416 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vol. 7 



in a very thick thorny bush. Unlike the others it was very well 

 concealed, and it was some moments after the bird flushed before 

 the nest was discovered. It held two eggs, evidently not a full 

 set. In every respect excepting degree of concealment this nest 

 closely resembled the others noted. The last one found was 

 observed between Quinn Eiver Crossing and Big Creek Ranch, 

 about two miles from the latter locality. The parent flushed 

 from a low thorny bush. The nest was one foot above the ground 

 and contained the usual set of four eggs. 



One of the birds frightened from a nest proved to be a male, 

 indicating that the male takes part in incubation. 



Great numbers of juvenals were seen the first few days of 

 August about the Leonard Creek flats. Growing in a small 

 canon draining into Big Creek there was noted a considerable 

 tract of gooseberry brush. Hundreds of sage thrashers, in com- 

 pany with large numbers of Brewer sparrows, green-tailed tow- 

 hees, and fox sparrows, were feeding on the berries. 



Salpinctes obsoletus obsoletus (Say) 



Common Rock Wren 



By far the commonest of the Troglodytidae in the uplands. 

 Zonally it ranges from upper Sonoran to high Transition (see 

 Grinnell, 1908, p. 118). 



Habits. — This was one of the most characteristic birds of the 

 rocky portions of the mountain range. It was observed also on 

 the buttes near Quinn River Crossing. While the rock-piles 

 constituted the preferred habitat, a few birds were observed on 

 limber pines in the higher mountains, and at Virgin Valley 

 a single individual was observed on the desert near a marsh. On 

 July 29 two rock wrens were seen in a series of jutting rocks on 

 the highest point of Duffer Peak. 



Their song much resembles that of the mockingbird, being 

 one of peculiar sweetness and variety, although it is not power- 

 ful. When in full song their melody is continued through the 

 middle of the day. 



While resetting a mouse-trap at Big Creek Ranch near a pile 

 of boulders I heard a ringing call-note and presently on a rock 

 immediately above me a trim little fellow appeared not six feet 



