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Show 231 18. Sitta pygmcea, Vig.- California Nnthatch. This is by far the most abnndant of the three species seen in California, and was common everywhere where the presence of pines affords them the hunting- grounds they most affect. CERTHIIDJS.- CREEPERS. 19. Certhia familiaris, L., var. americana, Bon.- Brown Creeper. The Creeper breeds in the moan tains of Southern California, where I took a young bird in the first plumage near Fort Tejon, August 2. It is, however, not common till late in the fall, when their numbers are increased by the arrival of migrants from moce northern breeding- grounds. No. 1 Sex. 7 » ! & Locality. Tejon Mountains, Gal Date. Aug. 2 Collector. H. W. TTenahaw, TROGLODYTID. E.- WREK8. 20. Campylorynchue brunneicapillus, Lafr.- Cactus Wren. Only in a few localities was this species met with, though its absence in Southern California as high as latitude 35° or 36° may be attributed chiefly to the lack of cactus plains, the cacti being almost a necessity in the domestic economy of the bird, both because these plants furnish it with its favorite hunting- grounds, and because it is in their branches that they love to place their nests. Up to the latitude indicated the species may be looked for with confidence whenever is found a district well supplied with these plants. One or two individuals were shot a few miles northeast of Kernville, but with plumage in such a state of moult that they were not considered worth preserving. 21. Salpinxesobsoletus, ( Say).- Rock Wren. The Rook Wren is perhaps not as abundant throughout Southern California as in many portions of the central region, yet it is found here and there in varying numbers, inhabiting the rocky, sterile, waste lands, which few other species care to share with it. I t was noted also on the island of Santa Cruz. No, Sex. Locality. Date. Collector. 633 703 Near Sunday Peak, Cal. Walker's Basin, Cal Oct. 25 Nov. 10 H. W. Henshaw. ... do 22. Caikerpes mexioanus, ( Swains.), var. consperms, Ridgw.- White- throated Rock Wren. Probably the latitude of San Francisco forms about the northward limit of this species, thus coinciding with its known extension in the interior. It was detected by our parties as far north as the neighborhood of Mount Whitney, where it was tolerably numerous, being only seen among the broken masses of rocks that lie at the bases of the perpendicular cliffs or along their faces. It was detected, too, at various points i n the Coast range, so that its diffusion over Southern California may be said to be general. Of all its tribe, save perhaps the Winter Wren, this species is the most liable to be overlooked, where, too, it may be tolerably common. To a preference for the wild solitudes of the mountains it adds a shy, suspicious nature, which prompts it to hide away from observation and all chance of danger whenever anything of a suspicious character is observed. No, 706 Sex. <? Locality. Walker's Baffin, Cal Date. 1 Collector. Nov. 10 H. W. Henahaw. Wing. 1 Tail. 3.30 2.85 BUI. 0.85 Tarsus. 0.71 |