MR. GAMBEL ON THE BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA. 47 



doors of the houses, but becoming remarkably shy and cautious when chased or shot 

 at. During my stay, from frequently shooting at them, although at first they were 

 numerous in small flocks, they at length became so scarce that during the breeding 

 season very few were to be seen, apparently having gone to the ravines of the neigh- 

 bouring mountains, so that I did not find a single recent nest, although the woods 

 contained many of those of the last year. The old nests were large, and built loosely 

 of sticks like those of the crow, and situated in the topmost forks of the trees, well 



concealed by the foliage. 



CORVUS, Linn. 



72. C. ossiFRAGUS, Wils. Fish Crow. 

 Abundant along the Pacific coast. 



73. C. AMERiCANUS, Aud. Common Crow. 



Also abundant throughout the Pacific coast, as well as in the interior. 



74. C. CACALOTL, Wagler. American Raven. 



Fitted by its organization for any means of subsistence, there are few parts of North 

 America where the Raven may not be found. 



In the arid region between the Rio Colorado and California, its ominous croak 

 renders the desert solitude more dismal, and on the rocky uninhabited Islands off 

 the coast of California, it is the companion of the Fish-hawk and Gulls ; but in 

 California, instead of being scattered and solitary, it becomes one of the most abun- 

 dant and familiar of birds, and in company with its fellow-scavengers, the Turkey 

 vultures and dogs, it is exceedingly useful in consuming the refuse of the cattle 

 which are slaughtered in such great numbers. At the Pueblo de los Angeles, so 

 abundant were they in and around the town, that I have counted in the corral, or 

 court yard of a single house, as many as one hundred and fifty at one time. 



NUCIFRAGA, Briss. 



75. N. Columbiana, (Wils.) Aud. American Nutcracker. 



We occasionally met with this peculiar bird in the mountains of the interior, 

 among the scattered pine groves. 



QUISCALUS, Vieill 



76. Q. MAJOR, Vieill. Boat-tailed Blackbird. 



This large and handsome Blackbird is very abundant about the Gulf, and occa- 

 sionally is seen as far north as Upper California. 



SCOLECOPHAGUS, Swains. 



77. S. FERRUGiNEUs, (Wils.) Boie. Rusty Blackbird. 



We found this species very common in New Mexico and California, as also the 5'. 

 Mexicanus, Swains., lately described and figured by Audubon as Quiscalus Brerveri. 



