231 
18. Sitta jyygmcea, Vig.—California Nuthatch. 
This is by far the most abundant of the three species seen in California, and was 
common everywhere where the presence of pines affords them the hunting-grounds 
they most affect. 
Certhiidje.—Creepers. 
19. Certhia familiaris, L., var. americana, Bon.—Brown Creeper. 
The Creeper breeds in the mountains of Southern California, where I took a young 
bird in the first plumage near Fort Tejon, August 2. It is, however, not common till 
late in the fall, when their numbers are increased by the arrival of migrants from more 
northern breeding-grounds. 
Xo. 
Sex. 
Locality. 
Date. 
Collector. 
759 
d 
Tejon Mountains, Cal. 
Aug. 2 
H. W. Hensliaw. 
TroglodytidyE.—Wrens. 
20. Campylorynchus brunneicapillus , Lafr.—Cactus Wren. 
Only in a few localities was this species met with, though its absence in Southern 
California as high as latitude 35° or 3G° may be attributed chiefly to the lack of cac¬ 
tus plains, the cacti being almost a necessity in the domestic economy of the bird, 
both because these plants furnish it with its favorite hunting-grounds, and because it 
is in their branches that they love to place their nests. Up to the latitude indicated 
the species may be looked for with confidence whenever is found a district well sup¬ 
plied with these plants. One or two individuals were shot a few miles northeast of 
Ivernville, but with plumage in such a state of moult that they were not considered 
worth preserving. 
21. Salpinctesobsoletus, (Say).—Rock Wren. 
The Rock Wren is perhaps not as abundant throughout Southern California as in 
many portions of the central region, yet it is found here and there in varying numbers, 
inhabiting the rocky, sterile, waste lands, which few other species care to share with it. 
It was noted also on the island of Santa Cruz. 
Xo. 
Sex. 
Locality. 
Date. 
Collector. 
633 
9 
Xear Sunday Peak. Cal. 
Oct. 25 
H. W. Hensliaw. 
703 
9 
Walker’s Basin, Cal. 
Xov. 10 
_do. 
22. Catherpes mexicanus, (Swains.), var. conspersus, Ridgw.—White-throated Rock Wren. 
Probably the latitude of San Francisco forms about the northward limit of this spe¬ 
cies, thus coinciding with its known extension in the interior. It was detected by our 
parties as far north as the neighborhood of Mount Whitney, where it was tolerably 
numerous, being only seen among the brokeu masses of rocks that lie at the bases of 
the perpendicular cliffs or along their faces. It was detected, too, at various points 
in the Coast range, so that its diffusion over Southern California may be said to be gen¬ 
eral. 
Of all its tribe, save perhaps the Winter Wren, this species is the most liable to be 
overlooked, where, too, it may be tolerably common. To a preference for the wild sol¬ 
itudes of the mountains it adds a shy, suspicious nature, which prompts it to hide 
away from observation and all chance of danger whenever anything of a suspicious 
character is observed. 
Xo. 
Sex. 
Locality. 
Date. 
Collector. 
Wing. 
Tail. 
Bill. 
Tarsus. 
706 
rf 
Walker’s Basin, Cal. 
Xov. 10 
H. W. Hensliaw. 
2. 30 
2.25 
0. 85 
0.71 
