FEOCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 401 



*18. Psaltriparus miuimus, (Towns.)- — Least Tit. 



The Least Titmouse is a common constant resident of the valleys and 

 foot-hills. A few flocks were seen at Big Trees in July and August, 

 though only at rare intervals.* I have not seen it above Big Trees. 



*Murphy's . 



*Stocktoii . . 

 Big Trees . . 



Apr. —,1877 

 Apr. 2(1,1877 

 May 8, 1878 

 July 13,1878 



Family SITTID JE : The Nuthatches. 



*19. Sitta caroliuensis, /3. aculeatm, Cass. — Slender-hiUed I\uthatch. 



This Nuthatch has not been abundant at any i^lace where I have made 

 collections, though often seen at all of them, especially in the pine forests. 

 It was quite common in the groves of deciduous oaks near Stockton in 

 May and the first week of June, 1878, and I supposed they had nests,, 

 but was unable to find them. 



*Marysville 



Calaveras County 

 do 



do 



*Stockton 



Jan. 5, 1878 



— , 1877 



—,1877 



— , 1877 



Apr. 9, 1878 



* 20. Sitta canadensis, Liuu. — Eed-belUed Nuthatch. 



This bird is abundant at Big Trees in summer, probably outnumber- 

 ing the Eobins or Jays. I found it rather rare at Soda Springs in the 

 fall of 1877. It is occasionally seen at Murphy's in winter, and is a very 

 rare winter ^dsitant to the valleys. 



*Big Trees 

 Murphy's . 



do... 



Stockton.. 



May 19,1878 



Mar. 3, 1877 



Mar. 3, 1877 



Nov. 5, 1878 



*21. Sitta pygmaea, Vig. — Pigmy Nuthatch. 



This bird seems to be very rare in Central California. I first met Avith 

 it at Big Trees in July, having been drawn to it by its notes. It was 

 then associated with ^. canadensis. 



I saw it only on two occasions, in July and August, the total uumber 

 seen being only about a dozen. 



75300 



-JUV. 



*BigTrees July 25,1878 



Family CERTHIID.^ : The Creepers. 

 * 22. Certhia familiaris, /3. americana, Bonap. — American Brown Creeper. 



This bird is an abundant summer resident at Big Trees, and is rather 

 common in the fall at Soda Springs. It is a rare winter visitant to the 



* Probably this and other species after breeding in the foot-hills, seeking to escape 

 from the heat and drouth of midsnnimer, enter the cool shades of the canons and 

 streams which lead east^yard and upward. 



Proc. Nat. Mus. 78 26 Iflarcli S 1 , 1 S 79. 



