THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
337 
the anterior surface. Molars smaller, but otherwise similar in form. Length of 
skull liinch. 
General differences from Lagomys princeps — First, in being smaller, IJ inch 
shorter in total length; the ear, measured from behind, i inch shorter; the colour 
generally darker, especially the lower third of the back. 
Secondly , in the structural differences of the skull; for although these differences 
are not prominent or well defined, yet they are unquestionable specific variations. 
Thirdly , in the habit of constructing a nest of hay for the winter sleep, and in 
living at a much greater altitude. 
This Lagomys , which I propose making a new species, and calling, from its being 
so much less than any other, Lagomys minimus , lives on the summit of the Cascade 
Mountains, at an altitude above the sea-level of about 7000 feet. He chooses as 
his residence loose piles of rocks and stones. He is shy and wary, and on the 
slightest noise takes a header into a crevice. When everything is again still and 
quiet, he cautiously peeps out, and growing bold in the silence, climbs up on the 
top of a stone, and, sitting on his hind legs like a begging dog, gives a sharp shrill 
cry; and so curiously deceptive is it that I constantly imagined the sound was far 
distant when it has been close to my feet. It was in October, when I was on 
Ptarmigan Hill, a high mountain in the Cascade range; the snow was just beginning 
to fall, and all these little fellows were then busily employed in making large nests, 
in the crevices between the stones, of dry grass and leaves, evidently for their 
winter sleep, and perhaps storehouse. I should have made much more extensive 
observations, had not the prospect of coming snow driven me down. 
Catalogue with appended notes by J. K. Lord, F.Z.S., on the Birds 9 Nests 
and Eggs collected by him, in North West America, and presented to the 
Loyal Artillery Institution, by the British North American Boundary Com¬ 
mission. 
Colaptes mexicanus .— (Baird.) 
Bedsiiafted Flicker. The eggs generally from ten to twelve are laid on the 
bare wood at the bottom of a deep hole bored in the dead branch of a pine tree, 
very difficult to obtain, being high up and the branch usually rotten. Taken at 
Colville in July. 
Chordeiles popetue .— (Veil.) 
Night Hawk—Bull Bat. —Lays two eggs on the bare ground, never more. 
Taken at Camp Kishenen, altitude above sea level 4150 feet. 
Ceryle alcyon .— (Boir.) 
Belted King Fisher. The place selected for nesting is generally a high sand 
bank (close to a river), into which the birds bore a long hole; the one from which 
these eggs were taken measured 7 ft. from the entrance to the end, where I found 
the eggs, twelve in number, laid on the bare earth. Taken in June from a gravel 
bank near the salmon falls on the upper Columbia Biver. 
Tyrannus carolinensis .— (Baird.) 
King Bird.—Bee Martin. Nest loosely constructed of grass and small bits 
of stick, and lined with root fibres. I have never seen this bird use hair in lining 
its nest. Generally built in a thick thorn bush; number of eggs laid usually five. 
Taken in June in the Colville valley. 
