3 ceased 44, Molothrus ater.... ....-. -.2.20ceee8 ceeieis lt giaiate lmsaecteltaeo-sl terete zis] 45. Xanthocephalus icterocephalus ....-. ta - ts el ee ockee 46, Ageleeus phosniceus..... ...... Buniaee weeeleeael/ Fleet aleew : aie] sxeswie 47. Scolecophagus cyanocephalus......... cla liacais . Saledets siall ese * 48. Sturnella neglecta. .........--..-.... darste| ™ Teemrelscna: | eee] decen' eres [awe na 49. Icterus bullocki.............-.--..... tected ters : * ayes ean [ees 50. Cyanocitta woodhousii .............-.]-.. |... walewas| @ | ® leew. [ears - 51. Corvus carnivorus....... .... J iediioniyess a siarel acid line dros sates [omed see ER | iN shang 52. Tyrannus verticalis .....-..........6- ceeelbeoe 2 srece sascali Me | [eres ‘63. Tyrannus carolinensis................ isis saeco Siailaes : sell OF Necaie 54. Myiarchus cinerascens ............... pauls |saerel ewicllees Se 7 san] 55. Sayornis sayus .......-.........2004 a Seisieh ces | een fase sheatecsl ees # lowes 56. Contopus richardsoni ................ eealts = svete bee : ‘ 57. Empidonax pusillus.................. Alorcraleiatece ledeseselbeaaek,|| see |sosiabenss 58. Antrostomus nuttalli.........2....... - wi |seeslee < siollisieSealhaes ged eontaxe 59. Chordeiles henryi........... 2.00.02. Fo Wace ieee he Wheeass oes Tee tl Resate 60. Panyptila saxatilis..............0.... cose acs aie | avert [aseie cipecatante PO Ihe ne 61. Selasphorus platycercus.......- waite siaveselletete [ease | saierailes * eccfiets oie 62. Trochilus alexandri .................. igasfaceap = 2 * aati 63. Ceryle aleyon...... 2.2... 0.2... eee e ee Su ciesaileouaeal| gaara lgtades eae le age Macrae | Me oe 64, Melanerpes erythrocephalus .......... a - Sie bs oat 2g ath Oe | [iskavere 65. Colaptes mexicanus..... ............ dente Caton saree levers : © Tees 66. Speotyto hypogwa........ wikio slasher aka Fe esate salts 3 : ‘ se 67. Circus hudsonius.................... gens Pas eis Seis loses oealerste 68. Faleo polyagrus............. ee ‘ a sie essere alae ee ilsoleve 69. Falco sparverius ..............2. 005. : : wee ‘ S53, eae ee 70. Buted swainsoni............... 22.00. secasallaeeaeel(oog : © lems 71. Zeneedura carolinensis ............... ne np [esecana innate é aa @ leew. 72, Centrocercus urophasianus. ......... MS deere WS sista eeedlenmua eer Noa weal erates DESCRIPTION OF CAMPS. 369 73. Pedicecetes columbianus............. * 74, Agialitis vociferus.................. bee ociegaaeeeci ee en oS atl 75. Aigialitis nivosus..-................, seis vets sands 76. Recurvirostra americana............. wicipin| aoc lhesene|| * 77. Himantopus mexicanus.............. Kfstenial corsa Nara lata sera | eel 78, Steganopus wilsoni.................. agate eeisidllaravces 79. Hreunetes pusillus................... escalate cece 80. Tringa minutilla._......2...2...0... Sosetore [eral peg ota ara | ata acl haces See eteusvel| anata 81. Tringoides macularius............... widisialeaiayel lapeee S| esiedell pani a leashes ae 82. Symphemia semipalmata............. fare ree eC ecose jeter ssa see linen ae he *« * * * 83. Numenius longirostris .............., beat RE Bas sidhevalio see] Reims [Sake accuees 84, Falcinellus guarauna .. Aiea etter gaets eae fee 85, Ardea herodias............ cashiers aveel| Seoieeall baton! roatecat| ia ayer foie wae aneced eemvaus 86. 87. Botaurus minor........ eis jarceeatevonvades ec REN 2 a Mi lo * * oe @ 5s ° me © a oO ge 3 oO cet as & a * 6 88. Grus canadensis ............. sje asetetars emcee) ME UN OREM De al ira lactone tet 89. Rallus virginianus.................. acta MP | CRA ES es all averse rato eal a oo 90. Porzana carolina ...-...........-2.... merece || OF A IR No easel Salto tases Mian gs 91. Fulica americana................. eral Massie Pica TE A) RE Naira acder elated cal encecte lavas 92. Anas boschas..............00-.0000. see OR) Ae aM Woe ol ete ec lle lh cous 93. Dafila acuta ...2.. 020... cceeee ee eee, sesigeay (yl Leal PE a Peetceed aca al cecal leat il epee 94, Chaulelasmus streperus.............. Sees) Ee A Real seal Ga S8 iaiell aes 95. Mareca americana............. Jeane wcarsaay ARR CMRI AB I a cae he ye inca | yeh aes 96. Spatula clypeata.......-.2......00... asad FE RP Ne Weal ooo, Nesaeatl ce a ie 97. Querquedula cyanoptera....... ..... uel sisi dr2i| aabsese fprersll pelea aiese's 98. Querquedula discors................./...-| * | * * * = ee 99. Nettion carolinensis................. een | & | etal Lape noes a 100. Erismatura rubida................. sataavetedl So | UE: i ri ase * 101. Graculus floridanus.............-..-- soc goee a | soko status | anol peas imtoo | ite 102. Sterna regia ..................... oes |eewe| ieee seesloeas| sem eqs |en wi 103. Sterna forsteri ............ 000-2. 000% mance agai Seda | ec lelageral| Bees feyees 104. Hydrochelidon lariformis ............ seeal gece] 8] & leawel saan) ees alewwaleee 105. Podiceps occidentalis..............--|--..]...- siaterel| warekl| oop | meine iiceate 106. Podiceps californicus ........--..-... sieeve nae sisteibecaie ol sacare [ore aeetl ware 107. Podilymbus podiceps.........--..--- efoaya [teeters ser feet s aisie | oe * * * 24 PR 370 ORNITHOLOGY. 36. Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake (June 4-8, 1869 ).—Antelope Island, the largest of the islands in the Great Salt Lake, appears as a long range of barren mountains, rising from the water. The island is about fifteen miles in length, by about three in width at the broadest part, while its longitudinal axis culminates in a broken rocky ridge, the highest peak of which is, per- haps, some 1,500 to 2,000 feet above the surface of the lake. Some years ago, when the Salt Lake Valley was first settled by the Mormons, this island was indeed a part of the mainland, a strip of low ground then connecting it with the shore. The gradually increased annual rain-fall, brought about by the careful cultivation of the country by the early settlers, first by artificial irrigation, but in time aided by more and more frequent showers, wrought, among other notable changes in the character of the country, a great difference in the level of the lake, which grew higher, year by year, until the isthmus above mentioned became entirely submerged. The entire island presents the usual desert aspect, through the general absence of water, save at one place on the eastern shore, where springs of pure, fresh water irrigate the soil. This spot had been seleeted by representatives of the Mormon church as the site of a ranche; and it was here that our camp was established. In the thrifty orchard of this thriving little farm were found, nesting, the Cat-bird (Galeoscoptes carolinensis), Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla), Traill’s Flycatcher (Empidonax pusillus), Bullock’s Oriole (Icterus bullockt), and Warbling Vireo (Vireosylvia swainsoni); while about the buildings a pair of Mountain Blue-birds (Sialia arctica) had their abode, as did also several pairs of the House Finch (Carpodacus frontalis). The former were feeding a family of full-fledged young, and were the first of this species we ever saw at so low an altitude during the breeding-season, although they were observed later, under similar circumstances, in Salt Lake City. In the sage-brush, Oreoscoptes montanus, Amphispiza bilineata, Spizella brewert, Ohondestes grammaca, Carpodacus JSrontalis, Eremophila chrysolema, Collurio excubitoroides, Zenedura carolinensis, Ageleus phceniceus, and Aigia- litis vociferus were nesting; while, in a wet meadow, Passerculus alau- dinus, Ageleus pheeniceus, and Numenius longirostris had young. The only additional species noticed among the mountains, were Cyanospiza amena DESCRIPTION OF CAMPS. 371 and Pipilo megalonyx, in a ravine, and Corvus carnivorus, about the rocky peaks. 37. Stansbury Island, Great Salt Lake (June 12, 1869).—This island, like the one just described, was formerly connected with the mainland at its southern extremity; but it is now far out in the lake. No water could be found upon it, and consequently the birds were very scarce. The only species obtained was Graleoscoptes carolinensis, of which a single individual, probably a straggler, was secured. . 38.—Oarrington Island, Great Salt Lake (June 17, 1869).—The writer did not visit this island, but two members of the party, Messrs. Watson and Davis, who were there, brought with them on their return eggs of Recur- virostra americana, Branta canadensis, and Larus californicus, and reported various other water-fowl as breeding upon this island and a smaller one near by. , 39. “Rabbit Island,” Great Salt Lake (June 11, 1869).—This island was, at the time of our visit, merely a remnant of that portion of the southern shore of the lake which is now submerged. It consisted of merely a low knoll, occupying scarcely an acre in extent, and was named by our party “Rabbit Island” on account of the large numbers of hares (Lepus callotis) which were found on it. The latter were so numerous that when our boat landed they were seen rushing frantically around, several of them leaping into the water in their efforts to escape. The surface of this small island was covered with a thrifty growth of sage-brush and grease-wood, in which several pairs of Oreoscoptes montanus and Spizella brewert had their nests. A single nest of Mareca americana, containing ten eggs, was also found beneath a grease-wood bush. 40. Parley’s Park, Wahsatch Mountains, Utah (June 23-July 2, and July 16—-August 16, 1869).—This locality is an elevated park, or broad valley, lying at the eastern base of the main chain of the Wahsatch, and 25 miles distant from Salt Lake City. From the latter it was approached by the cation of J ordan Creek, a considerable brook, whose sources aré among the mountains surrounding this park, while along the eastern side 372 ORNITHOLOGY. flowed Silver Creek, a tributary of the Weber. The average altitude of this park is about 6,500 feet, while some of the neighboring peaks of the main range rige 4,000 feet or more higher, and on whose bare, rocky sum- mits spots of snow linger all the summer in the sheltered places. The general character of this park is that of a luxuriant meadoy, parts of it under cultivation, the hill-sides being covered with a thick scrub of dwarf- oaks (Quercus alba, var.?), while the higher slopes are covered by a dense forest of Coniferze, composed of several species (Pinus flexilis, P. ponderosa, P. contorta, Abies menziesii, A. englemanni, A. douglassi, A. grandis, A. ama- bilis, and Juniperus. virginiana). The higher portions of the ravines are occupied by shady groves of tall aspens (Populus tremuloides), while bordering the lower portions of the streams grow scattered trees of the narrow-leafed cotton-wood (Populus angustifolia), and luxuriant shrubbery, of varied species. Indeed, the desert character of the country to the westward of the Great Salt Lake was here almost entirely wanting. As a natural consequence of increased prevalence and luxuriance of vegetation,. the birds were much more numerous than we had found them at any previous camp, and while we found eastern trees and shrubs replacing their western representatives, or added as new elements to the western sylva, we also found many birds of the Eastern Region as common here as at any point in the Atlantic States. Such species were the Cat-bird (Galeoscoptes carolinensis) Swainson’s Thrush (Turdus swainsoni), Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla), and White-crowned Spar- row (Zonotrichia leucophrys). A species of the plains, or the Campestrian Province (Calamospiza bicolor), was also here met with for the first time, while several birds characteristic of the Rocky Mountains. proper were more or less common, as Turdus auduboni, Helminthaphaga virginice, Passerella schistacea, Junco caniceps, and Cyanura macrolopha. In this beautiful park three species of Humming-birds were found, viz: Selasphorus platycercus, Stellula calliope, and Trochilus alecandri, the flowery meadows of the upper portion of the cafions being especially attractive to these “feathered gems.” . The following is a complete list of the species found. at this locality during the period indicated above, their distribution being explained by the annexed columns :— ar DESCRIPTION OF CAMPS. 373 _ ‘ 2 | ¢ g 2 ni b¢ 4 E zd E B| & |$3/22%/ 52) 2 | 2 1e3/ 2% 2) 's |\BEleeiSp| £1 2 | eFls &\|a |e ladle) a] 4 |S |x 1. Turdus migratorius..............-... emu em sibel etal. 2. Turdus swainsoni...........-...----- acarags|lto ee * wat 3. Turdus auduboni...........-.....--- sh atleast ase ewe ence’ | Betas * z 4. Galeoscoptes carolinensis ........ ... ee aoe} ee san aater [areas se ere 5. Sialia arctica... 2... cee ee ee eee sme fe - Nee ceal| AP (i ME 6. Cinclus mexicanus....-.-....-- ..-26: sr Siane | sheen [ie-ovene acy aeell ore | sine fteauece he 7. Regulus calendaola...-.......-.-----. aire sal eters Pn la eastel lacie lint emallepatege’|* [as 8. Parus montanus.......-...--+------- J ciesess [teravoy edie tneeta ip aredtan ltadeawaltcas loan! “oe 9. Sitta aculeata....... Beiehs soi acess ole iarede eee | ees * 10. Sitta canadensis ...-...----..-.-.4-- ccanha Pedal aeetialatrarsl anand eaeetnaeal 11, Sitta pygmma. ....... ee eee eee eee eee oie amie | seas | aves atevere(naa ors larsien'|| 5 12. Certhia americana. ...--....-...-..-- eee ares gate |saete ea] coda] OF pees 13. Troglodytes parkmanni..... -Aeeaeee ieee SoReal, = | * 7 14, Telmatodytes paludicola .-.......-- all eraliewens| * 15. Eremophila alpestris ......---- .----- * 2 Saye lean 16, Helminthophaga celata..-..........-- baie . saa) So, * 17,.Helminthophaga virginia .....-...--- tarde | er gre ns Lease aranciall eal - . 18. Dendreeca estiva......---.--- yore © lo ® ecm |ene 19. Dendreeca auduboni.........----+--: sees lems cial * 20. Dendrosca nigrescens ..----.-------- pafeveefeceeferesfeees a. | * asdf ox 21, Geothlypis macgillivrayi.........---- adie e micelles it ‘ 22, Geothlypis trichas-....- eS ave arepeiek 3 ® laces eran led afaluieon 23. Icteria longicauda....-...---.+ +--+: bigeall eeagel lacy! OP saietallia ata eroeete 24. Myiodioctes pusillus. ......---.- -+--/.-+-|--+-[----| * MD Sina peewee 25. Setophaga ruticilla ......-----..----- ahcea Sas! ca saints) acpan'e!| shovese lloras 26, Pyranga ludoviciana ..--.. .--.------ sroveitt ica aot paar’ jaws PRE OR 27. Progne subis...... +--+: seers teense seater ltetevare | ntccert bec eewia|ies cherie | Sater] eine 28, Petrochelidon lunifrons ...-..--.----- jl daneen es 7 * 29, Hirundo horreorum. ......--+. -+---2+{s2+-[eeee ies ie 30. Tachycineta bicolor.....-+-.-+++--+-- racalenjer|| Be * oe 31. Tachycineta thalassina .....--..-- Bad eiydlteeases | Se slewee 32. Cotyle MIVGTAh dams erreuowanne aewe: saien [acne tee 3 * 33. Stelgidopteryx serripennis ......----- ses Al enter| wooed deiewleced|poxeloeeel 34, Vireosylvia swainsoni ....----- .+--- 2 esl ewer) Sys AM ss 374 ORNITHOLOGY. ee z é E a . 2 a nals |e |weale n}a/Oo |& 35. Lanivireo plumbeus.........-...--.-. aeyeleeie as * 36. Collurio excubitoroides -..........--. * = ee 37. Carpodacus cassini ........-.-....-.- HESS ore oe erates hedrerwl eet gues * 38. Carpodacus frontalis................. scien andes tele = 39. Chysomitris tristris..............2.-- catcvalissaretall racers 40. Chysomitris psaltria.........-.-...-. nawrll aides lowes 41. Chysomitris pinus....... .......--.. spores fe teeits| 42. Passerculus alaudinus .............-. exes SO 43. Pooecetes confinis .............--.-.. soa 44, Coturniculus perpallidus ............. sere | OS 45. Melospiza lincolni .....--............ ier leevendie ts 46. Melospiza fallax........- ase iain seeecete wilt s |Semae 47. Junco caniceps.......... .........02. sie [area 48. Spizella arizone#...............02.2.. feet leawe loes 49. Spizella breweri............2200. 0205 * 50. Zonotrichia leucophrys...... Rerhnao BR aleGe alien lieasAl aes 51. Chondestes grammaca............... Me ee ov 52. Passerella schistacea..... ..-....... terete | eat 53. Calamospiza bicolor .................. eae 54, Hedymeles melanocephalus........... Pied ween lala 55. Cyanospiza amoena ............ 0.208. becalmsa st eues 56. Pipilo megalonyx.................... wads ele ae 57. Pipilo chlorurus................. vara ll Recess ateonll ays alleles 58. Molothrus ater -..........-.......00- dace | 59. Ageleus phoniceus...............2.. siggy ||“ 60. Xanthocephalus icterocephalus ......|....|...: . 61. Ieterus bullocki ........ iswiatnictousre ewer eras nets eaaee 62. Sturnella neglecta.........-..-..22-. * | * 63, Scolecophagus cyanocephalus......... isla eel 64, Corvus carnivorus ................... sisiee [eons 65. Cyanocitta woodhousii.........-..... ome eae 66. Cyanura macrolopha................- shai sini aan 67. Picicorvus columbianus ........ enue wean [avs 68. Tyrannus verticalis................+ lsc bes DESCRIPTION OF CAMPS. 375 Begs a a eli Zz dlea s 2 ag q\al8clpsles 2) 3 ie.\3 2 | £ |aBlss\FS| Se] & | Seis A) 6 (SoBe ae) 2 | 2 asl ee a ro els wo bm} 2 a 14 5 &® | ¢ |SS/Eslms| | & BESS of & | se) b S| Po! & a | 9° o° 2a|s [a || n|a|o 1% 69. Tyrannus carolinensis............-... aessleeeal acne F Fe avlecne 70. Myiarchus cinerascens ............-.- yeonipacalowes| |S Opeaas] 71. Contopus borealis .....-.........-+4- iste tetais | eas eeesg gee eee mie | eta 72. Contopus richardsoni ...........-.-+-. igiesd oe ge | wacse MP Lecee | LR Va las 73. Empidonax obscurus...........-...-- foes |escelasas|sseslcees| | ® fuscalenss 74, Empidonax difficilis .......... saeleeails pea lovee leeebaselgeeclosteulessel Ieee 75. Empidonax pusillus ............-..-- sebules cclaene| © |eaes [ae claicesleseay ane 76. Antrostomus nuttalli .............. cial cele eas eal Peels ease seks gers, 77. Chordeiles henryi ....-.- 6s ee eee wal Aes cale Sel estet ® leaaelasedlcens 78. Trochilus alexandri.......----..----+ | Secallstanc aaseely ELI Melee leases 79. Stellula calliope....-..... itera! Ma sists nie aN eitane acta SP] ME: (fe hc see eee eetectl ate 80. Selasphorus platycercus........ ..--.|.---[.-. Je---] *® | * [eee efeee eee ete 81. Ceryle aleyon ......- 2.222222 ee ees pAkcial| acsuect|| M4) sua sine Sierete | eaiets lteter Ses | a eis a 82. Picus harrisi ............--- foe ee waee a eb gvallte healer and |Biet bee cava ce texegena|| A) | AP Wee 83. Picus gairdneri...........--------66: a4] i atten are ea Seetane aveiain Sorex || Bf a see 84. Sphyrapicus nuchalis ...........-...- Secale apelased| OR ecelewea | FS Hee tel ies 85. Sphyrapicus thyroideus........- LgtaclwanltealasialneReleves|*seapreasy * see 86. Colaptes mexicanus..........-- Jaa pastagsll tedal\ rabe'e! || Oe Wiese Ae. | aR py eee ee 87. Bubo subarcticus ......-..-.--...---- sealer eal vas lea ee | 88. Falco polyagrus .......---+-+-----+5: Be Mere for cote chon Se land aye eecensell exer parerae ta 89. Falco sparverius......-....+--++ oct dleetelassh [Mea] MH feel HE Sys 90. ©ircus hudsonius .......... --.----- sale A | MRE a a tie a ener Naga anced 91. Nisus cooperi ...-.-----.+----+- aaah wiseelasme|s eo] wean oa S powiaial warns 92. Nisus fuscus ...,.-..-..--- eos wae le eects] neeeccalh SR Pate ae Ae |) eel iayarets 93. Buteo calurus....-.-..---- ioe ov tees wa whew eelian a] eae tne eel] e ee]! See space 94, Butea SwilisOll ds cca cs wcescde Si weatvnas|oacelens ee, aieikis| eis Bis| ees 95. Archibuteo sancti-johannis .........-. cable ladaa cal Pateratal Rone ral letarees neat ates 96. Aquila canadensis ..--..- ..-++------+ Grik slhioe edeltsceers | esateve)| Simskie | Gadraue [areas 97. Rhinogryphus aura .....---.---+----- weiss [acecasa| ae ate |asie's| eave fee welled e yee] meee 98. Zenedura carolinensis yi Ds ihate ate aes ceealeses eeiers ‘Vsvecee| sate sles sve 99, Canace obscura.....----+2-++2eeeeee vabalesatiencsiwey Baek 100. Bonasa umbelloides....-.---.-------: Saeill eicene [ietiaglae tees Oe eee 101. Centrocercus urophasianus..--..----- #o | ls lee sales | eee ol ae teak | seers le sa 102. Pedicecetes columbianus.....------ “a dies ware le ceealie ares |e ce te ees ahs 376 ORNITHOLOGY. 4 : Bled) a | 2 a 2) ¢ |egl/FEles) 2] 6 /22/5 : 2/2 ge leeleel 4] |2eles 2\ele°jagle | a) 2 |é" 2° 103. Aigialitis vociferus .................. peel eeecel| REN Sls A Masco lde 104. Gallinago wilsoni.................... esa Me A OR sheesh eso tee ares Bacciats 105. Ereunetes pusillus. ...-...-.---.-2.--Jeeee [ones] [ie eben ee fee ee|eeee]eeee}eeee 106. Actodromus minutilla...... chSvaeusialehetarn sgerare||(oele Ol Sy [este Peeaoral | caestaa| estos heeaue ese 107. Symphemia semipalmata...........-. fs testel aaa] | RS. Pleats a tdie eee Bis [Mee cual hee Selina ce 108. Tringoides macularius .............-- Pasa aeiaiel! PE pag saea en |e-csa] os ea nd sen gy 109. Rhyacophilus solitarius ............-- iatajenca| |evn s 2 110. Numenius longirostris:...........-..- ase) aes | oe ase are eel ee Salto ts F 111. Grus canadensis.-..-......-...------ saiwel | ® [ema vteenc |x cepaenialions 3 112. Porzana carolina ........-.-.-..--485- Lange oea,al| ‘ Zell sede hind] aca cea oe Sea 113. Porzana jamaicensis?........-.. es daeleedl easel eeead|l AE ies ees | creates wists 114. Fulica americana ................-.5- eseerol Percent || At ereiaest| erccal eve ea fl eaptal cue ce) cave 115. Anas boschas ..... Se Seevag ase Gl ace ets azote a Ml AE Werereil cao aus! |'oteon. tee ravell oes Sauate 116. Querquedula cyanoptera. ..........-- Seen] OST Wee ale oes) Seated teal aad ooeerg 41. Pack’s Canon, Uintah Mountains (July 3-8, 1869).—This cafion is the valley of a considerable stream, flowing from the higher regions of one of the western peaks of the Uintah range into the Weber River, via Kamas Prairie. In its upper portion both valley and mountains are densely cov- ered with a coniferous forest, while along the banks of the stream the exten- sive and vigorous growth of shrubbery. consists of many species. The birds found in this locality were, in part, the following :— Turdus migratorius. Chrysomitris pinus. Turdus swainsoni. Melospiza fallax. Galeoscoptes carolinensis. Cyanura macrolopha. Cinclus mexicanus. ' _ Picicorvus columbianus. Geothlypis macgillivrayi. Selasphorus platycercus, Dendreeca nigrescens, | Antrostomus nuttalli. Helminthophaga virginia. Chordeiles henryi. Setophaga ruticilla. Canace obscura. Pyranga ludoviciana. Zeneedura carolinensis, Chrysomitris tristis. Tringoides macularius, Chrysomitris psaltria. GENERAL REMARKS ON THE BASIN AVIFAUNA. 877 42.—Kamas Prairie, Utah (July 9, 1869)—Kamas Prairie is a grassy valley, lying between the western spur of the Uintahs and the rolling eastern foot-hills of the Wahsatch. We noticed there the ordinary species of meadow localities, with the addition of Actiturus bartramius, which seemed to be quite common. 43. Provo River, Utah (July 10-11, 1869)—We followed this river, from the valley in which Heber City is situated, to Provo, near the shore of Utah Lake, through the deep and picturesque cafion cleft between two high peaks of the Wahsatch range. Among the dense and extensive willow thickets along this river we first found Turdus fuscescens and Parus septen- trionalis (the former in great abundance), and the Magpie again numerous. The other species noticed along this river were, mainly, the following: Galeoscoptes carolinensis (abundant), Setophaga ruticilla (abundant), Zene- dura carolinensis (abundant), Dendreca cestiva, Melospiza fallax, Icterus bullocki, ete. GENERAL REMARKS ON THE AVIFAUNA OF THE GREAT BASIN. The total number of species of birds observed during the exploration is 262, of which only 24 were not seen east of the western slope of the Sierra Nevada; thus leaving a total of 238 species noticed in the Great Basin, including the approximate slopes of the Sierra Nevada and Wah- satch ranges, which form the boundary of the district on the west and east. This number includes both winter and summer birds, as well as the transient species, or those which merely pass through in the spring and fall; the. latter were comparatively very few, however, since the complicated topography of the country afforded such a diversity of climate, with varia- tions of altitude, that extreme northern and southern species passed the summer at different elevations on the same mountain ranges. Although the Great Basin forms a natural “ Province” of the Western Region, the Sierra Nevada and main Rocky Mountain ranges forming its longitudinal bounda- ries, the mountains form much less of an actual barrier to the distribution of the species than might be supposed, as is clearly attested by the occurrence of a large proportion of the Californian species on the eastern slope of the 378 ORNITHOLOGY. former, down to the very verge of the desert, and the presence of so many eastern birds on the Wahsatch and other extreme western ranges of the latter system. It is, therefore, evident that not the mountains, but the deserts, check the species in their range away from their centers of distribution. It was also noticed that the species having a general range throughout the Interior were those particularly characteristic of, if not peculiar to, the Basin Province, and that their distribution was regulated less by mere topographical features than by other local conditions, the presence or absence of water and vegetation being the main agents. As stated in the chapter on the local avifaune of the Great Basin (see pp. 316-328), certain groups of birds not only characterize particular zones of vegetation, but, also, isolated spots of a particular description, no matter at what altitude. An excellent example in illustration of this case is afforded by the humming-birds of the Interior, which are found wherever flowers grow in profusion, either in the valleys or on the mountains; they abound most on the upper slopes of the cafions, where numerous flowering plants bloom in such abundance as to form natural gardens; but on one day, in August, we observed an individual of Selasphorus platycercus in the door- yard of a ranche, in Ruby Valley, the altitude of which was between 6,000 and 7,000 feet, while a few hours later, as we stood on the summit of one of the lofty peaks of the Kast Humboldt range, at an elevation of about 12,000 feet above sea-level, and far above the fields of perpetual snow, an individual of the same species flew rapidly by, bound for the slopes of.an adjoining cafion. The extreme vertical range of this species was thus shown to be nearly 6,000 feet, or more than one mile! In all cases where farms had been established, in the valleys, humming-birds were noticed in the door- yards, though had not careful cultivation, with the aid of artificial irrigation, produced these oases in the desert, it is needless to say these birds would not have been seen there. Other cases in point are those of the birds frequenting the cafion shrubbery, which have a vertical range almost equal to that of the humming-birds, the same species following the streams from the valleys up to the snow-fields, provided the shrubbery continues go far. Certain birds which frequent woods, of whatsoever kind, are almost sure to be found wherever trees occur; thus Colaptes mexicanus or Picus harrisi may GENERAL REMARKS ON THE BASIN AVIFAUNA. 379 be observed the same day among the cotton-woods of the lowest valleys, less than a hundred feet above sea-level (as in California), and in the alpine woods, 10,000-12,000 feet above the sea. Independent of these local modifications of the fauna, as controlled by conditions of environment, important. changes were noticed in proceeding eastward, which are of a truly geographical nature. Thus, although the character of the country changed completely with the termination of the coniferous forests of the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, the change in the fauna was by no means so abrupt. New forms of course immediately made their appearance, or even predominated in number of species and individuals, over those we had met with before, but still many of the latter were not lost sight of completely until we had penetrated many miles into the desert country, but reappeared on the higher ranges of the western depres- sion. This was particularly the case with the West Humboldt Mountains, where Lanivireo cassini, Pipilo oregonus, Melospiza guttata, Zonotrichia coronata, and Ageleus gubernator were found in the fall, all being birds of the Pacific Province; while on the desert ranges, within sight of the Sierra, Oreortyx pictus was more or less plentiful. Along the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada, near Carson City, Cyanocitta californica—the “Valley Jay” of California—was found in place of C. woodhoust, which was the only species from the West Humboldt Mountains eastward, and the form characteristic of the Middle Province. As we approached the eastern border of the Basin we met with spe- cies characteristic of the Eastern Region or the Rocky Mountain District ~of the Middle Province, as gradually as on the western side we had left the Californian forms behind; each successive high range introducing a larger number to the list. But even in this district, where so many eastern forms were met with, there was still a sprinkling of the extreme western element, which, however, seemed to have reached nearly to its eastern limit in the upper Humboldt valley or the neighboring mountains, where such birds as Turdus guttatus; Helminthophaga lutescens, Dendrcca occidentalis, D. townsend, and Selasphorus rufus were noticed as autumnal migrants. : It seems to be a general rule, that western birds have a tendency to extend eastward during their fall migrations, thus spreading over the whole 380 ORNITHOLOGY. of the Western Region at this season, though in summer their habitat may be confined strictly to the area of Pacific-coast drainage. This circum- stance we have previously alluded to, in these words:—' “ Another very remarkable peculiarity of the Wahsatch region, which I wish par- ticularly to mention in this connection, is the fact that in the case of representative species or races, the Eastern or Rocky Mountain forms breed there, while the more Western forms replace them in winter. Thus, Zonotrichia leucophrys and Junco hyemalis, var. caniceps, are the only species of these two genera which breed on the Wahsatch, and they nest there very numerously; but in the fall their place is taken by the western Z. leucophrys, var. gambeli [=intermedia] and J. hyemalis, var. oregonus, which are un- known in summer. Lanivireo solitaria, var. plumbea, breeds there, while var. solitaria, coming from the northwestward, replaces it in autumn. The same is the case with Turdus pallasi, var. auduboni (summer resident), and var. nanus (autumnal migrant) ; and apparently the case also with Helminthophaga virginie (summer), and H. ruficapilla (autumn).” ? The eastern species occurring within the Basin were found to have reached their maximum in the Salt Lake Valley and adjacent country to the eastward, but, as was the case with the western series, some of them had intruded so far within the western domain as to reach the opposite side. Thus, Tyrannus carolinensis was not rare during the breeding-season in the lower Truckee Valley, almost at the foot of the Sierra Nevada. Ectopistes migratoria was obtained in the West Humboldt Mountains, although the only individual seen was a young one, and evidently a straggler. In the East Humboldt Mountains, Turdus swainsoni, Helminthophaga ruficapilla, and 1 Proc. Essex Inst., Vol. V, Nov., 1873, pp. 170, 171. [ Notes on the Bird Fauna of the Salt Lake Valley and the adjacent portions of the Wahsatch Mountains.”] ?Other examples of species which have an extreme western or northwestern distribution during the breeding-season, but which migrate in fall both eastward and southward, are, Helminthophaga lutescens, Dendreca occidentalis, D. townsendi, and Selas- phorus rufus, found as far east as the Clover Mountains, with the addition of Lanivireo cassini, Melospiza guttata, Pipilo oregonus, Zonotrichia coronata, and Ageleus gubernator, which in September and October were obtained in the West Humboldt range. The most plausible explanation of this eastward migration would appear to be found in the supposition that nearly, if not all, these migrants were from the Valley of the Columbia River, whose main tributary, the Snake River, heads almost directly north of the Great Salt Lake; the birds of the Columbia basin, would naturally follow the valleys of these upper tributaries as the route offering the least obstacle to their south- ward passage, many species which do not breed eastward of the lower Columbia thus regularly reaching the eastern border, if not the whole extent, of the Great Basin. Whether their return northward is by the same route, remains to be determined. GENERAL REMARKS ON THE BASIN AVIFAUNA. 