-S. DEf ARTMKNT Ol' ACERICULTIJRE

DIVISION OF ORNITIIOLOGi AND JIA.M.MAIJIOV ■

. NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA

PUBLISHED HY AFTHOEr '■ f . , ITAEV OF AfiRICULTUEE

[Artuiil <lat >1 , ^iay ol, ISBSJ

THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITIOK

A BIOLOGICAL SIJHVEY OF PARTS OF C.^LIFORNIA, NEVADA.
ARIZONA. AND UTAH

II

1. Report on Birds. ~ 1,^ * A. K. Fisher, ;M. F.

2. Report on Reptil'?^ Batrachians. Fy Lkoxiiard .Stii.txkcer

8. Report on Fishe ^iAUEES j[. (Ai.uER t', Ph. ]).

1. on InsepFi Ph. n.

r.. Report on Mollt-^*' P. Stearns, Ph. 1>,

(i. Report on Desei
7. Report on Daserl

P>y ('. llAi;r TiIerrta.m, D.

Py Ct. Hart "Merria.m, .M. 1>.

8. List of Localities. Mo:

WA S H I N G'l'O i\

GOVERN M F. N T P R 1 N 'I' I N G O F F I C E

QH104 D28X Ent.
author

^ TITLE

Valiev Expedition

North American Fauna, No. 7. Frontispiece.

MOHAVE DESERT, CALIFORNIA, SHOWING TREE YUCCAS.

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

DIVISION OF ORNITHOLOGI AND JIAilMALOGY

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA

TTo. 7

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE

[Actual (late of piildicatiou, May 31, 1893]

THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION

A BIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF PARTS OF CALIFORNIA, NEVADA.
ARIZONA, AND UTAH

II

1. Report on Birds. By A. K. Fishek, AI. D.

2. Report on Reptiles and Batrachians. By Leonhard Stejneger

3. Report on Fishes. By Charles H. Gilbert, Ph. D.

4. Report on Insects. By C. X^. Riley, Ph. D.

5. Report on Mollusks. By R. E. C. Stearns, PIi. U.

6. Report on Desert Trees and Shrubs. By C. Hart Merriam, AI. D.

7. Report on Desert Cactuses and Yuccas. By C. Hart AIerriam, AI. D.

8. List of Localities. By T. S. Palmer

WASHING 1' O N
government printing office
1 8 9 .3

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

U. S. Department of Agriculture,

WasM7igt07i, D. G., December- 28, 1892.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith the manuscript of Korth
American Fauna, No. 7, consisting of Part ii of the report on the results
of the Death Yalley Expedition, a biological survey of southern Cali-
fornia, southern Nevada, and parts of Utah and Arizona, carried on by
your authority in 1891. It consists of the special reports on birds, rep-
tiles, batrachians, fishes, molluscs, insects, and the desert shrubs, cac-
tuses, and yuccas, and is accompanied by a list of localities.

Part I, comprising the general report (itinerary, description of the
region, and discussion of life zones) and the report on mammals, is not
yet ready for the jiress.

Eespectfully,

C. Hart Merriam,

Chief of Division of

Ornithology and Mammalogy.

Hon. J. M. Eusk,

^Secretary of Agriculture.

8

CONTENTS.

PAGE.

Eeport on Birrls. By A. K. FisLer, M. D 7-158

Eeport on Eeptiles and BatracMans. By Leonbard Stejueger 159-228

Eeport on Fishes. By Charles H. Gilbert, Ph. D 229-234

Eeport on Insects. By C. V. Eiley, Ph. D., S. W. Williston, P. E. Uhler, and

Lawrence Bruner 235-268

Eeport on Molliisks. By E. E. C. Stearns, Ph. D 269-283

Eeport on Desert Trees and Shrubs. By C. Hart Merriam, M. D 285-343

Eeport on Desert Cactuses and Yuccas. By C. Hart Merriam, M. D 345-359

List of Localities. By T. S. Palmer 361-384

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Frontispiece: Mohave Desert, California, showing tree yuccas.

Plate I. 1, Sceloporus clarldi; 2, S. magister; 3, S. aosteromus; 4, S. orcutti; 5, S.
ioulengeri; 6, S. jioHdanus.

II. 1, Fhrgnosoma corrmtum; 2, P. hlainvilUi; 3, P. goodei; 4, P. platyrhinos.

III. 1, Xantusiavigilis; 2, Salvadorahexalepis; 3, Bufo halophilus; 4, P. boreas

nelsoni, subsp. nov. ; 5, Kana fislieri, sj). nov.

IV. Sauromalus ater.

V. Empetrichthys merriami gen. et. sp. nov.

VI. 1, Rhiniohthys nevadensis sp. nov. ; 2, R. velifer sp. nov.

VII. Opuntia aGantJiocarpa.

VIII. Opuntia acanthocarpa.

IX. Opuntia ivhipplei.

X. Opuntia parryi.

XL Opuntia rutila.

XII. Yucca baccata.

XIII. Yucca arboreacens.

XIV. Yucca macrocarp a.

FIGURES IN TEXT.

Fig. 1. Amnicola micrococcus, page 277.

2. Fluniinicola merriami, page 282.

MAPS.

Map 1. General route map of the expedition.

2. Lower division of the Lower Sonoran zone.

3. Distribution of LeConte’s thrasher {Harporliynclius lecontei).

4. Distribution of the creosote bush (Larrea trideniata).

5. Distribution of the tree yucca {Yucca arborescens).

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

No. 7.

May, 1893.

REPORT ON THE ORNITHOLOGY OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION
OF 1891, COMPRISING NOTES ON THE BIRDS OBSERVED IN SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA. SOUTHERN NEVADA, AND PARTS OF ARIZONA AND UTAH.

By A. K. FisheR; M. D,

The present report includes an enumeration of all the birds observed
throughout the region traversed by the different members of the expe-
dition. It was considered advisable to unite all the observations in
one general report rather than attempt to treat of the avifauna of
special localities in a number of separate papers. At the same time a
few local lists may be found under particular areas in Part I.

A number of side trips were made to special localities by small parties,
which not only materially increased the observations on the birds
already met with, but also added a number of species to the list. Among
these trips may be mentioned one made by Dr. Merriam and Mr. Bailey,
who extended their observations as far east as St. George, Utah.
They were thereby enabled to add valuable notes on several of the birds
of the Great Basin not seen elsewhere. After the main party had dis-
banded in the fall, a trip was made by Mr. NTelson along the coast from
San Simeon to Carpenteria, and one to Monterey by Mr. Bailey, which
resulted in partially filling up a wide gap among the water birds.

Owing to the unusual interest shown in matters relating to Death
Valley, and to the entire absence of reliable information concerning the
species inhabiting this area, it seemed best to append a special list of
the birds observed there, with brief annotations. This list is believed
to be reasonably complete, since the valley was visited by one or more
members of the expedition every month except May, from January to
June inclusive. A list of the species found in Owens Valley is added
for comparison. (See pp. 150-158.)

The known ranges of a number of species were much extended by the
expedition, notably in the cases of Oreortyx pictus plumiferus, Dryobates
scalaris bairdi, Chordeiles texensis, Pyrocephalus rubineus mexicanus,
Calypte costce, Icterus parisorum, Leueosticte tephrocotis, Junco hyemalis
thurberi, Spizella atrigularis, Feuceea cassini, Sarporliynclms leconUi^
and a few others ; and the distribution of many better-known species
was more definitely determined.

8

NORTH AJ.IERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Tlie known range of tlie pliinied (piail {(h'eortyx p ictus, ])luniifer us) wa.s
(•arried eastward from the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada to Mount
Magruder, Nevada, and to all the desert ranges of southern California
west of Death Valley. This valley at)parently limits the distribution of
this bird on the east, as the species was nowhere seen in the Grapevine
or Charleston mountains, although both ranges are well timbered and
hear brush which might afford suitable food and shelter.

Baird’s woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris hairdi) was quite common
among the tree yuccas on the Mohave Desert at Hesperia, and its range
was extended northward to Vegas Valley, Nevada, and the valley of
the Santa Clara, in southwestern Utah, by Dr. Merriam. The vermilion
flycatcher also was secured in the same valley, though previously uu-
knowii north of Fort Mohave, Ariz. The Texas nighthawk {Chordeiles
texensis) was found to be a common summer resident in all the valleys
east of the Sierra Nevada from Owens Valley, California, to St. George,
Utah, where Dr. Merriam secured the eggs. It was taken also in the
San Joaquin Valley, California, near Bakersfield. Scott’s oriole [Icterus
parisorum) is another species whose range was carried northward from
a short distance above our southern border in California to about lati-
tude 38°, where it was common in places among the tree yuccas, and
also on the slopes of some of the desert ranges as high as the junipers
and pinons. Along the northern line of distribution it was found in
Nevada at the Queen mine in the White Mountains, at Mount Magru-
der, and in the Juniper Mountains, and in Utah in the Beaverdam Moun-
tains. Costa’s humming bird [Calypte costce) was very common wher-
ever Avater occurred throughout the desert region, ranging northward
nearly to latitude 38°, and eastward to the Beaverdam Mountains,
Utah. Its nest was frequently found in the low bushes and cactuses on
the hillsides near springs and streams.

The discovery that the gray-crowned finch [Leucosticte tepJirocotis)
breeds in the southern Sierra and in the White Mountains is especially
interesting both because its breeding range was previously unknown,
and because no species of the genus had been recorded from the Sierra
Nevada south of about latitude 40°, while the present species was com-
mon nearly to the 36th parallel.

Most satisfactory results were accomplished in working out the dis-
tribution of Thurber’s junco [Junco liyemalis tlmrberi), a recently de-
scribed race whose range was not definitely known. In the Sierra
Nevada it was common from the Tosemite Valley, the most northern
point visited by any member of the expedition, to the southern end of
the range, and in the desert ranges eastward to the Grapevine and
Charleston mountains, where its x)lace was occupied, in winter at least,
by its more eastern representative, Shufeldt’s junco. The little black-
chinned sparrow [Spizella atrigularis) was found to be not an uncom-
mon summer resident on the slopes of several of the desert ranges and
also on the east slope of the Sierra Nevada as far north as Independ-

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

9

ence Creek in Kearsarge Pass. Tliis was a great surprise, as liereto-
fore the species has been recorded within oiir limits only along the
southern border, and its presence was not suspected until a specimen
was taken in the Panamint Mountains in April.

LeConte’s thrasher {Rarporhynchus lecontei), contrary to our expecta-
tions, was a common resident throughout the principal desert valleys
from Owens Yalley at the east foot of the Sierra Nevada across south-
ern California and Nevada to southwestern Utah, where it was found
nearly to the summit of the Beaverdam Mountains. Northward it was
observed in Owens Valley almost to Benton, a short distance south of
the 38th parallel. It was also taken by Mr. Nelson in the southern part
of the San Joaquin Yalley, California, about Buena Yista Lake.

The bird life of a region is materially affected by various agencies,
such as changes in the character of the country brought about by the
destruction of forests, the drying up of springs and water courses, and
other causes. But in the High Sierra the slieep industry is doing more
than anything else to make that region uninhabitable for certain species
of birds and also for other forms of life, as long since pointed out by
Mr. Henshaw (Appendix JJ, Annual Eeport of the Chief of Engineers
for 1876, j). 225). During the summer the sheep almost totally destroy
all the smaller plants and shrubs which, except in the wet meadows,
do not grow again until the following spring. The writer has walked
for miles along the hillsides where these animals had recently grazed
without seeing a plant of any description save the larger woody shrubs.
That the destruction of vegetation by sheep in this region is a potent
cause of the scarcity of ground-inhabiting birds is evident by contrast
to anyone visiting the national parks where no sheep are allowed to
graze and where the vegetation is consequently uninjured and many
species of birds abundant.

One member of the expedition, Mr. Yernon Bailey, traversed the
Virgin Yalley in southwestern Utah and eastern Nevada and the
Detrital and Sacramento valleys, Arizona, during the winter of 1888-’89.
His notes on several of the birds observed are incorporated in the
l)resent report.

With few exceptions it was thought better not to include matter
from ];)ublished reports partially covering the same region, since most
of this material has been republished already in Mr. Belding’s Land
Birds of the Pacific Coast District.

In the following report 290 species and subspecies of birds are dwelt
upon at greater or less length. The nomenclature adopted is that of
the American Ornithologists’ Union.

The writer wishes to extend his sincere thanks to all members of the
expedition who assisted in collecting specimens or information for the
present report. He wishes also to acknowledge the kindness of Mr. L.
Belding, who furnished data on certain birds observed by him during a
short trip to the Tosemite N ational Park in June, 1891. In all impor ta nt
instances credit is given to the observer under the head of each species.

10

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Without this substantial help, so freely given, little more than a frag-
mentary report would have been possible.

LIST OF BIRDS.

1. ^^chmophorns occidentaUs.

2. Colymlytis nigricollis calif ornicus.

3. Fodilymhus podiceps.

4. Urinator imber,

5. Urinator pacificus.

6. Urinator Itimme.

7. U7'ia troile calif ornica.

8. Lariis glaucescens,

9. Lams califoi'nicus,

10. Lai'us delaware^isis.

11. Laras lieer^nanni.

12. Laras Philadelphia.

13. Sterna inaxima.

14. Phalacrocorax dilophus albociUatus.

15. Phalacrocorax penicillatas.

16. Phalacrocorax pelagicus resplendens,

17. Pelecanus ei'ythroi'hynchos.

18. Pelecanus calif 07'nicus.

19. Merganser americanius.

20. Merganser seri'ator.

21. Anas boschas.

22. Anas strepera.

23. Alias americana.

24. Anas carolinensis.

25. Anas discors.

26. Anas cyanoptera.

27. Spatula clyiwata.

28. Dafila acuta.

29. Aythya americana.

30. Aythya vallisneria.

31. Aythya collaris.

32. Glaucionetta clangula ameidcana.

33. Charitonetta albeola.

34. Hish'ionicns hisirionicus.

35. Oidemia amei'icana.

36. Oidemia perspicilla ta.

37. Prismatura rubida.

38. Chen hyperborea.

39. Anser albifrons gambeli.

40. Branta canadensis hutchinsii.

41. Branta canadensis occidentaUs.

42. Dendi’ocygna fulea.

43. Plegadis guarauna.

44. Botaurus lentiginosus.

45. Ardea herodias.

46. Ardea egretta.

47. Ardea virescens.

48. Nycticoi'ax nycticorax ncevius.

49. Crus canadensis.

50. Rallus virginianus.

51. Porzana Carolina.

52. Fulica americana.

53. Phalaropus tricolor.

64. Becurvirostra americana.

55. Llimantopus mexicanus.

56. Gallinago delicata,

57. Tringa minutilla.

58. Freunetes occidentaUs.

59. Calidi'is arenai'ia.

60. Limosa fedoa.

61. Tetanus melanoleucns.

62. Symphemia semipalmatainoimata.

63. Heteractitis incanus.

64. Actitis maeularia.

65. Numenius longirostris.

66. Numenius hudsonicus.

67. Charadrius squatarola.

68. JEgialitis vocifera.

69. jFgialitis nivosa.

70. JEgiaUtis montana.

71. Oreortyx pictus plumiferus.

72. Callipepla calif oi'nica.

73. Callipepla californica vaUicola.

74. Callipepla gambeli.

75. Dendi'agapus obscurus fuUginosus.

76. Centrocercus urophasianus.

77. Columba fasciata.

78. Zenaidura macroura.

79. Pseudogryphus ealifornianus.

80. Cathartes aura.

81. Flanus leucmus.

82. Circus hudsonius.

83. Accipiter velox.

84. Accipiter cooperi.

85. Accipiter atricapillus striatulus.

86. Buteo borealis calurus.

87. Buteo lineatus elegans.

88. Buteo sivainsoni.

89. Archibuteo ferrugineus.

90. Aquila chrysaetos.

91. Haliceeius leucocephalus.

92. Falco mexicanus.

93. Falco gieregrinus anatum.

94. Falco columbarius.

95. Falco spai'verius deseidicolus.

96. Pandion haliaetus carolinensis.

97. Sti'ix pratincola.

98. Asio tvilsonianus.

99. Asio accipitrinus.

100. Syrnium occidentale.

May, 1893.] BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

11

LIST OF BIRDS— Continued.

101. Megascops asio hendirei.

102. Buho virginianus sulyarcticus.

103. Speotyto ciinicularia liypogcm.

104. Geococcyx californianus.

105. Coceyzus arnericanus occidentalis.

106. Ceryle alcyon.

107. Bryoiates villosits hyloscopiis.

108. Bryohates puhescens gairdnerii.

109. Bryohates scalaris bairdi.

110. Bryohates nuttallii.

111. Xenopicus albolarratus.

112. Spliyrapicus varius nuchalis.

113. Spliyrapicus ruher.

114. Spliyrapicus tliyroideus.

115. Ceophlceus pileatus.

116. Melanerpes formicivorous hairdi.

117. Melanerpes torquatus.

118. Melanerpes uropygialis.

119. Colaptes cafer.

120. Phalainoptilus nuttalli.

121. Plialcenoptilus nuttalli californicns.

122. Chordeiles virginianus lienryi.

123. Chordeiles texensis.

124. Cypseloides niger.

125. Chcetura vauxi.

126. Aeronautes melanoleucus.

127. Trochiliis alexandri.

128. Calypte costce.

129. Calypte anna.

130. Selasphorus platycercus.

131. Selasphorus ruj’us.

132. Stellula calliope.

133. Tyrannus tyrannus.

134. Tyrannus verticalis.

135. Tyrannus vociferans.

136. Myiarehus cinerascens..

137. Sayornis saya.

138. Sayornis nigricans.

139. Contopus borealis.

140. Contopus richardsonii.

141. Enipidonax difficilis.

142. Enipidonax pusill us.

143. Enipidonax hamniondi.

144. Enipidonax wrightii.

145. Pyrocephalus riihineus mexieanus.

146. Otocoris alpesiris arenicola.

147. Otocoris alpestris chrysolcenia.

148. Pica pica hudsonica.

149. Pica nuttalli.

150. Cyanocitta stelleri.

151. Cyanocitta stelleri frontalis.

152. Aphelocoma woodhousei.

153. Aphelocoma californica.

154. Corvus corax sinuatus.

155. Corvus aniericanus.

156. Picicorvus colunihianus.

157. Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus.

158. Molothrus ater.

159. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus.

160. Agelaius phoeniceus.

161. Agelaius guhernator.

162. Siurnella magna neglecta.

163. Icterus parisorum.

164. Icterus hulloclci.

165. Scolecophagus cyanocephalus.

166. Coccothraustes vespertinus.

167. Pinicola enueleator.

168. Carpodacus purpureus californicns.

169. Carpodacus cassini. .

170. Carpodacus mexieanus fron talis.

171. Loxia curvirostra stricMandi.

172. Leucosticte tephrocotis.

173. Leucosticte atrata.

174. Spinus tristis.

175. Spinus psaltria.

176. Spinus psaltria arizonve.

177. Spinus lawrencei.

178. Spinus pinus.

179. Pooccetes gramineus eonfinis,

180. AmmOdramus sandiciehensis aluadinus.

181. Ammodranius sandivichensis hr y anti.

182. Chondestes grammacus strigatus.

183. Zonotriehia leucophrys.

184. Zonotriehia leucophrys intermedia.

185. Zonotriehia leucophrys gamheli.

186. Zonotriehia eoronata.

187. Zonotriehia albicollis.

188. Spizella monticola oehracea.

189. Spizella socialis arizonce.

190. Spizella hreiveri.

191. Spizella atrigularis.

192. Junco hyemalis.

193. Junco hyemalis shufeldti,

194. Junco hyemalis thurheri.

195. Junco pinosus.

196. Amphispiza hilineata.

197. Amphispiza belli.

198. Amphispiza belli nevadensis,

199. Peuceea cassini.

200. Peuecea ruficeps.

201. Melospiza fasciata fallax.

202. Melospiza fasciata montana.

203. Melospiza fasciata heermanni.

204. Melospiza fasciata guttata.

205. Melospiza fasciata rufina.

206. Melospiza fasciata graminea.

207. Melospiza lincolni.

208. Passerella iliaca unalaschcensis.

12

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[Xo.7.

LIST OF BIRDS— Coiitinned.

209. Fasserella iliaca megarhyncha.

210. Fasserella iliaca schistacea.

211. Fipilo maculatus megalonyx.

212. Fignlo maculatus oregonus.

213. Fipilo cMorurus.

214. Fipilo fuscus mesoleucus.

215. Fipilo fuscus crissalis.

216. Fipilo aierti.

217. Habia melanocepliala.

218. Guiraca ccerulea eurhynclia.

219. Fasserina amoena.

220. Calamospiza melanocorys.

221. Firanga ludoviciana.

222. Firanga hepatica.

223. Frogne subis liesperia.

224. Fetrocbelidon lunifrons,

225. Clielidon erythrogaster.

226. Tacliycineta bicolor.

227. Tacliycineta tlialassina.

228. Clivicola riparia.

229. Stelgidopteryx serripennis.

230. Ampelis cedrorum.

231. Fhamopepla nitens.

232. Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides.

233. Vireo gilvus swainsoni.

234. Vireo solitarius cassinii.

235. Vireo solitarius plumbeus,

236. Vireo bellii pusillus.

237. Vireo vicinior.

238. Helminthopliila lucice.

239. Helmintlioxiliila ruficapilla gutturalis.

240. Helminthopliila celata lutesccns.

241. Dendroica cestiva.

242. Dendroica auduboni.

243. Dendroica nigrescens.

244. Dendroica townsendi. ,

245. Dendroica occidentalis.

246. Seiurus noveboracensis noiabilis.

247. Geothlypis macgillivrayi.

248. Geothlypis trichas occidentalis.

249. Icteria virens longieauda.

250. Sylvania ])usilla jyilcolata.'

251. Anthus pennsylvanicus.

252. Cinclus mexicanus.

253. Oroscoptes montanus.

254. Mimus polyglottos.

255. Harporliynchus redivivus.

256. HarpMiynchus lecontei,

257. Harporliynchus crissalis.

258. Heleodytes brunneicapillus.

259. Salpinctes obsoletus.

260. Catherpes mexicanus conspersus.

261. Tliryothorus beioiclcii spilurus.

262. Tliryothorus bewicMi bairdi.

263. Troglodytes aedon aztecus.

264. Cistothorus palustris paludicola,

265. Certhia familiaris occidentalis.

266. Sitta carolinensis aculeata.

267. Sitta canadensis.

268. Sitta gnjgnicea.

269. Farus inornatus.

270. Farus inornatus griseus.

271. Farus gambeli.

272. Farus rufescens neglectus.

273. Chamcea fasciata henshawi.

274. Fsaltriparus minimus californicus.

275. Fsaltriparus plumbeus.

276. Auriparus flaviceps.

277. Begulus satrapa olivaceus.

278. Begulus calendula.

279. Folioptila ccerulea obscura.

280. Folioptila plumbea.

281. Folioptila calif ornica.

282. Myadestes townsendii.

283. Tiirdus ustiilatus.

284. Tardus xistulatus swainsonii.

285. Turdus nonalaschlcce.

286. Turdus aonalasclilcce auduboni.

287. Merula migratoria propinqua.

288. Hesperociclda ncevia.

289. Sialiamexicana.

290. Sialia arctica.

^chmophorus occidentalis. Western Grebe.

The western grebe was seen only in the San Joaquin Yalley, where
Mr. Nelson observed a few at Buena Yista Lake, in October.

Colymbus nigricollis californicus. Eared Grebe.

The eared grebe was found in most of the larger ponds or lakes
throughout the region visited by the expedition. At Owens Lake,
Calif., large flocks were seen as late as the middle of June. Hundreds
of dead ones were observed along the shore, where they were drifted
by the wind. The writer counted the bodies found within the limits
of a given distance, and estimated the total for the entire lake shore

Mat, 1893.]

BIRDS OP THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

13

as 35,000. One of two causes, or both combined, must account for tlie
death of so many. Either tlie water, which is saturated with salt and
soda, is in some way injurious to them, or remaining to search for
proper food, which does not exist in the lake, they become so weak from
innutrition as to be unable to fly and die of starvation.

The mortality observed is not unusual, but seems to be of regular oc-
currence, Mr, Nelson, while camped at Keeler, in December, 1890, re-
ported large numbers of dead grebes along the shore, and further stated
that a light wind, blowing in shore, brought in half a dozen or more
recently dead and excessively emaciated birds.

A specimen was secured on the reservoir at Furnace Creek, Death
Valley, by Mr. Bailey April 11, and another on Pahranagat Lake, where
many others were seen. May 24. Mr. Nelson saw a single individual in
a glacier lake at the head of San Joaquin River, which was more likely
the horned grebej Mr. Stephens found several at Little Owens Lake,
May 6-11 5 and Mr. Palmer observed eight or ten pairs, in fall breed-
ing plumage, on Elizabeth Lake July 2, and several on Crane Lake, near
Gorman Station, Calif., June 28. Mr. Nelson saw the species at Buena
Vista Lake, in the San Joaquin Valley, in October, and found it com-
mon along the coast south of San Simeon in November.

The horned grebe {Golymhus auritus) may have been associated with
the present species in some localities, but it was not identified.

Record of specimens collected of Colymbus nigricollis californicus.

Collect-i
or’s Xo.;

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eemarks.

j cf

Death Valley, California

Apr. 11, 1891

V. Bailey

Purnace Creek.

d*

Keeler, Inyo Co., Calif

June 2, 1891

T. S. Palmer

Podilymbus podiceps. Pied-billecI Grebe.

A few dabchicks were seen by Mr. Nelson along the coast between
San Simeon and Carpenteria, in November.

Urinator sp. ?

Mr. Nelson reported loons as common along the coast south of San
Simeon in November. No adults were observed, all the birds being in
immature plumage and remarkably unsuspicious. It is x)robable that
the above note includes two and possibly three species, namely, the
Pacific, red-throated, and common loons.

Uria troile californica. California Murre.

Tlie California murre was found by Mr. Bailey to be common along
the shore at Monterej-^, Calif., where a female was secured October 5.

Larus glaucescens. Glaucous -winged Gull.

Mr. Nelson found this species common along the coast of California
south of San Simeon in November.

Larus californicus. California Gull.

Mr. Nelson saw three gulls of this species flying up Owens River,
California, opposite Lone Pine, in December, 1899. Along the shores

14

NOUTII AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

of Owens Lake from one to half a dozen were seen almost every day
through December. A specimen shot on December 28 had its craw full
of duck meat and featliers, and from the actions of its associates when
a duck was shot it was evident that they prey upon such game, since
the lake affords little other food.

The same observer saw a number of gulls of this species at Buena
Vista Lake, in the San Joaquin Valley, in October, and found it com-
mon along the coast from San Simeon to Carpenteria, November 4 to
December 18, 1891.

Larus delawarensis. Ring-billed Gull.

Mr. Nelson observed the ring-billed gull a few times at Owens Lake,
and secured two specimens at a pond abounding in small fish near Lone
Pine, in December, 1890. He found it rather common along the coast
from San Simeon to Carpenteria, November 4 to December 18, 1891.
Larus heermanni. Heermann’s Gull.

Common along the coast from San Simeon to Carpenteria, November
4 to December 18, 1891.

Larus Philadelphia. Bonaparte’s Gulh

Mr. Nelson saw one immature bird on a small lake near Lone Pine
the last of December, 1890, and found a few along the coast from San
Simeon to Carpenteria, November 4 to December 18, 1891,
sterna maxima. Royal Tern.

A large tern, which Mr. Nelson reported as this species, was very
common about the bays and inlets along the coast south of San Simeon.
Phalacrocorax dilophus albociliatus. Farallone Cormorant.

Mr. Nelson reported this cormorant as common along the coast from
San Simeon to Carpenteria, November 4 to December 18.

Phalacrocorax penicillatus. Brandt’s Cormorant.

Common in the same ifface.

Phalacroc.orax pelagicus resplendens. Baird’s Cormorant.

Noted by Mr. Nelson at Santa Barbara.

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos. White Pelican.

Mr. Stephens saw a flock of white pelicans sailing high in the air,
midway between Haway Meadows and Olancha, at the southern end of
Owens Lake, May 15. Mr. Palmer found the wings and shoulder gir-
dle of one of these birds at Crane Lake, near Old Fort Tejon, July 2,
and saw an individual on a small lake at Lone Pine, August 23.

Mr. Nelson saw the species at Buena Vista Lake, in the San Joa-
quin Valley, in October, and observed a large flock on Morro Bay in
November.

Pelecanus californicus. California Brown Pelican.

Brown pelicans were common about San Francisco Bay and outside
of the Grolden Gate during the latter part of September. Mr. Bailey
found them numerous at Monterey, September 28 to October 9, and Mr,

Mat, 1893.] BIRDS OF THPi DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 15

Nelson found tliem abundant all along the coast from San Simeon to
Carpenteria, November 4 to December 18.

Merganser americanus. Merganser.

A flock of a dozen or more sheldrakes was seen at vSoda Springs
(locally known as Kern liiver Lakes), in the Sierra Nevada the first
week in September, and a specimen shot there by Mr, Bailey August
15, belongs to this species.

Merganser serrator. Refl-breasted Merganser.

A few red-breasted mergansers, according to Mr. Nelson, were liv-
ing in the lakes near Lone Pine in December, 1890, and the remains of
one were found on the shore of Owens Lake in June. Dr. Merriam shot
an adult male in a small pond in Yegas Wash, Nevada, May 2, saw
a pair at the Bend of the Colorado, May 3, and noted three females at
the mouth of Beaverdam Creek, Arizona, May 9 and 10.

Anas boschas. Mallard.

The first mallard seen was a fine adult male, which was secured as
it arose from one of the irrigating ditches in the alfalfa field at Furnace
Creek, in Death Valley, January 23. Mr. Nelson noted several small
flocks at Saratoga Sxirings, at the south end of the valley, early in Feb-
ruary, and a few in Yegas Wash, Nevada, March 3-6. At Ash Mead-
ows, Nevada, this duck was not uncommon, and a number were secured
for the mess duiing the first three weeks in March. Dr. Merriam saw
a pair of mallards and several single birds in Pahranagat Valley, Ne-
vada, May 22-26, and Mr. Stephens noted a few in Oasis Valley, Nevada,
March 15-19. In Owens Valley, California, Mr. Nelson found it spar-
ingly about the lakes at Lone Pine in December, 1890; Mr. Stejihens
saw males and females at Little Owens Lake, May 6-11, and was con-
fident that it bred in the meadows about Olancha, at the foot of Owens
Lake, May 16-23. Dr. Merriam shot two and saw others in a small
tule pond in Kern Valley, California, June 22, and the writei* saw sev-
eral at the same place July 13. At Walker Basin, California, several
females were seen with their broods of young. A specimen of the lat-
ter in the down, secured July 13, had its stomach distended with grass-
hoxjpers, which insects were abundant everywhere in the neighborhood
of the sloughs.

At Bakersfield, in the San Joaquin Valley, a flock of nearly full-
grown birds was flushed from one of the old water ditches on July 19.
At a small pond near Trout Meadows, in the Sierra Nevada, Mr. Bailey
saw a flock of ten individuals about the middle of August, and on Sep-
tember 7 he and the writer saw a flock containing six birds at the
same place. Mr. Nelson saw the species at Buena Vista Lake in Octo-
ber, and along the route from San Simeon to Carpenteria, in November
and December.

Anas atrepera. Gadwall.

The gadwall did not begin to arrive at Ash Meadows, Nevada, until
about March 8, from which time until March 21, when the party left

IG

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA,

[No.7.

the vicinity, it increased gradnally in nnmbers and furnished, together
witii many of the other ducks, an agreeai)le change in the fare. Mr.
Nelson found the species in small numbers in the bays and creeks be-
tween San Simeon and Carpeuteria, Calif., in November and Decem-
ber.

Anas americana. RaMpate; Widgeon.

The spring flight of widgeons began at Ash Meadows, Nevada, about
March 8, where they soon became common in the small ponds and
sloughs. This was the only locality where the species was at all com-
mon.

Mr. Nelson reported two or three seen and one killed at Saratoga
Springs, Death Valley, California, early in February; a single bird
killed in Pabrump Valley, Nevada, the middle of the same mouth, and
one seen in Vegas Wash, Nevada, about the middle of March. Dr.
Merriam mentioned one shot at Furnace Creek in Death Valley, April
8. Mr. Nelson noted a few widgeons in the bays and creeks between
San Simeon and Carpeuteria, Calif., in November and December.

Anas carolinensis. Green-winged Teal,

Small flocks of green-winged teal were seen at Furnace Creek, Death
Valley, January 23 to February 4. They were found either at the reser-
•voir or in the irrigating ditches which flow through the alfalfa field.
At Ash Meadows, Nevada, the sx)ecies was very common, occurring in
flocks which varied in size from a few individuals to several hundred
birds.

Mr. Nelson found it common at Saratoga Springs, in the southern
end of Death Valley, early in February, at Pahrump Kaiich, Nevada,
February 12-28; and saw small flocks about the large springs in Pah-
rump and Vegas valleys, March 3-16.

At Hot Springs, Panamint Valley, the writer saw awing of this spe-
cies April 20, and Mr. Nelson saw a specimen at the same place in
January. The latter observer found it common at Buena Vista Lake
in the San Joaquin Valley, California, in. October, and between San
Simeon and Carpeuteria in November and December.

Anas discors. Blue- winged Teal.

The blue-winged teal was met with in two localities only. Mr. Steph-
ens recorded seeing a small flock at Little Owens Lake, May 6-11; and
the writer shot an individual out of a mixed flock of cinnamon and
green-winged teal at Ash Meadows, Nevada, March 20.

Anas cyanoptera. Cinnamon Teal,

The cinnamon teal is a common species in suitable localities through-
out the desert regions of the southern part of the Great Basin. It was
first observed at Ash Meadows, Nevada, March 18, at which date a few
were found in mixed flocks, and a little later considerable numbers
came in, both in flocks by themselves and associated with other ducks.
Mr. Nelson observed a female near Jackass Spring, in Cottonwood

Mat, 1893.] BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITIOH. 17

Caijou, Paiiaiuint Eange, June 1. Mr. Stephens saw several about tlie
ponds at Grapevine Sijring, Oali Ibrnia, April 1-4, and one was secured
at Hot Spring', Panamint Valley, April 17. On the last trip to Death
Valley Mr. Bailey secured a female in the reservoir at Furnace Creek,
June 19. It was undoubtedly a pensioner, as its ovaries were unde-
veloped. During the spring and early summer Dr. Merriam found this
duck breeding at numerous warm springs and alkali ponds throughout
the districts visited in the Lower Sonoran zone in southern Nevada and
southwestern Utah, and at Little Owens Lake, California. A female
was killed in a patch of fine watercress in Upper Cottonwood Spring
at the east base of the Charleston Mountains, Nevada, April 30; afiock
of twenty- two was seen at Vegas Spring, Nevada, May 1, and many
were noted in Vegas Wash, May 2. It was seen also in the lower
Santa Clara Valley, Utah, May 11-15, and was common throughout
Pahranagat Valley, Nevada, May 22-26, where it was breeding in the
marshes.

Record of specimens collected of Anas cyanoptcra.

Collect-
or’s No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Kemarks.

134

d ad
?

Ash Meadows, Nevada

Death Valley, California

Mar. 20, 1891
June 19, 1891

A. K. Fisher

Y. Bailey

Furnace Creek.

Spatula clypeata. Shoveller.

At Lone Pine and Owens Lake, California, Mr. Nelson reported the
shoveller as a common species, and at the latter place found it feeding
extensively on the larvie and pupse of a small fly {Ephydra Mans) which
abounds in the lake. The remains of a large number of these birds
were seen about the lake in June. A flock of four was seen on the
reservoir at Furnace Creek, in Death Valley, the latter part of January,
and the species was common at Ash Meadows, Nevada, where a number
were killed early in March. Mr. Palmer found a pair breeding in a
pond near Gorman Station, the last of June.

Dafila acuta. Pintail.

The sprigtail was common at Ash Meadows, Nevada, during the first
two weeks in March, and many were killed for the mess. Mr. Nelson
reported a number seen and some killed at Saratoga Springs, at the
south end of Death Vallej'^, February 1, and several seen in Vegas
Wash, Nevada, March 3-10.

Aythya americana. Keclhead.

The redhead was common at Ash Meadows, Nevada, during the first
half of March, and together with the mallard, pintail, widgeon, and gad-
wall furnished considerable food for the party.

Mr. Nelson saw one in Vegas Valley, Nevada, in March, and Mr,
Stephens another at Little Owens Lake, California, early in May.

12731— No, 7 ^2

18

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

INo. 7.

Aythya vallisneria. Canvasback.

Ash Meadows, Nevada, was the only place Avlieie canvasback ducks
were met with ; a few were killed there early in March.

Aythya collaris. Riug-uecked Duck.

The ring-necked duck was found only at Ash Meadows, Nevada, in
March, where several in fine adult plumage were shot.

Glaucionetta clangula americaua. Golden-eye.

Mr. Nelson saw a few wliistlers on the lakes at Lone Pine in Decem-
ber, 1890, the only individuals of this species seen.

Charitonetta albeola. Bulilehead.

Mr. Nelson reported a fewbuffle headed ducks about the ponds at Lone
Pine, California, in December, 1890.

Histrionicus histrionicus. Harlequin Duck.

None of onr party saw this species. Mr. Belding, who has been so
fortunate as to see a few each year, saw a pair in May, near Crockers,
which is about 20 miles northwest of the Yosemite Valley.

Oidemia americana. Scoter.

Mr. Nelson found this scoter not very common at Morro Bay, Cali-
fornia, in November.

Oidemia perspicillata. Surf Scoter.

The surf scoter was very common at Morro Bay, California, where
Mr. Nelson found mainly immature birds.

Brismatura rubida. Ruddy Duck.

The ruddy duck was first met with at Ash Meadows, Nevada, where
a few were killed about the middle of March. Three were seen and
secured in the reservoir at Furnace Creek, Death Valley, March 22.
Mr. Stephens saw it about the ponds at the ranch at Grapevine Spring,
California, April 1-4; and Dr. Merriam observed it in Pahranagat
Valley, Nevada, May 22-26. Near the western border of the Mohave
Desert in California Mr. Palmer found several in bright plumage on
Elizabeth Lake, July 2; one on a pond near Gorman Station on the
same day; and several on Castac Lake, July 10. It was probably
breeding at all three of these places.

Chen hyperborea. Lesser Snow Goose.

A fl^mk of snow geese was seen by Mr. Nelson about Morro Bay in
November, 1891. Mr. Bailey found this species common in flocks in
Virgin Valley, where it was first observed near Bunkerville, Nev., Jan-
uary 23, 1889. They frequented the shores of Virgin Kiver, where they
fed on the bleached stems and tender roots of a small club-rush. The
gullets of two individuals secured contained nothing excex^t the re-
mains of this x>lant.

Anser albifrons gambeli. AVliite-fronted Goose.

A white-fronted goose remained several days in company with four
Canada geese during the latter part of March in the alfalfa field at
Furnace Creek, Death Valley, California.

May, 1893.J

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALIJ^Y EXPEDITION.

10

Branta canadensis hutchinsii. Hutch in’s Goose.

Very few geese were heard or seen during the time the expedition was
in the field. Mr. Nelson reported hearing a flock which passed over
the camp at Lone Pine^ in Owens Valley, late one evening in Decem-
ber, 1890, and another on the east sloj)e of the Charleston Mountains,
N evada, March 3-16, 1891. At Furnace Creek ranch. Death V alley, four
Canada geese and one white-fronted goose remained in the alfalfa
field for several days during the latter part of March. The above
records may apply to the white-cheeked goose {Branta c. occide^italis).
Mr. Nelson saw a few Hutchin’s geese at Buena Vista Lake, in the S%n
Joaquin Valley, California, in October, and shot a pair near San Simeon.
Others were seen at different points along the coast, although nowhere
common.

Dendrocygna fulva. Fulvous Tree Duck.

Owens Valley, California, was the only locality where this species was
observed. Mr. Stephens found it quite common and unsuspicious at
Little Owens Lake, where he secured a pair. May 8. He also saw a
flock of a dozen or more at Ash Creek, near the southern end of Owens
Lake, June 1.

Record of specimens collected of Dendrocygna fulva.

Collec-
tor’s No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eeuiarks.

54

9

Little Owens Lake, California.

May 8, 1891

55

Plegadis guarauna. White-faced Glossy Ibis.

Mr. Stephens saw a small flock of the glossy ibis at Little Owens
Lake, May 6-11, and observed one at a springy place at Haway Meadows
May 12-14. At Furnace Creek, Death Valley, the wings and tail of a
specimen which had been killed near a ditch in the alfalfa field were
seen at the ranch.

Botaurus lentiginosus. Bittern.

The bittern was not uncommon at Ash Meadows, Nevada, during the
first three weeks in March, where it was seen in the marshes along the
irrigating ditches or by the larger springs, in which places small fish were
abundant. Dr. Merriam saw several in Pahranagat Valley, Nevada,
May 22-26, where it undoubtedly bred. In Owens Valley Mr. Stejiheus
found it at Alvord June 26-28; at Bishop, June 30, and Mr. Nelson shot
one near Lone Pine in December, 1890. The latter observer saw the
species at the head of Morro Bay, California, and at a small lake near
San Luis Obispo in November of the following year.

Ardea herodias. Great Blue Ilerou.

In California, great blue herons were not uncommon at Bakersfield,
in the San Joaquin Valley, where they Avere seen flying back and forth
from the river to their resting grouudSj July 17-20, At the folloAviug

20

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[Ko. 7.

places single individuals were seen : At a small lake near Lone Pine,
December, 1890; at Tejou ranch, near the mouth of the Pass, July 13;
at Little Owens Lake, June 20; at Kernville, July 12, and at Soda
Springs, September 7. Mr. Nelson found the species common in the
San Joaquin Valley wherever tlie streams or lakes furnish it proper
surroundings. He reported it common on the coast between Sau
Simeon and Carpenteria, and saw a few near San Luis Obis];)0 and be-
tween Carjienteria and Santa Paula in November and December.

Ardea egretta. Egret,

, A white egret was seep by Dr. Merriam at a little pool of muddy
water between the south end of Panamint Valley and Lone Willow
Spring, California, April 21; and another at the Great Bend of the
Colorado, May 4. The latter was on the Ari:5ona or east side of the
river, opposite the mouth of Vegas Wash. Mr. Nelson saw several
about Morro Bay, California, in November.

Ardea virescens. Green Heron.

The green heron was not uncommon along the river, sloughs, and old
ditches near Bakersfield, in the San Joaquin Valley, California, July
17-20; one was seen at Elk Bayou, near Tulare, in the same valley,
July 22; and Mr. Stephens saw one at Little Owens Lake, California,
May 6-11.

Nycticorax nycticorax nasvius. Black-cron^ned Night Heron.

As a matter of course, night herons were rare in a region where streams
and lakes containing fish were almost absent. Dr. Merriam saw an
adult AjDril 7, resting on a rock near the road in Windy Gap, between
Panamint and Death valleys. Several were seen by him on a small
alkaline pond at the west end of the Mohave Desert (Antelope
Valley), June 28, and one in northwestern Arizona (where Beaverdam
Creek joins the Virgin), May 9. Mr. Stephens saw several at Little
Owens Lake May 6-11, and Mr. Palmer saw one at Crane Lake, at
the west end of the Mohave Desert, June 28, and again July 2. Mr.
Bailey shot an immature specimen near the reservoir at Furnace
Creek, Death Valley, June 19. Its stomach contained two carp about
5 inches long. At Keeler, in Owens Valley, "one was observed near a
small fresh-water pond not far from the lake, June 26. At Walker
Basin several were seen flying over toward their feeding grounds, and
one was observed at the edge of a slough July 13-16.

At Bakersfield, in the San Joaquin Valley, the species was common
July 17-20, and at Morro Bay, on the coast, in November.

Grus canadensis. Little Brown Crane.

A little brown crane was seen for several days around the fields and
marshes at Ash Meadows, Nevada, and finally was secured March 10.
It was a female, and proved to be very good eating. The stomach con-
tained small bulbous rootlets, foliage of young plants, and a quantity

Mat, 1893.] BIRDS OP THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

21

of barley, which it had picked up from the place where the horses had
been fed.

Note. — Mr. Nelson saw four birds at Lone Pine, in Owens Yalley,
December, 1890, which he thought were whooping cranes, and saw a
dock of seventeen sand-hill cranes at the Bend of the Colorado in
Marcli. In both cases the birds were too far off for positive identifi-
cation, and as the region is out of the known range of the former spe-
cies, it is iirobabie th at some other large bird was mistaken for it.

Rallus virginianus. Virginia Rail.

Mr. Nelson reported the species as common at Saratoga Sin-ings in
Death Y alley, where Mr. Bailey caught a specimen in a trap February 3.
One was seen at Ash Meadows, Nevada, about the middle of March^
and the species was not uncommon at Lone Pine in Owens Yalley, where
two were secured June 7-10. Mr. Nelson saw one at the head of Morro
Bay, Calif., in November. Dr. Merriam frequently heard a rail among'
the tules and reeds in Pahranagat Yalley, Nevada, May 26, but was un-
able to say whether it was this species or the sora.

Record of specimens collected of Balias virginianus.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Hem arks.

310

326

5

cfjuv-
c/ juv.

Death Valley, Calif

Owens Valley, Calif

Feb. 3, 1891
June 7, 1891
June 10, 1891

V. Bailey

A. K. Fisher

Saratoga Springs.
Lone Bine.

Do.

Porzana Carolina. Sora.

A sora rail was seen at Ash Meadows, Nevada, Mai-ch 10; one at
Grapevine Spring, California, the first part of April; and another at
Little Owens Lake, early in May. No others were seen.

Fulica americana. Coot.

Coots were common at a number of places where tide marshes occurred.
A number were seen in the Mohave Desert, along the edge of the Mo-
have Eiver at Yictor, early in January. In Death Yalley it was found
common at Saratoga Springs about February 1, and again in the lat-
ter part of April. At Ash Meadows, Nevada, it was common during
the first three weeks in March, and a few were seen in Yegas Wash,
early in the month. In Owens Yalley, Mr. Stephens found it common
at Little Owens Lake, May 6-11, and at Ash Creek, on the southwestern
side of Owens Lake, the first of June. At Lone Pine it was common
on the lakes in December, 1890, and at a lake south of the same place,
August 23, 1891. A pair with their young was seen in a small pond,
June 5. In Nevada, Dr. Merriam observed the species in the marshes
in Yegas Wash, May 2; in the valley of tlie Muddy, May 6; and in
Pahranagat Yalley, May 24. At the west end of the Mohave Desert,
in California, Mr. Palmer found coots common on Elizabeth Lake, July
2, and saw several on Crane Lake and on ponds near Gorman Station,

22

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

June 20. Mr. JJailcy found it nnmeroiis in fresli -water jMinds at Mon-
terey.

Several were seen at Soda Springs or Jvern River Lakes, in the Sierra
Nevada, September 7. Mr. Nelson found it abundant in the lakes and
along the streams in the San Joaquin Valley, October 5-27, and along
the coast. At San Simeon, he saw a group sunning themselves on a
strip of sandy beach just above the reach of the incoming rollers.

Phalaropus tricolor. Wilson’s Phalarope.

Mr. Bailey shot an adult male near the overflow of a ditch in the alfalfa
field at Furnace Creek ranch. Death Valley, June 19, and Mr. Stephens
secured two at Alvord, in Owens Valley, June 27.

Record of specutiens collected of Phalaropus tricolor.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eeinarks.

122

123

d

d

d

Death Valley, Calif

Owens Valley, Calif

.Tune 19, 1891
June 27, 1891

V. Bailey

F. Stephens

Furnace Creek.
Alvord.

Do.

Recurvirostra americana. Avocet.

Avocets were found in a few iilaces both east and west of the Sierra
Nevada. A flock of eigliteen was seen at Ash Meadows, Nevada, March
15, and most of them secured. Mr. Stephens saw a small flock at
Little Owens Lake, California, May 6-11, and the writer saw seven
standing at the edge of a bar in Kern Eiver, below Kernville, Calif.,
July 13. Mr. Nelson found it sparingly about the lakes at Lone Pine,
in December, 1890; at Buena Vista Lake, in the San Joaquin Valley, in
October; saw one individual at the head of Owens Valley in July; and
a few at Morro Bay in November. Dr. Merriam saw a dozen or more
at the northwestern end of Owens Lake, June 19.

Himantopus mexicanus. Black -necked Stilt.

Near the west end of the Mohave Desert, in California, Mr. Palmer
saw sixteen black-necked stilts at Elizabeth Lake, July 2, and three
at Castac Lake, July 10. No others were seen during the entire season.

Gallinago delicata. Wilson’s Snipe.

Wilson’s snipe were seen in a few localities, both in California and
Nevada.

Mr. Nelson saw several in marshy spots near Owens River at Lone
Pine, Calif., until the latter part of December, 1890, when a fall in
temperature drove them away. Mr. Stephens saw one at Grapevine
Spring, California, April 1; a number at Little Owens Lake, May
6-11; and one at Furnace Creek, Death Valley, April 11.

Mr. Bailey flushed one at Resting Springs, California, February 16,
and Mr. Nelson saw several near Cottonwood Spring at the east foot of
the Charleston Mountains early in March. At Ash Meadows, Nevada,

May, 1893.] BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

23

a iinmber wore seen and one kill(Ml March lb. Mr. Nelson saw one at
the head of the Canada de las Uvas and another at Buena Vista Lake,
California, in October, and fouinl the species not common, but generally
distributed along the coast marshes between San Simeon and Cariien-
teria in N ovember and December.

Tringa minutilla. Least Sandpiper.

Least sandpipers were seen in a few pi aces only. Mr. Nelson reported
the species as common on the shores of Owens Lake in December, 1890,
and along the coast from San Simeon to Carpenteria the following
antnmu. Two small flocks were seen about an alkaline pond at Hot
Springs in Panamint Valley, and a specimen was secured April 22.
Near Bakersfteld one was flushed from an old irrigating ditch July 19,
and Mr. Nelson saw several near a small pond on the east side of M ount
Pinos, in the latter part of October.

Ereunetes occidentalis. Western Sandpiper.

The western sandpiper was seen in a few localities only. Dr. Merriam
shot a specimen out of a flock of four in the Virgin Valley, Nevada,
just below the mouth of the Muddy, May 6, and Mr. Stephens found
the. species rather common along the shore of Little Owens Lake, Cali-
fornia, May 6-11. The writer found several in company with snowy
plovers, at Keeler, on the shore of Owens Lake the 1st of June. Mr.
Nelson reported it as common along the shores of Morro Bay in Novem-
ber.

Calidris arenaria. Sanderling.

Mr, Bailey secured a specimen of this wader at Monterey, Calif.,
October 3.

Limosa fedoa. Marbled God\Yit.

Mr, Nelson reported this godwit as common at Morro Bay, on the
coast of California, in November.

Totanus melanoleucus. Greater Yellow-legs,

Mr. Nelson reported several small parties of greater yellow-legs about
the ponds at Lone Pine, Calif., in December, 1890, and found tlie spe-
cies commoTi at Morro Bay the following November,

Symphemia semipalmata inornata. Western YVillet.

Mr, Nelson found the willet common at Morro Bay, Calif., in No-
vember.

Het.eractitis incanus. Wandering Tattler.

The wandering tattler was common at Monterey, where Mr. Bailey
secured a specimen October 3.

Actitis macularia. Spotted Sandputer.

This «|>ecies was not rare near the permanent streams. Dr. Merriam
found it along several of the water courses in the southern part of the
Great Basin, where two were found at the Great Bend of the Colorado

24

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Eiver in INevada, May 4; several along Beaverdain Creek, northwest*
ern Arizona, May 10; many in Paliranagat Valley, Nevada (where the
species was breeding). May 24; and one in Oasis Valley, Nevada, June 1.

Mr. Nelson saw a single individual on Willow Creek Canon, in the
Pauamint Mountains, May 22; and observed the species at the head of
Owens Eiver and on the western sloi)e of the Sierra Nevada, but found
it nowhere common. Mr. Belding saw it at Mirror Lake, in the Yosemite
Valley. The writer saw it along Kern Eiver, near Kernville, July 11-
12, and at Soda Springs or Kern Eiver Lakes September 5. Mr. Bailey
found it common around the fresh-water pools at Monterey early in
October.

Numenius longirostris. Long-billed Curlew.

Mr. Nelson saw four sickle-billed curlews on the shore of Owens Lake
December 27, and subsequently Mr. Bailey saw a flock of about a dozen.
Mr. Stephens observed one near Ash Creek, on the same lake, the last
of May.

Numenius hudsonicus. Hudsonian Curlew.

In California Mr. Nelson found the hudsonian curlew at Bueua Vista
Lake in the San Joaquin Valley in October, and found it common at
Morro Bay in November.

Cliaradrius squatarola. Black-bellied Plover.

The only record of the black-bellied i)lover was a male secured by Mr.
Bailey at Monterey, Calif., October 3.

iEgialitis vocifera. Killdeer Plover.

The kill deer plover is the commonest wader in the desert regions
and occurs wherever there is water enough to form marshy iflaces in
the vicinity of streams or springs. Dr. Merriam found it particularly
abundant at Hot Springs, in Pauamint Valley, Calif., April 20-25; at
the junction of Beaverdam Creek with the Virgin Eiver, Arizona, JVEay
9; along the Santa Clara Eiver near its junction with the same river,
in southwestern Utah, May 11-15; at Willow Spring, in the western
part of the Mohave Desert, June 26; at Owens Lake, June 19, and in
Kern Valley, California, June 22. In Nevada he found it also, though
in less abundance, at Vegas Spring, May 1; at the Bend of the Colo-
rado Eiver, May 4; at Bunkerville, in the Virgin Valley, May 8; in
Paliranagat Valley and at Pakrauagat Lake, May 22-26;

The Avriter first observed it at Furnace Creek ranch. Death Valley,
in the latter part of January, where it was noisy on moonlight nights;
Dr. Merriam observed it at the same place about the middle of Aiiril;
and Mr. Bailey and the writer found it not uncommon on their last
trip to the Valley, June 19-22. One was seen by the latter observer
at Eesting Springs, California, February 16, and a number at Ash
Meadows, Nevada, during the first three weeks of March. Mr. Nelson
saw a few solitary individuals about the ranch in Pahrump Valley,

May, 1893.] BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 25

February 12-28; also at the ranch in Yegas Yalley, ahd thence down
the Yegas Wash as far as water occurred, March 3-16. In Owens Yal-
ley the same observer found it sparingly distributed along Owens
Itiver and on the shore of Owens Lake in December, 1890, and the
writer found it not uncommon in the same valley, both at Keeler and
Lone Pine, June 3-15. In other parts of the valley Mr. Stephens found
it at Little Owens Lake, May 6-11; Ha way Meadows, May 12-14;
Olancha, May 16-23 ; Ash Creek, May 30 to June 3 ; Alvord, June 26-28 ;
Bishop, June 30 to July 1; Morans, July 4-7 ; and at Benton, July 9-10.
He also found it rather common in Oasis Yalley, Nevada, Marcli 15-19;
and at Orapevine Spring, California, April 1-4. In the Sierra Nevada
Mr. Nelson found the killdeer at the head of Owens Eiver up to an
altitude of 2,440 meters (8,000 feet), and on the western slope from the
San Joaquin Yalley up into the Yosemite as high as 1,220 meters
(4,000 feet) ; Mr. Stephens found it common at Menache Meadows, May
24-26 ; and Mr. Butcher saw one on Big Cottonwood Creek about half
a mile below his meteorological camp, September 11. Near the west end
of the Mohave Desert Mr. Palmer saw the species at Elizabeth Lake,
July 2, and near Crane Lake, June 29. The writer saw killdeers on the
eastern slope of Walker Pass, July 1, and Mr. Bailey on the western
slope the following day. Several were seen at the South Fork of Kern
Eiver, July 3-10; at Kernville, July 11-13; at Walker Basin, July
13-16; and at Bakersfield, in the San Joaquin Yalley, July 17-20. At
Three Elvers, California, in the western foothills of the Sierra, the
killdeer plover was common July 25-30, and on the return tri^D Sep-
tember 14-17.

Mr. Bailey found it common at Monterey, Calif., September 28 to
October 9; and Mr. Nelson reported it as common and generally distrib-
uted in the San Joaquin Yalley, about San Luis Obispo, and along
the coast from San Simeon to Carpenteria and Santa Paula, in Novem-
ber and Decem'ber.

Record of specimens collected of ^gialitis vocifera.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Hem ark 3.

122

$

Mar. 10, 1890
June 19, 1891

d

Death Valley, Calif

V. Bailey

Furnace Creek.

.Slgialitis nivosa. Snowy Plover.

This handsome little plover was observed by the writer on the shores
of Owens Lake, near Keeler, May 30 to June 4, where it was common
in small flocks of five or ten on the alkaline flats which border the
lake. Like most other birds in the vicinity, it fed extensively, if not
exclusively, on a species of small fly {Epliydra Mans Say), which was
found in immense masses near the edge of the lake. Many of these
swarms of flies were four or five layers deep and covered an area of 15

26

NOirni AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

or 20 square feet. Some idea can l)e formed of the iiiexliaustible sup-
ply of food which this insect furnishes for birds when it is known that
colonies of equal size occurred at close intervals in suitable localities all
around the lake, which has a shore line of between 40 and 50 miles.

The species was evidently breeding at the time, but no eggs or young
were found. The birds were tame and uiisusijicious, and allowed a
person to approach within a few yards before taking wing, and if not
too closely i^ressed would run along ahead of the observer. As Mr.
Nelson found the species at this same place December 27, 1890, it is
undoubtedly a resident in Owens Valley.

Mr. Bailey found this plover numerous on the beach at Monterey,
Calif., September 28 to October 9.

Bccord of specimens collected of JEgialitis nivosa.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eemarlis.

276

277

278

cf

d

d

Keeler, Inyo County, Calif

June 1, 1891

A. K. Fislier

.SIgialitis montana. Mountain Plover.

According to Mr. Nelson, mountain plovers were common in flocks
in October at several places on the open grassy plains in the San Joa-
quin Y alley, Calif.

Oreortyx pictus plumiferus. Plumed Quail.

The known range of the mountain quail was considerably extended
by the fieldwork of the expedition. In Cajon Pass, in the San Ber-
nardino Mountains, a small band was. seen and an individual secured
January 2. In the Panamint Mountains a feather was found in John-
son Canon, and a pair or so of the birds seen April 6. The Indians, as well
as some of the inhabitants of Panamint, knew the bird Veil, and stated
that it was common in many iDarts of the mountains. Dr. Merriam and Mr.
Bailey saw it among the junipers on the north slope of Telescope Peak,
April 17-19, and Mr. Nelson found it a common breeding species among
the piuons on Willow Creek, Mill Creek, and in Cottonwood Canon, in
the more northern part of the range. Death Valley, with the barren,
treeless range immediately to the east, i)revents the extension of the
species in that direction as effectually as it does the valley quail. In
the Argus Eange the j)luined quaikwas common. Mr. W. C. Burnett saw
a pair at the summit of Shepherd Canon, and above Maturango Spring
the males were heard throughout the day uttering their not unpleasant
call notes. At Searl’s garden, which is near the southern end of this
range, Mr. Stephens heard 'that they came down into the garden in
summer. In the Coso Mountains the species was still more common
among the piiions, where several specimens were secured during the
latter half of May. In the Inyo Range it was reported as not uncommon

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

‘27

atOerro Gordo, and Mr. ISTelsoii found it common among the nut jiines
along- VVancoba- Greek the last of June. On Mount Magrnder, ISTevada,
Dr. Merriam found it common and breeding June 4-9. On this mount-
ain the plumed quails were distributed in pairs, a jiair occupying the
chaparral on each hillside among the piilons.

In the Sierra Hevada Mr. Stephens heard them west of Little Owens
Lake, May C-llj at Menache Meadows at an altitude of 3,050 meters
(10,000 feet). May 24-26* at Independence Creek, where young were
seen near the mouth of the canon, June 18-23; and at Bishop Creek
August 4-10. Mr. Nelson found the mountain quail common at the
head of Owens River and on the head.waters of the San Joaquin River
on the opposite slope. On the western slope of Walker Pass we found
it common among the chaparral in the canons, where it was associated
more or less with the valley quail, which was abundant there. At
Walker Basin a flock was seen on the hillside above the valley on July
14. In the Sierra Liebre Dr. Merriam saw one near Alamo ranch
June 30, and Mr. Palmer found it common on Frazier Mountain, where
half- grown young were found July 9. In the southern Sierra Nevada
it was common in the Sequoia Natiopal Park, and especially near the
oj)enings, and coveys of half-grown young were seen every day during
the first week in August. It was common also at Horse Corral Mead-
ows August 9-13. A flock was seen at Big Cottonwood Meadows
August 26, and another at Round Valley, 12 miles south of Mount
Whitney, August 28. At the latter place birds were running about
among the bare rocks above timber line. At Soda Springs, or Kern
River Lakes, small flocks were seen and several individuals taken
September 3. A number were observed around Mineral King the
first part of August, and again in September. In the coast ranges Mr.
Nelson found the plumed quail common near La Panza the last of
October, and in the mountains back of San Simeon in November.

Record of specimens collected of Oreortyx pictns plumiferus.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

17

cT ad.

Caion Pass, Calif

Jan. 2, 1891. .

A. K. Pislier.

?

Pananiint Mountains, Calif

May 13, 1891.

E. W. Kelson.

Do.

d

do

May 17, 1891.

Do.

d

do

May 21,1891.

Do.

234

d

Atgus Range, Calif

May 13, 1891.

A. K. Fisher.

247

d

Coso Mountains, Calif

May 23, 1891.

Do.

265

d

do

May 27, 1891.

Do.

266

9

Do.

361

d'.iwY.

Walker Pass, Calif

July 3, 1891.

Do.

362

Do.

d

Soda Springs, Kern River, Calif .

Aug. 12,1891.

V. Bailey.

Callipepla californica. California Qnail.

The only places from which the typical California quail was recorded
are Monterey and Boulder Creek on the coast of California, where Mr.
Bailey found it common during the first part of October.

28

NORTH AMERICAN RAUNA,

[No. 7.

Callipepla califoirnica vallicolA Valley Quail.

The valley quail was found abundantly in many iilaees, and its east-
ern range iu southern California was carefully and definitely mapited.
As might be expected, it was found at every point west of the Sierra Ne-
vada visited by members of the expedition. To tlie east of this range,
and the ranges forming its southern continuation, the species was com-
mon out to the edge of the Mohave Desert and Salt Wells Valley, and all
through Owens Valley as far north at least as Beiitoii, where both Mr.
Nelson and Mr. Stephens found it. It was common along the western
base of the White Mountains and iu the Inyo, Coso, Argus, and Pana-
miut mountains. In the latter range its eastern distribution ends —
Death Valley, with the barren, treeless mountains beyond forming a
complete barrier to its further extension. The valley quail was not
found in the Grapevine Mountains, iu Panamint or Saline valleys, or iu
the Mohave Desert proper, though around the edges of this desert it was
seen on the south at the summit of Cajon Pass, on the north at Lone
Willow and Leach Point springs, and on the west at Willow Sx)ring
and Antelope Valley. The easternmost limits of its range are the San
Bernardino Mountaius on the south side of the Mohave Desert, and
Leach Point Spring on the north side. The latter locality is only a
short distance west of the extreme south end of Death Valley. Here
Dr. Merriam shot specimens April 25.

In the Panamint range it was common in Johnson and Surprise
Canons, and Mr. Nelson found it in Cottonwood, Mill Creek, and Wil-
low Creek canons.

In the Argus Eauge this quail was common in Shepherd Canon, at
Maturango Spring and at other iDlaces visited. In the Coso Mountains
it was found to range from the lowest part of the valley up through the
canons to the tops of the high peaks, where it was quite closely
associated with the mountain quail {Oreortyx) during the breeding sea-
son. In the Inyo Mountains, Mr. Nelson found it on the east slope at
Hunter’s arastra and Waucoba Creek, and along the west slope uj) to
the pifions. At Lone Pine, in Owens Valley, young, just able to fly,
were seen June 4-15, and at Walker Pass, flocks containing a hundred
or more on July 1-2. These flocks were composed of several families,
as they contained from ten to fifteen adults and young that varied in
size from those just hatched up to half-grown birds. At the west
slope of Walker Pass, the valley quail was again found ranging above
the lower limit of the mountain quail. At Three Eivers, in the west-
ern foothills of the Sierra Nevada, these quails, both adult andyoung^
were found in the oaks feeding on the young acorns July 25-30.

Throughout the San Joaquin Valley, Mr. Nelson found it common
about ranches, along water courses or near siDrings. It was excessively
abundant at some of the springs in the hills about the Temploa Moun-
tains and Carrizo Plain. In the week following the expiration of the
close season, two men, pot-hunting for the market, were reported to

May, 1893.]

BIEDS OP THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

20

have killed 8,400 quail at a solitary spring in the Temploa Moun-
tains. The men bpilt a brush blind near the spring, which was the
only water within a distance of 20 miles, and as evening approached
the quails came to it by thousands. One of Mr. Nelson’s informants
who saw the birds at this place stated that the ground all about the
water was covered by a compact body of quails, so that the hunters
mowed them down by the score at every discharge. The species was
common along the coast from San Simeon to Carpenteria and Santa
Paula, in November and December.

Eeoord of specimens collected of Callipepla calif ornica valUcola.

Col-

lector's

No.

Sex.

16

d atl.

65

?

?

140

?

cT

$

? juv-

d

d

185

d

244

d

245

9 .

JUV.

72

d juv.

357

9 jiv.

358

d juy.

359

9 jiv.

376

9

377

d .luY.

404

d im.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Ecmarks.

Cajon Pas.s, Calif

Lone Willow Spring, Calif .

Panainint Mountains, Calif

do

do

do

Argus Range, Calif

do

do

Coso Mountains, Calif

do

Inyo Mountains, Calif

Owens Lake, Calif

Walker Pass, Calif

do

do

Kern River, Calif

do

Three Rivers, Calif

' Jan. 1, 1891
Jan. 16,1891
Jan. 17,1891
Mar. 26, 1891
Apr. 19,1891

....do

June 13, 1891
Jan. 2, 1891

do

Apt. 27, 1891
May 21, 1891

' do

'July 1,1891
I June 3,1891
I July 1, 1891

' clo

I do

I July 5,1891

: (lo

I July 28, 1891

A. K. Pi.sher .

do

E. W. Nelson
A. K. Eisher .
E. W. Nelson

....do

....do

V. Bailey

do

A. K. Fisher .

do

do

E. W. Nelson

F. Stephens..
A. K. Fisher.

do

do

do

do

do

Johnson Canon.
Surprise Canon.
Do.

Shepherd Canon.
Do.

Do.

South Fork.

Callipepla gambeli. Gambel’s Quail.

Gambel’s quail is essentially a desert bird, though rarely found at any
great distance from water. It was first observed in winter by our party
at Furnace Creek, in Death Valley, where it was reported to have been
introduced by the Borax Company from Besting Springs. A few young
were seen here June 19-21 by Mr. Bailey and the writer, and a female
shot .for a specimen had an egg in the lower part of the oviduct. At
Besting Springs, California, which is in the Amargosa Valley, it was ex-
cessively abundant in February and furnished considerable food for the
party. It was so common among the mesquite and other brush that steel
traps set for diurnal mammals were often sprung by it, and in a few in-
stances quail were found in traps set in pouched gopher holes. A few
were seen at Ash Meadows, Nevada, in March. At the ranch in Pahrump
Valley, Nevada, it was fully as abundant as at Besting Springs and was
considered a great nuisance by the jiroprietor of the place, owing to the
damage it does to the crops. Mr. Nelson, who was alone in camp for
several days in this locality, gives the following notes on its habits:
“I noticed that when a flock of quail came to feed on grain left by the
horses, an old male usually mounted the top of a tall bush close by and
remained on guard for ten or fifteen minutes, then, if everything was

30

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

L^-o.T.

quiet, lie would lly down among his compaiiious. At the first alarm
the flock would take to the bushes, runniiig swiftly, or flying Avheu hard
pressed. They roosted in the dense bunches of willows and cotton-
woods growing along the ditches. As a rule the birds walked under
the roosting jilace and flew up one or two at a time into the tree or
bush, though sometimes they flew into the tree from a distance. When
feeding they have a series of low clucking and cooing notes which are
kept up almost continually.’’

Dr. Merriam found Gambel’s quail abundant below Mountain Spring,
in the southern part of the Charleston Mountains, Nevada, April 29-30,
and shot several at Djiper Cottonwood Springs, at the east base of the
same mountains, April 30. He contributes the following notes concern-
ing its presence in eastern Nevada, northwestern Arizona, and south-
western Utah : In Nevada it was common at the Great Bend of the
Colorado, May 4, where several sprung traps set for small mammals
in the Valley of the Virgin and Lower Muddy it was not only abundant
but so unwary that it ran along in front of the horses in considerable
numbers, early in May 5 it was tolerably common in the southern part
of Pahranagat Valley, May 22-26, but shy and difficult of approach.
At the mouth of Beaverdam Creek, northwestern Arizona, and thence
up over the Beaverdam Mountains, Utah, it was exceedingly abundant
as it was also in the Santa Clara Valley, Utah, May 11-15, and a few
were found as far north as the Upper Santa Clara Crossing. The spe-
cies is said to reach Shoal Creek at the south end of the Escalante
Desert occasionally, but is rare there.

Eecord of specimens collected of Callipepla gamheli.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Ilemarks.

72

Jau. 24,1891

73

74

Do.

9

Do.

75

5

Do.

Do.

Do.

102

Feb. 8, 1891

104

Feb. 15,1891

28

d

Ash Meadows, Nev

Mar. 4, 1891

F. Stephens

Dendragapus obscurus faliginosus. Sooty Grouse.

The Sooty Grouse was nowhere common, and the only ones seen out-
side of the Sierra Nevada were one by Mr. Nelson in the upper x^art
of the White Mountains, in July, and a pair by Mr. Stephens at the
Queen mill, Nevada, in the same mountains, July 11-16.

On the eastern slope of the Sierra, one was seen by Mr. Stephens
at Menache Meadows, the latter part of May; another on Independ-
ence Creek about the same time; one adult and two broods, at Bishop
Creek, August 4-10; and it was found sjjaringly at the head of

Mat, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

31

Owens Eiver, in tlie latter part of July. In tlie Sequoia National Park
a few were seen both at the saw mill and at Halsted Meadows. At
Horse Cori’al Meadows a flock of ten or fifteen was seen and two secured,
August 11. Several were seen in Kings Eiver Caiion about the mead-
ows, August 13-16; at Big Cottonwood Meadows throughout the sum-
mer; and grouse were not uncommon near timber line, at Mineral King
and vicinity, during August and first half of September. Mr. Nelson
found a few about the summit of Mount Pinos in October.

JRecord of specimens collected of iJendratjapiis ohsenrus fuUginosns.

Col-

lector’s

Xo.

Sex.

Locality.

Late.

Collector.

Eeniarks.

146

147

150

151
160

10

$ .iUT.
9 jUT.
9 im.

$ acl.
J ad.
d ad.

Sierr.n Xevada Calif

do

Auc;. 7, 1891

F. Stephens

Bisliop Creek.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Olaiicha Beak.

Big Cotton wood
[Meadows,

Aug. 9, 1891

do

do

A lie:. 23, 1891
.July 6, 1891

do

B. H. Butcher ..

Centrocercus urophasianus. Sage Grouse.

On Mount Magruder, on the Ne vada side of the boundary line bet ween
California and Nevada, many piles of sage hens’ excrement were found
among sage brush on the main peak, by Dr. Merriam and Mr. Bailey.
They were told by a prospector that sage hens used to be common on
the mountain, but are very scarce now, having been killed off a few
winters ago by unusually deep snow. At the head of Owens Eiver, on
the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, Mr. Nelson found this bird
ranging in among the lower border of the pines {Pinus jeffreiji,) where he
saw numerous tracks. Near Mammoth Pass also he found it common
among the sage brush at about 2,450 meters (8,000 feet) altitude. The
same observer stated that the sage hen was a common species in the
northern half of the White Mountains uii to ,3,050 meters (10,000 feet)
altitude, where* he killed a half-grown bird from a large covey. Mr.
Stephens learned from the miners at the Queen mine, Nevada, that this
grouse occurred in the gulches around the mines.

Columba fasciata. Band-tailed Pigeon.

At Three Eivers, in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada, Cali-
fornia, Mr. Palmer saw three band-tailed pigeons among the oaks the
last of July, and the species was reported to be quite common in the
barley stubble of a neighboring ranch. Mr. Nelson found it common
among the oaks in the Tehachapi and Temploa mountains, and saw a
few about San Luis Obispo during the last of October. Along the
route from San Simeon to Caiqienteria it was abundant among the oaks
in November. Flocks of from 10 to a 100 were feeding on the berries
of Arbutus menziesii as well as upon acorns. He saw a few flocks be-
tween Carpeuteria and Santa Paula during the last part of December.

32

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[Xo. 7.

Zenaidura macroura. Mourning Dove.

After the spring migration set in, the mourning dove was a common
species all through the desert region wherever water occurred. There
Avas no bird that indicated the close proximity of water with more cer-
tainty than the dove, and wherever it was found congregated in any
numbers water was confidently looked for. The three following records
are the only ones which indicate its presence in the region during the
Avinter: Two were seen drinking from a stream at San Bernardino^
Calif., December 28, 1890 j one was seen near the roadside at LonePine
in the same month, and a single individual was found at Furnace Creek
in Death Valley, the latter part of January. Migrants were first ob-
served at the last-mentioned place April 9-12, and at Hot Springs, in
Panamint Valley, April 21. At Lone Willow Spring Dr. Merriam saw
several April 24, and at Leach Point Spring he observed large num-
bers as they came to the water to drink, and fifteen were secured for food
the evening of April 25. In Amargosa Canon and at Eesting Springs
they were seen Aj^ril 27. Mr. 17elson found it exceedingly abundant
in the vicinity of springs and streams in the Panamint and Grapevine
mountains, where it ranged well up among the pinons. He found them
more sparingly at the head of Owens Eiver, in the Sierra Nevada, on
both slopes of the Inyo Mountains, and up to the pinons in the White
Mountains. They were nesting in various situations, some on the
ground sheltered by a bush, others on horizontal branches of cotton-
Avoods, willows, or pinons, and one he found in a small cup-shaped de-
pression on the top of a tall granite boulder 6 feet from the ground.
Doves were very common in the Argus Eange in Shepherd Canon and
at Maturango Spring, where they filled in very nicely the shortcomings
of the mess. In the Coso Mountains the species was just as abundant
and occurred uj;) through the canons to the summit of the range.

Dr. Merriam contributes the following records for eastern Nevada,
northwest Arizona, and southwest Utah : In the Charleston Mountains,
Nevada, it was seen both at Mountain Spring, and at the Upper Cotton-
wood Springs at the east foot of the mountains, April 30 5 at Vegas ranch.
May 1; abundant in Vegas Wash and at the Bend of the Colorado,
May 2-4; in the valley of the Muddy and Virgin it was common May
7-8; in the Juniper Mountains dozens came to Sheep Spring to drink,
the evening of May 18; at Pahroc Spring it was very abundant May
20-22; in Pahranagat Valley it was common and unusually tame May
22-26; at Quartz Spring, on the western slope of the Desert Mountains,
it fairly swarmed on the evening of May 22, there being no other water
for many miles in any direction ; in Oasis Valley it was abundant June
1, feeding on seeds of the bunch grass {Orpzopsis cuspidata), and was
common on Mount Magruder June 4-9. At the mouth of Beaverdam
Creek in northwestern Arizona doves Avere excessivelyabundant May
9-10, and were common throughout the juniper belt of the Beaverdam
Mountains, Utah, May 10-11. In the Santa Clara VaUey, Utah, the^
were hkewise abundant May 11-15.

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

33

III Owens Valley, California, the species was abundant from one ejid
to the other. At Lone Pine, during the first part of June, rpiantities of
nests, one of which contained three young, were found in the willow
and cottonwood groves. During the last trip to Death Valley, Mr.
Bailey and the writer found it common in the Pananiint Mountains,
and saw four at Furnace Creek June 19-21.

In the Sierra Nevada doves were common in Walker Pass July 1-3;
along the vhlley of Kern Eiver, July 3-13; at Walker Basin, July
13-16; at Bakersfield, in the San Joaquin Valley, Jnly 17-20; at Three
Elvers in the western foothills, and along the Kaweah below the pines,
the last of Jnly. In the High Sierra Mr. Palmer saw a pair in Kings
Eiver Canon, August 14; Mr. Dutcher shot one and saw others at Big
Cottonwood Meadows early in September; and it was seen at Soda
Springs and Trout Meadows about the same time. In the Canada
de las Hvas, California, it was abundant at Old Fort Tejon in June
and July, and Mr. Stephens found it rather common at Eeche Canon,
near San Bernardino, September 22-26. Mr. Nelson reported it as
common in the San Joaquin Valley in October, and saw a few along
the coast from San Simeon to Carpenteria, and at Santa Paula, in Novem-
ber and December.

Mourning doves furnish a large amount of food to the Indians dur-
ing the spring and summer. Before migration commences the Indians
build rude huts of brush, grass, and weeds, in which to secrete them-
selves, near the springs and streams. Loopholes are made on the
sides toward the water, through which arrows are shot at the birds as
they alight to drink.

Record of s])eGimens collected of Zenaidura macroura.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eemarks.

299

300

2 juv.
2 juv.

Owens Valley, Calif

June 6, 1891.

A. K. Eisher

Lone Tine.

Do.

Pseudogryphus califomianus. California Vulture.

It was with considerable surprise and pleasure that we found the
California vulture still tolerably common in certain localities west of
the Sierra Nevada, in California. Mr. Palmer reported seeing one fly-
ing above Frazier Mountain July 9, and while on bis way to Tejon
ranch, July 11, saw three others soaring overhead in company with tur-
key buzzards, and stated that it was an easy matter to distinguish the
two species.

On July 16, about 3 miles from Walker Basin, on the road leading to
Bakersfield, in the San Joaquin Valley, Mr. Bailey and the writer saw
one of these vultures in company with the turkey buzzards flying about
the carcass of a cow. The white on the underside of its wings was
plainly visible.

12731— No. 7 3

34

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

At San Emigdio and tlie adja^^eut footliills Mr. Nelson found it
quite common in October, and was told that it became very numerous
there in winter. He also found it common along the coast near San
Simeon, and in the Santa Ynez Mountains. In all these places it was
shy and difficult of approach. On the pass at the head of Owens
Eiver, July 24, and on the trail above Lone Pine, August 27, Mr. Nel-
son saw solitary birds which he thought belonged to this species.

Cathartes aura. Turkey Vulture.

The turkey buzzard was seen in various localities, both in the desert
and in the mountain regions, but was nowhere common. It was first met
with in Death Valley, where a few were seen during the latter part of
March. Dr. Merriam saw a number sailing over the Mohave Desert
March 29 and 30, and saw several congregated about a dead horse at
Furnace Creek, Death Valley, April 11. He saw one in Emigrant
Canon in the Panamint Mountains about the middle of April, and
another at Hot Springs, in Panamint Valley, April 20. Mr. Nelson saAV
a few over Mesquite Valley, and in the Grapevine Mountains in May;
found it sparingly in the Inyo Mountains, from the valley to the sum-
mit, in the latter part of June, and in the White Mountains in July.

In the Argus Range the writer saw it in Shepherd Canon and at
Maturango Spring, in the latter part of April and first part of May; a
few were found at Coso the latter part of May, and around Owens Lake
and Lone Pine in June. The species was noted all through Owens Val-
ley, from the southern part to the upper end, and at the base of the
White Mountains. On the last trip to Death Valley some were seen at
Furnace Creek, June 19-21.

In the Sierra Nevada it was seen at Kernville, along the valley of the
Kern Kiver, and in Walker Basin in July; and in the High Sierra at
Horse Corral, Big Cottonwood, and Whitney meadows, in August.

It was seen at Old Fort Tejon, and in Tehachapi Valley, California,
in June, by Dr. Merriam and Mr. Palmer, In the San Joaquin Valley
it was seen at various places from Bakersfield to Visalia and Three
Rivers. Mr. Bailey saw it at Monterey the last of September; and Mr.
Stephens at Reche Canon, near San Bernardino, about the same date.
In Nevada Dr. Merriam saw it in Vegas Wash, May 3; in the Virgin
Valley, May 8; Pahranagat Valley, May 22-26; Ash Meadows, May 30;
and a few on Mount Magruder, June 4-8. In the Santa Clara Valley,
Utah, it was rather common, May 11-15,

Mr. Nelson found it common in the San Joaquin Valley, in the Te-
hachapi Mountains, and along the route from San Simeon to Carpen-
teria about the end of the year.

Elanus leucurus. White-tailed Kite.

Mr. Nelson found the white-tailed kite rather uncommon about San
Luis Obispo, where he shot a specimen and saw others in November
The species was not seen elsewhere.

Mat, 1893.] BIKDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 55

Circus hudsoiiius. Marsh Hawk.

Wherever there was sufficient water to form considerable areas of
marsh land, the marsh hawk was pretty certain to be observed. An
adult male was secured at Furnace Creek in Death Valley, January 20 ;
several were seen at Resting Springs in February; and the species was
not uncommon at Ash Meadows, JNevada, in March.

In Nevada Mr. Nelson found it common in Paiirump and Vegas valleys
in February and March, especially about the ranch in the former place,
and Mr. Stephens reported an unusual preponderance of birds in the
blue plumage in Oasis Valley about the middle of March. Dr. Mer-
riam saw one in Oasis Valley, June 1; both blue and red birds at Ash
Meadows, May 30, and in Pahranagat Valley May 22-26; he shot a male
in Meadow Greek Valley May 19, and saw several in the Lower Muddy
and Virgin valleys May 6-8.

In California marsh hawks were common in a number of j)laces through-
out Owens Valley in winter as well as during the breeding season, and
were doubtless attracted by the vast number of meadow mice {Arvicolce)
which swarm through the wet meadows and marshes.

Marsh hawks were common along the South Fork of Kern River,
where they were seen often through the day skimming over the alfalfa
fields and marshes, and in the High Sierra a few were seen at Whitney
and Big Cottonwood meadows. At the west end of the Mohave Desert
Dr. Merriam saw one near Gorman ranch, June 28; Mr. Bailey found it
at Monterey in September, and Mr. Nelson reported it as common in the
San Joaquin Valley and around Carpenteria later in the fall.

Accipiter velox. Sharp-shiuued Hawk.

We found this species nowhere as common as it is in most of the
Eastern States; the total number seen by members of the party, both
during migration and in the breeding season, being less than could be
seen in southern New York on any day in early September.

The writer saw two at the ranch at Furnace Creek, Death Valley, iii
the latter part of January; Mr. Nelson observed one at Bennett Wells
in the same valley about the same time ; and Dr. Merriam saw two at
the former place, April 11. The species was seen at Resting Springs,
California, the first week in February. In Nevada it was observed at
Ash Meadows early in March; Mr. Nelson saw several and killed one at
the raueh in Pahrump Valley February 12-28; and saw it among the
mesquite thickets on his route from Ash Meadows to the Bend of the Col-
orado, March 3-16. Dr. Merriam saw one at Vegas Wash May 2; one
at the Bend of the Colorado River, Nevada, May 4; one at the west
side of the Beaverdam Mountains, Utah, May 10.

In California he saw one in Owens Valley about the middle of June,
and one in Kern Valley, June 22. At Hot Springs, in Panamint Val-
ley, Mr. Nelson shot a specimen early in January, and Dr. AEerriam saw
two during his stay, April 19-24; one in Emigrant Canon, in the

36

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Panamint Mountains, April 14; and another on the north side of Tele-
scope Peak, April 18 ; and the writer saw one in Surprise Canon, April 20.

Mr. Nelson saw the species once or twice in the iiinon belt alon^
Waucoba Creek, in the Inyo Mountains, in the latter part of June; and a
few in the foothills on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada, in August.
Mr. Bailey and the writer observed two or three on the western slope of
Walker Pass in the same range July 2-3; one was observed in Kings
Biver Canon, August 15; and another at Three Elvers in the western
foothills, September 13. Mr. Koch secured a pair near their camp in
Cottonwood Meadows July 30; Mr. Palmer reported seeing two at Old
Fort Tejon ; and Mr, Bailey found it not uncommon at Whitney Meadows
and at Soda Siirings, in August.

Mr. Stephens saw one at Grapevine Spring, California, the first week
in April; one at Olancha, at the southern end of Owens Lake, the third
week in May, and one at Bishop Creek, early in August. Mr. Bailey
saw several at Monterey, during the first week of October. Mr. Nelson
found it common in the San Joaquin Valley between Bakersfield and
San Emigdio in October, and saw a few along the coast from San Sim-
eon to Carpenteria and Santa Paula in November and December.

Record of specimens collected of Accipiter velox.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Ilemarlva.

22

cf ad.

9 ad.

July 30, 1891

23

Meadows.

Do.

Accipiter cooperi. Cooper’s Hawk.

This hawk was even more rare than the sharp-shinned, as scarcely
two dozen were seen during the time the expedition was in the field.
In Cajon Pass in the San Bernardino Mountains, on January 2, the
writer decoyed one by imitating the squealing of a mouse; one was seen
at Hesperia on the Mohave Desert, January 4; one or two at the
ranch at Furnace Creek, Death Valley, the latter part of the same
month, and a few were seen at Ash Meadows, Nevada, during the first
half of March. Mr. Stephens saw one which had been killed at Searl’s
garden, on Borax Flat, April 23-26, and one at Bishop Creek, in Owens
Valley, the first week in August.

In the Sierra Nevada Mr. Nelson noted the species on the divide be-
tween the Merced and San Joaqirin rivers; Mr. Bailey saw one on the
Kaweah Eiver; two at Whitney Meadows; the writer saw one at the
latter place September 2, and secured a specimen at Three Elvers, in
the western foothills, July 28. Its stomach contained the remains of a
Beechey’s spermophile.

Mr. Nelson found a few among the oaks in the lower part of the
Tehachax)i and Temploa mountains in October, and along the route be-
ween San Simeon and Carpenteria in November.

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

37

Accipiter atrioapillus .striatulus. Goshawk.

No siieciniens of this handsome and daring hawk were taken by any
member of the exjiedition. Mr, Nelson stated that a hawk flew over his
camp at Lone Pine, Owens Valley, in December, 1890, Avhich lie thought
belonged to this species, and Mr. Bailey is quite certain he saw an in-
dividual among the sequoias on Kaweah Biver, and another at Soda
Springs, or Kern River Lakes.

Buteo borealis calurus. Western Red-tail.

The western red-tail was observed at most localities visited by mem-
bers of the expedition in California, Nevada, and Utah. It was seen
on the Mohave Desert near Victor, early in January, several were ob-
served in Death Valley between Bennett Wells and Saratoga Springs
about the 1st of February, and one at the former jilace in Death Valley,
on June 21.

At Resting Springs, California, a fine specimen was secured, and others
seen early in February. In Nevada it was noted at Ash Meadows, in
Pahrump Valley, in Vegas Wash, at the Bend of the Colorado, at Pah-
roc Siiring, in Pahranagat Valley, in Oasis Valley, at Mount Magruder,
and on the Charleston and Orapevine mountains. On Mount Magruder
one was shot by Dr. Merriam as it swooped to xflck up a wounded dove,
June 7, and another at the mouth of Beaverdam Creek, Arizona, May
9. The stomach of the latter contained a ground sqmrrel{S2Jermojphilus
tereticcmdus). Several were seen in the Santa Clara V alley, Utah, about
the middle of May.

In the Panamint Mountains, California, Dr. Merriam observed it in
Emigrant Canon about the middle of April, and Mr. Bailey and the
writer saw one soaring over the summit of Telescope Peak on June 23
and later in the day the former observer killed one near the ‘char-
coal kilns.’ Its stomach contained one pocket gopher {Thomomys), two
large lizards {Cnemidophorus tiyns and Sauromalus ater), five grasshop-
pers, and one sand cricket { 8 tenopalmat us). In the northern part of the
same mountains Mr. Nelson noted a few, and also in the White and
Inyo mountains from the upper limit of the i^iiies down to the valleys.
In the Argus Range individuals were seen at Shepherd Canon and
Maturango Spring; and near the road to Lookout Mountain an adult
was seen on June 25, beating back and forth over the rocky hillside,
evidently hunting for the large lizards known as ‘ chuck- wallas ’ {Sau-
romalus ater), which were common in the locality.

It was observed in the Coso Mountains, and in Owens Valley it was
found at a number of places, both in winter and summer. It was seen
at Old Fort Teion, Walker Pass, Walker Basin, South Fork of Kern
River, and in the High Sierra at Sequoia National Park, Horse Corral,
Cottonwood, and Whitney meadows, and Round Valley.

In the San Joaquin Valley it was observed at Bakersfield and Visalia.
Mr. Bailey saw it at Monterey, and Mr. Stephens at Reche Canon near
San Bernardino. Mr. Nelson saw it everywhere about the Tehachapi

38

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

and Temploa mountains and found it common all along the coast from
Sau Simeon to Sauta Paula in No\"emher and December.

Buteo lineatus elegaiis. Red-bellieil Hawk.

This species was observed mainly in the San Joaquin Valley, where
one was seen near an irrigating ditch at Bakersfield, July 18, evidently
watching for frogs. At Visalia a fine adult was seen among the oaks,
July 22, and at the same place on September 17 and 18 the species
was not uncommon. Mr. Nelson reported it as abundant among the
oaks on Kings River at the base of the foothills in August, and saw it
near the Mission of Santa Yuez and in Gaviota Pass, in November.

Buteo swainsoni. Swainson’s Hawk.

Swainson’s hawk is apparently a rare species in the region traversed
by the expedition. Mr. Nelson saw a number on the western foothills
of the Sierra Nevada, and Dr. Merriam shot an adult male on Kern
River near Keruville, June 23. Its stomach contained one grasshop-
per. Several were seen catching grasshoppers in the Caiiada de las
Uvas, California, June 28-29. At Walker Basin, California, Mr.
Bailey and the writer saw a number, and on July 15 the latter observer
killed an adult female whose stomach contained about fifty grasshop-
pers. In Walker Basin a species of grasshopper, which Prof. C. V.
Riley kindly identified for the writer as Gamnula pellucida, was very
abundant. In many places a large part of the vegetation ordinarily
available as food for these insects was dried up and had lost much of
its original nutritive properties, so they had to seek elsewhere for sub-
sistence. This they found in the form of fresh horse droppings which
were strewn along the roads and in the corrals. Wherever this sub-
stance occurred vast numbers of grasshoppers congregated in a strug-
gling mass, each individual striving to reach the interior of the throng
so as to partake of the food. Not only the hawks, but most other birds
in the valley, including ducks, ravens, woodpeckers, and sparrows, fed
almost exclusively on the grasshoppers.

Archibuteo ferrugineus. Ferrugiuous Rough-leg.

Very few squirrel hawks were seen by the expedition. Mr. Nelson
secured a specimen at Pahrump ranch, and saw others in Vegas and
Pahrump valleys and Vegas Wash, March 3-16. A few were seen at
Ash Meadows, Nevada, about the same time, but none were secured.
Dr. Merriam saw a pair circling over the summit of the highest iieak
of Mount Magruder, Nevada, June 8, and several times afterward saw
them hunting in company in the nut pine groves of the same moun-
tains.

Aquila chrysaetos. Golden Eagle.

The golden eagle was observed sparingly in a number of widely sepa-
rated localities by different members of the expedition. One was seen
at Ash Meadows, Nevada, March 18, circling over a shallow pond in
which a large number of ducks were feeding. Mr. Nelson saw several

Mat, 1893.] BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

39

in Vegas Valley- and about tlie Charleston Mountains, l^evada, March
3-16, and Dr. Merriam saw three among the tree yuccas on the east
side of Pahrmnp Valley, April 29, and one on the Charleston Mountains
the following day. One was seen in the Juniper Mountains May 19,
and another at Oasis Valley the, 1st of June. In California Dr. Mer-
riam observed a pair in Owens Valley, June 10-19, and he and Mr.
Palmer saw one near Alamo ranch, in the Sierra Liebre, June 30.
According to the Indians, this eagle breeds rarely in the higher X)or-
tions of the G-rapevine, Panamint, Inyo, and White mountains.

In the main Sierra ISTevada one was seen on the east slope of Walker
Pass, July 2; a pair on the South Fork of the Kern Eiver, July 3-11;
one near Little Cottonwood Creek, August 23; a number in Whitney
Meadows; and several at and above timber line near Mineral King,
September 8-11. At the latter place they probably fed on woodchucks
{Arctomys) and grouse {Bendragapus).

Haliaeetus leucoceplialus. Bald Eagle.

Two adult bald eagles were seen sitting on a dead mesquite at Ash
Meadows, Kevada, about the middle of March. They were the only
ones noted during the season.

Palco mexicanus. Prairie Falcon.

Prairie falcons were seen in a number of localities throughout the
desert regions as well as among the mountain ranges of southern Cali-
fornia and Kevada. In Death Valley, between Bennett Wells and
Furnace Creek, one was seen January 22, and at the latter place one
was shot from its perch on a haystack where it sat watching a flock
of Gambel’s quail, January 27, and another was seen in summer on
June 20. One was secured at Besting Si:)riugs in the Amargosa Desert,
February 12, and another at Ash Meadows, Kevada, March 16. At
the latter place, where ducks were abundant, this falcon was seen on
several occasions to chase single birds, which escaped by dropping in
the water among the tules. Mr. Kelson saw a number in Pahrump
and Vegas valleys, Kevada, and at the Bend of the Colorado, and one was
seen on a cliff in Vegas Wash eating a duck. In the Panamint Moun-
tains one was shot from the toj) of a cut bank at the mouth of Johnson
Canon, March 26; others were seen in Emigrant Canon, April 11-15,
and in the higher mountains near Telescope Peak, Axiril 17-19. Mr.
Kelson found it sparingly about the bases of both the Panamint and
Grapevine ranges, where old nests were found on the clifis. In Kevada
Dr. Merriam saw it on Mount Magruder, June 8; in Pahranagat Valley,
May 22-26 (breeding in both the Pahranagat and Hyko mountains),
and in the Virgin Valley near Buukerville, May 8. In the Lower
Santa Clara Valley, Utah, he saw a xiair several times about the cliffs
a short distance from the village of St. George, May 11-15.

In Panamint Valley it was seen at Hot Sxjriugs Axiril 20, and in the
lower end of the valley, January 12. A female was seen in the Coso

40

NOETII AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Moniitaius chasing doves, May 10. In Owens Valley the species was
seen at a nninber of localities, and nndonbtedly breeds in both the
Inyo range and the Sierra Nevada. On the eastern sloi)e of Walker
Pass a pair of these falcons were seen flying along the hillsides where
qnail were abundant.

In the High Sierra a specimen was shot at Big Cottonwood Meadows,
August 265 one was seen at Whitney Meadows in the same month,
and another at the summit of the pass at the head of Kings Kiver. Mr.
Palmer noted the species at Old Fort Tejon, June 28; Mr. Nelson saw
it occasionally in the San Joaquin Valley, October 5-27 ; and saw several
along the route from San Simeon to Santa Maria in November, and a
few at Canada de las Uvas and up to the summit of the Temploa Moun-
tains.

Record of specimens collected of Falco mexicanus.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Itemarks.

Jan. 12, 1891.

83

cf

Jan. 27, 1891.

110

Peb. 12' 1891.

131

5

Mar. 16, 1891.

do

141

d

Pauamint Mountains, Calif

Mar.25;i891.

do

Johnson Canon.

Falco peregrinus anatum. Duck Hawk.

The only true duck bawk seen by the expedition was observed by
Mr. Nelson near the coast west of San Luis Obispo, in November.

Falco columbarius. Pigeon Hawk.

The only records of the pigeon hawk made by the expedition are the
following, all in California : Two seen by Mr. Stephens at Little Owens
Lake early in May; the remains of one found by the writer near the
reservoir at Furnace Creek, Death Valley, June 21; a few seen on the
coast by Mr. Nelson between San Simeon and Carpenteria in Novem-
ber, and one in the Ojai Valley, Ventura County, in December.

Falco sparverius deserticoliis. Desert Sparrow Hawk.

The sparrow hawk was common in but few places and was nowhere
numerous as a summer resident. In Nevada it was not observed except
at Ash Meadows, and in Pahrumj) and Vegas valleys, where it was found
in March.

In California one was seen in Cajon Pass in the San Bernardino
Mountains, January 1, and another, March 30. In Death Valley it was
seen at Mesquite Well, January 21, Bennett Wells at the same date, and
again about the middle of April; a pair among the cottonwoods at
Furnace Creek, March 22, and one in Mesquite Valley, April 12.

In thePanamint Mountains, Dr. Merriam saw one in Emigrant Canon,
Ai)ril 14, another on the north side of Telescope Peak, April 17-19, and
Mr. Nelson found it rare in this range as well as in the Grapevine range
in May. He found a pair nesting at the summit of the divide at the
head of Cottonwood Creek in the former range, and a few in the Inyo

Mat, 1893.] BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

41

Mountains from the upper edge of thepinon belt up to the sninmit. In
the latter range a pair occupied a cavity in a dead Finns flexilis on the
divide east of Lone Pine. Br. Merriam saw a male on the summit of the
White Mountains between Deep Spring Valley and Owens Valley, June
9, and Mr. Nelson saw the species in the same mountains and on
the ijlateau at head of Owens Valley the following month.

In the Argus range, above Maturango Spring, a male was seen with
a snake in its talons, which was carried to a height of several hundred
yards and dropped, for what reason was not evident.

In Owens Valley the sparrow hawk was common at Lone Pine in
December, 1890, and was found sparingly in the summer from Little
Owens Lake to the head of the valley in the White Mountains. It was
seen along the South Fork of Kern River, July 3-10; at Kern ville, July
11-12, and was common in Walker Basin, where it was feeding on grass-
hoppers, July 13-16.

Mr. Palmer found it common on Peru Creek and in Castac Canon, near
Newhall, June 30, and in San Francisquito Pass, July 1. In the High
Sierra it was seen at Menache Meadows, May 24-26 ; was common at
Big Cottonwood Meadows during the summer; common at Whitney
Meadows from below timberline to some distance above it during the
last of August; at Round Valley, 12 miles south of Mount Whitney
August 28; at Soda Springs or Kern River Lakes, early in September;
and along the Kaweah River in August. Mr. Bailey found it common
at Monterey, September 28 to October 9, and Mr. Stephens at Reche
Canon, September 22-24.

Mr. Nelson found it common in the San Joaquin Valley October 5-27
and abundant along the route from San Simeon to Carpenteria and
Santa Paula in November and December.

It was common near San Luis Obispo, where one was seen with a
small snake in its talous. It was sitting on a fence post eating the
snake, and when startled flew off, carrying the rejDtile.

Record of specimens collected of Fdleo sparverius deseriicolus.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eemarks.

33

428

d

d

Sierra Nevada, Calif.

Aug. 12, 1891
Aug. 28, 1891

B. H. Diitcber

Rig Cottouwood Meadows.
Itound Valley.

Pandion haliaetus carolinensis. Osprey.

The fish hawk was observed by Dr. Merriam in two localties, Death
Valley, California, and Pahranagat Valley, Nevada. In the former
place a single individual was seen at Furnace Creek just before dark
on April 10. In Pahranagat V alley he saw several at the lake May
24, and in the evening of the same day shot one by mistake for an owl,
as it hovered over the camp fire after dark.

42

NORTH AMERICAN EAUNA.

[No. 7.

At Furnace Creek a speciuieu was nailed upon tlie side of tlie house
at the ranch, where it was killed a year or so before our arrival.

Strix pratincola. Bara Owl.

The only barn owl found east of the Sierra NTevada was a dead one
seen by Mr. Stephens at Alvord, the last of June. Dr. Merriam and
Mr. Palmer found the species abundant at Old Fort Tejon the latter
part of June, where a family of young, in one of the large oaks near
camp, proved a great nuisance on account of the hissing and shrieking
which was kept uj) all night. The old birds were seen flying in and
out among the large oaks on several occasions, as if in pursuit of bats.
It is altogether likely that they were thus occupied, as the remains of
this mammal have been found repeatedly among their stomach contents,
both in Europe and this country. A pouched gopher and a chipmunk,
left on the table, disapjieared one night, probably through the agency
of these birds.

On the South Fork of the Kern Eiver Mr. Bailey secured two speci-
mens July 4, and the species was common at Bakersfield and Visalia,
in the San Joaquin Valley, in the latter part of July. Dr. Merriam
found it common in the old mission of San Luis Key, in San Diego
County, and Mr. Stephens saw one in Eeche Canon, near San Bernar-
dino. Mr. Nelson found it very common about San Emigdio, Morro
Bay, and San Luis Obispo in October and November.

Beeord of isjjecimens collected of Strix pratincola.

Col-

lector's

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eeiuarks.

402

cf

?

?

Ecru Elver, Calif

July 4, 1891 .

V. Bailev

do

South Fork.

Do.

Visalia, Calif

July 23, 18-11.

A. K. Fisher

Asio wilsonianus. Long-eared Owl.

The long-eared owl was seen at a few places only. Mr. Nelson found
a flock of eight living in a willow iDatch at Pahrump ranch, Nevada,
February 12-28. All were flushed in an area less than 50 yards in
diameter, and each bird had evidently occupied the same place for a
considerable time, as the little groups of several dozen pellets plainly
showed. Mr. Bailey secured a specimen at Bakersfield, in the San
Joaquin Valley, July 18, and another near timber line north of Mineral
King in the Sierra Nevada, September 9.

Asio accipitrinus. SRort-eared Owl.

Several short-eared owls were seen at Ash Meadows, Nevada, during
the early part of March, and Mr. Stephens shot a siiecimen in Temecula
Canon, San Diego County, California, January 30.

Syrnium occidentale. Spotted Owl.

This species was not met with by any member of our expedition,
though the type came from Old Fort Tejon, California, where it was
obtained March 6, 1858, by John Xantus.

Mat. 1893.] BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 43

Megascops asio bendirei. California Screech Owl.

No screech owls were seen or heard east of tlie Sierra Nevada in
California. On the ridge above Walker Basin one was flushed from
among the oaks July 14, but was not secured. At Bakersfield, in the
San Joaquin Valley, the species was common and was heard at short
intervals from dark to daylight, and Mr. Bailey secured a specimen
about midnight of July 19, as it sat in the moonlight on a low limb over
his bed. At Visalia, in the same valley, it was heard commonly among
the big oaks July 22-24, and again September 17 and 18,

Mr, Nelson heard screech owls in diflerent parts of the San Joaquin
Valley in October, and along the route from San Simeon to Carx^en-
teria and Santa Paula in November and December.

Record of specimens collected of Megascops asio bendirei.

Col-

lector's

Ro.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eemarks.

399

July 20, 1891.
July 24, 1891.

403

9

Bubo virginianus subarcticus. Western Horned Owl.

Great homed owls were often heard and occasionally seen at differ-
ent localities in California and Nevada — in the latter State at Ash
Meadows and in the Grax»evine and Charleston mountains.

In California, in the Panamiiit Mountains, it was heard almost nightly
in Johnson and Suiqirise canons during the first half of April, and by
Dr. Merriam in Emigrant Caiioii about the same time. In the Argus
Bange at Shepherd Canon an individual on several occasions was seen
to fly from a certain ledge, where it probably had young; and at Matu-
rango Spring one was flushed from among some boulders on May 7.
It was heard all along the South Pork of the Kern Elver, July 3-11, and
at Walker Basin, where two started from a rocky ledge among the hills,
and one secured, July 14. Its stomach contained the remains of a
wood rat {Neotoma) and a scorxiion. In the San Joaquin Valley the
siiecies was heard at Bakersfield and Visalia in the latter iiart of
July, and in the High Sierra at Sequoia National Park, Horse Corral
and Whitney meadows. Soda Springs, and along the Kaweah Elver, in
August and September.

Mr. Bailey heard it at Monterey, Sejitember 28 to October 9, and Mr.
Stephens at Eeche Canon, SexDtember 22-24. Mr. Nelson heard great
horned owls in the Tehachapi and Temploa mountains, in the San
Joaquin Valley, and secured a sj)ecimen near San Luis Obisiio.

Record of specimens obtained of Bubo virginianus subarcticus.

Col-

lector's

No.

Sox.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eemarks.

im.

Soda Springs, Kern lliver, Calif.
San Luis Obispo, Calif

Aug. 13, 1891
Nov. 29,1891

V. Jlailoy

E. AV. Nci.son

Eragments.

44

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Speotyto cunicularia hypogaea. Bmiowing Owl.

The burrowing owl was not met with in any great numbers east of the
Sierra IS’evada in California or in Nevada. In the latter State several
were seen in Ash Meadows, and one was caught at the mouth of the
hole of a kangaroo rat {Dipodomys deserti) in Oasis Valley in March.
In California several were seen about badger holes at Daggett, on the
Mohave Desert, January 8-10; a few at Grranite Wells January 15
and April 5, and a pair at Lone Willow Spring April 25. Mr. Bailey
saw a pair at Bennett Wells, in Death Valley, June 21. A pair was
seen in Coso Valley, below Maturango Spring, May 11. In Owens
Valley one was seen at Lone Pine June 11; a pair with young at Al-
vord June 26-29; one at Morans July 4-7, and a feAv at the head of the
valley, near the White Mountains, in July. Mr. Stephens saw it at va-
rious places in Salt Wells Valley, where it probably was breeding. May
1-5, and Mr. Bailey and the writer found it common at Indian Wells,
in the same valley, July 1. A pair was seen on the eastern slope of
Walker Pass July 1, where one was caught in a trap the following
morning. A number of times burrowing owls were caught in steel
traps set at the holes of badgers, foxes, sx)ermophiles, and kangaroo
rats.

Dr. Merriam and Mr. Palmer saw several pairs with full-grown
yonng in the upper part of the Canada de las Uvas and near Gorman
Station, at the west end of Antelope Valley, during the latter part of
June and the first week of July. They were living in the burrows of
Beechey’s sjjermophile and were catching grasshoppers in the day-
time. They saw the species also at Caliente June 24, and in Teha-
chapi Valley June 25. At Bakersfield, in the San Joaquin Valley, and
on the dry plains between Bakersfield and Visalia it was abundant,
and as many as a dozen or fifteen were often in sight at once, i^erched
on the mounds in front of the burrows, or on the tops of the telegraph
poles.

Mr. Nelson found it generally distributed in the lowlands bordering
the coast, between. San Simeon and Carpenteria.

Record of specimens collected of Speotyto cunicularia hypogcea.

Col-
lect or 8’
No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Hera arks.

48

5

Jan. 10, 1891

49

^

Do.

7

5

Feb. 7, 1891

Do.

62

d

Granite Wells, Calif

Jan. 15! 1891

A. K. Fisher

Do.

163

9

120

>

9 im .

July 2ilS91

31

cT

Oasis Valley, Nev

Mar. 15^ 1891

F. Stephiens

Geococcyx californianus. Road-runner.

Tlie road-runner or chaparral cock is tolerably common in many of
the desert and foothill regions visited by members of the exxiedition, but

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

45

Oil acoomit of its more or less retiring habits comparatively few were
seen, though their tracks were common. In Nevada it was very common
among the sand dunes and mesqnite patches at Ash Meadows, as well
as in Vegas Valley and at the Bend of the Colorado, in March, and
Mr. Stephens heard it in Oasis Valley.

In California the species is resident in Death Valley, as its numerous
tracks seen around the mesqnite and other thick growths at Furnace
Creek during January and in June conclusively demonstrate.

At Besting Springs in the Amargosa Desert, where it was tolerably
common, Mr. Bailey caught one in a steel trap, February 12, and Mr.
Nelson found indications of its presence in Mesquite and Saline valleys.
In Owens Valley it was very common, judging from the tracks; Mr.
Nelson found it common and secured a specimen at Lone Pine in
December, 1890; and Dr. Merriam saw one three miles south of that town,
June 18, and others at the lower end of the valley .on the following day.
He saw one in Walker Pass June 23, and Mr. Bailey secured a specimen
in the same place July 3. Several were seen along the South Fork of
Kern Eiver and at Kernville, June 22-23 and July 3-13, and near
Alamo ranch in the Sierra Liebre, June 30. Dr. Merriam saw two near
the north end of Cajon Pass in the San Bernardino Mountains, March
29, and found it common in the southern part of San Diego county in
Escondido and San Marcos valleys, where it was breeding in patches of
branching cactus.

In theCaiiada de las Uvas, Mr. Palmer saw one near Castac Lake July
9, and shot one the following day at Old Fort Tejon. In the San Joaquin
Valley tracks were seen frequently in the river bottoms and along
the borders of thickets near Bakersfield in July, and Mr. Nelson found
it common about the foothills at the south and west sides of the valley,
October 5-27. The same observer found it along the coast from Morro
to Carpenteria in November, and Mr. Bailey at Monterey, September
28 to October 9.

Record of si^ecimens collectedof Geococcyx cadifornian us.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

?

Resting: Springs, Calif

Feb. 12, 1891

V. Bailey

cf

W alter Pass, Calif

July 3, 1891

do

Coccyzus americanus occidentalis. California Cuckoo.

At Furnace Creek ranch in Death Valley, a cuckoo was seen among
the willows at the edge of the reservoir about sunrise on June 20, and
later in the day Mr. Bailey succeeded, in securing it (an adult female).
In the San Joaquin Valley the species was common at Bakersfield July
17-20, and was heard several times at Visalia among the live oaks July
22-25. In Owens Valley, Mr. Stephens saw one August 11, two miles
west of Bishop. No others were recorded.

46

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Ceryle alcyoii. Belted Kingfisher.

A kingfisher was seen at San Bernardino, Calif., Deceinher 20, 1800.
The species was not again met with until the party reached Ash
Meadows, Nevada, where a few were seen along the streams during the
early part of March. One was seen by Mr. Burnett at Furnace Creek,
Death Valley, flying about the reservoir, April 15. Dr. Merriam saw
one at Hot Springs, Panamint Valley, Ax)ril 20, and another in Vegas
Wash, Nevada, near the Colorado, May 2.

At Lone Pine, in Owens Valley, it was not nncommon along the river^
and Mr. Stephens noted it at Alvord, in the same valley, the last of
June. In the Sierra Nevada it was not nncommon at Soda Springs or
Kern River lakes, the first of September, and was noted at Three Rivers,
in the western foothills, about the middle of the month. Mr. Nelson
observed it at the head of the Merced and San Joaqnin rivers, and later
saw a few individuals along the Kern River, in San Joaqnin Valley, in
October, and along the streams flowing into the sea between San
Simeon, Carpenteria, and Santa Paula, in November and December.
Mr. Bailey found it common at Monterey September 28 to October 9.

Dryobates villosus hyloscopus. Cabauis’s Woodpecker.

Cabanis’s woodpecker was found nowhere common in California, and
was not observed at all in Nevada. One was seen above Johnson Canon
in the Panamint Mountains, Ai^ril 18; Dr. Merriam observed several on
the north side of Telescope Peak in the same range, April 17-19, nnd Mr.
Nelson found the species very rare in the northern part of the Panamint
and Grapevine Mountains during May and the first part of June. In
the Coso Mountains it was seen on several occasions during the last
half of May; in the upper part of the Inyo Range a few were seen the
last of June; and others on the summit of the White Mountains June 9.

In the Sierra Nevada a few were seen on the cast slope, at the head
of Owens River, in July ; several at Bishop Creek August 4-11; and
the species was rather common at Menache Meadows May24-2G. Several
were seen on the western slojie of Walker Pass July 2; a number along
the valley of Kern River July 3-10; and they were not uncommon in
Walker Basin, from the bottom of the valley to summit of the ridge,
July 13-16. Several were seen in the Sequoia National Park during
the first week in August; a few at Horse Corral Meadows August 9-13 ;
one was observed in Kings River Canon August 15; the species was.
common at Big Cottonwood Meadows through the summer, at Whitney
Meadows September 1, and several were noted from timber line down
to below Mineral King September 10-13.

In the Canada de las Uvas Mr. Palmer saw one or two back of Old
Fort Tejon July 6, and a number near the summit of Frazier Mountain
July 9.

At Monterey Mr. Bailey found a race of the hairy woodpecker, prob-
ably the present subspecies, common from September 28 to October 9 ; and
Mr. Nelson foundit sparingly at Mount Pinos in October, and in themoun-
tains between San Simeon and Carpenteria November 4 to December 18.

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

47

Record of specimens collected of Dryohates villosus Jiyloscopus.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

365

375

143

30

cf ad.

9 im.
d im.

9 im.
d iui.

White Mountains, Calif

Walker Pass, Calif

Kern River, Calif

Sierra Nevada, Calif

do

June 9,1891
July 2, 1891
July 5.1891
July 27. 1891
Aug. 11, 1891

V. Bailey

A. K. Fisher

do

F. Stephens

B. H. Dutcher ..

South Fork.

Big Cott o iiwo o d

31

im.

Meadows.

Do.

Dryobates pubescens gairdnerii. Gairdner’s Woodpecker.

Dr. Merriam sliot a specimen of this si)ecies on the north side of Tc-
hachapi Pass, California, a few miles below the summit, June 2.5. ]Mr.
IsTelson found it rare in the pinon belt of the Panamint and Grapevine
mountains May 4 to June 15, and reported a few seen near San Luis
Obispo the last of October. These are the only records we have for
the species.

Dryobates scalaris bairdi. Baird’s Woodpecker.

The known range of this woodpecker was extended considerably by
the observations of the expedition. In the Mohave Desert it was not
uncommon among the giant yuccas at Hesperia, east of Cajon Pass,
where a pair was secured January 4 and 5. Dr. Merriam saw one at
the Upper Cottomvood Springs at the east base of the Charleston
Mountains, Nevada, April 30, one in Vegas Wash May 2, another
near the mouth of the Santa Clara, Utah, May 14, and shot an adult
male and saw others in the cottonwoods where Beaverdam Creek joins
the Virgin in northwestern Arizona, May 9.

In 1889 Mr. Bailey found it common in the timber along the Santa
Clara in January, among tlie yuccas at Dolan and Mud springs in
Detrital Valley, Arizona, in February, and in the river bottom at Fort
Mohave in March.

Record of specimens collected of Dryohates scalaris hairdi.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

31

41

d

d

?

Beaverdam, Ariz

Hesperia, Calif

May 9,1891
Jan. 4,1891
Jan. 5, 1891

C. Hart MeiTiam. .
A. K. Fisiier

Dryobates nuttallii. Nuttall’s Woodpecker.

This species was first observed in Cajon Pass in the San Bernardino
Mountains, Calif., where a fine adult male was secured January 2. 3Ir.
Palmer saw several at Old Fort Tejon, July 1, and Dr. Merriam
secured a specimen between Walker Basin and Caliente, June 24.
In the Sierra Nevada several were seen on the western slope of Walker
Pass, July 2 — 13; it was not uncommon along the valley of Kern Eiver

48

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

July3-13j was comiiioii at Walker Basin, July 13-10; and at Tlirce
Elvers it was not uncommon, and was found alonj>- the East Fork of the
Kaweali Elver as liigli as the lower edge of the conifers. It was seen on
several occasions at Bakersfield, in tlieSan Joaquin Valley, Julyl7-20;
and Mr. oSTelson saw several around San Emigdio, and a few along the
coast from San Simeon to Oarpenteria in November and December, 1891.

Eecord of specimens collectea of Dry oh ales nuttallU.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

nate.

Collector.

Ilcinarlcs.

20

3U6

d

d ini

Cni'oTi Pass, Calif

Walker Pass, Calif

Jan. 2, 1891
July 2, 1891

A. K. Pisher

do

Xenopicus albolarvatus. White-lieacled Woodpecker.

The white-headed woodpecker was rather common in the higher parts
of the Sierra Nevada, in California. Mr. Nelson noted a few at the
head of Owens Eiver, and found it common on the divide between the
Merced and San Joaquin rivers, on the western slope. In the Sequoia
National Park it was common, going in jjairs and frequenting the more
open pine woods. Several were seen at Horse Corral Meadows, August
9-13, and in Kings Eiver Canon, August 15.

It was seen also at Big Cottonwood Meadows, August 26 ; at Whitney
Meadows the last of August; at Soda Springs or Kern Eiver Lakes,
September 3; and along the East Fork of the Kaweah Eiver, from the
lower edge of the innes to and above Mineral King, the last of July and
September 13-14. Mr. Palmer saw one in Tejon Pass, July 12, and Mr.
Nelson observed several near the summit of Mount Pinos, in October.

Record of specimens collected of Xenopicus albolarvatus.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eemarks.

408

?

d

Sierra Nevada, Calif

July 30, 1891

Aug. 6,1891

V. Bailey

East Fork of
Kaweah River.
Sequoia National
Park.

Sphyrapicus varius nuclialis. Red-naped Sapsucker.

The single record of this woodpecker is a male, killed by Mr. Nelson
among the pinons on the west slope of the mountains northwest of
Charleston Peak, Nevada, February 12, 1891.

Sphyrapicus ruber. Red-breasted Sapsucker.

The red-breasted woodpecker was not met with east of the Sierra
Nevada. Mr. Palmer secured a specimen at Halsted Meadows, in the
Sequoia National Park, where it was not uncommon, August 3. It was
common at Horse Corral Meadows, aroiynl the edges of clearings and
in the willow clumps, August 9-13 ; was seen at Soda Springs or Kern

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

49

Eiver Lakes by Mr. Bailey and the writer in August and September;
and on the Kaweah River, below the pines, September 12. Mr. ]!^'elson
noted it at the head of Owens River and on the western slope, where it
was rather more common. He also saw a few at Mount Pinos about
the middle of October, and Mr. Palmer saw a few in Tejon Pass, July 12.

Record of specimens collected of Spliyrapicm riiher.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eemarks.

140

412

413

d

efad.

efim.

cfini.

Sierra Nevada, Calif

do

July 24, 1891
Aug. 12, 1891

F. Steplien.s

A. K. Fisher

Horse Corral
Meadows.

Do.

Kem Eiver Lakes.

Sphyrapicus thyroideus. Williamsou’s Sapsucker.

Williamson’s woodpecker is not uncommon in a number of places in
the Sierra Nevada, in California. Mr. Nelson saw one at the head of
Owens River, and a few on the western slope opposite that place.
Several were seen at Horse Corral Meadows, August 1 1-13 ; at Whitney
Meadows about September 1; and the species was common at Big
Cottonwood Meadows, August 25-27, where Mr. Dntcher killed several
earlier in the season. It was noted at Soda Springs or Kern Eiver
.Lakes, early in September; at Mineral King, the last of July and the
second week in September, and was seen once on Mount Pinos about
the middle of October.

Record of specimens collected of Spliyrcqjicus thyroideus.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eemarks.

410

cf

Sierra Nevada, Calif

Aug. 11, 1891

A. K. Fisher

Horse Corral

Meadows.

Au"'. 2,1891

27

efim.

do

Aug. 4, 189J

n. H. Dutclicr. . .

Big Cottonwood

Meadows.

28

do

Do.

29

do

Do.

423

cT

do

Aug. 26, 1891

A. K. Fislier

Do..

156

efim.

Aug. 21, 1891

Ceophloeus pileatus. PileatecI Woodpecker.

This handsome woodpecker was not observed except in the Sierra
Nevada, in California, where Mr. Nelson found it common at an altitude
of about 1980 meters (6,500 feet) in the Marit)osa grove of big trees near
Wawona and along the Merced Eiver. The writer heard it a number of
times in the Sequoia National Park early in August, and Mr, Palmer
saw a pair in Kings River Canon, August 14.

Melanerpes formicivorus bairdi. California Woodpecker.

The California woodpecker was not seen east of the western slope of
the Sierra Nevada. Dr. Merriam found it in Walker Basin June 24; in
12731— No. 7 4

50

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Teliachapi Pass, June 25; and in tlie Canada de las Uvas, where it was
breeding abundantly, June 28-29. At Three Kivers, in the foot hills,
the species was common July 25-30, and September 14-17, at which time
it was feeding’ on acorns.

In Walker Basin the writer saw several families along’ a fence row
where they were feeding on grasshoppers, July 13-lG, and on the 14th
the species was common among the pines on the ridge above the valley.

All along the road between Tulare and Visalia in the San Joaquin
Valley, this woodpecker was common among the oaks, July 22-24. As
many as ten individuals were seen in one tree.

Mr. ISTelsou found it common and generally distributed among the oaks
in the San Joaquin Valley, and alougthe route from San Simeon to Santa
Paula, during the last three months of the year.

Record of specimens collected of Melanerpes formicivonis hairdi.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Ecmarks.

389

401

cT

cf

Walker Basin, Calif

Visalia, Calif

June 14, 1891
July 23, 1891

A. Tv. Fi.slier

do

Melanerpes torquatus. Lewis’s Woodpecker.

This woodpecker was quite common in Walker Basin, where it was
seen June 24 and -July 13-16. The birds were stationed along the fence
rows and on trees, from which they made frequent excursions to the
ground to capture grasshoppers. The stomachs of a number examined
contained nothing but the remains of this insect.

It was seen by Dr. Merriam and Mr. Palmer near Old Fort Tejon, in
the Canada de las IJvas, the latter part of June. Mr. INelson saw one
on the lolateau at the head of Owens Valley in July and on the east
slope of the Sierra at the head of Owens Eiver in the latter part of July.
At Three Eivers, in the western foothills, it was common among the
oaks September 12-17.

Record of specimens collected of Melanerpes torcpiatus.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Ecmarks.

888

im
im
cf im

9 ad

Walker Basin, California

July 13, 1891

A. K. Fislier

Melanerpes uropygialis. Gila Woodpecker.

A specimen of this woodpecker was taken by Mr. Bailey near Fort
Mohave, Ariz., in March, 1889.

Colaptes cafer. Red-shafted Flicker.

The red-shafted flicker was seen in many places, though it was com-
paratively rare over the greater part of the country traversed.

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE BEAT FI VALLEY EXPEDITION.

51

111 Ilevada, Mr. ilelsoii saw this woodpecker in Pahrump and Vegas
valleys during the latter part of February and first of March. Mr.
Stephens observed it in the Grapevine Mountains March 20-2F> and
found it common at the Queen mine July 11-16. Dr. Merriam saw two
in the nut pine zone on Mount Magruder June 6, and the writer shot an
individual, the only one seen, at Ash Meadows, March 2. At Pahrump
ranch, Mr. ilelson saw where one had drilled four holes through the
boards in the gable end of a building used as a granary, and each time
a piece of tin had been placed over the hole. When he was there, the
bird had just completed a fifth hole, close to the others.

In California, it was common just outside of the town of San Bernar-
dino the last of December, 1890, and was observed in Cajon Pass Jan-
uary 1-2. At Hesperia, in the Mohave Desert, a number were seen
among the tree yuccas January 3-4.

Mr. Nelson found the species in the Inyo Mountains the latter part
of June, and stated that it occurred wherever there was moisture
enough to support a growth of the higher pines in the mountains or of
cottonwoods in the valleys. He also found it common from the head of
Owens Valley up to timber line in the White Mountains in July. Dr.
Merriam saw a red-shafted flicker at Furnace Creek, in Death Valley,
April 10, among the willows and mesquite; one at Hot Springs, Pana-
mint Valley, about April 20, and another in the Panamiut Mountains a
few days earlier. In the Argus Range, the writer saw one at Maturaugo
Spring May 14, several in the Coso Mountains during the latter jiart
of the same mouth, and a number in the higher portions of the Pana-
mint Mountains the last week in June. In Owens Valley, it was seen
by Mr. Nelson at Lone Pine, in December, 1890, and by Mr. Stephens
at Independence Creek, Bishoi> Creek, and Benton during the summer.

This woodpecker was not uncommon in Walker Pass, along the val-
ley of the Kern River, at Kernville, and in Walker Basin during the
first half of July. On the High Sierra it was seen in the Sequoia Na-
tional Park the first week in August; at Horse Corral Meadows Au-
gust 9-13; in Kings River Canon August 13-16; at Menache Meadows
May 24-26; at Big Cottonwood Meadows June 15 to September; at
Whitney Meadows the last of August; Soda Springs or Kern River
Lakes, August and first part of September ; and at Mineral King and
down the west slope to Three Rivers in the foothills during the first
two weeks in September.

Dr. Merriam saw it in the Canada de las Uvas June 28-29, and the
writer observed it at Bakersfield July 17-20. Mr. Bailey recorded the
species from Monterey September 20 to October 9, and Mr. Nelson
reported it common in the Tejon Mountains, in the San Joaquin Valley,
at San Luis Obispo, and along the route between San Simeon and Car-
Ijenteria during the fall and early winter.

Phalaenoptilus nuttalli. Poor- will.

The poor- will was common in a number of localities visited by the

52

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

exxiedition. In Death Valley a specimen was obtained at Bennett
Wells January 28, another at Saratoga Springs February!; and the
species was seen and heard by Dr. Merriain at Furnace Creek April
10, and in Mesquite Valley April 13. One was seen in the Funeral
Mountains March 21. At Ash Meadows, Nevada, one or two were
seen and others heard during the first part of March. In Nevada Dr.
Merriam found it common on Mount Magruder June 4-9, where he saw
and heard one or more every evening and obtained a specimen. On
Gold Mountain he heard it at the deserted mining camp J une 3, in
Pahranagat Vallejo May 22-26, at Sheep Spring in the Juniper Moun-
tains, May 18, and at Vegas ranch May 1. In Utah he heard it along
Shoal Creek, near the Escalante Desert, May 17.

Mr. Nelson found the species in the Panamint and Grapevine moun-
tains, where it was a rare breeder in the sage brush belt. He saw and
heard a few from the bottom of Saline Valley up to the pinons in the
Inyo Mountains, found it as high as 2,650 meters (8,700 feet) in the White
Mountains, and also on the plateau at the head of Owens Valley. In
Owens Valley aspecimen was taken at the mouth of the canon at Lone
Pine, June 12; Mr. Stephens saw two at Olancha May 16-23, and others
at Independence Creek June 18-23, and at the Queen mill and mine,
Nevada, July 11-16. The same observer saw one at Borax Flat, near
the southern end of the Argus Kange, the last of April. Mr. F. W.
Koch collected two fresh eggs May 6 above Maturango Spring, where
it was common. At Coso it was heard or seen every evening during
the latter half of May. It was common at Hot Springs in Panamint
Valley, April 10-25; and at Wild Eose Spring, in the Panamint Moun-
tains, June 25.

Record of specimens collected of PhalcenojRilus nuttalli.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eemarts.

246

S37

41

?

cf

d

?

d

?

Death Valley, Calif

Jan. 28, 1891
Feb. 14, 1891
M,ay22, 1891
Junel2,1891
Apr. 1,1891
June 4, 1891

E. W. Nelson

Bennett Wells.
Saratoga Springs.

Lone Pine.
Grapevine Spring.

Coso Mountains, Calif

Owens Valley, Calif

Grapevine Mountains, Calif

Mount Magruder, Nev

A. K. Fisher

do

F. Stephens

C. Hart Merriam. .

Phalaeuoptilus nuttalli californicus. California Poor- will.

This race of the poor- will was common in Kern Valley, where Mr.
Bailey secured a specimen J uly 8. One was seen on the road from
Kaweah to the Sequoia National Park July 31. It would await until
the horse nearly stepped on it, then fly ahead some distance and alight
on the road again, which manoeuver it repeated several times. Mr.
Bailey saw a poor-will at Trout Meadows in the High Sierra, which
probably belonged to this race. Dr. Merriam shot one at Twin Oaks,
at the foot of the Granite range, in San Diego County, July 10, where

May, 1893.] BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

53

several wore observed to alight in the same place every evening in a
dusty road under the spreading branches of a live oak tree.

Record of specimens collected of Phalmioptilus nuttalU calif ornieus.

Col-

lector’s

Xo.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

cf

Kern River, Calif

Twin Oaks, San Diego County,
Calif. ■

July 8, 1891
July 10, 1891

V. Bailey

C. Hart Merriam. .

South Fork.

Chordeiles virginianus henryi. Western Nigh thawk.

It is a source of great regret that specimens of nighthawks were not
secured at the various places where they were found by the members
of the expedition. This neglect makes it impossible to projierly sepa-
rate the range of the present from that of the following siiecies in the
region under consideration.

The only specimen of the western nighthawk secured was one col-
lected by the writer in Death Valley, at Furnace Creek, June 19. At
this place the nighthawks began to tly just after sunset and were very
common over the alfalfa fields at the ranch, Mghthawks supposed to
belong to this species were seen in Pahranagat Valley, Nevada, May
22-26, on Mount Magrnder, Nevada, June 4-8, and in the High Sierra,
at Trout, Whitney, and Big Cottonwood meadows, during the summer
and autumn.

Chordeiles texensis. Texas Nighthawk.

Fortunately, a larger number of specimens of this night-hawk was
taken than of the preceding species, though not enough to enable the
satisfactory mapping of its distribution in California and Nevada.

The Texas nighthawk was a very common breeder in most parts of
Owens V alley, where it occurred as far north at least as Bishop. Around
Owens Lake and Lone Pine large numbers were observed every night,
and at the former place many were seen skimming close to the water
in pursuit of a small fly {Epliydra Mans), which was swarming on and
near the shore.

The species was not uncommon along the South Fork of the Kern
Eiver, where Mr. Bailey secured a specimen July 8, and at Bakersfield,
in the San Joaquin Valley, where several were seen and one secured
about the middle of the month.

Dr. Merriam saw it during the breeding season in Oasis Valley and
Ash Meadows, Nev., and at other points in the Amargosa Desert, and
also in the Mohave Desert, in California. He saw one at Saratoga
Springs at the south end of Death Valley, Aiudl 26, and two at Eesting
Springs in the Amargosa Desert, April 27. He found it common at the
mouth of Beaverdam Creek, Arizona, May 9, and secured two fresh eggs
at St. George, in the Lower Santa Clara Valley, Utah, May 13. Another
was shot in the Virgin Valley, near the eastern boundary of Nevada,
May 8. Nighthawks which probably belonged to this species were
seen in Pahrump and Vegas valleys, Nevada, and Saline Valley, Cali-

54

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

foriiia. This nigbthawk liad the habit of alighting on the dusty roads,
just at dusk, where it sat motionless for a time, though in a few in-
stances it was observed to make a series of hopping flights, alighting
at short intervals for a moment only. -

Record of specimens collected of Cliordeiles texensis.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Bern arks.

Miiy 10, 1891

125

?

Owens Valley, Calif

June 29', 1891

r. Stephens

Bishop.

39.7

0

Do.

9

June 12,' 1891

Do.

336

Do.

?

do

June 13, 1891

C. Hart Merriam

Do.

Q

69

May 31, 1891

Juty 8,' 1891

398

$

Bakers ti eld, Calif

July 19, 1891

A. K. Fisher

Cypseloides niger. Black Swift.

