April, 1847.] 203 



among others, a just tribute for the invaluable services he has rendered to 

 natural science, during more than thirty years of his life, spent among us, 

 in untiring investigation of the productions of our country. 



In California, at least, and where as yet I believe it has alone been found, 

 this Magpie is exceedingly local, being confined, as far as I have observed, to 

 the immediate neighborhood of Santa Barbara, where among the beautiful 

 evergreen oaks (Quercus agri/olia) of the vicinity, it is abundant. 



Sprightly and graceful in its movements, it is a favorite with the inhabitants; 

 and when not molested shows considerable confidence, often being seen about 

 the doors of the houses, but becoming remarkably shy and cautious when 

 chased or shot at. During my stay, from frequently shooting at them, although 

 at first they were numerous in small flocks, they at length became so scarce 

 that during the breeding season very few were to be seen, apparently having 

 gone to the ravines of the neighboring mountains, so that I did not find a sin- 

 gle recent nest, although the woods were full of those of the last year. The 

 old nests were large, and built loosely of sticks like that of a crow, and situat- 

 ed in the topmost forks of the trees, well concealed by the foliage. 



Corvus ossifragus, Wils. Fish Crow. 



Abundant along the Pacific coast. 



Corvus A7nerica?ius, Aud. Common Crow. 



Also abundant throughout the Pacific coast, as well as in the interior. 



Corvus catatotl, Wagler. American Raven. 



Fitted by its organization for any means of subsistence, there are few parts 

 of North America where the Raven may not be found. 



In the arid region between the Rio Colorado and California, its ominous 

 croak renders the desert solitude more dismal, and on the rocky uninhabited 

 Islands off the coast of California, it is the companion of the Fish-hawk and 

 Gulls; but in California, instead of being scattered and solitary, it becomes 

 one of the most abundant and familiar of birds, and in company with its 

 fellow-scavengers, the Turkey vultures and dogs, it is exceedingly useful in 

 consuming the refuse of the cattle which are slaughtered in such great num- 

 bers. At the Pueblo de los Angeles, so abundant were they in and around 

 the town, that I have counted in the corral, or courtyard of a single house, 

 as many as 150 at one time. 



Nucifraga Columbiana, (Wils.) Aud. American Nutcracker. 



We occasionally met with this peculiar bird in the mountains of the interior, 

 among the scattered pine groves. 



Quiscalus majors, Vieill. Boat-tailed Blackbird. 



This large and handsome blackbird is very abundant about the Gulf, and 

 occasionally is seen as far north as Upper California. 

 Scolcophagus ferrugineus, (Wils.) Bire. Rusty Blackbird. 

 We found this species very common in New Mexico and California, as also 



