MR. GAMBEL ON THE BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA. 31 



lives in burrows in the ground, either solitary, as I have frequently seen it, or in 

 small companies. If it can avail itself of the labours of other animals, it will always 

 do so, so that it is a constant interloper in the habitations of the prairie dogs, and in 

 California in those of the large ground squirrel, which is there so very common. It 

 however often digs for itself, and lives in scattered companies of four or five. 



Nuttall is, I think, mistaken with regard to its migrating from California in August. 

 I have seen it there at all periods of the year. 



On the prairies its note is said to resemble that of the Marmots, with which it is asso- 

 ciated. The account which Vieillot gives of its nocturnal habits and note, has been 

 doubted by Bonaparte and my friend Nuttall, but during the breeding season, while 

 sleeping near their burrows, I have been awakened by its low, measured and solemn 

 cry, uttered much in the manner of its congeners, something like hoo hoo hoo o, but 

 peculiarly solemn. An aspirated ivhoh, whoh, is also a common note. 



NYCTALE, Brehm. 



19. N. ACADiCA, (Gmel.) Little Night Owl. 



I procured but one specimen of this species at Monterey in October. 



HIRUNDO, Linn. 



20. H. Thallassina, Swains. Violet-green Swallow. 



This beautiful species I found passing to the northward through California, in the 

 spring. 



21. H. FULVA, Vieill. Republican. Swallow. 



This is the most abundant swallow on our western coast, and arrives in California 

 about the latter part of February or beginning of March. They immediately resort 

 to the neighbourhood of the towns, missions and farm-houses, and soon commence 

 repairing their old retort-shaped nests, with which sheltered walls, the eves, and even 

 window frames of the houses, are sometimes nearly covered. The nest is also fre- 

 quently made on the trunks of large trees in the woods. They are very loath to quit 

 their old nesting places, and will persist in building them up, however often they 

 may be destroyed either by rain or the inhabitants. 



CHE LID ON, Boie. 



22. C. BicoLOR, (Vieill.) Bonap. White-bellied Swallow. 



This is also a common species, and a few appear to remain all winter, but the 

 greater part arrive towards the close of February. At Santa Barbara, I found 

 their nests, as usual, in the knot holes of the evergreen oaks in April. 



COTYLE, Boie. 



23. C. RiPARiA, (Linn.) Boie. Bank Swallow. 



Common ; burrowing their nests in the sandy banks of small streams and creeks, 

 which have worn deep ravines. 



