138 SINGING BIRDS— OSCINES. 



Tliis northern species proliahly visits tlie nortlicastt'ni parts of tlie State 

 in considerable numbers in winter, thuuj^li 1 can find no mention of its 

 occurrence in the State, except by Dr. Ganibel (Proc. Ac. Kat. Sc. Pliil. and 

 Jour. 1846-49), who mentions seeing it in the " Californian mountains." 

 They are common at the Cohunbia Eiver, in October and througliout the 

 winter. It is possible that they reside in the higher mountains in sunmier. 



Their nest and eggs are said to resemble those of C. exciMtoroidcs, and 

 tlirir liabits \\\n\v with us are mostly like those of that species. They are, 

 however, more shy and savage in disposition, preying at times on mice and 

 small birds as well as insects, which they impale on thorns, when they 

 are nnt Inmgry, for future use. They, however, leave many untouched 

 afterwards. They have been known to pursue and attack cage-birds with 

 all the ferocity of a hawk, and to catch a wounded robin, larger than them- 

 selves. 



They are said to utter some musical notes, and to imitate other birds. 

 (NuttaU.) 



Captain Feilncr sent this species to the Smithsonian Institution from 

 Fort Crook, and reported that it was common in the colder months in the 

 northeastern portion of the State. Dr. E. Coues also found it at Fort 

 Whipple, Arizona. 



CoUurio excubitoroides, Swainson. 



THE WHITE-EUMPED SHEIKE. 



Lanius exaihitoroiiles, S\v.\ixsos, F. Bor. Am. II. 1831, 115. — Gamrel, Vy. A. N. Sc. Ill, 1847, 

 200. — IIkek.mann, p. II. Rc]). X. vi. S.'i. — Colhjrio excuhitoroicli a, Baird, P. R. Rep. 

 IX. BiriLs, .'i27. In. Binls N. Amcr. pi. 75, f. 2. — Kennerlt, X. iv. 25. 



Sl>. CiiAi!. AIkivc, ratlicr liL'lif imrc lihii^h-n«h. Forehead, sides of erown, seapulars, 

 and ii])per tail coverts, hoarj whitish. Beneath plain whitish. "Wings and tail blaek ; 

 the former with a white patch at base of primaries and tij)S of small qnills ; the latter with 

 the lateral feathers ti])]K-d with white, and this extending broadly at the base. Bill, 

 throughout piteh blaek. A continuous blaek strijie froiu the lull through and behind the 

 eye. Length, 9.25; extent, 12 25; wing, 4.00; tail, 4.35. Iris brown; bill and ieet 

 black. 



Ilab. ]\Iissouri Plains and fur countries to Pacific Coast. Eastward into Wiscon.'iin, 

 Illinois, and Michigan. (?) 



An abiinilant species in nil tlie ]>lains-region of Califcn-nia and eastward, 

 but it apparently does not extend north to the Columbia Iii\-er, although 

 found up to lat. 49°, on the east side of the Eocky Mountains. They re- 

 side constantly in Ihis State south of lat. 38°, but I have not met with them 

 on any part of the wooded mountains. 



I found many about Fort IMojave in winter, which towards spring scat- 



