8 ZOOLOGY OF THE ROUTE FROM THE COLORADO RIVER TO THE PACIFIC. 
not uncommon. In the precipitous and rugged mountains that we encountered we found the 
big-horn more numerous than in any other locality that we passed. 
Following down Williams’ river, with these interesting animals still for our companions, 
we continued our march towards the great river of the west. The beautiful stream sometimes 
emerged suddenly from the earth a bold rivulet, leaping playfully over its gravelly bed for 
several miles, and then would as suddenly disappear again beneath the sand. Whether creeping 
slowly among the hushes or passing through the open valley, we ever found something to please 
and interest us. The birds, however, of this region were particularly interesting. Myriads of 
ducks and geese were continually frightened from the stream or neighboring lagoons, of which 
a large number of interesting specimens were added to our collection. Among the smaller 
birds, which were also very numerous, we found several new and exceedingly interesting ones. 
At no other locality did we meet with such great success in collecting new and undescribed 
species, not only of birds, hut also of reptiles and fishes. In this stream we found great num¬ 
bers of the latter, comprising a variety of species not before observed. 
From the Great Colorado river to the Pacific .—Travelling up the Colorado for some distance, 
we found its shores peopled by hundreds of Indians, whose friendly manifestations made us soon 
feel quite at home among them. Besides assisting us in many other ways, they also enabled us 
to procure some species both of fishes and birds, which, without their aid, we probably could 
not have captured. Thus our stay among them was made both pleasant and profitable. The 
birds and fishes constitute the most important features of natural history immediately in the 
vicinity of our route. The larger animals, being closely hunted, were scarce. 
Crossing the river and accompanied by several Mojave Indians as guides^ we continued our 
march towards the Pacific. From this point we saw but little of interest before reaching the 
Mojave river. Grass being scarce, except in the vicinity of the few watering places, we had but 
few companions during our long and tiresome marches, save the raven, which hovered over our 
now fast failing mules, and added to our dreary feelings by his hoarse croaks. Occasionally, 
too, the jackass rabbit would spring from his hiding place among the stinking larrea and hurry 
off. Frequently we found this animal far away from any water known to our guides. Some¬ 
times, also, while encamped in this less-favored region, the cayote, attracted by our camp fires, 
would approach and serenade us as he had done before. 
Near the watering places on our route, we frequently saw signs of the big-horn and other 
animals, where, watched by the Indians when coming to slake their thirst, they had been 
killed. It was not until after we had reached the Mojave river, however, that we met with 
much success in collecting specimens. Here, in addition to the many small birds that were 
continually singing around us, and the numerous ducks that were scared from the marshes, we 
found the stream itself inhabited by several species of fishes. Many of these we added to our 
collection ; as also of the reptiles which here abounded. Approaching the mountain, we once 
more found the black-tailed deer and grizzly bear ; one feeding in the green valleys, the other 
among the pines on the rugged slopes. 
From this point our route lay along the beautiful valley of the San Gabriel river. Here we 
found the green pastures dotted by flocks of sheep and herds of cattle. Game of the larger kind 
was, of course, scarce through this region, being closely hunted by the inhabitants ; but we 
found birds here of almost every variety of plumage, and many quadrupeds of the smaller 
species. Many of these we added to our collection before reaching Los Angeles, where we 
ceased our labors for a while, and enjoyed those comforts of which we had been so long deprived. 
We were agreeably disappointed in regard to the abundance and character of the game of the 
country traversed. It will be seen from the foregoing statement that we were almost continually 
within reach of deer, antelope, and hare. Still, it would not be safe to depend upon game for 
subsistence in passing over the line, especially in the case of a large party. As is well known, 
all the animals just mentioned are easily driven off from their usual range by frequent interrup¬ 
tions, and at all times a skilful hunter is required to capture them. The case is different with 
