OCR Text |
Show 227 4. Turdus swainsoni, Cab., var. ustulatus, itt- Oregon Thrush. Tardus ustulatut, Bd., B. N. A., 1858,215.- Coop. & Sackl., P. R. R. Rep., vol. xli, nt. ii, 1860,171.- Coop., B. Cal.. i, 1870,5.- Lawr., Proo. Boat. Soo. Nat Hist, June, 1871 ( Tree Marias). Tardus swainsoni var. ustulatus, Coaes, Key N. A. B., 1872,73.-> BM B., & R., N. A B., 1874,16.- Nelaon, Proo. Boat Soo. Nat Hist., vol. xvii, 1875,355 ( California). This race of the more eastern and northern Swainsoni Thrush is found in summer throughout California, where it breeds, resorting to the. valleys and lowlands generally, rather than to the mountainous districts. It was in full song about San Francisco the last of May, and the species was probably at this time nesting. Its habits and very natare appear to be different from its nearest ally, the Swainsoni Thrush. Unlike that bird, instead of finding a congenial home only in the solitude of the remote northern wilds, it is perfectly content to live a near neighbor to, and a companion of, man, and dwells as contentedly as the Robin in the gardens and orchards on the outskirts of the towns. Its song I frequently heard coming from the midst of the shrubbery that environs the houses. It is exceedingly like the well- known strains of the Wilson's Thrush, though seeming to lack something of the depth of tone and wildness which gives that song its chief oharm. It is, too, rather shorter. At Santa Barbara, I found the young fully fledged by the last of June. No. 66 70 71 147 14fl Sex. cTad. 9 ad. tfjan. 9ad. Locality. Santa Barbara, Cal do do do Date. Jane 25,1875 Jane 26,1875 Jane 26,1875 Jane 29,1875 Jane 30,1875 Collector. H. W. Aenshaw do .... do do do Wing. 3.87 3.73 3.73. 3.72 TaiL 3.30 3.17 3.05 3.05 Bill. 0.57 0.57 0.52 0.57 Tana* 1.21 1.17 1.14 1.12 5. Mimua polyglottus, L.- Mocking- bird. According to Dr. Cooper, the Mocking- bird is said to occur in California as far north as Monterey. Along our route from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara, it was seen on a few occasions only, chiefly on the dry plains, where the prickly pears and other cacti grew in abundance. The Sage- thrasher, ( Oreoacoptes montantia,) according to Dr. Heer-mann, is not rare about San Diego. It probably intrudes only into the extreme southern portion of the State. 6. Harporync/ ms redivivus, Cabanis.- California Sickle- bill Thrush. Harporynehus redivivus, Bd., B. N. A., 1858, 349.- Xantns, Proc. Phila. Acad. Nat. Sci., 185P, 191.- Coop., B., Cal. i, 1 « 70, 15.- Coues, Key N. A. B., 1872, 75.- B., B., & R., N. A. B., i, 1874, 45. This Thrush was found in various localities throughout Southern California, where it is a constant resident. Though preferring the lowlands, we occasionally saw these birds in the dense chaparral that clothes the bases of many of the low mountains. Like the others of this singular genus, it is eminently terrestrial in its habits, its stout, si ong claws, aided by its heavy bill, being well adapted for scratching among the leaves and dthris for all sorts of insect life. It is shy and timid, and covets the seclusion of the hedges and thickets at all times. When alarmed, its wings serve to carry it for a short distance, till it has gained some covert, when its active feet enable it to keep out of sight by dodging here and there till its safety is assured. No. 45 46 95 203 241 663 741 Sex. Ad. Ad. Jan. d Jan. 9 Jan. AL Locality. do do do do do do Date. Jane 25 Jane 25 Jane 27 Jaly 6 Jaly 10 Nov. 9 Jane 14 Collector. H. W. Henshaw ... do .... do do .... do ... do ... do Wing. 3.65 3.95 4.12 4.00 Tall. 5.62 5.45 5.65 5.58 Bill. 1.47 1.39 1.63 1.55 Tarsus. 1.52 1.57 1.53 1.48 CINCLTDJS*- WATER- OUZELS. 7. Cinelus mexicanus, Sw.- Water- ouzel. Throughout the mountains of the West, it needs only the presence of a stream of water, whirling and foaming over its rocky bed through cation and pass, to surely attract this |