.May, 1893.] BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 129 



eies was very common among the mesquite, where the males were fre- 

 quently heard singing' from their perches on the uppermost branches, 

 February (5-17. 



Iu Nevada it was common at Ash Meadows in March, and Mr. Nel- 

 son found it in Pahruinp Valley, at the western base of the Charleston 

 Mountains. East of Pahrump Valley Dr. Merriam saw several April 

 29, and a full-grown young was shot among the yuccas. He killed 

 one in Vegas Valley May 1, and found the species tolerably common in 

 the valley of the Virgin and Lower Muddy. A nest was found in a 

 branching cactus (Opuntia eehinocarpa) on the mesa between these 

 rivers, and, although the parent bird was on the nest, no eggs had been 

 laid. In southwestern Utah it was found on the west side of the 

 Beaverdam Mountains almost to the summit of the range, keeping in 

 the tree yuccas and arborescent cactuses with the cactus wren. 



At Hot Springs, in Panamint Valley, California, it was seen the 

 last of April, and in Coso Valley and Mountains through May. It is 

 common in Owens Valley, from Little Owens Lake, where Mr. Stephens 

 found a nest and three eggs and a brood of nearly grown young, to Ben- 

 ton, where both he- and Mr. Nelson saw it. Mr. Stephens found it 

 common in Salt Wells Valley, where nests and young were observed. 

 In Walker Pass it was common among the tree yuccas on the east side, 

 and Dr. Merriam saw several on the west slope, about 4 miles from 

 the summit, June 22-23. He found it common throughout the western 

 tongue of the Mohave Desert, where a nest containing two half-grown 

 young was found in a branching cactus [Opuntia eehinocarpa) June 27: 



In the San Joaquin Valley Mr. Nelson found it common about the 

 southern and western sides of Buena Vista Lake, and thence west and 

 northwest for 15 to 18 miles toward the base of the Temploa Mountains. 

 This was the actual range in which he noted the species, though it un- 

 doubtedly occupied much more territory in the vicinity, where the low 

 growth of desert bushes and sandy arroyos near the lake formed a 

 congenial home. 



LeConte's thrasher is a sly, skulking species, quite difficult to col- 

 lect, and when running about among the desert shrubbery closely 

 resembles the road-runner in form and actions. 



The song of this species like that of the other members of the genus 

 is sweet and variable, and in many respects rivals that of the mocking- 

 bird in musical elegance. In many places throughout its range the 

 young (just before they leave the nest) are regularly hunted by both 

 whites and Indians for the purpose of making cage birds of them. 



At Keeler, in Owens Valley, Mr. H. E. Wilkinson, meteorological 

 observer, had one which Avas allowed the freedom of the house. It was 

 very tame and would allow itself to be caught and placed in the cage 

 for the night. One of its favorite amusements was to sit on the win- 

 dow sill and catch the ilies which were moving on the panes. 

 12731— No. 7 9 



