306 Univt rsity of < 'alifornia Publications in Zoology [Vol. 10 



Catherpes mexicanus punctulatus Ilidgway 

 Dotted Canon Wren 



Although canon wrens were not really abundant anywhere, 

 we found them where suitable ground existed, in all parts of 

 the mountains from the floor of the desert to the summits of 

 some of the highest peaks. A large proportion of the specimens 

 collected, however, were wandering juvenals, and it may very 

 well be that the breeding adults are much more circumscribed in 

 their summer habitat. 



They were most numerous in the rocky canons on the desert 

 side of the range. In Palm Canon they were seen from the 

 desert below up nearly to Vandeventer Flat; about Dos Palmos 

 and in Deep Canon they were encountered in some numbers 

 in June and August ; and occasional birds were noted along the 

 base nt tlie mountains at Cabezon, Snow Creek, and Banning. 

 In the higher altitudes birds were seen at Ken worthy in May, 

 in Tahquitz Valley in July, and on the summit of Toro Peak, 

 July 1. 



Though so exclusively rock dwellers that it is generally use- 

 less to search for them amid other surroundings, canon wrens 

 were several times seen feeding in unusual places. Near Potrero 

 Spring, in Palm Canon. June 13, one was observed feeding in 

 the branches of a pifion. At the mouth of Palm Canon they 

 were sometimes noted in the tops of the palm trees, dodging in 

 and out of the downturned masses of dead leaves. 



A bird heard singing near the head of Palm Canon, June 12, 

 when followed up and secured, proved to be a male in Juvenal 

 plumage. The song was similar to that of the adult, but softer 

 and more subdued. 



Fourteen specimens were taken, as follows : Snow Creek, four 

 (nos. 2071, 2136-2138), points in Palm Canon, seven (nos. 3056- 

 3062), Toro Peak, one (no. 2465), Hemet Lake, one (no. 3006), 

 Bound Valley, one (no. 2231). Only three are adults, the 

 remainder being all in the Juvenal plumage. 