381 Dolichonys oryzivorus were more or less common in the fall. In the Wah- satch district, including the Salt Lake Valley, were Turdus fuscescens, Gale- oscoptes carolinensis, Setophaga ruticilla, and Zonotrichia leucophrys as abundant. summer residents, and Melanerpes erythrocephalus as a summer strageler ; while on Kamas Prairie, between the Wahsatch and the Uintahs, Actiturus bartramius was common in July. Another result of our investigations was the discovery of the fact that several species, supposed. to be peculiarly eastern, are in reality among those which inhabit the entire breadth of the continent. Among these were Coccyzus americanus, which was found both at Sacramento, California, and in the Truckee Valley, in June and July, and Coturniculus passerinus, which was as abundant in the vicinity of Sacramento as at any eastern locality ; also, Spizella monticola, heretofore supposed to be of casual or accidental occurrence in the West, but which was found to be an abundant winter res- ident in suitable localities. There was also seen at two places in the western depression—the West Humboldt Mountains (October) and the Truckee Valley (November)—a Colaptes, which was probably the eastern C. auratus, though it may possibly have been C. chrysoides of the Gila and Saint Lucas districts, since it is certain that the individuals in question were not the form intermediate between C. auratus and C. mexicanus, known as C. “ hybridus.”* Somewhat of an anomaly was noticed in the distribution of several species in the region indicated, in their abundance on the two opposite ‘In addition to these species, the following are known to occur westward of the main divide of the Rocky Mountains :— 1. Dendreca blackburnie ; Ogden, Utah, Sept.—Allen. 2. Dendreeca coronata; Fort Bridger, Wyoming.—Baird. 3. Seiurus noveboracensis; Fort Bridger, Wyoming.— Baird. 4, Cistothorus stellaris; Utah Lake; breeding.—Henshavw. 5. Vireosylvia olivacea ; Ogden, Utah, September.—Allen. [ More or less common” |; Fort Bridger, Wyoming.—Baird. 6. Junco hyemalis; Iron Springs, Utah, October 4.—Henshaw. 7. Melospiza palustris; Washington, Utah, October 23.—Henshaw. 8. Quiscalus eneus; Fort Bridger, Wyoming—Baird. 9. Empidonax minimus; Fort Bridger, Wyoming.—Baird. 10. Rallus elegans; Ogden, Utah, September.—Allen. 11. Ibis alba; Ogden, Utah, September.—Allen. [Said to be frequent in summer.”] 12. Anas obscura; Rush Lake, Utah, November.— Yarrow. 382 ORNITHOLOGY. mountain ranges and their apparent absence from the entire intervening territory. Such was particularly conspicuous regarding Sialia mexicana and Lophophanes inornatus, which, if.occurring at all in the Basin proper, were so rare that they were not noticed. An apparent explanation of this exceptional range is the general absence of suitable localities over the greater portion of this vast area; but the circumstance that the species named were still wanting on the Wabshtols and Uintahs, where the conditions of environ- ment are in every way favorable, would seem to suggest other causes. The partial or entire absence of certain woodland species from the sufficiently extensive forests of the higher interior ranges was indeed a subject of con- tinual speculation, since they were searched ‘for in vain, after leaving the Sierra Nevada, until the Wahsatch or Uintah woodlands were reached, when many of them reappeared, while others did not, although they are known to occur in the same latitudes on the. main Rocky Mountain ranges. Besides the species named above, we may mention Scops flammeola, Glau- cidium gnoma, and Columba fasciata, which are common to the two widely- separated districts named, but which have not yet been recorded from any intermediate locality; while other species, found both on the Sierra Nevada and Wahsatch, were found to be either extremely rare or apparently not existing at all on any ranges between. These species are the following: Regulus calendula, Parus montanus, Sitta aculeata, S. pygmcea, Certhia ameri- cana, and Sphyrapicus thyroideus. All of these, it may be observed, are of pinicoline habits. It seems to us that the most reasonable explanation of the abundance of these birds on the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains, and their rarity in or absence from the intervening region, is to be found in the fact that the two great mountain systems named approximate closely along the northern and southern borders of the United States, thus allowing short and scarcely interrupted passage from one to the other, without being obliged to cross the wide expanse of desert which intervenes along the line of our route. The following tables are intended to show more briefly the changes noticed in the bird-fauna during our transit of the Basin, as well as the main local peculiarities noted by the way :— GENERAL REMARKS ON THE BASIN AVIFAUNA. 383 SPECIES OF THE GREAT BASIN NOT OBSERVED IN CALIFORNIA. Species. Range within the Basin. 1, Turdus auduboni..................... Eastern side. 2. Oreoscoptes montanus ................ Entirely across. 3. Sialia arctica. .......... 02... eee Entirely across. 4, Psaltriparus plumbeus................Entirely across. 5. Psaltriparus melanotis .......-..-..-.- Eastern side; straggler. 6. Salpinctes obsoletus ..............-... Entirely across. 7. Catherpes conspersus.........-- Pieepua Entirely across. 8. Helminthophaga virginia ............. Eastern side. 9. Lanivireo plumbeus .........-......-. Eastern side. 10.? Phenopepla nitens. ............ _. ... Western side. 11, Carpodacus cassini.......-.......--.-- Entirely across. 12. Junco caniceps. -...--.-...--. 1220 e eee Eastern side. 13. Amphispiza bilineata ............-.... Entirely across. 14. Amphispiza nevadensis...............Entirely across. 15. Melospiza fallax..............----.-6- Entirely across, except western border. 16. Passerella schistacea.....-..-...-..56- Eastern side, chiefly. 17. Calamospiza bicolor -..............--- Eastern side; straggler. 18. Pipilo megalonyx..-...-.......-5.---- Entirely across, except western border. -19. Pipilo chlorurus........---....---+--- Entirely across. 20. Gymnokitta cyanocephala.........-.-. Western side. 21. Pica hudsonica.... .......-.-.2....-- Entirely across. 22. Cyanura macrolopha.......---.+---++ Eastern side. 23. Cyanocitta woodhousii .......----.. ... Entirely across. 24. Sayornis sayus....... 0-2... eee eee eee Entirely across. 25, Empidonax obscurus. .............-.. Entirely across. 26. Empidonax hammondi....... ais ap eam Entirely across. 27. Panyptila saxatilis ........-..-. ----- Eastern side. 28. Selasphorus platycercus ....... pavcea suse ssh Eastern. side. 29. Stellula calliope ........---.---------- Entirely across. 30. Sphyrapicus nuchalis...-... ..--.---- Entirely across. 31. Sphyrapicus thyroideus........--.----Eutirely across. 32. Colaptes. hybridus ........--.-----++-- Entirely across. 33. Colaptes auratus?........-----+----+-: Western side. 34. Canace obscura ...-.-0+---- ee eee eee Entirely across. 35. Bonasa umbelloides .........-------+: Entirely across. 36. Pedicecetes columbianus ...........--. Entirely across. 37. Centrocercus urophasianus ....--.-.--- Entirely across. 38. Falcinellus guarauna.......--.+- «+--+ Eastern side. 39. Falcinellus thalassinus........----+-- . Western side. SPECIES OF THE EASTERN REGION FOUND IN THE BASIN. 1. Turdus swainsoni .........-++-+0---+: Eastern side. 2. Turdus fuscescens ....-..-.-.++--. 40+ Eastern side. 3. Galeoscoptes carolinensis ...-... .---- . Eastern side. 384 ORNITHOLOGY. Species. _ Range within the Basin. 4, Helminthophaga celata ............... Eastern side. 5. Setophaga ruticilla..................- Eastern side, 6. Lanivireo solitarius............--...-- Entirely across. 7. Zonotrichia leucophrys ..-.......-. .... astern side. 8. Dolichonyx oryzivorus...... .-...-..-- Eastern side. 9. Tyrannus carolinensis ...-.... Tineke sige Bi Entirely across. 10. Melanerpes erythrocephalus........--. Eastern side. 1L. Ectopistes migratoria ............-... West Humboldt Mts.; straggler. 12, Actiturus bartramius ............. ....Hastern side. 13. Querquedula discors...... penis - Entirely across. LOCALITIES WHERE CERTAIN SPECIES WERE FIRST MET WITH IN JOURNEYING EASTWARD. Eastern slope of Sierra Nevada. . Oreoscoptes montanus. July. . Sialia arctica. December—April 25. . Carpodacus cassini. March 21-April 4. . Salpinctes obsoletus. Summer resident. . Catherpes conspersus. Constant resident. . Amphispiza nevadensis. Constant resident. Amphispiza bilineata. Summer resident. . Spizella monticola. Winter resident. . Passerella megarhyncha. From April 25 through summer. . Passerella schistacea. February and March; scarce. . Pipilo chlorurus. Summer resident. ; . Scolecophagus cyanocephalus. Winter resident in valleys, breeding on mountains. 13. Gymnokitta cyanocephala. Constant resident. 14, Pica hudsonica. Constant resident. 15. Sayornis sayus. Summer resident. 16. Empidonax obscurus. Summer resident. 17. Antrostomus nuttalli. Summer resident. 18. Chordeiles henryi. Summer resident. 19. Picoides arcticus. Winter resident; rare. 20. Sphyrapicus thyroideus. Constant resident. 21. Sphyrapicus nuchalis. Casual (April 4). 22. Falco polyagrus. Constant resident. 23. Canace obscura. Constant resident. 24, Centrocercus urophasianus. CaONRAPWHe et et Nes Truckee Valley (below Virginia Mountains). 1. Troglodytes-hyemalis. December. . Tachycineta thalassina. Summer resident. . Tyrannus carolinensis. Summer resident. Oo bo GENERAL REMARKS ON THE BASIN AVIFAUNA. 385 4, Nepheecetes borealis. Summer resident. 5. Chetura vauxi. Summer resident. 6. Selasphorus rufus. August; excessively abundant. 7. Steganopus wilsoni. May; rare. West Humboldt Mountains. . Psaltriparus plumbeus. September—October. . Lanivireo cassini. September 9-25. . Lanivireo solitarius. September. . Melospiza guttata. One specimen; October 3. - Zonotrichia coronata. One specimen; October 7. . Cyanocitta woodhousii. September-October. . Ectopistes migratoria. One specimen; September 10. . Colaptes auratus. ? One specimen; October. ANA or &® DS Soda Lake, Carson Desert. 1.? Phenopepla nitens. June 27; rare. Toyabe Mountains (near Austin). 1. Panyptila saxatilis. July 4; one specimen. Ruby Mountains (eastern slope). . Psaltriparus melanotis.? One specimen; August 4. . Dendreeca nigrescens. Summer resident. . Helminthophaga virginia. Summer resident. . Lanivireo plumbeus. Summer resident. . Loxia leucoptera. One specimen; August 12. . Selasphorus platycercus. Summer resident. . Stellula calliope. Summer resident. SAH T Pr wD East Humboldt Mountains (eastern slope). . Turdus swainsoni. September 1-11. . Dendreeca townsendi. September 8-24. . Dendreeca occidentalis. August 29. . Helmintbophaga ruficapilla. September 6. . Empidonax hammondi. September 5-8. [Also found on eastern slope ‘of the Sierra Nevada. | OU Go bo he Here were seen the most eastern individuals of Selasphorus rufus, a pair having been observed, and the male secured, September 8. Ruby Valley (west side, near Franklin Lake). 1. Dolichonyx oryzivorus. August and September. 2. Falcinellus guarauna. August and September. From here northward, Lepus callotis was found to be replaced by ZL. campestris. 25 PR 386 ORNITHOLOGY. Upper Humboldt Valley (west of Clover Mountains). . Turdus guttatus. September 16. . Sitta canadensis. September 10. . Ampelis cedrorum. September 10. Picus gairdneri. September 12-17. . Nisus fuscus. September 10. . Pedicecetes columbianus. September 16. aoa whde Thousand Spring Valley. -1. Nyctale acadica. September 24; one specimen. Vicinity of Salt Lake City (including shores and islands of the lake, City Creek Canon, etc.) . Galeoscoptes carolinensis. Common summer resident. . Setophaga ruticilla. Common summer resident. . Chrysomitris psaltria. Rare summer resident. . Pipilo megalonyx. Abundant summer resident. . Melanerpes erythrocephalus. One specimen, June. , Agialitis nivosus. Very abundant summer resident. Parley’s Park (Wahsatch Mountains). . Junco caniceps. Common summer resident. . Zonotrichia leucophrys. Common sammer resident. . Calamospiza bicolor. One specimen, July 30. . Cyanura macrolopha. Common resident. . Bonasa umbelloides. Rare resident. oar ond aor WN EF Kamas Prairie. 1. Actiturus bartramius. July. Provo Canon. 1. Turdus fuscescens. Very abundant summer resident. 2. Parus septentrionalis. Summer resident. CATALOGUE OF THE SPECIES COLLECTED OR OBSERVED.! Turdide. pee Turdide— Continued. =a *1, Turdus migratorius, L........... 391 | *5. Turdus swainsoni, Caban........ 397 2. Turdus guttatus (Pall.).......... 393 | *6.|Turdus fuscescens, Steph.]....... 398 *3. Turdus auduboni, Baird. ........ 394 | *7, Galeoscoptes carolinensis (L.). ... 399 *4, Turdus. ustulatus, Nutt........-.- 395 | *8. Oreoscoptes montanus (Towns.)... 399 1 For the sake of convenience, we adopt a strictly binomial nomenclature, even in case of forms which are unquestionably mere geographical races. Species dis- tinguished by an asterisk are those which were observed during the breeding-season; those in italics were seen only in California, while those not in the collection are inclosed in brackets. CATALOGUE, Page. Saxicolide. *9, Sialia mexicana, Swains. ....... 402 *10. Sialia arctica, Swains........... 403 Cinelida., : *11. Cinclus mexicanus, Swains...... 406 Sylviide. *12, Myiadestes townsendi (Aud.).... 408 *13. [Polioptila coerulea (L.)?]......... 409 *14. Regulus calendula (L.).......... 409 15. [Regulus satrapa, Licht.}......., 410 Paride. *16. Lophophanes inornatus (Gamb.). 410 *17. Parus montanus, Gamb...*...... 411 *18. Parus septentrionalis, Harris.... 412 *19. [Parus occidentalis, Baird ?]...... 412 *20. [Psaltriparus minimus (Towns.)].. 413 *21, Psaltriparus plumbeus, Baird. .. 413 22. [Psaltriparus melanotis(Hartl.)?]. 415 Sittide. *23. Sitta aculeata, Cass. .........-. 415 *24, Sitta canadensis, L. ... ....... 416 *25. Sitta pygmaa, Vig............. 417 Certhiide. *26. Certhia americana.............. 418 Troglodytide. *27. Salpinctes obsoletus....... ..-.. 418 *28, Catherpes conspersus, Ridgw. .. 420 *29, [Thryomanes spilurus (Vig.)]..... 422 *30. Troglodytes parkmanni, Aud.... 422 31. Troglodytes pacificus, Baird. ... 424 *32. Telmatodytes paludicola, Baird.. 425 Motacillide. 33. Anthus ludovicianus (Gm.)...... 426 Mniotiltide. 34. Helmiuthophaga ruficapilla (WAIS.)i 02 ies eyes. eoesa ween 427 *35. Helminthophaga virginia, Baird. 428 *36. Helminthophaga celata (Say).... 429 429 *38. Dendreeca estiva (Gm.)......-.- 431 39. [Dendreeca occidentalis (Towns.)|. 432 40. Dendroeca townsendi (Nuit.). ... 432 387 eae Page. Mniotiltida—Continued. *41. Dendreeca nigrescens (Towns.)... 433 *42, Dendreca auduboni (Towns.). .. 433 *43, Geothlypis trichas (L.).......... 434 *44, Geothlypis maegillivrayi (Aud.). 435 *45. Icteria longicauda, Lawr.. ..... 436 *46. Myiodioctes pusillus (Wils.)..... 437 47. Myiodioctes pileolatus (Pall.).... 437 *48, Setophaga ruticilla (L.)......... 438 Hirundinide. *49. Progne subis (L.)............... 439 *50. Petrochelidon lunifrons (Say).... 440 *51. Hirundo horreorum, Barton.... 441 *52. Tachycineta bicolor (Vieill.).. ... 441 *53. Tachycineta thalassina (Swains.). 443 *54 Cotyle riparia (L.).-...... 22... 445 *55. Stelgidopteryx serripennis(Aud.) 446 Ampelida. 56. Ampelis cedrorum (Vieill.).. .. 446 57.2 [Pbenopepla nitens (Swains.)]... 447 ‘ Vireonide. *58. Vireosylvia swainsoni, Baird.... 448 59. Lanivireo cassini, Baird. ....... 449 60. Lanivireo solitarius (Wils.)...... 450 *61. Lanivireo plumbeus, Coues...... 451 *62. Vireo pusilius, Coues. ....... .«. 451 Laniide. 63. Collurio borealis (Vieill.)........ 452 *64, Collurio excubitoroides (Swains.). 453 Tanagride. *65. Pyranga ludoviciana (Wils.).... 454 Fringillide. 66. Loxia americana (Wils.)...... . 455 67. [Loxia leucoptera, Gm.]......... 456 *68. Carpodacus cassini, Baird... ..-- 457 *69. Carpodacus frontalis (Say). ..... 453 70. [Leucosticte littoralis, Baird.].... 461 *71. Chrysomitris tristis. ........... 461 *72. Chrysomitris psaltria (Say).....- 462 *73, [Chrysomitris lawrencti (Cass.)]... 463 *74, Chrysomitris pinus (Wils.).... . 463 75. [Plectrophanes lapponicus (L.)].. 464 *76, Passerculus alaudinus, Bonap... 464 *77,. Pooecetes confinis, Baird... ..... 466 388 *78, *79, *80. *81. 82. *83. *84, *85. *86. 87. *88. *89, *90. *91. 92. #93. #94. #95. 96. *97. #98, *99. *100. *101, #102. *103. #104. 105. *106, 107. *108, *109. *110. *111. *112, *113., *114, *115. ORNITHOLOGY, Page. Page. Fringillide— Continued. A Corvide. Coturniculus perpallidus, *116. Corvus carnivorus, Bartr...... 512 RIO Wine es cs oe Se ceiee va eee 467 | *117. Corvus americanus, Aud....... 514 Chondestes grammaca (Say)... 467 | #118. Picicorvus columbianus (Wils.). 515 Zonotrichia leucophrys (Forst.). 470 | #119. Gymnokitta cyanocephala, Max. 517 Zonotrichia intermedia, Ridgw. 471 | *120. Pica nuttalli, Aud............. 519 Zonotrichia coronata (Pall.).... 472 | *121. Pica hudsonica (Sabine)....... 520 Junco oregonus (Towns.)....... 473 | *122, Cyanura frontalis, Ridgw...... 523 [Junco caniceps (Woodh.)]...... 474 ) *123. Cyanura macrolopha, Baird.... 524 Amphispiza bilineata (Cass.)... 475 | *124. Cyanocitta californica (Vig.)... 525 Amphispiza nevadensis, Ridgw. 476 | *125. Cyanocitta woodhousii, Baird. . 526 Spizella monticola (Gm.)....-.. 478 Tyrannide. Spizella brewer, Cass... 480 | 1226 Tyrannus verticals, Sag....... 598 Melospiza heerraanni, Baird.... 481 et i. oe Oe olinensis ae eee OBR Melospiza fallax, Baird......-. 482 | ys59, ylarelns culeriscas, 2 ee bas Melospiza guttata (Nutt.).. ... 482 oe [Say ae (owing) | . bee Melospiza lincolni (Aud.)....... 484 ese Sayornis BIYUS LPOnep,) aes as? ae Passerella megarhyncha, Baird. 485 ee omepue pores ORB) aoe Passerella schistacea, Baird.... 486 ae Couvepus Hieharasot (Sains). i! Calamospiza bicolor (Towns.),.. 487 a Jemison Basins iSyains) ce) Hiedeneles nelanesanha ius 134. Empidonax obscurus (Swains.). 541 (Sigua) cases eke. 488 135. umpitonax hammondi, Xantus. 543 Guiraca coerulea (L.). .......--. 489 *136. Empidonax difficilis, Baird..... 544 Cyanospiza ameena (Say)...... 490 Alcedinide. Pipilo oregonus (Bell)......... 491 | *137. Ceryle aleyon (L.)............- 545 Pipilo megalonyx, Baird.... .. 491 sip Se eee MR eC Leia atone A 545 Leila ertsralte Wig | a-s-as2 28 | acy Binge euintniert And, .c.0ssc. 546 Alaudide. | *140. [Picus nuttalli, Gamb.]........ 547 Eremophila alpestris (Forst.).. 498 | *141. Picus albolarvatus (Cass.)..... 547 Eremophila leucoleama, Coues.. 498 | 142. Picoides arcticus (Swains.)..... 548 Eremophila chrysolama(Wagl.) 499 | *143.[Sphyrapicus ruber (Gm.)] .. ..° 549 Tetertdee, *144, Sphyrapicus nuchalis, Baird... 549 Dolichonyx oryzivorus (L.).... 500 e Sphyrapicus thyroideus (Cass.). 551 Molothrus ater (Bodd.)........ 501 i eae POV MECTOOR EE 553 oe ee 502 *147. Melanerpes torquatus (Wils.).. 553 Agelzus pheeniceus (L.)....... 503 148. [Melanerpes erythrocephalus Ageleus gubernator (Wagl.)... 504 *149 ie perinneerokarenine ie eer bos [Agelaus tricolor (Nutt.)]-..... 505 pap Hee MSaleDU, Swale oc: BAD Sturnella neglecta, And. ... .. 506 150. Colaptes hybridus, Baird... .... 556 Icterus bullocki (Swains.)...... 508 Tol. [Colaptes aitratna (1) 9].0-2-.., oot Scolecophagus cyanocephalus Cuculide: (Wagl.)....... ...-+....+.. 510 | #152. |Coceyzus americanus (L.)]..... 558 CATALOGUE. 389 Trochilide. ner Columbide. ae *153. Calypte anne (Less.)......-.... 558 | *187. Columba fasciata, Say......... 595 *154. Trochilus alexandri, Bourc. & 188, Ectopistes migratoria (L.)...-- 596 Mauls. .................--.- 559 | *189. Zenedura carolinensis (L.)..... 596 °155. Selasphorus rufus (Gm.).. .... 559 3 * Wetpactace *156. Selasphorus platycercus ‘ ; (Swains.) ......-..--...---. 560 Eee pee iS ee b a1.) . me 5: i . Bonasa umbelloides (Dougl.).. Pele Ebel ahaa ney Ca toeee tees 563 | #199, Pedicecetes columbianus (Ord.). 599 Cypselidee. *193. Centrocercus urophasianus *158. Panyptila saxatilis (Woodh.)... 564 (Bonap.)...-.. 0.22.0. ee. ee ee 600 159. Nepheecetes borealis (Kenn.)... 565 Perdicide. 160. [Chetura vauxi (Towns.)]...... 566 | «194. Oreortyx pictus (Dougl.)...... 601 Caprimulgide. *195, Lophortyx californicus (Shaw.).- 602 161. Antrostomus nuttalli (Aud.)... 567 Charadriide. 162. Chordeiles henryi, Cass........ 568 | *196 Algialitis vociferus (L.)... .... 603 Strigide. *197 Aigialitis nivosus, Cass. ....--. 604 163. Strix pratincola, Bongp. .....-- 569 Phalaropodide. 164. Otus wilsonianus, Less. ....... 570 | *198.[Steganophus wilsoni (Sab.)]... 604 165. Brachyotus cassini, Brewer. ... . 571 Recurvirostride. 166. Scops asio, (L.) ay ne a tyes ort *199. Recurvirostra americana, Gm... 605 167. Nyctale acadica (Gm.)......-. 572 #900,’ Himanto ‘ 606 ; . pus mexicanus ....... 168. Bubo subarcticus, Hoy. ..... -» 572 . 169. Speotyto hypogea (Bonap.).... 573 Scolopacide. Helos: *201. Gallinago wilsoni (Temm.)..... 606 . 5 202. [Tringa americana, Cass.]..-.... 607 170. Falco nevius (Gm.)..-.------- 575 | 993, ‘Pringa bairdi, Coues......-...- 608 171. Falco polyagrus, Cass. ....---- 577 | 904. Tringa minutilla, Vieill......-. 608 ree oc ee Ce teen as ie 205. Ereunetes pusillus (L.)......-. 609 ae = PE Dare Cnnany eae tere 580 #206, Symphemia semipalmata (Gm). 609 174, Circus hudsonius, L..-....---- *207. [Rhyacophilus solitarius (Wils.]. 610 175. Nisus cooperi (Bonap.)..-... 581 #208. Tringoides macularius (L.).-.-. 610 ATG. Nisuis fuses (GMs) ox see> 581 | +099, [Actiturus bartramius (Wils.)].. 611 *177.[Buteo elegans, Cass.]....------ 582 *210. Numenius longirostris, Wils...- 611 *178. Buteo calurus, Cass..-......-- 582 Gruide *179. Buteo swainsoni, Bonap. -....-- 584 ‘ #180. Archibuteo sancti-johannis *211, [Grus canadensis (L.)]...------ 611 (GL) «sass oc ow neon eu cee, BOD |e Rallide. *181.[Archibuteo ferrugineus #219, [Rallus virginianus, L.]........ 612 (Licht.)]- ----..---2- +--+ 590 | #2913. Porzana carolina (L.)........-- 612 *182.[Aquila canadensis (L.)|...-.-. 590 | *214,[Porzana jamaicensis (Gm.)?]... 613 *183., [Haliaétus leucocephalus (L.)].. 592 | #915, Gallinula galeata (Licht.)...... 613 #184, Elanus leucurus (Vieill.)..----- 592 | #216. Fulica americana, Gm....-.- . 614 #185. [Pandion carolinensis (Gm.)] -.. 593 Tantalide. Cathartide. *217.[Falcinellus guarauna (Gm.)]... 615 *186. Rhinogryphus aura (L.)....--. 593 | *218. Falcinellus thalassinus, Ridgw. 615 390 ORNITHOLOGY. Page. Page. Ardeide. Anatide—Continued. *219, Ardea herodias, L.. .... ..--- 616 | 243.[Fulix collaris (Donov.)].....-.. 625 220. [Herodias egretta (Gm.)].....-. 617 | 244.[Bucephala americana (Bonap.)]. 626 *221. Butorides virescens (L.).......- 617 | 245. Bucephala albeola (L.).. ..... - 626 *222.[Ardetta exilis (Gm.)]...-...-.. 618 | *246.[Erismatura rubida (Wils.)]..... 626 *293. [Nyctiardea neevia (Bodd.)]...-- 618 | 247.[Mergus americanus, Cass.]. .. .- 627 *224, Botaurus minor (Gm.)....-.--. 618 | 248.|Mergus serrator, L.]........... 627 Anatide. 249. [Lophodytes cucullatus (L.)].... 627 225.[Cygnus buccinator, Richard- Pelecanide. SON T]..- +++ eee sees eee eee ee 619 | *250, Pelecanuserythrorhynchus,Gm. 627 226. Anser albatus, Cass........... 619 Graculidee *227. Branta canadensis (L.).-..---. 620 Lo #28. Branta hutchinsi (Richardson). 620 | *251. Graculus floridanus (And.).... 635 229.[Branta nigricans (Lawr.)]-.-... 621 Laride. *230. Anas boschas, L......-....--. 621 | 252. Blasipus heermanni (Cass.)..... 636 *231. Chaulelasmus streperus (L.)... 622 | *953, Larus californicus, Lawr....--. 637 *232, Mareca americana (Gm.)....-.. 622 | 954. Larus delawarensis, Ord. ...... 638 233, [Dafila acuta (L.)|..--.-------. 622 | 255. Chrecocephalus philadelphia *234.[Nettion carolinensis (Gm.)].... 623 HOR) alee, ee hates ean 639 *235. [Querquedula discors (L.)]....-. 623 | +256. (Sterna regia, Gamb.].......... 639 *236. Querquedula cyanoptera *257. Sterna forsteri, Nutt........... 639 (Vieill.) -... .-..---+-- '-+++ 623 | #958, Hydrochelidon lariformis (L.).. 640 237. Spatula clypeata (L.).. ....... 624 . 238. [Aix sponsa (L.)]....--......-. 624 Podicipide. 239. Aythya americana (Eyton).... 624 | *259. Podiceps occidentalis, Lawr.... 641 240. Aythya vallisneria (Wils.)-...-. 625 | *260. [Podiceps cristatus (L.)]........ 642 241. [Fulix marila (L.)].....-....... 625 | *261. Podiceps californicus, Heerm.. 642 242, [Fulix affinis (Eyton)]....-..... 625 | #262. Podilymbus podiceps (L.)....-. 643 REPORT PROPER. (EMBRACING BIOGRAPHICAL AND OTHER: NOTES ON THE SPECIES OBSERVED.] Famity TURDIDH—TuHrvusaeEs. TURDUS MIGRATORIUS.! BHobin-Thrush; American Robin. Turdus migratorius, LINN., 8. N., 1, 1766, 292.—Barrp, B. N. Am., 1858, 218; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 155; Rev. Am. B., 1864, 28.—CooPEr, B. Cal., I, 1870, 7.—COUES, Key, 1872, 71, fig. 13; Check List, 1873, No.1; B. N.W., 1874, 1. Turdus migratorius var. migratorius, B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 25, pl. 11, fig. 3 HENSHAW, 1875, 143. The Common Robin was not found at Sacramento in June, nor was it seen anywhere in the Sacramento Valley until we neared the foot-hills of 1 For obvious reasons, we have abstained from burdening this report with numer- ous references, and have confined the citations to the more important general works, including, of course, the original description of the species, and the first authority for the binomial combination as adopted. Those desiring other references are advised to consult Dr. Coues’s “ Birds of the Northwest,” and Mr. Henshaw’s report, cited below, where may be found in the very complete synonymatic tables almost any reference required. The general works quoted in this report are the following :— (1.) “BarrD, B. N. Am., 1858.”—Vol.1X, Pacific R. R. Reports.—Birds: by Spencer F. Baird, Assistant Secretary Smithsonian Institution, with the codperation of John Cassin and George N. Lawrence. Washington, D. C., 1858. (2.) “Barrp, Catal. N. Am. B., 1859.”—Catalogue of North American Birds, chiefly in the Museum of the Smithsonian [nstitution. [First octavo edition.] Washing- ton: Smithsonian Institution [Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, No. 108], 1859. (3.) “ BarRD, Rev. Am. B.”—Review of American Birds, in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution. Part I. Washington: Smithsonian Institution [Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, No. 181], 1864-1866. [Edition with indices, published 1872.| (4.) “B. B. & B., Hist. N. Am. B.”—History of North American Birds, by S. F. Baird, T. M. Brewer, and R. Ridgway [etc.|, 3 vols. Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1874. (5.) “Cougs, Key.”—Key to North American Birds [ete.]. By Elliott Coues, Assistant Surgeon United States Army. Salem: Naturalists’ Agency, 1872. (6.) ‘Cours, Check List.”—Check List of North American Birds. By Dr. Elliott Coues, U.S. A. Salem: Naturalists’ Agency, 1874. (7.) “Couns, B. N.W.”—Birds of the Northwest [ete.]: Miscellaneous Publica- 391 392 ORNITHOLOGY. the Sierra Nevada, where the first individuals of the species were noticed among the scattered pines which formed the outposts of the continuous forest of the mountains. From the Sierra Nevada eastward, however, it was continually met with in all wooded localities, the aspen groves of the higher cations being its favorite resort during the summer, while in winter it descended to the lower valleys, and passed the season among the willows or cotton-woods and attendant shrubbery along the streams. In the vicinity of Carson City it was extremely abundant from the middle of March until the middle of April, and assembled in large flocks among the scrubby thickets of dwarf-plum bushes along the base of the Sierra. In August they were quite plentiful in the valley of the Truckee, below the ‘Big Bend,” being attracted thither by the abundance of fruit of the buffalo-berry bushes (Shepherdia argentea), which at this time formed an important portion of their food; and later in the season they were observed feeding on service-berries (the fruit of Amelanchier canadensis) along the foot-hills of the eastern ranges. In their manners and notes we could not detect the minutest difference between the western and eastern Robins, although climatic or other geographical influences have perceptibly modified their plumage.’ In all respects it seems the same bird, the song and other notes being identical. tions, No. 3, U. S. Geological Survey of the Territories, F. V. Hayden, U.S. Geologist- in-charge. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1874. (8.) “COOPER, Orn. Cal., [.”—|Reports Geological Survey of California. J.D. Whitney, State Geologist.] Ornithology. Vol. I. Land Birds. Edited by 8. F. Baird, from the manuscript and notes of J. G. Cooper. Published by authority of the Legis- lature. Cambridge: [Printed by Welch, Bigelow & Co.,] 1870. (9.) ‘‘ HENSHAW, 1875.’—Report upon Geographical and Geological Explorations and Surveys west of the One Hundredth Meridian, in charge of First Lieut. Geo. M. Wheeler, Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army [etv.]. Chapter ILI, Vol. V.—Zoology. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1875. [NotE.—In the History of North American Birds, Birds of the Northwest, and other. recent publications, occasional reference is made to a “ Zoology of the 40th Parallel [in press],” or “ Rep. 40th Parallel [in press].” It is to be understood that these citations do not apply to the present report, but to the original one, stereotyped in 1870, but suppressed on aceount of unavoidable delay in its publication. In its present form the report is substantially the same, but the changes necessary to bring it up to date render the citations of pages and names frequently inapplicable.] 'The western birds of this species may be distinguished as a geographical race, for which the name Turdus migratorius propinquus, Ridgway, is proposed. See [ Bulle- tin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club, Vol. II, January, 1877, p. 9.] TURDUS GUTTATUS. 393 List of specimens. 226, 6 ad.; Camp 19, West Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, October 4, 1867. 10§—16—5 5,45, —j,—14 44-12. Bill, brownish-black, more yellowish-brown along commissure, and on lower mandible ; iris, brown; tarsi and toes, brownish-black. 269, 3 ad.; Truckee meadows, Nevada, November 8. 11—16§—54—43—7—1} —4g—1g. Upper mandible, dilute yellowish horn-color; tip and culmen, blackish ; lower, more yellowish; gonys and tip, black ; iris, brown; tarsi and toes, deep black. 358, 2 ad.; Truckee Valley, December 16. 103—153—53—43—7—11__-41._9, Same remarks. 359, 3 ad.; same date and locality. 10$—164—53—43—27_1}- 44. 9. + Bill, nearly uniform blackish; yellowish on upper edge of lower mandible; iris, brown; interior of mouth, deep yellow-orange; tarsi and toes, intense black. 803, nest and eggs (4); Truckee Valley, June 6, 1868. Nest in cotton-wood tree. 820, nest and eggs (4); Toyabe Mountains, 7,500 feet altitude, July 3, 1868. Nest in a copse along stream, about six feet from ground, in choke-cherry bush. 851, nest and eggs (4); Camp 19, East Humboldt Mountains, July 22. Nest on pifion tree, about fifteen feet’from ground. (8,000 feet altitude.) 1265, 1266, 1267, 1268, nest and eggs; 1269, single egg; Parley’s Park (Wah- satch Mountains), Utah, June 23, 1869. Nests in cotton-woods along a stream. 1287, nest and eggs (4); Parley’s Park, June 25. Bushes along stream. 1301, nest and eggs (2); Parley’s Park, June 27. Nest in aspen. 