5Q SINGING BIRDS — OSCINES. 



I have not seen tliis species south of Monterey, although probahly occnr- 

 ring farther south nloiii; tlie mountains. At tliat place there is an exten- 

 si\e pine forest coming down to the coast, and the summer resort of several 

 northern species, whicli are rare in other localities of the loAver country, but 

 there find a climate rendered ipiite cool V)y tlie sea breeze and frequent fogs. 

 They also frequent the moiuitains of New JMexico, and one was obtained 



near the Colorado Eiver by Lieutenant Ives's exploring party. Northward 

 they avoid the dense forests, prefening those that are open, especially of the 

 true pines, and there wander about in large parties, chirping continually like 

 young chickens, and hunting for insects among the foliage and brandies. 



Their nest and eggs resemble those of the closely allied S. pusilla of 

 the Southern Atlantic States, which builds in hollow trees a few feet from 

 the ground. The eggs, laid in March, are white, with reddish dots, and 

 number from four to six. 



Family C'ERTHIAD.^. 



Chae. First primary very short, less than half the second ; outer lateral 

 toe much the longest ; hind toe exceeding both the middle toe and the 

 tarsus, whicli is scutellate anteriorly, and very short. Bill slender, as long 

 as or longer than the head, without any notch. Entire basal joint of the 

 middle toes united to the lateral. 



Sub-Fajiily CERTHIAN^. 



Char. Bill much compressed and greatly decur\-ed ; gonys concave. 

 Tail long, cuneate ; the feathers stiffened at the tips. 