The black swift was first observed at Owens Lake near Keeler, Calif.,
where a number were seen flying back and forth over the salt meadows
on May 31. On June 2, twenty or more were seen feeding over the
same meadow and five specimens were collected. From the condition
of the ovaries of the female secured, it was evident that the eggs had
been laid. When the flock left the marsh, it rose high in the air and
went in the direction of the cliffs in the Inyo Mountains, near Cerro
Gordo, where a colony evidently was breeding. Kear the upper end of
the lake, and about 6 miles north of Keeler, several were seen on June
4 and again on June 15. At Lone Pine, five passed over camp early
on the morning of June 7, and a number were seen at the mouth of the
canon above the town June 12. Dr. Merriam saw a number and secured
one at the north end of Owens Lake, June 12, and saw half a dozen at
Olancha, at the south end of the lake, June 20. Mr. Stephens saw a
dozen or more at the latter place May 23 and secured two June 4. On
the former date they were flying high out of range, in company with
white-throated swifts and white-bellied swallows. The same observer
saw this species at Indei^endence Creek, June 20, and at Bishop Creek,
August 6.

On the South Fork of Kern Eiver three swifts were seen which un-
doubtedly belonged to this species, and on several occasions black swifts
were seen in Kings Eiver Canon, August 13-16.

Record of specimens collected of Cypseloides niger.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

279

cT

June 2, 1891

280

d

cT

281

282

$

5

73

cT

cf

cT

Owens Lake, Calif

June 12, 1891

0. Hart Merriam

74

Do.

May, 1893.] BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 55

Chaetura vauxii. Vanx’s Swift.

Yaux’s swift was seeu a few times only in tlie valleys on each side
of the Sierra Nevada. Mr. Stephens saw it nearly every day and se-
cured a specimen at Olancha, near the south end of Owens Lake, where
it was migrating, May 16-23.

Mr. Belding saw large flocks in the Yosemite Yalley. The writer
saw a few at Three Eivers, in the western foothills of the Sierra, Sep-
tember 13-14, and at Yisalia on September 18.

Aeronautes melanoleucus. White-tliroated. Swift.

White-throated swifts were common at a number of places in the
desert valleys and ranges during the spring and summer. In Johnson
Canon, in the Panamint Mountains, Calif., Mr. Palmer saw one March 26,
and Mr. Nelson secured one near the same place, Ajfril 12. The latter
observer found the species to be a common summer resident in por-
tions of the Panamint and Grapevine mountains visited. The last of
May he saw them going in and out of crevices in the steep walls above
Willow' Creek, and in June found them frequenting the cliffs in Cotton-
wood Canon, 750 meters (2,500 feet) above Salt Wells, and observed them
about the cliffs in Boundary Caiion in the Grapevine Eange. They were
frequently seen in the morning and evening hunting over Saline Yalley.
In the Panimint Mountains north of Telescope Peak, Mr. Bailey and
the writer saw several hundred of these swifts flying back and forth
over a hillside, and a few above the summit of the peak, June 23. The
males uttered at short intervals a series of notes which, when a num-
ber joined in the performance, produced a not unpleasant impression.
In Death Yalley Dr. Merriam saw a flock at Mesquite Wells, April 85
Mr. Burnett saw individuals flying over the reservoir at Furnace Creek,
April 155 and the writer killed a number of specimens at the latter
place, June 20. In the Argus Eange swifts were seen in Shepherd
Canon the last of April, and along the divide above Maturango Spring
during the first half of May.

In Nevada Dr. Merriam saw several at Pahroc Spring, May 22; at Ash
Meadows, May 30; and in Oasis Yalley and the upper part of Amargosa
Desert, June 1, when they were observed in aerial coition. In Utah Dr.
Merriam saw several small flocks in the Lower Santa Clara Yalley, May
11-15. Mr. Nelson found it breeding in the Inyo Mountains, Calif., June
24-Jnly 4, and si)aringly in the White Mountains in July. Y'hite-
throated swifts were common in many places in Owens Yalley, espe-
cially about the meadows at Owens Lake and at the mouth of the canons.
Along the South Fork of the Kern Eiver they were tolerably common
the first week in July, and a few were seen flying over the Sequoia
National Park the first week in August. ]Mr. Nelson found them at the
head of Owens Eiver; also along all the streams visited on the western
slope of the Sierra, and in the Yosemite Yalley up to timber line. They
bred everywhere in crevices in the canon walls. He saw several flocks
in the Ojai Yalley in December.

56

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Record of sped mens collected of Aeronautes melanoleitcus.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

?

Panamint Mountains, Calif

Apr. 11,1891

E. W. Nelson

43

$

Apr. 9, 1891

345

9

Do.

346

9

do

Do.

347

9

Do.

95

d

Owens Lake, Calif

June 12, 1891

F. Stephens

Olancha.

Trochilus alexandri. Black-chiuuecl HunimhigLird.

Tlie black- cliiiiued huminingbird is common in Owens Yalley, Cali-
fornia, where it was found at the following localities : At Lone Pine a
number of specimens were secured in June; At Olancha Mr. Stephens
found it common, May 16-23; at Ash Creek, May 30-June3; a few at
Independence Creek, June 18-23; Alvord, June 26-28; and young of
the year were common at Fish Slough, July 2-3. At Olancha he
secured a very interesting specimen which in its specific characters was
intermediate between this species and Costa’s hummer, and was prob-
ably a hybrid. He found a nest containing three eggs in an orchard
at the same place. May 16. Mr. l^elson found it common on both slopes
of the Inyo Mountains from the valleys up to the piuous, wherever
there was water enough to produce a growth of willows and other de-
ciduous trees. In Walker Basin, where it was not common, Mr. Bailey
secured a specimen, July 14, and another was taken at Bakersfield in
the San Joaquin Valley, July 39. At Old Fort Tejon Mr. Palmer
secured an immature bird in July, whicli he referred to this species.

Dr. Merriam saw several and secured two at the mouth of Beaver-
dam Creek, Arizona, May 9, and found the siDecies common in the Lower
Santa Clara Valley, Utah, where four nests containing fresh eggs were
found. May 11-14. All the nests (one of which contained three eggs)
were placed on low branches of cottonwoods, generally within easy
reach from the ground.

Record of specimens collected of Trochilus alexandri.

Col- '
lector’s
No.

Sox.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

58

65

9

d

$

d

Santa Clara, Utah

Beaverilam Creek, Ariz

Owens Valley, Calif

do

May 11, 1891
May 9,1891
May 16, 1891
May 20, 1891

C. Hart Merriam. .

V. Bailey

F. Stephens

do

Olancha, set 3 eggs.
Ash Creek,

80

400

311

312
314

d

d

?

d

d

d

do

Walker Basin, Calif.

Bakersfield, Calif

Owens Valley, Calif.

do ^

do

June 10, 1891
July 14,1891
July 19, 1891
June 7,1891

do

June 8,1891

do

V. Bailey

A. K. Fi.sher.

do

....do

do

Olancha.

Lone Pine.
Do.

Do.

Calypte costae. Costa’s Hiiminingliird.

Costa’s hummingbird is the common species of the desert valleys
and mountains of southern California and Nevada. One was seen at

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

57

Besting Springs in the Amargosa Desert, California, February 13 ; a
number were seen in the Funeral Mountains March 22; at Furnace
Creek, Death Valley, April 12; and in Emigrant Canon, in the Pana-
mint Mountains, April 14. It was common in Johnson and Surprise
canons, where it was seen near all the springs and streams during
April, and in the latter canon a half-completed nest was found April
19. Several were seen at Hot Springs in Panamint Valley, April 19-25,
and at Leach Point Spring April 25. Costa^s hummingbird was the
only species met with by Mr. Nelson in the Panamint and Grapevine
Mountains, where he found it a common breeder, during May and June.

In Nevada, Dr. Merriam found it tolerably common on Mount Ma-
gruder June 4-8 ; in Pahranagat V alley May 22-25 ; at Mountain Spring,
Charleston Mountains, and at Upper Cottonwood Springs at the east-
ern base of these mountains, April 30. In Vegas Wash he found a
nest containing two full-fledged young May 3 ; at the Bend of the Colo-
rado one containing two fresh eggs May 4; and at Bitter Spring in
the Muddy Mountains, another containing two fresh eggs. May 5. Mr.
Nelson saw one in Vegas Wasli, Nevada, March 10; and Mr. Stephens
reported it from the Grapevine Mountains and Oasis Valley from the
middle to the latter part of the month. Dr. Merriam found it common
among the junipers on the eastern side of the Beaverdam Mountains,
Utah, May 11.

In the Argus Bange, California, the species was very common at
Maturango Spring, and in Shepherd Canon, where several nests were
found in the low bushes along the edges of the canon. Those contain-
ing two fresh eggs each were taken April 27, April 28, and May 7,
and one containing full-fledged young, April 27. At Coso the species
was very abundant and several of its nests were found. Various kinds
of plants were used as nesting sites, though the branching cactus
f Opuntia eehinocarpaj was most commonly chosen. Usually the struc-
ture was placed on the top of a lower branch, a foot or so from the
ground, and under an o^ferhanging mass of thick spiny branches, which
formed a protection for the parent bird from the sun and weather, as
well as its enemies. At Coso one of these hummers was seen on a bright
moonlight evening hovering about a bunch of flowers, and was heard
again later in the same night. During our last trip to Death Valley
Mr. Bailey saw one at Furnace Creek June 19, and the sjiecies was
abundant all through the Panamint Mountains. Just at daylight on
the morning of June 25, before the shadow had risen out of Wild Bose
Canon, a Costa’s hummingbird came and hovered within a foot of our
camp fire, probably mistaking it from the distance for a bunch of bright
flowers. It was observed on several occasions that any bright-colored
object placed in a conspicuous position attracted this bird. In Owens
Valley this hummingbird was more or less common, especially along
the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, where it was associated with
the black-chinned hummer. Several were seen on the eastern slope of
Walker Pass July 1, and in Beche Canon September 22-24.

58

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Tlie male Costa’s hummingbird has a peculiar habit, probably
(•losely associated with the season of courtship, of flying up in the
air to a considerable height and then swooping down with great ve-
locity until near the ground, when it rises to its former position, to
re]jeat the manoeuver fifteen or twenty times before settling on some
perch to rest. The course taken by the bird forms a parabolic curve,
and when on the descent a booming, rushing noise is made, which can
be heard at a considerable distance.

Record of specimens collected of Calypte costce.

Col-

lector's

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarlcs.

69

C8

139

155

163

166

167

192

191

204

268

cT

?

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

9

9

9

cf juv.

9

9

d

d

d

May 20, 1891

May 31, 1891

Mar. 26, 1891

Panauiiiit Mouutaiu.s, Calif...

A. K. Fisher

do

Apr. 14,1891
Apr. 16,1891
Apr. 20,1891

do

lb.

do

do

Mar. 27,1891

E. W. Nelson . . .

do

iMar. 28,1891
April 4, 1891
Apr. 11,1891
Apr. 14,1891
May 12,1891
May 23,1891

Apr. 29,1891

Argus Range, Calif

A. K. Fisher

May 7, 1891

May 28,1891
May 30, 1891
Apr. 30,1891

Ash Meadows, Nev

Charleston Mountains, Nev . . .

V. Bailey

do---

May 19, 1891

Olancha. Hybrid be-
tween I. costce and
T. alexandri.

Ash Creek. Parent
of nest and eggs.
.Johnson Canon.
Surprise Canon.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Johnson Canon.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Surprise Canon.

Willow Creek. Par-
entof neat and eggs.
Shepherd Canon.
Parent of No. 191.
Shepherd Canon.
Shepherd Canon.
Ne.st and eggs.

Nest and eggs.

Calypte anna. Anna’s Hummingbird.

A large hummer was seen in the Cajon Pass in the San Bernardiuo
Mountains on January 2, which was probably tlijs species. Mr. Stephens
saw a number, mostly immature males, on the side of Eeche Canon,
September 22-24; Mr. Bailey found the species common at Monterey,
where he secured specimens October 3 and 6, and Mr. Nelson found it
common at Morro Bay, and saw a few south of that place in November.

Record of specimens collected of Calypte anna.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

d

d

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

Monterey, Calif

Oct. 3, 1891
Oct. 6, 1891

V. Bailey

Selasphorus platycercus. Broad-tailed Hummingbird.

The broad-tailed hummer was found by Dr. Merriam at Sheep Spring
in the Juniper Mountains, Nevada, where an adult male was secured
and many others seen May 19. Mr. Nelson reported it as common on

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

50

tlie western slope of the Sierra Nevada, California, o^jposite the head
of Owens Eiver, and Mr. Palmer secured a specimen in the Sequoia
National Park August 4.

Selasphorus rufus. Rafous Hiiminhigbird.

The Eufous hummingbird was seen only in the Sierra Nevada, in
California, Mr. Nelson found it common at the head of Owens Eiver,
and on the western slope from timber line down into the Yosemite Val-
ley. While crossing the divide between the heads of the San Joaquin
and Merced rivers he saw a number of these birds crossing from the
latter to the former river. The species was common in the Sequoia
National Park, where a specimen was taken August 4; and at Horse
Corral Meadows August 9-13; one was seen in Kings Eiver Canon
August 15, and one at Kearsarge Pass August 18.

At Mineral King it was common from above timber-line down to the
lower i3art of the pines early in August and again in September. It
was unusually common on the south side of Farewell Gap, on Septem-
ber 8, where large numbers were observed flying about in the attempt
to dry and warm themselves, after a cold rain and hail storm.

Stellula calliope. Calliope Hummingbird.

None of our party obtained this hummingbird. Mr. Belding observed
it at Crocker’s, near the Yosemite Valley, in May 1891, and Dr. W. J.
Hoffman reported it from Owens Valley, where it was found breeding
in July. “One nest with eggs was found perched over and within a
short distance of a noisy mountain stream, where it was no doubt fre-
quently subjected to the dashing spray” (Bull. IT. S. Geol. and Geog.
Sur., Hayden, VI, 1881, 237).

Mr. Henshaw saw a single individual in the Tej on Mountains, August
17, 1875.

Tyrannus tyrannus. Kingbird.

At Olancha, near the southern end of Owens Lake, Mr. Bailey and the
writer saw a common kingbird, June 29. It was so near that ideuti-
flcation was jiositive. The Arkansas flycatchers seemed to be ill dis-
posed towards the stranger and were chasing and diving at it whenever
it took wing.

Tyrannus verticalis. Arkansas Kingbird.

The Arkansas flycatcher was common in most of the valleys traversed
by the expedition. In California one was seen at Eaymond Well, in
Salt Wells Valley, and another in the Coso Valley, May 1, in which
latter place it became common a few days later. Mr. Nelson saw a few
in Panamint, Saline, and Mesquite Valleys, in May and June; near the
valleys on both slopes of the Inyo 'Mountains, the last of June; and at
the head of Owens Valley, near the White Mountains, in JuIjl In
Owens Valley, it was common at Lone Pine, where many young were
seen June 4-15; at Olancha, June 29; at Big Pine, June 20-28; and
more or less common at various other places in the valley throughout

60

NOKTPI AMERICAN FAUNA.

(No. 7.

the summer. Dr. Merriam found it breeding’ commonly in the tree
yuccas in Autelope Valley at the west end of the Mohave Desert, June
26-27, and saw one at Besting- Springs in the Amargosa Desert, April
27. At Walker Pass a pair was seen on the east slope July 1, and the
species was common on the west slope the following day. It was com-
mon also along the valley of Kern Eiver July 3-13; at Walker Basin,
July 13-16; at Bakerslield, in the San Joaquin V alley, July 17-20, and
at Three Rivers and along the lower part of the Kaweah Eiver, the last
of July. Mr. Palmer found it abundant at Old Fort Tejon in July, and
Mr. Kelson saw several near Kordhoff the last of December.

In Nevada, Dr. Merriam saw it on Gold Mountain, June 3; found it
tolerably common in Pahranagat Valley May 22-26; in Meadow Creek
Valley, May 19; in the Valley of the Virgin near Bunkerville, May 8;
at the Bend of the Colorado, May 4; at Vegas Ranch, May 1; and at
Yount’s ranch in Pahrump Valley, Axiril 29. In the Lower Santa Clara
Valley, Utah, he fouud it breeding and tolerably common, May 11-15.

Record of specimens collected of Tyrannus verticalis.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

20.5

225

304

91

92

d

?

d

d

d

?

Vegas Valley, Nev

Argus Range, Calil

May 1, 1891
May V, 1891
May 11, 1891
June C, 1891
June 12, 1891
do

C. Hart Merriam .
A. K. Fisher

Maturango Spring.

Do.

Lone Pine.

Olancha.

Do.

Owens Valley, Calif

do

do

F. Stephens

Tyrannus vociferans. Cassin’s Kingbird.

Dr. Merriam found this flycatcher breeding commonly among the
live oaks at Twin Oaks, in western San Diego County, in the early
part of July and secured a specimen July 10. One was seen at San
Bernardino January 1.

Myiarchus cinerascens. Ash-throated Flycatcher.

The ash-throated flycatcher is a common resident of the desert re-
gions of southern California, Nevada, Utah, and northern Arizona, and
is common also west of the Sierra Nevada. In California it was first
seen in Panamint Valley, at Hot Springs, where it arrived April 22 and
became common almost immediately. In the Argus Range it was com-
mon in Shepherd Canon and at Maturango Spring, where it was seen
along the hillsides, hovering over the flowers in search of small moths
and other insects, during the first half of May. At Coso several pairs
were seen, and an individual was observed to devote considerable time
to examining the open end of a 2-inch water pipe, which protruded
from the side of an old building, evidently with an idea of using it for
a nesting site. Mr. Nelson found it a widely distributed species, breed-
ing from the bottom of Mesquite, Panamint, and Saline valleys, up to
at least 2,130 meters (7,000 feet) in the Panamint and Grapevine moun-

Mat, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

61

taius, where it appeared to be equally at home on the open slopes of
the valleys, among the mesquite and larrea bushes, or in the mountains,
in the midst of a tolerably abundant growth of pinons. He found it
breeding as high as the upper border of the pinons in the Inyo Moun-
tains the last of June.

In ISTevada Dr. Merriam saw it in the tree yuccas on the east side of
Pahrump Valley, April 29 j at the Bend of the Colorado, May 4; near
Bunkerville, in the Valley of the Virgin, May 85 on the west slope of
the Juniper Mountains, May 19 5 in Pahranagat Valley, May 23; on the
Timpahute Mountains, May 26; found it common among the yuccas in
Indian Spring Valley, May 28; on the south side of Gold Mountain,
June 3; and tolerably common and evidently breeding among the nut
pines on Mount Magruder, June 4-8. In Utah he found it breeding
commonly in the Santa Clara Valley, May 11-15, and among the tree
yuccas on the west side of the Beaverdam Mountains, May 10. In
northwestern Arizona he saw several at the mouth of Beaverdam
Creek the same day. On the summit connecting the White and Inyo
mountains, in California, several were seen on June 9.

At Furnace Creek, Death Valley, a pair of these birds was seen just
above the ranch at the mouth of the canon, June 21, and the species
was not uncommon in the Panamint Mountains up to an altitude of
more than 2,450 meters (8,000 feet). In Owens Valley it was not un-
common at Lone Pine, June 4-15 ; at Olancha, May 16-23 ; at Ash Creek,
May 30-June 3; and at Benton, July 9-10.

It was seen among the tree yuccas in Walker Pass, June 22 and July
2-3; was common in the valley of the Kern, July 3-13; abundant in
Walker Basin, June 24 and July 13-16; in Tehachapi Pass, June 25;
and in the Canada de las Uvas, June 28. A few were seen among the
live oaks in the Granite Eange in the western part of San Diego
County, July 1-10. It was common at Bakersfield, July 17-20, and at
Three Elvers, July 25-30.

Record of specimens collected of Mylar elms cinerasccns.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

181

305

101

cT

d

d

5

Panamint Valley, Calif

Apr. 22, 1891
Apr. 23, 1891
June 6,1891
June 13, 1891

C. Hart Merriam . .

Hot Springs.

Do.

Lone Pine.
Olancha.

Owens Valley, Calif

do

Sayornis saya. Say’s Phcebe.

Say’s phoebe is a common species throughout the desert regions, and
was also found west of the Sierra Kevada. It was common in the vicin-
ity of Owens Lake in December, 1890; was seen near Daggett, intlio
Mohave Desert, January 10, 1891, and at Lone Willow Spring, January
15. In Death Valley, it was observed at Bennett Wells and Furnace
Creek the latter part of January; again, April 9-12 and June 19-22.

62

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA,

[No. 7.

In Hevacla it was observed at Asli Meadows in March, sparingly in
Pahrnmp and Vegas valleys, and thence down to the Bend of the Colo-
rado, and was rather common and mating in Oasis Valley in the same
month. Dr. Merriain found it in Fish Lake Valley, June S ; on the north
slope of Gold Monntain, June 3; at the east end of Graiievine Canon,
June 2, where a nest was observed in an old well at an abandoned min-
ing shaft known as Thorp’s mill 5 in Ash Meadows, where a nest was
found in an old adobe, May 30; in Pahranagat Valley, May 22-20; at
Pahroc Spring, May 22; at the Bend of the Colorado, May 4; and in
the Virgin Valley near Bnnkerville, May 8. He saw two at the mouth
of Beaverdam Creek, Arizona, May 9-10, and in Utah found it common
in the lower Santa Clara Valley, breeding along the cliffs near St.
George, May 10-11, and among the junipers on the eastern slope of the
Beaverdam Mountains, May 10-11.

In the Pauamint Mountains the s^ieeies was not seen in Johnson
Canon, but was common in Surprise Canon, where a nest and eggs was
found A pril 19, and also at Hot Springs, in Panamint V alley, April 20-25.
Mr.lSTelson found it commonly distributed in the bottoms of Saline, Pana-
mint, and Mesquite valleys, ranging up in the Panamint and Graiievine
mountains. He found the species breeding in various sheltered iilaces,
such as holes in clay banks, niches in rocky ledges, sides of old walls,
and in crevices in deserted mining shafts. In the Argus Eauge it was
common in Shepherd Canon and atMatnrango Spring, and at Coso a nest
containing three nearly grown young was found in one of the deserted
buildings the last of May. The species was found in the Inyo Eange
up to and among the pihons, aud was a rather common breeding species
in Owens Valley.

Several were seen in Walker Pass, July 1-3. Say’s phoebe was com-
mon through Kern Eiver Valley, July 3-13, and occurred in W alker Basin
in about equal numbers with the black phoebe, July 13-16. One was
seen at timber line near Mineral King, September 10, and the species
was observed along the route to Three Eivers, September 12-16. Mr.
Bailey found it common at Monterey, September 28 to October 9, and
Mr. Stephens at Eeche Canon, near San Bernardino, September 22-24.

Mr. Kelson found it common and generally distributed along the
coast from San Simeon to Carpeuteria and Santa Paula, in Kovember
and December, and sparingly in the San Joaquin Valley, October 5-27.

Record of specimens collected of Sayornis say a.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sox.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

71

76

Jan. 21,1891
Jan. 25,1891
Jnne 19,1 892

>

Do.

$ im.

V. Bailev

Do.

12

9

Feb. 8 1891

257

cfjuv.

Coso, Moiintiiiii.s, Calif

May 26,1891

A. K. Fislier

102

cf im.

Owens Valley, Calif

Junel5,1891

F. Stephens

Olancha.

Mat, 1893.]

BIRDS OP THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

63

Sayornis nigricans. Black Phccbe.

The black phoebe was rare in the desert regions east of the Sierra
Kevada, though more or less common west of this range. At San Ber-
nardino one was seen among some willows, associated with other birds,
December 28, 1890. It was seen in Cajon Pass, Marcli 30; at Furnace
Creek, Death Valley, April 12; at Hot Springs, in the Panamint Val-
ley, April 22; and in the Argus Bange, at Shepherd Canon, April 27.
Mr. Stephens found a pair apparently breeding at Little Owens Lake
the first week in May, and an immature individual at Bishop Creek,
August 4-10. On the western slope, it was common along the valley
of Kern River, near the water, July 3-13; common and in about equal
numbers with Say’s phoebe, at Walker Basin, July 13-16; common in
the Canada de las TJvas, June 28-29; and in the Sierra Liebre, June
30. It was common at Bakersfield, in the San Joaquin Valley, in July;
at Three Rivers, in the foothills, July 25-30 and September 13-16; and
in Kings River Canon, August 13-16. Mr. Bailey saw one at timber
line near Mineral King, August 4, and found it common at Monterey,
September 18 to October 9. Mr. Kelson observed it commonly about
San Emigdio, sparingly along the southern and western sides of the
San Joaquin Valley, commonly and in about equal numbers with Say’s
phoebe along the coast from San Simeon to CariDenteria, and not numer-
ous between Carpenteria and Santa Paula, in Kovember and December.

Contopus borealis. Olive-sided Flycatcher.

The olive-sided flycatcher was found nowhere common. Mr. Kel-
son observed it migrating in considerable numbers at the head of Wil-
low Creek in the Panamint Range, during the third week in May. The
same observer found it on the east side of the Sierra Kevada, at the
head of Owens River, from an altitude of 2,500 to 2,900 meters (8,200
to 9,500 feet), and on the west slope up to 3,050 meters (10,000 feet).

In the Sierra Kevada Mr. Stephens found it at Menache Meadows,
May 24-26 ; Mr. Dntcher secured two specimens and rejicrted it as
more or less common at Big Cottonwood Meadows; and Mr. Bailey
saw several at an altitude of about 2,650 meters (8,700 feet) near Min-
eral King, and secured a brood of young just able to fly, August 4.

The writer secured a specimen in the Coso Mountains, California,
May 23; Dr. Merriam observed one on the soutli side of Cold Moun-
tain, Kevada, June 3; and Mr. Palmer saw one near the summit of
Frazier Mountain, California, July 9.

Record of specimens collected of Contopus borealis.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

248

8

d

cf

Panamint Mountains, Calif

May 21. 1891
May 23, 1891

E. W. IN'elson ...

5

26

Auff. 4,1S91

Meadows.

Do.

d

im

V. Bailey

Do.

64

NORTH AIMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7

Coutopus richardsonii. We.sterii Wood Pewee.

The western wood pewee was a common species in many of the locali-
ties visited. Mr. Nelson’ found it a rather common breeding bird in
Cottonwood, Willow Creek, and Mill Creek canons in the Panainint
Monntains, Calif., and saw it also in the Grapevine Mountains, Nevada.

In Coso Valley, California, it first appeared May 1(>, and by May 25
was common in the Coso Mountains. It was common all through Owens
Valley, and on the White Mountains. At Keeler, on the east side of
Owens Lake, it was not uncommon the 1st of June. One day when the
wind was very high, a number were seen sitting on the bare alkabne
flats near the lake, where they were picking up from the ground the
flies which swarmed there, as grain-eating birds do seeds. On the
summit of the divide in the White Mountains, between Deep Spring
Valley and Owens Valley, Dr. Merriam killed two June 9. At Old
Fort Tejon it was common about the 1st of Julyr

It was common in Walker Pass, where a nest was observed, July 2’,
at Kernville, July 11) Walker Basin, July 13-16,- and at Bakersfield, in
the San Joaquin Valley, July 17-20. In the High Sierra it was not
uncommon in the Sequoia National Park, the first week in August; at
Horse Corral Meadows, August 9-13; Kings Eiver Canon, August
13-16; Big Cottonwood Meadows, during the summer; at Menache
Meadows, May 24-26; and was common along the Kaweah Eiver from
Mineral King down to Three Eivers, in Sei)tember.

In Nevada, Dr. Merriam saw it among the cottonwoods at Vegas
ranch. May 1; at Pahranagat Valley, May 23 (common); at Oasis
Valley, June 1; and on Mount Magruder, June 8. He also saw the
species at the mouth of Beaverdam Creek, Arizona, May 10.

Record of specimens collecied of Contopus richardsonii.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

251

6

89

?

d

?

9

d

d

Coso Mountains, Calif

Sierra Nevada, Calif.-

Owens Lake, Calif

White Mountains, Calif

May 24, 1891
June 19, 1891

June 12, 1891
June 9, 1891
do.

June 4, 1891

A. K. Fisher

B. H. Dutcher

F. Stephens

V. Bailey

Big Cottonwood
Meadows.

Mount Magruder, Nev

do

Empidonax difficilis. Western Flycatcher.

The western flycatcher was seen in a few localities only. Dr. Mer-
riam secured an adult male at Ash Meadows, Nevada, May 30, and a
female at Mount Magruder in the same State, June 5. Mr. Palmer re-
ported the species as common and secured one at Old Fort Tejon, July 6.
Mr. Nelson saw it along the San Joaquin Eiver in August, but does not
state how common it was.

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

65

Record of specimens collected of Emptdonax dijficilis.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sox.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

itemarks.

efad.

$

Ash Meadow.s, Nev

Mount Magnuler, Nev

May 30, 1891
June 5, 1891

V. Bailev

C. Hart Merriam..

Empidonax pusillus. Little Flycatcher.

In a few localities tlie little flycatclier was not rare. Br. Merriam
fonnd it tolerably common wliere Beaverdam Creek joins the Virgin
River in northwestern Arizona, May 9, and in Pahranagat Valley,
Nevada, May 22-26.

In Owens Valley, California, Mr. Stephens fonnd it a rather common
migrant at Olancha, May 16-23, and the writer secured two specimens
in a willow thicket along Owens River, at Lone Pine, June 11. Mr.
Palmer shot one near Old Port Tejon July 3, and Mr. Nelson saw a few
among the willows along streams from 2,940 to 2,900 meters (9,000 to
9,500 feet) altitude, in the White Mountains, in the same month.

Record of specimens collected of Empidonax pusillus.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eemarks.

77

90

d

9

$

Pahranagat ValleT, Ner

Owens Vallejo Calif

May 23,1891
June 9, 1891
June 12, 1891
June 11, 1891

C. Hart Mei-riam . .
F. Stephens

Olancha.

Do.

RXR

flo

334

Do.

Empidonax hammondi. Hammond’s Flycatcher.

Hammond’s flycatcher was seen in two localities only. In the Argus
Range several were seen and two secured among the pinons above
Maturango Sitriug on May 8. Dr. Merriam secured a specimen in Pah-
ranagat Valley, Nevada, May 23.

Record of specimens collected of Empidonax hammondi.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

llemarks.

208

209

9

d

9

Argus Eangc, Calif

May 8, 1891
ilo

A. K. Fisher

Maturango Spx'ing.
Do„

Pahranagat Valley, Nev

May 23,1801'

C. Hart Merriam..

Empidonax wrightii. Wright’s Flycatcher.

Wright’s flycatcher was the only one of the small flycatchers found
in winter in any of the region traversed. Mr. Nelson s-eenred a speci-
men at Hot Springs in Paiiamint Valley, January 3, and the writer ob-
tained one in the same place April 22. A specimen was secured among
the willows at the edge of the reservoir at Furnace Creek, Death Vab
12.731r-No, 7. 5.

66

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA

[No. 7.

ley, February 1, and two small llycatcliers, probably this species, Avere
seen there about the middle of April.

A specimen Avas secured iii the Argus llauge, at Maturaugo Spring,
May 5, and another Avas seen in Shei)herd Canon a feAv days before.
In Owens Valley Mr. Stephens found the species at Olancha about
the middle of May, and at Bishop Creek August 4-10. In the High
Sierra it was seen at Big Cottoinvood MeadoAA's, August 29; at Whit-
ney Meadows, August 20; and at Kern BiA^er Lakes or Soda Springs,
September 5. Dr. Merriam secured a specimen in the Virgin Valley in
eastern Nevada, May 6.

Beeord of specimens collected of Empidonox wriejlitii.

Col-

lector’s

Xo.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

95

180

50

198

cT

?

d

?

9

?

im.

Panamint Valley, Calif .

Death Valley, Calif

Panamint Valiev. Calif

Argn.s llange, Calif

do . - -

do

St. Thomas, Nev

Sierra Nevada, Calif

Jan. 3, 1891
Pcb. 1, 1891
Apr. 23. 1891
Apr. 20, 1891
May 5,1891
May 12, 1891
AlaV 6,1891
Aug. 20, 1891

E.W. Nelson

A. K. Eisher

- . . -do

E. Stephens

A. K. Fisher

T. S. Palmer

V. Hailey

-•-..do

Furnace Creek.

Hot Spring.

Maturango Spring,
Do.

Whitney Meadows.

Pyroceplialus rubineus mexicanus. Vermilion Flycatcher.

Dr. Merriam shot an adult female of this species at St. George, in
the Lower Santa Clara Valley, Utah, May 13. She Avas killed in an
orchard at Dodge Spring, about a mile from the settlement, and con-
tained large ova nearly ready for the shell. Tliis record extends the
knoAvn range of the species very materially, since it had not previously
been recorded north of Fort Mohave, Arizona.

OtOGOiis alpestris arenicola. Desert Horned Lark.

So far as specimens go, this race of the horned lark was the only one
found breeding east of the Sierra Nevada in the region traversed by
the expedition. A flock of twenty or more was seen at Hesperia, in the
MohaA^e Desert, January 4, and the subspecies also was seen in the same
desert at Daggett January 8-10, and Granite Wells January 13-15.
Dozens were seen by Dr. Merriam, Avho traveled over the same ground
during the latter jiart of March and first week in April. In January
Mr. Nelson saw about one hundred at the southern end of Panamint
Valley. Horned larks were not seen at any time in Death Valley.

In Nevada they were common at Ash MeadoAvs, in the plowed
fields and sand plains, and about the middle of March had mated and
were iireparing to nest. In Pahrumi) and Vegas valleys Mr. Nelson
found small parties in February and March. Dr. Merriam found it
common in Meadow Creek Valley May 19; in Desert and Pahroc val-
leys May 20-22; in the Amlley betAveen Gold Mountain and Mount
Magruder June 4, Avhere it was common and tAvo nearly full grown
young were shot; on Mount Magruder, June 4-8, Avhere it was common
on the sage plain on to^i of the mountain. In Utah, it was not seen in

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALI.EY EKREDITION.

G7

tbe SaiitA Clara Valley, bat several were observed in Mountain Meadows
May 17.

In the north end of Panamint Valley, Mr. Nelson saw several the last
of May, and others on the high tableland between Saline and Paaainiiit
valleys, in May and June. Dr. Merriam found it common in the sage
brush north of Telescope Peak, April 15. Horned larks were found
during the breeding season in the sage plains on the Inyo and White
mountains, and in Saline and Deep Spring valleys. Below Maturango
Spring, in Coso Valley, it was quite common May 11, and others
were seen along the valley as far north as Darwin. In Owens Valley,
the subspecies was found as a summer resident from the lower to the
upper end. Mr. Palmer found it very abundant in Antelope Valley,
and a few near Gorman Station the last of June.

liecord of specimens collected of Otocoris alpestris arenicola.

Col-

lector's

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Ilcmarks.

227

228
229

8

52

53

54

55

56

57

51

126

136

70

83

270

271
288

289

290

153

154

135

136

197

cT

d

d

9

d

d

d

d

d im.

d ira.
?
d
?
d
?
d
?
cf
?

2 .juv.
im.

?

d

d

d

d

Coso Valley, Calif. ...

do

do ,

MoiiaVe Desert, Calif.
do

.do

.do

.do

.do

.do

.do

.do

Salt Wells Valley, Calif

Ash Meadows, Nev

do

do

Paliruuip Valle5', Nev

do

Indian Spring Valley, Nev.

Panaca, Nev

Gold Mountain Valley, Nev.

.do

Mount Pinos, Calif

Owens Valley, C.ilif

do

-do

.do

.do

.do

.do

.do

.do

.do

.do

White Mount-iiu.s, Calif ,

Darwin, Calif

Coso Valley, Calif

do

May 11, 1891

do

do

Peh, 7, 1891
Jan. 13,1891
do

do

do

. ...do

do

Apr. 25,1891
June 27, 1891

A. K. Fisher

— do

do

F. Stephens.,
A. K. Fisher

do

do

do

Apr. 29,
Mar. 14,
Mar. 19,
. ...do ..
Feb. 17,

do . .

May 28,
May 19,
June 4,

1891

1891

1891

1891

1891

1891

do

Oct. 16,1891
June 1,1891
June 10, 1891
May 31,1891
June 1,1891
June 2,1891

do

.1 une 3, 1891
Aug. 16, 1891

do

July 20, 1891
Jtily 21, 1891
July 12, 1891
Mav 5, 1891
May 11,1891
do

do

. . . do

V. Bailey

T. S. Palmer

F. Stephens

A. K. Fisher

do

E. W. Nelson. ..

do

— do

V. Bailey

— do

C. Hart Merriam

... do

E. W. Nelson . . .

F. Stephens

. . .do

A. K. Fisher

do

do

do

do

F. Stephens

,...do

...do

. . .do

E.W. Nelson ...
A. K. Fisher . . . .

T. S. Palmer

...do

Daggett.

Granite Wells.

Do
Do
. Do
Do
Do

Leach Point Valley.

25 miles southwest of
Mojave.

Borax Flat.

Valley between Gold
Mountain an d
Mount Magruder.

San Eafael Mountains.
Ash Creek.

Olancha.

Keeler.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Casa Diablo Spring.
Do.

klaturaugo Spriiii:
Do. "

Otocoris alpestris chrysoleema. Mexican Horned Lark.

Mr. Nelson obtained a number of specimens of this race at Keeler, on
the shore of Owens Lake, December 28, IShO, though specimens taken
at the same place during the breeding season are referable to urcp/-
cola. Mr. Stephens took one iii the Panamint Mountains in April,

68

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

and Mr, Bailey secured a specimen at Kernville, where the subspecies
was couimon, July 13. The birds seen by Mr. Nelson in the San
Joaquin Valley and in the vicinity of the Canada de las Uvas proba-
bly should be referred to this race. He found it excessively abun-
dant on the San Joaquin Plain, where it is locally known as the ‘ wheat
bird’ in the grain districts, owing to its habit of following the farmer
and eating the newly-sown wheat ac seeding time.

Becord of specimens collected of Otocoris alpestris chrijsola’ma.

Col-
lector'.9
No.

.Sox.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

EeniarliS.

dl

d

d

d

d

d

d

?

?

ranamiiit Mountains, Calif

KernYillo, Ca! i f

Owens Valley, Calif

do

Apr. 15, 1891
,Tu1y 13, 1891
Dec. 28, 1890

F. Stephens

V. Bailev

E. W. Nelson

5,200 feet altitude.

Keeler.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

do . . . .

do

do

... do

Pica pica liudsonica. Black-billed Magpie.

Mr. Bailey saw three individuals of this species 10 miles east of
Toquervilie, Utah, December, 31, 1888. The black-billed magpie was
not seen by the expedition, but is known to be a common resident in
the neighborhood of Carson, in western Nevada.

Pica nuttalli. Yellow-billed Magpie.

The Yellow-billed magpie is common in a number of places west
of the Sierra Nevada, in California. At Visalia, several were seen
among the oaks, July 23, as well as along the route from that place to
Three Eivers, July 25, Near Cottage post-office, in Tulare County,
about half-way between these two places, the species Avas common Sep-
tember 17.

Mr. Nelson found it common in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, in
August; and also among the oaks from La Panza to San Luis Obispo,
October 28 and November 3 ; and from the latter place to the Santa
Ynez Eiver, beyond which places it was not noted.

Cyanocitta stelleri. Steller’s Jay,

Steller’s jay was met with along the coast of California, in two lo-
calities only. Mr. Bailey found it common in the thick woods in the
vicinity of Monterey, Avhere he secured a pair, October 1; and Mr. Nel-
son observed a few in the mountains near San Simeon in November.

Record of specimens collected of Cyanocitta stelleri.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

D.ate.

Collector.

Kem.'iilcs.

d

?

Monterey, Calif

do

Oct. 1, 1891

V. Bailev

Mat, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

GO

Cyanocitta stelleri frontalis. Bine-fronted Jay.

The blue-froDted jay was not found in tlie desert raus’es, altliougli
it was comnion in many places along tlie east slope of tlie Sierra Kevada,
in California. Mr. ISTelson found it common at the head of Owens liiver
at an altitude of from 2,500 to 2,900 meters (8,200 to 9,500 feet), and Mr.
Stephens found it at Bishop Creek, August 4-10, and at Menache iNIead-
ows. May 24-26. The writer secured one among the pines above Walker
Basin, July 14; found it common in Sequoia National Park the first
week in Angnst; at Horse Corral Meadows, August 9-13; in Kings
Biver Canon, Angnst 13-16; and Big Cottonwood Meadows, Round Val-
ley, and Whitney Meadows, the last of the month. It was very common
among the sugar and yellow pines at Soda Springs or Kern River
Lakes, the first week in September. Mr. Butcher found it common dur-
ing the breeding season at Big Cottonwood Meadows, and Mr. Bailey
and the writer found it comnion at Mineral King and down along the
Kaweah River to the lower limit of the pines, in September. Mr.
Palmer reported it common on Frazier Mountain, near Old Fort Tejon^
July 6.

Becord of specimens collecied of Cyanocitta stelleri frontalis.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

llemarks.

75

141

17

cf ■
cf

Owens Lake, Calif

Sierra Nevada, Calif

Jane 7,1891
July 25, 1891
July 12, 1891

Ang. 3,1891

F. Stephens

.... do

Altitado, 4,000 lect.

d im.

do

E. W. Nelson

Meadows.

South Pork Merced

390

409

434

9

cf im.

5

Walker Basin, Calif.

Sierra Nevada; Calif

July 14, 1891
Ang. 7,1891

Sept. 3,1891

A. K. Eislier

do

River.

Sequoia Nation a’
Bark.

Soda Springs.

Aphelocoma woodhousei. WoodLonse’s Jay.

Woodlionsc’s jay was found on all the desert ranges which furnish a
growth of piilon or junipers. In California it was observed in the
White Mountains, Inyo, Argus, Coso, and Panamint ranges; in Ne-
vada, in the Charleston, Grapevine, Juniper, and Pahroc mountains,
and in Utah, in the Beaverdam Mountains. In the latter part of June,
young which were able to fiy were found among the willows along the
streams in the Panamint Mountains, north of Telescope Peak.

Becord of specimens collected of Aphelocoma xvoodhousei.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

39

147

172

173
355
35C

cf

9

cf

9

$ im.

? im.

im.

Cr.Tpevine Mountains, Nov.
Panamint Mountains, Calif.
do

Mar. 24. 1801
Mar. 29, 1891
Apr. 20, 1891

P. Stephens

A. K. Pishcr

Johnson Canon.
Surprise Canon.

Do.

Wild Rose Canon.

do

do

June 23, 1891

Inyo Mountains, Calif

Wiiile Mountains, Calif

June 27, 1891
July 8,1891

E. W. NeLson

— do

70

north AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Aphelocoma californica. Calil'oniiii Jay.

The California j:iy was not foniul east of the Sierra Nevada, it l)eing
replaeed in the desert ranges by Woodhonse’s jay. Althougli abun-
dant on the west slope of the main Sierra, it vais common in few places
oil the east side. IMr. Stephens found it rather common on tbe latter
slope at Independence Creek, June 18-23; at Menaclie Meadows, May
2I-2G; and Mr. Nelson, at tbe bead of Owens River, in tbe latter part
of July.

Tbe species was common in Cajon Pass in tbe San Bernardino
Mountains, January 2-3, where it was seen and beard among tlie cbai)ar-
ral at all times of tbe day. Dr. Merriam found it common in tbe Sierra
Liebre, Sail Bernardino, Tejon, and Tebacbapi ranges, as well as in
tbe soiitbern Sierra from Walker Pass southward. It was tolerably
common on tbe west slope of Walker Pass, June 21 and July 2-3; in
tbe valley of Kern River, June 21-22 and July 3-13; thence south-
ward to Havilab and Caliente, June 23-24; and was abundant and
noisy at Old Fort Tejon late in June and early in July.

Dr. Merriam found it common in tbe eoast ranges south of tbe San
Bernardino plain, and in large numbers in the Granite Range between
Twin Oaks and Escondido, Calif., early in July.

In the San Joaquin Valley it was common at Visalia and up along
Kaweab River to tbe lower edge of tbe pines, in August and Septem-
ber, and a few were seen in tbe Sequoia National Park during tbe first
week of August. Mr. Bailey found it common in tbe brush and open
woods at Monterey, Calif., September 28 to October 9.

Mr. Nelson reported this jay as abundant in the Tejon and Temploa
mountains and around San Luis Obispo in October, and along tbe route
from San Simeon to Carpenteria and Santa Paula, in November and
December.

Record of specimens coUecied of Aphelocoma californica.

Col

lector’s

Xo.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eomarks.

62

363

383

?

d

$ im.

Owen.s Valley, Calif

Walker Pass. Calif

do

Kern Itiver, Calif

May 23, 1891
July 3,1891
July 2,1891
July 9,1891

F. Stephens

V. Bailey

A. K. Fisher

do

Olancha.

South Fork.

Corvus coiax sinuatus. Raven.

Ravens were seen in more or less abundance in most, if not all, of
tbe localities visited by members of tbe expedition, from above timber
line on tbe High Sierra to tbe bottom of Death Valley and tbe other
desert valleys, and undoubtedly breed in all tbe desert ranges of
southern California and Nevada. Ravens were seen in Cajon Pass in
tbe San Bernardino Mountains, and on tbe Mohave Desert during tbe
first week in January. At Daggett fifty or more remained about tbe

if AY, 1893.1

BIEDS OF THE DEATPT VALLEY EXPEOmON.

71

slaughter house feeding on the refuse. In Death Valley they were ob-
served by every party that visited the place from the tirst week in Jan-
nary to the last in June. In the Coso Mountaius, two adults with their
five young were seen flying high in the air May 25, the old birds being
readily distinguished by their worn primaries.

In Nevada they were common at Ash Meadows and Pahrnmp Valley,
and at the latter place a pair was secured the last of February. Dr.
Merriam observed one, together with a large nest, on the shelf of a
high cliff in Vegas Wash, May 3. He found ravens tolerably common
abont the Bend of the Colorado, May 4, and saw several in the Valley
of the Virgin, near Bniikerville, May 8; others in the Juniper Moun-
tains, May 19; in Desert Vallejo, May 20, and in Pahranagat Valley,
May 22-20. In Utah he found several pairs in the Lower Santa Clara
Valley, May 11-15, and thence northward to Mountain Meadows, Avhere
several were seen May 17.

Ravens were common all through Owens Valley. At Walker Basin
flocks of several hundred were observed every day flying about tlie
fields and roads, feeding on the grasshoppers which occurred in vast
numbers there. All the specimens shot had nothing in their stomachs
except the remains of these insects. Dr. Merriam and Mr. Palmer ob-
served large numbers catcliing grasshoppers in the western part of the
Mohave Desert, known as Antelope Valley, June 27-28, and near Gor-
man Station no less than forty-four were seen catching grasshoppers
on the grassy hillsides at one time.

In the High Sierra ravens were seen at Menache, Wlutuey, and Big-
Cottonwood meadows, and at the head of Owens River. Mr. Nelson
saw a few about Mount Pinos and at Buena Vista Lake in October, and
found theui sparingly along the route from San Simeon to Carpeuteria
and Santa Paula, in November and December.

liecord of specimens collected of Corviis corax shinatiis.

Col

Isctor's

Xo.

Sex.

-

Locality.

Bate.

Collector.

Eemarlis.

113

114

d

Lone Willow Spring, Calif

Pahrmiip .alley, Calif

do

Jnn. 14,1891
Feb. 24,1891

E. W. Xelsou

A. K. Fisher

Corvus americanvis. Crow.

At one place only was the common crow seen by any member of the
expedition east of the Sierra Nevada. In Pahrnmp Valley, Nevada, a
flock of crows kept around the ranch during February and March.

At Bakersfield, in the San Joaquin Valley, crows were common along
the river bottoms, in flocks of from five to fifty, July 17-20. Crows
were observed among the oaks at Visalia, July 23, and a flock of about
one hundred was seen and a specimen secured near Three Rivers, the
latter part of the same month. Dr. Merriam saw a flock of half a

72

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[Ho. 7.

dozen in Teliacliapi Valley, California, June 25, and Mr. ralmer
found them common at Tejon ranch, where they were feeding' on iig'S,
early in July. At Monterey, Mr. Bailey lieard them cawing in the
grounds of the Hotel Del Monte, September 28 to October 9. Mr. Nel-
son found crows common in the San Joaquin Valley in October, along
the route from San Simeon to Carpenteria, and in the Ojai Valley in
November and December.

Picicorvus columbianus. Clarke’s Nutcracker.

Clarke’s crow was common in the High Sierra in California, as well
as in a few of the higher desert ranges to the eastward. It was
numerous about the camp in the Charleston Mountains, Nevada, in Feb-
ruary. In the Pauamint Mountains, California, a solitary individual
was seen near the top of the ridge south of Telescope Peak, April 2,
and on the north slope of the same peak several were heard, June 23.
A pair was seen later in the same day which, from their actions,
appeared to be parent and young. Mr. Nelson found it rather common
among the Finns fiexilis on the Inyo Mountains, and in the same belt
of the White Monntains as well as on the plateau at the head of Owens
Valley; and Mr. Stephens reported it common at Queen mine, in the
White Mountains, Nevada, July 11-16. Along the ea,stern slope of the
Sierra, it was abundant at Menache Meadows, May 24-26: at Kear-
sarge Pass, Jnne 18-23; at Bishop Creek, August 4-10; and from 2,450
meters (8,000 feet) altitude to timber line at the head of Owens Eiver
the latter part of July; at Big Meadows and Horse Corral Meadows it
was seen August 8-13; in Big Cottonwood Meadows it was very com-
mon all summer; at Bound Valley, 12 miles south of Mount Whitney,
August 28; and along the route from Soda Springs or Kern Eiver
Lakes to Mineral King, early in September. Mr. Nelson found it
numerous among piuons on Mount Pinos the later part of October.

Record of s^pecimens collected of Picicorvus coliimManus.

Col-

lector's

Ho.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

C3

cT

May 27, 1801

Olaiiclia Peak.

421

cf

do

Aug. 28, 1891

A. K. Fislier ...

Big Cottonwood Mead-

ows.

430

5

do

Aug. 28, 1891

Sept. 4,1891

Itiver.

Cyanocephalus cyanoceplialus. Piiion Jay.

The pin on jay is more or less common on all the desert ranges of
southern California and Nevada which are high enough to support a
growth of piiions {Pinns monopliylld), and was found in a few places on
the Sierra Nevada, though in limited numbers. Mr. Nelson fonnd it
breeding in the pihon belt in the Pauamint, Inyo, White, and Grape-
vine mountains, and Mr. Stephens saw a flock of a hundred or more in
the latter range toward the end of March.

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

The writer found it common in the Argns Jfange aliove ]\raturaiigo
Spring'. The stomach and gullet of one shot at this place about the
middle of May contained the kei iiels of the pine nut, which it evidently
had iiicked up from the ground, as some of them had already sprouted.
The species was common on the Coso Mountains the last half of 3Iay,
Dr. Merriam saw it on Mount Magrnder and Gold Mountain, Nevada,
early in June; in the Juniper Mountains, near the boundary between
Nevada and Utah, May 18-19, and in the juniper befton the east slope
of the Beaverdam Mountains, in Utah, May 11.

Mr. Palmer saw a single bird in the Charleston Mountains among the
tree yuccas, February 14.

In the Sierra Nevada Mr. Nelson saw it at the head of Owens Eiver,
though it was not numerous, and Mr. Stephens observed it at Bishop)
Creek, August 4-10, and noted one individual at Benton, July 9-10.

accord of specimens collected of Cijanoccplialus cyanocephalus.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eemark.s.

201

cf

Argu.s Eange, Calif

May 6,1891

A. K. ri.slier

Maturanao Sprinsr.

May 8, 1891

207

do

Do.

233

?

do

May 12, 1891

do

Do,

249

Co.so Mountains. Calil

May 23, 1891

do... non

Molothrus ater. CowLird.

Dr. Merriam saw several cowbirds in the Lower Santa Clara Yalkw',
Utah, May 11-15, and a few in Pahrauagat Valley, Nevada, May22-2C.
The writer shot an adult male at Furnace Creek, Death Valley, June
20, which was the only one seen there.

Xanthocephalus xaiithocephalus. Y^ellow-headed Blackbiicl.

Yellow-headed blackbirds were seen sparingly at a number of locali-
ties. Mr. Bailey secured a specimen at Bennett Wells in Death Val-
ley, April 1, and an individual came and alighted on the wagon while
the party was at Darwin, in the Coso Valley, May 5. Di. Merriam
saw a few about the spring at Yount’s ranch in Pahrump Valley, Ne-
vada, April 29, and a number in the valley of the lower Muddy, May
G. Others were seen by him in Meadow Creek Valley, Nevada, near
Pauaca, May 19, and the species was said to breed in Pahranagat Val-
ley, though he did not see it there. May 22-26. In the Lower Santa
Clara Valley, Utah, it was tolerably common about the junction of the
Santa Clara with the Virgin, May 11-15. In Salt Wells Valley, IMr.
Stephens saw a small flock at Baymond Well, and at Borax Flat
the last of April and first of May. At Lone Pine, in Owens Valley,
one was seen among a flock of redwings in December, 1890. A num-
ber were observed in June, and several small flocks among the tules
and along the fence rows, August 22. The species was seen sparingly
at Bakersfield, in the San Joaquin Valley, July 17-20.

74

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

llccord of specimens collecled of XanthocephaliDi xunlhoccphaJos.

Col-

lector's

No.

Sex.

Locality.

D.ate.

Collector.

Itemarks.

325

cT acl.
d act.

Dcatli ALillev, Calif

Loiio Piuc, Calif

Apr. 1,1891
June 9, 1891

Bailey

A. K. Bisher

Bennett AVells.

Agelaivis phceniceus. Red-wiiiged Blackbird.

The red-winged blackbird is probably resident in most if not all of
the tide marshes in southern California and Nevada. A small Hock
of eight or ten individuals was seen at Furnace Creek, Death Valley,
during the latter part of January; a single si)ecimen was secured at
Eesting Springs, California, in February. In lifevada a large flock
Avas found during March around the corral of Mr. George Watkins, at
Ash Meadows, where the birds fed ui3on grain left by the stock. Mr.
Nelson stated that several hundred of these birds came to roost each
night in the tules growing near the main vSjiring at Pahrump Eanch,
February 1 2-28. Mr. Stephens found it common in Oasis V alley, March
15-19, and at Grapevine Spring, California, the first week in A]3ril. Dr.
Merriam saw it at Yount’s ranch, in Pahrump Valley, April 29, and
at the Bend of the Colorado, May 4. He found it breeding abundantly
in the valley of the Muddy, in eastern Nevada, May 6; in Meadow
Creek Valley, near Panaca, May 19; in Pahranagat Valley, May 23
and 24; in Oasis Valley, Jiinel; along the Santa Clara and Virgin,
near St. George, Utah, May 14, and saw a few at the west end of Ante-
lope Valley, near Gorman Station, California, June 28.

At Hot Springs, in Pan amiiit Valley, Calif., several were seen April
20-24. In Owens Valley, Mr. Stephens found the species not common
at Little Owens Lake, May 6-11; at Olancha May 16-23; abundant
at Alvord, June 26-28; common at Bishop, June 30; at Fish Slough,
July 2-3; at Morans, July 4-7; at Benton, July 9-10, and a few at
Haway Meadows, May 12-14; and on the meadow at Bishop Creek,
August 4-10. Mr. Nelson observed it at the head of Owens Eiver up to
an altitude of 2,130 meters (7,000 feet) during the latter part of July,
and found it abundant about the farms at Lone Pine, in Owens Valley,
December, 1890, Avherethe writer saw numbers which were breeding in
the tule marshes, the following June. The same observer also found it
common along the South Fork of the Kern Eiver, California, July 3-11;
and Bakersfield, in the San Joaquin Valley, July 17-20.

Mr. Bailey saAV flocks of redwings at Monterey, September 28 to
October 9. Mr. Nelson found this species common and associated with
A. guhernator about Buena Vista Lake in the San Joaquin Valley; in
the wet places near San Emigdio, and along the coast between San
Simeon and Carpenteria.

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VAELEY EXI'EOiriON.

75

Record of upedniens collected of Agelains j>kwiiiceiis.

Col-
lect (ii’s
No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Item ark 8.

138

Mar. 18, ]8ia

A. TC. Fislier

do

E. W. Xelsoii

in

d ad.

Ke.stinK' Spriuj^s, Calif

Feb. 14, 1891

A. K. l i.sl.er

303

do

317

Do.

118

124

9

Do.

9

Sept. 25, 1891

Agelaius gubernator. Bicolored Blackbird.

A.ciioiigli this species was common, if not abundant, in some locnli-
ties west of tlie Sierra iSTevada, one specimen only was collected during
tlie season, and this was shot by Mr. Stephens at Olancha, at the
southern end of Owens Lake, California, June 11.

Mr. Xelson found a few in the Ojai Valley in December] found it com-
mon and associated with the common redwing on the border of Buena
Vista Lake in the San Joaquin Valley, near San Luis Obispo, and along
the route from San Simeon to Carpenteria, in November and December.

Mr. Belding recorded it from the Yosemite Valley.

Sturnella niagna neglecta. Western Meadowlark.

The meadowlark is a more or less common resident in most of the
valleys in the desert region, as well as in those west of the Sierra
Nevada. It was common and singing at San Bernardino, December
28-29, 1890, and was seen in Cajon Pass, January 1. In Death Valley it
was not uncommon at Bennett Wells, near the old Eagle borax works, at
Saratoga Springs, and at Furnace Creek, where it was common in the
alfalfa fields the last of January. On the last trip to the valley ]Mr.
Bailey and the writer found it not uncommon at Furnace Creek, June
19-21. The meadowlark was not uncommon at Resting Springs in the
Amargosa Desert, the first half of February and April 27, and was
common about the ranches at Ash Meadows and in Pahrump and
Vegas valleys, Nevada, in March. In the same State Dr. Merriam
found it common in the sage-covered plateau of Mount Magruder, June
5-8; and in Oasis Valley, where it was abundant and singing in great
numbers in the early evening, June 1. He also found it abundant and
musical in Pahranagat Valley, May 22-20; along the valleys of the
Virgin and lower Muddy May 6-8, and at Ash Meadows, May 30. In
Utah it was common in alfalfa fields along the Lower Santa Clara, near
its junction with the Virgin, May 11-15; thence northerly to Mountain
Meadows and the Escalante Desert, Maj^ 17 ; and one was seen on the
western side of the Beaverdam Mountains, May 10.

In California Mr. Nelson observed a few pairs breeding on the table-
land between Saline and Panamint valleys, at the base and among the
piiions of the Inyo Mountains, aiid on the plateau at the head of Owens
Valley, at the base of the White Mountains. In the Coso Valley and

76

NORTIT AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

JMoniitaiii.s it was rare, only a few individuals being seen in JNfay. It
was coininon all tbrongli Owens Valley and on tlie lower jiart of the
eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada. It was coininon all along Kern
Itiver Valley, July S-lSj at Walker Basin, July IS-lGj in Teliacliaiii
Valley, June 25; at Old Fort Tejon tlie last of June; and at Bakersfield,
in the San Joaquin Valley, July 17-20. Mr. Bailey found it in flocks
consisting of several hundred individuals at Monterey, September 28
to October 9, and Mr. Nelson reported it as cominon in the San Joaquin
Valley, October 5-27, and along the route from San Simeon to Carpen-
teria and Santa Paula in November and December.

lieGord of specimenB eolleeicd of StnrneUa Dtagna neglccta.

Col-

lector's

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

98

d

Rostiii" Sprinp;.?, Calif

Feb. 6, 1891

A. K. Fislicr

69

Xf

Furnace Creek.

Do.

84

d

d

d

Jan. 28,1891
June 19, 1891
June 9,1891

do

V. Bailey

Do.

79

Owens Lake, Calif

F. Stephens

Icterus parisorum, Scott’s Oriole.

Scott’s oriole is one of a number of birds whose known range has
been greatly extended by the observations of the diflerent members of
the expedition. It was first observed at the suminit of Shextherd Canon
in the Aigus Range, Calif., May 1. All along the western slope of this
range and in Coso Valley it was common, and males were in full song.
On May 5 a female was secured, which contained an egg in the oviduct,
and on May 7 a nest containing two eggs was found. It was placed
on the lower side of a branch of a tree yucca about 8 feet from the
ground, and was firmly attached to the bayonet-shaped leaves of the
tree by threads of plant fiber and tough grasses. A number of old
nests were seen in many xfiaces through the valley. In the Coso
Mountains it was also common up to the summit among the yuccas,
junipers, and xiifions, where, on May 27, a nest containing an egg and
three young was found in a yucca in Mill Cafiou.

Mr. Nelson found it breeding in the Inyo, Panamint, and Grapevine
mountains in the pibou belt. On the eastern slope of the Inyo Moun-
tains, near Cerro Gordo, one was noted on June 15. On both slopes of
the Panamint Mountains, near Cottonwood Canon, he found it ranging
from the yucca belt uii to the summit of the divide, and in the Grape-
vine Mountains found it among the junons. Everywhere he found it
in jDairs, the males singing from the tops of pihons. Above the ^charcoal
kilns’ in Wild Rose Canon in the Panamint Mountains, Mr. Bailey
and the writer saw the species and heard the males singing, June
24-25. Mr. Stephens heard it near the Queen mine in the White Moun-
tains, Nevada, July 11-16. In the same State Dr. Merriam secured
specimens in the Charleston Mountains Aj^ril 30, and in the Junqier

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

77

Moimtaiiis, east of Paiiaca, May 19, when several pairs were seen
mating. On Mount Magruder, Nevada, he found it tolerably common
among the nut pines, where the birds seemed to be hunting for nesting
sites., and were very difficult to approach. Several flue specimens
Avere taken there June 1-11. The same observer found tlie species in
the juniper belt of the Beaverdam Mountains, in Utah, May 10-11. In
Walker Pass, on the east slope of the Sierra Nevada, several were
seen and one shot among the yuccas June 21, and another on the Avest-
ern slope of the same pass in a Pinus sabiniana July 2.

Record of specimens collecied of Icterus parisonim.

Col-

lector's

No.

Sox.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Argus Range, Calif

May 5,1891
May 9, 1891
May 11, 1891
May 21, 1891
May 27, 1891
May 8,1891
May 12, 1891
Juue21, 1891
Apr. 30, 1891
.June 4, 1891

A. K. Fisher

Coso Mountains, Calif

A. R. Fisher

Panamint Mountains, Calif .
do '

E. AV. Nelson

Walker Pass, Calif

Charleston Mountains, Nev.
Mount Magruder, Nev

C. Hart Merriam .

do

..-.do

June 8, 1891

196

243

261

9

cf

cT

d

9

9

d

im

9

9

d

d

Remarks.

Matnr.'iimo Sprins.
Do.

Do.

Icterus bullocki. Bullock’s Oriole.

Bullock’s oriole was tolerably common in several localities, where
streams large enough to nourish a more or less extensive growth of trees
were found. In Owens Valley it was common at Lone Pine, where a
number of nests were observed in the willows, and several specimens
secured, June 4-15. In the same valley, Mr. Stephens saw a solitary
male at Little Owens Lake the first week in May; at Haway Meadows .
May 12-14; found the species rather common at Olancha May 16-23;
common and a nest containing young at the mouth of the caiion at In-
dependence Creek June 19; not common at Bishop, Fish Slough, and
Morans July 1-7 ; and Benton July 9-10. Dr. Merriam saw one among
the cottonwoods at Furnace Creek in Death Valley about the middle
of April; in the Amargosa Canon, and at Besting Springs, April 27. In
Nevada, he saAv it at Vegas Bauch, May 1; in the Valley of the Virgin
and lower Muddy, May 6-8, and in Moadow Creek Valley, near Pan-
aca. May 19. He found it tolerably common also in the Lower Santa
Clara Valley, Utah, Avhere it was breeding. May 11-15. On the western
slope of the Sierra Nevada it Avas seen in Walker Pass, July 2; was
common along the valley of the Kern June 22-23 and July 3-10; at
Walker Basin July 13-16; and at Bakersfield July 17-20. It was
common at Old Fort Tejon, and was seen in other parts of the Canada de
las Uvas in June and July. Mr. Nelson saw it in the Yosemite Val-
ley, and Mr. Bailey, along the Kaweah Biver, in August.

78

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

l^0. 7.

Record of sj}ec\mcns collected of Ictcrn-s hnllocM.

Col-
lector’s
• No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Boinarks.

297

298
309
323

d

d

Death Valley, Calif

Owens Valley, Calif

April 7, 1891

J line 5, 1891

V. Bailey

A. K. I'isher

do

Lone Pine.

Do.

June 7, 1891
June 9, 1891

do

Do.

cfacl

cf “

? “

do

do

Do.

do

Do.

324

87

Do.

5

June 12, 1891
July 3,1891

Owens Lake.

?

Walker Pass, Calif.

V. Bailey

Scolecophagus cyanocephalus. Brewer’s Blackbird.

Brewer’s blackbird was not a common species in many localities vis-
ited by the expedition, either in the desert region or among the moun-
tains. At San Bernardino a number of flocks were seen, together
with redwings, December 29, 1890. A few individuals were found about
the ranch at Furnace Creek, in Death Valley, in the latter part of Jan-
uary, and at Resting Springs, in the Amargosa Desert, early in Feb-
ruary.

In Nevada a few were seen at Ash Meadows and in Pahrump and
Vegas valleys, where they kept about inclosures and out-houses, in
March. Dr. Merriam found it in the same valleys April 29-30; at
the Bend of the Colorado May 4; at Bunkerville in the Virgin Valley,
May 8; in Meadow Creek Valley near Panaca, May 19; and in Pah-
ranagat Valley May 22, A few were seen at Hot Springs, in Panamint
Valley, April 20-25; in Saline Valley the latter part of June, and on
the plateau at the foot of the White Mountains in July. In Owens Val-
ley it was common at Olancha June 29; at Alvord June 20-28; at Mor-
ans July 4-7; at Beutou July 9-10; rather common at Bishoj) Creek
August 4-10; and a few were seen at Little Owens Lake May 0-11; at
Haway Meadows May 12-14; and at Ash Creek May 30 to June 3.

In the High Sierra it was common at Menache Meadows May 24-20; at
the head of Owens River the latter part of July; at Whitney Meadows,
where Mr. Nelson saw a flock of twenty or more sitting on the backs
of sheep, August 30. A dozen or fifteen were seen at Trout Meadows
September 7, aud it was found breeding at Big Cottonwood Meadows
during the summer. It was common in Walker Pass July 2; along
the valley of the Kern July 3-13; at Walker Basin, where it was
feeding on grasshoppers, July 13-lG; aud at Bakersfield, in the San
Joaquin Valley, July 17-20. Dr. Merriam saw many catching grass-
hoppers in Antelope Valley, at the west end of the Mohave Desert,
June 27; found the species common in the Cauada de las IJvas June
27-28; and saw a few in the San Marcos Valley, San Diego County,
July 1-10.

Mr. Bailey founddt common at Monterey September 28 to October 9;
and Mr. Nelson saw flocks in San Joaquin Valley, and found it gen-

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

70

erally distributed along the route from Sau Siiueoii to Oarpeiiteria, in
Jlovember and December.

Record of specimens collected of Scolecopluujus cijanocephalus.

Col-

lectoi's

No.

Sex.

liOc.ality.

Date.

Collector.

Ecniarks.

77

9

Death Valley, Calif

,Jan. 25, 1891

A. K. Fislier

Furnace Creek.

82

0

Jan. 27, 1891

Do.

Coocothraustes vespertinus moiitanus. Western Evening Grosbeak.

Tlie evening grosbeak was seen but once by the expedition. Mr.
Bailey saw a small flock at Auburn, Calif., and secured two specimens
October 22.

Record of specimens collected of Coeeothraustes vespertinus niontanus.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Kemarks.

cf

9

Auburn. Placer Co., Calif

Jo

Oct. 22,1891

V. Ilailoy

Pinicola enucleator. Pine Grosbeak.

Mr. ISTelsou saw a tine adult male pine grosbeak in brilliant plumage
on the head of the San Joaquin Biver July 30. This individual was
the only one seen during the year.

Carpodacus purpureu.s californicus. California Purple Finch.

Not obtained by any member of the expedition. Mr. Henshaw secured
a single specimen near Mount Whitney, Calif., October 10, 1875.
Carpodacus cassini. Cassin’s Purple Finch.

Cassilf s purple finch was seen only in the higher parts of the White
and Inyo mountains, and in the Sierra Nevada. Mr. Nelson saw two
pairs in the Pinus jiexilis belt on W aucoba Peak, in the Inyo Mountains,
during the latter part of June, and secured two specimens at about 2,650
meters (8,700 feet) altitude in the White Mountains July 7. The same
observer found it very abundant on the eastern slope, from 2,500 to
2,900 meters (8,200 to 9,500 feet) at the head of Owens Eiver, and also
at the head of the San Joaquin Eiver, on the western slope.

It was also observed or secured at the following places in the High
Sierra : at Horse Corral Meadows, August 11 ; at Cottonwood Meadows
during the summer and as late as September I5 at Eouud Valley,
which is 12 miles south of Mount Whitney, August 26-28; at Meiiaehe
Meadows May 24-26; at Whituey Meadows the latter part of August,
and near Mineral King during the latter part of August and early
September,

80

NOKTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[Xo.7.

Record of specimens collected of Carpodaetts cassini.

Col-

lector’s

Xo.

Sox.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

'llcmarlvS.

d im.

White Mountains, Calif

July 7,1891

E. W. Nelson

137

rT

July 22, 1891

d im.

do

Ang. llj 1891

ows.

1

cT

do

June 19, 1891

B. H. Dulclier

Big Cottonwood

Meadows.

7

Do

4^0

Aug, 2j, 1891

Do

4:v^

do

Auo'.SO. 1891

d im.

Aug. 1, 1891

V. Bailey

eali liiver, Calif.

Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis. House Finch.

The house finch was found wherever water was present in all locali-
ties visited by the expedition, except in the higher mountains among
the pines, and undoubtedly bred wherever found. There was no other
species of bird, with the possible exception of the dove, whose xiresence
was so indicative of the nearness of water as tlie one under considera-
tion. The writer never saw it more than a few hundred yards from
water, except when flying high overhead.

After leaving Daggett on the Mohave Desert, Calif., house finches
were seen at all the sjDrings or water holes on the road to Death Valley.
At G-ranite Wells flocks were found about the water at all times of
day. In Death Valley a few were seen at Bennett Wells and between
that jilace and Furnace Creek during the latter part of January. Dr.
Merriam saw it at the latter xilace about the middle of Aiiril, and Mr.
Bailey and the writer found it at both places on their last trij) to the
valley, June 19-22.

In the Panamint Mountains it was abundant in Johnson, Surprise,
and Emigrant canons, in Axull; at Willow Creek and Cottonwood
Creek, in May; and in Wild Bose and Death Valley canons, in June.
In the Argus Eange, the species was very abundant in Shepherd Canon
and at Maturango Spring, where it bred commonly, as it did in the
Panamint Mountains.

As many as a dozen nests were found from April 25 to May 1, in
various ‘situations. A few were jdaced in crevices in the rocky sides
of the canon, while the majority were in bushes on the slojDing hillsides,
from one to several feet above the ground. The nests among the rocks
were more comx)act, as they contained a larger amount of lining than
those in the bushes, which in many cases were very loosely put together.
The full complement of eggs in th(', different nests was four, five, and
six. The species Avas common in the Coso, Inyo, and White mountains.
It Avas everyAvhere common in Owens Valley from the lower to the ujAper
part. In this valley, both at Independence and Lone Pine, the species
was found to be A^ery destructive to the riiAened jAeaches during the
middle of August. Flocks of birds occurred in the orchards, and in some.

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

81

places liardly an example of the ripe fruit could be foimd wliich was
not more or less mutilated. A number of birds shot in the iieach or-
chards at Lone Piue had little except the jiulp of this fruit iu their gul-
lets or stomachs. It was known as the ^ji^ach bird.’

It was commou all along the route from Walker Pass, through tlie
valley of Kern Kiver, Walker Basin and Bakersfield to Visalia, June
21-23, and July I to 23, and at Old Fort Tejou late iu June and early in
July. It was seen at Ash Meadows and Pahrump Valley, Hevada, in
March. In the same State, Dr. Merriam noted it among the cotton-
woods at Yount’s ranch in Pahrump Valley, April 29; at Mountain
Spring, in the Charleston Mountains, and at Upper Cottonwood Springs
near the east base of these mountains, April 30; near the summit of
the Timpahute Mountains iu tree yuccas. May 20; at Quartz Spring, on
the west side of the Desert Mountains, May 27 ; at the Bend of the
Colorado, May 4, and on Gold Mountain where a young onejust able to
fly was caught June 3, at an altitude of about 1,980 meters (0,500 feet).
It was common in Tide Canon June 4, and thence up to the plateau on
top of Mount Magruder. In Arizona, he found it common at the
mouth of Beaverdam Creek, May 9-10; in Utah, in the juniper belt of
the Beaverdam Mountains, May 10-11, and at St. George, in the Lower
Santa Clara Valley, May 11-15, where it was called ‘ peach bird ’ by
the Mormons. Two nests were found at St. George, one in a cotton-
wood and the other in an arborescent cactus.

Mr. Nelson found the species in small numbers in the Canada de las
Uvas,.at San Emigdio Creek, and in the Tem]3loa Mountains, and rather
common about the ranches iu the San Joaquin Valley in October. It
was common along the route from San Simeon to CariDenteria, among
the farms along the coast, and not uncommon between the latter place
and Santa Paula in November and December.

Record of siyecimens collected of Carpodaens mexicanus frontalis.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Ecmarks.

45

J.an. 9, 1891

13

Feb. 8, 1891

d

Paoaraiiit Mountains, Calif . .

Mcli.28, 1891

E. W. Ncd.son

Johnson Canon.

158

Apr. 13, 1891

159

$

Do.

187

$

Apr. 27, 1891

231

" fio T-’

May 12il891

232

Do.

Do.

cf

do

do

Do.

348

?

Death Valley, Calif

June 21, 1891

A. K. Fisher

Furnace Creek.

Loxia curvirostra stricklandi. Mexican Crossbill.

Crossbills were uncommon and seen only in the Sierra Nevada. At
Big Cottonwood Meadows Dr. Merriam saw them just below timber line
June 18, and towards the end of the season Mr. Dutcher saw a few and
shot a pair. Mr. Nelson saw some on the west slope opposite the head
12731— No. 7 6.

82

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

of Owens Eiver in Angust. At Horse Corral Meadows a noisy Hock
Ijassed onr camp August 12. Mr. Bailey saw the S])ecies at Whitney
Meadows, and it was heard at Soda Springs or Kern Biver Lakes, Sep-
tember 5.

Record of specimens collected of Loxia citrviroslra striclclandi.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Colleclor.

Beinarks.

34

0,40

Sierr.n Nevada, Calif

do

Ang. 20. 1801
Aug. 28,1891
Aug. 22, 1891

V. Bailey

do

AVliitneyMeadows.

B i g Cottonwood
liieadows.

..do

B. H. Dukdier....

Leucosticte tephrocotis. Gray- crowned Leucosticfce.

A very interesting discovery made by the expedition was that
the gray-crowned finch is a common summer resident in the higher
portions of the White Mountains and the Sierra Kevada in eastern and
southern California. The knowledge that this bird breeds as stated,
makes its distribution in relation to the other species of the genus a
little more clear.

In the Eocky Mountain region Leucosticte atrata is the northern and
L. australis the southern representative. Just as Tjeucosticte t. littoralis
is the northern race of L. tephrocotis of the more western range.

Mr. Nelson found the gray crowned finch breeding abundantly on
the White Mountains, the only range except the Sierra Nevada on
which the species was seen. It was found above timber line about the
bases of the main i)eaks at an elevation from 3,350 to 3,050 meters
(11,000 to 12,000 feet). He found the birds easy of approach as they
were feeding on seeds and insects about the border of the melting
snowdrifts.

The warm west wind coming from over Owens Valley brought many
insects which became benumbed by the eold and fell on the snowdrifts.
These the birds devoured eagerly, and Mr. Nelson saw them pursue
and tear to pieces several grasshoppers on the surface of the snow.
The condition of the skin on the abdomen showed that they were
incubating and that both sexes shared in this labor. He noticed when
skinning the birds that they had a double craw. One located in the
usual place and the other in the form of a double gular sac divided by
a mediau constriction. The latter when full hangs down like a lobe of
bare skin outside of the feathers.

In the Sierra Nevada the same observer saw the species about tim-
ber line at the head of Owens Eiver on the eastern slope, and at the
same altitude on Kern, Kings, and Kaweah rivers on the western slope.
Mr. Stephens found it abundant about the lakes at the head of Inde-
jDendeuce Creek, where it was breeding June 18-23, and also saw three
above timber line at Meuache Meadows, May 24-26. Mr. Hutcher saw
several flocks and secured a few specimens at and above timber line at

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH tALLEY EXPEDITION.

83

Big- Cottonwood Meadows, during the summer. Mr. Bailey foniid it
common all along timber line and down among the Finii.s halfouriana at
Whitney Meadows. The writer did not see the species until Augnst 1 8,
when a flock of forty or more was seen on tlie west side of tlie Kear-
sarge Pass. Later in the day, during a snow storm, a flock was seen
just below timber line on the east side of the Pass, and five siiecimcns
secured. The bad weather seemed to make them restless and hard to
approach. At Bound Valley, 12 miles south of Mount Whitney, the
species was again seen just above timber line, August 28, and on the
ridge north of Mineral King large flocks were seen September 8-11.

Record of specimens collected of Leucostlcte teplirocotis.

Col-

lector’s

No.

417

418

419
112

113

114

115
19

25

429

161

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

d

White Mountain.s, Calif . .

July 15, 1891

E. W. Nelson

cT

cf

cT

... do

do

(to

cf

?

$

§

9

9

9

2

Sierra Nevada, Calif

July 25, 1891

E. W. Nelson

cf

do

Aug. 18, 1891

A. K. Fisher

d

2

2

im

do

July 30, 1891

B. H. Dutclier

Aug. 2, 1891

? im

Aug. 20. 1891

V, Bailey

Aug. 28, 1891

Aug. 23, 1891

do

Aug. 7,1891

V. Bailey

Eemarlcs.

Summit of Mammoth
Pass, Cal.

Kearsarge Pass,

11.000 feet altitude.
Do.

Do.

Independence Creols,

10.000 feet.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Big Cottonwood Mead-
ows.

Do.

Do.

Bound Valley, ahore
timber line.

Olancha Peat, 12,000
feet altitude.
Mineral King, 9,700
feet altitude.

Leucostlcte atrata. Black Leucosticto.

Mr. Bailey secured one specimen of this species at St. George,
Utah, January 21, 1880. It was feeding alone on a rocky hill, among
low bruvSh.

Spinus tristis. Goldtiiicli.

A common species throughout southern California, though not re-
corded by any member of the expedition.

84

NOKTII AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Spiniis psaltria. Arkansas Goldfinch.

The Arkansas goklhncli was observed in a number of localities
througliout the mountain and desert regions visited. At 8an Bernar-
dino a dock of eight or ten was seen feeding on the seeds of a wild sun-
dower, December 28, 1890. Small docks were seen in Cajon Pass, Jan-
uary 2, again March 29-30, and in the cottonwoods bordering the Moha ve
Kiver near Victor, March 30.

In Nevada, it was not uncommon at Ash Meadows in March; at
Queen station and mill in the White Mountains, July 11-16. Dr.
Merriam found it at Diiper Cottonwood Springs at the east base of the
Charleston Mountains, April 30; at the Bend of the Colorado Eiver,
May 4; and in Pahranagat Valley, where it was breeding commonly,
May 23. At the mouth of Beaverdam Creek, Arizona, and on the west
side of the Beaverdam Mountains, Utah, he saw several May 9-10. As
no specimens were taken for identidcation, the Arizona and Dtah rec-
ords may apply to Spinus psaltria arizonw.

In the Paniinint Mountains it was common in Johnson and Surprise
canons, and in the latter place Mr. Albert Koebele found a nest, just
completed, April 23. In the same mountains Mr. Nelson found it a com-
mon breeding species in Cottonwood, Mill Creek, and Willow Creek
canons. In the Argus Eange it was common in Shepherd Canon,
where a nest and four eggs were taken April 27, and at Maturango
Spring the first half of May. At Coso Mountains a few were seen
along the streams in the canons, the last of May.

Mr. Nelson found it common in the Grapevine Mountains, and rather
common in the Inyo Mountains, in willow i^atches along the streams
up to the pihons, the latter i)art of June. Goldfinches were common
at the head of Owens Eiver, abundant in the Yosemite, and from the
base up to the nut-pines in the White Mountains. The were more or
less common in Owens Valley from the lower end, at Little Owens
Lake, northward to Benton and the foot of the White Mountains. A
few were seen in Walker Pass, July 2-3 ; the species was common along
the South Fork of Kern Eiver, July 3-10; in Walker Basin, July 13-16;
and at Bakersfield, in the San Joaquin Valley, July 17-20. In the High
Sierra Dr. Merriam saw the species near Big Cottonwood Meadows,
June 18, and the writer observed a flock near the abandoned sawmill
in Sequoia National Park, August 1.

Mr. Palmer reported it common at Old Fort Tejou during the first half
of July; Mr. Stephens found it rather common at Eeche CaDon Septem-
ber 22-24, and Mr. Bailey saw it in flocks at Monterey September 28
to October 9.

It was common at Three Elvers J nly 25-30, and along the route from
Mineral King to that place September 12-15.

Mr. Nelson found it common and generally distributed between San
Simeon and Caiq^enteria and Santa Paula, in November and December.

May, 1803.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

85

llecovd of specimens coUecicd of Spinas psallria.

Col-

lector's

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

7

188

d

9

d

d

d

d

d

d

San Bernardino, Thilif

Dec. 28, 1890
Ai)ill27, 1891

Apr 11 29, 1891
May 13, 1891
Jniv 3,1891
July 4,1891
May 23,1891
May 11,1891

A. K. Fisber

do

Siiepherd Canon,
ue.st and 4 eggs.
Sbejiberd Canon.
Maturango Sjiriug.

193

..do

2 !7

do

308

do

. 371

Kern River, Calif

Rabraiiagat Vallejf, Nevada
Santa Clara, U tab'

do

C. Hart Merriam .
V. Dailey

Soutli Fork.

Spinus psaltria arizoiiae Arizona Ooklfincli.

This subspecies was fouiitl breeding in great abundance in the
Lower Santa Clara Valley, Utah, by ])r. Merriam. Five nests with
fresh eggs were found, and one with eggs nearly ready to hatch, May
11-15. In California Mr. Bailey secured a specimen from a flock
at Three Rivers, in the western foothills of the Sierra Uevada, Sexi-
tember 15.

Spinus lawrencei. Lawrence’s Goklfincli.

Dr. Merriam reported Lawrence’s goldfinch as common in the Canada
de las Uvas, June 28-29, and in the Granite Range in western San
Diego County, July 1-10. Mr. Palmer saw a male near Old Fort Tejon,
June 30, and shot one in the cafion July 6. A specimen was secured
in Walker Basin July 16, and an individual was seen among the oaks
above it, July 14. These are all the records we have for the species.

Spinus pinus. Pine Siskin.

At two places only was this species seen by members of the expedi-
tion, both in the High Sierra in California. Mr. Uelson saw it at the
head of the San Joaquin River, in August, and the writer observed a
flock of a dozen or fifteen near timber line above Mineral King, Sep-
tember 10. The birds were feeding upon seeds on or near the ground,
and when flusjied alighted on a pine branch within a few feet of the ob-
server.

Poocaetes gramineus confinis. Western Vesper Sparrow.

The vesper sparrow was seen in comparatively few places on either
side of the Sierra Kevada. At Ash Meadows, Kevada, it tvas not un-
common in migration March 10, and a few were seen by ]\Ir. Bailey at
Vegas Ranch, March 10-13.

Mr. Kelson found a few among the sage brush above the pinons in
the Inyo Mountains, in June; not uncommon on the White Monntains,
and on the plateau at the head of Owens Valley, in July; and common
at the head of Owens River, iii the same month. Dr. Merriam found
the species at Mountain Meadows, Utah, May 17. A single specimen
was seen near Visalia, Calif., September 17, a few near the lower end
of the Canada de las Uvas and San Emigdio Canon, and on theCarrizo
Plain, in San Joaquin Valley, in October.

86

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

(A'o. 7.

Ammodramiis sandwichensis alaudimis. Western Savanna S]>;utow.

This little s])aiTOW was found nowhere coiiiiiion, though it breeils
spariitgly in various localities throughout the desert regions. The
writer found it not nncomnion in the alfalfa fields at Furnace Creek,
Death Valley, in the latter part of Jaiiuarj^, and Dr. Merriani found
a few at the same place Ainal 9-12, but Mr. Bailey and the former
observer did not detect it on their last trip to the valley, June 19-22.
Mr. Nelson found a few at Saratoga Springs, in the lower end of the
valley, late in January. A few were seen at Besting Spring, Cali-
fornia early in February; a number of specimens were secured in the wet
meadows at Ash Meadows, Nevada, during the first three weeks of
March; and Mr. Nelson found it not nncoinmon about wet ground in
Pahrump and Vegas valleys and in Vegas Wash March 3-lG. Dr,
Merriam shot one at the Great Bend of the Colorado May 4; one in
Meadow Creek Valley, Nevada, May 19, and a number in Pahranagat
Valley, Nevada, May 22-26.

In Owens Valley the writer found it not uncommon and breeding
among the salt grass at Owens Lake May 30 to June 4, and at Lone
Pine June 4-15; and Mr. Stephens found it not uncommon at Olancha,
May 16-23; Alvord, June 26-28; and Morans, July 4-7.

A i)alr was seen by Mr. Nelson at the head of Owens Valley near
the White Mountains about the middle of July, and by the writer at
Three Bivers, in the western foothills, September 16. It was common
along the coast from San Simeon to Santa Barbara, and a few were seen
near Carpenteria in Debember.

Fecord of s^jecimens collecied of Amniodramns sandwichensis alaiidinus.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eeiuarks.

$

GreatBenrtof Colorado Liver, Nev

May 4,1891

C. Hart Merriam. .

Feb. 17,1891

d"

Mar. 4il891

do

5

119

9

Mar. 8,1881

120

§

Mar. 9, 1891

129

5

Mar. 15^ 1891

cT

Mar. 19, 1891

E. W. Nelson

106

Feb. 11 ,189]

A. K. Fisher

9

Jan. 3f 1891

E. W. Neb on

79

9

91

Jan. 3lil891

do

Do,

92

Do!

179

9

Paiiaraint Valley, Calif

Apr. -23,1891

....do

Hot Springs.

S83

9

Owens Valley, Calif

June 2,1891

do

Keeler.

291

do

Do.

01

>

May 22i 1891

88

H"

June 12, 1891

do

Do.

103

9

Do.

292

9

Presno, Calif

Sept. 25, 1891

E. W. Nelson

Ammodrannts sandwichensis bryanti. Bryant’s Marsh Sparrow.

Mr. Nelson found Bryant’s sparrow common along the coast from
Santa Barbara to Carpenteria during the first half of December.

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

87

Record of specimen collected of Ammodrainus sandiviclieiisis hnjantl.

Col-

lectors

No.

Sex.

Loculi tj^

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

r?'

d

?

Carpeuteria, Calif

do

Doc.18, 1891

E. AV.Nelsou

do

Chondestes grammacus strigatiis. Westeru Lark Sparrow.

The western lark sparrow is a characteristic inhabitant of the TJiiper
Sonoran and Transition Zones and was not found in the Lower Sonoran
Zone, except west of the Sierra Nevada, and during migration. It was
a common species in Owen’s Valley from the lower end northward, and
was breeding wherever found. The writer found it abundant along the
South Fork of Kern Elver, at Kernville, and in Walker Basin during
the hrst half of July. In the San Joaquin Valley it was abundant at
Bakersfield, and all along the route to Visalia, July 17-23, and at Three
Elvers, July 25-30 and September 14-17.

Dr. Merriam furnished the following notes on the species: ‘On Ne-
vada it was common throughout the sage brush on the rolling plateau
that forms the northward contiunation of the Juniper Mountains, May
18, and in Desert and Pahranagat valleys, May 20-20. In Pahranagat
Valley it was particularly abundant, breeding and in full song. It Avas
common in the north iiart of Oasis Valley, June 1, but was not observed
at the southern end of this valley. On Mount Magrnder a few were
seen in the sage brush June 5. Others were found at Mountain Spring
in the Charleston Mountains and at Upper Cottonwood Springs at the
east base of these mountains, April 30 j and in the Valley of the Muddy,
May 6. Several AA^ere seen in the lower edge of tlie Junipers on both
sides of the Beaverdam Mountains in southwestern Utah, May 10 and
11. It Avas found also in the Santa Clara Valley, Utah, May 11-15,
and was common in Mountain MeadoAvs, Utah, May 17. In Oavcus
Valley, California, it AAms common in the sage brush of the Upper So-
noran Zone, June 10-19, and in Antelope Valley at the Avest end of the
Mohave Desert, June 27-28. On the Ave.st slope of the Sierra Nevada
it was abundant in the Aulley of Kern Eiver, where full-grown yonug
were conspicuous, June 22-23. It was seen in the Tehachapi Valley,
June 25, and in the Canada de las Uauis, June 28-29, Avhere full-grown
young were common.”

Mr. Nelson found it rather common in the Cauada de las Uvas and
San Emigdio Canon, at Aurious places in San Joaquin Valley and
about the borders of the foothills, in October, and in the more open
country along the route from San Simeon to Carpeuteria, in November
and part of December.

88

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Jxccord of specimens collected of Chondestcs (jrammacus slrUjalits.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eoiuarks.

207

208
320

9

d

9

Ow-eiis V.allcy, Calif

June 6, 1891

A. K. Fisher

Lone Pine.

Do.

Do.

June 9, 1891

do

Zonotrichia leucophrys. White-crowned Sparrow.

The white-crowned sxiarrow was a common summer resident in the
Sierra Islevada and White Mountains, but was not found in any other
locality, even as a migrant — at least specimens were not taken else-
where. There is nncertainty as to the race which breeds among the
piiions in the Inyo Mountains, as no specimens were collected there.
Mr. Nelson found the white-crowned sparrow on the itlateau at the head
of Owens Valley, and thence up to near timber line in the White Moun-
tains, and Mr. Stephens saw it at the Queen mill and mine, Nevada, in
the same range, July 11-lC. Along the eastern sloxie of the Sierra it was
common at the head of Owens Eiver, the last of July ; rather common at
Menache Meadows, May 24-26; Onion Lake on Index>endence Creek,
June 18-23; and at Bishop Creek, August 4-10. Mr. Dntcher found it
very common among the willows at Big Cottonwood Meadows, where
nests were taken. Mr. Palmer saw a nest containing three eggs near
Mount Silliman, August 7, and Mr. Belding found the species in the Yo-
semite. White-crowned sx)arrows were common in flocks at Whitney
Meadows, Sex>tember 1, Farewell Gap, September 8, and from timber
line above Mineral King down along the Ivaweah River to below the
pines, Sej)tember 10-12.

Record^ of specimens collected of Zonotrichia leucophrys.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

148 im
116 d

Sierra Nevada, California
do

1C2

422

?

cT

cT

?

9

d

cTim

do

White Mountains

Sierra Nevada

do

do

do

do

Date.

Collector.

Aug. 8,1891
June 22, 1891

July 31, 1891
July 10,1891
Aug. 26, 1891
July 7, 1891

.July 13, 1891
July 19, 1891
Aug. 25, 1891

F. Stephens

do

V. Bailev

E. W. Nelson

F. Stephens

B. H. Butcher

A. K. Fisher

E cm arks.

Bisliop Creelc.
Independence
Creek .-

Mineral King.

Mnlkey Meadow.s,
15 i g Cottonwood
Meadows.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Zonotrichia leucophrys intermedia. Intermediate Sparrow.

The intermediate sparrow was found as a migrant or winter resident
only, through the desert regions, where it was often abundant among
the mesqnite or other thickets. In Cajon Pass it was very common Jan-
uary 1-2, and again March 30. In the Mohave Desert it was common
at Hesperia January 4, and about Stoddard Wells January 6. In
Death Valley it was common about Furnace Creek ranch the last of

May, 1S93.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

89

January and April 0-12, and at Eesting- Spring’s tlie first half of Feh-
riiaiy and April 27. At tlie latter place the Hocks became very tame
and came into camp to pick np the crnmbs.

It was common about the ranch nnd among the mesquite at Ash
Meadows, Nev., during the greater part of March, and Mr. ISTelson
found it abundant at Pahrump and Vegas ranches and among the juni-
pers in the Charleston Mountains during the same month. Dr. Merriam
found it common at Leach Point Spring, Calif., April 25; at Mountain
Spring in the Charleston Mountains, 17ev., April 30; in the Valley of
the Virgin near Bunkerville, May 8, and a few tardy migrants in
Pahranagat Valley May 22-26. In the Santa Clara Valley, Utah, the
subspecies was still tolerably common May 11-15. In the Panamint
Mountains it was common in Johnson, Surprise, and Emigrant canons
in April, and Mr. Uelson found a few late migrants on Willow Creek
the last of May. The sparrow was abundant among the mesquite at
Hot Springs, Panamint Valley, April 20-25; a few were seen at Searl’s
garden, near the south end of the Argus Eange, about the same time,
andafewiu Shepherd Canon as late as May 1. In the latter place Mr.
Helson reported it very common in January. Mr. Stephens found it
rather common in the lower end of Oasis Valley, JSTev., March 15-19, and
at Grapevine Spring, Calif., A^iril 1-4.

A few were observed by Mr. Kelson about the Canada de las Uvas
and San Emigdio Canon in October, and along the coast from San
Simeon to Carpenteria in Kovember and December.

Eecord of specimens collected of Zonoiricliia leucojihrijs intermedia.

Ecinarks.

Lurnace Croclc.
Do.

Do.

I John son Canon,
i Do.

Do.

I Hot Spring.

1)0.

Do.

' Eiiiigrant Spring.
Borax Flat.

Col-

lector’s

Ho.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

26

27

38

6

68

67

81

105

123

137

48

$ im.
?
d
cT
?
cf

cT im.
$
d
?

9

cT

cf

2

?

d”

2

2

Cajon Pass, Calif

do

Hesperia, Calif

Dagsett, Calif

Death Valley, Calif

do

do

Resting Spiings, Calif

Ash Meadows, Calif

do

Pananiiiit Mountains, Calif . .

do

do -

Panamint Valley, Calif

do

do

do

Argus Range, Calif

Carjienteria, Calif

Jan. 2,
...do ..
Jan. 4,
Pel). 7,
Jan. 23,

do . .

Jan. 27,
Pei). 10,
Mar. 11,
Mar. 19,
Mar. 29,
....do ..
....do ..
Apr. '22,
Apr. 23,
. . . .do . .
Apr. 14,
Apr. 22,
Dec. 18,

1891

1891

1891

1S91

1891

1891

1891

1891

1891

1891

1891

1891

1891

A. K. Pisher . .

....do

do

P. Stepliens. . .
A. K. Fisher . .
do

. . -do

. . .do

. . -do

- . -do

E. IV . Nelson
. . .do

. . .do

. . .do

. . .do

. . -do

V. Bailey

P. Stephens. . ,
E. W. Nelson

Zonotrichia leiicophrys gambsli. Gambel’s Sparrow.

Gambehs sparrow was not met with east of the Sierra Kevada, and on
the western side as a migrant only. Mr. Bailey found it abundant
at Monterey the first week in October, and Mr. Kelson reported if
common in the San Joaquin Valley wherever a vigorous growth of
bushes or weeds afforded attractive shelter. Along the route from

90

NORTir AMERICAN FAUNA.

IXo. 7.

San Simeon to Carpeutevia and Santa Paula it was abundant dining
November and December.

Zonotrichia coronata. Gokleu-crowned Sparrow.

Tlie golden-crowned sparrow was found by Mr. Nelson to be abundant
and generally distributed along tlie coast from San Simeon to Carpen-
teria and Santa Paula during November and December. This is the
only region where the species was noted.

Zonotrichia albicollis. White-throated Sparrow.

Mr. Nelson secured a male specimen of the white-throated sparrow
at the mission of Santa Ynez, December G, 1891, which makes the fourth
record for California.

Spizella monticola ochracea. Western Tree Sparrow.

The only place where the tree sparrow tvas seen was Pahrump ranch,
Nevada, where Mr. Nelson found quite a number in the willow thickets,
the latter part of Pebruary. They appeared quite suddenly one morn-
ing before a storm, which filled the valley with rain and covered the
mountains with snow.

Spizella socialis arizonae. Western Chipping Sparrow.

The chipping sparrow was not found to be a common migrant in the
valleys, though it was more or less common as a summer resident in the
mountains, from the pinons and junipers up to and among the other coni-
fers. A number were seen in the"Cultivated fields about San Bernardino,
December 28-29, 1890. Mr. Nelson saw a few on the Panamint Moun-
tains the latter part of May and found the species breeding on the Grape-
vine Mountains, June 10-11. A few were seen about Maturango Spring,
where the males were in full song, May 13-14. The species was found
up to timber line in the White Mountains, and was common at the head
of Owens Biver, in the Sierra Nevada. Dr. Merriam found it on the
north slope of Telescope Peak in the Panamint Mountains, April 17-19;
among the junipers in the Juniper Mountains, Nevada, May 18; and
among the pinons on Mount Magruder, Nevada, June 5. In Walker Basin
it was common among the jiines above the valley, July 14, and Mr.
Palmer found it quite common at Old Fort Tejon about the same time.
In the High Sierra it was common in the Sequoia National Park the
first week in August; at Horse Corral Meadows, August 9-13; in Big
Cottonwood Meadows during the summer and fall; at Whitney Mead-
ows, the first week in September; at Mineral King, near timber line,
September 9-11; and along the Kaweah Eiver, from Mineral King to
the valley, September 11-13.

Record of specimens coUected of Spizella sociaiUs arizonee.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Bate.

Colletcor.

Eero arks.

1

158

d

9

cf im.

San Bernandino, Calif

Sierra Nevada, Calif

Dec. 28,1890
Ang. 22, 1891
Aug. 29, 1891

A.K.Fislier....

F. Steplien.s

V Baile}"

Olancha Peak.
Whitney Meadows.

May, 1803.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALI.EY EXPEDri'IOX.

01

Spizella breweri. Brewer’s Siiarrow.

Brewer’s sjiariow was a common species tlirongliout the desert re-
gions during migration, and Bred in most of the moniitaiii ranges
among the sagebrush. A number were seen in Vegas Wash, March
10-13, and the species arrived at Ash Meadows, ISTevada, March 17.
Mr. Nelson reported it as a common breeding species among the sage,
both in the Panamint and Grapevine mountains, during the latter part
of May and first of June. Many of its nests were found, usually con-
taining four eggs, and built in a sage bush a couple of feet from the
ground. On the north side of Telescope Peak Dr. Merriam found it
common among the sage, April 17-19, and Mr. Bailey and the writer
observed it near the same place, June 22-25. It was not uncommon
at Hot Springs, in Panamint Valley, April 20-23; several were seen at
Leach Point Spring, April 25; and one was shot in the northwest arm
of Death Valley, April 13.

In Nevada Dr. Merriam found it tolerably common in parts of Pah-
rump Valley, April 29, and at Mountain Spring, in the Charleston
Mountains, Ax^ril 30. He reiDorted it as common in the sage brush on the
plateau of the Juniper Mountains; in Pahranagat Valley, May 22-26;
on Gold Mountain, June 3; in Tule Canon, June 4; and thence up to
the summit of Mount Magruder, where it was the commonest bird on
the sage plateau, June 4-11, breeding abundantly, and extending
thence northerly into Fish Lake Valley.

In Gtah Dr. Merriam did not see it in the low St. George Valley,
but found it common in the upper jiart of the Santa Clara Valley, May
16, beginning with the sagebrush about 8 miles north of St. George
and continuing northward to Mountain Meadows and the Escalante
Desert, where several nests were found, May 17. In the Beaverdam
Mountains it was tolerably common throughout the sage and junipers,
May 10.

Eeturning to California, in the Argus Eange, the species was com-
mon in Shei^herd Canon, and was breeding commonly at Maturango
Sirring, from the summit of the range to the bottom of Coso Valley,
early in May. In the Coso Mountains it was common, and a number
of nests containing eggs were found during the latter part of May. Mr.
Nelson found the species rather common in the Inyo Mountains, from
the sage up to the summit in the White Mountains, and at the head
of Owens Eiver in the Sierra Nevada. In Owens Valley it was com-
mon throughout the summer, especially along the eastern slope of the
Sierra Nevada, where Mr. Stephens noted it in a number of places,
even as high as Menache Meadows. It was common on the western
slope of Walker Pass, June 21 and July 2-3, and in Kern Eiver Val-
ley, June 22-23 and July 11-13. Mr. Palmer reported it as tolerably
common in the sagebrush among the pinons at Old Fort Tejou, July 9.

92

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Uccord of specimens collected of Sj)i~ell(t breiecy}.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Se.\'.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Itcmarks.

lao

46

203

213

81

105

cT

d

9

d

d

d

9

d im

Ash ^1(^010^.^, Nev

do

Panamint Valley, Calif

Panainint Mts.. Calif

Arg;^'^ Range, Calif

Mar. 17, 1891
Mar. IS, 1801
Apr. 22, 1891
Apr. 16, 1891
May 6, 1891
May 8,1891
June 10, 1891
June 15, 1891

A. K. ri.slier

L.W. Nelson

do

F. Stephens

A. K. Fisher

Hot Springs.

Maturango Springs.
Do.

Owens Lake, Calif

do

F. Stephens

Spizella atrigularis. Blaclc-cliinncd Sparrow.

The black-chimied sparrow is one of a miinber of species whose
known range was much extended by the observations of the expedi-
tion. It was first observed in Johnson Canon in tiie Panainint Eange,
where an adult male was seen among the junipers, April G. In Sur-
prise Canon, of the same range, the species was first seen Aiiril 15,
when two siiecimens were secured, and subsequently it became common.

The song, which was frequently heard, resembles closely that of the
Eastern field sparrow {Spizella pnsilla). At Maturango Spring, in the
Argus Range, a male was seen among the sage {Artemisia, trklentata)
on May 12, and a female was secured among the willows near the
spring, which had an egg in the oviduct, almost ready for expulsion.
May 15. In the Coso Mountains the species was not uncommon,
and on May 27 a female with her nest and three eggs was secured.
The nest was situated in a small bush about two feet from the ground,
on a gradually sloping hillside bearing a scattered growth of piiion.

On the west side of Owens Valley Mr. Stephens heard several sing-
ing on Independence Creek, near the Rex Monte mill, and secured a speci-
men June 20. On the western slope of Walker Pass a specimen was
secured in one of the canons, as it was washing at a pool, July 3, and
aJ Walker Basin an immature bird was shot on the ridge above the
valley, July II.

Record of specimen collected of Spizella atrignlaris.

Col-

lectors

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eemarks.

d

Panamint Mountains, Calif.

Apr. 16, 1891

E. W. Nelson

Surprise Canon.

160

d

$

do

Apr. 15, 1891
do

Do.

161

Do.

241

9

Argus Eange, Calif

May 15,1891

do

Maturango Spring.

259

9

Coso Mountains, Calif

May 27,1891

do

Nest and eggs.

260

d

?

360

Walker Pass, Cailf

July 3,1891
J uly 14, 1891
June 20,1891

392

a

109

d

Independence Creek, Calif. .

F. Stephens

Owens Valley.

Junco hyemalis. Slate-colored .Jimco.

A specimen of the common eastern jnnco was secured by the writer in
Johnson Cafion in the Panamint Range, April 3, and another was seen a

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OP THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

03

day or two later in the same locality. Mr. Bailey took one near Fort
Mohave, Ariz., March 4, 1889.

Junco hyemalis shufeldti. Shiifekit’s Juiico.

A specimen collected in the Charleston Mountains and another in
the Grapevine Mountains, Nevada, in March, belong to this race.
Whether the species remains in these ranges to breed, or passes furtlier
east for that purpose, it is impossible to say, as no specimens were col-
lected there later in the season.

Becord of specimens collected of Junco hyemalis shufeldti.

Col-

lectors

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector. -

Eeinarks.

No.

?

Charleston Mountains, Nev

Mar. 7,1891

V. Bailey

35

Grapevine Mountains, Nev

Mar. 21,1891

3?. Stephens

Junco hyemalis thurberi. Tliurber’s Junco.

Thnrber’s junco was a common species in many places throughout
the desert region of sontheastern California, and bred commonly in most
of the desert ranges, as well as in the Sierra Nevada. It was very com-
mon in Cajon Pass in the San Bernardino Mountains, January 2, and sev-
eral were seen there March 30. Mr. Nelson found jnncos common at Lone
Pine, in the canons at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, also in Surprise
Canon of the Panamint, and Shepherd Canon of the Argus range, in
December and early January. The individuals which he found in con-
siderable numbers at Pahrnmp ranch, and in the Charleston Mountains,
in February and March, may or may not have been wholly or in part
referable to this form, as a single specimen collected in the Charleston
Mountains belongs to the more eastern race, shufeldti. The same may
be said of the few pairs of birds he found breeding near the summit of
the Grapevine Mountains, in June, as no specimens were collected at
that time. It was common in Johnson and Surprise canons, in the
Panamint range, during the first half of April; Dr. Merriam saw many
on the north base of Telescope Peak, April 16-19, and Mr. Bailey and
the writer saw it from the summit of that j)eak down to below the ^ char-
coal kilns’, in Wild Bose Canon, June 23. It was tolerably common
among the piuons in the Argus range, where specimens were secured
during the first half of May, and Mr. Palmer saw one in the Coso Moun-
tains May 27, and others at Cerro Gordo, in the Inyo range. May 31.
Mr. Nelson found it sparingly among the Firms flexilis in the latter
range the last of June, and not common in the White Monntains in
July. Mr. Stephens found it not common from the Eex Monte mine to
timber line in Independence Canon, June 18-23; at Queen mine, White
Mountains, Nevada, July 11-16; common at BishoiD Creek, August 4-10,
and Menache Meadows, May 24-26. Juncos were common on the
ridge above Walker Basin, July 14, and Mr. Palmer saw three back of

94

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Old Fort Tejoii July 6, which had probaldy descended from the monii-
tains where they were common among the pines duly 1). IMr. Nelson
reported this species as ahnndant at tlie head of Owens Itiver, where
he found a nest containing four eggs nearly ready to hatch, July 25.
On the western slope it was also common. On the upper Merced he
found two nests on August 3, one containing a young bird and three
eggs nearly ready to hatch, and the other three fresh eggs. The first
mentioned nest was nicely hidden under a x>rojecting spruce root on
the side of a small gully, and the latter was placed in a clump of aspens
at the base of a small sapling, was strongly made, and was lined with
the long hairs of the porcupine. -

Juncos were very common in the Sequoia National Park during the
first week of August. One nest with three eggs was found, and young
as large as their parents were seen. They were common at Horse Cor-
ral Meadows August 9-13, Big Cottonwood Meadows and Bound Valley
the last of August, and at Whitney Meadows and Mineral King early
in September. Mr. Butcher found them abundant at Big Cottonwood
Meadows where he discovered several nests, and Mr. Bailey observed
them on the Kaweah Elver from the lowest conifers to above timber-
line. A nest with young was found among the giant redwoods July 29.

Mr. Nelson reported the species as common on high ground along
the route from San Simeon to Carpenteria in November and December;
it was also common on the route from La Panza to San Luis Obispo
October 28 to November 3; and a few were seen at Santa Paula the last
of December.

Record of specimen!^ collected of Junco hyemalis ihurheri.

Col-

lector’s

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eemarks.

j!lo.

149

170

353

202

111

9

d

d

9

d

d

d

d

9

9

133

22

5

d

d

d

2

d

37

38
414

9

d

9

Panamint Momittains, Calif.

do

do

do

do

do

Argos Range, Calif

do

do

Owens Valley, Calif

Mar. 28, 1891

do

Apr. 2, 1891
Apr. 19, 1891

do

June 23, 1891
May 0,1891
May 9, 1891

do

June 21, 1891

E. W. Nelson

do

A. K. Eisher

do

E. W. Nelson
A. K. Ei.slier

do

T. S. Palmer '

do ...

P. Stephens

White Mountains, Calif

do

Cajon Pass, Calif

Sierra Nevada, Calif

do

July 13, 1891
July 14, 1891
Jan. 2,1891
Aug. 7,1891
J line 19, 1891

do

E. W. Nelson .

A. K. Eisher . .

V. Bailey

B. H. Dutch er.

ad.

do

do

do

do

July 7,1891
Sept. 14, 1891

do

Aug, 12, 1891

do

do

do

A. K. Eisher

Johnson Canon.

Do.

Do.

Surprise Canon.

Do.

Coal kilns.
Maturango Spring.
Do.

Do.

Independence
Creek. Sitting.
10,000 feet altitude.

Mineral King.

Big Cottonwood
Meadows.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Horse Corral Mead-
ows.

144

d im.
d
9
d

do

do

do

San Eniigdio Canon, Calif. . .

July 27, 1891
July 22, 1891
July 25,1891
Oct'. 18,1891

E. Stephens

E. W. Nelson

— do

do

Nest and eggs.

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

95

Junco pinosu.s. Point Pinos Jnnco.

This species has been described by Mr. Leverett M. Loomis since the
return of the expedition. Juncos which were seen at Monterey by Dr.
Merriam and Mr. Bailey undoubtedly belong to this species.

Amphispiza bilineata. Black-throatert SparroAV.

The black-throated desert sparrow is one of the most abundant and
characteristic birds of the Lower Sonoran zone, in which it breeds
abundantly. The writer first observed the species in the Funeral
Mountains, at the summit of Furnace Creek Canon, on March 22, while
on the return trip to Death Valley from Ash Meadows, ISTevada. The
four or five males which were seen evidently had just arrived, as Mr.
Bailey and Mr. Nelson, who had passed over the same route a few days
before, saw none. The bird was common on both slopes of the Pana-
miut Mountains, in Johnson and Surprise canons, during the first three
weeks of April, where it was in full song most of the time. It was
common in the Argus range from the valley to the summit. In Coso
Valley, below Maturango Spring, Mr. Palmer and the writer found
several nests. On May 12 bsvo were discovered, one containing three
young and the other four eggs, and on May 13 a nest was found just
completed. In the Coso Mountains this sparrow was common, and its
nest was found in various kinds of bushes, though the branching cac-
tus {Opuntia echinocarpa) seemed to be the most common site. A nest
containing eggs was found near the road between Darwin and Keeler
as late as May 30.

When Mr. Bailey and the writer returned to Death Valley in the
latter part of June, they did not find this bird in the valley proper, but
found it a few hundred feet above, in Death Valley Canon, and all
through the Panamint Mountains. The same observers found it com-
mon l)oth on the east and west slope of Walker Pass, in the Sierra
Nevada, on July 1-3, and the former saw several on the South Fork of
the Kern Eiver July 3-10.

Dr. Merriam furnishes the following notes on the species as observed
by him on the trip to and from St. George, Utah : “In California it was
common on the Mohave Desert, between the mouth of Cajon Pass and
Pilot Knob, in the early part of April; and at the west end of the desert
(Antelope Valley) June 27, and was found also near Lone Willow
Spring, in Windy Gap, in Death Valley, in Emigrant Canon, and in
Leach Point Valley. In Owens Valley, California, it was common in the
Lower Sonoran zone where it ranges north onTlie east side of the val-
ley as far as Alvord, and was found in Deep Spring Valley, Nevada (June
9). In Nevada it was common also in Pahrump Valley (the commonest
sparrow April 29), in Vegas Valley, at the Great Bend of the Colorado
(where a nest containing two fresh eggs was collected May 4), along the
Virgin Eiver Valley (nests containing fresh eggs found at Bunkerville
early in May), in Desert Valley just east of the Pahroc Mountains
(May 20), on the plain below Pahroc Spring (May 22), in Pahranagat

96

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Valley (May 22-20), in Indian Spring Valley, where a nest containing
three eggs was found in a bush of Atriplex oaiiefi.cens May 28, and at
the extreme west end of this valley, where it slopes down toward tlie
Amargosa Desert, young just able to fly were secured May 29. It was
tolerably common on the Amargosa Desert, but rare in Oasis Valley
(one seen June 1). On Sarcobatus Flat, at the mouth of Grapevine
Canon, a few were seen June 2, and a few were seen on both sides of
Gold Mountain (where young nearly full-grown were secured June 3).
It was common in Tide Canon, at the extreme north end of the north-
west arm of Death Valley, June 4, though it does iiot reach the sage
plain of the Mount Magrnder plateau. It reappears, however, a short
distance below Pigeon Spring on the northwestern slope of Mount Ma-
gruder, and ranges thence across Fish Lake Valley (June 8). In south-
western Utah it was found on both slopes of the Beaverdam Moun-
tains, ranging up into the junipers slightly above the upper limit of
the lower division of the Lower Sonoran zone. In the Lower Santa
Clara Valley, Utah, it is abundant, breeding in the greasewood bushes
{Atriplex) and in the branching cactuses, (O/Jiuiiia ecMnocarpa), where
several nests were found containing two or three fresh eggs each (May
11-15).”

Mr. ISTelson found it breeding from the middle of the sage brush belt
on the slopes of the Panamint, Grapevine, Inyo, and White mountains,
down into Panamint, Mesquite, Saline, and Owens valleys. Mr.
Stephens found it common near the lower end of the Argus Kange, at
Borax Flat, April 28-30; and in Owens Valley, at Little Owens Lake,
May 6-11; at Haway Meadows, May 12-14; at Olancha, May 16-23; at
Morans, July 4-7, and at Benton July 9-10.

Record of specimens collected of Amphispiza bilineata.

Col-

lectors’

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remark.

162

rf

PanamintMountain.s, C.nlif

Apr. 15, 1891

A. K. Fislicr

Surprise Canon.

171

j

Apr. 20, 1891
Apr. 27, 1891
■J une 11, 1891
May 11, 1891
June 9,1891
.July 6,1891
May 29,1891
June 3,1891
June 4,1891

Do.

189

332

127

9

cT

9

cT iin.

9 .jav.
9 .1 av.

.iiiv.
cT juv.

Ar£;us Range, Calif.

Owens V alley, Calif

Coso Valley, Calif

Owens Valley, Calif

do

do

T. S. Palmer

do

T.,one Pine.

Nest and 4 eggs.
Lone Pine.
Morans.

Amarsosa Desert, Nev

Gold Mountain, Nev

Mount Magruder, Ney

V. Bailey

C. Hart Merriam . .
do

Amphispiza belli. Bell’s Sparrow.

Mr. Uelson found Bell’s sparrow abundant in the bushes of the arid
district bordering the sonthern and western sides of Buena Vista Lake,
in San Joaquin Valley, during October.

Amphispiza belli nevadeusis. Sage Sparrow.

The sage sparrow is one of the few birds characteristic of the sage
X)lains of the Upjier Sonoran and Transition zones,. bnt does not breed

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

97

ill tlie Lower Sonoran zone, though it winters in this zone and passes
through it in great numbers during migration.

In winter it was common along the entire route of the expedition. It
was seen at Cajon Pass in the San Bernardino Mountains, January 2,
and on the Mohave Desert, at Hesperia, in flocks of from ten to twenty,
January 4-5; at Victor, Stoddard Wells, and Daggett, January 6-10;
at Giranite Wells, January 13-15; at Lone Willow Spring, January
15-19. It was found in Death Valley from the lower end to Furnace
Creek, January 21 to February 4; at Eesting Springs, February 6-17,
and at Ash Meadows, ISTevada, the first three weeks in March.

Mr. Stephens found it common in Oasis Valley, Kevada, March 15-19;
not common at Grapevine Spring, California, AxDril 1-4; and Mr. Kelson
found it everywhere common in Pahrump Valley about the ranch, and
along the route down through Vegas Valley and Wash, to the Bend of
the Colorado, March 3-16. Dr. Merriam saw a few in tree yuccas on
the Mohave Desert near the mouth of Cajon Pass, March 30, and a
number near Daggett, April 4-6. He noted the species at Windy Ga]),
Aj)ril 7 ; in Death Valley, near Bennett Wells, April 9-12; in Mesquite
Valley, April 13; Emigrant Canon, in the Panamint Mountains, April
14 and 15, and found it common in Perognathus Flat, April 15. Per-
oguathus Flat is a high basin in the Panamint Mountains, at the lower
edge of the Upper Sonoran zone, and the species may remain there to
breed. At the mouth of Johnson Canon, in the Panamint Mountains,
the writer saw this species March 25, and Mr. Bailey saw one in
Wild Eose Canon, near the ^ charcoal kilns,’ in the same mountains,
June 25. At Hot Springs, in Panamint Valley, a few were seen in
Atrijjlex bushes by Dr. Merriam, April 19-24, and one was seen at Leach
Point Sirring, Axnnl 25. He did not find it in the Lower Santa Clara
Valley near St. George, Utah, but met with it in great abundance in
passing north from this valley towards the Escalante Desert. It was
one of the most characteristic birds at the upper Santa Clara Cross-
ing, Utah, May 17, thence northward through Mountain Meadows to
the Escalante Desert and Shoal Creek, and westerly across the low
rolling plateau of the Juniper Mountains to Meadow Creek Valley,
Nevada. It was common also in Desert Valley, Nevada, and in the
neighboring Pahroc Mountains, May 20-21. A few were seen in the
sage plain on Mount Magruder plateau, Nevada, June 5, and in the sage
brush in Owens Valley, June 10-19. In this valley Mr. Stephens found
it not common at Ash Creek, May 30- June 3; at Morans, July 4-7 ; and
common at Olancha toward the mountains and breeding; at Independ-
ence Creek, June 18-23; at Benton, July 9-10; and was seen at Bishop
Creek, August 4-10. Mr. Nelson found it common at the head of
Owens Eiver the latter part of July; on both slopes of the Inyo Moun-
tains, from the valleys up to the middle or upper part of the pinon
belt, June 24-July 4; and common in the White Mountains, up to the
middle of the same belt. He did not find it in the north end of the Pana-

12731— No. 7 7

98

NORTIT AIMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

mint Mountains nor in Saline Valley, but ooted it on tlui eastern slo])e
of the Pananiint Monntains, in Cottonwood Creek, and thence down to
Mes(inite Valley, and also in the Grapevine Monntains, May 4 to -Iiiiie
15. Mr. Nelson reported the sage sparrow as very coininon along the
route from Lone Pine to Keeler, and through the Coso and Panainint
valleys to Lone Willow Spring, and thence to Death Valley, during
December 1890, and January 1891.

The specimens collected along the east slope of the Sierra Nevada
in Owens Valley are almost intermediate, both in size and color, be-
tween AmjjMsjnza belli and Ampliispiza belli nevadensis.

Record of specimens collected of AmpMspiza belli nevadensis.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locnlity.

Date.

Collector.

nemark.s.

36

do '

Do.

o

do

Do.

Jan. 7il891

do

Do.

o

Jan. 9’ 1891

Do.

47

Do.

Ueb. 6, 1891

Do.

do

do

...-.do

Do.

do

Feb. 7, 1891

....do

Do.

Do.

Feb. 8, 1891

Do.

u

5

Do.

5S

cT

Granite Wells, Calif

Jan. 13.1891

A. K. Fisher

Do.

63

2

Lone Willow Spriii"', Calif. . .

Jan. 16.1891

....do

GG

Jan. 21,1891

80

Do.

Feb. 17, 1891

do

27

?

12-mile Spriiis>- Calif

Feb. 21', 1831

F. Stephens

North of Kestiii’

Springs.

cf

Momitaiii Meadow.':. Utah

May 17, 1891

V. La'.loy

331

cT ad.

Owens Valley, Calif

June 11, 1831

A. K. Fi.slier

Lone Fine.

52

Salt Wells Valiev. Calif

May 1,1891

M

J uiie 10, 1891

Do.

97

5

. . . .-do .

do

Do.

98

?

do

....do

Do.

99

5

do

Do.

im.

Sierra Nevada, Calif

Aug. 20, 1891

V. Bailey

Whitney Meadows.

Peucaea cassini. Cassiii’s Sparrow.

The only specimen of this species noted during the entire expedition
was shot by Dr. Merriam in Timpahnte Valley, Nevada, May 26. It
was an old male in worn breeding plumage, and attracted his attention
by flying ni) from the desert brush and singing in the air.

Peucaea ruficeps. Eufous-crowued Sparrow.

An immature specimen of this sparrow was secured on a rocky hill-
side on the South Fork of Kern River, California, July 8. Mr. Palmer
saw one on the west fork of Castac Canon June 30, and Mr. Stephens
saw sevei-al migrants in Reche Canon, near San Bernardino, Calif.,
September 22-24. These are all the records we have of the sjiecis.

Melospiza fasciata fallax. Desert Song Sparrow.

The writer did not meet with this race, and quotes the following from
Dr. TMerriam’s notes :

“The desert song sparrow was not found anywhere in California, but

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

09

was cominoii in suitable valleys in sontli eastern jSTevadn, sontli-
western Utali, and nortliwestern Arizona. It was found in the valley
of the Muddy near St. Joe, Hev., May 7, and was a coiniiion breedeiJn
Paliranagat Valley, ISTevada, May 23. A specimen Avas shot and others
seen at the inoiitli of Beaverdam Creek, Arizona, May 9, and it was
eoininon in the Lower Santa Clara Valley near the Junction of the
Santa Clara and Virgin, May 11-15, where a nest was found near a
marshy meadow.”

llecordof S2)ecimens collected of Mclospiza fasciaia fallax.

Col-
lector’.-s
Xo.

Sox.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Ilcniarks.

d

P.n!irmin"at A” alloy, ISTev

ATav 23, 1891

C. Kart Merriara.

d

Beavcialaui, Ariz

May 9,1891

do

Melospiza fasciata montana. Moiintaiu Song- Sparrow.

This song- sparrow was tolerably common about the ranch at Furnace
Creek, and among the reeds at Saratoga Springs, in Death Valley, in
January, but was not seen at the former place in June. It was quite
common at Eesting Springs in the Amargosa Desert, February 6-17,
and at Ash Meadows, Isievada, in March. Mr. Kelson found it common
along the willow-grown banks of the ditches in PahruiuiD and Vegas
valleys, and Mr. Stephens found it rather common in the lower end of
Oasis valleys, March 15-19. Mr. Bailey reported it abundant at St.
George, Utah, in January, 1889.

Record of specimens collected of Melospiza fasciata montana.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sox.

Locality.

Date.

Colleotor.

Eemarks.

78

117

118
128

33

34

d

d

d

?

9

9

9

d

9

9

Death Valley, Calif

do

Ash Meadows, Nev

Feh. 3, 1891
Jan. 25,1891
Mar. 4,1891
Mar. 9,1891
Mar. 15.1891
Alar. 16, 1891
. do .

E. AV. Nelson

A. K. Fisher

do

...do

Saratoga Springs.
Furnace Creek.

Oasis Valley, Nev

F. Steplieus

. do

Pahrump Valley, Nev

Mar. 4, mi

E.AV. Nelson

Vegas Valley, Nev

Mar. 12, 1891

do

Melospiza fasciata heermanni. Heeriuaiiu’s Song Sparrow.

This Californian subspecies was quite common at San Bernardino,
where it was singing in the brush along streams, December 28-29, 1899.
It was tolerably common in suitable localities in Owens Vnlley, along
the South Fork of Kern Kiver, July 3-10, and Avas heard singing
at Kernville July 11-13. At Walker Basin it Avas seen along the
sloughs, July 13-16, and at Bakerslield it was common along the ri\*er
bottom, July 17-20. Mr. Palmer found it common near Old Fort Ttqou

100

NORTH AIMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7,

early in July; Mr. Nelson observed it e.oinmonly in the Canada de las
Uvas and in ISan Eini.n'dio Cailon the last of October; and along’ the route
from La Panza to San Luis Obispo, October 28 to November 3.

llccnrd of specimens collected of Melospiza fasciata heermanni.

Col-

lector’s

No.

306

378

cT

? ,
2 ad

2 iiii

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

San Bernardino, Calif

San Emijjdio Canon, Calif

Bakerstiekl, Calif

Kern Eiver, Calif

Deo. 28,] 890
Oct. 22,1891
July 19, 1891
July 5, 1891

A. K. Fislicr

L. AV^. Nelson

A. K. Fisher

do

119

67

295

302

321

cf im
cf
cT
cT

d*

d

do

Owens Vallejo Calif.

do

do

do

do

July 4,1891
July 26, 1891
May 30, 1891
June 5, 1891
June 6, 1891
June 9, 1891

V. Bailey . . .
F. Stepliens.

do

A. K. Fisher

do

do

Eeniarka.

25 miles above
Kernville.

Do.

Alvord.

Ash Creek.

Lone Bine.

Do.

Do.

Melospiza fasciata guttata. Rusty Song Sparrow.

Mr. Bailey secured a sjiecimen of this song sparrow at Santa Clara,
Utah, January 13, 1889. It was undoubtedly an accidental straggler
from the northwest coast.

Melospiza fasciata rufina Sooty Song Sparrow.

Mr. Bailey took a specimen of this subspecies at Boulder Creek,
California, on October 13, 1891, and stated that it was common there.

Melospiza fasciata graminea. Santa Barbara Song Sparrow.

Specimens of this new race, indistinguishable from Mr. Townsend’s
type, Avere taken by Mr. Nelson at Morro and Carpenteria, Calif. He
found them common near the streams and wet places along the coast,
and a few as hir inland as Santa Paula. Whether it is a resident or a
migrant from the Santa Barbara Islands, can not be decided at present.

Record of specimens collected of Medospiza fasciata graminea.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eemarks.

cT

9

9

Caruentcria, Calif

Dec. 18, 1891

E. W. Nelson

Morro, Calif

Nov. 8, 1891

do

Melospiza liiicolni. Lincoln’s Sparrow.

A few Lincoln’s sparrows were seen at Ash Meadows, Nevada, and
Mr. Nelson found it common in wet places among bushes at Vegas
ranch and in Vegas Wash in March, where Dr. Merriam again saw it
May 1. It was not uncommon in Johnson and Suprise canons in the
Panamint Eange, April 1-20. The species Avas common at Hot Springs
in Panamint Valley, April 20-23, and a few were seen in Shepherd
Canon, in the Argus Eange, the last of Axiril. Mr. Stephens found it

May, 1893.] BIKDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

101

breeding, but not commonly, at Independence Creek, June 18-23, and
the writer saw several in tbe liigli grass at Horse Corral M endows^
August 9-13. Mr. Belding found a pair breeding in the meadow at
Crockers, near the Yosemite Valley, in May, and Mr. Bailey savr a few
at Monterey, September 28 to October 9.

Record of specimens collected of Melospiza lincohii.

Col-

lector’s

Ko.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Ilemarhs.

?

Panainijit Monntaiiia, Calil'

ifar. 27, 1891

E. W. Nelson

Johnson Canon.

154

5

Apr. n, 1891
Apr. 21, 1891
Apr. 22, 1891
Jime22, 1891

Do.

175

177

?

Paiiamiut Valley, Calif

do

il<»t Spriugs.

Do.

117

9

Sierra Nevada, Calif

E. Stephens

Passerella iliaca unalaschcensis. Townsend’s Sparrow.

Townsend’s sparrow was not nncommon in Cajon Pass in the San
Bernardino Mountains Jannary 2. It was not reported again until Mr.
Bailey found it common at Monterey, September 28 to October 9. Mr.
hlelson found it common and generally distributed wherever thickets
occurred along the coast from San Simeon to Cari^enteria, November
4 to December 18.

Record of specimens collected of Passerella iliaca unalaschcensis.

Ccl-

Iccfor’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Petnarks.

21

d

Cajon Pass, Calif

Morro, Calif

Jan. 2, 1891
Nov. 8,1891

A. K. Fisher

E. W. Nelson

Passerella iliaca megarliyncha. Thick-billed Sparrow.

The thick-billed sparrow was found commonly in a number of places
in the High Sierra. Mr. Nelson reiiorted it as rather common at the
head of Owens Eiver, and on the western slope, in July and August.
Mr. Stephens saw it among the thickets at Menache Meadows May
24-26] found it common at Independence Creek, where yonng were
taken June 20; and at the lake on Bishop Creek August 4-10. In the
Sequoia National Park it was common, and several broods of young
just able to fly were seen the first week in August. On the East Fork
of the Kaweah Eiver Mr. Bailey found it breeding from the lower edge
of the conifers up to where Finns monticola grows. It was seen at
Horse Corral Meadows, August 9-13; at Whitney Meadows and Soda
Springs or Kern Eiver Lakes, the last of August; at Mineral King,
September 8-11, and on the brushy hillsides about the Canada de las
Uvas and San Emigdio, October 14-28.

102

NORTH AMERK'AN FAHNA.

[No. 7.

Bccord of S2)eciineiis collected of Passer ell a Uiaca meijarlijjaclia.

Col-
1l‘C’ tor's
Xo.

Sex.

nocality. ,

U.-ilc.

Collector.

neiiiarhs.

G4

]08

407

411

?

?

jim.

d

dao.

Siorni Xevada, Calif'..

<1()

do

do

do

May 27,18:/!

June 20, 1801
Julv 80, 1891
Ant- C. 1891
Aiis^-.ll, 1831

F. Sti'iiliens

do

AC Hailey

A. K. Fisher

Tlo

Siinmiit Aleadow. near Olan-
clia I’eak.

liidejicndenee Creek.

Fast Fork of Kaweali Itiver.
Se/jur/ia National Park.
Horse Corral Meadows.

Passerella iliaca scliistacea. Slatc-colored Sparrow.

The slate-colored sparrow was not unconimon, according-, to Mr. iSTel-
son, about the heads of streams on the eastern slope of the White
Mountains, where a specimen was taken, July 14. A few Avere seen
in Johnson and Surprise canons, in the Panamiiit IMonutains, Avhere a
specimen AAms taken in the former canon, March 28. This sparrow was
not detected elsewhere by members of the exx)editiou.

Record of sjiecimens collected of Passerella iliaca scliistacea.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

llemarks.

?

Panavaint Mountain.s, Calif

Mar. 28, 1891

E. AY, Nelson

Jolm.son Canon.

d

Wliite Mountains, Calif

•July 14,1891

do

Pipilo maculatus inegalonyx. Spurred Towhee.

The spurred towhee is common over innch of the Great Basin, and
also in California west of the Sierra Nevada. Mr. Nelson reported
it as common among the junipers on the Charleston Mountains in
the early paid of March. A i)air was seen in one of the canons in the
Coso Mountains, May 23, and subsequently Mr. Palmer saAV others in
the brush along the streams. Mr. Nelson found a few at Lone Pine
in Owens Valley, in December, 1890, and the wiiter saAv a feAV in
the brush along the river at the same place, June 11. Dr. Merriam
found it common in the northern part of the valley on the latter date.
Mr. Stephens reported it as common in the lower part of tlie canon at
Independence Cl-eek, AAdiere young Avere seen June 18-23; as not com-
mon among the pihons at Benton, July 9-10 ; he also saw three at Bishop
Creek, August 4-10. In the Panamint Mountains, Mr. Nelson saAv it
in Surprise Canon in December, 1890, and found it sparingly in the
vicinity of Avater, AAdiere thickets of aaOHows and rose bushes afforded
it shelter, in both this range and the Grai)evine Mountains during the
latter x^art of May and the first of June. The same obseiwer found a
feAY in the Inyo Mountains among the xAiiions at Hunterls arastra, and
again in willows bordering the creek near AVaucoba Peak, the latter
part of June; found it rather common on the west slope of the Sierra,
mainly along streams; and found a few in the ux)per jAarts of the
streams in the White Mountains.