1338, nest and eggs (4); Parley’s Park, June 28. Willows along stream. 1367, nest and eggs (3); Uintah Mountains (Pack’s Caiion), Utah, July 3, 1869. Nests in thorn-apple bushes along stream. 1368, nest and eggs (3); same locality and date. 1395, nest and eggs (4); Parley’s Park, July, 1869. TURDUS GUTTATUS. Hermit Thrush. a. guitatus—Dwarf Hermit Thrush. Muscicapa guttata, PALL., Zoog. Rosso-As., I, 1811, 465. [Juv.] Turdus nanus, AUD., Orn. Biog., V, 1839, 201, pl. eci (doubtful whether this form!). BaIrrD, Birds N. Am., 1858, 213; Cat. N. Am. Birds, 1859, No. 150; Review, 1864, .—CooPER, Orn. Cal., I, 1870, 4. Turdus pallasi var. nanus, COUES, Key, 1872, 72; Check List, 1873, No. 4 b.—B. B. & BR., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 20, pl. 1, fig. 7. Turdus pallasi. b. nanus, CouES, B. Northwest, 1874, p. 3—HENsHaw, 1875, 146. But one individual of the Dwarf Thrush was met with, this one being secured. It is probably more or less common, however, during the migra- ‘In the enumeration of specimens certain figures require explanation. The first number denotes the current number of the specimen as registered in the Field Cat- alogue. The measurements are as follows, in regular sequence: (1), length; (2), ex- 394 ORNITHOLOGY. tions, particularly in the fall, in all suitable localities embraced within the country traversed by the expedition. The specimen in question was obtained on Trout Creek, a tributary of the Humboldt River, and when observed was perched on a low twig in a willow copse, silently watching us as we reclined on the grassy bank of the brook. It uttered no note whatever, and exhibited no fear at our presence. ‘ List of specimens. 928, 2 ad; Trout Creek, Upper Humboldt Valley, Nevada, September 16, 1868. 611—1013—215, Bill, black; basal half of the lower mandible, lilaceous-white; inte- rior of the mouth, rich yellow; iris, dark bister; tarsi and toes, pale purplish-brown— the toes darkest, the tarsi paler along their posterior edge. B. auduboni—Rocky Mountain Hermit Thrush; Audubon’s Hermit Thrush. Merula silens, SwAINs., Phil. Mag., I, 1827, 369 (not Turdus silens, VIETLL, 1823 = T. fuscescens). Turdus silens, BAIRD, B. N. Am., 1858, 213, 922; Cat. N. Am. Birds, 1859, No. 149a. Turdus auduboni, BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 1864, 16. Turdus pallasi var. auduboni, Cours, Key, 1872, 72; Check List, 1873, No. 4a. —B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I., 1874, 21, pl. 1, fig. 8 -HENSHAW, 1875, 144. Turdus pallasi. b. auduboni, COUES, Birds N.W., 1874, 3. The large Mountain Thrush was first met with in the Wahsatch range, where it inhabited chiefly the deep ravines of the pine region. The first specimen seen was shot May 26, in City Creek Cafion, near Salt Lake City; but this was probably a mere straggler from the higher portions of the mountains. In its manner of flight, which is gliding and noiseless, this Thrush greatly resembles Townsend’s Solitaire (Myiadestes townsendi), the resemblance being increased by the pale ochraceous band across the base of the remiges, which shows as a very conspicuous feature on both birds when flying. The haunts of this bird were so difficult of access from our pause of wings when fully stretched ; (3), leugth of wing from tip of the longest primary to the carpal joint; (4), the same measurement to the metacarpo-phalangeal articula- tion; (5), length of the culmen (not including the cere, and if the bill is curved, the chord, and not the are, of the curve); (6), length of the tarsus in front; (7), length of the tail to the base of the coccyx; (8), length of the tail to the tip of the longest upper coverts. If a measurement is wanting, its place is supplied by an interrogation point, the order being invariably the same. All measurements, and notes on color of eyes, etc., are from fresh specimens, before skinniug. TURDUS USTULATUS. 395 camp, and its manners so reserved, that we could not learn much regarding its habits, nor did we hear its song. The latter, however, is probably little different from that of the eastern bird, 7 guttatus pallasi. List of specimens. 1051, 3 ad.; City Creek Cafion (near Salt Lake City), Wahsatch Mountains, Utah, May 26, 1869. 73—123. Bill, black; basal half of lower mandible, dull yellow; iris, brown; tarsi and toes, pale brown. 1487,2 juv.; Parley’s Park, August 5, 1869. 7g—124. Bill, black, the lower mandible purplish basally; interior and angle of the mouth, yellow; iris, dark brown; tarsi and toes, lilaceous-white; claws, brown. 1488, 3 juv.; same locality and date. 7%—13. Same remarks. 1489, 3 juv.; same locality and date. 73—124. Same remarks. 1498, 2 ad.; Parley’s Park, August 10. 74—12. Bill, black; basal half of lower mandible, whitish; interior of mouth, deep yellow 3 iris, brown; tarsi and toes, very pale brownish flesh-color. y 1499, 3 juv.; 7$—12§. 1500, g juv.; 7—123. Same date and remarks. TURDUS USTULATUS. Olive-backed Thrush. a. ustulatus—Oregon Thrush; Russet-backed Thrush. Turdus ustulatus, Nurt., Man., I, 1840, 400 (‘“ cestulatus”)—Bairp, B. N. Am., 1858, 215, pl. 81, fig.1; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 152; Rev. Am. B., 1864, 18.— CooPER, Orn. Cal., 4 (part). Turdus swainsoni var. ustulatus, COUES, Key, 1872, 73; Check List, 1873, No. 5 b.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, pl. 1, fig. 2. Turdus swainsoni. c. ustulatus, COUES, B. N.W., 1874, 4. Turdus nanus, COOPER, Orn. Cal., I, 4 (part). The Russet-backed or Oregon Thrush, which we consider a mere geographical form of the same species as Swainson’s Thrush, or at most a very closely related species, was first met with in the pine-region of the Sierra Nevada, on the western slope of that range, at an altitude of about 4,000 or 5,000 feet above the Sacramento Valley. It inhabited there the deep ravines, where the undergrowth was extremely dense and overtopped by a thick growth of gigantic Conifers, extending in a vast unbroken forest for hundreds of miles over the mountains tothe North and South. Eastward 396 ORNITHOLOGY. of that range it was met with but once, a single individual having been obtained, on the second of June, in the Truckee Valley, not far from the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada, the individual in question being no doubt a last lingering one, since no others were observed after that date, all having departed for the mountains to the westward. The species is known to migrate in winter southward along the Pacific slope as far as Costa Rica, but its summer-home is chiefly among the forest-clad mount- ains and wooded valleys from California to British Columbia and Sitka. The song of this Thrush much resembles that of the T. swainsoni, but is different in some important respects, conspicuous among which is its finer quality. Its modulation is quite correctly expressed by Mr. Nuttall [Manual of the Ornithology of the United States and Canada, I, 1840, p. 401], who describes it as resembling the syllables “ wit-wit, ?villia-Pvillia”; but. to convey to the reader even the slightest idea of its tone and effect would be the vainest endeavor. We heard the enchanting songs of these birds under circumstances calculated to make a lasting impression. It was in the midst of the dense and lofty forests of the Sierra Nevada, about half way up the western slope, that we rested for the Sabbath from our journey across the mountains. Hemmed in and overshadowed by giant forest trees, we halted, with rippling and sparkling brooks from the snow- fields far above dashing through the ferns and varied herbage, the roadside bedecked with the gay and lovely flowers so characteristic of Californian glades, while below yawned the depths of a dark ravine, through which dashed and roared a mountain torrent. In the tall pines, overhead, skulked the noisy Jays and Nutcrackers (Cyanura frontalis and Picicorvus columbi- anus), mingling their discordant notes with the twittering of the wood- peckers, who sported about the’ branches of the dead trees. But certain outbursts of rarest melody, heard at intervals from the dark recesses of the deep ravine, drew the attention of every one in camp; notes of exceeding simplicity, yet full of tenderest expression and thrilling effect, far finer than the softest and sweetest notes of the flute. These harmonious carols would be taken up first by one, then by another, musician, then answered from a distant portion of the dell. It was long before the author of these wild melodies could be seen, but patient search revealed a little brown bird, TURDUS SWAINSONI. 397 afterward determined to be this species, shyly flitting into the gloomy maze of foliage at our approach. List of specimens. 779, Q ad.; Truckee Reservation, Nevada, June 2, 1868. 78—12—34. Bill, black, basal half of lower mandible, pale brownish-lilac; iris, sepia; tarsi, dilute lilaceous- brown; toes, darker. ~ 8. swainsoni—Swainson's Thrush; Olive-backed Thrush. Turdus swainsoni, CABANIS, Tschudi’s Fauna Peruana, 184446, 188.—Bairp, B. N. Am., 1858, 216; Cat. N. Am: B., No. 153; Rev. Am. B., 1864, 19.—CooPsr, Orn. Cal., 6.—CourEs, Key, 1872, 72; Check List, 1873, No. 5.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 14, pl. 1, fig. 4 -HENSHAW, 1875, 147. ‘Turdus swainsoni. a. swainsoni, COUES, B. N.W., 1874, 4. After leaving the Sierra Nevada, not a single individual of any species of the smaller Thrushes was met with until we arrived at the East Hum- boldt Mountains, in eastern Nevada, where the Olive-backed Thrush was encountered, in considerable numbers, in the eastern cafions of that range. It was ‘during the season of their southward migration, and it is uncertain whether they came from the northward, or whether they had bred in the cafions where they were observed. During the ensuing spring and summer they were found in still greater abundance among the Wahsatch Mount- ains, on the opposite side of the Salt Lake Basin, in the thickets bordering the cafion streams, particularly inthe elevated “parks,” thus occupying a region intermediate between that of the Rocky Mountain Hermit Thrush (T. auduboni) of the pine-region, and that of the Tawny Thrush (7. fusces- cens) of the lower valleys. The song of this species is simple and brief, but very sweet, though less so than that of either 7. fuscescens or T. ustulatus. List of specimens. 886, é ad.; East Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, September 1, 1868. 74—124 —3g. Bill, black, the basal half of lower mandible, pale lilaceous-brown ; interior of mouth, rich yellow; iris, dark brown; tarsi and toes, dilute lilaceous-brown, with a slight plumbeous cast—the tarsi whitish on the posterior edge. 918, 6 ad.; East Humboldt Mountains, September 11. 7$—114—3,5. Same re- marks as to preceding. 1262, nest and eggs (4); Parley’s Park (Wahsatch Mountains), Utah Territory, June 23, 1869. Nest on bush near stream ; female shot on nest. 398 ORNITHOLOGY. 1271, 2 ad. 74—11%. Bill, black, basal half of lower mandible, lilaceous; interior of mouth, deep yellow; iris, brown; tarsi, pale brown; toes, darker. 1296, 1297, nest and eggs (4); 1298, nest; 1299, single egg ; Parley’s Park, June 27. Nests in willows along the stream. 1302, nest and eggs (4); Parley’s Park, June 27. Nest in clump of willows near stream. 1339, nest and 1 egg; Parley’s Park, June 27. Nest in willows. (Contained also three young.) 1404, nest; Cash Valley, Utah, July, 1869. [J. C. Olmstead.] TURDUS FUSCESCENS. Tawny Thrush; Wiison’s. Thrush. Turdus fuscescens, STEPHENS, Shaw’s Gen. Zool., X, 1817, 182.—BarRD, B. N.Am., 1858, 214; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 151.—Covugs, Key, 1872, 73; Check List, 1873, No. 6; B. N.W., 1874, 5.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 9, pl. 1, fig. 5 HENSHAW, 1875, 148. The Tawny Thrush, although essentially an eastern species, was found to be more or less common in the Wahsatch district of Utah, where it inhabited only the vicinity of the streams in the lower valleys It was extremely abundant along the Provo River, especially just above the debouché of that stream through its picturesque cafion between two lofty snow-clad peaks of the main range of the Wahsatch Mountains; and it was also seen in the valleys of the Bear and Weber Rivers, farther northward. In all these localities it frequented the dense willow-thickets in the immediate vicinity of the rivers, where it was extremely difficult to discover, and next to impossible to secure specimens after they were shot. We never tired of listening to the thrilling songs of these birds, for they were truly inspiring through their exceeding sweetness and beautiful expression. The modulation of their notes was somewhat similar to that expressed by the syllables ta-weél-ah, ta-weél-ah, twil’-ah, twil-ah, the latter portion subdued in tone, thus seeming like an echo of the first. In the valley of the Provo it was not unusual to hear a dozen or more of these exquisite songsters uniting in their rivalry, the most favorable time being the afternoon and evening. Considerable resemblance in tone to the song of the T. ustulatus was noted, but it was observed that the modulation was distinctly different. GALEOSCOPTES CAROLINENSIS—OREOSCOPTES MONTANUS. 399 GALEOSCOPTES CAROLINENSIS. Cat-bird. Muscicapa carolinensis, Linn, S. N., I, 1766, 328. Mimus carolinensis, BArRD, B. N. han 1858, 346; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 254.— CooPER, Orn. Cal., I, 23 —Cours, Key, 1872, 74; Check List, 1873, nae 9; B. N.W., 1874, 8. Galeoscoptes rales. CaBAnIs, Mus. Hein., I, 1850, 82.—Barrp, Review, 1864, 54; B. B. & R., I, 1874, 52, pl. 111, fig. 5—Hensuaw, 1875, 152. Like many species considered to be characteristically eastern, the Cat- bird is likewise one of the most abundant summer residents of the Wahsatch region. Indeed, we found it not uncommon on the large islands in the Great Salt Lake, specimens being shot in an orchard on Antelope Island in the month of June, while another was obtained, during the same month, on Stansbury Island, where few other birds were found. Among the mountains it was more abundant, its favorite haunts being the shady thickets along the streams which descend the cafions or course across the meadow-like parks.” It was thus an associate of the Olive-backed Thrush and the Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla), but while it did not ascend to as high an alti- tude as the former, we found the latter with it only in the lower portions of its range. No differences from the eastern birds of the same species were detected, in either manners or notes. List of specimens. 1105, é ad.; Autelope Island, Great Salt Lake, Utah, June 4, 1869. (Too badly mutilated for measurement.) 1163, 9 ad.; Stansbury Island, Great Salt Lake, June 12. 8§—11. Bill and feet, black; iris, brown. 1263, 1264, nests; Parley’s Park (Wahsatch Mountains), Utah, June 23. Nest in willows along stream. 1323, nest and eggs (2); Parley’s Park, June 28. Nest in willows. 1384, nest and eggs (4); Provo River, Utah, July 10,1869. Nest in willow-thicket. OREOSCOPTES MONTANUS. Sage Thrasher; Mountain Mocking-bird. Orpheus montanus, TOWNSEND, Journ. Ac. Nat. Sci., Philad., 1837, 192. Oreoscoptes montanus, BAIRD, B. N. Am., 1858, 347; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 255; Review, 1864, 42.—CooPER, Orn. Cal., 12.—CovuEs, Key, 1872, 74; Check List, 1873, No. 7; B. N.W., 1874, 7.—B. B. & R., I, 1874, 32, pl. m1, fig. 6.—HEN- SHAW, 1875, 149. Before beginning our account of this interesting species, we pause to 400 ; ORNITHOLOGY. protest against the name “Mountain Mocking-Bird,” the appellation usually given it in books. This name is objectionable from the fact that it is doubly a misnomer, and therefore likely to convey an entirely erroneous idea of its distribution and song. A more appropriate term would be that of “Sage Thrasher,” which is descriptive of both its habitat, and its relationship to the better-known species of the sub-family to which it belongs. The Sage Thrasher is a widely-distributed species, since it occurs throughout that extensive portion of the West where the “everlasting sage- brush” forms the prevailing growth. It seems to be strictly governed in its range by the growth of these plants, and is consequently chiefly an inhabitant of the valleys and mesas, rarely extending farther up the mountains than the foot-hills, to the commencement of the juniper or mahogany woods. It is a migratory species, arriving from the South, in the latitude of Carson City, about the 20th of March, and departing in October or November. Its presence has been noted at but few Mexican localities, but it winters in such great numbers along our southern border that its abundance in northern and central Mexico at this season may be taken for granted. At Carson City, very favorable opportunity was afforded for observing the habits of this interesting species during the breeding-season. The males began singing about the 24th of March, or immediately after their arrival, but their notes were then subdued, while their manners were reserved in the extreme. They soon became numerous in the sage-brush around the outskirts of the city, and were often seen perched upon the summit of a bush, turning the head from side to side-in a watchful manner, even while singing; when approached, disappearing by diving into the bush, and, after a long circuitous flight near the ground, reappearing some distance in the rear of the pursuer. This peculiar, concealed flight we found to be a constant habit of the species. As the pairing-season approached, with the advance of spring, the songs of the males became greatly improved, both in strength and quality; their manners also became changed, for they had lost their former shyness. About the 10th of April, the males were engaged in eager rivalry, each vying with the other as he sang his sweetest notes, his wings being at intervals raised vertically so as to almost touch over the OREOSCOPTES MONTANUS. 401 back, and quivering with the ecstacy that agitated the singer. The first eggs were laid about the 20th of April, the nests having been commenced a week or more earlier; and by this time the males had become perfectly silent, their main occupation being that of sentinel on guard for the approach of an intruder. In fact, we know of no oscine bird so completely mute as the present one during the period of incubation, and throughout the summerand fall, at which time one unacquainted with their habits earlier in the season might think they had no voice. Even when a nest is disturbed, the parent birds do not protest, but merely run anxiously about the meddler, in the manner of a Robin, now and then halting, and with outstretched necks closely observing his actions. When the young are hatched, however, they become more solicitous, and signify their concern. by a low chuck. The song of this bird possesses no remarkable attributes, but it is extremely pleasing when heard under favorable circumstances. It is most deficient in power and energy, being comparable to the subdued, subtile warbling of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) rather than to the vigorous songs of the Brown Thrasher (Harporhynchus rufus) or Mocking- bird (Mimus polyglottus), its nearer kindred. It is not, however, lacking in sweetness or variety, while at times it is characterized by considerable vivacity. List of specimens. 144, ad.; Camp 17, Valley of the Humboldt River (Oreana), August 31, 1867. 9—124—4—3,5,—11—14—34—2. Bill, black, basal half of lower mandible, pale pinkish- gray, with a faint yellowish tinge; rictus and interior of mouth, deep yellow; iris, gamboge-yellow; tarsi, grayish olive-green; toes, darker, their soles deep yellow. 145, $ juv.; Camp 17, Aug. 31, 1867. 9—124—334—34—11_14—3.%—(?). Bill, black; basal half of the lower mandible, yellowish-ash, with a lilac cast; interior, and angle of the mouth, greenish or ashy yellow ; iris, lemon-yellow ; tarsi, dark greenish horn- yellow, deepest greenish along the posterior edge; toes, nearly black, their soles yellow; claws, black. : ‘ 152 2 juv.; (same locality and date). 8g—124—4—3$,—11—14—33—(?). Bill, dull black; basal half of lower mandible, pinkish ashy-white; interior and angle of the mouth, yellow; iris, greenish-yellow ; tarsi, dark yellowish horn-green ; toes, darker, their soles yellow. 451, 6 ad.; Carson City, Nevada, March 24, 1868, 9—123—4,3,—3}. Bill, black, becoming pinkish ashy-brown on basal half of lower mandible; interior of the mouth (except corneous portions), lilaceous flesh-color; iris, chrome-yellow; tarsi, yellowish- olive, with a tinge of sepia-brown; toes, blackish sepia, straw-yellow beneath. 452 8 ad.; 843—128—44—34. 26 P R. 402 ORNITHOLOGY. 453, 3 ad.; 83—128—41,—35,. Same remarks, ete, 517, eggs (4); Carson City, April 24. Nest in brush-heap, in cemetery. 518, eggs (5); Carson Vity, April 24. Nest in sage-bush, about 18 inches from ground. 519, eggs (4); Carson City, April 24. Nest on ground beneath sage-bush. 520, eggs (3); Carson City, April 24. Nest in sage-bush, about two feet from ground. 521, eggs (3); Carson City, April 24. 554, 555, nest and eggs (5); Carson City, April 28. Nests in brush-heaps, in cemetery. - ; ' 821, eggs (3); Austin, Nevada, July 3, 1868. Nest in small bush of Symphori- carpus montanus, about two feet from ground. 1123, 1124; single eggs, from nests containing young. Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake, June 7, 1869. 1125, nest; Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake, June 7, 1869. Nest in sage-bush, situated as usual. 1135, nest and eggs (3); Antelope Island, June 8. 1153, nest; Antelope Island, June 8. Nest in sage-bush. 1158, nest and eggs (4); “Rabbit Island” (near Stansbury Island), Great Salt Lake, June 11. Nest in grease-wood bush, near shore. Famitry SAXICOLIDH—StTonE-CHATS. SIALIA MEXICANA. California Blue-bird. Sialia mexicana, SWAINS., Fauna Bor. Am., I, 1831, 202.—Barrp, B. N. Am., 1858, 223; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 159; Review, 1864, 63.—CooprER, Orn. Cal., 28.—CouEs, Key, 1872, 76; Check List, 1873, No. 17,°B. N.W., 1874, 14.— B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 65, pl. v, fig. 2.HunsHaw, 1875, 161. The Western Blue-bird is known to have a range nearly co-extensive with the limits of the Western Region, it being abundant throughout the main ranges of the Rocky Mountains, north to Colorado, and also in the same parallels of latitude, or even farther northward, on the Pacific coast. Yet we lost sight of this species entirely after we left the eastern water-shed of the Sierra Nevada, and never saw nor heard of it in the Wah- satch or Uintah Mountains, notwithstanding the latter country appeared equally adapted to the requirements of the species. The last individuals seen, as we journeyed eastward, were a few families of young birds, with their parents, in the wooded valley of the Truckee River, near the-Big SIALIA AROTICA. 403 Bend. Although these birds appeared to have been bred at that locality, and though we saw an equally small number in the similar valley of the Carson River in the breeding-season, the center of abundance of the species, so far as. the Interior is concerned, seemed to be the pine-region of the Sierra Nevada, where they were observed in summer from the lower limit of these forests up to an altitude of more than 6,000 feet, or near the summit of Donner Lake Pass, where these Blue-birds, the Robin, the Oregon Snow- bird, and the Western White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia intermedia) were the characteristic or dominant species. This beautiful Blue-bird seemed to be a perfect counterpart of the eastern species (S. sialis) in its habits, while it resembled it closely in appearance; but we listened in vain for that lovely warbling which so justly renders the latter bird a universal favorite; neither did we hear it utter any note comparable to the plaintive call of the eastern bird, so often heard in autumn. This lack of sweetness of voice is, however, somewhat compensated by its superior beauty of plumage, for the richness of its coloring is decidedly superior to that of its eastern representative. List of specimens. 413, 6 ad.; Carson City, Nevada, February 21, 1868. 7—13—4$—314. Bill, tarsi, and toes, deep black ; interior of mouth, chrome-yellow ; iris, bister. 414, 6 ad.; same locality and date. 74—134—44—33. Same remarks. 428, 6 ad.; San Francisco, California; H. G. Parker. (‘Oaks.”) “7—13—(?) —33.” Same remarks. 469, 6 ad.; Carson City, March 28. 6%—124—4,5,—3,5,. Same remarks. SIALIA ARCTICA. Rocky Mountain Biue-bird. Sialia arctica, SWAINS., Fauna Bor. Am., II, 1831, 209, pl. 39.—Barrp, B. N. Am., 1858, 224; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 160; Review, 1864, 64—B, B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 67, pl. v, fig. 4—-CooPER, Orn. Cal., 29 —CovuEs, Key, 1872, 76; Check List, 1873, No. 18; B. N.W., 1874, 14.—HENsHaw, 1875, 162. This is the characteristic Blue-bird of the Interior, and it is most numer- ous where the other species is rarest. Its favorite haunts are the higher por- tions of the desert ranges-of the Great Basin, where there is little water, and no‘timber other than the usual scant groves of stunted cedars, pifion, or 404 ORNITHOLOGY. mountain mahogany. In these elevated regions it is abundant during summer, and even remains in winter, except when violent storms or severe cold drive it to the more clement valleys, where it may be seen, either singly or in considerable but scattered flocks, whenever a snow-storm prevails on the mountains. At such times we have seen both this species and the other one (S. meaicana) together in the fields around Carson City, and remarked the striking difference in their manners; the S. meai- cana being often observed perched upon a fence-post or a willow-bush, descending to the ground only to pick up some insect, and immediately returning to its post of observation, while the individuals of S. arctica were usually seen flitting restlessly over the ground, now and then, but rarely, an individual alighting for a moment on some prominent object, as a fence- post or telegraph-wire. ‘The visits of this species to the lower valleys are only occasional, however, for as soon as a storm in the upper regions subsides, they return to their own haunts; and when spring has fairly set in they are seen no more, while the “Valley Blue-bird” remains during the summer. In June, the “Mountain Blue-bird” was observed to be common in Virginia City, Nevada, where it nested in the manner of the Eastern species, in suitable places about buildings in the town, the old mills and abandoned shafts of the mines being its favorite haunts, which it shared with the House Finch (Carpodacus frontalis) and the Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus). But while it thus commended itself to the hospitality of the people by its familiarity, it was never heard to utter any note except a weak chirp, when startled from its perch. It was also common under similar circumstances at Austin, in the Toyabe Mountains, while on the higher portions of the West Humboldt, Ruby, and East Humboldt Mountains it was still more abundant. On the Ruby Mountains it was found in July and August only in the upper portion of the timber-belt, or at an altitude of 9,000 to 11,000 feet, where it nested both among the rocks and in the deserted holes of woodpeckers among the stunted pines, cedar, or mahogany trees. In the West Humboldt Mountains it was observed that they seldom if ever alighted on the bushes in the bottom of the cafion, although they constantly frequented the adobe houses of the deserted town near by. This species is usually much more shy than either the eastern Blue- SIALIA ARCTICA. 405 bird or its western representative, being at all times, according to our expe- rience, a rather difficult bird to procure. In the fall, they rove about in restless companies over the barren slopes, scattering among the low cedars, only the straggling or lingering individuals permitting a near approach. Their manners during the winter séason are most interesting to witness, for they seem to enjoy the playing of the snow-flakes, as they hover in the air over some object on the ground which attracts their attention; then, after alighting to examine it more closely, they flit off to a tall weed-stalk, never thinking, apparently, to enter the cosy copses where the Snow- birds have taken refuge. A subject of interesting and profitable speculation is the influence of spreading civilization upon the habits of animals in their native haunts. In all well-settled districts, the Purple Martins, the Barn Swallows, and the Chimney Swifts have forsaken the hollow trees and caves as nesting- places, and availed themselves of the superior accommodations and pro- tection afforded by civilized man and his surroundings, with a readiness that is indeed remarkable. The Blue-birds and certain Wrens, even in the most recently-settled sections of the country, are gradually, but rapidly, making the same revolution in their habits, and so are many others of our native birds, too numerous to mention; and every one knows how the Cliff Swallows have abandoned the precipices of mountainous districts and overspread the entire country, even to places remote hundreds of miles from the original haunts of the species, when they discovered how well suited for their nests were the eaves of barns and churches. The present species is one of this class whose habits are undergoing such modification, for although it is naturally a bird of the high mountains, we noticed that at Salt Lake City they were quite numerous, although, were the locality unreclaimed from its primitive state, they would not have been found there except during their vertical migrations, influenced by changes in the climate. Even on Antelope Island, in the Great Salt Lake, a few pairs were seen about the buildings of the ranche. List of specimens. 228, 8 ad.; West Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, October 4, 1867. _744—14—5— 4f—$—18__34._ 1.7... Bill, deep black; interior of mouth, light naples-yellow; iris, hazel; tarsi and toes, black. 406 ORNITHOLOGY. 229, d ad.; same locality and date. 7$;—134—44 4A—-3133_1}._ Interior of mouth, delicate light greenish-yellow. 243, 2 ad.; West Humboldt Mountains, October 8. 7,%;—137,—4$—33—4—3— 21314, ns remarks. 244, 2 ad.; same date. 7—128—4,),—313—3—}-2}3- 1}. Same remarks. 375, d ad.; Truckee Bottom, December 21. 74—138—43—313. Iris, vandyke- brown. 376, o ad.; same locality and date. 7,3,—134—43—313. Same remarks. 399, d ad.; Steamboat Valley, Teta: January 4, 1368, 7—138—43—315, Same remarks. 416, 3 ad.; Carson City, Nevada, March 5. 74—133—4}2—3}5. 467, g ails Carson City, March 28. 74$—13$. Same remakes 468, 2 ads same locality and date. 74—134. Same remarks. 533, d ad.; Washoe Valley, Nevada, April 25. 73—14. Same remarks. 862, $ juv.; East Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, August 6, 1868. 1103, ° juv.; Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake, June 4, 1869. : 1108, 3’ ad.; Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake, June 5, 1869. 73—13§. Bill, tarsi, and toes, pure black; iris, brown; interior of mouth, rick yellow. 1508, 3 juv.; 74138. 1509, 3 juv.; 74134. 1510, 2 juv.; T—13. 1511, 2 juv.; 74-134. Parley’s Park (Wahsatch Mountains), Otah, August 14, 1869. oO Famity CINCLID#—Water OUZELS. CINCLUS MEXICANUS. Dipper; Water Ouzel. Cinelus mexicanus, SwWAINS., Phil. Mag., I, 1827, 368.—Barrp, Review Am. B., 1864, 60.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., 1874, I, 55, pl. v, fig. 1—Coopzr, Orn. Cal., 25.—Cours, Key, 1872, 77; Check List, 1873, No. 10; B. N.W., 1874, 10.—HENSHAW, 1875, 159. Hydrobata mexicana, BAIRD, B. N. Am., 1858, 229; Cat. N. Am. Birds, 1859, No. 164. This remarkable bird, so characteristic an element of the western avifauna, was found in all localities where the summer rains or melting snows on the mountains were sufficient to supply the cayions with rushing streams. It was noticed to be abundant only where the torrents were impetuous and the country generally forest-clad, and was therefore most frequently seen on the Sierra Nevada and among the western ranges of the Rocky Mountain system, as the Wahsatch and Uintahs, being rarely observed in the intermediate area of the Great Basin, although it was encountered at intervals on the higher of the intervening ranges. The habits and manners of this bird are most strikingly peculiar, it being one of CINCLUS MBEXICANUS. 