OCR Text |
Show APPENDIX C. ZOOLOGY. IT is much to he regretted that the circumstances of the Salt Lake Expedition were such as to prevent as much being done in the way of collections in Natural History as the accomplished head, Captain Stansbury, and his assistant, Lieutenant Gunnison, had intended. Galled upon to start almost at a day's noticer they found it utterly impracticable* to obtain the proper preservative materials, apparatus, and other necessary outfit for making collections, in the limited time allotted to them. Nevertheless, it will not be a matter of surprise to those who are acquainted with the gentlemen concerned, to learn how. much was actually accomplished, as will be shown by the published results. In fact, no Government expedition, since the dayB of Major Long's visit to the Missouri, has ever presented such important additions to Natural , History. Of the great advanceipent of geographical knowledge, the reports of the officers will speak for themselves. The mammals observed, as might be supposed, belong mainly to the Rocky Mountain series. The most interesting fact in their history is the determination of the existence in Utah of the great-tailed fox, now for the first time described, although mentioned by various travellers. The birds brought in by the expedition, belong chiefly to the waders and swimmers. The number is not sufficient to draw any general conclusion as to. the ornithological fauna of Salt Lake Valley; although the indications are that this forms a meeting point for the species of the Saskatchewan, the Pacific, the Missouri, and. of New Mexico. A South American duck was obtained for the Second time in North America, ( Pterocyanea rafflesii,) the single specimen previously found in the country having been shot in Louisiana. - A new bluebird, ( Sialia macroptera,) appears to be abundant. An ex ceedingly interesting fact is found in the determination of the 807 |