310 OltNlTUOLOGY. 



Arrived in Cnlit'ornia, no peculiarly western bird was observed until we 

 reached Sacramento City; since, after landing at San Francisco, only Purple 

 JIartins {Progne suUs) and Cliff Swallows (Petrochellclon liimfrons), which 

 swarmed about old buildings on oei-tain streets, were seen, while the only 

 notes of other species heard Avere the familiar songs of caged Canary Birds. 

 I'lic journey up the Sacramento RiAcr was equally disappointing in this 

 respect, since, though we kept a vigilant look-out from our post of observa- 

 tion on the hurricane deck of the steamer, none but familiar eastern species, 

 most of which were Avater-birds (Coots, Florida Gallinules, and various 

 species of ducks), were seen, the only land-birds being an occasional Belted 

 Kingfisher {Ccryle alcyon) perched on an overhanging willow. During the 

 first day at Sacramento, however, we became familiarized Avith seA'eral of 

 the species peculiar to the Avestern portion of the continent, but as this 

 locality brings us to the commencement of our observations in the field, Ave 

 shall l)egin a resume of the suljject in another chapter. 



ISfiT. — The first camp of the survey Avas established at Sacramento 

 Cit}', California, on the 6th of June, from Avhich date collections were made 

 mitil July 4th, Avhen the j)lains to the eastAvard and the Sierra Nevada were 

 crossed into Nevada. It is nuich to be regretted that no opportunity Avas 

 afforded for making collections along this route, especially in the Avestern 

 foot-hills and in the pine-region of the Avestern slope, since a number of 

 additional S2)ecies and many valuable observations Avere thus lost to the 

 collection and archives of the exploration. After entering Nev'ada, the Big 

 Bend of the Truckee Avas selected for the first working-camp, and there Ave 

 remained from July 24th until August 18th; a portion of the time being 

 devoted to an excursion to Pyramid Lake, which Avas reached by descending 

 the river in a hatteau, the party returning on horseback, after about a Aveek's 

 absence. Dm-ing this trij) the main island in the lake AA^as visited. Our 

 investigations from the main camj) also included several visits to the dry 

 canons of the Virginia Mountains, about eight miles to the westward, across a 

 very sandy mesa. This camp Avas abandoned on the 25th of August, when we 

 started across the desert for Humboldt Lake; but upon reaching the latter 

 place the Avriter became a Aictim of malarial fever, which for Aveeks inter- 

 fered very materially Avith the ])r(>secution of his duties. We next proceeded 



