422 EXPLORATION IN UPPER CALIFORNIA IN 1860. 
very few exceptions, a barren waste. The soil does not admit of cultivation to 
a sufficient extent to repay the laborer, with the exception of a few fertile spots 
on the road, station-house being one; but the intense cold of a single winter 
would induce almost any one to scek a more genial region. The mercury at 
Pilgrim’s camp ranges from 19° to 25°, and snow falls to the depth of j//teen 
vet. Distance travelled, 25 miles; camp, Sheep Rock. 
May 16.—¥ rom Sheep Rock to Yreka the country presents a very unpre- 
possessing appearance, and is almost entirely destitute of birds. The great shrike 
( Coilyrio borealis) might be said to be numerous about the cedar bushes near 
Sheep Rock. The only thing of interest I observed was the myriads of locusts 
which swarm this section of country, destroying every green thing, even to the 
foliage of the tallest trees. ‘he mountain tops appear alone to have escaped 
this plague. Their encroachment on the gardens of Yreka compelled the owners 
to find some means of protecting their produce, and I believe the following de- 
scribed method has proved successful:* A narrow board, six inches wide, is 
placed on the ground on its edge; another narrow board, having one edge 
guarded by a strip of tin tacked on so as to project slightly beyond the edge, 
is nailed on at right angles to the first board, forming, as it were, a rectangular 
gutter. A succession of these gutters fastened together forms the “locust” or 
‘‘cricket”’ fence. The smooth surface presented by the tin causes the cricket 
to drop off, and after many fruitless efforts to “scale the fence,” they abandon 
the project. I have spoken at length of the habits of the crickets in my ap- 
pended ‘‘list-of birds, &c.’’ Arrived at Yreka early in the afternoon; dis- 
tance, 20 miles. Yreka is one of the principal mining towns of California. 
Having a letter of introduction to Judge Rosenborough, formerly Indian agent, 
I presented myself to him, hoping that through his assistance I might procure 
the services of some Indian guides. Judge R. endeavored to dissuade me from 
continuing my tour, and even warned me against the probable hostility of the 
Indians on Klamath river; but thinking that probably I might purchase peact 
by distributing afew trinkets among the Indians, I provided myself with such arti- 
cles as I thought they would fancy, and determined to make the attempt at all 
events. Therefore, after remaining in Yreka one day, I was obliged to start for 
the lakes without guides, and accompanied by Guise only. 
May 18.—Started for Bogus mountains; travelled all day; camping at night 
on Big Bogus creek; distance, 20 miles; collected largely of birds and nests ; 
but as the species of the former differ from those already collected by me on 
Fall river, their names are unknown. The country around here is well adapted 
to agricultural purposes, and a slight labor would insure large produce. 
May 19.—After striking the Klamath river, I travelled on it for eight miles 
until I came to Hot Springs, where we encamped. I learned, afterwards, from 
the Indians, that these springs are held in high estimation on account of their 
medicinal properties. The springs are on both sides of the river, some of them 
so close to it that a person can stand on the bank and put a hand in each at the 
same time. It was within one mile of these springs that I first had intimation 
of the hostility of the Indians, who, as soon as they saw us, made off to the 
mountains. After having been in camp some few minutes, I saw a smoke at no 
great distance from us, and upon approaching to ascertain ifs cause, found a 
rancheria which had but recently been abandoned and set on fire. This act, 
indicative of hostile intentions on the part of the Indians, caused me to change 
my course of travel. 
May 20.—Made a detour to northeast, crossing some very high and steep moun 
tains; found the “dusky grouse’’ quite numerous, but could not find any nests. 
About noon, arriving insight of Butte Valley lake, 1 metatribe of Indians, headed 
by their chief, ‘‘ Ike.” We had a long talk together, the result of which was not 
‘This method is more fully described with woodcuts in the Smithsonian report for 1860. 
