Vsgs J Anthony, Birds of San Fernando, L. Cal. lA'i 



extreme shyness. The normal note of the Cactus Wren is quite harsh 

 and unmusical, consisting of a series of notes rapidly uttered in a 

 monotone, but at the mine I once heard one give voice to a song exactly 

 intermediate between the normal, discordant notes of this species and the 

 incomparable song of the Canon Wren. The full, rich cadence and clear 

 tones of Catkerpes was very pronounced but not more so than the char- 

 acteristic gou-gou-gou and deeper tones of Heleodytes. I was not near 

 enough to secure the bird and before I could get within range it flew 

 further up the mountain where it several times repeated the song that 

 first attracted me. In the description of this race (Auk, July, 1894), the 

 San Fernando Cactus Wrens were referred to affinis. The specimens 

 upon which I based my opinion were all winter birds, with the dark 

 markings somewhat obscured by the light, unworn tips of the new 

 plumage. A series of breeding birds prove the San Fernando race to be 

 bryaiiti, though perhaps hardly typical. 



60. Salpinctes obsoletus. Rock Wren. — Xot uncommon in winter, 

 but rare after my arrival in April. 



61. Catherpes mexicanus punctulatus. Dotted C.\non Wren. — A 

 pair was seen near the coast in June, 18S7. One or two were noted near 

 the mission. 



62. Thryothorus bewickii spilurus. Vigors's Wren. — Quite common 

 about the mine as well as at the mission. Several families of voung were 

 met with May 15-20. 



63. Psaltriparus minimus californicus. Californian Bush-Tit. — 

 Not uncommon about the mesquite thickets in the mission vallev; not 

 met with elsewhere. 



64. Auriparus flaviceps. Verdin. — Qiiite common in all of the 

 country south of San Qiiintin, especially in the mesquite growth. A good 

 many of their nests were found about San Fernando, usually in cat-claw 

 but occasionally in a chola. They are very restless, flying from one 

 bush to another ; often seen searching for insects about the blossoms of 

 the cardoons. At such times their actions are very similar to those of 

 the Titmice of the genus Pariis, hanging head or back downward like a 

 veritable Chickadee, and uttering its clear call note at frequent intervals. 

 Several broods are probably raised, as I found young in the nest from 

 April 24 to the time of my leaving, the last of June. 



65. Polioptila californica. Black-tailed Gnatcatcher. — Very 

 common about the mine, nesting and probablv resident. 



