44 
U. S. P. E. E. EXP. AND SUEVEYS-EOUTE TO CALIFOENIA. 
the same habits. The nest, built in the hollow of a tree, is composed of grasses, and contains 
four to six eggs of a pale blue color. 
SIALIA ARCTICA, Swains.—Arctic Blue Bird. 
S'alia arctica, Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. II, p. 178, pi. 136.-— Ib. Pol. pi. 393, figs. 2 and 3.— Nutt. Orn. vol. II, p. 573. 
Met with occasionally in small flocks during the winter season. I saw it in New Mexico, and 
Colonel M’Call. U. S. A., informed me that in Santa Fe it breeds like our common blue bird, 
in boxes put up for that purpose by the inhabitants of the city. 
CINCLUS AMERICANUS, Swains.—American Dipper. 
Cinclus americanus, Eich. aDd Sw. F. Bor. Am. vol. II, p. 173.— Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. II, p. ]8<J, pi. 137. 
Cinclus mortonii toumsendii, Aud. B. A. Fol. pi. 435. 
27 ydrobata mexicana, Baird, Gen. Eep. IX, 229. 
This interesting species I found in abundance on the mountain rivulets of northern California, 
preferring the clear limpid streams, and often forsaking a locality when the water is made turbid 
by miners washing the earth in search of gold. Alighting on the edge of the water it patiently 
awaits the passage of its prey, uttering at intervals a low buzzing whistle which is repeated at 
short intervals. Quite unsuspicious, it is easily approached and killed, but if wounded only, it 
dives with great celerity, using its wings under water to propel itself forward. During the late 
survey I met with and procured but one single specimen, on the small stream which takes its 
rise near the summit of the Tejon Pass. 
MIMUS POLYGLOTTUS, L i n n .—Common Mocking Bird. 
Orpheus polyglotius , DeKat, N. Hist. N. Y. part I, p. 67, pi. 39, fig. 84.— Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. II, p. 187, pi. 138. 
Turdus polyglotius, Aud. Fol. pi. 21. — Wils. Am. Oro. vol. II, p. 13, pi. 10, fig. 1. — Nutt. Orn. vol. I, p. 320. 
Mimus polyglotius , var. caudatus, Baird. Gen. Eep. IX, 344. 
This bird was first observed on Posa creek, and was found abundant in the valley of Los 
Angelos, where they frequented the low bushes and hedges of prickly pear, still growing around 
the fields of the abandoned missions, and forming an impenetrable barrier. The fruit of this 
plant was at the time ripe, and the throats of several of the birds killed were tinged a deep 
carmine from its juice. We met occasionally with this species during the second survey, under 
Lieutenant Parke, and when passing through western Texas it proved to be one of the most 
common birds of the country. 
MIMUS MONT ANUS, Towns.—Rocky Mountain Mocking Bird. 
Orpheus montanus, Towns. Journ. Acad. N. S. Phil. vol. VII, p. 192. —Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. II, p. 194, pi. 139. — 
Ib. Fol. pi. 359, fig. 1. 
Oreosccples montanus, Baird, Gen. Eep. IX, 347. 
This species is often met with in southern California, having remarked it on several occasions 
in the environs of San Diego, and from thence to Fort Yuma. In New Mexico and Texas we 
found it, seeing one or more individuals daily for over three hundred miles after leaving El 
Paso. On being flushed it flies but a short distance, and generally alights on the ground, 
running some way before it stops. When in the arid regions where the cactus abounds, the 
ripe fruit of which affords its favorite food, it alights on the branches of that plant, and although 
I have closely examined the feet of several individuals, it would appear that it suffers no incon¬ 
venience from the needle like points projecting from all parts of these plants. 
