APPENDIX TO OSCINES. 229 



from the eastern representatives of the species. One would scarcely recognize the shy 

 almost silent bird, that sedulously hides itself from view in the thickest shrubberv as 

 the tame loquacious Cat-hird of the east, and, indeed, mi(>ht never suspect its existence 

 in localities where it was not uncommon, from superticial observations. Although 

 quite numerous at Idaho, where I saw it nearly every day for weeks, I never but on^e 

 heard the cat-like mew so common elsewhere as to have given the bird its name, and 

 only once or twice heard it attenq)t a song. Yet though so different in some respects, 

 in others it is in-ecisely the same as its eastern relatives. In form, colors, size, carriao-e,' 

 and expression, I could detect not the slighest difference, while its favorite haunts and 

 food are the same. It disappears in August. 



The Brown Thrush, given by Alien as extending up to 7,.500 feet, does not occur in 

 the county at all, or at least but very rarely. [Dr. Rothrock found it in Colorado. — E. C] 

 [To the svnonyuJS of this species add : Antimimiis riifns, SuxD., Meth. Av. Disp Tent 

 1872, 13 (type )v(/"«).— E. C] 



SiALiA AiiCTiCA, Bluebird. Abundant from the plains up to timber-line, breediu"- 

 everywhere. Similar in its general habits to the Eastern Bluebird, the Arctic Bluebird 

 arrives in Bergen's Park early in March, and gradually working its way into the mount- 

 ains, reaches an elevation of 10,UU0 feet about the close of the mouth, preceding the 

 Robin by a few days. In Bergen's Park the tirst brood is not hatched till June ; it 

 probably raises two broods, altbongh of this I cannot be certain. It nests in hollow 

 trees and similar places, and being quite familiar, though not as tame as its eastern 

 cousin, takes possession of the little bird-houses put up for its convenience by the 

 miners and ranchmen. Its llight and habits seem to be the same ; but it lacks the 

 carol of the latter bird, its only note being a disconsolate, mournful sort of plaint, 

 somewhat like the fall note of the eastern bird. The young familiesof Bluebirds may 

 be seen with their parents throughout the latter part of summer, frequently wandering 

 far above tind)er-line, and even up to the highest peaks. It remains until late iu fall, 

 migrating both in spring and autumn in flocks. In the early part of November I saw 

 a bird at Hay's City, Kansas, which I am almost certain was this species; but not being 

 able to shoot it, I could not identity it lieyond all doubt. 



S. MEXICANA, Wenicrn Bhtrhird. Of this species I shot two or tbree, and saw as many 

 more, in the first week in June, in Bergen's Park, where they probably breed. Of their 

 habits I learned nothing, except that tliey frequented the tops of the pine-trees, and 

 rarely descended to the lower limbs or ground. 



CiNCLUS iNiKXiCAXUS, Dipper. Rather common, though nowhere very numerous. The 

 Dipper frequents all the monutain-streains up to timber-line, and is a constant resident. 

 It is an odd little bird, both in its notes and manners, and attracts the attention of the 

 tourist and miner, as well as the naturalist, from the singularity of its movements. 

 On being startled from the side of a brook, it flies off, flitting down the stream, close to 

 the surface, uttering a ra))id, chattering note; and having flown a certain distance, 

 alights on a stone or drift-log, in or close to the water's edge. Upon alighting it 

 begins bobbing up and down, bending the knees as though curtseying, and eyes the 

 intruder suspiciously. Having satisfied itself of safety, it walks into the water, pick- 

 ing hcie and there, and getting beyond its depth, spreads its wings and disappears 

 beneath the surface. A])parently as much at liome under the water as above, it flies 

 some distance beneath the surface, and stays under for a minute or more. At times it 

 alights on the surface of the water and floats down tlie rapid stream like cork, till it 

 has found footing. In winter it frequently goes beneath the ice, walking under with 

 the utmost composure, and reappearing at some air-hole a few yards off. Its nest is a 

 large globular structure, with an entrance on one side; it is comjiosed of mo.ss, lined 

 with grass, and is very neatly built. It is frequently ])]aced in a hollow or crevice in 

 the rocks, by the side of a stream. I did not succeed in finding either the eggs or 

 young. Although its ordinary note is the rapid chatter referred to before, it has a very 

 ]»eautiful song, which it utters, however, very rarely, and then only in August, after 

 the young biids are abi(! to shift for themselves. Like the Hermit Tlirush, it seeks 

 the wihh'st, darkest ravines, and is very timid while singing. It song is dear, sweet, 

 and varied, more wren-like than anytliing el.se, yet iteculiarly its own, and, only to be 

 heard amid the most romantic scenery, mingliMl witii the music of nmuntain torrents, 

 has a charm tiiat is wanting fo other and finer songs. 



The I)ii)per is called "Water Turkey" l)y the miners and monntaineei-s. One of 

 fhem told me that it passed the colder part of the winter in the mud, and that lu- had 

 f;iken one out from under the i<;e in a torpid state. During th<^ coldest weather it 

 descends from tlie higher regions to the lower and more ojieii valleys, where tho 

 stri'ams are larger and less obstructed with ice, and it tiuils a better and more acces- 

 8il)le supply of food. 



l^Kiiri.rs (AMC.NDri.i's, li'iihii-erninnd Kiui/let. Abund.int ; n<''rratory; breeds from 

 ;),.">(I0 or lO.OOO feet up to timber-line. Tlu^ Ruby -crowned Wren arrives at Idaho 

 Springs in tlie lirst week of May, and disappears toward the close of the month. Dur- 

 ing the iu-erding season it is \-ery abund;int in tin- upper woods, but is ncjver seen below 

 i',500 feet. In September it begins to descend, reaching Idaho about tho '^Uth, and 