407 the very few Passeres which are strictly aquatic. Its movements while walking in the shallow water, or as it stands upon a rock in the bed of a stream, remind one very much of the “‘Teeters” or “ Tilt-ups” (Tringoides and Rhyacophilus), for, whether moving or stationary, its body tilts up and down with an incessant motion. It is more often observed, however, flying rapidly along a stream, with a buzzing flight, following with the greatest ease the tortuous windings of its course without in the least checking its speed; or dashing swiftly through the spray or foam of a water-fall. Its flight is usually accompanied by a sharp chattering, especially when one is chased by another, as is often the case during the breeding-season; and when they alight they descend by a sudden drop, much after the manner of the “Gutter Snipes” (Gallinago). Nor are their movements confined to the surface of the water or its neighborhood, for they have been observed to dive into the aqueous element and perform various and dextrous evolutions in its depths, as they pursue their insect-food, propelling themselves by the rapid beating of the wings, in the well-known manner of Grebes and other water-fowl. We heard the song of this bird on but one occasion, in October, at Unionville, Nevada. It was a pleasing warble, but not sufficiently dis- tinctive, at least on that occasion, to admit of particular description. List of specimens. 230, 4 ad.; West Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, October 4, 1867. 74—114—3}4— 23—§—1—113—8. Upper mandible, horn-color, darker terminally; lower, paler, dull light yellowish basally; iris, burnt-umber; tarsi and toes, clear, glossy, livid white, with a sepia tinge between the scutelle and on joints of toes. 231, 2 ad.; (mate of preceding). 78—114—33—23—,3—1—2,4,—4. Same remarks. 248, ad.; West Humboldt Mountains, October 11. 743—113—3}3—34—3—1—2 —. Same remarks. : 14—2—}. Bill, plumbeous-black; extreme basal portion of lower mandible, and small space on upper below nostril, brownish-white; iris, bright hazel; tarsi and toes, clear, bright, lilaceous-white; divisions of scutelle, and sides of toes, abruptly, sepia. 324, ad.; 325, ad.; near source of American River, California, November. [H. G. Parker.] 1378, & juv.; Pack’s Cafion, Uintah Mountains, Utah, July 7, 1869. 73—124. Upper mandible, and tip of lower, dark plumbeous; lower mandible, salmon-orange, this color tinging the upper at the base, and along commissure; iris, grayish-brown ; tarsi and toes, whitish-lilaceous; under side of toes, dusky, the pellets yellow. 408 ORNITHOLOGY. Famity SYLVIIDA—Trvur WARBLERS. MYIADESTES TOWNSENDI. Townsend’s Ptilogonys. Ptiliogonys townsendi, AUDUBON, Orn., Biog., V, 1839, 206, pl. 419, fig. 2. Myiadestes townsendi, CABANIS, Weigm. Archiv, I, 1847, 208.—BatrD, Birds N. Am., 1858, 321; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 235; Review, 1866, 429.—CooPER, Orn. Cal., 134.—Cougs, Key, 1872, 117, fig. 57; Check List, 1873, No. 121; Birds N.W., 1874, 93.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. Birds, I, 1874, 409, pl. XVIU, figs. 5, 6 HENSHAW, 1875, 231. We first met with this curious species on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, in a dense pine forest, at an altitude of about 5,000 feet. The first individual seen was one which had a nest near by, as was apparent from its anxious manner, for as we walked along the embankment of a mining-sluice it flitted before us, now and then alighting upon the. ground, and, with drooping and quivering wings, running gracefully, in the manner of a Robin, then flying up to a low branch, and, after facing about, repeat- ing the same maneuvers—evidently trying to entice us away from the spot. So much were its actions like those of various Thrushes under similar circumstances that not once did we suspect the species, although perfectly familiar with it in museums, but immediately concluded that a new species of Thrush had been found. Indeed, many times afterward, when an indi- vidual would be seen to glide noiselessly before us, in the characteristic manner of the Thrushes, displaying the ochraceous mark across the wing, was the same illusion entertained. Patient watching and a careful search finally revealed the nest, which was built in the upper bank of the sluice, a foot or two above the water, and in a recess of the rocks. The nest was bulky for the size of the bird, being nearly as large as that of Harporhynchus rufus, which it nearly resembled, and was composed externally of coarse sticks, laid in a mass upon the floor of the cave. It contained four half- fledged young, and was consequently left undisturbed. The species was afterward seen, at various times, among the cedar groves of the interior ranges, but it was nowhere common. It appeared to feed largely on the berries of the Juniperus occidentalis, and lived mostly among these trees, where, as observed, it combined the manners of the Thrushes and Blue-birds. Its song was not heard, or else it was confounded POLIOPTILA CHRULEA—REGULUS CALENDULA. 409 with that of Turdus ustulatus, dozens of which were singing at the first locality mentioned above. List of specimens. 377, g ad.; Virginia Mountains, near Pyramid Lake, December 21, 1867. 9— 133—493—4— 334423. _ Bill, tarsi, and toes, deep black; iris, dark brown. POLIOPTILA CHIRULEA. ? Blue-gray Guatcatcher. Motacilla cerulea, Linn., 8. N., I, 1766, 43. Polioptila cwrulea, SCLATER, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1855, 11.—Barrp, B. N. Am., 1858, 380; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 282; Review, 1864, 74.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 78, pl. vi, fig. 5—Coopsr, Orn. Cal., 35.—Cougs, Key, 1872, 78; Check List, 1873, No. 23; B. N.W., 1874, 17.— HENSHAW, 1875, 166. In the chaparral of the western foot-hills of the Sierra Nevada, we observed, in July, a species of this genus, in considerable plenty. To all appearance it was the same species as that found in the East, but as no specimens were obtained we cannot be positive that the individuals in question were not P. plumbea. They were certainly not P. melanura, which would have been recognized by its black crown. REGULUS CALENDULA. Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Motacilla calendula, Linn., S. N., I, 1766, 337. Regulus calendula, Licut., Verzeichn., 1823, No. 408.—Barrp, B. N. Am., 1858, 226; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 161; Review, 1864, 66.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 75, pl. V, fig. 9.—CooPER, Orn. Cal., 33.—CovuEs, Key, 1872, 78; Check List, 1873, No. 21; B. N.W., 1874, 15.—HENnsHAw, 1875, 164. While the Golden-crowned Kinglet'was extremely rare, the Ruby- crown was directly the opposite, for it was a common winter resident in all the lower valleys, while in early spring it became abundant to such an extent as to exceed all other birds in numbers. During the coldest portion of the winter they dwelt among the willows along the river-banks, where the dense cover afforded them a suitable shelter from the cold winds, and a cosy retreat at night. As spring advanced, they spread themselves over the foot-hills and up the ravines of the mountains, gradually working upward, until the commencement of the summer found them in the pine-forests, where they remained during the season, again descending to the valleys when the cold 410 ORNITHOLOGY. weather began. At Carson City they were most numerous in April, and at that time the thickets along the foot-hills were literally alive with these restless, sprightly little creatures, who hopped briskly among the budding branches, nervously twitching their wings in their characteristic manner, the males now and then warbling their low, soft song, so liquid and indescribably sweet, at the same time displaying the red patch ordinarily concealed beneath the overlying feathers of the crown. List of specimens. 225, 9 ad.; West Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, October 3, 1867. 44—63—23— 143—3— 3-13-15. Bill, horn-black; iris, brown; tarsi and toes, brownish-yellow, the latter, deep yellow beneath. [No red on the crown.] 371, § ad.; Truckee Bottom, near Pyramid Lake, December 25. 44—i—2,,—118— ¢s—?—1}—1.__ Bill, deep black ; iris, very dark brown; tarsi, brownish-black; toes, deep brownish-yellow, purer yellow beneath. REGULUS SATRAPA. Golden-crowned Kinglet. Regulus satrapa, Licut., Verzeichn., 1823, No. 410.—BarRp, B. N. Am., 1858, 227; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 162; Review, 1864, 65.—B. B. & R., I, 1874, 73, pl. V, fig. 8.—CooPEr, Orn. Cal., 32.—CovuEs, Key, 1872, 78, fig. 19; Check List, 1873, No. 22; B. N.W., 1874, 16. This sprightly little bird, so common in our eastern groves and orchards in early spring and in the autumn, and, except the Hummers, the most diminutive of all our species, was very rarely observed by us in the Great Basin. A very few individuals, however, were noticed in the cafions of the West Humboldt Mountains, among the thick bushes along the streams. It is probably nowhere a common bird in the Interior. Famity PARIDH—Trrmicr or CHICKADEES. LOPHOPHANES INORNATUS. Gray Titmouse. Parus inornatus, GAMBEL, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1845, 265. Lophophanes inornatus, Cassry, Ill. B. Cal., Tex., ete., 1853, 19.—Batrp, B. N. Am., 1858, 386; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 287; Review, 1864, 78.—B. B. & R.., I, 1874, 20, pl. vi, fig. 3—Coopsr, Orn. Cal., 42.—CouEs, Key, 1872, 80; fig. 22; Check List, 1873, No. 28; B. N.W., 1874, 20.—HunsHaw, 1875, 167. In the pine forests of the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, especially PARUS MONTANUS. 411 in their lower portion, and among the cedar and pifion groves on the desert ranges immediately adjacent to the eastward, the Gray Titmouse was a rather common species; but it did not seem to be abundant any where. Its manners and notes were quite the same as those of the eastern species (L. bicolor), but weaker and less varied, though still retaining the vehement character of utterance apparently common to all the birds of this genus. List of specimens. 272, 2 ad.; cedars of Pea-vine Mountains, near the Sierra Nevada, November 14, 1867. 6—8%—3—23—13—11__2.9,_1.8,. Bill, plumbeous, deepening into. horn-black terminally ; iris, umber; tarsi and toes, plumbeous-ash. PARUS MONTANUS. Mountain Chickadee. Parus montanus, GAMBEL, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., I, 1843, 259.—Barrp, B. N. Am., 1858, 394; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 294; Review, 1864, 82.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 95, pl. vit, fig. 5—-CoopErR, Orn. Cal., 46.—CovEs, Key, 1872, 81; Check List, 1873, No. 32; B. N.W., 1874, 22.—HENsHaAw, 1875, 169. _ The distribution of this species seems to be governed entirely by that of the coniferous woods; consequently, we found it in all pine forests, as well as the more extensive of the pifion and cedar woods on the interior ranges. It was much less numerous on the Wahsatch and Uintah Mount- ains than on the Sierra Nevada, however, as indeed were nearly all species of pinicoline habits. This species is quite a counterpart of the Carolina Chickadee (P. carolinensis) in manners and notes, although it differs so much in size and markings; and we consider it as much more closely allied to that species than to the common Black-cap (P. atricapillus). In its notes we could discover no difference from those of P. carolinensis beyond the notice- able fact that the ordinary ones were louder and more emphatically enunci- ated, while the spring song, so pleasing in P. carolinensis, and sounding like a clear, fife-like whistling of the syllables tsip’adee, tsip’adee, tsip’adee, was appreciably more feeble and less musical. 412 ORNITHOLOGY. List of specimen. 333, ¢ ad.; 58—83—23—24—3- 5 28 11, 334, 2 ad.; 58—89—213—25_ 7} —24—1}. 335, 3 ad.; 59,—83—27—2—3—11_24—18. Carson City, Nevada, No vember 27,1867. Bill, plumbeous-black ; iris, deep hazel ; tarsi and toes, dull plumbeous 450, d ad.; Carson City, March 21,1868. 5,',—8g—3—25. Bill, black; iris, burnt: sienna; tarsi and toes, plumbeous-black. : PARUS ATRICAPILLUS. Black-capped Chickadee. B. septentrionalis—Long-tailed Chickadee. Parus septentrionalis, HARRIS, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., 1845, 300.—BaArRD, B, N. Am., 1858, 389; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 289; Review, 1864, 79. Parus atricapillus var. septentrionalis, ALLEN, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., IIT, 1872, 174.—CouES, Key, 1872, 81; Check List, 1873, No. 31a; B. N.W., 1874, 21. —B. B. & R., I, 1874, 99, pl. vu, fig 2—HENSHAW, 1875, 170. Parus septentrionalis var. albescens, BAIRD, B. N. Am., 1858, p. xxxvii; Cat. N. Am. Birds, 1859, No. 289a. y. occidentalis— Western Chickadee. Parus occidentalis, BArRD, B. N. Am., 1858, 391; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 291; Review, 1864, 81—ELuioT, Ilustr. Am. B., I, pl. vit1.—Coopsr, Orn. Cal., 45. Parus atricapiilus var. occidentalis, Cours, Key, 1872, 81; Check List, 1873, No. 3lc.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 101, pl. vu, fig. 3. The common Black-capped Chickadee was apparently wanting in all portions of the western depression of the Great Basin, and even on the eastern side it was so extremely rare that none were seen except in the valley of the Provo River, where but a few families, with their full-grown young, were met with. They kept in the willow thickets, and seemed very gregarious, in marked contrast to the Mountain Chickadee (P. montanus) and that eastern species, the Southern Black-cap, or Carolina Chickadee (P. carolinensis). Their notes were also very different, the usual utter- ances being a sort of twittering, resembling but little the distinct and sharp notes of the species named. List of specimens. 1392, ? juv.; By%—7}. 1393, 8 jue; 54%;—74. 1394, 3 juv; 54—8§. Provo River, Utah, July 11, 1869, Bill, black; interior of mouth, yellow; iris, dark brown; tarsi and toes, fine ashy-blue. PSALTRIPARUS MINIMUS—P. PLUMBEUS. 413 PSALTRIPARUS MINIMUS. Least Titmouse. Parus minimus, TOWNSEND, Journ. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., 1837, 190. Psaltriparus minimus, BonaP., Comp. Rend., 1854, 62.—Barrp, B. N. Am., 1858, 397; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 298; Review, 1864, 84.—CoopEr, Orn. Cal., 48.—CoUuES, Key, 1872, 82; Check List, 1873, No. 35. Psaltriparus minimus var. minimus, B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 109, pl. Vil, fig. 9. Of this delicate little bird we had but a mere glimpse, while passing through the western foot-hills of the Sierra Nevada. It was there seen in small straggling companies, among the brushwood of the ravines, appearing much like the P. plumbea of the Interior in its manners and notes. PSALTRIPARUS PLUMBEUS. Lead-colored Titmouse. Psaltria plumbea, BARD, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., 1854, 118. Pesaltriparus plumbeus, BAIRD, B. N. Am., 1858, 398; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 299; Review, 1864, 79.—CooPER, Orn. Cal., 49.—CouEs, Key, 1872, 82; Check List, 1873, No. 36; B. N.W., 1874, 23. Psaltriparus minimus var. plumbeus, B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 110, pl. Vil, fig. 10.— HENSHAW, 1875, 171. Of late years, the known range of this.species has been greatly extended by the more recent field-observations of the Government surveys. It was at first supposed to be one of those birds characteristic of the southwestern portion of the country, but it is now known to have a range co-extensive with the Middle Province, having been obtained by the naturalists of Dr. Hayden’s survey as far to the northeastward as Green River and Bitter Creek, Wyoming Territory, while Captain Charles Bendire, U. 8. A., found it a winter resident at Camp Tarney, in eastern Oregon. How much farther northward it may extend is not known, but its range in that direction is probably limited by the Columbia Valley. We met with this species on several occasions from the very base of the Sierra Nevada eastward to the Wahsatch Mountains, but the localities where it occurred in abundance were few and remote from each other, while its habits are so erratic that it was seldom met with twice at one place. In the caitons of 414 ORNITHOLOGY. the West Humboldt Mountains it. was very numerous in September. It was found there in ever-restless companies, continually twittering as they flew from bush to bush, at which time the flocks became greatly scattered, the individuals straggling, or “‘stringing out,” one behind another. In all their movements they were remarkably restless, in this respect even surpassing the Guat catchers (Polioptile), to which they bear considerable resemblance in their movements and appearance. In November many of these birds were seen in company with the Gray Titmice (Lophophanes imnornatus) among the cedars on the Pea-vine and Virginia Mountains, and adjacent ranges in western Nevada, and in the spring one or two flocks, supposed to be this species, were observed in the gorge of the Carson River, near Carson City. On the eastern side of the Great Basin a few individuals in City Creek Caiion, near Salt Lake City, comprised all that were seen. Among the numerous specimens killed in September, we noticed that many had the iris blackish, while in others it was clear light sulphur- yellow, and in some intermediate, or yellowish outwardly, and brownish next the pupil. A close examination, however, of these specimens, showed that this difference apparently depended on age, those having the darkest eyes being unmistakably young birds, while those in which the iris was clear yellow were all old birds, as was readily detected by the difference in the texture of their plumage. Even the youngest specimens had a yellowish outer ring to the iris, concealed by the eyelids, so that it seems that this color gradually spreads from the outside to’ the pupil, with advancing age, until, when fully mature, the iris becomes wholly clear light yellow. List of specimens. 171, 3 juv.; West Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, September 7, 1867. 44—6—2 —lit—vs—ts- Bill, black; iris, sepia-black, very narrow outer yellowish ring; tarsi and toes, black. 184, 2 ad.; West Humboldt Mountains, September 11. 44—5f—2 114.9 —2g—13. Bill, black; iris, light yellow j tarsi and toes, black. 2 re 3 juv.; 44—6—2—1} 149,91. Iris, light yellow, brownish next “pil. 250, ad.; West Humboldt Mountains (east side), October 12, 1867. 4,8-~6—24 —tg—4—7— 24-18. Bill, tarsi, and toes, deep black; iris, sulphur-yellow. PSALTRIPARUS MELANOTIS—SITTA ACULEATA. 415 PSALTRIPARUS MELANOTIS.? Black-eared Titmouse. Parus melanotis, HARTLAUB, Rev. Zool., 1844, 216. Psaltriparug melanotis, Bonap., Comp. Rend., 1854, —— Barr, B. N. Am., 1858, 386, pl. Li, fig. 3; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 297 ; Review, 1864, 84.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B,, I, 1874, 108, pl. vit, fig. 8. On the 4th of August, 1868, we saw near our camp, on the eastern slope of the Ruby Mountains, what was unquestionably a bird of this species, since the black patch on the ear-coverts was distinctly visible. Its restless movements made ineffectual our attempt to shoot it, and before we were prepared for another shot it disappeared among the cedar treés, and could not be found again. This we believe is the first known instance of its occurrence within the limits of the United States, though it has been obtained near our border, and is a common bird of the high mountain portions of northern Mexico; but it probably occurs in greater or less numbers, in suitable places, throughout our southern Rocky Mountains. Famity SITTID A—NvutTHATCHES. SITTA CAROLINENSIS. White-bellied Nuthatch. f. aculeata—Slender-billed Nuthatch. Sitta aculeata, Cassin, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., 1856, 254.—Barrp, B. N. Am., 1858, 375, pl. xxxili, fig. 3; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 278; Review, 1864, 86.—CooPER, Orn. Cal., 54. Sitta carolinensis var. aculeata, ALLEN, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 1872, 174.—Cougs, Key, 1872, 83; Check List, 1873, No. 38a; B. N.W., 1874, 24.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 117, pl. vit, fig. 2 (bill only) HENSHAW, 1875, 173. Being strictly a pinicoline species, this Nuthatch was observed in abundance only on the Sierra Nevada, being comparatively rare on the Wahsatch and Uintah mountains, while none were seen in the intervening region, not even among the most extensive cedar and pifion woods. In its manners it is a counterpart of the eastern form, but its notes are mark- edly different, being much weaker, and some of them of another character 416 ORNITHOLOGY. altogether. It is with hesitation that we refer this bird to S. carolinensis, as a geographical race. List of specimens. 439, 3 ad.; Carson City, Nevada, March 10, 1868, 6—10%—33—3. Bill, pure plackish-plumbeous, basal half of lower mandible, opaque, bluish, or milky-white; iris, very dark bister; tarsi and toes, sepia-black. 448, 3 ad.; Carson, March 21. 64—103—33—3. Same remarks. 449, 9 ad.; (mate of preceding.) 5f—108—311—3, Same remarks. Tarsi and toes, sepia-slate. 487, 2 ad.; Carson, April 3. 6—11—33%—8. Same remarks, 491, o ad.; Carson, April 4. 6—103—311—3. Same remarks. SITTA CANADENSIS. Red-bellied Nuthatch. Sitta canadensis, LInN., Syst. Nat., I, 1766, 177.—BaIRD, B. N. Am., 1858, 376; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 279; Review, 1864, 86.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 118, pl. vu, figs. 7,8 —CooPER, Orn. Cal., 54.—Covugs, Key, 1872, 83, fig. 27; Check List, 1873, No. 39; B. N.W., 1874, 25.—HENSHAW, 1875, 174. An inhabitant in summer of the pine woods exclusively, this species was met with, at that season, only in the thickest or most extensive conifer- ous forests, such as those on the Sierra Nevada, Wahsatch, and Uintah ranges. In all localities where observed it was much less common, how- ever, than either S. aculeata or S. pygmea, but wherever found made its presence known by the loud, penny-trumpet toot, so peculiar and so charac- teristic of the species. Unlike the other two species, this one appears to make more or less of a vertical migration, since in September we found it common in the aspen groves along the streams in the upper Humboldt Valley. Later in the same month it was also common among the pines of the lofty Clover Mountains, at an altitude of near 11,000 feet. List of specimens. 914, 9 ad.; Camp 24, head of Humboldt Valley, September 10, 1868, 43—83— (?)—24. Bill, uniform blackish-plumbeous, basal half of lower mandible, abruptly, bluish white; iris, umber-brown ; tarsi, dull wax-green; toes, more yellowish. SITTA PYGMAA. 417 SITTA PYGMAA, Pigmy Nuthatch. Sitta pygmea, ViGORS, Zool. Beechey’s Voy., 1839, 29, pl. 4-—Barrp, B. N. Am., 1858, 378; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 281; Review, 1864, 88.—B .B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 120, pl. VILL, fig. 10.--CourER, Orn. Cal., 55.--Couzs, Key, 1872, 83, fig. 27; Check List, 1873, No. 41; B. N.W., 1874, 25—Hen- SHAW, 1875, 175. This curious little Nuthatch was always a companion of the larger species (S. aculeata), the same local conditions being favorable or unfavor- able to their presence. They appear to live together on the best of terms, since we have often seen individuals of each pass and re-pass one another as they searched the same branch or trunk. The manners of this diminutive Nuthatch partake in their general nature of those common to the genus, and present no marked peculiarities worthy of note. It is extremely noisy, its shrill notes being uttered almost continually, whether the bird is engaged in creeping among the branches or in flying from the top of one tree to that of another; and although one may be making a din greater than that of any other bird in the forest, it is generally hard to discover him, on account of his diminutive size. The notes of this species greatly resemble in their high pitch the “peet” or “peet-weet” of certain Sandpipers (as Tringoides and Rhyacophilus), but they are louder and more piercing. When once paired, these birds seem to possess a strong attach- ment to their mates, since on one occasion, after a female had been killed, the male made loud and continued complaint, and after being followed from tree to trée, was finally shot from the same one where his mate had been secured. List of specimens. 410, 8 ad.; Carson City, Nevada, February 19, 1868, 44-—-84--23—2,%. Bill, slate-black, basal half of lower mandible (abruptly), milk-white; iris, very dark van- dyke-brown ; tarsi and toes, plumbeous-black. 411, 9ad.; mate of preceding. 4§—7}3—2§—2,3,. Same remarks. White of bill with delicate bluish tinge. 488, Qad.; Carson, April 3. 4§—8—23—24. Same remarks. 492, gad.; Carson, April 4. 4,2,—8—214—2,8,. Same remarks. 27 PR 418 ORNITHOLOGY. Famity CERTHIIDA—CrEEPErs CERTHIA FAMILIARBIS. Brown Creeper. f. americana. Certhia americana, BonaP., Comp. & Geog. List, 1838, 11.—BarkD, B. N. Am., 1858, 372, pl. 83, fig. 2; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 275; Review, 1864, 89. Certhia familiaris var. americana, B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., [, 1874, 125, pl. vill, fig. 11.—HENSHAW, 1875, 177. . “Certhia familiaris,” COUES, Key, 1872, 84, fig. 28; Check List, 1873, No. 42; B. N.W., 1874, 26. “Certhia mexicana,” COOPER, Orn. Cal., I, 1870, 58. The distribution of this species corresponds with that of Regulus calen- dula, the pine forests being its home in summer, while in winter it performs a partial migration to the timbered portions of the lower valleys, or to the lower edge of the coniferous belt. It was first observed among the western foot-hills of the Sierra Nevada, where it was seen early in July, at the very commencement of the pine forest. In winter it was more or less common among the cotton-woods in the lower portion of the valleys of the Truckee and Carson Rivers, but eastward of those localities it was not again met with at any season, except on the Wahsatch and Uintah Mountains, where it was a rather common summer resident in the pine-region. List of specimens. 349, 2ad.; Truckee Reservation, near Pyramid Lake, December 7, 1867. 5,2,— 7—24—21,—,—_3—23—1§. Upper mandible, black; lower, dilute brownish-white, with pinkish tinge; iris, hazel; tarsi and toes, dilute horn-color. Famity TROGLODYTIDA—Wrexs. SALPINCTES OBSOLETUS. Rock Wren. Troglodytes obsoletus, SAY, Long’s Exped., IT, 1823, 4. Salpinctes obsoletus, CABANIS, Wiegm. Archiv, 1847, 323.—Barrp, B. N. Am., 1858, 357; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 264; Review, 1864, 110.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 135, pl. vim, fig. 3.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 65.— CovEs, Key, 1872, 85; Check List, 1873, No. 45; B. N.W., 1874, 27.—HEn- SHAW, 1875, 179. The Rock Wren is by far the most common and generally distributed species of the family in the Western Region, since the prevailing character SALPINCTES OBSOLETUS. 419 of that country is so well suited to its habits. It was first met with near the summit of the Donner Lake Pass of the Sierra Nevada, but this was on the eastern slope, and in a district where the pine forests were interrupted by considerable tracts of open country, of a more or less rocky nature. East- ward of this point, as far as we journeyed, it was found in suitable localities on all the desert ranges. Its favorite resorts are piles of rocks, where it may be observed hopping in and out among the recesses or interstices between the bowlders, or perched upon the summit of a stone, usually uttering its simple, guttural notes. It is not strictly rupicoline, however, for along the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada, where the pine forest reaches to the very base of the mountains, it was common in cleared tracts where there was much rubbish of old stumps, prostrate logs, and piles of brush, seeming as much at home there as among the rocks. At that place the males were occasionally observed to fly up to a naked branch of some dead tree, and remain there while they sang their simple trill. This species also freely accepts of the accommodations and protection afforded by man, for in many towns, notably those among the mountains, it nests about the old buildings and inside the entrance to mining-shafts, displaying as much familiarity and confidence as the little House Wren, or Bewick’s Wren. It is an exceedingly unsuspicious little bird, if unmolested, always greeting an intruder to its haunts by its cheerful note of tureé, while it bows and scrapes most politely at each utterance; but if too closely observed, or pursued, it manages, by hopping through the interstices, to keep always on the opposite side of the rock-pile, while it changes the note of welcome to an admonishing, guttural ¢urrrr. In its general appearance, except color, and in many of its movements, the Rock Wren bears a somewhat close resemblance to the Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) of the Eastern Region, being of almost exactly the same size and shape; the notes, too, are somewhat similar in their general nature, particularly the ordinary ones, which have the same guttural character; but the song is a simple monoto- nous trill, very much like that of the Snow-birds (Junco), and though often varied indefinitely, lacks any particular merit, from want of power and sweetness, while it is in no wise comparable to the superb whistling song of the species above mentioned. 420 ORNITHOLOGY. At Carson City the Rock Wren was migratory, not making its appear ance during the season of our stay until the 20th of March, and first singing on the 30th of that month. Indeed, we saw it nowhere during the winter, and thus infer that it makes a complete migration southward. List of specimens. 163, fad.; 6$,—92,—24—2,,—11-_-_}24-13. 164, 2 ad.; 6—9—2§—27,—H— 119.3, West Humboldt Mountains (Camp 18), September 4, 1867. Upper mandible, uniform slaty horn-color, with lilaceous cast; end of the lower mandible similar, fading on middle portion into ashy-lilac—pale-yellowish basally and on angle of mouth ; iris, olive; tarsi and toes, deep black. 253, d ad.; West Humboldt Mountains (Camp 19), October 23, 6—9—213—2.7,— 4129311. Upper mandible, purplish-slaty; lower, pale slaty-lilaceous, darker terminally, more pinkish at. base; iris, olivaceous-drab; tarsi and toes, slate-black. 458, g ad.; Carson, March 25. 6—9—3—2§. Bill, uniform slate, lower mandible, paler ; iris, grayish-umber; tarsi and toes, black. 478, f ad.; Carson City, Nevada, March 30, 1868. 5g—9—2%—2,%. Bill, uniform. plumbeous-slate, lower mandible, paler, except terminally; iris, grayish-umber ; tarsi and toes, black. 486, § ad.; Carson City, April 3. 64—94—3),—2}. Bill, uniform dull-slate, basal half of lower mandible, slaty bluish-white; iris, raw-umber; tarsi and toes, deep black. CATHERPES MEXICANUS. White-throated Wren. B. conspersus—Canon Wren. Catherpes mexicanus, BAIRD, B. N. Am., 1858, 356; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 263; Review, 1864, 111—Coopsr, Orn. Cal., 66.—CovEs, Key, 1872, 85; B. N.W., 1874, 28. [Not Thryothorus mexicanus, Swains.] Catherpes mewicanus var. conspersus, Ridgway, Am. Nat., 1872, 2.