1308 
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS. 
very strongly marked geographical races,” they yet appear to he admissible as slight 
varietal forms. 
Apparently not a common species in the valleys during the summer and fall; said 
to be abundant in the early spring months along the water-courses. 
2. Oreoscoptes montanus (Towns.).—Sage Thrush. 
Fairly numerous amongst the sage-brush. The Sierras appear to limit absolutely 
the westward range of this species, and it seems to be entirely wanting in California, 
except in the extreme southern portion, where it reaches across the southern line quite 
to the coast; so to the northward, where it finds no lofty mountain barriers, it extends 
to the Columbia River. 
SAXICOLID.E. 
3. Sialia mexicana, Sw.—Western Bluebird. 
Common. 
4. Sialia arctica , Sw.—Arctic Bluebird. 
Noted about Carson in November, when it frequented the cedar and pifion hills, 
descending at this season from the mountains, where found earlier. 
SYLVIIDiE. 
5. Regains calendula, (L.).—Ruby-crowned Wren. 
Quite numerous in the cottonwoods and in the shrubbery of the streams. 
PARIDJE. 
6. Fanis montanus, Gamb.—Mountain Chickadee. 
Though, as its name implies, a lover of the mountains, where an inhabitant of the 
conifers, it yet in fall descends lower, and in the depth of winter is fouud quite com¬ 
monly among the deciduous vegetation of the valleys. 
TROGLODYTIDiE. 
7. Troglodytes aedon, V., var. parlcmanni (Aud.).—Parkmau’s Wren. 
Nob common ; not seen about houses, but frequenting the shrubbery. 
8. Cistothoruspalustris, Wils., var . paludicola, Bd.—Long-billed Marsh Wren. 
The sedgy margins of Washoe Lake contain thousands of these noisy little wrens, 
which winter here. 
MOTACILLIDyE. 
9. Anthus ludovicianus (Gm.).—Titlark. 
Not seen about Carson in September, but found on my return in November in small 
numbers. Fouud along water-courses, but chiefly in wet, meadowy ground or among 
stubble. 
SYLVICOLIDiE. 
10. Helminthophaga celata (Say), var. lutescens, Ridgw.—Western Orange-crowned 
Warbler. 
Occurs in small numbers in fall in the shrubbery that skirts the foot-hills. 
11. Dendroica audubonii (Towns.).—Audubon’s Warbler. 
Appearing in the valleys only during the migrations. 
12. Geothlypis trichas (L.).—Maryland Yellowthroat. 
A few of this species were seen till into September. They are quite numerous earlier, 
breeding in the low portions of the valleys. 
13. Myiodioctes pusillus (Wils.), var. pileolata , Ridgw.—Western Black Cap. 
One or two seen along the borders of Washoe Lake. 