May, 1893.1 BIRDS OF TIIF DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

103

III jSTevada, Dr. MeiTiaiu found it in the following localities: At
Mountain Spring in the (Jharleston Monii tains, vVpril .‘10; in the Juni-
per Mountains May 19, where it was common throngliout the scrub oak
and juniper down to the very edge of Meadow Creek Valley neai'
Pauaca; at Tide Canon and on Mount Magruder, where it was abun-
dant and a fnll-tledged young was shot, June 5. In IJtah, he found it
common among the junipers on the Beaverdam Mountains, May 11,
and saw a number between the Upper Santa Clara Crossing and
Mountain Meadows, in thickets of Amelanchier and scrub oak. May 17.

On the western slope of Walker Pass, in California, it was common
July 2 and 8; along the South Fork of the Kern, July 3-10; on the hill-
sides in chaparral at Walker Basin, July 13-10; and at Bakersfield in
the San Joaqnin Valley, July 17-20.

Mr. Bailey reiiorted it as common below the conifers on the Kaweah
Eiver the last of July, and Dr. Merriam found it common in the
Granite Eange in western San Diego County, July 1-10.

Record of sjjecimens collected, of Pipilo maculatus megalonijx.

Col-

lector’s

Xo.

Sex.

Lccality.

Date.

Collector.

Iiemar]j:s.

36

329

d-

cT

im.

cf

d ad.
d ini.

Mountain Meadows, Utah

Charleston Monntain.s, Xev

Mount Magruder, Nev

Grapevine Mountains, Kev

May 17.1891
Mai’. 7, 1891
J line 5, 1891
Mar. 21,1891
June 11, 1891
•J uly 5, 1891

C. Hart Merriam. .

V. Bailev

do

r. Stcpluuis

Owens Valley.
South Fork.

374

Kern Itiver, Calif

do

Pipilo maculatu.s oregonus. Oregon Towhee.

Mr. Kelson found the Oregon towhee sparingly along the coast of
California from La Panza to San Luis Obispo the last of October; be-
tween San Simeon and Carpenteria Kov ember 4 to December 18, and
common between the latter place and Santa Paula December 18 to Jan-
uary 4.

Pipilo chlorurus. Green-tailed Towhee.

The green-tailed towhee is a common summer resident in the moun-
tain ranges visited by of the expedition. It was first observed in Johnson
Canon on the east slope of the Panamint Mountains, April 12, but
was not seen in Surprise Caiion on the west slope during the fol-
lowing fortnight. In May and June Mr. Kelson found it common
among the sage brush on the Panamint and Grapevine mountains,
where it was associated with Brewer’s sparrow. It was most numer-
ous among the rank growth of vegetation along small streams and
about springs, though it was not uncommon on the high benches among
the Artemisia tridentata. On Willow Creek, Maj" 24, he found a nest
containing four eggs which was placed in a sage bush 15 inches from the
ground. It was composed externally of rather coarse plant stems, and
lined with fine fibrous rootlets and horsehair. On the north slope of

104

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 1.

Telescope Peak^ it was coiiiniou as bigli as the iipi)ei' limit oC the saj^e
brush, June 22-25*

111 the Ar^'us Kauge, it was common in Shepherd Oauon, where num-
bers were migrating the last week in April, and at Matnrango Spring
among the willows and other vegetation at the spring the first two
weeks in May. Among the Coso Mountains it was very common along
the streams and on the slopes among the sage and pifions, where the
males often Avere heard singing from their perches on the tops of
some dead brush or trees, the latter part of May. Dr. Merriam saw
it on the nortliAvard continuation of the Kingston Eange, between
the Auiargosa Desert, California, and Pahrnmp Valley, Kevada. He
found it also in the following localities in Kevada: Tolerably common
in the Charleston Mountains, April 30; at the Bend of the Colo-
rado, May 4; very abundant on Mount Magruder, where it was breed-
ing from the upper part of Tule Canon up to 2,600 meters (8,500
feet) or higher, and where a dozen or more were often seen at one time,
singing from the tops of sage brush and nut pines, and they were heard
singing several times at night; a few were seen in the Juniper Moun-
tains, May 19; in the Beaverdam Mountains, Utah, he found them
tolerably common among the junipers. May 10-11, and in the Santa
Clara Valley, Utah, May 11-15,

Mr. Nelson found the species from among the pifions up to the summit
in the Inyo Mountains the latter part of June, and in the White Moun-
tains and on the plateau at the head of Owens Valley, in July. Along
the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada it Avas common at the head of
Owens Eiver the last of July; at Independence Creek, Avhereanest
containing two eggs just ready to hatch Avas found at the Eex Monte
mill, June 18-23; at Bishop Creek, August 4-10; not common at Ben-
ton, Jnly 9-10; and atMenache MeadoAvs where it occurred nearly to
timber line. May 24-26. The species Avas seen at Walker Pass, July
2; at Soda Springs or Kern Eiver Lakes, September 3; and was com-
mon in the Sequoia National Park, during the first Aveek of August;
and in the vicinity of Mineral King, the last of August and 1st of
September. Mr. Duti'lier saw a feAV at Big CottoiiAvood Meadows dur-
ing the summer, and Mr. Palmer found it common on Frazier Mountain
among the pines, July 9, and in Tejon Pass, July 12.

llecord of specimens collected of Pipilo chloriiriia.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Itcniarks.

186

2.30

258

no

134

d

?

d

$

d

Argus Range, Calif

Apr. 27, 1891
May 12, 1891
May 27,1891
June 20, 1891
July 14, 1891

A. K. Nisher

Shepherd Canon.
Matnrango Spring.

Independence Creek.
Queen mine.

Coso Mountains, Calif

Owens Valley, Caiif

White Mountains. Nev

rlo

F. Stepliens

do

May, 1893.] BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 105

Pipilo fuscus mesoleucus. Cauoii Towliee.

Mr. Bailey found the eauoii towliee abundant amoii" the liills at
Mineral Park, in western Arizona, during the middle of Pebruary, 1889,
and later in the same month saw a few near Fort Mohave.

Pipilo fuscus crissalis. California Towliee.

The California towliee was common among the chaparral in a number
of localities west of the Sierra ISTevada. At Cajon Pass, in the Sail
Bernardino Mountains, it was very common from the lower jiart of the
valley, well up on the divide among the oaks, January 2-3, and Dr.
Merriam found it abundant at the same place, March 29-30. It was
common on the western slope of Walker Pass, July 2-3; along the val-
ley of the Kern Eiver, July 3-13, and abundant in Walker Basin, July
13-16. Mr. Palmer reported it as abundant at Old Fort Tejon in July;
Mr. Stephens at Eeche Canon, September 22-24, and Mr. Nelson as very
abundant in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada in August. It
was common at Three Eivers, July 25-30, and September 12-15, and
Mr. Bailey noted it along the East Fork of the Kaweah Eiver nearly
up to the lower edge of the pines. The same observer found it common
at Monterey the first week iu October; Mr. Nelson reported it as
abundant among the brush along the western edge of the San Joaquin
Valley in October, and along the coast from San Simeon to Oarxienteria
and Santa Paula in November and December.

Record of specimens collected of Pipilo fnscns crissalis.

Col-

lector’s

Ko.

Sex.

LocaUty.

Date.

Collector.

Eemarlis.

19

18

49

364

372

?

cf

2 ad.

Iiii.

$ im.
d ad.
d

San Bernardino, Calif

Jan. 1,1891

A. K. Eislier

Scarl’s Garden.

South Fork.

Aro'us Range, Calif

Walker Pass, Calif

do

Apr. 25, 1891
Julv 2,1891
July 3,1891

F. Stephens

A. K. Fisher

V. Bailey

Kern River, Calif

Ventura Iliver, Calif

July 4,1891
Doc. 20, 1891

A. K. Fisher

E. AV. Nelson

Pipilo aberti. Abert’s Towbee.

The westernmost locality at which Dr. Merriam and Mr. Bailey saw
Abert’s towhee is the Bend of the Colorado Eiver, in Nevada, where
it was common, and a full grown young was secured, May 4. Thence
northward they found it common in the valleys of the Virgin and
lower Muddy, May 6-8, Avhere Beaverdam Creek joins the Virgin iu
northwestern Arizona, May 9-10, and iu the Lower Santa Clara A^al-
ley, Utah, near St. George, May 11-15, where it was bleediug com-
monly.

Habia melanocephala. Black-beaded Grosbeak.

The black-headed grosbeak was first observed in Shepherd Canon iu
the Argus Eange, where a sjiecimeu was secured Ajiril 26. A week

lOG

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

later it was common among- the willow ])at(‘lies at iNratiirango Spring
and among the tree yuccas at the western base of the range. In the
Coso Mountains several were seen in the canons during the latter part
of May. Mr. ISTelsou found it a common breeding bird both in the
Panamint and Grapevine mountains, and the writer saw a line male in
full song at the ‘charcoal kilns’ in Wild Rose Canon, north of Tele-
scope Peak, June 23. In Owens Valley Mr. Stephens found it rather
common at Olancha, May 16-23; not common at Ash Creek, May 36 to
June 3, and saw one male at Independence Creek, June 18-23. Mr.
Nelson found it sparingly among the willows in the Inyo Mountains,
June 24 to July 5, and along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada in
August. Mr. Bailey reported this grosbeak as common among the
pines along the East Fork of the Kaweah River, July 25 to August 10.
It was observed on the western slope of VAbilker Pass, June 21; was
common in Kern Valley, June 22-23 and July 3-10; on the ridge above
Walker Basin, July 11; in the Sierra Liebre, June 30 ; and in Canada
de las Uvas, June 28-29.

In Nevada Dr. Merriam found a pair breeding in a thicket near Log
Spring on Mount Magruder, June 8; saw it in Oasis Valley, June 1;
in the valley of the Virgin near Bunker ville. May 8; and found it
common in Pahranagat Valley, where it was singing in the tall cot-
tonwoods, May 22-26. In Utah he found it breeding jilentifully along
the Lower Santa Clara River, May 11-15.

Record of specimens collected of Habia melanocephala.

Col-

lector's

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eemarka.

184

240

d

d

_ ?

Argus llaiige, Calif

Apr. 26,1891
May 14,1891
May 15. 1891

A. K. I'islier

do

Slieplierd Canon.
Matnrango Spring.

Do.

do

T. S. Palmer

Guiraca caerulsa eurhyiicha. Western Blue Grosl)eaIc.

The blue grosbeak is tolerably comuion in many of the valleys of Cali-
fornia and Nevada. In Nevada, Dr. Merriam found it breeding com-
monly in Pahranagat Valley, May 22-26, and along the Lower Muddy
and Virgin rivers. May 7 and 8. He saw several where Beaverdam Creek
joins the Virgin River in northwestern Arizona, May 9-10, and found
the species common in the Lower Santa Clara Valley, Utah, May 11-15.
Several were seen in the Canada de las Uvas, California, June 28-29.
At Lone Pine, in Owens Valley, it was quite common among the fruit
orchards and thick growth along streams, where two young just out of
the nest were secured, June 14. Mr. Stephens found it more or less
common in the same valley, at Olancha, May 16-23; Ash Creek, May
30 to June 3; Alvord, June 26-28; and at Morans, July 4-7. Mr. Bailey
secured an adult male at Furnace Creek ranch, Death Valley, June 19,

May, 1S93.] ■ birds OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDLJTOX.

107

a’ld Mr. Nelson saw the speeies in Saline Valley the latter part of the
same month. Blue grosbeaks were very eommon along the South Fork
of the Kern, where they frerpiented the oat fields and the thiek vege-
tation in the river bottoms, July 3-10. Tliey were also common at
Kernville, July 11-13; at Walker Basin, July 13-10; and at Bakers-
field in the San Joaquin Valley, July 17-20.

Becord of specimens collected of Gniraca ccerulca eurhyneha.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

locality.

Date.

Collector.

Beniarks.

d

9

d

d

St. George, Utah

Beaverdani, Ariz

Biiiikerville, Nev

Death Valley, Calif

May 14,1891
Ma'y 9,1 -'ll
MaV 8,1891
JnnelO, 1891

V. Bailey

. . . .do

C. Hart Merriam . .
V. Bailei’

Furnace Creek.

d

Owens Valley, Calif

June 5, 1 Sill

T. S. Palmer

lame Pine.

313

J'

Juno 7, 1891

Do.

316

d

9 .)ttY

9

d

9

J line 8, 18'J1
J line 14, 1891

.. . do

....do

Do.

338

.339

do

do

Do.

66

May 30, 1891
June 11, 1891

85

do ‘.

93

d

9

do

Jnnol2,' 1891

Do.

10±

do

June 15, 1891

do

Do.

121

d

d

d ad
d ad

Jiine27. 1891

do

373

July 4i]891
July 5.1891
July 10,1891

379

do

do

Do.

384

do

Do.

Passerina amoena. Lazuli Bunting.

The lazuli bunting is a common breeder in many places in the Great
Basin wherever there is sufficient water to produce a growth of willow
or other thickets suitable for nesting sites.

In Nevada, Dr. Merriam found it breeding commoidy on Mount Ma-
gruder, and in the thickets in Tide Canon, June 4-8; in Pahranagat
Valley, May 22-20, and saw a few in the Juniper Mountains, May 18, and
in Oasis Valley, June 1. He found it common at the Bend of the Col-
orado, May 4, and at a few points in the valleys of the Muddy and Virgin
rivers. May 7-8. In the Santa Clara Valley, Utah, it was an abundant
breeder, May 11-15.

The writer first met with the species at Coso, Calif., where a male was
secured May 25. At Furnace Creek, Death Valley, a female was
secured in the brush near the ranch, June 19, and the species was com-
mon in Wild Rose Caiion in the Panamint Mountains, June 24 and 25.
Mr. Nelson found it common in both the Panamint and Grapevine
mountains, wherever willow thickets occurred. It was nesting in Mill
Creek, Willow Creek, and Cottonwood canons in the former, and in
AVood Canon in the latter range of mountains. The same observerfoimd
it from the bottom of the valley uj) to the i^inons in the Inyo Mountains;
at the head of Owens Valley, near the White Mountains, and along
borders of streams from the foothills up to 2,450 meters (8,000 feet) alti-
tude at the head of Owens River. In Owens alley it was common about
the orchards at Lone Pine in June; and Air. Stejihens saw several at

108

NORTH AMERlf!AN NAUNA.

[Is'o. 7.

Olaiiclia, May lG-235 round it eoiniuoii at Asli Creek, IMny 3()-,Iuu(^ .‘5;
at Morans, July 4-7; aLnndant in the lower port of the canon of In-
dependence Creek, June 18-23; not common at Alvord, June 20-28; at
Benton, July 9-10; at Qneen station in tlie Wliite Monntuins, Nev.,
June 11-16; and saw a male at about 2,450 meters (8,000 feet) altitude,
at Bishop Creek, August 4-10. Mr. Palmer seeured a specimen at
Horse Corral Meadows, August 11, and saw another in Kings Eiver
Canon, August 15; and Mr. Bailey saw two at 2,450 meters (8,000 feet)
altitude on th^Kaweah Biver, about the same time. Mr. Palmer found
it common at Old PortTejon, where a nest containing three fresh eggs
was found in a willow tree 0 feet from the ground, July 4. The species
was common along the valley of the Kern, July 3-13; at Walker Basin,
July 13-10; and at Bakersfield in the San Joaquin Yalley, July 17-20.

JRecord of specimens collected of Passerina anioena.

Col-

lector’s

Bo.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

25G

301

341

d

d

$

Coso, Coso Mountains, Calif

Owens Valley, Calif

Death Valley, Calif

May 25, 1891
June 6, 1891
June 19, 1891

A. U. Dislier

do

do

Lone Pine.

Puruace Creek.

Calamospiza melanocorys. Lark Bunting.

A few miles north of Pilot Knob on the Mohave Desert, California,
a lark bunting was killed by Mr. F. W. Koch April 6, and two others
were seen by Dr. Merriam. One was shot in Pahrnmp Valley, Kevada,
Ajiril 29, by Mr. Bailey. ISTo others were observed by any members of
the expedition.

Piranga ludoviciana. Western Tanager.

The western tanager was found commonly in many places during
migration, and sparingly during the breeding season. The first indi-
vidual observed was secured by Dr. Merriam in Surprise Oaiion in the
Panamint Mountains, California, April 23. When first seen it was in
hot pursuit of a large beetle, which it failed to caiBure. At Maturango
Spring in the Argus Range, a large flight of these tanagers occurred
on May 4, where as many as a dozen males were seen at one time.
From this date until the time of leaving, the middle' of May, it was
common among the willows in the vicinity of the sirring. In the Coso
Mountains a pair was seen near the top of the ridge, where they were
evidently hunting for a nesting site, May 23. Mr. Kelson found it a
rather common breeding species among the pinons on Willow Creek in
thePanamint Mountains, and also in Mill Creek and Cottonwood canons,
though in smaller numbers, during the last of May. He saw none in the
Grapevine Mountains.

Dr. Merriam saw two males of this species and one hepatic tanager in
a tall cottonwood at the point where Beaverdam Creek joins the Virgin

May, 1893.] BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

109

Kiver, in northwostern Arizona, May 0. He saw many males in the
Lower Santa Clara Valley, Utah, May 11-14; six males in the Jniii])er
Mountains, Nevada, May 18, and several in raliranagat Valley, .May
22-26.

At Keeler, early in June, an individual alighted for a few moments
on the wagon during a gale. In the same valley a few were seen
and two secured at Lone Pine, June 0-8; Mr. Stephens reported it a
rather common migrant at Olancha May 16-23; not common at Bishop
August 4-10, and rather common at Menache Meadows May 24-26. Mr.
Nelson found it at the head of Owens Eiver the latter part of July;
several were seen among the hills above Walker Basin July 14, and
several were observed in the Sequoia National Park during the first
week of August. Mr. Palmer saAV one in Tejon Pass July 12.

Record of specimens coUecied of Piranga iudoviciana.

Col-

lector’s

Xo.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

EemarLs.

cf

Panamint Moantain.s, Calif. ..

Apr. 23, 1891

C. Hart Merriam..

Surprise Cauoii.

195

cT

Araus Kaueje, Calif

May 4, 1891

A. K Pi.slier

Maturaniro Sprins:*

220

May 10,1891

Do.

221

do

Do.

9.9.9.

... do

Do.

May 23, 1891

anfi

Q

31.5

71

145

d

Sierra Nevada, Calif

July 27, 1891

do

Piranga hepatica. Hepatic Tanager.

The only individual of this species observed during the entire season
was seen by Dr. Merriam in a cottonwood at the point where Beaver-
dam Creek empties into the Virgin in northwestern Arizona, May 9.
Two adult male western tanagers (P. Iudoviciana) were in the same
tree, and both species were probably migrating.

Progne subis hesperia. Western Martin.

A colony of martins was found breeding at Old Fort Tejon in the
Canada de las Uvas, California, June 28, 1891, by Dr. Merriam and
Mr. Palmer. They were nesting in woodpeckers’ holes in the large oaks
in front of the old fort, where three were killed. Mr. Belding noted
the species at Crocker’s, 21 miles northwest of the Yosemite Valley, in
May.

Record of specimens collected of Progne suhis hesperia.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Ivomarlis.

d ad.
cT im.

d im.

Old Fort Tejon, Calif

June 28, 1891.

C. Hart iMerriaiu.

do

.. .do

no

NORTH A:\IE.RI(JAN fauna.

[Xo. 7.

Petrochelidon liinifrous. Clill' 8\vall<)\v.

This Widely distributed sjiecies wiis found breeding in various locali-
ties visited by the expedition. In Nevada J)r. Merriaiu fouiid a colony
breeding in the canon at the lower (uid of Vegas Wash, May 3, and saw
several at the Bend of the Colorado, May 4; he found it eoninion in
Pahranagat Valley, May 23-2(5, and in Oasis alley, June 1. In Utah
he saw a colony which was breeding near St. George, in the Lower Santa
Clara alley, where many nests were found on the red sandstone cliffs
a mile or two from the settlement.

The cliff swallow was common in Owens A^ alley, California. It Avas
seen along the edge of the lake at Keeler, May 30- June 4; at the month
of the canon above Lone Pine, June 12 j and Mr. Stephens found it
common at Haway Meadows, May 12-14; abundant at Olaucha, May
10-23; at Ash Creek, Alay 30 to June 3; breeding in the can on at Benton,
July 9-10 ; and not common at the Queen mine, Nevada, July 11-16. Air.
Nelson saAV it on AA’illow Creek in the Panamiut Alonntains, the last of
May, and found it at the head of Owens Eiver, in the Sierra Nevada,
up to 2,100 meters (7,000 feet) altitude. It was common in Kern Val-
ley, July 3-13, and in AA^alker Basin, July 13-16. At the latter idace a
number of nests Avere found fastened against the ceiling and Avails of
the rooms in several of the deserted buildings. Dr. Alerriam found it
breeding commonly at Kernville, under the eawes and piazzas of houses,
June 23, and in the Canada de las Uvas, under the eaves of Old Fort
Tejon, June 28-29.

At Twin Oaks, in western San Diego County, he was shown a large
sycamore tree on the outside of which these swalloAvs used to fasten
their nests, and AAnas told that after heavy rains the nests Avere fre-
quently washed down in great numbers. The species was common at
Bakersfield, in the San Joaquin Valley, July 17-20, and Air. Stephens
found it not uncommon at Eeche Canon, near San Bernardino, Sex)-
tember 22-24.

Chelidon erythiogaster. Barn Swallow.

The barn swallow was found noAvhere common except in Owens A^al-
ley, California. It Avas first seen at Ash Aleadows, Nevada, where two
were noted, Alarch 19. In the same State, Dr. Alerriam saw one at
Alonnt Alagruder, June 8; one in Oasis A^alley, June 1; a number in
Pahranagat Valley, Alay 22-26, where it Avas doubtless breeding, and
several near Bunkerville, in the A^irgin Valley, Alay 7-8. He saw a sin-
gle bird near St. George, in the Lower Santa Clara A^alley, Utah, about
the middle of Alay.

Air. Nelson saw it as a migrant on the diAude betAveen Panamiut and
Saline valleys, the last of Alay, and at the head of AA'illow Creek, in
fhe Panamint Alountains, about the same time. He saw barn SAvallows
at the head of OAvens Valley in the AA'hite Alountains, at the head of
Oavcus Eiver, and also in the Yosemite Valley. Mr. Stex)hens found it

Mat, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

Ill

common all tlirongli Salt Wells and Owens valleys, and the writer
found it common in the latter valley at Keeler, near Owens Lake, ami
at Lone Pine, in June. At Keeler a male was noticed every day durini'-
our stay. He sat for hours on a wire in front of the signal station Miid
produced a series of notes which were well worth the title of a song.
The sounds were more or less disconnected, hut the writer does not
remember hearing so perfect a song from any swallow, and as Mr. Lick-
nell states (Auk, Vol. i, 1881, p. 325) the notes suggest those produced
by the marsh wren.

Tachycineta bicolor. Tree Swallow.

White bellied swallows Avere seen in a few places during migration.
Several were seen at Ash Meadows, Kevada, March 12, and a number
near the Colorado River, March 10-13. At Purnace Creek, Deatli Val-
ley, it was common about the reseiAmir, March 23-21, and again the
middle of April. A few were seen in Johnson Canon in the Panamint
Range, April 1, and Mr. Kelson observed stragglers at the head of
Willow Creek in the same range, the last of May.

Tachycineta thalassina. Violet-green Swallow.

The violet-green swallow is a common summer resident among the
mountains and was frequently seen in the neighboring valleys while
searching for ibod. Two or three tvere seen near the upper end of
Vegas Wash, Kevada, March 10, and many were observed in Heath
Valley, at Furnace Creek, April 10, and at Saratoga Springs, near the
south end, April 26. In Nevada, Hr. Merriani found it common in
Pahranagat Valley, May 22-26, saw it on Mount Magruder, June 8, and
in Oasis Valley, June 1. In Utah it was common in the Lower Santa
Clara Valley, May 11-15. Mr. Kelson found it a common species in
the Panamint and Grapevine mountains, where it bred in the crevices
of the lofty cliffs, from the summits down to the border of the sur-
rounding Auxlleys. In the former range violet-green swallows Avere
common, and a specimen was secured on the summit of Telescope Peak,
June 23. In the Argus Range it was common about the summit aboA^e
Maturango Siiring, May 12-11, and at Coso, four or five came about
cam]i. May 28.

Mr. Kelson saw the species from the lower part of Saline Valley to
the summit of the Inyo Mountains, in June; up to timber line in the
White Mountains, in July, and at the heads of Owens and Merced
rivers, in the Sierra KeAmda, in July and August. In OAA^ens Valley
this swaUow was common about the lake at Keeler and at Lone Pine
during the first half of June. At the latter place it was seen flying
about in company with the cliff swmllows, white-throated and cloud
SAAlfts, at the mouth of the cauon, and AAuth the barn SAAmlloAvs over the
meadows and marshes. Mr. Stephens found it more or less common in
other parts of the valley. It was common along the valley of Kern

112

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

lliver, July 3-13; in Walker liasin, July 13-1 0, and aloii^’ tlie route to
Bakersfield, July 1(5-20. Dr. Merriaui and IMr. Pahiier louiid it abuudaut
at Old Fort Tejou, where it was breeding- in the oaks and cre\dces of
the adobe buildings; it was very connnon about the sununit of Frazier
Mountain, July 9, and at the suiuinit of Tejon Pass, July 12. In the High
Sierra it was coinniou about the openings at Horse Corral Meadows, Au-
gust 9-13; in Kiugs Eiver Canon, August 13-10; Big Cottonwood Mead-
OAVS, August 25-20; at Soda Springs or Kern River Lakes, September 3,
and above timber line at Mineral King, and along the route from that
place to Three Rivers in the Avestern foothills, September 10-13. Mr.
Bailey found the species numerous at Monterey, September 28 to Octo-
ber 9, and Mr. Stephens saAv several at Reche Canon, September 22-21.

Eecord of specimens'‘coUected of Tachycineta ihalassina.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Ilemarks.

2G9

272

293

286

287

354

?

9

d

d

9

d

Coso, Coso Woiintains, Calif. . . .

Keeler Inyo County, Calif

do

May 28, 1891
June 1,1891
do

A. K. Pislier

do

Telescope Peak.

June 2,1891

Panamint Mountains, Calif

June 23, 1891

do

Clivicola riparia. Bank swalloAv.

Bank SAAmllows were seen in two places only by members of the
expedition. Mr. Kelson saAv a feAv iii company AAdth rough-winged
swallows at the Bend of the Colorado, in Nevada, about March 10.
Mr. Stephens found it common at AKord, in OAvens Valley, where they
were breeding in the banks along the sloughs, June 2G-28.

Stelgidopteryx serripennis. Rongh-winged Swallow.

The rough-winged swalloAv was tolerably common in a number of the
desert Amlleys, where it was a summer resident. It was first seen at
Ash MeadoAvs, KeA’-ada, March 10, and in Vegas Wash, near the Bend
of the Colorado Eiver, March 10-13. A specimen was secured at Hot
Springs, in Pauamint Valley, April 22, and Mr. Kelson observed a feAv
migrants along Willow Creek, in thePanamint Mountains, thelastof May.
Dr. Merriam saw this swallow at Saratoga Springs in Death Valley,
April 26; at the Bend of the Colorado River, May 4 ; in the Valley of the
Virgin near Bunkerville, Nevada, May 8; and in Pahranagat Valley
Nevada, where it AA^as tolerably common and doubtless breeding. May
22-26. He found it common where BeaA-erdam Creek joins the Virgin
in northwestern Arizona, May 9-10, and the commonest SAvallow in the
Santa Clara Valley Utah, May 11-15. In Owens Valley a pair was
seen about aj)ond at Lone Pine, June 8, and others were observed at
Big Pine June 10. At Furnace Creek, Death Valley, several were se-
cured about the reseiwoir June 19-21, and a number Avere seen in Kern
River Valley June 22-23.

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION’.

113

Record of specimens collected of Stel(fidoptcriix serripcnnis.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Lociility.

Date.

Collector.

Kemarks.

176

340

d-

d i'll-

P.anaiiiint Valiev, Calif

Death Valley, Calif

do

Apr. 22, 1891
June 19, 1891

A. K. Fisher

....do

Hot Springs.
Furnace Creek.
Do.

Ampelis cedrorum. Cedar Waxwiiig.

The only cedar birds observed during’ the entire trip were two seen
at Lone Pine, in Owens Valley, June 14, and a flock of five, at Three
Rivers, Tulare County, September 15. At the former place they were
feeding on mulberries, which were cultivated along one of the irrigating
ditches of a fruit ranch. This berry, when it can be obtained, seems
to be their favorite food, and one which they will take in preference to
any other. Among the Creoles of Louisiana the knowledge of this fact
has given rise to the name of miirier for the cedar bird in that locality.

At Three Rivers the specimens secured were gorged with a small
wild grape {Vitis cali/orriica), which was ripening in abundance in the
low thickets along the streams.

Phainopepla nitens. Pliainopepla.

This species is a characteristic bird of the Lower Sonoran zone, where
it remains throughout the year. Several were seen among the mes-
quite at Hot Springs in Panamint Valley, in January, and a fine male
was secured at the mouth of Surprise Canon, not far from the above
Xdace, Aimil 23. Its stomach was filled with the berries of the mistle-
toe, which is a parasite on the mesquite. Several were seen at Resting
Spring in the Amargosa Desert, about the middle of February, feeding
on the same berries, which aiipear to be their principal food.

An adult male was seen at Maturango Spring in the Argus Range,
May 10, and one or two were observed at Coso the latter part of IMay.
Mr. Nelson found it rather common in the lower part of Vegas Valley
and upper iiart of Vegas Wash and very abundant in the lower part
of the Wash, near the Colorado River, in March. It was seen by Dr.
Merriam at Mountain Spiring in the Charleston Mountains, April 30,
and was common in the Lower Santa Clara Valley, Utah, June 11-15,
where several pairs were breeding in the village of St. George. An
adult female was seen by Mr. Stephens at Morans, in Owens Valley,
July 4-7, and Mr. Nelson found it rather common in the western foot-
hills of the Sierra Nevada, between the San Joaquin and Merced rivers
in August. One was seen in the chaparral above Kaweah, July 25,
and another July 30.

At Kernvillo the species was abundant in canons above the ’s illage
July 11-13, where as many as a dozen were seen at once, some sitting
on the tree tops, while others were busily engaged in capturing winged
insects after the manner of the cedar bird.

12731— No. 7 8

114

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Dr. Merriaiii met with unusual uumbers amoiif;- tiie live oaks ami
chaparral between Kernville ami Havilah, June 23 • saw many in
Walker Basin Juue 24, ami several in Tehachaiii Bass June 25. He
also noted it as common in the Sierra Liebr('. June 30, and in the
Granite Range, in western San Diego County, July 1-10.

Mr. Palmer saw several in the San Francisqnito Pass, north of Kew-
hall, July 1, and Mr. aSTelson found it common among the piuons a few
miles west of the Canada de las Uvas, the middle of October.

Mr. Bailey found a nest containing three fresh eggs in a mesqnite, near
Fort Mohave, Ariz., March 4, 1880, and one containing young, several
days old, February 28.

Becord of specimens collected of Phainopepla nitcns.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Localily.

Date.

Collector.

Kertiarks.

109

183

9

cf

Kestiiig Spi'ings, Calif

Pananinit Moiiiitaiiis, Calif.. .

Deb. 12,1891
Apr. 23, 1891

A. K. Fisher

do

Surprise Cafion.

Lanins ludovicianus excubitorides; Wliite-ruiiiped Shrike.

The white-rnmped shrike is very generally distributed over the
greater part of the desert region of southern California and Nevada.
From its habit of associating in pairs and not congregating in flocks,
it is seldom common in the sense that other birds are, though a consid-
erable number may be seen in the course of a day’s ride throngh suit-
able localities. It is especially partial to the country covered by tree
yuccas and seldom builds its nest in other growths where these abound.
Many old as well as new nests Avere found which were so Avell iirotected
by the strong, bayonet-like leaves of this plant that it was with diffi-
culty they could be reached. The species was tolerably common at
Hesperia in the Mohave Desert, January 4-5, and at Granite Wells, about
the middle of January. At Furnace Creek and Saratoga Springs, in
Death Valley, several were seen the last of January.

At Resting Springs, California, a number were seen each day during
the first half of February, and at Ash MeadoAvs, iSTevada, in March.
It was not uncommon in Vegas Valley, Nevada, where Mr. Nelson
found a small Ferognatlius and lizard impaled on thorns by it. In Coso
Valley, California, the writer observed a number of insect.s and lizards
fastened on the sharp-^Dointed leaA^es of the yuccas. In the latter place
several nests containing eggs were found in the tree yuccas during the
first half of May, and one near Darwin, in the north end of the val-
ley, June 17. lu the Coso Mountains shrikes were in sight most of the
time, and a nest containing four young was found May 27. Four other
young, just able to fly, Avere seen on the same date.

In Nevada Dr. Merriam found a nest containing six eggs on the east
slope of the Pahranagat Mountains, May 26. It was so placed in a fork
of a tree yucca that although easily seen it could not be reached from

May, 1893.] BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

115

any direction. He found the siiecies at Mountain Spring in the
Charleston Mountains, April 30; in Desert Valley, May 20; in tlie
Juniper Mountains, May 18-19; and on Gold Mountain, among tlie
yuccas on the south slope, June 3. On Mount Magruder several were
seen in Tule Canon, and thence up to an altitude of 2,450 meters (8,000
feet) in the nut pines, where it evidently was breeding, June 4-8. In
Utah it was seen in the Santa Clara Valley near St. George, May 11-15;
at Mountain Meadows, May 17 ; and among the tree yuccas on the
south slope of the Beaverdam Mountains, May 10. Several were seen
in the nut pines on the White and Inyo mountains, California.

In Owens Valley the species was quite common and numbers of
ybung birds were seen about the orchards and roadsides in June. Mr.
jNelson found it breeding in thePanamint, Grapevine, Inyo, and White
mountains and the adjacent valleys, and Dr. Merriam saw several in
the clumps of mestiuite, in Death Valley and Mesquite Valley, April 8-18

It was common in Kern Eiver Valley, Walker Pass, and Walker
Basin, and in the San Joaquin Valley between Bakersfield and Visalia.
It is a question whether the individuals seen by the writer at San Bern-
ardino, December 27-30, 1890; by Dr. Merriam in the southern part of
San Diego County, July 1-10, and by Mr. Kelson along the route from
San Simeon to Carpenteria and Santa Paula should not be referred to
the California shrike {Lanius ludovickmus gamheli).

Becorcl of speoivievs collected of Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides.

Sex.

Localit3'.

Date.

Collector.

d

d

?

cT

?

cf.juv.

?,juv.

$,iuv.

cr,juv.

?

cr.iu.v.

,2

He.speria. Calif

Granite WclL, Calif

Death Valle}*, Calif

Ash Meadows, Nev

Twelve-mile Spring, Calif. . .

Coso Mountains, Calif

do

Jan. 4, 1891
Jan. 15, 1891
Feb. 3, 1891
Mar. 4,1891
Feb. 21,1891

May 27, 1891

A. K. Fisher

do

do

do :

F. Stexdiens

A. K. Fisher

Owens Valley, Calif

June 5,1891
May 13, 1891

do

June 19, 1891

Kemarks.

Mohave Desert.

Do.

Furnace Creek.

North of Besting
Springs.

Lone Pine.

Havvay Meadows.
Do.

Independence Creek

Vireo gilvus swainsoni. Western Warbling Vireo.

The warbling vireo was seen with very little regularity and was com-
mon in few localities visited by the expedition. In Owens Valley Mr.
Stephens saw one among the willows at Haway Meadows, May 13;
found it common and migrating at Olaiicha, May 16-23; common in the
lower part of the canon of Independence Creek, June 18-23; and heard
several among the willows at the Queen mine in the White Moun-
tains, Kevada, July 11-16. At Coso one was seen among the willows
and rose bushes bordering a spring. May 23, and two were secured
at the same place the following day. Dr. Merriam shot a specimen in
worn breeding-plumage at Ash Meadows, Nevada, May 30, and saw a

116

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[Xo. 7.

pair at Keriiville, in Kern Eiver Valley, June 23. It was not uiiconi-
inon among the liills above Walker Basin, July 14, and Mr. ISTelson
noted a few at the bead of Owens Kiver the latter part of the month.
Mr. Palmer found it common at Old FortTejon, where a nest containing
four eggs, jnst ready to hatch, was discovered in a willow 10 or 12 feet
from the ground, July 4.

liecord of specimens collected of Virco ejilens swainsoni.

Col-
lect or'. s
Xo.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Ilciiiarka.

252

25:i

d

d

Coso, Coso Mouutain.s, Calif...
flo

May 24,1891

'(In

A. K. Pishor

1

Vireo solitarius cassinii. Cassia’s Vireo,

Cassin’s vireo was observed in a number of places in the Sierra Nevada
and sparingly in some of the other ranges. Dr. Merriam took a S])eci-
meu in worn breeding-plumage, June 28, at Old Fort Tejon, intheCah-
ada de las TJvas, California, the tyx)e locality of the species. AtMatn-
rango Spring, in the Argus Eange, a specimen was taken among the
pinons, May 8. Mr. Nelson found it common at the head of Owens River
and Dr. Merriam shot one among the jnnii^ers at Sheep Spring in the
Juniper Mountains, Nevada, May 19. It was observed among the pines
above Walker Basin, July 14; was common in the Sequoia National
Park during the first week in August; was seen at Horse Corral Mead-
ows, August 11; common at Kings River Canon, August 13-16; and
one was secured at Big Cottonwood Meadows, September 5.

Record of specimens collected of Fireo solitarins cassinii.

Col-

lector’s

Xo.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eemarks.

210

d

s

Juniper Moiuitain.s. Xev . . .
Argus Ilange, C.ilif

May 19. 1891
Ma'y 8, 1891

C. Hart IMerriam. .
A. K. Pislicr

Matur.ango Spring.

393

157

d

?

$ im.

Old Port Tejon, Calif

■VValkcr Basin, Calif

Sierra Xevacla, Calif

June2S, 1891
July 14. 1891
Aug. 22, 1891

T. S. Palmer

A. K. Pislicr

P. Steplions

Olancha Peok.

Vireo solitarus plumbeiis. Plumbeous Virco.

The only specimen of this vireo taken on the expedition was a male
secured by Dr. Merriam at Sheep Spring in the Juniper Mountains,
Nevada, May 19, 1891. It was in fnll song and was shot in the same tree

in which a Cassia’s vireo was killed a few minutes before.

•

Vireo bellii pusillus. Least Vireo.

The least vireo is a tolerably common summer resident in Owens
Valley, where at Lone Pine adult and young were secured in June; it
was seen by Mr. Stephens at Olancha, May 16-23, and at Bishop Creek,
August 4r-10. A specimen was secured at Furnace Creek, Death Y alley,

Mat, 1893.] BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITIOJI.

117

June 20, and tlie species was not uncoiinnon in the canon above the
ranch the following day. West of the Siena Nevada, it was coninion
at Bakerslield, in the San Joaquin Valley, July 17-20.

llccord of specimens eollected of Jlrco hdlii pusUlns.

Col-

lector's

No.

Sox.

Cociility.

Date.

Collector.

JlcTiiarks.

343

351

cT

cf

cT

?

? juv.
d

Ash Meadows, Kcv

Deatli Valiev, Calif.

May 30, 1891
-Til lie 20, ISlll
.June 21, 1891
Juno 8,1891
June 11, 1891
July 19,1891

V. Hailey

A. K. Fi.shcr

do

Furnace Creek.

L)o.

318

328

Owen.s Valiev, Calif

....do

do

l.oiu! I’iiie.

1)0.

397

Bakei'.slield, Calif.

do

Vireo vicinior. Gray Vireo.

Mr. Nelson found this vireo rather coniinon in the Grapevine Moun-
tains, Nevada, where he secured a specimen June 8. In Wood Canon,
he saw several among the pihons, and on June 10 observed one carry-
ing material for its nest. This is the only locality at which the bird
was found.

Helminthophila lucice. Lucy’s Warbler,

This rare warbler breeds in the Lower Santa Clara Valley in south-
western Utah, where two specimens were shot by Br. Merriam, May
11 and 13, the former in cottonwoods along the Santa Clara Eiver
and the latter at a small pond near the village of St. George.

lieeord of specimens collecled of Ilelmintltojyliila lucice.

Col-

lector's

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eeraarks.

cT

(Santa Clara, Utah.

May 11,1891

C. Hart Merriam .

7

St. George, Utah

May 10,1891

do

Helminthophila ruficapilla gutturalis. Calaveras Warbler.

The Calaveras warbler, with the exception of a pair seen in Shepherd
Canon in the Argus Range, California, April 29, was seen only in the
Sierra Nevada. It was common in the Sequoia National Park during
the first week of August, and a few were seen at Round Vallejq 12 miles
south of Mount Whitney, August 28. Mr. Nelson found it common at
the head of Owens River and also on the western slope in the Yosem-
ite Valley, in July and August.

Record of specimens eollected of Hehninthopliila ruficapilla (jutturalis.

Col-

lector's

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

194

405

9

Argus Eange, Calif

Sierra Nevada, Calif

Arril29,1891
Aug. 4,1891

A. K. Fisher

do

Shepherd Canon.
Sequoia National
Park.

118

NORTfl AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Helminthophila celata lutesGen.5. Lutescciit AVarblor.

This active little varbler was found to be abundant in a few i)lae(*s
during niigration. At 8an Iternardino one was s(*,(‘n on the boT'der of
a stream, Decendier 29, 1890. In the Panainint Mountains it was seen
in Johnson Canon, April 12; by Mr. Nelson among the willows at the
heads of Willow and Mill creeks, the last of IMay; and by Mr. Bailey
and the writer near the ‘charcoal kilns’ at the head of Wild Bose Canon,
June 23. In the Argns Eange, it was common both in Shepherd
Canon and at Matnrango Spring the first half of May. Mr. Stephens
saw a few migrating by Little Owens Lake, May G-ll; and at Haway
MeadoAvs, May 12-14.

It was common along the South Fork of the Kern, July 3-10. In
the High Sierra it Avas abundant in the Sequoia National Park, the first
Aveek in August; common at Horse Corral MeadoAA-s, August 9-13; at
Pound Valley, 12 miles south of Mt. Whitney, August 28; and at Min-
eral King, September 10-11. Mr. Nelson found it common at the head
of Owens River and in the Yosemite Valley in July and August.

Record of sjoecirnens collected of Helniinihojoliila celata lutescens.-

Col-
led 01 ’s
No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

ItemarlvS.

215

210

?

cT

cf

d im
d im

$ im

Argus Eimge, Calif

May 8, 1891
May 9, 1.S91

A. K. Fislier

do

Matnrango Spring.
Do.

217

DO.

159

Panamint Mountains, CaliP
Sierra Nevada, Calif

June 24, 1891
Aug. 3, 1891

Aug. 22, 1891

V. Bailey

E. AV. Nelson

Coal kilns.

South Pork Merced
Itiver.

Olaucha Peak.

Dendroica aestiva. Yellow AVarbler.

The yellow warbler was tolerably common in a number of localities
visited by members of the expedition. Mr. Nelson found it a rather
common breeding species among the aauIIows along Willow Creek, Mill
Creek, and CottoiiAvood Creek canons in the Panainint Mountains, and
noted a few in Wood Canon in the Grapevine Mountains. The same
observer found it common at the head of Owens Valley at the base of
the White Mountains and up to 2,600 meters (8,500 feet) altitude at
the head of Owens River, in the Sierra Nevada. The writer first ob-
served the species at Coso, where an adult male was seen busily en-
gaged catching insects among some Avillows and rose bushes on the
evening of May 24 and the following morning.

At Lone Pine, in Owens Valley, yellow warblers Avere common among
the orchards and shade trees, June 4-15. In the same valley, Mr.
Stephens found it common at Independence Creek, June 18-24; not com-
mon at Benton, July 9-10, and the Queen' mill, Nevada, July 11-16, and
saw two or three individuals iu the cottouAvoods at Morans, July 4-7.

In Nevada, Hr. Merriam shot a male in Pahrump Valley, on a soli-
tary mesquite bush at a small spring six miles south of Yount’s ranch,

Mat, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

119

April 29. He saw otliers at Upiier (Jottonwood Spriiij^js, at tlie east base
oftlie Charleston Mountains, Ax>ril 30] at Vegas ranch, May 1; at the
Bend of the Colorado Biver, May 4] in the valley of the Virgin and
Lower Muddy, May 6 and 8, and on Mount Magruder, June 4-8. In
Pahranagat Valley it was breeding commonly. May 22-26, this being the
only locality in Nevada at which he observed it in any numbers. He
found it common where Beaverdam Creek joins tlie Virgin in north-
western Arizona, May 10, and breeding plentifully in the Lower Santa
Clara Valley, Utah, near St. George, May 11-15. Mr. Palmer found it
very common at Old Fort Tejon the first of July. All through Kern
Valley, Walker Basin, and at Bakersfield, in the San Joaquin Valley,
this warbler was common in the willows along the streams during the
first three weeks of July, and sparingly in the latter valley as late as
October.

Record of specimens collected of Dendroica cestiva.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eeraarks.

293

94

128

129

cT

d

5

cf juv

Owen.s Valley, Calif

June 5, 1891
June 12, 1891
July 9,1891
...do

A. K. Disher

Lone Pine.
Olancha.

Benton.

Do.

Dendroica auduboni. Audubon’s Warbler.

The western yellow-rumped warbler was common as a migrant in
various localities and not uncommon as a breeder in some of the moun-
tain ranges. At San Bernardino a flock was seen in a clump of wil-
lows, and a number associated with chipjiing sparrows were seen glean-
ing insects from a field of early cabbage, December 28, 1890. A few
were found among the willows bordering the reservoir at Furnace
Creek, Death Valley, California, during the latter part of January, and
again on April 10, and a single one was seen at Ash Meadows, Nevada,
March 21. It was not uncommon at Hot Springs in Panamint Valley,
April 20-23, and at Maturango Spring, in the Argus range, the first
half of May.

In Nevada Auduboids warbler was seen by Mr. Nelson at Pahrump
and Vegas ranches in February and March; and by Dr. Merriam in
Pahrumj) Valley at Yount’s Eanch, Ax)ril 28-29; at Mountain Spring in
the Charleston Mountains, and at Upiier Cottonwood Springs at the
east base of these mountains, April 30. In Utah a few were observed
still lingering in the Santa Clara Valley, May 11-15, though the bulk
of the species had gone into the mountains before this date.

In California Mr. Nelson saw a few migrants the last of May among
the piiions at the head of Willow Creek in the Panamint Mountain^,
though none were seen later by him in these or in the Grapevine jMoun-
tains. The same observer saw a few in the Inyo Mountains from the

120

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

iipxier edge of tlie i)iuon belt to tlie summit of the range, June 24 to July
4, and sparingly in the White Mountains a little later. It was eommou
at the head of Owens Elver, from 2,500 to 2,900 meters (8,200 to 9,500
feet) altitude, and also on the Avest slope in the Yosemite Valley and
on the head of the Merced River. In Owens Valley it was observed at
Lone Pine in December, 1890, and at Little Owens Lake, May G-11.

Along the east slope of the Sierra Nevada it was seen at Independ-
ence Creek, where it was probably breeding, June 18-21; at Bishop
Creek August 4-10; at Menache Meadows May 24-2G; and at Big Cot-
tonwood Meadows during the summer and early fall.

It Avas common at Horse Corral Meadows August 10, and along the
KaAveah River, where it was breeding, from 2,130 meters (7,000 feet)
altitude up to timber line during the first part of August. Mr. Palmer
found it rather common on the summit of Frazier Mountain, near Old
Fort Tejon, on July 9. Mr. Nelson found it common at San Luis Obispo,
Santa Paula, Carpenteria, and iii the San Joaquin Valley in November
and December, 1891.

Beeord of specimens collected of Dendroica auduhoni.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

2

96

2

3

12

142

$ im.

cf

cT

cT

9

cf

San Bernardino, Calif. ......

Death Valley, Calif

Sierra Nevada, Calif

Dec. 28,1890
Deb. 1, 1891
Juno 19, 1891

A. K. Fisher

do

B. H. Dutcher

Furnace Creek.

Big Cottonwood
Meadows.

do

July 7,1891
July 26, 1891

do .

do

F. Stephens

Dendroica nigi'escens. Black-throated Gray Warbler.

The black- throated gray Avarbler was first observed among the pinons
above Maturango Spring, in the Argus Range, California, where a
female was secured May 8, coutaiuiug a large egg in the oviduct, and
on the following day one was seen carrying nesting material in its beak.
Mr. Nelson saw a few in the Panamint Mountains among the pinons on
Willow Creek the last of May, and found them breeding among the
same trees in the Grapevine Mountains. Above the ^ charcoal kilns ’ in
Wild Rose Canon in the Panamint Mountains, males Avere heard sing-
ing by Mr. Bailey and the writer June 25. This Avarbler was found
breeding in the Inyo and White Mountains and in the Sierra Nevada,
at the head of Owens River. Dr. Merriam shot one at Sheep Spring in
the Juniper Mountains, Nevada, May 19, and two in the nut pines on
Mt. Magruder, June 5. Mr. Bailey saw a feAv among the pines on the
KaAveah River the last of July, and the writer saw one on the Hockett
trail near Little CottonAvood Creek, August 23, and secured a specimen
at Three Rivers, September 14.

Mr. Nelson reported a few as seen along the coast from San Simeon
to Carpenteria, Calif., November 4 to December 18.

May, 1893.1

BIRDS OP THP DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

121

Record of specimens collected of Dendrolca nUjrescens,

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Kernarks.

rT

Argns KanM, Calif

May 9, 1891

T. S. Palmer

Matiiraniro Sprins.

V'

cf

9

do

<lo

Do.

211

May 8,1891

Do.

212

do

Do.

288

?

do .

May 13,1891
... do

do

Do.

239

9

Do.

435

?

Tlirce Eivers, Calif

Sept. 14, 1891

....do

132

$

cT

cf

?

Qnceu mine, Nev

Juniper Mountains. Nev

Mount Magriuler, Nev

do

July 11, 18.)1
MaV 19, 1801
June 5, 1891
do

P. Stepliens

C. Hart Merriam. .

V Hailey

C. Hart Merriam . .

WbitcMountain.s.

Dendroica towiisendi. Townsend’s Warbler.

Townsend’s warbler was first noted on tbe ridge above Matnrango
Spring- in the Argus Eange, California, where a male in full song was se-
cured, and others seen among thepihons May 6. From this date until the
departure of the party. May 15, the species was not uncommon, though
there was no evidence of its intention to remain and breed, as in the
ease of the black-throated gray warbler. One was seen at Coso on May
19, and Mr. Stephens saw a small flock migrating among the creosote
bushes northeast of Little Owens Lake, the second week in May.

Ill' the Sierra Nevada Mr. Nelson saw two or three on the South Fork
of the Merced Eiver August 9. They were in company with a large,
number of other small birds of several species, gleaning insects from
among the lower branches as they passed from tree to tree. On the
coast Mr. Bailey found it common at Monterey September 28 to October
9, and Mr. Nelson saw it, though very sparingly, at Morro Bay and south-
ward.

Record of specimens collected of Dendroica townsendi.

Col-

lectiir's

No.

Sex.

Loc.ality.

Date.

Collector.

Eemarks.

200

219

226

d

9

d

d

9

Argus Eange, Calif

May 6, 1891
May 9,1891

Ma'y 11, 1891

Cct. 5, 1891
Nov. 8, 1891

A. K. Pislicr

Maturaugo Spring.
Do.

Do.

do

Monterey, Calif

Morro

V. Hailey

E. AV. N'clson

Dendroica occidentali.s. Hermit Warbler.

This rare warbler was first seen among the pihons in the Argus Eange,
above Maturaugo Spring, where a pair was observed and a female se-
cured May 6. The followiug day another was seen. Mr. Nelson saw a
few among a migrating flock on the South Fork of the Merced, near
Wawona, August 9. Mr. Palmer saw one in a mixed flock of warblers
at Halsted Meadows, in the Sequoia National Park, August 7, and the
writer secured a specimen at Horse Corral Meadows August 13. Mr.
Belding saw migrants at Crocker’s, 21 miles northwest of Yosemite Val-
ley, in May.

122

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No, 7.

Ticcord of specimens collected of Dendroica occidenlalis.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

llemarks.

?

$ im.

Ariins Kanse, Calif

Sioi ia Nevada, Calif

May C, 1891
Aug. 13, 1891

A. K. Fislicr

....do

Maturango Si)riiig.
Horse Corral Mead
ows.

Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis. Gi’innelTs Water-Tlii’ush.

The'oiily individual of tliis species obtained by the expedition was an
adult male secured by Dr. Merriain and Mr. Bailey at tlie eastern edge
of the Santa Clara settlement, in the Lower Santa Clara Valley, Utah,
May 11, 1891.

Geotlilypis macgillivrayi. Macgillivray’s AVarbler.

This warbler was first observed in Shepherd Canon in the Argus
Eange, California, April 27, and afterwards at Maturango SiDriug,
where it was common among the willow thickets. At Coso, the species
was common in the shrubbery about the springs and along the canons
to the summit of the range, the latter part of May. Mr. INelson found
it a rather common migrant along the np^Der part of Willow and Mill
Creeks in the Panamiut Mountains during the last week of May.
After this date comparatively few were seen, and these only within the
sage belt along the willow-grown banks of springs and streams. A
few were seen also in Wood Caiion in the Grapevine Mountains. In
the Sierra Nevada, Mr. Nelson found it at the head of Owens
Eiver, though not common. Mr. Stephens saw a female accompanied
by young at Bishop Creek, August 4-10; Mr. Dntcher secured speci-
mens at Big Cottonwood Meadows, where the writer saw it August 2G;
and several were seen in the Sequoia National Park during the first
week in August.

In Nevada Dr. Merriain found Macgillivray’s Warbler common in
Pahranagat Valley, May 22-26, immediately after a severe snowstorm,
and thought it did not breed in the valley. He saw a single individual
on Mount Magruder, Nevada, June 8, and Mr. Nelson found a few at
the heads of streams on the east slope of the White Mountains.

Beeord of specimens collected of Geotlilypis macgillivrayi.

Col-

lector's

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Neruarlis.

218

5

May 9,1891
May 24, 1891
May 25, 1891
May 28,1891

Maturango Spring.

254

rC

Cost), Coso Mountains, Calif. .

J

$

267

do

May, 1S03.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

123

Geothlypis trichas occidentalis. Western Yellow-tliroat.

The western yellow-throat was coninion in only a few localities vis-
ited by the expedition. At San Bernardino, Calif., it was tolerably
coininon along the streams and in the thickets, Deceiid^er 28-29,
1890. It was seen in Surprise Canon in the Panamijit Mountains,
April 16, and was not uncommon at Hot Springs in Panarnint
Valley, April 20-25. Mr. Nelson found a few during the latter X)art of
May in the willows on Mill and Willow creeks in the Panarnint Moun-
tains, but observed none in the Grapevine Mountains. He saw a few
at Hunter Canon on the east slope of the Inyo Mountains, and also
among some willows in Saline Valley. In Owens Valley it was a tol-
erably common summer resident from Little Owens Lake up to the
head of the valley at the base of the White Mountains. In Heath
Valley the species was not uncommon in Furnace Creek Canon and at
Bennett Wells, June 19-21.

In Nevada, Hr. Merriam found it tolerably common and breeding in
Pahranagat Valley, and saw it at Vegas Eanch, May 1, and along the
Lower Santa Clara in Utah, May 11-15.

It was common along the South Fork of the Kern Elver, California,
July 3-10; at Kernville, July 11-13; in Walker Basin, July 13-16, and
at Bakersfield in the San Joaquin Valley, July 17-20.

On the coast of California Mr. Nelson found it, though in limited
numbers, at the head of Morro Bay, and thence southward.

JRecord of sjiecimens collected of Geoihli/pis trichas occidentalis.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Hem arks.

8

174

350

78

82

?im.

cT

d

d

?

San Bernardino, Calif

Panamint Valiev, Calif

Deatli Valley, Calif

Owens Valley, Calif

Doc. 28,1890
Apr. 21, 1891
June 21, 1891
June 9,1891
June 10, 1891

A. K. Fislier

do •-

do

F. Stephens

Hot Springs.
Furnace Creek.
Olancha.

Icteria virens longicauda. Long-tailed Chat.

Owing to the lack of suitable localities for nesting the yellow-breasted
chat was found sparingly in most of the region traversed by the expe-
dition. It was moderately common in Owens Valley, at Lone Pine,
June 4-15, and Mr. Stephens found it in the same valley, though not
commonly, at Olancha, May 16-23; at Ash Creek, May 30-June 3; at
Independence Creek, June 18-23, and at Morans, July 4-7. Mr. Nelson
saw and heard one, which sang in the evening and the greater irart of
the night of May 22, near his camp on Willow Creek in the Panamint
Mountains, and observed others in the Inyo Mountains, from Hunter’s
arastra down to the bottom of Saline Valley, during the latter part of
June. At Furnace Creek, Heath Valley, chats were tolerably common
at the ranch and in the caiion above it, June 19-21. At Kernville,
Calif., and along Kern Valley, chats were common June 22-23, and

124

NOETH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

July 11-13; in Walker Basin, July 13-lG, and several were seen in tlie
Canada de las Uvas June 28, 29. At Bakersiield, in the San Joaquin
Valley, it Avas seen or heard every day from July 17-20.

lu NeAmda, Dr. Merriam found it in the lower part of Vegas Wash,
May 3; at tlie Bend of the Colorado, May 4; in the valleys of the Vir-
gin and Muddy, May C-8; and in Paliranagat Valley, as a common
breeder. May 22-20. In tlie Santa Clara Valley, Utah, it Avas a toler.
ably common breeder. May 11-15.

Eecord of specimens collected of Icteria virens longicauda.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

D.ate.

Collector.

Eemarlis.

294

349

cf

cf

Owens Valley, Calif............

Death Valley, Calif

June 5, 1891
June21, 1891

A. K. Fisher

do *

Lone Pine.
Furnace Creek.

Sylvania pusilla pileolata. Pileolated AV artier.

The black- capped warbler Avas first seen in Surjirise Canon in the
Panamint Mountains, April 17, and Mr. Uelson found it rather common
among the willows at the head of Willow, Mill, and Cottonwood
creeks in the same mountains the last of May, after Avhich time he did
not see it there. A few were seen in the Argus Eange in Shepherd
Canon, April 27, and the species was common about Maturango
Spring, in the willows and rosebushes during the first half of May. It
was seen in the Coso Mountains in the bottom of the canons among
the shrubbery, the last of May, and at the head of the streams in thck
White Mountains, in July. Mr. Stephens found it migrating in Salt
Wells Valley, May 1-5; at Little Owens Lake, May 6-11; at Olancha,
May 16-23; and in Eeche Canon, September 22-24. In the High Sierra
it was seen in the Sequoia National Park the first Aveek in August; at
Horse Corral MeadoAvs, August 9-13; at the head of Owens Eiver and
on the Avestern sloiie opposite, in July and August; at Big Cotton-
Avood Meadows, during the summer; at Eound Valley, 12 miles south
of Mount Whitney, the last of August; and north of Mineral King,
September 10-11.

In Nevada, Dr. Merriam saAv it at a large spring in Pahrump Valley,
April 29; at Mountain Spring in the Charleston Mountains, April 30;
at Upper Cottonwood Springs at the east base of these mountains, the
same day; at Vegas ranch. May 1; at the Bend of the Colorado, May
4; and in the Valley of the Virgin and Lower Muddy, May 6.

Record of specimens collected of Sglvania pusilla pileolata.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eemarks.

190

223

13

c?

9

cT

Argus EaJice, Calif

Apr. 27, 1891
May 10, 1891
July 7, 1891

A. N. Fisher

Shepherd Canon.
Maturango Spring.j.
Big Cottonwood
Meadows.

Sierra Nevada, Calif

B.H. Du teller

Mat, 1893,]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

125

Anthiis pensilvanicus. Titlark.

The titlark was found as a winter resident in suitable localities in
southern California and JSTevada.

In California Mr. Nelson saw a few at Lone Pine, and found it very
common along' the shore of Owens Lake in December, 1800 j he also
saw a few at Hot Springs, Panamint Valley, in the early part of Jan-
uary, where the writer secured a specimen, April 22, 1891. At San
Bernardino several flocks were seen in a wet meadow bordering a
stream, on December 28, 1890. In Death Valley a flock of twenty or
more was always to be found in the alfalfa fields at Furnace Creek, and
a few were observed at Saratoga Springs during the latter part of
January. Dr. Merriam saw two in the Mohave Desert on the sand
beach bordering the Mohave Eiver at Victor, March 30. At various
places in the San Joaquin Valley Mr. Nelson found it congregated in
small flocks in October, and common in fields and along the coast from
San Simeon to Carpenteria, in November and December.

In Nevada the species was common at Ash Meadows in flocks on the
wet marshes and plowed fields during the first three weeks of March,
and Mr. Nrlsoii found it not uncommon about wet ground in both Vegas
and Pahrump valleys, and near the up]Der end of Vegas Wash about
the same time.

Bccovd of specimens collected of Anthus pensilvanicus.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

llemarks.

6

89

90
182

cT

9

9

9

San Bernardino, Calif

Death Valley, Calif

Dec. 28,1890
Jan. 30,1891

A. K. Fisher

---.do

Furnace Creek.

Do.

Hot Springs.

Panamint Valley, Calif

Apr. 23, 1891

....do

Cinclus mexicanus. Water Ousel.

The dipper or water ousel was seen oidy along the streams of the
Sierra Nevada, in California. In December, 1890, Mr. Nelson saw one
on Owens Elver at the mouth of Lone Pine Creek. The writer first
observed the species on the South Fork of Kern Elver, where a
.specimen was secured July 7 as it was flying from boulder to boulder
in a rai)id portion of the stream. It was seen at Horse Corral Meadows
August 9-13, and was common in Kings Eiver Caiion August 13-16.
At the latter place an old nest was discovered in the eroded end of a
drift log which hung out over a waterfall. The dijiper was met with by
Mr. Nelson at the head of Owens Elver and in the Yosemite Valley,
and by Mr. Stephens at Bishop Creek. It was common in the high
mountains along the streams in Big Cotton wood and Whitney Meadows,
where specimens were secured. Mr. Palmer observed one at an alti-
tude of about 3,500 meters (11,600 feet) in Langley Meadow September
10.

[N'O. 7.

126 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

liccord of sjyecimcns collected of Cinclus mcxicanus.

Col-

lector's

Xo.

Sex.

Locality.

Halo.

Collector.

Eeniarks.

'381

433

15

24

410

im.

d

d

d

d

Kern Kiver, Calif

Whitney lileadow.s, Calif. . . .
Sierra Nevada, Calif

dnlv 7, IStil
Ang. 31, 18i)l
July 8, 18!)1

Ang. 2, ISill
Ang. 14,1801

A. K; Eisher

. . . .do

1!. 11. Dutclier

do

South Fork

Big Cottonwood
Meadow.s.
no.

Kings Eiver Canon, Calif. . .

A. K. Kishor

Oroscoptes montanus. Sage Thraslier.

Tlie sage tliraslier is a cliaracteristic iiiliabitaiit of tlie sage plains,
occurring in coinxiany witli the sage sx)arrow [Amiihispiza belli neva-
densis), Brewer’s sx)arrow {Spizella hreweri), and tlie lark sparrow
( Chondestes grammaeus strigatus). It was not found in the lower valleys
except as a winter resident. A flock of six or eight was seen at Hes-
Xieria in the- Mohave Desert, January 4, and about an equal number
at Granite Wells, January 13-15. One was observed at Mesquite Well
in Death Valley, January 20. Mr. Nelson saw about half a dozen
in the sage brush on the divide between Willow and Cottonwood
creeks in the Panainint Mountains, where they seemed to be breeding
during the last of May. Dr. Merriam found the species common
among the sage brush north of Telescope Peak Ajiril 15. A iiair was
observed in Goso Valley, below Matnrango Spring, May 11, and Mr.
Nelson reported the sxiccies common in the same jilace in January.

In Nevada a few were noted at Ash Meadows in March, and Mr.
Nelson found them in both Pahrumj) and Vegas valleys. Dr. Mer-
riam found them common in the sage brush on the rolling plateau of
the Juniper Mountains, May 18; in the valley between Gold Mountain
and Mount Magruder, June 4; and on Mount Magruder jilateau, June
5-8, where a nest containing two fresh eggs was found in a sage bush,
June 8. In the Santa Clara Valley in southwestern Utah, they were
not found near St. George, but were seen first on May 15, about 8
miles northwest of that place where the sage brush begins. A few
miles further north, at the ux)]3er Santa Clara Crossing, they were
one of the most abundant birds, May 17 ; and at Mountain Meadows,
Utah, where they were common, he shot an adult male sitting on a
nest containing four fresh eggs, May 17. Mr. Nelson found them spar
ingly among the pinons in the Inyo Mountains, California, the latter part
of June; saw a few on the White Mountains and found them rather
common about the head of Owens Valley, in July. He reported them
as common uxi to 2,450 meters (8,000 feet), at the head of Owens Eiver.
Mr. Stephens saw several at Morans, July 4-7 ; found them common at
Benton, July 9-10; and at Queen mine, in the White Mountains,
Nevada, where a few were heard singing, July 11-lG.

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

127

Record of specimens collected of Oroseopdes montanus.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

Hesperia, Calif

Granite Wells, Calif

Jan. 4, 1891
Jan. 14,1891

A. K. Fisher

do

Coso Valiev, Calif

Panamint Mountains, Calif

Owen.s Valiev, Calif

Asli Meadows, Nov

St. George, Utah

Mountain Meadows, Utah

May 12,1891
Apr. 15, 1891
July 9,1891
Mar. 11,1891
May 16, 1891
May 17, 1891

T. S. Palmer

P. Stepliens

do

do

V. Bailey

C. Hart Merriam. .

Col-

lector’s

No.

lleinarka.

34

51

60

45

130

30

Bouton.

3,800 feet altitude.
Ne.st and egg.s.

Mimiis polyglottos. Mocking Bird.

The mockingbird wa.s foimd sparingly in the desert regions of Cali-
fornia, and was more or less common in similar localities in hTevada,
Utah, and Arizona. It was common about San Bernardino, Calif.,
and in Cajon Pass the first of January and the latter part of March.
Ill Death Yalley, one was seen at Saratoga Springs in the latter part
of January, and others in various other parts of the valley proper and
in the northwest arm (Mesquite Yalley), Axiril 8-13, but was not seen
anywhere in the valley during the trip of June 19-21. It was found
at Hot Springs in Panamint Yalley, April 20-21, and was tolerably
common among the yuccas in Coso Yalley and Mountains, throughout
May. Mr. Yelson found it through the north end of the Panamint Moun-
tains from the divide between Cottonwood and Willow creeks down to
the bottou of Mesquite and Saline valleys. In the Grapevine Moun-
tains it ranged up to the base of the main summits, at an altitude of
2,450 meters (8,000 feet). The same observer found it common as high
as the lower edge of the iiinoiis in the Inyo Mountains, to 2,370 meters
(7,800 feet) at the head of Owens River in the Sierra, and a few from’
the head of Owens Yalley up to 2,430 meters (8,000 feet) in the White
Mountains.

InUevada, Dr. Merriam fouhd Mocking Birds in Tide Caiioii, at the
extreme northern end of the northwest arm of Death Yalley, June 4 ; on
the southern slope of Gold Mountain, among the tree yuccas, June 3;
in Oasis Yalley, June 1 ; intheTimpahute Mountains, May 20 (among the
,tree yuccas) ; in Pahranagat Yallej^, May 22-26 (common and breeding) ;
at Pahroc Spring, May 20-22; in Meadow Creek Yalley, May 19; in
the valleys of the Muddy and Yirgin, May 6-8 (common); at the Bend
of the Colorado May 4; in Yegas Yalley and Wash, April OO-Maj^ 3;
and in Pahrnmp Yalley, April 28-29 (several in the tree yuccas on east
side of valley). In Utah, he found them common in the Lower Santa
Clara Yalley, May 11-15, and abundant on both sides of the Beaver-
dam Mountains, May 10-11.

They were tolerably common in Owens Y alley, Calif., where they were
seen at Little Owens Lake, Keeler, and Lone Pine. A pair was seen on
the eastern slope of Walker Pass, July 1, and another at Walker Basin,

128

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7

July 15; they were common at Bakersfield, July 17-20; iu Teliaeliai)!
Pass, June 25, and a few were observed around Adsalia iu July. Sev-
eral were seen iu Beclie Cauou, by Mr Stephens, Sei)tember 22-24; and
a male by Mr. Nelson at Santa Paula, during the last of December.

Harporhyiichus redivivus. Californiii Thrasher.

The California thrasher is a bird of the chaparral and was not found
in the desert regions east of the Sierra Nevada. At San Bernardino
the writer saw one December 29, 1890, and Mr. Stephens reported the
species rather common iu Beche Canon near the same place, Sep-
tember 22-24, 1891. A x)air was seen at Cane Brake ranch on the
western slope of Walker Pass, Jidy 3, and several at Keruville, where
t\yo were secured July 12. A number were seen in Walker Basin, July
13-16, and Dr. Merriam found the species common between that place
and Calieiite June 24; in the Canada delas IJvas Juue 28-29; and in
the Sierra Liebre June 30. In the latter range it passes over the
divide and occurs iu the chaparral on the north slo^ie, close to the
edge of the Mohave Desert. Several were seen at Bakersfield, in the
San Joaquin Valley, July 17-20, Mr. Bailey saw a pair in the oak
brush just below the edge of the conifers on the Kaweah Biver, and
others at Boulder Creek; and Mr. Nelson found them common along the
coast, from Morro to Santa Paula, during November and December.

Record of spccimetxs collected of narjxorhyxichiis redivivus.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Hem a fits.

386

165

$ im.

9

cf

Kernvillo, Calif

July 11, 1891

A. K. Fisher

Hesperi.a, Calif

Sept. 15, 1891

F. Stei)heiis

Harporhyiichus lecontei. LeCoute’s Thrasher.

Le Conte’s thrasher is a characteristic bird of the deserts of south-
eastern California and southern Nevada ami Arizona, wliere it was
found in all the Lower Sonoran valleys east of the Sierra visited by
the expedition. It is not a migratory species and probably remains in
the vicinity of its summer home the entire year. This statement is *
strengthened by the fact that in most places where the species was
found old nests were also observed. These were placed iu arborescent
cactuses, mesquite, or other thorny shrubs.

This thrasher was first seen by us not far from Victor, iu the Mohave
Desert, California, January 7, and a number were noticed between
Daggett and Granite Wells, January 8-13 and April 4-6. In Death
Valley, a pair was seen at Bennett Wells January 21, others about the
middle of April, and a pair with five young on June 21; at Furnace
Creek one was seen the last ot January. At Besting Si3rings the spe-

-May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

129

cies M as very coiimioii among’ the mestjuite, vliere the males v^erc ire-
queiitly heard singing' from their perches on the uppermost brandies,
February (J-17.

Ill Nevada it mtis common at Ash MeadoM^s in Marcli, and Mr. Nel-
son found it in Paliriimp Valley, at the Mmstern base of the Cliarleston
Mountains. East of Palirump AMlley Dr. Merriam saiv several Ajnil
2d, and a full-groivn young was shot among the yuccais. He killed
one ill Vegas Valley May 1, and found the species tolerably common in
the valley of the Virgin and Lower Muddy. A nest mtis found in a
•branching cactus {Opuntia eohinocarpa) on the mesa betu^eeu these
rivers, and, although the parent bird muis on the nest, no eggs had been
laid. Ill southM’estern Utah it was found on the M-est side of the
Beaverdam Mountains almost to the suiiiniit of the range, keeping in
the tree yuccas and arborescent cactuses with the cactus wren.

At Hot Springs, in Paiiamint Valley, California, it M’as seen the
last of April, and in Ooso Valley and Mountains through IMay. It is
common in Owens Valley, from Little Owens Lake, v^hereMr. Stephens
found a nest and three eggs and a brood of nearly gro'^m young, to Ben-
ton, M’here both he- and Mr. Nelson sav^ it. Mr. Stephens found it
common in Salt Wells Valley, where nests and young ivere observed.
In Walker Pass it was common among the tree yuccas on the east side,
and Dr. Merriam saw several on the west slope, about 4 miles from
the summit, June 22-23. He found it common throughout the western
tongue of the Mohave Desert, vdiere a nest containing two half-groMm
young was found in a branching cactus [Opimtia ecMnocarpa) June 27:

In the San Joa({uin A^alley Mr. Nelson found it common about the
southern and western sides of Buena Vista Lake, and thence west and
nortliM’est for 15 to 18 miles toivard the base of the Temploa Mountains.
This was the actual range in which he noted the species, though it un-
doubtedly occupied much more territory in the vicinity, where the low
groMdli of desert bushes and sandy arroyos near the lake formed a
congenial home.

LeConte’s thrasher is a sly, skulking species, quite difficult to col-
lect, and when running about among the desert shrubbery closely
resembles the road-runner in form and actions.

The song of this species like that of the other members of the genus
is SAveet and variable, and in many respects rivals that of the mocking-
bird in musical elegance. In many places throughout its range the
young (just before they leave the nest) are regularly hunted by both
whites and Indians for thcpuiqiose of making cage birds of them.

At Keeler, in Ovsens Falley, Mr. H. E. Wilkinson, meteorological
observer, had one ivhich was allowed the freedom of the house. ItM'as
very tame and Avoiild alloAV itself to be caught and placed in the cage
for the night. One of its favorite amusements Avas to sit on the win-
dow sill and catch the flies Avhich Avere moving on the iianes.

12731— No. 7 9

130

NORTH AMKRIOAN FAUNA.

[Xo. 7.

Ilccord of specimens collected oj ITarpo rli ynclnis lecnnlei.

Col-

loiitor's

Ko.

121

133

Sox.

cT

cT

cT

cT

cf

cf

cf

?

d .iuv.
2 im.
d

Locality.

Rc.sting Springs, Calif

do

Twclve-iuile Spring, Calif..

Asli Meadows, Xcv

do

do

Paliruinp Valley, Xov

do

do

Vegas Valley, Nev

Beaverdam " Mountains,
TJtali.

Date.

Feb. 14,1891

do

Feb. 20,1891

Mar. 19, 1891
j\Iar. 10, 1891
Mar. 19, 1891
Feb. 11,1891

....do

Apr. 29, 1891
May 1, 1891
May 10, 1891

Collector.

F. Stepbciis

do

do

E. W. Nel-son...
A. K. Fisher . . .

. . . .do

E. W. Nelson. . .

do

C. Hart Merriam

....do

do

Remarks.

North of Kestino
Springs.

29

104

53

284

126

cT

d

?

cT

d im.

?

d im.

Table Mountain, Nev

Buena Vista Lake, Calif

Hesperia, Calif

Salt AVells Valley, Calif . . . .

Owens Valley, Calif

do

do

May 6, 1891
OcL 26,1891
S(!pt. 15, 1891
May 4, 1891
Juno 2,1891
Dec. 27,1890
July 3,1891

F. Stei)hens

E. AV. Nelson

F. Stephens .

do

A. Tv. Fisher

E. W. Nelson

F. Stephens.

Amargosa Desert.
San Joafiiiin Valley.

Keeler.

Lone Pine.

22 miles north of
Bishop.

44

17

16

99

100

101

107

Coso Mountains

do

Panamint Valley, Calif

Daggett, Calif , . .

Mohave Desert, Calif . .

do

Death Valley, Calif . . . .

do

Garliok Springs, Calif.

do

Besting Springs, Calif.

do

do

do

Dec. 31, 1890

do

Jan. 10,1891
Jan. 7, 1891
June 27, 1891

do

June 21, 1891
Jan. 30,1891
Feb. 10,1891

do

PAb. 7,1891

do

do

Feb. 11,1891

E. W. Nelson

V. Bailey

....do

A. K. Fisher

T. S. Palmer

....do

V. Bailey

E. W. Nelson

F. Stephens

do

A. K. Fisher

do

...do

do

V'^illow Spring.
Do.

Bennett Wells.
Saratoga Springs.

Harporhynclius cri.ssalis. Crissal Tliraslier.

Tlie crissal tliraslier was not found iu tlie Mohave or Amargosa
deserts, nor iu Death, Panamint, or other valleys west of the Charles-
ton Mountains, where LeConte’s thrasher is so common. Dr. Merriam
found it from Yegas Yalley, Nevada, eastward. He observed it iu the
valley of the Yirgiu, near St. Joe, Nev., May 7, and near Bunker-
ville. May 8 ; and found it a common breeder in the Lower Santa Clara
Yalley, Utah, where a nest containing two fresh eggs ivas discovered
in a bush of Atriplex torreyi, about 3 feet above the ground. May
16. Mr. Nelson also found a nest containing three eggs, at Cottonwood
Spring, at the east base of the Charleston Mountains, March 8. The
bird was shot from the nest, which was placed partly on one of the
large branches of a desert willow {Gliilopsis saligna) and partly on top
of an Atriplex catiescens bush growing under it. The structure was
formed externally of coarse tAvigs, a feAV inches long, and lined with
hemp-like strips of bark from a plant growing iu the vicinity.

Heleodyte.s brmineicapillus. Cactus Wren.

The cactus wren is an abundant and characteristic bird of the
LoAver Sonoran Zone, breeding Avherever there are suitable forests of
tree yuccas or arborescent cactuses, and sometimes in other forms of
spiny vegetation, as the desert acacia {Acacia greygii). It Avas first

Mat, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY E.KPEDITION.

131

seen in the Mohave Desert, at Hesperia, a few miles from the summit of
Cajon Pass, where the males were singing from the to])S of the tree
yuccas, January 4-5. Mr. Stephens found a nest containing four fresh
eggs in a^cholla’ (cactus) in Salt Wells Valley, about S miles north of
Indian Wells, the 1st of May, and saw the species sparingly in Owens
Valley, a few miles north of Little Owens Lake. In the Ooso Valley,
and at Coso in the mountains of the same name, Mr. Palmer and the
writer found this species among the tree yuccas, and the former observer
found a number of old nests during the first half of May. In the
early part of July, the species was very common in Walker Pass,
where as many as half a dozen were seen in one yucca, and at the
South Fork of the Kern Eiver it was found to be common wherever
yuccas occurred. Mr. Kelson found it rather common about the ranch
in Vegas Valley, Kevada, and still more numerous among themes(ptite
in Vegas Wash near the Colorado Eiver, wdiere the birds were in full
song, March 10.

Dr. Merriam furnished the following notes on this species: “In the
Mohave Desert, California, many nests were found in tree yuccas
between Cajon Pass and Pilot Knob, the first week in April, but none
of them contained eggs. The species reaches the extreme western
end of the desert (Antelope Valley), and a few were seen in yuccas
and sage-brush in a wash leading south from Gorman ranch toward
Peru Creek, June 30.

“From the Mohave Desert the cactus wren extends uj) the wash leading
to Tehachapi Basin, where it was tolerably common in the yuccas and
^ chollas’ below Cameron. In Walker Pass, it ranges from the east or
Mohave Desert side completely across the Sierra to the valley of Kern
Eiver, where it is abundant in groves of tree yuccas and in ‘ chollas’
down to 820 meters (2,700 feet) altitude, and where dozens of their
large nests were seen in the cactuses, June 22. In Kevada two nests
were found in Acacia greggii at Bitter Springs in the Muddy Moun-
tains, May 5; both had been used the present season, and one con-
tained an addled egg. The species was common on the high mesa
between the Muddy and Virgin rivers. May 7, where nearly every
branching cactus contained the remnants of a nest, but all the young
had hatched and flown away. In the Beaverdam Mountains, in south-
western Utah, they were common in yuccas and cactuses up to 1,150
meters (3,800 feet) on the west slope. In the Lower Santa Clara Val-
ley, Utah, near St. George, they were common, breeding in the arbo-
rescent cactus, May 11-15. This valley is the extreme northeastern
limit of distribution of the species. In Southern California, on the
coast slope, it is abundant on the San Bernardino Plain, and thence
southward. Many were seen in the Santa Clara Valley at its junction
with Castac Creek, June 30, where its nests were conspicuous in the
tall cactus {Ojguntia hernarcUna)^^

132

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

fXo. 7.

Jiccord of specimois coUcclcd of HcJcodijlcs J)i'ii)uidca2)iUits.

Col-

lector’s

Ko.

Sox.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

lleinarks.

32

cT

d

d

Hesperia, Calif

Jan. 4,1891

A. K. Fislicr

do

380

Kern lliver, Calif

July 0, 1891

....do

South Fork.

Salpiuctes obsoletiis. Rock Wren.

The rock wren was seen wherever there were bare rocks suited to its
wants, troin the lowest valleys to above timber line on the highest
moiintains. It was seen at Granite Well in the Mohave llesert, Jan-
uary 13 5 at Lone Willow Spring, January 17; at Mesquite Well, in
Death Yalley, January 20; and in Furnace Creek Canon, in the Funeral
Mountains, February 5. In the Panamint Mountains, it was common
in Johnson, Surprise, and Emigrant canons in April, and Mr. ISTelson
found it common and widely distributed along Cottonwood Canon,
where young, following their parents, were seen during the last of May.
In the latter part of June several were seen in Death Valley Cafioii, a
few hundred feet above the valley, and thence to the summit of Telescope
Peak, where a family of six or eight were seen among the loose rocks.

In Nevada this wren was not uncommon at Ash Meadows, in Oasis
Valley, and in the Grapevine Mountains in March, and in the latter
mountains was breeding commonly in May. Mr. Nelson found it
sparingly at various places in Pahrump Valley and along the route to
the Bend of the Colorado in March. Dr. Merriam found it common in
Tide Canon, and thence up to the summit of Mount Magruder, in
rocky places, June 4-9; on Gold Mountain, June 3; in Pahranagat
Valley, May 22-26; and in the Pahroc Mountains, near Pahroc Spring,
May 21-22. In Utah, he reported it common along the cliffs of the
Santa Clara Valley, May 11-15; at the Upper Santa Clara Crossing,
May 10; and saw two pairs in the junipers in the Beaverdam Moun-
tains, May 11 .

In Shepherd Canon and at Matnrango Spring, in the Argus Eange,
California, it was common during the first half of May, and in tlie
canons in the Coso Mountains during the latter part of the month.
Mr. Nelson found it ranging from the bottoms of the valley to the
summit of Inyo and White mountains and to timber line at the head
of Owens Elver. In the former range, at Cerro Gordo, Mr. Palmer
found young just out of the nest, May 31. The species was common
and well distributed in Owens Valley from the lower end of Owens
Lake to the upper part, at the base of the White Mountains. It was
common along the western slope of Walker Pass, along Kern Elver
Valley and beloiv Old Fort Tejon, in the Canada de las Uvas. In the
High Sierra it was common at Big Cottonwood Meadows during
the summer, and one was seen at Eound Valley, 12 miles south of
Mount Whitney, above timber line, August 28, and one at Whitney
Meadows about the same time.

rJAY, 1893.]

niKDS OF -THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

133

L’ccord of upccUnens collected of l^ulpincles ohsolelus.

Col-

lector's

Ko.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Ileinarks.

9

04

275

330

42

cf

d

cf.jUY.

?

d

Daggett, Calif

Loiio AVillow Spring, Calif.

Owens Valley. Calif

do ’

Grapevine Spring, Calif

Fob. 7, 1891
Jan. 17,1891
Jane 1,1891
June 11, 1891
April 2,1891

F. Steplicn.s..
A. 1C. Fisher.

...do

do

F. Stephen.^..

Mohave Desert.

Keeler.

Lone Pine.

Catherpes mexicanus con.speimis. Cafioii Wren.

The canon Avren was found in a nuinljer of tlie mountain ranges A'is-
ited by the expedition in California and Nevada. In a few places in
the Panainint Mountains it was common, but in no otlier of the desert
ranges was it found in any numbers. We first. observed it in Furnace
Creek Canon in the Funeral Mountains, on our way to the Amargosa
Desert early in February, and again on the return trij) in the latter
pai t of March. Mr. Bailey saw one at Saratoga Springs in the south-
ern end of Death A alley, in February. In Johnson and Surprise canons,
in the Panamint Eange, it vms common, and males were heard singing
at all times of day during the first half of Ajiril. A few Avere seen by
Mr. JSTelson on the east or Saline Valley side of the Inyo Mountain sin
the latter part of the same month. In the Argus Eange it was seen in
Shepherd Caiion in January and Axiril, and at Lookout in the latter
part of June. Dr. Merriam found it among the cliffs in the juniper
belt on both sides of the Beaverdam Mountains, in southwestern Utah,
May 10-11. He also found it breeding along the cliffs in the Lower
Santa Clara Valley, Utah, May 11-15, and at the Upper Santa Clara
crossing. May 10. Two AAmre seen in the Pahroc Mountains, near Pah-
roc Spring, Uevada, May 23. In the northern part of the range, and
in the Grapevine Mountains, Kevada, Mr. Uelson did not find it com-
mon during May and early June.

The folloAA’ing notes may refer AAUolly or in part to the present race
of the caiion wren, or to the California coast form {punctuJafus). as no
specimens were preseiwed for identification. SeAmral Avere seen along
the South Fork of Kern Eiver, and near KernAdlle, Calif., in early July.
Dr. Merriam saAv several in the Canada de las UAms, and heard it in
the caiion of Peru Creek beloAv Alamo ranch, in the Sierra Liebre, June
30. A few were seen at Three Elvers, Tulare County, in the Avestern
foothills of the Sierra, July 25-29, and September 17, and in the Se-
quoia Kational Park, at Halsted MeadoAA^s, August 6. SeAmral were
seen by Mr. Palmer at Michigan Bluff, Placer County, the last week
in September.

134

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[Xo. 7.

liccoril of specimens collected of (kiiherpes mexicunus conspevsus.

Col-

lector’s

Ko.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Pk cm ark a.

9

Jan. 10,1891

d

Panamiut Mountains, Calif

Mar. 30, 1891

E. W. Kelson

Johnson Canon.

9

Mar. 28, 1891

Do.

143

rC

(lo

Do.

15G

9

Apr. 13, 1891

do

157

cT

do

Do.

165

Apr. 18, 1891

Do.

Thryothorus bewickii spilurus. Vigors’s Wren.

A specimen taken at San Bernardino, December 29, 1890, altbougb
not typical of this race, resembles it more closely than it does any other.
The bird which Mr. Bailey saw commonly at Monterey was undoubt-
edly this subspecies. Mr. Nelson found a form of Bewick’s wren which
probably belongs to this race common at San Luis Obispo, the last of
October, in the Tejon and Temploa mountains about the same time,
and along the route from San Simon to Carpenteria and Santa Paula
during November and December.

Thryothorus bewickii bairdi. Baird’s Wren.

The white- throated wren was more or less common in various places
visited by the expedition. One was seen among the tree yuccas at Hes-
Xieria, in the Mohave Desert, January 4. In Death V alley a specimen was
secured at Furnace Creek January 31, and a few individuals were seen
among the mesquite thickets at Bennett Wells, and between that place
and Saratoga Springs, about the same time. A few were seen at Best-
ing Springs in the Amargosa Desert, in February.

In the Panamiut Mountains it was seen in Johnson Canon, early in
April; by Dr. Merriam in Emigrant Canon, Ai^ril 14-15; on the north
sideof Telescox>e Peak, A^nil 17-19, and by Mr. Nelson in Surindse Canon,
in January. In the Argus Eange a few were seen in Shepherd Canon
in January, and a si^ecimen was secured at Maturango Spring May
13. In the Coso Mountains a family in which the young were full
grown and able to fly was seen in one of the canons, May 23. Dr.
Merriam saw many on the summit of the White Mountains, between
Deej) Spring and Owens valleys, where young were following their par-
ents about among the pinoii and junix)er, June 9. Mr. Nelson found it
common at Lone Pine in December, 1890, and two or three were seen
in Walker Pass, July 2-3. The species was common along the South
Fork of Kern Elver to Kernville, July 3-13, and Mr. Palmer saw one
in Kings Eiver Canon in August. Mr. Stex)hens saw it at the Queen
mine in the White Mountains, Nevada, July 11-16.

In Nevada, several were seen at Ash Meadows, Pahrumj) and Vegas
valleys, and in the Graijevine Mountains, in March. In the Santa Clara
Valley, Utah, one was shot and several others seen, May 11-16, and an
old nest was found in a hole in a cottonwood, about 3 feet above the
ground.

^rAY,lS03.] 1}IKD>S OF THE DEATH V^AEr>EY EXPEDITIOX. 135

Recovd of upccimenn collected of 'J'hriiolliorHn hcwickii hairdi.

Col-

lector'.s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collcctt>r.

lleinarks.

]2

5

Sau Jjci'iiai'ilino, Calif

Dec. 29, 1899

A. K. Fisher

Ite.seinhling closely
spilurus.

94

cf

Death Valley, Calif

,T.an. 31,1891

(To

Furnace Creek

23G

cT

jirii'Ms Kaiiji'e, Calif

May 13, 1891

do

1 Maturanso t^^irintr.

21

d

d

liestiiis Springs, Calif

AVhite 'Mountains, Calif

Feh. 17, 1891
June 9,1891

F. Stephejis

V. Dailey

d

Santa Clara, Utah

May 11, 1891

C. Hart ilerriani . .

Troglodytes aedon aztecus. Western House Wren.

The western house wren was not seen in many localities, though
when found it was not an uncommon species. A few were seen at Ash
Meadows, Kev., about March 20. Specimens taken at San Bernardino,
Calif., in the latter part of December, 1890, were intermediate between
this race and Parkman’s wren of the northwest coast region. In the
Panamint Moniitains it was first observed in Johnson Canon, April 12,
in Snprise Caiioii a little later, and in Emigrant Canon April 14-15. A
few were seen in an alfalfa field at Grapevine Spring, on the western
slopeoftheGrai)evineMountaius,the first week in April, and in Shejiherd
Canon, in the Argus Range, the last week of the month. Mr. Stephens
found it rather common at SeaiTs garden, near the south end of the
same range, April 23-26 5 at Bishop Creek, in Owens Valley, August 4-
10, and among the brush on the side of Reche Canon, September 22-
24. Several were seen along the South Fork of Kern River, July 3-10,
and among the oaks above Walker Basin, July 14. Mr. Palmer found the
house wren abundant at Old Fort Tejon early in July, and Mr. Kelson
saw several in the Canada de las Evas and along San Emigdio Creek
about the middle of October. In the High Sierra, Mr. Kelson saw it at
the head of Owens River, and on the west slope down into the Yosemite
Valley. It was common in the Sequoia Kational Park during the first
week in August; at Horse Corral Meadows, August 9-13; near tim-
ber line in Round Valley, 12 miles south of Mount Whitney, August 28;
Mineral King, September 9-10; and at Three Rivers, in the western
foothills of the Sierra, September 14.

Record of specimens collected of Trocilodytes aedon aztecus.

Col-

lector’s

Ho.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eeinarks.

3

d

Dec. 28,189!)

Inclining toYrard
parkmanii.

Do.

Johnson Canon.
South Fork.

Sau Joaquin Eiyer.

4

?

d

d

d

efim

9 ini

9

Panairiiiit Moinitaiiis, Calif.

Apr. 11,1891
July 4.1891
July 30.1891
July 22,1891
Aug. 21,1891
Ang. 27,1891

E. W. Helson

V. Dailey. ...

139

Olancha Peak.
Hound Valley, 12
miles south Dl'ount
Whitney.

424

136

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Cistothoriis paliistris paludicola. Tiile Wren.

The loiig-hilled iiiarsh wren was coiiinion Iii a number of i)laees where
tales and other rank vegetation occurred along- the streams, lakes, or
marshes. In Death Valley a few were seen at Furnace Creek and Ben-
nett AVells, and a considerable niumber at Saratoga Springs during the
latter part of January. Dr. Merriain found it common at the latter
lilace among the reeds April 2(5. In Owens Valley Mr. Xelson found
it at Keeler and Lone Pine in December, 1890, and Mr. Stephens re-
ported it common at Little Owens Lake May 0-11. In Nevada it was
common in Pahrump, Vegas, and Oasis valleys, and not uncommon at
Ash Meadows in March. Dr. Merriain also found it common in the
valley of the Muddy May 6, in Pahranagat Valley May 23, breeding-
in the tales, and Mr. Stephens saw several at Grapevine spring
Axiril 1-4.

Record of specimens collected of Cistothoriis paliistris paludicola.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

93

132

d

?

Doatli Valiev, Calif

Ash Meadows, Nev

Jan. 31.1891
Mch. 18,1891

A. K. Fisher

do

Furnace Creek.

Certhia familiaris occidentalis. California. Creeper.

The tree creeper was seen nowhere except in the High Sierra. Mr.
Palmer and the writer saw it at the deserted Kaweah sawmill in the
Sequoia National Park, and at other ]3laces in the same general region,
the first week in August, and at Horse Corral Meadows a week later.
Mr. Nelson found it at the head of Owens River and in the Yosemite
Valley, and Mr. Dutcher at Big Cottonwood Meadows. The writer
saw it at the latter place and also at Whitney Meadows and Soda
Springs about the 1st of September. Mr. Nelson observed a few at
Mount Pinos in October.

Sitta carolinen-sis aculeata. SleiKler-billecl Nnthatcli.

In California the slender-billed nuthatch was seen among the pines
on several of the mountain ranges and in the oaks west of the Sierra
Nevada. In the Panamint Mountains it was not uncommon in John-
son and Surprise canons among the piuons, where a pair was seen
hunting for a nesting site April 20. Dr. Merriam saw several among
the juniiiers on the north side of Telescope Peak Aj)ril 17-19, and Mr.
Bailey and the w^riter heard and saw- it near the same jilace June 23-
24. A pair was seen among the pinons above Maturango Spring May
13; Mr. Nelson found it at the head of Owens River, and on the west-
ern slope opposite, in July and August; and Mr. Stephens heard it near
Queen station, Nev., July 11-10. Dr. Merriam saw one among the live
oaks between Havilah and AValker Basin, June 24, one in Tehachapi
Pass June 25, and Mr. Palmer reported the species as common at Old

:May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

137

Fort Tejoii tlie lir.st week in July. The writer I'oiind it ratlier eoininoii
in the Seiinoin FTational Park during- tlie first week in August, at Horse
Corral Meadows August 9-13, in Kings Kiver Cafion August 13-lG,
and in Eound Valley, 12 miles south of Mount Whitney, and Whitney
Meadows the last of the month. At Tiiree Fivers, in the western foot-
hills of the Sierra, it was common among the oaks July 25-30 Mr.
Bailey saw it along the Kaweah Kiver up to timber line in August;
IMr. Butcher found it a common summer resident at Big Cottonwood
Meadows, and Mr. Stephens reported it as rather common at Menache
IMeadows May 24-20. Mr. Kelson saw it from the Canada de las Uvas
to the head of San Emigilio Canon the last of October, and in the
mountaius near San Simeon in Kovenibei’.

Record of specimens coJIeeted of Siita carolinensis aculcata.

Col-

lector's

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

3-52

d

PaDaiiiintMountains, Calif. .

June 23, 1891

A. K. ri.slier

Telescope Peak.

427

Q

Aug. 27, 1891

...Jo

south Mount Whit-

20

July 30, 1891

HBy «

Meadows.

Sitta canadensis. Red-bellied Nuthatch.

The red bellied nuthatch was not seen in the mountain ranges east of
the Sierra Kevada in California. It was common in the Sequoia Katioual
Park and Horse Corral Meadows, where it was often heard or seen dur-
ing the first half of August. Mr. Kelson saw a few on the western slope
of the mountains opposite the head of Owens River, and the writer found
it common among the flocks of migrants in Round Valley, 12 miles south
of Mount Whitney, August 27-28, and at timber line above Mineral King
September 9-11. On the coast Mr. Bailey reported the red-bellied
nuthatch as common at Monterey September 28 to October 9.

Record of specimens collected of Siita canadensis.

Col-

lector's

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

40G

431

?

?

Sierra Nevada, Calif

do

Aug. 4,1891

Aug. 28, 1891

A. K. Fisher

Sequoia National
Park.

Round Vallej', 12 miles
south Mount Whit-
ney.

Sitta pygmaea. Pygmy Nufchatcli.

The only locality east of the Sierra Kevada where this nuthatch was
met with was the Charleston Mountains, Kevada, where Mr. Palmer and
iVlr. Kelson found it common in February high up among the fox-tail
pine {Pimis aristata). Mr. Stephens found it not uncommon nearly

138

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[Xo. T.

up to timber line at JMenaehe IMeadows, (ialif., IMay ami a tew at

Bishop Creek August 4-10. JMr. Palmer reported it eommoii among
the i)iues at the summit of Brazier Mountain duly 0; near the summit
of Tejou Pass July 12; and Mr. Duteher saw it frequently at Big Cot-
tonwood Meadows during the summer. The pygmy nuthateh was not
uneommon among the pines on the ridge above Walker Basin July 14,
among the sequoias on the Kaweah Eiver the first of August, at the
Sequoia National Park about the same date, and at Big Cottonwood
Meadows and Round Valley the last of the month.

Record of ftpecimens collected of Sitta pygmera.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

32

35

152

391

425

426

?

? im.
cC

Sierra Nevada, Calif .

-do

-do

-do

Walker Basin, Calif .
Sierra Nevada, Calif .

-do

July 1, 1891

Aug. 11, 1891
Aug. 24, 1891
Aug. 9, 1891
July 14, 1891
Aug. 27, 1891

.do .

B. H. Duteher

do

do

F. Stephens . . .
A. K. Fisher .
do

do

Big Cottonwood
Meadows.

Do.

Do.

Bishop Creek.

Round Valley, 12
miles south of
Mount Whitney.
Do.

Parus inornatus. Plain Titmouse.

The plain titmouse was first met with in the Sierra Nevada in Cal-
ifornia. It was not uncommon on the western slope of Walker Pass, where
a specimen was taken July 3, and the birds seen elsewhere in the Sierra
Nevada may probably be correctly referred to this species. It was com-
mon along the valley of the Kern July 3-13; in Walker Basiu, July
13-16; and at Three Rivers in the western foothills of the Sierra, July
25-30, and September 13-15. Dr. Merriam saw the species in the Tejon
Mountains, where it Avas common in the Canada de lasUvas, June 28-29,
and Mr. Nelson saw it at Mount Pinos the last of October, in the hills
along the route from La Panza to San Luis Obispo, and sparingly from
the sea to the summit of the hills between San Simeon and Carpeuteria,
in November and December.

A specimen taken by the writer in Cajon Pass January 2, although
not typical inornatus, was nearer it than griseus.

Record of specimens collected of Parus inornatus.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

25

367

d

$im.

Cajon Pass, Calif

AV'alker Pass, Calif

Jan. 2, 1892
July 3, 1891

A. K. Fisher

do

Not typical.

Western slope.

Parus inornatus griseus. Gray Titmouse.

The gray titmouse was seen in most of the desert ranges. In the
Charleston Mountains, Nevada, it was common among the junipers in

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

130

Marcli. Ill tlie ranaiiiiut Mountains, (Jaliforuia, it was seen in Jolin-
son and Surprise canons among’ tlie piiions and Juniiiers in April, and
Dr. Merriam found it coininon north of Telescope Peak, wliere a female,
containing’ eggs nearly ready to be deposited, was killed, Axiril 17-10.
The writer saw a few at the same jilace June 22. Mr. Nelson noted it
sparingly among the piiions on the Panamint, Grapevine, Inyo, and
White mountains during the breeding season. Along the eastern slope
of the Sierra Nevada a few were seen at the head of Owens Eiver, and
at Benton, in July.

Recor'l of speoimens collected of Partis inornatus griseus.

Col-

lector’s

Xo.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Ktinarks.

47

145

?

Uanamiiit Mouutaiii.s, Calif

Apr. 38, 1891
Mar. 28, 1891

F. Stephens

14fi

5

. do

do

Do.

168

9

Apr. 19, 1891
Mar. 7,1891

do

Surprise Canon.

cT

Charleston Mountain-s, Nev

V. Bailey

Parus gambeli. Mouutaiu Cliickadee.

The mountain chickadee was seen on all the mountains which sup-
port a growth of piues. In Nevada Mr. Palmer reported it common
about the camp in the Charleston Mountains in February, and Mr.
Stephens found a few in the Grapevine Mountains in March. Dr. Mer-
riam found it breeding on Mount Magruder, high up among the nut
pines, June 5-11, and Mr. Stephens saw several at the Queen mine
in the White Mountains, July 11-16.

In the Panamint Mountains, California, it was tolerably common in
JohiivSon and Surprise canons in April. Dr. Merriam found it com-
mon near Telescope Peak about the middle of the month, though Mr.
Nelson reported it as apparently rare among the piiions in the northern
end of the range as well as in the Grapevine Mountains in June. At
the ^charcoal kilns’ near the head of Wild Eose Canon, the writer
noted it as quite common and found a nest with young June 24.

It was not uncommon in the Argus Eange, where a nest containing
eight fresh eggs was found in a piiion on the ridge above Maturango
Spring, May 14. The nest, which was composed of fine grass and hair,
was placed in an eroded cavity behind the end of one of the lower limbs
which had been partially torn and twisted from the trunk by heavy
snow or violent wind. It was perfectly concealed and would never have
been discovered had the bird remained quiet when the writer accident-
ally struck the drooping branch. Mr. Nelson reported it as breeding
sparingly from the lower edge of the pifions up to the summit in the
Inyo Mountains and to timber line in the White Mountains. This
chickadee was common at the head of Owens Eiver, and Mr. Stephens
noted it as rather common at Independence Creek, June 18-23; at Men-
ache Meadows, May 24-26; several at Bishop Creek, August 4-10. Mr.

140

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[Xo. 7.

Pillmei' I'oiiiul it coiinnon on Fra/icr Mountain -Tuly 9, s])arinsj;'ly at Tcjon
Pass, July 12; and Mr. Nelson reported it eoininon on Mount Pinos the
lastol'Oetober. In the High Sierra i t was (toinnion in the Sequoia National
Park the first week in August; at Horse Corral Meadows, August 9-13;
at Pound Valley, 12 miles south of Mount Whitney, August 27-28; Pig
Cottonwood Meadows during the summer; and at Whitney Afeadows
and Mineral King the last of August and hrst of September. i\Ir.
Palmer saw one at an altitude of 3, 900 meters (13,000 feet) near thehead
waters of the Kern Eiver, September 1.

liecord of specimens collected of Farus gamheli.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sox.

Loc-ality.

Date.

Collector.

Eemarks.

40

142

l,ol

152

cT

cf

Grapevine Monntain.s, Nev. .
Pauaiiiint Moitii tains, Calif.

Mar. 21, 1891
Mar. 28, 1891
April (i, 1891
April 9, 1891
May 7, 1891
tl lily 12, 1891

F. Steplion.s

A. K. Fisher

Johnson Canon.

Do.

Do. ■

Maturango Peak.

cf

cf

d

do

Arsns Kange, Calif

White Mountains, Calif

T. S. Palmer

E. W. Nelson

Parus rufescens neglectiis. California Cliickadee.

Mr. Bailey found the California chickadee common at Boukler Creek,
California (north of Monterey Bay), where he secured a specimen Octo-
ber 14, 1891.

Champa fasciata henshawi. Pallid Wren-Tit.

This interesting little bird was first met with b}" Mr. Bailey and the
writer at Kernville, Calif., on July 11, where specimens were secured.
It was common there, as it was the following week in Walker Basin. Mr.
Nelson saw a few in the foothills between the Merced and San Joaquin
rivers; Mr. Palmer heard a number among the chamisal in the San
Prancisquito Pass, July 1, and Mr. SteqJiens heard several in Reche
Canon, near San Bernardino, September 22-24. Mr. Bailey reported
it common along the Kaweah River in the thick chapparal below the
Xoines. Mr. Nelson found the ground-tit common in the thickets on the
sand dunes along the coast between San Simeon and Carpenter: a, and
on the bushy hillsides between the latter xJace and Santa Paula, in
November and December. Dr. Merriani rex^orted it as a common
breeder in the coast 1‘anges of San Diego County, where he found it in
IMarch and again in July.

liecord of specimens collected of Chamcea fasciata henshawi.

Col-

lector's

No.

Sex.

Loeality.

Date.

Collector. •

Eemarks.

385

167

cT

?

cf

Kernville, Calif

July 11,1891
... ilo . . ..

A. K. Fisher

V Bailey

Eeche Canon.

San Bernardino, Calif

Morro, Calif

Sept. 23,1801
Nov. 8,1891

F. Stepliens

E.W. Nelson

May,1S03.] bieds of the death valley expedition. 141

Psaltriparus minimus californicus. California Bush-Tit.

The Californiii buvSh-tit is common in the coast region, on tlie western
slope of the Sierra Nevada, and sparingly on the eastern slope uf the
same range. Mr. Stephens found it tolerably common in the lower part
of the canon at Independence Creek, where a nest containing young
was found, June 10-23^ and saw a small flock at Bishop Creek, August
4-10. Individuals were seen on the western slope of Walker Bass,
July 2-3, and Dr. Merriam found it common in the chaiiarral from
Kernville to Havilah, and thence to Walker Basin and Calicnte, June
23-24, and in the Canada de las Uvas, June 28-29. It was common at
Three Elvers in the western foothills, in flocks of 25 or more, July 25-30,
and Mr. Bailey reported it common along the Kaweah Eiver ux) to
the conifers, about the same time. The latter observer found a species
of bush-tit common at Monterey, the first of October; Mr. Stex)hens saw
two flocks at Eeche Canon, September 22-24; and Dr. Merriam noticed
it near the coast in San Diego County in July. Mr. Nelson reported
it common along the coast in small flocks in thickets and on bushy hill-
sides, from San Simeon to Cariienteria, in November and December.

Eecord of specimens collected of Psaltriparus minimus californicus.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Ilcmarks.

70

?

Owens Valiev, Calif

June 8, 1891

P. Stephens

Olancha.

309

Walker Pass, Calif

July 3, 1891

A. li. Fisher

Western Slope.

Psaltriparus plumbeus. Lead-colored Btish-Tit.

The lead-colored bush-tit is common in a number of the desert ranges
visited. In Nevada Mr. Stephens found it rather common in the Grape-
vine Mountains in March, and saw one flock at the Queen mine in the
White Mountains in July, Dr. Merriam found it high uxi on Mount
Magruder in the nut x)ines, June 5-9, among the juniiiers in the Ju-
niper Mountains May 19, and common in the Beaverdam Mountains,
Utah, May 11. A few were seen by Mr. Stexfliens at Twelve Mile Sjulng,
near Resting Sxiriugs, Calif., in Februaiy. In the Panamint Mountains'
it was observed daily in Johnson and Suiprise Canons in Ainll, in small
flocks on the north side of Telescope Peak Axiril 17-19, and among the
sage in the northern jiart of the range, as well as in the Grapevine
Mountains May 4 to June 15. Mr. Nelson found a few among the pih-
ons near Waucoba Peak in the Inyo Mountains the last of June, and a
few on the eastern sloxie of the White Mountains among the same kind
of trees in July.

142

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Eccord of sjyerimens volJeotcd of rsnllripnrKS plumhcna.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Juniper Mountains, Nev

Mount Ma£tru<lfcr, Ncv

Gia])evino Mountains, Ncv

Kestinn Spiing.s, Calif

May 19, 1891
June 5, 1891
iSIar. 24,1891
Feb. 21,1891

C. Hart ^lerriain . .

V. Baib'v

P. Stephens

---ulo

Panamint Mountains, Calif

Mar. 28,1891
Apr. 9,1891
Apr. 19, 1891
Jiily 11,1891

A. Tv. Fisher

Owens Valley, Nev

F. Stephens

Co\-

Ici'tor’s

No.

38

24

25
144
153
109
131

Sex.

9 iiu.

Keniark.9.

Jolmsoji Canon.
Do.

Surprise Canon.
Queen .station.

Auriparus flaviceps. Yellow-headed Tit.

Tlie verdin is a characteristic bird of a large part of the Lower Sono-
ran zone. The most western locality at which it was observed by the
expedition was Eesting Springs, near the Ainargosa Eiver, Galif,, where
a male was shot by Mr. Stephens Febrnary 13, 1891. Here the yellow-
headed tit was common in February, and it was seen every day among
the mesqnit thickets, and its nests were frequently found. As is the
case with several other members of the family, the old nests, after being
relined with feathers and hair, are used for winter homes. East of this
point it was found wherever suitable thickets exist, all the way to Utah.
Many nests were found in bushes of Pluchea borealis at the Great Bend
of the Colorado, htev., by Dr. Merriam. These nests were usually about
five feet above the ground, and, with the exception of one containing
three eggs nearly readj^ to hatch, were still empty. Other nests were
observed along the Virgin Eiver and the lower part of the Muddy May
7-10, and at Beaverdam Creek, Ariz., May 9-10; and a single nest was
discovered near the junction of the Santa Clara with the Virgin in
southwestern Utah May 14.

Regulus calendula. Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

The ruby-crowned kinglet was a common migrant or winter resident
in the valleys visited, and occurred sxjaringly as a summer resident in
the higher mountains. In Nevada a few were seen at Ash Meadows in
March; in Pahrump Valley Mr. Nelson found it common among the
willows at the ranch in February; Mr. Stephens observed it in full
song in Oasis Valley in March; not uncommon in the Grapevine Moun-
tains in the same month, and Dr. Merriam shot one at Mountain Spring,
in the Charleston Mountains, Axjril 30.

At San Bernardino, Calif., 'it was numerous in the busljes along the
streams December 28-29, 1890, and on the slopes in Cajon Pass Jan-
uary 2. A few were seen at Furnace Creek, Death Valley, about the
first of Febrnary and again April 9-12. In the Panamint Mountains
this kinglet was common in Johnson and Suri)rise canons, and toler-
ably so in Emigrant Canon in April. It was common at Hot Springs,
in Panamint A^alley, Aj^ril 20-25, and was observed in Shepherd
Caiion, in the Argus Eange, later in the month. Mr. Nelson saw a

Mat, 1893.1

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION,

143

few at the heads of streams on the eastern slope of the White Moun-
tains, and reported it common at tlie head of Owens Eiv^cr and on
the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. It was common at timber
line at Eound Valley, 12 miles south of Mount Whitney, August 28;
in the San Joaquin Valley in October; and along the route from San
Simeon to Carpenteria and Santa Paula in November and December.

Regulus satrapa olivaceus. Western Golden-crowned Kinglet.

The only record of this kinglet made by the expedition was of one
seen by Mr. Nelson near San Luis Obispo about the first of November.
Mr. Belding reports it as rare at Crocker’s, 21 miles northwest of the
Yosemite Valley.

Polioptila caerulea obscura. Western Gnatcatcher

Blue-gray gnatcatchers were common in a number of scattered local-
ities. At San Bernardino, a small flock associated with other birds
was seen December 28, and again on the following day. Several tvere
seen at Daggett, January 8-10, and one was secured at Furnace Creek,
Death Valley, Jannary 24. The species was common in the Panamint
Mountains, in both Johnson and Surjirise cailons, in April, and at Hot
Springs in Panamint Valley, among the mesqnite, April 20-25. Mr.
Nelson found it breeding in both the Panamint and Grapevine moun-
tains. At Willow Creek, in the former range, he found a nest con-
taining five eggs. May 19, and another containing three eggs. May
24. Both nests were placed within 3 feet of the ground, and were
neat, compactly built structures, with deep cup-shaped depressions,
more or less contracted at the rims. A few individuals were seen
in the Argus Eange, at Maturango Spring, the first half of May,
and in the Coso Mountains during the latter part of the same mouth.
Mr. Nelson saw a single bird in a mesqnite clump in Saline Valley, a
few in the sage near Waucoba Peak, in the Inyo Eange, the last of
June, and in the White Mountains in July. He saw a few in the west-
ern foothills of the Sierra Nevada in August, and on the e.ast slope Mr.
Stephens found it uncommon in the lower part of the canon of In-
dependence Creek, in June. One was seen on the western slope of
Walker Pass, July 3; it was common in the hills above Walker Basin,
July 14; along the Kaweah, below the conifers, in August and Sep-
tember; and Mr. Palmer saw one in Kings Eiver Caiiou, August 13.
On Mount Magruder, Nevada, Dr. Merriam shot a pair June 7, and re-
X)orted the species as tolerably common in the lower part of the pihons.
He found it breeding commonly in the Santa Clara Valley, Utah, May
11-15, and in the junipers on the Beaverdam Mountains, May 10-11.
Mr. Nelson found it common in the thickets along the coast from
Morro, Calif., to Carpenteria, November 4 to December 18, and rather
common from Carpenteria to Santa Paula, the last of the year.

144

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

liecord of H2)ccmcn8 collected of rolioiitUa corttlca ohsenra.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Itemarks.

9

Dec. 28,1890

ID

d

11

Dec. 29,1890

do

.10

d

Dairffett, Calif

Jan. 10,1891

do

Jiloliavo Uo.<ert.

70

104

Apr. 10, 1891

214

May 8, 1891

. do

d

raii.ainint Valiev, Calif

Apr. 22.1891

li. W. Nelson

Hot Springs.

?

Mission Sant.a Ynez, Calif

Doc. G, 1891

....do

cT

St. George, Utali

May 10,1891

V. Bailcv

Polioptila pliimbea. Plumbeous Guatcatchcr.

This guatcatcher ^yas common at Kestiiig' Springs, near the Amar-
gosa Eiver, California, in Febrnary, Avhere a number of specimens were
secured. In Yegas Valley, ISTevada, Mr. hielson and Mr. Bailey saw
several and secured one, March 13. At Bunkerville, Fev., Mr. Bailey
secured an adult male. May 9. The species may have been seen in
other places, but was not distinguished from the blue-gray gnatcatcliei:
In March, 1889, Mr. Bailey found it common at Fort Mohave, Ariz.

Eecord of specimens collected of Foliopfila pluml)ea.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

nemarks.

103

2

?

2

2

cT

nesting Springs, Calif

Fel). 8, 1891
Feb. 12,1891

A. K. Fisher

Vegas Valley, Nev

Bunkerville, Nev

Mar. 13, 1891
May 9,1891

do

do :

Polioptila californica. Black-tailed Gnatcateber.

The only place where the Californian guatcatcher was observed was
Keche Canon, near San Bernardino, where Mr. Stephens found it
common, September 22-24.

Myadestes townsendii. . Townsend’s Solitaire,

Townsend’s solitaire was found nowhere common by the expedition.
In Cajon P ass, California, several were observed and two secured,
January 2. One was shot at Lone Pine, in Owens Valley, in Decem-
ber, 1890, and others were seen at- Hot Springs, Panamint Valley, in
January.

In the Panamint Mountains, a few were seen in Johnson and Sur-
prise canons, in April. Mr. Nelson found a few among the ihiions
about the head of Willow Creek, the 1st of May, and the writer saw a
family in Death Valley Canon, June 22. In the Sierra Nevada, Mr.
Nelson found it sparingly on the western slope opposite the head of
Owens Eiver ; Mr. Stephens secured the young at Bishop Creek, the 1st
of August j Mr. Bailey saw one among the sequoias and another among

May. 1893.]

BIEDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITIOX.

145

the Finns monticola on tlie Kaweah Eiver; a few ivero seen in tlie
Giant forest, August 3; and several at Trout Meadows, Heptemher 7.
Air. Gelding found a nest and four eggs, June 4, near Crocker’s, on tlie
Big Oak Flat and Yoseinite Valley stage road. It was placed in a
nearly perpendicular bank of a gold mine, within a short distance of
the hoisting works, which were in constant use.

In Nevada Townsend’s solitaire was not uncommon among the cedars
on the Charleston Aloun tains in Alarch, and a specimen was secured in
Oasis Valley, March 15, the only one seen there.

Record of specimens collected of Myadestes townsendii.

Col-

lector’s

Xo.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eeiuarlss.

23

24

148
32

149

?

S

d

d

d im.

Cajon Pass, Calif

Jail. 2,1891

A. K. Fisher

Johnson Canon.

Bishop Creek; al-
titude, 9,000 feet.

Panamint Mountains. Calif . .

Oasis Valley, Nev

Sierra U'evacla, Calif

Mar. 31, 1891
Mar. 15, 1891
Aug. 8,1891

. . - .do

P. Stephens

do

Turdus ustulatus. Eusset-backed Thrush.

A female russet backed thrush was shot by the writer at Alaturango
Springs, California, in the Argus Eange, Alay 15, 1891, the only one
observed there, and Air. Stephens saw one at Olancha, in Owens Val-
ley, about the same time,

Turdus ustulatus swaiusonii. Olive-hacked Thrush.

Air. Belding- reported this thrush as common in the Yoseniite Valley,
California, in June, and Mr. Nelson secured a female on the northern
end of the Panamint Alountains, Alay 18.

Turdus aonalaschkee. Dwarf Hermit Thrush.

The dwarf thrush was seen only during migration. Several were
seen in Johnson Canon, in the Panamint Eange, California, where a
sifecimen was secured Alarch 28, In the Argus Eange, it was not un-
common in Shepherd Canon the last week in April, and at Maturaugo
Spring one was secured Alay 8. Air. Butcher shot another at Big Cot-
tonwood Aleadows September 11, which was probably a migrant, as the
summer resident was auduhoni, or at least what the committee on no-
menclature of the American Ornithologists’ Union consider Audubon’s
thrush,

Mr. Bailey found the dwarf thrush common at Alonterey the first of
October, and Mr. Nelson observed it commonly in the vicinity of San
Luis Obispo the last of the month, and along the route from San Simeon
to Carpenteria and Santa Paula in November and December,

12731— No. 7 10

14G

NORTH AMEIHCAN I'Al'NA.

[No. 7.

Record of specimens eoJleeicd of Tnrdiis ai>n(thtsehU(i\

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex. ■

Locality.

Uate.

Collector.

llcinarUs.

GO

cT

? ?
d
?

Uanamiiit Mountains, Calif.
Sierra Nevada, Calif

Monterev, Calif

Moi’i’o, Calif

do

Idar. 28,1891
Sept. 11,1891

Oct. C, 1891
Nov. 10, 1891

I'l. AV. Nelson

15. 11. nidclier

V. Hailey

E. W. N'elson

do

.Tolinson Canon.

Ilijr Cottonwood
Meadows.

Turdus aonalaschkce auduboni. AuduRoii’s Hermit Thrush.

A race of the dwarf tlirusli, named Turdus scquoiensis by Mr. Beldiiig,
but wliich the committee on nomenclature of the American Ornitliolo-
gists’ Union decided to be not ditferent from auduboni of the Eocky
Mountain region, is a summer resident in the Sierra Nevada, and prob-
ably in some of the desert ranges, though this is not certain, as speci-
mens were not taken in the latter in summer. This applies to the rec-
ords of individuals seen at AVillow Creek in the Panamint Mountains,
during the latter part of May, and on the east side of AA^aucoba Peak,
in the Inyo Mountains, in June. In the Sierra Nevada Air. Butcher
found the species common during the summer at Big Cottonwood
Aleadows, and Air. Nelson reported it as abundant at the head of Owens
Eiver and on the San Joaquin Eiver. Mr. Stephens heard a thrush
above the Queen mine in the AVhite Alountains, Nevada, July 11-16;
saw the species at Bishop Creek August 4-10, and about the lakes on
Independence Creek June 18-23'. Mr. Belding found it in the Yosemite
Valley in June.

Record of specimens collected of Turdus aonalaschlice audulooni.

Col-

leetor’s

No.

Sex.

Locality.

Late.

Collector.

Eemarlis.

9

16

d

9

d

Sierra Nevada, Calif

June 23, 1891

July 11, 1891
July 10,1891
July 23, 1891

B. H. Dutchci'

Big Cottonwood
Meadows.

White Mountains, Calif

Sierra Nevada, Calif

E. W. Nelson.. .. .
do

Merula migratoria propinqua. Western Robin.

The robin is a rather rare bird in the desert regions, even during
migration and in winter. lu Nevada several were seen at Ash Alead-
ows in March. Air. Palmer found it rather common from the valley up
to the pinons on the west side of the Charleston Alountains in February,
and Mr. Nelson saw it about the ranches in Pahrump and Vegas val-
leys, and in Vegas AYash, in Alarch. Dr. Alerriam saw it on Mount Ma-
gruder June 8, and in Utah, at Alountain Meadows, Alay 17. In Cali-
fornia a few were seen at Furnace Creek, Death Valley, the latter part
of January, aud again on April 10. Several were observed at Besting
Springs, in the Amargosa Desert, the first half of February. A few
robins were seen about a spring in Johnson Canon, in the Panamint

]S[AY, 1S03.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALI.EY EXFEDITION.

147

liaiige, in April. Dr. Merriani saw several in tlie Junipers in tlie same
inoiintaiiis April 16-19, and Mr. ISTelson a few at tlie head of Wil-
low Creek early in May, after whieli time none were seen. Several
were seeen in the Argus Eange, above Matnrango Spring, the lii-st
half of May. Mr. Nelson found it in the Inyo Mountains among Pinm
Jiexilis and P. aristata, and in the White Monntains from the piiions
np to 10,000 feet. In the Sierra Nevada robins were common in many
places. Mr. Nelson found them common at the head of Owens Eiver,
on the east slope, and in the Yosemite Valley, on the west slope of
the Sierra, in July and August. Mr. Stephens found them common
at Independence Creek, where a nest and four young was found at the
edge of the creek June 18-2.3; at Bishop Creek, where they were feed-
ing on a red berry locally known as buffalo berry, August 4-10, and
at Menache Meadow, nearly to timber line. May 24-26. They were
common also at Big Cottonwood and Whitney meadows; among the
pines above Walker Basin July 14, in the Sequoia National Park,
among the pines and firs, and in the meadows, the first week in Au-
gust; at Horse Corral Meadows, August 9-13; in Kings Eiver Canon,
August 13-16, and near Mineral King September 9-12. In the west-
ern foothills of the Sierra they were seen as early as July 30 at Three
Elvers, and Mr. Nelson found a few in the San Joaquin Valley October
5-27 ; reported them as common about San Luis Obispo October 28 to
November 4, and found them generally distributed along the route from
San Simeon to Carpenteria and Santa Paula in November and Decem-
ber.

Eecord of specimens collected of Merida migratoria propinqna.

Col-

lector’s

Ro.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eeinarks.

85

d

Death Valley, Calif

Jan. 29, 1891

A. K. Pisher

Purnace Creek.

108

d

Eestins; Sj)rins;s, Calif

Peb. 11,1801

do

cT

Panamint Mountains, Calif .

Mar. 28, 1891

E. AV. Nelson

Jolinson Cafion.

107

? jUY.

Owens Valley, Calif

June 19, 1891

P. Stephens

Independence Creek

Hesperocichla naevia. Varied. Thrush.

Mr. Bailey saw several varied thrushes and secured a specimen at
Monterey, Calif., the first Aveek in October; he also found it common at
Boulder Creek, Santa Cruz County, and at Auburn, Placer County,
during the latter part of the month. Mr. Nelson obseiAmd a few in the
lowlands about Sail Simeon, and found it common from Santa IMaria
south to Carpeuteria and Santa Paula, Avhere it was particularly nu-
merous among the trees along the streams and in the canon.

Record of specimens collected of Hesperocichla noeria.

Col-

lector’s

No.

Sex.

Locality,

Date.

Collector.

Eeinarks.

?

d

Monterey, Calif

Boulder Creek, Calif

Oct. 5, 1891
Oct. 12,1891

V. Bailey

do

148

NORTH AMERICAN FARTNA.

[No. 7.

Sialia mexicaiia. 'Western Blncbird.

The western hluebird was coininon in a nninber of places. At San
Bernardino a flock of twentj^ or more was seen December 21), 1<S9(); in
Cajon Pass, March 30; in the cottonwoods bordering- the Mohave
Eiver at Victor, the same day, and at Cranite Wells Jannary 13.
Mr. Nelson fonnd the species common near Hot Springs, in Panamint
Valley, California, in January, and a few at Pahrnmp and Vegas ranches
in Nevada, in February and March. Dr. Merriam saw several small
flocks on the north side of Telescope Peak, in the Panamint Mountains,
April 17-19, and Mr. Nelson found it on the western slope of the Sierra
Nevada in August. It was very common along the South Fork of
the Kern Eiver, July 3-10; in Walker Basin, from the valley to the
summit of the ridge, July 13-16, and in the Canada de las Uvas, June
28-29. In the High Sierra it was not uncommon at Sequoia National
Park during the first week of August; was common in Horse Corral
Meadows and Kings Eiver Canon August 9-16, and was observed at
Big Cottonwood Meadows and at the head of the Kaweah Eiver later
in the season. In the western foothills of the Sierra, at Three Eivers,
it was common July 25-30 hnd September 12-16 ; and at Monterey, Sep-
tember 28-October 9. Mr. Nelson saw a few in various x)arts of the
San Joaquin Valley in October, and found it common along the route
from San Simeon to Carpenteria and Santa Paula in November and
December.

Record of specimens collected of Sialia mexicana.

Col-

lector’s

Ko.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

13

14

15

370

39

?

cT

d

d

$ .iuv.
d

San Bernardino, Calif

Dec. 29, 1890

A. K. Rishei

.South Fork.
Mount M hitney.

Charleston Mountains, ISTev . .

Kern River, Calif

Sierra Nevada, Calif

Reb. 13,1891
July 4,1891
Sept. 14, 1891

E. W. Nelson

A. K. Eisher

B. H. Butcher

Sialia arctica. Mountain Bluebird.

The mountain bluebird is more or less common in the desert valleys
during the winter, and breeds in the higher ranges among the pines.

At Granite Wells, in the Mohave Desert, a number were seen Jan-
uary 13-14. Unlike the western bluebird, this species was wary and
difficult of approach. It is not evident what causes this shyness, un-
less, perhaps, contact with' the Indian, that ruthless and inveterate
enemy to animal life, who attacks every bird throughout the year, no
matter how small or in what condition, killing the mother of a de-
pendent brood with as much eagerness as a fattened buck in season.

In Death Valley a flock was seen at Mesquite Well, January 21. It
was common at Bennett Wells and Saratoga Springs, and at Furnace
Creek, associated with titlarks and savanna sparrows in the alfalfa
fields, the last of January. Several were seen at Eesting Springs, in

May, 1893.]

BIRDS OF Tim DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

149

tlie Ainarg’osa Desert, in February. Dr. Merriain saw a pair at .Monn,-
tain Meadows, Utali, May 17. In Nevada he found several in the
juniper forest on the Juniper Mountains, May IS: on the Faliroe
Mountains, May 21-22, and on Mount Magruder, June 4-8. In tlie
latter locality this bluebird was breeding among the nut ];)ines, whei'e
it was tolerably common. Several were seen at Ash IM endows, and
among the cedars on the Charleston Mountains, in March, and in Pah-
rump Valley, near the ranch, in February. Mr. Stephens found it not
common in the Grapevine Mountains in March, and Mr. Nelson saw a
few pairs about the summit of the peak and among the jiihons, where
they were aiiparently breeding, June 10-11. In the Panamint Moun-
tains, California, Dr. Merriain saw several pairs at the north base of
Telescope Peak, April 17-19, and Mr. Bailey and the writer found
a number among the pines {Finns aristata andP. JlexiUs), near the sum-
mit of the same peak, June 23. It was not uncommon in the Argus
Eange above Maturango Spring during the first half of May, and a jiair
was seen on the summit of the Coso Mountains, May 23. Mr. Nelson
found it not uncommon in the Inyo Eange above the piuons in June;
a few among the upper piuons in the White Mountains in July, and
at the latter place Dr. Merriam saw a number of males June 9 — the
females evidently were sitting. In Owens Valley, according to Mr.
Nelson, it was common in winter, and Mr. Stephens found it more or
less common above this valley along the eastern slope of the Sierra
Nevada up to timber line at Menache Meadows, May 24-26 ; at the lakes
on Independence Creek, June 23; among the pinous at Benton, July
9-10, and at the lake on Bishop Creek, August 4-10. Mr. Nelson re-
ported it generally distributed up to timber line at the hend of Owens
Eiver the last of July, but nowhere common, and Mr. Stephens found
it common at the Queen mine in the White Mountains, Nevada, July
11-16. Mr. Bailey saw a few on the western slope of Walker Pass,
July 3, found it common at timber line near the head of the Kaweah
Eiver, in August, and at Whitney Meadows in September. Mr.
Dutcher found it a common summer resident at Big Cottonwood Mead-
ows and vicinity, and Mr. Nelson saw a few on the high ridge near San
Luis Obisiio, and in the mountains along the coast from San Simeon to
Carxienteria in November and December.

Eecord of specimens collected of Sialia arctica.

Col-

lector’s

Ko.

Sex.

Locality.

Date.

Collector.

Eeuiarlis.

59

cf

Granite Wells, Calif

Jan. 14,1891

A. K. Fi.slier

cT

87

cT

88

cf

Do.

14

cT

Garlick Spring, Calif

Feb. 10,1891

F. Stepliciis

15

cf

do

125

$

37

9

Grapevine Moiiiitaiiis, Sex...

Mar. 21, 1891

F. Sto])liens

235

d

Argus Lange, Calif

ilay 13, 1891

A. 1C. Fisher

Maturango Spring.

150

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

LIST OF BIRDS OBSERVED IN DEATH VALEEV, CALll-’ORNIA.

1. Gohjmhm nu/ricoHis culifornivun. lOarod Grelx^

A sijecimeu was secured at Furnace Creek April 10.

2. Jnas boscltas. Mallard.

One was secured at Furnace Creek in .January.

3. Anas americana. Baldpate.

The species was secured at Saratoga Springs and Furnace Creek in .January.

4. Anas caroUnensis. Green-wiuged Teal.

Common at Furnace Creek and Saratoga Springs in .January.

5. Anas cyanoptera. Cinnamon Teal.

At Furnace Creek flocks were seen in March, and one female secured June 19.

6. Spatula clypeata. Shoveller.

A small flock seen at Furnace Creek in January.

7. Dafila acuta. Pintail.

Seen and secured at Saratoga S]U’ings in February.

8. Erismatnra rubida. Ruddy Duck.

A small flock was seen at Furnace Creek March 22.

9. Auser albifrons gambeli. AVhite-fronted Goose.

One was seen with the following subspecies.

10. Branta canadensis (subspecies?)

Four were seen at Furnace Creek in the latter part of March.

