34G ORNITHOLOGY. 



leaving Waslioe Valk-y, and observed, for the first time that spring, Den- 

 droeca ccstiva, djanosinza anioiua, and Icterus hullocld} 



11. Carson C'dij, Nevada (November 25-December 4, 1867 ; January 

 13-April 29, 1868). — Carson City (altitude 4,700 feet) constituted a central 

 point from which investigations radiated to localities of very dissimilar char- 

 acter; the pine -forests of the Sierra Nevada to the Avest, and the scant 

 groves of low gnarled cedars and pinon on the otherwise bare ranges to the 

 eastward ; the grassy valley of the Carson River, with its thickets of small 

 willows ; the cultivated fields, and the general open waste of sage-brush 

 plain. 



a. Fines of the Sierra Nevada. 



The pine-forests of the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada had origin- 

 ally extended from the timber-line, near the summits of these high mount- 

 ains, down to their very base, ceasing abruptly where the valley began, 

 except in a few places where they stood out in scattered groves upon the 

 edge of the gentle slope at their foot; and, although composed of trees far 

 less tall and massive than those on the western slope, were yet quite as 

 dense and continuous, where left untouched by the hand of man. But, 



'Tbe dates of arrival of spring birds in western Nevada, iu 1868, were as follows, 

 so far as noted : — 



Along the shore of Washoe Lake. 



1. Fnlica ainericana May 9. 



2. Sterna regia ' May 9. 



3. Ilydroelielidon lariforini^ May 9. 



In Steamboat Valley. 



4. Dendraica a^sti va May 0. 



5. Cyauospiza aniu-na Blay 9. 



C. Icterus bullocki May 9. 



Along the Trueliee, at Tnielec Meadoirs. 



7. Geothlypis trichas May 10. 



8. leteria longicauda May 10. 



9. Pyranga ludoviciana May 10. 



In the loH-cr Tntckee Valley. 



10. Carpodacus frontalis May 13. 



1 1. Ami)liispiza bilineata May l.'i. 



12. Kliyaeopliilns solitarius May l.'>. 



13. Iledynieles nielanocepiiakis May 1 4. 