—-B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 139, pl. vim, fig. 4—Couns, Check List, 1873, No. 46, p. 125,—HENSHAW, 1875, 181. Somewhat similar to the common Rock Wren (Salpinctes) in its distri- bution and habits, this remarkable species differs in many noteworthy respects, the principal of which are its appearance and notes. We found it everywhere more rare than the other species, and apparently confined to the more secluded portions of the mountains, where 'it frequented rocky gorges and the interior of caves more often than the piles of loose rocks on the open slopes. It was generally observed to be rather shy, and prone to elude CATHERPES CONSPERSUS. 421 - pursuit by retreating to the deeper recesses of the rocks, now and then slyly peeping from some crevice but an instant, and then very unexpectedly reappearing at some distant place. While thus engaged, or while hopping about, examining each crevice for a spider or other insect, it utters a simple ringing note, which sounds somewhat like dink, uttered in a metallic tone; while now and then he pauses to pour forth his piercing song, which is of such volume as to fill the surrounding cafions with its reverberations. In many of its movements it greatly resembles the common Rock Wren, par- ticularly in its manner of bowing and swinging oddly from side to side, when its attention becomes attracted by the presence of an intruder. It was frequently seen to cling to the roof or sides of a cave with the facility of a Creeper, and on one occasion to fly perpendicularly up the face of a cliff for a considerable height. It seems, however, that in other sections of the country, where it is probably more numerous, this species is not always thus shy and retired in its habits; for Mr. Dresser (see “The Ibis,” 1865, p. —) mentions an interest- ing instance. where a pair built a nest in the wall of a dilapidated printing- office in San Antonio, Texas, and were so tame that they became great favorites with the workmen. He also states that at Dr. Heermann’s ranche, on the Medina, they often built in cigar-boxes placed for their accommo- dation. As stated above, the song of this bird is one of remarkable power ; it is also unique in its tone and modulation to such an extent that no other song we ever heard resembles it at all: It consists of a series of clear, sharp, whistling; detached notes, beginning in the highest possible key; and descending the scale with perfect regularity through an octave or more. These notes are occasionally heard echoed and reéchoed against the walls of the cafions, with continued reverberations, such is their power and distinctness. List of apecimens, 345, ¢ ad.; near Fort Churchill, December 7, 1867. 5.75—7.50—2. 58—2.00—0.83 —0,56—2.25—1. 18. Bill, slate-color, paler, and with a lilaceous tinge toward base of lower mandible; iris, brown; tarsi and wees bide’ [Type of var. NOGED EEN, Ridg- way, l..c.] - 422 ORNITHOLOGY. THRYOMANES BEWICKI. Bewick’s Wren. y. spilurus. Troglodytes spilurus, ViGoRs, Zool. Beechey’s Voy., 1839, 18, pl. 4, fig. 1. Thryothorus spilurus. COOPER, Orn. Cal., 1870, 69. Thryothorus bewicki var: spilurus, BAIRD, Review, 1864, 126.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 147, pl. 1x, fig. 4—CouEs, Key, 1872, 86; Check List, 1873, No. 48b. Thryothorus bewicki. c. spilurus, COUES, B. N.W., 1874, 31. Thryothorus bewickii, BAIRD, Birds. N. Am., 1858, 363 (part). The “Long-tailed House Wren,” or Bewick’s Wren, was observed frequently at Sacramento, where, as in certain portions of the East, it fre- quented the out-houses in the city, in company with the Barn Swallow and Black Pewee. After leaving there, we nowhere identified it with certainty, although a single individual of what seemed to be this species was noticed at Glendale, Nevada, in November, 1867. The specimen in question was seen among the willows bordering the river, and disappeared before we could decide whether it was this species or the Wood Wren (Troglodytes park- manni). TROGLODYTES AEDON. House Wren; Wood Wren. £. parkmanni—Parkman’s Wren. Troglodytes parkmanni, AuD., Orn. Biog., V, 1839, 310.—Batrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 367; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 271; Review, 1864, 140.—CoopEr, Orn. Cal., 71. Troglodytes aédon var. parkmanni, COUES, Key, 1872, 87; Check List, 1873, No. 49a; B. N.W., 1874, 32.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am., I, 1874, 153.—Hensuaw, 1875, 184, The range of this Wren is apparently co-extensive with the distribution of the timber, or governed strictly by the presence or absence of trees, without special regard to their kind. Its vertical range, like that of the Robin, Louisiana Tanager, and many other species, was consequently very considerable, it being equally abundant among the cotton-woods of the river- TROGLODYTES PARKMANXNI. 423 valleys and the aspen copses of the higher cafions of the mountains. In- deed it is the only strictly arboreal species of this family which resides in summer in the Middle Province, and there much more rarely seeks the society of man or the protection of his presence than the Rock or Bewick’s Wrens. That they are somewhat inclined to do so, however, we saw occasional evidence, particularly in one instance, where a pair had a nest somewhere about the trading-house on the Indian Reservation near Pyramid Lake. This pair had become so familiar and confiding that the constant presence or passing in and out of persons did not alarm them in the least. Among the large cotton-wood trees near by, which extended in scattered groves or clumps for several miles along the river, they were extremely abundant, and their lively, agreeable songs were continually heard. They were equally abundant in the high cafions of the East Humboldt and Wahsatch Mountains, their favorite resort in the latter being the aspen copses of the pine-region, where they and the Robins were the most abun- dant birds. Very numerous nests of this species were found, their situation being various, although most of them were similar in this respect; the prevailing character being that of a large mass of rubbish filled in behind the loosened bark of the trunk of a tree, usually only a few feet from the ground, the entrance a natural crevice or a woodpecker’s hole; it was always warmly lined with feathers, and very frequently possessed the ornamental addition of a cast-off snake-skin. One nest was placed behind a flat mass of a small shrub (Spirea cespitosa), which grew in moss-like patches against the face of a cliff. Another one, and the only one not concealed in some manner, was built in the low crotch of an aspen, having for its foundation an abandoned Robin’s nest. It consisted of a somewhat conical pile of sticks, nearly closed at the top, but with a small opening just large enough to admit the owner. Including its bulky base, the total height of this structure was about fifteen inches. List of specimens. 170, 3 ad.; West Humboldt Mountains, September 7, 1867. 54—63—2.8,—143— s—§—1Z7—1,. Upper mandible, horn-black, the tomium lilaceous-white; lower, lila- ceous.whitish, deepening into purplish-slaty at end; iris, umber; tarsi and toes, brownish- whitish. 424 ORNITHOLOGY. 360, 2ad.; Truckee Bottom, December 17. 5—64—2,,—111—3—%—2—4. Bill, black, lilaceous-whitish on basal half of lower mandible aud along commissure; interior of mouth, deep naples-yellow; iris, raw-umber; tarsi and toes, livid brownish-white. 839, dad.; Bast Humboldt Mountains, July 13, 1868. 5—63—13. Bill, black; commissure, with basal half of lower mandible, deep pinkish-lilac; iris, grayish ehoco- late-brown; tarsi and toes, dilute ashy-sepia. 864, ¢ juv.; East Humboldt Mountains, August 7. 53—63—(?)—121. Upper mandible, dull black; commissure and lower mandible, pale lilaceous; rictus, pale yellow; interior of mouth, intense yellow; tarsi and toes, delicate pale ashy-sepia. _, 903, dad.; Secret Valley, Nevada, September 7. 54—63—(?)—13. Upper mandi- ble, olivaceous-black ; lower mandible and commissure, lilaceous-white, the former more dusky terminally; iris, olivaceous-umber; tarsi and toes, pale lilaceous-sepia. 1260, nest and eggs (6); Parley’s Park (Wahsatch Mountains), Utah, June 23, 1869. Built on an old Robin’s nest, in crotch of aspen, deep woods. 1261, nest and eggs (7); nest in hollow aspen-snag. 1286, nest and eggs (7); Parley’s Park, June 25. Nest in hollow snag, entranee through knot-hole. : 1308, nest and eggs (6); Parley’s Park, June 27. Nest in deserted woodpécker’s hole. 1309, nest and eggs (6); same-locality and date. Nest behind loosened bark of dead aspen. 1421, eggs (3); Parley’s Park, July 17, 1869. Nest in hollow of tree. TROGLODYTES HYEMALIS. Winter Wren. B. pacificus— Western Winter Wren. Froglodytes hyemalis var. pacificus, BAIRD, Review, 1864, 145. Troglodytes parvulus var. pacificus, B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 155, pl. IX, fig. 10. So Anorthura troglodytes var. hyemalis, Cours, Key, 1872, 351 (part); Check List, 1873, No. 50 (part); B. N.W., 1874, 33 (part). Troglodytes hyemalis (part), BAtRD, B. N. Am., 1858, 369; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 273.—Coorer, Orn. Cal., 73. , The Winter Wren seemed to be quite rare in the Interior, since but one individual, the one obtained, was observed. List of specimens. ? a . * 369, f.ad.; Truckee Bottom, near Pyramid Lake, Nevada, December 25, 1867, 4— 6—2—14—-7,—-()—l 5 Upper mandible, black, tomium dilute brown; lower, dilute brown, dusky along the side; iris, deep burnt-umber; tarsi and toes, deep brown. TELMATODYTES PALUDICOLA. 425 TELMATODYTES PALUSTRIS. Long-billed Marsh Wren. - £. paludicola—Tule Wren. Cistothorus palustris var. paludicola, BAiRD, Review Am. B., 1864, 148.—B. B. & K., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 161.—HENsHaw, 1875, 185, Telmatodytes palustris, COUES, Key, 1872, 87 (part) ; Ghets List, 1873, No. 51; B, N.W., 1874, 35 (part). Cistothorus (Telmatodytes) palustris (part), BAIRD, B. N. Am., 1858, 364; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 268 (part).—CoopEr, Orn. Cal., 75. In all marshy localities where there existed even a limited growth of tules, the Long-billed Marsh Wren was more or less abundant. It was consequently found in numerous places, but it abounded most in those extensive marshes adjoining the lower portions of the Truckee, Humboldt, and Jordan Rivers, it being so abundant at the latter locality that several nests were often visible at one time in the thick growth of reeds. The song of this Wren is very peculiar, being a confused sputtering, scolding harangue, somewhat similar to, but harsher and less pleasing than, the song of Troglodytes aédon. List of specimens. 273 eee Truckee Meadows, Nevada, November 15, 1867. 5,,—63 —2,—111—,, —1i—1,,--}5. Upper mandible, slaty-black ; commissure and lower mandible, lilace- ous-white, the latter more dusky cerminally ; iris, umber; tarsi and toes, delicate brownish-white, strongly tinged with bluish-lilaceous. 370, é ad.; Truckee Bottom, near Pyramid Lake, December 25, ‘5k —68—2,3 —13— 3-2-5. Game remarks. Tarsi and toes, deep light-brown, with yellowish tinge. 737, nest and five eggs: Truckee Bottom, near Pyramid Lake, May 18, 1868. Nest among reeds in deep water, near lake-shore. 738, nest. Same remarks as to preceding. 950, 3 ad.; ; Deep Creek, Utah, October 5, 1868. 53—7—(?)—11%. Bill, black ; com- missure and basal two- thirds of lower mandible, pure Mages; ; iris, amber; tarsi and toes, deep sepia, the latter darkest. 951, 8 ad.; 952, 9 ad; 583—74—(7)—113. Same remarks. 1010, 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, May 21, 1869; 1079, 1080, 1081, 1082, June 2, 1869; nests arid eggs; Jordan River (near Salt Lake City), Utah. Nests each attached to several stalks of upright reeds, or tules, standing in the water, near nests of Xanthocephalus icterocephalus. Maximum number of eggs four, but the number prob- ably sometimes exceeds this. 1459, 6 juv.; Parley’s Park (Wahsatch Mountains), Utah, July 26, 1869. 43—6}. 426 ORNITHOLOGY. Upper mandible, sepia-black; commissure and lower mandible, pale lilaceous; iris, brown ; tarsi, dark sepia-plumbeous; toes, paler, whitish beneath. 1467, 3 juv.; Parley’s Park, July 28. 48—63. Same remarks. 1476, 8 juv.; July 29. 54—7. 1494, 6 juv.; 58—6%. 1495, f juv.; 54—6%. August 7. Same remarks as to 1459, Famiry MOTACILLIDH—WaertalLs and TIT-LARKS, or PIPITs. ANTHUS LUDOYVICIANUS. Tit-lark. Alauda ludoviciana, GMELIN, Syst. Nat., I, 1788, 793. Anthus ludovicianus, Licut., Verz., 1823, 27.—BAtRD, B. N. Am., 1858, 232; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 165; Review, 1864, 153.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 171, pl. x, fig. 3.—CoopEr, Orn. Cal., 78.—CovuEs, Key, 1872, 90, fig. 34; Check List, 1873, No. 55; B. N.W., 1874, 40.—HENSHAW, 1875, 187. Perhaps no bird of the Interior is more abundant in winter than the Tit-lark is, at times, in localities of a nature calculated to attract them. At the Truckee Meadows they came in immense flocks in November, and spread over the soggy meadows, where they remained during the mod- erately cold weather for the greater portion of the winter, occasionally congregating by thousands about the haystacks and corrals. They were equally abundant at Carson City, particularly in the vicinity of the warm springs, where the high temperature of the water kept the meadow soft and comparatively green, even during the coldest weather. In April, just before their departure for the North, we observed them in their more highly-colored plumage. List of specimens. 193, 2ad.; West Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, September 17, 1867. (Stream, in garden.) 6—10—3,%,—28—,,—13—2,7,—1. Upper mandible, dark horn-color, darker terminally; lower, paler, nearly straw-yellow at base; iris, hazel; tarsi and toes, dark horn-color. 270, 2 ad.; Truckee Meadows, November 8. 613—10%—3,%,—2715__13__93._1.3., Bill, black; basal half of lower mandible, light-brown; iris, hazel; tarsi and toes, very dark blackish-brown. * 274, 9 ad.; Truckee Meadows, November 15. 63—10—3,$,—211—3—18__23_1 5, Upper mandible and tip of lower, nearly black, remaining portion dull wax-yellow, deepest basally—-almost lemon-yellow on rictus; iris, deep vandyke; tarsi and toes, uniform blackish, toes not darker—dull light-yellowish beneath. 275, J ad.; Truckee Meadows, November 15. 6%—11;1,—3§—2}5—4—}3 97 — Jj. Toes more blackish than tarsus. HELMINTHOPHAGA RUFICAPILLA. 42° 276, 3 ad.; 63—105 —3,9,—-24—4—}—213_14, Same remarks. 277, 3 ad.; 63—103—34—211__4__13_97 11, Same remarks, 278, 3 ad.; 7—103—34—213 - 413 93 1, Same remarks. 279, 3 ad.; 6§—10§3—3,,—211_4_3_9.9 4. Tarsi, dark sienna-brown; toes more blackish, distinctly pale yellowish beneath. 280, 3 ad.; 643—103—3$—213__5_9 93 1, Same remarks. 281, dad.; 6,%—10J—3$—215 3998 11, Same remarks. 282, ¢ ad.; 6$—103—33—2134__3 95/9), Same remarks. 283, 3 ad.; 68—103—33—2}]$—4—13__93 (1), Same remarks. Famity MNIOTILTIDH—American WARBLERS. HELMINTHOPHAGA RUFICAPILLA. Nashville Warbler. Sylvia ruficapilla, WILS., Am. Orn., III, 1811, 120, pl. 27, fig. 3. Helminthophaga rujicapilla, Barry, B. N. Am., 1858, 256; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 183; Review, 1864, 175.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 196, pl. x1, figs. 7, 8.'—CoorER, Orn. Cal., 82.—CouEs, Key, 1872, 94 3 Check List, 1873, No. 67; B. N.W., 1874, 50.—HEnsHaw, 1875, 188. _ Although not observed in summer, this bird was more or less com- mon in September in the thickets along the streams in the lower portion of the cations. It is not as yet definitely known whether this species breeds anywhere within the Western Region, or whether, on the other hand, the individuals which have been obtained at so many localities west of the Rocky Mountains were migrants from the Eastern Region, which, near the northern boundary of the United States, extends so much farther toward the Pacific coast. The same doubt exists in the case of Lanivireo solitarius. It is well known, however, that toward our northern border the Rocky Mountains form much less of a berrier to the westward range of eastern species, many of which, following the head-waters of the Yellowstone and other tributaries of the Missouri River, have but a short flight to reach the head-streams of the Columbia, and thus reach the Pacific coast in Oregon and Washington Territory, by passing down the valley of the latter stream. 1On p. 191 a “var. gutturalis” is characterized, supposed to be distinguished by having the yellow of the throat confined strictly within the maxilla, and not, as in true ruficapilla, covering the cheeks; the race being based on No. 901 of this catalogue, = No. 53,354, National Museum catalogue. Should this peculiarity prove constant, the western birds may be distinguished by that name. Figure 8, Hist. N. Am. Birds, quoted above, represents this form. 428 ORNITHOLOGY. These same individuals, in the case of non-resident species, during their autumnal migration, probably follow the bases of the mountain ranges directly southward, instead of returning by the devious route by which they reached the western portions of the country. The occasional cap- ture of such species as those named above, and the more accidental occur- rence of others, as Ectopistes migratoria (see pp. 355, 380, 385, and 596), at localities in the Western Region, may thus be accounted for. List of specimens. 901, dad.; East Humboldt Mountains (Secret Valley), Nevada, September 6, 1868. 43—74—24. Upper mandible, plumbeous-black, the tomium slightly paler; lower, plumbeous-white, with lilaceous glow; iris, burnt-umber; tarsi, bluish-plumbeous ; toes, stained with yellow. [Type of Helminthophaga ruficapilla var. gutturalis, Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway, History of North American Birds, Vol. I, 1874, p. 191, pl. x1, tig. 8.] HELMINTHOPHAGA VIRGINIA. ’Virginia’s Warbler. Helminthophaga virginic, BARD, B. N. Am., ed. 1860, p. xi, pl. 79, fig. 1; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 183a; Review, 1865, 177._B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 199, pl. XI, fig. 12—Cooprr, Orn. Cal., 85.—CovrEs, Key, 1872, 94; Check List, 1873, No. 66; B. N.W., 1874, 51.—HENSHAW, 1875, 189. This interesting little Warbler was first observed among the cedar and piion groves on the eastern slope of the Ruby Mountains. It was not met with west of this locality, but eastward it occurred on all those ranges having a similar or equally extensive growth. At the first-named locality it was rather common in July and August, and was found in the same groves with the Black-throated Gray Warbler (Dendreca nigrescens) and the Lead-colored Vireo (Lanivireo plumbeus). On the Wahsatch and Uintah Mountains it was more abundant, being particularly plentiful among the scrub-oaks on the foot-hills near Salt Lake City. They lived entirely among the bushes, which there were so dense that the birds were difficult to obtain, even when shot. The usual note of this species is a soft pit, very different from the sharp chip of H. celata, while its song is so exceedingly similar to that of the Summer Yellow-bird (Dendreca estiva) that we often found it difficult to distinguish them. HELMINTHOPHAGA CELATA—H. LUTESCENS: 429 List of specimens. 859, juv.; East Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, August 5, 1868, 5—74—(1)—2. Upper mandible, plumbeous-black, the tomium yellowish-white; lower mandible, dull light-ashy, darker terminally; tarsi and toes, yellowish-plumbeous, the latter pale yellow beneath. : 1040, 6 ad.; Salt Lake City, Utah (City Creek Cafion), May 24, 1869. 5—8. Bill, lilaceous-blue, the upper mandible nearly black ; iris, brown ; tarsi, hepatic-slate; toes, yellowish. 1041, 2 ad. (mate of preceding); 43—74. Same remarks. 1053, 9 ad.; Salt Lake City, May 26. 5—74. Same remarks. 1192, J ad.; Salt Lake City, June 21. 415—7§. Same remarks. 1188, nest and eggs (4); Salt Lake City, June 19. Nest imbedded in the layer of dead leaves covering the ground under oak-thicket, on side of ravine; female shot. HELMINTHOPHAGA CELATA. Orange-crowned Warbler. a. celata—Common Orange-crowned Warbler. Sylvia celata, Say, Long’s Exped., I, 1823, 169. Helminthophaga celata (part), Barrp, B. N. Am., 1858, 257; Cat., 1859, No. 184 (part); Review, 1865, 176.—CoopxEr, Orn. Cal., 83.—CovuEs, Key, 1872, 95; Check List, 1873, No. 68 (part); B. N.W., 1874, 52.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., 1, 1874, 202, pl. x1, fig. 5 -HENSHAW, 1875, 191. B. lutescens.—Yellow Orange-crowned Warbler. Helminthophaga celata var. lutescens, RGway, Am. Jour. Sci. & Arts, Jan., 1872, 457; Am. Nat., VII, Oct., 1873, p—-.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 204, pl, XI, tig. 4. Helminthophaga celata. b. lutescens, COUES, B. N.W., 1874, 52. Helminthophaga celata (part), BArrD, B. N. Am., and Rev.—Covgs, Key, and Check List.—CoorPer, Orn. Cal., 83. The Orange-crowned Warbler was most frequently met with during its autumnal migration, at which time it was the most abundant of all the spe- cies of the family; it was also not uncommon in summer in the high aspen woods of the loftier mountains. In the fall, the thickets and lower shrub- bery along the streams, particularly those of the lower cafions, would fairly swarm with them during the early portion of the mornings, as they busily 430 ORNITHOLOGY. sought their food, in company with various insectivorous birds, especially the Black-capped Green Warbler (Myiodioctes pusillus) and Swainson’s Vireo (Vireosylvia swainsoni). At such times they uttered frequently their sharp note of chip. The brightly-colored specimens representing H. lutescens were prevalent in the western depression of the Basin, but were not observed eastward of the upper portion of the Valley of the Humboldt, nor at any locality during the summer; and wherever found, were associated with individuals of the other form, which is the only one found breeding on the mountains. It is therefore inferred that all these individuals were migrants from the northern Pacific Coast region and the Sierra Nevada, while those -of H. celata proper were from the higher portions of the more eastern mountains, or from farther northward in the Rocky Mountain ranges; full- fledged young birds being numerous in the high aspen woods of the Wah- satch Mountains in July and August. List of specimens. a. celata. 921, dad.; Dearing’s Creek,” Upper Humboldt Valley, September 11, 1868. 5— 78—(?)—24. Upper mandible, brownish plumbeous-black, the tomium whitish; lower, pale lilaceous-plumbeous, darker terminally ; iris, bright sienna; tarsi and toes, plum- beous, with yellow cast. 922, 2 ad.; “ Dearing’s Creek,” Upper Humboldt Valley, September 11, 1868. 423—74—(7)—144._ Bill rather more lilaceous. 1425, g juv.; Parley’s Park, Wahsatch Mountains, Utah, July 17,1869. 418—78. Upper mandible, black; commissure and lower mandible, dark lilaceous, latter paler basally ; iris, brown; tarsi, plumbeous; toes, olive. 1505, g ad.; Parley’s Park, August 12,1869. 5—7$. Same remarks. 1516, 3 ad.; Parley’s Park, August 16, 1869. 5,3,—5%. Upper mandible, black, paler alone tea lower, liladeous: blue, whitish basally, blackish terminally ; iris, brown; tarsi, dull plambeous; toes, more greenish. B. lutescens. 215, fg ad.; Camp 19, West Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, September 24, 1867. 4573-232} $—1}3—1§- Bill, blackish horn-color, the lower mandible, wallet: iris, brown; tarsi and toes, deep horn. ‘color. 907, 3 ad.; “Secret Valley,” East Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, September 8, 1868. 4 —T'5, —(?}—2, Upper mandible, purplish-black, the tomium deep lilac; lower mandible, bluish-lilac, more pinkish basally, more dusky. toward tip; iris, vanes: brown; tarsi and toes, plumbeous, the latter stained with yellow. DENDR@CA ASTIVA. 431, 926, g ad.; “ Dearing’s Creek,” Upper Humboldt Valley, Nevada, September 12. 413—78—(7)—2. Upper mandible, plumbeous-black, the tomium edged with paler; lower, plumbeous-white, darker terminally 3 iris, burnt-sienna; tarsi and toes, plumbe. ous, latter with a yellowish tinge. DENDR@CA ASTIVA. Summer Yellow-bird; Golden Warbler. Motacilla estiva, GMELIN, Syst. Nat., I, 1788, 996. Dendreca estiva, BARD, B. N. Am., 1858, 282; Catal., 1859, No. 203; Review, 1865, 195.—CooreER, Orn. Cal., 87.—Cougs, Key, 1872, 97 ; Check List, 1873, No. 70; B. N.W., 1874, 54.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 222, pl. xIv, fig. 1 —HENsHaw, 1875, 192. This common and familiar little bird was met with everywhere, except during the winter season; and in all wooded localities, with the exception of the higher forests, which it gave up‘chiefly to D. auduboni, was the most abundant and generally distributed member of the family. At Sacramento it was one of the commonest birds, inhabiting every copse, whether of willow, cotton-wood, or oak; and throughout the Interior it was equally plentiful in every locality producing a growth of willows or other shrubbery, being most multiplied in the river-valleys or lower cafions, and gradually decreasing in numbers toward the summits of the mountains. No difference whatever exists, apparently, between the western and eastern birds of this species. List of specimens. 11, nest and eggs (3); Sacramento, California, June 8, 1867. Nest on small oak, in grove. . 24, 25, 26, 27, nest and eggs; Sacramento, California, June 11, 1867. Nests in a small oak-grove, nearly similarly situated, being generally placed on a high branch near the top of the trees, about fifteen or twenty feet from the ground. 121, g juv.; valley of the Truckee, Nevada, August 6, 1867. 5,%,—713—2.9._9: —4—§—13—3. Upper mandible, leaden-black, the tomium whitish; lower, leadeu- bluish; iris, hazel; tarsi and toes, yellowish horn-color, latter yellowish beneath. ; 158, 2 ad.; valley of the Humboldt (Camp 17), September 2. 5f,—74—2 55,2 ye—2? 12-8. Upper mandible, black, the tomium pale ashy-lilac ; lower mandible, pale ashy-lilac; iris, hazel; tarsi and toes, liver-brown, scutelle margined with ashy- blue. 881, 2 juv.; East Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, August 29, 1868. 45 —7]—(1)—2. Upper mandible, olive-brown, edged with paler; lower, uniform greenish-white ; iris, bister; tarsi and toes, dilute sepia, strongly washed with yellow. ; 432 ORNITHOLOGY. 1254, 1255, 1256, nests and eggs; Parley’s Park, Utah, June 23, 1869. Nests in willows along stream. 1306, nest and eggs (4); Parley’s Park, June 27. Nest in rose-bush near stream. 1415, nest and egg (1); Parley’s Park, July 16, 1869. Nest in willows. DENDR@CA OCCIDENTALIS. Western Warbler. Sylvia occidentalis, TOWNSEND, Journ. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., VII, ii, 1837, 190. Dendreca occidentalis, BAIRD, B, N. Am., 1858, 268; Catal., 1859, No. 190; Review, 1865, 183.—CoorEr, Orn. Cal., 92.—CouEs, Key, 1872, 98; Check List, 1873, No. 72.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 266, pl. x11, fig. 5 HENSHAW, 1875, 201. On the 29th of August, 1868, a single individual of this strongly-marked species was seen in the lower portion of one of the eastern cations of the East Humboldt Mountains. It was busily engaged in searching for its insect food, in a thicket along the stream, during which occupation it uttered an occasional note, sounding like a lisped and faint enunciation of pzeet. DENDR@CA TOWNSENDI. Townsend’s Warbler. “Sylvia townsendi, NUTTALL,” TOWNSEND, Journ. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., VII, ii, 1837, 191. Dendraca townsendi, BARD, B. N. Am., 1858, 269; Catal., 1859, 191; Review, 1865, 185.—Coorsr, Orn. Cal., 91.—Covuns, Key, 1872, 98; Check List, 1873, No. 73.—B.'B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 265, pl. x11, fig. 7 —HENSHAW, 1875, 200. This Warbler, like the D. occidentalis, was exceedingly rare along our route, only one other specimen besides that obtained having been seen. The one in question was observed on the 8th of September, in an alder- thicket high up one of the eastern cafions of the East Humboldt Mountains. The manners and notes of this species, as observed at this season, seemed much like those of D. occidentalis, neither possessing any strikingly distinctive trait, so far as could be observed. List of specimens. 942, g ad.; Thousand Spring Valley, Nevada, September 24, 1868. (Specimen badly mutilated; no measurements.) DENDRGCA NIGRESCENS—D. AUDUBONL 433 DENDRM@CA NIGRESCENS. Black-throated Gray Warbier, Sylvia nigrescens, TOWNSEND, Journ. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., VIL, ii, 1837, 191. Dendreca nigrescens, BARD, B. N. Am., 1858, 270; Catal., 1859, No. 192; Review, 1865, 186.—CooPER, Orn. Cal., 90.—Cours, Key, 1872, 98; Check List, 1873, No. 75; B. N.W., 1874, 55.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 258, pl. xu, fig. 8 HENSHAW, 1875, 188. The Black-throated Gray Warbler doubtless breeds on all the higher mountains of the Western Region, since Mr. C. E. Aiken has discovered it to be a summer resident on the most eastern ranges in Colorado, while it has long been known as a summer bird of the Pacific Coast district; but the mountains of the Great Basin having sufficient timber-growth—a condition essential to the presence of this species—are very few, and so far between, that we met with it at few localities. On the eastern slope of the Ruby Mountains, it was abundant in July and August, in the pifion and cedar woods, never entering the brushwood in the cafions. A few individuals were also seen in Pack’s Cafion, Uintah Mountains, where they inhabited the lower slopes which were covered with a scattered growth of scrub- oaks and mountain-mahogany. At the former locality, several families of full-grown young were observed still following their parents. Their song was not heard, but their ordinary note greatly resembled the sharp chip of the eastern Yellow-rump (D. coronata). List of specimens. 840, ¢; East Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, July, 14, 1868. 43—73—(?)—23,. Bill, deep black ; iris, dark sepia; tarsi and toes, sepia-black. 855, ¢; East Humboldt Mountains, August 4, 1868. 53—7%—(7)—23. Same re- marks. - 863, 8; August 7,1868. 54—7§—(?)—24. Same remarks. 866, 2; August 10,1868, 5—7%—(?)--2. Bill, black, slightly lilaceous at base of lower mandible. DENDR@CA AUDUBONI. Audubon’s Warbler. Sylvia audubonii, TOWNSEND, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., VII, ii, 1837, 190. Dendreca audubonii, BAtRD, B. N. Am., 1858, 273; Catal., 1859, No. 195; Review, 1865, 188.—CoopER, Orn. Cal., 88.—CovEs, Key, 1872, 100; Check List, 1873, No. 79; B. N.W., 1874, 58.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 229, pl. xu, fig. 1—HEnsnAw, 1875, 194. As is the case with the eastern Yellow-rumped Warbler (D. coronata), 28 PR 434 ORNITHOLOGY. except in the southern portion of its habitat, Audubon’s Warbler, the western representative of that species, is the only one of the family which remains during the winter. Its migrations seem to be mainly, if not entirely, vertical, its summer-home being the pine forests of the mountains, while in winter it dwells among the cotton-woods of the river-valleys, or the brushwood of the lower cafions. In its habits and manners it is an exact counterpart of D. coronata, which it also resembles so strikingly in plumage; but its notes are markedly different, the usual one being a feeble wit, very unlike the sharp chip of the eastern species. List of specimens. 218, dad.; West Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, September 25, 1867. 5f--9—33— 213_13__11__91__1, Bill, tarsi, and toes, deep black; iris, hazel. 245, S ad.; West Humboldt Mountains, October 8, 1867. 5%—94—34—28—3—3— 2,,—1,,. Same remarks. 346, 2ad.; Truckee Valley, Nevada, December 7, 1868. 54—83—2{—23—,4 —11— 237. Same remarks. 493, d ad.; Carson City, Nevada, April 4, 1868. 6—93—3,5,—23. Iris, burnt- umber. 500, ¢ ad.; Carson, April 18, 1868. 6—94—34—23. Bill, jet-black; iris, burnt- umber; tarsi and toes, sepia-black. 1257, single egg; Parley’s Park, Wahsatch Mountains, Utah, June 23, 1869. Nest near extremity of horizontal branch of pine tree, about ten feet from ground; contained, besides, three young. GEOTHLYPIS TRICHAS. Maryland Yellow-throat. Turdus trichas, LINN., Syst. Nat., I, 1766, 293. Geothlypis trichas, CABANIS, Mus. Hein., 1850, 16—Barrp, B. N. Am., 1858, 241; Catal., 1859, No. 170; Review, 1865, 220.—Cooprr, Orn. Cal., 95.