11. Plegadis guarauna. White-faced Glossy Ibis.

The remains of one were seen at the ranch at Furnace Creek.

12. Nycticorax nyciicorax ncevins. Night Heron.

An immature specimen was secured at Furnace Creek June 19.

13. Mallus virginianus. Virginia Rail.

Common at Saratoga Springs in February.

14. Fnlica americana. Coot.

Common at Saratoga Springs in February and April.

15. Plialaropus tricolor. Wilson’s Phalaroj)e.

One specimen was secured at Furnace Creek June 19.

16. Gallinago delicata. Wilson’s Snipe.

One seen at Furnace Creek April 11.

17. jpgialitis voci/era. Killdeer.

Not uncommon ; found at Furnace Creek in January, April, and June; breeds.

18. CalUpepla gambeli. Gambel’s Quail.

Common at Furnace Creek ranch. Introduced.

19. Zenaidura macroura. Mourning Dove.

Not uncommon; breeds.

20. Cathartes aura. Turkey Buzzard.

Not uncommon; seen in March, April, and June.

21. Circus hudsonius. Marsh Hawk.

One was secured at Furnace Creek in January.

22. Accipiter velox. Sharp-shinned Hawk.

Seen at Furnace Creek and Bennett Wells in January and April.

23. Accipiter cooperi. Cooper’s Hawk.

Seen at Furnace Creek in January.

24. Buteo barealis calurus. Western Red tail.

Seen at Furnace Creek and Bennett Wells in .January, and at the latter place in
June.

25. FaJeo mexicanus. Prairie Falcon.

Seen at Furnace Creek in January and .June.

26. Falco columbarius. Pigeon Hawk.

Remains of one found at Furnace Creek.

ilAY, 189:.!.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

151

-7. Falco t^partwritts dcscrticolus. Desert Sparrow Hawk.

Seen at Mesqui te Wells, Bennett Wells, and Furnace Creek in January, March,
and April.

28. Pandion haliaetus earoUnensis. Os]irey.

One was seen at Furnace Creek April 10.

29. Speotyto cunieulnria hypocjcea. Burrowing Owl.

A pair was seen at Bennett Wells June 21.

30. (leococcyx calif ontianus. Road-runner.

Coininou resident.

31. CoGcyzm americanm occideiitalis. California Cuckoo.

One secured at Furnace Creek June 20.

32. Ccryle alcyon. Kingfisher.

One seen at Furnace Creek April 15.

33. Colaptes cafer. Red-shafted Flicker.

One was seen at Furnace Creek, April 10.

34. PhalivnopUliis nuttalU. Poor-will.

Secured at Benuett Wells January 28, at Saratoga Springs February 4, and
seen at Furnace Creek April 10.

35. Chordeiles virginianus lienryi. Western Nighthawk.

A specimen was secured at Furnance Creek June 19.

36. Chordeiles texensis Texas Nighthawk.

Seen at Saratoga Springs April 26.

37. Aeronautes melanoleucus. White-throated Swift.

Common at Furnace Creek in April and June.

38. Calyple costce. Costa’s Hummingbird.

Seen at Furnace Creek April 12 and again .June 19.

39. Myiarchus oinerascens. Ash-throated Flycatcher.

A pair was seen in Furnace Creek Canon June 21.

40. Sayornis saya. Say’s Phcebe.

Not uncommon resident.

41. Sayornis nigricans. Black Phoebe.

It was seen .at Furnace Creek April 12.

42. Empidonax icrightii. Wright’s Flycatcher.

A sijecimen was taken at Furnace Creek February 1.

43. Corvus corax sinuatus. Raven.

Resident.

44. Molothrus ater. Cowbird.

One was secured at Furnace Creek June 20.

45. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Yellow-headed Blackbird.

One was secured at Bennett Wells April 1.

46. Agelaius pliceniceus. Red-winged Blackbii’d.

A flock was seen at Furnace Creek the latter part of J.anuary.

47. Sturnella magna neglccta. Western Meadowlark.

A not uncommon resident.

48. Icterus bullocU. Bullock’s Oriole.

One was observed at Furnace Creek about the middle of April.

49. Scolecophagus cyanocephaliis. Brewer’s Blackbird.

A few were seen at Furnace Creek in January.

.50. Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis. House Finch.

Not uncommon resident.

51. Ammodramus sandwichensis alaudinus. AVestern Savanna Sparrow.

Not uncommon at Furnace Creek in January .and April.

52. Zonotrichia leucophrys intermedia. Intermediate Sparrow.

Common at Furnace Creek in .lanuary and April.

152

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[Xo. 7.

53. Spizflla hrewfrl. Brewer’s S])arrow.

One was seen in Mcs(tnite Valley April 13.
ill. Amplt\>spiza hilineatu. Black-throated Sparrow.

Seen on June 22 in the I’auamint Monntaiua Just above the v.alley.

55. Ampliispiza heUi iiecadenfiis. Sage Sparrow.

Connnon winter resident.

56. Melospiza fasciata montana. Mountain Song Sparrow.

Common winter resident at Furnace Creek and Saratoga Springs.

57. Guiraca ccendea eurlujnclni.. Western Blue Grosbeak.

One was secured at Furnace Creek, June 19.

58. Tasserina amoena. Lazuli Bunting.

A female was secured at Furnace Creek, .Jane 19.

59. Tacliycineta MeoJor. Tree Swallow.

Common at Furnace Creek in March and April.

60. Tachycineta thalassina. Violet Green Swallow.

Observed at Furnace Creek and Saratoga Springs in April.

61. SteJgidojneryx serripennis. Rough-winged SwalloAV.

A not uncommon summer resident.

62. Lanins I udoviciamis exeubitor ides. White-rnmped Shrike.

Seen at Furnace Creek and Saratoga Springs in January.

63. Vireo belli pusillus. Least Vireo.

A not uncommon summer resident.

64. Dendroica anduboni. Audubon’s Warbler.

Seen at Furnace Creek iu January and April.

65. Geotldypis triclias occidentalis. Western Yellow-throat.

A not uncommon summer resident.

66. Icteria virens longieauda. Long-tailed Chat.

A not uncommon summer resident.

67. Antlius pensilmnicus. Titlark.

’Winter resident.

68. Oroscopies montanus. Sage Thrasher.

One seen at Mesquite AVell iu January.

69. Minins polyglottos. Mockingbird.

Observed iu .Tairuary and April.

70. Harporliynchus lecontei. Le Conte’s Thrasher.

An uncommon resident; seen at Saratoga Springs, Bennett Wells, Furnace
Creek, and in the northwest arm or Mesquite Valley.

71. Salpincles obsoletns. Rock Wren.

One was seen at Mesquite Wells in January; breeds in the mountains just
above the valley.

72. Catherpes mexicanns conspevsns. Canon Wren.

One was seen at Saratoga Springs in February.

73. Thryotkorns bewiclcii bairdi. Baird’s Wren.

Seen at Furnace Creek, Bennett Wells, and Saratoga Springs in .January.

74. Cistoilwrus palnstris palndicola. Tule Wren.

Seen at Furnace Creek, Bennett AVells, and Saratoga Springs iu January.

75. Legidus calendnla. Rubj^-crowned Kinglet.

Seen at Furnace Creek in February and April.

76. Polioptila ccernlea obseura. Western Gnatcatcher.

One secured at Furnace Creek, January 24.

77. Merida migratoria propinqua. Western Robin.

A few were seen at Furnace Creek in January.

78. Sialia arctica. Mountain Bluebird.

A common winter resident.

Mat,1S93.]

•BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

153

LIST OF BIRDS FOUND IN OWENS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA.

1. CoJi/mhiis nigricollis calif ornicus. Eared Grebe.

Abuudaut on Owens Labe; breeds at the smaller lakes.

2. Lurus californicus. California Gull.

Seen in December, 1890.

3. Lams deJatvarensis. Ring-billed Gnll.

Seen at Lone Pine and Owens Lake in December, 1890.

4. Ijarus Philadelphia. Bonaparte’s Gull.

One seen at Lone Pine, about the same time as the other gulls.

5. Pelecanus erijihrorhynchos. White Pelican.

A flock was seen at Haway Meadows in May and an individual at Lone Pine in
August.

6. Merganser serrator. Red-breasted Merganser.

Seen at Lone Pine and Owens Lake in winter.

7. Anas boschas. Mallard.

Not uncommon j probably breeds.

8. Anas discors. Bine-winged Teal.

Seen at Little Owens Lake in May.

9. Anas cyanoptera. Cinnamon Teal.

Seen at Little Owens Lake; breeds.

10. Spatula clypeata. Shoveller.

Common during migrations.

11. Ayihya americana. Redhead.

One was seen at Little Owens Lake in May.

12. Glaucionetta clangula americana. Golden-eye.

Seen at Lone Pine, in December, 1890.

13. Charitonetta alheola. Bnffle-head.

Seen at Lone Pine in December, 1890.

14. Brania canadensis (subspecies?).

A flock heard at Lone Pine in December, 1890.

15. Dendrocygna fnlra. Fulvous Tree Duck.

Breeds at Little Owens Lake.

16. Plegadis guarauna. White-faced Glossy Ibis.

Seen at Little Owens Lake in May.

17. Boiaurus lentiginosus. Bittern.

Seen at Lone Pine in winter, and at Alvord and Bishop in summer.

18. Ardea herodias. Great Blue Heron.

Seen at Lone Pine, and at Little Owens Lake in June.

19. Ardea virescens. Green Heron.

Seen at Little Owens Lake in May.

20. Kycticorax nycticorax nwvius. Night Heron.

Not uncommon in the valley.

21. Ballus virginianus. Virginia Rail.

Breeds at Lone Pine.

22. Porzana Carolina. Sora.

Seen at Little Owens Lake early in May.

23. Fulica americana. Coot. *

Common ; breeds.

24. Plmlaropiis tricolor. Wilson’s Phalarope.

Two specimens were secured at Alvord, .luue 27.

25. Becurrirostra americana. Avocet.

Seen at Little Owens Lake in May, 1891, at Owens Lake in June, at the
north end of the valley in .July, and Lone Pine in December, 1890.

154

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

2t). <!aUiii(((/() ddicala. Wilson's Sni[io.

Seen :it lione Pine in winter.

27. Trbuja minatlUa. Least Saiulpiper.

Common at Owens Lake in December, 1800.

28. Ereunetes occidentalis. AVt^stcrn Saml[)iper,

Secured at Owens Lake in .June.

29. Totanm melanoleueiis. Greater Yellow-legs.

Seen at Lone Pine in December.

30. Eumemus longirostris. Long-billed Curlew.

Seen at Owens Lake in December and Juno.

31. JE<iiaUtis vocifera. Killdeer.

Common; breeds.

32. ^Egialitis virosa. Snowy Plover.

Not uncommon at Owens Lake, where it is a resident.

33. Oreortyx pictas plumiferns. Plumed Quail.

Common along the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada.

34. Callipepla califoniica vaUicola. Valley Quail.

Common resident.

35. Zenaidura macroura. Mourning Dove.

Abundant breeder.

36. Cailiartes aura. .Turkey Buzzard.

Seen all through the valley.

37. Circus hudsonius. Marsh Hawk.

Not uncommon ; breeds.

38. Accipiter velox. Sharp-shinned Hawk.

Seen at Olancha and Bishop Creek in the latter part of May and first part of
August.

39. Accipiter conperi. Cooper’s HaAvk.

Seen at Bishop Creek in August.

40. Accipiter atricapillus striatulus. Goshawk.

A liaAvk thought to be this s^jecies was seen at Jmne Pine in December, 1890.

41. Buteo borealis ealurus. Western Red-tail.

Resident; more or less common.

42. Aqaila chrysaetos. Golden Eagle.

A pair was seen in June.

43. Falco mexicanus. Prairie Falcon.

Not uncommon; undoubtedly breeds in the neighboring mountains.

44. Falco columharius. Pigeon Hawk.

Seen at IJttle Owens Lake.

45. Falco sparrerius deserticolus. Desert Sparrow Hawk.

A more or less common resident throughout the valley.

46. Strix praiincola. Barn Owl.

The remains of one were found at Alvord.

47. Speotyto cunicularia hypoywa. Burrowing Owl.

A not uncommon resident.

48. Geococcyx californiauus. Road-runner.

A common resident.

49. CoGcyzus americanus occidentalis. California Cuckoo.

One seen at Bishop, August 11.

50. Cerylealeyon. Kingfisher.

Not uncommon; breeds.

51. Dryohates rillosus hyloscopus. Cab.anis's Woodpecker.

Seen at Bishop Ch'eek in August.

52. Melanerpes tor<iualus. Lewis's Wood|u;cker.

One seen at tlie head of the valley in .July.

AIat, 1893.]

BIRDS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

15

• 53. Coluijtcs cafer. Ked-slitifted Flicker.

A not uucoiiiniou resident.

54. PliaUvnoptilus niittaUi. Poor-will.

Not uncommon; breeding' tbrongliout the valley.

55. Cliordeiles texensis. Texas Nighthawk.

A common summer resident.

56. Cypseloides niffer. Black Swift.

Common ; breeds in the mountains on each side of the valley.

57. Cluctura vauxii. Vaux’s Swift.

Seen at Olaneha about the middle of May.

58. Aeronautes melanoleiieus. White-throated Swift.

A common summer resident.

59. Troclnhis alexandri. Black-chinned Humming Bird.

A common summer resident.

60. Cahjpte costw. Costa’s Humming Bird.

A common summer resident.

61. Tyrannus verticalis. Arkansas Kingbird.

A common summer resident.

62. Tyrannus tyrannus. Kingbird.

One was seen at Olaneha, June 29.

63. Myiarohus cinerascens. Ash-throated Flycatcher.

A not uncommon summer resident.

64. Sayornis say a. Say’s Phoebe.

A not uncommon breeding species.

65. Sayornis nigricans. Black Phoebe.

Seen and apparently breeding at Little Owens Lake and Bishop Creek.

66. Contopus richardsoni. Western Wood Pewee.

A common summer resident.

67. Empidonax pusillus. Little Flycatcher.

Seen at Olaneha in May, and at Lone Pine .June 11.

68. Empidonax ivrightii. Wright’s Flycatcher,

Found at Olaneha in May, and at Bishop Creek in August.

69. Otocoris alpestris arenicola. Desert Horned Lark.

A common summer resident.

70. Otocoris alpestris chrysolcenia. Mexican Horned Lark.

Found at Owens Lake in December, 1890.

71. Cyanocitta steUeri frontalis. Blue-fronted Jay.

Seen at Bishop Creek in August.

72. .iphelocoma calif or nica. California Jay.

Found on the east slope of the Sierra Nevada.

73. Corvus corax simiatus. Raven.

Resident.

74. Ficicorvus columhianus. Clarke’s Nutcracker.

Observed at the head of the valley and Bishop Creek.

75. Cyanocephalus cyanocephaliis. Pinon Jay.

Seen at Benton and Bishop Creek.

76. Xantliocephalus xanthoceplialus. Yellow-headed Blackbird.

A not uncommon resident.

77. Jgelaius pdiceniceus. Red-winged Blackbird.

A common resident.

78. Jgelains gubernator. Bicolored Blackbird.

A specimen was secured at Olaneha, June 11.

79. Stiirnella magna neglecla. Western Meadowlark.

A common resident.

156

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

80. Icterus hultocl'i. Bullock's Oriole.

A coiiiuiou suiniuer rosideut.

81. ScolccoplicKjus cyanocephalns. Brewer’s Blackbird.

A coiumoii summer resident. It may be a resident.

82. Carpodaeus mexicanus frontalis. House Fiueh.

A common resident.

83. Spinus psaltria. Arkansas Goldfinch.

A common summer resident.

84; Pooccctes (jraininem confinis. Western Vesper Sparrow.

Not uncommon at the head of the valley.

85. Ammodranius sandwicltensis alaiidinus. Western Savanna Sparrow.

A not uncommon resident.

86. Chondestes graramacus strigatus. Western Lark Sparrow.

A common summer resident.

87. Zonotrichia lencopTirgs. White-crowned Sparrow.

Observed along the east slope of the Sierra Nevada, where it breeds higher up.

88. Spizella hreweri. Brewer’s Simrrow.

A common summer resident.

89. Sjjizella atrigularis. Black-chinned Sparrow.

Secured at Independence Creek on the east slope of the Sierra Nevada.

90. Junco liyemalis thurheri. Thurber’s Junco.

Winter visitant in the valley; breeds on the east slope of the Sierra Nevada.
91 Amplcispiza Mlineata. Black-throated Sj)arrow.

A common summer resident.

92. AmpMspiza belli nevadensis. Sage Sparrow.

A not uncommon resident.

93. Melospiza fasciata lieermanin. Heermann’s Song Sparrow.

Tolerably common resident.

94. Melospiza lincolni. Lincoln’s Sparrow.

Found breeding at Independence Creek, on the east slope of the Sierra Nevada.

95. Passerella iliaca megarhynclia. Thick-billed Sparrow.

Found in the same place as the preceding species.

96. Pipilo maculatus megalonyx. Simrred Towhee.

A not uncommon resident.

97. Pipilo chlorurus. Green-tailed Towhee.

A common summer resident in the upper end of the valley.

98. Plahia melanocepliala. Black-headed Grosbeak.

Seen at Olancha and Ash Creek in May, aud Independence Creek in June.

99. Guiraca ccerulea eurhyncha. Western Blue Grosbeak,

A common summer resident.

100. Passerina amoena. Lazuli Buuting.

A common summer resident.

101. Piranga ludoviciana. Western Tanagcr.

A not uncommon summer resident.

102. Petrochelidon lunifrons. Cliff Swallow.

A common summer resident,

103. Clielidon erythrogaster. Barn Swallow.

A common summer resident.

104. Tachycineta ilialassina. Violet Green Swallow.

A common summer resident.

105. Clivicola riparia. Bank Swallow.

Common at Alvord the lastof June, where it was breeding.

106. Stelgidopteryx serripennis. Rough-winged Sw'allow.

A not uncommon summer resident.

May, 1803.]

BIRDS OF TJIE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

157

107. Ampclis ccdrorum. Cedar Bird.

A pair was seen at Lone Pine June 14.

108. rhainojiepla nitens. Phainoiiepla.

One was seen at Morans in July.

109. Lanins ludovicianus excnhilorides. White-niinped Slirilio.

A eommoii resident.

110. Vireo (lilvns swainsoni. Western Warlding Vireo.

A not iinconimon summer resident.

111. Vireo belli pusillus. Least Vireo.

A not uncommon summer resident.

112. Helmintliophila celata liiiescens. Lutescent WaiJjler.

A few migrants were seen at Little Owens Lake in May,

113. Dendroica oestiva. YTllow Warbler.

A common summer resident.

114. Dendroica auduhoni. Audubon’s Warbler.

Occurs in winter, and jirobably breeds on Independence and Bisboi) creeks.

115. Dendroica iownsendi. Townsend’s Warbler.

Migrants were seen at Little Owens Lake.

116. Geotblyjns macgilUvrayi. Macgillivray’s Warbler.

Found with young at Bishop Creek in August.

117. Geotlilypis irichas Occident alis. Western Yellow-throat.

A common summer resident.

118. Icteria virens longicauda. Long-tailed Chat.

A common summer resident.

119. Sylvania pusilla pileolata. Pileolated Warbler.

A not uncommon migrant.

120. Anihus pensilranicns. Titlark.

A common winter resident.

121. Cinclus mexicanns. Water Ousel.

Follows down the streams into the valley in winter.

122. Oroscoptes montanus. Sage Thrasher.

Breeds commonly in the upper part of the valley.

123. Minins poly glottos. Alockingbird.

A not uncommon resident.

124. Harporbynclins lecontei. LeConte’s Thrasher.

A common resident.

125. Heleodytes brnnneicapillus. Cactus Wren.

Breeds in the southern end of the valley,

126. Salpinctes obsoletns. Rock Wren.

A common resident.

127. Thryoihorus bennel'ii bairdi. Baird’s Wren.

Common at Lone Pine in December, 1890.

128. Troglodytes a'edon azteens. Western House Wren.

Seen in migrations and probably breeds on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada.

129. Cistotborns palnstris paludicola. Tule Wren.

A not uncommon resident.

130. Darns gambeli. Mountain Chickadee.

Rather common along the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada.

131. Dsadtriparus minimus californicus. California Bush-Tit.

Seen on Independence and Bishop creeks.

132. Dolioptila ccerula obsenra. Western Gnatcatcher.

Seen at Independence Creek in .luue.

133. Myadestes townsendii. Townsend’s Solitaire.

Seen at Lone Pine in December, 1890.

158 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

134. Turdus iistitlalufi. Kusset-backed Tlirnsli.

One scon at Olaiiclia about the middle of May.

135. Turdus aondlaschkw aiidiihoDi. Audubon’s Hermit Thrush.

Breeds on Independence and Bishoi) creeks.

136. McruJa luigraloria propiiiqua. Western Rol)in.

Common summer resident along the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada.

137. Sialin areik-a. IMountain Bluebird.

Commom along the eastern sloj)e of the Sierra Nevada.

[No. 7.

AI^NOTATED LIST OF THE REPTILES AND BATRACHIANS COLLECTEH BY THE
DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION IN 1891, WITH DESCBIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES.

By Leonhard Stejneger,

Curator of the Department of RepiUes and B(dracM.ans, U. S. National Museum.
With field notes by Dr. C. Hart Merriam.

Since the days of the great western surveying expeditions, the
United States Exploring Expedition (Wilkes’), the United States and
Alexican Boundary Survey, the various Pacific Eailroad surveys, and
VA'heeler’s Survey West of the one-hundredth Aleridian, no collection of
North American reptiles and batrachians has been made equaling or
even approaching that brought home by the Death Valley Expedition.
In the extent of the series of many species it stands unrivaled, and in
the accuracy and detail ot its labeling it surpasses them all. To this
point particularly it is desired to call attention. Many of the speci-
mens of the older collection have the localities very vaguely indicated,
as ^California:’ ‘From San Diego to El Paso;’ in others, detailed locali-
ties are given, but in such a way that in many cases it is imijossible
to identify them; in others, the labels have been changed, and errors
resulted; others again were never labeled, or the labels were lost. In
the collection of the Death Valley Expedition all the nine hundred
specimens are individually and fully labeled; altitudes are frequently
given, and there is not the slightest doubt as to the correctness of the
statement attached to each and every specimen.

Furthermore, the colleetion is particularly noteworthy as it is the
first attempt in this country on a similar scale to gatlier the herpeto-
logical material together according to a rational plan and with a defi-
nite purpose in view. The result is a fine series of specimens, unique
in its cOm]ileteuess with respect to geographic localities within the area
explored by the expedition, a tract of almost 100,000 square miles, com-
prising a number of nearly parallel desert valleys separated bj' in-
tervening barren mountain ranges. The effort of the expedition to
collect every species in all the characteristic localities fi om Oalifornia
to Utah and Arizona resulted in a material by which it has been pos-
sible in many instances to follow the geographic variation in its various

159

160

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[Xo. 7.

directions. Tlie present report does not ])retend to exliaiist tin's mate-
rial, wliicli will yield more delinite results wlien the adjoinint*' territory
shall have been searched as thoroughly and as intelligently as that
covered by the present expedition.

AVith a material so well calculated to show the amount of individual
variation within many species, and to determine the geographical dis-
tribution of others, the author was enabled to settle many a vexed
question and to point out many a nice distinction where some of his
colleagues had failed, chiefly from lack of suitable material. If, there-
fore, he has succeeded in somewhat advancing our knowledge of hiorth
American herpetology, thanks are princiiDally elite to Dr. 0. Hart Mer-
riam, the untiring organizer and leader of the expedition, and to the
zeal and intelligence of his assistants who evidently spared no effort
to make the expedition a success. Personally I have to thank Dr. Mer-
riam for the iirivilege of Avorking up such a valuable and interesting-
material.

Dr. Merriam has contributed field notes on many of the species, with
special reference to geographic distribution and food habits. These
notes are given in brackets over his initials at the end of the text
relating to each species.

HIST OF SPECIES.

A. REPTILIA.

I.— TESTUDINES.

Testudixid.e.

1. Goplierus agassizii (Cooper). 2, C'lemmys marmorata (B. & G.).

II.— SQUAMATA.

Eublepharid^.

3. Coleonyx variegatus (Baird).

Iguanid^.

4. Dipsosaurus dorsalis (B. & G).

5. Crotaphytus bailey i Sfcej II.

6. Crotaphytus wislizenii B. & G.

7. Crotaphytus silus Steju.

8. Callisaurus ventralis (Hallow.).

9. Sauromalus ater Dum.

10. Uta stansburiaira B. & G.

11. Utagraciosa (Hallow.).

12. Sceloporus magister Hallow^

13. Sceloporus graciosus B. & G.

14. Sceloporus bi-seriatus Hallow.

15. Sceloporus occideiitalis B. & G.

16. Phrynosoma blainvillii Gray.

17. Phrynosoma platyrhinos Girard.

1. Sauri.

HeLODERMATIDjE.

18. Heloderma suspectum Cope.
AXGUID.E.

19. Gerrhonotus scincicauda (Skil-
ton).

20. Gerrhonotus scincicauda palnieri
Steju.

21. Gerrhonotus burnettii Gray.
Xantusiidas.

22. Xantusia vigilis Baird.

TEJ1D.E.

23. Cnemidophorus tigris B. & G.

24. Cnemidophorus tigris undulatus
(Hallow.).

ilAr.lsas.] REFTILES OF THE HEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

161

SCINCIDJi.

25. Eumeces .skiltonianus B. & G.

2. Serpentes.

Le I'TOT YWILOPID.® .

26. Rena humilis B. & G.

BOID^.

27. Charina plumbea B. &. G.

Natricid^.

28. Diadophis pulchellus B. & G.

29. Lampropeltis boylii (B. & G.).

30. Hypsigleiia ochrorhynclivi.s Cope.

31. Salvadora grahamiae hexalepis

Cope.

32. Pituophis catenifer (Blainv. ).

33. Pituophis catenifer deserticola

Stejn.

34. Bascanion flagellum frenatum

Stejn.

35. Bascanion laterale (Hallow.).

36. Bascanion taeniatum (Hallow.).

37. Thamnophis infernalis (Blainv.).

38. Thamnophis elegans (B. & G).

39. Thamnophis hammondii (Kenn.).

40. Thamnophis vagrans (B. & G).

41. Thamnophis parietalis (Say).

CKOTARIDyE.

42. Crotalus tigris Kenn.

43. Crotalus cerastes Hallow.

44. Crotalus lucifer B. &> G.

B.— BATRACHIA.

Anura.

BUFONIDAi.

45. Bufo punctatus B. & G.

46. Bufo halophilus B.& G.

47. Bufo boreas nelsoni Stejn.

48. Bufo lentiginosus woodhousii

(Gir.).

SCAPHIOPODID^.

49. Scaphiopus hammondii Baird.

HYLID.E.

50. Hyla regilla B. & G.

Eanidje.

51. Rana draytonii B. & G.

52. Rana aurora B. & G.

53. Rana pretiosa B. & G.

54. Rana boylii Baird.

55. Rana fisheri Stejn.

56. Rana pipiens brachycephala

(Cope).

A.— REPTILIA.

Order I. TESTUDINES.

Family Testudinid^.

Gopherus agassizii (Cooper).

The characters pointed out for this species by Mr. F. W. True (Proc.
U. S. Nat. Mus. iv, p. 440) I have found to hold in the additional speci-
mens before me, and there is no difficulty in distinguishing it from
Gopherus polyphemus, much less from G. herlandieri. The fact that a
specimen named Xerohates herlandieri (No. 10412) is recorded in Tar-
roVs Catalogue of Eeptiles and Batrachians in the IT. S. National
Museum (Bull. E. S. Nat. Mus., No. 24, p. 38), as from Fort Yuma, Cal.,
need not disturb anybody, as it is in reality a G. agassizii, and is re-
corded as such by True {tom. cit., p. 447).

This species was originally described “from the mountains of Cali-
fornia, near Fort Mohave” (Cooper, Proc. Calif. Ac. Nat. Sc., ii, p. 121),
and the National Museum has since received specimens from Fort
Yuma (exact locality ?). Dr. Cooper {1. c.) adds that “ broken shells are
frequent on the higher parts of the mountains west of the Colorado,
where the Pah-Utes eat them.”

12731— No. 7 11

162

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

The present expedition, therefore, not only extends tlie kno\yu range
of this species considerably within California, but shows for the first
time that it occurs in Nevada as well. The young one Iroin Pahruinp
Valley has the carapace only 47““ long, and the plastron is quite soft,
while the length of the carapace collected at the Bend of the Colorado
is no less than 290““.

[This tortoise is remarkable among American species for its power
of living in the arid deserts of the Lower Sonoran zone, far away from
water. It is tolerably common in the Mohave Desert, California, where
one was caught between Daggett and Pilot Knob, April 24, and
another at Leach Point Valley April 25. Two were found in Pahruinp
Valley, Nevada, where it is so much sought after by Pah-Ute Indians
and coyotes that it is rather scarce. At the Great Bend of the Col-
orado many unusually large shells were found about an old Indian en-
campment, where they had been left after the bodies had been eaten. —
C. H. M.]

List of specimens of Goplierus agassizii.

u. s.

Xat.

Mus.

No.

Sex

and

age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

18642

18643

18644

18645
19254

juv.

ad.

ad.

ad.

ad.

Pahrump Valley, Nev

Feet.

Apr. 29
Mar. —
May —
Jan. 9
Apr. —

Bailey

Alcohol.

Shell.

Carapace.

Do.

Alcohol.

Bend of Colorado River, Nev

Merriani

Leacli Point Valley, Mohave Desert,
Calif.

Bailey

Clemmys marmoiata (B. & G.),

The only specimen brought home by the expedition is a young one
(No. 18641) collected by Dr. Fisher, July 5, in the South Fork of Kern
River, 25 miles above Kernville, Calif. It is slightly smaller, but other-
wise closely resembles Figs. 8 and 9, PI. xxxii, in the atlas of the
herpetology of the United States Exploring Bxj)edition.

[Dr. A. K. Fisher obtained this turtle and saw many on the South
Fork of Kern River, about 25 miles above Kernville, early in July, and
Mr. Palmer and I saw half a dozen in a small pond 2 or 3 miles above
the forks of the Kern June 25. — C. H. M.]

Order II. SQUAMATA.

Suborder I. aSA URI.

Family Eublepharid^.

Coleouyx variegatus (Baird).

I am not prepared to unite most of the American species formerly re-
ferred to the genus GoleomjXjViith. the East Indian Jfuhlepliaris as recently
inoposed by Mr. Boulenger (Cat. Liz. Br. Mus., i, 1885, i3. 230). The

May, 1803.] REPTILES OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

1G3

relative size of the claw sheaths is hardly of such importance as to
justify a generic arrangement which would xilace the American forms in
two genera, one of which would include the species found only in the
East Indies. The presence or absence of enlarged chin shields seems
to me a much more important character, and is far more satisfactory,
since it effectually separates the American from the Indian species.

The three genera, by Boulenger referred to the family Eublej^liari-
dcv, would then stand thus :

Digits granular iuferiorly
Digits lamellar inferiorly

Hemithcconyx *
(West Africa).
Eublepliaris
(Southern Asia).
Coleonyx
(America).

|> Enlarged chin shields.
J No chin shields.

The genus Coleonyx would then contain four species, as follows :

fli Claw sheaths very large Coleonyx elegans

a? Claw sheaths small

Back with enlarged tubercles Coleonyx dovii

6 2 Back uniformly granular

Snout elongate Coleonyx variegatus

c® Snout short Coleonyx brevis

Boulenger (Z. c.) recognizes two species of the G. variegatus type, one
with the snout elongate, while in the other it is shortened. The former
he gives a new name, E. fasciatus, and retains the name given by
Baird for a specimen from Texas. It should be remarked that all his
material consisted of two specimens, one from Texas, the other from
Yentanas, Mexico.

I have examined twelve specimens with the result that there is an
appreciable difference, as indicated by Boulenger, between five Texan
specimens, on the one hand, and seven sj)ecimens from Arizona and
California, on the other, and the latter agree so Avell with Boulenger’s
description of his EuhlepJiaris faseiatus that I have no doubt about the
identity of the Mexican specimen and those from Arizona and Cali-
fornia. But it will be observed that Prof. Baird’s type of G. variegatus
came from the Colorado Desert, in southern California, and that con-
sequently Boulenger’s is a synonym only, while it is the

Texan form, with its short snout, less developed anterior nasals, and
more numerous labials, which will have to be named. This form I
would propose to call Coleonyx hrevisA
The synonymy of the two forms would then stand as follows ;
Coleonyx variegatus.

1859. Stenodactylus variegatus Baird, Proc. Pbila. Acad., 1858, p. 254 (type No. 3217,
Colorado Desert). Id., Mex. Bound. Surv. Rept., ir, pp. 12, 34 (part), pi.
XXIII, figs. 9-18 (type from Colorado Desert) and figs. 19-27 (male from Ft.
Yuma, 1859).

* Semitheconyx, nom. nov., for Psilodactylus Gray, 1864, nee Psilodacfylus Oken,
1816. Tyjie Hemitheconyx caudicinctus (Dum.).

tType, U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 13627; Helotes, Bexar Co., Texas; Marnock coll,

164

NOli'ril AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

1866. Coleonyx vanc(ialns Coi)o, I’roc. IMiila. Acad., 1866, p. 310. Id., ibid., 1867 (p.
85) (Owens Valley, Calif'.).

1885. Eublcphavis fascialun Boulciiger, Cat. Liz. Br. Mus., i, p. 231 ( Ventanas, Mexico).
Coleonyx brevis.

1859. Slemdactylus varietjaliis Baird, Mex. Bound. Surv. Rept. ii, p^). 12-34 ([lart) pi.

XXIV, figs. 11-19 (Juu. from Live Oak Creek, Texas).

1880. Coleonyx varieyatus Cope, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 17, p. 13 (I’exas) {nec Baird).
1885. Euhlepharis varieyatus Bouleuger, Cat. Liz. Br. Mus. i, p. 233 (Texas) (wee
Baird).

The only specimen brought home by the exxiedition is a youug one
(Xo. 18620) collected by Mr. Bailey, January 23, on the east side of
Death Valley, opposite Bennett Wells, about 50 feet above the salt flat.
This is within the known range of this species, which extends east to
Tucson, Ariz., north to Owens Valley, California, and west across the
Colorado and Mohave Deserts to Mohave Station.

Family Iguanidje.

Dipsosaurus dorsalis (B. & G.).

The sixteen specimens brought home by the expedition extend our
knowledge of the geograiihical distribution of this species materially.
We knew in a general way that it inhabits southern California and Lower
California, but very few records of exact localities have ever been given.
We now find that it occurs in the whole Death Valley region, extend-
ing north into Owens Valley, as high as 4,100 feet above the sea, and
east to Callville, on the Great Bend of the Colorado, Dlevada, making
with the specimen from the Amargosa Desert, iN’evada, the first record
of the species in that State, so far as I know.

This species then ranges from Cape St. Lucas along the gulf coast of
Lower California to the Colorado and Mohave deserts. To the east it
extends at least as far as the Colorado Eiver, but how far beyond is
not known. Its northern range is indicated above.*

It is interesting to note that this species is a vegetable eater, as Dr.
Merriam’s subjoined notes show.

[This remarkable lizard, which in general form suggests the ancient
Saurians, is more strictly limited to the torrid Lower Sonoran Zone
than any other species, not excepting the gridiron-tail {Gallisaurus
ventralis). It ranges across the Lower Sonoran deserts of the Great
Basin from the Mohave Desert and Death Valley to the Great Bend
of the Colorado Eiver, and thence northerly in eastern Nevada through
the lower part of the valleys of the Virgin and Muddy, always keeping

* There is a record which would seem to indicate the occurrence of Diyjsosaurus
dorsalis on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada in California, inasmuch as the
smaller specimen brought home by Dr. Heermann is said to have been collected be-
tween “ Kern Eiver and the Tejou Pass” (Pac. R. R. Rep., x, 1853, Williamson’s route,
p.8), but it must not be forgotten that Lieut. Williamson’s parties on that expedition
Avere repeatedly on the slope toward the desert, and there is not the slightest prob--
ability that the specimen in question Avas collected on the valley slope.

Mat, 1893.] reptiles OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

1G5

witliiii tlie Larrea belt. In western ISTevada it readies its nortliei Ji
limit in tlie Amargosa Desert, and was not found in Oasis Valley or
Indian Spring Valley. In the northwest arm of Death Valley it does
not range northward beyond Grapevine Canon, and in Owens Valley
was not found much north of the lake. It is a strict vegetarian, feed-
ing on buds and flowers, which it devours in large quantities. No in-
sects were found in any of the stomachs examined] some contained
beautiful boquets of the yellow blossoms of acacia, the orange mal-
vastrum, the rich purple Dalea, and themesquite {Prosopis julijlora)-,
others contained leaves only. — G. H. M.]

List of specimens of Dipsosaurus dorsalis

u.s.

Nat.

Mus.

No.

Sex and
age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

18345

18346
18.147

d ad-

JUV.

juv.

Feet.

May 4

May 31
Apr. 27

18349

juv.

jUT.

ad.

i83.'in

18351

18352

3 miles east of Owens Lake, Calif

4,100
3, 300

•Tune 26
May 15
Apr. 24
Apr. 25

Apr. 22
Apr. 13
Apr. 1
Apr. 4

18353

18354

Mohave Desert, Leach Point, Valley,
Calif.

18355

18358

2, 100

18357

18358

18359

juv.

ad.

18360

Apr. 26

Collector.

Merriara

Bailey

Merriam

Bailey

Merriam

Bailey

Nelson

Bailey

Merriam

Stepliens ...

Bailey

...do

...do

Fislier

Merriam

EemarliS.

Crotaphytus baileyi Stejn.

The great number of specimens brought home by the expedition
fully bear out the characters assigned by me in originally establishing
this species (N. Am. Fauna, No. 3, 1890, p. 103).

When publishing the map {op. cit. PI. xiii) showing localities from
which specimens of G. haileyi and collaris had been examined, I was
unable to point out any single definite locality in California, the only
certain Californian specimen seen by me hailing from the ‘Mohave
Desert.’ The specimens hereafter enumerated would fill quite a gap
if plotted on that mail.

In spite of the fact that this species, in certain localities at least,
ascends the mountains as high as 5,600 feet, it does not occur anywhere
within the interior valley of California, nor does it pass beyond the
San Bernardino Range; in fact it does not seem to reach the coast any-
where; it is evidently an inland desert form.

[Bailey’s ring-necked lizard does not inhabit the Larrea belt of the
Lower Sonoran zone, but is common in suitable places in the Upper
Sonoran, whence it descends a short distance into the Grayia belt.
It lives among rocks, frequently in canons, and is commonest in the

• 166

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

desert ranges. lu tlie Paiianiint Mountains, California, it Avas J'onnd
in Surprise. Canon, in Einigi-aiit Canon jnst above tlie Larrca (alti-
tude 1,400 meters, or 4,600 feet), and in tl)e basin above Wild Hose
Spring (at an altitude of 1,580 meters, or 5,200 feet). In the White Moun-
tains it Avas secured in the canon leading from Deep Spring Valley up
over the pass (altitude 1,700 meters, or 5,600 feet), and also high ui) on
the Avest slope, always among rocks; and Mr. JSTelson collected it in the
Inyo Mountains. Dr. Fisher and Mr. Palmer obtained specimens in the
Argus Mountains and in Coso Valley. In NeAmda it was rather com-
mon on the west slope of the Charleston Mountains below Mountain
Spring, and was found also in Oasis Valley, at Quartz Spring at. the
west foot of the Desert Mountains (altitude 1,520 meters or 5,000 feet) ;
in the Juniper Mountains along the boundary between IsTevada and
Utah (altitude 1,830-2,040 meters, 6,000-6,700 feet), and in the upxier
part of Pahranagat Valley.

In Utah, a very dark form was found in company with a black form
of Sceloporus Mseriatus on the black lava rock in Diamond Valley be-
tween St. George and the Upper Santa Clara crossing. — C. H. M.]

List of specimens of Crotapliytus lyaileyi.

u. s.

Nat.

Mus.

No.

Sex

and

age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Eemarks.

Feet.

18319

d

Diamond Valley, Utah, 10 miles north-

4, 800

May 16

Merriam

On l.ava rook.

west of St. George.

18320

?

do

4, 800

Do

18321

5

f 800

Do.

18322

do

18323

d

Desert Mountains, Quartz Spring,

5, 000

May 28

do -

Nev.

18324

d

Juniper Mountains (25 miles e.ast

6,200

May 28

Bailey

In junipers.

of Panaca), Nev.

18325

April 28

do

18326

18327

d

AVhite Mountains, Deep Spring Val-

5, 600

June 9

Merriam

ley Slope, Calif.

18328

$

5, 600

do .

18329

d

Emigrant Canon, Calif., Panamint

4 ' 600

....do ...

Stephens . . .

Mountains.

Nelson

18330

d

Inyo Mountains, Calif

5, 000

May 17

18331

?

Death Valley, 5 miles from Bennett

AVells, Calif

18332

d

May 11

Calif. ’

18333

d

April 27

18334

9

... do

18335

9

18336

d

May 3

Calif.

18337

d

Argus Eange, Searl’s Garden, Calif. . .

2, 000

April 28

Stephens ...

18338

d

Panamint Mountains, Willow Creek,

4, 500

May 19

Nelson

Calif.

18339

4, 500

18340

4, 500

18341

9 adol.

Panamint Mountains, Mill Creek

4,900

May 15

. . . -do

Calif

18342

d adol.

April 23

Calif

18343

d

Pan.amint Mountains, 3 miles above

5, 000

April 16

Stephens ...

AVild Bose Spring, Caiif.

18344

d

5, 000

May, 1893.] reptiles OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 167
Crotaphytus wislizeiiii B. & G.

Evidently one of the commonest lizards in all the desert localities
visited by members of the expedition, as the subjoined list of speci-
mens will show. The relative distribution of this species, as comiiared
with C. silus, will be discussed under the latter.

Some of the females when received showed strong traces on the un-
der side, particularly on the tail, of a vivid scarlet color, which had a
very curious superficial aiipearance, as if caused by loosely adherent
particles of dry color. It has faded entirely out of all the specimens
in alcohol. Dr. Merriam has recorded detailed observations on this
point in the accomjianying note.

The ferocity and greed of this species is well illustrated by several
of the specimens caught. Thus the stomach of a young male (ISTo. 18291)
was found to contain two full-grown lizards, Utastanshuriana,^yhileaJ^l
adult female (No. 18276) when opened gave up one full-grown horned-toad,
Plirynosoma platyrhinos, besides remnants of a grown specimen of her
own species !

[The leopard lizard is abundant in most, if not all, of the Lower
Sonoran deserts of the Great Basin from southern California eastward
across southern Nevada to Arizona and southwestern Etah. While
properly belonging to the Lower Sonoran zone, it ranges up a certain
distance into the Upper Sonoran, occurring further north and higher
on the mountain sides than either GalUsaurus or Pipsosmirus, and
usually a little higher even than Ciiemidophoms.

It was found in abundance in all of the Lower Sonoran deserts trav-
ersed, from the Mohave Desert, Panammt and Death Valleys, Ash
Meadows, the Amargosa Desert, Indian Spring, Pahrump, and Vegas
valleys to the Great Bend of the Colorado, and thence northerly through
the valleys of the Virgin and Muddy across the northwest corner of
Arizona to the Santa Clara Valley in Utah, and Pahrauagat and Meadow
Creek Valleys in Nevada. The upper limit of its range was not
reached except in a few x>laces, as indicated by the following localities :
It was abundant throughout Antelope Valley, at the extreme west end
of the Mohave Desert, ranging thence northerly through the wash or
open canon leading to Tehachapi Valley. (It was not seen in Teha-
chapi Valley, which is not strange, as a sharp, cold wind blew the
only day w^e were there.) It ranges comiiletely over Walker Pass
(altitude of divide 1,550 meters, or 5,100 feet) and is common in Owens
Valley, ranging as far north at least as Bishop Creek, and as high as
1,980 meters (6,500 feet) along the west slope of the White and Inyo
Mountains (opposite Big Pine). On the east side of the White Moun-
tains it is common in Deep Siiring and Pish Lake valleys, and was
found on the north west slope of Mount Magruder (below Pigeon Spring)
as high as 1,980 meters (6,500 feet). It was seen at the same elevation
in Tule Canon, but does not reach the Mount Magruder plateau (alti-
tude about 2,450 meters, or 8,000 feet). Coming up through Grapevine
Canon from the northwest arm of Death Valley it spreads over Sarco-*

1G8

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7,

batus Flat, and ascends the soiitli slope of Gobi Monniain a littb?
bijilier tlia-n tlic creosote.bnsli {Larrca), wliie.li s(o])S at about .l,dl()
meters (or 5,400 feet) on tlie most favorabb*. sontbwt'st ex])osnr('s. It
is common in Oasis Valley (coming in from both Sar(;obatns Flat and
the Amargosa Desert), and doubtless ranges over most of the Ealston
Desert. It was found on the Desert, Timpahute and Pahranagat
Mountains, as well as the intervening deserts, and on Pahroc Plain,
and thence easterly across Meadow Creek Valley and the Juniper
Mountain plateau (along the boundary between Nevada and Utah) to
the Escalante Desert in Utah, and thence southerly through the sage
brush to Mountain Meadows and the Santa Clara Valley. It was com-
mon on the Argus and Pauamint mountains, and on the latter was
taken as high as 1,610 meters (5,300 feet) near Wild Eose Spring, and
may range higher.

Grotapliytus wisUzenii, in company with two other Great Basin lizards
{Cnemidopliorus tigris and TTta stansburiana), two desert birds {Har-
porhynohus lecontei and Gampylorliynclius brunneicapillus), the antelope
or white-tailed squirrel [Spermopliilus leucurus)^ and a number of desert
plants (among which may be mentioned the tree yucca, Yucca arbores-
cens, Tetradymia spinosa, T. comosa, Lycium andersoni, L, cooperi,
Hymenoclea salsola, Eriogonum fasciculatim, and Ephedra nevadensis)
l^asses over the' low summit of Walker Pass (altitude 1,550 meters, or
5,100 feet), and descends westerly to Kern Valley on the west slope of
the Sierra. From Kern Valley Grotapliytus wislieenii ranges southward
to Havilah, if not to Walker Basin.

The leopard lizard is chiefly a vegetarian, feeding on the blossoms
and leaves of plants; but is also carnivorous, devouring the smaller
lizards, horned toads, and even its own kind, besides large numbers of
insects, as determined bj^ the examination of many stomachs. In the
Argus Eange Dr. Fisher surprised one in the act of swallowing a
scaly lizard [Sceloporus) two-thirds its own size.

In many lizards, as well known, the male assumes a special coloration
during the breeding season. The present species is a notable excep-
tion, the male remaining the same, while the female undergoes a remark-
able change. The whole under surface and sides of the tail become
deep salmon or even salmon red, and the sides of the body assume the
same color, either uniformly or in blotches. The red markings on the
sides usually begin as spots, which soon unite to form transverse
stripes. The central part of the back is not affected by the change,
and the dark markings on the sides remain distinct. None were seen
in this condition until May 20, when the first red one was found on
Pahroc Plain , Nev., but dozens were seen afterward in Pahran agat V alley,
Indian Spring Valley, the Armagosa Desert, Tule Canon, and numer-
ous other localities. The change does, not take place till late in the
development of the egg. Many pairs were observed in copulation in
Diamond and the Upper Santa Clara Valleys, Utah, and thence north-

May, 1893.] EEPTILES OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

1G9

ward to Moniitaiii Meadows and tlio Escalante Desert, and westerly
across tlie Juniper Mountains to Meadow Creek Valley from Afay]?
to 19, but no trace of the red coloration had appeared. The red indi-
viduals were always found to contain large eggs, generally measuring
from 12 to 15’""’ in length, with the coriaceous shell already formed. —
0. H. M.]

List of specimens of Crotaphytus wislizenii.

U.S.

Nat.

Mus.

No.

Sex and
age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Feet.

18258

18259

18260
18261
18262

18263

18264

18265

18266

18267

18268

18269

18270

d"

cT

d

$

?

?

?

d

9

d

d

d

9

18271

18272

18273

18274

18275

18276

18277

18278

18279

18280
18281
18282

18283

18284

18285

9

d

9

9

9

9

■d

d

d

9

9

9

d

d

d

18286' d jun.
18287 d

St. George, Utah

10 miles northwest of St. George, Utah.

Mountain Meadows, Utah

do

do

do

Panaca, Nev

Vegas Valley, Nev

Tule Canon, Mount Magruder, Nev . .

Quartz Spring, Nev

Amargosa Desert, Nev

Sarcobatus Plat, Nev

Ea.st foot of Charleston Mountains
(Cottonwood Springs), Nev.

Grapevine Mountains, Nev

Timpahute Mountains, Nev

do

Indian Spring Valley, Nev

do

Pahrump Valley, Nev

do

do ,

Pahranagat Valley, Nev

do

Pahranagat Mountains, Nev

Oasis Vmley, Nev

Darwin, Calif

Panamint Valley, Calif

Panamint Mountains, Wild Nose
Spring, Calif.

do

Panamint Mountains, Cottonwood
Canon, Calif.

4,800

4,600
4, 800

4, 800

5, 300

5,300

4,900

18288

18289

9 jun.

9

do

do

6, 200

18290

18291

18292

18293

18294

-•18295

18296

18297

18298

18299

18300

18301

18302

18303

18304

18305

18306

18307

18308

18309

d .Itin.
d jun-
d
9
d

d

d

d

d

9

9

d jun.
cT

9

9 jun.

9

d

9

d

9

Garlick Spring, Calif

Death Valley (Saratoga Spring)Calif.
Argus Range, Shepherd Canon, (lalif .

Owens Valley, Independence, Calif

Mohave Desert, Southern Pacific
Railroad, Calif., 2 miles below Cam-
eron.

Mohave Desert, 15 miles east of Mo-
have, Calif.

Mohave Desert, north base of Granite
Mountain, Calif.

Havilah, Calif

Kernville, CaKf

Colorado Desert, Palm Spring, Calif . .

Coso, Calif

do

Panamint Mountains (Emigrant
Spring), Calif.

Saline Valley, Calif

do

Owens Valley, 20 miles west of
Bishop, Calif.

Lone Pine, Calif

do

do :

do

4,400

4,000
2, 300
4, 500

Date.

Collector.

May 13

Bailey

May 16

do

May 17

Merriam

May 19

Bailey

May 2

do

June 5

Merriam

May 28

do

May 31

do

J une 2

Bailey

Apr. 30

do

J une 10

Nelson

May 26

Bailey

May 28

Merriam

May 29

....do

Apr. 29

Bailey

Apr. 28

Merriam

May 23

Bailey

May 25

do

May 26

Merriam

June 1

do

May 29

Palmer

Apr. 24

Merriam

Apr. 16

Bailey

May 26

Nelson

June 14

do

Mar. 14

Palmer

Mar. 8

do

Apr. 28

Eisher

June 14

Palmer

J une 26

Merriam

Sept. 11

Stephens ...

Apr. 5

Merriam...,

June 24

do

June 23

Palmer

Sept. 27

Stephens . . .

May 28

Fisher

May 19

Palmer

Apr. 14

Bailey

June 30

Nelson

May 22

do

July 3

Stephens ...

June 8

Fisher

June 5

do

June 6

do

Remarks.

3, 900 feet
above fialt
Wells.

170

NORTH AHERICAN l-AVHNA.

[No. 7.

Crotraphytus silus Stejii.

Nine additiomil specimens from tlie San doaiinin Valley cnidirm the
distinctness of this species.

In addition to the very strongly marked proportional differences in
the head pointed ont in the original description (N. Am. Fauna, No. 3,
p. 105,) it is now found that the coloration is also essentially different.
In C. silus the rounded dorsal spots are larger, especially the two
median rows, so that of tffe latter there is only one longitudinal series
between the light cross-bands. The latter are very broad and distinct
and do not seem, to disappear as the animal grows larger. In some
specimens the interspaces between the light bands are solidly dark,
the spots indicated only by somewhat ill-defined patches of saturated
ferrugineous.

This species seems to be closely restricted to the San Joaquin Val-
ley, while the typical C. wislizenii reaches the west slope of the Sierra
Nevada through Walker Pass, the summit of which is only 5,100 feet
in altitude and, therefore, not above the vertical range of the species.
This fact is demonstrated by two si)eciinens brought home by the
expedition, viz, No. 18298 which was collected by Mr. Palmer at Kern-
ville, June 23, and No. 18297 collected by Dr. Merriain at Havilah, June
24. Kernville and Havilah are on the west slope of the Sierra, and the
specimens from both are undoubted G. tvisUzenii both as to proportions
and coloration. If we were ever to find intermediate forms between the
two species, specimens from these localities would be expected to fur-
nish them, but it is a significant fact that they are as typical as any of
the specimens collected outside of the great interior valley of California.

List of specimens of Crotaphytus silus.

u.s.

Nat.

Mus.

No.

Sex

and

age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

d

d

d

$ .nw.
d .iiw.
? iav.
d ,iiiv.
9 .iuv.

9

Feet.

July 13
Oct. 13
. ..do

5 miles north of Rose Station. Calif. ..

Nelson

.......

Oct. 10
July 17
Oct. 11

. do

July 16

i

Eemark.s.

18310

18311

18312

18313

18314

18315
1831C

18317

18318

Callisaurus ventralis (Hallow.).

The large series of this interesting species brought home by the ex-
pedition has not onlj^ filled up gaps in our knowledge of its distribu-
tion, but has also afforded enough material to decide beyond a doubt
the question as to the specific difference between the present form and
typical Callisaurus draconoides Blainv. The differences are numerous
and are found both in structure and coloration. Moreover, after an
examination of about 200 specimens I can affirm that the characters

Mat, 1893.] REPTILES OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION, 171

are constant and that the two fonns do not intergrade. Tliat Bfmlenger
(Cat. Li/;. Br. Mns., ii, 1885, p. liOO) failed to appreciate tlie difference
is probably due to the fact that he had only two siiecimens of one
species, iirobably C. ventraUs, before him.

As to the geograiihical distribution of the two species it may be stated
that (J. (Iraconoides is restricted to the very southern extremity of the
Lower California peninsula — that is, to the zoo-geographical district
which has been termed the Cape Eegion, or Cape St. Lucas Kegion.

While this siiecies, therefore, is of a very limited range, C. ventraUs
ranges over a comparatively large area, comprising, so far as known,
the northern portion of Lower California j the coast of Sonora, Mexico,
at least as far south as Gnaymas; the desert regions of southern Cali-
fornia 5 southern Arizona as far east as Camp Apache and Fort Buch-
anan, at least 5 southern and western Nevada as far north as Pyramid
Lake; southern Utah, where it is restricted to the Lower Santa Clara
Yalley. *

It can be asserted with confidence i\x^\iCaUisaurus ventraUs does not
occur anywhere within the interior valley of California, not even in
Walker Basin. Nor is there any evidence to show that it occurs any-
where southwest of the San Bernardino range, within the boundary of
the State of California.

[The gridiron -tailed lizard is the most characteristic reptile of the
Lower Sonoran deserts of southern California, southern Nevada, south-
western Utah, and Arizona, where it is almost universally distributed
and very much more abundant than any other species. It inhabits the
open deserts and runs with great swiftness over the sand and gravel
beds, carrying its tail curled up over its back as if afraid to let it touch
the hot surface of the earth. It starts off at full speed, as if fired from
a cannon, and stops with equal suddenness, thus escaping or eluding its
enemies, the coyotes, hawks, and larger lizards. When running it
moves so swiftly that the eye has difficulty in following, and when at
rest its colors harmonize so well with those of the desert that it can
hardly be seen. The basal half of its tail is transversely barred under-
neath, and the bars are broad and distant, suggesting the name here
applied to the species in lieu of a better one. During the breeding
season the males develop a conspicuous patch of metallic greenish-blue
on the sides of the body and have the power of inflating a x>inkish sac
under the chin.

The attitude of this lizard when at rest differs from that of most
others in that the knees and elbows stand out at right angles from the
body and are elevated to such a degree that they nearly reach the
plane of the back. Like many other species, it has an odd habit of per-

* Some authors even iuclude Texas in the geographical distribution of this species
(and genus), hut with no foundation in facts. I am not aware of an authentic record
of its having been collected in New Mexico. The type came from what was then ^New
Mexico/ hnt in those days that included Arizona as well.

172

NORTH AMERIOAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

furi>iiii.G: a sino'iilai' oxo.rciso, consist in rapidly (lro])pinfj;’

and (dcvaling’ the body with the knees lield stiff at ri.i>h(. anj^les to the
trunk.

Tliis species feeds on insects and the blossoms and leaves of plants
in about equal proportion j at least siicli was the case in the large num-
ber whose stomachs were examined.

The gridiron-tailed lizard is common throughout the Mohave Desert
proper, but does not reach the extreme western end of the desert in
Autelope Valley, which, owing to its greater altitude, passes out of the
Lower Sonoran zone. It was last seen in this direction about 10 miles
east of Liebre ranch. In the wash leading from the Mohave Desert to
Tehachapi Valley it was seen up to 1,030 meters (3,400 feet) and may
range higher. It is common in the Lower Sonoran zone at the south
end of Owens Valley, and ranges up oii the warm east side of the val-
ley as far as Big Pine. It is common throughout Panamint and Death
valleys and in the Amargosa Desert. In Kevada it inhabits the deserts
of the southern x)art of the State, from Ash Meadows easterly across
Pahrump and Vegas valleys to the Great Bend of the Colorado, where
it is very common, and ranges north through the valleys of the Virgin
and Lower Muddy (where it is abundant) to Pahranagat and Meadow
Creek valleys. In western Nevada it comes through Grapevine Canon
(from the northwest arm of Death Valley), ranges easterly over
Sarcobatus Flat, and ascends the warm south .slope of Gold Mountain,
with Larrea, to about 1,640 meters (5,400 feet). In Utah it is common
in the Lower Santa Clara Valley, but does not range up into the sage-
brush or Upper Sonorau Zone of the upper part of the valley.

In Desert Valley, just east of the Pahroc Mountains, a form of this
species was found which seems to be subspecilically distinct from the
ordinary type. It is much shorter and broader, with a shorter tail, and
is bluish-gray in color. It may be the same as the animal inhabiting
the desert at Pyramid Lake, Nevada, which point is about two degrees
further north than Desert Valley, though in the same zoological sub-
zone, for the low altitude of a series of narrow and irregular deserts in
western Nevada carries this zone much further north than elsewhere.
These specimens suggest the existence of a form peculiar to the upper
division (or Grayia belt) of the Lower Sonoran Zone, Callisaurus ven-
tralis proper being closely restricted to the lower division (or Larrea
belt) of the same zone. — 0. H. M.J

MAiM803.] KEPTILES OF THE HEATJI VALLEY I'LXPJHJlTlON.

173

List of specimens of Callisanras ventralis.

IT.S.

Nat.

Mils.

No.

Sex and
asre.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Ilemarks.

18207

18208
18200
18210
18211
18212

18213

18214

18215

18216

18217

18218

18219

18220
18221
18222

18223

18224

18225

18226

18227

18228

18229

18230

18231

18232

18233

18234

18235

18236

18237

18238

18239

18240

18241

18242

18243

18244

18245

18246

18247

18248

18249

18250

18251

18252

18253
182.54
18255
182.56
18257
18361

cf

9

9

9

cT

cf

cf

9

9

cf

cf

cf

cf

9

cf juv.
cf

cf

cf juv.
cf jUT.

9

.cf

cf

cf

cf juv
cf juv
9 juv.

9

cf

cf

cf

cf

cf

9

cf juv.
cf

cf juv.
cf juv.
9 juv.
cf
cf

9

9 ad.
cf
(f
cf

9 ad.
cf juv.
cf

9

9

9

9

Deatli Valley (Beunett Wells) Calif.
do

Feet.

-do

-do

-do

-do

-do

Deatli Valley, Furnace Creek, Calif. . ,
Argus Range, Shepherd Canon, Calif

Panamint V alley, Calif

do

■ do
-do
-cio ,
-do .

18362 9 juv.

I

Death Valley (Saratoga Springs),
Calif.

do

do

do

Owens, Lake, OlancLa, Calif

Water Station, Borax Flat, Calif

Garlick Springs, Calif

Panamint Mountains (Emigrant
Spring), Calif.

do

Funeral Mountains, Calif ^ .

do

Owens Valley (Lone Pine), Calif

Cameron, 8 miles northwest Mohave,
Calif.

Saline Valley, Calif

Sarcobatus Flat, Nev

do

Amargosa River, Nev

do

Amargosa River, Calif

Ash Meadows, Nev

do

do

do

GreatBend of Colorado (Callville), Nev

do

do

do

Pahranagat Valley, Nev

do

'..do

do

— - - do

Pahrump Valley, Nev

do ,

Desert Valley, Nev

Gold Mountain, Nev

Mohave Desert, Calif., Leach Point
Valley.

do

Apr. 4
Apr. 1
Apr. 4
Jan. 22
Apr. —
Mar. 22
Jan. 20
June 20
Apr. 27
Apr. 24

do . . .

do . . .

do . ..

do . ..

do . . .

Mar. 8

3,700

2, 200

....do ...
Feb. 2
— do ...
May 19?
Apr. 22
Mar. 14
Apr. 14

do ...

Feb. 6

do ...

June 6
June 26

2, 500'
4, 400
4, 600

5, 300

6, 000

Jan. 30
J une 2

do ...

Mar. 21

do . ..

Apr. 27
Mar. 20
Mar. 18
Mar. 4

do ...

May 4

do . . .

(lo ...

do - ..

May 23

ido . . .

do . ..

do . ..

do ...

Apr. 29

do - . .

May 21
June 3
Apr. 25

Bailey . . .

— do

do

do

Nelson...
...do ....
Fisher . . .

— do

Merriam.
...do ....
Fisher . . .
Bailey ...

— clo

...do ....
Palmer ..

. . .do

Bailey . . .

Stephens

...do

Palmer . .
Bailey ...

...do . .
Nelson.
...do ..
Palmer
... clo . .

Nelson . . .
Merriam.
Bailey . . .
Fisher...

do

Bailey . . .
Fisher...

do

Nelson ..

do

do

do

do

do

!Bciil6V • > •

do

Merriam.

do ....

— do

Bailey . . .
Merriam .

do

Bailey . . .
do

.do

.do

Sauromalus ater Dum. (PL iv).

It is quite gratifying to find in the large series of this species collected
by the expedition all the diagnostic characters verified, which I indi-
cated at the time I separated the large Sauromalus Mspidus from the
present species (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mns., xiv, 1801, pp. 409-411). This
series also fully confirms my assumption that the largest of the speci-
mens then at my command were fully adult. Some of the specimens
of the Death Valley Expedition are somewhat larger than the largest
specimens heretofore recorded, measuring in total length 415 ““ and
over (exact length not ascertainable as the tip of the tail of the largest

174

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

specimen liad evidently been lost by the animal when alive), and yet
there is no approach whatever towards the distinctive cluiracteis of
S. hisjriclHs.

There is great individual variation in the coloration of this species,
especially in the amount of black on the lower parts and in the dark
cross bars on the upper surface, and although the latter are imrticu-
larly well developed and defined in the young specimens, several of the
older ones are by no means deficient in this respect. It is a curious
fact, however, that the distinctness — or even the presence or absence —
of these cross bars, esj^ecially on the tail, is changeable in the same in-
dividual and apparently dependent upon the intensity of the light to
which the animal is exposed, an observation which I was able to make
on a specimen which was sent to Washington alive.

I am informed that observations in the field show this species to be
a vegetable eater as has already been demonstrated for the S. Jiispidus.

Beyond rather vague statements as to the general distribution of the
present sxDCcies very little exact information in regard to its range has
been published. It is evident that the localities from which the expe-
dition brought home its specimens — almost four times as many as in
any museum before — form the center of the geographical range of the
‘ chuck- walla.’ From here it extends southward along the Colorado
Eiver for an unknown distance, ranging westward into the Colorado
Desert, and eastward along the Gila into Arizona. Dr. Merriam has
now for the first time definitely demonstrated its occurrence in south-
ern Nevada and southwestern Utah.

[The ^ chuck-walla,’ by which name this remarkable lizard is univer-
sally known to both Indians and whites (except the Mormons), inhabits
many of the Lower Sonoran Desert ranges in the southern part of the
Great Basin from the Mohave and Colorado Deserts easterly across
southern Nevada to Arizona, and north to the southwestern corner of
Utah. It is the largest lizard of the desert region except the Gila
monster (Reloderma), which only slightly exceeds it in size. The broad
body is black or blackisb, and the large blunt tail is usually marbled
with white or entirely white. It was generally found on lava or other
dark rocks with which its coloration harmonizes. It is a vegetarian,
feeding entirely, so far as our observations go, on the buds and flowers
of plants, with the addition sometimes of a few leaves. It is much
l)rized by the Panamint Indians as an article of food. A number were
eaten by members or our expedition, and their flesh was reported to be
tender and palatable.

Specimens were secured in the Panamint Eange, the Amargosa Canon,
on a lava knoll on the west side of Pahrumj) Yalley, Calif., and in the
Lower Santa Clara Yalley in Utah. In the latter locality, they are com-
mon both along the canon of the Lower Santa Clara and among the red
sandstone cliffs near the villageof St. George, and are called ^ alligators ’
by the Mormons. Dr. Fisher found them in considerable numbers in the

may,i893.j reptiles of the death valley expedition.

175

Argus Range, west of Panamint Valley, and examined a number of
stomachs, in whhdi he found the following plants (either flowers or
foliage or both) : JDalca fremontii, Leptosyne hiyelovii, Anisinclcia tessel-
lata, Lotus, SplmraUea munroana, and Ephedra viridis. — 0. H. M.]

List of specimens of Sauronialus ater.

u.s.

Nat.

Mus.

No.

Sex

and

age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Eemarks.

18621

18622

18623

18624

18625

18626
18627

18629

18630

18631

18632

18633

18634

18635

18636

18637

18638

18639

d

d

?ad

ad.

ad.

ad.

juv.

d

ad.

d

d

d

d

ai

ad.

ad.

ad.

Feet.

Santa Clara Cafion, Utah

St. George, Utah

do

Pahrunip Valley, Nev

Amargosa River, Calif

Lookout, Inyo County, Calif.

Death Valley, Furnace Creek, Calif. .
Panamint Mountains, Willow Creek,
Calif.

do

Argus Range, Shepherd Canon, Calif.
do

3, 000

4,500

.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do
.do

Miiy 11
May 13
May 14
Apr. 28
Apr. 27
Mar. 27
Mar. 22
May 19

Apr. 21
Apr. 29

...do

. . .do

Apr. 26
Apr. 23

Apr. —
Apr. —
Apr. —

Bailey . . .
Merriam.

do

do

do

Bailey . . .
Fisher . . .
Nelson...

Coville
Fisher .

...do ..
...do ..
...do ..
...do ..
...do ..
...do ..
...do ..
...do ..

Skin.

Uta stansburiana B. & Gr.

The regions visited by the expedition falling within the known range
of this species one can hardly wonder at the magnificent series sent
home.

With the material already at hand it should now be possible to set-
tle all questions as to individual and geographical variation within the
species. The task of handling this material, however, is too great to be
attempted in the present connection and must be reserved for some
future occasion.

[This tiny brown- shouldered lizard is common over nearly the whole
of the desert region traversed by the expedition, from California to Utah
and Arizona and occurs also on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada,
as the subjoined list of localities shows. Whether the form inhabiting
the upper San Joaquin Valley is identical with that from the deserts
of the Great Basin remains to be seen.

Uta stanshuriana is common throughout the Mohave Desert, ranging
westward to the extreme west end of Antelope Valley and down through
the Canada de las Uvas to Old Fort Tejon. It ranges also over Walker
Pass and down into Kern Valley. It is common in Owens Valley,
and thence easterly in the Coso Mountains, Panamint Valley and
Mountains, Death Valley, the Amargosa Desert, Ash Meadows, Pah-
rump and Vegas Valleys, and at the Great Bend of the Colorado,
whence it ranges northerly in the valleys of the Virgin and Muddy to

176

the ‘

Nev;

Flat

TT. S.

Nat.

Mus.

No.

IS.'jOS

18509

18510

18511

18512

18513

18514

18515

18516

18517

18518

J8519

18520

18521

18.522

18523

18524

18525

18.526

18527

18528

18529

18530

18531

18532

18533

18534

18535

18536

18537

18538

18539

18540

18541

18-542

18543

18544

18545

18.546

18547

18548

18549

18550

18551

18552

18553

18554

18555.

18556

185.57

18558

18559

18560

18561

18.562

18563

18564

18565

18566

18567

18568

18569

18570

18571

18572

18573

18574

18575

18576

NUliTlI AlVIEIilCAN FAUNA,

[No. 7.

Clara Valley in soutliwestern Utali, and I’aliranagat Valley,
In western INcvada it was not found north of yarcobatus

M.]

List of specimens of Uta stanshnriana.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Feet.

3,000

May 13

Merriam ....

May 14

May 13

May 6
Apr. 30

CliMleston Moniitains, Mountain
Spring, Nev.

5, 600

5, 600

Merriam

Neb. 19
Feb. 26
Apr. 28
Apr. 29
May 23
Mai-. 12

Merriam

Merriam

1, 800
1,800

..!.do^.

Mar. 2
Mar. 4
Mar. 17
Mar. 13
Mar. 14
Mar. 10
jViar. 11
Mar. 13
M.ar. 2
. . do

do

do

Stephens

Jan. 23

do

Mar. 22

Jan. 20
Jan. 21

do

Jan. 22
Jan. 24
Jan. 26

do

do

do

Jan. 28
Apr. 28
Jan. 20

Feb. 1
Jan. 26
Jan. 24
Jan. 23
Jan. 30
Apr. 10
Feb. 6
...do

Stephens ...

Feb. 3
Jan. 30

do

...do

do

Feb. 2

...do

Feb. 13
Apr. 22
Mar. 30

do

2, 100

Stephens .

Pananiint Mountains, Joiinsoii Canon,
Calif.

do

5, 000
5, 560
6,000

Mar. 28
Apr. 3
Mar. 31

do

do

do

llcmarks.

May. 1893.] REPTILES OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

177

List of specimens of Uta stanshuriana — Continued.

U.S.

Nat.

Mns.

No.

Sex and
age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Kemarks.

18577

18578

18579

18580

18581

18582

18583

18584

18585

18586

18587

18588

18589

18590

18591

18592

18593

18594

18595

18596

18597

Panamint Valley, Calif

do

do

do

do

Coso Mountains, Coso, Calif.

Panamint Mountains, Emigrant
Spring, Calif.

Mohave Desert, Leach Point Spring,
Calif.

Keeler, Calif

Port Tejon, Calif

do

Antelope Valley, LiehrC Ranch,
Calif.

Walker Pass (west slope), Calif

Roses Station, Calif

Kernville, Calif

do

Kern River, South Pork, Calif

Presno, Calif

do

Lone Pine, Calif

Caliente, Calif.

Feet.

1,575

1,575

4, 600

2, 700

'l’ooo

J an. 5
Jan. 12

. . -do

•Jan. 5
Apr. 20
May 22
Apr. 14

Apr. 25

June 3
June 28

. . . do

. . -do

July 3
Oct. 13
June 23

.. -do

July 9
Sep. 23

.. .do

Dec. 19

J une 24

Bailey . .

do ...

do . ..

do ...

Pisher . .
Bailey . .

do . ..

Pisher . .
Merriam

do ...

do ...

Bailey . .
Nelson..
Palmer .

do ...

Bailey . .

do' . ..

do ...

do ...

Palmer .

Lone Pine
Canon.

Uta graciosa (Hallow.).

The kDowD range of this well-named species has been considerably
extended by the few specimens brought home by Dr. Merriam, inas-
much as it carries it into ISTevada, the first record for that State.

Uta graciosa has a very peculiar and considerably restricted distri-
bution, for the only definite localities so far recorded show it to be an
inhabitant of a narrow strip of country on both sides of the Colorado
Eiver, probably from its mouth up to the beginning of the G-reat Caiion,
and, as now shown, some distance up the Virgin Eiver.

[This slender and agile lizard was not seen in auy of the deserts of
southern California or Nevada, except in extreme eastern Nevada,
where it was common at the Great Bend of the Colorado; thence
northward it was found in a few places in the valley of the Virgin as
far north as the Mormon town of Bunkerville, a‘ few miles from the
northwestern corner of Arizona. It was never seen on the open desert
but usually on mesquite trees and the faces of cliffs, over which it moves
with grace and agility. — C. H. M.]

List of specimens of Uta graciosa.

TT.S.

Nat.

Mus.

No.

Sex and
age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

18505

18506

18507

d

d

d

Bunkerville, Nev

Callville, Nev. (Great Bend of Colo,
rado) .

Feet.

May .8
May 4

Bailey

Merriam

12731— No. 7 12

178

NORTH AJIE RICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Sceloporus magister (Hallow.). (PI. i, iig. 2.).

The curious fate of Sceloporus marmoratus, or variahilis, iu herpet-
olog’ical literature, as recently pointed out by me (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus.,
XIV, 1891, p. 485, seq.), is equaled, if not surpassed, by that of the
present species and Sceloporus clarlcii.

The latter species was established in 1852 by Baird and Girard upon
specimens from Sonora’ {i. e., Arizona). Two years later, Mr. Hallo-
well described another large specimen of Sceloporus from the vicinity of
Fort Yuma as S. magister. With the material at hand then, and con-
sidering the insufficiency of the descriptions, it is hardly to be won-
dered at that Baird and Girard subsequently adduced Hallowell’s name
S. magister as a synonym to S. clarlcii., or that they have been followed
iu this course by all subsequent herpetologists, with the possible ex-
ception, perhaps, of Hallowell himself, who, in 1859 still retains the
name S. magister. They are, however, undoubtedly good species, as
will be shown further on.

One of the more recent authors to monograph the genus, Mr. Bocourt,
in 1874, seems to have recognized the diherence between the two, as he
thinks S. clarlcii related to S. formosus, and S. magister to spinosus or
acantliinus, but beyond these vague suggestions, there is nothing to
indicate that he ever had the opportunity to examine specimens of
either.

In 1875 S. clarlcii is recognized by Oope, Coues, and Yarrow, in their
various publications, and zosteromus is made a subspecies of S. clarlcii,
but not even that much recognition is given S. magist er. In Yarrow’s
Catalogue and Check list of 1883 there is no change.

In Cope’s ^Synopsis of the Mexican Species of the Genus Sceloporus,^
published in 1885, there is a decided inclination towards lumping several
of the North American forms (see for instance the synonymy of S. undu-
latus), but one is hardly prepared to find S. zosteromus raised to a dis-
tinct species again and to the total abandonment of S. clarlcii. True,
the iiaper by its title refers only to Mexican species, but as it includes
several species confined to the United States it seems evident that the
species occurring in North America were also intended to be included.

But in the same year we meet a decided novelty, as Mr. Boulenger,
in the second volume of his Catalogue of the Lizards in the British
Museum, makes S. clarlcii a subsxiecies of S. spinosus, with the following
synonymy: S. magister Hall.; S. floridanus Baird, and S. thayerii
Bocourt {nec. B.& G.) ! And iu addition he remarks : “ This form appears
to be comxiletely linked with S. undulatus.'” Before proceeding further
I will note here that at least his specimen a, from the ^Colorado Bot-
tom,’ is true S. magister, and that possibly he has not seen S. clarlcii,
under which name this siiecimen was probably sent to the British
Museum by the Smithsonian Institution.

The last monograiiher of the genus. Dr. Gunther, in the reptile volume
of Biologia Central!- Americana (February, 1890), finally includes both

mat, 1893.] REPTILES OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 1.79

darhii and magister as unconditional synonyms of S. spinosus, evidently
because lie found a “ want of agreement between tlie number of xiores
and tire distribution of tlie species.” However, bad be brst separated
clarMi and magister by tbeir proper cbaracters wliicli are not to be
found in tbe number of femoral pores, be could not have missed the
agreement looked for.

I must myself plead guilty of having confounded S', clarlcii and S.
magister, misled, as I was, by tbe almost unanimous verdict of berpe-
tologists. If there was a settled question in regard to tbe Bcelopori,
I thought surely to have it in tbe identity of these two names. I re-
garded no identification more secure than that of tbe specimens col-
lected by Dr. Merriam in tbe Grand Canon of tbe Colorado as 8. clarHi*
As a matter of fact, however, they are 8. magister.

That I Avas finally undeceived is principally due to Mr. P. L. Jouy,
who, while collecting for the National Museum near Tucson, southern
Arizona, in 1891, bad the good fortune to observe both species alive.
In sending tbe specimens, be wrote me that be bad undoubtedly two
species which be could distinguish not only by tbeir color when alive,
but also by tbeir habits and tbe different localities which they fre-
quented, one being shy and agile, tbe other fearless and sluggisli; one
found only on tbe mesa and on the ground, tbe other near tbe riA^er,
and chiefly on trees and bushes. i7ot being able, upon a cursory ex-
amination, to find any tangible character, I wrote back that there was
only one big 8Geloporus and 8. clarlcii was its name. Upon his return, Mr.
Jouy again brought up the question, and as he was so very persistent,
I promised him to examine all the material carefully, a promise made
more to please him than because I exiiected a different result. I went
to work and it just so happened that the first two specimens which I
picked np belonged each to a different species. My eye at the very
first glance hit uiion the most distinctiA’^e character Avhich separates the
tAVO, Adz, the difference in the spiny scales which protect the ante-
rior border of the ear opening, a difference which is quite aj)parent
upon an examination of the accompanying figures (PI. i, figs. 1 and 2).
The constancy of the character was soon verified in a large series of
specimens, as well as the concomitancy of the presence or absence of
dusky eross markings on the dorsal aspect of the forearm and hand.

It would have been difficult to ascertain the correct names of the two
species from the published descrij)tions, but the types of both 8. clarlcii
and 8. magister are still in the collection, and fortunately they belong
respectively to the two species.

Upon plotting on a map the various localities Irom which I have
examined specimens (about forty), it was shown that the two species
inhabit different areas, and that the habitats come together and partly
overlap in southeastern Ariznna, notably around Tueson. But here

NortL American Fauna, No. 3, p. 110.

180

• NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

fRo. 7.

it is useful to remember Mr. Jouy’s observation tliat tlie two s])ccies
live apart in separate localities.

Sccloporus miu/ister, according to this, inhabits the desert region of
southern California, as veritied by numerous examples brought home
by the Death Valley Expedition and enumerated hereafter. Material
from the same source shows that it penetrates into southern ^fevada,
and easterly into southwestern Utah, while Dr. Merriam, during his
San Francisco Mountain Expedition in 1889, demonstrated its occur-
rence in the Grand Canon of the Colorado. The most northern locality
from which the species has been brought, and which has never before
been recorded, I believe, is the Big Bend of the Truckee Eiver in Ne-
vada, at ‘Camp 12’ of King’s expedition, where numerous specimens
were collected by Mr. Kobert Eidgway. Eastward it has been found
in the deserts of southern Arizona as far as Fort Verde and Tucson.

Sceloporus clarMi, on the other hand, within the United States, seems
confined to southeastern Arizona, whence it is found southward into
Mexico for an unknown distance, probably confined to the western
slope of the Sierra Madre, for it is pretty certain that S. clarlcii and all
its allied forms, or species, are confined to the western slope of the
continent.

The map used for plotting the distribution of the two species was
the summer ‘Eain-chart of the United States’ by Charles A. Schott
(published by the Smithsonian Institution in 1868) and the coincidence
of the dividing line between the two species with the isohyetal line of
6 inches seems to be more than accidental.

Farther south in Mexico we find the typical S. clarhii replaced by a
nearly related form, which, as it has received no name before, we may
call 8. houlengeri',* Boulenger’s 8. spinosus 'being in part this form.

Still farther south we have another modification of the same type in
8celoporus acanthinus Boc., with its excessively long points to the dorsal
scales. The locality whence came the type is St. Augustine, on the
west slope of the volcano of Atitlan, Guatemala.

8celoporus magister has also representative forms toward the south.
A very distinct species, but apparently of rather restricted distribu-

* Sceloporus boulengeri, sp. nov., Plate i, figs. 5a.-c.

Diagnosis. — Similar to S. clarlcii but with fewer femoral pores; ear spines com-
paratively short and broad; interparietal very broad.

JSaMtat. — Mexico, west coast from Mazatlan to Guaymas.

Type. — U. S. Nat. Mus.,No. 14079; Presidio, about 50 miles from Mazatlan^ Sinaloa,
Mexico; A. Forrer, coll.

In the width of the interparietal the present form agrees with S. zosteromus, but
the latter has nearly twice as many femoral pores, and its ear spines are long, nar-
row, and numerous.

May, 1893.] reptiles OP THE HEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 181

tioii, of wliicli specimens Lave come to Laud only fj^uite recently, is Sce-
loporus orc'iitti* TLe only specimens seen Lave come from San ]>iego
County, SoutLern California, and tLe only exact locality known is tlie
Milqnatay Valley, wLicL Mr. C. R. Orcntt, wLo collected tLe specimens,
and in wLose Lonor tlie species is named, informs me “is just bordering
tlie Mexican boundary, 50 miles east of San Diego by Avagon road.”
It probably iieuetrates some distance soutL into tLe nortLern part of
Lower California, in tLe sontLern portion of AAdiicli its place is taken
by S. zosteromusA TLis species is closely allied to tS. magister. ,S.
clarlcii, on tLe other Land, is more different from the latter than the
latter is from S. zosteromiis.

I have above alluded to Mr. Bouleuger Laving made aS'. floridanm a
synonym of Lis 8. spinosus var. elarhii. Cope, on the other Land, makes
it a synonym, of S. imdulatus (Proc. Am. Philos. Soc., xxii, 1885, x). 398),
but both are wrong, as an examination of the type sxiecimeu clearly
proves. TLe fig. 6 on Plate i from this specimen shows that it Las noth-
ing to do with 8. clarlcii. or any species of the group to which the latter
belongs. On the other hand, the size of the dorsal scales easily distin-
guishes it from 8. undulatus. It is in fact the same form which occurs
all through southern Texas and which has commonly been called 8.
spinosus. It is fairly sejiarable from the true Mexican 8. spinosus by
the greater number of femoral pores. The form occurring within the
United States will therefore stand as 8celoporus Jioridamis, or 8. spino-
sus floridanus (notwithstanding the fact that it does not occur in the
peninsula of Florida) if the number of femoral pores should be found to
intergrade. The most eastern point where this form has been found is
Pensacola, Fla.; hence the name. It is needless to add that 8. tliayeri
B. *& G. does not belong here; on the other hand, the specimens so
described and figured by Bocourt certainly do.

*Sceloporus orcutti sp. nov., plate I, figs. 4ct-c.

Diagnosis. — Similar to Sceloporus magister, but dorsal scales smaller, seven in a bead
length, very obtusely keeled and the spiny point scarcely protruding beyond the
rounded outline; no nuchal collar; back with cross-bands of dark and jialer brown,
the dark bands being broader than the pale ones; whole underside pale grayish
blue, without definite patches, the large males with the blue somewhat darker on
throat, flanks, and thighs.

Locality. — Milquatay Vallejq San Diego County, Calif.

Type. — U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 16330; Charles R. Orcntt, coll.; January 5, 1890.

Although manifestly related to S. magister, this is perhaps the most distinct-look-
ing species of the whole group, the comparative smoothness of the back and the very
peculiar coloration being quite notable. The under surface is particularly remark-
able when compared with the allied species, it being in fact unique among all the
Scelopori which I have examined. It is quite probable, however, that the blue in
the old males may deepen and darken as the season advances.

The constancy of the species caube vouched for, as I have examined ten specimens,
eight of which are now before me, and they are all alike.

t Plate I, fig. 3, shows some of the more essential characters of this species for
comparison with the allied forms.

182

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

It will thus 1)0 soon tluit — cveii looking' a]);ii’(i from S. liorridiis — wc
find ourselves compelled to recognize at least six distinct forms, or spe-
cies, Avhere so high an authority as Prof. Giinther as late as 1890 has
admitted only one. This different result is chiefly due, however, to
tlie much more abundant material at my command, for Avhile the her-
lietologists of the British Museum had scarcely more than 30 specimens
to draw conclusions from, I am fortunate enough to have before me
nearly 200 specimens, mostly from well authenticated localities, upon
which to base the above results.

* [The large scaly lizard known as Sceloporus magister is a Lower Sonoran
species ranging across the southern deserts and desert ranges of the Great
Basin from California to Arizona and southwestern Utah. Unlike most
of the lizards inhabiting the same region, it does not run about on the
open desert, but lives on the tree yuccas, the ruins of stone or adobe
dwellings, the nests of wood rats, and other objects that afford it shelter
and protection. At the mouth of Beaverdam Creek in northwestern
Arizona it was common among cottonwood logs and dead leaves; in
Pahranagat Yalley it was abundant about the ruins of stone houses
and along the faces of cliffs; in the Mohave Desert and other localities
it is common on the tree yuccas, where it was often found on the very
summits of the highest branches, and where it was rather wary and
difficult of capture without a gun.

In California it occurs throughout the Mohave Desert, ranging as far
west as the tree yuccas in Antelope Yalley and Walker Pass, and
thence easterly in Owens Yalley, Borax Plat, and the Argus and Pana-
mint mountains.

In Uevada it was found on the Grapevine Mountains, in Ash Mead-
ows, in Pahrump Yalley at the foot of the Charleston Mountains, in
Yegas and Indian Springs valleys, in Pahranagat Mountains and Yal-
ley, at the Great Bend of the Colorado Eiver, and in the valley of the
Yirgin.

In Arizona it was abundant at the point where Beaverdam Creek
joins the Yirgin.

In Utah it was common in the Lower Santa Clara or St. George
Yalley.

Sceloporus magister is a mixed feeder, both insects and flowers being
found in the stomachs examined. At the Great Bend of the Colorado,
Nevada, and St. George, Utah, stomachs were opened that contained
insects only. One from the latter locality contained a large goldsmith
beetle.— 0. H. M.J

May, 1893.] REPTILES OP THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 183
JAsi of fti^echnens of Sceloporufi magister.

U. S.
Nat.
Mus.
No.

1809G

18097

18098

18099

18100
18101
18102

18103

18104

18105

18106

18107

18108

18109

18110

18111

18112

18113

18114

18115

18116

18117

18118

18119

18120
18121
18122

18123

18124

18125

18126

18127

18128

18129

18130

18131

18132

18133

Sex and
age.

?

cf

9

9

9 jUY.
d jiiY.

9

cT

cf

cT

cf juv.
cf
cf
cf

cf juv.

cf juv.
cf
cf
cf

cf

cf

cf

cf

9

9

9

9

cf

cf

cf

cf

cf

9

cf

9

cf

Locality.

Paliranagat Valley, Nev.
do

-do.
-do .
-do .
-do .

Paliranagat Mountains, Nev

Pahranip Valley, Nev

Callville, Nev

Xsli Meadows, Nev ,

do

Vegas Valley, Nov

Indian Spring Valley, Nev..

do

Grapevine Mountains, Nev .

Bankerville, Nev

St. George, TJtali

do

Diamond Valley, 10 miles north of
St. George, tltah.

do

Panamint Mountains, Cottonwood
Canon, Calif.

do

Panamint Mountains, Willow
Creek, Calif.

do

Walker Pass, Calif

, do

do

Mohave, Mohave Desert, Calif

N ear Mohave, Mohave Desert, Calif .

do

do

Mohave Desert, near base of Gran-
ite Mountains, Calif.

Argus Eange, Shepherd Canon,
Calif.

-do

-Argus Eange, Searl’s Garden,
Calif.

Owens Valley (Lone Pine), Calif ..

do

Columbus, Nev

Alti-

tude.

Feet.

4,100

5, 000

4, 800
4, 800

3,900

3, 800

4, 600
4,000
4,000
4. 000

3, 000

Date.

May 23
...do.. ..

. . -do

. . -do

...do ....
May 25
May 26
Ai)r. 29
May 4
Mar. 16
Mar. 20
May 1
May 29

...do

June 8

May 8
May 12
May 13
May 16

May 16
June 14

May 29
May 22

May 17
July 2
July 1

. . . do

June 26

. . -do

. - . do

Apr. 6
Ai)r. 25

Apr. 29

Apr. 27
Ax)r. 24

June 11
June 12
Dec. ’90

Collector.

Merriam

do ...

do ...

Bailey . .
Merrian
Bailey ..
Merriam

do

Bailey . .
Nelson .
Palmer .
Bailey . .
Merriam
Bailey . .
Nelson .

Merriam
Bailey . .

do' ...

Merriam,

do

Nelson. -

do . . .

do ...

. . . do . . .
Bailey . .

do

— do ...
Palmer .
Merriam

do - ..

do ...

Bailey . .

Piaher ..

do

Stephens

Pisher . .

. . . -do . ..
Bailey . .

liemarks.

Y ucca belt.

4, 000 feet above
Salt Wells,
Mesquite Val-
ley.

Lava rock.

Do.

4, 400 feet above
Salt Wells.

On rocks.

Sceloporus graciosus B. & G.

The size of the dorsal scales iu this species is very variable, the nimi-
ber of scales in a head length varying from eleven to sixteen. Both ex-
tremes are represented in the present collection. In the two smallest
specimens the numbers are fifteen and sixteen; in a slightly larger one
from Mount Magriider, Nevada, there are fourteen; in two full-grown
specimens from the same locality, thirteen and twelve ; one from the
east sloiie of the High Sierra west of Lone Pine, Calif, (altitude 8,000 feet),
has also twelve; and in a coitjile from the Juniper Mountains, Nevada
altitude 6,700 feet), the number of scales in a head length is only eleven.
From this it might be supxiosed that the difference in the ratio between
the head and the dorsal scales depended uiion age, but in the types of the
species (U. S. Nat. Mus. 2877, Great Salt Lake, Utah, Capt. Stansbury
coll.), which are fully as small as the smallest specimens mentioned

184

NORTH AiMERICAN FAUNA.

[Xo.7.

above with tifteeii and sixteen scales to the head length, the number is
only twelve, while in two full-grown males from h’ort Klamath, Oregon
(U. 8. Nat. Mus. Nos. 15437-1.j438, Or. Merrill, coll.), there are tifteen
and fourteen, respectively.

[This species, which is a characteristic inhabitant of the Upper So-
noran and Transition zones in northern Nevada, eastern Oregon, and
Idaho, was A^ery abundant on the sage-covered idateau of Mount Ma-
gruder at an altitude of about 2,450 meters (8,000 feet) ; in the sage
plains on top of the White and Inyo mountains near the boundary be-
tween California and Nevada; and on the east slope of the Sierra Ne-
vada west of Owens Valley (at 2,450 meters, or 8,000 feet). It was com-
mon also among the sage and juniper on the Juniper Mountains along
the boundary between Nevada and Utah.

Seeloporus graciosus is generally found in company with such Tran-
sition Zone species as the sage thrasher ( Oroscoptes montanus), Brewer’s
sparrow {Spizella hreweri), the Nevada sage sparrow {AmpMspiza belli
oievadensis), the sage plains chipmunk [Tamias minimus pictus)^ the sage
brush i3ocket mouse {Perognathus olivaceus), and the sage i)lains sper-
mophile {SpermopMlus mollis). — 0. H. M.]

List of specimens of Sceloporus graciosus.

u.s.

Nat.

Mus.

No.

Sex

and

Age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Eemarks.

18134

9

Mount Magruder, Nev

Feet.

8,000

June 6

Merriara

Sage Plain.

18135

5

do.......

8, 000
8,000
6,700

1)0.

18136

9

Do.

18137

d"

Juniper Mountain.?, Nca^

May 19

Merriara

In junipers.

18138

9

Juniper Mountains (Sheep Spring, 15

6, 700

. . do

Bailey

18139

cT

mites east of Panaca), Nev.

High Sierra, west of Lone Pine, Calif.

8, 000

June 18

Merriam

18140

9

Panamint Mountains, AVillow Creek,

6, 400

May 12

Nelson

18141

d

Calif.

(?)

(?)

(?)

n

*Wit]iont label, but witli the following note by Mv. Charles AV. Eichmond : “ Eec’d July 2, 1891, with
specimens from Grapevine Mountains, Lone Pine, etc.”

Sceloporus bi-seriatus Hallow.

The great majority of Scelopori brought home by the expedition be-
long to this form, which in the region visited seems to occur every-
Avhere aboA^e the desert belt at least up to 8,000 feet altitude. '

I can discover no difference between the examples from the moun-
tains inclosing the Valley of California and those from the isolated
desert ranges to the east, except that male specimens Avith the white
of the under surface rexilaced by black are more common from the lat-
ter localities.

Among the localities from which specimens were brought are the
type localities of HalloAA^ell’s hi-seriatus, with its several color Amrieties,
of Baird’s longipes, of Cope’s smaragflinus, and of Boidenger’s hocourtii;

May, 1893.] EEPTILES OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 185

and with the actual types of Baird and of Co^ie, and witli si'ieciniens
before me out of the same bottles upon which Bonlenger founded his
variety, I have no hesitation in jironouncing all these names synony-
mous, and in asserting that Bocourt’s ^S. hiseriatus is the same as Hal-
lowelFs. Boulenger’s hocotirtii, however, is some\^hat composite, as I
do not believe that the Monterey specimens, at least, belong to it. I
have no doubt that they are referable to 8. occidentalism with which the
liresent form is easily confounded, on account of the fact that both
differ from typical 8. undulatus in the females having the bine patches
almost as well developed as the males.*

[8celo]i)orus hiseriatus is one of the few lizards inhabiting both the
desert ranges of the Great Basin and the interior valley of California.
Specimens were obtained at frequent intervals all the way from the Upper
San Joaquin Valley, in California, to the Upper Santa Clara Valley, in
Utah, about 10 miles northwest of St. George. On the east side of the
Great Divide, in California, it was obtained on the Panamint, Argus,
Coso, White, and Inyo mountains, and at the east foot of the Sierra in
Owens Valley (on Independence Creek). On the west side of the Great
Divide it was common on the west slope of Walker Pass and thence
down into Kern V alley to the neighborhood of Kernville, and southerly
along the west slope of the Sierra to Havilah and Walker Basin, and
northerly to Three Elvers. It was common also in the Canada de las
Uvas, and in the Upper San Joaquin Valley, where specimens were col-
lected at Kern Lakes, Tulare, and Fresno. In Nevada it was collected
on the Charleston Mountains (near Mountain Spring), on Mount Magru-
der, in the Juniper Mountains, and in the Grapevine Mountains.

A black form (having the belly intensely blue-black) was found on
black lava rock in Diamond Valley, Utah; on the Charleston Moun-
tains (near Mountain Spring), Nevada, where it was found both on
rocks and on juniper trees, and on the White Mountains, near the east-
ern boundary of California. In the latter locality it was common on
the summit of the divide near the road between Deep Spring and Owens
valleys, where it was frequently seen on and among light colored rocks,
which made it unusually conspicuous. It is entirely possible, however,
that this very striking contrast is a protection, causing the lizard to re-
semble the dark cracks in the rocks when viewed from above by pass-
ing hawks. — C. H. M.]

^Yarrow's S. undulatus thayeri (Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., 24, p. 60) consists mainlj^ of
S. ii-seriatus, but also to some extent of S. occidentalis. To tbe latter are also refera-
ble Coije’s specimens similarly named in Proc. Pbil. Ac., 1883, p. 28, and j)robab]y
tom. cit., pp. 23 and 27.

186

NOr/rH AMERICAN FAUNA.

LXo.7.

List of specimens of SceJoporus hisrriatns.

u.s.

Nat.

Mus.

Xo.

Sex

and

age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Feet.

8, 000
6, 000
6, 000
6, 000
6. 000
6, 000

Apr. 19
Apr. 4

do

Apr. 3
..do

Mar. —
Mar. —
May 19

Mar. 31

*C, 000
4,500

Panamint Mountains, AVillow Creek,
Calif.

PanamintMountains, Johnson Canon,
Calif

do

Apr. FI
Apr. 2
Apr. ’4
Apr. 10
Apr. 4
May 18
May 23
May 21
May 20

June 28

Merriam

June 29
July 3
July 5
July 8
July 7

June 23
..do

do

South Fork Kem River, 25 miles
above Kernville, Calif

2,750

July 7
July 14

June 24

Merriam

Fresno County, Horse Corral Meadow,
Calif

Aug. 11

July 7
Oct. 14

8, 000

J une 9
Aug. 15
July 28
July 21
July 29

Merriam

5, 600
7, 600

May 7
June 21

Apr. 30

East Slope High Sierra, Independ-
ence Creek, Calif

Charleston Mountains, Mountain
Spring, Xev.

6, 000

5, 600

5,600
5,600
5, 600

Stephens . . .

Bailey

Merriam.. ..

do

June 5

Juniper Mountains, 12 miles east of
Panaca, Nev.

6,700

6, 400
4, 800

May 19

June 10
May 16

Bailey

Ten miles west of St. George, Utah..

Bailey

lieiiiarlis.

18147

18148

18149

18150

18151

18152

18153

18154

18155

18156

18157

18158

18159

18160
18161
18162

18163

18164

18165

18166

18167

18168

18169

18170

18171

18172

18173

18174

18175

18176

18177

18178

18179

18180
18181
18182

18183

18184

18185

18186

18187

18188

18189

18190

18191

18192

18193

18194

18195

18196

18197

18198

18199

18200
18201
18202

18203

18204

18105

18206

d

d

d

d

d

9 juv.

9 jwv.
d
d

d

d

d

d

d

9

d

d

d

d

9

9 ad.
d
d

■ d
9
d
9
d

d

d

d

d

9

d

9 ad.
9
9

9 ad.

9

d

d

juv.

d

9

d

9

d

d

d

9

On lava rock,

* About.

Sceloporus occidentalis B. G.

The Monterey specimens enumerated below belong to the present form
of 8. undulatus. The status of these two forms relative to each other
has not been settled yet, nor has the material necessary for such a

Mat, 1893.] REPTILES OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 187

settlement been accumulated so far in any museum. Under these circum-
stances nothing is gained by using a trinomiual.

List of specimens of Scelopqrus occidentalis.

u.s.

Nat.

Dtu.s.

No.

Sex

and

Age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

18143

18144

18145

18146

d

d

cT juv.
cf juv.

Feet.

Oct. 6
Oct. 3
Sept. 29
Sept. 30

do...

do

Phrynosoma blainvillii Gray.

That authors with only specimens of either Ph. hlainvillii or Pli. corona-
turn before them should consider both species synonymous is iierhaps not
to be wondered at, but a confusion of them, with both at hand, is not so
easily explained. The differences are marked, numerous, and constant^
and moreover, are easily expressed. The two species inhabit two
well-seiiarated zoological faunas, for while Ph. coronatum appears to
be restricted to the Cape region of Lower California — that is to say, to
the comparatively small mountainous area at the extreme southern end
of the peninsula, on which are located Cape St. Lucas, La Paz, and
San Jose del Cabo — Ph. hlainvillii is restricted, so far as we know, to
Upper California. How far down the jieninsula the latter siiecies
descends we do not know, and whether there is any other gap between
the two species than the low, sandy plains to the north of the Cape re-
gion remains to be seen; but it is somewhat significant that Cerros
Island, about halfway down the peninsula, is inhabited by a third
species,* more nearly related to Ph. hlainvillii than to Ph. coronatum .

The title of the Californian species to the name Phrynosoma hlain-
villii Gray is at present not entire ly beyond a suspicion. The facts in
the case are as follows:

In the ^Zoology of Capt. Beechey’s Voyage’ (published in 1839), J.
E. Gray (p. 96), shortly and insufficiently characterized a new species
of Phrynosoma from ‘California’ as Ph. hlainvillii without stating the
source of the specimen or whether more than one specimen served
as a basis for his description. The text is accompanied by a wretched
figure (PL XXIX, fig. 1). The description gives no clew to the identity
of the vspecies, but were I to go by the figure alone, I should unhe si-

*Phrynosoma cerroense, sp. nov.

Diagnosis, — Nostrils excessively large, pierced in the line of canthus rostralis;
gnlar scales enlarged, in several longitudinal ro'ws; ventral scales smooth; a long
and slender spine between the suhlahial rictal spine and the lower end of the ear;
medium occipital spine reduced to a tubercle; no row of spines between eye and
temporal spines ; lower peripheral spine row obsolete and only indicated by a few
scattered small spines.

HaMtat. — Cerros Island, Pacific coast of Lower California.

Type. — U. S. National Museum, No. 11,977 ; L. Beldiug coll.

188

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

tatiiig’ly refer it to tlie Upper (.'aliforniaii si)eeies, bad as tlie Rguie
is, and not to Fli. coronatum from Ca^ie St. Lucas. no\vever, in Ids
‘Catalogue of tlie Specimens of Lizards in the British Museum’ (1845),
Gray himself identifies his species with Ph. coronatum and states in so
many words that his P/i. was based upon a specimen presented

by Prof. De Blainville (see also his statement in the introduction, ji. v.,
that “the specimens presented by M. De Blainville may be regarded
as the types of the species described by that pirofessor \i\t\io, Nouvcaxix
Memoir es du Museum) P In addition he enumerates three more speci-
mens from ‘California.’ This would seem to settle the case in favor
of making Ph. coronatum and Ph. hlainvilUi synonymous, but there are
yet two possibilities. First, it must be remembered that Botta, whose
collection was the basis of De Blaiuville’s descrijition, evidently col-
lected both at the Cape St. Lucas (where he obtained Callisaurus dra-
conoides, Gyclura acanthura, Goluher vertehralis), and also furtlier north
in Upper California, probably near San Diego (where he secured Goluher
catenifer] G. inf emails', G. calif orniae). It is, therefore, quite possible
that he collected horned-toads at both places, and that the young speci-
men presented to the British Museum in reality was different from Ph.
coronatum. Whether thisbethecasecouldeasilybe settledinthe British
Museum, where the specimen is still preserved. In the second jilace, it
is possible that Gray had figured one of the other specimens then in the
British Museum, and that the specimen figured belongs to the Upper
Californian species. If that be the case the name Ph. hlainvilUi
would stick to the latter no matter which specimens Gray suhsequently
might designate as the type.

There is some additional inferential evidence which tends to corrobo-
rate this opinion, viz, that Boulenger with the above specimens before
him and additional specimens from Monterey refers them all to one
species (Cat. Liz. Brit. Mus., ii, 1885, pp. 243, 244), as it seems but little
probable that he should have failed to appreciate the great difference,
had both species been represented in his series.

The geographical distribution of Ph. hlainvilUi includes the interior
valley of California as well as the entire western slope of the various
coast ranges, but it is not found, so far as I know, anywhere in the
true desert region. It is true that Yarrow’s Catalogue (Bull. U. S. Hat.
Mus., Ho. 24, 1883, p. 70) enumerates two specimens as having been
collected by Dr. Loew in the Mohave Desert, but I have good reasons
for asserting that the locality is in all probability erroneous. In the
original entry of Ho. 8647 only one specimen is registered, while the
bottle now contains three specimens so numbered, a fact which throws
discredit upon the whole entry 5 and as Dr. Loew collected near Santa
Barbara and at Santa Cruz Island in June, 1875, as shown by the
records, the probability is that the si^ecimens in question came from
one or both of those localities.

It is to Ph. hlainvilUi that the published accounts about ejecting

May, 1893.] REPTILES OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 180

blood from the eyes should be credited, and one of the specimens in the
collection brought home (IsTo. 184513) is the ofiender who gave rise to
Dr. O. P. Hay’s entertaining article (Proc. TJ. S. Nat. Mus., xv, 1892,
pp. 375-.378) on this subject. It transpired afterwards that this speci-
men had been sent me alive for the very reason that it had been eject-
ing blood repeatedly when caught. The letter from Mr. Bailey accom-
panying the specimen turned up long after Dr. Hay’s experience with
the animal, and it is to the following effect:

Kernville, Cal., July 11, 1891.

Dear Sir: I caught a horned toad to-day that very much surprised Dr. Fisher
and myself by squirting blood from its eyes. It was on smooth ground and not in
brush or weeds. I caught it with my hand and just got my fingers on its tail as
it ran. On taking it in my hand a little jet of blood spurted from one eye a dis-
tance of 15 inches and spattered on my shoulder. Turning it over to examine the
eye another stream spurted from the other eye. This he did four or five times from
both eyes until my hands, clothes, and gun were sprinkled over with fine drojis of
bright red blood. I put it in a hag and carried it to camp, where, about four hours
later, I showed it to Dr. Fisher, when it spurted three more streams from its eyes.
One of the same species that I caught July 2 evidently did the same, as I found its
head covered with blood when I caught it, hut supposed it was injured in the
weeds. It seems so strange that I send the horned toad to you alive.

Vernox Bailey.

The specimen upon its arrival was handled a great deal, bnt gave
no evidence of its blood-squirting tendencies until the beginning of
August, when it resented Dr. Hay’s handling it somewhat roughly in
the manner related. In order to give the entire history of this animal,
I reprint Dr. Hay’s account as follows :

“About the 1st of August it was shedding its outer skin, and the
lirocess appeared to be a difficult one, since the skin was dried and
adhered closely. One day it occurred to me that it might facilitate
matters if I should give the animal a wetting; so, taking it np, I. carried
it to a wash-basin of water near by and suddenly tossed the lizard into
the water. The first surprise was probably experienced by the Fliry-
nosoma, bnt the next surprise was my own, for on one side of the basin
there suddenly appeared a number of spots of red fluid, which resem-
bled blood A microscope was soon procured and an

examination was made, which immediately showed that the matter
ejected was really blood.

“The affair now became very interesting. Just where the blood
came from I could not determine with certainty, the whole thing hav-
ing happened so suddenly and unexpectedly; yet the appearance
seemed to indicate that the blood came from the region about one of
the eyes. There appeared to be a considerable quantity of the blood,
.since on the sides of the vessel and on the wall near it I counted ninety
of the little splotches. A consultation was had with Mr. Stejueger
the next day with regard to the propriety of dashing the animal into
the water again to discover, if possible, where the blood came from.

190

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

It was thoiig'lit, however, that such bloocl-letting’S must be somewliat
exhaustiug, and that it would be better to allow the animal a day to
recuperate. While talking I picked ux) the lizard and was holding it
between my thumb and middle finger, and stroking its horns with my
fore-finger. All at once a quantity of blood was thrown out against
my fingers, and a i)ortion of it rundown on the animal’s neck; and this
blood came directly out of the right eye. It was shot backward and
appeared to issue from the outer canthus. It was imi)ossible to deter-
mine just how much there was of the blood, but it seemed that there
must have been a quarter of a teaspoonful. I went so far as to taste
a small quantity of it, but all that I could detect was a slight musky
flavor.”

[The fact that horned toads at times eject blood from their eyes is
well known in the West, and is by no means confined to the present
species. I have been aiware of the habit for many years.

Fhrynosoma Mamvillii is the horned toad of the interior valley and
coastal sloj)es of California. Specimens were obtained by our expedi-
tion on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada in Walker Pass, in Kern
Valley, Walker Basin, and at old Fort Tejon in the Canada de las
Uvas; and others were collected at Bakersfield and Fresno in the
San Joaquin Valley, and on Carrizo Plain. — C. H. M.]*

List of specimens of Phrynosoma Mainvillii.

IT. S.
Nat.
Mus.
No.

18446

18447

18448

18449

18450

18451

18452

18453

18454

18455

18456

18457

18458

18459

18460

Sex and
age.

d

?

d

d

5

?

d

cf .jun.
cT juv.
? jun.
?
d
9
9

cTinn.

Locality.

Walker Pass, Calif

do

do

Walker Basin, Calif

South Pork, Kern Kiver, Calif.

Kernville, Calif..;

do

Presno, Calif

do

do

Bakersfield, Calif

Carrizo Plains, Calif

do

Old Port Tejon, Calif

Canada de las Uvas, Calif .

Alti-

tude.

Feet.

2, 750

Date.

July 2

do . . .

do . . .

July 14
July 7
Julie 23
July 11

Sept. 23

do - . -

do - . .

Oct. 11

do ...

do . . .

July 4
July 9

Collector.

Bailey .,

do . ..

Pisher ..
Bailey . .

Palmer ,
Bailey . .

do ...

....do ..

do . .,

Nelson.

do ...

....do ..
Palmer ,
do ...

Kemarks.

Western slope.

Ejected blood
from eye.

PI. II, fig. 2.

Phrynosoma platyrhinos Girard.

Boulenger asserts that this species is very closely allied ” to Fh.
m^callii, (Cat. Liz. Br. Mus., ii, 1885, p. 247), but as a matter of fact
these species are as distinct as any two in the genus. Boulenger’s
error, undoubtedly, arose from the fact that the specimen he described
as Fh. 'ni’ealUi is not this sjiecies at all, but only another specimen of
Fh. platyrhinos. No wonder his specimens are “very closely allied!”
Had he compared his specimens with the descriptions and figures
quoted by him he would not have made the mistake; as it is, he has

Mat, 1893.] REPTILES OF THE DEA,TH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 101

taken the identification of his specimen (U. S. Xat. Mus. hTo. 10785)
by Dr. Yarrow as conclusive, without knowing that not a single speci-
men of all the horned-toads enumerated by Yarrow in his Catalogue
of Eeptiles in the U. S. National Museum really belongs to Ph. m’callii.

The fact, however, that Boulenger had given characters apparently
separating northern and southern specimens, led me to examine the
material at hand with a view to ascertain whether it might be i30ssible
to recognize two or more races, but an insjiection of about one hundred
and seventy-five specimens fails to disclose any character or combina-
tion of characters by which to separate them. The shape of the head,
length, shape, and direction of head spines, length of limbs, number of
femoral pores, and coloration are so variable that no separation can be
built upon any of these characters. To illustrate this, let me discuss
the contents of the two jars out of each of which Mr. Boulenger had
one specimen, viz: U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 10785 and 11770. The former
is Boulenger^s so-called PJi. ni’callii, with the occipital spines as long as
the horizontal diameter of the orbit, and seven femoral pores on each
side.

In No. 10785 (locality and collector now unknown), out of which came
Boulenger’s so-called Ph. 'tn’callii, there are now left seven specimens,
six males and one female. The number of femoral pores on each side
in the males are respectively 9, 8, 7, 7, 9, 8, and in the female 7 j in the
latter the occipital horns are comparatively best developed, and in at
least one of the large specimens this horn is considerably shorter than
the horizontal diameter of the orbit.

In No. 11770 (Camp 12, King’s Exped., Nevada, E. Eidgway, coll.)
there are now six specimens, three adult males and one young, and one
adult and one young female. The number of femoral pores in the adult
males are respectively 9, 10, 8, and in the adult female 9; in the first-
mentioned male the occipital spine is longer than the horizontal
diameter of the orbit j in the second, the two dimensions are equal j
in the third male and in the female the spines are shorter. As there
seems to be a slight average difference between the specimens in the
two jars, I was led to examine my series with a view to determine
whether the southern specimens average a smaller number of femoral
pores than northern ones, but without success.

The reexamination of my material, however, led to the unexpected dis-
covery of a new species from the sandy coast desert of the Mexican
state of Sonora, which I have called Ph. goodei,* and dedicated to Dr.

*Phryn.osoma goodei sp. nov. (plate ii, figs. 3, a-c).

Diagnosis. — Nostrils pierced within the canthi rostrales; one series of enlarged
spines around the periphery of the body ; tail more than twice the length of the head ;
tympanum entirely concealed by scales; 7-10 femoral pores; 3 temporal horns only
on each side, the. posterior one nearly on a line with and of the same size as the oc-
cipital horns ; only three posterior inframasillary plates spinous.

Habitat. — Coast deserts of the state of Sonora, Mexico.

Type.— U. S. Nat. Mus. No. 8567a; Dr. T. H. Streets coU.

192

NOKTII AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

G. Brown Goode, tlie Assistant Secretary of tlie Sniitlisonian Institu-
tion. It belongs to tbe same group which embraces Ph. cornutum,
Di’ealUi, and 2Jl(ttyrMnos, but is hardly more closely allied to one than to
the others. It may easily be distinguished by the diagnosis given in
the footnote, and for comparison with Ph. platyrhinos I add figures of
both on x)late ii.

Ph. platyrhinos appears to be distinctively a desert species, as it Avas
collected nearly everywhere, outside of the interior valley of California
and the Pacific slope, where members of the expedition went, and judg-
ing from the great number of specimens brought back it must be very
common. The range of the species covers that of CalUsaurus ventralis
within the territory of the Gnited States, but extends considerably
further east and north.

As with the other species of this- genus the ground color of the living
animal is subject to great variation, more or less dependent upon the
coloration of the surroundings. The specimens collected by the expe-
dition vary from a very pale, in some nearly whitish, drab gray to a
vivid brick-red.

[Horned toads abound throughout the desert regions of the West.
Phrynosoma platyrhinos inhabits the Lower Sonoran deserts of the
Great Basin from California to Utah and ranges up a short distance into
the Upper Sonoran. In California it was found in greater or less abun-
dance in the Mohave Desert, in Owens, Coso, Panamint, Death, Mes-
quite, and Deep Spring valleys, and in the Argus, Funeral, and
Panamint mountains (up to 1,740 meters or 5,700 feet on west slope
northwest of Wild Eose Spring). In Nevada it was abundant in Sar-
cobatus Flat, the Amargosa Desert, Ash Meadows, Indian Spring,
Pahrump, Vegas, Pahranagat, and Meadow Creek valleys, and the
Valley of the Virgin and Muddy. In the northwestern corner of
Arizona it was very abundant about the mouth of Beaverdam Creek
and thence up on the Avest sloiie of the Beaverdam Mountains. In
Utah it was common in the Santa Clara Valley ranging up through
the sage brush to Diamond Valley and Mountain Meadows.

At Ash Meadows in the Amargosa Desert a very white form was
found living on the white alkali soil.

The horned toads of the San Joaquin Valley and west slope of the
Sierra Nevada in California belong to another si:)ecies, Phrynosoma
hlainvillii — C. H. M.]

May,

TT.S.

Nat.

Mas.

No.

18:!0:{

isyat

18!G5

183CG

18307

183G8

183G9

18370

18371

18372

18373

1-374

18375

18376

18377

18378

18379

18380

18381

18382

18383

18384

18385

18386

18387

18388

18389

,8390

18391

18392

18393

18394

18395

18396

18397

18398

18399

18100

18401

18402

18403

18404

18405

18406

18407

18408

18409

18410

18411

18412

18413

18414

18415

18416

18417

18418

18419

18420

18421

18422

18423

18424

18425

18426

18427

18428

18429

18430

18431

18432

REPTILES OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 103
List of sjiecioiens of I’hnjnosoma plaitjrMnos.

Locality.

Virgin Valley, Ariz;

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do -■

do

St. George, Utah

do

do

Mountain Meadows, Utah. .

Panaca, Nev

do

do

Grapevine Monn tains, Nev

Lincoln County, Nev

do

Indian Spring Valley, Nev.

do

Pahruuip Valley, Nev

do

Pahranagat Valley, IS ev . . .

do

do

Vegas Valley, Nev

do

Amargosa Desert, Nev

do

do

Ash Meadows, Nev

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

Amargosa, Nev

Funeral Mountains, Calif. .

Alti-

tude.

Feet.

Date.

Collector.

May 10 I Merriani .

do ' do

do ...' do

do ... do —

. . . . do ... do - . . .

do ... do —

do do . . . .

do do

...do
— do
May

.do

.do

.do

Mar.

...do

May

ilo

April

do

May

do

...do

Mar.

do

May

do

do

Mar.

Mar.

Mar.

Mar.

do

Mar.

May

Mai-.

do

do

May

Mai-.

Mar.

9

13

do

....do

do

17

19

do

do

do

.'...do

6

12

Nelson

do

do

29

Bailey

29

do

25

9

Merriam . . .
Bailey

31

Merriam

... .do

....do ....
Bailey . . .
Stephens
Palmer . .

do

do

Nelson.. -
Merriam.
Fisher . . .

do

do

Merriam.
Palmer . .
do . . .

Argus Range, head of Borax Flat,
Calif.

Water Station, head of Borax Flat,
Calif.

Death Valley, Calif

Death Valley, Bennett Wells, Calif.
Death Valley, Furnace Creek, Calif.

do

10 miles from Resting Springs, Calif

Saline Valley, Calif

Pananiint ^Mountains, Wild Rose
Spring, Calif.

do

do

do

Panamint Mountains, Willow
Creek, Calif.

Panamint Valley, Wild Rose
Spring, Calif.

Panamint V.allev, Calif

do :

do

elo

do

do

Owens Lake, Ash Creek, Calif

Owens Valley, 10 miles north of
Bishop, Calif.

Argus Range, Maturango Spring,
Calif.

do

3, 000

5, 000

3,700

4,200

Apr. 21

Apr. 22

Apr. 3
Jan. 21
Jan. 30
Apr. 10
Mar. 17

1,500

Juno 30

5, 300

Apr. 16

5, 000

May 16

4, 500

Mar. 29

Mar. 27
Apr. 20

do . . .

do . . .

Apr. 24

do . . .

May 29
J uiy 1

May 6

do

Stephens . . .

do

Bailey

Palmer

Fisher

Stephens . . .

Palmer

Nelson

Bailey

do

do

do

Nelson

Bailey

do

do

....do

... .do

... .do

do

Stephens ...
do

Fisher

do

Remarks.

4,200 feet above
Salt Wells.
Colorado River.

1,000 feet above
Borax works.

Panamint Mts.

_Ko. 9 — i;:

*

1‘J4 NORTH A.MHIHCAN FAHNA, [No.7.

List of sprcimrtis if I’Jivijiioffonut plahii'liiiios — Cont iiincil.

n, s.

X;it.

]\Ius.

Xo.

Spx

niv.l

age.

Locality.

Alti-

tilde.

Date.

Collector.

IlemarU.s.

18433

18434

? jiin-

a

$ jmi-
O'
cf

cT jon.
cf

a

d

5

Argus llaiige, Haturango Spring,
Calif.

Feet.

May

fi

Iilay

May

11

18435

19

1 8430

5, 40U

0

18437

18438

7

do

18439

11

Bailey

18440

do :

18441

18

13

Stei>lieiis

18442

Coyote noli‘.s,20 miles northeast of
llag'gett, Calif.

ColorailoUesei't, I’alin Sp]'iug, Calif

(?) r

Mar.

Seid,.

( ?)

18443

18444

cf .iuv.
5

27

Stephens . . .
(?)

. (?)

Eeceived from

18445

(?)

(?)

Death Valley
E xped i tioii,
April 28, 1891.

184G1

Ash Meadows, Xev

Mar.

4

ri. ii, ng. 4.

,

Family IlELODERMATIDiE.

Heloderma suspectum Cope.

It is carious tliat the exact range of so conspicuous and so far-famed
a species as the Gila monster is still greatly in doubt. Southern Ari-
zona seems to be the center of its distribution, and from there we have
a number of well authenticated records based upon specimens, but as
soon as we get outside of that Territory the records become uncertain,
and the localities given are vague. Thus we have ‘Mohave River’ given
by Baird upon the authority of Kennerly and Mollhausen (Pac. R. R.
Rep., X, Whipple’s R., Zool., p. 38) which would introduce the species
into the Californian fauna, but no specimen seems to have been brought
home, and the record remains dubious. Yarrow (Wheeler’s Exf)., W.
100 Mer., Y, p.502) states that it is “not uncommon in G£ah, Xew Mex-
ico, and Arizona” and that “several specimens were secured in 1871,
1873, and 1874, but with one exception (specimen from Arizona collected
in 1873) all were lost in transit to Washington.” The Xew Mexico
record refers probably to the observation near San Ildefonso of “a large
lizard, presumably of this species” by one of the packers. Whether
specimens were actually secured in Utah, I don’t know, nor has any
other Utah record come to my certain knowledge.

It is therefore very interesting to note that Dr. Merriam found the
dead carcass of a Heloderma near the Virgin River, in eastern Xevada,
the first authentic record from that state.

The specimen was in too bad shape to be preserved, but two of the
feet were cut off aud brought home as evidence (Xo. 18040). As the
fourth finger, without claw, measures 22““, it is plain that the speci-
men was one of large dimensions.

[One of the most unexpected discoveries made by the expedition was
the finding of a Gila monster by Mr. Bailey and myself in the Valley

Mat, 1893.] REPTILES OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

195

of the Virgin, about 8 miles below Bunkerville, near the eastern
boundary of Nevada, May 8, 1891. It was dead when found, and mea-
sured 475'"'" (a little more than 18^ inches) in total leng'th. We
were told by the Mormons that the species occurs in the Lower Santa
Clara Valley, iu southwestern Utah, but is rare. — C. H. M.j

Family Anguidje.

G rrhonotus scincicauda (Skilton).

The question of the status of the various Gcrrlionoti credited to Cali-
fornia is one of the most ditficult and most iiitricate in North American
saurology, partly on account of the great amount of individual varia-
tion, partly because of the comparatively scanty, and in many respects
unsatisfactory material. Yet, with about one hundred specimens before
me, I am able to distinguish a number of separable forms. Nothing
would be easier than to bring them all together under one name, and
with only a limited number of specimens I might be tempted to do so,
but the result would be very far from the truth, and by so doing we
would only delay the true solution of the question instead of iiromoting
it.

Let me first remark that I regard the Cape St. Lucas form separable,
and that from Bocourt’s rather detailed description of the type (Miss.
Sc. Mex., Eept., livr. 5, 1878, pp. 357-359) I believe that it is entitled
to the name Gerrhonotus muUicarinaim. This form does not occur in
Upper California, nor do I believe that it will be found in Lower Cali-
fornia outside of the Cape region proper.

The next question relates to the name of the present form which
inhabits, so far as the localities embraced in the present report are
concerned, the chajiarral belt of the San Joaquin Valley and of the San
Jacinto and San Bernardino Mountains. I have so far been unable to
make a distinction between the so-called G. mAilticarinatus of authors,
from the State of California, G. scincicauda, and G. gmndis, and as G.
scincicauda is the oldest of these, I retain it for the present form, i. e,,
the one with all the upper scales strongly carinated, the azygos pre-
frontal large, the body very elongated, and the coloration characterized
by about nine continuous dark bands across the back. It is possible
that Wiegmanu’s G. cceruleus (1828) may belong here, but without the
exact locality of the type being known, and without an opportunity to
examine the specimen, which moreover seems to be very abnormally
colored, it would be very unwise to adopt that name.

The nomenclature of the other separable forms will be discussed fur-
ther on under their respective heads.

According to Mr. T. S. Palmer, the present form is confined to the
chaparral belt. Only two sjiecimeus were secured by the expedition.

196

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

List of specimens of (Icrrhouotns scincicaiida.

XT. S.
Nat.
Mus.
No.

Sex and
age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

1 )ate.

Collector.

Reniark.s.

18U16

18G17

S

£

Three Ttiver.s, Calif

Kaweah River, East Fork, Calif

Feet.

3, GOO

.Tilly 28
July 27

Fi.sher

Railcy

Gerrlionotus sciiicicauda palmeri, snhsp. uov.

Diagnosis — Similar to G. scincicanda, but body much less elongated
aud coloration above essentially different, being, according to age and
sex, either uniform dark olive brown with numerous black aud white
dots on the sides, or pale bluish drab clouded with numerous ill-defined
and irregular blotches of brownish drab, blotches not arranged in
cross bands. -

Habitat. — High elevations ot western slope of southern [only?] Sierra
Nevada.

Type. — U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 18606 5 ad. South Fork Kings Eiver,
Calif., T. S. Palmer coll.

Most of the Gerrlionoti brought home by the expedition belong to
this form, of wliicli there is no specimen in the Museum collection from
any definite and undoubted locality before, and all the specimens of
the exi^edition were collected in a comparatively small area near the
headwaters of the Kern, Kings, and Kaweah rivers, at an altitude of
from about 7,000 to 9,000 feet above the sea.

It might seem strange that there should be no name available among
the many defunct synonyms of Californian Gerrlionoti by which to dis-
tinguish this form, but the fact seems to be that most of the specimens
so fiir brought to the notice of herpetologists have been collected in the
lower altitudes, while the present form seems to be restricted to the
higher altitudes of the Sierra.

The general aspect of this form is strikingly different from all the
other Californian Gerrlionoti., and this difference is equally well marked
in the youngest specimen and in the oldest. I have before me a nearly
unbroken series of ten specimens, from a very young one, with a body
only 40““' long, up to the dark old males, and none of them can for an
instant be mistaken for the typical G. scincieanda from the lower valleys.
The whole figure is shorter and more thick set, and the broad and
rather distant cross-bands on the back are conspicuously abrupt, the
coloration being either uniform dark or else an ill-defined, often ob-
scure, ‘^pepper-and-salt’ mixture. Only in one specimen (No. 18612)
there is a more definite arrangement of the light and dark spots, but
these ill-defined cross-bands are much more numerous than in G. scinci-
cauda, being about fifteen on the back (between anterior and posterior
limbs) as against nine to ten in the latter. A similar pattern may also
be traced in the youngest specimen referred to (No. 18613) with a simi-
lar result,

May,18S3.] reptiles of the death valley EXPEDITTOX.

197

I kike great pleasure in dedicating tliis interesting forni to Mr, T. S.
Palmer, who not only collected the type, but also assisted me materi-
ally in clearly pointing out tlie difference in distribution of the present
form and its typical representative in the chajiarral belt.

List of speeimens of Gerrlionohis scincicaitda painieri.

u. s.

Xat.

Mua.

Xo.

Sex and
age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Remark.?.

Feet.

18606

cT

South Fork King’s River, Calif

Palmer

Type.

1 .^no7

*8, 800

Aug. 8

1 SHOft

do

*8i 800

186U9

"Si 500

....do

18610

Soda Sv)riu gs, North Fork Keru River,

7, 200

Sept. 6

Nelson

Calif.

IBfil 1

Q

7, 200

1 801 '7

18013

d"juv.

Soda Springs, Korth Fork Kern River,

Aug. 15

Bailey

Calif.

18614

?

Sequoia National Park, Calif

*7, 000

Aug. 2

Fisher

Near Kawoah

saw-mill.

18615

9

Mineral King, Calif

*8, 800

Aug. 6

Bailey

* About.

Gerrhonotus burnettii Gray.

I have no hesitation in declaring this form to be exactly the same as
Baird and Girard’s G. formosus, and a comparison of the excellent fig-
ure of the type of G. burnettii by Bocourt (Miss. Sc, Mex,, Rept., livr.
5, 1878, PI. XXI G. fig. 4-4 a) AAdth that of the type of G. formosus in
the atlas of the herpetology of the United States Exploring Expedi-
tion (PI. XXIII, figs. 10 and 12) will at once substantiate this assertion.
The essential characters consist in the comparatively short snout with
its very arched profile, the great development of the j)aired prefrontals
at the expense of the azygos prefrontal, which therefor is of small size,
and the peculiar coloration, the dorsal cross-bands being broken up
into three portions, one median and two lateral by two longitudinal
lines which in some specimens are emjihasized by being lighter than
the ground color.

This form is only distantly related to G. scincicauda, but very
closely to Gerrhoiiotus princifns, so close, in fact, that I believe that the
name of the latter will become reduced to a trinominal when the
geograiihical distribution of the twm forms shall have been ascertained
in all its details. G. burnettii is now known to occur along the coast at
least from Monterey to Gnmboldt Bay. How far inland it extends its
range and how and where it meets or grades into G. principis is as yet
undeterminable. One thing is certain, however, and that is, that the
range of G. burnetti and G. seincicauda overlap considerably, and in
this fact alone I see sufficient proof of tlieir specific distinctness. The
differences between them are certainly due neither to sexual, nor to
seasonal, nor to individual variation, great as the latter is in the
Gerrhonoti.

198

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[Xo. 7.

List of specimens of Oerrhoiiotns hiirncttii.

u. s.

Nat.

Mu3.

No.

Sex ai’d
age.

Looiility.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Eemarks.

18605

c? jiin.

Feet.

Sept. 29

Family Xantusiid^.

Xantusia vigilis Baird. (PL iii, fig. 1).

The present species was described in 1858 by Prof. Baird from spec-
imens sent home by Xantus from ^Fort Tejon/ Calif. Xothing has
been published concerning it since then, and this, perhaps onr most
interesting lizard, has also been one of the rarest and supposed to pos-
sess a verj^ restricted rang’e.

Two additional specimens are now before ns, one collected by Dr.
Fisher at Hesperia, on the south side of the Mohave Desert, on Jan-
uary 4, 1891, while Mr. Palmer secured the other on February 24, in
Pahrump Valley, Xevada, thus extending the range of the species
nearly 200 miles eastward. The type locality, Fort Tejon, is in an
open canon — the celebrated Canada de las Uvasof the early exploring
expeditions — connecting the west end of the Mohave Desert with the
San Joaquin Valley. The fauna and flora of this canon present a mix-
ture of Mohave Desert and interior valley forms.

• In all probability this species is more or less nocturnal in habits,
which may account for the senreity of specimens collected.

Both specimens are somewhat larger than the largest of the types,
and, judging from the condition of the femoral jiores, I take them to be
adults.

There appears to be some slight variation in the shape of the indi-
vidual head shields and in the shape of the head, the Death Valley
expedition specimens having it somewhat more elongate; but the differ-
ences are not greater than between the type specimens themselves.

List of specimens of Xantusia vigilis.

\^ii6 j

1

Sex and
age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Eemarks.

Feet.

18618

Feb. 24

18619

Hesperia, Mohave Desert, Calif

3,200

Jan. 4

Fisher

PI. Ill, fig. 1.

Family Tejidae.

Cnemidophorus tigris B. & G.

All the Cnemulophori brought home by the expedition oeiong to one
species, those from the deserts of the Great Basin in California, Xevada,

MAYJS93.] REPTILES OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXJ'EDITION.

190

and Utah being typical of tlie above name, while those from the great
interior valley of California are referable to a subspecies, C. tigris
unilulatus.

Owing to the fact that nearly the entire collection of IsTorth Amer-
ican Cnemidopliori arc inaccessible to me at the present writing, 1 have
been unable to settle the rpiestion as to the proper name of the present
species to my own satisfaction. It maybe that (J. tigris is only a syno-
nym pure and simple of C. tesselatus (Say) or they may be trinominally
separable. I have therefore retained the name G. tigris^ as the speci-
mens before me agree perfectly with the type of the latter.

There is a great deal of individual variation in the amount of black
markings and in their intensity, the dorsal pattern being quite distinct
in some, while in others it looks as if it had faded out. On the other
hand, the black suffusion on throat and breast is equally variable, but
neither sex, age, season, nor locality seem to account for the variation,
except that it is usually absent in the very youngest. In all the speci-
mens the longitudinal strix)ing is very evident, and, in fact, the differ-
ence between the general pattern in the only very yoiing specimen col-
lected (No. 18481) and the full-grown ones, apart from individual vari-
ation, is but very slight.

