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Show 247 Locality. Los Angeles, Cal Fort TejoD, Cal . . . . . d o . . . .... do .... do Walker's Basin. Date. Jane 17 1 Aug. i Aug. Aug. Aug. Aug. t 1 » » « 7 Collector. H. W. Hensbaw. Do. Do. Da Do. Da 76. Cyanospisa amcena, ( Say).- Lazuli Finch. This Finch, so much like the Indigo- bird in voice and habits, entirely replaces that species in the far west. Its organization seems to unfit it for a residence in high latitudes, and it also shuns the bracing air of the mountains, not occurring, according to Mr. Trippe, higher than 8,000 feet, an altitude at which I have never seen it. It ia found in great abundance in the sheltered valleys, living for the most part along . the streams, but at any rate the locality chosen must be more or less grown up to brush and bushes, among which it places its nest and spends the greater part of the time. 77. Pipilo maculatus, ( Swains.), var. megalonyx, Bd.- Long- spurred Towhee. This Pipilo is spread in great numbers over the southern half of California, ranging from the shrubbery of the lowlands well up on the mountains. Oa Santa Cruz Island it was one of the most numerously represented species; indeed, the surface of this island, broken and cut up in every direction by ridges and corresponding ravines, and everywhere covered with chaparral, forms just the abode suited to the habits of this bird. Accordingly, I think I never saw in a limited area such numbers of these birds, their mewing calls sounding in all directions. They are probably resident in Southern California, where, too, their numbers in fall are still further swelled by additions from more inclement regions farther north. No. Sex. cf jnn. Jnn. Locality. Fort Tejon, Cal Tejon Mountains, Cal.. do do do do do do Walker's Basin, Cal..., ....- do Tejon Mountain8, Cal. do , Date. July 87 Aug. - Aug. 17 Aug. 17 Aug. 17 Aug. 18 Aug. 19 Nov,. - 5 Nov. 10 Aug. 2 Aug. - Collector. H. W. Henshaw. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. 78. Pipilo fuscus, Swains., var. orUsalis, Ridgw.- Brown Finch. This Finch was found by our parties in great abundance from San Franoisco southward. The appellation Canon Finch Is not a very happy one, since it would suggest a preference for the rooky cations, an inference by no means borne out by the habits of the bird. It is indeed an inhabitant of the mountains, being there, however, partial to the open thickets on the slopes, rather than to the recesses of the ravines. Moreover, it is found in much greater numbers in the level country and low valleys. In essential particulars it is a true Pipilo, having many of the habits common to the birds of this family, but especially resembles the var. mesolencus from the southern interior region, its mode of life being indeed almost identical with that of this bird, except in so far as it has been modified to suit the somewhat different nature of the region it inhabits. It is never found far from cover, though venturing iuto the open oftener and to a greater distance than is the case with the shyer, more retiring, black Pipilos. Its whole nature seems to be more reliant, and in some places I have seen them venturing to the very door of the houses, and hopping with the utmost freedom about the yards, picking up crumbs, in company, perhaps, with their smaller friends, the Snowbirds. Their flight is better sustained and less " jerky" than most of the family, and is not so very unlike that of the Sickle- billed Thrush but that, wheu taken in connection with its large size, colors, and its long tail, it may often mislead one as it goes flirt* iog through the foliage. When one comes upon them suddenly they throw themselves into the nearest clump with all haste, but should a convenient tree be at hand they will quickly be Seen among the branches, where mounting to some convenient perch they sit and watch the canse of all the trouble, the various individuals meanwhile responding |