378 U. Ss, P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS—ZUOLOGY—GENERAL REPORT. 
SITTA PYGMAEA, Vigors. 
California Nuthatch. 
Sitta pygmaca, Vicors, Zool. Beechey’s Voyage, 1839, 25; pl. iv—Avupuson, Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 63 ; pl. 415.—Is. 
Syn. 1839, 168.—Is. Birds Amer. IV, 1842, 184 ; pl. 250.—Newserry, Zool. Cal. Or. Route ; Peeve 
Rep. VI, 1v, 1857, 79. 
Sp. Cu.—Above ashy blue; head and upper part of neck greenish ashy brown, its lower border passing a little below the eye, 
where it is darker ; nape with an obscure whitish spot. Chin and throat whitish ; rest of lower parts brownish white ; the sides 
and behind like the back, but paler. Middle tail feather like the back ; its basal half with a long white spot ; its outer web 
edged with black at the base. Length about 4 inches ; wing, 2.40. 
Hab.—Pacific coast and towards Rocky mountains. 
Third, fourth, and fifth quills nearly equal and longest. General color above ashy blue. 
Top of head and nape and sides of head ashy brown, with a greenish tinge, the lower portion 
(passing through the eye) of a purer brown and darker, Chin, upper part of throat, sides of 
head, and an obscure spot on the nape dividing the brown, white ; sides of body like the back, 
but paler; rest of under parts pale rusty or brownish white. Inner tail feathers like the back, 
but with a long white spot at the base ; all the feathers tipped with ashy blue; rest of feathers 
black ; the first and second with a subterminal oblique bar of white. 
This species is closely related to Sitta pusilla of the southern States, The brown of the head 
has, however, an clivaceous green tinge not seen in the other; the white spot on the nape less 
distinct. The middle tail feather has its basal half white and the outer web edged with black 
at the base. This black edging is never seen in the other, and the white patch reduced toa 
faint trace, only visible in very high plumaged specimens. 
List of specimens. 
Catal. No. Locality. | When collected. Whence obtained. Orig. No. Collected by— 
Sot2em RCaliomig i s=sa=2 ceeatesl == ao assess eaae S Baird 2222-2225 [Se sree Dr (Gambelesessecceaees 
729) alee 4 doe see ees eee mene tice WetHutton 2602s ao nee fraser eet ier dott wave ieee 
6840 | Ft. Colville, W. T.-...--- | Octs'—, 1853/---|T. Te Stevensis--- <2 2 on-|5 REeeCeS Dr> Coopersoe---ese=eeen 
6804 | Cold Spring, R. Mts_--.- | Noy: 17,,1853_--| Lient. Whipple-----.-=-- | 22 | Kennerly and Mollhausen. 
6803 | San Francisco Mts..----- | Dec. 27, 1853_--|_-..-- dot eatar cat Al 0g eo Bn a oe dol tise 
