April, 1843.] 261 



barren brushy plains, covered with a species of Chenopodium. Here, 

 where a person would suppose it to be impossible for any animal to 

 subsist, they were seen running about in small flocks of five or six, 

 occasionally uttering a low guttural call of recognition, sometimes of 

 several notes, very different from that of the common species. When 

 flying they utter a loud sharp whistle, and conspicuously display the 

 long crest. 



Lanius elegans. White winged Shrike, Swains. 



This species, of which but a single specimen is knowntto Ornitholo- 

 gists, I found abundant in California, in the brushy plains, and some- 

 times in the hedges near the towns; it flies close to and frequently 

 alights on the ground and on low weeds ; when flying, its white 

 banded wings can be seen very distinctly; in the adults the breast 

 is pure white ; in the young blended with dark brown, like our 

 common species, except the throat and vent, which are white; some- 

 times, when disturbed, it has a harsh crying note like a jay, pay pay 

 pay. 



Sciurus tenuirostris? Swains. Synopsis Birds of Mexico? 



Above olive brown ; beneath tawny yellow ; sides of the throat, 

 with the breast and sides, marked with irregular streaks and spots of 

 dark brown; a yellowish white line over the eye; throat, belly, and 

 vent without spots. AVings and tail blackish brown, the feathers 

 margined with yellowish white; two outer tail-feathers almost wholly 

 white ; the second merely tipped with the same. Length six inches ; 

 tarsus seven-eighths of an inch; hind toe nail as long as the toe. Bill 

 slender ; half an inch in length. 



We met with this species only on the Rio Colorado ; at that time 

 (October) keeping in small flocks along the bank of the river, some- 

 times wading in the water to pick up whatever they might find in 

 the mud, with which their bills were covered. When sitting they 

 jerked their tails in the manner of the S. Noveboracensis, which they 

 somewhat resemble ; they also uttered, when flying, a few slender 

 notes. 



Swainson questions the S. tenuirostris being found on the table land. 

 This species, I should think, was not, from its habits, although I saw 

 a few specimens among some sage bushes (Artemisia) near the river. 



Ptilogonys Townsendii, And., Xutt. 



This rare and singular bird, of which but a single specimen has 

 been obtained in Oregon, I first met with, in .October, on the banks of 

 a small, rocky creek, in the Rocky mountains, between the Rio Colo- 

 rado and California. Here, in the depth of solitude, it was flying 

 along the stream, alighting on the rocks, and jerking its tail in a lively 



