MR. GAMBEL ON THE BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA. 41 



Mountains between the Rio Colorado and California. Here, in the depth of 

 solitude, it was flying along the stream, alighting on the rocks, and jerking its tail in 

 a lively manner; feeding solely on buff'alo berries {Shepherdia) which grew plentifully 

 along its banks, and with which its stomach was crammed. We afterwards found it 

 on one of the highest and most desolate mountains, near a small pool of water, to 

 which, towards evening, various kinds of birds came to drink, and among them two 

 individuals of this species, which I killed : but these, like the specimen procured by 

 Mr. Townsend, were females. It appeared to have somewhat the manners of a 

 flycatcher, and I never heard it utter a note. 



TURDUS, Linn. 

 56. T. MINOR, Gmel. Hermit Thrush. 



T. nanus. Dwarf Thrush. Aud. Orn. Biog. 5, p. 204. pi. 419; Nutt. Man. p. 396. 

 T. solitarius. Auc. 



The confusion hitherto existing in the description of the nearly allied group of 

 Thrushes to which this belongs, has rendered the determination of the species 

 exceedingly difficult, and at best but a matter of uncertainty. 



The Dwarf Thrush of Audubon was founded upon specimens from the Atlantic 

 states, and no doubt upon the true Hermit Thrush. 



Mr. Pickering, and also Mr. Nuttall, must have had the T. olivaceus, since 

 characterized by Drs. Brewer and Giraud before them, and mistaking it for the 

 Hermit Thrush, when they distinguished the T. nanus as a species. 



An examination of specimens of the T. minor from the Atlantic and Pacific coasts 

 of North America shows no diflFerence in any way, except that perhaps the western 

 one is somewhat smaller, yet the difference is scarcely appreciable. From the 

 measurement of many western specimens I found its length to be 61 inches, and the 

 extent of wings 101 inches ; the tail, wings, and relative length of quills the same as 

 in our eastern one, and in fact, I think it can in no possible way be distinguished as 

 specifically different. A European specimen also of the same species, from the Rivoli 

 collection, now in the Academy, is the same in every respect as our own. 



That which is most remarkable in the character of this delicate and gentle bird, is 

 its solitary and retiring disposition ; avoiding the ruthless gaze of man, it glides into 

 the deepest shade of forest or underwood, and is but seldom seen except unconsciously, 

 when earnestly engaged, scratching upon the ground in search of food : or else, it be 

 discovered while perched upon a low leafy branch or twig, when it allows a very 

 near approach, as if depending for concealment and security upon the thickness of 

 the foliage and bushes around. 



In the wooded regions of the Rocky Mountains, I found it not uncommon, always 

 keeping on, or very near the ground. It is very frequent throughout California, and 



11 



