DESCKirriON OF CAMPS. 



351 



14. Fort Churchill, Carson Itiver\Ji\ne 21, 18G8). — In general character 

 the valley at this point resembled the place just described. The species 

 observed here were as follows: — 



Trogloih tes park man iii. 

 Sialia niexicraiia. 

 Dciuha'ca a>stiva. 

 IctcM'ia longicauda. 

 Jlyiodioctcs pusilhis. 

 Vireo swaiiisoiii. 

 Auipliis[)iza biliiieata. 

 Ampliispiza nevadeiisis. 

 Spizella brcwcri. 

 Cyaiiospiza ainoiiia. 

 Pipilo oregonus. 



StiiriH'lla noglecta. 

 Sctolceopliagiis cjanocephahis. 

 Tyraiiniis verticalis. 

 Myiardiiis ciiierasceiis. 

 C()iitoi)us richanlsoui. 

 Picas liarrisi. 

 Colaptes mexicanus. 

 Falco sparveriiis. 

 Buteo swainsoui. 

 Uuteo calurus. 



All these species seemed to be breeding, but, owing to the fact that the 

 valley was mostly inundated from a late freshet, it was found to be impos- 

 sible to explore the locality for nests. 



15. Nevada Station (June 25, 1868). — This place was merely a stage- 

 station in the midst of an inhospitable desert, vipon which a few stunted 

 grease-wood bushes constituted the only vegetation in the immediate vicinity. 

 The only birds seen about tl;e station were the ever-present Mourning Doves 

 (Zenccdnra carolinensis) and a single pair of Sayornis sayiis, the latter having 

 a nest in one of the out-buildings. The former was particularly abundant 

 about a hill of calcareous tufu, containing many caverns, some distance 

 from the house, the Salpindes obsoletus being also common there. On the 

 plain, only EremophUa alpcstris, Amphispiza hilineata, and Rhinogrnphus aura 

 were found. 



IG. Soda Lake, Carson Desert (June 27, 18G8. Altitude, 3,906 feet].— 

 This most remarkable spot consisted of a cistern-like depression in the midst 

 of the desert, containing a nearly circular lake of about a mile in circuit, 

 and with nearly vertical walls seventy-five, or perhaps a hundred, feet high. 

 Seen from the top of this wall the water appeared very clear, wliile the 

 bottom was distinctly visible far out toward the center, where the depth 

 seemed to be immense, since the floor of pure white borate of soda ended 

 abruptly, after which the water was a, deep, dark blue. Springs of fresh 



•Altitude, 4,'.'S-1 feet. 



