HEERMANN'S NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA. 265 



became almost impossible to start the same bird again. It was quite common on the 

 Cosamnes river, during the summer of 185 1 , and I have heard it, while perched on the 

 topmost branch of some bush, pour forth a flood of melody that can only be equalled 

 by our Mimus polyglottus. I discovered, also, a nest, made in a scrub oak, which 

 contained young just ready to leave it. 



TuRDus MiGRATORius, Liuu. Abuudaut, but wild, and difficult to obtain. It 

 frequents the mountains, and is only occasionally seen in the plains. 



TuRDus NAEvius, Gmel. Abundant, and migratory. It prefers, daring the winter 

 season, the moist side hills of the mountainous districts. 



TuRDus soLiTARius, Wils. Common, during the summer, in the deep shady 

 woods. 

 TuRDus NANUS, Aud. Abundant, and migratory. 



Anthus Ludovicianus, (Gmel.) Abundant, and covering the plains, in the fall 

 season, in flocks of hundreds. 



Alauda alpestris, Linn. Common. 



Alauda rufa, Aud. Abundant, and breeds in the plains of California, where it is 

 seen, during the summer season, searching for food on the footpaths and wagon 

 roads. 



Embernagra Blandingiana, (Gambel.) I met with but a single specimen of this 

 bird, which was in company with a flock of Zonotrichia at the time that I 

 procured it. 

 Emberiza grammaca. Say. Abundanti 



Emberiza graminea, Gmel., E. savanna, Bon., E. passerina, Wils., and E. socialis, 

 Wils., are all found in California, but not as abundant as in this country. 



Emberiza pallida, Swains. I procured only two .^ipecimens of this bird, in the 

 immediate vicinity of Sacramento city. 



Emberiza Bellii, Cassin. I found this bird quite abundant in the mountains of 

 California, and in the fall season it congregates in small flocks. I discovered one 

 nest of this bird, in a low bush. It was composed of twigs and grasses, and lined 

 with hair. The eggs, four in number, are light-greenish blue, marked with reddish 

 purple spots, differing in intensity of shade. 



Emberiza rostrata, Cassin. I found this bird on the sandy shores of the Bay of 

 San Diego, where, in company with the Emberiza savanna, it was engaged in 

 searching for grass seeds. It appears to be a quiet, unsuspicious bird, and I only 

 heard it utter a short sharp chirp during the little time I observed it. It has been 

 described, in the last number of the Proceedings of the Academy, by Mr. John 

 Cassin. 



Struthus oregona, (Towns.) Abundant and migratory. I found a nest of this bird, 

 composed of grasses, and lined with very fine roots and hair. The eggs, four in 

 number, were greenish and roseate white, with spots of faint neutral tint, and 

 larger ones varying in hue from a reddish to a dark sepia. 



G7 



