PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 401 



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



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

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

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



*Murphy's 

 do . .. 

 ♦Stockton . 

 Bii; Trees 



Apr. —1877 

 Apr. 20,1877 

 May 8, 1878 

 July 13,1878 



Family SITTID^ : The Nuthatches. 



*19. Sitta carolinensis, j3. aculeati, Cass. — Slender-hlUed Nuthatch. 



This Nuthatch has not been abundant at any place where I have made 

 oollections, 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 1 supposed they had nests, 

 but was unable to find them. 



*Mary8ville 



Calaveras County 



do 



do 



*Stockton 



Jan. 5, 1878 



— . 1877 



—.1877 



— , 1877 



Apr. 9, 1878 



* 20. Sitta canadensis, Linn. — Bed-bellied Nuthatch. 



This bird is abundant at Big Tre«s in summer, probably outnumber- 

 ing the Robins or Jays. I found it rather rai^ at Soda Springs in the 

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

 rare winter visitant to the valleys. 



•Big Trees 

 Murphy's 



do . . . 



Stockton . . 



May 19,1878 

 Mar. 3, 1677 

 Mar. 3, 1877 

 Nov. 5, 1878 



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



Ttiis bird seems to be very rare in Central California. I first met with 

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

 then associated with S. canadensis. 



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

 seen being only about a dozen. 



75300 



-juv. 



*Big Trees. 



July 25,1878 



Family CERTHIID^: The Creepers. 



* 22. Certhia famillaris, fi. americana, Bonap. — American Bromi Creeper. 



This bird is an abundant summer resident at Big Tre^s, and is rather 

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



* Probably this and other 8i)ecic8 after breeding in the foot-hills, seeking to escape 

 from the heat and drouth of midsunnner, ent^r the cool shades of the canons and 

 sttpams which lead eastward and upward. 



Proc. Nat. Mus. 78 2() Iflarch 21,18 79. 



