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Show 1 3 0 8 EEPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS. very strongly marked geographical races," they yet appear to be admissible as slight varietal forms. Apparently not a common species in the valleys during the summer and fall; said to be abundant in the early f pring months along the water- courses. 2. Oreoacopte8 montanus ( Towns.).- Sage Thrush. Fairly numerous amongst the sage- brush. The Sierras appear to limit absolutely the westward range of this species, and it seems to be entirely wanting iu California, except in the extreme southern portion, where it reaches across the southern line quite to the coast; so to the northward, where it finds no lofty mountain barriers, it extends to the Columbia River. SAXICOLID^ i. 3. Sialla mexicana, Sw.- Western Bluebird. Common. 4. Sialia arctica, Sw.- Arctic Bluebird. Noted about Carson hi November, when it frequented the cedar and pi& on hills, descending at this season from the mountains, where found earlier. SYLVHDiE. 5. Regulus calendula, ( L.).- Ruby- crowned Wren. Quite numerous in the cotton woods and in the shrubbery of the streams. PARITY. 6. Parus nwntanus, Gamb.- Mountain Chickadee. Though, as its name implies, a lover of the mountains, wheri an inhabitant of the conifers, it yet in fall descends lower, and in the depth of winter is found quite commonly among the deciduous vegetation of the valleys. TROGLODYTID. E. 7. Troglodytes aedon, V., var. parkmanni ( Aud.).- Parkman's Wren. Nob common; not seen ab3ut houses, but frequenting the shrubbery. 8. Gwlothorus palustrU, Wils., var. paludieola, Bd.- Long- billed Marsh Wren. The sedgy margins of Washoe Lake ontaiu thousands of these noisy little wrens, which winter here. MOTACILLIDJE. 9. Anthu8 ludovicianm ( Gin.).- Titlark. Not seen about Carson in September, but found on my return in November in small numbers. Found along water- courses, bub chiefly in wet, meadowy ground or among stubble. SYLVICOLID. E. 10. Helminthophaga cdaia ( Say), var. luteecens, Ridgw.- Westem Orange- crowned Warbler. Occurs in small numbers in fall in the shrubbery that skirts the foot- hills. 11. Dendroiea audubonii ( Towns.).- Audubon's Warbler. Appearing in the valleys only during the migrations. 12. Geothlypis trichas ( L.).- Maryland Yellowthroat. - A few of this species were seen till into September. They are quite numerous earlier, breeding in the low portions of the valleys. 13. Myiodioctes pwillus ( Wils.), var. pileolata, Ridgw.- Western Black Cap. One or two seen along the borders of Washoe Lake. |