APPENDIX C. 



ZOOLOGY. 



It is mucli to be regretted that the circumstances of the Salt 

 Lake Expedition were such as to prevent as much being done in 

 the way of collections in Natural History as the accomplished 

 head, Captain Stansbury, and his assistant, Lieutenant Gunnison, 

 had intended. Called upon to start almost at a day's notice, 

 they found it utterly impracticable to obtain the proper preserva- 

 tive materials, apparatus, and other necessary outfit for making 

 collections, in the limited time allotted to them. Nevertheless, it 

 will not be a matter of surprise to those who are acquainted 

 with the gentlemen concerned, to learn how much was actually 

 accomplished, as will be shown by the published results. In fact, 

 no Government expedition, since the days of Major Long's visit to 

 the Missouri, has ever presented such important additions to Natu- 

 ral History. Of the great advancement of geographical know- 

 ledge, the reports of the officers will speak for themselves. 



The mammals observed, as might be supposed, belong mainly to 

 the Rocky Mountain series. The most interesting fact in their 

 history is the determination of the existence in Utah of the great- 

 tailed fox, now for the first time described, although mentioned 

 by various travellers. 



The birds brought in by the expedition, belong chiefly to the 

 waders and swimmers. The number is not sufficient to draw any 

 general conclusion as to the ornithological fauna of Salt Lake 

 Valley; although the indications are that this forms a meeting 

 point for the species of the Saskatchewan, the Pacific, the Mis- 

 souri, and of New Mexico. 



A South American duck was obtained for the second time in 

 North America, {Pterocyanea rafflesii,) the single specimen previ- 

 ously found in the country having been shot in Louisiana. A new 

 bluebird, [Sialia macroptera,) appears to be abundant. An ex- 

 ceedingly interesting fact is found in the determination of the 



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