OHEOSCOPTES MONTANUS. 401 



ba(;k, and quivering witli the ecstacy that agitated the singer. The first eggs 

 were laid about the 20th of April, the nests having been commen'ced a week 

 or more earlier; and by this time the males had become perfectly silent, their 

 main occupation being tliat of sentinel on guard for the approach of an 

 intruder. In fact, we know of no oscine bird so completely mute as the 

 present one during the period of incubation, and throughout the summer and 

 fall, at which time one unacquainted with their habits earlier in the season 

 might think they had no voice. Even when a nest is disturbed, the parent 

 birds do not protest, but merely run anxiously about the meddler, in the 

 manner of a Robin, now and then halting, and with outstretched necks 

 closely observing his actions. When the young are hatched, however, 

 they become more solicitous, and signify their concern by a low chuck. 



The song of this bird possesses no remarkable attributes, but it is 

 extremely pleasing when heard under favorable circumstances. It is most 

 deficient in power and energy, being comparable to the subdued, subtile 

 warbling of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet {Rcgulus calendula) rather than to the 

 vigorous songs of the Brown Thrasher (EarporkyncJms rufus) or Mocking- 

 bird (Mimus polyglottus), its nearer kindred. It is not, however, lacking 

 in sweetness or variety, while at times it is characterized by considerable 

 vivacity. 



List of specimens. 



144, $ ad.; Camp 17, Valley of the HiiDiboldt Eiver (Oreaua), August 31, 1867, 

 9— 12i— 4— 3/i^ii— 1^— 3i— 2. Bill, black, basal half of lower mandible, pale pinkish- 

 gray, with a faint yellowish tinge; rictus and interior of mouth, deep yellow; iris, 

 gamboge-yellow; tarsi, grayish olive-greeu; toes, darker, their soles deep yellow. 



145, 3 >».; Camp 17, Aug. 31, 1807. 9— 12^— 3fi— 3|— li— 1^— S/g— (?). Bill, 

 black; basal half of the lower mandible, yellowish-ash, with a lilac cast; interior, and 

 angle of the mouth, greenish or ashy yellow ; iris, lemon-yellow; tarsi, dark greenish horn- 

 yellow, deepest greenish along the posterior edge ; toes, nearly black, their soles yellow; 

 claws, black. 



152 9j'My.; (same locality and date). 8f— 12^— 4— 3jV-ii— 1 J— 3J— ( ?)• Bill, 

 dull black; basal half of lower mandible, pinkish ashy-white; interior and angle of 

 the mouth, yellow ; iris, greenish-yellow ; tarsi, dark yellowish horn-green ; toes, darker, 

 their soles yellow. 



451, S ad.; Carsou City, Nevada, March 24, 1868. 9— 12^— 4Jg-~3;|. Bill, black, 

 becoming pinkish ashy-brown on basal half of lower mandible; interior of the mouth 

 (except corneous portions), lilaceous flesh-color; iris, chrome-yellow; tarsi, yellowish- 

 olive, with a tinge of sepia-brown ; toes, blackish sepia, straw-yellow beneath. 



452 S ad.; 8if— 12g— 4J— 3^. 

 26 p K. ' 



