PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 401 



*18. Fsaltriparus minimus, (Towns.). — Least Tit. 



The Least Titmouse is a common constant resident of the valleys and 

 foot-hills. A few flocks were seen at Big Trees in July and August, 

 though only at rare intervals.* I have not seen it above Big Trees. 



73887 

 73888 

 74433 

 75299 



— ad. *Murphy's Apr. — , 1877 



— juv do Apr. 20, 1877 



$ ad. j *Stockton May 8, 1878 



— ad. Big Trees July 13, 1878 



Family SITTID^E : The Nuthatches. 



*19. Sitta carolinensis, t 3. aculeata, Cass. — Slender-billed Nuthatch, 



This Nuthatch has not been abundant at any place where I have made 

 collections, though often seen at all of them, especially in the pine forests. 

 It was quite common in the groves of deciduous oaks near Stockton in 

 May and the first week of June, 1878, and I supposed they had nests, 

 but was unable to find them. 



73608 

 73889 

 73890 

 73891 

 76258 



*MarysviHe Jan. 5, 1878 



Calaveras County —,1877 



do —,1877 



do — . 1877 



*Stockton . . Apr. 9, 1878 



* 20. Sitta canadsnsis, Linn. — Bed-bellied Nuthatch. 



This bird is abundant at Big Trees in summer, probably outnumber- 

 ing the Kobins or Jays. I found it rather rare at Soda Springs in the 

 fall of 1877. It is occasionally seen at Murphy's in winter, and is a very 

 rare winter visitant to the valleys. 



73034 J ad. *Big Trees Mav 19,1878 



73892 $ ad. Murphy's Mar. 3,1877 



73893 ? ad do Mar. 3,1877 



76548 ? ad. Stockton Nov. 5,1878 



•23- Sitta pygmaea, Vig. — Pigmy Nuthatch. 



This bird seems to be very rare in Central California. I first met with 

 it at Big Trees in July, having been drawn to it by its notes. It was 

 then associated with S. canadensis. 



I saw it only on two occasions, in July and August, the total number 

 seen being only about a dozen. 



75300 



— juv. 



*Bi" Trees _ 



.Tnlv 25.1878 







Family CERTHIIDiE : The Creepers. 



■ 22. Certhia familiaris, (3. americana, Bonap. — American Brown Creeper. 



This bird is an abundant summer resident at Big Trees, and is rather 

 common in the fall at Soda Springs. It is a rare winter visitant to the 



* Probably this and other species after breeding in the foot-hills, seeking to escape 

 from the heat and drouth of midsummer, enter the cool shades of the canons and 

 streams which lead eastward and upward. 



Proc. Nat, Mus. 78 26 March 2 1 , 1 8 79. 