—CouEs, Key, 1872, 107, fig. 47; Check List, 1873, 97; B. N.W., 1874, 74.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 297, pl. xv, figs. 7,8. HENSHAW, 1875, 204. In all bushy places contiguous to water, this little bird was invariably to be found ; but it was confined to the valleys, being replaced among the mountains, even in the lower canons, by the G. macgillivrayi. Clumps of wild-rose briers and the banks of the sloughs seemed to be its favorite resorts, and in such localities near Pyramid Lake it was one of the most abundant species in May, and all day long enlivened the vicinity of one of our camps by its pleasant song of witch'ity, witch'ity, witch'ity—often from several rival males at the same time. GEOTHLYPIS MACGILLIVRAYI 435 List of specimens. 750, eggs (4); mouth of Truckee River, May 19, 1868. Nest in sage-bush, in moist depression. 883, juv.; Ruby Valley, Nevada, August 29, 1868. 5g—63—(?)—138. Upper mandible, sepia-black, the tomium pale brownish-yellow; lower, dilute lilaceous-sepia; iris, plumbeous-brown; tarsi and toes, dilute pinkish-sepia, the toes strongly washed with yellow. ; 899, 2 juv.; Secret Valley, Nevada, September 23, 1868. 51—7—(2)—1%. Same remarks. 953, 3 ad.; Deep Creek, Utah, October 5, 1868. 533—7—(1)—1§.__ Bill, black; commissure and basal half of lower mandible, dilute brownish-lilac; iris, bister; tarsi and toes, uniform sepia. 1400, nest and eggs; valley of Weber River, June, 1869. [J. C. Olmsted.] GEOTHLYPIS MACGILLIVRAYI. McGillivray’s Warbler. Sylvia macgillivrayi, AUDUBON, Orn. Biog., V, 1839, 75, pl. 399, figs. 4, 5. Geothlypis macgillivrayi, BAIRD, B. N. Am., 1858, 244, pl. 99, fig. 4; Catal., 1859, No. 173; Review, 1865, 227.—CoopsR, Orn. Cal., 96.—CovEs, Key, 1872, 107; Check List, 1873, No. 99.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., 1, 1874, 303, pl. XV, figs. 4, 5 —HENSHAW, 1875, 205. Geothlypis philadelphia var. macgillivrayi, ALLEN, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., III, July, 1872, 175.—RipGway, Am. Journ. Sci. & Arts, Dec., 1872, 459. Geothlypis philadelphia. a. macgillivrayi, COUES, B. N.W., 1874, 75. Representing the Maryland Yellow-throat in the mountains, this species was found in all the fertile cafions from the Sierra Nevada to the Uintahs. It inhabited the rank herbage near the streams, or the undergrowth of the thickets and aspen copses. We did not hear the song of this species, but were very familiar with its ordinary note, a strong chip, greatly resembling that of the Indigo-bird, or its western representative (Cyanospiza cyanea and C. wnena),.the notes of both old and young being alike. List of specimens. 175, 2 juv.; West Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, September 9, 1867. 53—TZ4— 2,24 —j5 3-24-14. Upper mandible, brownish-black ; commissure and lower mandible, brownish lilaceous-white, the latter darker terminally; iris, hazel; tarsi and toes, brownish-white. 900, 3 juv.; East Humboldt Mountains, Nevada (Camp 23), September 6, 1868. 53—74—(?)—2,. Iris, grayish-sepia; tarsi and toes, pinkish-white. 906, 8 ad.; East Humboldt Mountains, September 8, 1868. 53,—7§—(?)—24. Upper mandible, brownish-plumbeous, paler toward commissure ; lower, paler brown- ish, lilaceous-white, darker terminally; iris, grayish-sepia; tarsi and toes, sepia-white. 436 ORNITHOLOGY. 1258, 1259, nests and eggs; Parley’s Park, Wahsatch Mountains, Utah, June 23, 1869. Nests about eighteen inches above the ground, in small briers or bushes, in weedy undergrowth near stream. (Parents of both shot.) 1307, nest and eggs (4); Parley’s Park, June 27, 1869. Nest in bush, about a foot from ground. 1365, nest and eggs (3); Uintah Mountains, July 3, 1869. Nest among under- growth of aspen-grove, in bush, a foot from ground. 1380, 3 juv.; Uintah Mountains, July 7,1869. 53—7%. Bill, black, the commissure and basal two-thirds of lower mandible, deep lilaceous; iris, brown; tarsi, light lila- ceous-brown; toes, darker. / 1432, 3 juv.; Parley’s Park, July 19, 1869. 54—73.. Upper mandible, black, the tomium white; lower, lilaceous-white, the terminal third dusky; iris, brown; tarsi, pur- plish-brown; toes, dark brown. ICTERIA VIRENS. Yellow-breasted Chat. B. longicauda—Long-tailed Chat. Icteria longicauda, LAWRENCE, Ann. Lye. N. H., N. Y., VI, April, 1853, 4.— Barb, B. N. Am., 1858, 249, pl. 34, fig. 2; Catal., 1859, No. 177; Review, 1865, 230.—CoorER, Orn. Cal., 98. Icteria virens var. longicauda, CouES, Key, 1872, 108; Check List, 1873, No. 100a. —B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. Birds, I, 1874, 309.—HENsHAW, 1875, 206. Icteria virens. b. longicauda, COUES, Birds N.W., 1874, 77. The distribution of the Yellow-breasted Chat corresponds so nearly with that of the Maryland Yellow-throat, that they were generally to be found in the same thicket; but its vertical range is somewhat greater, it being fre- quently met with in the lower portion of the cations. It was equally common in California and the Interior, and appeared to be in all respects the same bird as the eastern race. Its song during the breeding-season, like that of the eastern bird, is conspicuous from its extreme oddity, as well as for its power and variety; and we were often awakened at midnight by its notes, when, but for the yelping of the prowling Coyotes (Cans latrans., the stillness would have been unbroken. It was also observed that they were partic- ularly musical on bright moonlight nights. List of specimens. 23, nest and eggs (3); Sacramento, California, June 11, 1867. Nest in wild-rose brier, among undergrowth of oak-grove. MYIODIOCTES PUSILLUS. 437 49, 3 ad. (parent of No, 48); Sacramento, California, June 17, 1867. 74—104— 29—§—,—3§—I. Bill, entirely pure black; whole inside of mouth, inteuse share ; iris, hazel; tarsi and toes, pale slate-blue. re, 2 ad.; West Humboldt Mountains (Camp 18), September 4, 1867. 7%7—103— 34—2} 1 iis. Upper mandible, horn-black, tomium bdate white; lower piahaible: lilaceous-white, point of gonys, black; iris, hazel; tarsi and toes, giannis, without any shade of blue. 168, d ad.; West Humboldt Mountains, September 7, 1867. 8—10--33-—213—_9,— 45—3;,—l8. U pper mandible, horn-black, tomium bluish-white ; lower mandible, pearl- white, tip of gonys, black; tarsi and toes, dull plumbeous. 48, nest and eggs (3); Sacramento, June 17, 1867. Nest about three feet from ground, in thorny bush in dense thicket. 568, S ad.; Truckee Reservation, May 15, 1868. 74—10—23. Bill, and whole interior of mouth, intense black ; iris, blackish-brown; tarsi and toes, plumbeous. MYIODIOCTES PUSILLUS. Black-capped Yellow Warbler. a. pusillus. Muscicapa pusilla, WILSON, Am.-Orn., III, 1811, 103, pl. 26, fig. 4. Myiodioctes pusillus, BonAP., Consp. Av., I, 1850, 315.—Barrp, B. N. Am., 1858, 293 (part); Catal., 1859, No. 211; Review, 1865, 240 (part)—_CooPErR, pei Cal., 101.—Couts, Key, 1872, 109, fig. 50 (part); Check List, 1873, No. 102 B. N.W., 1874, 79 (part).—B. B. & RB, Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 317, pl. XVI, figs. 3, 4. HENSHAW, 1875, 207. Myiodioctes pusillus var. pusillus, Ripaway, Am. Journ. Sci. & Arts, Dec., 1872, 457, f. pileolata. Myiodioctes pusillus (part), AUCT. Motacilla pileolata, PALLAS, Zoog. Rosso-As., I, 1811, 497. Myiodioctes pusillus var. pileolata, RipGw., Am. Journ. Sci. & Arts, Dec., 1872, 457.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 319. This sprightly Warbler was not seen at Sacramento, but in the valley of the Truckee, and in many suitable localities to the eastward, it was a rare summer resident, becoming exceedingly numerous in autumn. Its haunts during the breeding-season were much the same as those of the Summer Yellow-bird (Dendraca estiva), but in September it was most abundant in the shrubbery along the cafion streams. 438 ORNITHOLOGY. List of specimens. a, pusillus . 203, f ad.; West Humboldt Mountains, September 20, 1867. 413—6Z—23—1]5—32 —i1_1 1s —ay. Upper mandible, blackish horn-color edged with pale brownish ; lower mandible, pale lilaceous-brown; iris, brown ; tarsi and toes, yellowish. brown, the force strongly stained with yellow posteriorly: : 880, d ad.; East Humboldt Mountains, August 29, 1868. 54—6Z—(?)—1%. Upper mandible, deep-black, tomium edged with lilaceous; lower, dilute-lilac, more whitish beneath ; iris, sepia; tarsi and toes, dilute brownish-yellow, the tarsi more sulphury, the toes deeper. 887, d ad.; East Humboldt Mountains, September 1, 1868. 5—7—(?)—2. Upper mandible, blackish-olivaceous, tomium and lower mandible, dilute reddish lilaccous- brown; iris, sepia; tarsi and toes, pale olivaceous-yellow. 888, ? ad.; same locality and date. 4f—6{—1f. Tarsi, pale purplish-brown; toes, olive-yellow. 1039, 2? ad.; Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake, May 24,1869. 43—7. Upper man- dible, brownish-black ; lower, paler, basal two-thirds, pale wood-brown; iris, brown ; tarsi and toes, dilute-brown. B. pileolata. 120, 6 ad.; valley of the Truckee, Nevada, August 6, 1867. 5—6~,—2), Bill, delicate praia horn-color, darker on the culmen; iris, inal tarsi aud toes, dilute horn-color, stained with yellow. 166, 9 ad.; valley of the Lower Humboldt, Nevada, September 5, 1867. 43—613— 24. Bill, dark ‘tion color, lower mandible paler, dilute brown basally; iris, dark hazel; tarsi and toes, horn-color, latter yellowish beneath. 176, $ad.; West Humboldt Mountains, September 9, 1867. 53—63—25.. Bill, 16° dark horn-color, paler beneath, the lower mandible inclining to lilaceous; iris, hazel ; tarsi and toes, pale livid horn-color. SETOPHAGA RUTICILLA. American Redstart. Muscicapa ruticilla, LINN., Syst. Nat., I, 1766, 326. Setophaga ruticilla, SwAtns., Zool. Jour., III, 1827, 358.—Barrp, Birds N. Am., 1858, 297; Catal., 1859, No. 217; Review, 1865, 256.—CouEs, Key, 1872, 110; Cheek List, 1873, No. 104; Binds N.W., 1874, 81.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. ‘An, Birds, I, 1874, 319, pl. xvI, figs. 1, 5. HENSHAW, 1875, 209. This beautiful little bird was common in summer throughout the Wah- satch district, being one of several eastern species which have their westward range limited only by the commencement of the arid and treeless region of the Great Basin. It was abundant in the valleys and the lower portion of the cafions, but it did not extend far up into the mountains. A few were seen, in June, in the orchard of the ‘Church Ranche,” on Antelope Island. PROGNE SUBIS. 489 List of specimens. 1104,d ad.; Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake, Utah, June 4, 1869. 53—73. Bill, tarsi, and toes, deep black ; iris, brown. Famity HIRUNDINIDE—Swattows. PROGNE SUBIS. Purple Martin. Hirundo subis, Lrnn., Syst. Nat. (10th ed.), 1758, 192. Progne subis, BAIRD, Review Am. B., 1865, 274.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 329, pl. xvI, figs. 7, 10.—HrEnsHaw, 1875, 213. Hirundo purpurea, LINN., Syst. Nat. (12th ed.), 1766, 344. Progne purpurea, Bots, Isis, 1826, 971.—Bairp, B. N. Am., 1858, 314; Catal., 1859, No. 231.—Cooprr, Orn. Cal., 113.—CovEs, Key, 1872, 114; Check List, 1873, No. 117; B. N.W., 1874, 91. In the more thickly-populated districts of California, the handsome Purple Martin has become, as it has long since in the Eastern States, semi-domesticated, and almost entirely allured from its original haunts, the forests, by the superior advantages afforded by the surroundings of civilized man; but in the more scantily-settled Interior it was found still retaining its primitive habits. In the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento it was a very abundant species, while eastward of the Sierra Nevada it was rare, except among the aspen woods of the pine-region on certain of the higher mountain ranges. In Carson City it was not common, while in Virginia City but a single individual was seen, the date being June 18, 1868. Among the aspens of the Wahsatch, near Parley’s Park, however, it was extremely abundant, and nested in the deserted or captured excavations of the Red- naped Woodpecker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis), most of which were bored into the trunks of living trees, these holes being freely shared with the White- bellied Swallows ( Tachycineta bicolor). As a rule, the Swallows, although true Oscines, are not considered singers; the present species, however, is at least one notable exception, since it is a warbler of high merit. Often have we reclined on some mossy or fern-covered bank beneath the aspens, and given respectful attention to the performance of: a voluble male Purple Martin, as, with glossy violet head 440 ORNITHOLOGY. thrust from the entrance to his nest, he entertained his mate with liquid warblings, varied by sweet cadences, his throat swelling and vibrating with the volume of his song. PETROCHELIDON LUNIFRONS. Chiff Swallow. Hirundo lunifrons, Say, Long’s Exped., II, 1823, 47.—BatrD, B. N. Am., 1858, 309; Catal., 1859, No. 226.—CooPEr, Orn. Cal., 104. Petrochelidon lunifrons, SCLATER, Cat. Am. B., 1862, 40.—BarRD, Review, 1865, 288,—CovuEs, Key, 1872, 114; Check List, 1873, No. 114; B. N.W., 1874, 88. —B.B. &R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 334, pl. Xv1, 13.— HENSHAW, 1875, 215. The first land-bird observed after arriving at San Francisco, was this familiar and widely-diffused species, multitudes of which were observed to swarm about certain old buildings along with smaller numbers of Purple Martins (Progne subis). It was also noticed along every portion of our route across the Great Basin, especially in the vicinity of rivers or lakes, or at the settlements, whether large or small. The species may be consid- ered the most abundant one of the family throughout the West, the next in order being the White-bellied and Rough-winged Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor and Stelgidopteryx serripennis). In localities most remote from settle- ments it of course built its nest only on the face of overhanging cliffs, but if near a settlement, any large building, as a barn or church, was almost sure to be selected; in either case, vast numbers congregating together and fixing their peculiar gourd-shaped nests side by side or upon each other, the same as in the east. It was not observed to build in any other way, and it is probable that the nesting-habits of this species are less variable than those of its kindred, excepting, perhaps, the common Barn Swallow (Hirundo horreorum), which differs chiefly in selecting caves or the interior of dwell- ings, and in being not gregarious. List of specimens. 852, $ ad.; Hast Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, July 22, 1868. 6—124—-(?)—3%. Bill, deep black ; intcrior of mouth, pinkish-dusky; iris, dark claret-brown ; tarsi and toes, dark horn-color. 871, egg (1); Hast Humboldt Mountains, August 25, 1868. Nest attached to side of a rafter, underneath roof of a shed, at ranche. ? HIRUNDO HORREORUM—TACHYCINETA BICOLOR. 441 HIRUNDO ERYTHROGASTER. Barn Swallow. B. horreorum? Hirundo horreorum, Barton, Frag. Nat. Hist. Penn’a, 1799, 17.—BairD, Birds N. Am., 1858, 308; Catal., 1859, No. 225; Review, 1865, 204.—Coormr, Orn. Cal., 103.—CovuEs, Key, 1872, 113, fig. 54; Check List, 1873, No.111; Birds N.W., 1874, 85.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. Birds, I, 1874, 339, pl. xv1, fig. 9.—HENSHAW, 1875, 217. Although inhabiting the same localities as the Cliff Swallow, the pres- ent species was observed to be everywhere much less numerous. It was most common along the shore and on the islands of Pyramid Lake, where it nested among the tufa domes, each nest being attached to the ceiling of a cave among the. rocks. In few instances were more than a single pair found in one cave. Several nests were also found in caverns among the lime- stone cliffs on the eastern side of the Ruby Mountains. . List of specimens. 408, 3 ad.; valley of the Humboldt, September, 1867. 1451, nest and eggs (3); Parley’s Park, Wahsatch Mountains, Utah, July 26, 1869. Nest in stable, attached to rafter. TACHYCINETA BICOLOR. White-bellied Swallow. Hirundo bicolor, VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept., I, 1807, 61, pl. 31.—Barrp, Birds N. Am., 1858, 310; Catal., 1859, No. 227; Review, 1865, 297.—CooPER, Orn. Cal., 106.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 344, pl. xvi, fig. 8. Tachycineta bicolor, CABANIS, Mus. Hein., 1850, 48.—CovuEs, Key, 1872, 113; Check List, 1873, No. 112; Birds N.W., 1874, 86.—HENsHAW, 1875, 217. This species and the Purple Martin were the only Swallows which were 1It ig not yet satisfactorily determined whether the North American birds of this species differ constantly from South American examples to the extent that the two series nay be separated as geographical races. In case they should not prove thus constantly different, the proper name of the North American bird is H. erythrogaster, Boddaert, while the following synonyms are to be added to the above citations :— Hirundo erythrogaster, Bopp., Tabl. Pl. enl. (724, fig. 1), 1783, 45 (Cayenne).— ScLaTER, Catal. Am. Birds, 1861, 39 (Brazil). Hirundo rufa, Gu, Syst. Nat., I, 1788, 1018 (Pl. enl., 724, fig. 1)—Bunru., Ueb., IIT, 148 (Brazil). Hirundo cyanopyrrha, VIEILL., Nouv. Dict., XVI, 1817, 510. 442 ORNITHOLOGY. confined strictly to wooded districts or to settlements, their distribution being much the same, except that, in the case of wooded localities, the former was most abundant in the river-valleys, while the latter occurred oftenest on the mountains. Among the cotton-woods of the Lower Truckee, near Pyramid Lake, in May, the White-bellied Swallow abounded more than elsewhere, and every knot-hole or other cavity among the trees seemed to have been taken possession of by a pair. They were then engaged in building their nests, and throughout the day would come to the door- yard of the Reservation-house to pick up the feathers, or bits of rag or paper, scattered about the ground, after hurriedly seizing which they would fly with the_article selected in a direct line to their nests. As they sat on the ground, they were beautiful little birds, and though they squatted some- what awkwardly, on account of the smallness of their feet, they raised their heads so proudly, and glanced so sharply, yet timidly, about them, that they seemed graceful in their motions; while each movement caused the sunlight to glance from their burnished backs of lustrous steel-blue, with which the snowy white of their breasts contrasted so strikingly. Although the object picked up was most often a feather, it occasionally happened that one would take hold of a string, or a long shred of cloth, perhaps a yard or more in length, in which case, so conspicuous an object was certain to be seized upon by others, as the bearer labored to carry it to his nest, thus becoming the subject of quite a struggle, and much twittering. The White-bellied Swallow was by no means confined to the wooded river-valleys, however, but it was equally abundant among the aspen woods, high up in the Wahsatch Mountains, at an altitude of 8,000 or 9,000 feet; it was also common in the Sacramento Valley, but a few feet above sea-level, among the oak trees of the plain. Neither is it invariably arboreal, for it seems to have become, in certain localities, more ‘‘civilized,” like its cousin, ihe Purple Martin, and to have taken advantage of the abode of man in localities where there are no trees to accommodate them. Such was conspicuously the case at Carson City, where they were quite numerous, and built their nests under the eaves, behind the weather-boarding, or about the porches of dwellings or other buildings, and were quite familiar. The specimens in the collection were shot on the wing; and when one was TACHYCINETA THALASSINA. 443 brought down the rest would exhibit great concern, circling about the victim, and uttering a plaintive twitter,.as their suffering companion lay fluttering on the ground. List of specimens. 473, ? ad.; Carson City, Nevada, March 30, 1868. 6—13—43—44. Bill, deep black; interior of mouth, fleshy white; tarsi and toes, dark sepia, the latter pinkish beneath. 414, & ad.; Carson City, Nevada, March 30, 1868. 53—13—43—4,).. Interior of mouth, pale yellow. 475, ? ad.; Carson City, Nevada, March 30, 1868. 6—12—43—315. Interior of mouth, fleshy white, 748, eggs; Truckee Bottoms, May 19, 1868. Nest of straw and feathers, in deserted woodpecker’s hole, in willow tree. 768, 769, eggs (3—4); Truckee Bottoms, May 29, 1868. Nests with same location, etc., as preceding. : 1038, ¢ ad.; Salt Lake City, Utah, May 24,1869. 6—13. Bill, black; iris, brown; feet, dark purplish-brown. 1416, eggs (3); Parley’s Park, Wahsatch Mountains, Utah, July 16, 1869. Eggs in knot-hole in aspen-tree. Nest of feathers. 1484, & juv.; Parley’s Park, Wahsatch Mountains, Utah, July 30, 1869. 53—12. Bill, black; rictus and interior of mouth, yellow; iris, brown; feet, dark livid sepia. 1485, & juv.; Parley’s Park, Wahsatch Mountains, Utah, July 30, 1869. 5g—113. Feet, light pink. TACHYCINETA THALASSINA. Violet-green Swallow. Hirundo thalassina, SWAINSON, Philos. Mag., I, 1827, 365.—BAIrRD, Birds N. Am., 1858, 311; Catal., 1859, No. 228; Review, 1865, 299.—CooPER, Orn. Cal., 107.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. Birds, I, 1874, 347, pl. xv, fig. 11. Tachycineta thalassina, CABANIS, Mus. Hein., 1850, 48.—CovEs, Key, 1872, 113; Check List, 1873, No. 113; Birds N.W., 1874, 86.—HENSHAW, 1875, 217. The beautiful Violet-green Swallow was first seen on the main island in Pyramid Lake, during the month of May. They were very abundant, and frequented chiefly the cliffs of calcareous tufa, where they were observed to enter the fissures of the rock to their nests within. In July we saw it again among the limestone walls of the eastern cafions of the Ruby Mountains, where it also nested in the crevices on the face of the cliffs, its associates being the White-throated Swift (Panyptila saxatilis), and Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon lunifrons). Their nests were in almost every case 444 ORNITHOLOGY. out of reach, only two of those that were found being accessible. Both were in horizontal fissures, scarcely large enough to admit the hand; the nest consisting of a flattened mass of sticks and straws, lined with feathers, like those of the Bank Swallows (Cotyle and Stelgidopteryx); one of them contained five young birds, but the other had apparently been tampered with in some way, since the parent was dead and her three eggs broken. The latter, like those of 7. bicolor and the two species above mentioned, were pure white, without markings. Although other observers, whose statements we do not in the least doubt, have described the habits of this bird as arboreal, like those of the White-bellied Swallow (7. bicolor) and the Purple Martin, we never found it so in any locality during our trip, it being everywhere a strictly saxico- line species, and an associate of Panyptila saxatilis, Petrochelidon lunifrons, and Hirundo horreorum rather than of the species named, and to be found only where precipitous rocks, affording suitable fissures, occurred. When on the wing the appearance of this lovely Swallow is very striking, and so unlike that of any other that it may be immediately distinguished. No other species resembles it except the Z. bicolor, which is somewhat similar on account of the pure white lower parts; but a more attentive examination discovers the greater amount of white on the side of the head, and if the bird is viewed from above the plumage is seen to be tricolored—the rump rich intense violet, and the back lustrous green, the two colors being separated by a very conspicuous, broad, and apparently continuous, band of snowy white across the upper part of the rump, caused by the close approximation of the two white flank-patches. This Swallow appeared to be a very silent species, but a few notes were heard, which called to mind the chirping of young Purple Martins, as heard in rainy weather. List of specimens. 161, ad.; island in Pyramid Lake, Nevada, May 23, 1868. 5$—123—(?)—44. Bill, deep black; iris, burnt-umber ; tarsi and toes, deep sepia. 847, ? ad.; Hast Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, July 20, 1868. 54—112—-(2)—38. Bill, deep black; interior of mouth, pale naples-yellow ; iris, dark sepia; tarsi and toes, pale sepia-purple. 1070, 2 ad.; Salt Lake City, Utah (City Creek Caiion), May 29, 1869. COTYLE RIPARIA. 445 COTYLE RIPARIA. Bank Swallow. Hirundo riparia, Linn., Syst. Nat., I, 1766, 344. Cotyle riparia, Bois, Isis, 1822, 550.—Barrp, B. N. Am., 1858, 313; Catal., 1859, No. 229; Review, 1865, 319.—Coorgr, Orn. Cal., 110.—CovuEs, Key, 1872, 114; Check List, 1873, No. 115; B. N.W., 1874, 90.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 353, pl. xvi, fig. 14.—Hinsuaw, 1875, 220. The distribution of the common Bank Swallow was the same as that of the Rough-winged species, but it was everywhere less abundant. We never found it except when associated with the latter bird, and its habits and appearance seemed so much the same that it required somewhat close observation to distinguish them readily. The pure white lower parts, crossed by a dusky band across the breast, however, served as a good and unfailing mark by which to distinguish the present species, the lower parts of the Rough-winged Swallow being uniform mouse-color, growing gradually paler behind; while the flight of the Bank Swallow is swifter and more graceful, more like that of the species of Tachycineta, or true Hirundo. . While on the Truckee Reservation, in May, it was daily our custom to visit a small pond, situated in a broad meadow, for the purpose of studying the several species of Swallows which came there in large numbers every evening. Having taken our post of observation a little before sunset, a few individuals of the Rough-winged and White-bellied species were sure to be already there, having but a few rods to come from the ravines and cotton-woods near by. In a short time the Barn Swallows would make their appearance, gliding easily and swiftly over the surface of the water in pursuit of their insect-food. This soon became the most abundant species, excepting the Cliff Swallow, there having arrived in the meantime a very few individuals of the Violet-green and Bank Swallows, the latter being the least numerous of all. In one evening, as we sat on the grassy bank of this pond, we killed specimens of each of these species as they flew by us. List of specimens. 1410, 1411, 1412, eggs. Valley of Weber River, June, 1869. [J. C. Olmstead. ] 446 ORNITHOLOGY. STELGIDOPTERYX SERRIPENNIS. Rough-winged Swallow. Hirundo serripennis, AUDUBON, Orn. Biog., IV, 1838, 593. Cotyle serripennis, BoNAP., Consp. Av., I, 1850, 342.—BaAIRD, B.N. Am., 1858, 313; Catal., 1859, No. 230.—CoorEr, Orn. Cal., 110. Stelgidopteryx serripennis, BAIRD, Review Am. B., 1865, 316.—COUES, Key, 1872, 114; Check List, 1873, No. 116; B. N.W., 1874, 90.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am, B., I, 1874, 350, pl. xvi, fig. 12.—HENsHAW, 1875, 219. Next to the Cliff and White-bellied Swallows, this was the most abun- dant species of the family. It was found only in the river-valleys, however, or in the lower ravines of the mountains, where, in company with the Bank Swallow, it excavated the earthy banks or took possession of holes dug by the Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon). Its habits in general are quite similar to those of the species with which it so freely associates. List of specimens. 534, 9 ad.; Carson City, Nevada, April 25, 1868, 54—113—47;—3}. Bill, black ; iris, bister; tarsi and toes, dark horn-sepia. 1194, 2ad.; Salt Lake City, Utah, June 21, 1869, 5—11}4. Bill, deep black; iris, brown; feet, black. 1409, eggs; valley of Weber River, June, 1869. [J. C. Olmstead.] Famity AMPELIDA—WaAx-WINGS or CHATTERERS. AMPELIS CEDRORUM. Cedar-bird. Bombycilla cedrorum, VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept., I, 1807, 88, pl. 57. Ampelis cedrorum, SCLATER, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1856, 299.—BatrD, Birds N. Am., 1858, 318; Catal., 1859, No. 233; Review, 1866, 407.—CoormrR, Orn. Cal., 129.—CovEs, Key, 1872, 115, pl. 56; Check List, 1873, 119; Birds N.W., 1874, 93.—B. B. & R, Hist. N. Am. Birds, I, 1874, 401, pl. xvm, fig. 2— HENSHAW, 1875, 229. At only one locality did we meet with this elegant bird, and that was in the Upper Humboldt Valley, where it was common in September in the thickets along the streams flowing from the Clover Mountains. It was found in small companies, feeding on the fruit of a species of thorn-apple, or haw (Crataegus rivularis), which abounded in the thickets. PHANOPEPLA NITENS. 447 List of specimens. 915, g ad.; Dearing’s Ranch, Upper Humboldt Valley, September 10, 1868. 72,— 114—(2)—34. Bill, tarsi and toes, deep black ; iris, purplish-brown. 916, Sad. Same date, locality, and remarks. 74—113—(?)—3. ?PHANOPEPLA NITENS. Shining Ptilogonys. e Ptiliogonys nitens, SwAINSON, Anim. Menag., 1838, 285. Cichlopsis nitens, BAIRD, Birds N. Am., 1858, 320, 923. Phenopepla nitens, SCLATER, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1858, 543. —Barrp, Cat. N. Am. Birds, 1859, No. 234; Review, 1866, 416.—Coopsr, Orn. Cal., 131.— CovEs, Key, 18/2, 116; Check List, 1873, No. 120.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. An. Birds, I, 1874, 405, pl. xvim1, figs. 3, 4. HENSHAW, 1875, 229. On several occasions we heard, among the cedar and pifion woods of the desert ranges in western Nevada, a note so similar to the prolonged, querulous, rattling call of Nuttall’s Woodpecker (Picus nuttalli), that we entered the fact among our notes as evidence of the occurrence of that species eastward of the Sierra. We could never see the author of these notes, however, until, on the 27th of June, 1868, when exploring the Soda Lakes of the Carson Desert, we heard near by, in a ravine of that remarkable locality, the same familiar call and immediately started in search of the bird which produced it. It was soon discovered, perched upon the summit of a large grease-wood bush, but at our approach immediately took wing, and, notwithstanding every artifice and caution on our part, kept out of gunshot range, although enticing us on by fre- quent halts, during which it perched upon the topmost branch of the most prominent bushes. At each flight the peculiar rattling call referred to was uttered, so that the bird so long sought was at last before us. We were greatly surprised, however, to find that it was not the species we had sup- posed, but one we had never seen before. Several shots were fired at it during the most favorable opportunities, but it escaped unscathed, and we were therefore unable to identify it with certainty. The appearance of the bird was so remarkable that we are able to refer it to only one known North American species—the Phenopepla nitens, with the female or young male of which it corresponded in plumage, 448 ORNITHOLOGY. as well as could be ascertained from the distant view obtained. In its motionless attitude while perched, it called to mind Oreoscoptes montanus, which it closely resembled in size, general form, and dull, grayish colors; but when it flew its markings were more varied, the wings presenting a large white patch, apparently on the primaries. The manner of its flight was quite similar to that of the Mocking-bird (Mimus polyglottus), the wings and tail being widely spread; while the resemblance was still more striking from the white patch on the primaries. These characteristics correspond well with those of the female or young male of Phenopepla nitens, so that all circum- stances taken into consideration render it extremely probable that this species is a rare summer inhabitant of the desert portions of western Nevada, a supposition strengthened by the fact that it was obtained in the southern portion of the State by Mr. Bischoff, the naturalist of Lieutenant Wheeler’s expedition, in 1871. ’ Famitry VIREONIDA—GREENLETsS. VIREOSYLVIA GILVA. Warbliag Virco, or Greenlet. f. swainsoni. Vireo swainsoni, BAIRD, B. N. Am., 1858, 336 (in text, sub V. gilvus). Vireosylvia swainsoni, BAIRD, Review Am B., 1866, 343. Vireosylvia gilva var. swainsoni, BAIRD, in Coop. B. Cal., [, 1870, 116.