WITH BROWN PREDOMINATING 303 
754. TOWNSEND SOLITAIRE. — Myadestes townsendii. 
Famity: The Thrushes, Solitaires, Bluebirds, ete. 
Length : 7.80-9.50. 
Adults: Upper parts brownish gray, under parts lighter ; two white bars 
on wing ; tail-feathers edged with white on outer web and across end ; 
bill short, flattened at base ; legs weak. 
Young: Plumage, except wings and tail, spotted with buff; wings and 
tail brownish gray, marked like those of the adults. 
Geographical Distribution : From British Columbia to Mexico and from 
the Black Hills to the Pacific, chiefly along highest altitudes. South 
in winter to Southern United States. 
California Breeding Range: Local in the high Sierra Nevada from Mt. 
Shasta to San Bernardino mountains. 
Breeding Season: June. 
Nest: Bulky ; of twigs, pine needles, and grass or moss ; on the ground, 
under roots of overturned trees, in crevices, in banks, or among rocks 
near water. 
Eggs: 3 to 6; pale ashy or whitish, spotted with rusty. Size 0.93 x 
0.67. 
AMONG all the forest singers of California, the Town- 
send Solitaire is without a rival; and were he as easily 
heard as is the mockingbird or the thrush, he, and not 
they, would be the theme of the poet’s verse. Only in 
the majestic solitude of rugged mountains, when all the 
world is silent, will he pour out his soul in music ; and 
to hear him at his best requires hard climbing and long, 
patient waiting. In the highest Sierra Nevada his song 
rings clear morning and evening; and on a tall, dead 
tree, sharply outlined against the sky, you may discover 
the happy singer. As you watch, suddenly, without 
pausing in his burst of melody, he flies outward and up- 
ward, higher, higher, singing as he goes, until the silver 
notes fall like a shower of music which the listening 
