114 [October, 1846. 



The Dwarf Thrush of Audubon was founded upon specimens from the 

 Atlantic States, and no doubt upon the true Hermit Thrush. 



Mr. Pickering, and also Mr. Nuttall, must have had the T. olivaceus, 

 since characterized by Drs. Brewer and Giraud before them, and mis- 

 taking it for the Hermit Thrush, when they distinguished the T. nanus as a 

 species. 



An examination of specimens of the T. minor from the Atlantic and 

 Pacific coasts of North America shows no difference in any way, except 

 that perhaps the western one is somewhat smaller, yet the difference is 

 scarcely appreciable. From the measurement of many western specimens, 

 I found its length to be 6| inches, and the extent of wings Hkinches ; the 

 tail, wings, and relative length of quills the same as in our eastern one, 

 and in fact, I think it can in no possible way be distinguished as specifi- 

 cally different. A European specimenalso of the same species, from the Ri- 

 voli collection, now in the Academy, is the same in every_respect as our own. 



That which is most remarkable in the character of this delicate and 

 gentle bird, is its solitary and retiring disposition ; avoiding the ruthless 

 gaze of man, it glides into the deepest shade of the forest or underwood, 

 and is but seldom seen, except unconsciously, when earnestly engaged, 

 scratching upon the ground in search of food ; or else, it be discovered 

 while perched upon a low leafy branch or twig, when it allows a very 

 near approach, as if depending for concealment and security upon the 

 thickness of the foliage and bushes around. 



In the wooded regions of the Rocky mountains, I found it not uncom- 

 mon, always keeping on, or very near the ground. It is very frequent 

 throughout California, and in the spring may be found in the retired 

 hedges of the vineyards, where very possibly it breeds. 



Mimus montanus, Towns. Mountain Mocking bird. 



We occasionally met with individuals of this mocking bird along the 

 bushy banks of streams in the interior, during September and October, 

 then silent. 



Mimus polyglottis, Linn. Common Mocking bird. 



I observed a few of these in sheltered ravines during the winter, and in 

 May, around Santa Barbara, the woods were ringing with their inimitable 

 song, at this time, mimicking Bullock's oriole, and the western Blue bird. 



Cincltjs Americanus, Swains. American Dipper. 



A few of these are found along the solitary streams of the interior. 



Anthus Ltidovicianus, Licht. American Titlark. 



This species appears to be one of the most extensively distributed of N. 

 American birds, beingfound throughout the length and breadth of our coun- 

 try. In the desert regions, between Santa Fe and California, it was one of 

 the few birds we met with ; then going in small flocks, either on the plains 

 among arid Artemesia and sage bushes, or along the courses of rivers and 

 small streams. In California it is abundant, particularly in winter, when 



