92 THIRSTY SHORE-LARKS. 



June 15. Made a short march, and camped 

 early, near some stunted juniper-trees, where a 

 small stream of water literally squirted out from 

 the side of a steep bank ; it is the only water within 

 a long distance, and the place bears the name of 

 Cedar Springs, as the junipers are called cedars 

 by the traders. 



It was most interesting to watch the Shore 

 Larks (Eremopliila cornuta). As evening ap- 

 proached, they actually came boldly in amongst 

 the men and mules, intense thirst overcoming 

 all sense of fear. These handsome little birds 

 are very plentiful throughout British Columbia. 

 They nest very early on these sandy plains, 

 even before the snow leaves the ground. I saw 

 young birds early in May. Near this spring 

 I saw the Cock of the Plains, or Sage Cock 

 ( Centrocercus urophasianus}. 



I scarcely think this handsome grouse can be 

 strictly included amongst British- Columbian 

 birds, although its northern range is very near 

 the Boundary Line on the right bank of the Co- 

 lumbia river ; still, I only know of its existence 

 west of the Rocky Mountains, in Washington 

 and Oregon Territories. I met with it before, on 

 the sandy plains near the head-waters of the 

 Des Chutes river, and know of its being found 