[The whip-tail lizard {Gnemi(loj)liorus tigris) is nearly as common as the
gridiron-tail in much of the area traversed, but is not so strictly confined
to the Lower Sonoran Zone, ranging up a short distance into the Upper
Sonoran and consequently reaching some valleys in which the former
species is absent. In this respect it resembles the leopard lizard
{Grotaphytus loislizenii), with which it is usually found. It lives on the
open desert and runs with great rapidity when alarmed.

In California it is abundant in the Mohave Desert, where it ranges
westward through Antelope Valley to the Canada de las Uvas (chang-
ing to subspecies unduJatus)^ and southward iu the wash leading from
near G-orman station toward Peru Creek iu the Sierra Liebre. In the
open canon leading up to Tehachapi Valley from the Mohave Desert
it ranges all the way to the summit of the pass (at Cameron) and prob-
ably throughout Tehachapi Valley also, but was not seen there be-
cause of a severe cold wind, which lasted all day at the time we passed
through. It ranges up from the Mohave Desert over Walker Pass and
down on the wmst slope to the valley of Kern Diver, where it changes
to subspecies unduJatus. It is common in Owens Valley, and ranges
thence up on the warm, west slope of the Inyo and White Mountains
to 2,130 meters (7,000 feet) or higher, o^iposite Big Pine; and is toler-
ably common also in Deep Spring Valley. It is common in Panamint,
Death, and Mesquite Vallejos, ranging from the latter through Grape-
vine Canon to Sarcobatus Flat. In Nevada it is common in the Ainar-
gosa, Pahrump, and Vegas Valleys, at the Bend of the Colorado, in the
valleys of the Virgin and Muddy, and reaches Oasis, Pahrauagat,
Desert, and Meadow Creek Valleys, and from the latter ranges up

200

NORTH AMERICAN EAUNA.

[No. 7.

among the junipers on tlie west slope of tlie Juniper Mountains, to an
altitude of 1,980 meters (0,500 feet). In Utah it is common in the Lower
Santa Clara Valley, and thence ranges nortliward to the Upper Santa
Clara Crossing, hut disappears before reaching Mountain Meadows.

The food of Cnemidopliorus tigris consists of grasshoppers and other
insects — no leaves or liowers were found in the numerous stomachs
examined. — C. II. M.]

List of specimens of Cnemidopliorus tigris.

U.S.

N-at.

Mu.s.

No.

18462

18163

18464

18465

18466

18467

18468

18469

18470

18471

18472

18473

18474

18475

18476

18477

18478

18479

18480

18481

18482

18483

18484

18485

18486

18487

18488

18489

18490

18491

18492

18493

18494

Sex aiul
atio.

ad.

d

d

ad.

ad.

ad.

adol.

d

9

d

d

?

d juv.
d
d

ad.

d

ad.

ad.

jnv.

ad.

juii.

ad.

ad.

ad.

ad.

ad.

jail.

cT

9

9

9

ad.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Feet.

4,600

Santa Clara Valley, Utali

Pahrump Valley, Nev

do :

PaLraiiagat Valley, Nev -

do I

Oasis Valley, Nev I 4, 600

Callville, Nev I

Coso Mountains, Coso, Calif I

do j

Argus Range, Shepherd Canon, Calif.

do

do '

do I

Argus Range, Co.so Valley, Calif j

Argus Range, Searl’s Garden, Calif. . |

Panamint Mountains, Willow Creek,
Calif.

Panamint Valley, Hot Springs, Calif

Lone Pine, Calif '

do I

Death Valley, Calif I

Death Valley, Furnace Creek, Calif. . '

do I

do '

Death Valley Bennett Wells, Calif. . . '

do I

do I

do !

do I

Mohave Desert, Leach Pt. Valley,
Calif.

do

OwensLake, mouth of canon 5 miles
southwest of Olancha, Calif.

Owens Lake, Olancha, Calif

Deep Spring Valley, Calif

4,000

3,700
5, 300

Date.

Collector.

May 11

Merriam

Apr. 28

...do

Apr. 29

Bailey

May 25

Merriam

May 25

Bailey

June 2

...do

May 4

. . - do

May 18

Fislier

May 20

... do

Apr. 27

.. .do

Apr. 28

.. .do

Apr. 28

. . -do

Apr. 28

. . -do

May 11

.. .do

Apr. 24

Stephens ...

May 18

Nelson

Apr. 22

Merriam

June 11

Fisher

June 6

Ralmer

Mcli. 22

Nelion

June 20

Fisher

Jan. 29

. . - do

Apr. 10

Merriam. . . .

Apr. 1

Bailey

Apr. 4

...do

Jan. 22

.. -do

Apr. 25

Merriam

June 8

Stephens ...

May 19

. . -do

June 9

Merriam

Remarks.

Cnemidopliorus tigris undulatus (Hallow).

Ten specimens from the west slope of the Sierra Nevada dilfer so
much from the desert specimens that I must regard them as entitled
to a separate triiiominal appellation. So far as I can see there is no
structural difference, nor is there a very radical difference in the color
or the jiattern. The latter is considerably coarser, better defined, and
deeper in color. The difference between the two forms in this respect
is xiarticularly well marked on the sides of the head, the dark marks
being nearly obsolete in the desert form, while in the latter the slate-
colored suffusion on the under side seems to be the rule. I have yet
to see a specimen from the great interior valley of California in which
it is present.

May, 1803.] REPTILES OP THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 201

As to the name of this form, I have to remark that tlie specimens
liave been carefully compared and found identical with HallowelPs tyiie
specimen. It will be observed that in the original description (Pr.
Phil. Ac., 1854, p^. 94) the locality of the type is stated to be “ near
Fort Yuma, in San Joaquin Valley,’’ but the self-contradiction of this
statement is ex^dained by the fact that Fort Miller, Fresno County, is
meant, and not Fort Yuma, on the Colorado River (cf. Heermann’s list
in Pac. R. R. Rep., X, Williamson’s Route, Zook, Reiit., p. 24).

Two very young specimens of this form (Xo. 18503 and 18504), which
are quite alike, differ considerably from the typical Death Valley speci-
men (Xo. 18481) of precisely the same size. In the latter the three
median dark dorsal bands are more or less broken up by light spots
adjacent to the light stripes, while in the young G. undulatus these
bands are well defined and uniform blackish. It would therefore seem
that, while there is but little difference between adult and young in the
former, the young of the latter are considerably different from the
adults.

[This subsxiecies replaces the tyxiical C. tigris on the west or coast
sloxDe of the Sierra Xevada in California, where it was found from
Kernville south to Havilah and Walker Basin, and north to Three Rivers
and the East Fork of Kaweah River. It was collected also in the Can-
ada delasUvas, near Old Fort Tejon. The range of C. tigris seems to
be continuous with that of G. tigris undulatus through the three low
Xiasses by which communication is established between the Mohave
Desert and the ux^xier San Joaquin Valley — namely Walker and Te-
hachaxn Passes and the Canada de las Uvas. — C. H. M.]

List of sjyeciinens of Cnemidopliorus tigris nnduJatus,

u.s.

Xat

Mus.

Xo.

Sex and
age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

CoEector.

Eemarks.

18495

18496

18497

18498

18499

18500

18501

18502

18503

18504

ad.

ad.

ad.

ad.

ad.

ad.

adol.

ad.

juv.

juv.

East Fork, Kaweah Elver, Calif

Walker Basin, Calif

Feet.

5, 600

July 29
July 14

Bailey

Fisher

Old Fort Teion, Calif

July 7
June 23

Baliuer

South Fork, Kern Eiv^er, Calif

Three Elvers, Calif

2, 750

July 7
July 28
Sep. 16
Sep. 14

Bailey

Palmer

Family Scincid^.

Eumeces skiltonianus (B. & G.).

The extent of variation in color, scale formula, and xn’oportions is well
illustrated by the material brought home by the exxiedition. Thus
in the two examples from Maturango Sxiring in the Argus Range, both
quite adult and nearly of the same size, one (Xo. 18598) is nearly uni-
formly brownish-gray above, Avith hardly a trace of dark stripes, while

202

NCRTH A>[ERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

ill tlie otlicr 1850!)) tlie loiigitudiiiiil striiies are quite visible, tlioiqoli
the gTOUud color is nearly the same; the former has the head greatly
swollen at the temples and has 24 rows of scales round the middle of
the body, while the latter has the head narrow and 20 scale rows; more-
over, in the former the limbs are overlapping when iiressed against the
body, a character relied upon by Bonlenger for separating E. akHtoai-
aniis, etc,, tioniE. lejjtofp-ammii.s, while in thelast mentioned specimen the
limbs do not meet by the length of several scales, in the latter character
agreeing with Xo. 18000 from the Panamint Mountains. Both sjieei mens
from Old Fort Tejon are uniformly brownish-gray, one (No. 18008) con-
siderably paler than the other, both with swollen temples. No. 18001
is colored like the latter, but has a very long tail, and has, moreover,
the frontal in contact with the azygos prefrontal.

All the specimens have two azygos postmentals, but in rhe collection
of the National Mnsenni there is jilcnty of material to show that Bo-
eonrt’s Eumeces halloiceUi, the distingnishing character of which is the
single postmental, is nothing but an individual variation of E. slcil-
toniamis.

It is interesting to note that E. ftJciltonianus, as it grows old, is sub-
ject to the same swelling of the head at the temples and tlie concom-
itant disappearance of the striped pattern as well as the loss of the
blue color of the tail, as Eumeec.s faseiatus.

A glance at the subjoined list of specimens shows that the expedi-
tion has materially extended onr knowledge of the geographical dis-
tribution of this species, all the specimens previously recorded having
been obtained within the Pacific slope, while now we have specimens
both from the Argus Kange and the Panamint Mountains. It is evi-
dent, however, that it is not a species of the desert plains or valleys.

[Specimens of this small lizard were obtained in the Panamint and
Argus ranges in the Great Basin, and in Kern Eiver Valley and the
Canada de las Uvas (near Old Fort Tejon) on the coastal slope of the
Great Divide in California — C. H. M.]

List of specimens of Eumeces slciltonianus.

Sex

and

age.

18598

ad.

18599

18600

ad.

a<lol

18G01

ad.

18602

juv.

18603

18604

atl.

ad.

Locality.

I Alti-
! tude.

i Argus Range, Maturango Spring,

I Calif.

; do

Panamint Mountains, head of Willow
; Creek, Calif.

j Kern River, 25 miles above Kernvillo,

! Calif.

i Calif.

i Old Foi t Tejon, Calif .
i do

‘^7, 000

Date.

Collector’.

Remarks.

May

8

Fisher

May

3

---.do

May

10

Nelson

July

4

Fisher

Aug.

15

Bailey

J uly

5

Palmer

July

8

do

*About.

May, 1893.] REPTILES OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 203
Suborder ii. OFIIIDIA.

Family Leptotyphlopida3.

Rena humilis B. & G.

A single specimen (l^o. 18G86) was collected in Death Valley, 0 miles
from Bennett Wells, by Mr. Palmer, March 25. This is the most north-
ern record of the species as well as of the famil}^ Leptotyphlopidw in
North America. The type of this species came from the Colorado
Desert.

Family Boidm.

Charina plumbea (B. & G.).

The specimen (No. 18G85) which Dr. Fisher collected in Eedwood
Canon, on the East Fork of the Kaweah Eiver, September 12, 1891, is
entirely within the limits of the extraordinary variation of this species
demonstrated by me some time ago (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., xiii, 1890,
p. 177 seqv.), and does not in any way apiiroach either Cli. hottcc or
Ch. hraehyops. It has forty-five scale rows, iiosterior mtsal not in con-
tact with anteorbital; prefrontals not entering orbits; one loreal, four
liretrontals, no inter nasals, one anteorbital, one supraorbital, three to four
postorbitals, no suborbitals, two to three labials in contact with eye.

Prof. Cope has recently (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., xiv, 1891, p. 593) dis-
cussed the status of Ch. plumbea and hottce, without the slightest
reference however to my paper quoted above, and comes to the con-
clusion tliat both are identical, chiefly, it seems, on the ground that
when he, himself, in 1864, examined the alleged type of de Blain\ille’s
Ch. bottle he counted forty-three scale rows. It will be remembered
that 1 retained the two species for the reason that both Jan and Bo-
court count thirty -nine scale rows as against a minimum of forty-three
in twenty specimens of Ch. plumbea.* There seems to be good ground
for doubting that the specimen which Cope examined really was the
type and the same specimen which Jan and Boconrt have described
and figured in detail. Moreover, some of Prof. Cope’s notes concern-
ing this matter {1. c.) are not calculated to inspire confidence in the
exactness of all the statements.

Consequently I can see no reason for changing my views of three
years ago, viz, that there is as yet no good reason for uniting the two
species.

Family Natricid^.

Diadophis pulchellus B. & G.

I have seen no intergradation between this form and I), amabilis
which would justify a trinominal appellation for the in esent.

*Cope {1. c.) calls attention to Bocourt’s lapsus of giving twenty-nine scale rows.
That it is a lapsns is evident from Boconrt’s comparison of the two species, in which
he distinctly credits Ch. hottce with thirty-nine.

204

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[Xo. 7.

The only specimen (liTo. 18084) collected is typical in coloration and
within the known rang’e of this form. It was obtained by Mr. E. W,
Nelson in Yosemite Valley, California, Angnst 7, 1801.

Lampropeltis boylii (B. & G).

The six specimens brought home by the expedition give no occasion
for any extended remarks, as they are quite typical in every respect,
with no leaning toward var. conjuncta Cope, from Cape St. Lucas and
Yuma; californce Blainville, from San lliego, or eisenii Yarrow, from
Fresno.

The two Nevada specimens differ from those from California in having
the frontal longer than the interparietal suture, but in a lot of true L.
hoylii from Fresno (U. S. Nat. Mus. No. 11787) I find a specimen ex-
actly like the above from Nevada.

[This large and conspicuous snake, whose cream colored body is
sharply marked by rings of black, was first found in the Valley of the
Lower Muddy near an abandoned mill at Overton, Nevada, where sev-
eral were secured in dense thickets of Atriplex torreyi. About dark
they began to emerge from these retreats, making a great noise in
crawling over the dry leaves, and were soon found in the open. The
species was obtained also in Pahranagat Valley, Nevada, a little north
of the middle of the valley. On the west slope of the Sierra Nevada,
in California, specimens were collected in Kern Valley, at Three Rivers,
and on the east fork of Kaweah River. — C. H. M.]

List of specimens of LampropeUis horjUi.

U. S.
Xat.
Mus.
No.

18090

18091

18092

18093

18094

18095

Sex

auil

age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

Feet.

July 27

juv.

Soutli I'ork, Kern River, 25 miles
above Kernville, Calif.

East fork, Kaweali River, Calif

Overton, Muddy Valley, Nevada ..

1,700

July 9

July 27
May 6

do

Bailey

Merriam

Hypsiglena oclirorhyiichus Cope.

The only specimen obtained by the expedition was collected by Or.
A. K. Fisher in Shepherd Canon, in the Argus Range, California,
April 24, 1891. It (No. 18071) is somewhat peculiar on account of the
small size of the dorsal spots, though otherwise it agrees well with the
types from Cape St. Lucas, Lower California, as well as with a number
of specimens from Arizona. The characters pointed out by Cope as
distinguishing R. chJorophoea, types from Fort Buchanan, southern
Arizona, are so variable in the specimens before me that they will not
serve the purpose. I am not quite prepared to give up the latter
species as yet, inasmuch as the ty^ie specimen (U. S. Nat. Mus., No.

May, 1893.1 REPTILES OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

205

4G76j only one specimen is now in the collection) has no pseinlo-
preocnlar, a character only shared by a sj)ecimen from the city of Chi-
hnaliua, Mexico (U. S. Nat. Miis. No., 14287), while it is present in all
the other specimens. These two specimens, therefore, I shall continue
to call H. cMoro])luca until it be shown that the absence of the jiseudo-
Iireociilar is only an individual variation.

The specimen collected by the expedition adds a new species to the
fauna of the State of California, if 1 am not mistaken.

Assuming, for the jiresent at least, the distinctness of H. chloropluva,
we would have three species or forms within the United States, includ-
ing an nndescribed species from southwestern Texas,* which may be

distinguished as follows:

ft*. Upper surface of head flat.

bK No pseudopreocnlar R. chlorophaa.

lr\ Pseudopreocular present H. odtrorhyiicluis.

a?. Upper surface of head convex H. texana.

Salvadora grahamiae hexalepis Cope. (PI. in, fig. 2).

The four specimens collected by the expedition belong to this form,
as I now understand it, that is to say, to the form which possesses at
least one true subocular (by this term excluding the subpreocular, or
pseudopreocnlar). One of the specimens (No. 18062 Virgin Eiver,
Nevada) possesses only one subbcular (anterior), and agrees in this
resiiect perfectly with sxiecimens from Fort Whipple, Arizona (type
locality) ; Mohave Villages, Arizona ; CottonwoodCanon, Utah, and Valle
de la Viejas, San Diego County, California. The three other specimens,
however, differ from all the other specimens I have seen in also having
a posterior subocular, thus isolating the eye entirely from the labials.

The individual variation in this species is too great, however, to allow
a subdivision on these lines without a much greater material to sup-
Ifort it. There is evidently a tendency towards dividing up the labials
transversely in the region indicated by the localities mentioned above,
and as this subdivision seems to be proportionate to the greater width
of the rostral, it would be natural to conclude that the two characters
may have a common origin. The fact that these localities are the most
arid of all those from which I have specimens of Salvadora is very sug-
gestive, since these snakes to a great extent live in holes in the ground.

* Hypsiglena texana, sp. u.

Diagnosis. — Similar to R. oehrorhgnchus, l)ut vith the upper surface of the head
convex, the lateral outline of the frontal curved outward, aud the dark eye stripe
covering more than upper half of the sixth supralabial.

Scale rows, 21; gasfcrosteges, 175; urosteges, 43; supralahials, 8; preoculars, 1;
pseudopreoculars, 1; postoculars, 2; temporals, 1.

Type. — U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 1782; between Laredo and Camargo, Tex,; U. S. Mex.
Bound. Surv., Arthur Schott, coll.

Rahilat. — Southwestern Texas

In addition to the type specimen the museum possesses two other specimens, one
collected by Mr. W. Taylor at San Diego, Texas (U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 15672), aud
one by Mr. Butcher at Laredo (No. 7124). Both agree in every respect with the type.

206

IsOKTH AiMERlCAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

The gTadatioii of this form into S. grahamia’, Avitliout siiboculars, is
shown by a specimen collected by Dr. Edward Palmer at St. Thomas,
Nev. (IJ. S. jSTat. Mus. ISTo. loOlO), Avhicli has one on one side but none
on the other.

[St. Thomas is less than 30 miles from tlie point where my specimen
(ISTo. 18002) Avas collected, and is in the same valley. — G. H. M.J.

List of specimens of fiiaJeadora [irahanme hexalepis.

u.s.

N at.
ISlus.
No.

Sex and
age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

18059

.

Argus Range, Shepherd Canon,
Calif.

Argus Range, Matm-ango Spring,
Calif.

Feet.

Apr. 26

May 2

18060

PI. Ill, fig. 2.

1,000 feet above
the Ainargosa
river.

_

18061

18062

Virgin River, near Bunkerville,
Nev.

.

May 8

1

Pituophis catenifer (Blaiuv.).

The only two specimens which I can refer to the typical form of this
species are from the coastal or aa est slope of the Sierra IS’evada, and
from Old Port Tejon, in the Canada de las Uvas, California, and are
better recognized as snch by their coloration and general aspect than
by any exclusive structural character. True, the carinatioii of the
scales is weak and the eight outer scales are smooth in both, but the
character derived from the carinatioii is a very elusiA^e one, as will be
demonstrated under the heading of the next form, and can not alone
be relied upon to define these very difficult and variable snakes.

lAst of specimens of Fit iioplns catenifer.

IT. S.
Nat.
Mus.
No.

Sex and
age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

18063

18061

South Fork Kings River, Calif

Old Fort Tejon, Calif

Feet.

8,000

Aug. 17
J lily 8

Palmer

do

RuhhA Creek.

Pituophis catenifer deserticola, subsp. uov.

By this name I propose to designate the form usually called P. hel-
lo tia, 0YP.,sayi hellona, as there can be no doubt that Baird’s and Girard’s,
original ChurchilUa hellona, vihich came from Presidio delJSTorte, Chihua-
hua, Mexico, was a typical P. say i. The type ajijiears now to be lost, but
I have before me a specimen from theidentical locality (U. S. lSTat. Mus.
Po. 1542) Avith a most pronouncedly narroAV rostral and agreeing with
P.sayi in all other respects also. Of all the later names applied to va-
rious forms or individuals of the present species none seem to have
been based ujion the richly-colored form from the Great Basin and the

May,1893.j eeptiles of the death valley expedition. 207

soiithwesteru deserts, wliicli agrees with true P. catenifer in having a
broad and low rostral. Tliat Baird and Girard later referred specimens
of this form to F. hellona can not, of course, justify the shifting of this
name to another type.

As a general rule this form has a more pronounced carination of the
scales and a less number of smooth scales on the sides, but this char-
acter can not be relied upon at all, and whether a specimen shall be
referred to either typical P. catenifer or to this desert form must be
decided upon the totality of the characters, as a reliance upon the car-
iuation leads to very erroneous results. This will be plain at once to
any one who will take the trouble to examine and compare the descrip-
tions of the various species described by Baird and Girard in their
Catalogue of North American Serpents, and as I have examined a
number of their specimens I am able to state that the descriptions are
generally correct. It will then be found that these Pacific coast si^eci-
mens have only three to live outer rows perfectly smooth, Avhile as
synonyms of P. catenifer^ the types of P. icillccsii, etc., ‘ought’ to
have nine rows of smooth lateral scales. Again, both types of P. mc-
which ‘ought’ to have only live smooth rows, because being
true P. sayi, have at least seven smooth rows. Furthermore, it has
been asserted that the typical P. catenifer occurs as far east as
Pyrmont,* Nev., upon the strength of U. S. National Museum No.
8139. This number contains two specimens so alike otherwise as to
preclude the possibility of their belonging to two different species.
Why they should be referred to P. catenifer I can not discover, for one
has only three perfectly smooth scale rows, while in the other the num-
ber is four or live. On the other hand, of two specimens in theiu’esent
collection, both from the Panamint Mountains, Calif. (Nos. 18065 and
18066), one has only four rows of smooth scales on each side, while the
other has ten. In every other res^iect the two are practically alike and
no one could reasonably refer them to two different species. Yet that
would have to be done were we to use the number of smooth scale rows
as a character.

[This subspecies, according to Mr. Stejneger, is the form inhabiting
the Great Basin, wliile, as pointed out above, typ>ical P. catenifer is
restricted to the coastal slope of California.

On the east side of Pahrump Valley, Nevada, one of these snakes
measuring 5 feet in length was killed April 29, among the tree yuccas
along the nipper edge of the Larrca belt, at an altitude of 1,310 meters

*Theuanie ‘Pyrmont’apiiears intlieEept. Wlieelcr Survey, v, 1875, Zoology, p. 511,
the specimeus referred to having been taken there by the Wheeler Exiiedition of
1872. This is probably the same place as Piennonl, -which is given on map sheet No.
49 of the Wheeler Survey, and on the ‘ Map of California and Nevada -with Parts of
Utah and Arizona,’ published by the Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army, 1879. Pier-
mont is on the west side of Spring Valley and on the east slope of the Shell Creek
Eange. It is in White Pine County, Nev., about 75 miles due east of the town of
Eureka.

208

NOKT]I AMElilCAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

(4,400 feet). Aiiotlier was olAaiiied on the east slope of tlie Beaverdain
mountains, in southwestern Utali, May 11.

In California, specimens were obtained at Tajiie Pine and Ilaway
Meadows in Owens Valley, and in the Panamint and Argus moun-
tains.— C. 11. M.]

List of specimens of Pituophis catcnifcr deserticola.

rr. s.

Nat.

Mus.

No.

Sex

and

age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

180C5

180CG

18067

18068

18069

18070

Panamint Mountains. Jackass Spring,
Calif.

Feet.

Argb.s Kange, Shepherd Canon, Calif
Ten miles .soutli of Owens Lake, Calif
Owens Valley (Lone Pine), Calif

3,750

Hate.

Collector.

liemaiks.

May 7

Nelson

April 23

Fisher

April 26

....do

May 12

Stephens .

Ha way Mcadow.s.

June 4

Fisher

May 11

kicrriam . .

Bascanion flagellum frenatum, siibsp. nov.

Diagnosis. — Adults with permanent brownish or blackish bars across
the napej young with a distinct whitish line from 'nostrils through eye
and across temporals, this stripe often i^ersistent in adults 3 chin and
throat speckled with blackish.

Habitat. — Southern Arizona, Utah, Nevada, California, and Lower
California.

Type. — U. S. National Museum, No. 16340. Mountain Spring, Colo-
rado Desert, San Diego County, Calif.; C. E. Orcutt coll.

There is no good reason why the various geographical forms of Bas-
canion flagellum should not be recognized by name, inasmuch as they
are well marked, fairly constant, and characteristic of circumscribed
geographical areas.

It is somewhat doubtful whether the form from the Cape St. Lucas
region should not be recognized by a separate name also, but the mate-
rial at hand is too scant to warrant any separation for the present.

Say’s Coluber testaceus, the adults of which are uniform above, is
apparently confined to the country east of the Kocky Mountains, and
the name inapplicable to the form so strongly marked, as indicated in
the diagnosis above. In the search for a possible name among the vari-
ous synonyms I was led to examine thetype of Baird and Girard’s Masti-
copliis mormon (U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 2012), from the Great Salt Lake,
in the hope that it might be available for the present form, since it is
sometimes found quoted in the synonymies of ^ Bascanium testaeeum,'’
but it proved to be a young B. flaviventre, and a new name had conse-
quently to be adopted.

This species was not collected by the expedition in the interior
valley of California, but specimens in the U. S. National Museum from
various localities show that it occurs there.

Mat,1S03.] reptiles of THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 200

The present form lias undoubtedly as much right to a separate name
as Bascanion piceum Cope, the cliief character of which, in addition to
the nniforn duskj'^ coloration above, seems to be the nineteen scale-
rows of the type and only specimen hitherto recorded, against the nor-
mal seventeen rows in B. JicufeJlum and its allies. I have, however,
before me a specimen (U. S. Nat. Miis., No. 17950) collected by Mr. P. L.
Jony, near Tucson, Ariz., which, though evidently by color a B. piceim,
has only seventeen scale rows.

Of the specimens collected. No. 180S8 is particularly interesting, as
having an undivided anal. The fact that an undivided anal has been
observed several times in B. flagellum and allies is quite an argument
in their favor who would not attribute ^generic value’ p>er se to the
division or nondivision of the anal plate.

List of specimens of Bascanion flacjellum frenatum.

u. s.

Nat.

Mus.

Xo.

Sex

and

age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

18081

18082

18083

18084

18085

18086

18087

18088
18089

Overton (Muddy Valley), Nev

Feet.

May 6
May 1
Jaii. 21
June 20
May 15
Apr. 22

Sept. 27

June 12
J une 9

Merriam

Sitomys in stom-
ach.

Killed in a cellar.
Head only.

.iun.

jim.

Death Valley, Bennett AVells, Calif.
Deatli Valley, Furnace Creek, Calif.

Pauamint Valley, Calif

Panauiint Valley, Hot Spring!?,
Calif.

Colorado Desert, Palm Springs,
Calif.

Keeler, Owens Lake, Calif

Deep Spring Valley, Calif

4,100

Net. sou

Fisher

Nelson

Merriam

Stephens ...

Palmer

Merriam

Bascanion laterals (Hallow.).

Three typical specimens were collected on the west or coastal slope
of the Sierra Nevada and Tejon Eange, California, and one from the
western slope of the Coast Eange, in San Diego County, Calif.

This species seems to be comparatively rare, and considerable addi-
tional material is necessary to enable us to satisfactorily map out its
geographical distribution.

List of sjyecimens of Bascanion laterale.

U. S.
Nat.
Mus.
No.

Sex

and

age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

18077

18078

18079

18080

Feet.

July 2
Sept. 14
July 3
Oct. 6

Three Rivers, Calif

“Walker Pass, we.st slope, Calif

Santa Tsabel, Calif

800

Bailey

Fisher

Stephens ...

12731— No. 7 14

210

NORTH AIMER ICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Bascanion taeniatum (TIallo\Y.).

The range oT the in esent six'rie.s is soinewli!itl)ettcrun(lei\stoed than
that of 7>. latcrale. It is much move widely distributed, as specimens
have been taken in Idaho, Utah, Nevada, California, Arizona, New
Mexico, and Mexico, but it does not seem to reach the coast, nor does
it appear to occur in the Valley of Calilbrnia, except at two points.
These are Walker Basin (U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 0498) and Shasta County,
northern California, where it probably enters by way of the Pit Kiver
Valley, as one specimen is from Baird, on the McCloud Eiver (U. S. Nat.
Mus., No. 13018), the other from Canoe Creek (No. 1983), both tributa-
ries of Pit Eiver.

List of specimens of Bascanion taniatnm.

r. s.

Nat.

Mus.

No.

Sex

and

age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Kemarks.

18072

18073

18074

18075

18076

Ar^n.s Eange, Matiiraugo Spring,
Calif -

Feet.

May 4
May 5

M.'iy 11
Ma,y 18
Ma’yj 19

Do

Coso Valley, near M.aturango Spring,
Calif ' '

Coso IVtountains, Coso, Calif

Pan aniint Mountains, Willow Creek,
Calif.

5, 400

Fisher

Nelson

Thaniiiophis^ infernalis (Blaiuv.).

The status of the various forms of garter snakes in North America
is one of the most difficult problems, and as yet an unsolved one. Much
more material than is at present available will be necessary in order to
establish the limits of the species and subspecies, to define their char-
acters, to ascertain the range of individual variation within each form,
and to settle the many knotty ])oints of nomenclature. For the present,
the reference of many specimens must necessarily be a provisional
one, and individuals which one herpetologist might identify as be-
longing’ to one form are very likely to be named quite differently by
another, and our knowledge of the geographical distribution of a num-
ber of these forms must consequently also be defective. It would there-
fore hardly be wise to make any generalizations in this direction. Under
such circnmstances, when the limits and true characters of the various
forms are yet unsettled, it seems unnecessary to make an attempt at
recognizing a distinction between specific and subspecific terms. With

* According to the A. O. U. Code of Zoological Nomenclature (canon xlii), Tham-
nopliis Fitzinger, 1843 (type 27;. -saariin), takes the precedence over Baird

& Girard. Apropos of ray introduction of I^eptotyplilops of Fitzinger for Stenostoma,
preoccupied, it has been asserted that FitzingeFs names are nomina nnda. 'Tlic
simple fact that Fitzinger expressly indicated the type of tlie. genus at once removes,
them from that category, and moreover, tho code referred to states in so many word.s
that the indication of the type species is suftjcient for the estahfi^hment of flie giy.
ncric term.

May,iS03.] KEPTILE8 OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

211

this proviso 1 vshall rlesigiuite the forms whioli I luivc recognized among
the material of tlie Deatli Yalley Expedition by binominals.

Whether the form called Entainia infernalis by Baird and Girard, and
later by Prof. Cope, really is the same as Blainville’s Coluher infernalifi
is to me a (i[uestiou which even Bocourt’s recent paper (Bull. Hoe. Zool.
France, xvii, Jan. 2(1, 1892, p. 40) fails to settle, because be evidently
includes several forms which we on tbis side of tbe Atlantic would not
think of uniting. As tbe four specimens before me (bTos. 18711-18714)
agree with tbe specimens wbieb are usually called E. mfernaHs, I bave
adopted tbis term for tbe jiresent.

Two of these specimens bave nineteen scale-rows and eight snpra-
hibials (bios. 18711, 18712), and all are uniform dark above with three
Avell-defiued buff-colored bands, bio. 18711, tbe larger specimen, has
tbe snpralabials well bordered with blackish, while in bio. 18712 these
marks are obsolete. Tbe latter is somewhat abnormal in having tbe
second row of temporals fused together. Tbe two specimens from Morro
(Nos. 18713-18714), on tbe other band, bave twenty-one scale-rows and-
tbe labials (eight) well bordered with black.

List of specimens of Thamnophis infernalis.

IT. S-l

Xat. Sex and
Mus. ase.
Xo. j

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

1

Feet.

18711 ! ad.

San Joaquin River, High Sierra. Calif.

8, 100

July 29

Nelson

Near Mam-

1

motk Pass.

187r2 !

Oct. 5

18713 i

Nov. 10

18711 '

1

Thamnophis elegans (B. & G.).

Of the three specimens which I refer to tbis species, tbe large one
(No. 18708) is strikingly like tbe type of Baird and Girard. Tbe num-
ber of scale-rows, however, is only nineteen, as in Baird and Girard’s
second specimen. Tbe eye is somewhat larger, and tbe posterior
snpralabials lower, but in both respects it agrees closidy with No. 878,
from Fort Reading, Calif., which has always been referred to T. elegans
without hesitation. In tbe two younger specimens, from Mount Whit-
ney (Nos. 18709 and 18710), the general color is slightly more olive,
not quite so bluish, and the labials are margined with blackish, in tbis
respect resembling No. 878, referred to above. I do not believe that
too much stress should be laid upon tbe absence or presence of tlieso
marks in tbis and allied forms. But instead of luuving tbe space be-
tween tbe dorsal and lateral stripes uniform dark, as in tbe larger
i^pecimen, these younger ones are distinctly spotted on a rather dark
ground, quite resembling the subspecies recently described by Cope as
T. elegans lineolata. An examination of No. 878, however, establishes
the fact that the dorsal spots are present and that consequently the

212

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

absence or presence of spots is only due to the darker or lighter shade
of the ground color.

A great amount of collecting and observing will liave to be done
before we can know anything deliuite about the individual variation of
these snakes. Each species and form will have to be investigated by
itself, for it is plain that conclusious based upon analogies from allied
forms are not to be relied upon, and it seems as if the only safe Avay
would be to commence an examination on as large a scale as possible of
the unborn young, cut out of the mother snake. A careful and detaih'd
record of such examinations would settle many a mooted i^oiiit, and is
recommended to the attention of California naturalists.

List of specimens of Thamnophis elegans.

TJ. S.
Nat
Mu.s.
No.

Sex and
age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Eeniarlis.

18708

18709

18710

ad.

Tosemite Valley, Calif

10 niilo.s south of Mount Whitney,
Calif.

Feet.

4, 000

Aug. 6
Aug. 31

Nelson

Dutcher

Thamnophis hammondii (Keun.).

Fortunately there attaches no doubt to specimens belonging to this
well defined species, and all here referred to it are typical in every
way, scutellatiou as well as coloration. Its range overlaps to a great
extent that of* Th. vagrans without affecting the purity of the type,
and as both are fouud in the identical localities, as well i^roved by
the present collection, there seems no valid reason for regarding them
as subspecies of the same species. The distinctive characters of this
form are well pointed out and emphasized by Kennicott in the original
description.

Neither does there seem to be any good reason for substituting the
name Th. couchii for that of Th. hammondii. The two forms have been
considered distinct uj) to the present time, and there has been collected
no additional material of recent years which could tend to show that
they are identical.

The twelve specimens of Th. hammondii contained in the present
collection show a great constancy of some of the structural characters.
All have twenty-one scale rows, eight supralabials, and one preocular.

In nearly all of them there are distinct indications of a dorsal band
which in No. 18691, a young specimen, is quite well marked the whole
length of the animal, while in most others it is chiefly developed on
the portion nearest to the head.

May, 1893.] REPTILES OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 213

List of specimens of Thamvojihis hammondii.

TT.S.

Kat.

Mus.

Ko.

Sex and
age.

18687

?ad.

18688

ad.

18689

9 ad.

1S690

18691

.iuv.

18692

jun.

18693

jun.

18694

jun.

18695

ad.

18696

18697

ad.

18698

jun.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Ilemarks.

Owens Vallej-, Alvord, Calif

Owens Valley, Fish Slough, 10 miles
north of lli.shop, Calif.

Owens Lake, Cai tago, Calif

Old Fort Tejon, Calif

Lone Pine, Calif

Kern Kiver, 25 miles above Kernville,
Calif.

do

Kern River, South Fork, Calif

Kern River, Calif

Kem River, South Fork, Calif

Soda Springs, Kern River, Calif

do

Feet.

4,000 June 27
July 2

3, 700

June 10
July 3
Aug. 21
July 9

J uly 5

July 7

7,200 I Sept. 8
2, 700 June 22

i Sept. 4

I Aug. 14

Stc))hens ...
....do

do

Palmer

Fisher

do

do

do

Kelson

Palmer

Fisher

Bailey

South Fork.

Thamnophis vagraus (B. & G.).

The material brought home by the Death Valley Expedition seems
clearly to demonstrate the impracticability of recognizing- a subspecies
Imeolata. Among the specimens from southern California there are
specimens which are typical and unquestionable Th. vagrans (for in-
stance, No. 18706), which combine all the characters of this species,
both as to scntellation and coloration. Practically from the same
locality we have another specimen (No. 18707), which might projierly
be referred to Tli. lineolata. Those from Soda Springs on the North
Fork of Kern River, and Whitney Creek are more like the former than
the latter, while the light-colored specimen from Ash Meadows, Nevada
(No. 18700), is a true vagrans^ so far as its dorsal spots are concerned,
but a lineolata if we pay attention to the dorsal stripe only.

The other specimen from this latter locality (No. 18701) is abnormal
in several respects, it being quite melanistic in coloration with a well-
defined dorsal band. The dorsal scale rows are very irregular, so that
it is difiBcnlt to make out the exact scale formula, but the prevailing
number seems to be nineteen.

The amount of blaclv on the belly is very variable; in fact, not two
siiecimens are alike in this respect. No. 18707, from Lone Pine, has no
trace of it, while No. 18700, from practically the same locality, Owens
Lake, has the anterior half of each gastrostege black, and No. 18701,
from Soda Springs, has the middle of the under side almost solid bluish
black.

214

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

List of s2)ecimc)is of Tliamiiophis r(i(jraiis.

IT. S.
Nat.
jM us.
No.

18609
1 ,S70U

18701

18702
18706

18704

18705

18706

18707

Se.x

and

age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Feet.

Nov. 8, 1800
.Mar. 6, 1891
Mar. 4, hSOl

do

S.'pt. 12! 1891
Sept. 10, 1.891
Aug. 15, 1891

Sept. 5,1891

. . . do

7, OUU

Jnv.

Soda Springs, North Pork, Kern
niver, Calif.

Bailey

8, 500

...do

6,000

.Tilly 20,1891
.June 11,1891

Kemark.s.

Tliamnophis parietalis (>Siiy).

A single specimen (No. 18715) from Horse Corral Meadows, Fresno
Comity, Calif., collected by Dr. A. K. Fisher, Angnst 10, 1891, having
nineteen scale rows, seven snpralabials, and one ineocnlar, has been
referred to the present form in spite of the fact that the sn[)erior spots
along the dorsal stripe are not fused into a solid black band. I have,
however, before me a specimen from San Francisco (No. 893), referred
to Th. parietalis by Cojie, which in this respect agrees with the present
sjiecimen, but the dorsal is broader. On the other hand our speci-
men presents many points of resemblance to so-called Th. leptoeephala,
but I am unable to distinguish specimens of the latter with the above
scale formula from sjiecimens of tlie Th. sirtalis group, I have failed
so far to distinguish any specific difference between Th. sirtalis and
leptocephalaj and am inclined to think that the latter is made up of
similarly degenerate specimens belonging to different species or forms.

Family Crotalidat:.

Crotalus tigris Keiin.

The ‘ tiger-rattler,’ of which the expedition has brought home quite
a series, is one <»f the rarest species in collections. Discovered during
the survey of the boundary between the United States and Mexico,
and described by Kennicott, the habitat of the species was given in
general terms as “ Deserts of Gila and Colorado,” but I can find no
evidence of specimens recorded from anywhere exceptfromthe Sierra del
Pozo Verde,* in Arizona. A sjiecimen was afterwards collected by Dr.
Irwin at Fort Buchanan, Ariz., and recorded bj^ Dr. Yarrow in his

* The name is Avritteii both Sierra del Pozo Verde and Sierra Verde in the Rept.
IT. S. and Mex. Bound. Surv. (cf. vol. i, i^t. i, p. 121 and pt. ir, p. 70). This range is
situated on the boundary between Arizona and Sonora, nearly due south of Babo-
qnivari Peak, and about .50 miles northwest of Nogales. A spring known as ‘ Agua
del Pozo Verde (Green AVell)’ is situated at the foot of the westeru slope near the
southern end of the range.

May, 1893.] REPTILES OF THE DEATH VAl.LEY EXPEDITION. 215

Catalogue of the Ileptiles and Batrachiaiis iii the TJ. S. National Museiiiii
(No, 5271). Dr. J. Gr. Cooper has since eimiiierated C. tifjris from tlie
California side of the ‘Colorado alley,’* but whether he based his
record upon specimens actually collected (in which case,' probably near
Port Mohave), or only upon the general statement in the report of the
Mexican Boundary Survey, I do not know.

It does not appear to have been collected by any of the many parties
of the Pacific Itailroad Surveys, nor was it brought home by the herpe-
tologists of the Wheeler Expedition west of the onehundredthmeridiaii.

The extension of its known range by the present expedition is there-
fore very material, and is the more interesting since it was found
almost over the entire desert area visited. So far from being restricted
to the Colorado Valley proper, as surmised by Dr. Cooper, it seems to
be chiefly confined to the desert mountain ranges, in which it ascends to
a considerable altitude, as shown by the table below, while horizontally
its range has been extended over quite a considerable area of southern
Nevada. •

A study of the present series convinces me that the nearest affinity
of the ‘ tiger rattler ’ is with the true Grotalus confliientus of the plains,
in spite of the rather striking and in many respects x>eculiar asiiect of
the former.

[The known range of this exceedingly rare rattlesnake has been
greatly extended by the expedition, specimens having been secured at
frequent intervals from Owens Valley in California to the Great Bend
of the Colorado on the boundary between Nevaxla and Arizona. It was
usually found in rocky places in the desert ranges — rarely in the inter-
vening valleys.

When jiassing through Emigrant Canon in the Panamiut Mountains,
in California, April 15, two large rattlesnakes of this species were
killed at one shot by Mr. Stephens, at an altitude of 1,400 meters (4,600
feet). They were on a ledge of rock, and were standing erect with
their heads near together, apparently playing. In Indian Spring A^al-
ley, north of the Charleston Mountains, in Nevada, one wtis found in a
wood-rat’s nest that was dug open to secure a large scaly lizard (Seelo-
porus magister) which had taken refuge there. Its stomach contained
a kangaroo rat {Bipodoniys) and a pocket mouse {Perognathus), indi-
cating nocturnal habits. Others were killed in the upper part of A'^egas
Valley (near Cottonwood Springs) and Vegas Wash, Nevada, and in
Owens Valley (on Independence Creek), Coso Valley, the Argus Ban ge.
Slate Eange, PaiiamintEange, and Grapevine Mountains, California. In
the Argus Eange nineteen were killed in or near Shepherd Canon, dur-
ing the latter part of April and first week of May, by Dr. Fisher's
party.— C. H. M.]

^Pioc. Calif. Acad. Nat. Sci., iv, i). 6G (1870).

216

NORTH AiMERIOAN FAUNA,

[No. 7.

Lint of npcciincHH of Crolalns iiyris.

r. s.

N at.
Mus.
No.

Sex

and

ago.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Hate.

Collector.

Remarks.

1SG61

Feet.

klay 1
MaV 2
May 29

18602

ad.

18063

jnn.

18664

18665

ad.

3,100
5, 500

5.000

4.000

4,000

Apr. 21
May 17

Stei)lien.s . . .
Nelson

' Salt Wells.

18660

1 8007

ad.

jav.

ad.

P.anainint Mountains, AVillow
Creek, Calif.

Panamint Mountains, .Johnson
Canon, Calif.

Panamint Mountain.s, Emigrant
Canon, Calif

18608

18009

Apr. 16

Steplieiis ...

18070

ad.

Argins Range, Shepherd Canon,
Cahf

Apr. 29

Apr. 27
May 11

do

18671

ad.

ad.

do

18072

Co.so A^alley, Maturango Spring.s,
Calif

18673

.ad.

18074

9 ad.

*

Owens Valley, Independence
Creek, Calif

6, 500

June 20

Stephens . . .

Crotalus cerastes Hallow.

The lioruecl rattlesnake has a record somewhat different from that
of the foregoing species {C. tigrls), although inhabiting, in a ge!ieral
way, the same country. It was described much earlier, is less rare in
collections, and the geographical range was better known. This differ-
ence is probably due to the fact that it is more confined to the desert
plains and valleys, while G. tigris seems to take its place in the moun-
tains.

The material brought home by the Death Valley Expedition adds con-
siderable detail to onr knowledge of the geographical range of the
present species, and is, therefore, very valuable and interesting, for the
previous material although better than that of C. tigris, as intimated
above, was scanty and indefinite enough. Thus, if we take the Catalogue
of the specimens in the E. S. National Museum (Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus.,
No. 24, p. 73), we note at once that there is no si)ecimen from the type
locality, which is the Mohave Desert and borders of the Mohave Eiver.
Dr. Merriam has now supplied this desideratum by the specimen col-
lected April 6, 1891 (No. 1S65G). We next note that a specimen (No.
8923) was collected by Dr. Yarrow in ‘Southern Utah.’ The locality
is indefinite enough and more than dubious, if for no other reason than
the complete absence of any reference to such a specimen in Dr. Yar-
row’s report upon the reptiles in the fifth volume of Wheeler’s Survey
West of the One Hundredth Meridian. Another specjimeu (No. 9116) is
said to have been collected by John Kohler in ‘Cottonwood Canon,
Nevada.’ Turning to the record book we find ‘Cottonwood Canon,
Arizona,’ and on p. 98 of the catalogue referred to we find that John
Kohler collected a Salvadora grahamice in ‘Cottonwood Canon, Utah.’

:.rAY,l893.] REPTILES OF THE DEATH VALLEY EX J'EDITIOX.

217

The locality is certainly indeliiiite, to say tlie least, and a more favor-
able expression can hardly be used about ^ Colorado Eiver, Colorado,’
for specimen No. 482, which was probably collected near Fort Ynina,
California, and certainly not in the State of Colorado, as the catalogue
referred to would seem to indicate.

It is refreshing to turn from these unreliable and confusing state-
ments to the list of exact localities furnished below for each individual
specimen taken, and nothing will better illustrate the value of the work
done by the Death Valley Expedition than the parallel just drawn.

[The horned rattlesnake or ^sidewinder,’ as it is locally known
througliout the region it inhabits, is the characteristic snake of -the
Lower Sonoran deserts of the Great Basin, from southern California
easterly across southern Nevada to Arizona and southwestern Utah.
It inhabits the open deserts, while its congener of the same region
(C. tifiris) lives in the desert ranges. Its local name is derived from its
peculiar mode of progression : when disturbed it moves away sideways,
keeping its broadside toward the observer instead of proceeding in
the usual serpentine manner. Its bite is said to be fatal, which is
prol)ably not the case under ordinary circumstances. A large number
were secured by the expedition and many others were killed, but no
one was bitten by it. It was found on both sides of Pilot Knob in the
Mohave Desert (April 5 and 0) in Pahrump Valley, where four were
caught in a space of a mile and half (April 28 and 29); in Vegas Valley
(May 1); in Vegas Wash (May 3); in Indian Spring Valley (May 29),
where one was shot containing a kangaroo rat [Dipodomys) and two
pocket mice {Perognathiis)’, in the Ainargosa Desert (May 31), and
in Sarcobatus Flat (June 2). It was common in the valley of the
Virgin and Lower Muddy (May 6 and 7), and was said to inhabit Pah-
ranagat Valley, though we did not find it there.

During the latter part of April and the early part of May these rat-
tlesnakes Avere often found in pairs and were doubtless mating. At
such times they remained out in plain sight OA^er night instead of re-
treating to holes or shelter under desert brush, and on two occasions
they were found by us on cold mornings so early that they Avere too
chilled to move until considerably disturbed. I stepped on one of these
by accident as it lay in a compact coil with its head in the center, but
it was held so firmly by my weight that it was unable to strike. A
moment before, I had killed its mate. I killed three on the mesa east
of St. Joe, in the valley of the Muddy, in eastern Nevada, May 7. —
C. H. M.J

218

NOirnr a:\iehican fauna.

[No. 7.

List of upeciinciis of Crolaliis ccrasics.

U. S.

Nat. Sex and
Mas. aijo.
No.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Late.

Collector.

Koiuark.s.

l-Wt.

18G4G

18U47

18G48

18649

18G50

18G51

18G52

1SG53

18G54

18G55

18G5G

18G57

18G58

18G59

18G60

ad.

ad.

ad.

ad.

ad.

ad.

.ian.

jaa.

.jaa.

ja.a.

jaa.

.ian.

ad.

ad.

ad.

Paliram]* Valiev, Nov

do ;

do

do

Indian Spring Valley, Nev

do

Ash Meadows ( 14 aiile.s north o 1), Xev.

Sarcobatas Flat, Nev

Amargosa Desert, Nev

Death Valley (Benaett Wells), Calif.

Mohave Desert, Calif

Borax Flat (waterstation), Calif

Panainint Valley, Calif

do

Lone Bine, Calif

4,500

2, 20J

Apr. 29
....do ...
. ...di> ...
Apr. 28
May 29
. . . - do . . .
Mar. 11
Jane 2
May 31
A])’r. 3

Apr. G
Apr. 22
A pr. 24
Apr. 23
J ane 7

IMerriani
...do ...
...do ...

. . ..lo ...
Bailey . .
Merriaia
Ste])hi'as
Bailey . .
Merriaai
Bailey . -
Merri am .
Stephens
Nelson . .
Bailey . .
Palmer .

Type locality.

Ciotalus lucifer B. & G.

The questions whether tliere is more than one separable form of this
species within the Pacific region and, in case of an affirmative answer,
what names are to be employed for the various forms, are yet open,
awaiting the accumulation of much additional material. It may even
be found that the name adopted above for the species is not the oldest
tenable; but, not being able to settle that point at present, I retain
6’. lucifer as undoubted in its application. On the other hand, that it is
a good and distinct species, well separated from G.conjluentus, and not
a subspecies of the latter, I feel perfectly confident.

The present species is characteristic of the interior valley and sloipes
of California as contrasted with the Great Basin, and the boundary
between the two forms seems to be quite sharply drawn, at least in the
regions visited by the expedition. There is probably no stronger con-
trast among the reptiles of the same genus met with by the Death
Valley explorers than that between the pale and clay colored rattle-
snakes in the desert plains and mountains and the dark colored G. lucifer
which the}^ obtained only in the San Joaqnin Valley and in the nionn-
tain slopes encircling it.

[This species does not inhabit the Great Basin, but was found in a
number of localities on the west or coastal slope of the Sierra, and in
the San Joaqnin Valley. Specimens were obtained at Old Port Tejon,
in the Canada de las Uvas, and thence northward on the west slope of
themonutaius to Tehachapi Pass, Kern Valley, Kaweah Kiver, Kings
River Cafiou, the San Joaqnin River, and the Merced River (on the
latter as high as 2,620 meters or 8,600 feet). — C. H. M.j

BATRACHIANS OP THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDTITOX. 210

May, J803.]

List of specimens of Croialus lucifer.

TJ. S.
Nat.
Mus.
No.

Sex and
age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Keniarks.

18675

18676

18677

18678

18679

18680
18681
18682
18683

ad.
adnl .

ad.

juu.

cf

ad.

ad.

ad.

ad.

Old Fort Tejoii, Calif

Balcerstield, Calif •

Kernville, Calif

Soda Springs, North Fork Kern

Feet.

2, 400

July 7
July 17
.July 10

Aug. 12
J uly 28
Aug. 14
July 29
Aug. 4

Palmer

Bailey

do

....do

Skin.

East Fork Kaweali llivcr, Calif

King's Kiver Canon, Calif

North Fork San Joaquin Kiver, Calif.
Merced Kiver, Calif

4, 500

6, 600
8, 000
8, 600

do -

Palmer

Nelson

do

....do

B.— BATRACHIA.
Order AN UR A.
Family Eufonidje

Bufo punctatus B. & G.

This species of rather wide distribution belongs to the Lower Sonoran
fauna, and is not known from the interior valley of tialifornia. It
X^robably finds its northern limit not far from where the numerous
specimens of the expedition were collected.

List of specimens of Bufo punctatus.

TT. S.

Nat. Sex and
Mus. age.
No.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Feet.

Date.

Collector.

Ecniai'ka.

1S74S

ad.

Mar. 22

1874-9

ad.

do .

187nl

do

1 STS-'?

do .

1 875R

do . . . . .

1 S7n4.

1 87r>5

1 875fi

Mar. 21

18757

do ■

18758

do

18759

do ....

18760

do

187G1

do

do ...

18762

do ...

do

13763

do

18764

do ...

18765

ad.

do ...

18766

18767

ad.

do

18768

ad.

18769

do

do . .

do

18770

do

18771

ad.

18772

18773

...do ...

18774

ad.

do

do . ..

18775

ad.

do

do

do . ..

do

18777

do ..

18778

do

. . do

18779

do

do

18780

do

do ...

do

18781

do

18182

<1

18783

Feh. 4

18784

ad.

Panamint Mountains, Cottonwood

2, 700

May 29

Neisou...

Canon, Calif.

18785

adol.

du

....do ....

220

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

lNo.7.

Bufo halophilus 15. A (i. (I'liite iii, ligs. 3 ((-h).

Of rather general distrilnition, as specimens were collected by the
expedition inside the great interior valley of Oalifornia, on the Paclic
coast near Monterey, and in various localities in Owens Valley, east
of the Sierra Nevada. Its vertical range is hardly less extended, hav-
ing been found from the level of the sea to more than 10,000 feet above.

List of spcchneiis of Bufo lialo2)hiltts.

u.s.

Nat.

Mus.

No.

18719

18720

18721

18722

18723

18724

18725

18726

18727

18728

18729

18730

18731

18732

18733

18734

18735

18736

18737

Sex and
Age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Ilemarli.s.

adol.

jviv.

juv.

.iuv.

ad.

jnn.

ad.

ad.

adid.

.jun.

ad(d.

adol.

adol.

adol.

jun.

jnn

tadpoles
do
do

Owens Valley, Alvord. Calif.

Owens Valley, Bishoj) Creek, Calif.

do

do

Owens Valley, Independence Creek,

Calif

do

Owens Valley, Lone Pine, Calif

do

do

do

Round V alley, Tulare County, Calif.

Whitney Meadows, Calif.

Kings River, Calif

Elizabeth Lake, Calif

Monterey, Calif.

Feet.
4,000
4, 000
4,000

4.000

0, 000

6.000

10, 000

5, 200

East Fork, Kaweah River, Calif. . .

do

do

About
sea
level.
..do ...
10,200
10, 200
10, 200

Juno. 26
June 29
June 29
June 29

June
June
•Tune
June
J une
June
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
July.
Sept.

Oct. 1
Aug. 7
Aug. 7
Auk. 7

Stephens

do

...do ....
...do ....

do —

. . . .do . . - .
Nel..ou.
Palmer.
...do ....
— do —
...do ...
Bailey.
Nelson,
Palmer.
Bailey.

..do

. - do
. -do
. .do

Pi. Ill, ti;

Bufo boreas nelsoni, siibsp. iiov. (PI. iii, ligs. 4 a-l).

Diagnosis. — Similar to B. boreas: Skin between warts smooth; snout
protracted, pointed in profile; webs of hind legs very large ; soles rather
smooth; limbs shorter, elbows and knees not meeting when adpressed
to the sides of the body; inner metacarpal tubercle usually very large.

Habitat. — Southeastern Oalifornia and western Nevada.

Type. — U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 18742; Oasis Valley, Nevada, March IG,
1891; F. Stephens, coll.

This seems to be the southern form of Bufo boreas., distinguished from
the latter as above. Extreme examples of both forms are very dif-
ferent and would readily pass for distinct species, but specimens occur
in which one or the other of the characters are less developed, making
it expedient to use a trinomiual appellation.

On the other hand, both i5. boreas and the new form here described
are quite well separated from B. lialopMliis and its northern race, B.
halophilus columbiensis, the difference in profile of the snout being quite
sufficient (comp. pi. iir, figs. 3a and 4a), not to mention the other char-
acters indicated in the diagnosis above. Their geographical distribu-
tion, as examplified by the material brought borne by the Death Valley
Expedition, furnishes sufficient proof of the specific value of their differ-

Mat, 1893.] BATKACHIANS OF THE HEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 221

ences, for while we find B. halophilm alone in the valley of California,
both species Avere collected in the same localities east of the Sierra
Nevada.

The name of this form is selected in honor of Mr. E. W. Nelson for
his valuable zobgeographical work both in the extreme south and in
the extreme north of our country.

List of specimens of Bufo horeas iielsoni.

V. s.

Xat-

Mus.

No.

Sex and
age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Eeinarks.

18738

18739

18740

18741

18742

18743

18744

18745

18746

18747

acl.

acl.

ad.

ad.

ad.

ad.

adol.

jun.

ad.

ad.

Oasis Valley, Xev

Feet.

Mar. 16
do ...

Stephens

Type,

do ...

do ...

Kestiiig Spriugs, Cali!

Feb. 7

Fisher

Owens Valley, Moran.s, Calif

Owens Valley, Lone Pine, Calif

5,000

July. 4
June 18

Stephens —
ISi elsoii

Bufo lentiginosus woodhousii (Gir.).

The three specimens mentioned below are rather young, and are re-
ferred to under the above name more because they occur in the region
commonly assigned to this form than because they conform to the char-
acters ascribed to it. As a matter of fact, I have yet to discover a char-
acter, or a combination of characters of sufficient stability to enable me
to distinguish B. woodhousii from B. amcricamis. Proportions, parallel-
ism or divergence of cranial ridges, and single or double subarticular
tubercles on the toes, seem all entirely valueless as characters.

[Specimens of this toad were collected in Pahranagat and Vegas
valleys, Nevada; and toads, probably the same species, were common
in the Lower Muddy and Virgin valleys, Nevada, and at the mouth of
Beverdam Creek, Arizona. — C. H. M.]

List of specimens of Bufo tentiginosus woodhousii.

rr. s.

Xat.

Mus.

Ko.

Sex and
age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Eemarks.

18716

18717

18718

jun.

jiin.

jun.

Pahranagat Valley, Nov

Vegas Valley, Nev

Feet.

May 25
Vtar. 13
Mar. 14

Bailey

Nelson

222

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Fa ini ly ScArii iopohiDyE.

Scaphiopus hamniondii Hainl.

The rour specimens lejiresciiting vai ions sizes and ages from tlie same
locality will ultimately be of great liel]) in better nnderstanding the
status of this species. The few specimens now in the colh'ctions from
a number of localities scattered over a very wide area, and often in a
bad state of preservation, form a very unsatisfactory material upon
which to base a rational discussion of the question.

List of sjiecimens of Scapldoi)us hammondii

r. s.

Nat.

Mu.s.

No.

Sex aud
■age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Uato.

Collector.

Eemark.s.

187?6

18787

18788

18789

ad.

adol.

adnl.

j-an.

Owens Lake, Olanclia, Calif

Feet.

3,700

May 21
May 18
May 15
May 18

Stephens . . .

3, 700

do

do

Family Hylida3.

Hyla regiUa B. & G.

We have been SO accustomed to regard this species as chiefly ‘Pa-
cifii?’ in its distribution that it was rather a surprise to receive such
an enormous number of specimens from so many localities in the desert
regions visited by the expedition. Our knowledge as to the geographi-
cal distribution of this species has consequently been considerably ex-
tended, and there can be no doubt that the material gathered Avill be of
extreme importance whenever it shall lie possible to work up in detail
the uneqnaled series in the National Museum. As my assistant, Mr.
Frederick 0. Test, has been engaged for some time upon this work, I
shall refrain from further remarks in order not to forestall any of his
conclusions.

[On the west or coastal slojie of the Great Divide in California, tree
toads of this species were found in Kern Valley, Walker Basin, and at
Old Fort Tejon in the Canada de las Uvas. On the east or Great Basin
side of the divide they were tolerably common about the spring in Sur-
prise Canon in the Panainint Mountains, at Hot Springs in Pananiint
Valley, at Saratoga Spring at the south end of Death Valley, and at
Besting Springs. In Nevada they were found in Ash Meadows^ Oasis,
Pahrump, and Vegas valleys. — C. H. M.]

AIay,

U. S.

Xat.

"Mns.

Ko.

18790

18791

18792

18791!

18794

18795

18790

18797

1S79S

18.790

188O0

ISSOl

18802

18803

18804

18805

18800

18807

18808

18819

18810

18811

18812

18818

18814

18815

18810

18817

18818

18819

18820

18821

18822

18823

18824

18825

18820

18827

18828

18829

18830

18831

18832

18833

18834

18835

18830

18837

1889,8

18839

18840

18841

18842

18843

18844

18845

18840

18847

18848

18849

18850

18851

18852

18853

18854

18855

18850

18857

18858

RACHIAN.S OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 223

lAsf of selectmens of Ifijln ree/illa.

Lo'jality.

Pananiint. .MountaiiivS, Jolnisoii
Cafion. Calif.

(h>

i\0

flo

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do -

do

do

do

do

T’aiianiint Mountains, Siiri»rise
Canon. Calif.

do

Alti-

tude.

.do

.do

-do

-do

Wliitney Creelc, Calif

Wliitney Meadows, Calif .
do’

Feet.

*6, 000

0, 000
6, 000
0, 000
6, 000
6,000
6, 000
6, 000
6, 000
6, 000
6, 000
6, 000
6, 000
6, 000
6,000
6, 000
6, 000
6, OOO
6, 000
6,000
6, 000
6. COO
6, 000
6, 000
6, 000
6. 000
6,000
6. 000
6, 000
6,000
6, COO
6, 000
6, 000
6, 000

2, 600
2, 600

• do
-do
.do
.do

Kear Wliitney Meadows, Calif.

Panamint Mountains, Calif

do

Panamint A'^alley, Hot Springs,
Calif.

.do

.do

.do

.do

.do

Resting Springs, Calif.
do

.do

-do

.do

.do

.do

Saratoga Springs, Calif.

do

do

Hot Springs, Calif ‘

South Fork Kern River, 25 miles
above Keruville, Calif.

Kern River, Calif. . -

Date.

!^^ar. 31

. - do
. .do
..do
..do
..do
..do
. .do
..do
..do
..do
. .do
. .do
. .do
-.do
. .do
. .do
. .do
. .do
..do
..do
. .do
. .do
. .do
. .do
. .do
. .do
. .do
. .do
. . do ,
. .do
. .do
- .do
. .do
Apr. ;

do

do

do

AjDr.

do

Aug.

Sept.

Aug.

Aug.

do

do

do

Aug.

Apr.

do

da

do ...

do . . .

do . . .

....do ...
....do ...
Feb. 8
Feb. 7

do . . .

Feb. 17

do . . .

do ...

do ...

Jan. 30

do . ..

do . ..

Jan. 9
July 4

Collector.

Fisher.

. . - do
...do
. . .do
...do
. - .do
...do
. . .do
. . .do
... do .
. . .do
. . . do
. . .do
- . .do .
... do
. . .do
. . .do ,
. . .do
...do
. . .do
- . .do
...do
... do
...do
. . .do .
...do
. . .do
... do
. . . do
. . .do
. . .do
...do
. . .do
. . .do
. . .do

. . .do . .
. . .do - .
. . -do - .
Bailey .
. . .do . ,
. . .do . ,
Fisher .
Bailey •
- . -do . .
...do ..
...do ..

do - .

— do

Kelson.

do ..

Fisher .

...do ...

do . . .

do ...

do ...

...do -.
Palmer
Fislier . .
,...do ...

do . .

do . .

do . .

do . .

Bailey .

do . .

do - .

do . .

Fisher .

do do

Remarks.

Among granite
rocks.

In pond at
spring.

*About,

224

u. s.

Nat.

Mu8.

No.

188.09

188GU

188G1

1S8G2

18863

18864

18865

188GG

188G7

188G8

18869

18870

18871

18872

18873

18874

18875

18876

18877

18878

18879

18880

18881

18882

18883

18884

18885

18886

18887

18888

18889

18890

18891

18892

18893

18894

18895

18896

18897

18898

18899

18900

18901

18902

18903

18904

18905

18906

18907

18908

18909

18910

18911

18912

18913

18914

18915

18916

18917

18918

18919

18920

18921

18922

18923

18924

18925

18926

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. .

[No. 7.

List of specimens of J I ijla rcf/illa — Contiiincd,

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Feet.

July 15

Antelope Valley, near La Liebre
Rancho, Calif.

July 3
July 0
do ...

.1 uly 11
July 31

South Fork Merced Kiver, Calif. . .

8,900

Nelson

8, 000

Aug. 12

7,' 500

Aug. 24

Oct. 2

do *

Sept. 29
Sept. 30

Charleston Mountains, in Mountain

5,600

Apr. 30

do

Spring, Nev.

5, 000

do

do

5, 600
5, 600

5,600

....do ...

Feb. 21

Pabruinp Valley, Yount’s Ranch,
Nev.

Apr. 28

Bailey

Mountain Spring, CharlestonMoun-
tains, Nev.

Mar. 6 ■

Mar. 15

do .

Mar. 13

1, 800

....do...

do

do . ...

Vegas Valley, Cottonwood Spring,
Nev.

Apr. 30

Bailey

Oasis Valley, Nev

Mar. 16

Stephens ...
do

....do ...

do

....do ...

do

do

do

Mar. 13

Mar. 18

do

Stephens ...

Mar. 17

Feb. 28

lloiiiiirlis.

tn vino on an ar-
bor.

In spring.

May, 1893.] BATRACHIANS ’OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 225

Family Ranidae.

Rana draytonii B. & G.

Of this well-marked species, Mr. Bailey collected two adults and two
young ones at Monterey, the latter in a spring near the beach. The
specimens are in fine condition, and display the distinctive characters
very well. The vicissitudes of this species demonstrate beautifully
the disastrous results of prejudiced desires of Oumping’ species.

List of specimens of liana draytonii.

TJ.S.

Nat.

Mus.

No.

Sex and
age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Eemark.s.

18953

18954

18955

1 89nfi

ad.

ad.

.iuv.

juv.

Monterey, Calif

Feet.
Near
sea
level.
..do ...

Oct. 3

Bailey

In spring, near
beach.

Do.

..do ...

Sept. 30

Rana aurora B. & G.

The siiecimeus referred to this species agree in such essential points
with the types of B. aurora, that I have been obliged to so name them,
the only other alternative being to describe them as new. It is my
conviction that the result of a careful study of a large number of speci-
mens from the Pacific x>rovince will result in the establishment of
several more species or subspecies than at present recognized, but I
also feel that the final settlement must be deferred until a more propi-
tious time for a monographic essay on the various forms which cluster
around B. aurora, pretiosa, and draytonii. Under these circumstances
1 deem it inadvisable to establish any new names, the more so since I
hope it will not be long before I shall be able to devote the necessary
time to this question.

It is hardly necessary to add that it is out of the question to base
any generalizations upon the supposed geographical distribution of
these forms as they are defined for the present.

The character which associates the present specimens so strongly
with B. aurora is the smoothness of the skin, although very minutely
pitted, and the very strong jaitting of the line which takes the ]3lace of
the dorso-lateral fold in the other species. The differences consist
chiefly in shorter snout, fuller webbing of the toes, broader tongue, and
darker color.

List of specimens of Rana aurora.

D. S.

Nat.

Mus.

No.

Sex and
age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Kemarks.

18947

18948

18949

ad.

ad.

ad.

Sequoia National Park, Calif

Fact.

7, 000
7,000

7, 000

Aug. 2
Aug. 6

do . . .

Palmer

Halsted Mead-
ows.

Do.

12731— Uo. 7 15

226

NOKTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[Ko. 7.

Rana pretiosa B. & G.

The remarks under K. aurora refer as well to the present species.
The southern specimens which have come under my notice have the
white (or yellow) sni)ralabial stripe ill-defined and more or less inter-
rupted, especially behind the angle of the month; wliile in the northern
si)ecimens this stripe nsnally is well-defined and nninterrnptcd.

List of S2>ecimens of liana prellosa.

n.s.

Nat.

Mns.

No.

Sex and
age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Rem art 3.

18928

18929

18930

18931

18932

18933

18934

18935

18936

18937

18938

18939
18910

18941

18942

18943

18944

18945

18946

ad.

ad.

ad.

ad.

ad.

adol.

adol.

adol.

adol.

adol.

juv.

ad.

ad.

ad.

adol.

juv.

adol-

adol.

ad.

Sierra Nevada, Calif

Mulkey Meadows, Sierra Nevada,
Calit

do

Clii<iuito, San Joaquin River, Calif..

-do

Head of Big Cottonwood Creek, Calif

-do ,

-do

-do

-do

-do

Feet.

8, 400
9,000

9, 000
9,800

9, 800

11,000

11.000
11, 000
11,000
11, 000
11, 000

J Illy 24
do ...

do ...

July 31

do . . .

Sept. 11

Whitney Creek, Calif

East Fork Kavveali River, Calif 10, 200

.do ,

-do

-do

Mineral King, Calif

Lone Pine, Calif

South Fork Merced River, Calif .

10,200
10, 200
10,200 i
7, 500

8,800

Sept. 13

do . . .

do ...

do ...

do . . ,

Aug. 18
Aug.

. . . ;(lo

do ...

do . . .

.July 31
Aug. 21
J uly 31

Stephens
— do

do -.

Nelson.

do

Dutcher .

. . .do . .
- - - do . .
. - - do . .
...do ..
. . .do . .
Bailey .
7 ....do ...
...do ..
. . .do - .
. . -do - .
. . .do . .
Fisher.
Nelson.

Head of river
east of M t.
Ravmond.
Do.

Near Mount
Whitney.

In little lake.
Do.

Do.

Do.

Rana boylii Baird.

In a recent paper* (December, 1891) Bonlenger expresses the opinion
that R. hoylii is only a synonym of E. draytonii. It is evident that
he has arrived at this conclusion without having had opportunity to
compare authentic sj)ecimens of both species, for otherwise it would be
impossible to make such a mistake. The two species differ in all essen-
tial points, and among the many puzzling Western forms of this genus
none are more easily separated. Dentition, tympanum, and dorso-
lateral glands are so different that once seen the two species can not well
be confounded. E. boylii has the tympanum almost concealed and cov-
ered with tubercles, the vomerine teeth in an oblique longitudinal series
on each side, and the dorso lateral fold flattened out so as to be nearly,
or entirely, imperceptible, while E. draytonii has a smooth, distinct
tympanum, vomerine teeth in clusters, and very prominent dorso-lateral
folds.

The specimens which I have referred to E. boylii differ from the type
of the latter in a few minor points, chief of which is the narrowness of
the tongue; but as the specimens are rather small, much stress ought
not to be attached to this point. Moreover, I would again refer to my

*Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (6), viii, p. 453.

May, 1893.] BATRACIIIANS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 227

remarks under B. aurora as to tlie inadvisability of meddling with the
status of the Californian frogs in the present connection.

List of specimens of liana hoylii.

IT. S.
Nat.
Mas.
No.

Sex and
age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Remarks.

18950

18951

18952

ad.

ad.

ad.

Sontli Fork Kern River, Calif

Feet.

July 4

Juno 23

Fisher

25miles above
Kernville.

Raiia fislieri, sp. nov. (Plato iii, figs. 5«-o.)

Diaejnons. — Heel of extended hind limb reaching anterior eye canthus,
falling considerably short of tip of snoutj vomerine teeth between and
projecting posteriorly beyond choanae; no black ear patch; vertical
diameter of tympanic disc greater than distance between nostrils and
eye; hind feet webbed for about two-thirds; one small metatarsal
tubercle; one weak dorso-lateral dermal fold, no dorsal folds between;
posterior lower aspect of femur granular; back and sides with numer-
ous small, distinct, dark spots, surrounded by lighter; no external vocal
sacs.

Habitat. — Vegas Valley, IsTevada.

Type. — IT. S. l^at. Mus.,I7o. 18957; Vegas Valiev, Nevada, March 13,
1891; V. Bailey coll.

Not closely allied to any of the known species. The coloration is
very distinct, resembling somewhat that of B. aesopus; the great
size of the tympanic disc is also quite characteristic, being larger than
in any of our species, except B. cateshiana, elamitaiis, and septentrionalis.

I should have considered it rather risky to describe a new species of
Bana from the West had it not been for the fact that the great number
of the specimens collected established beyond a doubt the constancy
of the characters mentioned.

This species is dedicated to Dr. A. K. Fisher in recognition of his
share in the herpetological success of the Death Valley Expedition.

[Frogs were tolerably common in Beaverdam Creek near its junction
with the Virgin in northwestern Arizona, May 8, but whether Bana
fislieri or B. pipiens brachycephala is not certain. The former was col-
lected in Vegas Valley (type locality); the latter in Pahranagat
Valley.— 0. H. M.]

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

228

List of specimens of liana fisheri.

u. s.

Niit.

Mils.

No.

Sex and
age.

Locality.

Alti-

tude.

Date.

Collector.

Kemarks.

J8957

18958

18959

18960

18961

18962

18963

18964

18965

18966

ad.

ad.

ad.

ad.

ad.

ad.

ad.

ad.

ad.

ad.

Vegas Valley, Nev

Feet.

Mar. 13
Mar. 9
Mar. 13
Mar. 9

Bailey

Typo.

Las Vegas Kauch, Vegas Valley, Nev.
do

Nelson

. . do

Rana pipiens brachycephala (Cope).

The western form of the green frog evidently reaches its western
limit in Nevada, and from the fact that the expedition only brought
home one si)ecimen it may probably be concluded that it is rare in that
region. This specimen was collected in Pahranagat Valley, Nevada,
May 25, 1891, by Vernon Bailey (No. 18927).

As to the name Bana pipiens Schreber, adopted in preference to B.
virescens ‘Kalm,’ 1 may remark that as the latter was never used by
Kalm in a binominal sense, it being only the first word of his diagnosis
of the species, the former is beyond doubt the oldest tenable name for
the siiecies. Prom some of the recent synonymies it might be inferred
that Bana virginiana of Laurenti (1768) would be the name, but I need
only quote his diagnosis, viz, “corpore cinereo, dorso quinqueangulato
quinqnestriato 5 maculis rubris; abdomine, pedibusque flavescentibus,”
to show that it can never be identified as our shad-frog.

This question has already been settled by Prof. S. Garman in 1888
(Bull. Ess. Inst., XX, p]i. 90, 100), and I am only induced to repeat and cor -
roborate it here, as one might be led to believe, from Cope’s treatment
of the matter (Man. N. Am. Batr., 1889, p. 399), that Garman is respon-
sible for the adoption of Bana virescens.

REPORT ON THE FISHES OP THE HEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION COL-
LECTED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA IN 1891, AVITH
DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES.

By Charles H. Gilbert, Ph. D.

LIST OF

Ameiurus nehulosus Le Sueur.

CatoHtomus arceopus Jordan.

Rhinichthys (^Apocope) velifer, sp. nov.

Rhmichthys {Apocope) nevadensis, sp. nov.

Rutilus symmetricus (B. & G.).

Lepidomeda vittata Cope.

Cyprinus carpio Linn.

Ameiurus nebulosus Le Sueur.

Two specimens of this introduced species were procured at Lone Pine,
on Owens Eiver, where the species was reported as abundant.

Catostomus araeopus Jordan.

Type localify. — South. Fork of Kern EiA^er, California.

One specimen from Eeese Eiver, NTevada. Collected by Vernon Bailey.

Rhinichthys (Apocope) velifer, sp. nov. (Plate vi, Fig. 2.)

I'ypie locality. — Pahranagat Valley, Nevada.

This species is closely related to Bhiniclithys yarrowi, from which it
differs in the much larger scales, the lateral line traversing 55 instead
of 74 to 83 scales. Both species mark such perfect transition between
Apocope and Bhinichthys that it seems best to reduce the former to the
rank of a subgenus. About half the specimens of yarroivi have a nar-
row frenum, and this is present in each of the three type specimens of
velifer. In both yarrowi and velifer the teeth are 2-4-4-2, as in typical
Bhinichthys. The only character left to distinguish Apocope is the nar-
rowness of the frenum when present, it being very wide in typical Bhin-
ichthys.

Head 4 in length; depth, 4|. Snout narrow, but bluntly rounded,
not projecting beyond the front of premaxillaries. Frenum joining pre-
maxillaries to skin of forehead very narrow, varying in width in the
three type specimens. It will probably be found that some specimens
of this species, as of yarrowi., have protractile premaxillaries. Mouth

229

SPECIES.

Salmo irideus Gibbons.

Salmo rnyhiss agua-bonita Jordan.
Cyprinodon macularius Girard.
Cyprinodon macularius subsp.nov.

Empetrichthys merriami, gen. et sp. nov.
Gasterosteus williamsoni Girard.

230

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

small, liorizoiital, the maxillary reaching vertical* from front of orbit,
equaling diameter of eye, in length of head. Interorbital width, 3
in head.

Teeth 2, 4-4, 2, hooked, with sharp edges.

Pectorals nearly reatihing base of ventrals, the latter long, overlap-
j)ing front of anal tin. Origin of dorsal fin midway between base of
caudal and middle of eye.

D., 85 A., 7 Lat. 1. 56 (pores)., 10 scales in a. series obliquely forward
to lateral line from base of first dorsal ray.

Color ill spirits, brown along back, a black band from snout across
cheeks and along middle of sides, with a narrow silvery streak above
it. Lower half of sides and belly silvery; an ill-defined dark streak
from base of pectorals back along sides to the end of the anal fin. A
small black spot on base of caudal.

Three specimens were taken in a hot spring in Pahranagat Valley,
Nevada, May 25, 1891, by 0. Hart Merriam and Vernon Bailey. Tem-
perature of spring 36.11° C. (97° P.).

Rhinichthys ("Apocope) nevadensis, sp. nov. (Plate vi, Fig. 1.)

Type locality. — Ash Meadows, Amargosa Desert, ou boundary between California
and Nevada.

Differing from other known species in the large head, the short deep
body, very small eye, and in the reduction of the outer ventral ray to a
mete rudiment.

Head, 3| in length (varying from 3| to 4) ; depth, 3| (varying from 3.J
to 4). D., 8; A., 7. Lat. 1. 65. Ventrals apparently with seven rays, the
outer one rudimentary, and often to be detected with difficulty. .

Body robust, with broad heavy head, the least depth of caudal
peduncle less than half the greatest height of body. Greatest depth
of head at occiput 5 in length of body (6^ in nubila of equal size).
Eye very small, half interorbital width, which equals distance from tip
of snout to middle of eye, and is contained 2f times in head.

Mouth terminal, very oblique, the lower jaw included, the premaxil-
laries not at all overlapped by the snout. The maxillary reaches the
vertical from front of eye, and is one-third length of head. Maxillary
barbie well developed.

Scales very irregularly placed, and difficult to enumerate. The lateral
line is incomidete in adults, and usually does not reach to opposite
dorsal fin. In the young it is variously developed, often extending,
though with many interruiftions, to end of dorsal or base of caudal.
Pores in lateral line (when complete) 58, about 66 oblique series, counted
above lateral line.

Fins small, the pectorals not reaching ventrals, the latter not to vent.
Front of dorsal midway between base of caudal and middle of occiput.

In spirits, the upper half of sides is speckled and marbled with brown ;
the belly and lower half of sides immaculate or s]3arsely siiotted. A
broad dark lateral stripe usually x)resent, becoming more conspicuous

Mat, 1893.] FISHES OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 231

posteriorly, and ending in an obscure black spot on base of tail. A
dark stripe sometimes iiresent along middle of lower half of sides.

jSriimeroiis specimens were iirocured in the warm sjuiugs at Ash.
Meadows, Indian Greek, and Yegas Greek, l^evada.

Rutilus symmetricus (Baird, and- Girard].

Type locality. —0\A Fort Miller, Fresno Co., San Joaquin Valley, California.

Specimens from Owens Lake, Galifornia, seem to agree with those
reported on by Jordan and Henshaw {Leiicos formosm, Eep. Ghief En-
gineer, Wheeler Sury. W. 100th Mer., App. Ulsr, 1878, 193) from Washoe
Lake, Nevada, and Kern Lake, Galifornia. There are 11 scales between
lateral line and front of dorsal, and 52 scales in lateral line. Teetli 4-5.
There are seven or eight rays in the anal tin, and the head is 3| in the
length. The lateral line is imperfect in the young.

The American species of this genus are poorly defined, and may be
reducible to one or two species. If the specific forms prove to be
numerous there is uo assurance that these specimens are identical with
the types of Pogonichthys symmetricus and Algansea formosus from the
San Joaquin and Mohave rivers.

Lepidomeda vittata Cope.

Type locality. — Little Colorado Eiver, Arizona.

Three small specimens from Pahranagat Yalley, Nevada, agree well
with the original description of this species, and are probably referable
to it. It has been recorded hitherto only from the original locality,
the Golorado Ghiquito Eiver, Arizona, and its occurrence in the present
locality is full of interest. Not only Lepidomeda but the whole sub-
family (the Plagopterince) to which it belongs, is peculiar to the basin
of the Golorado Eiver, to which the Pahranagat waters must belong.

Cyprinus carpio Linn.

A specimen of this introduced species was found dead on the shores
of Owens Lake. Garp and catfish are both common in the lower Owens
Eiver, and when they enter the lake are soon killed by the alkalinity of
the water.

Mr. Palmer and Dr. Fisher reported carp as the staple food fish at
Three Eivers on the Kaweah Eiver, where numerous large individuals
were taken.

Salmo irideus Gibbons.

Type localiiy. — San Leandro Creek, Alameda Co., California.

A single specimen of the ‘ Rainbow Trout’ was preserved by Dr. A.
K. Fisher from the Ganon of Kings Eiver. Gompared with siiecimens
from the Santa Gruz Mountains in the vicinity of Palo Alto, this is
found to agree in all resiiects. The coloration is very briglit as is usual
in the colder mountain streams. The scales above the lateral line are
arranged in 135 oblique series.

232

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[Ko.7.

Salmo mykiss agua-bouita .Jordan.

Tjipe locality. — Whitney Crock south of IMt. Whilney, ]Iif>h Sierra, California.

(Jordan, Report State Fisli Coininissioners of California, 18!J2, ]). 62.)

Several specimens of this, tlie ‘Golden Tront’ of Kern River, were
collected in Whitney Creek, whence came the original types, and from
Cottonwood Creek, a tributary of Owens Lake, to which they have
been transplanted. Two specimens were also preserved, taken from
the South Fork of Kern River. They agree ])erfectly with the original
description cited. The scale formula should read 180 to 200, not 130
to 200, as in the original description.

Cyprinodon macularius Girard.

Type locality. — Rio San Pedro, Arizona.

{Cyprinodon nevadensis Eigenmann, Proc. Cal’a Acad. Nat. Sci., 1889, 270.)

This small Cyprinodont inhabits the siirings and wells thronghont
the desert region of southern California, Arizona and Kevada, and
is the characteristic denizen of the more or less alkaline waters of this
district. The original types are from the Rio San Pedro, a tributary
of the Rio Gila, and I have found it abundant at a pond at Lerdo,
Mexico, on the lower Colorado River. Specimens obtained at Lerdo
have been compared with those from Death Valley and found identical.

The species varies in form and color, and apparently in the size
which, it reaches in different localities. The males have the back and
sides uniform dusky, the lower parts lighter, all the fins in the most
brightly colored individuals being broadly margined with black. The
females have the lower half of sides as well as belly lighter, often sil-
very white, the sides crossed by black bars, which are wide along
middle of body, but become much narrower than the interspaces on
the lower half of sides. The bars vary in number and size and often
alternate with narrower, fainter, and shorter ones. The fins are light,
and the dorsal either with or without a black blotch on its posterior
rays. Although usually uniform in coloration, the males occasionally
show lateral bars, which, however, contrast little with the general
dusky color of the sides.

The dorsal varies from 9 to 11, and the anal from 10 to 11. There
are 24 or 25 transverse series of scales, and the humeral scale is but
little enlarged. The head is contained 3 to 3J times in the length.
Adults are very short and deep, the depth being nearly or quite half
the length; in half- grown specimens 1 inch long, the depth is contained
2| in the length. Tlie eye is very small, about equaling the snout,
contained 1^ to 1| times in the interorbital width, and 3| times in the
head. The front of dorsal is usually midway betvyeen occiput and base
of caudal.

The normal number of ventral rays in this sjjecies seems to be six.
Ko specimen examined has shown more than this number, and in sev-
eral but five are present. In one specimen from Ash Meadows, Nevada,
the ventral of one side only is present, and contains but three or four

May, 1803.1 FISHES OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 23C

rays. Four young specimens from the same locality and two from Med-
bury Springs, Amargosa Desert, California, have the ventrals wholly
aborted, and show on dissection no trace of the basals. These occur
in the same lots with other specimens having normal ventrals, and are
otherwise indistinguishable from them. No full-grown adults were
found without ventrals, the largest being a half-grown specimen about
one inch long with the characteristic coloration of the males already
developed. Ten young specimens from the ^Devil’s Hole,’ Ash Mead-
ows, are all without ventrals, and further collections from this locality
would be of interest.

In the intestines were found fragments of insects, and in one series
of specimens from Saratoga Springs at the south end of Death Valley,
California, very numerous shells of a small Gasteropod mollusk.

Specimens are in the collection from the following localities : Medbury
Spring (6 miles north of the Borax Works), Amargosa Desert, Califor-
nia; Ash Meadows, Amargosa Desert, Nevada; Saratoga Sijrings,
Death Valley, California; Amargosa Creek, California.

Cyprinodon macularius baileyi. subsp, nov.

Type locality. — Pahranagat Valley, Nevada, collected by C. Hart Merriam and
Vernon Bailey, May 25, 1891.

Eleven immature specimens from Pahranagat Valley, Nevada, show
no trace of ventral fins. They are” olivaceous above, bright silvery on
the lower half of sides and below, and have two lengthwise series of
coarse black spots, one along middle line of body, the other on a level
with the lower edge of caudal peduncle. The anal fin is larger than
in typieal macularius, the eleven specimens having eaeh 13 rays instead
of 10 or 11, as constantly in the latter. The material is insuificient to
fully decide the status of this form. Except in the characters noted it
agrees in proiiortions and formulae with macularius.

EMPETRICHTHYS gcn. nov. (Plate V.)

(Cyprinodontidse) .

Intestines short, IJ times length of body. Teeth conic, fixed, in each
jaw arranged in a band consisting of two or three rows, the outer series
somewhat enlarged. Ventrals absent. Branchiostegals five. Both
upxier and lower pharyngeals greatly enlarged and bearing molar teeth,
tubercular in shax)e. The lower pharyngeals are firmly attached to the
ceratobrauchials of the fourth arch, while the massive epibranchials of
the same arch serve to connect them firmly at the sides with the pharyn-
gobranchials above. The fourth branchial arch bears normal gills.
Its median portion is produced anteriorly, forming a triangular exten-
sion of the lower x)haryngeals in the middle line. On the oral surface
this is indistinguishable from the pharyngeals proper, and like them
bears molar teeth.

Scales normal, large, regularly imbricated, nowhere tubercular or
ridged.

234

NOETH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

This genus seems most nearly allied to Orefftias, of wliicli numerous
speeies liave been described from lakes in the liigk Andes of South
America.

Empetriclithys merriami, sp. nov. (Plate v.)

TypeloGalitij. — Asli Meadows, Amirgosa Desert, on boundary between California
and Nevada.

In form and general appearance mucli resembling the mud minnow
( Umbra Uoni), though somewhat deeiier and more compressed.

Head compressed, its upper surface slightly convex. Mouth very
oblique, with a distinct lateral cleft, the maxillary free at tip only, reach-
ing slightly behind front of eye. Length of gape (measured from tip of
snout to end of maxillary), in head 5 interorbital width, 2^ ; length of
snout (from front of orbit to middle of upper .jaw), 3f. Eye small, its
greatest oblique diameter 5 to in head.

Distance from front of dorsal to middle of base of tail equals one-half
its distance from tip of snput. The dorsal begins slightly in advance
of anal, and ends above its i)osterior third. Its greatest height equals
length of snout and eye.

Caudal truncate when spread. Pectorals broadly rounded, reaching
half way to vent. D., 11 or 12 (13 in one specimen); A., 14 (from 13 to
15). Lat. 1., 30 or 31, counted to base of caudal rays; 33 or 34 in all.

In spirits the color is dark broAvn above, sides and below lighter,
often irregularly blotched with brown and white. The belly often
appears checkered, .having centers of scales brown and margins Avhite,
or the reverse. Fins all dusky, the basal portions of dorsal and caudal
with elongated brown spots on the interradial membranes.

Several specimens were secured at Ash Meadows and in Pahrump
Valley, Nevada.

Gasterosteus williamsoni Girard.

Type locality. — Williamson Pass, California.

Four specimens of this species collected by Dr. A. K. Fisher at San
Bernardino, California, seem to differ from G. Piicroceplialus only in the
entire absence of jilates on the sides. In micro ceplialus the plates vary
from 3 to 7 in number, but no' specimens wholly without plates have
been reported from the more nortliern parts of its range. It is probable
that willmmsoni will prove a southern subspecies of this widely dis-
tributed form, in which case the plated specimens must bear the name
Gasterosteus williamsoni microcephalus. The naked form has been
reported heretofore from San Bernardino (by Miss Eosa Smith), and
from Williamson’s Pass by the original describer. The locality of the
liass I have not been able to make out.

REPORT ON A SMALL COLLECTION OF INSECTS MADE DURING THE
DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

By C. V. Eiley,

"Witli supplementary reports and descriptions of new species by
S. W. WiLLisTON, P. E. Uhler, and Lawrence Bruner.

INTRODUCTION.

In connection with tlie_ Death Valley Expedition organized by Dr.
Merriam arrangements were made to have Mr. Albert Koebele, one of
the agents of the Division of Entomology, stationed at Alameda, in Cali-
fornia, join the party with a view of making a collection of the insects
of the region. He collected assiduously dur ing the brief iieriod of his
connection with the exjieditiou, which was suddenly interrupted by a
decision to have him xifoceed to Australia to study and introduce into
California certain beneficial insects. He separated from the rest of the
jiarty to return to Alameda the latter part of May and the collecting
was done during the months of Axiril and May. The material was for-
warded without report iirior to his leaviug for Australia, so that the
specimens are, as a rule, without notes, whether of food-plant, or habit.
The collection is also necessarily very incomplete in not representing
the fauna of the region in the same degree as it would have done had
Mr. Koebele been allowed to continue throughout the expedition.

It may be. premised in making a rejiort on any such collection as this,
that there are few parts of the couutry, however well exjilored, that
will not yield to the entomologist, in a few days’ collecting, a good per-
centage of species that are ucav or uudescribed, if all orders are taken
into consideration, and this being true of the older settled xiortions of
the country, it is true to a far greater extent of such excexitional re-
gions as those included in the Death Valley Exxieditiou. Insects are,
also, so numerous in sxiecies and specimens, and the uudescribed ma-
terial so vast, that the orders may be comxiared with the classes in the
other groups of animals so far as reporting on them is concerned, and
no entomologist would consider himself comiietent at the present day
to intelligently report on any general collection, which must be dealt
with by the several sxiecialists who have made x^articular study of sxie-
cific families and orders. The xiart which I have xirexiared is simx^ly a
list of the sxiecies easily determinable either by comxmrison with the
national collection or by reference to authorities in the several families,

235

236

NORTH AIMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

and until tlie nndesciibed .species and genera are all worked up deduc-
tions from tlie list as to the bearings of the launaon geographical dis-
tribution, must be more or less iiip erfect and unsatislactory. Never-
theless, a few suggestions as they occur may not be out of place.

Taking first the Coleoptera, which represent by far the larger part
of the collectings, they have for the most part been carefnlly compared
with the national collection, and I have had the assistance, in the veri-
fications, of Mr. M. L. Linell and Mr. E. A. Schwarz, both well acquainted
with our North American Coleoptera. Mr. Schwarz has also materially
aided in the analysis of the collection. As the chief localities from
Avhich the beetles were obtained do not exceed seven, the list has been
arranged in tabular series to prevent repetition of localities. This ar-
rangement at once shows that the collection comprises some 258 spe-
cies, representing 170 genera in 39 families. Of the total number of
species arranged according to localities, twenty-eight (a) are of general
distribution in North America, i. e., they cross the whole continent,
and among these are six cosmopolitan species {a &), while only a single
species {Bradycellus cognatus), found in the Argus Mountains, belongs
to the circumpolar fauna. About fifty of the species (c) are widely
distributed throughout the more arid regions of the West, and about
twenty species (d) belong more properly to the fauna of maritime or
upper California. The bulk of these st)ecies, as will be noted, were col-
lected in San Bernardino County. Deducting the three sets of species
and a few others, e. g., the genera Homalota, Scopseus, Scymnus, and
Cryptophagus, of the distribution of which very little can be definitely
said, there remain about 140 species (those unlettered) which are more
or less characteristic of the lower Sonoran fauna.

Some nineteen species are undoubtedly new, but only a small num-
ber of these belong to families that have been worked up and that can
be satisfactorily described. They have not been sent away to special-
ists, as probably no one would care to describe them at once. They
will, I hope, be worked up by Mr. Schwarz or Mr. Linell, but not in
time for this report. I may mention that the Coleopterous fauna of
this general region has been collected and studied by several compe-
tent observers. Dr. J. L. LeConte eaily visited the Cdlorado Desert
and adjacent parts of Arizona; Dr. George H. Horn has also explored
the fauna of Owens Yalley; Mr. G. E. Crotch collected in a trip across
the Mohave Desert; Dr. Edward Palmer collected in southern Utah,
while Mr. W. G. Wright has recently made collections in San Ber-
nardino County, and Mr. H. F. Wickham along the line of the Atlan-
tic and Pacific Eailroad in northwestern Arizona. Thus Mr. Koebele’s
small collection adds very little to our knowledge of the species already
worked up.

Among the more interesting species Mr. Schwarz has indicated, may
be mentioned Pseudopsis n. sp., Mecomycter n. sp., JElasmocerus n. sp., Grc-
mastochilus icesticoodii, Alaudes singularis, Tanarthrus n. sp., Calo-

MAY, 1803.] INSECTS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

237

s2)osfa n. sp., and a remarkable new genus of Scolytidae. Peril aps the
chief interest attaching to the collection is that it x>erniits us to make
some comiiarison between the beetles of the valleys and intervening-
mountain chains within the region explored. If we omi t those collected
in San Bernardino County, which have no exact localities, and also the
very few from Coso and Owens Valleys, the following deduction may
be made: In Death Valley and Panamint Valley 140 siiecies were found
(including 23 species common to both valleys), while in Panamint Moun-
tains and Argus Mountains 160 siiecies were found (including 16 species
common to both ranges). Comparing the faunas of the valleys and
mountains, it will be noted that they have only 36 species in common.
This difference is due principally to the marked preponderance of the
Staphylinidse in the mountain fauna, the complete absence of the family
Meloidse and the marked prevalence of Elateridse and Chrysomelidse
in the mountain regions. Continued collecting later in the season might
have largely changed this con'dition of things, however, and hence too
much importance should not be attached to the deduction. The
Carabidse are the best represented in the collection, 22 genera with 44
species having been collected. The genera are all of wide distribution,
and only a few species, e. g., Onwpliron dentatu7n, Calosoma prominens,
Tetragonoderus pallidus, and Pinacodera pimctigera, are peculiar to the
lower Sonoran region and have all been found in the valleys. The
single representative {Bradycellus cognatus) of the circumpolar fauna
belongs to this family. In most other families the material collected is
too small or not characteristic enough to warrant any generalization.

In the Lepidoptera, the Ehopalocera have been determined by com-
parison with the national collection or by reference to W. H. Edwards,
of Coalburgh, W. Va. The majority of the species are characteris-
tic of the southwestern United States, but I have not had time
to fully analyze the distribution of the species. The representatives
in most ot the other families of the Lepidoptera, outside of the Uoc-
tuidse and Geoinetridse, are so very few as not to justify consider-
ation. In the Uoctuidfe, which are better represented, most of the
species have been reported before, but there are a certain number
of new species, and Prof. J. B. Smith, of JSTew Brunswick, U. J., to
whom these have been referred, finds that they represent even three
new genera. In the Geometridm there are six species which can
not be determined either generically or specifically, and which are
not included in the list. These nndescribed forms have been referred
to Dr. George D. Hnlst, of Brooklyn, hT. Y., who will, I hope, in due
time characterize them.

Among the Hymenoptera the Aculeate species comprise genera not
restricted to Cahfornia and include several species which are evidently
new. In the parasitic Hymenoptera very little can be said about the
collection. The species are most of them new, but this same statement
would have to be made of almost any collection of the parasitic forms

238

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[Fo. 7.

in this order from any part of the Pacific coast, and would be largely
true of almost any part of the country. It is a singular fact, however,
that no new genera occur, as will be noti<;ed, in the parasitic families,
the most interesting fact worthy of mention being the discovery of
what is probably a rejiresentative of the genus Scolobates, found hereto-
fore only in northern Europe. The parasitic Hymenoptera were re-
ferred to my assistants, Mr. L. O. Howard for the Chalcidida;, and Mr.
William H. Ashmeadfor the other families, and the generic references
of the undescribed forms are upon their intimate knowledge of the sub-
ject. They will not be able to characterize the many new forms in
time for this report.

The Hiptera were few in number and were referred to Hr. S. W.
Williston, who has characterized the new forms, and whose rex)ort
shows that, small as was the collection, it added three genera to the
American fauna.

In the Heteroptera the list represents merely the species that were
readily determinable, while the balance, including the more interesting
forms, have been referred to Mr. P. E. Uhler, of Baltimore, Md., who
has kindly reported on them, with definitions of the new genera and
species.

In the Homoptera, as will be noticed, there are some interesting new
species, especially in the family Psyllidse, but until they are carefully
compared, I do not feel justified in making any remarks upon them.
Kor have I time just now to characterize the undetermined forms which
I prefer to do in connection with the very many new species in the Na-
tional Collection to which I have already given much study.

The Orthoptera are of considerable interest, although the collection
is small. In the Acridiidse, which probably have been most thoroughly
studied in this country, three new species occur and one new genus.
The niidescribed material has been referred to Mr. Lawrence Bruner,
of Lincoln, Nebr., who has reported on the new forms. Probably
the most interesting find in this order is the rediscovery of Scyllina
delicatula Scudder. The type of the species, and the only one hitherto
found was taken in the Garden o:^ the Gods. Most of the other species
are of rather wide distribution.

The Arachnid a were referred to Hr. Geo. Marx and are determined
by him.

May, 1893.] INSECTS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

239

OEDER COLEOPTERA.

Sau Bernardino
County.

Death Valley.

Panamiiit Tal-

ley.

Panamint Mouu-

1 tains.

d

o

bi)

<

1

Coso Valley. j

d

5

Family CiciNDELiDiE.

38

Family Carabidas.

4

19

1

13

1

1

i

1

1

1

9

21

2

1

8

14

1

9

6

2

1

1

30

5

2

1

2

2

1

26

1

1

1

,1

1

2

3

1

1

8

1

1

3

5

10

12

2

9

IS

ID

1

12

4

11

1

1

1

1

2

1

1

1

1

Anisodactylus consobrinus Lec.(d)

1

1

1

Family DrTisciDiE.

Ccelambus lutescens Lee. (c)

1

5

2D

Agabimis glabrellus Mots

1

Agabus n. sp. ?

3

Ababus lecontei Crotch (c)

1

Agabus gri-seipeiinis Lee. (e)

1

Agabus iugeus Lee

2

Cybister elliptious Lee

o

Family Hydeophilidje.

Hvdrophilus triangularis Sav (a\

2

Hydropbilus californiens Lee

4

Ochthebius rectos Lee

3

Helochares normatus Leo

16

Cymbiodyta imbellis Leo

11

Family SiLPHiDiB.

Necrophoms nigrita Mannh. (d!>

1

Necropborus gnttula Mots. (d). .

1

240

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

i:n’o. 7.

ORDER COLEORTERA— Continued.

-

San Bernardino

County.

©

t>

©

P

5 ^

B

a

pH

P

P

©

h

B

1

p

Argus Moun-

tains.

Coso V alley.

Owens Valley.

Family Rselaphid^.

22

47

26

2

2

14

Family Staphylin’idas.

2

19

1

8

C

1

2

2

1

*

15

12

8

1

17

32

20

10

3

1

20

1

10

1

3

1

9

10

9

20

1

1

1

1

1

4

19

1

Family Phalaceidaj!.

1

Family Corylophidje.

21

3

1

Tamily CocciNELLiDiE.

3

3

1

20

1

1

1

1.5

11

18

2

3

1

1

1

1

Family Colydiid^.

Family Cetptophaoid.®.

12

Family Dermestid^.

3

3

1

1

6

2

3

Anthrenns scrophulariae Linn, {ab) 1

May, 1803.] INSECTS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

241

ORDER COLEOPTERA— Coiifimiod.

San Bernai'tliuo

County.

Death Vallej'.

Panamint Val-

ley.

a

a

o

.2 V

«

Ph

a

o .

bC

Coso Valley.

Owens Valley.

Family Histeeid.id.

1

9 '

1

3

Family NrriDULiDiE.

5

20

Family Lathridiidas.

1

3

3

0

0

5

Family Byeehid^.

1

Family DASCYLLiDiE.

1

Family Elatbrid^.

1

1

1

1

2

1

3

1

Famil3- Bupeestida5.

1

1

2

9

i

1)

15

2

1

1

Family LAMPYEiiDiE.

1

2

1

1

Family Malaciiud.®.

2

1

5

9

4

3

28

14

9

14

9

iT

9

9

4

9

9

12

12

90

Family Clbeid.id.

1

20

2

12

7

Lebaaiella n. sp

1

1

12731— Ko. 7 16

242

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[1^0. 7.

ORDER COLEORTERA— Coiitimu'd.

San Bernardino

County.

Deatli Valley.

Pauamint Tal-

ley.

Pauamint iloun-

taims.

{ Argus Moun-
tains.

Coso Valley.

Owens Valley.

Family Pi'iNiDiE.

8

1

3

Family ScAKAByEiD.®.

2

4

2

3

1

1

Family CERAMBYCiDiB.

2

Family Cheysomelid.5E.

1

4

2

1

2

1

27

1

1

1

10

1

1

1

11

1

11

7

2

Family Beuchid^.

8

6

7

1

18

1

Family Tenebrionid.e.

2

1

1

4

12

2

1

1

3

1

15

1

1

2

1

1

2

2

7

1

2

3

2

1

1

1

2

1

8

8

81

1

2

5

1

5

2

1

3

1

Family Othniid^.

1

Family Fythidje.

Cononotus macer Horn

1

May, 1S93.] INSECTS OF THE HEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

243

OllDEll COLEOPTEIIA— Continued.

San Bei’iianlino

County.

Death Valley.

Panainint Val-

ley.

3

o

P.3

p

P

o

^ 2

ffj

Coso Valley.

Owens Valley.

Taniily MoRDELLiDiE.

6

Eaiiiily Anthicii)^.

4

1

2

10

7

3

1

23

2

Family Meloid^.

1

1

1

28

26

1

5

1

1

1

1

11

15

Family Otioriiyncpiid^.

1

2

1

Family Cur.ci;LiONiDA3.

3

39

3

2

20

13

1

22

1

1

53

4

. 14
10

1

10

5

1

13

29

1

1

3

1

Family Calaydetd.e.

14

1

4

Family Scolytid^.

Pitvophthorui? sp

28

22

2

1

Family AnthribiDjE.

Brachytarsus tomentosus Sav (a)

1

244

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Order LEPIDOPTERA.

Family N ym I'h ami

Melitcea amstus Ed-w 13 ex., Argn.s Mountains,

MelitoBa alma 15 ex., Coso Valley; 1 ex., Panamint

Valley; 1 ex., Argus Mountains.

Pyrameis cardui 1j 1 ex., San Bernardino County, and

abundant everywhere on trip, and
migrating towards northwest.

Pyrameis caryw Hb 2 ex., Argus Mountains.

Family LYCiiiNiD^.

Lemonias mormo Feld

Theda dumetorum Bd.

Theda spinetoram Bd

Lyccena acmon Doubl

Lyccena aniyntula Bd

' Lycoena exilis Bd

Lyccena daedalus Behr

Lyccena neylecta EdAv

Lycoena lygdamas Dd

Lyccena oro Sendd

Lyccena pheres, var. evins Bd
Lycoena haitoides Behr

.lex., Argus Mountains; 1 ex., Panamint
Mountains; 1 ex., Panamint Valley.

. 1 ex., San Bernardino County; 5, Coso
Valley ; 2, Argus Mountains.

.3 ex., Argus Mountains; 1, Panamint
Mountains.

.1 ex., Panamint Valley; 1, Argus Moun-
tains.

.8 ex., Coso Valley; 1, Panamint Valley;
2 A.rgus Mountains.

.1 ex., Argus Mountains; 1, Death Val-
ley ; 2, Panamint Valley.

1 ex.. Death Valley.

1 ex., Coso Valley; 1, Death Valley.

2 ex., Argus Mountains.

4 ex., Argus Mountains.

.1 ex., Argus Mountains; 2, Coso Valley.

.2 ex., Argus Mountains.

Family Papilionid.®.

Pieris hedeerii Edw

Pieris sisymbrii Bd

Anihodiaris cethura Feld.
Antliocharis ansonides Bd

Colias ariadne Edw
Papilio zolicaon Bd.

2 ex., Argus Mountains.

26 ex., Argus Mountains.

19 ex., Ai’gus Mountains.

15 ex., Argus Mountains ; 2, Panamint

Mountains; 5, Coso Valley; 6, Para-
dise Valley.

1 ex., Coso Valley.

5 ex., Argus Mountains; 1, San Bernar-
dino County.

Family Hesperid.®.

Copceodes procris Edw . .
Pamphila nevada Scud..
Pamphila phylceus Dru . .
^yrgus tesselata Scud . . .

Pyrgus ericetorum Bd

Nisoniades alpheus Edw
Eudamus nevada Scud.

. 1 ex., Argus Mountains.

1 ex., Argus Mountains.

, 1 ex.. Death Valley.

.1 ex., Argus Mountains.

,9 ex., Coso Valley; 3, Argus Mountains.
.2 ex., Argus Mountains; 1, Coso Valley.
. 1 ex. , Argus Mountains.

may,js93.] insects of the death valley expedition.

245

Family Sphingidje.

Lepisesia plimton G. andR 1 ex., Sau Bernardino County.

Family SissnoiE.

Sesia sp 2 ex., Argus Mountains.

Family Agaristidjs,

Ahjpia riding sii Gr 3 ex., Argus Mountains; 1, Panamint

Mountains ; 1, SanBernardino County.

Family Pyromorphid^.

Triproeris smitlisonianus Clem ,5 ex., Argus Mountains.

Family Arctiidae.

Leptarctiadecia Bd 2 ex., Argus Mountains.

Family Notodontid^.

Cerura n. sp 3 ex., Owens Valley.

Family CossiDiE.

Rypopta hei-tJioldi Grt.. 1 ex., Argus Mountains.

Family Noctuid.®.

MelipoUs juGunda Hb 1 ex., Panamint Mountains.

Syneda howlandii Gr 1 ex., Argus Mountains.

Cirrhobolma deducta Morr 1 ex.'. Death Valley

Rypena pelligera Smith 1 ex., Panamint Valley.

Ch'otella dis Gr 24 ex., Argus Mountains.

Thalpochares arizonwR. Edw 10 ex., Argus Mountains.

Marnestra curialis Grt 18 ex., Argus Mountains.

Mamestra crotchii Grt 2 ex., Argus Mountains

Acontia creiata Grt. and Robs 8 ex., Argus Mountains.

Acontia lanceolata Grt 6 ex., Argus Mountains.

Triocnemis saporis Grt 1 ex., Argus Mountains.

(Much paler than typical form.)

MelicJeptria n. sp 1 ex., Argus Mountains.

Oncocncmis ? n. sjj 5 ex., Argus Mountains,

Schinia sp 3 ex., Argus Mountains.

Schinia n. sp 20ex., Argus Mountains.

Antaplaga n. sp 5 ex., Argus Mountains.

Reliopliana n. sp 1 ex., Argus Mountains.

Nov. gen. et n. sp ...7 ex., Argus Mountains.

Nov. gen. et n. sp.: 3 ex., Argus Mountains.

Nov. gen. et n. sp. (congeneric with above.). .6 ex., Argus Mountains.

Scotogramma n. sp . (?) 8 ex., Argus Mountains.

Nov. gen. et n. sp 1 ex., Argus Mountains.

Noctua havilae Grt 2 ex., Argus Mountains.

Fliisia sp. (badly rubbed.) 2 ex., Argus Mountains.

Agrotis (sens, lat.) n. sp 3 ex., SanBernardino County.

Romoptera mima var 4 ex.. Death Valley.

rieonectyptera n. sp 2 ex., Argus Mountains.

246

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[Xo.7.

Family Gicomktjuu^s.

Azdina liUhnerKta Gn 4 ex., Arf>iiH Mountains,

Azelina metskearia Pack 8 cx., Argus Mountains.

Uetasra ephelidaria llulst lex., Panamint Valley; 1 ex._, Argus

Mountains.

Anaplodes festaria Hulst 2 ex., .A-rgus Mountains.

■ Xemoria phyllinaria Zell 2 ex., Panamint Valley.

Semiothisa metanemaria llulst 2 ex., Argus Mountains.

Semiothisa calif orniata Pack 12 ex., Argus Mountains; 3 ex.. Death

Valley; 2 ex., San Bernardino
County; 1 ex., Coso Valley.

Fhasiane sp 1 ex., Argus Mountains,

Phasiane meadiaia. Pack 8 ex., Panamint Valley.

Fhaciane neptata Gn 1 ex., Panamint Mountains,

Marmopteryx tesselata Pack 1 ex., Coso Valley; 1, Argus Mountains.

Lepiodes escaria Gr lex., Panamint Valley.

LepiodeH hehrensaia Pack 1 ex., San Bernardino County.

Gorytodes n. sp 3 ex., Argus Mountains.

Boarmia f arfuraria Hnlst 2 ex., Argus Mountains.

BupUhcecia rotundopennata Pack lex.. Death Valley.

Enpithascia zygadceniata Pack 1 ex., Argus Mountains.

Eupitlicccia taeniata Hulst 2 ex., Argus Mountains.

“ Coreniia defensaria” according to label by 9 ex., Argus Mountains; 1 ex., Death
Packard in collection, Hulst. Valley.

Family PhycitiDjE.

•Jft

Oriholepis near jug o sella Rag 12 ex., Argus Mountains.

Bphestia nigrella Hulst lex.. Death Valley.

Lipograpliis fenestrella Pack, var lex.. Death Valley.

Homeosoma mucidellum Rag 2 ex., Death Valley.

Order HYMENOPTERA.
Family AiUDiE.

Xylocopa sp

Xylocopa sp

Anthophora sp

Diadasia sp

Diadasia sp

Melissodes sp

Anthidium sp

Osmia sp

Nomada sp

Perdita ( Macrotera) ceplialotes 'Cv

Panurgus sp

Paniirgus sp

.2 ex., Panamint Valley.

.2 ex., Panamint Mountains.
2 ex., Panamint Mountains.
10 ex., Coso Valley.

1 ex., Panamint Valley.

. 1 ex., Panamint Valley.

, 1 ex., Panamint Valley.

.1 ex.. Death Valley.

.1 ex.. Death Valley.

2 ex., Panamint Mountains.

. 1 ex., Panamint Valley.

.5 ex., Panamint Mountains.

Family Andrenid^.

Macropis sp

Cilissa alMhirta Ashm

Cilissa sp

Halictus sp

5 ex., Panamint Valley.

1 ex., Panamint Valley.

2 ex., Panamint Valley.
1 ex., Panamint Valley.

May, 189:',.] insects OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

247

Family Si'iiECiDiE.

Priononyx i/mi/uti Fabr 1 ex., Paiiamiiit Valley.

Family Masarid^.

Masaris sp 1 ex., Death Valley.

Family Eumenid.e.

1 ex., Pauamint Valley.

1 ex.. Death Valley.

2 ex., Argus Mouiitaius.

1 ex.. Death Valley.

1 ex., Argus Mountains.

Family Mutillicac.

2 ex.. Death Valley.

1 ex., Pauamint Valley.

1 ex., Argus Mountains.

Family Formicid.a;.

Camponotus castaneus Latr 1 ex., Argus Mountains.

Formica iniegra Nyl 1 ex., Argus Mountains.

— male ..1 ex., Pauamint Mountains.

Family Myrmecidai;.

A2)lHcnogaster pergandei Mayv Lone Pine.

SphoeropJithalma sp
Sjylmroplitlialma sp
SpluerogAithalma sp

Odynerua sp

Odynerus sp

Ancistrocerus sp
Ancistrocerus sj)
Ancistrocerus sp

Family Braconid.e.

Bracon sx>

Bracon sp

Bracon sp

Microl)racon sp

Microiracon sp

Microbracon sp

Microbracon sp

Microbracon sp

Heterospilus sp

Batlvystomus sj)

Chelonus sp

Acceiius sp

Ajianteles sp

Ayantcles sp

Microplitis sp

Agaihis vulgaris Cr

Agathis nigripes Cr

Eupliorus niellipes Cr

Lysiplilebus cucurbitapMs Ashm

, 1 ex., Argus Mountains.

2 ex., Argus Mountains.

. 1 ex., San Bernardino County.

.1 ex., Argus Mountains.

1 ex., Monterey County.

.2 ex., Argus Mountains.

. 1 ex., Santa Clara County.

. 1 ex., Argus Mountains.

1 ex., Argus Mountains.

1 ex., Argus Mountains.

1 ex., Argus Mountains.

1 ex.. Death Valley.

8 ex., Argus Mountains.

1 ex.. Death Valley.

1 ex., Pauamint Valley.

2 ex.; 1, Argus Mountains; 1, Pauamint
Valley.

1 ex., Argus Mountains.

1 ex., Argus Mountains.

.2 ex., Monterey County.

Family Ichneumonidas.

Cryptns sonorius Cr., female.

Oxdiion bilineainm Say

Limneria cujgressi Ashm

.2 ex., Death Valley.

1 ox., Sonoma County.
.1 ex., Argus Mountains.

248 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 7.

LimmenafugUiva Say 1 ex., Moutorey Comity.

ScoJohaless]}. (or a new gciitis closely allied)..! ex., Argus Mounlaius. (Collected on

Finns monophylla .)

Anomalon sp 1 ex., Argus Mountains.

Flectiscus sj) 1 ox., Deatli Vallejo

Exetastes sp 1 ex., Argus Mountains.

Fanclnts sgnnosus Cr 1 ex., Panamint Valley.

Orthocenirus sp 2 ex., Argus Mountains.

PimpJa novita Cr 9 ex., Argus Mountains. (Collected on

Finns monophylla.)

Family PROCTOTnYriD.®.

Ceraphron sp 1 ex., Argus Mountains.

Ceraj}hro7i sp 2 ex., Panamint Mountains.

Family Chalcididjs.

Lencaspis affinis Say 1 ex., San Bernardino County.

Chalcis sp 2 ex., Death Valley.

Chaleis sp 1 ex., San Bernardino County.

Chalcis sp 1 ex., San Bernardino County.

Acanthochalcis sp 1 ex., Panamint Valley.

Decatoma sp 1 ex., San Bernardino County.

Isosoma sp 15 ex., Argus Mountains.

Ashmeadia sp 2 ex. (Collected on Finns monophylla.)

Systole sp 1 ex., Argus Mountains.

Ferilampus sp 2 ex., San Bernardino County.

Ferila^npus sj) 1 ex., San Bernardino County.

Holaspissp 1 ex., Death Valley.

Torymus sp 3 ex., Argus Mountains ; 1 on Finns mono-

pliylla.

Torymus sp 29 ex., Argus Mountains; 13 on Finns

monophylla.

Syntomaspis sp 1 ex., San Bernardino County.

Metapelma sj) 1 ex., Panamint Mountains.

Eatzeiurgia sp 1 ex., Argus Mountains.

Eupelmus sp 1 ex., Argus Mountains. (Collected on

Finns monophylla.)

Eupelmus sp 1 ex., Argus Mountains. (Collected on

Finns monophylla.)

Antig aster sp., male 1 ex., San Bernardino County. Reared

from eggs of a Fhaneroptera.

Polychroma sp 1 ex.. Death Valley; 1, Panamint Valley ;

1, Argus Mountains.

Encyrtus sp 2 ex., Argus Mountains.

Eibrachys sp 32 ex., Argus Mountains.

Eutelus sjj 1 ex., Argus Mountains.

Isocyrtus sp 2 ex., Owens Valley.

Arthrolytus sp 1 ex., Panamint Mountains.

Meraporus sp 2 ex., Argus Mountains.

Platyterma sii 2 ex., Argus Mountains.

Anogmus sp 1 ex., Argus Mountains.

Euplectrus sp 1 ex., Argus Mountains.

Teleogmus sp ^ 1 ex., Monterey County.

Olinx sp 2 ex., Argus Mountains.

Mat, 1893.] INSECTS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

249

Sniiipiesus sp

OinpliaJe sp

Entedon sp

Chrysocharis sp

Euderus sp

Tetrastichus ap. (3 species)

1 ex,, Argus Mountains.

1 ex., Argus Mountains.

1 ex., Argus Mountains.

1 ex., Argus Mountains.

4 ex., Argus Mountains.

8 ex., Argus Mountains, Panamint Val-
ley, and Death Valley.

Order HETEROPTERA.

Family Corimel.enid^.

Corimelcena extensa Uhler 11 ex ^ Panamint Mountains; 2 Pana-

mint Valley ; 1 Argus Mountains.

Family PENTATOMIDiE.

1 ex.j Panamint Valley.

1 ex., Panamint Valley.

1 ex., Panamint Valley.

1 ex., Argus Mountains.

14 ex., Ney. 671.

1 ex., Panamint Valley.

9 ex., Argus Mountains, on Pinus mono-
pJiylla.

Family COREiDiE.

3 ex., Argus Mountains, on Pinus mono-
vhylla.

4 ex., Panamint Valley.

1 ex.. Death Valley.

1 ex., Argus Mountains, on Pinus mono-

piiylla.

Family Berytrid^.

Neides muticus Say 1 ex., Argus Mountains.

Family LYG,Eir>.E.

Nysiiis angusiatus Uhler 15 ex., Argus Mountains.

Ischnorhynchits didynus Zett 1 ex., Argus Mountains.

'Cymodema tabula Sipin lex., Owens Valley; 1 Panamint

Mountains.

Eremocoi'is-tropicus Dist 4 ex., Argus Mountains.

MelanocorypTius bicrueis Say 1 ex., Argus Mountains, on Pinus mono-

phylla.

Lygceus reclivatus Say 1 ex., Panamint Valley.

Family Pyrrhocorid^.

Largus cinctus H. Sch 1 ex., Argus Mountains; 1 ex., Coso

Valley; 1 ex., Panamint Valley.

Family Capsids.

Campsocerocoris annulicornis Rent

Ficana apicalis Dali

Harmostes refiexulus Stal
Corizus lateralis Say

Brochymena obscura H. Sch

Lioderma sayi Stal

Peribalus lirnbolarius Stal.
Thyanta rugulosa Say

Carpocoris lynx Fahr

Dendrocoris pini Mont

Eadronenia robusta Uhler

2 ex., Argus Mountains, on Pinus mono-
phylla.

.1 ex., Owens Valley.

250

NOKTII a:\ierican fauna.

[No. 7.

Liigiis pratrimis Iviini 1 ex., Death Valley.

Lufins iiivitns Say 2 ex., Death Valley.

Diciiplius scvuihIhs Uhler 5 ex., Argus Mountains.

Fa 11 ’. i 1 y An r u o c t) III u .E .

TrijMeps insidiosiis Say 1 ex., Pauamint Valley.

Family TiNGixiDiE.

Tbigxs arcuata Say 5 ex., Argus Mountains.

Corythuca oiliata Say. var 25 ex., Argus Mountains.

Family NAMDyE.

Coriscus ferns Linn 1 ex., Death Valley.

Family Reduviid^.

Diplodus socius Uhler 2 ex., Panamint Valley; 1, Panamint

Mountains.

Apiomerus ventralis Say 1 ex., Panamint Valley.

Ginea rileyi Mont 5 ex., Death Valley; 4 ex., Panamint

Valley.

Family Veeiid.e.

Hebrus pucellus Burm 2 ex., Panamint Mountains.

Macx’ovelia hornii Uhler 2 ex., Argus Mountains.

Family Salcido.

Species of Saida undetermined.

Family Galgulid^.

Mononyx sty gicusSsbj 3 ex., Panamint Valley.

Family Notonectid.e.

Anisops platycnemis Fieh, 1 ex., Death Valley.

Order HOMOPTERA.

Family Fuegorid^.

Delphax tricarinatus Say 1 ex., Argus Mountains, on Finns mono-

pliylla.

Cixius stigniatusSaj 1 ex., Argus Mountains, on Finns mo-

nopliylla.

Family MembracidJj:.

Flatycenirus acuticornis Stal 20 ex., San Bernardino County.

Centrodus atlas Coding 48 ex.. Death Valley.

Mnltareis oornutus Goding 2 ex., Panamint Valley.

Family Bythoscopii>.e.

AgalUa siccifolia Uhler

12 ex., Argus Mountains, on Finns nio-
nophylla.

ilAY.1893.] INSECTS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

251

Family CuRCOPiDiE.

Proconia hierogli/pMca Say 1 ex., Argns Moiiutaius.

Proconia costalis Fahv 1 ex., Argus Mountains, on 1‘inm mo-

nophylla.

Family jASSiDiE.

Several species not determined.

I^amily PsYi.LiDiE.

Aplialara n. sp 2.3 ex., Argus Mountains, May, 1891.

Aplialara n. sp o ex., Argus Mountains, May, 1891.

Aplialara n. sp 5 ex., Argus Mountains, May, 1891.

Aplialara n. sp 23 ex., Death Valley, April, 1891.

N. g. et. n. sp 31 ex., Panamint Mountains and Argus

^lountains.

Psijlla n. sp 17 ex.. Argus Mountains, April and May,

1891.

Psylla n. sp 10 ex. , Argus Mountains, April and May,

1891.

( ?) Psylla n. sp 1 ex.. Argus Mountains, May, 1891.

Trioza n. sp 136 ex., Death Valley and Argus Moun-

tains.

Order ORTHOPTEEA.

Family FORFicULiDiE.

Tridactylus n. sp 3 ex., San Bernardino County; 1 ex.,

Lone Pine. (A. K. Fisher.)

Family Blattid.®.

Heterogamia sp. (probably new) lex.

Family Gryllid.®.

2femo¥ms sp. (probably new) 1 ex.

Gryllus aiireviatus Serv. (?) 4 ex., Panamint Valley; 2, ArgusMoun-

tains.

Family Locustid^.

Stenopelmatus talpa Burm 1 ex., Panamint Valley.

Family Acridiidas.

Paratettix mexicanus Sauss 8 ex., Panamint Valley.

Paratettix toltecus ^auss. (not quite typical) . .17 ex., Panamint VaBey,

Bracotettex n. sp 6 ex., Panamint Valley.

JTaldemanella rohusta Brun 1 ex., Argus Mountains.

Hippiseus latertius (var) 8 ex., Argus Mountains; 4, Panamint

Valley.

Hippiscus aurilegulus Scudd 1 ex.

Anconia Integra Scudd. (modified in color).. .8 ex., Death Valley.

252

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

ncojj f oh)})]i ti s fi'p 10 ex., I’aiiiviiiiiit \^i]ley ; 5 ex., Death

Valley.

Scirtettica n. sp 1 ex.

Sci/UiHa delicatiila Sciuld 1 ex.

N. gen. et u. sp.; between Ui’(//pod« and Eri-

moMa 1 ex.

Leptysma mexicana Sauss 18 ex., Panainint Valley.

I’soloessa texana Scudd 3 ex., Coso Valley

Trimerotropis vinculata Scndd 3 ex., Panamint Valley.

Tlirincas aridus Brun 2 ex., Panamint Valley.

Camniila pellucida Several ex., Walker Basin. (Dr. A. K.

Fisher.)

ARACHNID A.

Family IxonioiE.

From dog’s ear. Ash Meadows, Nev.,
March 9, 1891. (A. K. Fisher.)

From rabbit’s ear, Kern River, Calif.,
July 4, 1891. (A. K. Fisher.)

From Thomomys, Walker Pass, Calif.,
July 1. 1891. (A. K. Fisher.)

From jack rabbit, Daggett, Calif., Jan.

7,1891. (A. K. Fisher.)

From child’s ear. Lone Pine, Calif., June
9, 1891. (A. K. Fisher.)

Family Scorpionid^.

Aryas occidentalis Marx

IlMphtoma leporis Marx

Ixodes ricinus L

Mlii2}icephalus angnstlpaJpis Marx
Der7naeenior a^nericanus L

Vejovis punetipalpis Wood

1 ex. (A. K. Fisher), Panamint Moun-
tains, April.

May, 1893.] INSECTS OF TJIE DEATH VALLEY JLXPEDITION.

253

LIST OF DIPTERA OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

By S. W. WXLLISTON.

The following pages include a list of the species contained in a small
collection of Diptera from Death Valley and the adjoining l egions, sent
me recently for determination by Prof. Itiley. That the larger x>art of
them should be new to science is not at all strange, inasmuch as they
are, for the greater part, members of families which have been but lit-
tle studied in America. ,The collection is of considerable interest as
adding three European or African genera hitherto unrecorded from
America, among which the wingless Apterina is the most remarkable.
After careful search I have found it necessary to describe two new
genera — one among the Dexiidse, the other an Ephydrinid.

Culex inoriiatus n. sp.

Female. — Palpi yellowish brown. Proboscis yellowish, black at the tip. Antenme
black, the basal joints yellowish. Occiput black, clothed mostly with whitish pu-
bescence. Thorax red, the dorsum reddish brown, thinly clothed with light yellow
and white tomentum, and blackish bristly hairs. Pleurae with white tomentum.
Abdomen black, somewhat yellowish in ground-color on the second and third seg-
ments, covered with white scale-like tomentum on the front and sides of the seg-
ments, on the posterior part of the segments with blackish tomentum. Legs brown-
ish; on the inner side thickly, on the outer side thinly, covered with white tomen-
tum. Wings nearly hyaline, the tomentum of the veins blackish. Length, 5-6"'"’.

One specimen, Argus Mountains, April, 1891 (Koebele). Both this and the follow-
ing species belong to the genus Culex in the restricted sense of Lynch.

Culex n. sp.

Female. — Dark brown or black, the occiput covered with white and brown tomen-
tum. Palpi black, at the tip silvery. Proboscis black, with a white ring beyond
the middle. Antennae black. Dorsum of thorax covered with brown and white to-
mentum, the white toward either side posteriorly, and forming two slender liue.s,
abbreviated anteriorly. Pleurae with white tomentum. Abdomen deep brown, with
six couspicuous rings of white tomentum on the anterior part of the segments, the
ground-color under them yellow; on the second segment a white tomentose spot in
front. Legs nearly black, the base of all the femora yellowish. On the outer side
of the femora, in large part, and along the whole inner side of the legs, as also moder-
ately broad rings at the articulations of all the tarsal joints, white. Wings nearly
hyaline; tomentum blackish, distributed nearly evenly on the veins. Length, G"’'’'.

One specimen, Argus Mountains, Calif., April. This species is closely allied to C.
annulatas Meigen, which occurs in the western regions and in Mexico, but seems to
differ in the uniformly distributed tomentum of the wings.

Simulium argus n. sp.

Female. — Black, the legs in part light yellow. Front black, opaque. Face cinere-
ous, with whitish pubescence. Antenme brownish black, the basal joint yellowish.
Thorax black, the dorsum thinly pollinose, not shining; pleurae densely white polli-
nose, with a black spot. Abdomen opaque velvety black, the first three segments
with a narrow silvery white spot on either side at the hind margin; the next three
segments similarly marked, but the interval between the sx)ots successively widiw,
and each with two other, successively lai'ger, Avliite spots, leaving a black space in
the middle and a narrower one at the outer sides. Venter white. Legs brownish

254

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

black, the distal part of the femora, base of tibia-, and the greater part of the me-
tatarsi light yellow. Wings pure hyaline, the veins light colored, those posteriorly
very delicate. Length,

One specimen, Argus Mountains, Calif., May, 18‘J1.

Psilocephala n. sp.?

A single male specimen. Pauamint Valley, April.

Thereva vialis Osten Sacken, Western Dipt., 274.

A single male specimen. Death Valley, Calif., April, 1891.

Eiax aridus sp. [var.] n.

A single female specimen, considerably larger than the type of E. latrnncvlns Will,
diflers from that species in the legs being wholly black, the hair of the face being
wholly white, and in the furcation of the third vein taking i>lace opposite, instead
of distinctly beyond the base of the second posterior cell. I am not sure till the
male is examined, that these differences are specific. The very marked difference in
the color of the legs will, however, justify the varietal name.

Anthrax n. sp.

This species, reijresented by a single specimen from Panamint Valley, I can not
identify with any described species. In Coquillett’s most recent synopsis, it is
brought straight to A. scitula, from which it differs, however, in important particu-
lars, aside from the markings of the wings, the figure of which, herewith given, will
permit the recognition of the species.

Anthrax fenestratoides Coquillett, Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc. xix, 185, 1892.

A single specimen, agreeing well with the description, from Pauamint Valley,
Calif.

Anthrax (Stonyx) .sodom, n. sp.

Female. — Black, the legs chiefly yellowish. Face produced conically; clothed,
like the front, with black pile slightly intermixed with white tomeutum. Proboscis
not projecting beyond the epistoma. Style of antennae about twice the length of the
bulbous portion. Occiput with yellowish tomeutum. Meshnotum clothed with white
tomentum and sparse, erect, black hairs. Abdomen white tomentose, with a moder-
ate amount of black tomentum, and with sparse, erect, long black hairs; the mar-
gins of the abdomen with black and white pile. Base of femora somewhat blackish ;
front tibiae without spinules; front ungues small, the pulvilli apjiarently wanting.
Wings with brown markings, as in the figure. Length 7""".

One specimen. Death Valley, Calif., April, 1891 (Koebele).

Anthrax n. sp.

A single sjiecimen, from Pauamint Valley, Calif., seems to belong to a new species.
It is taken to be A. {Dipalta) serpentina in Coquillett’s table, from which it differs
decidedly. The figure herewith given will enable it to be recognized.

Aplioebantus vittatus Coquillett, Can. Entom. May, 1886.

A single specimen from Panamint Valley, Calif., April 21 (Koebele), seems to be
this, though the thorax and abdomen do not have a very “ vittate ” appearance.
Argyramoeba daphne Osten Sacken, Biol. Centr. Amer. Diptera, i, 104, pi. 11, f. 6,
1886. — Mexico.

