112 [Octobek, 1846. 



that has been remarked in the rufous humming bird, that of ascending in 

 clear weather to a considerable height in the air, and then descending with 

 great rapidity, uttering at the same time a peculiar note. 



Nuttall, who brought this species from California, did not procure the 

 male, but saw it frequently, and supposed it to have a yellow spot on the 

 crown. I discovered that that which deceived him in this respect was the 

 glutinous pollen of a tubular flower upon which it feeds, adhering to the 

 rigid feathers of the crown, and making it look as if it really had a yellow 

 head. I have also seen the bill for half its length covered in the same 

 manner. 



Sitta carolinensis, Briss. Carolina Nuthatch. 



This species is common in the pines of the Rocky Mountains, and also in 

 the wooded regions of the western coast. 

 Sitta canadensis, Linn. Canada Nuthatch. 



I found this little wanderer very abundant in the mountains of the inte- 

 rior of California in October, roving in company with busy flocks of the 

 Parus montanus nobis. 



Sitta pygm&a, Vigors. Pigmy Nuthatch. 



Extremely abundant in winter in Upper California, sometimes almost 

 covering the trunks and branches of the pine trees, through which they ex- 

 clusively forage. Around Monterey, particularly, the trees at times are alive 

 with the noisy little creatures, incessantly uttering their monotonous queru- 

 lous notes as they run around the branches. The note is generally a repeated 

 whistling, wit, wit, which, when one commences, the rest join in ; they also 

 utter a whistling trill, at the same time industriously searching the tree 

 throughout, and only leaving it when every crack has been examined for 

 the concealed insect fare. 



Harpes rediviva, Nobis, Proceed. Acad. Nat. Sc. vol. 2, p. 264. 

 Promerops de la Californie Septentrionale, La Perouse. Atlas to voy- 

 ages, pi. 47. 



This very remarkable bird was first noticed by La Perouse, who figured 

 it in the atlas to his voyages, and subsequently by other writers when 

 treating of the Tenuirostres, on his authority, as a Promerops. 



On comparison, it will be found more properly to belong to the great 

 family Certhidae, and is allied to the oven birds of S. America, (Furnarius) 

 both in general appearance, and as far as I can gather, in habits also, but 

 the bill bears a greater resemblance to some of the large wren-like birds 

 (Thryothorus ?) of tropical America. 



It does not stand alone in our country; I have lately been shown by Mr 

 Audubon a specimen received from near Galveston, Texas, which he sup- 

 posed to be the bird I had described, but upon comparison, it proved to 

 be a distinct species with the bill more curving at the tip, and not so much 

 flattened, of which no doubt a description will soon be published. 



