1875.] 157 [Bendire. 



commenced picking up grass seeds scattered about on the ground. 

 The wind was blowing a gale at the time, and it had apparently been 

 lost from a flock, probably not very far off. Every few minutes it 

 would utter the following call-note, aetcli aetch. It was so unsuspic- 

 cious, tame and confiding, that I had not the heart to molest it. 



" February 12th. These birds appear to* be fond of rocky hillsides, 

 where the sun has exposed the ground a little; they seldom pass 

 down into the valley, and if they do, their stay is short. They are 

 very restless, alighting in one place only for a few seconds, and then 

 flying off fifty or a hundred yards before coming down again. When 

 flying in flocks they have a note somewhat resembling that of Eremo- 

 pldla alpestris, or Plectrophanes lapponicus. Their flight is undulat- 

 ing, at times somewhat resembling that of a woodpecker. It is 

 almost strictly terrestrial. Indeed, as yet I have seen none alight on 

 trees or bushes. Occasionally they settle on a roof for a few seconds 

 before flying to the ground. 



" February 26th. While returning from the mountains I shot a 

 single specimen of this species. It was by itself, a fine male. The 

 chestnut on its breast was not so bright and lustrous as in the winter 

 specimens, but rather paler. On the 19th of March I procured two 

 more specimens of this species. These are the first I have ever no- 

 ticed sitting anywhere else than on the ground, or on rocks. They 

 were perched in company with two others, on a willow bush, in close 

 proximity to some red-shouldered blackbirds. In the sprint and 

 summer plumage. of these birds the colors are not so bright as in 

 winter, and the pinkish tints are paler, and nearly white. I notice a 

 perceptible difference between these two specimens and those taken 

 in December and January." 



22. Plectrophanes lapponicus Selby. A specimen of this 

 is mentioned as having been obtained December 14th. 



23. Junco oregonus Sclat. Mention is made, in a letter 

 dated November 14th, of procuring two specimens of this species. 

 " February 23d. On this day I heard a lot of the Oregon snow-birds 

 sing. They are not, by any means, bad singers. March 13th. This 

 little bird is now in full song. May 19th. The Oregon snow-birds 

 have all left, nor are there any on the mountains." 



24. Poospiza nevadensis Ridgway. "March 11 th. This is 

 the first specimen of this species that I have seen about here. It 

 probably winters farther south. Length 6.37 in.; wing 3.20 in.; 

 tail 3 in. May 29th. On my way back from the lake I found a 



