264 HEERMANN'S NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA. 



Parus rufescens, Towns. I saw this bird feeding its young, near San Francisco, 

 in June, 1852. It appears not to be a rare bird in that vicinity, although 1 never saw 

 it in the northern part of California, where the principal part of my collection was 

 made. 



Parus montanus, Gambel. I found this bird in the mountains surrounding the 

 Volcano in the Southern Mines. It is a quick, lively bird, and was in company 

 with a flock of Psaltria minima. Its notes resemble much those of our Paius 

 atricapillus. 



Psaltria minima, (Towns.) Common, and incubates in California. The nest 

 is penduline, and of which Mr. Audubon has given a very good figure. Eggs, from 

 six to eight, of a pure white color. 



CHAMiEA FAsciATA, (Gambcl.) Abundant; frequenting the low bushes and piles 

 of brushwood, in search of insects. 



Regulijs CALENDULA, (Liuu.) Abundant. 



SiALiA occiDENTALis, Towns. Abundant ; incubating in the mountains. The 

 nest is made in a deserted wood-pecker's hole, and is composed of fine grasses. The 

 eggs are from four to six, of a pale blue color. 



SiALiA ARCTiCA, Swaius. I fouud this bird, in February, 1851, at San Diego, in 

 flocks of eight to ten, migrating towards the North. I do not think they breed in 

 California, as I have never seen them there except during the winter season. 



CiNCLUs AMERiCANUs, Swains. This species is not rare in the vicinity of the clear 

 mountain streams, formed by the conjunction of the springs, and the melting of the 

 snows. I have known these birds to be quite common on a small stream, until the 

 miners engaged in washing the earth, in search of gold, had rendered it muddy, when 

 they immediately forsook it to seek for a locality higher up towards its source, where 

 the water is clear and undisturbed. They often alight on the borders, on a stone, or 

 in the middle of a shallow stream, and await patiently for their prey, which is brought 

 within their reach by the force of the current. On such occasions they utter, from 

 time to time, a low buzzing whistle, and as they seize their prey, jerk up the tail 

 three or four times in rapid succession. They are difficult to obtain when sUghtly 

 wounded, as they immediately dive under water, and use their wings to propel them 

 selves forward until they reach some place of safety. 



MiMUS MONTANUS, Towuscnd. I found this bird at San Diego, where it was not 

 rare, on the side hills covered with bushes and cactus. It uttered a few detached 

 notes, but not the full brilliant song which it does in spring, and which I had the 

 opportunity of hearing in the Rocky Mountains, during an expedition that I made 

 several years ago. 



ToxosTOMA REDivivA, (Gambel.) I first met with this bird at San Diego, where 

 I found it abundant but difficult to procure, as the moment I approached, it dove into 

 the thick bushes, and, alighting on the ground, ran some distance, after which it 



