114 
MINUTES OE PROCEEDINGS OE 
Tut dm ( Ixoreus ) naevius — (Gmelin.) 
Varied Thrush, Painted Robin. This beautiful thrush is very abundant 
on Vancouver Island and along* the Boundary line to the summit of the Rocky 
Mountains. It arrives in May, and builds in the fork of a young fir tree in 
June; lays from four to five eggs; leaves again in September. It is very shy in 
its habits, frequenting dark underbrush; creeping in the most stealthy manner 
through the bushes, and unless closely pressed seldom taking wing. It has not 
much song, but a few sweet notes, soft and plaintive, warbled by the male whilst 
watching his mate in her nest. 
Sialia mexicana — (Swainson.) 
Western Blue-bird. Common along the Boundary line, on the banks of the 
Eraser river, Vancouver Island, on the Sumass and Chilukweyuk prairies, on the 
open plains and thin timbered lands between the Cascades and Rocky Mountains. 
Arrives in small flocks in May and June; leaves again in September. Begins 
nesting about the end of June. 
Sialia arctica — (Swainson.) 
Rocky Mountain Blue-bird. I have never met with this beautiful bird on 
the west side of the Cascade Mountains, but it seems very abundant between the 
Cascades and Rocky Mountains. 
They arrive in the Colville valley in May and June and leave again in September. 
After nesting in July they assemble in large flocks, young and old together, and 
feed on the open plains. I saw them in great numbers on the tobaeco plains, and 
on the Spokan prairies; indeed, I may say on all the open land, reaching an altitude 
of about 2000 feet above the sea level between the Cascades and Rocky Mountains. 
They feed principally on small insects, occasionally eating berries and seeds; utters 
a low twittering cry whilst on the wing. 
Hegulus satrapa — (Licht.) 
Golden-crested Wren. Very common on Vancouver Island and along the 
entire course of the Boundary line from the coast to the Rocky Mountains, attaining 
an altitude of 6000 feet above the sea level. Arrives about May, and leaves again 
in September; after nesting assembles in large flocks, generally associating with the 
chickadees and pigmy nuthatches; builds a hanging nest at the end of a young 
pine branch, lays from five to seven eggs. Those I obtained were unfortunately 
broken. 
Hydrobata mexicana .— (Baird.) 
Water-ouzel—American Dipper. After carefully comparing a large series 
of specimens shot on almost every stream from the coast along the Boundary line 
to the summit of the Rocky Mountains, I am quite convinced that there is only one 
species common to this immense tract of country; and the same species as the 
ouzel found east of the Rocky Mountains. A few remain at Colville during the 
winter, but the greater number arrive in April; nests in June. I am quite sure 
this bird can and does swim, for I have often seen them swimming about on the 
large lakes just like a grebe. They vary greatly in size and colour. 
Male from the Eraser measured, total length, r l\ in. Male from Colville, 6 in. 
Male from Ashtnolow (Cascade range), 2451ft. above the sea level, 7 in. Male 
from Elat-head liver, Rocky Mountains, 6fin. Male from Camp Kishenchu, 
4150 ft. above the sea level, 6| in. 
