1316 
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS. 
7. Parus montanus (Garab.).—Mountain. Chickadee. 
Appears to be the only other representative of the family in this region. A con 
stant resident of the pineries. 
SITTID.E. 
8. Sittn carolinensis Gm.; var. aculeata, Cass.—Slender-billed Nuthatch. 
An abundant resident of the pine timber. 
9. Sitta pygmcea Y ig.—Pygmy Nuthatch. 
The most abundant of the tribe, keeping exclusively in the pines, among which they 
wander in large flocks. 
CERTHIIDiE. 
10. Certliia familiaris L., var. americana, Bon.—American Creeper. 
Only a few seen, and these among the pines. 
SYLVICOLIDHk 
11. Helminthophaga celata Say, var. lutescens Ridgw.—Western Orange-crowned War¬ 
bler. 
This variety was found rather common during September about Lake Tahoe, fre¬ 
quenting chiefly the brushy thickets on the mountain sides. It probably breeds all 
along the eastern slope. 
12. Dendroica audubonii (Towns.).—Audubon’s Warbler. 
The only numerously represented species of the family. Not, I think, nearly as 
abundant as in the Rocky Mountains at the corresponding season. Keeping generally 
in the pines, but also seizing much of its food from the ground. 
TANAGRIDiE. 
13. Pyranga ludoviciana (Wils.).—Louisiana Tanager. 
A very much belated individual of this species was seen September 18. The species 
had passed south long before. 
AMPELID2E. 
14. Mgiadestes townsendii (And.).—Townsend’s Solitaire. 
None seen till the first days of October ; after this, small companies were occasionally 
noted in various localities through the mountains. Probably more or less pass the 
summer on the higher summits. 
FRINGILLID.E. 
15. Carpodacus caseini Bd.—Cassin’s Purple Finch. 
In September this Finch was not uncommon about Lake Tahoe. After which none 
were seen, the species having migrated. It is a summer resident in this region. 
16. Melospiza melodiax ar. heermannii (Bd.).—Heermann’s Song Sparrow. 
Quite rare among the mountains. Occasionally one seen in October in the thickets 
along the streams. 
All examples of the Song; Sparrow I have seen from this region, while referable to 
the above variety, yet mark quite a decided step in the advance towards the central 
region form, the M. var. fallax. They are not so dark colored as specimens from the 
California coast, and the bills appear to be somewhat slenderer, approximating in 
these particulars to fallax. 
17. Jinico oregomis (Towns.).—Oregon Snowbird. 
A ery abundant every where. I presuino this hardy species winters in the mountains ; 
at least many remain till the snow falls to a considerable depth. 
18. Zonotnchia leucoprys (Forst.), 
Sparrow. 
var. intermedia Ridgw.—Western Wliite-crowned 
1 his bird was found by Mr. Ridgway breeding abundantly on the eastern slope. It 