—B. B. & K., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 371.—HENsHaw, 1875, 221. Vireo giluus var. swainsoni, COUES, Key, 1872, 121, fig. 64; Check List, 1873, No. 125a. . Vireo gilvus. b. swainsoni, CouES, B. N.W., 1874, 98. Few, if any, of the western birds are more extensively distributed or more abundant than this Greenlet, for it abides in all fertile localities. Altitude makes no difference with it, since it is equally common among the willows or cotton-woods of the lowest valleys and the aspens just below the timber-line—the only condition required being, seemingly, the exist- ence of deciduous trees or shrubbery. The food of this bird consists in summer chiefly of worms and other insects, but in the autumn it seems to subsist almost exclusively on the small bluish berries of a species of cornel (Cornus pubescens), which grows abundantly along the mountain streams. LANIVIREO CASSINI. 449 The habits and notes of the western birds of this species are in all respects like those of the eastern ones. Last of specimens. 122, ¢ ad.; valley of the Truckee (Camp 12), Angust 6, 1867, 53—84—211_91__ fe, Upper mandible, dark horn-color, commissure and lower mandible, lilaceous-white; iris, deep brown; tarsi and toes, light pluinbeous-blue. 153, 8 ad.; valley of the Fambetai (Camp 17), September 7, 1867. 53,—8,5,—211 —34—3 4-4-1 1, Bill, black, commissure and basal two- thirds of lpaeen caramniiBli nore lilaceous; iris, fusseat’ tarsi and toes, plumbeous-blue, almost ultramarine. 177, 2? ad.; West Humboldt Mountains (Camp 18), September 9, 1867, 5—7Z—2 —-24—8— 81411. Same remarks. 2 ee ? ad.; West Humboldt Mountains, September 10, 1867. 54—8—2,9,—21 7. —pye—lf—?. Upper mandible, slaty horn-color, tomium edged with lilaceous; lower, wg -whitish basally, then pale blue, the tip as dark as the upper mandible; iris, brown; tarsi and toes, light ashy-ultramarine. 187, 6 ad.; West Humboldt Mountains, September 12, 1867. 53—S3—211—24_— g—f—2—12. Same remarks. 809, nest and eggs (2); Fort Churchill (Carson River), Nevada, June 24, 1868. Nest in cotton-wood copse, about four feet from ground. Female seen ou nest. 878, 2 ad.; East Humboldt Mountains, August 27, 1868. 5,7,—841—(?)—2,4,. Upper mandible, plumbeous-black with lilaceous edge; lower, piumbeous-blue with lilaceous glow basally, and darker terminally; iris, burnt-umber; tarsi and toes, deli- cate light ashy-blue. 879, (sex unknown); East Humboldt Mountains, August 27, 1868. 53—83— 23; Same remarks. 1109, ¢ ad.; Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake, June 5, 1869. 53—815. Bill, dull blackish, the basal two-thirds of lower mandible lilaceous-bluish; iris, brown; tarsi and toes, plumbeous-blue. 1251, 1252, 1253, nests and eggs; Parley’s Park, Wahsatch Mountains, Utah, June 23, 1869. Nests all about four feet from ground, in aspens of a grove. 1317, nest and eggs; Parley’s Park, June 27, 1867. Aspens. 1497, g ad.; Parley’s Park, August 10, 1869. 5¥o—8i5- Upper mandible, black- ish-brown; commissure and lower mandible, lilaceous ; iris, vandyke- brown; tarsi and toes, fine light blue. 1504, $ ad.; Parley’s Park, August 12, 1869. 53—33. Same remarks. LANIVIREO CASSINI. Cassin’s Vireo. Vireo cassini, XANTUS, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., 1858, 117.—BairD, B. N..Am., 1858, 340, pl. 78, fig. 1; Catal., 1859, No. 251. Lanivireo solitarius var. cassini, BK. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., 1, 1874, 377, pl. xvi, fig. 9. Vireo solitarius var. (?) cassini, HENSHAW, 1875, 223. “Vireo solitarius” (part), COOPER, Orn. Cal., 1, 1870, 117. This rare and little-known species was noticed only’ in the cafions of 29PR 450 ORNITHOLOGY. the West Humboldt Mountains, where it was not uncommon in September. Those found had probably migrated from the region to the northwestward, or from the Cascade Mountains or the country adjacent, since examples of Zonotrichia coronata, Pipilo oregonus, and Melospiza guttata were obtained at the same place. List of specimens. 174, ad.; west slope of West Humboidt Mountains, Nevada, September 9, 1867. 5f—9—215__24__3 99.1, Upper mandible black, tomium bluish-litac; lower mandible pure pale blue, the tip black; iris, hazel; tarsi and toes, fiue ashy-ultra- marine. ; 217, 6 ad.; east slope of West Humboldt Mountains, September 25, 1867. 53— 745—23—2.3,_ 1332415, Same remarks. ‘LANIVIREO SOLITARIUS. Solitary Vireo. Muscicapa solitaria, WILSON, Am. Orn., IT, 1810, 143, pl. 17, fig. 6. Vireo solitarius, VIEILL., Nouv. Dict. Hist. Nat., XI, 1817.—Bargp, B. N. Am., 1858, 340; Catal., 1859, No. 250.—CoopER, Orn. Cal., 117 (part).—CovuEs, Key, 1872, 66, 121; Check List, 1873, 127; B. N.W., 1874, 99.— HENSHAW, 1875, 222. . Vireosylvia solitaria, BAIRD, Review Am. B., 1866, 347. Lanivireo solitarius, B.B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 373, pl. xvu, fig. 8. This species was met with only during its autumnal migrations, when it seemed to be not uncommon in the month of September among the cafion thickets of the western slope of the Clover Mountains. A single specimen was also shot in a buffalo-berry thicket in Buena Vista Cafion, on the east- ern slope of the West Humboldt Mountains, in September of the preceding year. It is still a question whether such individuals of this species were migrants from the higher portions of the mountains or from a more northern region; but that their migration was not vertical is most probable. List of specimens. 920, d ad.; head of Humboldt Valley (Camp 24), September 11, 1868. 5,5,—9— (?)—2g. Bill black, basal half of lower mandible, plumbeous-blue; iris, burnt-umber ; tarsi and toes, fine ashy-blue. LANIVIREO PLUMBEUS—VIREO PUSILLUS. 451 LANIVIREO PLUMBEUS. Lead-colored Virco. Vireo plumbeus, CouES, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., 1866, 73; Key, 1872, 122, fig. 6. Vireosylvia plumbea, BARD, Review Am. B., 1866, 349.—CooPER, Orn. Cal., 119. Vireo solitarius var. plumbeus, ALLEN, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 111, 1872, 176.— Cougs, Key, 1872, 351; Check List, 1873, No. 127a; B. N.W., 1874, 100.— HENSHAW, 1875, 221, Lanivireo solitarius var. plumbeus, B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 377, pl. XVII, fig. 10. The first locality where we met with this species in traveling eastward, was the eastern slope of the Ruby Mountains, where several other species characteristic of the Rocky Mountain district were first encountered, as Helminthophaga virginice and Selasphorus platycercus. It was rather common in July and August, its usual abode being the cedar and nut-pine groves on the lower slopes of the mountains, along with Dendreca nigrescens and Hel- minthophaga virginic, or in the brushwood of the ravines. Certain of its notes so closely resembled those of Troglodytes parkmanni that they were hard to distinguish. . List of specimens, 858, ad. (sex unknown); East Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, August 5, 1868. 53—94—(?)—2.8. Bill, plumbeous-black, basal halt of lower mandible, plumbeous- blue; iris, dark bister ; tarsi and toes, fine ashy-ultramarine. 861, d ad.; East Humboldt Mountains, August 5, 1868. (Specimen too badly mutilated for measuring.) Same remarks as to preceding. VIREO PUSILLUS. Least Vireo. Vireo pusillus, CouES, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., 1866, 76—Bairp, Review Am. B., 1866, 360.—CoorER, Orn. Cal., 124.—Covugs, Key, 1872, 124; Check List, 1873, No. 132.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 391, pl. xvu, fig. 14._HEensuaw, 1875, 226. This Vireo was the characteristic and most abundant species at Sac- ramento City, where it inhabited the dense willow copses along with E'mpidonaz pusillus. It was not observed anywhere else during our explo- rations, and it is probable that its northward range in California is limited to the immediate vicinity of the Sacramento River. Its notes most resemble 452 ORNITHOLOGY. those of V. belli, of the eastern prairie districts, but they are somewhat different. A single nest was found, the one in question being attached to a forked twig of a low bush among the undergrowth of a dense willow copse; it was about three feet from the ground, and contained no eggs. List of specimens. 47, 8 ad.; Sacramento, California, June 17, 1867. 54—7—2,4, gH —2.5, —14. Upper mandible, dusky ; lower, browniah- -white; iris, dark hazel ; tral and toes, fine plumbeous-blue. 55, ¢ ad.; Sacramento, June 18, 1867. 5—7—2,3—14 311241}. Bill, black- ish-brown, commissure and lower mandible, pale brownish- slilaceous; iris, dark hazel; tarsi and toes, deep ashy-ultramarine. Famity LANIIDA#—Surixkts or BuTcHER BIRDs. COLLURIO BOREALIS. Great Northern Shrike. Lantus borealis, VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept., I, 1807, 90, pl. 50. Collyrio borealis, BAIRD, Birds N. Am., 1858, 324; Cat. N. Am. Birds, 1859, No. 236. Collurio borealis, BArRD, Review Am. B., 1866, 440.—CoopPER, Orn. Cal., 137.— Couss, Key, 1872, 125, fig. 73; Check List, 1873, No. 134; Birds N.W., 1874, 101.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 415, pl. xrx, figs. 1, 2—IEn- SHAW, 1875, 233. During the winter of our residence at Carson City, several examples of this northern bird were seen, but it was at all times less common than the smaller species (C. excubitoroides), and seemed to be confined to the shel- tered ravines among the foot-hills of the mountains. Those observed were perched on the summits of the willows along a stream, patiently surveying the surrounding fields and thickets, after the manner of other species of the genus. List of specimens. 412, 2 ad.; Carson City, Nevada, Iebruary 21, 1868. 104—144—445 —31}, Bill, dull black, lower inandible more ashy, duller basally ; iris, umber; tarsi and toes, black. 455, 9 ad.; Carson City, March 25, 1868. 103—143—14}3 —3§. Bill, nearly uni- form dull slaty, lower mandible more ashy, paler basally; iris, burnt- umber; tarsi and toes, black. COLLURIO, EXCUBITOROIDES. 453 COLLURIO LUDOVICIANUS. Southern Shrike. &. excubitoroides— W hite-rumped Shrike. Lanius excubitoroides, SWAINSON, Fauna Bor. Am., IT, 1831, 115, pl. 35. Collyrio excubitoroides, BArRD, B. N. Am., 1858, 527, pl. 75, fig. 2; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 238. Collurio cxcubitoroides, BAIRD, Review Am. B., 1866, 445.—Coormr, Orn. Cal., 133. Collurio ludovicianus var. excubitoroides, COUES, Key, 1872, 125; Check List, 1873, No. 135a.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 421, pl. xrx, fig. 3—Hxn- SHAW, 1875, 233. Scarcely a locality was visited where this Shrike was not found, in greater or less plenty, its range including both the Sacramento Valley and the country eastward of the Sierra Nevada. At Sacramento it was frequently observed about the outskirts of the city, where it frequented the oak-groves and scattered trees, or the borders of the fields. In the Interior it was most common at those localities where there was a greater or less extent of willow thickets, with meadow-lands and sage-brush adjacent; but it was not rare on the higher mountain ranges, where it inhabited the mahogany and cedar groves in preference to other places. It was most usually observed perch- ing quietly on the summit of a dead weed-stalk or prominent naked branch of .a bush or tree, patiently watching for its food, or during its curious undulating flight, so strikingly characteristic of the species of this genus. List of specimens. 156, juv.; valley of the Humboldt (Camp 17), September 2, 1867. 9—12$—3}3— 3$,—l—1—2,,._ Bill, slaty horn-black, basal portion of lower mandible paler; iris, brown; tarsi and toes, black. 344, juv.; cotton-woods of Carson River, Fort Churchill, Nevada, December 6, 1867. 94—123—4—34-—11_1—4—93,_ Bill deep black, lower mandible paler basally; iris, brown; tarsi and toes, black. 442, g ad.; Carson City, Nevada, March 10, 1°68, $4—13—44—3§. Bill, pure black; iris, bister; tarsi and toes, black. 482, g ad.; Carson, April 2, 1868. 94—134—4,—37,. Same remarks. 524, ¢ ad.; Carson, April 24,1868. 9—13—4j—33. Same remarks. 849, 2 ad.; East Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, July 21, 1868. (Mahoganies ; altitude 9,000 fect.) 9§—13—(?)—3g. Bill, pure black; interior of mouth, livid flesby- white; iris, bister; scutelle of tarsi and toes, pure black, the interspaces dirty white. 889, juv.; East Humboldt Mountains, September 4, 1868. 8Z—124—-(1)—3 8. Bill, 454 ORNITHOLOGY. slate-black, pale purplish on base of lower mandible ; iris, brown; tarsi and toes, black. 1044, nest and eggs (4); Salt Lake City, Utah, May 24, 1869. Nest in oak-bush, about four feet from ground. 1055, nest aud eggs; Salt Lake City, Utah, May 27,1869. Nest in sage-bush. 1095, nest and egg (1); Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake, June 4, 1869. Nest in sage-bush. 1129, nest and eggs (4); Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake, June 7, 1869. Nest in rose-bush in ravine. ; 1427, eggs (2); Promontory Point, Utah, June, 1869. [F. A. Clark.] 1521, eggs; Fremont’s Island, Great Salt Lake, August 16, 1869. [F. A. Clark.] Famity TANAGRIDA—TANAGERS. PYRANGA LUDOVICIANA. Western TFenager; “Louisiana Tanager.’’! Tanagra ludoviciana, WILSON, Am. Orn., IIT, 1811, 27, pl. 22, fig. 1. Pyranga ludoviciana, AUDUBON, Synop., 1839, 137.—BAIrRD, B. N. Am., 1858, 308 ; "Catal. N. Aw. B., 1859, No. 223.—Coopsr, Orn. Cal., 145.—Covs, Key, 1872, 112; Check List, 1873, No. 110; B. N.W., 1874, 83.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 437, pl. Xx, figs. 3, 4-HENsHAW, 1875, 235. This beautiful Tanager, one of the most brilliant of western birds, was found to be very generally distributed through the wooded portions of the route traversed, excepting in the valley portions of California, none having been seen from Sacramento eastward until well into the pine forest of the Sierra Nevada. It was first observed on the western portion of that range, at an altitude of about 5,000 feet, its song first attracting attention, from its extreme similarity to that of the Scarlet Tanager (P. rubra) of the East. From this point eastward it was met with in every wooded locality, being much more frequently seen on the mountains than along the rivers of the lower valleys. In May, soon after their arrival from the south, these Tanagers were very numerous ‘in the rich valley of the Truckee, near Pyramid Lake, where they were observed to feed chiefly on the buds of the grease-wood bushes (Obione confertifolia), in company with the Black-headed Grosbeak and .Bullock’s Oriole. Very few were seen later in the season, however, nearly all having departed for the mountain woods. During July and August it was a common species on the eastern slope of the Ruby Mountains, where it inhabited the groves 1 Geographically inappropriate. LOXIA AMERICANA. 455 of cedar, nut-pine, and mountain mahogany; while from June to August it was an abundant bird in the pine forests of the Wahsatch and Uintah ranges. In September they were noticed to feed extensively on the fruit of the Crategus rivularis, in company with the Red-shafted Flicker, Gaird- ner’s Woodpecker, the Cedar-bird, and the Cross-bills (Loxia americana and L. leucoptera). Tn its habits this species is almost a perfect counterpart of the castern P. rubra, while its song is scarcely distinguishable, being merely of a slightly finer, or more silvery, tone; but the ordinary note, sounding like plit’-it, is very different from the chip'-a-rd, ree of the eastern species. The note of the young is quite peculiar, being a low whistle, something like the com- plaining call of the Eastern Blue-bird (Sialia sialis), but louder. List of specimens. 565, § ad.; Truckee Reservation, May 15,1868, 73—11,9,—3}. Bill, dilute wax- yellow, with a greenish cast, except along commissure, darker greenish-brown toward the culmen, which is dark sepia, with the terminal half sharply, black; iris, grayish- brown; tarsi and toes, pale plumbeous, the latter whitish beneath. . $38, 9? ad.; East Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, July 13, 1868. (Mahogany woods.) 78—118—(?)—3%. Upper mandible, dark greenish-sepia, the tomium and lower man- dible, light greenish-yellow; iris, burnt-umber; tarsi and toes, plumbeous. 1283, nest and eggs (3); Parley’s Park, Wahsatch Mountains, Utah, June 25, 1869. Nest on extreme end of horizontal branch of pine tree in grove. 1376, nest and eggs (5); Uintah Mountains, Utah, July 7, 1869. Nest on monut- ain mahogany tree, near end of horizontal branch. Famity FRINGILLIDA—Fincues, SPARROWS, and BUNTINGS. LOXIA AMERICANA. Common Crossbill. Curvirostra americana, WILSON, Am. Orn., IV, 1811, 44, pl. 31, figs. 1, 2.—BArRD, B. N. Am., 1858, 426; Catal., 1859, No. 318.—CooPER, Orn. Cal., I, 148. Loxia americana, BonaP., Comp. & Geog. List, 1838, 38. Loxia curvirostra var. americana, COUES, Key, 1872, 351; Check List, 1873, No. 143; B. N.W., 1874, 109 —B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 484, pl. XXII, figs. 1, 4. HENSHAW, 1875, 248. The Common Crossbill may breed on the higher portions of the loftier ranges in the Interior, but none were seen by us until toward the last of 456 ORNITHOLOGY. August, when they became gradually common in the lower cafions of the East Humboldt Mountains. They were usually observed in small flocks among the willows or aspens, and uttered frequently, especially while on ithe wing, a soft whistling note, somewhat like chih, ehih, chih, quite unlike the note of any other bird of our acquaintance. List of specimens. 884, dad.; Willows, foot of East Humboldt Mountains (Camp 21), August 29, 1868. 6—104—(?)—2%. Bill, uniform horn-sepia; tarsi and toes, grayish sepia; iris, raw-umber. , [This specimen is remarkable for its unusually small bill-] LOXIA LEUCOPTERA. White-winged Crossbill. Loxia leucoptera, GMELIN, Syst. Nat., I, 1788, 844 —B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. Birds, I, 1874, 488, pl. xx111, figs. 2, 3—CovEs, Check List, 1872, No. 142; Birds N.W., 1874, 110. Curvirostra leucoptera, WILSON, Am. ,Orn., IV, 1811, 48, pl. 31, fig. 3.—Barrp, Birds N. Am., 1858, 427; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 319.—CoorEr, Orn. Cal., I, 149.—Covns, Key, 1872, 129, fig. 76. On the 12th of August, a male of what was probably this species, but in very unusually brilliant plumage, was seen among the cedars on the eastern slope of the Ruby Mountains. It is therefore probable that this species breeds sparingly on the higher portion of the loftier ranges.’ In September it was common in the lower cafions on the eastern slope of the East Humboldt Mountains, where it inhabited the same localities as the more rare L. americana. The note of this Crossbill is a plaintive week, very different from the hurried chih, chih of the other species, or, indeed, the note of any other bird known to us. _ 4When first seen, this individual called instantly to mind the adult male of Pyranga erythromelena, of Mexico and Central America, so rich and uniform was the ‘bright carmiue-red of the plumage, while the pure white wing-bands contrasted con- spicuously with the deep black of the wings and tail. It is scarcely possible, however, that it could have been this southern Tanager, which has not yet been taken near our southern border. It should. be considered, however, that a specimen of Psaltriparus melanotis, also a Mexican bird, not before detected in the United States, was observed in the same locality at nearly the same time. CARPODACUS CASSINI. 457 CARPODACUS CASSINI. Cassin’s Purple Finch. Carpodacus cassini, BAIRD, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., 1854, 119; B. N. Am., 1858, 414; Catal., 1859, No. 307.—CoopEr, Orn. Cal., I, 155.—Covxs, Key, 1872, 128; Check List, 1872, No. 140; B. N.W., 1874, 106.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 460, pl. xx1, figs. 4, 5 —-HEnsHaw, 1875, 240. Although this Finch was observed to be essentially pinicoline, it was occasionally found among deciduous trees when such occurred in the imme- diate vicinity of coniferous forests, this being notably the case during the breeding-season. In the pine forests of the Sierra Nevada, near Carson City, thesé birds were first observed on the 21st of March, at which date large flocks were found among the trees. They continued to increase in abundance until about the middle of April, when they gradually dispersed through the forest, the greater number going higher up the mountains. At the time of their arrival they were in full song, and continued so during the season, and it was noticed that the young males, in the plumage of the females (possibly the latter also), sang almost if not quite as vigorously and sweetly as those in the adult livery. In certain localities on the eastern slope of the Ruby Mountains they were quite abundant on several occa- sions, the flocks consisting chiefly of young-of-the-year, which, with their parents, had apparently come from the higher coniferous woods near the summits of the range, since no nests were found among the cedar and pifion groves of the lower slopes. In the pine-belt of the Wahsatch and Uintah Mountains they were abundant from May to August, during the whole of which time they were nesting. Most of the nests found were among the as- pens and narrow-leafed cotton-woods (Populus tremuloides and P. angustifolia) of the higher portions of the ravines, where these trees replaced the conifers. The song of this species is clear and sweet, and is even superior to that of the Eastern Purple Finch (C. purpureus), which, however, it greatly resembles. Many passages are loud and clear, and so much like the notes of certain Vireones that we were several times led by them in search of a new Greenlet. Other portions of its song, which was greatly varied, were sweet, soft warblings, and tender, whistling calls. List of specimens. 446, d ad.; Carson City, Nevada, March 21, 1868, 6g—11—3}4—3,5. Bill, uni- 458 ORNITHOLOGY. form Lorn-color, with delicate lilaceous tinge; iris, burnt-umber; tarsi and toes, dark. horn-sepia. 447, d ad.; Carson City, Nevada, March 21, 1868. 614—11§—33—3}. Same re- marks. Biil, lilaceous-sepia. 463, 6 ad.; Carson, March 28, 1868. 611~—114—3}3~—3}. Same remarks. 464, d ad.; Carson, March 28, 1868. 644—114--—313—3}. Same remarks. 465, 2 ad.; Carson, March 28, 1868. 63—11—33—3. Same remarks. 466, 2 ad.; Carson, March 28, 1868. 6}3—113—313—34. Same remarks. 494, d ad.; Carson, April 4, 1868. 63—11—3%—3}. Same remarks. 865, dg ad.; Camp 19, East Humboldt Mountains, August 10, 1863. 74—114—(?) 7;- Same remarks. 1182, nest and eggs (5); City Creek Caiion, Utah, June 18, 1869. Nest in box- elder bush, about 7,000 feet aititude. 1239, nest and eggs (4); Parley’s Park, Wabhsatch Mountains, Utah, June 23, 1869. Nest in top of cotton-wood tree by cafion stream. 1240, nest and eggs (4); Parley’s Park, Wahsatch Mountains, Utah, June 23, 1869. Nest in top of aspen. 1270, 2ad.; Parley’s Park, June 23, 1869. 6§—11. Bill, umber-drab, paler and more lilaceous basally and beneath; iris, brown; tarsi and toes, born-color. 1329, nest and eggs (2); Parley’s Park, June 28, 1869. Nest in aspen along stream. 1342, 1343, nests and eggs (3, 1); Parley’s Park, June 28, 1869. Nests in aspens near stream. . 1347, gad.; Parley’s Park, June 28, 1869. 7—~113. 1433, g ad.; Parley’s Park, July 19, 1869. 6$—114. Bill, pinkish-drab, becoming gradually paler on commissure and on lower mandible, there fading basally into dull whitish ; rictus, pale yellow ; iris, brown; tarsi and toes, purplish-sepia. 1434, nest; Parley’s Purk, July 19, 1869. Nest on horizontal brauch of cotton- wood tree. 1517, 3 juv.; Parley’s Park, August 16, 1869. 63—113. 1518, ? juv.; Parley’s Park, August 16, 1869. 63—103. a =v CARPODACUS FRONTALIS. House Finch; ‘“Red-head Linnet.’’ (Wée-to-wich of the Paiutes.) a. frontalis. Lringilla frontatis, Say, Long’s Exped., LI, 1824, 40. Carpodacus frontalis, Gray, Gen. Birds, 1844-49.—Bainp, Birds N -Am., 1858, 415; Catal., 1859, No. 308.—Coorper, Orn. Cal., I, 156.—CovEs, Key, 1872, 129; Check List, 1873, No. 141.—ITensuaw, 1875, 241. Carpodacus frontalis var. frontalis, RipGw., Am. Journ. Sci. and Arts, Jan., 1873, 40.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 466, pl. XXI, figs. 3, 6. Carpodacus Jrontalis. a. frontalis, Cougs, B. N.W., 1874, 107. The “Red-head Linnet” was the most familiar and one of the most CARPODACUS FRONTALIS. 459 abundant of the birds found at Sacramento, where it frequented the shade- trees of the strects or the door-yards and gardens in the city in preference to groves in the suburbs or country. In its abundance and semi-domestic hab- its it thus reminds one somewhat of the European House Sparrow (Pyrgita domestica), but, unlike that bird, has endeared itself to its protectors by the possession of a sweet song and brilliant plumage. It is greatly prized as a cage-bird, and justly, too, for while its plumage is equally pretty, its notes excel those of the Canary in sweetness, while at the same time they are fully equal in vivacity and power. All the notes are decidedly Canary- like, the usual utterance being a soft, musical tweet. The song itself differs from that of the Canary chiefly in being more tender, less piercing, and interspersed with more varied warblings. The males were observed to be shyer than the females, their wariness being perhaps explained by the fact that several were noticed which had their tails clipped, showing that they had once been in captivity. When their nests were disturbed, however, the males exhibited as much concern as the females, and kept up a lively chinking from an adjoining tree. Few birds are more variable as to the choice of a location for their nests than the present species, since it adapts itself readily to any sort of a place where safety is assured. At Sacramento, they usually built among the small oak trees,.generally near the extremity of a horizontal branch, but one nest was placed inside the pendulous, basket-like structure of a “ Hang- ing-bird” (Icterus bullocki); in the narrow gorge of the Truckee River, where that stream breaks through the Virginia Mountains, one was found inside the abandoned nest of a Cliff Swallow; along the eastern shore of Pyramid Lake numerous nests were found among the rocks, placed on shelves in the interior of caves, along with those of the Barn Swallow and Say’s Pewee, or in crevices on the outside of the tufa-domes, while in the neighboring valley of the Truckee, where there was an abundance of cotton- wood timber, their nests were nearly all built in the low grease-wood bushes. On Antelope Island, in the Great Salt Lake, they preferred the sage-brush, like the Black-throated and Brewer's Sparrows; in City Creek Canon, near Salt Lake City, one was found in a mountain-mahogany tree, while in Parley’s Park another was in a cotton-wood tree along a stream. At all the 460 ORNITHOLOGY. towns or larger settlements, however, a large proportion of the individuals of this species have abandoned such nesting-places as those described above, and resorted to the buildings, where ‘odd nooks and crannies” afforded superior attractions. Although chiefly a bird of the lower valleys, this species was sometimes found in the lower cafions of the mountains, it being common in Buena Vista Cafion, in the West Humboldt range, in September, having apparently nestéd among the ruined adobe houses of the deserted town. In City Creek Cafion, near Salt Lake City, several nests were found at an altitude of about 1,800 feet above the level of the mesa, or at the lower limit to the breeding-range of C. cassini, a single nest of which was found on a tree adjoining one in which was a nest of the present bird. In Parley’s Park it was likewise found, but- in small numbers, and only on the floor of the park, the C. cassimi inhabiting the upper portion of the streams. List of specimens. 2, 3, 4, nests and eggs; nestsin oak-grove. Sacramento, California, June 6, 1867. 28, 29, nests and eggs; nests in oak-grove. Sacramento, California, June 11, 1867. 34, $ ad.; Sacramento, June 12, 1867. 515—9,°,—34—25. 41, nest and eggs (5); nest in oak-grove. Sacramerto, California, June 13, 1867. 52, nest aud eggs; nest in oak-grove. Sacramento, California, June 18, 1867. 57, nest and eggs; nest in oak-grove. Sacramento, California, June 19, 1867. 73, nest and eggs (4); uest in oak-grove. Sacramento, California, June 20, 1867. 765, nest and eggs (5); nest in niche in rocks. Tufa domes, Pyramid Lake, Nevada, May 25, 1868. 569, $ ad.; Truckee Reservation, May 15,1868. 6};—9{—2g. Upper mandible, brownish horn-color, edged with pale rosy; lower mandible, paler and more pinkish than the upper, with wider rosy edge; iris, dark brown; tarsi and toes, pale brown. 774, nest and eggs (5); nest in grease-wood bush. Truckee Reservation, Nevada, May 31, 1868. 780, 781, nests and eggs (5); nest in grease-wood btish. Truckee Reservation, Ne- vada, June 2, 1868. 805, nest and eggs (4); nest in grease-wood bush. Truckee Valley, Nevada, June 6, 1868. 806, nest and eggs (5); nest in old one of Cliff-Swallow, on face of a precipice, Truckee Valley, Nevada, June 6, 1868. 1066, nests and eggs (4); near Salt Lake City, May 29, 1869. Nest on mountain- mahogany bush, 1,800 fect above the level of the city! 1076, d ad.; Salt Lake City, Utah, June 1, 1869. 64—9%. Bill, lilaceous-brown, darker above; iris, brown; legs and feet, sepia. 1082, nest; Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake, June 4, 1869. Sage-bush. LEUCOSTICTE L (ITTORALIS—CHRYSOMITRIS TRISTIS. 461 1093, g ad.; Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake, June 4, 1869. 64—9%. Same re- marks as to 1076. 1114, nest; Antelope Island, June 5, 1869. Sage-bush. 1131, gad.; Antelope Island, June 7, 1869. 1140, nest; Antelope Island, June 8, 1869. Sage-bush. 1133, nest and eggs; Salt Lake City, June 18,1869. Sage-bush, 1,800 feet above camp (altitude above 7,000 feet). 1191, nest and eggs (2); Salt Lake City, June 21,1869. Mountain-mahogany, 1,800 feet above camp. 1193, ¢ ad.; Salt Lake City, June 21,1869. 6—10. Bill, purplish-drab, lower mandible, more lilaceous basally beneath; iris, brown; tarsi and toes, deep brown. 1238, nest and eggs (2); -Parley’s Park, Wabsatch Mountains, Utah, June 23, 1869. Nest in cotton-wood tree along stream. LEUCOSTICTE LITTORALIS. Hepburn’s Leucosticte. Leucosticte littoralis, BarRD, Trans. Chicago Acad. Sci., I, ii, 1869, 318, pl. 28, fig. 1.—CooPErR, Orn. Cal., I, 162. ° Leucosticte tephrocotis var. littoralis, CouES, Key, 1872, 130.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. Birds, I, 1874, 507, pl. xxt11, fig. 6.—RipGway, Bull. Géol. & Geog. Expl. Ter., No. 2, sec. ser., 1875, 74. ; Leucosticte tephrocotis. b. griseinucha, COUES, Birds N.W., 1874, 111 (part). A single flock of this species was seen on the 5th of January in the outskirts of Virginia City, Nevada. The flock comprised perhaps fifty individuals, all busily engaged in gleaning from the surface of the snow, flitting restlessly over one another, in the manner of Lapland Longspurs, at the same time uttering a twittering note. CHRYSOMITRIS TRISTIS. Common Goldfinch, Lettuce Bird, etc. Fringilla tristis, LInN., Syst. Nat., I, 1766, 320. Chrysomitris tristis, Bonap., Comp. & Geog. List, 1838, 33—Bargp, B. N. Am., 1858, 421; Catal., 1859, No. 313.—CoopEr, Orn. Cal., I, 167.,—CovEs, Key, 1872, 131, pl. 3, figs. 7, 8, 9,10; Check List, 1873, No. 149; B. N.W., 1874, 116 —B. B. & R., Hist. N..Am. B., II, 1874, 471, pl. xxu, figs. 7, 8—HEN- SHAW, 1875, 243. Few birds were so abundant at Sacramento as this widely-distributed species; but eastward of the Sierra Nevada it was found to be extremely 462 ORNITHOLOGY. rare at all places along our route. Its great abundance at Sacramento may possibly be explained by the extensive and luxuriant growth of thistles which occupied many waste-places in the suburbs, the seeds of these plants supplying them, in season, with a plentiful supply of food. List of specimens. 5, 6, 7, nests and eggs; Sacramento City, Califurnia, June 6, 1867. Nests in an oak-grove, resting on borizontal branches of the small trees. 