426 EXPLORATION IN UPPER CALIFORNIA IN 1860. 
Sitta canadensis, (red-bellied nuthatch.)—This bird resembles in its habits 
the Sttta aculeata, always moving up or down in spiral circles on the trunk of 
a tree, upon or on the lower side of a limb, in search of ants, insects, &c., fre- 
quently repeating its note “quank,” a good deal sharper than that of Sitta 
aculeata, and keeping mostly in the dark, distant forest. I often saw it on the 
point of a dead tree flapping the wings by turning in every direction and 
making a whistling noise. I found this bird more cunning than the preceding 
species; their quick movements and great care to avoid the hunter’s sight makes 
it often troublesome to shoot one. It inhabits this part of country during the 
whole year. 
Sitta pygmea, (the pygmy nuthatch.)—(Nos. 5, 22, 33, 34, 102, 199, 200, 
of my collection forwarded.) This bird is very abundant in this section of 
country, and in color and habits almost like Sitta canadensis. When I first 
observed it, I supposed it to be a young bird of the species just mentioned, but 
by closer observation I soon found it to be distinct. More than one pair of 
Sitta canadensis are seldom found together, whereas this species travels in 
flocks numbering sometimes twenty and more, accompanied by titmice, Certhia 
mexicana, Sitta canadensis, and Sitta aculeata, and instead of the note * quank 
quank,” it has a chattering whistle. It usually searches for its food only on 
branches and limbs; se/dom will it be seen moving on the trunk of a tree. 
The pine nuts are very closely searched for their seeds; when found, it alights 
on a limb, where, holding it with one foot, it hammers with the bill until it has 
broken it in such parts as to enable it to eat its seed. If it should happen to 
‘ one to drop such a seed, two or three will be seen diving after and catching it 
before it can reach the ground; another place will be found, and the hammer- 
ing commences afresh. ‘The scene presented by observing a party of these 
little birds all in a bustle and activity, engaged in breaking pine nuts, and to hear 
their chattering and hammering, is very interesting, and reminds one of an 
immense machine shop, where all the mechanics are busily engaged at the 
various divisions of their craft. 
This bird is not so much afraid of the approach of a man as Sitta Canadensis, 
and I have seen it almost every day on the trees about the post ; but at breeding 
season—J une, July—it removes to the thick forest. 
Pipilio chlorura, (Blanding’s finch.)—This bird generally inhabits mountains 
barren of trees, and only covered with chaparral, always keeping close to the 
sheltered thickets, where it searches among the dead leaves, &c., for its food. 
About Shasta butte, (northeast side,) they might be called abundant, but I 
never saw more than one pair together. Upon alighting on the top branches of 
a bush it utters a short, sweet, and lively song; if alarmed when so engaged, it 
dives into the brush and disappears from sight, and is then very ditlicult to 
shoot. 
Junco oregonus, (Oregon snow-bird.)—I found this bird to be very abundant 
throughout the whole of California. On my route to Rhett lake, &c., I met 
with large flocks among the brush or underwood, searching on the ground 
among the dead leaves for their food, uttering a chirping noise. When alarmed 
they quickly take to the thickets or trees; but if no further danger is appre- 
hended they come out again and continue their search. When undisturbed 
they are very familiar, sometimes coming almost close enough to the observer 
to be touched with the hand. 
Xanthocephalus icterocephalus, (yellow-headed blackbird.) —This bird arrives 
early in spring in this part of the country, where it remains until the breeding 
season, in June; then it removes further north, where it selects the margins of 
the lakes or swampy valleys covered with tules, in which it builds its nest. 
This is placed about six inches above the water, and is formed like a basket, 
by twisting dry or swamp grass around several pieces of tule until it has formed 
anest. It generally lays four eggs. While the female is setting, the male, 
