184 THE NATURALIST IN CALIFORNIA. 
season, but nothing very peculiar to this part of the State 
occurred. Two fine specimens of the Red-tailed Black Hawk 
(Buteo calurus) would not allow of a very near approach, 
and the first specimen collected was a Cassin's Kingbird 
(Tyrannus vociferans), which I could scarcely believe a win- 
ter resident, although I have since found it to be so, even as 
far north as Santa Cruz, while its closely allied relative, the 
T. verticalis, leaves the State entirely in winter. 
Approaching the mountains at Cajon Pass, extensive thick- 
ets of shrubbery, with occasional low trees, give promise of 
a new and more varied fauna in the spring, but at this sea- 
son few animals were seen besides those mentioned. A 
Coyote (Canis latrans) dogged our steps in hopes of some 
scraps to be left at camp, and at night the dismal barking 
howl of these animals was our constant serenade. Nests of 
the Wood-rat ( Neotoma Mexicana) were common, consist- 
ing of twigs, bark, etc., piled up three or four feet high 
among the bushes. 
Hares became so numerous that I saw more than twenty 
during the day while riding along the road, and a new bird 
appeared in pairs, or small families, running on the ground 
with much the appearance of Snow-birds. This was Bell’s 
Finch (Poospiza Bellii), one of the more southern group. I 
also shot a black-tailed Gnat Catcher (Polioptila melanura), 
the most peculiar of the three allied species found in this 
State, which was hopping among the low bushes, scolding 
like a wren. 
The weather here was warm and pleasant by day, but 
frosty at night. Insects were scarce, and I searched in vain 
for mollusca, though several fine snails are found on the 
neighboring mountains where limestone abounds. As I am, 
however, only giving my observations on that particular 
journey, I omit for the present to mention these and many 
higher animals, which I have since found to be inhabitants 
of the same region. 
- Large groups of Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia), seen at a 