54, nest and eggs; Sacramento City, California, June 18, 1867. Nest on hori- zontal branch of small cotton-wood, in copse. 81, nest and eggs; Sacramento, June 24, 1867. 87, nest and eggs; Sacramento, June 28, 1867. 93, nest and eggs; Sacramento, June 29, 1867. Nest in small cotton-wood, in copse. 778, §ad.; Truckee Reservation, Nevada, May 31, 1868. 5 94—-(2) 24. Bill, orange-yellow, the point darker; iris, very dark sepia; tarsi and toes, dilute reddish- sepia. 1369, nest and eggs (3); Pack’s Cafion, Uintah Mountains, Utah, July 4, 1869. Nest in thorn-apple shrub, by stream. CHRYSOMITRIS PSALTRIA. Green-backed Goldfinch; “Arkansas Goldfinch.’’! Fringilla psaltria, SAY, Long’s Exped., II, 1823, 40. Chrysomitris psaltria, BonaP., Comp. and Geog. List, 1838, 33—Bairp, B. N. Am., 1858, 422; Catal., 1859, No. 314.—Cooprr, Orn. Cal., I, 168.—CovuEs, Key, 1872, 132; Check List, 1873, No. 151—HENSHAW, 1875, 244. Chrysomitris psaliria var. psaltria, Rip@way, Am. Jour. Arts and Sci. Dec., 1872, 454.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., If, 1874, 474, pl. xx11, figs. 9, 10. Chrysomitris psaltria, a. psaltria, CouES, B. N.W., 1874, 116. This species we found only among the Wahsatch and Uintah Mount- ains, where it was not common, and usually found associated in small numbers with the large flocks of C. pinus. Attention was first called to it by its extraordinary note, a plaintive, mellow whistle, difficult to describe, but totally unlike that of any other bird we have heard. When the bird takes flight this note is changed to a simple fifing cheer, in a fine, high key, and somewhat resembling the anxious note uttered by the male Red- winged Black-bird (Ageleus pheniceus) when its nest is disturbed. ! Geographically inappropriate. CHRYSOMITRIS LAWRENCII—C. PINUS. 463. Last of specimens. 1189, gad.; Salt Lake City, Utah (City Creek Cafion), June 19, 1869. 438, Bill, purplish-brown, the culmen nearly black, the lower mandible inclining to wax- brown; iris, brown; tarsi and toes, sepia-brown. 1224, nest and egg (1); Parley’s Park, Wahsatch Mountains, June 22, 1869. Nest in top of willow-bush along stream. CHRYSOMITRIS LAWRENCH. Lawrence’s Goldfinch. Carduelis lawrencii, Cassin, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., 1850, 105, pl. v. Chrysomitris lawrencii, Bonap., Comp. Rend., 1833, 913.—Bairp, B. N. Am., 1858, 424; Catal., 1859, No. 316.—CoopEr, Orn. Cal., I, 171.—Covugs, Key, 1872, 132; Check List, 1873, No. 150.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., II, 1874, 478, pl. XXII, figs. 14, 15. This beautiful little Goldfinch was observed only among the western foot-hills of the Sierra Nevada, where we had only occasional glimpses at it, just sufficient to identify the species, and passed so rapidly through its range that no opportunity was afforded to study its habits. It was com- mon among the trees by the roadside, and uttered very pleasant and quite peculiar notes, CHRYSOMITRIS PINUS. 2 Pine Goldfinch. oY Bringilla pinus, WILSON, Am. Orn., IL, 1810, 133, pl. L7, fig. 1. _. Chrysomitris pinus, BONAP., Comp. & Geog. List, 1838, 33.—Barrp, B. N. Anm., 1858, 425; Catal., 1859, No. 317.—CoopEr, Orn. Cal., I, 172.—CouEs, Key, _ 1872, 131, pl. 3, figs. 11, 12; Check List, 1873, No. 148; B. N.W., 1874, 115. B. B.& R., Hist. N. Am. B., II, 1874, 480, pl. xxuu, fig. 16.—HENSHAW, 1875, 246, 2 . The range of the Pine Goldfinch was strikingly similar to that of Cassin’s Purple Finch, the two being almost invariably found in the same localities, whether during their migrations or in the nesting-season. In summer it was abundant in all the pine forests, from the Sierra Nevada to the Uintahs, and like the bird above mentioned occurred also among the aspen copses which usually replaced the conifers at the head of the cafions. The species was more or less gregarious, even in midsummer, and although their ae were extremely scattered, the birds themselves were seldom seen except in flocks. They had no song, but uttered frequently a peculiar screeching 464 ORNITHOLOGY. note, sounding like sweer, very unlike that of any other bird, except the E'mpidonax obscurus; and when a flock suddenly took flight, they all joined in a more rattling note. Besides the nest described below, another was found, in an aspen bush, but it was abandoned by the owners before any eggs were laid. List of specimens. 892, $ juv.; Hast Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, September 5, 1868. 53—9. Bill, ashy horn-color; iris, burnt-umber; tarsi and toes, dark purplish-brown. 913, g ad.; East Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, September 8, 1868. 5—9. Bill, purplish-plumbeous, paler basally; iris, grayish-sepia; tarsi and toes, sepia. 1241, nest and egg (1); Parley’s Park, Wahsatch Mountains, Utah, June 23, 1869. Nest near extremity of horizontal arm of fir-tree; about fifteen feet from ground. 1519, gf juv.; 4§—9. 1520, 2 juv.; 4§—8%. Parley’s Park, August 10, 1868. Bill, purplish-plumbeous, paler basally; iris, sepia; tarsi and toes, plambeous sepia-black. PLECTROPHANES LAPPONICUS. Lapland Longspur. Fringilla lapponica, Linn., Syst. Nat., I, 1766, 317. Plectrophanes lapponicus, SELBY, Linn. Trans., XV, 126, pl. 1—Barrp, B. N. Am., 1858, 433; Cat. N. Ain. B., 1859, No. 326.—CooPeEr, Orn. Cal., I, 178.— Cougs, Key, 1872, 133, fig. 81; Check List, 1873, No. 153; B. N.W., 1874, 120.—B. B. & B., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 515, pl. xx1v, fig. 7. During the more severe portion of winter, individuals of this species were frequently detected among the large flocks of Horned Larks (Ere- mophila alpestris) around Carson City. They were recognized by their peculiar and unmistakable notes. : PASSERCULUS SANDVICHENSIS. Savannah Sparrow. a. alaudinus. Passerculus alaudinus, Bonap., Comp. Rend., XX XVII, 1853, 918.—BAIRD, B. N. Am., 1858, 446; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No, 335.—Cooprr, Orn. Cal., I, 1870, 181. Passerculus savanna var. alaudinus, B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. Birds, I, 1874, pl. XXIV, fig. 11—HEnsuaw, 1875, 254. Passerculus savanna, Cours, Key, 1872, 135 (part); Check List, 1873, No. 159 (part). 5 Passerculus savanna. a. savanna, COUES, Birds N.W., 1874, 127 (part). PASSERCULUS ALAUDINUS. 465 This well-known and widely-distributed Sparrow was an abundant species in every moist meadow and grassy marsh, not only in the valleys but also in the lower cafions of the mountains. It was found during the greater portion of the year, or from March to November, inclusive. During the breeding-season the male has a weak, lisping song, which may be some- what nearly expressed by the syllables witz, witz, wih’—tzul, uttered as the bird perches upon a fence-post, or a bush by the brook-side, or as it nestles in the grass upon the ground. List of specimens. 289, g ad.; Camp 19, West Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, October 7, 1867. 5%7— 94—-3—24—j5—}24--15. Bill, horn-color, darker on culmen, lower mandible paler, with lilaceous glow; iris, hazel; tarsi, straw-color, toes more brownish. 254, g ad.; Camp 19, West Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, October 23, 1867. 53-9.9,—3 7}, —24—13_j_24-4. Tarsi, clear pinkish-white, with tinge of straw- yellow, the toes stained with brownish. 471, g ad.; Carson City, Nevada, March 28, 1868. 53—8—27—28, Bill, lilac- bluish, the upper mandible nearly black; iris, sepia; tarsi and toes, brownish lila- ceous-white. 480, ¢ ad.; Carson, March 30, 1868. 513—94—3—2,,. Same remarks. 553, 9 ad.; Carson City, Nevada, April 27, 1868. 5{—9—27—28. Same remarks. 885, g ad.; Ruby Valley, Nevada, August 29, 1868. 53—(?)—(?)—23. Same remarks. 933, 2 ad.; Camp 25, Humboldt Valley, September 16, 1868, 513—813—(7)—24. Upper mandible, purplish-black, paler toward rictus; lower, deep salmon-purple, darker terminally; iris, plumbeous-bister; tarsi, straw-white, toes more brownish. 970, d ad.; Salt Lake City, May 21,1869. 5g—98. Bill, asby-lilaceous, the upper mandible dusky—nearly black on the culmen. 971, g ad.; same locality and date. 5g—8$. 972, g ad.; same locality and date. 53—94. 1016, nest and eggs (5); Salt Lake City, May 21, 1869. Nest imbedded in ground, in wet meadow. , 1017, nest and eggs (4); same localfty, May 22. Nest in tuft of grass, in wet meadow. 1883, nests and eggs (4); same locality, June 3, 1869. Same remarks. 1090, nest and eggs (4); Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake, June 4, 1869. Nest on ground, beneath strip of sage-brush bark, in wet meadow. 1458, 3 juv.; Parley’s Park, Utah, July 26, 1869. 5g—9. Bill, brownish-lilaceous, darker on the culmen; iris, brown; tarsi and toes, pale pink. 1480, ¢ juv.; Parley’s Park, July 30, 1869. 53—94. 1481, juv.; Parley’s Park, July 30. 53—93. 30 PR 466 ORNITHOLOGY. POOECETES GRAMINEUS. Bay winged Bunting; Grass Bunting; Vesper Sparrow. B. confinis. Poocetes gramineus var. confinis, BAIRD, B. N. Am., 1858, 448 (in text, sub P. gram- ineus).—COoUES, Key, 1872, 136; Check List, 1872, No. 16la.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 545 (sub P. gramineus)._-HENSHAW, 1875, 256. Poccetes gramineus, COOPER, Orn. Gal., I, 1870,.186. This common species was most frequently met with during the summer on the open grassy slopes of the higher cafions, where it and the Green- tailed Bunting were the chief songsters. Its song is sweet and varied, though simple and brief, and its clear, cheery notes are among our most pleasant recollections of those elevated regions. In the fall it descends to the lower valleys, and in September becomes exceedingly abundant among the rye-grass meadows along the foot-hills of the higher ranges. In winter it appears to make a complete southward migration, none having been seen at Carson City until the first of April. List of specimens. 483, 9ad.; Carson City, Nevada, April 2, 1868. 63—114—3,2—3. Upper man- dible, dull brownish-plumbeous, tomium paler; rictus and whole lower mandible, dilute brownish-lilaceous ; iris, raw-umber; tarsi and toes, dilute brownish, toes darkest. 902, 6 ad.; Secret Valley, Nevada, September 6, 1868. 63—10}—(?)—2§. Upper mandible, umber-brown, darker at point, paler on rictus; lower, pale, fleshy lilaceous- brown, the extreme tip dusky; iris, vandyke; tarsi, clear brownish-white ; toes, sim- ilar but stained with brownish. 1037, éad.; Salt Lake City, Utah, May 24,1869. 68—10§. Bill, brownish-lilace- ous, upper half of upper mandible nearly black; iris, brown; tarsi and toes, lilaceous brownish-white. 1233, nest and eggs (3); Parley’s Park, June 23, 1869. Nest on ground, beneath prostrate sage-bush, by roadside. 1280, nest and eggs (3); Parley’s Park, Wahsatch Mountains, June 25, 1869. Nest in grassy bank of brook. . 1398, nest and egg (1); Parley’s Park, July, 1869. Nest on ground beneath sage- bush. 1464, f juv.; Parley’s Park, July 28, 1869. 6,%,—11}. Bill, clear light lilaceous, darker toward culmen; iris, brown; tarsi and toes, clear pale flesh-color. COTURNICULUS PERPALLIDUS—CHONDESTES GRAMMACA. 467 COTURNICULUS PASSERINUS. Yellow-winged Sparrow. B. perpallidus. Coturniculus passerinus var. perpallidus, RIDGWAY, Coues’ Key, 1872, 137; Check List, 1873, 162a.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. Birds, I, 1874, 556.—HENsHAW, 1875, 257, pl. I, fig. 2 (adult). Coturniculus passerinus. b. perpallidus, COVES, Birds N.W., 1874, 132. Coturniculus passerinus, COOPER, Orn. Cal., I, 1870, 189. Like the Savanna Sparrow, this little Bunting is essentially a bird of the valley portions. It is also generally distributed, but instead of inhab- iting the wet meadows, or the borders of marshes, it frequents only the dryer grassy places. It was found to be abundant in the fields about Sacra- mento City, as well as throughout the Interior. List of specimens. 853, 3 juv.; Ruby Valley, Nevada, July 22, 1868. 5—7{Z—(?)—114. Bill, pale, vinkistJilceons, the culmen darker; iris, grayish-umber; tarsi and toes, pale rosa- ceous-pink. 1102, ¢ad.; Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake, Utah, June 4, 1869. 53—84. Bill, lilaceous, upper half of upper mandible blackish; iris, brown; tarsi, pale yellowish brownish-white; toes, darker. CHONDESTES GRAMMACA. Lark Sparrow; Skylark Buating. Fringilla grammaca, Say, Long’s Exped., I, 1823, 139. Chondestes grammaca, Bonap., Comp. & Geol. List, 1838, 32.—BatrpD, Birds N. Am., 1858, 456; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 344,-COoPER, Orn. Cal., I, 193.— Cougs, Key, 1872, 146, fig. 90; Check List, 1873, No. 186; B. N.W., 1874, 159.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. Birds, I, 1874, 562, pl. xxx1, fig. 1—HEN- SHAW, 1875, 259. This handsomely-marked and interesting bird is an exceedingly abun- dant species in favorable localities throughout the entire extent of the Western Region. Though essentially a western species, it is not restricted to that portion of the country which extends from the Rocky Mountains westward, as is most often the case with the birds peculiar to the western division of the continent, but it also inhabits nearly every portion of the Mississippi Valley, where it is no less numerous than in the most favored. portions farther west. Indeed, this species seems to be gradually extending its range to the eastward, probably in consequence of the general and wide- 468 ORNITHOLOGY. spread denudation of the forests, the country thus undergoing a physical change favorable to the habits of the species, having already become a regular summer resident in many sections of the country north of the Ohio. It was not noticed in Ohio, so far as the records show, previous to 1860, when Mr. J. M. Wheaton first observed it in the vicinity of Columbus, near the central portion of the State, and “since which time it has increased in numbers, and at present (1874) is not uncommon.” [See Coues’ Birds of the Northwest, p. 234.] Single specimens have already been taken in Massachusetts and Florida, where, in course of time, the species may be- come established. The Lark Sparrow is essentially a prairie bird, although it prefers semi-wooded districts to the open prairies. It is equally common in the Sacramento Valley and in southern Illinois, inhabiting in each case places which are neither completely wooded nor entirely destitute of trees, and. evincing a marked preference for localities where oak-groves alternate with meadow-lands and cultivated fields; and in its great abundance in the widely-separated districts named above, particularly when taken into con- sideration with its association in both with such species as Thryomanes bewicki, Dendreca estiva, Icteria virens, Collurio excubitoroides, Chrysomitris tristis, Coturniculus passerinus, Melospiza fasciata, Spizella socialis, Guiraca cerulea, etc., adds to the marked similarity in the general facies of the avifaunze of the two localities, the difference between them consisting in the possession by each of a small percentage of representative species and a very few peculiar forms.’ The habits of this bird are chiefly terrestrial, since it lives mostly on the ground, where it may often be seen walking® gracefully along or hop- ping in the usual manner of Sparrows; the male ascending to a fence-post, the top of a small tree, or other prominent object, during the delivery of his song. Its habits in this respect vary greatly, however, it being quite arboreal in some localities, as was conspicuously the case at Sacramento, 1 See pages 328-332. * It may not be generally known that many of the terrestrial Fringillida are walk- /ers as well as hoppers. We have often seen both this species and Melospiza fasciata walking on the ground with a step as tirm and graceful as that of a Meadow Lark or Blackbird. CHONDESTES GRAMMAGCA. 469 where it nested almost invariably in the small oak trees at heights varying from 15 to 30 feet from the ground; while, on the other hand, in southern Illinois, where the proportionate area of wood-land is much greater, we never found a nest of this species except on the ground, notwithstanding many nests were found.’ The principal characteristic of the Lark Sparrow is the excellence of its song, which far surpasses that of any other member of the family we have ever heard, while in sprightliness and continuity, qualities so often lacking in our finer singers, we do not know its equal in any bird. We have not heard the song of the famed Skylark (Alauda arvensis), but from numerous descriptions imagine it to be somewhat similar in character to that of the present bird; and we very seriously doubt whether it is superior, if, indeed, it should prove equal. The Lark Sparrow sings all day long, even during the hottest part of summer, beginning in the early morn before any other bird, and not ceasing until the darkening of the evening shades have quieted the other songsters; often, in fact, have we been awak- ened at night by its song when all else was quiet. The song of this bird begins with a chant of clear, ringing notes, each uttered with great distinct- ness; then follows a silvery trill—the very expression of emotion—and then a succession of sprightly, sparkling notes, varied by rising and falling cadences, finally dying away until scarcely audible, but immediately resumed in all its sprightliness and vigor, and continued as before, until the singer seems actually exhausted by his efforts. At Sacramento this bird is known as the Mexican Lark; it was familiar to all the boys, who in season eagerly searched for its nests in order to obtain the young, which were readily sold in the city for $4.00 per pair. 1 Many other birds exhibit the same variability in the selection ofa site for their nests. A notoriously variable species is Carpodacus frontalis (see p. 459); and Zenedura carolinensis is another case in point, this species, in the same locality, nesting indiffer- ently on the ground, on the top of a stump or rock, on a flat fence-rail, in a tree, or on the remnant of an old nest of another species. Mr. E. W. Nelson informs me that he found a nest of Pipilo erythrophthalmus in a bush, a foot or two from the ground, on Fox Prairie, Illinois; while at Mt. Carmel, in the same State, we have found a nest of Ageleus pheniceus in an elm tree, full 20 feet from the ground, and a nest of Cy yanura cristata inside of a barn. 470 ORNITHOLOGY. List of specimens. 8, nest and eggs (3); Sacramento, California, June 8, 1867. Lower branch of small oak, in grove. 30, nest and eggs (3); Sacramento, California, June 11, 1867. Cotton-wood copse, ten feet from ground. ; 50, nest and eggs (3); Sacramento, California, June 18, 1867. Twenty feet from ground, in oak-grove. 72, nest and eggs (3); Sacramento, California, June 20, 1867. Twenty feet from ground, in oak-grove. 85, nest and eggs; Sacramento, California, June 28, 1867. Six feet from ground, in cotton-wood copse. 90, nest and eggs; Sacramento, California, June 29, 1867. Six feet from ground, in cotton-wood copse. 783, nest and eggs (4); Truckee Reservation, Nevada, June 3, 1868. On ground beneath sage-bush, on mesa. 960, gad.; Salt Lake City, Utah, May 20, 1869. 74—113. Upper mandible, brownish-ash, lower whitish-blue ; iris, brown; tarsi and toes, brownish-white. 1020, nest and eggs; Salt Lake City, May 22, 1869. 1045, nest and eggs (5); Salt Lake City, May 25, 1869. 1046, nest and eggs (5); same locality and date. "1047, 1048, nests and eggs; Salt Lake City, May 26, 1869. 1056, nest and eggs; Salt Lake City, May 27, 1869. 1174, nest and eggs (4); Salt Lake City, June 10, 1869. 1175, nest and eggs (4); Salt Lake City, June 17, 1869. 1197, nest and eggs; Salt Lake City, June 21, 1869. Nests, all on the ground beneath sage-bushes; maximum number of eggs, five. ZONOTRICHIA LEUCOPHRYS. White-crowned Sparrow. Emberiza leucophrys, FORSTER, Phil. Trans., LXII, 1772, 382, 403, 426. Zonotrichia leucophyrs, Bonap., Comp. & Geog. List, 1838, 32.—BarRD, B. N. Am., 1858, 458, pl. 69, fig. 2; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 345.—CooPER, Orn. Cal., I, 196.—CovuEs, Key, 1872, 144; Check List, 1873, No. 183.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 566, pl. xxv, figs. 9, 10.—HENSHAW, 1875, 260. Throughout the Rocky Mountain ranges, westward to the very verge of the desert-region of the Great Basin, this eastern form entirely replaces in summer the more western Z. intermedia of the Sierra Nevada. It was a very abundant summer species in the elevated parks of the Wahsatch and Uintah Mountains, where, from May to the latter part of August, not a single individual of Z. intermedia was found. At our camp in Parley’s Park these birds were our most familiar neighbors, and by reason of their con- fiding habits and sweet morning carols endeared themselves to the members ZONOTRICHIA INTERMEDIA, 471 of the party. One young individual, bred in a nest close to the camp, became so sociable as to visit daily the cook’s tent for the crumbs scattered on the ground. Lhst of specimens. 1068, 2 ad.; Salt Lake City, Utah, May 29, 1869. 6%—93. Bill, orange-brown, lower mandible paler, tips of both black ; iris, brown; tarsi and toes, deep brown. 1292, nest and eggs (5); Parley’s Park, Wahsatch Mountains, Utah, June 26, 1869. Nest on ground, under Geranium bush. 1430, $.ad.; 7—9§. 1431, 9 ad.; 6;—93. Parley’s Park, July 19, 1869. Bill, per- fectly uniform, deep purplish, mahogany-brown ; iris, brown; tarsi, reddish hepatic- brown; toes, darker. : 1463, 3 juv.; Parley’s Park, July 28, 1869. 68—10. Bill, mahogany-brown, darker on culmen and tip; iris, brown ; tarsi and toes, dark purplish-brown. ZONOTRICHIA INTERMEDIA. Ridgway’s Sparrow.! (Mooh'-um-pooh of the Washoes; You-oo-hoot'-se-pah of the Paiutes.) Zonotrichia gambeli, BAIRD, Birds N. Am., 1858, 460 (part); Cat. N. Am. Birds, 1859, No. 346 (part).—Coopzr, Orn. Cal., I, 1870, 195 (part). Zonotrichia leucophrys var. gambeli, ALLEN, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., III, 1872, 157, 177.—CouEs, Key, 1872, 145 (part); Check List, 1873, No. 183a (part).—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. Birds, I, 1874, 569, pl. xxv, figs. 11, 12. Zonotrichia leucophrys var. intermedia, RrDGWAY, Coues’ Check List, App., 1872, , No. 183b.—Couzs, Birds N.W., 1874, 156.—HEnsnaw, 1875, 261, pl. vo, fig. 2 (adult). At the Summit Meadows, the most elevated portion of the Donner Lake Pass of the Sierra Nevada, these birds were so extremely abundant on the 9th day of July, that, on the evening we camped there, twenty- seven of their eggs were found after a hurried search of less than twenty minutes’ duration. The pleasing songs of the males were heard on every hand, not only during daylight, but at intervals through the night, these songs resembling those of Z. leucophrys, although they seemed somewhat more vigorous and distinct. They were exceedingly unsuspicious little birds, the pair usually remaining close by when their nest and eggs were being appropriated, the male even, on several occasions, singing, as he perched on the summit of a neighboring bush, while we were preparing the eggs for preservation. 'CoUES, Birds of the Northwest, p. 156. AT2 ORNITHOLOGY. List of specimens. 95, 96, 97, 98, nest and eggs (4); Summit Meadows, Donner Lake Pass, Sierra Nevada, July 9, 1867. Maximum number of eggs, 5; usual number, 4. 172, 8; West Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, September 7, 1867. 64—94—34— 2.9 —j1,_}3—23--1}. __ Bill, wax-yellow, upper mandible more ocher-reddish, point of culmen and gonys, black; iris, umber; tarsi and toes, yellowish horn-color. 183, 8; West Humboldt Mountains, September 11, 1867. 63—94—3—243—,,—3— 213—1,7,. Same remarks. 197, 3; West Humboldt Mountains, September 18, 1867. 613—103—34—23—4 13_3—1,%,. Upper mandible, deep, light mahogany-brown, inclining to wax-yellow on rictus; lower mandible, paler than upper, inclining to deep wax-yellow, more citreous basally; extreme point of culmen and gonys, black; iris, umber; tarsi, clear, light reddish horn-color; toes, darker and more opaque-brownish. 200, $; West Humboldt Mountains, September 20, 1876. 6%—93—34—211—,4,— 3—23—1,,._ Same remarks. 201, $; West Humboldt Mountains, September 20, 1867. 6g3—93—34—2,— ae — 35 2f—1,5,. Same remarks. 202, 9; West Humboldt Mountains, September 20, 1867. 63—911—34—23— ,,— 4321313, Same remarks. 207, g; West Humboldt Mountains, September 21, 1867. [Intermediate between intermedia and leucophrys.| 63—913—34—211—,7, 3318. Same remarks. 209, $; West Humboldt Mountains, September 21, 1867. 6%—98—34—23—,4 $—215—14, Same remarks. 210, ¢; West Humboldt Mountains, September 21, 1867. 6138—94—3},—2.9 ig—i-2f—-14. Same remarks. 211, ¢; West Humboldt Mountains, September 21, 1867. 7,),—9%—33,—23— fs—}i—3—1§. Same remarks. 212, 9; West Humboldt Mountains, September 21, 1867. 7—10—34—23—,1, 13__97—18. Same remarks. ‘ 385, 2; Truckee Reservation, December 26, 1867. 63—9—3—2,?,—,1, —-} 2718. Same remarks. 7 930, 3; head of Humboldt Valley (Camp 25), September 16, 1868. 7—93—(2)— 23. Same remarks, 939, 3; Camp 25, September 20, 1868. 7—93—(?)—2,9,. Same remarks. 944, 2; Deep Creek, Utah, October 5, 1868, 63—93—(?)—2.7,. Same remarks. ZONOTRICHIA CORONATA. Golden-crowned Sparrow. Emberiza coronata, PALLAS, Zoog. Rosso-As., II, 1811, 44, pl. [5] tig. 1 (¢ ad.). Zonotrichia coronata, BAIRD, B. N. Am., 1858, 461; Catal., 1859, No.347.—CooPER, Orn. Cal., I, 197.—CovuEs, Key, 1872, 145; Check List, 1873, No. 184; Birds N.W., 1874, 159 (sub Z. querula).—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 573, pl. XXVI, fig. 1. ‘The only specimen of this species seen by us was the one obtained, JUNCO OREGONUS. 473 which was shot from a flock of Z. intermedia. Its occurrence on the West Humboldt Mountains may be accounted for by the fact that many of the Pacific-coast species have a tendency to straggle eastward during their migrations, among those which reach this range, besides the bird under consideration, being Melospiza guttata, Pipilo oregonus, Lanivireo cassini, Helminthophaga lutescens, etc. [See pp. 379, 380.] List of specimens. 237, 2 ad.; West Humboldt Mountains, Nevada (Camp 19), October 7, 1867. 713 103—33—23—}5—3—3}1f. Upper mandible, slaty horn-color, darker on culmen, tomium paler; lower mandible, pale lilaceous-brown ; iris, olivaceous-hazel; tarsi and toes, clear horn-color. JUNCO OREGONUS. Oregon Snow-bird. (Lah'-bah-klat'-uk of the Washoes; Nebah'-tone of the Paiutes.) Fringilla oregona, TOWNSEND, Jour. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., VII, 1837, 188. Junco oregonus, SCLATER, Pr. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1857, 7 .—Batrp, B. N. Am., 1858, 466; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 347.—Cooprr, Orn. Cal., I, 199.—CovUEs, Key, 1872, 141; Check List, 1873, No. 175; B. N.W., 1874, 142.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 584, pl. XxvI, fig. 2—HENsHAW, 1875, 267. Junco hyemalis var. oregonus, RIDGWAY, Am. Nat., 1873, 613. This representative of the Eastern Snow-bird (J. hyemalis) is very abundant in winter from the Pacific coast to the Wahsatch Mountains, but in summer has a more restricted distribution, being then confined to the conif- erous forest-region of the higher western ranges. At the Summit Meadows, nearly 7,000 feet above the sea, on the Sierra Nevada, it was one of the commonest and most characteristic birds of the locality, but eastward of these mountains none were seen during the summer. In its winter migra- tions this bird shows the same remarkable movements as Zonotrichia inter- media, Turdus guttatus, etc., for while its summer habitat seems strictly lim- ited on the eastward to the Sierra Nevada, it becomes generally dispersed in winter over the entire area of the Western Region, being a more or 1 According to Mr. BE. W. Nelson, an adult male of Z. coronata was captured by Dr. Hoy, at Racine, Wisconsin, during the spring migration. A474 ORNITHOLOGY. less regular visitant during that season as far east as Kansas. We did not, however, meet with it farther eastward than the East Humboldt Mountains. In all respects this species appears to be a perfect counterpart of the eastern J. hyemalis, being equally familiar in its habits during winter, while its notes are apparently precisely similar. List of specimens. 224, 9 ad.; West Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, October 3, 1867. 6—9—3—23-- 3-3-2, 51d Bill, delicate lilaceous-white, the point dusky ; iris, burnt-sienna; tarsi, clear fiorn: white ; toes, deep sepia. 378, 2 ad.; Trackee Reservation, Nevada, December 24, 1867. 63—94—34—23-— p28 14. Same remarks. 384, f ad.; Truckee Reservation, December 26, 1867. 64—94—3}—28—,4,11_— 23—13. Iris, purplish-claret; tarsi, dilute reddish-umber ; toes, darker oe umber. 484, 3 ad.; Carson City, Nevada, April 3, 1868. 6393-34 08. Iris, dark pur- plish-carmine. 485, 3 ad.; Carson City, Nevada, April 3, 1868. 63—93—31—211, Same re- marks. 938, S ad.; Trout Creek, Upper Humboldt Valley, Sept. 19, 1868. 63—93—2§. Upper mandible, light sepia-brown, the tip black ; lower mandible, pinkish-white ; iris, madder-brown ; tarsi, dilute sepia; toes, deeper sepia. vo JUNCO CANICEPS. Gray-headed Snow-bird. Struthus caniceps, WooDHOUSE, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., 1852, 202. Junco caniceps, BAIRD, B. N. Am., 1858, 468, pl. 72, fig. 1; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 353.—CoopEr, Orn. Cal., I, 1870, 201.—B. B. & R, Hist. N. ‘Aun. B., I, 1874, 587, pl. XxXvI, fig. 3. Junco cinereus var. caniceps, COUES, Key, 1872, 141; Check List, 1873, No. 176; B. N.W., 1874, 143.—HENSHAW, 1875, 269. Junco hyemalis var. caniceps, RIDGWAY, Am. Nat., 1873, 613. The Gray-headed Snow-bird was met with only in ‘the pine forests of the Wahsatch and Uintah Mountains, where it was rather common from May to August, inclusive. Its habits and notes closely resemble those of J. hyemalis and J. oregonus, but its song, a simple monotonous trill, is somewhat louder and more Steady. AMPHISPIZA BILINEATA. 475 AMPHISPIZA BILINEATA. Black-throated Sparrow. (Wut'-tu-ze-ze of the Paiutes.) Emberiza bilineata, Cassin, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., 1850, 104, pl. 3. Poospiza bilineata, SCLATER, Proc. Zool. Soe. Lond., 1857, 7.—Bairp, B. N. Am., 1858, 470; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 355.—Coopsr, Orn. Cal., I, 203— CovEs, Key, 1872, 140; Check List, 1873, No. 172.—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 590, pl. xxvi, fig. 8 HENSHAW, 1875, 274. Amphispiza bilineata, Cours, B. N.W., 1874, 234.1 This interesting little bird was found throughout the sage-brush country, the most desert-tracts of which are its favorite abode. It was equally com- mon in the western depression and in the Salt Lake Valley, as well as in intermediate localities. Unlike the A. nevadensis, which frequents chiefly the more thrifty growth of artemisia in the damper valleys, this species prefers the arid mesas, where the growth is scant and stunted; and we found it nowhere else so abundant as on the Carson Desert, near the Soda Lakes, where much of the surface consisted of loose, shifting sand. It also differs markedly from that species in being migratory, being merely a summer sojourner, and one of the latest to arrive, few, if any, making their appearance in the Truckee Valley before the first of May, the advance individuals being noted on the 13th of that month, in 1868. Like A. nevadensis, this species is remarkable for its peculiar song, which in pensive tone and sad expression harmonizes so perfectly with its desolate surroundings. It is from this song that the Indian name, Wut-tu- ze-ge, is derived, for the notes are very nearly expressed by the syllables wut’, wut’, zeeeeeé, repeated once or twice, the first two notes quick and distinct, the last one a prolonged, silvery trill. Frequently a singer reverses, at each alternate repetition of the song, the accent of the first and last portions, thus producing a very peculiar effect. List of specimens. 106, 3 juv.; valley of the Truckee, July 25, 1867. 53—83—23 25, Te hs 76 —1%. Upper mandible, plumbeous-black; lower, pale blue, lilaceous basally, the tip, dusky; iris, umber; tarsi and toes, dark plumbeous-sepia. '“