SmTHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 



Washington, D. C, November 18, 1876. 



Sir: I transmit lierewitli a report on the ornithology of the route 

 explored by the United States Geological Exploration of the Fortieth 

 Parallel, based upon tield-work from June, 18G7, to August, 18G9, inclusive, 

 the time during which I had the honor to serve in the capacity of zoologist 

 to the expedition; the region investigated being that directly between 

 Sacramento City, California, and Salt Lake City, Utah, including a few 

 points directly to the eastward of the last-mentioned locality. 



The ornithological specimens preserved, and deposited in the National 

 Museum, at Washington, number 1,522, of which 769 are skins, and 753 

 nests and eggs. This may seem a small collection proportioned to the time 

 employed in its formation, but the making of protracted field-observations 

 and the elaboration of notes therefrom were deemed of greater importance 

 than the amassing of a large duplicate collection. Moreover, almost equal 

 attention was given to other branches of zoology, particularly to reptiles 

 and fishes, large series of which, representing very completely the fauna 

 of the country, were placed, according to instructions, in the hands of 

 specialists for identification.' 



The iinusual fixcilities most generously aff"orded by you, and your kind 

 encouragement at all times, aided very materially the successful operations 

 of the zoologist; so that whatever is creditable in the results attained by 

 his labors, the merit is mainly due to yourself. Another friend deserves 

 special mention in this connection for his valued assistance — Mr. H. G. 

 Parker, of Carson City, Nevada (at the time of the writer's connection with 

 the expedition Superintendent of Indian Affairs for that State), whoso 

 frequent and gratuitous services contributed greatly to the completeness of 

 the natural history collections. 



' The reports on these collcctious have not been received, 



ai7 



