344 ORNITHOLOGY. 



pointed summit. The view toward the water Avas a frightful one. In no 

 direction could be seen more than the upper third of the rock, and thus 

 the only one possible path by which we had ascended was lost to view. 

 Looking down into the depths of the deep-blue water, three hundred feet 

 below, we could see the pointed ends of similar pyramidal rocks submerged 

 many feet below the surface, and only visil>le from this hcij^ht. The 

 descent was iinally accomplished by exercising the utmost caution in 

 selecting the path, in wliicli indispensable aid was furnished by our boat- 

 men, who, having watched us ascend, often directed us when we were at a 

 loss which way to proceed. The only species breeding on this isolated 

 clitl" were the Great Bhie Heron and Peregrine Falcon, there being of the 

 latter but one pair in the vicinity. 



Along the neighboring' shore were many rocks of peculiar fonii and 

 structure, styled by our geologists " tufa-domes;" these usually had rounded 

 or domed tops, and were thickly incrusted with calcareous-tufa, while beneath 

 they were honey-combed \\ itli winding passages and deep gi'ottoes. Among 

 these rocks several birds were nesting, conspicuous among which were the 

 IJarn Swallow, Say's Pewee, and the "House Finch" {Carpodaciis frontalis), 

 the nests of the latter, placed on shelves of projecting rock inside of 

 caverns, affording another, and very remarkable, instance of the ease with 

 which this species accommodates itself to circumstances in selecting a site 

 for its nest. 



8. Comstock or Virfjinia Mountains, near Pi/ra mid Lake (December 24-27, 

 1867). — From the south end of Pyramid Lake a wide canon leads up into 

 these mountains, and this was ascended for a considerable distance on 

 three occasions — twice in December and once in June. The slopes of this 

 cafion were dotted with scattered cedar and pinon gi-oves, and in many 

 places were covered with bunch-grass meadows, while along the stream was 

 the fringe of shrubbery usual to the banks of mouutain-streams in the Great 

 Basin. In December, Myiadestes toivnsendi was found in the cedar groves, 

 while Oreortyx pictus was common in the open portions. 



9. WaAoc Yalley (April 25-May 9, 18G8).— This valley is one of the 

 most beautiful in Nevada. Its form is that of au amphitheater inclosed 



