EXPLORATION IN UPPER CALIFORNIA IN 1860, 
UNDER 
THE -.AUSPICES OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 
BY JOHN FEILNER, U. 5. A. 
HAVING been requested by. the Smithsonian Institution to make collections of 
birds, eggs, nests, &c., in the vicinity of Rhett and Klamath lakes, in the north- 
ern part of this State, I applied to Captain John Adams, 1st United States 
dragoons, commanding Fort Crook, California, for permission to visit the lakes, 
and was granted a furlough of twenty days for this purpose, and was also fur- 
nished with two pack animals to transport whatever collections I might secure. 
Captain Adams not deeming it prudent for me to venture among the Indians 
entirely alone, and wishing to render all assistance in his power for the prose- 
cution of the object in view, allowed private Alexander Guise, company F, 1st 
dragoons, to accompany me. The following is the itinerary of out journey : 
May 13.—Left this post en route for Klamath lake, via Yreka; camped at 
Bear creek ; distance, 20 miles. 
May 14.—After re-arranging our traps, continued our way along the Yreka. 
road, which we found exceedingly rough. Very few birds have at this early 
part of the season made their appearance; for, although a spring month, every- 
thing wears an aspect of winter, and travelling through a thickly timbcred. 
country and over rocky roads, one has not the same chance for observation that 
a clear and more level country would afford. Of the birds seen to-day I ob- 
served Picus albolarvatus, Picus harrisii, Sitta aculeata, Sitta canadensis, 
and Junco oregonus; but Spymapicus williamsonit, which heretofore I have 
found abundant in this section of country, seemed to have wholly disappeared... 
I did not see even one specimen. At the station-house on McCloud river I saw 
for the first time, in large numbers, the species marked No. 511, of which I 
collected several, but lost all; save one, when attacked by Indians. Camped at 
Pilgrim’s camp, on northwest branch of McCloud river; distance 30 miles. 
After having left the station-house about two or three miles behind, we suddenly 
struck a desert of about six miles in extent, entirely of sand, and not a particle: 
of snow to be seen. -This sudden change from deep snow toa barren sand 
level, from cold to heat, was very surprising. The desert is between station- 
house on McCloud river and Pilgrim’s camp on the same stream, and although: 
a desert itself, has the appearance of an oasis in a snow desert. 
May 15.—Left Pilgrim’s camp early, deeming it more advisable to travel for: 
warmth than to remain shivering in camp. ‘he winter in this section of the 
country being very severe, the springs are necessarily backward, and one will 
often find snow on this road in June; in fact, “Shasta butte,” in our immediate: 
vicinity, is covered with snow the whole year, presenting a very picturesque 
appearance. The height of the mountain is very great, and it can be seen a 
long distance off. To-day, saw large numbers of the Canada jay, (Perisoreus 
canadensis.) I collected several, but could save one only, (No. 508.) Gym- 
nokitta cyanocephala, not noticed by me at Fort Crook, California, for the 
past year, were seen in numbers to-day. The country passed over was, with 
