ZOOLOGY — BIRDS. 43 



interstices of the bark of trees, often suspended back downwards as it clings to tbe under side 

 of a branch. Its note very much resembles that of our black-capped chicadee, (Farus atrica- 

 pillus, Linn.) 



PSALTEIA MINIMA, T o w n s .—Least Chicadee. 



Farm minimus, Towns. Journ. Acad. N. Scien. Phil. vol. VII, p. 190. — Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. II, p. 160, pi. 130. — 

 Ie. Fol. pi. 353, figs. 5 and 6. 



Abundant^ and found in the fall in flocks of from twenty to thirty individuals, following 

 each other from tree to tree, travelling thus in a single day over a large tract of country. It 

 incubates in California, as I have found there its pendulous nest, containing from six to eight 

 pure white eggs. 



AEaiTHALUS FL AYIOEPS, S u n d e v a 1 1 . 



Conirostrum ornatum, Lawrence, Annals N. Y. Lyceum, vol. V, p. 112, pi. 5, fig. 1. 

 Aegithalus flaviceps, Sundevall, Ofversigt, VII, 129. 

 Paroides flaviceps, Baird, Gen. Rep. IX, 400. 



I first discovered in California this beautiful little species at the terminus of the Mohave 

 river, where I pursued them among the mezquite trees, but owing to their wildness I procured 

 none. I remarked that in searching their food they often remain suspended with their back 

 downwards as do the chicadees or titmice. I found their nests abundant near Fort Yuma, 

 though from the lateness of the season few of the birds remained. The nest is spherical, formed 

 of twigs, and having an entrance on the side ; the interior being lined with down and feathers, 

 and containing from four to six eggs of a pale blue color, and dashed with small black spots. 

 This species is new to the fauna of California, though well known as a Mexican and Texian bird. 



CHAMAEA FASCIATA, G a mb el .—Ground Wren. 



Chamaea fasdata, Gambel, Proceed. A. N. So. Phil. vol. Ill, p. 154. — Ib. Journ. A. N. Sc. Phil. 2d series, vol. I, 



p. 34, pi. 8, fig. 3. 

 Parus fasciatus, Game. Proceed. A. N. Sc. Phil, vol.11, p. 265. 



Abundant. This bird frequents the low brush and thickets, and while creeping actively and 

 restlessly through the undergrowth in search of food utters a low plaintive note or whistle, 

 holding its tail erect over its back after the manner of the wren. It incubates in the country, 

 though I have never discovered its nest. 



EEGULUS CALENDULA, L i n n.— Ruby-crowned Wren. 



Regulus calendula, Add. B. of A. Oct. vol. II, p. 168, pi. 133.— Ie. B. of A. Fol. pi. 195. 

 Sylvia calendula, Wils. Am. Orn. vol. I, p. 83, pi. 5, fig. 3. 



Abundant throughout California. I procured specimens at the Little Lagoon (Colorado 

 desert) and as far south as the villages of the Pimos Indians. 



SIALIA MEXICANA, Swainson.— Western Blue Bird. 



Sialia ocddentalis. Towns. Journ. Acad. N. Scien. Phila. vol. VII, p. 186.— Aot. B. of A. Oct. vol. II, p. 176, pi. 135.— 



Ib. Fol. pi. 393, figs. 4 and 5. 

 Sialia medcana, Baird, Gen. Report IX, 223. 



As plentiful in California as is our Sialia wilsonii in this section of the country, and having 



