393 
♦ 
TRAVELS IN THE CALIFORN IAS. 
latter sometimes congregate in flocks of considerable lumber, 
and are tame and familiar, coming freely into the villages in 
search of food. 
Colaptes Mexicans, a very pretty Woodpecker, is found 
in Upper California, and all along the Pacific coast, and is, 
with the exception of an occasional individual of the golden- 
winged species, Picus auratus, the only woodpecker which 
the author has observed, except a species at Monterey, which 
is probably not yet described. 
In some parts of California, particularly in the South, the 
beautiful Humming Bird is quite numerous. As far as the 
author’s notice has extended, the species are but two, the 
Trochilus colubris, Common Humming Bird, well known to 
every one in the United States, and a still more elegant spe¬ 
cies, T. rufus , which seems to inhabit almost the whole 
country, from Nootka Sound to the Rio del Norte in Mexico 
This delicate and splendid little creature is somewhat less in 
size than the common species, and is perhaps the most per¬ 
fect gem in nature. When seen glancing through the leaves, 
it resembles the flash of a large ruby. 
Swallows are abundant, and of several species, among 
which may be mentioned Hirundo Americana , the Common 
Barn Swallow, H. lunifrons, the Cliff Swallow, and the 
H. riparia, Bank Swallow or Sand Martin. 
Caprimulgus Virgiriianus, The Night Hawk, often alarms 
the wearied traveller, near nightfall, by swooping down, and 
uttering in his ear its odd and startling note. Alcedo Alcyon , 
The Kingfisher, is seen flitting over every little stream and 
water-course in search of his scaly prey, and seems to be a 
component feature in the scenery of every rapid and waterfall. 
There is probably no country in the world which produces 
so many varieties of the Grouse, or in so great numbers. 
The heart of a Yankee sportsman would almost burst with 
delight at the success of a day’s shooting in some parts of 
the interior of California. Tetrao urophasianus , The Great 
Cock of the Plains, second only in size and beauty to the 
