







NATURALIST IN CALIFORNIA. 477 
icana), common and very large; Phillips Jumping-rat (Di- 
podomys Phillippii), common, and an invader of. dwellings. 
The Texan Hare I have already mentioned. The Indians 
also brought in a fawn, apparently of the Cervus Columbia- 
nus, which seems to be the common species along the river, 
although others probably exist. They also brought a young 
antelope, of which herds were seen on the neighboring 
mésas during the short period of green vegetation in spring. 
A Wild-cat (Lynx rufus) was often seen at dusk about the 
post garden, where I attempted to shoot it but failed for 
want of light. My inquiries about the Californian Opossum 
found along the Mexican boundary, did not indicate its ex- 
istence in this valley, though it will be found there if any- 
where in California, nor did I learn of any other carnivo- 
rous mammals. Beavers are quite common in the river and 
grow to an enormous size; Gophers (Thomomys fulvus) are 
also common. 
Compared with Kennerley’s collections, in 1854, and 
Coues’, in 1865, at Fort Whipple, the first quarter of 1861 
must have been unusually cold. April proved to be the 
mouth for the arrival of the great body of summer birds, 
although a week before I saw what I took to be a Fork- 
tailed Flycatcher CMilvulus forficatus?), a species never yet 
obtained west of the Rocky Mountains, and a Scarlet Fly- 
catcher ( Pyrocephalus Mexicanus) , which is a rare summer 
visitor, about which I could not be mistaken, though neither 
would allow of a near approach. I obtained the following, 
usually as soon as observed: April 2d, Atthis coste; 3d, 
Bullock's Oriole (Icterus Bullockii) ; and saw an Zmpidonaz, 
Barn Swallows, and Summer Yellow-bird ; a ground Cuckoo 
(Geococcyx Californianus) laid an egg in its cage. 11th, 
shot an Obscure Flycatcher (Empidonax obscurus). 17th, 
Texan Nighthawk (Chordeiles Tezensis) and saw the first 
eggs of Orioles. 24th, MeGillivray’s Warbler ( Geothlypis 
McGillivray’), Yellow-breasted Chat (Acteria viridis, not 
S long-tailed), Arkansas Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis). 