One male, from Panamint Valley, Calif. It agrees so closely with the description
and figure of this species that I believe the determination very probable. It has,
however, three submarginal cells in each wing, a fact which sustains Coquillett’s
objections to the acceptation of Stonyx and Dipalta.

Triplasius novus n. sp.

Ifaie.— Head narrower than the thorax. Eyes- broadly contiguous, the facets
markedly larger above, but without a dividing line, the posterior orbits with a dis-
tinct incision. Antennje inserted close together, slender, second joint short, about

Mat, 1893.] INSECTS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

255

as long as broad, and about one-tUird tlie length of first joint; third joint longer
than the first tivo together, a little thickened at the base, slender on the distal half,
terminating in a minute bristle. Frontal triangle with a median impre.ssion; tri-
angle and face clothed with abundant pile. Oral opening large, its upper margin
nearly opposite the middle of the eyes. Proboscis long, palpi slejider. Thorax and
abdomen clothed with thick, bushy pile. Abdomen a little longer than the thorax
and abdomen together. Legs not strong; ungues gently curved; itulvilli about
half of the length of the claws, distinct. Three marginal cells present, the neura-
tion otherwise as in Bomhylivs. Front light-grayish pollinose, clothed with black
hairs in the middle. First two joints of the antennae with abundant black hair.
Face with abundant light-yellowish hair, intermixed with black; the uppermost
part of the face in ground-color is black; along the oral margin, reaching the eyes,
broadly yellow. Cheeks black, grayish pollinose. Antennae, palpi, and proboscis
black. Pile of the occiput light yellowish or white. Thorax and scutellum oxiariue
black, but almost wholly obscured by the long and abundant light yellow or white
pile. Abdomen with long and abundant light yellowish or white pile; the sides of
the second segment and the terminal segment with bushy, black hair. Legs black.
Wings dark brown, more yellowish along the costa, and lighter colored distally.
Length, 11™™.

One specimen, Panamint Valley, Calif., April, 1891. The species is in all respects
a Bomhylius with three submarginal cells.

Comastes sackeni n. sp.

Female. — Differs from C. rohmtus in the smaller size, the presence of black hairs
on the face and thorax, the wholly black scutellum, which is without bristles on its
margin, in the abdomen being rather uniformly clothed with shorter white pile, in-
termixed with numerous long black hairs, and in the greater infuscation of the basal
portion of the wings. The femora and tibise are black. Length, 9“™.

One specimen, Argus Mountains, Calif., May, 1892.

Geron, n. sp.

A single, injured specimen, agreeing somewhat with specimens of G. amdipennis,
but apparently different. Death Valley, Calif., May.

Lordotus sororculus n. sp.

Deep black, shining. Face, first two joints of the antennae and the front clothed
wholly with deep black pile. First antennal joint about half of the length of the
slender third joint, the second joint but little longer than wide. Pile of the occiput,
yellowish gray; that of the mesonotum and scutellum of the same color, abundant;
some black pile on the pectus. Scutellum convex, without impression or groove.
Knob of the halteres, yellow. Abdomen, both above and below, with long, nearly
white jjile. Legs black, with light-yellowish tomentum and black pile. Wings,
pure hyaline. Length, 8'^*™.

Two specimens, Coso Valley, May 21, and Kern County, Calif.

Melanostoma n. sp.

A single male specimen from Argus Mountains, Calif., May, 1891, evidently belongs
to an nndescril)ed species. It is nearest related to M. coerulescens Will., but has the
abdomen oval and elongate.

Oncunyia abbreviata Loew. Williston, etc.

A single specimen of this widely distributed insect from Panamint Valley, Calif.,
April, 1891.

Pipunculus aridus n. sp.

Male. — Front and face black, with silvery pubescence. Antennte black; third
joint silvery on the_ lower part, produced below into a spinous point. Thorax black,
dorsum a little shiiTing, faintly brownish dusted on the disk. Abdomen grecTiish
black, shining. Legs black) the immediate tii) of the femora, the base of the tibiae.

256

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[Ho. 7.

and all tlio tarsi, save their tip yellow. Hind femora without bristles below. Wings
hyaline; last section of the fourth vein sinuous, the three outer sections of the same
vein of nearly equal length. Small cross vein much beyond the tip of the auxiliary
vein. Length 3™™.

One specimen, Argus Mountain, California, April, 1891. Is most nearly allied to P.
jlavitarsis'WiW., but differs in the color of the abdomen, and the more produced third
joint of the antennae.

Blepharopeza adusta Loew. Centur. x, 67.

A single specimen from Sonoma County, Calif. (Riley), agreeing well with the de-
scription, save that all the tibiae are reddish.

Prospherysa similis n. sp.

Male. — Front somewhat narrowed behind; frontal stripe dark brown, on each side
a single row of bristles descending below the base of the third antennal joint.
Sides of the face and the cheeks wholly without bristles. Antennae black; third
joint four or five times the length of the second joint, not reaching the vibrissae;
arista thickened to about the middle. Face and sides of the front yellowish gray,
a darker spot on the lower part of the cheeks. Palpi yellow, thorax black, lightly
dusted, with three linear, darker stripes, scarcely visible behind. Tip of scutellum
red, with four marginal bristles on each side, a small, medium, decussate pair and
two small, subdiscal ones. Abdomen somewhat elongate ; first segment only a little
shorter than the second; all the segments marmorate with white; first and second
segments each with a pair of marginal bristles, the third segment with six before the
hind margin, the fourth segment with a subdiscal pair and numerous ones near the
margin; hypopygium, red. Thorax, abdomen, and legs clothed with long and abun-
dant black hair. Legs, deep black; pul villi and claws elongate, 'the former light
yellow, the latter yellowish ; front tibiae with a row of short bristles on the outer
side; middle tibiae with two or three median stout bristles; hind tibiae with numer-
ous bristles, of which two are longer than the rest. Tegulaj, white. Wings, grayish
hyaline; the small cross vein situated a little before the middle of the discal cell.
Length 13™“.

Female, — Front broader, about one-third of the width of the head ; a pair of orbital
bristles present; hair of thorax and abdomen less abundant, and that of the abdomen
more recumbent and bristly; claws and pul villi not elongate. Length, 10™™.

Two specimens, Sonoma County, Calif. The female bears the label “ Clisiocampa,”
sp. The species is nearest allied to P. apicalis v. d. Wulp, where it is clearly brought
by Wulp’s table. It will be distinguished from F. promisoua Towns., as also P.
websteri Towns., by the bare eyes, as well as other characters.

Prospherysa sp.

A single male sjiecimen from Alameda County, Calif. (Riley), seems to agree well
with P.plaejiodes v. d. Wulp in its neurational characters, but has the third vein
bristly for a short distance only.

Melanodexia gen. nov.

Eyes of male separated above by the ocellar prominence; front in the female very
broad. Bristles of the front numerous and hair- like in the male; in the female
shorter, fewer, and stouter ; not descending below the base of the antenme. Eyes
bare. Second joint of the autennse somewhat swollen, the third joint not three
times the length of the second; arista short plumose. Sides of face and the cheeks
hairy. Vibrissal ridges nearly parallel; vibrissas slender, situated a considerable
distance above the oral margin, the epistoma not projecting. Bottom of the facial
groove only gently convex. Width of the cheeks less than one-half of the greater
diameter of the eyes. Proboscis short, palpi slender. Thorax and scutellum with
well developed bristles. Abdomen short-conical, without distinct macrochastae, save
on the distal part; in the male, with abundant erect hair on the anterior segments,
and thin bristles posteriorly; in the female, with short recumbent bristles anteriorly.

MAv.lsoa.] INSECTS OF THE DEzVTJI VALLEY EXl’ELITION.

257

and longer brintles posterioi ly. Tlihd longitudinal vein strongly convex in Iront,
terniinating very near the tip oftlie wing; ante])eniiltiniat(! section ot tliefoiirfli vein
fully twice the length of the pennltiinatc section, the latter joining tlio ultiniato
section in an anghg wliich may be slightly rounded in tlie female. Legs not elon-
gate, the bristles of ordinary size; hind til)ia} not ciliate; pul villi and ungues small
in both sexes.

This genus is nearest allied to Morinia and Psendomoriiiia, but dilfers in the small
claws of the male, the higher j)osition of the vibrissic, the situation of the posterior
cross-vein, the closed first imsterior cell, and the absence of discal and marginal
bristles on the anterior abdominal segment.

Melanodexia tristis u. sp.

Male. — Wholly black, shining, with black bristles and hair. Teguhe blackish;
pulvilli yellow. Frontal stripe opaque, very narrow aljove, separating the eyes;
three or four times as wide below; the narroAv lunula shining. Hair of the
lower part of the cheeks long. Thorax and scutellum with long bristles and mod-
erately abundant erect hair. First two segments of the abdomen with abundant
erect hair, posteriorly the abdomen is, for the greater part, clothed with numerous,
erect, slender bristles. Wings tinged with blackish, especially along the veins.
Length,

Female. — Frontal stripe very broad, on each side with a row of short bristles;
orbital and ocellar bristles present. Thorax and abdomen not hairy, but nearly
bare, wnth short, recumbent bristles instead. Length, 7mn‘.

One male. Southern California (Baron j, and one female, Monterey County, Calif.
(Kiley).

Lispa teniaculata Degeer, Ins. vi, 42, 1.5, 1776 (Musca) Latreille, Gen. Crust, et Ins.
iv, 347, 1809; Fallen, Dipt. Suec. Muse. 93, i, 1820; Meigeu, Syst. Beschr. v, 226, 1826;
Macquart, Hist. Nat. Dipt, ii, 314, 1835; Zetterstedt, Dijit. Scand. v, 1796, 1846;
Walker, Ins. Dipt. Brit, ii, 147, 1853; Schiner, Fauna Austr. i, 660, 1862; Eondani,
Dipt. Ital. Prodr. vi, 289, 1877; v. d. Wulp, Tijdschr. v. Ent. xi, 1868, pi. ii, f. 6;
Kowarz, Wien. Ent. Zeit. xi, 000, 1892.

Habitat. — All Europe (Kowarz), New England, Michigan, South Dakota, California.

Two specimens, Panamint Valley, April, 1892. The species is especially charac-
terized by the slender spnr-like j)rojection of the front metatarsi in the male.
Euxesta spoliata n. sp.

Female. — Shining, somewhat metallic green. Front, red or reddish yellow, with
moderately coarse hairs. Anteunte, reddish or brownish yellow, third joint rounded.
Face, reddish yellow, of a little lighter color than t'he front, not x)ollinose. Thorax,
bright green, somewhat shining, thinly x)i'uinose. ' Abdomen, black or pitchy black, .
the first two segments red or yellowish. Legs, yellowish or brownish red, the distal
joints of all the tarsi blackish. Halteres, light yellow. Wings, whitish hjmliue,
with light-colored veins, except in the dark sx)ots, where they are blackish ; the costal
and subcostal cells are blackish throughout, encroaching somewhat on the marginal
cell. The large blackish siiot at the tijr begins on the costa a little beyond the middle
of the antepenultimate section and reaches nearly to the fourth vein; the last
section of the fourth vein converges markedly toward the third. Length,

Three specimens. Death Valley and Panamint Mountains, Calif.

Ephydra tarsata n. sp.

Front shining greenish black, with two pairs of jn’oclinate ocellar bristles ; about
three pairs of reclinate bristles below, a row along the orbit, directed inward, and
a vertical bristle to the inner side of the row, directed inward. AuteuniC black; a
small bristle on the ux)X)er side of the second joint; arista very short, jnibescent on
the much thickened basal iiortion. Face showing somewhat greenish beneath the
grayish pruinosity ; hair long and black. Thorax black, with a thin gray xiruinosity ;
the dorsum faintly striate. Abdomen black, olivaceoixs grayish pollinose, not shin-

12731—170. 7 17

NOliTII AMI^KIC'AN FAUNA.

[Xo. 7.

25S

ing; liyixjpyuiuni small, mostly concealed. 1j('j^s black, "uayisli or j;re(“iii.sli pnii-
nose; rrontmotatar.si in tlio male Miickmic,.! and lon!;cr than the ibllowinj; three joints
together; in the I'emale, simple but elongate. Wings grayish, hyaline; small cross
vein oi)posite the tip of the first longitudinal vein; posterior cross vein obliijue.
Length,

Two specimens, Owens Valley, May 21, 1891.

This species will be readily ri'cognizcd by the small hy]>opyginm of the male,
and the thickened front metatarsus in the same sox, together with the nearly bare
arista.

Notiphila decoris n, sp.

Female. — Front gray or brownish gray, with two black stripes, separated by the
triangular, brownish ocellar triangle; the median, anteriorly directed ])air of bristles
well developed. Antenme and palpi black. Face opafpie, light golden yellow.
Dorsum of thorax .and scutellnm opaque yellowish brown, somewhat grayish an-
teriorly; the stripes only feebly indicated. Pleni’ic more grayish-yellow below,
with two shining black spots. Abdomen chiefly dark coffee-brown, with the poste-
rior part and a median stripe on each segment gray. Legs black, the base of the
front metatarsi and the first three joints of the four posterior tarsi reddish yellow.
Wings cinereous. Length, 3^'"™.

One specimen, Pauamint Valley, Calif., April.

Pelomyia gen. nov. Epliydrklarum,

Third joint of antenme rounded, second joint not unguiculated; arista long, very
finely pubescent, nearly bare. Ej'-es Avholly bare. Face of only moderate breadth,
moderately convex. Cheeks moderately broad. Front moderately broad witliAvell-
deA'eloped bristles." Clypeus not projecting. Thorax Avith four roAvs of bristles, ex-
tending to the anterior part. Middle tibiie without bristles on the outer side.

The genus seems nearest related to Pelina, from Avhich it differs in the retracted
clypeus, the bristles of the anterior part of the thorax, etc. The eyes are bare
under the highest magnification. The neuration does not differ from iS’bt(p7t/?rt,'etc.

Pelomyia occidentalis n. sp.

Male, female. — Vertical triangle large, yellowish gray; front, beloAV the triangle,
opaque yelloAAq the orbital margins narrowly white, iiolliiiose; A'crtical triangle,
Avith two proclinate bristles; a row of three bristles on the orbital margin. Anten-
nse brownish black, the under side of the third joint yellowish ; second joint Avith a
weak bristle at its extremity. Face yelloAA^, not broad, somewhat Avhitish, pollinose ;
on either side with a feAV short, Aveak bristles. Dorsum of thorax brownish gray,
with three slender brown stripes. Scutellnm large, bare, with two iiairs of bristles,
the intermediate pair nt'arthe apex and large, the outer iiair small. Abdomen l)]ack,
with a brownish pubescence, opaque, the small hypopygium shining black; in
shape elongate oA^al ; sixth and seA' enth segments of the female A'ery short. Legs
black, or someAvhat luteous, rather slender ; femora AAdth some short bristles. Wings
nearly hyaline. Length, 2^'"'". Two .specimens, Monterey, Calif.

Scarcely any attention has liitherto been given to tlie Borboridte of
America, a groiii) of considerable interest, as including several of the
few wingless forms of Diptera. I have examined about twenty species
of the family from the United States and West Indies, nearly all of
wbicb are yet iiudescribed. I give here a table of genera based upon
these species, and will shortly publish descriptions of tliein:

Norih American genera of Borlwrido’ :

1. Wingless species

Wings fully developed

Aptkrixa
2

May, 1893.] INSECTS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXFEDl'JTON.

25‘J

2. Fourth and hftli veins of the wings incoiiiplcte beyond the diseal ecll, not reacli-

ing the border Liah^.sina

Fonrtli vein, at least, fully dovelo|ted and reacliiiig tlie Itordc.r ‘.i

3. Sentellniu with well-developed bristles; the liftli vein iinajinplete beyond tlie

discal cell BoJiiioiiu.s

Sentellniu without bristles; fifth vein complete SPiiAiiwcKUA

Borhorus, sp.:

Two specimens, Argus Mountains, which seem to belong to a new species.
Limosiua aldrichi n. sp.

Male. — Black, but little shining, nearly bare. Face somewhat whitish. Front,
but little shining in the middle. Anteume black, arista long, distinctly pubescent.
Thorax shining. Scutelluui flattened, bare, with six bristles, the pair near the
apex much larger than the ones toward the base. Abdomen opaipie, somewhat i>rui-
nose. Legs black, the tibiic and tarsi more or less dark luteous ; himl metatarsi only
a little dilated, and but little shorter than the following joint. Wings nearly hya-
line; the third vein ends beyond the small cross-vein, gradually and nearly uni-
formly curved forwards; the tip of the second is nearly midway between the
terjniuations of the first and third veins, the latter ending near the tip of the Aving;
fourth Amin beyond the discal cell faintly indicated. Hind cross- vein rectajigular
to the fourth vein. Length, S'"™.

One specimen, Argus Mountains, April, 1891.

Apterina polita sp. nov.

Female. — Very small, shining black, without wings and apparently without hal-
teres. Scutellum large, flattened, trapezoidal, with four Avell-developed bristles. Face
excavated in profile ; oral margin on either side Avith a conspicuous bristle. Cheeks
moderately broad. Clypeus retracted into the oral caAuty. Antenum short, third joint
rounded, hairy, with a long, pubescent arista. Eyes bare. Front broad, with a row of
orbital, proclinate bristles. Thorax with bristles. Abdomen broadly OAml, depressed,
with sixA’isible segments, the second, third, and fourth of nearly equal length. Legs
slender, with bristles, the middle tibiae, at least, AvTth a preapical bristle ; first joint
of the hind metatarsi short, and dilated. Front opaque, with a shining median stripe
or elongated triangle ; face and cheeks AvhitLsh dusted. Dorsum of thorax, scutellum
and abdomen shining, the hair very short and sparse. Tip of femora, base of tibiie,
and the tarsi, save the tip, yelloAvish. Length 1^’"™.

Three specimens, Panamint Valley, April, 1891.

Apterina is subordinated to Borhorus by Schiner, and he may be right in doing so.
The present species is in all respects a wingless Lhnoslna, but that genus has no tan-
gible differences from Borhorus saAm such as are found in the netiration. A mere
excresence, of a yelloAvish color, is all there is to be seen of the Avings. I therefore
locate the species, proAfisioually, at least, in Macquart’s genus.

Note. — In addition to the Diptera reported upon above by Dr. Williston, the col-
lection contains 7 species easily named which Averenotsentto him, nor Avas it thoiight
worth while to introduce these few names into the tabulated list Avhich precedes.
They are added here, hoAvever, for the purpose of completing the report. — C. V. K.

Tahanus punctifer 0. S: 4ex., Panamint Valley and Death Valley.

Fantarhes capita 0. S 1 ex., Argus Mountains.

Triodites mus 0. S 1 ex., Coso Valley.

Lordotus diversus Coq 5 ex., Panamint Valley and Death Valley.

Ploas fenestrata 0. S 3 ex.. Death Valley.

Platijcliirus peltatus Meig : 1 ex., Argus Mountains.

BihiohirtmhcBW 1 ex., Santa Cruz Monnt.aius.

NOKTll AMERICAN FAUNA.

LNo. 7.

2eo

HEMIPTERA, HETEROPTERA OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPE-
DITION.

By P. R. Uiir.iCR.

COUKID.E.

Hannostes propinqiuis Dist., I’iol. Cent. Anicr. llemipt., p. 108, No. 7; pi. xv.,

lig. 19.

A damaged specimen, ot somewliat largei- size than usual, Avas secured oii the Argus
Mountains in May, 1891.

BEUYTIN.E.

Pronotacantha n. gen.

Form of Farajalysns Distant, hut with long, erect, remote spines on all sides of tins
pronotum, those of the front horder directed obliquely forwards, those of the sides
pointing outwards, the posterior pair i)oiuting backwards, and the single one on
eacli humerus curved at tip, posterior portion of the })ronotum convex, A'cry niucli
elevated behind, emarginated for the base of the corium. Scutelluni small, iiat,
armed Avith a long slender spine. Epiplenra Avith a short tooth beneath the base of
the Aving-cover. Antcnn;e and legs with the usual knobs at end of joints. Wing-
covers llait, very much wider and longer than tlie abdomen, nearly spindle-shaped
in outline, almost meinbraaious and translucent throughout, the costal areole Avide,
crossed by a coarse diagonal Amin, folloAved by a longer areole Avhich is also bounded
at tip by a diagonal vein which sends off a thinner vein to curve outAvard and bound
a narroAv, cuneus-like areole running to the tip of the wing-cover, behind this, ex-
tending iiiAvardly, are four long areoles which constitute the end of the Aving-eover.
Abdomen a little swollen at base, narrow behind. Middle coxie placed far back from
the anterior pair, but not remote from the posterior coxae.

P. annulata n. sp.

Pale fulvous, with the head, front, and back of the pronotum jmlished black.
Head short, snbglobose, with the tylus forming a yjrominent vertical ridge, bounded
by swollen cheeks; eyes prominent, brown; rostrum reaching to behind the middle
coxic, dark i>iceous, paler on the middle and beneath. Antenuic long and slender,
aunnlated with black, the basal joint longer than the head and pronotum united, a
little thickened at tip, second joint about one-half as long as the basal, the third a
little longer, the fourth joint black, pale at tip, very short and thick, fusiform but
acute at both ends. Pronotum stout, broad and tumid behind, black, polished, with
a lAi’oad yellow band which narroAVS below and extends upon the sternum, spines
chiefly yelloAv, those of the base longer. Scutelluni nar-roAV, testaceous, armed Avith
a long, erect, yellow spine. Legs slender, testaceous, banded Avith black, the femora
claAuxte and Avax-yellow at tip. Wing-covers testaceo-hyaliue, almost membranous
throughout, the Amins delicate and a little deejAer colored th.an the integument, those
of the corium thick, brown, especially the costal one, the corium uneAmnly punctate,
very short, triangular at tip, Avith the costal rib carried far beyond its tip ; the mem-
brane is much longer than the corium and extending well along its inner border,
and has a series of four long and wide areoles. The cubital area is long, narroAAq ob-
lique at tip, and from it is continued a much narroAver apical areolar extension, and
these areas are all punctate and minutely bristly along the veins. Abdomen polished,
somewhat piceous at base and tip, tinged with rufo-ferrngincous on the sides supe-
riorly, acutely narrowing towards the tip in the male.

Length to end of abdomen, 4 width of pronotum, f One specimen, a

male, was taken on the Argus Mountains in AjAril. This sjiecimen has the greater
portion of the veins of hemelytra pale brown. Several other specimens from difier-
ent parts of Arizona have been submitted to me for examination.

May, 1893.] INSECTS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

2G1

This genus comes near to Metacan lit ns, but it differs widely tlierefrom in the vena-
tion of the Aving coYers, It has also close affinities with Parujaltjsus Dist., from
which it differs also in venation, armature, etc.

Acanthophysa n. gen.

Apparently related to HopUniis Stal., but quite abnormal by reason of the broad
fusiform figure, emphasized by the upwardly inflated hemeljTra, which api)ears
semicoriaceous throughout, terminate iu an acute point behind, and have the veins
arranged longitudinally like ridges, and which carry series of remote, long, erect
spines. Head acutely produced, conforming to the front of the proiiotum, and
armed each side Avith a series of long, anteriorly directed, almost j)rocumbent, sharp
spines. Rostrum reaching the posterior cox®, the basal joint tbick and long; an-
teuu® long and slender, the basal joint as long as the two following united, clavate
at tip, the apical joint short, fusiform, acute at tip. Pronotum subcampanuliform,
flattened above, encircled and set Avith long, oblique spines iiointing outAvard, the
middle Avith a strong transverse section. Scutellum triangular, acute. Hcmelytra
Avith roAVS of long, remote spines on the veins, and fringed with a series on the costal
and cubital border all the Avay to the tip; the discoidal vein closely forked, audthe
central areole narroAV and long, acutely narroAAred at tip and crossed by about three
veinlets before the tip, Amins minutely, remotely 'punctate. Legs long and slender,
the femora clavate at tip, aud the posterior ones shorter than the abdomen. Venter
almost flat, slightly convex.

t

A. echinata n. sp.

Grayish white, Avith the legs and antenn® wax yellow, and the hcmelytra marked
with short, fuscous streaks on the coarse veins aud a feAV irregular s[)ots on the
disk, bases of the spines mostly fuscous, and the head and pronotum a little fus-
cous iu spaces ; the aiiical joint of anteun® blackish. Head long and acute, yel-
loAvish, Avith a sharp spine aboA'^e, and others each side, all projecting forward; ros-
trum yellowish ; anteun® darker on the SAvolleu tip of first joint. Pronotum mod-
erately flat, having a dark baud iu front, the posterior lobe pale yelloAV, the basal
margin almost truncated, with a short spine in the middle pointing backward, all
the margins and the humeral angles armed Avith long, slanting spines, those of the
anterior lobe longest aud ]n’ojectiag over the head. Scutellum Avith the central
Carina and lateral raised margins iAmry yellow. Legs banded Avith fuscous Avith the
apex of the femora greatly swollen, piceous. Hemelytra with the spines chiefly
white and directed obliquely outAvard and backward, the veins, especially on the
disk and next the claws, interrupted Avith pale brown or fuscous membrane, form-
ing an almost acuminate tip, having two approximate veinlets running throughout
its length. Venter yelloAvish, spread Avith white, marked with iuterrupted raised
longitudinal lines, a little sprinkled with fuscous, and the entire surface hispid
with short bristly spines, the apex iufuscated.

Length to tip of Amnter, ; width of pronotum, f™"’.; width of hemelytra

across the middle. Ip"'".

One specimen, a male, AAms secured at the Argus Alountains in April, and I have
examined two other specimens Avhich Avere collected near Los Angeles, Calif., by Mr.
Coquillett. The costal rib is shaiqily raised, and is protracted to the very tip of the
subcoriaeeous corium; and the apexes of this corium are widely separated by a tri-
angular interval.

This most remarkable insect might perhaps be confounded wTth the prickly seed
vessel of some of the sand ticks or beggars’ lice which grow in sandy places.

Although unquestionably a member of the family Bertitidw, it is the most aberrant
genus of this group as yet discoA'cred, and it helps to set forth the principle that
there is a Avide diAmrgencc of composition iu the adjustment of the parts of the wiug-
coA'crs in this remarkable group.

2G2

NORTH Al^IE RICAN FAUNA.

[Nu. 7.

I.YO.KID.T':.

L)j(j(vosoma Foil*.

L. solida ii. sp.

Narrow and (lee]), grailnally narrowing' iVoin tlio middli! of ooriuiii to tlu'. front of
prouotum; the surfaoe dull, minntely grayish, pubescent all ov<“r, black, with the
corimu and bnmeral angles and a spot on the middle of the basal margin of prono-
tum dull red. Head broad, convex, appearing longer from the acutely projecting
tylus, each side of wliicb the checks are sunken toward the antennal lolxis; anten-
mc stout, coated with minute gray pubescence; rostrum black, piceous, rciaching to
behind the middle coxic. Prouotum longer than wide, almost Hat, crossed next the
middle by an indistinct ridge, humeral angles tubercular. Prosternum iu front and
margins of the pleural segments diill yellowish. Legs i^olisbed, black, hoary pubes-
cent. Scntellum minutely jmbescent, the carinate cross acute and pale at tip. Co-
rium and clavus a little rough, closely pubescent, with the edge next the membrane
a little dusky, the costal margin curved, and the membrane dusky black; tergum
polished black, venter dull black, rendered a little gray by the hoary ijubescence.

Length to tip of venter, 4^™™; width of base of prouotum,

Two specimens, a male and a female, of the braebypterous form were secured in
Mariposa County, Calif.

The membrane has an obscure pale lunule on the middle, and a very narrow whit-
ish outer border.

Lygwas Fab.

L. melanopleurus n. sp.

Form of histriavgularis Say, but having the prouotum a little shorter, more de-
pressed behind the middle, and with the lateral margins a little sinuated. Color
mainly dull black, rendered grayish by the close, whitish pubescence which invests
both the upper and lower surface. Head stout, moderately wide, convex above,
marked with a red dot next the middle of base, the front narrow, with the cheeks
compressed irom the antenniferous lobes downward; the rostrum piceous, black,
reaching upon the posterior coxm, autennye black, thick, grayish, pubescent; prono-
tum a little wider than long, depressed, and with a few coarse, dragged punctures
behind the anterior margin; callosities transverse, distinct, the surface behind tbem
depressed, a little rough, and with a few coarse punctures; lateral margins moder-
ately oblique, feebly sinuated before tbe middle, with the humeri a little raised into
a longitudinal ridge, tbe posterior margin nearly straight and slenderly edged with
yellow; scntellum a little rough, depressed behind the middle, with the tip carinate
and acute. Hemelytra paler and more lead-colored than the thorax, with the costal
border broadly yellowish red, tbe posterior border more slenderly yellow, tbe sur-
face pubescent and remotely minutely imuctate; membrane long, black, broadly
bordered with white. Pectus black, boary, pubosce it, marked eacb side of line of
legs witb a row of pale spots. Legs black, pubescent. Venter reddisb, black at
tip, and with a broad blackish stripe on the side following the line of the stigmata.

Length to end of venter, 4^ to 5™'". ; to tip of membrane, 6"'™. ; width of base of
2»rouotum, 2 ‘""b

Two specimens were obtained on the Pauamiut Mountains in April. It inhabits
also Colorado.

Lygaeosoma sp.

A specimen with robust figure and of the brachypterous form was collected in
Mariposa County, Calif., but it is too* greasy for description.

Pamera Say.

P. nitidula n. sp.

Dull blackish, with the head and thorax polished, chestnut brown, and the heme-
lytra iiale testaceous, with a broad black band across the posterior part of the corium,
an irregular spot near its base, and a spot at tip of cmieus, which runs back slenderly

May, 1893.] INSECTS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

2G3

on tlie outer margin. Head long, subacute at tip, set witli erect bristly bair.s, trans-
versely wi'inkled; ro.struru yellowish, slender, reaching' ijebind the middle eoxaij an-
tenme pale yellow, slender, a little brown at points of articulation, the second joint
as long as from the front of the eye to the pronotal stricture, the apical joint. scarcely
darker than the others, equally as long as the second, first and third much shorter,
snbeqnal in length. Pronotnm highly x)olished, a little darker acro.ss the base, the
anterior lobe globosely coiiA-ex, much narrower than the basal lolie, having a con-
striction and collnm in front, the latter being ])nnctate and a little produced behind,
bounded by a deeply incised line, the surface spread with some bristly hairs ; posterior
lobe depressed, al)ont as wide as the length of the anterior lobe, coarsely remotely
punctate, with the humeral angles callous and elevated. Legs pale yelloAV, the an-
terior femora very stout, pale chestnut brown, with the knees and teeth darker, the
anterior tibiae strongly bent, i)ectoraland jilenral areas polished roughly and coar.sely
punctate and clothed Avith stiff pale hairs. Scntellum piceous, remotely punctate,
sparingly pubescent, ridged from the middle to the tip, and with the tip jtale and
acute. Corium pale yelloAvish testaceous, darker at base, whitish at tip and on the
cnnens, remotely punctate with brown in longitudinal lines, the embolinm a little
dusky and punctate in the crease, membrane dusky excepting the outer border, with
pale A^eins. Venter pale reddish chestnut, dusky at base, the female with a sickle-
shaped callosity running backward from the base.

Length to tip of venter 6"“^', to end of membrane 6^'"™, width of base of pronotnm

A single specimen ( 9 ) was obtained in the Argus Mountains, Calif., April. I have
also examined tAVO others from Texas and New Mexico. Only females have thus far
been sent to me for examination.

CropMus Stal.

C. disconotus Say. Heteropt. Noav Harm., j). 14, No. 6.

One specimen was collected on the Argus Mountains in May. This is Lycjants
diconotus Say, the .sijecific name of which is a misprint for disconotus, and Avould haA’e
been more correctly disconotatus.

TINGITID^.

Garf/aplda Stal.

Gr. opacula n. sp.

Oblong, OA^ate, with the head, breast, abdomen, basal and last joint of antennae and
base of second joint black. Head produced in front, pale beneath, the rostrum ex-
tending to the middle coxte, having the buccuhe Avhite and continuous, with the
Avhite raised border which bounds the whole length of the mesosternum on its
sides. Pronotnm tri-carinate, convex, Avoolly OA^er most of the surface and sides. The
short anteriorly blunt and twice-tufted bulla stands next behind the head, the sur-
face yelloAvish Avhite, with a narroAV reflexed border along the cui’A^ed lateral mar-
gin, the scntellum narrow and less depressed than usual; also whitish, pubescent.
Legs pale rufo-testaceous, slender. AViug-covers Avhite, with the veins a little
tinged with fuscous near the tip, the exterior margin bluntly curved, regularly
curA'ed at tip, the areoles small, unusually regular in size, a double series of them oc-
cupying the costal area, but tapering off to a single series at tip, the clavus opaque,
coriaceous, coarsely punctate, minutely pubescent in common Avith the disk of
corium. Beneath dull black, minutely pubescent.

Length to end of abdomen, 2^ ™‘“. ; to tij) of hemeljTra, 3"’™.; width of prono-
tum, 1 "i™.

Only a single specimen of this peculiar species was secured. It was taken on the
Argus Mountains in April. The i<romineut convexity of the lu’onotum Avith its fur-
like covering of hair and narrow pronotum will serve to quickly distinguish this
species from the others thus far described.

264

KORTII AMl'.RICAN FAUNA.

[JSo. 7.

uMoiuiiitliia Vi\h.

M. labeciilata ii. sp.

Form similar to that of M. aassate Piitoii, but with a shorter prouotum and smaller
meshes to the liemelytra, color fnscogriseus. Head short, convex, bronze-black,
closely pnnctate, convex, the tylus vertical, bnccnbe large, lamelJiform, whitish,
coarsely pitted in common with the gnla; auteniue rufous, the basal and apical
joints and the base of the secon d joint black ; rostrum jdceous, reaching to between
the middle coxic. Rronotum a little darker than the liemelytra, convex, jiromiiieutly
lobate each side, the lobes long-oval, occupying the, whole length, and divaricating
posteriorly, the sunken longitudinal between them occupied by a piceous earina
which is continued back to the tip of the scutellum, the surface covered with
coarse sunken punctures, with shoi't, yellowish hairs in the spaces, collnm whitish,
Xn'omiuentin the middle, granulated and blackish xiiccous behind; humeri strongly
convex, blackish and granulated at the faintly cariuated lateral margin; beneath
black, the propleurae xiiceons, coarsely xrunctate, but the tumid pieces of the meso —
and metasternnm smooth. Scutellum grayish testaceous, Avith the baso-lateral
divaricating carime short, jiiceous, granulate, conlined to the outer angles, the me-
dial earina pale testaceous except at base, the surface granulate in lines, a little
Xmnetate and minutely, remotely xmbescent. Corium jiale-grayish testaceous, a
little tinged Avith bronze, remotely lAunctate and xmbescent, studded Avith piceous
granules, and AAdth the discoidal A'ein especially prominent; blackish, bnllate and
uneven, the cells of the membrane usually Avith dusky Amins, and the cross veinlets
of the costal border, including those of the membrahe, black, the coarse Amin bor-
dering tlie corium often jiiceous black. Venter dull black, obsoletely rostrate.

Length to tip of Aving-covers, 3 ; width of i)rouotum, 1 "'™. Niue specimens

Avere taken from Finns monopliylla, on the Argus mountains in May, 1891.

The sficcies bears some resemblance to others of this genus common in Brazil and
Central America.

Leptoyplia Stal.

L. mutica Say. Tingis mntica Leconte Ed. Say’s Writings, vol. i, p. 349.

A dozen or more specimens of this common insect Avere collected on the Argus
mountains in Axnul and May. I find no difference to sejjarate these spiecimeus from
those of Texas and other jiarts of the United States.

CAPSIDiE.

Hoplomachus Fieb.

H. consors n. sp.

Robust, taxiering anteriorly, cinereous tinged with olive, clothed with long pile
on the head and fore part of pronotum, and Avith shorter x)ubescence on the reniain-
der of the body. Head long, conical, acute as seen from above, indented each side
near the eyes, Avith a jAale yellow or orange line on the carinate middle, running
back over the xironotum and continuing to the tij) of the scutellum, tylus almost
Amrtical, bounded by deeply cut sutures, coAmred w ith pale gray xiile, the middle
cheeks small, xAi’ominent, black, sharx>ly defined ; rostrum pale XAiceous, darker and
acute at tixp reaching behind the x^osterior coxre, the basal joint stout, inflated at
tix>, longer than the throat; eyes brown, with a bnllate black sx^ace beneath them,
and Avith one or two black raised dots near the base of tylus; antennas rather slen-
der, reaching behind the tip of the scutellum, the basal joint and lobe x>iceous
black, the second joint as long as from the front of eye to the base of pronotum,
Xialc olive, darker on the ends, the two following darker, short, more slender, xu’ou-
otuni traxACziform, convex behind a little scabrous over most of the surface, the
lateral margins oblique, shaiqi edged, a line of obsolete dark sxsots occurs across the
base, in front of this each side is an oblique mark, and farther forward is a larger
transA^erso sx)ot each side; scutellum darker each side of basal x>ortion; x^ectus
dark in the dexu'ossious, the xhural ];iccps coarsely imnctate, the x>i’osteruum, in-

Mat, 1893.] INSECTS OF THE DEAITI VALLEY EXPEDITION.

2G5

eluding tlie xyplms, pale, but l)laclvi.sli at base; legs dusky testaceous, with tlie
nails, tips of tarsi and spines piceons; bcinelytra wide, almost translucent, cl o.sely
hoary pubescent, the costal margin broadly curved, the disk and claws dusky olive,
membrane pale dusky olive, venter dark olive with a fuscous tinge, finely pale pubes-
cent, with the genital pieces paler.

Length to end of abdomen, 4"'"'; to tip of membrane, 4pH"'; width of base of
])ronotuin, 1^’”'".

One s])ecimen was taken on the Argus Mountains in Alay. The .species occurs in
tlu‘ vicinity of Los Angeles and in other parts of southern California.

.Some live or six other new species of genera related to Lygus, MacrotijI as, ami
rsallas, belong to this collection, but they are not in condition for description.

ANTIlOCOniD^.

Antliocoris Fall.

A. musculus Say. Heteropt. New Harmony, p. 3J; No. G.

One specimen was secured on the Argus Mountains in April.

SAT.niD.E.

SaJda Fab.

1. S. interstitialis Sa5^ .Tourn. Philada. Acad., vol, iv; p. 324; No. 1.

Two specimens were secured in the Panamiut and Argus mountains in April. They
belong to two varieties with the white spots not widely distributed.

2. S. explauata, new sp.

In form similar to S. hrachynota Fieb,, of Europe. Deep black, dull, covered with
minute golden pubescence. The head but little wider than the front of the prono-
tum, and the eyes moderately prominent, the clypeus margined each side and the
tylus entirely testaceous ; antennie stout, black, white on the outside of the basal
joint. Pronotum short, transversely wrinkled behind, the base deeply sinuated, tlie
lateral margins oblicpie and a little curved, the submargin broadly, dee])ly dejiressed,
remotely punctate, with the edge a little recurved, the humeral angles witli the but-
ton-like callosity near the liorder ; callosities transversely prominent, with a sunken
dot in the middle between them; pleural depression coarsely and remotely punctate.
Tip of femora, the tibiie excepting the base and tip, and the tarsi excepting the tin,
pale testaceous. Hemelytra obsoletely and minutely punctate, remotely pubescent,
marked w'ith whitish oblong Hecks, an obsolete pair being placed near the tip of the
clavus, a few minute ones from near the base to behind the middle, an angular spot
next the middle of the posterior margin and a more distinct white dot exterior to
this; the membrane has four long, narrow, pale areoles marked with the ordinary
smoky oblong spots, and the posterior border is also smoke-brown with a white dot
at the inner angle. Venter dull black, minutely pubescent, with the sixth segment
of the female broadly and unevenly boi;dered behind with white.

Length to tip of membrane, 4^ to 5™“; width oflbase of pronotum. If to 3"’™.

This species occurs in various regions west of the Rocky Mountains. I have
examined specimens taken in Nevada, Olympia, in Washington State, various
parts of Utah, and California. A pair of specimens in the present collection were
secured in the Panamiut and Argus mountains in the month of April.

2GG

NORTH 7\MK111CAN FAUNA.

[N'o. 7.

DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES OF ORTHOPTERA PROM THE
DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

By Lawkence Buunek.

Ameles sp.

Possibly ne^y, but the speciinon is in too bad a condition to be described, ithavinj;-
been brolcen Avbile en ronte in tlie mail, besides beino- innnatnre. Tliis same insect
lias been examined by me on several former occasions. It appears to be ipiite Avidely
distributed in the arid and semiarid regions of the Southwest, .as I have it from
Aairious points in New Mexico, Arizona, and California. I have also seen specimens
from southern Idaho and middle NcA^ada,

Heterogamia sp.

Like the preceding, this insect is also probably nndescribed. It is a fem.ale spec-
imen, and can not well be characterized now. This form seems to be not at all rare
in some portions of Arizona and southwestern United States, and also occurs in por-
tions of old Mexico.

Tridactylus sp.

The collection contains a specimen of an app.arently nndescribed species of this
genus, but until I have had a little more time to study these peculiar little crickets,
I would prefer not to name it. Other specimens of the genus h.ave been taken along
the Colorado River during the past summer, and have just lately come to my notice.
Nemobius sp.

This insect may also be new. I have seen specimens vmry similar to this from the
vdeinity of Los Angeles, Calif., and if represented in the collection, I can not at
present find it. I will not try to describe the species from the single male before me.
Encoptolophus pallidirs n. sp.

General color dull yellowish brown, vmried with faint dusky markings common to
Ihe representatives of the genus. Head moderately large, a little wider than front
edge of prouotum. Vertex about as wide as the eyes, depressed in front where the
lateral cariute meet in less than a right angle, these carinse boAved and <api)roaching
slightly behind, but fading away into the sides of the occiput along the hind margin
of the eyes; the sulcus quite deep and provided with a well-defined central carina
posteriorly; frontal costa quite prominent above, of nearly equal Avidth throughout,
but slightly silicate at the ocellus and beloAv ( 9 ), or more deeply grooved throughout
( ^ ) ; antenme not quite as long ( 9 ) as head and prouotum combined, or slightly
surpassing the latter {$), a little enlarged and slightly flattened toward their tips
in the male; prouotum small, Avith the sides nearly parallel Avhen seen from above,
the lateral carinae well defined, but interrupted a little in advance of the middle
carina, not prominent, equal throughout, cut a little in advance of the middle by
last transverse sulcus, the hind border a little obtuse-angled. Tegmiua and wings
of about equal length, surpassing the tip of the abdomen in both sexes. Posterior
i'emora not much iuflate<l basally, but passing the tip of abdomen slightly in both
sexes.

Color. — Male and female dull dry-grass color, marked faintly back of the eyes,
along sides of pronotum, on Ifont edge of tegmina and on posterior femora with the
characteristic fuscous blotches and bands. Posterior wings hyaline, with the tips
apparently but little darker than the disk and base. Hind tibiae pale glaucous with
basal third pale.

Length of body, $ , 18 9, 24'"'".; of attennae, $, 7"""., 9? 6-5 of pro-

notum, J'jS.TS"""., 9 5 4:-7""".; of tegmina, ^,15.5"'"'., o 1^9 of hind femora,
$ , 10.5 9 , 13

Habitat. — Panamint V.alley, C.ak, April 6, 1891.

May, 1893.] insects OP THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

2G7

Scirtettica occidentalis n. sp.

Tlie collectiou also coutains a single female specimen of locust wliicli lias tlie
general appearance at liijfc glance of a Trachnrrhachj/8, Imt upon closer examination
proves to be more nearly related to Scirlctlica marmoruta Uhl. of the New England
coast.

Head, with the occipnt rngnlose, rather small and deeply set into tlie front edge
of the prouotnm, which latter is also fpiite rough; vertex between the eyes a little
narrower than tlieir shortest diameter, deeply grooved and provided with a deep tri-
angular pit in front, the lateral walls prominent and farthest apart at front edge of
eyes, approaching jiosteriorly but not quite meeting; frontal costa deiqdy sulcate
with the walls prominent, diverging below. Antenme not (]uite reaching the pos-
terior edge of thepronotnm, filiform, bnt gently compre.s.sed. Pronotnm short, about
as broad as long, strongly compressed near the front aliove, the median carina prom-
inent bnt not arched, .once severed a little in advance of the middle by the la.st
transverse impressed line; lateral carinai obliterated in front, but prominent behind ;
posterior angle a right angle. Teginina and wings extending slightly beyond the
tips of the abdomen, the former rattier narrow. Hind femora with tlie base a little
in tlated; hind tibiae with the apical spines strong and longer than usual. Entire
insect more or less thickly clothed with short whitish hairs.

General color, grayish brown mottled and specked with plain brown and dull
black. Middle of sides of pronotnm with a short oblique whitish blotch. Teginina
with a median and postbasal brown spot on costal edge, apical third and posterior
half irregularly flecked with quadrate flecks of varying sizes. Wings with disk-
like waxy yellow, crossed just beyond the middle by a dull, rather narrow fuscous
band that sends a dark ray nearly to the base along the costal edge, apex hyaline
with two or three small fuscous spots along the principal veins. Posterior femora
crossed above by three •blackish bands, the middle one showing on the outer face as
a very oblique band, anteriorly with the basal half black, beyond this wilh a yellow
and then a black band, the knees dusky; hind tibiie yellowish, iufuscated apically
and provided Avith an obscure dusky annulus near the basal third.

Length of body, 9j20"’‘”.; of antenme., 6"'™.; of pronotnm,!"’'".; of tegmina,
19'""’.; of hind femora, 12.25"’"’.

Hahiiat. — A single specimen from Argus Mountains, Calif., May, 1891.

This insect does not properly fall in this genus, bnt appears to approach the mem-
bers belonging here more closely than it does any of the other forms known to me,
and for that reason is placed here, for the present at least.

Dracotettix plutonius n. sp.

A smaller species than the D. monstrosns, Avith a much lower median pronotal car-
ina and the vertex shorter and more depressed.

Vertex between the eyes about as Avide {S), or a little wider than the shortest
diameter of the eyes, shallowly sulcate throughout and diA'ided into longitudinal
halves by a rather ijromiuent median carina, most marked behind, the lateral edges
raised so as to form Ioav walls ; frontal costa of nearly equal Avidth throughout,
quite prominent to just below the ocellus ; below this point the face is perpendicular ;
antennae short, heavy, slightly broadened and flattened near the base, bluntly
pointed. Pronotnm in front a little wider than the head, the dorsum somewhat flat-
tened, with the lateral carime evenly diA^ergent posteriorly, nearly as prominent as
the median, which has its lobes rounded, anterior margin obtuse-angled, the pos-
terior acute-angled. Tegmina and wings abbreviated, acute, the inner margins not
quite touching in the female, and but A^ery slightly overlapping in the male, reach-
ing past the back edge of the tliird abdominal segment in the former and nearly to
the base of the supra-anal plate in the latter. Prosternal spine quite large, rounded
behind, straight or slightly concaA^e in front and Amry blnurly pointed.

The general color of this insect is dull grayish broAvn, the lighter color inclining to

2G8

NOETII AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

testaceous in the female and -wliitisli in tlie male. Face, pronotnm and tegmina,
with the hind femora streaked with white ( ) or dirty yellowish white ( 9 ). Hind

femora crossed above with three fuscous and three lighter bands, the inner face for
the most x^art black. Hind tihim and tarsi reddish on inner edges, gray outside.
Autennse infnscated on axiical half.

Length of body, 19''““., 9; 39'“'“.; of antennm, 6..5''''".; 9 8'“'".; of vertex,
(?,1.3'“"'., 9, 2.1"''“.; of pronotnm, 8""“., 9 , 12.30“''“. ; of tegmina, <?, 8.5'"'"., 9,
13“''“. ; of hind femora, <?', 10.75“''“., 9 7 15.2“'"'.

Tfahitat. — Panamiut Valley, April, and Argns Mountains, May, 1891.

Other representatives of the genns’ Hraeotettix have been taken in Arizonaj at Los
Angeles, in Napa County, and at Gilroy, Calif. Among the material thus gathered
at least three well-defined species are represented.

REPORT ON THE LAND AND FRESH-WATER SHELLS COLLECTED TN
CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA BY THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.
INCLUDING A FEW ADDITIONAL SPECIES OBTAINED BY DR. C. HART
MERRIAM AND ASSISTANTS IN PARTS OF THE SOUTHWESTERN
UNITED ST Am

By Eobt. E. C. Steabns, Pli. D.,

Adjunct Curator of the Dcjjartmeiit of Mollusks, U. S. National Museum.

The present report treats of tlie land and fresh water shells collected
in 1891 by the several subdivisions of the Death Valley Expedition, in
southern California and Nevada, between latitude 34° and latitude
38° N. Tlie routes followed by several of thes6 parties led them into
regions previously unexplored by naturalists, and specimens were se-
cured from numerous thermal and mineral springs in the arid deserts
of the southern j^art of the Great Basin, within the Colorado drainage
area. The most interesting forms obtained were the two species liere-
tofore referred to Tryonia, until recently regarded as obsolescent or
absolutely extinct, but which were found to be living, as elsewhere re-
marked. Helix magdalenensis, another interesting species described
from examples collected in the Mexican State of Sonora in 1889-’90
by Mr. Bailey, of Dr. Merriam’s Division of Biological Exploration,
was detected by Fisher and Nelson several degrees of latitude farther
to the north than the habitat of Bailey’s original examples and at a
very much higher altitude. This latter, by its presence at this north-
erl}- station, contriluites to onr i)i'evious knowledge and data bearing
upon the relations between the geograidiical distribution of species
an d en vi ronmeutal conditions or influences •, and two-fresh water forms,
not before known, were added to the molluscan fauna of the region
traversed by the ex];)edition.

In addition to the desert material, small collections were made in the
High Sierra and other parts of California, and a few- species are iu-
cluded from Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, collected by Dr. C. Hart
Merriam and assistants, while engaged in biological surveys of these
regions under the Department of Agriculture. This latter material is
important, as illustrating the geographical distribution of the species
concerned.

269

■270

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

lNo.7.

I.1ST UK SIIKI.I.S.

(i UtiidiiKi dcciismta.

ahijileijaiia.

fexasiaiia.

SI rep lost III a no lolcii si s .

Li III ax eampcsiris,

I'atula slriaiella.

Helix (Arioiila) inaiidaleneiisis.

colonaloeiisis.
moriiioii inn.
tiulivnlaia.
cypreophila.
arrosa.

{rraiieo J a) fjrisco I a .

herlandieriana.
( Jlcsodo II ) III i/roi des.
{Polynjira ) Icxasiana.

hicriiris.

Fupa ( Veriiyo) pcntodon,
Biiliiiiul n s dea lhaias.

alternatus.

serperastrm.

Succinea luieola.

oreyonciisis.

Liinnwa caperata.

Li III It (I a iiiithiliiiina.
lilt mil is.
hiiliiiioides.

Flanurbis lenlns.

iiebmanni.
parvus
frivol vis.

Flnjsa ijijrina.

hcierostropka.

Cari nifex newberriii.

Amnieola inicrocooeiis, sp. nov.
poraiu.

Tryonia elathrata.

Fluminicola fiisi a.

mcrriniiii.
fii-'ica minor.
niillaUiaiia,
Helicin a ch rrsoali ei I a .
tropica.

Anodonta nut, la II iana.

Unio anodoiiloides.

berlunclier'i .

Pisidiiini occideii lale.

Class -GASTROPODA.

Order PULMONATA.

Suborder GEOFHILA.

Glandina decussata Pfr.

Hidiilgo, Tamiinlipas, Mexico (Mas. No. 12.3571), William Lloyd, March, 1891.

These examples, three in number, are not decussated, but are scnlp-
tured od/y by the longitudinal incremental lines; they have the usual
g'lossy or semi polished surface characteristic of the group. These speci-
mens are rather between the variety singleijana and the typical decus-
sata., and indicate what is exhibited in other related forms, consijicu-
ously in the shells of G. truncata of Florida, a considerable range of
variation.

Glandina singleyana W. G. B.

? = G. decussata Pfr., variety.

Hidalgo, Tamaulipas, Mexico (Mus. No. 123572); also Monterey, Mexico (Mas. No.
123906), Feb., 1891, William Lloyd.

Two examples very close to G. texasiana, the principal difference
being the curve and form of the termination of the columella. This
seems to be the form that Mr. Binuey refers to as collected by Prof.
Wetherby in Bexar County, Tex., which he figures and calls decussata
var. singleyana in Bull. Mus. Comp. Zobl., Vol. xxii, Ku. 4, PI. 1, Fig.
4, pp. 1G3-203.

May, 1893.] MOLLUSKS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXTEDITIOA.

271

Glandiiia texasiana Ffr.

lirowiisville, T(}x. (Mils. .Xo. 123573), William Lliiyd.

Two specimens. An ample series of tbe above, ami tlie we.st Me.xican
G. alberai of the same author, miglit result in the rednctiou of the first
to a synonymous position.

Streptostyla sololeii.sis C. & F.

Mctoi'ia, Taiiiaiilii»a.s, Mexico (Mus. No. 123571), Williaiii Lloyd, Marcli 30, 1891.

“In the Sierra.” Though both examples are dead, and one broken,
they are sufficient to validate the above determination. The sjieeies
was described by Crosse and Fisher from Soldo (G-uatemala) specimens.

Limax campestris Biiniey.

South Fork of Kern Kiver, California (Mn.s. No. 123575), Vernon Bailey, July 8, 1891.

At an elevation of 2,700 feet; a single example. This may be Inger-
soll’s L. DIO Man us 01' a variety thereof, which he obtained in Colorado.
Ingersoll’s montamis and montanus var. castaneus, Binney’s ingersoili
and Heynemann’s wienlandi may be regarded, or at least strongly
suspected, of close relationship to Binney’s camijestris, which latter may
perhaps include Cooper’s L. var. occldentalis. •

Patula striatella Antli.

Kern liiver region, California (Mus. No. 123577), Vernon Bailey.

Numerous living examples at an altitude of 2,700 feet.

Helix (Arionta) magdalenensis Stearns.

Johnson Canon, Panamiut Mountains, California (Mus. No. 123578), April 11,1891,
Dr. A. K. Fisher; also additional specimens in the same region (Mus. No.
123579), April 18, 1891, Dr. Fisher and E. W. Nelson.

The foregoing species was described by mein theProc. U. S. National
Museum, Yol. xiii, pp. 207-208, from a few examples collected at or
near the town of Magdalena, State of Sonora, Mexico, November G,
1889, by Mr. Vernon Bailey. He detected it on a hill or mountain at
an elevation of about 1,000 feet above the town. The latitude of Mag-
dalena is about 31'^ N. The investigations of the Heath Valley Expedi-
tion have carried it far to the north of the above, to the Panamiut
region of California, where both Dr. Fisher and Mr. Nelson obtained
numerous living individuals. This discovery extends the area of the
distribution of H. magdalenensis northerly between six and seven degrees
of latitude. The place where these specimens were found in Johnson
Canon has an elevation of about (1,000 feet above the sea; the first lot
(No. 123578) were mostly bleached shells. The Fisher-Nelson series
(No. 123579) subsequently collected, is from a still higher elevation,
viz, 8,000 feet; here twenty-live living e.xamples were obtained, most
of them mature. The Mexican locality may ultimately prove to be
about the southerly limit of its distribution.

Helix (Arionta) coloradoensis Stearns.

licstiiig Springs, California (Mus. No. 123907), Yeriioii Bailey, February 12, 1891.

A single example, either alive when collected or quite fresh, was
detected by Mr. Bailey, who found it among rocks on a dry hill 900

272

K(3RT1I A:\IERICAN FAUNA.

[Xo.7.

feet above the springs. It is nearly white, witli the single band (piite
pale. This gives another loeality to the above speeies, first found in
the Grand Canon of the Colorado, opposite the Kaibab plateau at an
elevation of 3,500 feet, by Dr. C. Hart Merriain in 1800. Tlie Kesting
S])rings locality is in the southeastern part of Inyo County.

Helix (Arionta) mormonuni Pfr.

Mineral King, Tulare Couuty, Calif. (ISIus. No. 123580), September 10, 1801, Veriiou
Bailey.

The single fresh specimen, hardly mature, was Ibund among rocks
about 1,000 feet below the timber line, above the Empire mine.

Helix (Arionta) tudiculata W. G. B.

Three Rivers, Tulare County, Calif. (Mus. No. 123581), T. S. Palmer, July 27, 1891.

Three specimens, one a line living example, found at a point 8.50 feet
above the sea. These illustrate the trifling value that should be given
to the umbilical character in many of the land shells. The specimens
from which the author wrote his description were imperforate, while the
best example of Palmer’s has an entirely open umbilicus, the same as
many other individuals that I have observed before. A large series
will be seen to run from one extreme to the other, the variability of
this feature being the constant factor, paradoxical as it may appear.

Helix (Arionta) cypreophila Newc.

?=R. tudiculata W. G. B., variety.

Three Rivers, Tulare County, Calif. (Mus. No. 123582), July 27, 1891. T. S. Palmer.

Two examples, jirobably whole and fresh if not living at the time
they were collected, tvere detected by Mr. Palmer in the above region,
at an elevation of 850 feet. Dr. Newcomb’s specimens were found at
or near Copperopolis, in Calaveras County, Calif. Binney regards it
as a variety of tudiculata; it may be so. It is, however, so rare that I
have never seen specimens enough to enable me to come to a con-
clusion. Mr. Palmer’s examples, though imperfect, conspicuously
exhibit the characters that separate it from tudiculata. Perhaps a
large series of specimens might satisfactorily connect the two. The
dentition and genitalia have been investigated and were found by Mr.
Binney to be the same as in tudiculata. Judging by the Palmer shell
it is, to say the least, a decidedly well-marked variety.

Helix (Arionta) arrosa Gould.

Boulder Creek, Santa Cruz County, Calif. (Mus. No. 123583), Veruou Bailey,
October, 1891.

A single example, which may be regarded either as a dwarfed arrosa
or an elevated form of exarata; the latter is probably a geograxihical
as^iect of arrosa; Hemphill catalogues exarata as a variety of arrosa.
Helix (Praticola) griseola Pfr.

Hidalgo, Tamaulipas (Mus. No. 123584), and Monterey, Mexico (Mus. No. 123908),
February, 1891; also Brownsville, Tex. (Mus. No. 123585), 'William Lloyd,
July, 1891.

The three Texas shells are tine, broadly banded exam^iles and dark
colored; the others of the general or usual aspect,

May. MOLLUSKS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

273

Helix (Praticola) berlandieriaiia Mor.

Nueces Hay, Sail l^airieio (.!<tuiity (Mus. No. 128.086), Decc.iiiLer, 1891, ami .Malagorda
Peuiusula, 'J'exas (Mus. No. 123.187). .January 39, 1892, William J^loyd.

i^iimei'oLis exuui]»!e8 lioiii the former iii id two from tire latter locality.

Helix (Mesodon) tliyroides Say.

Natividad Kiver, Texa.s (Mus. No. 123.588), William Lloyd, .January 4, 1892.
Four due specimeus, oue immature; two with a small i>arietal tooth,
all of a dark amber horn color, and lustrous glazing'. These beautiful
examples, while fully as elevated as the larger of the three ligures (3.37)
ill Biuuey’s Manual of American Land Shells, Bull. U. S. National
Museum, No. 28, p. 31.5 .((1/. bucculentus), are somewhat larger and slightly
augulated at the peri])hery. The umbilicus is covered, peristome mod-
erately thick, size of shell considered. These are links in the chain of
connection of the typical thyroides with the bucculentus asxject.

Helix (Polygyra) texasiana Mor.

Natividad River, Texas (Mus. No. 123589), William Lloyd, January 4, 1892.

Two examples of this somewhat puzzling group. A comparison of
Bland’s triodontoides and Pfeiffer’s bicruHs creates the suspicion that
a large geographical series might result in placing two of the three
species in the 'waste basket of synonymy.

Helix (Polygyra) bicruris Pfr.

Brownsville, Tex. (Mus. No. 123594) ; Mouth, of Rio Grande, Texas. (Mus. No.
123168). William Lloyd.

Two examples, mature and perfect, from the first and one from the
last named locality. Heretofore credited to Mexico.

Pupa (Vertigo) pentodon Say.

Vegas Valley, Lincoln County, Nev. (Mus. No. 123590), Vernon Bailey, March 7, 1891.

The dozen or more examples of this tiny shell were detected by Mr.
Bailey at Cottonwood Springs at the east base of the Charleston Moun-
tains, otherwise known as the S^ji’ing Mountain range, of which the
principal elevation is called Charleston Peak. The region is in the most
southern part of Nevada. This species has not before been detected
so far to the 'west or anywhere within the vast area of the Great Basin
or the Pacific States.

Bulimulus dealbatu.s Say.

Monterey, Mexico (Mus. No. 123909), William Lloyd, February, 1891.

Four characteristic examples, mature and immature; dead shells.

Bulimulus alternatus Say.

Hidalgo, Tamaulipas, Mexico (Mus. No. 123592) ; Brownsville (Mus. No. 123691);
and Nueces Bay, San Patricio County, Tex. (Mus. No. 123593), William
Lloyd, December, 1891.

The four Mexican specimens are very fine examples of this species
and well illustrate the propriety of Say’s specific name. The alterna-
tion of the irregular, somewhat diaphanous, longitudinal bands with
others of a more opaque aspect is quite striking. Tiie examides from
the Texan localities are of the ordinary aspect.

12731— No. 7 18

274

NORTH AMRKICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Bulimulus serperastrns Say.

lIi(lalf>o, Taiiianliiia.s, jMexico (Mas. No. 128r)!l.a), Willi.aiii Lloj'd.

Tlnee good exiinii)les of this j)rctty si)0(-ies, the hugest 25"'"' long.
Like other speeies of the group, it varies eousiderably. JSoiiie individ-
uals are nuieh sleinh'rer than others; hiMice, (piite likely, the following
synonyms from Jhiiney’s Land and hresh . Water Shells of North
America (Part I, fig. 335, p. 192):

Jhtlimiis liebmanni Plr.

ziehmanni Rvo
BuJimus nitellnus Rve.

I agree with Binney; he is no doubt correct in the above inclusion.
Perhaps the californiGus of Keeve, Conch. Icon., 378, is a geograi)hical
aspect of serjierastrufi.

Succinea luteola Gould.

Hidalgo, Mexico (Mus. No. 123596), William Lloyd.

Three examples of fresh siiecimens.

Succinea oregoneusis Lea.

Kern EWer, California (Mus. No. 123597), Vernon Bailey.

The four living examples were detected by Mr. Bailey at an elevation
of 2,700 feet.

Suborder HYGUOPHILA.

Limnaea caperata Say.

Asli Meadows, Nevada (Mus. No. 123598), Dr. A. K. Fisher.

Numerous specimens, all dead and bleached. Some of these are
moderately angidated on the upper part of the basal whorl following
the suture; others strongly malleated; all of them are rather solid, and
the surface in many instances nearly smooth; in some examples the in-
cremental lines are sharply defined; in one the basal whorl is quite
shouldered above and malleated below, with hints of interrupted
threadlike keels (lirte), on the same whorl near the columella. Cooper
(Geog. Cat. No. 348) credits this species to ^ S. F. to Oregon,’ ‘ East-
ern States.’ Hemphill includes it (No. 91) in his little catalogue of the
land and fresh water shells of Utah. Call credits it living to ‘ Warm
Springs Lake ’ in the Bonneville Basin, Bull. U. S. Geol. Survey, No.
11, 1884. , J\Iy remarks relating to Linincva palmtris in Proe. U. S.
National Museum, Yol. xiy, 1891, are also applicable to the foregoing
species.

Limnaea mittalliana Lea.

—L. paJiistriis Mull., var.

Pauauiiut Valley, California (Mus. No. 123599), Dr. C. Hart ISIerriam.

Several examples with an unusually acute drawn-out spire; the
largest a nearly typical nuttaUiana-, nevertheless, this, like many other
so-called species of Limn cca, is but a local expression or variety of the
world-wide j)alustris.

iSiAY, 1S9.3.] MOLLUSKS OF THE HEATH VALLEY EXFEDTiTON.

275

Attention is enlled to my remarks under TAmncca Icpida of tlie pre-
vious year\s collection (1890), in Proc. U. S. Natiojial Musenm, Vol.
XIV, 1891.

Limiiaea humilis Say.

Keltoii, Utali Territory (Mus. No. 123600), Vernon Hailey, November 7, 1891.

One specimen in the dry clay Avasli, about 100 feet above the level
of the lake.”

Limiraea bulimoides Lea.

Mohave River, near Haggett, Moliavc Desert, San Bernardino County, Calif. (Mus.
No. 123910), Dr. C. Hart Merriain, March 31, 1891.

Six examples of this rather rare form, all dead and bleached.
Described by the late Dr. Lea, iii 1841, from examples collected by
Kuttall in Oregon. Since found at many x>ldves in the Pacific States
and in the Yellowstone region by Hayden’s Survey.

Plauorbis lentus Say.

Ash Meadows, Nevada (Mus. No. 123601), F. Stephens, March 2, 1891. Same region
(Mus. No. 123602), Dr. A. K. Fisher, March 15, 1891. Panamint Valley,
California (Mns. No. 123603 1, Dr. C. Hart Merriam. Brownsville, Tex. (Mus.
No. 123604), AVilliam Lloyd.

Only a few examxiles of the above are mature or full grown; these,
though of rather rude growth compared vdth specimens from more
southerly and less arid region.s, are much closer to what Say describes
as lentus than to his trivolvis.

Planorbis liebmanni Dkr.

Hidalgo, Tamaulipas, Mexico (Mus. No. 123606), William Lloyd, March, 1891.
ISTumerous examples of this easily recognizable species.

Planorbis parvus Say.

Mohave River near Daggett, Mohave Desert, San Bernardino County, Calif. (Mus.
No. 123911), Dr. C. Hart Merriam, March 31, 1891,

Three examxiles, bleached.

Planorbis trivolvis Say.

Fresno, Calif. (Mus. No. 123605), Vernon Bailey, September 22, 1891. Keeler, Calif.
(Mus. No. 123615), T. S. Palmer, June 1, 1891. Daggett, Calif. (Mus. No.
123912), Dr. C. Hart Merriam, March 31, 1891.

Mr. Bailey’s Presno shells were collected by him in an irrigation
ditch. The sxiecimens, of which there are scA^eral, were found living.
None of them are adult, being most of them but half grown; at this
stage they might be labeled P. tumens Oxir. Palme'r’s Inyo County
examxiles are dead shells, none adult, being about the same age as
Bailey’s. All of the above are simxily young trivolvis. Dr. Merriam’s
locality is in the Mohave Desert, near the river of the same name,
in San Bernardino County. Some of the examples are nearly typical
trivolvis^ others exhibit the corpulentus asxiect. In both the growth
lines are quite consxiicuous. The latter are listed herein as P. trivolvis
var. (Mus. No. 123913.)

276

NOliTlI AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Physa gyiiiia Say.

Hot Springs, Pauainint Valley, California (Mns. No. 12,S()07), April 22, 1801 ; also
Paliranagat Valley, Nevada (Mns. No. 121{(j()8), May 25, 1801; Daggett,
Moliavc Desert, California, Mareli 81, 1801 (Mas. No. 128011), Dr. C. Hart
Merriam. Carlick Springs, San Bernardino County, Cal. (Mns. No. 128G00),
March 14, 1801; Besting Springs, Inyo County, February 0, 1801 (Mns. No.
123916); Keeler, Inyo County, Calif. (Mas. No. 123610), Jnnel, 1801; Cornian
Station, 8 miles south of Fort Tejon, Cal., July 2, 1801 (Mns. No. 123611),
T. S. Palmer. Kern Eiver, California (Mas. No. 123612), and Fairlield,
Utah (Mas. No. 123613), Jane 25, 1890, Vernon Hailey. Hidalgo, Tamaalijtas,
Mexico (Mas. No. 123614); Monterey, Mexico (Mas. No. 123015), William.
Lloyd.

Dr. Merriam’s Hot Siirings examples of the above are fine large
dark- colored shells; they vary considerably in elevation of spire. In
the shorter spired individuals there is a tendency to tabulation or flat-
tening of the ujiper jjart of the body whorl, following the suture, sug-
gesting the shouldered aspect of Fhijsa humerosa, a common form on the
surface of the Colorado Desert. His Paliranagat Yalley lot are paler
and more elongated, with a higher and more acute spire, suggestive of
P. hypnorum.

Palmer’s Garlick Springs shells are nearer the typical form; taken as
a whole, in size, color, and general facies; some of them hint of Tryon’s
species diapliana^ a local varietal aspect of gyrina, found in the neigh-
borhood of San Francisco Bay. His Keeler examples, from the shores
of Owens Lake, are few in number; tva) of these are over rather than
of the usual size, and two are hardly adult; all are characteristic, form
considered. The Gorman Station lot, of which there is a large number,
also collected by Palmer, at a point 8 miles south of Fort Tejon, are
exceedingly uniform in size, color, and proportions; they are all adults,
of medium size, rather slenderer on the whole than the typical form,
but not as slender as Merriam’s Pahrauagat examples. Bailey’s five
specimens from the South Fork of Kern Eiver, at an elevation of
2,700 feet, are appareutly adults of a dwarfed form, less than half the
size of average typical adults; his Fairfield sx)ecimens were found in a
spring. At the first Mexican locality Mr. Lloyd found a single indi-
vidual; at Monterey, seven specimens; these latter exhibit the modifi-
cations in texture, solidity, etc., which so frequently characterize north-
erly forms of this and allied groups, where the distribution extends into
southerly or warmer regions.

Physa heterostropha Say.

Bounett Spring, Meadow Valley, Nevada (Mns. No. 123616), Dr. C. Hart Merriam,
May 20, 1891. Owens Valley, Inyo County, Calif. (Mas. No. 123617), F.
Stephens, July 7, 1891. Hot Sijrings, Panainint Valley, California (Mns.
No. 123618), Vernon Bailey, January 9, 1891. Brownsville, Tex. (Mns. No.
123619), William Lloyd.

Dr. Merriam’s Bennett Spring shells were found by him at a point
7 miles west of Meadow Creek, at an elevation of fi,fi00 feet; they
range Eom adolescent to mature, the largest being rather under than

MAy,lsn3.] MOLLUSKS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

277

11]) to tlie usnnl adult meau. Steplieiis’ specimens are all of one size,
under rather than up to the average mean of adults, and of that per-
l^lexing aspect so frequeutly exhibited in tlie fresh-water snails,
that make the use of one specific name instead of another simidy an
arbitrary matter. They would pass as subspecies of the above, or
(/i/rina. The numerous examples were detected at Moran’s, near Ben-
ton, Calif., at an altitude of 5,000 feet. Bailey’s Panamint Hot Springs
specimens are hardly more characteristic j they point suggestively to
the humerosa form, of the Colorado desert. Lloyd’s two Texas exam-
ples are dark amber colored and rather solid shells.

Cai'inifex newberryi Lea.

Keeler, Inyo County, Calif. (Mus. No. 123620), T. S. Palmer.

Numerous examples, in a bleached and semi-fossilized condition.
These exhibit, as is not unusual with this form, considerable \ ariation.
As additional information comes to us from time to time, the great
range of this species, first detected by Dr. J. S. Newberry, in the
Klamath Lake region of northern California, near the Oregon line, and
described by Dr. Lea in 1858, becomes exceedingly instructive and
interesting. Hemphill collected it living in the neighborhood of Keeler,
which is near the margin of Owens Lake, several years ago. Dr.
Edward Palmer obtained it in Utah Territory, near Utah Lake, in the
Wahsatch Mountains, and it has been found in the Tertiaries of
Nevada (King’s Survey). “ In the Lahontan Basin it ranges from the
shores of Walker’s Lake, north to Button’s Ranch, Christmas Lakes,
Oregon, where it is found semi-fossil” [Call]. Utah Lake is the east-
ernmost locality as yet known.

Order PKOSOBEANCHIATA.

Suborder PECTINIBBANCHIATA.

Section Taenioglossa.

Amnicola micrococcus Pilsbry, sp. uov.

Shell minute, globose, with short conic siiine and narrow umbilicus.
Whorls 3|, convex, especially below the sutures, the apex
very obtuse. Surface smooth, light olive colored. Aj)er-
ture ovate, about half the length of the entire shell, bluntly
angled above; the inner lij) is either free from the preced-
ing whorl, or in contact only at the upper part. Alt. 1.5,
diam. 1.3'“™.

A smaller species than A. fjranum Say, with oval instead
of round aperture and shorter spire.

Type from small spring in Oasis Valley, Nevada (Mns. No. 123622), Dr. C. Hart
Merriam, Jnne, 1891. Collected also in Death Valley by Nelson and Bailey, Feb-
ruary 4, 1891 (Mus. No. 123904).

Several examples of this quite minute shell were detected in a small
spring. This is a form not heretofore observed and an exceedingly

278

NOETH AMKETOAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

interesting little species. It was referred to Mr. Pilsbiy for determi-
nation and description.

Amnicola porata Say.

Kelton, Utah (Mus. No. 123625), Vernon Bailey, November 7, 1891.

Two examples in tlie dry clay wash about 100 feet above tbe lake.

Bythinella protea Gonld (Stearns).

= Amnicola i^rotea Gonld, 1855.*

= Melania exigua Conrad, 1855.

= Tryonia gjrotoa Binney et anet.

Bythinella seemani Fran. (Pilsbry).

—Hydrohia seemani Frau. 1863. t

Saratoga Springs, Death Valley (Mus. No. 123905) ; .Tannary 30, 1891, E. tV, Nelson;

Fe-bruary 4, 1891, Vernon Bailey.

Several hundred living specimens were obtained at the springs by
Mr. litelson and a large number in a marsh near the siirings by Mr.
Bailey. Associated with them were a few examples of Amnicola
micrococcus Pilsbry before mentioned.

In explanation of the foregoing synonymy it should be stated that
Bythinella jjrotea is All exceedingly variable form, including examples
that have a perfectly smooth surface, and others that are variously
sculptured. In all, whether sculptured or otherwise, the apex whorls
are smooth. The smooth form, like those referred to below, has the ap-
pearance in every respect of an atten nated, slender drawn out Bythinella,
like nicldiniana, described by the late Dr. Lea in 1839, and it, protea,
may ultimately be regarded as belonging to Lea’s s])ecies.

B. seemani as identified by Mr. Pilsbry appears to be the smooth
variety or aspect of Gould’s Tryonia protea {=Mela)iia exigua Conrad).

Frauenfeld’s description is based upon examples from Durango, Mex-
ico. The National Museum contains a number of specimens from
Andocutira in the State of Michoacan, Mexico, from the bed of an
ancient lake. These latter are no doubt the same as the Durango
shells; they are perfectly smooth, of a porcellaneous whiteness and
texture, and in no way different from the smooth form of B. protea, with
which they have been repeatedly and carefully compared. The Mich-
oacan region is nearly 1,800 miles south of the Colorado desert.

The granulose form or variety agreeing with figs. 141 and 142 of
Binney,! detected near the line of the Southern Pacific Eailroad in
June, 1888, by Mr. 0. E. Orcutt, of San Diego. He found them living
in pools at Indian or Fish Springs, some 15 miles northwest of the station
on said road, known as Salton. The pools, of which there are several,
varying from 10 to 20 feet across, are situated at the base of the San
Jacinto range of mountains. They are only a few feet deep and are

* Pacific Eailroad Eeports, v, 1855, p. 332.

t Verbandluiigen der k. k. zoologiscb-botaniscbeu Gesellscbaft in Wien, .Tabr-
gang 1863, p. 1025.

bSee Land and Fresb Water Shells of North America, Smithsonian Misc. Collec-
tions 144, Sept. 1865, p. 72.

May, 1893.] MOLLUSIv.S OF TllE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 27 tJ

suiTomided and shaded by talcs. The water is warm; in Mr, Orcatt’s
jadgment not ander 100° E,, and tastes like the water of the Bos Pal-
mas Spring’, 0 miles north of Salton on the opposite side of the desert, at
the base of the Ohackawalla or Lizard Moantaius. “An analysis of the
Dos Palma s Spring water gives slight traces of alam , soda and salidiar and
shows that considerable salt is held in solution, bat it is not too salt for
ase. These springs are all below the present sea level aboat 100 feet,
jadging from the fact that Salton lying in the depression between
Dos Palmas and Indian Springs, is reported to be 250 feet below sea
level from actaal measaremeuts.” Specimens from this place kindly
presented by Mr. Orcatt* are contained in the l^ational Maseam (hTo.
104886).

Mr. Pilsbry remarks as to B. seemani, “ it is indeed mach like a
smooth Tryonia. I wonder whether the Tryonias are not simply
examples of this, isolated in a gradaally evaiiorating basin, becoming
more and more saline ! However this may be, the shells yoa sabmitted
to me for my determination are the real seemaniJ^

GoakPs nameiirotm is eminently approjiriate; besides the smooth
form herein discassed and inclasively regarded as the same as Fraaen-
fekPs, and Orcatt’s Indian Springs granalose examples, we find other
varietal aspects and the scali)tare varying between faint or barely dis-
cernible, to moderately defined or conspicaoas. Sometimes the shells
are shoaklered or angalated on the apper side of the whorls, often trav-
ersed spirally by slender liree or threads, and these again modified by
longitadinal ribs or costae. And the proportions of the shells in shape
also vary exceedingly ; sometimes drawn oat, elongated, attenaated,
and slender, again short and robast. The moath smaller or larger;
the whorls varying in convexity and all of these aspects of scalptare
and form, are seen, when handredsofspecimens are examined, to inter-
grade or l^lend together in a greater or less degree. Occasionally
there is an example that hints of Stimpson’s dathrata, bat I have not
thas far been able to connect the two forms. Again referring to Mr,
Pihsbry’s note, writing of seemani he says “it is no doabt a Bythinellaf
related qaite closely to oar nidcliniana2’

Withoat here considering the niceties of generic distinction between
HydroMaX (in which Eraaenfeld placed his species seemani), and
Bytliinella, it will readily occar to the reader, that a form so variable,
woald be likely in some phase of its variation to closely approach it
not absolately and inseparably resemble individaals of other species
belonging to more or less intimately related, thoagh geographically
widely separated groaps. .

*See Orcutt’s notes in West American Scientist, September, 1888, and May, 1889.

t Agreeiiif^ with Mr. Pilsbry on this point, it will be seen that I have adopted the
generic name, Bytliimlla, for Dr. Gonld’s species.

XVide Stimpson’s Researches upon the Hydrobiina?, etc., Smithsonian Misc. Coll.,
201, August, 1865.

280

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Tlie suggestion that arises from the study of the forms above re-
viewed, and the regions and conditions to whicli they are related, point
to the causes that induce variation, and to tlie permanency of species
and genera, or to the mutability of the same, as dependent on environ-
mental factors, forces, or conditions. If we are warranted in assuming
or to indulge in the speculation, that with volume of water ample or
maximum and chemical proportions as related to volume minimum our
Tryonias would be smooth; and that the smooth form that so largely
prevails or dominates in the various species of the Bythinellas and
related groups is in a conventional sense of the word, normal, then we
may reasonably assume that upon the reversal of these conditions which
are environmental and apparently fundamental, with volume of icater
mimimum and with chemical proportions as related to volume of icater
maximum, these xihenomena of variation may be attributed, because
they are so generally coincident with the latter or alternative charac-
ter of the environment, though temperature conditions probably have
more or less influence.*

At times, no doubt, the flow of water from the springs where these
forms occur is comparatively excessive, and there follows a limited lo-
cal extension of distribution or occupancy in the immediate region,
equal to the area covered by the overflow. With the decline of the
waters and the evaporation or drying up that follows, the larger areas
are inhabitable for awhile, as the mollusks of this general group possess
remarkable vitality, and can live for a long time away from, or with-
out water, in damp mud, by burying themselves below the surface.

The soil or mud in the immediate region of alkaline or saline springs,
through repeated oveiflow and evaporation, becomes supersaturated
with the bitter chemicals, and it would seem that in course of time
these conditions might play some xiart in inducing variation in the
progeny of those individuals that xmssessed sufficient vitality to sur-
vive or to adapt themselves to these conditions. In many jdaces, it is
not unreasonable to suiiiiose that such or similar conditions are an ever-
present and operative influence within the environment.

I have heretofore t called attention to the remarkable variation exhib-
ited by the ]iond snails, Physa, of the Colorado Desert, so abundant in
and around Indio. In these the sculi)tural feature has no part, but the
forms jiresent not only the normal asi)ect of several well-known species,
but the varietal phases, furnish connecting hides between them, as well
as extraordinary extremes to the extent of distortion.

Now these alternations of conditions are exactly what have occurred
within the vast area, in various jdaces of which, these forms occur.

No doubt there are many other springs still living (flowing) within
the general region that aw^ait examination. The territory inhabited by
Gould’s siiecies includes not only the localities from whence Merriam,

*In tins coiiuection see Call’s interesting and able paper '‘On the Quaternary and
Recent Mollnsca of the Great Basin/’ etc., Bull. 11, U. S. Geol. Survey, 1884.

t Am. Naturalist, October, 1883, pp. 1014-10ti0.

Mat, 1803.] MOLLUSKS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDTITON. 281

ISTelsoii, Bailey, and Orcutt collected living examples, ljut jilaces still
farther north, in the Great Basin so-called; for certain forms collected
by Dr. Yarrow* in 1872 on the shores of Sevier Lake, middle Utah,
though unfortunately few in number and somewhat weathered, were
regarded by the late Mr. Tryon, to whom the specimens were sub-
mitted, as a representative of the genus and are referable

to no other form. (Mus. No. 739G0.)

In course of time living specimens from new localities may come to
our knowledge, as they have within the jiast five years, since Orcntt
led the way with his Indian Springs collection, and it may be found,
that in springs where the water is comparatively iiermanent in volume
and sweet, the smooth form prevails, and mce versa, so far as quantity
and quality of water and the matter of shell characters. Information
on these points is now what is wanted.

Tryonia clathrata Stimpson.

Pahranagat Valley, Nevada (Mns. No. 123,621), Dr. C. Hart Merriam, May 25, 1891.

This is the veritable form described by the late Dr. William Stimpson
in February, 1865, from the dead bleached specimens collected by Prof.
William P. Blake on the surface of the Colorado Desert, while con-
nected with one of the Pacific Eailroad surveys, nearly forty years ago.
Prof. Blake found it together with other small fresh-water gastropod
shells, including Gould’s Amnicola protea. Subsequently Gen. Carl-
ton collected several examples of T. clathrata while on his way east with
his command in 1861-’62, but in neither ease is the exact locality of
Blake’s or Carlton’s specimens stated. In neither of the lots collected
by them were there any living examples; all were of a porcelaneous
whiteness, the same as the innumerable bleached specimens of the more
common protea-exigua form, that are spread over the surface of the
desert. Of the thousands of these latter that I have received and col-
lected along the line of the Southern Pacific Eailroad, not a single ex-
ample of clathrata has rewarded me for the time expended in the effort
to find a specimen by the subsequent examination of the material from
this part of the desert. Dr. Merriam’s find indicates a more easterly
and less southerly distribution for clathrata, and quite likely it may
prove to be less abundant than its ally. Dr. Merriam’s examples were
found in a hot sirring; the temperature of the water as noted being
97° F.

Fluminicola fusca Hald.

Kelton, Utali Territory (Mas. No. 123623), Vernon Bailey, November 7, 1891.

Five semifossilized examples were detected in the dry wash of a clay
bank at an elevation of about 100 feet above the lake.

Fluminicola merriami Pilsbry and Beecher, t

“Shell small, globose- turbinate, narrowly but distinctly and deeply
umbilicated. Spire low-conic, acute; whorls four, slightly shouldered

*U. S. Geol. Survey, W. of the lOOtb iMeridiau, Aol. V, j). 948.
tTbe Nantilns, vol. A^, A])ril 1892, p. 143.

2.S2

NORTH AIMERTCAN FAUNA.

[No.7.

l)(‘lu\v the sutures, the u])pev-lateral ])ortioii rather flattened, periphery
and base eoiivex. Surface smooth, horn-colored. Aperture oblique,
ovate, angled above, broadly rounded below; ui)per i)ortionof the inner
lip adherent to the body-Avhorl, lower portion arcuate, without a callous
thickening.

‘‘Alt. 3, diain. 2^™'".

“Collected from a v^arm spring (temperature 97° F.) in Pahranagat
Valley, ISTevada, by Dr. C. Hart Merriam, and submitted to the writer
by Dr. E. E. C. Stearns.

“ This species differs from F. fusca Hald., in the much more distinct
umbilicus, thiu texture, and the non-tliicliened inner lip.

“ Specimens may be seen in the National Museum
(No. 123626) collected at Warm Springs, Pahrana-
gat Valley, Nevada, by Dr. C. Hart Merriam, May
25, 1891.”

This form, not previously described, is regarded
by Mr. Pilsbry, who is an authority on the shells
of this and allied groups, as a new species. It
was found associated Avith Tryonia clathrata, else-
^ where noted, the temperature of the water being

Ing. 2. rinminicolanier- ' _ ^

07^

riami. c/ 1 x .

Fluminicola fusca Hald. var. minor.

Asia MeadowSj Xyc County^ Nevada (Miis. No. 123624), F. riteplieus, Mr/pch 4, 1891.
Numerous (200) living siAecimeiis of nearly uniform size in spring.

Fluminicola iiuttalliana Lea.

Shoshone Falls, Idaho (Mus. No. 58596).

A large number of specimens, probably as many as two hundred and
fifty, were collected at this locality by Dr. Merriam (October 10, 1890),
who found them clinging to the rocks in the stream. They vary consider-
ably in elevation of the spire, etc., but the form of the mouth is quite
persistent.

A dwarfed bnt characteristic aspect of this species occurs among the
surface shells in the Colorado Desert.

Suborder SC UTIBRAKCRTA TA.

Section RiiiroDOGLOSSA.

Helicina clirysocheila Binney.

Hidalgo, Tamanlipas, Mexico (Mus. No. 123627); also Texas near the month of the
Rio Grande (Mus. No. 123167), AVilliam Lloyd.

Four cliaracteristic illustrations of this well marked and handsome
species described in Binney’s Terr. Air-breathing Moll., U. S., Vol. ii,
p. 354, 1851. In addition to the above number, two were obtained at
the Texan locality.

* Inadvertently omitted in my previous list, bnt included in list published in N.
Am. Fauna, No. 5, 1891, p. 27.

may,ir93.] mollurks of the death valley expedition. 28.3

Heliciua tropica Jiiu.

Brownsville, Tck. (Mas. N'o. 123628), William Lloyd.

A single example.

Class PELECYPODA.

Order TETRABRANCTII ATA.

Suljorder SUBMYTILACEA.

Anodonta nuttalliana Left.

Keeler, Calif. (Mus. No. 123629), T. S. Palmer.

One semifossil examiile.

Unio anodontoides Lea.

Brownsville, Tex. (Mus. No. 123630); Mier, Tamaulipas. Mexico, May 4, 1891 (Mus.
No. 123632), William Lloyd.

The Brownsville examples are less elongated than usual in this species.
The Mexican specimens are full grown and of the usual proportions.

These localities are believed to be much farther south than heretofore
reported.

Unio berlandieri Lea.

Mier, Tamaulipas, Mexico (Mus. No. 123631), William Lloyd, May 4, 1891.

The examples of this species are nearly full grown adults and of the
characteristic aspect.

Suborder CONCHACEA.

^isidium occidentale Newc.

Oasis Valley, Nevada (Mus. No. 123633), Dr. C. Hart Merriam, .Tune 2, 1891.

Several examples. Tlie above place is on the western edge of the
Ealstou Desert; in Nye Coimtyj Nevada.

NOTES ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF TREES AND SHRUBS IN THE DES-
ERTS AND DESERT RANGES OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. SOUTHERN
NEVADA, NORTHWESTERN ARIZONA, AND SOUTHWESTERN UTAH.

By C. Hart Merkiam, M. D.

Tlie present cliapteris made np of a multitude of disconnected notes,
jotted down on horseback while traversing the deserts and desert
ranges of the southern part of the Great Basin. These notes relate to
the vertical and geographical distribution of the trees and shrubs ob-
served by me in April, May, and June, 1891, along the route traveled
from the north end of Cajon Pass, in the San Bernardino Mountains,
California, to the St. George Valley, at the foot of the Hurricane Cliffs,
in southwestern Utah, and thence westerly across Nevada to Owens
Valley, California, and southward and south westward to the extreme
end of the western tongue of the Mohave Desert (Antelojje Valley),
including the several passes (Walker, Tehachapi, and the Canada de
las Uvas) by means of which communication is established between the
Mohave Desert on the southeast, and the Bakersfield Plain, or upj)er
San Joaquin Valley, on the northwest. A detailed itinerary of this
trip may be found in Part I of the report. In a few instances, notes
made by other members of the expedition are added and duly accred-
ited; a small number of non-woody plants are admitted to render the
list more useful, and in addition to the desert species a few from the
Sierra Nevada, mainly conifers, are included.

Most of the desert shrubs are social plants and are distributed in
Ayell-marked belts or zones, the vertical limits of which are fixed by
the tem[)erature during the period of growth and reproduction. Since
the temperature at this season in places of the same latitude depends
mainly on altitude, base level, and slope exposure, it follows that the
boundaries of the several belts conform largely to the contours of alti-
tude, with such flexures as variations in base level and slope exposure
impose.

The principal plant zones conform also to the animal zones, as defined
by the limits of distribution of terrestrial mammals, birds, and reptiles.
But since these Life Zones are discussed in the first part of the report

285

28G

NUJiTII AMKKK'AN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

tlioy will not 1)0 coiisidored lioro. It shoiihl bo luoiitioiicd, liowovor,
that oaoli ol‘ the life zones is subdivisible both latil ndinally and longitu-
dinally, and that while the former divisions are clearly dependent oii
temperature, the causes controlling; the latter are not always well under-
stood. (Such local factors as soil and slope are not here referi-ed to.
The most marked longitudinal divisions, so far as the Great Basin is cou-
eerued, are those of the Lower Sonoran Zone, which may be designated
the Larrca belt and the (rrayia belt. The creosote bush {Larrca triden-
tata)m the most conspicuous, most widely distributed, and best-known
bush of the torrid deserts of the southwest, where it covers the gravel
soils up to a certain line, which probably marks the southern limit
of killing frost. The Larrea belt is the most important of all from the
horticultural standpoint, because it is suited to the requirements of the
citrus fruits, the olive, almond, fig, and raisin grape. Associated with
the Larrea, and coinciding with it in distribution, is the inconspicuous
Franseria dumosa. Another species occupying the same gravel soils,
but less generally distributed, is the beautiful and fragrant Krameria
parvifolia. The alkali soils of the same belt are covered with grease-
woods of the genus Atriplex, of which A. polyca}pa is the most charac-
teristic. The Grayia belt, named from its most distinctive and wide-
spread huBli {Grayia spinosa), occupies the strix) between the upper
limit of Larrea and the lower border of the true sage brush {Artemisia
tridentata), which latter indicates the beginning of the Ux)per Sonoran
Zone. Other shrubs of the Grayia belt are the dark Goleoyyne raniosis-
sima, which resembles Krameria parvifolia in general appearance, but
belongs to a different order and has yellow flowers; the handsome
Tetradymia spinosa and T. glabrata; the fetid Thamnosma montana;
the stunted Menodora spinosa, whose conspicuous green berries always
grow in pairs; and the singular whose inflated cap-

sules are borne away by the wind and lodge in great numbers upon the
spiny cactuses. Certain shrubs range over the whole breadth of the
Lower Sonoran Zone, occurring alike in the Larrea and Grayia belts.
The most noticeable members of this category are the olive-colored
Ephedra nevadensis, which has no apparent foliage and is used as a
medicine by the Indians and miners; the handsome Daleas, with their
blue and purx3le flowers, and Lycium andersoni, which bears a small
edible fruit.

The true sage brush {Artemisia tridentata) begins with a solid front
along the southern border of the Upx)er Sonoran Zone and spreads
northward over the Great Basin like a monstrous slieet, covering almost
without a break hundreds of thousands of square miles. It is not
only the most striking and widely diffused plant of the Fpper Sono-
ran and Transition zones, but as a social plant has few equals, often
occupying immense areas to the exclusion of all but the humblest and
least conspicuous forms. Wherever one travels in this vast region,
the aromatic odor of the sage brush is always xJresent, and some*

May, 1893.] SHKUBS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

287

tiiDCS, particularly after rains, is su powerful as to cause pain in tlie
nostrils..

In addition to the sage, many of the desert ranges sup])ort a growth
of shrubs and small trees rarely if ever found on the intervening-
deserts and plains, whatever the altitude. This seems to be due in
part to increased moisture and in part to the jihysical character of the
slopes. The so-called cedar iJunvperus californica utaheunit,-) and the
pihon or nut pine {Pinus mompliylla) clothe the summits and higher
slopes of many of the ranges, forming stuuted open forests of much
beauty. Mixed with these are scattered clumps of bushes represent-
ing a number of genera, most of which bear green foliage and hand-
some dowers. Conspicuous among them are Berheris fremonti, Ceano-
tlius fremonti, Bhus trilobata, Rohinia 7ieomcxicana, Cercis occidentalism
Frunus fascicnlata, Kunzia tridentata [until recently known as Fur-
shia], Coioania, mexicana, Fallugia paradoxa, Amelanchier alnifoUam
Peraphijlliim ramosissimum, Garrya veatcMi flavescens, and Symphori-
carpos longifoUus. Scrub oaks of two species (Quercuy gambelii and Q.
nndulata) are common in places; the green Ephedra viridis is almost
universally present, and the mescal {Agave utabensis) occurs on a few
of the sloiies.

Some of the desert ranges, as the Funeral Mountains, are too exces-
sively hot and arid to support even these forms of vegetation; others,
as the Charleston Mountains, push their lofty summits into so cold an
atmosphere that they obtain a covering of the boreal pines and firs.
These higher mountains, Avhen rising from the Lower Sonoran deserts,
present in succession all the extra tropical zones of FTorth America,
which, from their close juxtaposition, may be here studied to unusual
advantage.

In ascending or descending such slopes the change from one zone to
another is quickly recognized and the altitude of first appearance of
the various new species encountered may be recorded with considera-
ble confidence. Iilot so, however, with the species lost, for, except in the
case of trees and such strikingly conspicuous forms as the yuccas, some
of the cactuses, the creosote bush {Larrca), and a few others, it is ex-
ceedingly difficult to detect the disappearance of species wheu passing
out of their ranges. A close parallel occurs in the study of bird migra-
tion. Every observer reports the first appearance of the newcomers in
spring,Vhile but few have any record of disappearance in autumn.

In order to make sure of the upper and lower limits of species on a
mountain side the same line should be traversed both up and down the
slope, which it was impossible to do in the limited time at our disposal.
In cases where this is done the resulting altitudes relate to aitarticular
slope oidy and too often to a canon or wash on that shq^e, so that they
can not always be accepted as fair averages for the base level and slope
exposure to which they properly iiertain.

Most of the altitudes were determined by aneroid barometer and are

288

NUirJ'II AiMKRICAN FAUNA.

IN.*. 7.

only approximate, l)ecii use of the .scarcity of Itasti slaliuiis of known
elevation. All altitudes are reeordi'.d in nieteis, and (‘<iuivalents in
English feet are given in i)arenthe.ses. The.se ecpiivaleuts are stak'd
ill round numbers to avoid the appearance of a degree of jui'.cisiou
unwarranted by the altitudes themselves. Wliile in some instances
the absolute altitudes are doubtless considerably in error, their rela-
tive values are not impaired, for they still serve to show the vertical
extent of the belts occupied by the various species and the elevation
in respect to fixed points.

For aid in the determination of species I am indebted to my assist-
ant, Mr. Vernon Bailey, who was with me in the field, and to Mr. F. V.
Coville, botanist of the expedition, who unfortunately was with me
only ten days at the end of tlie trip. Mr. Coville is responsible for the
nomenclature and sequence of genera here adopted.

LIST OF IT.EES AND SI1RUI5S.

Berheris fremonti.

Arctomecon, calif oru iemn.

merriami,

Stanlcija innnata.

Isomcris arhorea.

arlorea glohosa.
Krameria liarvifolia.

canescens.

Ma Ivasfr ii m rotun d ifo li nm.
Splueralcea vionroana.
Fremovtodendron callforniciim.
Larrea iridoitala.

Th a mn asm a m on (ana.

Mortonia scabrella.
Glossapctalon nevadense,
sjyincscens.
Bhamnns crocea.

Ceanoilms fendleri.

divaricai as.
caneatas.

JEsculiis calif ornica.

Acer V eg undo.

Bhits triJohafa.

diversiloba.

Dalea polyadenia.
fremonti.
johnsoni.

Bobinia neomexicana.

Cassia armata.

Ccrcis occidenialis,

Prosopis jn liflora.

pubescens.

Acacia greggii.

Vrunus fasciciilata.

virginiana (or demissa).
andersoni.

Basi lima m iUefoliam.
Holodiscus discolor.

A denostoma fascica la ( a >ii.
Kunzia glandalosa.
trident ata.

Coleog yne ramosissim a.
Cercocarpus ledifoli us.

parvifolins.
Cowania mcxicana.

Fallugia paradoxa.

Bosa sp. — ?

Hcteromeles arbutifolia.

A melanchier ahiifo Ha .

Be rap by I lum ramosissim am.
Bibes leptanthum brachyanihum.

menziesit.

PetaJonyx parryi.

Fuenide urens.

G a rrya veatchi i flavescens.
Symphoricarpos longiflorus.
Amphiachyris fremoniii. •
Acamptopappus spliarocephalus.
Aplopapjms monactis.

Bigelovia douglassi.

graveolens.

teretifoUa.

Baccharis glutinosa.

Pluchea sericea.

Ilymenoclea salsola.

Franseria dumosa.

eriocentra.

Encelia frutescens.

Artemisia tridentata.

spinescens,

arbuscula.

filifolia.

May,18D3.] sheubs of the death valley expedition.

280

LIST OF TKEES AND S1IRU13S — COlltillUod.

Pen ceaphyllum schottii.

A Inns rli om hi folia.

Tetradymia canescena.

Quercus undulata.

glabrata.

gamhelii.

spinosa.

lobala.

comosa (or stenolcpis).

douglasii.

Arclostaphylos glauca.

wislizeni.

p ungens.

Icelloggii.

Menodora spinescena.

dumosa.

Fraxinus coriacea.

Castanopsis civvy sopliylla.

anomala.

Salix longifoUa.

Friodictyon tomentosum.

Iwvigata.

Lycium andersoni.

nigra.

eooperi.

Fopulus J’remoniii.

pallidum.

Ephedra nevadensis.

torreyi.

viridis.

Chilopsis linearis.

Finns nionophylla.

Salvia carnosa.

ponderosa.

jnlosa.

ponderosa scopulorum.

Salazaria mexieana.

jeffreyi.

Jfriplex canescens.

murrayana.

confertifolia.

. balfouriana.

hymenelytra.

aristata.

lentiformis.

sabiniana.

parryi.

monticola.

poly car pa.

lambertiana.

torreyi.

flexilis.

Grayia spinosa.

Abies magnifica.

Eurotia lanata.

concolor.

Allenrolfea occidentalia.

Fseudotsuga niacrocarpa.

Simda suffrutescens.

Sequoia gigantea.

Sarcoiatus laileyi.

Libocedrus decurrens.

vermiculatus.

Juniperus calif ornica.

Eriogonum polifolium.

calif ornica u tab ensis.

inflatum.

ocddentalis.

Chorizanthe rigida.

ocddentalis monosperma.

Platanus ocdden talis.

Betula oGcidentalis.

Tumion californicuni.

Berberis fremonti.

This large sliruh, bearing handsome yellow flowers, is common on

the less arid of the desert ranges,
ing localities :

where it was observed in the follow-

NEVADA.

Charleston Mountains. — Found on west slope, near Mountain Spring,

at an altitude of 1,680 to 1,770 meters (5,500-5,800 feet).

Pahranagat Mountains. — Common, and ranges down on the east slope
to 1,580 meters (5,200 feet).

Hungry Hill Summit. — Common,

, beginning just north of the summit

and passing down the south side

toward the North Arm of Indian

Spring Valley to 1,525 meters (5,000 feet).
12731— No. 7 19

290

NOKTJI AMERICAN FAUNA.

LXo. 7.

UTAH,

Beaverdam Mouniahis. — Abundant, raiigiiig down to l,;3o0 meters
(4,400 feet) on tlie AA^est slope, and to 1,100 meters (3,000 feet) on the
east slope. In full bloom May 11; tioAA^ers deep rich yelloAu.

ZTpper Santa Clara Yalhnj. — Begins about 13 kilometers (8 miles)
northwest of St. George, at an altitude of about 1,280 meters (4,200
feet), and ranges thence northerly, scattering over the rocky hillsides.

Arctomecon californicum.

One of the most interesting incidents in the botanical line connected
with the present expedition is the rediscovery of this elegant poppy,
the type of which Avas collected by Fremont in Yegas Desert, southern
Nevada, May 3, 1844.* On the very same spot, and within forty-eight
hours of the same day of the month (May 1, 1891), Mr. Bailey and I
found the species in full bloom, growing in large patches, and secured
a fine series of specimens. AYith it was a second species ecxually large
and handsome, but having white instead of yellow flowers, which jAroved
to be undescribed, and which has been since named A. merriami. A.
californicum was afterAvard found near Bitter Sj)rings in the Muddy
Mountains (May 5), and in the Amargosa Desert between Ash MeadoAvs
and Oasis Yalley (May 31).

Arctomecon merriami.

As stated above, this new and handsome poppy, with white floAvers
measuring 50”'“ (about 2 inches) in diameter, was discovered by Mr.
Yernon Bailey and myself in Yegas Desert, southern Nevada, betAveen
Lower Cottonwood Springs and Yegas Spring, May 1, 1891. It Avas
found in company with the yelloAA^-floAvered species (A. californicum)^
from which it differs in the leaves and fruit as well as in the flower.
The botanist of the expedition, Mr. F. Y. Ooville, has x)aid me the
comx)liment of attaching my name to the s^Decies and has figured it in
his forthcoming report.!

Stanleya pinnata.

This miserable crucifer, which attains a height of 4 or 5 feet, has a
woody base, Avhile the top is herbaceous. It was not seen in Utah nor
eastern Nevada, but Avas common in some of the deserts of western
Nevada and eastern California. It or a closely allied siDecies was noted
at the following localities :

CALIFORNIA.

Oicens Yalley. — Common in places, and ranging up the west slope of
the White Mountains to 1,970 meters (6,500 feet).

Beep Spring Yalley. — Common in the higher jAarts of the valley.

*Eept. of ExjiloriDg Expedition to Roclcy Mountains in 1842 and to Oregon and
North California in 1843-44, by Capt. J. C. Fremont, AA’'ashington, 1845 (Senate Doc..
174, Twenty-eighth Congress, second session), p. 312, Botany, PI. II.
tProc. Biol. Soc., AVashingtou, voh Vii, May 18, 1892, p. 66.

May, 1893.] S11RUJ5S OF THE DEATH VAI.LEY EXPEDITION.

201

NEVADA.

Fish Lalce Valley. — Kot found in the liottom of tlie valley, but tolera-
bly common on the southeast side up to an altitude of 1,950 meters
(0,400 feet) in a wash leading up towards Pigeon Spring, on the north-
west slope of Mount Magruder.

Grai^evine Canon. — Occurs in the upper part of the canon.

Sarcohatus Flat. — Tolerably common in places in the northern part of
the flat.

Oasis Valley. — Occurs sparingly.

Pahranayat Valley. — Common in places, ranging up to about 1,525
meters (5,000 feet) on the v^est side of the valley. ^

Isomeris arborea.

The hills at the head of Antelope Valley, at the extreme west end of
the Mohave Desert (altitude 1,160 meters, or 3,800 feet) were dotted
with chimps of Isomeris, bearing yellow flowers and large inflated pods^
the last week in June. It was abundant in a wash leading south from
this point toward Peru Creek, and was found also in the lower part of
the open canon leading from Mohave up to Tehachapi.

Isomeris arborea globosa.*

This new subspecies of Isomeris was described by Mr. Coville from
specimens collected near Calieiite, at the head of the San Joaquin
Valley, California, where Ave found it common along Caliente Creek, a
feAv miles east of the station, June 24, 1891.

Krameria parvifolia.

This small and scrubby bush is A^ery characteristic of the lower Sono-
ran deserts, but is not so generally distributed as some other species —
notably Larrea and Franseria. It flowers profusely throughout the
month of May, Avhen it is literally luiried in a mass of fragrant violet-
purple blossoms. During the latter part of the month its spiny berries
begin to show before it is Avholly out of flower. During the remainder
of the year it is easily mistaken for Goleogyne, though growing nt aloAA'er
altitude. The following notes on its distribution were recorded :

NEA^ADA.

Pahrump Valley. — Commpn on the east side of the valley, ranging up
to 1,340 meters (4,400 feet) on the Avest slope of the Charleston Mountains.

Indian Spring Valley. — Common throughout the valley, reaching uj)
in the North Arm among^nost of the Larrea areas. It was still in flower
in Indian Spring Valley May 29, and in fruit the same date in the
Amargosa country.

Pahranagat Valley. — Common on graAml soil, where it is mixed Avith
Grayia, Lycium, Larrea, and Dalea, In a wash leading from Paliroc
Plain to Pahranagat Valley it occurs as high as 1,310 meters (4,300
feet) in company with Franseria duniosa (still in bloom May 22-26).

^ Proc. Biol. Soc. AVasli., vol. Vli, May 18, 1893, p. 73.

292

NORTH AMERICAN P’ATINA.

[No. 7.

Valley of the Viryin and Loiver Muddy. — Common in the dry parts of
the valley.

UTAH,

Santa Clara Valley. — Abundant in the lower part of the valley, disap-
pearing at an altitude of 1,220 to 1,275 meters (4,000-4,200 feet).

Beaverdam Mountains. — On the Arest slope of the Beaverdam Moun-
tains Krameria ranges up from the Virgin Valley to 1,150 meters (3,800
feet).

Krameria canescens.

This species was common in dry parts of the valleys of the Muddy
and Virgin, N-evada. It is larger than Krameria “par v if oUa , from Avhich
its flowers ditfer in color and fragrance.

Malvastrum rotundifolium.

This exquisite species, whose large cup-shaped orange-pink flowers
seemed disproportionately heavy for its slender stems, is common in
the hottest deserts of eastern California and southwestern Nevada. It
Avas found in the Mohave Desert, and in Panamint and Death valleys
and the Amargosa Desert, but not in the deserts of eastern Nevada.
It was common on the Avest side of the canon leading from the Amargosa
to the west end of Indian Spring Valley, but Avas not observed in the
latter valley. It blossoms early and was in fruit about the end of May.

Sphseralcea monroana.

This common and widely distributed species (if only one species is
covered by the notes), grows in enormous patches in some of the deserts
of the Great Basin, where it becomes a truly social plant, the individ-
uals standing so near together that their large salmon-colored flowers
give color to areas miles in extent. Among the many iilaces where it
Avas seen are the following:

CALIFOKNIA.

Mohave Desert. — Common in places.

Leach Point Valley. — Commo]i.

Oivens Valley. — Common, ranging up to 1,980 meters (6,500 feet) on
the west slope of the White Mountains opposite Big Pine.

NEVADA.

Fish Lake Valley. — Common, ranging up on the northwest slope of
Mount Magruder to 1,980 or 2,040 meters (6,500 or 6,700 feet).
Grapevine Canon. — Common.

Sarcobatus Flat. — Common in places.

Amargosa Desert. — Occurs.

North Arm of Lndian Spring Valley. — Abundant everyAvhere.
Fmigrant Valley. — Abundant, and reaches up on the Desert Eange
nearly to the divide near Summit or Mud Spring.

Timpahute Valley. — One of the principal plants,

Mat, 1893.] SHRUBS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 293

Faliranagat Valley. — Common, ranging nxi to 1,580 meters (5,200 feet)
on the Pahranagat Mountains.

Pahrump Valley. — Common.

Vegas Valley. — Enormously abundant, giving color to more than half
the area of the valley between Lower Cottonwood and Vegas springs.
Fremontodendron californicnm.

This handsome small tree (G to 7 meters or 20 to 25 feet in height),
which bears large and showy yellow flowers, grows in great abundance
and perfection on the lower slopes of the Sierra hTevada, west of the
divide, and on the Coast lianges, but does not occur anywhere Avithin
tbe limits of the Great Basin.

CALIFORNIA.

Walker Pass. — Beaches the summit of the pass from the west and is
abundant thence down into the valley of Kern Eiver, and from Kern-
ville north to Havilah and Walker Basin (in full flower June 20-24),

Canada de las Uvas. — Common, and still in flower on the higher
mountains, June 28.

Larrea tridentata.

The creosote bush [Larrea tridentata) is the most characteristic, con-
spicuous, and Avidely distributed of the desert brush of the Lower
Sonoran Zone, coA^ering the gravel soils, Avherever of suitable altitude,
everywhere from the east foot of the Sierra Nevada in California to the
valley of the LoAver Santa Clara in IJtah. Its dark green leaA^es and
blackish stems render it conspicuous among all the other species Avith
Avliich it happens to be associated, so that it is easily distinguished at
a distance, and hence is the most important zone plant in tracing the
boundary between the upper and lower divisions of the Lower Sonoran
Zone. It is true that several oth er species — notably Franseria dumosa —
agree with it essentially in distribution, but they are so inconspicuous
that it Avould be difficult to trace the zones by their aid alone. The fol-
loAving notes resxiectiug the details of its distribution Avere recorded;

CALIFORNIA.

Mohave Desert. — Universally distributed over suitable soils, reaching
as far west as the extreme upper limit of the loAver division of the LoAver
Sonoran Zone in Antelope Valley, which is about kilometers (4 miles)
east of the Liebre ranch along the middle and north part of the Amlley,
but not quite so far Avest on the south side. On the north side of the
Mohave Desert, opposite the town ot Mohave, it finds its uiijier limit
at 940 meters (3,100 feet), just reaching the mouth of the open canon
leading to Tehachax)i Valley. On the south side of the Mohave Desert
near Cajon Pass it reaches its northern limit at 1,020 meters (3,350
feet). It does not cover the desert ranges in the Molnwe Desert, and
falls short of the divide at Pilot Knob or Granite Mountain (altitude
1,400 meters or 4,G00 feet).

294

NORTH AMERICAN I'AHNA.

[No. 7.

Waller Pass. — At the east end of AValkei- l*ass it ascends to IjOoO
meters (3,400 feet), and on the soutli slope of tlie hills on the north side
of the entrance to this pass readies 00 meters (200 feet) higher, or to
1,100 meters (3,000 feet).

NVdt Wells Valley. — This valley is a irwo. Larrea plain, and the Tairrea
is continuous with that of the Mohave Desert,

Fanamint Valley. — Common on the gravel soils, reaching up on the
west slope of the Panamint Mountains as high as 1,500 meters (5,000
feet), and. on favorable slopes to a still greater altitude. In Emigrant
Canon (which slopes to the northeast) it stops at about 1,200 meters
(4,000 feet).

Death Valley. — Common throughout the gravel sloiies on both sides
of the salt bottom, where it was just beginning to flower April 7. (It
was seen in flower in southern Arizona two weeks earlier.) It reaches
north through the lower part of the Northwest Ann of Death A^alley
(Mesquite Valley) as far as Grapevine Canon, keeping on the gravel
slopes, but does not occur much further north, the altitude being too
great,

Owens Valley. — In Owens Valley, Larrea is restricted to the extreme
southern end of the valley, except along the east side where it ranges
for some miles north of Owens Lake, along the warm west sloiie at the
foot of the Inyo Mountains, this being the hottest sloj)e exposure of the
valley. South of Owens Lake it occurs in scattering xiatches for several
miles, and completely covers the broad valley between Haway Mead-
ows and Little Owens Lake, this valley being a true Larrea plain.

NEVADA.

Amargosa Desert. — At the iioint where the clay soil of Ash Meadows
changes to the gravel of the Amargosa Desert prox^er, Larrea begins
with a solid front and ranges northward without interrux^tiou over the
whole of the north arm of the Amargosa Desert, foruiing one of the
XJurest Larrea xilains met with. Throughout the greater xiai't of this
desert the Larrea is hardly invaded by any other xilant excex)t the
small and inconsxiicuous Gliorizanthe rigula. The Larrea on this desert
is stunted, hardly averaging more than f of a meter (about 2 feet) in
height, and along the nortliern edge of the desert is mostly deadj
hax)s winter killed. It was heavy with its woolly fruit May 30, though
a few blossoms were seen here and there. At the same date it was
still in flower in Indian Sx^ring A^alley.

Oasis Valley. — Most x>arts of Oasis Valley are a little too high for
Larrea^ which forms a belt on favorable sloxies hardly more than three
miles wide. On good south aud southwest sloxies a scattering growth
reaches as high as 1,370 meters (4,500 feet). To the east of the north
end of Oasis A^alley is a small valley draining into the east fork of
Amargosa Creek in which a little Larrea occurs. It does not grow east
of the main part of Bare Mountains, or anywhere to the east or north

May, 1893.] SHRUBS OP THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 295

east, tlie wliole country being too bigh and tbe Lower Sonoran zone
bere reacbing its nortbern limit for this part of Nevada.

Grapevine Canon. — Larrea comes up solid tbrougb Grapevine Canon
from Deatb Valley, almost, but not (juite, reacbing Sarcobatus Flat,
where it does not grow. On a sontbwest slojie on tbe soutb side of
Gold Mountain it attains an altitude of 1,620 or 1,650 meters (5,300 to
5,400 feet).

Indian Spring Valley. — Larrea completely covers Indian Spring Val-
ley, bere reacbing its northern limit at tbe base of tbe low range of
mountains wbicb forms tbe nortbern boundary of the valley. In tbe
north arm of Indian Spring Valley it reaches northward a little be-
yond Quartz Spring to an altitude of 1,525 meters (5,000 feet), or even
a little higher on favorable slopes. It was still in flower in Indian Sprin g
Valley May 29, and in fruit in the Amargosa country at the same date.
It does not occur in Timj)abute Valley.

Paliranagat Valley. — Common on the gravel benches and slopes of
the southern half of the valley, but not evenly distributed. It reaches
Pahranagat Valley from tbe south*, coming uj) from the Muddy Valley
through the broad canon south of Pahranagat Lake and passing over
the low divide (1,160 meters or 3,800 feet), whence it spreads north-
ward over the low gravel slopes, becoming less abundant and more
scattering until at an altitude of 1,250 to 1,280 meters (4,100 to 4,200
feet) it is found on south slopes only. It occurs in isolated patches in
the broad wash leading into the valley from Pabroc Plain,,where it has
a southwest slope exposure, as high as 1,340 meters (4,400 feet). On the
west side of tbe valley (east slope of Pahranagat Mountains) it is com-
mon about as far north as the middle of the valley, stopping, except in
struggling patehes, about 16 kilometers (10 miles) south of the latitude
of Eisemauifls ranch. It was still in full flower May 22-26.

Palirump Valley. — Scarce on tbe west side of tbe valley and absent
from the extensive clay flat in tbe bottom, but abundant everywhere
on tbe long gravel slope on tbe east side, ranging up tbe west slope of
tbe Charleston Mountains to 1,340 meters (4,400 feet), where it overlaps
tbe tree yuccas.

Vegas Valley. — Abundant, covering tbe gravel soil of tbe whole valley
and ranging ux) on the west side to 1,130 meters (3,700 feet), at the east
foot of the Charleston Mountains.

Bend of Colorado and Muddy Monntevins. — Common on suitable soils
throughout tbe region bordering tbe Great Bend of tbe Colorado, and
liassing abundantly over the low summits of the Muddy Mountains west
of the Virgin Valley.

Valley of the Virgin and Lower Muddy. — Abundant on suitable soil
throughout these valleys and over tbe high gravel mesa between tbem,
where it is the dominant bush along the boundary between Nevada and
Arizona.

It does not reach northward as far as Meadow Creek V alley.

296

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[2^0. 7.

ARIZONA.

Beaverdam Mountains. — Larrea is ;ibuiul;uit in tlie Virgin Valley near
the month of Beaverdam Creek in northwestern Arizona, and reaches
up on the west slope of the Beaverdam Mountains to 1,1G0 meters (3,800
feet).

UTAH.

Santa Clara Valley. — Larrea finds the extreme northeastern limit of
its range in the Lower Santa Clara or St. George Valley in southwestern
Utah, where it forms a siiarse growth on gravel soils and disajipears on
southerly exposures on the north side of the valley at an altitude of
1,200 to 1,280 meters (4,000 to 4,200 feet).

Thamnosma montana.

This stinking bush, of a yellowish-green color and generally sprinkled
with berry-like fruit about the size of iieas, was common in many of
the southern deserts traversed. It was noted in the following locali
ties:

CALIFORNIA. ,

Mohave Desert. — Common in places.

Leach Point Valley. — Found sparingly.

NEVADA.

Charleston Mountains. — Common on the Charleston Mountains,
where it ranges on the west slope from about 1,340 to 1,825 meters
(4,400 to 6,000 feet). On the east slope it descends to 1,219 meters
(4,000 feet) with Coleogyne.
loidian Spring Valley. — A few plants seen.

Valley of the Virgm and Loicer Muddy. — Occurs siiaringly.

ARIZONA.

Virgin Valley. — Found on the east side of the Virgin Valley near the
mouth of Beaverdam Creek, whence it ranges u]) to 1,340 meters (4,400
feet) on the west slope of the Beaverdam Mountains.

UTAH.

Santa Clara Valley. — Occurs along the foot of the Beaverdam Moun-
tains, ranging from 1,090 to 2,130 meters (3,000 to 4,300 feet).

Mortonia scabrella.

This bush was found by Mr. Bailey and myself on a limestone knoll
in the valley of the Muddy, near Overton, Nev., May 6. It is re-
markable for the iieculiarity of its leaves, which are oval, conspicuously
granular, and have thick margins that at first sight seem to be everted.
Glossapetalon nevadense.

This small bush was collected on the Pahroc Mountains near Pahroc
S]iring, Nevada, and a sjiecies supposed to be the same was found on
the Beaverdam Mountains in southwestern Utah.

May,iS93.] SIIKU15S OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXFEDITION.

297

Glossapetalon spinescens.

This species was tbaud on the Charleston Mountains, hlevada, near
Mountain Spring.

Rhamnus crocea.

Common in California in the Canada de las Uvas, and also on the
Sierra Liebre; not recorded elsewhere.

Ceanothus fendleri.

Common on some of the desert ranges in the Great Basin, where it was
observed in the following localities :

NEVADA.

Mount Magruder. — Common- on the main peat with Symphoriccnyos.
Charleston Mountains. — Common on the west slope, in the neighbor-
hood of Mountain Spring, from 1,550 to 1,770 meters (5,100 to 5,800 feet),
and perhaps higher.

Highland Range. — Found on the west slojDe.

UTAH.

Beaverdam Mountains. — Common on the east slope, at an altitude of
1,310 to 1,370 meters (4,400 to 4,500 feet).

Ceanothus divaricatus and C. cuneatus.

These species are common in the chaparral of the west slope of the
Sierra and Coast Ranges in California. In Walker Pass they are com-
mon on the west slope from 1,430 meters (4,700 feet) downward, and
range thence southerly along the west slox)e of the Sierra nearly to
Caliente.

They are common also on the south slox)e of the Sierra Liebre.
.ffisculus californica.

The handsome California buckeye, Avhich grows to be a small tree,
was in full bloom when we first saw it, the last week in June, on the
west slope of the Sierra Nevada between Kernville and Walker Basin,
and in the Canada de las Uvas in the Tejon Mountains, a few days
later. It usually grows on the sidehills, towering above the chaxmrral.

Acer negundo.

The box elder requires too much water to be common anywhere in
the desert region proper. We found it along a running stream below
Old Fort Tejon in the Canada de las Uvas, in California, and along the
Santa Clara River, in Utah, but not elsewhere.

Rhus trilobata.

In California this species was common on the west slope of the Sierra
between Walker Basin and Caliente, and on the Sierra Liebre. In
Nevada it Avas found in scattered clumps on the Charleston Mountains,
Avhere it reaches its lower limit on the west slope at 1,550 meters (5,100
feet), and on the Pahranagat Mountains, where it ranges down on the
east slox)e to 1,580 meters (5,200 feet). On the Beaverdam IMountaius

298

NORTH AlNfKRICAN HAUXA

[No. 7.

Ill soutlnvestei'ii ITtali it descteiids to 1,150 meters (3,800 feet) on tlie west
slope, and to 070 meters (3,200 feet) on the east slope, thus reaching the
Santa Clara A'alley.

Rhus diversiloba.

Common on the west slope of the Sierra IN^evada and in the Coast
Eanges. It was observed along the road between \\hilker Hasiu and
Caliente, and also in the Canada de las Uvas.

Dalea polyadenia.

This small, glandular, strongly scented, purple-flowered species of
Dalea is common over many of the desert valleys of the southern part
of the Great Basin, where it was noted in the following localities :

CAIJFOENIA.

Mohave Desert. — Common in jdaces; seen in Leach Point Valley.
Ou'ens VaAley. — Common in places in the lower jiarts of the valley,
particularly between Owens Lake and Haway Meadows.

Deep Spring Valley. — Occurs in company with D. frcmonti, Grayia^
Menodora, and a few other shrubs.

NEVADA.

Fish Lalce Valley. — Tolerably common on the southeast side of the
valley and ranging up to an altitude of 1,765 meters (5,800 feet).

Grapevine Canon. — Tolerably common in the bottom of the canon
near Sarcobatus Flat.

Sareohatus Flat. — Eather common in places in the northern part of
the flat.

Oasis Valley. — A single bush seen.

Pahranagat Valley. — Common at the extreme south end of the valley
in company with the large blue-flowered species {D. fremonti)., and ex-
tends thence northerly over the gravel soil and lower gravel slopes up
to 1,340 or 1,370 meters (4,400-4,500 feet). In full flower May 22-26.
Great Bend of Colorado River. — Common; in flower May 4.

Muddy Mountains. — Eather common; in full flower May 5.

Dalea fremonti.

The Daleas rank among the most characteristic and, when in flower,
among the most beautiful and showy of the desert brush. Some doubt
attaches to the determination of the species observed by Mr. Bailey and
myself. The large blue-flowered species believed to be Dalea f remonti
was noted at the following localities:

CALIFORNIA.

Mohave Desert. — Common in places; noted in Leach Point Valley.
Oicens Valley. — Common along the west side of the valley from Lone
Pine to Olancha, and less common south to Haway Meadows. From the
east side of Owens A^alley it ranges up on the west slox^e of the White
Mountains to 1,980 meters (6,500 feet).

Deep Spring Valley. — Found in company with D. polyadeMia, Grayia,
and other bushes of the upxier division of the Lower Sonoran Zone.

ifAY,l893.] SHRUBS OF 'J'liE DEATH VAJ.LEY ExEEDITIOH.

299

.Nin'AOA.

Fish Lahe YaUey. — Oojiimoii in tlie southeast corner of tlie valley,
whence it ranj>es up to an altitude of 1,705 meters (5,800 feet).

Gold Mountain. — Common on the north sloj^ie of Gold Mountain a
little below 2,135 meters (7,000 feet) in altitude.

Indian Spring Valley. — Common in the Larrea in the north arm of
Indian Spring Valley.

Paliranagat Valley. — This large blue-flowered species was found in
company with the small purple-flowered JJalea jjolyadenia, and with
Coleogyne ramosissima, on the gravel divide at the extreme south end of
the valley, south of Pahranagat Lake, at an altitude of 1,155 meters
(3,800 feet). Like Coleogyne, it stoics about half a mile north of this
divide and does not occur in Pahranagat A^alley proper. It does occur,
however, also in company with Coleogyne, on the west side of the valley
on the gavel slope at the east foot of the Pahranagat Mountains, be-
tween 1,280 and 1,370 meters (4,200 and 4,500 feet), but is rather scarce
there. It was in full flower May 22-20.

Dalea johnsoni.

Specimens of the large and showy Falea johnsoni were collected near
St. George, in the Lower Santa Clara A^alley, Utah : and the species
was common from the Santa Clara Valley (altitude 970 meters, or 3,200
feet) up to 1,090 meters (3,600 feet) ou the east slope of the Beaverdam
Mountains.

Robinia neomexicana.

This dwarf locust was found in the Santa Clara Valley, in Utah, and
thence up along the east slope of the Beaverdam Mountains to 1,040
meters (3,400 feet), but was not observed elsewhere.

Cassia armata.

This handsome Cassia was found flowering abundantly at the Great
Bend of the Colorado Biver (May 4), in Leach Point Valley (April 25),
and near the south end of Death Valley (April 26).

Cercis occidentalis.

The Judas bush was found in but one spot in the Great Basin, namely,
the Charleston Mountains, I^evada, where Mr. Bailey and I found it
flowering in profusion in a rocky canon a little east of Mountain Spring,
April 30. The seed pods of the previous year were still clinging to the
branches, together with the handsome red flowers. On the west slope
of the Sierra iSTevada, in California, it was found in Kern Valley as low
down as 820 meters (2,700 feet) ou northerly exj^osures.

Prosopis juliflora.

The two species of mesquite are commonly ranked as trees and are the
only trees besides cottonwoods that iidiabit the arid Sonoran deserts of
the Great Basin. The cottonwoods are never found except near water;
the mesquite, on the other hand, occur at long distances from visible

300

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

wiitor and, often occu])y the tops of sand dunes. Tliey usually g•l•o^y
in elumps from 3 to 1) meters (10 to 30 feet) in height. Their roots
are very long and are said to travel 30 meters (100 feet) or more in
search of moisture. The two species occur either together or singly, and
their fruit, called hnesquite beans,’ is much sought after by the native
animals and birds of the region, and also by the Indians. The pods are
sweet and nutritious, and are sometimes gathered and fed to horses and
mules instead of grain. The present species {Froso])is juUJiora) was
observed at the following localities:

CALIFORNIA.

Hot Springs, Panamint Valley. — Tolerably common.

Heath Valley. — Occurs in clumps and irregular patches on the west
side of the valley, beginning several miles south of Mesquite Well and
ranging thence northward. It is abundant also on sand dunes in the
northwest arm of Death Valley, from which circumstance the iilace is
commonly known as ‘Mesquite Valley.’ In Death Valley it was just
coming into leaf on clayey soil April 10, while adjoining clumps on sand
soil were in full leaf at the same date.

Amargosa Gaho7i. — Common in id aces.

Besting Spring. — Tolerably common.

NEVADA.

Ash Meadoics. — Common.

Indian Spring Valley. — Common in a few places.

Virgin and Lo wer Muddy Valleys. — Common in many places. (In full
flower May 6.)

Great Bend of the Colorado. — Abundant on the sand hills on the south
side of Vegas Wash.

UTAH.

Santa Clara Valley. — Occurs sparingly on sandy soil in the lower
valley.

Prosopis pubescens.

This mesquite, commonly known as ‘screw bean,’ is widely distributed
over the deserts of the southwest, usually in company with the preced-
ing. It was noted in the following localities:

CALIFORNIA.

Panamint. Valley. — Common about Hot Springs.

Heath Valley. — Common along the west side of the valley.

Amargosa Canon. — Occurs Avith P. jiiliilora 'and is enormously abun-
dant in the u^iper part of the canon, where Tecoxia Canon comes in.

NEVADA.

Ash Meadows. — Abundant.

Virgin and Loicer Muddy Valleys. — Common in places.

Indian Spring Valley, — Occurs in places.

May, 1893.] SPIKUBS OF TtlE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

301

UTAH.

Santa Clara Valley. — Occurs sparingly on sandy soil in tlie lower
valley.

Acacia greggii.

This Lower Sonoran shrub, which grows to be 2^ to 3 meters (8 to 10
feet) in height, perhaps higher, was not found in California, or in Nevada
west of the Charleston Mountains. It is tolerably common along the
upper and lower Cottonwood Springs at the east foot of the Charleston
Mountains, and thence easterly was found at Bitter Springs in the
Muddy Mountains, and in the valley of the Virgin and Lower Muddy,
and thence northerly to the mouth of Beaverdain Creek, in northwestern
Arizona, where it was abundant on the flat at the junction of Beaverdam
Creek with the Virgin.

Prunus fasciculata.

This species is so characteristic of the desert ranges in the southern
part of the Great Basin that it might properly be called the ‘Desert
Bange Almond.’ It is known to the Mormons as the wild almond and
grows in dense clumxis of bushes about as high as a man’s head or
lower, with irregular and very tough branches. It was noted in the
following localities:

CALIFORNIA.

White Mountains. — Pound in places along the summit and in canons.
Walker Pass and Kern Valley. — Occurs sparingly, descending as low
as 820 meters (2,700 feet) on northerly exposures in Kern Valley.

NEVADA.

Mount Magruder. — Not common, but found in the upper part of Tule
Canon and in a few other jilaces.

Gold Mountain. — Tolerably common on the north slope in scattered
clumps a little below 2,135 meters (7,000 feet).

Highland Range. — Occurs sparingly, mixed with Artemisin tridentnta.
PahroG Mountains. — Tolerably common, mixed with sagebrush and
Kunzia.

Juniper Mountains. — Bather common, mixed with sagebrush and juni-
per, beginning at an altitude of about 1,830 meters (6,000 feet) on the
Meadow Valley side and ranging up to the divide.

Charleston Mountains. — Common, reaching its lower limit on the west
slope (Pahruinx) Valley side) at about 1,435 meters (4,700 feet).

UTAH.

Beaverdam Mountains. — Common, ranging down on the west slope
to about 1,160 meters (3,800 feet) and on the east slope to about 1,100
meters (3,600 feet).

Santa Clara Valley. — Occurs in scattering patches on the rocky hill-
sides in the Upper Santa Clara Valley, beginning about 13 kilometers
(8 miles) northwest of St. George at an altitude of 1,280 meters (4,200
feet) and ranging thence northerly to the Upper Santa Clara Crossing.

302

NOKTII AJMElilCAN FAUNA.

[lso.7.

Prunus virgiiiiana (or demissa).

The chokeclierry grows s])ariHg'ly about Slieep Si)riug in the Juni-
per Mountains between ranaca, Nevada, and Hebron, Utali, but was not
observed elsewhere.

Prunus andersoni.

, This species was found on the west s]ox)e of Walker Pass in the
southern Sierra Nevada, California, at an altitude of about 1,370 me-
ters (4,500 feet).

Basilima millefolium.

This beautiful shrub was observed on the Beaverdam Mountains in
southwestern Utah, and on the east sloxie of the High Sierra in Cali-
fornia, where it was abundant at and a little below 2,900 meters (9,500
feet).

Holodiscus discolor.

Found on the east slope of the Sierra Nevada in California at an al-
titude of about 2,130 meters (7,000 feet).

Adenostoma fasciculatum.

The California chemisal or chemise does not enter the desert region
of the Great Basin, though it occurs on the north or Mohave Desert
slope of the Sierra Liebre and throughout Cajon Pass in the San Ber-
nardino Mountains. It is the prevailing chaparral of the coast ranges
of southern California' and is generally mixed with scrub oaks and
CeanotlmSj forming imjDenetrable thickets. It is abundant on the
west slope of the Sierra Nevada on the east side of the upper San Joa-
quin Valley. On the north slox)e of the Sierra Liebre it begins a little
north of Alamo ranch at an altitude of 730 meters (2,400 feet), whence
southward it is the xirevailing chaxiarral. It was in flower in the Sierra
Liebre the last week in June.

Kunzia glandulosa [ — Purshia glandniosa].

Mr. Coville tells me that this is the sxiecies found by us on the sum-
mit of Walker Pass in the southern Sierra Nevada, and thence down on
the west slope to 940 meters (4,100 feet).

On the east slojie of the Beaverdam Mountains (which cross the
boundary between Utah and. Arizona) Mr. Bailey and I collected a
form very close to K. glandulosa^ and also the typical K. trident ata,
apparently at different altitudes. Some of the records under the latter
species may belong to the former.

Kunzia tridentata \_ = Pursliia trUlentatct].

Kunzia tridentata is common on many of the desert ranges, where
it usually grows in comiiany with Goicania mexicana and Fallugia par-
adoxa. When not in flower these three genera resemble one another
so closely that they are sometimes confounded. Kunzia has yellow
flowers on very short peduncles; Fallugia has pure white flowers on very
long peduncles; Gowania has handsome cream-colored flowers on mod-

May, 1893.] SHRUBS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

303

erate peduncles. It is possible that the two species of Kunzia{K. tri~
dentata and K. glandulosa) have been confounded in some of the follow-
ing localities :

CALIFORNIA.

White Mountains. — Common on the east slope, ranging down to
1,700 meters (5,600 feet) on the Fish Lake Valley side.

NEVADA.

Mount Magruder. — Common in places, ranging down into Tule
Canon.

Gold Mountain.— {jornmow., ranging down on the south side nearly
as low as sagebrush (a little above 1,860 meters or 6,100 feet).

Hungry Hill Summit. — Common just north of the summit, whence
it ranges over the divide (1,760 meters or 5,800 feet) and passes south
toward the north arm of Indian Spring Valley to about 1,520 meters
meters (5,000 feet).

Timpalmte and Desert mountains. — A little was seen near Mud or
Summit Spring.

Pahranagat Mountains. — Common, ranging down to 1,580 meters
(5,200 feet) on the east slope.

Hylio Mountains. — Common in places, descending into the broad wash
that leads from Pahroc Plain into the middle of Pahranagat Valley.

PaliroG Mountains. — Common, mixed with Gowania 7nexicana, Arte-
misia tridentata, and Primus fasciculata.

Juniper Mountains. — Common in the juniper forest between Meadow
Creek Valley, Nevada, and Shoal Creek, Utah, where it was just com-
ing into flower May 18. A week earlier (May 10-11) it was past flow-
ering in the Beaverdam Mountains.

UTAH.

Tipper Santa Clara Valley. — Common from an altitude of 1,640 meters
(5,400 feet) uiiwards to 1,830 meters (6,000 feet), and ranging thence
northward to the UiDjier Santa Clara Crossing and Shoal Creek.
Mostly past flowering in the Upper Santa Clara Valley May 17.

Beaverdam Mountains. — Common, descending to 1,280 meters (4,200
feet) on the east or northeast slope, and ranging down on the west
slope to 1,340 meters (4,400 feet). Past flowering and petals all off
May 11.

Coleogyne ramosissima.

This important zone plant grows in the belt just above the

upper limit of the Larrea; it belongs therefore to the upper division
of the Lower Sonoran Zone. The altitude which it requires takes
ft out of most of the desert valleys and iilaces it on the sides of the
desert ranges, where it commonly grows in a narrow belt between the
creosote bush [Larrea tridentata) and the sage [Artemisia tridentata).

304

NORTH AMERICAN FAUJ^A.

[No. 7.

It is a low, dark-colored bush bearing small yellow flowers. Tlie fol-
lowing notes respecting the details of its distribution were recorded:

CALIFORNIA.

Owens Valley. — Common along the west side of the valley on the
lower slope of the Sierra Nevada, between the altitudes of 1,375 and
1,900 meters (4,500 and 6,200 feet).

Panamint fountains. — On the west slope of the Panamint Mountains,
in a broad basin above Wild Eose Spring, a well-detined zone of
Coleogyne crosses the basin obliquely between the upper edge of the
Larrea and the southern edge of the juniper at an altitude of about
1,525 meters (5,000 feet). On the east slope of the Panamint range
Mr. Bailey found it in a zone between about 1,340 and 1,710 meters
(4,400 to 5,600 feet).

NEVADA.

Charleston Mountains. — Common on the west slope, beginning at the
upper edge of the Larrea at 1,340 meters (4,400 feet) and ranging up
to about 1,825 meters (6,000 feet) in the neighborhood of Mountain
Spring, where it passes over the divide nnd descends on the east slope
to about 1,200 meters (4,000 feet) with Yncea hacoata and Thamnosma
montana. In full bloom Ajiril 30 on the east slope of Charleston
Mountains.

Hungry Hill Summit. — Begins just north of the summit, passes over
it and descends the south slope toward the North Arm of Indian
Spring Valley to about 1,525 meters (5,000 feet) altitude.

Timpahute and Desert mountains. — Common in the saddle between the
Timpahute and Desert mountains.

Pahranagat Mountains. — Common at 1,825 meters (6,000 feet) on the
west or Timpahute side and ranging thence down to 1,525 meters (5,000
feet). On the east (Pahranagat Valley) side it grows in a zone beDveen
1,275 and 1,500 meters (4,200 and 4,900 feet).

Pahranagat Valley. — Not found anywhere on the east side of the val-
ley proper, but common on the gravel slope on the west side, beginning
1 mile from the bottom at 1,275 meters (4,200 feet) and ranging up to
1,500 meters (4,900 feet) at the east foot of the Pahranagat Mountains.
At the south end of Pahranagat Vallej' it comes up over the divide
below the lake at 1,150 meters (3,800 feet) and stops about half a mile
north of the divide. (It was not found anywhere in Meadow Creek
Valley.)

UTAH.

Beaverdam Mountains. — Common on the west slope from 1,040 meters
(3,400 feet) up to the summit of the pass at 1,525 meters (5,000 feet), and
on the northeast slope between 975 and 1,340 meters (3,200 and 4,400
feet), and straggling still higher.

Santa Clara Valley. — Occurs on cold slopes in the Lower Santa Clara
Valley, near St. G-eorge, whence it ranges up qn the north side of the

May, 1893 1 SHRUBS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXTEDITIOH.

305

vallej^ (soutli exposure) to 1,525 meters (5,000 feet), but is not evenly dis-
tributed.

Cercocarpus ledifoliiis.

The mountain maliogany is common on the higher summits of some
of the desert ranges, and was recorded from the following localities:

CALIFORNIA.

Panamint Mountains. — A grove of large and handsome mountain
mahogany trees occupies the bottom of a canon above the abandoned
charcoal kilns at the north base of Telescoxie Peak, whence straggling
trees pass over the summit of the Panamint Eange north of the Peak
at an altitude of 2,560 meters (8,400 feet). Others were found on the
north slope as high as 3,660 meters (9,300 feet).

High Sierra. — On the east (Owens Valley) slope of the High Sierra
the mountain mahogany is found in abundance, and of unusually large
size. West of Lone Pine it grows in a zone from 2,285 to 2,900 meters
(7,500 to 9,500 feet) altitude, and many of the individual trees attain a
diameter of a foot.

NEVADA.

Mount Magruder. — Common and of large size on the main peak, above
2,590 meters (8,500 feet), but not reaching summit.

UTAH.

Upper Santa Clara Valley. — Common in places on the west slope ot
Pine V alley Mountain.

Cercocarpus parvifolius.

Common in the chaparral on the west slope of the Sierra I7evada and
on the coast ranges. It was found in abundance also in the Canada
de las IJvas and on the south slope of the Sierra Liebre, along the ui^iier
part of the valley of Peru Creek.

Cowania mexicana.

This beautiful shrub, which attains a height of 2 or 3 meters (6 to 9
feet), is common on many of the desert ranges, where it flowers in such
profusion that its large cream-colored blossoms often hide the deep
green of its foliage.

CALIFORNIA.

Panamint Mountains. — Found on the summit of the range, northwest
ofTelescoi^e Peak, at an altitude of about 2,569 meters (8,400 feet).

NEVADA.

Mount Magruder. — Found sparingly in the upper part of the Tide
Canon on the south slope of Mount Magruder.

Gold Mountain. — Common, and ranging down on the south side to
about 1,990 meters (6,200 feet).

Hungry Hill Summit. — Begins just north of tlie summit, passesover the
divide and down on the south side, toward Indian iSpriug Valley, to
about 1,525 meters (5,000 feet).

12731— Flo. 7^—20

306

NORTH AMERK.'AN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

F<(hranafjat Mounf<(ins. — Coiniuoii, dcsceiidiug to uboiit J,580 iiioters
(5,200 feet) on the oast slope.

Faliroc Mountains. — Common in the sage brusli near Paliroe Spring j
just coming into flower May 20.

Highland Range. — Found on tbe west slope.

Charleston Mountains. — Found on tbe west slope from 1,550 to 1,S30
meters (5,100 to 6,000 feet) in the neighborhood of Mountain Spring.

J uniger Mountains (betiveen Fanaca, Nevada^and Shoal Creelc, Utah). —
Abundant in places on south exposures, where it was hardly in bud May
17, while a week earlier (May 10) it was flowering in the height of per-
fection on the Beaverdam Mountains. Kunzia tridentata was common
with Coicania in the Junixmr Mountains and was just coming into flower
May 1 7, while it had past flowering in the Beaverdam Mountains May 10.

UTAH.

Beaverdam Mountains. — Abundant, ranging from 1,100 to 1,430 meters
(3,600 to 4,700 feet) in altitude on the northeast slope j flowering i^ro-
fusely May 10-11.

Santa Clara Valley. — In ascending the Santa Clara Valley, Coivania
begins in the sage brush about 13 kilometers (8 miles) northwest of St.
George (altitude 1,280 meters, or 4,200 feet), and extends thence northerly
to and beyond the Ux)per Santa Clara Crossing, reaching an altitude of
about 1,645 meters (5,400 feet) where it stops and Kunzia begins. In
other localities it is mixed with Kunzia.^ though the latter generally
ranges higher.

Fallugia paradoxa.

This species occurs on many of the desert ranges of the Great Basin,
often associated with Coivania mexicana and Kunzia tridentata, from
which it has not always been discriminated by travelers. Fallugia aver-
ages hardly more than a meter in height, being a much smaller bush
than Cowania. Its pure white flowers are larger than the cream-colored
blossoms of Cowania, and are borne on longer X)eduhcles. The flowers
of Kunzia are yellow. Fallugia was found in the following localities ;

NEVADA.

Charleston Mountains. — Common on the west slope above 1,430 meters
(4,700 feet), in the neighborhood of Mountain Spring, ranging iq) to at
least 1,700 meters (5,600 feet). On the east slope it was not seen above
1,525 meters (5,000 feet).

Fahranagat Mountains. — Common on the east slope a little above
1,580 meters (5,200 feet), and on the west slox)e reaches the summit.

Hungry Hill Summit. — Begins just north of summit and x^asses over
the divide (1,770 meters, or 5,800 feet) and down on the south side to-
ward the North Arm of Indian Sxuing Valley to 1,525 meters (5,000
feet).

Mav,1S'J3.] SHKUiJti Ob' THE HEATH VALLEY EXPEHTiTON,

307

UTAH.

Beavcrdam Mountains. — Coiniiioii on tlie east and nortlicast slopes of
tlie Beaverdain Mountains, between 1,100 and 1,370 meters (3,300 to
■1,500 feet), where it was just coming into flower May 11.

Rosa sp. — ?

A wild rose was found in large patches in Pahrauagat Valley, Nevada,
where it was in full bloom May 22-25.

Heteromeles arbutifolia.

This is one of tlie characteristic shrubs of the Coast Eangcs of Cali-
fornia. It is common on the south slope of the Sierra Liebre, but hardly
enters the region covered by the expedition.

Amelanchier alnifolia.

The service berry does not grow in the deserts, but occurs sparingly
on some of the desert ranges.

In Nevada it was found on the west slope of the Cliarleston INIoun-
tains, between 1,675 and 1,765 meters (5,500 to 5,800 feet) altitude j on
the Juniper Mountains, on the Pahroc Mountains, and on Mount Ma-
gruder, where it descends into the upper part of Tule Canon.

In Utah it was found sparingly between the Uiiper Santa Clara Cross-
ing and Mountain Meadows, and in some places formed dense thickets;
and on the east slope of the Beaverdain Mountains it was common be-
tween an altitude of 1,100 meters (3,600 feet) and the summit of the
pass at 1,525 meters (5,000 feet).

Peraphyllum ramosissimiini.

This dwarf cherry, whose handsome flowers are disprojiortionately
large for so small a bush, was found in the following localities on the
mountain sides of the Transition Zone.

NEVADA.

Mount Magruder. — Very abundant in large patches from an altitude
of about 2,130 meters (7,000 feet) up to about 2,590 meters (8,500 feet)
and descending into Tule Canon. Plowering profusely June 6.
Charleston Mountains. — Pound near Mountain Spring.

Hungry Rill Summit. — Begins a little north of the summit, passes
over the divide (1,760 meters, or 5,800 feet) and down on the south side
toward the North Arm of Indian Spring Valley to about 1,525 meters
(5,000 feet).

Highland Range. — Pound on the west slope.

Juniper Mountains. — Pound in scattered clumps at an altitude of
about 1,825 meters, (6,000 feet) and upwards from the Upper Santa
Clara Crossing to Shoal Creek and thence northwesterly across the
Juniper Plateau.

Ribes leptaiithum, brachyantlnim.

This species was collected on Gold Mountain, Nevada, at an altitude of
about 2,130 meters (7,000 feet).

308

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA,

[Ko. 7.

Others, probably the same si)ccies, were found at Sheep Si)ring' in
the Junii)er JMouiitains, IsTevada; in the canon at the soiitli end of
raliranagat Yalley, and on Mount Magruder.

Ribes menziesii.

Common in places in the Canada de las Uvas, California, especially
in tlie vicinity of Old Fort Tejon.

Petalonyx parryi.

This bush was found in but one locality, namely, the mesa on the
south vside of Yegas Wash, Nevada, where it was abundant on gyi)suni
soil and in full bloom May 2. It is a small bush averaging 450 to 000'*”“
(about 1^ or 2 feet) in height, and having pale, yellowish flowers.

Eucnide urens.

This singular plant, which grows in crevices in rocky canons, was
found in suitable places along the bases of many of the desert ranges
in southern California and western Nevada, and also along the Lower
Santa Clara Eiver in southwestern Utah.

Garrya veatchii flavescens.

This willow-like bush, about meters (5 feet) in height, is common
on the west slope of the Charleston Mountains, Nevada, near Mountain
Spring, between 1,670 and 1,760 meters (5,500 and 5,800 feet), and on
the Beaverdam Mountains in southwestern Utah.

Symphoricarpos longiflorus.

Sym2Jli07'icarpos bushes were found on many of the desert ranges of
Nevada, in the Upiier Sonoran and Transition zones. 8. longijiorus was
common at Pahroc Spring, where it was in full flower May 21 (speci-
mens collected). Others, supposed to belong to the same species, but
not collected and not positively identified, were recorded from the fol-
lowing localities:

NEVADA.

Highland Eange. — Common in places, particularly in cailons.
Timpaliute and Desert mountains. — Common in places on the higher
parts of the range.

Hy1w Range. — Found sparingly in a canon leading from Pahroc
Plain to Pahranagat A^alley.

Pahranagat Mountains. — Common, descending on the east slope to
1,580 meters (5,200 feet).

Gold Mountain. — Common on the north side.

Mount Magruder. — Common high up on the main x^eak and on side
hills lower doAvn, and also in several of the canons, particularly in the
u|)X)er x)art of Tule Canon.

UTAH.

Beaverdam Mountains. — Found on the east slope.

May. 1893.] SHRUBS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

309

Ampliiacliyris fremontii.

This handsome liitle bush, which is common on parts of the Mohave
Desert, was collected in the Valley of the Virgin near Bunkerville,
Nevada.

Acamptopappus sphaerocephaliis.

This composite desert shrub is abundant on many of the deserts and
was common in the narrow valley between Owens Lake and Daway
Meadows, California.

Aplopappus monactis.

Collected on Sarcobatus Flat, on- the southwestern edge of the Eals-
ton Desert, Nevada.

Bigelovia douglassi.

This species is not found in the desert bottoms, but is common among
the sage brush and junix^ers on many of the mountain sides.

CAJ.IFOKNIA.

Walker Pass. — Becomes abundant at an altitude of 1,430 meters
(4,700 feet) on the east side and ranges up over the summit of the iiass.
Ou the west side it descends xdentifully to 1,250 meters (4,100 feet).

. Kern Valleij. — Occurs on the north exxDosures as low down as 820
meters (2,700 feet).

Tehaclia])i Basin. — Occurs.

Canada de las Uvas. — Common.

Bigelovia graveolens.

This Upper Sonoran desert species was common in the extreme west-
ern end of the Mohave Desert (Antelope V alley) and was found in a
wash leading thence southerly toward Peru Creek, along with tree
yuccas, sage brush, and Isomeris. Sx^ecimens xn'ovisionally referred
to the same sx3ecies by Mr. Coville were collected at Beaverdam, Ari-
zona.

Bigelovia teretifolia.

Collected on Gold Mountain, Nevada, at an altitude of 1,830 meters
(6,000 feet) June 3.

A large and rank sxiecies, supxiosed to be the same, was found in
abundance in many of the dry washes of the desert ranges from Emi-
grant Canon in the Panamint Mountains, California, eastward to the
Pahranagat and Hyko ranges, Nevada, and the Beaverdam Mountains,
Utah. On the west sloxie of the latter range it was found ui3 to 1,340
meters (4,400 feet).

Baccharis glutinosa.

No species of Baccharis was observed on the western side of the
Great Basin, but one or more species were found in great abundance
at the Bend of the Colorado Eiver, in Nevada, and in the Valley of the
Virgin and Lower Muddy, and also on the hat at the mouth of Beaver-
dam Creek, in northwestern Arizona,

.310

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[Uo.7.

Pliicliea sericea.

This slciidoT, Avillow-like plant, soiactiincs called ^arrow-wood,’ forms
low thickets in the neighborhood of water in some parts of the desert
region, but was not found west of Death Valley. It is common at Fur-
nace Creek on the east side of Deatli Valley, the only locality in Cali-
fornia where it was seen by the expedition. In Nevada it is common
about some of the warm springs in Ash Meadows, and very abundant
in Vegas Wash and about the Great Bend of the Colorado Eiver, and
also in parts of the Muddy and Virgin valleys. In the Lower Santa
Clara Valley, Utah, near the junction of the Santa Clara with the
Virgin, it forms dense thickets along the river.

Hymenoclea salsola.

This small shrub,’which suggests a Bigelovia in general appearance,
bnt is profusely beset with small glomerate heads, is common in many
parts of the desert region, particularly along the courses of washes on
the mountain sides, in which it frequently attains a considerable alti-
tude. The following notes on its distribution were recorded :

CALIFORNIA.

Mohave Desert. — Common in xilaces and found as for west as' Ante-
lope Valley, between the town of Mohave and Willow Spring; also
extends up the open cailoii leading from Mohave to Tehachapi Basin,
where it reaches an altitude of 1,050 meters (3,450 feet).

Wallcer Pass. — On the east side of the pass it ranges up to 1,430
meters (4,700 feet) in the tree yuccas. On the west side of the pass
it runs down into Kern Valley as low as 820 meters (2,700 feet), per-
haps lower,

Owens Valley. — Abundant in the southern part of the valley and one
of the commonest shrubs on the west side between Lone Pine and
Ilaway Meadows. It ranges up along the foot of tbe Sierra slope to
1,525 or 1,550 meters (5,000 or 5,100 feet).

Deep Spring Valley. — Found in the wash leading ux^ to the jiass
across the White Mountains.

NEVAOA.

Grapevine Canon. — Common in the bottom of the canon.

Oasis Vfdley. — Common along the bottom of the valley.

Indian Spring Valley. — Common in the wash at the extreme west end
of Indian Spring Valley.

Emigrant Valley. — Common and reaching thence up on the west side
of the Desert Mountains to about 1,080 meters (5,500 feet) near Mud or
Summit Spring.

Timpahute Valley. — One of the principal plants in the bottom.

Fahranagat Valley. — Common throughout the dryer x)arts of the
valley up to about 1,340 meters (4,400 feet). On the west side (Pahra-
nagat Mountain slope) it runs uj) a gravel wash to nearly 1,525 meters

May, 1893.] SHRUI5S OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

911
Oil

(5,000 feet). On tlie east side it is coiiiinon in a wash leading down
from Paliroc Plain tlirougli tlie Hyko Mountains.

Virgin Valley. — Common in places.

UTAH.

Beaverdam Mountains. — Eeaclies up tlie west slope of tlie Beaverdam
Mountains to 1,340 meters (4,400 feet).

ISanta Clara Valley. — Oomiiioii over most of tlie valley, reacliingnpon
tlie east slope of the Beaverdam Mountains to 1,100 meters (3,000 feet).

Fransei’ia dumosa.

This small and inconspicuous slirub is one of the most important
zone plants of the Lower Sonoran Zone, because of its wide distribu-
tion and strict adherence to the lower division of this zone. It occurs
almost invariably in company with Larrea tridentata. The following
notes on its distribution were recorded:

CALIKOIWIA.

Mohave Desert. — Abundant, finding its upper limit on the north side
of the desert at about 1,000 meters (3,250 feet), where it enters the
mouth of the open canon leading from Mohave to Teliachapi, and ranges
about 45 meters (150 feet) higher than Larrea. It reaches its western
limit in Antelojie Y alley.

WalJcer Pass. — Common at the east month of Walker Pass, ranging
up to about 1,100 meters (3,G00 feet) thus exceeding the Larrea by
about 30 meters (100 feet).

Owens Valley. — Common in the extreme south end of the valley on
the east side, and found in scattered xiatches from Ldne Pine south,
and all along the west side of Owens Lake and thence south to Haway
Meadows.

NEVADA.

Pahrmnp Valley. — Common in the Larrea on the east side of the val-
ley, where it finds its upper limit with that of Larrea on tlie soutliwest
slope of the Charleston Mountains at 1,310 meters (4,400 feet).

Vegas Valley. — Covers tlie valley Avith Larrea and ranges up on tbe
west side to about 1,130 meters (3,700 feet).

Muddy Mountains. — Common in Larrea atthe Great Bend of tlie Colo-
rado Avhence it extends northAvard over the Ioav summits of thelNluddy
Mountains between Callville and the Virgin.

Valley of the Virgin and Lotver Muddy. — Abundant in dry places with
Larrea., particularly on gravel slopes. Common also on the high mesa
between these two rivers, where it is abundant along the boniidary
betAveen Arizona and Hevada.

Pahranagat Valley. — Common on the gravel benches with Larrea in
the southern and southwestern parts of the Amlley, Imt not evenly dis-
tributed and not reaching the northern part of the Aailley at all. It runs
up an ojjen canon leading from Pahroc Plain into Pahranagat A' alley.

312

NOIiTIT AilERICAN FAUNA.

[Ko. 7.

reacliiii^ an altitude of 1,310 meters (4,300 feet) on the southwesterly
slope exi)osures, but falliiif;’ a little short of the extreme limit of the
scattered patches of Larrea in the same cauoii.

Indian Spring Valley. — Coinmou throughout the valley in Larrea.

Oasis Valley. — Occurs sparsely in the lower part of the valley along
with Larrea, both species here finding their northern limit in this part
of Nevada.

Grapevine Canon. — Franseria comes up in Graxievine Canon from
Death Valley and reaches up on the southern slope of Gold Mountain
as high as 1,610 meters (5,300 feet) in company with Larrea. (It was
not found in Sarcobatus Flat or in Meadow Creek Valley.)

ARIZONA.

Common with Larrea in the Valley of the Virgin near the mouth of
Beaverdam Creek, and ranging thence easterly up the west slope of
the Beaverdam Mountains to 1,160 meters (3,800 feet).

UTAH.

Santa Clara Valley. — Occurs sparingly in the lower part of the val-
ley, disappearing a little above 1,220 meters (4,000 feet).

Franseria eriocentra.

This species was first found at the mouth of Beaverdam Creek in
northwestern Arizona. On the opi^osite side of the mountains it is com-
mon in parts of the Santa Clara V alley in Dtah. In Nevada it is abun-
dant in the higher parts of Pahranagat Valley, whence it ranges ui3
through a canon in the Hyko Mountains j it reaches the summit of the
pass over the Pahranagat Mountains (1,825 meters or 6,000 feet) from the
west (Timjiahute) slope j and occurs also at Hungry Hill Summit,
whence it extends southerly to about 1,675 meters (5,500 feet).

Encelia frutescens.

This species is common in places on the Mohave Desert, whence it
ranges up completely through the opeu canon leading from Mohave
to Tehachapi Valley (altitude of divide 1,100 meters or 3,600 feet), and
up the east slox)e of Walker Pass to 1,430 meters (4,700 feet).

Artemisia tridentata.

This species, the true aromatic sagebrush of the Great Basin, does
not grow anywhere in the deserts of the Lower Sonoran zone, but be-
gins with the Ui^iier Sonoran and ranges thence northward over the
plains of the Transition zone, and on many mountain sides covers the
gravel slopes well up into the Boreal. In the southern part of the
Great Basin, therefore, it was found only on the mountains. Coming
down from the plains of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, it covers the
whole of the northern part of the State of Nevada, and California east
of the Sierra Nevada, and reaches southward uninterruptedly along
the bottom of Owens Valley nearly to Owens Lake, and still further
south along the Sierra, White, and Inyo mountains. On the treeless

xay.isos.] shrubs of the death valley expedition. 313

plains it is iiincli inized as liiewood. The fullowiiig detailed notes on
its distribution were recorded :

CALIFORNIA.

Canada de las Uvas. — Common at an altitude of 1,070 meters (3,500
feet), ranging- from Oastac Lake eastward to the extreme west foot of
Antelope Valley and also occurring in a wasb leading thence south-
ward toward Peru Creek, where it is mixed with stunted tree yuccas
(altitude 760 to 910 meters or 2,500 to 3,000 feet).

Walker Pass. — Common on the east side of the pass from 1,430 meters
(4,700 feet) to summit (1,550 meters or 5,100 feet), and much higher on
mountains on both sides. On the west slope it covers the whole jiass
down to 1,240 meters (4,100 feet).

Kern Valley. — Found on a steep north slope in the Kern Eiver Val-
ley as low as 820 meters (2,700 feet).

East slope of Sierra Kevada. — Abundant all along the west side of
Owens Valley and ranging thence up on the Sierra as high as 2,740
meters (9,000 feet).

Owens Valley. — Covers the whole valley from its northern end down
to within a few miles of Lone Pine, descending to about 1,160 meters
(3,800 feet). South of Lone Pine it is confined td the west side of the
valley, where it follows the cold streams that come down from the
High Sierra and is common on the slope above 1,550 meters (5,100 feet).
In a few places it reaches the narrow valley between Owens Lake and
Haway Meadows. It is absent from the warm slope at the foot of the
White and Inyo mountains on the east side of Owens Valley, but
begins as low as 1,980 meters (6,500 feet) on northerly exposures in
the latitude of Big Pine, and ranges up over the White Mountains.

White and Inyo mountains. — Abundant over most parts of the sum-
mit of the range, often forming pure sage x)lains of considerable extent
and ranging down to about 2,280 meters (7,500 feet) on the west slope
(Owens Valley side) and to 1,920 meters (6,300 feet) on the east slope
(Deep Spring Valley side), but does not descend into Deep Spring
"Valley.

Panamint Mountains. — Common along the summit of the range, de-
scending as low in places as 1,980 meters (6,500 feet) or even 1,920
meters (6,300 feet). On the west slope of Telescope Peak it grows as
high as 3,050 meters (10,000 feet).

Mohave Desert. — Found on the summit of Cajon Pass and thence
along the upper part of the Mohave Desert at the foot of the Sau Ber-
nardino Mountains, occurring sj)arsely among the junipers down to an
altitude of 1,160 meters (3,800 feet), where it is replaced by Atriplex and
other genera. The altitude of the Mohave Desert as a whole is too low
for sagebrush.

NISVADA.

Fish Lake Valley. — Kot found in the bottom of the valley, but de-
scends from the White Mountains to about 1,680 meters (5,500 feet)

314

NOIITII AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

along the 'west side of the valley; and iroia Mount Magrnder to about
meters (0,700 feet) on the southeast side of the valley (northwest
exposure), and still lower on northerly exposures.

Mount Magrnder. — Covers the whole Mount Magrnder plateau and
the hills and peaks that rise from it even to the extreme summit of
Mount Magrnder itself. On the latter iieak it grows in a peculiar way,
forming distinct lines that are conspicuous at a distance. These lines
are horizontal on the peaks and vertical on the saddles. On tlie south
side of Mount Magrnder it descends into Tule Canon (in the upper
part of which it is the ijrevailing brush) and into the valley between
Mount Magrnder and Gold Mountain, where it is mixed with Grayia
spinosa, Tetradymia glabrata, Atriplex confertifolia, and other species.
On the northwest sloj^e of Mount Magrnder it descends to Pigeon Spring
(altitude 2,040 meters, or 6,700 feet) and reaches several hundred feet
lower on the south side of the canon (north exposure).

Gold Mountain. — Sagebrush is the prevailing brush on Gold Moun-
tain, on the south sloiie of which it descends to 1,830 meters (6,000
feet).

Timpahute and Desert ranges. — Common along the summit, descend-
ing to the divide at Pfungry Hill summit, 1,780 meters (5,850 feet), and
extending thence southward toward the INortli Arm of Indian Spring
Valley to 1,740 meters (5,700 feet), and northward toward Emigrant
Valley to 1,700 meters (5,600 feet).

Paliranagat Mountains. — Abundant, descending as low as 1,525 meters
(5,000 feet) on the east slope (Pahranagat Valley side) at the latitude
of the middle of the valley, and still lower in the northern part of the
valley.

PaliroG Mountains. — Common, reaching down to 1,740 meters (5,700
feet) or a little lower on the uxiper levels of Desert Valley.

Highland range. — Abundant, descending to 1,830 meters (6,000 feet)
on the west side (Desert Valley side), and down into the valley of
Meadow Creek on the east side, covering the valley excepting the flat
bordering the creek.

Juniper Mountains. — The whole of the high plateau here spoken of as
the Juniper Plateau or Mountains, extending from Meadow Creek
Valley, Nevada, easterly to and across the western boundary of Utah,
is continuously covered with sagebrush mixed with junipers.

Charleston Mountains. — Abundant throughout the higher parts of
the Charleston Mountains, descending on the west sloi^e (Pahrnmp
Valley side) to 1,550 meters (5,100 feet).

UTAH.

In western Utah the true sage spreads southward continuously, cov-
ering the Escalante Desert and Shoal Creek country and Mountain
Meadows (which is a true sage i)lain), and extending south continuously
far enough to include the Ui)i)er Santa Clara Valley above 1,280 meters

mY,lS03.] SHRUBS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

315

(4,-00 feet) altitude, wliere its .soutlierii edge reaches witliiii 13 kilo-
meters (8 miles) of the town of St. George. To the west it ranges con-
tinnonsly over the Juniper Plateau to Meadow Creek Valley as already
mentioned, and reaches southward, along the Beaverdam Mountains,
descending to 1,340 meters (4,400 feet) on the west (Arizona) slope and
to 1,100 meters (3,600 feet) on the east (Utah) slope.

Artemisia spinescens.

This compact little species is abundant on many of the higher valleys
and slopes of the desert region in the southern part of the Great Basin,
in California and Nevada. The following notes on its distribution
were recorded :

CALIFORNIA.

Walker Pass. — Pound on the summit at an altitude of 1,830 meters
(5,100 feet).

Peep Spring Valley. — Common, in company with Menodora sjnnosa,
Grayia spmosa, Eurotia lanata, Ealea fremonti^ E. polyadenia^ Lycium
andersoni, and Tetradyniia spinosa.

Panamint Mountains. — Common in many jiarts of the range. The
little basin between Wild Eose Spring and Emigrant Canon, named
^Perognathus Flat’ by our expedition, is covered with this siiecies,
very pure and little mixed with other xilants.

NF.VADA.

Fish Lalce Valley. — Abundant, covering the flat on the east side of
the valley in company with Eurotia lanata., and ranging thence ux) on
the northwest slope of Mount Magruder nearly to Pigeon Sxiring (alti-
tude 2,040 meters or 6,700 feet).

Valley between Mount Magruder and Gold Mountain. — Not abundant,
but found in company with Artemisia tridentata, Grayia spinosa, Atri-
plex confertifolia, and Tetradymia glahrata.

Grapevine Canon. — Tolerably common in the ux3X>bi’ of the

canon.

Sarcohatus Flat. — Common in northern xiart.

Oasis Valley. — Common in the iixiper xiart of the valley above 1,220
meters (4,000 feet) and ranging thence westerl.y.

Emigrant Valley. — One of the commonest xilants of the bottom (alti-
tude a little above 1,525 meters or 5,000 feet), and Tanging thence
easterly up on the Tiinxiahute Mountains to 1,680 meters (5,500 feet).

Timpaliute Valley. — One of the xirincixial xilants.

Pahranagat Valley. — Common on the higher levels above 1,220 meters
(4,000 feet). In xhaces on the Avest side of the valley it reaches 2,440
meters or 5,300 feet (on the east sloiie of the Pahranagat Mountains).

Eesert Valley. — The dominant plant in the gravelly soil surrounding
the dry lake.

Meadow Greek Valley. — Common below 1,770 meters (5,800 feet), on
the west sloxie of the Junixier Plateau.

316

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[^’0.7.

Artemisia arbiisciila.

This sage, whicli grows at greater elevations tlian most species, was
found in Nevada on the summit of the Pahraiiagat Mountains and on
Mount Magruder.

Artemisia filifolia.

This species was rare in the region traversed, but was found cover-
ing a large flat near St, George in the Lower Santa Clara Valley, Utah.
It difl'ers widely from the other species of the genus, its long linear or
filiform whitish leaves giving it a peculiarly soft and beautiful aiijiear-
ance.

Peuceapliyllum schottii.

This large shrub, resembling a Bigelovia in general aspect, was found
in many of the dry washes on the lower j)arts of the desert ranges and
in some of the higher valleys. It is common in Owens Valley, Califor-
nia, where it ranges up on the east slope of the Sierra to 1,550 meters
(about 5,100 feet). On the opposite side of the valley it reaches up on
the west slope of the White Mountains to about 1,980 meters (6,500
feet). It is common also on the Panamint Mountains, California, in
the Muddy Mountains, Nevada, and in many other localities.

Tetradymia canescens.

This species is common on many of the higher levels, particularly on
the desert ranges. In Nevada it was common on Mount Magruder; in
the upper part of Pahranagat Valley; in the Juniper Mountains
(between Meadow Creek, Nevada, and the Escalante Desert, Utah) ; and
in Utah in the upper part of the Santa Clara Valley (mixed with the
true sage brush, Artemisia tridentata).

Tetradymia glabrata.

This fine species was not seen in the southern deserts traversed in
going from Panamint and Death valleys across southern Nevada to
Utah, but was found in a number of places on the return trix), which
was a little further north and covered higher ground. Before going to
seed it may be easily recognized by its deep-green cylindrical branches,
which are nearly vertical. It was found between the east slojie of tbe
Sierra in Owens Valley, California, and Meadow Creek Valley, Nevada,
in the following. localities:

CALIFORNIA,

Owens Valley. — Common, ranging up to 1,550 meters (5,100 feet) on
the west slope.

NEVADA.

Valley hetiveen Gold Mountain and Mount Magruder. — Occurs spar-
ingly in this valley with Artemisia tridentata, Gray ia spinosa and other
brush.

Grapevine Canon. — Found in the ui^iier part of the canon.

:\[ay,1893.] shrubs of the DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

317

Sarcobattis Flat. — Tolerably common in places in the nortlicrn pai t
of tlie flat.

Oasis Valley. — Scarce. Found siiaringly above 1,200 meters (4,000
feet).

Emiyrant Valley. — Common on tbe higher slopes and ranging tlience
easterly over the west slope of the Desert Mountains.

TimpaJmte Valley. — One of the principal plants ranging easterly to the
summit of the pass over the Pahranagat Mountains (1,830 meters or
6,000 feet.)

Fahranagat Valley. — Tolerably common in dry places, running up to
1,650 meters (5,400 feet) on the west side of the valley (Pahranagat
Mountain side) with T. spinosa and Grayia spinosa. Some of it was
in full flower May 22-26, though it was mostly in bud at that date.

Desert Valley. — Eanges throughout the low pass across the Highland
Eange between Meadow Creek and Desert valleys.

Meadow GreeTc Valley. — Common, ranging easterly for about 13 kilo-
meters (8 miles) east of Pauaca, where it was first seen. This point
constitutes the easternmost limit of the range of the species so far as
observed by us.

Tetradymia spinosa.

This elegant bush, with conspicuous long straw-yellow spines, is com-
mon on many of the higher levels in the southern part of the Great
Basin. In early spring when the foliage is freshest it is very hand-
some, and later in the season when in fruit and covered with its white
woolly tufts of soft feathery plumes it is still more beautiful. It was
found in the following localities:-

CALIFORNIA.

WalTcer Pass. — Tolerably common among the tree yuccas on the east
side of the pass as high up as 1,430 meters (4,700 feet); found also on
the west slojie between 1,250 and 1,400 meters (4,100 and 4,600 feet).

Kern Valley. — Common on northerly exiiosures as low as 820 meters
(2,700 feet).

Owens Valley. — Common along the west side of the valley, where it
ranges up the east slope of the Sierra opposite Lone Pine to 1,830 or
1,890 meters (6,000 to 6,200 feet). On the opposite side of the valley
it ranges up the White Mountain slope to 1,980 meters (6,500 feet) or
higher.

DeejJ Spring Valley. — Occurs in the bottom of the valley with Grayia
spinosa, Menodora spinosa, Kurotia lanata, Daleas, and a few others (alti-
tude about 1,675 meters or 5,500 feet).

NEVADA.

Gold Mountain. — Common on the south slope above 1,675 meters
(5,500), and on the north slope below 2,135 meters (7,000 feet).

Oasis Valley. — Common on gravel soil at the head of the valley at
an altitude of about 1,340 meters (4,400 feet).

318

NOliTH iUlERlCAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Emigrant Valley. — Fomid on tlie east side of the valley, ranj;iiij;’
thence over the lower parts of the Desert and Tiinpahnte nioiintaiiis.

Timpalmte Valley. — Common on the higher levels, and ranges up on
the Pahranagat Mountain slope to the summit of the divide at 1,830
meters (0,000 feet). On the west side of the valley it begins at 1,400
meters (4,800 feet) and ranges up on the Timijahutc Mountains.

Fahranagat Valley. — Common in jjlaccs, generally on gravel soil,
ascending on the west side of the valley (east slope of Pahranagat
Mountains) to 1,045 meters (5,400 feet).

Highland Range. — Found sparingly on the west slope.

Ch arleston Mountains. — On the west slope of the Charleston Mountains
Tetradymias^rinosayiSiS, found in a zone between 1,340 and 1,705 meters
(4,400-5,800 feet).

UTAH.

Beaver dam Mountains. — Occurs simriugly.

Tetradymia comosa (or stenolepis).

This beautiful shrub, which may be recognized at a distance by its
whiteness, is common in part of the region traversed. It was found
in the following localities:

CALIUOliNlA.

Olvens Valley. — Common in the higher parts of the valley, ranging
up on the west side opposite Lone Pine to 1,520 or 1,550 meters (5,000 or
5,100 feet.)

Wallier Pass. — Occurs on the east side of the pass where it was seen
at 1,250 meters (4,100 feet).

Kern Valley. — Found on northerly exposures as low as 820 meters
(2,700 feet.).

Mohave Desert. — Found in places, ranging westward nearly to Wil-
low Sx)ring in Antelope Valley, and extending northward through the
open canon leading from Mohave to Tehachapi.

Arctostaphylos glauca.

In Cajon Pass this manzanita begins at about 670 meters (2,200 feet)
and ranges up to the summit of the i:)ass.

Arctostaphylos pungens.

This species of manzanita was found on the Charleston Mountains,
Nevada, near'Mountain Sx>ring, and on the east slope of the Beaverdam
Mountains in Utah, from 1,100 to 1,300 meters (3,600 to 4,300 feet) alti-
tude. It was not found on any of the other desert ranges.

Note. — Other sjiecies of manzanita are common on both slopes of
the Sierra Nevada in California, and on the coast ranges.

Menodora spinesceiis.

The beautiful little bush provisionally referred to this species, but
which may have been Menodora scoparia, grows in dense tufts over
many of the higher desert levels, where it is easily recognized by the

May, 1893.] SHRUBS OF THE IJEAlli VALLEY EXPEDITION.

310

pcc'iilicir green of its foliage and by the circiiinstance tliat it fruits eai ly
and its large green berries are distributed in pairs along the branches,
growing sessile, one on each side of the stem. It was found in the fol-
lowing localities:

CAI.IVOKNIA.

Beep Spring Valley. — Occurs in company with Grayia, Burotia, Balca^
Lyeiiim, and Tetradymia t^pinosa; altitude about 1,080 meters (5,500
feet).

NEVADA.

Fish Lalce Valley. — Common on the upper levels, ranging up on the
northwest side of Mount Magruder to 1,950 meters (6,400 feet).

Gold Mountain. — Common on the south sloxie, ranging upward from
1,550 meters (5,100 feet).

Oasis Valley. — Occurs sparingly above 1,220 meters (4,000 feet).
Indian Spring Valley. — Tolerably common throughout the valley.
Timpahute Valley. — One of the principal plants.

Fahranagat Valley. — leather common on gravelly soil above an alti-
tude of 1,190 meters (3,900 feet) 5 on the west side of the valley (Pah-
ranagat Mountain slope) it ranges up to 1,525 meters (5,000 feet).
It was heavily laden with fruit May 22-26.

Charleston Mountains. — On the west slope of the Charleston Moun-
tains ifenodora spinosa ranges from about l,525meters (5,000 feet) down
to the upper levels of Pahrump Valley.

INote. — Another species of illenodora, considerably larger than the
one above mentioned (perhaps true sp>inesoens) , was found on the divide
south ofPahranagat Lake, Nevada, at an altitude of about 1,150 meters
(3,800 feet).

Fraxinus coriacea.

This ash was observed in the following localities :

CALIFORNIA.

Owens Valley. — Common in open groves along Cottonwood and Ash
creeks on the west side of Owens Lake, where it was heavily laden with
fruit June 19. Another and very distinct species occurs in company
with F. coriacea and was in fruit on the same date.

NEVADA.

Ash Meadows. — Ash Meadows takes its name from the circumstance
that this small ash is common about many of the warm springs. Ash
Meadows is the ty^ie locality of the species.

Upper Cottonwood Springs. — Small ash trees, supposed to be this spe-
cies, are common with the desert willows [Chilopsis linearis) along the
Upper Cottonwood Springs at the east baseof the Charleston Mountains.

UTAH.

Santa Clara Valley. — A small ash, supposed to be this species, is com-
mon along the banks of the Lower Santa Clara Kiver, where it occurs
in company with F. anomala, the latter reaching the Santa Clara from
the neighboring slope of the Beaverdam Mountains.

320

NOKTir AISIKKICAN FAUNA.

[Xu. 7.

Fraxinus anomala.

This single-leaved dwarl' ash was IVmiid near IMonntain Springs on
the west slo])e of the Charleston Mountains. Nevada., from 1, (!()() to
meters (5,300 to 5,800 feet); and on the east slope of the Beaverdani
Mountains, Utah, from an altitude of 1,275 meters (4,200 feet) down to
the Lower Santa Clara Valley, where it occurs along the river with an-
other species believed to be F. coriacea.

Eriodictyon tomentosum.

This species was common in the Canada de las Ilvas, California, par-
ticularly on north and east exposures, and was found also on the south
slope of the Sierra Liebre along the Valley of Peru Creek.

Lycium andersoni.

The members of the genus Lycium rank among the eharacteristic
bushes of the Great Basin in California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona.
They rarely inhabit the lower deserts, but are found plentifully on the
upper levels and on many of the desert ranges. They are not social
plants, but occur here and there among the other kinds of desert brush.
Their flowers are usually greenish yellow and inconspicuous. The ber-
ries of L. andersoni are brownish in color, acid, and rather pleasant,
suggesting currants. This species, which is the smallest of the genus,
was found in the following localities:

CAIJFOIiNIA.

Aritelojjc Valley {west end of Mohave Desert). — A little was seen be-
tween Mohave ancLWillow Spring. It occurs also along the northwest
edge of the Mohave Desert, and ascends the open canon leading ui3
to Tehachapi Valley as high as 1,030 meters (3,400 feet).

Walker Pass and Kern Valley. — Buns uj) to 1,430 meters (4,700 feet)
on the east slope. On the west slope it was observed from 1,220 meters
(a little over 4,000 feet) down to 820 meters (2,700 feet) in the valley of
Kern Eiver.

Owens Valley. — Occurs sparingly on the west side of the valley, rang-
big up to 1,525 or 1,550 meters (5,000 or 5,100 feet) on the Sierra slope
opposite Lone Pine.

Dee]) Spring Valley. — Occurs in company with Grayia, Furotia, Dalea
fremonti, D. polyadenia, Menodora spinosa, Tetradymia spinosa, Artem-
isia spinescens, and Atriplex eaneseens.

NEVADA.

Fish Lake Valley. — Found on the east side of the valley, whence it
ranges up on the northwest slope of Mount Magruder as high as 1,860
meters (6,100 feet).

Meadow Greek Valley. — Common in places, and ranging up to 1,765
meters (5,800 feet) on the west slope of the Juniper Eange.

Grapevine Canon. — Occurs at the upper end of the caiion near Sar-
cobatus Flat.

May, 1893.] SHRUBS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

321

Oasis Valley. — Eather common, beginning at tiie foot of tlie valley
at 1,140 meters (3,750 feet), and following the bottom to the head of
the valley.

Amargosa Desert. — Occurs sparingly, mixed with the upper edge of
the Larrea.

IncJkm Spring Valley. — Common; berries ripe May 20.

Emigrant Valley. — Common, and runs up on the west slope of the
Desert Mountains to the divide near Summit or Mud Spring.
Timpahute Valley. — One of the principal plants.

Pahranagat Valley. — Common on dry gravelly levels, mixed with
other shrubs. Extends up from the valley to 1,580 meters (5,200 feet)
or higher on the Pahranagat Mountains, Fruit ripening May 22-26.

Paliroc Plain. — Eather common, mixed with Grayia spinosa., Eurotia
lanata, and A triplex canescens.

UTAH.

Beaverclam Mountains. — Tolerably common on the east .slope, ranging
up to 1,100 meters (3,600 feet), and down to the Santa Clara Valley.

Lycium cooperi.

This large species was found in the following localities:

CALIFORNIA.

Mohave Desert. — Common in the upper levels, reaching west in Ante-
lope Valley nearly to Willow Spring, and extending northward through-
out the open caiion leading up to Tehachapi.

Tehachapi Valley. — Occurs in places, coming from the Mohave Desert
and extending northward sparingly into Tehachapi Pass.

Kern Valley. — Occurs on northerly exposures down to 820 meters
(2,700 feet).

Owens Valley. — Common in large clumps on the west side of the val-
ley, ranging up on the Sierra slope as high as 1,830 or 1,890 meters
(6,000 or 6,200 feet) opposite Lone Pine, and common in places all the
way south to Haway Meadows and the Mohave Desert.

Panamint Mountains. — Common in places.

NEVADA.

Gold Mountain. — Occurs sparingly on the north slope (collected).
Amargosa Desert. — Found mixed with the Larrea in the upper jiart
of the Larrea zone.

Oasis Valley. — Occurs.

Mount Magruder. — Found near Pigeon Spring, on the northwest slope
of Mount Magruder.

Lycium torreyi.

Thi& large species was collected in fruit in the Muddy Valley near
St. Thomas, FTevada, Avhere it was common in dry parts of the valley,
and also in the Valley of the Virgin (nearly out of dower May 6). In
Utah it was found in the Santa Clara Valley,

12731-^Ko. 7 21

322

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Lycium pallidum.

Tliis large species, wliicli lias large trumpet shaped flowers and large
leaves, is common in the Upper Santa Clara Valley, Utah, about 8 miles
northwest of St. George, at an altitude of 1,275 meters (4,200 feet),
ranging thence np to or above the Upper Santa Clara crossing. It was
collected on the east slope of the Beaverdam Mountains, where it runs
up to 1,090 meters (3,000 feet). A large species, probably the same,
was found on the west slope of the Beaverdam Mountains, from 730 ux)
to 1,340 meters (2,400 to 4,400 feet).

Note. — Lycimns were found in a number of localities not mentioned
under the four species above enumerated for the reason that doubt at-
taches to the identification of the species. In many places two kinds
were found growing together. One or more species were found in the
following localities :

Leach Point Valley, and Perognathus Flat (in the Panamint Moun-
tains), California; Pahrumj) Valley, Indian Spring Valley, and High-
land Eange, Nevada; Beaverdam Mountains and Lower Santa Clara
Valley, Utah.

Chilopsis linearis.

Mr. Bailey and I did not find the desert willow in California or west-
ern Nevada, but encountered it for the first time at Upper Cottonwood
Springs, at the east foot of the Charleston Mountains,, Nevada, where
it was common. It was common also at Bitter Springs in the Muddy
Mountains, Nevada; at the point where Beaverdam Creek joins the
Virgin in northwestern Arizona; on the east slope of the Beaverdam
Mountains in Utah, where it reaches an altitude of 1,280 meters (4,200
feet), and in the Lower Santa Clara Valley.

Mr. F. V. Coville informs me that he found it in California, on the
Mohave Eiver, near Daggett.

Salvia carnosa.

This species was noted in the following localities in California:

Walker Pass. — Common up to 1,430 meters (4,700 feet) on the east side
of the pass.

Kern Valley. — Common down to 820 meters (2,700 feet), or lower on
northerly exx)osures.

Antelope Valley. — Abundant in places in a wash leading south from
near Gorman Station toward Peru Creek ; still lower down it is mixed
with Audihertia alba.

Salvia pilosa 1 = Audihertia pilosa'].

This small-leaved species (until recently known as Audihertia incana
pilosa) was found at the following localities:

NEVADA.

Charleston Mountains. — Common in the neighborhood of Mountain
Spring, from about 1,525 to 1,770 meters (5,000 to 5,800 feet).

May, 1893.] SHRUBS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

323

Pahroc Mountains. — Found near Paliroc Spring.

Highland Range. — Common on the west slope.

Juniper Mountains. — Collected at an elevation of 1,680 meters (5,500
feet).

UTAH.

Beaverdam Mountains. — Abundant and in full flower May 10-11;
ranges down to 1,100 meters (3,600 feet) on the east slope, and to 1,160
meters (3,800 feet) on the west slope.

Note. — A large-leaved species of Audihertia was found on several
of the desert ranges. On the north slope of Grold Mountain a siiecies
was found as high as 2,100 meters (7,000 feet).

Salazaria mexicana.

This small shrub, which iireseuts a very odd appearance when cov-
ered with its large inflated gibbous pods, is common in many parts of
the desert region. It was noted in the following localities :

CALIFORNIA.

Mohave Desert. — Common in many places, reaching westward to Ante-
lope Valley, and entering the mouth of Walker Pass, and also of the
pass leading from Mohave to Tehachapi, where it attains an altitude of
1,035 meters (3,400 feet).

NEVADA.

Gold Mountain. — Found on the south slope of Gold Mountain, be-
ginning at an altitude of 1,550 meters (5,100 feet) and ranging upward.

Oasis Valley. — A little is found in Oasis Valley above 1,220 meters
(4,000 feet).

Indian Spring Valley. — Common throughout the valley. (Covered
with inflated gibbous fruit globes May 29).

Pahranagat Valley. — Not found in the valley jiroper, but tolerably
common on the divide south of Pahranagat Lake (altitude 1,150 meters,
or 3,800 feet), and on the west side of the valley at the east foot of the
Pahranagat Mountains above an altitude of 1,340 meters (4,400 feet).

Charleston Mountains. — Common on the west slope, ranging up from
Pahrump Valley to 1,580 meters (5,200 feet), and on the east slope up
to 1,525 meters (5,000 feet).

Muddy Mountains. — Common on east slope at an altitude of 600 to
760 meters (2,000 to 2,500 feet).

UTAH.

Santa Clara Valley. — Occurs sparingly in the valley, disapiiearing on
the north side between 1,220 and 1,280 meters (4,000 and 4,200 feet).

Beaverdam Mountains. — Common on the lower slopes, ranging up to
1,100 meters (3,600 feet) on the east slope, and up to 1,340 meters (4,400
feet) on the west slope.

Atriplex confertifolia.

Atriplex confertifolia is the most characteristic species of desert brush
on the clayey alkaline soils of the Upper Sonoran zone, from the Snake

324

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Plains of Idaho southward, and reaches downward into the Lower So-
noran also,

CALIFORNIA.

Mohave Desert. — Oominoii in suitable parts of the desert, and found
as far west as a point a little north of Willow Spring, in Antelox)e
Valley.

Owens Valley. — The commonest plant throughout a large part of
Owens Valley, x)redominating over all other species 5 particularly abun-
dant on suitable soil from Big Pine southward to a jioint 9 miles south
of Owens Lake. On the east side of the valley it reaches up on the
White and Inyo mountains to about 1,980 meters (6,500 feet) in the
latitude of Big Pine.

NEVADA.

Fish Lalce Valley. — Very abundant, and ranging thence up on the
northwest slox)e of Mount Magruder in the wash leading to Pigeon
Spring as high as 1,950 meters (6,400 feet), where it grows in coinjiany
with Sarcohatus verniioulatus and Stanley a pinnata.

Valley between Mount Magruder and Gold Mountain. — Common, and
mixed with Artemisia tridentata, Grayia spinosa, Tetradymia glabrata.
and other species.

Grapevine Cano n. — Abundan t.

Sarcohatus Flat. — The southern half of Sarcobatus Plat is covered
with this sjiecies, very jiure and free from admixture with other plants.

To the north it becomes invaded hy Atriplex parryi, A. canescens, Arte-
misia spinescens, Tetradymia glabrata, Grayia spinosa, and several other
shrubs.

Oasis Valley. — Common throughout the valley, but disappearing
abruptly at the south end, and not seen on the Amargosa Desert.

Ash Meadows. — The commonest plant on the dry, alkali soil, stopping
with the alkali flat at the south end of the Amargosa Desert proper.

Indian Spring Valley. — Common about the large dry lake at the
junction of the north arm with the main valley.

Emigrant Valley. — One of the commonest plants in the bottom at an
altitude of a little more than 1,525 meters (5,000 feet) and extending
thence easterly up the west slope of the Desert Eauge to 1,675 meters
(5,500 feet) or higher.

Timpalmte Desert. — One of the principal plants.

Pahranagat Valley. — Abundant in large patches on the bottoms and •
lower gravel slox)es, and in the lower part of the wash coming into
Pahranagat Valley from Paliroc Plain; ranges up on the west side of
the valley to 1,430 meters (4,700 feet).

Desert Valley. — Common in the flat bordering the dry lake.

Meadow Greeh Valley. — Abundant in the flat along the creek.

Pahrump Valley. — Very abundant on the flats in the bottom of the
valley.

May, 1893.] SHRUBS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

325

Virgin and Loiver Muddy Valleys. — Common on the dry bottoms.

ITTAH.

Santa Clara Valley. — Common in iilaces in the lower valley.

Atriplex parryi.

This species apparently has the most restricted range of any of the
shrubby forms of the genus. In California it was found in parts of
Owens Valley between Big Pine and Lone Pine, and also along the
Avest side of Owens Lake. In Ash Meadows, on the boundary between
California and IsTevada, it is one of the commonest bushes, covering
the alkali Hats and reaching north to the gravel Larrea plain that
marks the beginning of the Amargosa Desert proiier, Avhere it ends
abruiitly because the soil is unsuitable. It reappears in Oasis Valley
(beginning in the canon at the foot of the valley at an altitude of 1,140
meters or 3,750 feet) where it extends all- the way along the bottom, asso-
ciated with Atriplex confertifolia, A. ca^iescens, and Sarcohatus vermieida-
tus. A little was found at the bottom of Grapevine Canon about a
mile and a half from its east mouth, whence it extends easterly over
the north part of Sarcobatus Flat, where, however, it is not abundant.
Atriplex hymenelytra.

This striking species, which grows on salty and alkaline soil in the
Lower Sonoran zone, is not widely distributed over the deserts of
southern California and Nevada. It is common in Death Valley,
Panamint Valley, and Ash Meadows, and also in places in the Muddy
and Virgin valleys in eastern Nevada, but was not found in Oasis
Valley or in any of the other valleys of southern Nevada.

Atriplex polycarpa.

Of all the greasewoods, Atriplex polycarpa is the most distinctiA^e of
the lower division of the Lower Sonoran Zone, occupying the bottoms
of the lowest deserts, and never occurring above, if as high as, the upper
edge of the Larrea.

CALIFOKNIA.

Mohave Desert. — Common in suitable bottoms; the principal brush on
the clay flat a fcAA^ miles Avest of Willow Spring, in Antelope Valley.

Owens Valley. — One of the commonest shrubs in the lower part of the
valley from Lone Pine south to Haway Meadows (about 10 kilometers,
or 10 miles, south of Owens Lake).

NEVADA.

Grapevine Canon. — GroAvs in the bottom of the canon about a mile
and a half from Sarcobatus Flat.

Oasis Valley. — Common in the lower part of the valley.

Pahranagat Valley. — Not found in Pahranagat Valley proper, but
common on the flat south of Pahranagat Lake at an altitude of about
1,070 meters (3,500 feet).

Virgin and Lower Muddy valleys. — Common on dry bottoms.

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

y>6

Pahrump Valleij. — Common on the east side of the valley in the
Larrea belt.

Atriplex canescens.

Atnplex canescens is one of the commonest and most generally dis-
tributed greasewoods of the Lower Sonoran Zone. It is abundant
from the western arm of the Mohave Desert (Antelope Valley) in
California to the foot of the Hurricane Cliffs in western Utah and
Arizona. The following notes on its distribution were recorded.

CALIFOKNIA.

Mohave Desert. — Abundant over most parts of the desert where the
soil is alkaline and clayey. It reaches the extreme western end of An-
telope Valley near Gorman Station, and occurs in the wash leading
thence southerly toward Pern Creek, at an altitude of about 760 meters
(2,500 feet).

Tehaehapi Valley. — Tolerably common, coming in from the Mohave
Desert through the open canon at Cameron 5 seen also in Tehaehapi
Pass.

Walker Pass. — Runs up the east side of Walker Pass from the Mo-
have Desert to an altitude of about 1,425 meters (4,700 feet).

Owens Valley. — Common along the bottom and east side of Owens
Valley up to about 1,980 meters (6,500 feet) along the west foot of the
White and Inyo mountains; abundant in the narrow valley for about
9 miles south of Owens Lake.

Deep Spring Valley. — Grows in the bottom of the valley with Grayia
spinosa, Tetradyniia spinosa, Menoclora spinosa, Dalea polyadenia,
D. fremonti, Ijycium andersoni, Durotia lanata, and Artemisia spinescens.

NEVADA.

Fish Lake Valley. — Common in the bottom of Fish Lake Valley on the
boundary between California and Kevada, and ranges thence up on
the northwest slo^ie of Mount Magrnder nearly to Pigeon Spring, reach-
ing an altitude of 1,980 or 2,010 meters (6,500 or 6,600 feet).

Sareohatus Flat. — Common in the northern i)art of the flat.

Grapevine Canon. — Found in the bottom of this broad and open canon
about a mile or a mile and a half west of Sarcobatus Flat.

Oasis Valley. — Common, beginning in the canon at the foot of the
valley at an altitude of about 1,150 meters (3,750 feet), and growing in
company with Atriplex confertifolia, A. parryi, and Sareohatus vermiou-
latus.

Indian Spring Valley. — Common about the dry lake a little north of
the point where the north arm of Indian Spring Valley joins the main
valley.

Emigrant Valley. — Common, and ranges thence easterly to the sum-
mit of the Desert Mountains near Mud Spring.

Timpahute Valley. — One of the principal i^lauts; ranges easterly ux3
the west sloxie of the Pahraiiagat Mountains to the divide.

May, 1803.] SHRUBS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

327

Pahranagat Valley. — Abundant on most of tlie dry parts of the bot-
tom and on gravel slopes, and ranging up a little above 1,500 meters
(5,000 feet) on tlie west or Pahranagat Mountain side (much of it in
dower May 22-20).

Desert Valley. — Common in x>laces with Artemisia spinescens and
Eurotia lanata.

Faliroc Plain. — Common, mixed with Grayia, Eurotia., and Lycium
andersoni, and ranging as high as 1,980 meters (6,500 feet) on the Pahroc
Mountains.

Meadoic Creeic Valley. — Common, and ranging uji to 1,980 meters
(6,500 feet) on west slope of Junixier Plateau.

• Virgin and Lower Muddy valleys. — Common in the dryer parts of the
valleys.

Palirump Valley. — The most abundant brush on the alkaline bottoms,
whence it ranges up the west slope of the Charleston Mountains to about
1,700 meters (5,600 feet),

UTAH.

Sa nta Clara Valley. — Common in places in the lower jiart of the valley.
Atriplex lentiformis.

This large species is not so generally distributed as most of the other
members of the genus, and in places it may have been confounded with
A. torreyi, from which it is not always easily distinguishable.

CALIFOKNIA.

Mohave Desert. — Found growing north of Willow Sx)ring, in Antelope
Valley.

Amargosa Canon. — -Bather common Avith A. torreyi.

NEVADA.

Oasis Valley. — A fcAV cluinjis seen.

Pahranagat Valley. — Common in patches on suitable soil, usually
sand or fine gravel; generally rank and large.

Virgin and Lower Muddy valleys. — Common in dry jiarts of the Ami-
leys; sometimes in comx)any with A. torreyi.

Great Bend of the Colorado River. — Occurs on the sand banks on the
south side of Vegas Wash.

UTAH.

Santa Clara Valley. — Grows in the lower jAnrt of the valley.

Atriplex torreyi.

Atriplex torreyi is the largest s^iecies of the genus and grows in iso-
lated localities throughout the Lower Souoran zone. Small bushes are
sometimes difiicult to distinguish from A. lentiformis.

CALIFORNIA.

Owens Valley. — A little was seen on the west side of Owens Lake,
and a few patches in the narrow valley betAveen Owens Lake and
Haway Meadows.

328

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[Ko. 7.

Amargosa Canon. — Abundant, forming dense thiclcets.

NEVADA.

Valley of the Virgin and Lower Muddy. — Common in ])la(*es in the
dryer j)arts of tbe valley. Near an abandoned mill at St. Joe, on tlie
Muddy, it forms dense and impenetrable thickets and grows to immense
size, single bushes attaining a height of to 54 meters (15 to IS feet),
with trunks 150 millimeters (about 6 inches) in diameter.

Pahranagat Valley. — A few scattering jiatches of rather small size
were found.

UTAH.

Santa Clara Valley. — Grows in the lower valley.

Grayia spinosa [=Gray\apolygaloides].

Grayia spinosa is one of the most characteristic bushes of the upper
division of the Lower Sonoran Zone in the deserts of the southern part
of the Great Basin. Owing to the peculiar green of its leaves and their
tendency to assume a ihnkish tint, it is easily distinguishable from the
other brush with which it is associated. It was recorded from the fol-
lowing localities:

CALIFORNIA.

Mohave Desert.-— Grayia is common in many of the higher levels of
the Mohave Desert. It was found as far west as Antelope Valley a
short distance east of Willow Spring, and a little was seen in the open
canon leading from Mohave to Tehachapi.

Walker Pass. — In Walker Pass it extends up the east slope from the
Mohave Desert to an altitude of 1,330 meters (4,400 feet) or higher.

Owens Valley. — Common and ranges up on the west side (Sierra Ne-
vada slope) to 1,525 or 1,550 meters (5,000 or 5,100 feet). On the opposite
or White Mountain slope it ranges up to 1,980 meters (6,500 feet).

Deep Spring Valley. — Pound in the bottom of the valley with Tetra-
dymia spinosa, Menodora spinosa, Atriplex canescens, Dalea polyadenia,
D. fremonti, Artemisia spinescens, Jjycium andersoni, nwd Durotia lanata.

NEVADA.

Fish Lake Valley. — Abundant, ranging up nearly to Pigeon Spring
on the northwest slope of Mount Magruder, at an altitude of 1,980 to
2,040 meters (6,500 to 6,700 feet).

Valley between Gold Mountain and Mount Magruder. — Common, mixed
with Artemisia tridentata, Tetradymia glahrata, Atriplex confertifolia,
and a little Artemisia spinescens.

Gold Mountain. — Common below 2,135 meters (7,000 feet) altitude On
the north slope, and down to 1,675 meters (5,500 feet) on the south slope.

Sarcohatus Flat. — Tolerably common in xDlaces in the northern part
of the flat.

Oasis Valley. — Not common. Pound from 1,220 meters (4,000 feet) ux>-
wai'ds.

May, 1893.] SHRUBS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

329

Timpaliute Valley. — Scarce.

Pahranagat Valley. — Abundant on the gravel slopes and on dry gravel
soil in tlie bottom of tlie valley and thence up to 1,045 meters (5,400 feet)
on the west side (east slope Pahranagat Mountains). In fruit May
22-26.

Pahroc Plain. — Abundant on tlie gravel slopes, where it is the pre-
vailing busb all the way from Pahroc Spring to Pahranagat Valley.

Desert Valley. — Abundant, in places forming large patches by itself
unmixed with other species, and continuous with that of Pahroc Plain.

Meadoiv Creelc Valley. — Common, mixed with the sage brush, and
ranging up to 1,920 meters (6,300 feet) on the west slope of the Juniper
Plateau, but this is above its usual limit.

Charleston Mountains. — Found on the east slope below 1,200 meters
(4,000 feet).

UTAH.

Beaver clam Mountains. — Found on the east slope of the mountains
from 1,095 meters (3,600 feet) down into the valley.

Santa Clara Valley. — Occurs in the lower valley, but disappears at
about 1,220 to 1,280 meters (4,000 to 4,200 feet) on the north side of the
valley (south exposure).

Eurotia laiiata.

This well-known species, which is a valuable food plant for sheep,
and is also eaten by horses, is common thro ughout the sage plains of
Idaho and Nevada, and was found on many of the higher levels of the
deserts traversed by the expedition. In the north it is commonly known
as ^ white sage,’ but is a widely different x)lant from the so-called
‘ white sage’ of the coastal slope and coast ranges of southern Cali-
fornia, the latter being Audihertia alba.

CALIFORNIA.

Mohave Desert. — Common on the upper levels and extending up to
1,035 meters (3,400 feet), in tlie open canon leading from Mohave to
Tehachajii Valley.

OwensValley. — Common among the sagebrush, and ranging up to a
little above 1,550 meters (5,100 feet) on the Sierra slope.

Deep Spring Valley. — Tolerably common, with Grayia spinosa, Meno-
doraspinosa, Tetradymia spinosa, Dalea fremontl, D. polyadenia, Arte-
misia spinescens, Lycium andersoni, and Atriplex canescens (altitude
about 1,680 meters or 5,500 feet).

NEVADA.

Fish Lake Valley. — Abundant on the east side of the valley, ranging
up to Pigeon Spring on the northwest slope of Mount Magruder (alti-
tude 2,040 meters or 6,700 feet).

Sarcobatus Flat. — Tolerably common in places in the northern part
of the flat.

330

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Oasis Valleij. — Common on the gravel slopes at the head of the valley
at an altitude of about 1,340 meters (4,400 feet).

Emigrant Valleij. — One of the eommonest plants in the bottom of the
valley at an altitude of 1,525 meters (a little above 5,000 feet).
Thn})aluite Valley. — One of the principal plants.

Pahroc Plain. — Common, mixed with Grayia spinosa, Ijycium ander-
soni, and Atriplex canescens.

Desert Valley. — This valley is a remarkably typical Eurotia plain,
thousands of acres between Pahroc Mountains and the Highland Kauge
showing no other plant.

Meadow Creelc Valley. — Extensive tracts (comprising many acres) are
covered with this species alone.

Juniper Mountains (between Panaca,]Vevada,and Shoal Creelc, Utah). —
Common in places among the sage and juniper.

UTAH.

Santa Clara Valley. — Eather common in places.

Allenrolfea occidentalis Spyrostacliys occidentalism.

This small, scrubby plant (commonly known as Spyrostachys occi-
dentalis) can endure more alkali and salt in the soil than any other
species, and consequently is abundant on many of the salt flats where
no other species grows. In Death Yalley it forms a distinct border
around the salt flat; and it occurs in similar soils easterly as far as the
valley of the Virgin and Lower Muddy.

Suaeda suffrutescens.

Suceda suffrutescens is a saline plant, requiring both salt and alkali
in the soil in which it thrives. It can not stand so much salt as AUen-
rolfea, and consequently is found outside of the Allenrolfea heltsiroimd
the true salt flats. It was recorded from the following localities;

NEVADA.

Grapevine Canon. — Common in places.

Sarcohatus Flat. — Common in places in the northern part of the flat.
Oasis Valley. — Common throughout the bottom of the valley.
Pahranagat Valley. — Common in the lower j)art of the valley.

Valley of the Virgin and Lower Muddy. — Abundant on the salt flats.
Indian Spring Valley. — Common about the dry lake at the base of the
north arm of Indian Sxiring Yalley.

Sarcobatus baileyi.*

This new species of Sarcobatus, the second known in the genus, was
first discovered by Mr. Yeruou Bailey in the Candelaria salt marshes
near Columbus, Nev., in winter. It was afterward found by Mr.
Bailey and myself in Sarcobatus Flat, on the west side of the Ealstoii
Desert, where it was common and in full fruit June 2, and on the east
side of Fish Lake Yalley, where it forms a narrow zone at an altitude

"Coville, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash.; vol. vii, May 18, 1892, pp. 77-78.

May, 1893.] SHRUBS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

331

of about 2,010 meters (0,000 feet). It grows on gravel soil, while S.
vermiculatus, as well known, grows on alkaline clayey soils.

Sarcobatus vermiculatus.

This characteristic desert shrub grows on clayey alkaline soils through-
out the Upper Sonoran Zone, descending in places into the Lower
Sonoran. It was observed in the following localities:

CALIFORNIA.

Owens Valley. — Common on the alkaline flats in the narrow valley
between Owens Lake and Haway Meadows, and in places on the west
side of the valley between Owens Lake and Lone Pine.

NEVADA.

Fish Lalce Valley. — The most conspicuous plant on the mud flat in the
bottom of the valley, whence it extends easterly on suitable soils to an
altitude of 2,010 meters (6,700 feet) in the wash leading up to Pigeon
Spring on the northwest slope of Mount Magruder.

Sarcohatus Flat. — Abundant on the clayey soil, growing on clay dunes
as high as a man’s head or higher. These Sarcohatus dunes were not
found elsewhere and were such a peculiar feature of this desert that
the name Sarcobatus Flat was given it on this account.

Oasis Valley. — Common throughout the bottom of the valley along
with Atriplex confertifoUa and A. parryi.

Paliranagat Valley. — Abounds throughout the clayey mud flats of
the valley up to an altitude of about 1,280 meters (4,200 feet), and is
distinguishable at a distance from the other shrubs by its peculiar
green color.

ALeadow GreeTc Valley. — Common along the bottom.

Desert Valley. — Common in large patches on the flat bordering the
dry lake.

UTAH.

Shoal Greelc. — Occurs in places on the mud flats bordering the creek.
Eriogonum polifolium.

This woody Frioyomim, the lower part of which is a true bush, is
common on the upper levels of many of the deserts and along the bases
of many of the desert ranges, where it was recorded from the following-
localities :

CALIFORNIA.

Alohave Desert. — Common on the higher levels.

Antelope Valley. — Common at the extreme west end of Antelope Val-
ley in a wash leading south toward Peru Creek.

Tehaehapi Basin. — Occurs, coming up from the Mohave Desert.
Walker Pass. — In Walker Pass it was common up to 1,430 meters
(4,700 feet) on the east side; on the west or Kern River side it was
found as low as 820 meters (2,700 feet) on northerly exposures.

332

NORTH AMi;niCAN FAUNA.

[Xo. 7.

Owens Valley. — West of Lone Pine tliis si)eeies is common and ranges
up on the east slope of the Sierra to about 1,800 meters (0,200 feet).

Eriogonum inflatum.

This singular species, which was discovered by Fremont in his nota-
ble journey across the Mohave Desert in 1844, is common on most of
the deserts in the southern part of the Great Basin, from California to
Utah, usually occurring on gravelly soil. It is of slight value as a food
plant for stock, being devoured by some mules and horses. On the
east slope of Walker Pass it ranges up from the Mohave Desert to an
altitude of 1,430 meters (4,700 feet).

Chorizanthe rigida.

This singular little plant flourishes on the hottest gravel beds of the
hottest deserts of California, Uevada, Arizona, and southwestern Utah,
where it flowers in the early spring. It is the only species besides the
creosote bush {Larrea tridentata) that grows on many of the black peb-
ble beds which become so hot in the sun that all ordinary plants would
be baked in a few moments. It was recorded in the following locali-
ties:

CALIFORNIA.

Pananiint Valley. — Common in places.

Death Valley. — Common ou the gravel sloiDCS.

NEVADA.

Amaryosa Desert. — Common, and over large areas the only plant
growing with the Larrea on the hot pebble beds.

Grapevme Canon. — Common, coming up from the northwest arm of
Death Valley and ranging upward ou the southwest slope of Mount
Magruder as high as 4,830 meters (6,000 feet).

Oasis Valley. — Bather common.

Indian Spring Valley. — Common on the black pebble beds.

UTAH.

Santa Clara Valley. — Common on the warm gravel slopes.

Platanus occidentalis.

The sycamore was not found by us in the Great Basin, but is common
in southern California. It grows in considerable abundance in the
valley and gorge that the road follows in leading ux3 from Caliente
toward Walker Basin (on the west slope of the divide), where it ranges
up from the valley to an altitude of 820 meters (2,700 feet). It was
common also in the u^jper jiart of Cajon Pass in the San Bernardino
Mountains, where it was coming into leaf March 30.

Betula occidentalis.

The western birch is common along some of the mountain streams on
the west side of Owens Valley at the foot of the Sierra.

May, 1893.]

TREES OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

333

Alnus rhombifolia.

This alder, which grows to be a large tree, 9 meters (30 feet) or more
in height, with a tall compact trunk, is common in the valley of the
Kern Eiver, on the west side of the Sierra in California.

Quercns iindulata.

. This evergreen scrub oak was found in the following localities :

NEVADA.

Charleston Mountains. — Common in scattered patches near Mountain
Spring, and down on the west sloiie to 1,520 meters (5,000 feet).

Juniper Mountains. — Common in places in the juniper between
Panaca, Nevada, and Shoal Creek, Utah.

UTAH.

Upper Santa Clara Valley. — Found in patches in the Upi3er Santa
Clara Valley, beginning about 13 kilometers (8 miles) northwest of St.
George, at an altitude of about 1,275 meters (4,200 feet) and ranging-
northward through Diamond Valley to the Upper Santa Clara Cross-
ing and Mountain Meadows.

Beaver (lam Mountains. — Occurs in ];)laces on the east slope between
1,100 and 1,300 meters (3,600 to 4,600 feet).

Quercus gambelii.

The Desert Eange scrub oak was found in the following localities ;

NEVADA.

Juniper Mountains. — -Found sparingly from Shoal Creek, Utah, across
the Juniper Mountain Plateau in eastern Nevada.

UTAH.

Mountain Meadows. — Common in scattered patches from the Upper
Santa Clara Crossing northward to and beyond Mountain Meadows.

Quereus lobata.

The white oak is common in the Canada de las Uvas, California, par-
ticularly on the grounds immediately about Old Fort Tejon, where it
grows to a great and uuusual size. Many trees near the old fort meas-
ure 6 meters (20 feet) or more in circumference a meter or more (3 or 4
feet) above the ground, and one measures 8 meters (26 feet 4 inches).
A colony of purple martens {Progne stiMs hesperia) was found breed-
ing in holes high uj) in these oaks at the time of our visit, the last week
in June, 1891. Quercus lohata is common also about the borders of
Tehachapi Valley. One we measured near summit, in the west end of
the valley, was about 2 meters (6 feet) in diameter 2 meters (6 feet) above
ground (circumference 5.8 meters or 19 feet 1 inch).

Quercus douglasii.

Tlie blue oak is common in Kern Valley and thence southerly along
the west slope of the Sierra Nevada to Walker Basin and Caliente.
Between the two last-mentioned localities it forms open groves on the

334

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

gravSsy liilltops, particularly along tlie main divide. It is common also
at Liebre ranch, on the south side of Antelope Valley, which it reaches
from the adjoining Sierra Liebre.

Quercus wislizeni.

This live oak is common along the western foothills of the Sierra
Nevada, in California, and thence southward.

Quercus kelloggii.

Common on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada, where Mr. Bailey
found it occupjdng a zone between the altitudes of 1^470 and 2,160 meters
(4,900 — 7,200 feet) along the East Fork of Kaweah Eiver.

Quercus dumosa.

Quercus dumosa is the scrub oak of the Sierra Liebre and Coast Eanges
generally. It is common on the side hills about Antelope Valley, at
the extreme west end of the Mohave desert, and thence down through
the Canada de las Uvas. It is common also in Cajon Pass.

Castanopsis chrysophylla.

The California chinquapin grows abundantly on the east slope of the
High Sierra, in a narrow zone between 2,750 and 2,895 meters (9,000 and
9,500 feet) altitude, opposite Lone Pine.

Salix longifolia.

This small and slender willow forms open thickets about water
courses and warm springs in some of the Lower Sonoran deserts. It
was found in the following localities :

CALIFORNIA.

Death Valley. — Common along Furnace Creek, on the east side of
Death Valley, mixed with Pluchea sericea.

Amargosa Canon. — Found sparingly along the creek in the upper
part of the canon.

NEVADA.

Great Bend of the Colorado. — A slender willow forms extensive
thickets along the river on both sides of the Great Bend.

Ash Meadotes. — Abundant about the hpt siirings.

ARIZONA.

Beaverdam Creeh. — Small willows are abundant on the flats bordering
Beaverdam Creek, near its junction with the Virgin, in northwestern
Arizona.

UTAH.

Santa Clara Valley. — Common along the Virgin, near the mouth of
the Santa Clara.

Salix laevigata.

A single tree of this species marks the position of Lone Willow
Spring, at the east foot of the Slate Eauge, near the extreme south end
of Panamint Valley, California.

Mat, 1893.] SHRUBS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

335

Salix nigra.

This large and handsome willow tree is common about tlic large
springs at the two ranches in Pahrump Valley, Nevada.

Other tree willows (species not determined) were found about the
ranches in Pahranagat Valley, Nevada; along streams on the west side
of Owens Valley, California, in Kern liiver Valley, and in the lower
part of the Canada de las Uvas, below Old Fort Tejon.

Populus fremontii.

Cottonwood trees grow along some of the permanent water courses
of the desert region and are often x^lanted along irrigation ditches in
the settlements. They were found at the following localities:

CALIFORNIA..

Kern Valley. — Common along the river.

Mohave Desert. — Common along the Mohave Eiver near Victor, and
in a few other jilaces.

NEVADA.

Pahranagat Valley. — Common.

Palirum]) Valley. — Common about the large springs.

Vegas Valley. — Common at Vegas Sirring and ranch.

Valley of the Virgin and Muddy. — Very abundant along the streams
in the Mormon settlements of St. Thomas, Bunkerville, and St. Joe.

ARIZONA.

Beaverdam Greeh. — Abundant, forming a large forest on the flats
bordering Beaverdam Creek, near its junction with the Virgin.

UTAH.

Santa Clara Valley. — Common along the Santa Clara and Virgin
rivers.

Ephedra nevadensis.

This Lower Sonoran sx)ecies differs conspicuously from the green
species of the mountains {EiJhedra viridis) by its olive color. It is com-
mon in many of the desert valleys and was noted in the following lo-
calities :

CALIFORNIA.

Mohave Desert. — Common, reachiug west as far as Willow Sjiring, in
Antelope Valley.

Tehachapi Valley. — Tolerably common, coming uj) from the Mohave
Desert through the ojien canon leading uj) from near Mohave. Found
also in Tehachapi Pass.

Walker Pass. — On the east slope of Walker Pass the olive Ei)liedra
runs uj) to 1,430 meters (4,700 feet), where it disapiiears and the green
species {E. viridis) begins.

Kern Valley. — Observed at about 820 meters (2,700 feet).

336

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

NEVADA.

Pahrump YaUey. — Common, reacliing its upper limit on the east side
(west slope of Charleston Mountains) at 1,370 meters (4,500 feet).
Pahranayat Valley. — Common everywhere on the gravel sloiies.
Indian Spring Valley. — Common in the north arm.

Sareobatits Flat. — Tolerably common in places.

Grapevine Canon. — Found in the bottom of the canon.

Emigrant Valley. — Common and ranging well up on the west slojie of
the Desert Mountains.

UTAH.

Beaverdam llountains. —Voimd on the west slope of the Beaverdam
Mountains up to 1,340 meters (4,400 feet), and on the east slope up to
1,100 meters (3,600 feet).

Santa Clara Valley.— sparingly in the lower part of the valley.
Ephreda viridis Coville.

This green Ephedra does not occur in any of the Lower Sonoran des-
erts, but grows on the mountain sides and i)lateaus of the Upper Sono-
ran and Transition zones with sagebrush {Artemisia tridentata) and
junij)er {Juniperus calif arnica utahensis). The following notes on its
distribution were recorded :

CALIFORNIA.

Mohave Desert. — Tolerably common at the summit of Cajon Pass and
thence along the north base of the San Bernardino Mountains, in the
juniper belt.

Walker Pass. — On the east slope of Walker Pass this si)ecies begins
at 1,430 meters (4,700 feet) with Artemisia tridentata and ranges up;
on the west slope it is common between 1,250 and 1,400 meters (4,100
and 4,600 feet).

Sierra Nevada. — Common on the east (Owens Valley) slope from 2,750
meters (9,000 feet) or higher, down to 1,830 meters (6,000 feet) ; and
still lower in places on the Alabama Kange.

White Mountains. — Bather common along the summit.

Panamint Mountains. — Common on the higher xiarts of the range.

In the basin above Wild Eose Spring it begins above Coleoggne at
2,740-2,980 meters (6,300-6,500 feet) and runs up to the summit at the
west base of Telescope Peak, altitude 2,560 meters (8,400 feet).

NEVADA.

Mount Magruder. — Common over the higher parts of the mountain,
ranging all the way up to the summit of the main x)eak with Artemisia
tridentata; occurs also in the upper part of Tule Canon.

Gold Mountain. — Common on the summit and ranges down on the
south sloiie to 1,830 meters (6,000 feet) with Artemisia tridentata.

Pahranagat Mountains. — Tolerably common.

Mighland Range, — Occurs.

May, 1893.]

TKEES OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXrEDITION.

337

Charleston Mountains. — Common, ranging down on the west sloiie to
1,430 meters (4,700 feet).

UTAH.

Beaverdam Mountains. — Common, descending to 1,340 meters (4,400
feet) on the west slope, and to 1,100 meters (3,000 feet) on the east slope.

Pinus monophylla.

Pinus monophylla is the only pine belonging jiroperly to the Great
Basin region, where it occupies the summits of the desert ranges in
company with Juniperus calif ornica utahensis. It belongs to the Up-
lier Sonoran and Transition zones, and consequently is absent from the
highest peaks of the White and Charleston mountains, whose summits
are truly Boreal. It usually begins a few hundred feet above the lower
border of the juniper belt and ranges up a little higher than the juniper,
though the two are mixed over the greater part of their ranges. In
some areas the juniper predominates, as in the Juniper Plateau between
Meadow Creek Valley, Nevada, and the Escalante Desert in Utah, while
in other areas the nut pine predominates, as on Mount Magruder.

Pinus monophylla is easily distinguished from the pinon of Arizona
{Pinus edulis) by its greater size, larger nuts, and single leaf. P.
edulis has two leaves. Both species have short and open cones from
which the nuts are easily dislodged by shaking. The nuts are eagerly
devoured by wild turkeys, pinon jays, and many other species.

The nut pine furnishes the most important food of the Indians in-
habiting the southern part of the Great Basin, namely, the Paiutes,
Shoshones, and Panamints, who gather its cones in large quantities
and roast them in heaps, after which the nuts are extracted and placed
in large caches for winter use. They are eaten in a raw state as well
as roasted, and are pounded into dour aud baked into a sort of bread.

Mount Magruder is notable for the luxuriance of the nut pine for-
ests which clothe its higher hills and peaks, aud has long been a
favorite resort of the Paiute Indians, who speak of it as ‘Nut Pine
Mountain,’ and spend a considerable part of each year there for the
sole purpose of collecting the nuts. The trees often attain a height of
12 or even 15 meters (40 to 50 feet) and a diameter of half a meter
(nearly 20 inches). The following notes were recorded on the distribu-
tion of the nut x^ine in the region traversed :

CALIFOKNIA.

Sierra Nevada. — On the east slope of the Sierra opx)osite Lone Pine
the nut x^ine belt ranges from 1,830 to 2,440 meters (6,000 to 8,000 feet)
in width.

Waller Pass. — On the east side of Walker Pass it begins a little
above 1,430 meters (4,700 feet) on northerly exx^osures and ranges ux)
over the summit of the x>ass at 1,525 meters (5,000 feet) aud down on
the Avest slox^e as low as 1,310 meters (4,300 feet) in places.

Tehachapi Mountains. — Common, and ranging down to about 1,130
12731— No. 7 22.

338

NORTH AIMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

meters (3,700 feet) on the side of the open canon leading from Teha-
chapi Valley to the Mohave Desert.

Panamint Mountains. — Common with the juniper along the summit
of the Panamint Range. In the basin above Wild Rose Spring on the
northwest slope of Telescope Peak it descends to 1,980 or 1,920 meters
(0,500 or 6,300 feet), and ranges up on this peak to 2,740 meters (9,000
feet), or higher. Heaps of cones were found in many places in the Pan-
amint Mountains, where they had been left by the Indians after the nuts
had been extracted.

White Mountains. — Common, descending to 2,040 meters (6,700 feet)
on the east slope above Deep Sirring V alley.

NEVADA.

Charleston Momitains. — Common with the junix^er, descending on the
west slope to about 1,550 meters (5,100 feet).

Pahroc Mountains. — Common on the higher x)arts of the range, and
lower down in the canons.

Gold ^fountain. — Common along the summit, descending on the
south side as low at least as 2,070 meters (6,800 feet).

Mount Magruder. — As already stated, the nut xnne grows in greater
abundance on Mount Magruder than in any other locality visited by
the expedition, forming handsome forests on many of the knobs and
peaks that rise from the mountain j)lateau, where it is very little mixed
with junii^er.

Juniper Mountains. — Scarce in the dense juniper forest extending
from Meadow Creek Valley, Nevada, to the Escalante Desert in Utah.

UTAH.

Tipper Santa Clara Valley. — Begins about 13 kilometers (8 miles) north-
west of St. George on south exfiosures at an altitude of about 1,270
meters (4,200 feet) and grows scattering on the side hills in the Upjier
Santa Clara Valley, ranging thence westerly to the Shoal Creek country.

Beaverdam Mountains. — Tolerably common on the Beaverdam Moun-
tains, ranging down on the east side to about 1,160 meters (3,80D feet),
and on the west sloiie to about 1,340 meters (4,400 feet).

ARIZONA.

Virgin Mountains. — On the west side of the Virgin Mountains the
nut pine forms a broad zone, mixed with juniper, coming fully halfway
down to the foot of the range.

Pinus ponderosa.

Mr. Bailey tells me that Pinus ponderosa is common on the west
slope of the Sierra Nevada along the East Fork of Kaweah River, grow-
ing with Sequoia gigantea in a belt between the altitude of 1,830 and
2,100 meters (6,000 to 7,000 feet). Its range is below that of Pinus
jeffreyi.

May, 1893.] TREES OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

330

Finns ponderosa scopulorum.

The yellow x)iiie grows in a broad zone on Cliarleston Peak, i^evada,
and on Pine Yalley Mountain, Utah, in both of whicli localities it is
cut for lumber. It is said to be common in the higher jiarts of the
Virgin and Highland ranges. A few scattering trees were found on
the higher hills of the Jnniiier Mountains near Sheep Sjiring (between
Panaca, Nevada, and Shoal Creek, Utah), at an altitude of about 2,010
meters (6,700 feet).

Finns Jeffrey i.

This large pine is common in the High Sierra in California, ranging
niiward on the east sloiie from about 2,750 meters (9,000 feet) to 2,900
meters (9,500 feet),

Finns mnrrayana.

On the High Sierra in California Pinus murrayana reaches timber-
line with P. halfouriana, and ranges down on the east side to an alti-
tude of about 2,900 meters (9,500 feet) or lower, growing to be a large
tree.

Finns balfonriana.

In the High Sierra in California, Pimis halfouriana and P. mur-
rayana reach timber-line, whence they descend on the east slope to an
altitude of about 2,900 meters (9,500 feet) or a little lower, where they
grow to be large trees 15 to 20 meters (50 to 65 feet) in height and a
meter or more (3 or 4 feet) in diameter.

Finns aristata.

P. aristata was found on the summit of the Panamint Mountains, in
California, by Mr. Bailey and Dr. Fisher, and on Charleston Peak,
Nevada, by Mr. Coville and Mr. Palmer.

A jiine. of this type was found by Mr. Nelson on the higher parts of
the White and Inyo mountains, California, but whether P. aristata or
P. halfouriana is not certain.

Finns sabiniana.

This remarkable tree, with very open foliage and huge cones, is char-
acteristic of the west sloxie of the Sierra and the Coast Eanges of Cali-
fornia, and does not occur anywhere within the Great Basin. It was
common along the route traversed from a mile Avest of the summit of
Walker Pass to Kernville, and thence southward to AYalker Basin, and
was found also on the Sierra Liebre, growing with and below Pinus
monophylla, and descending on the north slope nearly to Anteloiie
Valley in the neighborhood of Liebre ranch.

Finus monticola.

Pinus monticola is one of the timber-line trees. On the rocky west
slope of the Sierra Nevada, above Mineral King, Mr. Bailey found it
at an altitude of 2,930 meters (9,600 feet), and thence upward to 3,120
meters (10,400 feet). In that locality but one june [Pinus halfouriana)
extended higher.

340

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Finns lambertiana.

Common on tlie west slope of the Sierra Nevada in a well-marhed
belt, the vertical breadth of which along the East Fork of Kaweah
Kiver was determined by Mr. Bailey to be about 360 meters (1,L500
feet), or from 1,830 to 2,160 meters (6,000 to 7,200 feet) in altitude.
Mr. Bailey found it common at Trout Meadows, and thence along the
upx)er Keru Eiver to above Soda Springs.

Finns flexilis.

In California this species was found on the Panamint Mountains
above an altitude of about 3,050 meters (10,000 feet), and on the High
Sierra, where it ranges from 2,830 to 3,050 meters (9,300 to 10,000 feet).
In Nevada it was found on Charleston Peak by Mr. Coville and Mr.
Palmer.

Abies magniflca.

Common on the High Sierra. Mr. Bailey informs me that he ob-
served it on the west slope near Mineral King at an altitude of 2,230
meters (7,450 feet), and thence up to about 3,090 meters (10,300 feet),
where it nearly reaches timber-line.

Abies concolor.

Common on the High Sierra. On the west slope Mr. Bailey found it
between the altitudes of 1,830 and 2,160 meters (6,000 to 7,200 feet)
on the East Fork of Kaweah Eiver, and up to 2,300 meters (7,700 feet)
on Kern Eiver.

Fseudotsuga macrocarpa.

This species of spruce occurs in gulches on the west side of Cajon
Pass at an altitude of 670 meters (2,200 feet) and upwards, and was
found also on the south side of the Sierra Liebre along the upper val-
ley of Peru Creek, just below Alamo ranch. Cajon Pass is the type
locality of this sijecies.

. Sequoia gigantea.

Sequoia gigantea forms a conspicuous but narrow and interrupted belt
on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada. Mr. Bailey informs me that
along the East Fork of Kaweah Eiver he found it between the altitudes
of 1,830 to 2,000 meters (6,000 to 6,600 feet), on a very gradual slope, so
that the actual breadth of the forest was about 5 miles.

Libocedrus decurrens.

Mr. Bailey found Libocedrus decurrens common on the west slope of
the Sierra Nevada, along the East Fork of Kaweah Eiver, from 1,830 to
2,160 meters (6,000 to 7,200 feet) altitude, and along the North Fork of
Kern Eiver up to the cliffs above Soda Springs.

Juniperus californica.

The typical form occurs on the coastal slope of the Great Divide in
California, sometimes ranging over a short distance on the Great Basin
side, as along the north base of the San Bernardino Mountains.

:!Jay,1893.] trees of the death valley expedition.

341

It was observed in tlie following localities:

CALIFORNIA.

West slope of the Sierra. — Common on the sidehills about Kernville,
where it descends as low as 700 meters (2, GOO feet) on the north slopes,
and ranges southward along the road from Kernville to Havilah. It
reaches the summit of Walker Pass (1,550 meters, or 5,100 feet).

Sierra Liehre. — Common on the north sloxie opposite the western
l)art of Antelope Valley.

Teliachapi Moantains. — Common, ranging down into the tree yuccas
on the side of the open canon leading from Tehachapi Valley down to
Mohave (altitude, about 1,090 meters, or 3, GOO feet).

Mohave Desert and San Bernardino Mountains. — Along the north foot
of San Bernardino Mountains, at the extreme southern edge of the
Mohave Desert, is a well-defined belt of juniper about 8 miles in width,
ranging from the summit of Cajon Pass at an altitude of 1,215 meters
(4,000 feet) down through the ujiiier iiart of the tree yucca zone to an
altitude of 1,060 meters (3,500).

Juniperus californica utahensis.

Juniperus californicus utahensis., either alone or in comxiany with the
nut pine {Pinus monophylla), clothes the summits of most of the desert
ranges, where it reaches as high as the ux)X)er limit of the Transition
zone. It is the only juniper inhabiting the southern xiart of the Great
Basin, and does not grow below the tlxix^er Sonoran zone; conse-
quently it is absent from the lower ranges and also from the exces-
sively barren Funeral and Amargosa ranges between Death Valley
and the Amargosa Desert. The following notes on its distribution
were recorded:

CALIFORNIA.

White and Inyo mountains. — Abundant along the summit of the
range (excexit on the higher xiPaks of the White Mountains, which are
too high for it and are clothed with x^iues and sxDruces). On the east
sloxie of the White Mountains, ox^x^osite Deexi Spring Valley, junixiers
descend with nut xuues to 2,040 meters (6,700 feet).

Panamint Mountains. — Common throughout the higher xiarts of the
range. In the basin above Wild Eose Sxiring on the northwest slope
of Telescoxie Peak, junipers begin at 1,900 meters (about G, 300 feet),
and run ux) to 2,550 meters (8,400 feet) or higher.

NEVADA.

Mount Magruder. — The junixier is scarce on Mount Magruder, where
its xilace is taken by the nut xiine [Pinus monophylla).

Gold Mountain — Common in sheltered canons, and in xilaces on the
summit.

Hungry Hill Summit. — Common on the divide and neighboring hills,
reaching down on the south side to about 1,525 meters (5,000 feet).

342

xoirnr a:meiiican fauna.

[No. 7.

Fahrannfjat Mounfahiti. — Coininon on the suimnit of tlie raoge, reacli-
ing’ down to 1,585 meters (5,200 feet) on the east slope.

Pahroc Mountains. — Ooniinon on the higher parts of the range and in
canons.

Hyko Range. — Common on the liigher parts.

Highland Range. — Abundant, descending to about 1,830 meters (G,000
feet) on the Avest side. On the east side of the Ilighland Eange it de-
scends to 1,700 meters (5,G00 feet), thus reaching within a fcAV hundred
feet of the bottom of Meadow Creek Valley.

Juniper Mountains (between Meadow Creek Valley, Nevada, and
Slioal Creek, Utah). — The most extensive and purest juniper forest I
have ever seen covers the rolling plateau along the boundary between
Nevada and Utah, reaching from an altitude of 1,7G5 meters (about
5,800 feet) on the east side of Meadow Creek Valley, Nevada, all the
Avay across to Shoal Creek on the borders of the Escalante Desert in
Utah. This continuous juniper forest is more than 20 miles in breadth
without a break and is mixed with very little nut pine. On the Shoal
Creek side it descends to 1,830 meters (G,000 feet). The altitude of the
plateau which it occupies, and which is here called the Juniper Moun-
tains for lack of a better name, varies from a little over 1,830 meters
(G,000 feet) up to about 2,100 meters (7,000 feet).

Charleston Mountains. — Common throughout the Charleston Moun-
tains, excex)t on the summit of the main peak, which is too high for it.
On the west slope (Pahrump Valley side) it descends to 1,550 meters
(5,100 feet).

ARIZONA AND UTAH.

Virgin and Beaverdam niountains. — Common in a broad zone on the
Virgin Mountains, reaching down more than halfway to the valley;
and on the west slope of the Beaverdam Mountains down to 1,340
meters (4,400 feet).

UTAH.

Beaverdam Mountains. — On the east slope junipers descend to 1,095
meters (3,G00 feet) spreading out to the northward over the upper part
of the Upper Santa Clara Valley, where they cover all the sidehills.

Pine Valley Mountain. — Abundant iu a broad zone around the base
of the mountain, and stretching thence northwesterly over the Upper
Santa Clara Valley, forming a sparse forest on the hillsides until it
reaches the Shoal Creek country, where it joins the continuous forest
already described. In the Upper Santa Clara Valley it descends
to 1,280 meters (about 4,200 feet) at a distance of only 13 kilometers
(8 miles) northwest of St. George, thence forming a scattered forest
over the sidehills in a belt at least 10 miles wide south of the Upper
Santa Clara crossing, and reaching thence northerly to the borders of
the Escalante Desert, south of which it is continuous with the great
forest covering the Juniper Plateau.

May, 1893.]

TREES OP THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

343

Juniperus occidentalis.

This species grows on the higher siimniits of the Panamint Moun-
tains, California, above the upper limit of Juniperus ealifornica utak-
ensis. On the north slope of Telescoiie Peak Mr. Bailey found it as
high as 2,830 meters (9,300 feet).

Juniperus occidentalis monosperma.

This subspecies was identified by Mr. Coville as the form growing
high ux) in the Charleston Mountains, Nevada.

Tuniion californicum.

This singular tree grows along the west slope of the Sierra Nevada.
Mr. Bailey found it on the East Fork of Kaweah River between the
altitudes of 1,170 and 1,830 meters (3,950 to 6,000 feet).

NOTES ON THE GEOGRAPHIC AND VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION OE CAC-
TUSES, YUCCAS, AND AGAVE, IN THE DESERTS AND DESERT RANGES
OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, SOUTHERN NEVADA, NORTHWESTERN
ARIZONA, AND SOUTHWESTERN UTAH.

By O. Hart Merriam^ M. D.

Tlie following notes on tRe vertical and geograpRic distribution of
tlie desert cactuses, yuccas, and agave were made by me in Ai)ril,
May, and June, 1891, along tRe route traversed from tlie uortli end of
Cajon Pass, in tRe San Bernardino Mountains, to tlie St. George Valley
at tRe foot of tRe Hurricane Cliffs, in soutRwestern UtaR, and tRence
westerly across ‘ISrevada to Owens Valley, California, and soutRward
and soutliwestward to tRe extreme end of tlie western tongue of tRe
Moliave Desert (Antelope Valley), including tRe several passes (Walker,
TeRacRapi, and tRe Canada de las Uvas), by means of wliicR communica-
tion is establisRed between tRe MoRave Desert on tRe east and tlie
Bakersfield Plain or upper San Joaquin Valley on tRe west. A de-
tailed itinerary of tRis trip may be found in Part I of tRe present report.

RTearly all of tRe species were pRotograpRed by me in tRe field, and
in most instances parts of tRe individual plant pRotograpRed were
brouglit back for positive identification. As in tRe case of tRe desert
sRrubs, Air. P. V. Coville is responsible for tRe nomenclature employed.

LIST OF CACTUSES, YUCCAS, AND AGAVE.

Cereus evgelmanni.

moliavensis.
Opuntia acanthocarpa.

JSchinocachis jolinsom.

polycephalits.
polyancistrns,
wisUzeni lecontei.

hernardwa.

echinocarpa.

wltipplei.

parryi.

ramosissima.

pulchella.

hasilaris.

engelnianni occidentalis.
rutila.

MamUlaria sp.
Yucca haccata.

arhorescens.
elata ?
macrocarpa.
whipplei.
Agave utaliensis.

S45

34G

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Cereiis engelmanni.

TbiS’ is tbe commonest and most widely diffused eaetus of the «'enus
Cereus over the deserts of southern Nevada and southeastern Cali-
fornia, where it was found in the following localities:

CALIFOI5XIA.

Dee}) Sprinfi Valley. — Tolerably common in the wash leading up
from Deep Spring Valley to the pass over the White Mountains j in
full flower June 10. Found also on the Inyo Mountains.

Panel mint Mountains. — Common in places.

NEVADA.

Oold Mountain. — Tolerably common on the south slope above 1,550
meters (5,100 feet) ; in flower June 3.

Timpalt ute and Desert Mountains. — Tolerably common on both slopes.
Pahranagat Valley. — Common on rocky sloiies j in full flower May
22-26.

Pahranagat Mountains. — Common in places.

Juniper Mountains. — Common; in flower May 5.

Muddy Mountains. — Father common; in full flower May 5.

UTAH.

Beaverdam Mountains. — Common, ranging from 730^ to 1,350 meters
(2,400 to 4,400 feet) on the west slope, and from 1,100 to 1,300 meters
(3,600 to 4,300 feet) on the east slope; in flower May 10-11.

Santa Clara Valley. — Occurs in iflaces; in flower May 11-15.

Cereus mohavensis.

This cactus grows in dense clumps in rocky iflaces on the sides of
the Desert Fanges, usually in canons, and bears dark, purple-red
flowers. It was observed in the following localities:

CALIFORNIA.

White Mountains. — Common in iflaces on the east slope above Deep
Spring Valley, beginning at an altitude of 1,900 meters (6,300 feet) and
ranging up to the summit of the divide; in flower June 10.

Panamint Mountains. — Common in places along the summit, particu-
larly north of Telescope Peak; not yet in flower, April 17-19.

NEVADA.

Charleston Mountains. — Found in a few places on the west slope of
the Charleston Mountains above 1,550 meters (5,100 feet); beginning
to flower April 29.

Pahranagat Mountains. — Found along the summit of the range; in
flower May 26.

Highland Pange. — Found on the west slope of the range; in Hower
May 20.

Juniper Mounta ins. — Tolerably common in places among the junipers
from 1,820 to 2,050 meters (6,000 to 6,700 feet) in altitude; in flower
May 18-19.

Mat, 1893.] CACTUSES OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 347

UTAH.

Santa Clara Valley. — Found in tbe Upper Santa Clara Valley at an
altitude of 1,500 or 1,525 meters (4,900 or 5,000 feet). Its deep red
flowers were fully open May IG.

Opuiitia acanthocarpa. (Plates vii and viii.)

This cylindrical-stemmed cactus, which is considerably larger than
0. ecMnocarpa, from which it differs also in having more distant
branches and fewer spines, was not observed in California or western
Nevada, but was found in eastern Nevada, on the east side of the valley
of the Virgin, a few miles from the Mormon town of Biinkerville, and
thence easterly to an altitude of 1,340 meters (4,400 feet) on the west
slope of the Beaverdam Mountains, in Utah. On the east slope of the
Beaverdam Mountains it was found between 1,090 and 1,300 meters
(3,600-4,300 feet). It was found also in the Lower Santa Clara Valley,
Utah.

Opuntia bernardina.

This tall, arborescent, cylindrical cactus barely enters the region
explored by the expedition. In southern California it is common on
the San Bernardino Plain, and ranges northward through Cajon Pass,
becoming scarce toward the summit. A little further west it is common
in the Santa Clara Valley near the mouth of Castac Creek (about 4
miles north of the railroad switch ‘Castac’) at an altitude of 335
meters (1,100 feet) and thence southerly. In the region in which it
grows it forms the favorite nesting sites for the cactus wren [Campy-
lorJiynehus hrunneicapillus).

Opuntia ecMnocarpa.

This is the common arborescent cactus of the Mohave Desert region
and the deserts of southern Nevada, over which it is widely distrib-
uted. It has inconspicuous green flowers, and was in blossom at the
south end of Death Valley April 26, and at Bitter Springs, Nevada,
May 5.

Two characteristic desert birds build their nests in this cactus almost
exclusively, namely, Leconte’s thrasher [Harporhynclms lecontei) and
the cactus wren [Campylorhynchus hrunneicapillus)., and another spe-
cies, the black- throated desert sparrow [Amphispiza bilineata), nests in
it and in other situations also.

CALIFORNIA.

Mohave Desert. — Common and widely distributed, reaching westerly
throughout Antelope Valley. It runs up the open canon leading from
Mohave to Tehachapi as high as 1,050 meters (3,450 feet).

Walker Pass. — Common among the tree yucoas on both sides of the
pass, descending in Kern Valley as low as 820 meters (2,700 feet) or
perhaps still lower.

Owens Valley. — Common, and ranging up on the west side (east slope
of Sierra) to 1,830 or 1,900 meters (6,000 or 6,200 feet).

318

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Fanamint Valley. — Common.

Death Valley. — Common, beginning to ilower at Saratoga Springs
April 26 (flowers green).

Deep Spring Valley. — Occurs on the west side in the wash leading up
to the pass over the White Mountains.

NEVADA.

Palinmp Valley. — Common, reaching up to the divide near Mountain
Spring ou the Charleston Mountains, at an altitude of 1^700 meters
(5,600 feet).

Vegas Valley. — Common.

Bitter Springs. — Common in the Muddy Mountains and in flower
May 5.

Valley of the Virgin and Lower Muddy. — Common on the gravel mesa
between the Muddy and Virgin rivers.

Fish LaJee Valley. — Occurs and ranges up on northwest sloxDe of Mount
Magruder to 1,950 meters (6,400 feet).

Grapevine Canon. — Occurs.

Timpahute and Desert mountains. — Occurs.

Paliranagat Valley. — Common.

Pahy'anagat Mountains. — Occurs.

UTAH.

Beaverdam Mountains. — Comes up on the northwest slope of the Bea-
verdam Mountains to 1,150 meters (3,800 feet) from the Upirer Virgin
Valley.

Santa Clara Valley. — Common in the Lower Santa Clara Valley in
the neighborhood of St. George, but not observed on the east slope of
the Beaverdam Mountains. In the Upper Santa Clara Valley it is
replaced by the larger and much handsomer densely- spiiied species
0. whipplei.

Opuntia whipplei. (Plate ix.)

This remarkable species, noteworthy on account of the closeness of
its branches, the shortness of its joints, and the multitude of its spines,
is abundant in patches among the juniper and sagebrush along the
UpjDer Santa Clara Eiver, near the ui)per. crossing in Utah,' at an alti-
tude of about 1,525 meters (5,000 feet)^ and was found also on the west
slopes of the Highland and JuniiDer ranges in ISIevada, but was not seen
elsewhere. On the west slojDe of the Junix)er Plateau it was found
between the altitude of 1,830 and 1,980 meters (6,o00 and 6,500 feet).
The fruit differs from that of 0. echinocarpa in bearing few or no sx)iues.

Opuntia parryi. (Plate x.)

This species was found only in Indian Spring Valley, Nevada,
and on the west slope of the Charleston Mountains, below Mountain
Spring. In Indian Spring Valley it is confined to a limited area about
17 miles west of Indian Sx)ring on and near the low divide between this

Mat, 1893.] CACTUSES OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 349

valley and Ash Meadows. It is a remarkably prostrate form of the
cylindrical-stemmed section of the genus, and its characters are well
shown in the accompanying photograph.

Opuntia ramosissima.

This very characteristic species, easily recognized by the small diam-
eter of its stems and bitinches, was not found in California or in Nevada
west of the North Kingston Mountains, where it was first seen, and
where it seems to reach its western limit. It was found also througli-
out Indian Spring Valley and on both slopes of the Timpahute and
Desert mountains, ranging down on the east side (west side of Tim-
liahute Desert) to 1,500 meters (4,900 feet), and was seen on the east
side of the Valley of the Virgin, near Bunkerville, Nev., and near the
mouth of Beaverdam Creek, Arizona.

Opuntia pulchella.

This singular little species, having a remarkably large root, was
observed in but a single locality, namely, the south end of Fish Lake
Valley, on the boundary between California and Nevada, where it was
in full flower June 8. The blossoms are pink.

Opuntia basilaris.

Oimntia hasilaris is one of the commonest cactuses of the Sonoran
deserts, and may be recognized by the obcordate shape of its pads
and the scantiness of its spines. Its purple-red flowers grow in great
numbers on the upper edges of the pads, as many as eight open blossoms
and several bnds having been seen on a single pad at one time. Tlie
siiecies was observed in the following localities:

CALIFORNIA.

Mohave Desert. — Common in places.

Tehaehain Valley and Pass. — Tolerably common, and still in flower as
late as June 25.

Wallcer Pass and Kern Valley. — Common on the east slope up to 1,430
meters (4,700 feet). On the west slope it descends into the valley of
Kern Eiver, where it is tolerably common on northerly exposures as
low as 820 meters (2,700 feet).

Owens Valley. — Tolerably common in places.

Deep Spring Valley. — Found in the wash leading up from Deep Spring
Valley to the iiass over the White Mountains.

Pananiint Valley. — Common in iflaces, running over the greater part
of the Panamint Mountains, where it was tolerably common in Perog-
nathus Flat.

Death Valley. — Common in places, particularly at Saratoga Springs
at the south end of the valley, where it was in full flower as early as
April 26.

NEVADA.

Fish LaJce Valley. — Tolerably common, ranging up on the northwest
slope of Mount Magruder to about 1,850 meters (6,100 feet).

350

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Grapevine Gaiion. — Comiuon on the north side of tlie canon and rang-
ing np on the Gold Mountain slope between 1,525 and 1,830 meters (5,000
and 0,000 feet).

Timpalinte Mountainfi. — Abundant and flowering profusely. Kanges
up to 1,275 or 1,300 meters (4,200 or 4,300 feet) on the road to Pahroe
Plain. Occurs also ou Pahranagat Mountains.

Muddy Mountains. — Common near Bitter Spring (in full flower May
5)..

Valley of the Virgin and Loiver Muddy. — Common ou dry gravel soils.

ARIZONA AND UTAH.

Beaverdani 3fountains. — Common on the east side of the Virgin Val-
ley, ranging thence up on the west slope of the Beaverdam Mountains
to 1,150 meters (3,800 feet).

Opuntia engelmaniii occidentalis.

Abundant throughout the San Bernardino Plain, ranging up to the
base of the San Bernardino Mountains and entering the lower part of
Cajon Pass, where it reaches an altitude of about 730 meters (2,400
feet). It occurs in patches in the Santa Clara Valley near the mouth
of Castac Creek. In Castac Valley the highest plant was seen on the
north side at an altitude of 600 meters (2,000 feet), but it was rare
above 330 meters (1,100 feet), where, both it and Opuntia bernardina
became common together about 4 miles north of the railway switch
kuoAvn as ^ Castac.’

A related cactus, which Mr. Coville informs me is probably Opuntia
chloroticaj was found along the Colorado River, in the western part of
Vegas Desert near Lower Cottonwood Springs, and on the west slojie
of the Charleston Mountains between 1,675 and 1,730 meters (5,500 and
5,700 feet) altitude.

Sheep Spring., Juniper 3Iountains. — A cactus resembling Opuntia en-
gehnanni, but with smaller and more spiny pads, which differ further
from those of 0. engehnanni in not growing on top of one another
several tiers high, was common in the sage and juniper in the Juniper
Mountains between Meadow Creek Valley, Revada, and Shoal Creek,
Utah, from 1,920 to 2,070 meters (6,300 to 6,800 feet) altitude.

Opuntia rutila. (Plate xi.)

This species, which has enormously long and slender sitines, was
not fouud in California except on the Panamint Mountains, where it
was common along the summit, ranging down on the west slope above
Wild Rose Spring to an altitude of 1,900 meters (6,300 feet). In Nevada
it was found on the Charleston, Pahranagat, Desert, and Timpahute
mountains, and in the Virgin Valley. In Utah it was found on the
west slope of the Beaverdam Mountains, up to 1,150 meters (3,800 feet),
and occurred in jilaces in the Santa Clara Valley.

Along the west base of the Desert Mountains near Quartz Spring it
>?as common and in flower May 27, and the flowers were yellow. All

May, 1803.] CACTUSES OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 351

of the other flowers seen were red. It is iiossible that two si>ecies arc
here confounded.

Bchinocactus johnsoni.

This species is about one-third tlie size of E. wislizeni^ which it
greatly resembles. Its flowers are deep red. It was found on the west
slope of the Beaverdam Mountains in southwestern Utah, at an alti-
tude of 1,030 meters (3,400 feet), and ranged thence up over the divide
to 1,525 meters (5,000 feet). A small form referred to the same species
was common on steep gravel slopes in Vegas Wash, Nevada, v^here it
was in full flower May 3. It was eaten by the Paiute Indians, who
peel it as we would a cucumber.

Bchinocactus polyceplialus.

This striking species, commonly called ‘nigger-head ’ in the desert
region, and resembling loose clusters of cocoanuts, is common on many
of the desert valleys in the southern part of the Great Basin. It was
observed in the following localities :

CALIFORNIA.

Inyo- Mountains. — Found along the west side of the range in Owens
y alley.

Panamint Mountains. — Found in the upper part of the Larrea on the
west side of the divide between Perognathus Flat and Wild Eose
Spring.

NEVADA.

Indian Spriny Valley. — Common on the rocky walls of the canon
leading from the extreme west end of Indian Spring Valley down
toward Ash Meadows.

Desert Mountains. — Grows sparingly along the west base of the Des-
ert Mountains, near Quartz Spring.

North Kingston Range. — Common in iflaces.

Ash Meadoios. — Common on the low rocky mountains on the east side
of Ash Meadows.

Pahranagat Valley. — A few clusters of heads were seen in rocky places
on the east side of the valley.

Muddy Mountains. — A few seen in the Muddy Mountains above Bit-
ter Springs.

Valley of the Virgin and Loiver Muddy. — Found in a few places among
rocks, particularly on the gravel mesa near the boundary line between
Arizona and Nevada. Common on the high mesa between the Virgin
and Muddy.

[The species was not seen on the east slope of the Beaverdam Moun-
tains, in Utah ]

Bchinocactus polyancistrus.

This species, which resembles a pineapple in general size and apyiear-
ance, was fouud in flower on the east slope of the White Moimt uns,

352

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

California, a little above the south end of Fish Lake Valley, June 9.
The flowers are red.

Echinocactus wislizeni lecontei.

This large barrel-cactus is not common in tlie region traversed. In
California it was found in the Pauamint Mouutains (common in Sur-
prise Canon).

NEVADA.

Virgin Mesa. — Common on the high gravel mesa between the Virgin
and Muddy valleys.

UTAH.

Beaverdam Mountains. — Found on the west slope of the Beaverdam
Mountains between 730 and 1,340 meters (2,400-4,400 feet), but not
seen on the east slope.

Mamillaria.

Owing to the uncertainty respecting the species of Maraillaria ob-
served, our notes are of very little value. Eepresentatives of the genus
were found in the following localities in Nevada: Mountain Spring,
Charleston Mouutains j Great Bend of the Colorado Eiverj Bitter
Springs (where it was in flower May 5, flowers rich red)* and on steep
gravel slopes near the boundary between Arizona and Nevada on the
west side of the Virgin Valley.

Yucca baccata. (Plate xii.)

This elegant yucca is by far the handsomest species growing in the
desert regions of the Southwest, where it was found in the folio wing-
localities :

NEVADA.

Charleston Mountains. — Yucca baccata was first seen on the west slope
(Pahrnmp Valley side) of the Charleston Mountains, in the upper part
of the tree yucca belt, at an altitude of about 1,430 meters (4,700 feet),
w^hence it ranges up to the divide at Mountain Spring, a little less
than 1,830 meters (or 6,000 feet), and down on the east side to 1,340
meters (4,400 feet), where it was mixed with Yucca macrocarpa. It was
budding abundantly April 30, but only a few flowers had expanded.

Indian Spring FaZZey.— Tolerably common at the north end of the
north arm of Indian Spring Valley at an altitude of about 1,400 meters
(4,600 feet), whence it ranges uj) toward Hungry Hill Summit to 1,700
meters (5,600 feet), where it was flowering in great perfection May 27.

Timpahute and Desert Mountains. — Occurs sparingly in the neighbor-
hood of Mud or Summit Spring.

Pahranagat Valley. — Occurs sparingly on the west side of the valley,
beginning about a mile from the bottom at an altitude of 1,270 meters
(4,200 feet) and ranging up to 1,400 meters (4,600 feet).

Eyho Mountains. — Occurs sparingly along the ox)en canon or wash-
leading from Pahroc Plain into Pahranagat Valley.

May, 1893.] yuccas OF THE DEATH. VAT.LEY EXPEDITfON.

353

Fahroc Mountains. — Tolerably common near Pabroc Siiriug.

Highland Range. — Occurs spariugly on the west slope.

Juniper Mountains. — Found sparingly on the west slope of the Ju-
nijier Mountains between Panaca and iSheep Spring, at an altitude of
1,830 to 1,970 meters (6,000 to 6,500 feet). Here it was only in bud May
19, though it was in flower on the Beaverdam Mountains and on the
south slope of Pine Valley Mountain, Utah, a week or ten days earlier.

UTAH.

Santa Clara Valley. — In the Ujiper Santa Clara Valley, north of St.
George, this handsome sjiecies occurs in a belt a few miles wide, begin-
ning at about 1,150 meters (3,800 feet) and reaching up to 1,460 meters
(4,800 feet).

Beaverdam Mountains. — Comm on, ranging down to 1,080 meters (3,600
feet) on the east slope, and 1,030 meters (3,400 feet) on the west slope.
It was beginning to flower May 10, though some plants were only in
bud at that time.

Yucca arboresceus \^Yucca IrevifoJia]. (Plate xiii and frontispiece.)

Among the many unusual and peculiar modifications of plant life of
the desert regions of the southwestern United States, none is more re-
markable or striking than the tree yucca {Yueea arborescens).

Tree yuccas form open forests or groves, usually of small size, but
sometimes 15 or 20 miles or more in length, according to the extent of
the area suitable to their requirements. The individual trees are well
spaced and vary from 6 to 9 meters (20 to 30 feet) in height. They
branch in a very i)eculiar manner and are abundantly clothed with
stifl", spiny leaves set so near together that their bases are in actual
contact. As the tree grows the leaves die from below upward, and the
dead ones at first point outward at right angles to the trunk, and then
downward, their points surrounding the branch or trunk like a belt of
bayonets, eflectually i)reventiug most animals from climbing ux) from
below. The dead leaves fall off after a year or two, so that the trunks
and lower parts of the main branches filially become bare.

Tree yuccas are abundant about the borders of the Mohave Desert
and on many of the included ‘ lost ranges,’ and also in xilaces of suit-
able elevation throughout the deserts of southeastern California, south-
ern Nevada, western Arizona, and the extreme southwestern corner of
Utah. They do not grow in the bottoms of the arid basins, or uxion
the steexi declivities of the mountains, but thrive best on the higher
gravel slopes that skirt the deserts and uxion the basal sloxies of the
included desert ranges, always in a definite zone or belt the extreme
vertical width of which rarely exceeds 450 meters (1,500 feet), and
usually is much less. The altitude, of this belt varies with the base
level, but invariably marks the upx^^r limit of the Lower Sonoran
zone.

Looking northward over the Mohave Desert from the summit of Cajon
12731— No. 7 23

354

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Pass a contiimons forest of tree yuccas stretches away in the distance
until lost ill the desert hazej adding a singularly weird element to the
peculiar physiognomy of tlie region.

Some years ago an attempt was made to make ])aper pulp from the
trunks of tree yuccas. The attempt was successful so far as the pro-
duction of good pulp was concerned, but the cost of manufacture
proved greater than the x^rojectors of the enterxifise exxiected and it
was abandoned. Mr. Charles H. Shinn, in an article in the American
Agriculturist for December, 1891 (p. 689), states that a small pulp
mill was built at Eavenna in Soledad Pass, just south of Mohave
Desert in Gailifornia (of which two figures are given), and that large
quantities of x^aper were manufactured and shix^xied to England, on
which a few editions of the London Daily Tele graxih were x^rinted. He
states further that some of it was used in New York and in San
Francisco.

'Ihe following detailed notes were recorded respecting the distribu.
tion of this species ;

CALIFOKNIA.

Mohave Desert. — Tree yuccas are common on the higher levels of the
Mohave Desert, where they form a belt several miles in width around
the west arm of the desert, covering the slope at the north foot of the
San Bernard iuo range of mountains and stretching thence westerly nearly
to the west end of Antelope Valley. On the north side of the desert
they cover the slox)e at the foot of the Tehachapi Mount;nns and extend
northeasterly in scattered patches nearly to Walker Pass, in which
they again become abundant. This belt is not continuous throughout,
but is interrupted by the absence of suitable conditions. OpxJosite
Cajon Pass the forest is fully 20 kilometers (12 miles) in breadth,
covering the slope between the altitudes of 730 and 1,180 meters (2,500
and 3,900 feet), though the trees are scarce and scattering below 920
meters (3,300 feet). Above 1,060 meters (3,500 feet) they are mixed
with juniper, and between 1,150 and 1,180 meters (3,800-3,900 feet)
with the true sagebrush (Artewism tridentata). An isolated clump
grows within the mouth of the pass on the south side of the divide at
an altitude of 1,170 meters (3,850 feet). On the divide between Dag-
get and Pilot Knob they occur sx)aringly on the south side of
the summit, but are more common on the long slox:)e leading down to
Paradise Valley from the south (north exx^osure), where a sx^arse growth
continues for many miles. A few scattered and stunted trees were
found also on and near the divide at Pilot Knob, On the north
side of the Mohave Desert, just north of the town of Mohave, they
begin at an altitude of 900 meters (3,000 feet) and extend ux) through
the wash or ox)en canon leading to Tehachapi Valley, reaching Came-
ron at an altitude of 1,090 meters (3,600 feet). They range thence
easterly a few miles, and westerly along the base of the Tehachax^i
Mountains as far as the eye can reach. They come down from the

Mat, 1893.] YUCCAS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

355

north side of the desert to within a mile of Mohave Station, and ex-
tend thence westerly and southwesterly over Antelope Valley with
hardly a break between Mohave and Willow Spring, though they are
•xbsent from the dry flat extending from Willow Spring southerly and
westerly. On the south side of the desert they reappear on a low
ridge a few miles south of Mohave, and extend thence southerly past
Lancaster to and into Soledad Pass. In the extreme westeim end of
the Mohave Desert, known as Antelope Valley, they reach westward
along the middle and north part of the valley to a point about 6 kilo-
meters (4 miles) east of Liebre ranch, but on the south side (north
slope) they do not extend quite so far west. They reappear in an open
canon or broad wash leading south from near Gorman’s ranch to Peru
Creek, where they occur in clumps and irregular patches for a mile or
so at an altitude of 850 to 900 meters (2,800-3,000 feet).

Walker Pass. — At the east end of Walker Pass tree yuccas begin at
1,090 meters (3,600 feet) and form a fine forest in the pass, filling it all
the W9,y across up to 1,430 meters (4,700 feet), and straggling on singly
and in little clnmxDS up to and over the summit at 1,550 meters (5,100
feet) and down on the west side, with several interruptions, to the val-
ley of Kern Eiver. The total length of the yucca strip in the pass
proper is 18 or 20 kilometers (11 or 12 miles). From Walker Pass they
descend into Kern Valley, where a number of small interrux)ted groves
are scattered irregularly along the bottom of the valley nearly all the
way down to the forks of Kern Eiver, at an altitude of 850 meters
(2,800 feet).

Coso Mountains. — A yucca grove covers part of the west slope of the
Coso Mountains, beginning about 5 kilometers (3 miles) south of Owens
Lake and reaching thence southerly nearly to Haway Meadows. Its
lower edge comes down almost to the level of the valley (x^robably to
about 1,120 meters or 3,700 feet). A few scattering trees occur still
further south, but they are not numerous enough to form a grove. [Dr.
A. K. Fisher tells me that this grove spreads easterly over nearly the
whole of the Coso mountains and valley.]

Panamint Mountains. — A few stunted tree yuccas occur on the west
side of the divide between Perognathus Flat and Wild Eose Siiring in
the Panamint Mountains.

Nelson Range.— Mr. P. W. Kelson found tree yuccas in abundance on
the low range (here named ‘ Kelson Eange’) separating Panamint Valley
from Saline Valley, where they stretch all the way across from the Injm
Mountains to the Panamint Mountains.

Ivatoatcli Mountains. — Mr. T. S. Palmer found a few scattering trees
on the southwest slope of the Ivawatch Mountains.

NEVADA.

Mount Magrufler. — Tree yuccas occur sx)aring]y on the northwest sloi^e
of Mount Magrucler and adjacent hillsides from an altitude of 2,070 me-
ters (6,800 feet) down almost to the ux)j)er level of Fish Lake Valley at

356

NOUTJI AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

1,730 meters (5,700 feet). Another and better defined grove oeenpies
the southeast base of Mount Magruder, faeingthe north part of ISareo-
batus Flat.

Gold Mountuin. — Tree yuccas occur sparingly in the v.alley between
Mount Magruder and Gold Mountain at an altitude of 1,740 meters (5,700
feet) and range thence southerly over the south slope of Gold Mountain
and adjacent hills, reaching westward almost to the edge of the north-
Avest arm of Death Valley at 1,770 meters (5,800 feet), and occurring
throughout the east and west trough or valley which occupies the north
slope of Gold Mountain north of the Gold Mountain mining’cainj) (also
known as ‘State Line’), reaching as high as 2,100 meters (7,000 feet) on
south exposures ou spurs aud hills north of the main peak, though not
occurring ou the north slope of the main ridge proper. On the south
side of Gold Mountain they descend to 1,550 meters (5,100 feet), thus
reaching well doAvn on the north side of Grapevine Canon. Several
Avere found in flower near the summit of Gold Mountain June 3, the
only floAvers of this species seen during the trip. They are sessile in
dense clumps at the ends of the branches, and are coarser and less at-
tractive than those of any of the other species.

Grapevine Mountains. — A yucca forest of considerable size occupies
the east base of the Gi aj]evine Mountains Avest of the southern half of
Sarcobatus Flat.

JRalston Desert. — A forest of tree yuccas was seen on the north side
of the east fork of Amargosa Creek northeast of the north end of
Oasis Valley and is probably the northern limit of the species in this
direction.

Table Mountain. — Mr. F. Stephens found a large forest of tree yuccas
on the mesa known as ‘Table Mountain,’ about 40 kilometers (25 miles)
north of Ash MeadoAvs.

TimpaJiute and Desert Mountains. — Tree yuccas begin on the west
side of Timpahute Desert at the very bottom of the east slope of the
Timpahute Mountains (altitude 1,450 to 1,490 meters or 4,800 to 4,900
feet) and continue all the Avay to and over the summit of the saddle
between the Timpahute aud Desert Mountains (summit 1,750 meters
or 5,750 feet). They do not occur immediately below Summit SiDring,
but soon reappear and reach down to Emigrant Valley at 1,580
meters (5,200 feet), forming a broad zone along the west slope of the
Desert Eange, whence they extend all the way around the south end of
Emigrant Valley, and reach several miles north on the Avest side. Con-
tinuing southAvard Avithout interruption they pass over the low divide
at Hungry Hill Summit (1,760 meters or 5,800 feet) and extend down
the narroAV North Arm of Indian Spring Valley to 1,200 meters (4,000
feet), Avhere they are sufficiently abundant most of the Avay to form a
regular yucca forest. In the lower part many trees Avere in fruit May
27, bearing large greeu pods eontainiug flat seeds.

May, 1893.] YUCCAS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

357

Fahranagat Mountains. — Common on the Pahranagat Mountains from
the summit of the pass between Pahranagat and Timpahute valleys
(altitude 1,830 meters or 0,000 feet) down on the west side to the edge
of Timpahute Desert at an altitude of 1,525 meters (5,000 feet), and
down on the east side sparingly to within a mile of the bottom of
Pahranagat Valley at an altitude of 1,280 meters (4,200 feet), and
forming a fair forest above 1,400 meters (4,G00 feet). Stunted and
scattered trees stretch thence southerly all along the gravel slope on
the west side of Pahranagat Valley at the foot of the Pahranagat
Eange. On the west slope of the Pahranagat Kange (on the east side
of Timpahute Valley) the trees are sufficiently near together to form a
fair yucca forest between an altitude of 1,390 meters (4,600 feet) and
the summit of the divide.

Highland Range. — The most northerly forest of tree yuccas found
in eastern ^levada is on the west slope of the Highland Eange south
of the dry lake in Desert Valley, and southeast of Pahroc Spring.
This forest is at least 5 miles wide and 10 miles long, and may stretch
away much further to the south. Apparently it begins at an altitude
of about 1,670 meters (5,500 feet) on the desert side, and ranges up to
2,000 meters or higher (probably to 6,500 or 7,000 feet) on the west
slope of the mountains.

Pahroc Range. — A few scattering and stunted tree yuccas grow at
Point of Eocks, the southernmost sj^ur of the Pahroc Eange near
Pahroc Spring. These are the northernmost trees of which we have any
knowledge. The high base level of Pahroc Plain explains the un-
usually high altitude at which they grow.

Charleston Mountains. — On the west sloioe of the Charleston Mountains
(Pahrump Valley side), below Mountain Spring, tree yuccas begin at
an altitude of about 1,060 meters (3,500 feet), and become more and
more abundant until they form an open forest in the upper Larrea and
Goleogyne belt, mixing with the junipers at 1,525 meters (5,000 feet),
and pushing 60 to 90 meters (200 or 300 feet) higher . on favorable slopes,
finally stopping at an altitude of about 1,600 meters (5,300 feet). The
individual trees are smaller than those of the Mohave Desert, rarely
exceeding 4^ meters (15 feet) in height. In the lower part of this belt
Yucca arborescens is mixed with unusually large examples of Yucca
onacrocarpa, and in the upper part with the elegant Yucca baccata.

ARIZONA.

JYorthiv ester n corner. — On the mesa west of the Virgin Eiver and about
8 miles south of the mouth of Beaverdam Creek, near the boundary be-
tween Arizona and Nevada, is a scattering belt of tree yuccas a mile
or a mile and a half in breadth, ranging from an altitude of about 670
meters (2,250 feet) on the Virgin Valley slope to the top of the mesa at
740 meters (2,450 feet).

JDetrital Valley. — Mr. Vernon Bailey informs me that Yucca arbor-
escens forms an extensive forest on the low divide between Detritaland

358

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Sacramento Valleys, reacliiiig northward along the sides of Detrital
Valley for about kilometers (15 miles) north of Mountain Si)ring.

UTAH.

Beaver dam Mountains. — Tree yuccas begin at the foot of the west
slope of the Beaverdam Mountains in southwestern Utah at an altitude
of about 700 meters (2,300 feet), and range up to 1,340 meters(4,400 feet),
forming a belt 8 or 9 kilometers (5 or C miles) in width. The trees
rarely exceed 3 meters (10 feet) in height and are more scattering than
in the Mohave Desert.

Yucca data?

A narrow-leaved yucca provisionally referred to this sx)ecies was
found sparingly in the Lower Santa Clara Valley, Utah, on the mesa
near the town of St. Ueorge, where it was in full bloom and very hand-
some May 11-15. Its flower- stalks are tall and slender, and its leaves
narrow and thin. A form resembling this, but with somewhat thicker
and heavier leaves, was found on the west slope of the Juniper Moun-
tains between Sheep Spring and Pauaca, between the altitudes of 1,7G0
and 2,130 meters (5,800-6,700 feet). It was budding plentifully May
19, but was not found in flower.

Yucca macrocarpa. (Plate xiv.)

This large yucca was found in but few localities traversed by the ex-
pedition. It finds its western limit along with Opuntia ramosissima on
the Horth Kingston Mountains, between Besting Springs and Pahrump
Valley, Nevada. It begins again on the east side of Pahrump Valley
at an altitude of about 970 meters (3,200 feet), and ranges up on the
west slope of the Charleston Mountains to 1,090 meters (3,600 feet),
forming a well-marked zone mixed with scattering trees of Yucca
arborescens, which latter species becomes more and more abundant
until it forms a true yucca forest in the upper Larrea and Coleogyne
belt, where Y. macrocarpa disappears. In this zone Yucca macrocarpa
grows larger than observed elsewhere, many plants reaching the height
of 2^ meters (8 feet), and some growing as high as 3 or even 4 meters
(10 to 13 feet). It never branches like Yucca arborescens but has a
heavy, irregular trunk, well shown in the accompanying iDhotograph.
On warm soil a few plants were in full flower April 29, though most of
them were not yet in bud. On the east side of the Charleston Moun-
tains it begins at an altitude of 1,525 meters (about 5,000 feet), and
descends to the upper part of Vegas Valley, near Cottonwood Springs,
at an altitude of 900 meters (3,000 feet), where dozens were found in
flower April 30.

On the north side of the Charleston Mountains this species occurs
si^aringly throughout the higher parts of Indian Spring Valley above
1,180 meters (3,900 feet). It is common on the low divide about 27^
kilometers (17 miles) west of Indian Spring at an altitude of 1,220
meters or 4,000 feet, and thence is continuous westerly along the south

May, 1893.] SHRUBS OF THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION. 3.59

(or liig’liest) side of the valley to the eaSon separating Indian Spring
Valley from the Amargosa country, and occurs scattering on the west
or Amargosa side, skirting the higher sloxies. In the north arm of
Indian Spring Valley it is common and conspicuous, ranging from
1,370 meters (4,500 feet) northward to about 1,670 meters (5,.500 feet).
It was not found on the Beaverdam Mountains or in any other locality.

ARIZONA.

Detritcd Valley. — Mr. Vernon Bailey informs me that he found this
sjiecies abundant and of unusually large size throughout the south end
of Detrital Valley and north end of Sacramento Valley, covering the
divide and extending for some distance along the foothills of the border-
ing mountains.

Yucca wliipplei.

This is the characteristic yucca of the Coast Eanges of California,
whence it extends easterly along the west slope of the Sierra Nevada,
where we found it flowering abundantly between Kernville and Walker
Basin June 23, its creamy flowers on tall white stalks dotting the side-
hills above the chaparral. It is common also in the Tehachajii Moun-
tains, ranging down as low as 1,060 meters (3,500 feet) in the iipjier
part of the canon leading from Tehachapi to Mohave, and on the hills
at tbe head of Antelope Valley, near Gorman’s ranch (altitude about
1,150 meters or 3,850 feet), whence it sju’eads over the Sierra Liebre
range.

Agave utahensis.

This species, the only true agave met with by the expedition, was
found in but two localities, namely, the Charleston Mountains in
Nevada and the Beaverdam Mountains in southwestern Utah. In the
former locality it was common on rocky hillsides in the neighborhood
of Mountain Spring, from an altitude of 1,600 meters (5,300 feet) uj) to
1,830 meters (6,000 feet), where many ‘mescal’ pits were found where the
Indians had baked the edible butts of the plants. These pits average
a little more than a meter (about 4 feet) in depth, and from 3J to 6
meters (12 to 20 feet) in diameter. On the west slope of the Beaverdam
Mountains in Utah the agave begins at 1,180 meters (3,800 feet) and
grows in a narrow zone u^iward toward the summit of the j)ass.

LIST OF LOCALITIES VISITED BY THE DEATH VALLEY EXPEDITION.

By T. S. Palmer.

The delay in tlie appearance of the first part of the report, contain-
ing descriptions of the various points visited by the expedition, makes
it desirable to furnish a brief statement concerning the places referred
to. In describing an area like the desert region of California great
dififlculty is experienced in fixing localities, and recourse must often be
had to canons, washes, and springs for names with which to indicate
places. For this reason a large number of seemingly unimportant
localities occur in the report, which can be found on few, if any, j)nb-
lished maps and are more or less meaningless to one unfamiliar with the
country. The following list, while making no pretense to include all
the localities mentioned in the report, gives brief descriptions of the
more important places, which will serve to locate them with reference
to well-known points. Many of these places will be described more
fully elsewhere.

The altitudes have been compiled chiefly from Gannett’s Dictionary
of Altitudes in the United States* and the map sheets of the Wheeler
Survey West of the 100th Meridian. These have been supplemented by
observations made by the expedition; but except in the case of points
in Death Valley (which were determined by a topographer of the U. S.
Geological Survey), such altitudes are based mainly on observations
made with aneroid barometers. Since the list is intended primarily as a
help in finding places on the map, distances, unless otherwise stated,
indicate the number of miles measured in a straight line between two
points, and not the distance by the road. In the case of railroad
points, however, the distances between stations are taken from the
railroad figures. This will exiDlain the ai)x>arent discrepancy in many
cases between the distances given and the actual distances as measured
by an odometer. The metric equivalents for altitudes and distances
are only approximate, all fractionshaving been discarded in converting
the measurements into the metric system. Under each locality will be
found the names of the members of the expedition who visited it and

* Bull. U. S. Geol.^iu-vey, No. 76, 1891.

3G1

3G2

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

who assisted in inakiiig’ the collections described in this re])oi't.t A
list of several naiin^s under one locality usually indicates that the place
was visited by different members at different dates — iiarticnlarly in the
case of points in Death Valley, Owens Valley, and the Sierra Kevada.

Note. — Eeference letters and figures follow names of places which
a])pear on the aceom])anying’ map. Altitudes Itased on ol)servatioiis
made by the expedition are marked with an asterisk.

Adobe Station, Kern County, Calif. Altitude, 281 feet (86 meters).

An abandoned stage station on the wagon road from Bakersfield to Los Angelos,
situated northeast of Kern Lake in the San Joaquin Valley Nelson.

Alila, Tulare County, Calif. Altitude, 280 feet (85 meters).

A station on the Southern Pacific Railroad, 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of Visa-
lia Bailey, Fishek, Nelson.

Alvord, Inyo County, Calif. Altitude, 3,956 feet (1,206 meters).

The station on the Carson and Colorado Railroad for Big’ Pine, 54 miles (86 kilo-
meters) north of Keeler on Owens Lake Stephens.

Amargosa Borax Works, Inyo County, Calif. F, 12.

An abandoned station and borax works of the Pacific Coast Borax Company, situ-
.ated on the Amargosa River, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of the Great Bend
and 6 miles (10 kilometers) west of Resting Springs.

Palmer, Bailey, Fisher, Nelson.
Amargosa Range, Inyo County, Calif. D-E, 11.

The name given to the central part of the range which forms the eastern wall of
Death Valley. It is usually restricted’to that portion of the range between Boundary
Canon on the north (beyond which are the Grapevine Mountains), and Furnace Creek
on the south, which marks the beginning of the Funeral Mountains. The highest
point. Pyramid Peak, has an altitude of 6,754 foot, or 2,058 meters. (See also Funeral
Mountains.)

Amargosa River. D-F, 11-12.

A ‘stream’ (usually nothing more than a dry wash) running from Oasis Valley,
Nevada, south w.ard through Ash Meadows to the end of the Funeral Mountains,
where it turns at the ‘ Great Bend ’ to the west and northwest and sinks in Death
Valley.

Antelope Valley, Los Angeles County, Calif. H, 7-8.

The name applied to the western part of the Mohave Desert immediately north of
the Sierra Liebre Meruiam, Palmer.

Argus Mountains, Inyo County, Calif. E-F, 10.

The range situated immediately west of Panamint Valley between the Coso and
Panamint mountains. Its highest point, Maturango Peak, has an altitude of 8,844
feet (2,696 meters) Palmer, Fisher.

tMr. Albert Koebele, the entomologist, joined the expedition at Daggett on April
3, and remained only about six weeks. He crossed the Mohave Desert to Death Val-
ley with one of the parties and then proceeded to Keeler by way of Panamint Valley,
Shepherd Canon, and Darwin, making collections along the road wherever practi-
cable. He visited Daggett, Paradise Valley, Granite Wells, and Lone Willow Spring
in San Bernardino County ; Furnace Creek, Bennett, and Mesquite Wells in Death
Valley; Windy Gap; Hot Springs in Panamint Valley ; Shepherd Canon and Matu-
rango Spring in the Argus Mountains ; Darwin and Keeler.

Mat, i833.]

LOCALITIES VISITED BY THE EXPEDITION.

363

Ash Creek, Inyo County, Calif. E, 8.

A small stream entering Owens Lake from the west, about 9 miles (14 kilometers)
north of Olaucha. Named from the ash trees that grow on its borders. .. SxEPirEXS.

Ash Meadows, Nye County, Nev. E, 11-12.

The large valley or plain east of the Araargosa Range and 50 miles (80 kilometers)
north of the Great Bend of the Amargosa River, named on account of the ])resence
of a small desert ash (Fraximis coriacea) which was formerly abundant. The houn-
dary line between California and Nevada jiasses through Ash Meadows. C<dlections
were made hyMerriam, Bailey, and Stephens at the 'King Spring’ or 'Stone lIou.se’
(altitude about 3,800’’ feet or 1,160 meters), on the eastern side of the valley, and by the
rest of the party at Watkins’ Ranch, 3 or 4 miles west of this point — all in Nevada.

Bakersfield, the county seat of Kern County, Calif. Altitude, 415 feet (126 meters).
G, 6 Merriam, Palmer, Nelson, Fisher, Bailey.

Banning, San Bernardino County, Calif. Altitude, 2,317 feet (706 meters).

A station on the Southern Pacific Railroad, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) southeast
of San Bernardino and near the summit of the San Gorgonio Pass Stephens.

Beaverdam Mountains, Washington County, Utah. C, 17.

A north-and-south range west of the town of St. George, constituting the north-
ward extension of the Virgin Mountains - Meiiriam, Bailey.

Bennett Wells, Inyo County, Calif. Altitude, 323” feet (98 meters) below sea
level. E, 11.

Two shallow wells dug in the bottom of Death Valley, on the west side of the salt
marsh, and nearly due east of Telescope Peak. Niimed in memory of one of the
survivors of the ill-fated party of emigrants who entered the valley in 1850. The
lowest point in the valley (480” feet or 146 meters helow sea level, according to ob-
servations of the U. S. Geological Survey) is a little northeast of this place.

Merriam, Palmer, Fisher, Nelson, Bailey.

Benton, Mono County, Calif. Altitude, 5,515 feet (1,681 meters). B, 8.

A station on the Carson and Colorado Railroad, 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of
Keeler. The town is about 4 miles (6 kilometers) west of the station of the same
name, and about 200 feet (60 meters) higher Nelson, Stephens.

Big Cottonwood Meadows, Inyo County, Calif. Altitude about 10,000” feet (3,050
meters).

The large meadows near the head of Big Cottonwood Creek, a stream rising near
Mount Corcoran, and flowing into Owens Lake. A meteorological station was estab-
lished in the meadow (about 8 miles or 13 kilometers southeast of Mount Whitney)
June 15, and observations were continued by Dutcher and Koch until Septem-
ber 15 Merriam, Palmer, Fisher, Bailey', Nelson.

Big Pine, Inyo County, Calif. Altitude, about 4,000 feet (1,220 meters). C, 8.

A town in Owens Valley, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Owens Lake.
(See also Alvord) Merriam, Bailey', Nelson.

Big Tree Canon, Tulare County, Calif.

A canon on the East Fork of the Kaweah, named on account of the presence of
Big Trees (Sequoia gUjantea) - Bailey'.

Bishop, Inyo County, Calif. Altitude [of station], 4,104 feet (1,251 meters). C, 8.

A station on the Carson and Colorado Railroad, about 70 miles (113 kilometers)
north of Keeler. The town of Bishop, or Bishop Creek, is on the creek of the same
name, and is west of the station Nelson, Stephens.

364

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

lXo.7.

Bishop Creek, Inyo County, Calif. C, 8.

A small stream rising on the east slope of the Sierra Nevada and flowing into Owens
River. Collections were made by Stephens at Lewis Lake on the west fork of the
creek at an altitude of about 9,000 feet (2,740 meters) Stephens.

Bitter Spring, Lincoln County, Nev. Altitude, 1,800-1,900* feet (550-580 meters).
E, 15.

A spring on the east slope of the Muddy Mountains, about IG miles (25 kilome-
ters) northeast of the site of Callville Merriam, Hailey.

Borax Flat or Lake, San Bernardino County, Calif. Altitude, 1,808 feet (551
meters). F, 10.

A borax marsh on the boundary line between San Bernardino and Inyo counties,
just west of the Slate Range and near the southern end of the Argus Range, about
25 miles (40 kilometers) west of Browns Peak. Searles’ borax works are located

on the northwest side of the marsh Stephens.

Browns Peak, Calif. Altitude, 5,392 feet (1,643 meters). F, 10.

A prominent peak opposite the south end of the Panamint Range and east of
Lone Willow Spring Bailey.

Bubbs Creek, Fresno County, Calif.

The main branch of the South Fork of Kings River, which rises near Kearsarge
Pass and unites with the South Fork at the east end of the Kings River Canon.

Palmer, Fisher, Nelson.

Bunkerville, Lincoln County, Nev. U, 16.

AMormoutownintheVirgin Valley on the road from Callville, Nev., to St. George,
Utah, 5 miles (8 kilometers) west of the eastern boundary of the State of Ne-
vada Merriam, Bailey.

Cajon Pass, San Bernardino County, Calif. Altitude [of wagon pass], 4,195 feet
(1,279 meters). I, 9-10.

A pass in the Sierra Madre, leading north from the San Bernardino Valley to the
Mohave Desert Merriam, Palmer, Fisher, Stephens.

Caliente, Kern County, Calif. Altitude 1,290 feet (393 meters). G, 7.

A station and post-office on the Southern Pacific Railroad at the north foot of
Tehachapi Pass . . . u Merriam, Palmer.

Callville, Lincoln County, Nev. Altitude, 945 feet (288 meters). E, 15.

An abandoned Mormon settlement on the north bank of the Colorado River at the
head of navigation and about 4 miles (6 kilometers) east of the Great Bend.

Merriam, Bailey.

Cameron, Kern County, Calif. Altitude 3,786 feet (1,154 meters).

A station on the Southern Pacific Railroad, 10 miles (16 kilometers) northwest of
Mohave and 6 miles (10 kilometers) southeast of Tehachapi Merriam, Palmer.

Canada delasUvas, Kern County, Calif. Altitude about4,288 feet (1,307 meters). H, 7.

A wagon pass in the Tejon or Tehachapi mountains, leading from the south end of
the San Joaquin Valley across to the west end of the Mohave Desert. Situated east
of Mt. Pinos and about 30 miles (50 kilometers) southwest of Tehachapi Pass.

Merriam, Palmer, Nelson.

Canebrake Ranch, Kern County, Calif. Altitude 3,904 feet (1,190 meters).

A ranch at the northwest foot of Walker Pass on the road from Kernville to
Coyote Holes Merriam, Palmer, Fisher, Bailey.

May, 1893.]

LOCALITIES VISITED BY THE EXPEDITION.

365

Carpenteria, Santa Barbara County, Calif. I, 5.

A town on the Southern Pacific Railroad, 10 miles (16 kilometers) east of Santa
Barbara Nklsox.

Carrizo Plains, San Luis Obispo County, Calif. G, 4-5.

The name given to the valley or plain east of the headwaters of tlie San .Juan
River and separated from the main San Joaquin Valley by the low ridge of the
Temploa Mountains Nkl.so^'.

Castac Lake, Kern County, Calif. H, 7.

A small lake in the Canada de las Uvas, 2 miles (3 kilometers) south of Old Fort
Tejon, but in the San Joaquin drainage t Merkiam, Palmer.

Cave Wells, Calif., commonly known as the ‘ The Caves.’ F, 12.

A spring and abandoned stage station in the Iva watch Mountains, about 15 miles
(24 kilometers) south of Saratoga Springs in Death Valley. The spring is on the
main road from Daggett to Resting Springs Palmer, Stephens.

Centerville, Fresno County, Calif.

A town on Kings River in the western foothills of the Sierra, about 20 miles (32
kilometers) east of Fresno — Nelson.

Charcoal Kilns, Inyo County, Calif. Altitude about 7,500* feet (2,286 meters).

A number of abandoned charcoal kilns on the west slope of the Pananiint Mountains,
in the upper part of Wild Rose Canon, about 7 miles (11 kilometers) above the spring
of the same name 1. .Merriam, Fisher, Bailey, Stephens.

Charleston Mountains, Lincoln County, Nev. E-F, 13-14.

A high range of mountains, marked Spring Mountains on the Land Office and some
other maps. The culminating point. Charleston Peak, has an elevation of 10,874
feet (3,314 meters), and is the highest peak in southern Nevada. Collections were
made by Nelson and Palmer at a saw mill (altitude about 8,000* feet or 2,438 meters)
on the west slope northwest of th'e main peak, and by Merriam and Bailey at Mount-
ain Spring (altitude 5,501 feet or 1,677 meters), at the southern end of the range on
the road from Pahrump Valley to Las Vegas Ranch.

Chiquito Peak, Fresno County, Calif. Altitude 8,136 feet (2,480 meters). C, 6.

A peak on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada, south of Mount Lyell.

Chiquito San Joaquin or Chiquito Creek, Fresno County, Calif.

A small stream in the High Sierra, which rises southeast of Mount Raymond and,
flowing southward, enters the San Joaquin River a little below the mouth of the
South Fork Nelson.

Corn Creek, Lincoln County, Nev.

A spring in the Vegas Valley, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Las
Vegas Ranch Bailey, Nelson.

Coso, Inyo County, Calif. Altitude about 5,800 feet (1,768 meters). E,.9.

A deserted mining camp, about 7 miles (11 kilometers) southwest of Darwin. The
camp is situated at the head of a rocky canon, about 3 miles (5 kilometers) south-
east of the peak of the same name Palmer, Fisher.

Coso Mountains, Inyo County, Calif. E, 9.

A range southeast of Owens Lake, between the Sierra Nevada and the Argus
Range. Its highest ^joint, Coso Peak, has an altitude of 8,425 feet (2,568 meters).

Palmer, Fisher.

tOn some maps the name Castac Lake is given to a lake in the Mohave Desert,
south of the divide in the Canada de las Uvas.

[Xo. 7.

366 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

Cottonwood Canon, Inyo County, Calif. D. 10.

A canon in the uoi-tliern part of the Panamint Monutains, loading from the sontli-
ern part of Saline Valley to the northwestern arm of Dealli Valley or Mcs(|nito
Valley Nki.sox.

Cottonwood Springs, Lincoln County, Nev. Altitude of lower spring 3, MO feet
(1,051 meters). E, 14.

(1) Upper Cottonwood Springs. A series of running springs at the cast l)ase of
the Charleston Mountains, about 7 miles (11 kilometers) northeast of Mount Olcott.

Merkiam, Bailey, Nelson.

(2) The lower spring (the Cottonwood Spring of the Wheeler survey) is in a gap

in a low range of hills between the Charleston Mountains and Vegas Valley, some
distance east of the ux)j)er springs Merriam, Bailey, Nelson.

Coyote Holes, Calif.

A name commonly applied to small springs or 'tanks’ of water on the desert
whether fresh or alkaline.

(1) Kern County. Altitude 3,368 feet (1,027 meters).

A spring and ranch on the Mohave and Keeler stage road, just south of the entrance
to Walker Pass; also known as Freeman Post-Office Palmer, Stephens.

(2) San Bernardino County. G, 11.

An alkaline spring on the Daggett and Resting springs road, 19 miles (30 kilometers)
by the road northeast of Daggett Palmer, Stephens.

Crane Lake, Los Angeles County, Calif.

A small lake 2 miles (3 kilometers) southeast of Gorman Station, in the extreme
west end of Antelope Valley Merriam, Palmer.

Crocker’.s Ranch, California. Altitude 4,497 feet (1,371 meters).

A station on the Big Oak Flat and Yosemite Valley stage road, 23 miles (37 kilo-
meters) northwest of the Yosemite Valley (by the road). It is near the boundary
line between Tuolumne and Mariposa counties, and 2 miles (3 kilometers) west of
Hodgdon, the nearest point given on the Wheeler map sheet No. 56 D.

Cuddy Peak, California. (See Frazier Mountain.)

Daggett, San Bernardino County, Calif. Altitude 2,002 feet (610 meters). H, 11.

A town on the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, 9 miles (14 kilometei's) east of Bar-
stow. Daggett is the base of supidies for the town of Calico and the Death Valley
region Merriam, Palmer, Fisher, Stephens.

Darwin, Inyo County, Calif. Altitude 4,840 feet (1,475 meters). E, 9.

A small town 22 miles (35 kilometers) southeast of Keeler. Formerly an important
mining camp Palmer, Fisher, Bailey, Nelson.

Death Valley, Inyo County, Calif. D-F, 10-11.

The valley lying between the Panamint Mountains on the west and the range on
the east known by the names of the Funeral, Amargosa, and Grapevine mountains.
There are several springs of drinkable water in the valley, of which the most import-
ant are Saratoga Springs (altitude 352* feet, or 107 meters) at the southeast end,
Bennett Wells (altitude 323* feet, or 98 meters, below sea level) on the west side, and
the springs near the mouth of Furnace Creek, in the northern part of the Funeral
Mountains. Death A^alley proper extends from the vicinity of Saratoga Springs to a
point about 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of Furnace Creek; but with the northwest
arm, or Mestjuite A^alley, it has an extreme length of about 135 miles (215 kilometers).
It is chiehy remarkable for its depth; observations taken by the U. S. Geological

May, 1893.]

LOCALITIES VISITED BY THE EXBEDITION,

367

Survey show that the lowest point northeast of Bennett Wells is 480* feet (146 me-
ters) ielotv sea level, thus making the valley the deepest dex)ression in North America.

Merriam, Palmer, Fisher, Bailey, Nelsox, Stephens.
Death Valley Canon, Inyo County, Calif.

A canon on the east slope of the Pananiint Mountains, leading down into Death
Valley. The head of the canon is about 10 miles (16 kilometers^ north of T<descoi)e
Peak. An Indian trail from Darwin to Furnace Creek, after crossing the Pananiint
Valley, ascends Wild Rose Canon and crosses the summit of the Pananiint Moun-
tains to the head of Death Valley Canon Bailey, Fisher.

Deep Spring Valley, Inyo County, Calif. C, 8-9.

A basin about 10 miles (16 kilometers) long, in the White Mountains near the
Nevada boundary, and between Fish Lake and Owens valleys.. .Merriam, Bailey.

Delano, Kern County, Calif. Altitude 313 feet (95 meters). F, 6.

A station on the Southern Pacific Railroad, 32 miles (51 kilometers) north of
Bakersfield Bailey, Fisher, Nelson.

Desert Range, Lincoln County, Nev. C-D, 14.

A range north of the Charleston Mountains, inclosing the north arm of Indian
Spring Valley. The Desert Range is the southern continuation of the Tim^iahute
Mountains.

Desert Valley, Lincoln County, Nev. B, 15.

A narrow valley containing a large dry lake, between the Pahroc Range on the
west and the Highland Range on the east, which latter separates it from the town
of Panaca. A second Desert A" alley is given on the Land Office map of Nevada just
east of the Desert Range and some distance southwest of the one just described.

The latter is the Timpahute Valley of the present report Merriam, Bailey.

Diamond Valley, Utah.

A small valley in the southwestern part of the Territory, south of Pine Valley
Mountain and north of St. George Merriam, Baileyl

Diaz Meadows, Inyo County, Calif. (See Big Cottonwood Aleadows.)

Dolan Spring, Mohave County, Ariz. F, 16.

A spring on the east side of Detrital Valley, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north-
east of The Needles, Calif. Collections were made here in 1889 by Bailey'.

Elizabeth Lake, Los Angeles County, Calif. Altitude 3,317 feet (1,011 meters). H, 8.

A body of brackish water, a mile long and about one-half mile wide (1.6 by .8
kilometers), situated on the north side of the Sierra Liebre, 2 or 3 miles (3 to 5
kilometers) from the north end of the San Francisquito Pass Palmer.

Elk Bayou, Tulare County, Calif.

A small stream emptying into the Tulare River. Collections were made near the
line of the Southern Pacific Railroad, about 6 miles (10 kilometei’s) south of the
town of Tulare Bailey', Fisher.

Emigrant Canon, Inyo County, Calif. D — E, 10.

A canon in the Panamint Mountains, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of Wild
Rose Canon, and 15 or 20 miles (24 to 32 kilometers) north of Telescojie Peak. Emi-
grant Canon heads in Peroguathus Flat and opens into the northwest arm of Death
Valley Merriam, Bailey', Stephens.

Emigrant Spring, Inyo County, Calif. Altitude about 4,400* feet (1,340 meters).
E, 10.

A spring, in a canon of the same name, in the Panamint Mountains. There are
two siiriugs, about one-half mile aiiart, both on the Avest side of the canon.

Merriam, Bailey', Stephens.

368

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Emigrant Valley, Ncv. C, 13.

A small valley containing a dry lake. It is on the bonndary line l)etwecn Nye
and Lincoln counties and west of the Ucsert and Tinipahnte mountains.

Mk Kill AM, Bailey.

Escalante Desert, Utah. B, 17-18.

An extensive desert in southwestern Utah, north of Pino Valley Mountain and
south of Sevier Lake ^ Mkiumam, Bailey.

Farewell Gap, Tulare County, Calif. Altitude about 11,000* feet (3,350 meters).

A pass from the headwaters of the East Fork of the Kawoah River above Mineral
King to the head of Little Kern River Palmer, Bailey, Fisher, Nelson.

\

Fish Lake Valley, Esmeralda County, Nev. B, 8-9.

On the boundary line between California and Nevada, lying mainly in the latter
State, between the White Mountains on the west and the Silver Peak Mountains on
the east Merriam, Bailey.

Fish Slough, Owens Valley, California.

An old stage station at several large springs on the road from Bishop Creek to
Benton, near the boundary line between Inyo and Mono counties^ about 11 miles
(18 kilometers) north of Bishop Creek Stephens.

Fort Miller, Fresno County, Calif.

An abandoned military post on the San Joaquin River, about 20 miles (32 kilo-
meters) northeast of Fresno.

Fort Tejon, Kern County, Calif. Altitude 3,245 feet (989 meters). H, 7.

An abandoned military post situated in the Canada de las Uvas, 4 miles (6 kilo-
meters) from the north entrance of the canon Merriam, Palmer.

Frazier Mountain, Ventura County, Calif. Altitude 7,750 feet, or 2,362 meters
(Rothrock). H, 7.

A high peak 10 miles (16 kilometers) southeast of Mount Pinos. Also known as
Cuddy Peak, and this name appears on map sheets Nos. 73 and 73C of the Wheeler
Survey Palmer.

Fresno, the county seat of Fresno County, Calif. Altitude 294 feet (90 meters).
D, 5 Bailey.

Funeral Mountains, Inyo County, Calif. E-F, 11-12.

A barren range, forming the eastern boundary of Death Valley and separating it
from the Amargosa Desert. The Grapevine, Amargosa, and Funeral mountains'
form a continuous range from Mount Magruder south to Saratoga Springs, the name
Funeral Mountains being given to the southern end of the range south of Furnace
Creek. The highest peaks in the Funeral Mountains are Le Conte, 6,580 feet (2,005
meters) ; Mount Smith, 6,300 feet (1,920 meters) ; and Mount Perry, 5,500* feet (1,676
meters). Pyramid Peak (altitude 6,754 feet or 2,058 meters) is more properly in the
Amargosa Range Palmer, Fisher, Bailey.

Furnace Creek, Death Valley, California. E, 11.

A small stream entering the east side of Death Valley from a canon of the same
name in the northern part of the Funeral Mountains. A mile or two from the mouth
of the canon is the ‘Greenland ranch’ of the Pacific Coast Borax Company, which is
supplied by water from Furnace Creek. The altitude of the ranch is said to be
about 200* feet (61 meters) TjeJoiv sea level. Collections were made here by

Merriam, Fisher, Palmer, Bailey, Nelson, Stephens.

Garlick Spring, San Bernardino County, Calif. G, 11.

A spring of good water in the Mohave Desert, on the Daggett and Resting Springs
road, 25 or 30 miles (40 or 48 kilometers) northeast of Daggett.. .Palmer, Stephens.

May, 1893.]

LOCALITIES VISITED BY THE EXPEDITION.

369

Gaviota Pass, Santa Barbara County, Calif. H-I, 4.

A iia.ss in tlie Santa Ynoz Mountains about 30 miles (48 kilonieter.s) nortliwe.'^t of
Santa Barbara, running north from the coast to the Santa Yhez Valley Xklsox.

Giant Forest, Tulare County, Calif.

The most extensive grove of Sequoia qiganfea. It is in the Sequoia National Park,
on the divide between the Marble and East Forks of the Kawcah Fiver and o to 10
miles (8 to 16 kilometers) south of Mount Silliman Palmer, Fisher.

Gold Mountain, Esmeralda County, Nev. Altitude 7,400* feet (2,255 meters). C, 10.

A high east-and-west ridge at the northern end of the Grapevine Mountains, froni
which it is separated by a broad, open canon (Grapevine Canon), about 20 miles
(32 kilometers) nortliwest of Grapevine Peak Merriam, Bailey.

Gorman Station, Los Angeles County, Calif. Altitude 3,838 feet (1,170 meters).
H, 7.

A post-office on the wagon road from Bakersfield to Los Angeles, Just south of the
summit of the divide in the Canada de las Uvas Merriam, Palmer.

Granite Mountains, San Bernardino County, Calif. G, 10-11.

A low east-and-west range in the Mohave Desert lying south of the Slate and
Panamint ranges. At the eastern end it runs into the Ivawatch Mountains, and on
the west terminates in Pilot Knob or Granite Mountain, the altitude of which is
5,525 feet (1,683 meters) Palmer, Stephens.

Granite Wells, San Bernardino (bounty, Calif, Altitude, about 4,200* feet (1,280
meters).

A spring in the Mohave Desert on the northwest slope of Pilot Knob or Granite
Mountain, 40 or 45 miles (64 to 72 kilometers) northwest of Daggett, on the wagon
road to Death Valley Merriam, Palmer, Fisher.

Grapevine Peak, Esmei’alda County, Nev. Altitude, 8,657 feet (2,638 meters).
D, 10.

The highest peak of the Grapevine Mountains, which lie along the California-
Nevada boundary, separating the northwestern arm of Death Valley from Sarcobatus
Flat and the Palston Desert. The peak is about 15 or 20 miles (24 or 32 kilometers)
south-southeast of Gold Mountain Nelson.

Grapevine Spring, Inyo thunty, Calif. C, 10.

A spring in the northwestern arm of Death Valley, on the western slope of the
Grapevine Mountains, 5 miles (8 kilometers) west of Grapevine Peak, and on the
California side of the line Stephens.

Greenland Ranch, Calif. (See Furnace Creek.)

Halsted Meadows, Tulare County, Calif. Altitude, about 7,000* feet (2,134 meters).

A small meadow in the Sequoia National Park, 6 or 8 miles (10 or 13 kilometers)
southwest of Mount Silliman Fisher, Palmer.

Havilah, Kern County, Calif. Altitude. 3,150 feet (9.59 meters). F, 8.

A town and post-office about 15 miles (24 kilometers) south of Kernville, on the
road to Caliente Merriam, Palmer, Bailey, Fisher.

Haway Meadows, Inyo Connty, Calif. Altitude, 3,782 feet (1,152 meters). E, 9.

A rancli and stage station on the Moha ve and Keeler stage road, about 9 miles (14
kilometers) south of Olancha and 10 miles (16 kilometers) south of Owens Lake.

Mkrriam, Palmer, Bailey, Stephens, Fisher.

12731— No. 7 24

370

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Hesperia, San Bernardino County, Calif. Altitude, 3,181 feet or 9G9 meters (S. C.
Ry.). 1,10.

A town on the Soutlidrn California Railway, just north of Cajon Pass and 3(5 miles
(58 Idlometers) north of San Bernardino ...Meukiam, Palmeu, Fisiiek, Stephens.
Hockett Trail, California.

An old military trail from Visalia, Tnlare County, to Lone Pino, Inyo County.
The main trail runs up the South Fork of the Kaweah River, thenoe across the
divide and up the North Fork to Soda Springs, where it follows Whitney Creek to
Big Cottonwood Meadows; from this point it descends the steep eastern slope of the
Sierra to Lone Pine. A side trail tuns from Mineral King through Farewell Gap to
the head of Little Kern River and strikes the old trail near Trout Meadows.

Paemeh, Bailey, Fisiiei:, Nelson.

Horse Corral Meadows, Fresno County, Calif. Altitude, about 8,000* feet (2,438
meters).

A small meadow on the trail from Camp Badger to Kings River Canon, situated
north of Mount Silliman Palmek, Fisiiek.

Hot Springs, Inyo County, Calif. E, 10.

Warm springs on the east side of Panamint Valley, near the mouth of Surprise
Canon Mekiuam, Bailey, Fisiiek, Nelson, Stephens.

Hot Springs Valley, Inyo County, Calif. E, 9.

This name is applied to the northern end of Salt Wells Valley, which lies about
10 or 15 miles (16 or 24 kilometers) southwest of Coso Peak Palmek, Stephens.

Hungry Hill Summit, Lincoln County, Nev. C, 13.

A divide in the Desert Mountains between Emigrant Valley and the head of the
north arm of Indian Spring Valley Mekiuam, Bailey.

Independence, county seat of Inyo County, Calif. D, 8.

The station on the Carson and Colorado Railroad (26 miles or 42 kilometers north
of Keeler, at an altitude of 3,718 feet or 1,133 meters), is about 2 or 3 miles (3 to
5 kilometers) east of the town. Old Camp Independence, an abandoned military
post, was located about 2 miles (3 kilometers) north of the town.

■ Mekiuam, Bailey, Palmek, Fisiiek, Nelson, Stephens.

Independence Creek, Inyo County, Calif.

A small stream on the east slope of the Sierra Nevada, which, rises on the east
slope of Kearsarge Pass and flows into Owens River near Independence.

Palmek, Fisiiek, Nelson, Stephens.
Indian Spring Valley, Lincoln Couuty, Nev. D, 13.

A narrow east-and-west valley north of the Charleston Mountains, with a north
arm west of the Desert Range Mekiuam, Bailey, Nelson.

Indian Wells, Kern Couuty, Calif. Altitude, 2,608 feet (795 meters). F, 9.

A stage station on the road from Mohave to Keeler, near the southeast entrance to
Walker Pass Mekiuam, Palmer, Fisher, Bailey, Stephens.

Inyo Mountains, Inyo Couuty, Calif. C-D, 8-9.

The first of the desert ranges east of the Sierra Nevada, forming the eastern wall
of Owens Valley. Remarkable for its height and the steepness of its slopes. The
name Cerro Gordo Range is sometimes given to the southern part of these mountains ;
but the Cerro Gordo, Inyo, and White mountains practically form one continuous
range. The highest points are Waucoba Peak (altitude, 11,267 feet, or 3,403 meters).
Mount Hahn (altitude, 11,030 feet, or 3,362 meters), and New York Butte (altitude,
10,675 feet, or 3,254 meters) Nelson.

May, 1893.]

LOCALITIES VISITED BY THE EXPEDITION.

371

Jackass Spring, Inyo County, Calif. Altitude, 6,489 feet (1,977 meters).

A spring on the west slope of the Panamiut Mountains, at the jioiut where Nelson
Range joins the Panamiut Mountains, not far from the entranee to’ Cottonwood
Canon Nklson.

Johnson Canon, Inyo County, Calif.

A canon on the east slope of the Panamiut Mountains, oj)ening into Death Valley.
Collections were made here hy Fisher and Nelson 6 or 8 mile.s (10 or IS kilometers)
southeast of Telescoxie Peak, at altitudes varying from 5.000 to 9,000 feet (1,524 to
2,743 meters) Palmek, Bailey, Fishek, Nelsox.

Tuniper Mountains, Lincoln County, Nev. B, 16.

A north-and-south range between Meadow Valley, Nevada, and the Escalante Des-
ert, Utah - Meukiam, Baileal

Kaweah Peak, Tulare County, Calif. Altitude, about 14,000 feet (4, 267 meters).
D, 8.

The highest peak in the western ridge of the southern Sierra Nevada west of
Mount Whitney.

Kaweah River, Tulare County, Calif. D-E, 6-7.

An important stream whose five main branches (the North, Marble, Middle, East,
and South Forks) drain the west slope of the Sierra south of the basin of Kings
River, and uniting near Three Rivers flow into Tulare Lake.

Palmek, Bailea’", Fisher, Nelsox.

Kaweah Sawmill, Tulare County, Calif.

A sawmill about 15 or 20 miles (24 or 32 kilometers) north of Three Rivers, on the
divide between the North and Marble Forks of the Kaweah River. ,The mill is at
the lower edge of the pine forest and just within the western boundary of the
Sequoia National Park. An excellent wagon road leads to it from Three Rivers.

Palmer, Fisher.

Kearsarge Pass, California. Altitude, about 12,000* feet (3,658 meters). D, 8.

One of the highest passes in the Sierra Nevada, crossing the range just south of
Mount Kearsarge. The trail from Fresno to Indeiiendeuce runs through this pass.

Palmer, Fisher, Nelsox.

Keeler, Inyo County, Calif. Altitude 3,622 feet (1,103 meters). E, 9.

A town on the east shore of Owens Lake. The present terminus of the Carson and
Colorado Railroad Mekriam, Palmer, Bailey, Fisher, Nelsox, Sterhexs.

Keene, Kern County, Calif. Altitude 2,705 feet (824 meters).

A station on the Southern Pacific Railroad, between Caliente and Tehachapi, about
12 miles (19 kilometers) below the summit of the pass ...Merkiam, Palmer.

Kern River, California. E-O, 6-8.

A large river draining the trough between the two ridges of the southern Sierra
Nevada. The South or East Fork rises on the west slope of Olancha Peak and flows
south, then turning to the west, unites near the town of Keruville with the North
or West Fork, which heads near Mount Whitney. The main river flows into Kern
Lake. It was named by Fremont in honor of Edward M. Kern, topographer of the
third Fremont expedition.

(1). Head of North Fork, Tulare County, Calif. •

Specimens so labeled were collected in the basin between JMount Wliitney and
Kaweah Peak (altitude 9,000 to 12,000 feet, or 2,743 to 3,658 meters) north of Soda
Springs and the canon of the North Fork Palmer, Bailea', D etcher.

372

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

LNO. 7.

(2) South Fork, (Jalil'ornia.

This locality refers to a camp near the northwest base of Walker Pass and 25 miles
(40 kilometers) above Kernville, on the road to Coyote Holes.

MKHUIAM, PaLMKU, BaILEV, FlSIIEU.
Kern River Lakes, California. (See Soda Springs.)

Kernville, Kern County, Calif. Altitude 2,551 feet (777 meters). F, 8.

A small town near the junction of the North and South forks of Kern River.

Merkiam, Palmer, Bailey, FisiiEit.
Kings River, Fresno County, Calif. C-E, 5-7.

This river drains the west slope of the Sierra between the basins of the San .Joaquin
and the Kaweah Rivers. Its branches rise near the crest of the range hetweeii
Mounts Brewer and Goddard and flow southwest into the San Joaquin River.

Kings River Canon, Fresno County, Calif. Altitude 4,500 to 5,000 feet (1,371 to
1,524‘ meters).

The main canon on the South Fork of Kings River, about 10 miles (16 kilomelcrs)
in length Palmer, Fisher, Neisox

Kingston Peak, San Bernardino County, Calif. F, 13.

A peak in the northeastern part of the county near the boundary between Cali-
fornia and Nevada, and about 45 miles (72 kilometers) southwest of Charleston Peak,
Nevada.

Lake Charlotte, Fresno County, Calif. D, 8.

A small lake near timber-line in the High Sierra on the trail from Kings River
Canon to Independence, about 3 miles (5 kilometers) west of the summit of Kear-

sarge Pass Palmer, Fisher, Nelsox.

Lancaster, Los Angeles County, Calif. Altitude 2,350 feet (716 meters). H, 8.

A station on the Southern Pacific Railroad in the Mohave Desert, 25 miles (40 kilo-
meters) south of Mohave Stephexs.

Langley Meadow, Tulare County, Calif. Altitude 11,625 feett (3,542 meters).

A small meadow containing a lake immediately west of and under the iieak of Mount
Whitney. Langley Creek, which rises in this meadow, is one of the three main streams
Avhich flow into the North Fork of Korn River from the east, above Whitney Creek.
Named in honor of Prof. S. P. Langley, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution,
AA'ho established his Mountain Camp in this meadow while making observations
on solar heat on Mount Whitney in the summer of 1881 Palmer, Dutcher.

La Panza, San Obispo County, Calif. G, 4,

A post-office near the San Juan River, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northeast of
San Luis Obispo Nelson.

Las Vegas Ranch, Lincoln County, Nev. (See Vegas Valley).

Leach Point Valley, San Bernardino County, Calif. F, 11.

A valley in the Mohave Desert north of the Granite Mountains.

Leach Point Spring on the north slope of the Granite. Mountains and south side of
the valley, is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northeast of Pilot Knob, on the so-called
Leach Point road from Pilot Knob to Saratoga Springs in Death Valley. Altitude
about 3,500* feet (1,066 meters) Merriam, Bailey.

Lerdo, Kern County, Calif. Altitude about 414 feet (126 meters). G, 6.

A station on the Southern Pacific Railroad 12 miles (19 kilometers) northwest of
Bakersfield Nelson.

i Langley : Researches on Solar Heat, 1884, p. 194.

May, 1803.]

LOCALITIES VISITED BY THE EXPEDITION.

373

Lewis Lake, luyo County, Calif. Altitude about 9,000* feet (2,743 iiietei'K).

A small lake on the west fork and near the liead of Bishop Creek Stki’uex.s.

Liebre Ranch, Los Augeles County, Calif.

A ranch at the north base of the Sierra Liebre, about 20 miles (32 kilometers)
northwest of Elizabeth Lake Mkrriam, Palmer.

Little Lake or Little Owens Lake, Inyo County, Calif. Altitude about 3,100* feet
(944 meters). F, 9.

A small lake about 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of Owens Lake, on the road from

Mohave to Keeler Merriam, Palmer, Fisher, Bailey, Stepiiexs.

Lone Pine, Inyo Conniy, Calif. Altitude [of station] 3,638 feet (1,115 meters. D, 8.

A town on the Avest side of Owens Valley, 4 miles (6 kilometers) north of Oavcus
Lake. The railroad station is on the east side of the valley.

Merriam, Palmer, Bailey, Fisher, Nelsox, Stephexs.
Lone Willow Spring, San Bernardino County, Calif. F, 10.

A spring on the east slope of the Slate Kange, opposite Browns Peak. The spring
is in the hills some distance above the wagon road and is almost the only good
water on the road between Pilot Knob and Mesquite Wells in Death Valley.

Merriam, Bailey, Fisher, Nelsox, Palmer.
Lookout or Lookout Hill, Inyo Couutjq Calif. Alt. about 4,000* feet (1,219 meters).

A mining camp on the east slope of the Argus Mountains near the north end of
the range, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) east of Darwin Fisher, Bailey.

Los Olivos, Santa Barbara County, Calif. H, 4.

A town on the road from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara, north of the Santa
Yfiez Mission Merriam, Nelsox.

Mammoth Pass, California. Altitude about 9,500* feet (2,900 meters).

A pass in the Sierra Nevada from the head of Owens Eiver to the head of the
San Joaquin Nelsox, Stephexs.

Maturango Peak, Inyo County, Calif. Altitude 8,844 feet (2,695 meters). E, 10.

The highest peak of the Argus Mountains, about 13 fniles (21 kilometers) south-
east of the town of Darwin Palmer.

Maturango Spring, Inyo County, Calif. Altitude about 6,000 feet (1,829 meters).

A small spring on the western .slope of the Argus Mountains, 2 or 3 miles (3 or 5
kilometers) south of Maturango Peak, and about 15 miles (24 kilometers) southeast
of the town of DarAvin. Collections were made at the spring and also near the sum-
mit of the Argus Eange, about 1,300 feet (396 meters) above.

Bailey, Fisher, Nelsox, P.almer.

McGill Peak, California. (See Mount Pinos).

Meadow Creek Valley, Lincoln County, Noa^. B, 15-16.

A Amlley east of the Highland Eange, in which is situated the town of Panaca,
about 10 miles (16 kilometers) south of Pioche. The name is given on some maps as

Meadow Valley Merriam, Bailey.

Menache Meadows, California.

In the High Sierra north or northwest of Olancha Peak Stephexs.

Merced River, California. B-C, 3-6.

Eises near Mount Lyell and Mount Dana and drains the west slojic of the Sierra,
between the basins of the Tuolumne and the San Joaquin rivers Nelsox.

Mesquite Well, Death Valley, California. Altitude — 351* feet (107 meters) E, 11.

A Avell on the west side of the valley, about 6 miles (10 kilometers) south of Ben-
net Wells Merriam, Bailey, Fisher, Pal.aier,

374

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

IKo. 1.

Mesquite Valley, Tiiyo County, Calif. U, 10-11.

Thu luniic, yivoii to the iiortlnvcst arm of Doath Valloy, (JO or 70 miles (1).") or 110
Idlomotors) in length, wliieli heads under lilonnt IMagrnder. The valley lies hetweeii
the Grapevine Mountains on the east and the northern part of the Panamiut Range
outlie west Mkuriam, Bailky, SxEPnKNs, Nelson.

Mill Creek, Inyo County, Calif.

A small stream at the extreme north wes.t end of Panamint Valley Nel.son.

Mineral King, Tulare County, Calif. Altitude about 9,000" feet (2,740 meters). E, 7.
A summer resort and mining eamp near the head of the East Fork of the Kaweali

River, north of Farewell Gaj) Palmer, Bailey, Fisher, Nelson.

Mohave,t Kern County, Calif. Altitude, 2,751 feet (838 meters). G, 8.

A railroad station in the west end of the Mohave Desert, at the junetion of the
Atlantic and Pacific with the Southern Pacific Railroad.

Merriam, Palmer, Stephens,
Mohave t River, San Bernardino County, Calif. G-I, 10-12.

The largest stream in the Mohave Desert, usually dry throughout the greater part
of its course; it rises on the north slope of the San Bernardino Mountains,'east of
Cajon Pass, and flows north and then east into a sink known as ‘ Soda Lake’ or the
‘Sink of the Mohave.’ The river was named by Fremont in 1844, who spelled the
word JUohahve.

Monterey, Calif. D, 1.

A town on the bay of Monterey. Collections were made between Cypress Point
and Pacific Grove Merriam, Bailey.

Mormon Mountains, Lincoln County, Nev. C-D, 16.

A range in the eastern iiart of the State near the Utah line.

Moran’s, Mono County, Calif.

A ranch near the head of Owens Valley, about 6 miles (10 kilometers) east of Ben-
ton - Stephens.

Morro, San Luis Obispo County, Calif. G, 3.

A town on the coast about 10 miles (16 kilometers) northwest of San Luis Obispo.

Nelson.

Mountain Meadows, Washington County, Utah. B-C, 17.

A valley in the southwestern part of the Territory northwest of Pine Valley

Mountain. The scene of the Mountain Meadow massacre Merriam, Bailey.

Mountain Springs, Lincoln County, Nev. Altitude, 5,501 feet (1,677 meters). E, 14.

Springs near the summit of the pass over the Charleston Mountains on the road
from Pahrump to Vegas Valley, about 6 or 8 miles (10 or 13 kilometers) north-north-

Avest of Olcott Peak Merriam, Bailey, Nelson.

Mount Corcoran, California. Altitude, 14,093 feet (4,295 meters). E, 8.

The ‘ Old Mount Whitney;’ renamed by Albert Bierstadt, the artist, in honor of
W. W. Corcoran, of Washington, D. C., the first name having been transferred to a
higher jieak. (See Geog. Rept. AVheeler Survey, I, 1889, p. 99.)

Mount LeConte, Inyo County, Calif. Altitude, 6,580 feet (2,006 meters). E, 11.

This is the most prominent peak in the Funeral Mountains, as seen from Bennett
Wells in Death Valley. It is the highest point in the range and is nearly due east
of Telescope Peak. It Avas named in honor of Prof. Joseph LeConte, of the Univer-
sity of California, by James J. McGillivray,j of New York, who visited Death Valley
in 1883-4.

t The spelling is that adopted by the U. S. Board on Geographic Names,
t See article entitled: ‘ In the Valley of Death.’ in New York Times, May ( ?), 1891.

Mat, 1893.]

LOCALITIES VISITED BY THE EXPEDITION.

375

Mount Lyell, California. Altitude, 13,042 foot (3,97.5 meters). B, 0.

A high peak iii the Sierra Nevada east of the Yosemite Valley and near the head-
Avaters of the Merced Kiver.

Mount Magruder, Esmeralda County, Nev. Altitude about 9,500 * feet (2,900 me-
ters). C, 9.

An important mountain standing at the extreme head of the north Avestern arm of
Death Valley and at the southern end of the Red or Silver Peak Mountains. The
Mount Magruder plateau connects the Grapevine, Panamint and Silver Peak ranges.

Merriam, Baieey.

Mount Perry, Inyo County, Calif. E, 11.

The highest peak in the northern part of the Funeral Mountains. It is named
after Mr. J. W. S. Perry, Superintendent of the Pacific Coast Borax Comi)auy, at
Daggett, to Avhom the expedition is indebted for many favors and for much valuable
information. Mount Perry has an altitude of about 5,500" feet (1,676 meters),
its summit being about 5,700 feet (by aneroid) above Greenland ranch in Death
Valley. t Palmer.

Mount Pifios, Ventura County, Calif. Altitude, 9,214 feet (2,808 meters). H, 6.

The culminating peak of the southern Coast Ranges standing near the northern
boundary of the county and at the headwaters of the Cuyama River. Mount Pinos,
also knoAvn as McGill Peak, may he considered the center from which diverge the
various ridges of the Coast Range in this region Nelsox.

Mount Silliman, Tulare County, Calif. Altitude, 11,623 feet (3,543 meters). D, 7.

A high peak in the southern Sierra Nevada situated in the northeast corner of the
Sequoia National Park Palmer.

Mount Smith, Inyo County, Calif. Altitude,. 6,300 feet (1,920 meters). F, 11.

The highest peak at the southern end of the Funeral Mountains and opposite the
entrance of Death Valley at Windy Gap. It is named after Mr. F. M. Smith, of
San Francisco, President of the Pacific Coast Borax Company, Avho aided the exx)e-
dition in Death Valley in every jjossible way.

Mount Whitney, California. Altitude, 14,522 feet (4,426 meters). D, 8.

The highest point in the United States, first called Fishei’man Peak, but after-
ward renam»3d by Clarence King in honor of Prof. J. D. Whitney, Director of the
Geological SurAmy of California. The peak was first ascended August 18, 1873, t and
the records of the fourth party who ascended it (July 7, 1875), Avere still in the monu-
ment on the summit Avhen Mr. Dutcher and the Avriter climbed the peak September
10, 1891. The altitude adopted is that determined by Prof. S. P. Langley, and is
based on a series of barometric observations made simultaneously on the peak and
at Lone Pine. The elevation giA^en by Whitney is 14,898 feet (4,541 meters) and that
adopted by the Wheeler Survey 14,470 feet (4,410 meters) Palmer, Dutcher.

Mud Spring.

(1) Lincoln County, Nev. [C, 13.] Altitude about 5,600* feet (1,705 meters).

A spring in the north end of the Desert Mountains, about 30 miles (48 kilometers)
Avest of Pahranagat Lake Merriam, Bailey.

(2) Mohave County, Ariz. [G, 16.] A spring at the north end of the Sacramento

Valley, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) northeast of The Needles, Calif. Collections
were made in 1889 by Bailea'.

t Tliere is a peak immediately north of Mount Perry, which is almost as promi-
nent from Death Valley but which is 300 feet (90 meters) loAver.
tSee Geog. Rept. Wheeler SurA-cy, i, 1889, p. 100.

376

NORTH A^klERICAN FAUNA.

[XO. 7

Muddy Valley, Lincoln Cionnty, Ncv. D-F, 15-1(>.

A valley nortlieast of the Minldy IMonnf ains. 'Die sti earn of the sanui name llowing
tlirongli the valley emjities into the Virgin River ilimuiAM, 15aii.i;y.

Mulkey Meadows, Inyo County, Calif.

A small meadow on the east slope of the Sierra, _al)ont 7 miles (11 Icilonietors)
southeast of Big Cottonwood Meadows and ahont 12 or lo miles (19-24 kilometers)
south of Mount Whitney IJu j cheh, Koch.

Nelson Range, Inyo County, Calif.' D, 9.

A low east-and-west range connecting the Cerro Gordo with the Panamint iloun-
taius and separating Saline Valley from the head of Pauamint Valley. Named after

Mr. E. W. Nelson, avRo explored the range and the adjoining valleys Nelson.

Nordhoff, Vtmtura County, Calif. Altitude, 819 feet (249 meters). I, 6.

A town in the Ojai Valley, northeast of Ventura Nelson.

Oasis Valley, Nye County, Nev. C-D, 11.

A narrow valley in the southern part of the Ralston Desert southeast of Sarcohatus
Flat. It contains the head of Amargosa Creek Meriuam, Bailey, Stephens.

Olancha, Inyo County, Calif. Altitude, 3,708 feet (1,130 meters). E, 9.

A ranch and post-office 1 mile (0.0 kilometers) south of Owens Lake.

Merpham, Palmer, Bailey, Fisher, Stephens.
Olancha Peak, California. Altitude, 12,250 feet (3,734 meters). E, 8.

One of the highest peaks in the southern Sierra Nevada, about 25 miles (40 kilo-
meters) southeast of Mount Whitney Stephens.

Onion Valley, Inyo County, Calif. Altitude, about 9,000 or 40,000 feet^ (2,740 or
3,050 meters).

A meadow or small valley on the east slope of the Sierra at the junction of the
three forks of Independence Creek Stephens.

Overton, Lincoln Countj*, Nev. Altitude, 1,360 feet (414 meters). E, 16.

An abandoned Mormon town in the valley of the Muddy, northwest of St. Thomas
and 4 miles (6 kilometers) southeast of St. .loe Merriam, Bailey.

Owens Lake, California. Altitude, 3,567 feet (1,087 meters). D-E, 9.

A shallow alkaline lake 15 miles (24 kilometers) long,-9 miles (14 kilometers) wide,
and about 50 feet (15 meters) deep. It is situated at the east base of the Sierra
Nevada, southeast of Mount Wdiitney. Named by Fremont, in honor of Richard
Owens, one of the members of Fremont’s third ex])edition.

Merriam, Palmer, Fisher, Nelson, Bailey, Stephens.

Owens River, Califoruia. B-D, 7-8.

The largest river on the east side of the southern Sierra Nevada. It rises near
Mount Lyell and flows south through a valley of the same name into Owens Lake.

Owl Holes, San Bernardino County, Calif. Altitude 1,790* feet (545 meters).
F, 11.

Holes containing hot water on the Leach Point road from Pilot Knob to Death
Valley, situated on the south side of Owls Head Peak and about 13 miles (21 kilo-
meters) west-southwest of Saratoga Springs Merriam, Bailey.

Pahranagat Lake, Lincoln County, Nev. Altitude, 3,400 feet (1,0.36 meters). C,T4.

A small lake in the south end of the valley of the same name, lying east of the
Pahranagat Mountains and about 60 miles (96 kilometers) southwest of the mining
camp of Pioche Merriam, Bailey.

Mat, 1803.]

LOCALITIES VISITED BY THE EXPEDITION.

377

Pain anagat Range, LiiR'oln County, Nev. C, II.

A desert liinge separating Tinipaliuto Valley on the rvest Ironi Paluanagat Valley
on the east Meriiiam, Bailey.

Pahroc Spring, Lincoln County, Nev. Altitude 5,700'" feet (1,737 meters), (appro’i-
iiuate). B, 15.

A STjring near the sonthern end of the Pahroc Eange on the east side of the plain
of the same name and ahout 30 miles (48 kilometers) southwest of Pioehe.

Mekkiam, Bailey.

Palirump Valley. E-E, 12-13.

A valley lying on the boundary line between California and Nevada immediately
west of the Charleston Mountains and north of Kingston Peak. Coliectious were
made by Fisher, Nelson, and Palmer in the northwest arm near the boundary line;
bj' Nelson and Palmer at Winters’ Ranch in the north central part of the valh^y, and
by Merriam and Bailey at Yount’s Ranch, 6 or 7 miles (10 or 11 kilometers) southeast
of Winters’ Ranch.

Palm Springs, San Diego County, Calif.

The sjirings formerly known as Agua Caliente in Palm Valley on the Colorado
Desert about 15 miles (24 kilometers) southeast of the San Gorgonio Pass and 6 or 7
miles (10 or 11 kilometers) south of the station of Seven Palms on the Southern Pa-
cific Railroad Steehexs.

Pampa, Kern County, Calif. Altitude, 871 feet (265 meters).

A station on the Southern Pacific railroad 15 miles (24 kilometers) southeast of
Bakersfield Bailey, Fisher.

Panaca, Lincoln County, Nev. Altitude, 4,770 (?) feet (1,5.50 meters). B, 16.

A Mormon town in Meadow Creek Valley, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) south of
Pioehe Merriam. Bailey.

Panamint, Inyo County, Calif. Altitude, 6,605 feet (2,013 meters). E, 10.

A deserted mining camp on the west slope of the Panamint Mountains, about 4 or
5 miles (6 or 8 kilometers) south of Telescope Peak Bailey, Fisher, Nelson.

Panamint Mountains, Inyo County, Calif. C-F, 9-10.

A high range lying immediately west of Death Valley, which it separates from
Panamint Valley. The highest point. Telescope Peak, has an altitude of 10,938 feet
(3,333 meters) Merriam, Bailey, Fisher, Nelson, Stephens.

Panamint Valley, Inyo County, Calif. E-F, 10.

A large valley lying between the Panamint Range on the east and the Argus Moun-
tains on the west. The bottom of the valley on tbe east side of the alkali flat has
an altitude of about 1,300 feet (395 meters).

Merriam, Bailey, Fisher, Nelson, Stephens.

Paradise Valley, San Bernardino County, Calif. G, lOi
A valley in the Mohave Desert southeast of Pilot Knob. The dry lake in the bot-
tom of the valley has an altitude of about 3,000"" feet (915 meters).

Merriam, Pal:mer, Fisher.

Perognathus Flat, Inyo County, Calif. Altitude, about 5,200* feet (1,585 metei's).

A basiu on the west slope of the Panamint Mountains at the head of Emigrant
Canon. Named on account of the unusual abundance of pocket mice of the genus
Perognathus Merriam, Bailey, Stephens.

Peru Creek, California. H-I, 6-7.

A stream flowing south from Alamo Peak (near the line between Ventura and Los
Angeles counties) into the Santa Clara River Merriam, Palmer.

378

KORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Pigeon Spring, Esiiicraldii Comity, Ncv. Altitude, about 0,700* feet (2,010 meters).

C, 9.

A spring on tlio uortlnvest slope of Mount Magriider uear tbe California boundary.

Mkruiam, Bailky.

Pilot Knob or Granite Mountain, San Bernardino Comity, Calif. Altitude, 5,525
feet (1,683 meters). G, 10.

A liigli butte or iieak forming one of tbe most conspicuous landmarks in the
Mobave Desert. It is at tbe west end of tbe Granite Mountains and about 75 miles
(120 kilometers) southeast of tbe lower end of Owens Lake and about 35 miles (56
kilometers) northwest of Daggett and Barstow. On a clear day it can be distinctly
seen from tbe summit of Mount Wbitnej" and Telescope Peak. (See also Granite
Mountains.)

Pine City.

(1) Mariposa County, Calif. A settlement, formerly a post-office, on tbe west
slope of the Sierra, about! miles (6 kilometers) south of Wawona, near tbe southern
boundary of tbe county.

(2) Mono County, Calif. A deserted mining camp near tbe bead of Owens River

and a few hundred feet below tbe summit of Mammoth Pass Nelson, Stephens.

Pioche, county seat of Lincoln County, Nev. Altitude, 6,220fcet (1,895 meters). B,16.

Formerly an important mining camp; in tbe northern part of tbe county.

Poso, Kern County, Calif. F, 6.

A station on tbe Southern Pacifie Railroad in tbe San Joaquin Valley, 20 miles (32
kilometers) northwest of Bakersfield Bailey, Fisher, Nelson.

Pozo, San Luis Obispo County, Calif. G, 4.

A post-office about 15 miles. (24 kilometers) east of San Luis Obispo. To be dis-
tinguished from Poso, Kern County Nelson.

Quartz Spring, Lincoln County, Nev. Altitude, about 5,200* feet (1,585 meters).

D, 13.

A spring at tbe west base of tbe Desert Mountains in tbe north arm of Indian
Spring Valley Merriam, Bailey.

Queen, Esmeralda County, Nev. Altitude, 6,254 feet (1,906 meters).

A station on tbe Carson and Colorado Railroad 10 miles (16 kilometers) northeast
of Benton, Calif. Tbe Indian Queen mine is situated in tbe northern end of tbe
White Mountains, about 9 miles (14 kilometers) from tbe station, and at an altitude
of about 9,500* feet (2,895 meters) ; tbe mill connected with it is 5 miles (8 kilometers)
from tbe station, at an elevation of about 7,400* feet (2,250 meters) Stephens.

Raymond Well, Kern County, Calif.

A spring in tbe south end of Salt Wells Valley in tbe Mobave Desert, about 16
miles (26 kilometers) soutbea’st of Coyote Holes or Freeman Post-office.. .Stephens.

Reche Canon, San Bernardino County, Calif.

A narrow valley on the north side of tbe Box Spring Mountains, about 4 miles
(6 kilometers) south of San Bernardino Stephens.

Resting Springs, Inyo County, Calif. Altitude about 1,750* feet (5,320 meters). F, 12.

Tbe springs near tbe Amargosa River, about 6 miles (10 kilometers) east of the
Amargosa borax works Merriam, Palmer, Bailey, Fisher, Nelson, Stephens.

Rose Store or Station, Kern County, Calif. Altitude, 1,334 feet (406 meters).

.A.U old stage station on the road from Bakersfield to Los Angeles, about 6 miles
(10 kilometers) north of Old Fort Tejon, near tbe mouth of the Canada do las Uvas.

Palmer, Nelson.

May, 1893.]

LOCALITIES VISITED BY THE EXPEDITION.

379

Round Valley, Inyo County, Calif.

A small meadow in the High Sierra, 2 miles (3 kilometers) sontli of Big Cotton-
wood Meadows and about 12 miles (19 kilometers) south of Mount Whitney.

PAf-.MKii, Fi.snEii.

Saint George, Washington County, Utah. Altitude, 2,880 feet (877 meters). C, 17.
A flourishing Mormon town near the junction of the Santa Clara and Virgin rivers

in the extreme southwestern corner of Utah Mekriam, Baieey.

St. Joe, Lincoln County, Nev. Altitude, 1,650* feet or 503 meters (1,490 feet or
454 meters, Powell). D, 16.

A small Mormon settlement in the valley of the Muddy about 15 miles (24 kilo-
meters) northwest of St. Thomas Merriam, Baieey.

St. Thomas, Lincoln County, Nov. Altitude, 1,450* feet or 442 meters (1,180 feet or
360 meters, Powell). E, 16.

A small Mormon settlement near the Virgin River, about 30 miles (48 kilometers)

northeast of the great bend of the Colorado River Merriam, Bailey.

Saline Valley, Inyo County, Calif. D, 9.

A valley lying northeast of Owens Lake, between the Inyo Mountains and the

northern extension of the Panamint Mountains Nelson.

Salt Wells, Death Valley, California.

(1) A spring of strongly alkaline water unflt for use, at the south end of Death
Valley near the entrance from Windy Gap and about 15 miles (24 kilometers) south
of Bennett Wells. Observations made by the U. S. Geological Survey show the
altitude of this spring to be 307 feet (93 meters) below sea level.

Merriam, Palmer, Fisher, Bailey, Nelson.

(2) A spring in Mesquite Valley (the northwestern arm of Death Valley) opposite
the mouth of Cottonwood Canon. Altitude, about 150? feet or 45 meters (Vfheeler).

D, 10 Stephens, Nelson.

Salt Wells Valley, California. F, 9.

The name applied to that portion of the Mohave Desert lying south of the Coso
Mountains and west of the southern end of the Argus Mountains.

Merriam, Palmer, Bailey, Fisher, Stephens.
San Bernardino Range, California (see also Sierra Madre).

A high range of mountains between the Mohave Desert and the San Bernardino
Valley. The highest point, San Bernardino Peak, reaches an altitude of 11,600 feet
(3,535 meters). The name is frequently restricted to that ^lart of the range east of the

Cajon Pass Stephens.

San Emigdio, Kern County, Calif. H, 6.

A sheep ranch in the cafion of the same name, about 10 or 15 miles (16 or 24 kilo-
meters) north of Mount Pinos Nelson.

San Francisquito Pass, Los Angeles County, Calif. Altitude, 3,718 feet (1,133
meters). H-I, 7-8.

A pass in the Sierra Liebre leading north from the Santa Clara Valley to Elizabeth

Lake and the Mohave Desert Palmer.

San Gorgonio Pass, California. Altitude, about 2,800 feet (850 meters).

A pass leading from ther« San Bernardino Valley to the Colorado Desert, through
which runs the Southern Pacific Railroad. It is on the boundary line between San

Diego and San Bernardino counties Stephens.

San Joaquin River, California. B — C, 6.

This river rises near the summit of the Sierra Nevada, flows southwest to the
San Joaqhin Valley, and turning northward empties into San Francisco Bay. The
stream referred to in the report is the head of the main river Nelson.

[No. 7.

380 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

San Luis Obispo, county seat of San Lnis Obispo County, Calif. C,

Mkkki.v.m, Nki.sox.

San Simeon, San Luis Obispo Comity, Calif. F, 2.

A port on bay of same name about 40 miles (65 kilometers) northwest of San Luis

Obispo Nelson.

Santa Clara Valley.

(1) Washington County, Utah. [C, 17.] The valley of the Santa Clara River (a

branch of the Virgin River) in the lower part of which the town of St. George is
situated Meuriam, Bailey.

(2) Ventura County, California. [H-I, 6-8.] The valley of the Santa Clara River,
a stream rising in the Soledad Pass and flowing westward into the Santa Barbara
Channel.

(3) Santa Clara County, California. A large valley at the southern end of San
Francisco Bay in which are the towns of San Jose and Santa Clara.

Santa Margarita, San Luis Obispo County, Calif. Altitude, 996 feet (304 meters).
G, 3.

A post-office and station on the coast division of the Southern Pacific Railroad

about 10 miles (16 kilometers) northeast of San Lnis Obispo Nelson.

Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, Calif. H, 4.

A town on the road from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara, about 25 or 30 miles
(40-50 kilometers) southeast of San Luis Obispo Nelson,

Santa Paula, Ventura County, Calif. Altitude 286 feet (87 meters),

A station on the Southern Pacific Railroad, 44 miles (70 kilometers) east of Santa
Barbara Nelson.

Santa Ynez Mission, Santa Barbara County, Calif. H, 4.

An old Spanish mission on the road from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo, 25 or
30 miles (40 or 48 kilometers) northwest of Santa Barbara Nelson,

Saratoga Springs, Inyo County, Calif. Altitude 352^ feet (107 meters). F, 12.

Warm springs in the extreme southeast end of Death Valley, near the bend of the
Amargosa River, on the road from Daggett to Resting Springs.

• Merriam, Bailey, Palmer, Nelson, Stephens,

Sarcobatus Flat, Nevada. Altitude about 4,400* feet (1,340 meters). C, 10-11,

A flat or valley between the Grapevine Mountains and the Ralston Desert, on the
boundary between Nye and Esmeralda counties. Named from the greasewood {Sar-
cohatus vermiculatm) which covers the clay dunes in the lower part of the flat.

Merriam, Bailey, Stephens.

Searles’ Borax Works, California. (See Borax Flat).

Sheep Spring, Lincoln County, Nev. Altitude about 6,700* feet (2,041 meters). B, 16.

A spring on the east slope of the Juniper Mountains, about 20 miles (32 kilo-
meters) southeast of Pioche ' Merriam, Bailey.

Shepherd Canon, Inyo County, Calif. E, 10.

A pass in the Argus Mountains on the road between Coso and Panamint valleys,
about 6 or 8 miles (10 or 13 kilometers) south of Maturango Peak.

Bailey, Fisher, Nelson.

Shoal Creek, Utah. B, 17.

A small stream on the east slope of the southern part of the Juniper Mountains,
sinking before reaching the Escalante Desert ; about 30 or 35 miles (48 or 55 kilo-
meters) northwest of St. George Merriam, Bailey.

May, 1803.]

LOCALITIES VISITED BY THE EXPEDITION.

381

Sierra Liebre, Los Angeles County, Calif, H, 7-8.

The name applied to the western part of the Sierra Madre, hetAveen Frazier
Mountain and the San Franeisquito Pass, and lying immediately south of Antelope
Valley. The portion of the range betAvecn the San Franeisquito and Soleilad
passes is known as the Sierra Pelona MmutiAM, Palmeu.

Sierra Madre, California. I, 8-10.

A high range of mountains, also knoAvn as the San Bernardino Range, forming the
southern boundary of the Mohave Desert, and separating it from the San Gabriel
and San Bernardino Amlleys. The name Sierra Madre is eommonly restricted to that
part of the range west of Cajon Pass. The highest peak is Mount San Antonio,
also known as Baldy (altitude 9,931 feet, or 3,026 meters).

Slate Range, California. F, 10.

A spur of the Argus Range, separating Panamint Valley from Searles’ Borax Flat.
The highest peak west of Lone Willow Spring has an altitude of 5,598 feet (1,706
meters).

Soda Springs, Tulare County, Calif. Altitude about 7,000 * feet (2,134 meters).

A camping resort on the North Fork of Kern RiAmr on the 'Hockett Trail,’ at the
mouth of Whitney Creek. Locally known as ‘ Kern River Lakes.’

Palmer, Bailey, Fisher, Nelsox.

Stewart Wells, Inyo County, California.

A spring in the extreme northwestern part of Pahrump Valley (near the California
and Nevada line), on the road from Resting Springs to Ash Meadows.

Palmeu, Fisher, Nelson, Stephens.

Stoddard Wells, San Bernardino County, Calif.

A spring in the Mohave Desert, on the direct road from Victor to Daggett, about
20 miles (32 kilometers) southwest of the latter imint Palmer, Fisher.

Surprise Canon, Inyo County, Calif.

A canon on the west slope of the Panamint Mountains, a little south of Telescope
Peak. The abandoned mining camp of Panamint is situated in the canon, about
6 miles (10 kilometers) above its mouth, at an altitude of 6,605 feet (2,013 meters).

Bailey, Fisher, Nelson.

Table Mountain, Nye County, Nev. C, 12.

A high mountain or mesa in the southern part of the Ralston Desert some distance
north of Ash MeadoAvs Stephens.

Tehachapi, Kern County, Calif. Altitude 4,025 feet (1,226 meters). G, 8.

A town and station on the Southern Pacific Railroad, situated in a vallej" of the
same name, at the summit of Tehachapi Pass Merriam, Palmer.

Tehachapi Mountains, California. (See Tejon Mountains).

Tehachapi Pass, Kern County, Calif. Altitude 3,832 feet (1,168 meters). G, 8.

A pass in the Tehachapi Mountains, through which the Southern Pacific Railroad
runs, just east of the peak of the same name and about 45 miles (72 kilometers)
southwest of Walker Pass Merriam, Palmer.

Tejon Mountains, Kern County, Calif. G-H, 7-8.

A range known also as the Tehachapi Mountains, running soutliAvest and northeast,
separating the San Joaquin Valley from the MohaAm Desert and connecting the
southern Sierra Nevada with the southern Coast Ranges. The highest points are
Tehachapi Peak (altitude 8,056 feet, or 2,455 meters). Double Peak (8,263 feet, or
2,518 meters), and Mount Pinos (altitude 9,214 feet, or 2,808 meters). The four prin-
cipal passes are Walker, Tehachapi, Tejon, and the Canada de las LWas.

382

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

■ [No. 7.

Tejon Pass, Kern County, Calif. II, 7.

A pass in the Tojou Mountains, sontlnvest of Tehachapi Pass and the mountain
of the same name. Formerly used as a wagon pass from the lioad of the San .Joaquin
Valley to the Mohave Desert Palmer.

Tejon Ranch, Korn County, Calif. Altifcudo about 1,450 feet (440 meters).

Three miles west of the mouth of Tejon Pass, at the extreme southeast end of tho
Sail Joaquin Valley and about 10 miles (16 kilometers) northeast of the mouth of
thQ Canada de las Uvas Palmer.

Telescope Peak, Inyo County, Calif. Altitude 10,938 feet (3,333 meters). E, 10.

The highest peak in the Panamiut Mountains, west of Bennett Wells in Death
Valley Fisher, Bailey.

Temploa Mountains, California.

A low range of mountains between the San Joaquin Valley and the Carrizo Plains.
On the boundary between San Luis Obispo and Kern counties Nelson.

Thorpe Mill, Esmeralda County, Nev.

Ap abandoned quartz mill at the east foot of the Grapevine Mountains and on the
west side of Sarcobatus Flat, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) southeast of Gold
Mountain Merriam, Bailey, Stephens.

Timpahute Valley, Nevada. B-C, 13-14.

A desert vallej’^ lying near the boundary line between Nye and Lincoln counties,
between the Timpahute Range on the west and Pahrauagat Range on the east.

Merriam, Bailey.

Three Rivers, Tulare County, Calif. E, 7.

A post-office about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northeast of Visalia, in the foothills of
the Sierra near the junction of the North, East, and South forks of the Kaweah
River Palmer, Bailey, Fisher, Nelson.

Trout Meadows, Tulare County, Calif. Altitude about 6,000* feet (1,829 meters).

The meadows on the trail from Mineral King to Soda Springs, just west of the
divide between Little Kern River and the North Fork.

Palmer, Bailey, Ftsiier, Nelson.

Tulare, Tulare County, Calif. Altitude 282 feet (85 meters). E, 6.

A town on the Southern Pacific Railroad, 11 miles (18 kilometers) southwest of
Visalia Palmer, Bailey, Fisher, Nelson.

Tule Spring, Esmeralda County, Nev. C, 9.

A spring in Tule Canon, on tho south slope of Mount Magruder.

Merriam, Bailey.

Twelve Mile Spring, Inyo County, Calif.

A spring on the road from Resting Springs to Pahrump Valley, 12 miles (19 kilo-
meters) north of Resting Springs Palmer, Fisher, Nelson, Stephens.

Twin Oaks, San Diego County, Calif.

A post-office in Merriam Valley, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) southeast of the
old mission of San Luis Rey and 5 miles west of Escondido Merriam, Koch.

Vegas Valley, Lincoln County, Nev. E, 14.

A large valley in the southern part of the State, directly east of the Charleston
Mountains. Vegas Ranch, on the east side of the valley, has an altitude of 2,074
feet (631 meters) Merriam, Bailey, Nelson.

Vegas Wash, Lincoln County, Nev. E, 15.

The wash running from Vegas Valley to the Colorado River near the Great Bend,
and 4 miles south of the site of Callville...... Merriam, Bailey, Nelson.

May, 1S93.]

LOCALITIES VISITED BY THE EXPEDITION.

383

Victor, San Bernardino County, Calif. Altitude, 2, 713 feet or 827 meters (S, C.
Ky.). I, 10.

A station on tlae Southern California Railway, on the Mohave River, a few miles
north of Cajon Pass and 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of San Bernardino.

Mkiikiam, Palmku, Fisiikk.
Virgin River, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada. C-E, 16-18.

A large stream which rises in southwestern Utah and einjities into the Colorado
River about 15 miles (24 kilometers) east of the Great Bend. The Virgin Valley
referred to in the report is the valley along-the lower part of the river, in the State
of Nevada Mehuiam, Bailey.

Visalia, the county seat of Tulare County, Calif. Altitude, 348 feet (105 meters).
E, 6 Palmer, Bailey, Fisher, Nelson.

Walker Basin, Kern County, Calif, G, 7-8.

A valley about 8 or 10 miles (13 or 16 kilometers) south of Havilah, on the road
between that point and Caliente. Mossmau’s Ranch in the south end of the valley
has an altitude of 3, 157 feet (961 meters) Merriam, Palmer, Bailey, Fisher.

Walker Pass, Kern County, Calif. Altitude 5,100 * feet or 1,555 meters (5,322 feet or
1,622 meters, Wheeler). F, 8.

A wagon pass through the south end of the Sierra Nevada from the South Fork of
Kern River to the Mohave Desert. Named by Fremont in honor of Joseph Walker,
guide on the third Fremont expedition Merriam, Palmer, Fisher, Bailey.

Watkins’ Ranch, Nye County, Nev.

A ranch in Ash Meadows 3 or 4 miles (4 or 6 kilometers) west of King Spring,
owned by George Watkins. The base camp of the expedition was located here for
several weeks in March, 1891, and collections were made by

Palmer, Bailey, Fisher, Nelson.

Waucoba Peak, Inyo County, Calif. Altitude 11,267 feet (3,434 meters).

One of the highest peaks in the Inyo Mountains, situated at the head of Saline Val-
ley, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northeast of the town of Independence. .Nelson.

Wawona, Mariposa County, Calif.

A stage station in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada on the Raymond and
Yosemite Valley road, 36 miles or 58 kilometers (by road) north of Raymond, Fresno
County Nelson.

White Mountains, Inyo County, Calif. B, 8.

A high range on the east side of Owens Valley, forming a northern continuation of
the Inyo Mountains. The highest point. White iloiiutain Peak, has an altitude of
14,245 feet (4, .342 meters) Merriam. Bailey, Nelson.

Whitney Creek, Tul.are County, Calif.

The largest stream entering the North Fork of Kern River from the east ; it rises
in Whitney Meadows 8 or 10 miles (13 or 16 kilometers) south of Mount Whitney and
empties into the North Fork of Kern River near Soda Springs.

Whitney Meadows, Tulare County, Calif. Altitude 9,371 feet (2,856 meters).

Large meadows near timber-line at the head of Whitney Creek, about 10 miles (16
kilometers) south of Mount Whitney and 3 miles (5 kilometers) southwest of Big Cot-
tonwood Meadows Palmer, Bailey, Fisher, Nelson, Stephens, Dctcher.

Wild Rose Spring, Inyo County, Calif. Altitude 4,060 feet (1,237 meters). E, 10.

A spring situated in a canon of the same name on the west sloiie of the Pairamiut
Mountains, about 10 miles (16 kilometers') northwest of Telescope Peak.

Merriam, Bailey, Fisher, Stephens.

384

NOK'l'H AMEKICAN FAUNA.

[No. 7.

Willow Creek, luyo County, t'alif.

A siiial] streaiii in the Uauaiuiut Mountains rising on the west side, near the snnnnit
ot the divide in Cottonwood C'arum. It Hows down a roeky canon aiul sinks at the
border ol'of Saline Valley • Nki.sox.

Willow Spjing, Kern County, Calif. Altitude 2,573 i’eet (783 nieters). II, 8.

A spring in the western part of the Mohave Desert about 13 miles (21 kilometers )
southwest of Mohave on the road from Tehachapi to Fos Angeles via the San I'ran-
cisquito Pass. It should be distinguished from Lone Willow Spring, San Bernardino
County, near the entrance to Pauaniiut Valley Mekiuaji, Palmek.

Windy Gap, Inyo County, Calif. F, 10-11.

A broad, open canon (also known as Long Valley), connecting the south end of
Panamint Valley with Death Valley. The name is sometimes restricted to the
eastern end of the canon near the entrance to Death Valley.

MEKiiiAn, Pal.aier, Bailey, Fisher, Nelsox.

Winters’ Ranch, Nye County, Nev.

A ranch in the northeastern p.art of the Pahrump Valley, about 4 miles (6 kilome-
ters) from the west base of the Charleston Mountains. .Paljier, NELSt)X, Bailey.

Wood Canon, Calif.

A canon on the east slope of the Graiievine Mountains southeast of Grapevine
Peak and near the eastern boundary ol California Nelson.

Yoseniite Valley, Mariposa County, Calif. Altitude about 4,000 feet (1,219 meters).
B, 5.

The well known valley on the Merced Fiver celebrated for its scenery Nelson.

Yount's Ranch, Nye County, Nev.

A ranch in Pahrump Valley, near the west base of the Charleston Mountains.

Merria.m, Bailey.

INDEX

[ Jfames of new genera and species are given in heavy type.]

Abies concolor, 340.

magnifica, 340.

Acacia greggii, 301.

Acamptopappus spbserocephalus, 309.
Acaiitlioplij'sa, gen. nov., 202.

Aeantliopliysa echiiiatn, sp. nov., 262.

Accipitor atricapillns striatnlus, 37, 154.
cooperi, 30, 1.50, 154.
velox, 35-36, 150, 154.

Acer negundo, 297.

Acorns eaten by band-tailed pigeon, 31.

California woodpecker, 50.
valley quail, 28.

Acridiida?, 251-252.

Actitis niacularia, 23-24.

Adcnostoma fasciculatuin, 302.

A?cbmopborus occidentalis, 12.

.33gialitis niontana, 26.

nivosa, 25-26, 1.54.
vocifera, 24-25, 1.50, 154.

Aeronautes melanoleucus, 55-50, 151, 155.
^sculus californica, 297.

Agaristidse, 245.

Agave ntabensis, 287, 359.

Agclaius giibernator, 75, 155.

pbceniceus, 74 -75, 151, 155.

Alaudes singularis, 236.

Aluus rhombifolia, 333.

Ameiurus nebulosiis, 229.

Amelancbier alnifolia, 287, 307.

Ameles, 206.

Animodranius.sandwichensisalaudinus,86,151,156.

sandwichensis bryaiiti. 86-87.
Ainiiicola micrococcus, sp. nov., 277-278.
porata, 278.

Ampelis cedrorum, 113, 157.

Amphiacbyris freinontii, 309.

Ampbispiza belli, 96.

belli nevadensis, 96-98, 152, 156.
bilineata, 95-90, 152, 156.

Anas aniericana, 16, 150.
bo.scbas, 15, 1.50, 143.
carolinensis, 16, 150.
cyanoptera, 16-17, 150, 153.
discors, 16, 153.
strepera. 15-16.

Andrenidaj, 246.

Anodonta nuttalliaua, 283.

Anser albifrons ganibeli, 18, 150.

Antbicidae, 243.

Antbocoridae, 250.

Antbocoris nmsculus, 205.

Anthrax, 2.54.

fenestratoides, 254.

Anthrax (Sloiiyx) sodom, sp. nov., 254.
Antbribida?, 243.

Antbns pensilvaniciis, 125, 152, 157.

Apbelocoiua californica, 70, 1.55.

woodbousei, 69.

Apboebantns vittatus, 254.

Apidae, 246.

Aplopappus monactis, 309.

I Aptcriiia polita, sp. nov., 259.

\ Aquila cbrysaotos, 38-39, 154.

I Arachnid a, 252.

i Arbutus nienziesii, eaten by band tailed pigeon.s
j 31.

I Arebibuteo ferrugineus, 38.

! Arctiidae, 245.

j Arctoinooon californicuni, 290.
i merriami, 290.

I Arctostapbylos glauca, 318.

; pungens, 318.

j Ardea egretta, 20.

I berodias, 19-20, 153.

i virescens, 20, 153.

! Argyronioeba daphne, 254.
j Artoinisia arbuscula, 316.

lilifolia, 316.
spinescens, 315.

j tridentata, 312-315.

! Ash, 320-321.

Asio accipitrinus, 42.

I wilsonjanus, 42.

I Atriplex canescens, 326-327.

I confertifolia, 323-325.

byinenelytra, 325.
lentiformis, 327.
jiarryi, 325.

polycarpa, 280, 325-326.

S torreyi, 327-328.

Audibertia, see Salvia.

Auriparus flaviceps, 142.

Aytbya american.a, 17, 153.
collaris, 18.
vallisncria, 18.

Bacebaris glutinosa, 309.

Bascanion flagellum frenatum, subsp. nov., 203
209.

laterale, 209.
tieni.ituin, 210.

I Basiliuia millefolium, 302.

12731— No. 7 25

386

INDEX.

J5;itraclii:ni.s, li.st of, IGl.

loiiort on, 219-22.'^.

ISooclioy’s .spernioi)liil'' eaten by Cooper’s hawk,
.an

pjerberis froinonti, 287, 289, 290.

];orytri(hT., 249.

I’.elitla oceiilontalis, 332.

Bibio birtns, 259.

Bigclovia ilonj;lassi, 309.

gravcolen.'i, 309.
teretil'olia, 309.

Birch, 332.

Birds of Deatli Valley, C.alif., 150-153.
of Owens Valley, Calif., 153-158.
report on, 7-158.

Bittern, 19, 1.53.

Blackbird, bieolored, 75, 155.

Erower’.s, 78-79, 151, 156.
red-winged, 74-75, 151, 155.
yellow-headed, 73-74, 151, 155.
Blattid.T, 251.

Blepliaropeza adusta, 256.

Bluebird, mountain, 148-149, 152-153.

■western, 148.

Botaurus lentiginosus, 19, 153.

Boxelder, 297.

Bracouida?, 247.

Bradycellus cognatns, 236, 237.

Branta canadensis (subspecies?), 150, 153.
canadensis hutchinsii, 19.
canadensis occidentalis, 19.

Bruchidse, 242.

Bubo virginiauus subarcticus, 43.

Buckeye, 297.

Bufo boreas nelsoiii subsp. nov., 220 221.
halophilus, 220.
lentiginosus woodhousei, 221.
pnnctatns, 219.

Bulimulus alternatus, 273.

dealbatus, 273.
sorporastrus, 274.

Bunting, lark, 108.

lazuli, 107-108, 152, 156.

BuprestidiE, 241.

Bush-Tit, California, 141, 157.

lead-colored, 141-142.

Buteo borealis calurus, 37-38, 150, 151.
lineatiis elegans, 38.
swainsoni, 38.

Buzzard, turkey, 150, 154.

Byrrhida?, 211.

Bythinella protca, 278-281.

seemani, 278.

Bythoscopidie, 250.

Cactu.ses, report on, 345-353.

Calainospiza melanocorys, 103.

Calandridas, 243.

Calidris arenaria, 23.

Callipeijla californica, 27.

californica vallicola, 28-29, 154.
gambeli, 29-30, 150.

Callisaurus ventralis, 170-173,

Calosoma promiiiens, 237.

Calospasta, 236-237.

Calypte anna, 58.

«ostse, 7, 8, 66-68, 151, 155.

Canipylorliynclius, xec TTeleodjTcs.

Oapsidu!, 219 250.

C:nal)ida', 239.

Carinilex nowberryi, 277.

Carpudacus eassini, 79-80.

nioxicanus frontali.s, 80-81,151, 156
pur(mreu8 californicus, 79.

Cassia arniata, 299.

Castanopsis clirysopbylla, 334.

Catliartes aura, 34, 150, 154.

Catlierpes nioxicanus coiisporsus, 133-134, 152.
Catostoinus ara'opus, 229.

Ceaiiolbus cuueatus, 297.

divaricatus, 297.
fendleri, 297.

Cedarbird, 157. >

Centrocercus uro]diasiauus, 31.

Ceoplilceus pilealus, 49.

Cerainb’i cidiE, 242.

Cercis occidentalis, 287, 299.

Cercocarpus ledifolius, 305.

parvifolius, 305.

CercopidiB, 251.

Cereus eugehnanni, 346.

inobavensis, 340-347.

Cerylo alcyon, 40, 151, 154.

Cluetura A-anxii, 55, 155.

Chalcidid®, 248-249.

Chainaia fasciata liensbawi, 110.

Charadrius sfiuatarola, 24.

Cliarina plumbea, 203.

Cbaritonetta albeola, 18, 153.

Chat, long-tailed, 123-124, 152, 157.

Clielidon ery tlirogaster, 110-111, 156.

Ciielopus, see Clommys.

Cliemisal, 302.

Chen liyberborea, 18.

Chickadee, California, 140.

mountain, 139-140, 157.

Cliilopsis linearis, 322.

Chondestos grammacus strigatus, 87-88, 156.
Cbordeilcs texensis, 7, 8, 53-54, 151, 155.

virgiuianus lieuryi, 5'3, 151.
Chorizantlie rigida, 332.

Clirysomelida^, 242.

Ciciudelida;, 239.

Cinclus mexicanus, 125-126, 157.

Circus budsonius, 35, 150, 154.

Cistothorus palustris paludicola, 136, 152, 157.
Cleinmys marmorata, 102.

Cleridae, 241 .

Clivicola riparia, 112, 156.

Cuemidophorus tigris, 198-200.

tigris uudulatus, 200-201.
Coccinellid®, 240.

Coccothraustes vespertinus montanus, 79.
Coccyzvis americanus occidentalis, 45, 151, 154.
Colaptes cafer, 50-51, 151, 155.

Coleogyne ramosissima, 286, 302-305.

Coleonyx hrevis (Key), 163, 164.
dovii (Key), 163.
elegans (Key), 163.
variegatns, 162-163, 164.

Coleoptera, 239-243.

Columba fasciata, 31.

Colydiidaj, 240.

INDEX.

387

Colymbiis anritns, 13.

nigricollis californiciis, 12, 13, 150, 153.
Comastes sackeni, sp. nov., 255.

Contopus borealis, 63.

richardsoiii, 64, 155.

Coot, 21-22, 150, 153.

Coreidae, 249.

CorioielEBnidae, 249.

Cormorant, Baird’s, 14.

Brandt’s, 14.

Barallon, 14.

Corvus americanus, 71-72.

corax sinuatns, 70-71, 151, 155.
Corylophidas, 240.

Cossidae, 245.

Cottonwood, 335.

Cowania mexicana, 287, 305-300.

Cowbird, 73, 157.

Crane, little brown, 20-21.

Creeper, California, 136.

Cremastochilus westwoodii, 230.

Creosote bush, 286, 293-295.

Crophius disconotus, 263.

Crossbill, Mexican, 81-82.

Crotalus cerastes, 216-218.
lucifer, 218-219.
tigris, 214-216.

Crotaphytus baileyi, 165-160.
siliis, 170.
wislizenii, 167-163.

Crow, 71-72.

Cryptophagidse, 240.

Cuckoo, California, 45, 151, 151.

Culex, 253.

Culex inornatn.s, sp. nov., 253.

Curculionidse, 243.

Curlew, Hudsonian, 24.

long-billed, 24, 154.

Cyanooephalus cyanocephalus, 72-73, 155.
Cyanocitta stelleri, 68.

stelleri frontalis, 69, 155.

Cypseloides niger, 54, 155.

Cyprinodon macularius, 232-233.

Cypriiiodou macularius baileyi, subsp. nov., 233.
Cyprinus carpio, 231.

Dafila acuta, 17, 150.

Dalea fremonti, 298-293.
johnsoni, 299.
polyadcnia, 203.

Dascyllidse, 241.

Dendragapus obscurus fuliginosus, 30-31.
Dendrocygna fulva, 19, 153.

Dendroica aestiva, 118-119, 157.

auduboni, 119, 120, 152, 157.
nigrescens, 120-121.
occideutalis, 121-122.
townsendi, 121-122.

Dermestida;, 240.

Desert willow, 322.

Diadophis pulcbellus, 203-201.

Dipsosaurus dorsalis, 164-165.

Dove, mourning, 32-33, 150, 154.

Dracotettix plutonius, sp. nov. 267-2C3.
Dryobates nuttalli, 47-48.

pubescens gairdnerii, 47.

Bcalaris bairdi, 7, 8, 47.

Dryobates villosus byloscopus, 46-47, 154.

Duck, baldpate, 16, 150.

blue-winged teal, 16, 153.
bufflehead, 18, 153.
canvasback, 18.
cinnamon teal, 16-17, 150, 153.
fulvous tree, 19, 153.
gadwaU, 15-16.
golden-eye, 18, 153.
green-winged teal, 16, 150.
harlequin, 18.
mallard, 15, 150, 153.
merganser, 15.
pintail, 17, 150.

red-breasted merganser, 15, 153.
redhead, 17, 153.
ring-necked, 18.
ruddy, 18, 150.
scoter, 18.

shoveller, 17, 150, 153.
surf scoter, 18.
widgeon, 16.

Dytiscidas, 239.

Eagle, bald, 39.

golden, 38-39, 154.

Echinocactus johnsoni, 351.

polyancistrus, 351-352.
polycephalus, 351.
wislizeni lecontei, 352.

Egret, 20.

Elanus leucurus, 34.

Elasmocerus, 236.

Elateridm, 241.

{ Enipctrichthys mcrrifimi, gen. et. sp. nov. 233- 234.
Empidonax diflicilis, 64^65.

hammondi, 65.
pusillus, 65, 155.

j wrightii, 65-66, 151, 155.

j Encelia frutescens, 312.
j Encoptolophus pallidus, sp. nov., 206.

I Ephedra nevadensis, 286, 335-336.
viridis, 287, 336-337.

Ephydra hians, eaten by shoveller, 17.

snowy plover, 25-26.
Texas nighthawk, 53.
western wood pewee, 64.
Ephydra tarsata, sp. nov., 257-258.

Erax aridus, 254.

Ereunetes occidontalis, 23, 154.

Eriodictyon tomentosum, 320.

Eriogonum inllatum, 332.

polifolium, 331-332.

Erismatura rubida, 18, 150.

Eucnide urens, 308.

Eumeces skiltonianus, 201-202.

Eumenid®, 247.

Eurotia lanata, 329-330.

Eutmnia, see Thamnopbis.

Euxesta spoliata, sp. nov., 257.

Ealco columbarius, 40, 154.

mexicanus, 39-40, 150, 154.
peregriuus anatum, 40.
sparverius deserticolus, 40-41, 154,

Falcon, prairie, 39-40, 150, 154.

Fallugia paradoxa, 287,306-307.

Finch, California purple, 79.

Cassiu’s purple, 79-80.

388

Fincli, liouso, 80-81,151,156.

Fislu's, list of, 229.

r(‘i)()rt oil, 229-2111.
rliikcr, red-inliafteil, 50-51, 151, 155.
riuiiiiiiicola I'lusca, 281.

I'lisca Tiiiuor, 282.
merriaiiii, 281-283.
iiuttalliaiia, 282.

, riycatcher, Arkansas, 155.

ash-tliroatetl, GO-Gl, 151, 155.

Baird’s, 64-65.

Hammond's, 65.
little,. 65, 155.
olive-sided, 63.

Termilion, 7, 8, 66.

Wright’s, 65-66, 151, 155.

Eormicidie, 247.

Forflculidse, 251.

Franseria diimosa, 286, 311-312.

erioceutra, 312.

Fraxiiiiis aiiomala, 320.

coriacea, 319.

Fremontodendron calif'ornirnm 293.

Fnlica aniericana, 21-22, 150, 153.

Fiilgoridse, 250.

Galgulidm, 250.

Gallinago delicata, 22-23, 150, 154.

Gargapliia opacula, .sp. nov., 263.

Garrya veatchii fiavescens, 287-303.

Gasterostcus ’williamsoni, 234.

Geocoocyx californianus, 44-45, 151, 151.
Geomotridm, 246.

Geothlypis maegillivrayi, 122, 157.

triclias occidentalis, 123, 152, 157.

Geron, 255.

Gerrlionotus hiirnettii, 197-198.

scincicaiida, 195, 196.

Gerrlionotus sciiicicauda palmcri, subsp. nov., 196,
197.

Glandiiia decussata, 270.

singleyana, 270.
texasiana, 271.

Glaucionetta elangula americana, 18, 153.
Glossapetalon nevadense, 296.

spinesceiis, 297.

Gnatcatcber, black-tailed, 144.

plumbeous, 144.
western, 143-144, 152, 157.

God wit, marbled, 23.

Goldfinch, 83.

Arizona, 85.

Arkansas, 84-85, 156.

Lawrence's, 85.

Goose, Hutcbin’s, 19.

lesser snow, 18.
white-cheeked, 19.
white-fronted, 18, 150.

Gopherus ag.assizii, 161-162.

Goshawk, 37, 154.

Grasshoppers, eaten by Brewer’s blackbird, 78.

burrowing owl, 44.
California woodpecker, 50.
desert sparrow hawk, 41.
gray-crowned leucosticte,
82.

Lewis's woodpecker, 50.

INDEX.

Grasshoppers, eaten by mallard, 15.

raven, 70.

Swainson’s hawk, 38.
western rod-tailed haw
I :t7.

I Grayia polygaloides (sec (1. spinona.)

I spinosa, 286,328-329.

I Grebe, eared, 12, 150, 153.

I horned, 13.

j pied-billed, 13.

i western, 12.

j Grosbeak, black-headed, 105-106, 156. •

I pine, 79.

I western blue, 106-107, 152, 156.

j western evening, 79.

j Grouse, sago, 31.

! sooty, 30-31.

! Grns c.anadensis, 20-21.

Gryllida', 251.

Guiraca cserulea eurhyncha, 106-107, 152, 156.
Gull, Bonaparte’s, 14, 153.

I California, 13, 14, 153.

glacous-winged, 13.

Heermann’s, 14.
ring-billed, 14, 153.

Habia melanocephala, 105-106, 153.

Haliccetus leucocephalus, 39.

I Harinostes propinpuus, 260.

• Hariiorhynchus crissalis, 130.
j lecontei, 7, 9, 128-130, 152, 157.

I redivivus, 128.

i Hawk, Cooper’s, 36,150, 154.

! desert sparrow, 40-41, 151, 154.

j duck, 40.

I ferruginous roughleg, 33.

I marsh, 35, 150, 154.

i pigeon, 40, 150, 154.

i red-bellied, 38.

I sharp-shinned, 35-36, 150, 154.

! Swainson’s, 38. .

' western red-tail, 37-38, 150, 154.

I Heleodytes brunueicapillus, 130-132, 157.
j Helicina clirysicheila, 282.

1 tropica, 283.

I Helix (Arionta) arrosa, 272.

! (Arionta) coloradoensis, 271-272.

j (Arionta) cypreophila, 272.

I (Arionta) magdalenensis, 269, 271.

j (Arionta) moriuonum, 272.

1 (Arionta) tudiculata, 272.

j (Mesodon) thyroide.s, 273.

(Polygyra) bicrurus, 273.

] (Polygyra) texasiana, 273.

(Praticola) berlandieriana, 273.

(Praticola) griseola, 272.

Helminthophila celata lutesceus, 118.
luciae, 117.

rnficapilla gutturalis, 117.
j Helodernia suspectum, 194^195.
j Heron, black-crowned night, 20, 150, 153.
j great blue, 19-20, 153.

j givien, 20, 153.

j Hesperidaj, 244.

Hesperocichla nsevia, 147.

Heteractitis incanus, 23.

Heterogamea, 266.

INDEX,

38'J

ITefcvoiiioles arbutifolia, 307. j

Hoteroptera, 249-2r)U.

Hiniaiitopus lucxicaims, 22.

Histeridie, 241.

Histrioniciis histriojiicns, 18.

Holocliscns discolor, 302. I

Honioptera, 250-251.

Hoploiiiaclius consors, .sij. nov., 204-205.
Humming-bird, Anna’s, 58.

black-cbinned, 56, 155.
broad-tailed, 58-59. |

calliope, 59. i

Costa’s, 7, 8, 50-58, 151, 155. i

rufous, 59. I

Hydropbilid®, 239. j

Hyla regilla, 222-224.

Hymenoclea aalsola, 310-311. I

Hymenoptera, 246-249. |

Hypsiglena cblorophiBa (Key), 205. j

ocbrorhyncbus (Key), 204-205. |

Hypsiglena texana, sp. nov., 205. [

Ibis, white-faced glossy, 19, 150, 153. \

Icbneumonid®, 247-248. !

Icteria virens longicauda, 123-124. 152, 157.

Icterus bullocki, 77-78, 151, 156. I

parisoriim, 7, 8, 76-77. j

Insects, reports on, 235-268. I

Isomeris arborea, 291. j

arborea globosn, 291. I

Ixodil®, 252. I

Jay, blue-fronted, 69, 155. i

California, 70, 155. !

pinon, 72-73, 155.

Steller’s, 68. !

Woodhouse’s, 69. j

Jassid*, 251.

Joshua, see Tree Yucca.

Judas bush, 299.

Junco hyemalis, 92-93.

hyemalis .shufeldti, 8, 93.
hyemalis tburberi, 7, 8, 93-91, 150.
pinosus. 95.

Junco, Point Pinos, 95.

Sbufeldt’s. 8, 93.

slate-colored, 92-93. I

Thurber’a,7,8,93-94, 150. |

Juniperus californica, 340-341. I

californica utahensis, 287, 341-342. i

occidentalis, 343. !

occidentalis monosperma, 343. |

Kindeer,24-25, 150, 154. |

Kingbird, 59, 155. i

Arkansas, 59-00. j

Cassin’s, 60. j

Kingfisher, belted, 46, 151 , 1 54. j

Kinglet, rnby-crowned, 142-143, 152. |

western golden-crowned, 143. j

Kite, wbite-tailed, 34. i

Krameria canescens, 292. !

jjarvi folia, 286. 291-292. i

Kunzia glandulosa, 302. !

tridentata, 287, 302-303.

Lampropeltis boylii, 204.

Lami)yriidiB, 241.

Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides, 114-115, 152. j
157. I

Lark, dc.sert horned, 00-67, 1.55.

Mexican horned, 07-08, 155.

Larrea tridentata, 286, 293-295.

Larus californi(!us, 13-14, 153.
delawarcnsis, 14, 153.
glaucescens, 13.
hcennanni, 14.

Philadelphia, 14, 153.

Lathridiid®, 241.

Lepidomeda vittata, 231.

Lepidoptera, 244-240.

Leptoypha mutica, 204.

Leuco.sticte atrata, 83.

tephrocotis, 7, 8, 82-, C3.
Leucosticte, black, 83.

gray-crowned, 7, 8, 82-83.
Libocedrus decurrens, 340.

Limax campestris, 271.

Lininsea bulimoides, 275.
caperata, 274.
humilis, 275.
nuttalliana, 274^275.

Limosa fedoa, 23.

Liinosiiia aldriclii, sp. nov., 259.

Lizards, eaten by western red-tailed h.awk, 37.
Localities visited by the expedition, 301-384.
Locustid®, 251.

Loon, 13.

Lordotus diversus, 259.

Lordotii.s soi'orculus, sp. nov., 255.

Loxia curvirostra stricklandi, 81-82.
Lycffiiiid®, 244.

Lycium audersoni, 286, 320-321.
cooperi, 321.
pallidum, 322.
torreyi, 321.

Lygseid®, 249.

Lygffiosonia, 262.

Lygaeosoma solida sp. nov., 2C2.

Lygieus inelanopleurus sp. nov., 202.

Magpie, black-billed, 68.

j'ellow-billed, 68.

Malacbiid®, 241.

Malvastrum rotundifolium, 232.

Mammillaria, 352.

Manzanita, 318.

Martin, western, 109.

Masaridae, 247.

Meadowlark, western, 75-70, 151. 155.
Mecomycter, 236.

Megascops asio bendirei, 43.

Melanerpes formicivorus bairdi, 49-50.
torquatus, 50, 154.
uropygialis, 50.

Melaiiodexia, gen. nov., 250-257.

Mtdanodexia tristis, sp. noA'., 257.
Melanostoma, 255.

Meloid®, 243.

Melospiza fasciata fallax, 98-99.

fasciata graminea, 100,
fasciata guttata, 100.
fasciata beermanni, 89 -100, 156.
fasciata montana, 99, 152.
fasciata rufiua, 100.
lincolni, 100-101, 150.

Membracid®, 250.

INDEX.

390

Meiiodora s])inosa, 28C.

siiiuesceiis, ^18-319.

Merganser amerieamis, 19.

seiTator, 15, 153.
red-lireasted. 15, 153.

Morula inigratoria prop iuqua, 14G-147, 152, 153.
ilesquite, 299-300.

Micropus, see Aeronautes.

Miinus polyglottos, 127-128, 152, 157.

Mistletoe berries, eaten by pliainopopla, 113.
Mocking bird, 127-128, 152, 157.

Molothrus ater, 73-74. 151.

Mollusks, report on, 269-283.-
Moiiaiitliia labecuiata sp. nov., 2G4.

Mordellidae, 243.

Mortania scabrella, 29G.

Mountain mahogany, 305.

Mulberries, eaten by cedar-waxwing, 113.
Murre, California, 13.

Mutillidfe, 247.

Myadestes town.sendii, 144-145, 157.

Myiarcbus cinerascens, 60-Gl, 151, 155.
MyrmecidiB, 247.

ISTabidie, 250.

Neniobius, 2GG.

Nigbtbawk, Texas, 7, 8, 53-54, 151, 155.

western, 53, 151.

Nitidulidas, 241.

NoctuidiO, 245.

Notipliila decoris, sp. nov., 253.

Notodontidfe, 245.

Notonectidae, 250.

Numenius budsonicus, 24.

longirostris, 24, 154.

Nutcracker, Clark’s, 72, 155.

Nutbatcb, pygmy, 137-138.

red-bellied, 137.
slender-billed, 130-137.

Nycticorax nyctieorax nmvius, 20, 150, 153.
Nyiuphalidse, 244.

Oaks, 333-334.

Oidemia americana, 18.

perapicillata, 18.

Omopbron dentatuni, 237.

Oncunyia, abbreviata, 255.

Opbibolus, see Lampropeltia.

Opuntia acantbocarpa, 347.

basilaris, 349-350.
bernardina, 347.
ecbiuocarpa, 347-348.
engebnanni occidcnlalis, 350.
parryi, 348-349.
pulcliella, 349.
ramosissima, 349.
rutila, 350-351.
wliipplei. 348.

Oreortyx pictus plumiferus, 7, 8, 20-27, 154.
Oriole, Bullock’s, 77-78,151,150.

Scott’s, 7,8,76-77.

Oroscoittes niontanus, 12G-127, 152, 157.
Ortboptera, 251-252.

Osprey, 41-42, 151.

Otbniidae, 242.

Otiorbyncbidae, 243.

Otocoris alpestris arenicola, 00-07, 155.

alpestris cbrysobema, 67-08, 155.

Ousel, water, 125-120, 157.

Owl, b.arn, ^2, 154.

burrowing, 44, 151, 154.

California .scrcecb, 43.
long-eared, 42.
sbort-eared, 42.
spotted, 42.
western borned,43.

Paniera iiitidula, sp. nov., 2G2-2C3.

Pandion baliaiitus carolineusis, 41-42, 151.
Pantarbes capito, 259.

Papilionidso, 244.

Partridge, plumed, 7, 8, 20-27.

Parus gambeli, 139-140, 157.
inornatus, 138.

' inornatus griseiis, 138-139.
rufescens neglectus, 140.

Passerella iliaca megarbyncba, 101-102, 156.
iliaca scbistacea, 102.
iliaca unalascbcensis, 101,

Passerina amcena, 107-108, 152, 156.

Patula striatella, 271.

Peaches eaten by bouse flncb, 80-81.

Pelecanus californicus, 14, 15.

erytbrorbyncbos, 14, 153.

Pelic.an, California brown, 14, 15.

wbite, 14, 153.

Peloniyia, gen. nov., 258.

Pelomyia occideutalis, sp. nov., 253.
Pentatomidaj, 249.

Perapbyllum ramosissimum, 287, 307.
Perognatbus impaled by wbite-rumpcd sbrikc,
114.

Petalonyx parryi, 308.

Petrocbelidon lunifrons, 110, 150.

Peucsea cassini, 7, 98.

I ruflceps, 98.

Peuceapbyllum scbottii, 316.
i Pewee, western wood, 04, 155.

I Pbainopepla nitens, 113-114, 157.

Pbalacrid.'B, 240.

Pbalacrocorax dilopbus albociliatus, 14.

pelagicus resplendens, 14.
penicillatus, 14.

Pbaloenoptilus nuttalli, 51-52, 151, 155.
i nuttalli californicus, 52-53.

Pbalarope, Wilson’s, 22, 150, 153.

Plialaropus tricolor, 22, 150, 153.

Pboebe, bl.ack, 03, 151, 153.

Say’s, 61-62, 151, 155.

Pbrynosoma blainvillii, 187-190.

Phryuosonia cerrmn.se, sp. nov. 187.

Pbrynosoma goodei, sp. nov., 191-192.

• platyrbinos, 190-194.

Pbysa gyrina, 270.

beterostropba, 276-277.

Pbycitida3, 246.

Pica pica budsonica, 68.
nuttalli, 68.

Picicorvus columbianus, 72, 155.

Pigeon, band-tailed, 31.

Pinacodera punctigera, 237.

Pine nut eaten by piiion jay, 73.

Pine siskin, 85.

Pinicola enucleator, 79.

Pinon, 287, 337, 338.

INDEX,

301

rmns arist.ata, 339.

balfouriana, 339.
liexilis, 340.
jeH'royi, 339.
lajubertmna, 340.
moiiophylla, 287, 337-338.
luoiiticola, 339.
murrayana, 339.
pouilero.sa, 338.
ponclerosa scopuloniin, 339.
sabiuiaiia, 339.

Pipilo aberti, 105.

cblonirus, 103-104, 156.

fuscus mesoleiicus, 105.

fuscus crissalis, 105.

maculatus raegalonyx, 102-103, 1-56.

niaculatus oregonu.s, 103.

Pipxmculus aridus, sp. nov., 255-250.

Piraiiga bepatica, 109.

ludoviciana, 108-109, 150.

Pisidium oocideiitale, 283.

Pituopbis catenit'ei’, 200.

cateiiifer de.serticola, 20G-2C3.

Planorbis liebmanni, 275.
lentus, 275.
parvus, 275.
trivolvis, 275.

Platanns occidental is, 332.

Platychiruspeltatiis, 257.

Plegadis gaarauua, 19, 150, 153.

Ploas I'enestrato, 259.

Plover, black-bellied. 24.

killdeer, 24-25, 150, 154.
mountain, 26.
snowy, 25-26, 154.

Pluchea sericea, 310.

Pqpket gopber eaten by western red -tailed bawlc,
37.

Podilymbns podiceps, 13.

Polioptila rsernlea ob.scura, 143-144, 152, 157.
californica, 144.
plmnbea, 144.

Poocffites graniineus confinis, 85, 150.

Poor-will, 51-52, 151, 155.

Populus freinontii, 335.

Porzana Carolina, 21, 153.

ProctotrypidiB, 248.

Progne snbis besperia, 109.

Proiiotacantha aiiiiulata, gen.ct sp. nov., 2C0-2G1.
Prospberysa sp., 256.

Prospberysa siniilis, sp. nov., 256.

Prosopis julitlora, 299-300.

pubescens, 300-301.

Prunus andersoni, 302.

fasciculata, 287, 301.
virginiana (or deinissa), 302.
Psaltriparus minimus calil'oruicus, 141, 157.

idumbeus, 141-142.

-Pselapbidse, 240.

Pseudogryijbus californianus, 33-34.

Pseudopis, 236.

I’seudotsuga macrocarpa, 340.

Psilocepbala, 254.

Psyllidse, 251.

Ptinida;, 242.

Pupa (Vertigo) pentodon, 273.

Pursbia, 4<?eKunzia.

Pyrocepbalus rubiueus mcxicanus, 7, 8, 66.
Pyromorphidai, 245.

PyrrbocoridaJ, 249.

Pytbidas, 242.

Quail, California, 27.

Gambel’s, 29-30, 150.
plumed, 7, 8, 26-27, 154.
valley, 28-29, 154.

Quercua douglasii, 333-334.
dumosa, 334.
gambelii, 287, 333.
kelloggii, 334.
lobata, 333.

j nndulata, 287, 333.

I wislizeni, 334.

Pail, Carolina, 21, 153.

Virginia, 21, 150, 153.

Kalins virgiuianus, 21, 150, 153.
liana aurora, 225-226.
boylii, 226-227.
drnytonii, 225.

Rana flsberi sp. nov., 227-228.
liana pipiens bracbycepbala, 228.

pretiosa, 226.

Eaven, 70-71, 151, 155.

Eecurvirostra americana, 22, 153.

Ileduviidae, 250.

Eegulus calendula, 142-143, 152.

satrapa olivaceu.s, 143.

Rena bumilis, 203.

Reptiles, list of, 160-161.

Reptiles, report on, 159-219.

Ebamnus crocea, 297.

Rbiuiclithys (Apocope) ncx'adcnsis, sp. nov.,

I 230-231.

I (Apocope) relifer, sp. nov., 229-230.

I Rbus diversiloba, 298.

} . trilobata, 287, 297-298.

j Eibes leptantbum braebyantbum, 307-308.
j menziesii, 308.

Road-runner, 44-45, 151, 154.

Robin, western, 146-147, 1.52, 158.

Eobinia neome.xicana, 287-299.

Eosasp.?, 307.

Round-tail spermopbile eaten by western red-
tailed bawk, 37.

Rutilus symmetricus, 231.

Sagebrusb, 312-315.

Salazaria raexicaxia, 286, 323.

Saida explaiiata, sp. nov., 2C5.

interstitialis, 265.

Saldidae, 250.

Salix Imvigata,, 334.
longifolia, 334.
nigra, 335.

Salmo irideus, 231.

mykiss agiw-bonita, 232.

Salpinctes obsoletus, 132-133, 152, 157.

Salvadora grabamiiB bexiilepis, 205-206.

Salvia carnosa, 322.
pilosa, 322.

Sand cricket, eaten by western rcd-tailcd bawk,
37.

Sanderling, 23.

Sandpiper, least, 23, 154.

INDEX.

392

Sniulpipor, spoUpcl, 23-24.

'western, 23, ]54.

Sapsucker, reil-breasted, 48-49,
re(l-iiape<l, 48.

AVilliamsoii’s 49.

Sarcoliatns bailoyi, 330.

veniiieulatus, 331.

Sauronialus ater, 173-175.

Sayoruis .saya, 01-62, 1.51, 1.55.

nijl'i'icaiis, 03, 151, 155.

Scaphiopus b.amnumili, 222.

ScarabaibUe, 242.

Sceloporus bi-seriatii.s, 184-186.

Sceloporus bouleiigeri, sp. nov., ISO.
graciosns, 183-184.
magister, 178-183.
occiden tails, 180-187,

Sceloporus orciitti, sp. nov., 181.

Scirteltica oecideiitalis, sp. nov., 207
Scolocophagus cyanocepbalns, 78-79, 151, 153.
Seolj-tidie, 243.

Scorpion eaten by western horned owl, 43.
Screw bean, 300.

Scorpionidfe, 252.

Seyliina delioatnla, 238.

Seiurus novoboracensis notabili.s, 122.
Selaspborus platycercus, 58-50.

rnfus, 59.

Sequoia gigantea, 340.

Service berry, 307.

SesiidEe, 245.

Shells, list of, 270.

Shrike, white-rumped, 114-115, 152, 157.
Shrubs, report on, 285-332, 335-337.

Sialia arctica, 148-149, 152, 158.

meiiicana, 148.

Silphidie, 239.

Simuliuni argus, sp. nov., 253-254.

Sitta canadensis, 137.

carolineiisis acnleata, 136-137.
pygin®a, 137-138.

Snake eaten by desert sparrow hawk, 41 .
Snipe, Wilson’s, 22-23, 150,154.

Solitaire, Townsend’s, 144-145, 157.

Sora, 21,153.

Sparrow, Bell’s, 96.

black-chinned, 7, 8, 92, 156.
black -throated, 95-96, 152, 156.
Brewer’s, 91-92, 152, 150.

Bryant’s marsh, 80-87.

Cassiii’s 7, 98.
desert song, 98-99.

Gainhel’s, '89-90.
golden-crowned, 90.

Heerinaun’s song, 99- ICO, 156.
intermediate, 88-89, 151.

Lincoln’s, 100-101, 15C.
mountain song, 99, 152.
rufous-crowned, 98.
rusty song, 100.
sage, 96-98, 1.52, 156.

Santa Barbara song, 103.
slate-colored, 102.
sooty song, 100.
thick -billed, 101-102.

Townsend's, 101.

Sparrow, western cbi]>ping, 90.

western lark, 87-88, 156.
western savanna, 86, 151. 156.
western tree, 90.
west(!rn vesper, 85, 156.
white-crowned, 90.
wbite-tbroated, 90.

Spatula clypeata, 17, 150, 153.

I Speotyto cnniciilaria liypogica, 4t, 151, 151.
j Spbingid.n, 245.
j Splneralcca monroana, 292-293.

Spbecidai, 247.

I SpbyrapicLis ruber, 48-49.

I tliyroides, 49.

j varius micbalis, 48.

! Siiinns lawrencci, 85.
pinus, 85.
psaltria, 84-85, 156.
psaltria arizouce, 85.
tristis, 83.

Spizclla atrigiiharis, 7, 8, 92, 156.

breweri, 91-92, 152, 156.
monticola ocbracea, 90.
socialis arizoiice, 90.

Spyrostaebys, see Alleurolfea.

Stanleya pinnata, 290-291.

Stapbylinidfe, 240.

Stelgidojiteryx serripenuis, 112-113, 152, 153
Stellula calliope, 59.

Stenodactylus variagatus, 163, 104.

Sterna maxima, 14.

Stilt, black-necked, 22.

Sturnella magna neglccta, 75-70, 151, 155.
Streptestyla sololensis, 271.

Strix pratincola, 42, 154.

Siiajda suft'nitescens, 330.

Succinea luteola, 274.

oregonensis, 274.

Swallow, bank, 112, 156.

barn, 110-111, 150.
cliff, 110, 1-56.

i rough -winged, 112-113, 152, 150.

tree. 111, 152.

violet-green, 111-112, 152, 150.
Swift, black, 54, 155.

Vaux’s, 55, 155.

wbite-tbroated, 5.5-56, 151, 155.
Sycamore, 332.

j Sylvania ijusilla pileolata, 124, 157.
Sympbemia semipalmata inornata, 23.
Symplioricarpos longifolius, 287, 308.
Syruium occidentale, 42.

Tabanus punctifer, 259.

Tacbycineta bicolor, 11, 152.

tbalassiiia, 111-112, 152, 156.
Tanager, hepatic, 109.

western, 108-109, 156.

Tanartbrus, 236.

Tattler, wandering, 23,

Tenebrionidas, 242.

Tern, royal, 14.

Tetradj'inia canescens, 316.

comosa, 318.
glabrata, 286, 316-317.
spinosa, 286, 317-318.
steuolepis, 318.

INDEX.

393

Tetras'onoderus pallidas, 237.

'i’baiuuopbis elegaiis, 211-212.

bamiiiondii, 212-213.
infernalis, 210-211.
parietalis, 214.

Vagrans, 213-214.

Thaninosma moutana, 286, 296.

Tbereva vialis, 254.

Tbvasber, California, 128.
crissal, 130.

LeConto\s, 7, 9, 128-130, 152, 157.
sage, 126-127,152, 157.

Tbrusli, Audubon's bcnnit, 143, 158.
dwarf berinit, 145-146.

Grinneir.s water, 122.
oUve-baclced, 145.
rns.set-backed, 145, 158.
varied, 147.

Tbryotboru.s bewiclcii bairdi, 134-135, 1.52, 157.

bewickii spilurus, 134.
Tingitidie, 250.

Titlark, 125, 152, 157.

Titinonse, gray, 138.

plain, 138-139.

Torreya, see Tumion.

Totauus melanoleueus, 23, 154.

Towbee, Abert’s, 105.

California, 105.
canon, 105.

green-tailed, 103-104, 150.

Oregon, 103.
spurred, 102-103, 156.

Trees, report on, 332-335, 337-343.

Tridactylus, 266.

Tringa niinutilla, 23, 154.

TTiodites mus, 2.59.

Triplasius novus, sp. nov., 254-255.

Trochilu.s alexandri, 56, 155.

Troglodytes aiidon aztecus, 135, 157.

T3Tannus tj'rannus, 59,155.

verticalis, 59-60, 155.
vociferans, 60.

Tryouia fusca, 281.

Tumion californicum, 343.

T Urdus aonalaschka;, 145-146.

aonalascbkse audoboni, 146, 153.
ustulatus, 145, 158.
ustulatus swainsonii, 145.

Unio anodontoides, 283.

berlandieri, 283.

Uria troile californica, 13.

Urinator, 13.

Ctagraciosa, 177.

stansburiana, 175-177.

V^eliidae, 250.

VTreo belli! pusillus, 116-117, 152, 157.
gilvus swainsonii, 115-116, 157.

Bolitarius casainii, 116.
solitarius plumbeus, 116.
vicinior, 117.

Cassin’s, 116.

1 Vireo, gr.ay, 117.

least, 116-117, 152, 157.

pliinibeou.s, 116.

western warbling, 115-116, 157.

Vitis californica, eaten by cedar wax wing, 113.
Vulture, California, 33-34.
turkey, 34.

Warbler, Audubon's, 119-120, 152, 157.

black-tbroated gray, 120-121.

Calaveras, 117.

Iierinit, 121-122.

Lucy’s, 117.
lutescent, 118, 157.

I Maegillivray’s, 122, 157.

• pileolated, 124, 157.

I yellow, 118-119, 157.

j Townsend’s, 121, 157.

j Waxwing, cedar, 113.

] Wild sunflower, eaten by Arkansas goldfiueb,
84.

Willet, western, 23.

Willows, 334-335.

AVoodpecker, Baird’s, 7, 8, 47.

Cabanis’s, 46-47, 154.

California, 49- 50.

Gairdner’s, 47.

Gila, 50.

Lewis’s, 50, 154.

Nuttall’s, 47-48.
pileated, 49.
wbite-beaded, 48.

Wood rat, eaten by western horned owl, 43.
Wren, Baird’s, 134-135, 152, 157.
cactus, 130-132, 157.

[ canon, 133-134, 152.

i rock, 132-133, 152, 157.

tule, 136, 152, 157.

Vigor’s, 1.34.
western, 135, 157.

Wren-tit, pallid, 140.

Xanthocepbalus xanthocepbalus, 73-74, 151, 155.
Xantusia vigilis, 198.

Xenopicus albolarvatus, 48.

Xerobates, see Goplierus.

Tellow-headed tit, 152.

Tellow-tbroat, western, 123, 152, 157.

Yellow-legs, greater, 23, 154.

Yucca aborescens, 353.
baccata, 352-353.
brevifolia, 353-353.
elata? 358-359.
macroearpa, 358.
wbipplei, 359.

Yuccas, report on, 352-359.

Zenaidura macroura, 32-33, 150, 154.

Zonotriebia albicollis, 90.

corouata, 90.
leucophrys, 88, 156.
leucopbrys gaiubeli, 89-90.
leucopbrys intermedia, 88-89, 151.

PLATE I.

1. Sccloporiis clarlciiV}. Sl (j. T\ji)e. (2940)

‘Sonora.’

2. Sceloporus magister Hallow. (1S126).

Moliave Desert, California.

3. Sceloporus zosteromus Cojie. Type. (5298).

Cape St. Lucas, Lower California.

4. Sceloporus or euiii sp.noY. Type. (16330).

Milqnatay Valley, San Diego County, Calif.

5. Sceloporus l)oulen(jeri ^ieivL.,s,p.\\OY. Type. (14079).

Presidio, western Mexico.

6. Sceloporus floridanus Baird. Typte. (2874).

Pensacola, Fla.

On all the figures —

a represents top of head ; all natural size except fig. 6, which is 14 times
natural size.

1) represents the scales bordering the left ear anteriorly; all twice natural
size.

c represents one of the dorsal scales; all 2|- times natural size.

394

North American Fauna, No. 7.

Plate I.

1. Sceloporus clarkii. 2. S. magister. 3. S. soKferonuis.

6. S. floridaniis.

4. iS. orotfti.

5. .9. houJengeri.

PLATE II.

[All natural size.]

1. PTinjnosomacornntum 'ElaiwY. (12618).

Cape St. Lucas, Lower California.

2. Fhryvosoma hJainviUii Gray. (18459).

Old Fort Tejoii, Calif.

3. P/oayiiosoma Stejn., sp. riov. Type. (8567a).

Coast of Sonora, Mexico.

4. riiryvosoma 2)latyr]ri)i()s Givsbvd. (18461).

Ash Meadows, Nevada.

On all the figures — .

a represents head in profile.

h represents top of head, niandihular spines excluded.

c represents niaudible from below, maxillar and other cephalic spines
excluded.

396

North American Fauna, No. 7.

Plate II.

1. Phnjnosoma cornutum.

2. P. blainvillii. 3. P. goodei. Type.

4. P. plati/rhinos.

PLATE III,

1. a, h, c, Xantnsla vigilis Baird. (18619.)

Hesperia, Calif. (Twice natural size.)

2. a, b, c, Salvadora hexalejns (Cope). (18060.)

Argus Eauge, California. (Natural size.)

3. (/, b, Bufo Jialophihis B. & G. (18726.)

Lone Pine, California. (Natural size.)

4. a, b, Bufo boreas nelsoni Stejn., subsp. nov. Type. (18742.)

Oasis alley, Nevada. (Natural size.)

5. a, b, c, Ranafishvri Stejn., sp. nov. Type. (18957.)

Vdgas Valley, Nevada. (Natural size.)

398

North American Fauna, No. 7.

Plate III.

1. Xantusia vigilis. 2. Salvadora hexalepis. 3. Bufo licdophilus.

4. Bufo boreas nelsoni, subsp, nov. 5. Rana ftsheri. sp. nov.

North American Fauna, No. 7.

Plate IV.

The Chuck-walla (Sauromalns ater).
Argus Range, California.

a

PLATE V.

Fig. 1. Empetric^ifhjfs merriami Gilbert, sp. nov. Tyj^e.

Ash Meadows, Nevada.

Fig. 2. Pharyngeals and gill arches from the side. (4^ times natural size.)

Fig. 3. Pharyngeals and gill arches from behind. (4^ times natural size.)

Fig. 4. Lower pharyngeals from above with adherent ceratobrauchials of fourth g
arch. (.5^ times natural size.)

Fig. 5. Same from below. (SJ times natural size.)

On all the figures —

a represents ceratobranchials of fourth gill arch.
h represents lower pharyngeal bones,
c rei)resents epibranchial of fourth arch.
d represents upper pharyngeal boue«.

400

North American Fauna, No. 7.

Kmpetrirhtlnif; merriami gen. et sp. nov. Typo.

PLATE VI.

1. Bhiniclithjs (Apocope) nevadensis Gilbert, sp. nov.

Type. Ash Meadows, Nevada.

2. Bhinichthys (Apocope) velifer Gilbert, sp. nov.

I'ype. Pahrauagat Valley, Nevada.

North American Fauna, No. 7.

Plate VI

1. Rhinichthys (Apocope) nevadensis &]). nov. Type.
•i. Rhinichthys (Apocope) veUfer sp. nov. Type.

North American Fauna, No. 7. PLATE VII

OpUNTIA ACANTHOCARPA. West slope Ui'averilaiii Mruiiitaiiis, ITali.

Morth American rouna, No. 7- Plate VIII.

OpUNTIA ACANTHOCARPA. West slope Beavei'dain Blouiitaius, Utah.

North American Fauna, No. 7. PLATE IX.

OpUNTIA WHIPPLEI. UpiJcr Sauta Clara Crossing, Utah.

North American Fauna, No. 7, PLATE X.

OpUNTIA PARRYI. Indian Spring Valley, Nevada.

North American Fauna, No.

OpuNTIA RUTILA. West slojie Beaverdani MoTintains, Utah.

North American Fauna, No. 7. PLATE XII

Yucca BACCATA. Desert Mountains, Nevada.

North American Fauna, No. 7.

Plate XIII

Yucca ARBORESCENS. Mohave Desert, California.

V,'

North Ameiican Fauna, No. 7. Plate XIV.

Yucca MACROCARPA. I’ahniini) Valley, Ni-Viula.
(( !hai'l(‘sl.()u Moiiiilaiiis in ilisUiiiei'.)

MAP .¥o.l.

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THE DEA.THVALLE.Y EXPEDITION f“

( ABiolog.ical Survey conducted liytKe !

U S. D efit. of Agriculture ) j

Dr. CHartMernarn in charge I

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N. Am. Fauna, No. 7.

SSMI

I

HAISIN-GllAPK MAY BK StTCOESSFULLY PBOnUCEDl.

N. Am, Fauna. No. 7

(lEOflRAPIIIC DISTUinUTION OF LkOONTE’S THIIASHEU (II A UPORIirXC/nf.^! LKCONTKl).

GEOaUAPlilO DISTRIBUTION OF THE CREOSOTE BUSH (LAllRKA TRTDKXTATaJ.'

N. Am. Fauna, No. 7.

Map 5

CIROaKAPHIO DISTRIBUTION OF TUEK YUCCAS (YUCCA AUBOnESCEXS).